Annihilation (2018): "Energy Vortex Butthole"

Did you notice we've had a sneaky theme going this month, Spookies? It may have flown a little under the radar, but so far September has been for the girls — so we decided to round out our SeptembHER lineup with Annihilation (2018). A scifi story about a grab bag group of women in STEM exploring a mysterious phenomenon known only as The Shimmer, this flick follows Natalie Portman and co (Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tuva Novotny) as they set off on a recon mission they may never return from. On a new Spooky Tuesday, we're doing our own research as we work together to uncover this movie's mysteries, messages, and CLEAR references. References: https://www.reddit.com/r/AnnihilationMovie/comments/hpmxdg/the_ending_of_annihilation/https://collider.com/annihilation-ending-explained/https://medium.com/@stefmaxko/a-spoiler-filled-interpretation-of-annihilations-themes-of-self-and-absolution-86c6bfff2c8chttps://screenrant.com/annihilation-story-explained-questions-answered-lena-shimmer/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/annihilation-movie-vs-book-adaptation-spoilers-1201929719/

A fever dream ripped straight from a 12-year-old girl's nightmare, House (1977) has some surprising origins, but no one can deny that director Nobuhiko Ōbayashi put his own spin on the story. Assembling a team of young new actresses and all the best camera tricks, this horror flick set out to make something spectacular, and it's become a cult classic over the years. In fact, it may or may not have even inspired one of your favorite emo songs — and it definitely inspired *us* to create a reality TV tagline for each teenage girl. Listen in as we break into song and workshop our Real Hausu-wives of the Japanese Countryside on a new Spooky Tuesday. References:https://www.slashfilm.com/2168242/steven-spielberg-jaws-success-creation-cult-classic-70s-horror-movie-house-hausu/

It's that time again, Spookies, but Chelsea wasn't sure what to pick for her birthday flick this year, so she decided to do a little sequel presentation. After covering Influencer back in Season 3 for the same occasion, it just felt right to take a chance on Influencers (2025), but did the risk pay off? On a new Spooky Tuesday, we went in blind as we reunited with Cassandra Naud and Emily Tennant's characters for a second showdown that featured even more blood lust and sapphic sexual tension than the first. References:https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2025/12/12/influencers-director-on-how-lizzie-mcguire-inspired-the-sequel-rise-of-malicious-ai-that-bonkers-ending-and-more/

Black comedies may be one of the spooky genres we list in our opening spiel, but we rarely get them on the schedule — which is why it's so fun that we're starting off September with Jawbreaker (1999). This year, we're heading back to school in style as we enter the candy-colored sphere of teenage social politics. Who's hot, who's not, and who's got the power to make those decisions? Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Judy Greer, and Julie Benz may not be starring in a scary movie this time, but they've all got horror creds, and when it comes to this flick, death and destruction are not off the menu. References:https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Interview-Writer-Darren-Stein-and-Director-Matt-DiCarlo-of-JAWBREAKER-THE-MUSICAL-20260815

Spookies, how did we let 20 years go by without ever watching Hatchet (2006)? Thankfully, Swamp Ass August is here to set us straight, so we're finishing off our accidental New Orleans Three Weeks with the first flick in Victor Crowley's slasher franchise. Starring some familiar faces — like squintern Colin Fisher from Bones, Tyson from Scream 3, and Harmony from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, not to mention all those incredible horror cameos — this movie pays homage to some of the legendary series that came before it. It also features that iconic nostalgic misogyny we've come to associate with the era, prompting us to invent new portmanteaus, but we're leaving it up to you to pick your favorite on a new Spooky Tuesday. References: https://timewarriors.co.uk/2024/04/15/hatchet-a-multilayered-masterpiece/ https://research.library.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=honorsprogram_fcrh_theses https://pophorror.com/stay-out-of-this-swamp-hatchet-2006-revisited-retro-review/ 

Spookies, we've been meaning to cover The Skeleton Key (2005) for a while now, so when Swamp Ass August entered the conversation, we knew it had to be part of the lineup. An iconic mid-aughts horror movie starring not one, not two, but three Oscar-nominated actors, this flick nails the Southern Gothic aesthetic and definitely brings the talent. That being said, it's not without its blind spots — and there's always danger when you dabble in things you don't understand. Join us in the bayou as we talk comps, clues, and culture on a new Spooky Tuesday. References: https://hcagrads.hypotheses.org/5111https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/el2d08/what_did_get_out_have_that_the_skeleton_key_didnt/

A theme month is something that can be so special and also last only two or maybe three weeks as long as your heart is pure, which is why we're coming back from summer break with Swamp Ass August. We figured our reunion was cause for celebration, Spookies, so we're hosting a slumber party double feature with Stephen King's Sleepwalkers (1992) and Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998). With some interesting parallels and illuminating opposites, these two flicks make for strange bed fellows, but we're ready to stay up all night breaking them down just as long as we can work in a little ~cat~ nap along the way. References:Boadecia - Enya in Criminal Mindshttps://www.reddit.com/r/Scoobydoo/comments/11nl81x/we_were_robbed_of_a_good_representation_of_velma/

This season, a new queer horror has entered the Villa! We've had our eye on Leviticus (2026) ever since it started making waves at Sundance earlier this year, and now that it's summer, we're ready for a trip to Australia. This flick may not have quite fit the requirements for our pride lineup this year, but we still knew we wanted to cover it sooner rather than later — and with its electric romance, supernatural spooks, and Biblical references, there's a lot to talk about. Starring Talk to Me's Joe Bird, relative newcomer Stacy Clausen, and comeback queen Mia Wasikowska, writer-director Adrian Chiarella's story has CLEAR references to films like It Follows and Teeth while trying to forge a path of its own. References:https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/leviticus-review-conversion-therapy-horror-1236480516/YouTube: Michael Johnston (Obsession) Hosts Leviticus Q&A | Director Adrian Chiarella & Cast InterviewYouTube: LEVITICUS Interview with Writer/Director Adrian Chiarella and Lead Joe Birdhttps://sarata.com/bible/verses/about/frogs.htmlhttps://johnmckeel.com/bible-study/top-five-snakes-in-the-bible/https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2016%3A7-22&version=KJV

Despite the fact that it technically premiered last fall, Obsession (2025) is the hottest horror movie of the year — and it's also the official quarterly pick of our Patrons. The theatrical film debut of writer-director-editor Curry Barker, who got his start making shorts online, this flick captivated moviegoers from the first second it hit their screens. It's also inspired about a thousand memes and plenty of discourse about how the One Wish Willow works, when a hero becomes a villain, and when exactly that villain turn started. On a new Spooky Tuesday, we're joining the conversation as we talk newcomers and nepotism while namedropping stars like Inde Navarette, Michael Johnston, and of course papa Clive Barker himself. References: Costume Designer Blair James's TikTokOlivia Rodrigo's Take on Obsession If Curry Barker made a skit about One Wish WillowsObsession if it was WLW

June may be coming to an end, but Trans Pride isn't over yet, Spookies! We've still got one week left, and we're finishing off with a real hoot of a Fifth Tuesday. For our bonus episode this month, we're hitching a ride with a few fabulous femmes in To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), a movie with a title so long it might as well be one of our themed events. In this '90s flick, leading men Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo set their action star personas aside to play a motley crew of drag queens on a cross-country trip. Full of heart and humor, this queer comedy engages with questions of identity and self-expression ahead of its time while showing audiences just what American allyship can look like. This month, we're donating all of our proceeds to non-profit organizations dedicated to helping and protecting the trans community. You can help by participating in our Instagram fundraiser benefiting Transgender Law Center, joining our Patreon, or streaming both old and new episodes through the end of June. Happy Pride!References: https://letterboxd.com/journal/to-wong-foo-thanks-for-everything-julie-newmar-anniversary-retrospective/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/john-leguizamo-wong-foo-legacy-25-years-after-cult-film-n1239471https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/to-wong-foo-thanks-for-everything-julie-newmar-1200443027/YouTube: "To Wong Foo..." (1995) - Deleted & Extended ScenesYouTube: Trixie Reacts to To Wong FooYouTube: Trans Drag Queen Analyzes To Wong Foo Thanks For EverythingYouTube: Interview with Douglas Carter Beane