Frankenstein (2025): "David Bowie's Monster"

The spirit of Frankenstein still lives within us, Spookies — which is why we're just not ready to move on from some of those themes. This week, we're staying in the gothic horror genre as we cover The Woman in Black (2012), a remake of an '80s made-for-TV movie that stars Daniel Radcliffe in one of his first non-Potter roles. A ghost story with a karmic kick, this flick features chihuahuas in sailor suits, dancing monkeys, and all the ether you could ever dream of, so join us on a new Spooky Tuesday as we go trawling through the muck and fog to try and put some souls to rest. References:https://fantasyliterature.com/reviews/the-woman-in-black/https://moviecuriosities.fmuk.org.uk/?p=2786https://ruelleelectrique.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/film-review-the-woman-in-black-sister-to-la-llorona-and-the-lady-of-the-lake/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/05/susan-hill-jane-goldman-interview?newsfeed=true

Happy Thanksgiving, Spookies! This week, we're thankful for Herman Munster, chest hair, and cuddly cats, because we're celebrating the holiday with Stephen King's Pet Sematary (1989). One of the few adaptations of his books that the prolific author actually got to write the screenplay for himself, this flick is interesting in the ways it both stuck to and veered away from the original story. On our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're diving into those differences and dodging 18 wheelers as we talk about the merits of playing god and slaying a cunty little funeral fit. References:https://www.slashfilm.com/1546643/stephen-king-pet-sematary-creepy-painting-meaning/https://pshares.org/blog/death-as-the-villain-in-pet-sematary/https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/feb/21/rereading-stephen-king-pet-semataryhttps://www.strangeharbors.com/blog/2019/4/3/revisiting-1989s-pet-semataryhttps://newrepublic.com/article/153546/pet-sematary-refuses-diehttps://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2018/08/10/pet-sematary-these-corruptible-vessels/https://screenrant.com/pet-sematary-movie-george-romero-not-director-stephen-king/https://stephenking.com/xf/index.php?threads/the-real-question-about-the-ending-spoilers.19690/

Is he hot or is he just 6’5 and made up of various large men’s most beautiful body parts? Is he hot or just played by Jacob Elordi in 10 hours of prosthetics on wobbly fawn legs and with a glimmer of innocence and curiosity in his eyes? On a new Spooky Tuesday, we’re talking about Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025), and we’re asking the important questions, like who drinks milk? And what *is* the meaning of circles? Join us on our latest episode as we head up to the Arctic Circle to explore the nature of life and death, butterfly seductions, and generational cycles of trauma.References: Tour of Victor's Lab: https://youtu.be/JRiLMssdaco?si=1klpMP_A20R4p8K0Color Coding: https://youtu.be/E_Ys8Mpl0BU?si=kMNszcAjooEMPwj6https://youtube.com/shorts/1J6lvmU7NZc?si=S3IGPgeIRaEoza0XBreaking down the scene where The Creature and Elizabeth first meet: https://youtu.be/ngOJpHi4eR0?si=NJ-wxvvGFN3p407shttps://youtu.be/zYV3a3VMC3E?si=LkftHNGq8sDyk84Ahttps://youtu.be/zYV3a3VMC3E?si=tXGBxDvuVDDd9KOkhttps://ew.com/frankenstein-guillermo-del-toro-mia-goth-break-down-scene-when-elizabeth-creature-meet-11845438https://defector.com/guillermo-del-toros-frankenstein-is-flawed-because-his-creature-is-nothttps://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a69286597/frankenstein-netflix-movie-vs-book-differences-explained/https://www.artforum.com/columns/guillermo-del-toro-frankenstein-film-tyler-dean-1234737781/https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3914069/10-easter-eggs-in-guillermo-del-toros-frankenstein/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/frankenstein-jacob-elordi-makeup-monster-creationSpark Notes: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/summary/https://medievalmilanetc.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/st-bartholomew-flayed/https://www.berniewrightson.com/galleries/frankenstein/Paige Michalchuk: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQxX2H1CTql/

Promising that any project will “redefine the found footage genre” might set the bar a little high, but audiences were hyped for Shelby Oaks (2025). The debut feature of film critic turned movie maker Chris Stuckmann, this flick got the ball rolling with a fan-backed Kickstarter and ended with horror icon Mike Flanagan lending his name to the poster. But what happens when the word-of-mouth momentum doesn’t seem to last past the premiere date? On a new episode of Spooky Tuesday, we’re examining the tapes for ourselves and adding our voices to the fray as we discuss what worked, where things went wrong, what the casual viewer might not know about the effort that went into this demonic offering to Tarion, and where Monica’s least favorite Taylor Swift lyrics come into play. Welcome to our underworld, Spookies — it’s about to get quite dark. References:https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/how-chris-stuckmann-neon-shelby-oaks-1235956162/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/shelby-oaks-chris-stuckmann-new-ending-1236415484/https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/shelby-oaks-post-mortem-1235157726/https://www.polygon.com/shelby-oaks-ending-explained-chris-stuckmann-interview/

As hard as Tiffany Valentine slays, we knew we weren't going to get nearly our fill of Jennifer Tilly in Bride of Chucky — which is why Jennifer Tilly TwosWeeks continues with Bound (1996). One of the homoerotic thrillers that got just barely edged out of our Pride lineup last season, this flick has been waiting for us to circle back, and now that Spooky Season has gone back into hibernation (though, let's be real, that doesn't stop us from being spooky year round), November felt like the perfect time. Don't get us wrong, though — this Wachowski sisters project may not be a horror movie in the traditional sense, but between the mafia drama, lesbian sex, and Gina Gershon's everything, it'll definitely have your heart racing. References:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrys#Lesbian_symbolhttps://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/30/bound-the-wachowskis-immaculately-crafted-queer-thriller-was-a-test-run-for-the-matrix

Technically, Spookies, Sydneypalooza goes all the way to the end of October, and while Clowntober TwosWeeks may have come to a close, another themed event is just beginning. You may have noticed our gorgeous new episode art for Season 6(66), and you may have noticed that Sydney is all gussied up as a very iconic figure in it — which is why we figured that our Halloween episode would be exactly the right time to cover Bride of Chucky (1998). Although we’ve barely dipped our toes into the Child’s Play franchise, we’ve got a lot of love for both Charles Lee Ray and Tiffany Valentine here at Spooky Tuesday, and we’re ready to pay homage to one of horror’s hottest (and most toxic) couples as we kick off Jennifer Tilly TwosWeeks with our latest episode. References:https://screenrant.com/bride-of-chucky-behind-scenes-facts-trivia/

He’s one of the hottest new stars in horror, so you had to know Sydneypalooza Presents: Clowntober TwosWeeks would end with another little visit from Art. As we continue to celebrate our gal’s birthday, we’re heading back into the belly of the beast with Terrifier 2 (2022), the sequel that introduced those immediately iconic sunglasses. On our latest episode, we’re getting our hands dirty (and bloody and gory and covered in goop) as we explore the new additions to the lore, debate how much plot is too much plot, and give David Howard Thornton and Lauren LaVera their flowers. References: https://x.com/damienleone/status/1886453068125864114https://collider.com/damien-leone-statements-horror-movies/https://www.horrorincolor.com/politicalterrifierhttps://www.themarysue.com/be-on-the-right-side-of-history-coward-terrifier-creator-just-admitted-the-gory-horror-franchise-has-no-political-meaning-and-fans-arent-happy/

Spookies, you’re not experiencing déjà vu: We are in fact once again covering a cinematic take on Stephen King’s IT as we celebrate Sydney’s birthday. This year, we’re breaking out the balloons a little early, though, because our new episode on IT (2017) is just one half of the party we’ve humbly deemed Sydneypalooza Presents: Clowntober TwosWeeks. First up is Pennywise, and we’re heading down into the sewers with him as we talk about Taylor Swift TikTok edits, our love for the state of Maine, and how crabs are the spiders of the sea. References: https://www.tiktok.com/@stqrryeye/video/7557738245828742455

There’s something spooky in the wind, friends — and a priest just told us our new episode might carry the mark of the beast. This week, we’re kicking off Season 666 (AKA Season 6), so we thought it was only appropriate that we should start with The Omen (1976). An iconic horror classic, this flick has inspired plenty of films that followed in its footsteps, and the Final Destination franchise is not least among them. On our latest installment of Spooky Tuesday, we’re discussing crucifix decor, investigating antichrist abortions, and embodying the diabolical trinity… and we’re doing it ALL FOR YOU, SPOOKIES!!!!References:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4hQKj3MfGfvR9sctTcdVn2d/how-i-wrote-the-omen-one-of-the-scariest-movies-of-all-timehttps://screenrant.com/omen-movies-in-order-release-chronological/https://www.cineworld.ie/static/en/ie/blog/the-curse-of-the-omen-facts-the-first-omenhttps://nofilmschool.com/how-the-omen-shaped-satanic-horror#https://collider.com/the-omen-curse-production/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-omen-forerunner-to-final-destination/https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/jews-and-the-rapturehttps://www.craiyon.com/en/image/wrLePISvR-C7fUauG6xhww

Spookies, there’s no better way to celebrate a season finale than with some serious discourse, so we figured it was about time we get into American Psycho (2000). This flick has had a major impact on pop culture over the years — but it also might be one of the most misunderstood pieces of media. For our final episode of Season 5, we decided to wade into the fray as we break down director Mary Harron’s commentary, discuss commitment king Christian Bale’s performance, and really take a magnifying glass to the details on those iconic business cards. References:https://www.out.com/film/american-psycho-gay-satire-mocking-wall-street-bros-explainedhttps://wesleyanargus.com/2024/09/30/from-book-to-scream-why-you-can-relate-to-patrick-bateman/https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/american-psycho-director-mystified-over-wall-street-bros-missing-the-films-gay-subtext/https://kairosisbyanalysis.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/american-psycho-batemans-repressed-homosexuality/https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/12/the-sad-stupid-rise-of-the-sigma-male-how-toxic-masculinity-took-over-social-mediahttps://youtu.be/MOi7gu--GDg?si=B6wUMUXIJY4K2cTZhttps://screenrant.com/american-psycho-willem-dafoe-kimball-scenes-editing/https://screenrant.com/american-psycho-ending-explained-meaning-what-happened/https://kairosisbyanalysis.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/american-psycho-batemans-repressed-homosexuality/https://italkyoubored.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/american-psycho-maybe-not-the-book-you-think-it-is/https://thetab.com/2023/01/24/sigma-face-explained-meaning-tiktok-christian-bale-american-psycho