EPISODE 47: HAPPINESS

In this episode, we wrap up our discussion of Midsommar and conclude our series on Ari Aster. TW: suicide, toxic relationships, a mention of the possible sexual assault/date rape of Christian, murder, cults, and mental illness. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow Dax: @DaxEbaben Follow MB: @mbmcandrews

We start winding down our Ari Aster series with the first part of our discussion on Aster's 2019 folk horror hit, Midsommar. TW: suicide, murder, mental illness and specifically misrepresentations of bipolar disorder, racism, and cults. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow Dax: @daxebaben Follow Mary Beth: @mbmcandrews Email us: [email protected]

This week, we cover 'Hereditary'. This is a two-parter because we have a lot to say! MB and Dax talk trans identity in the film, motherhood, the actual figure of Paimon, and much more.

We're back and we're talking about America's favorite weirdo, Ari Aster! We delve into all of his short films, which are all available on YouTube.

We wrap up our deep dive into Todd Solondz's misanthropic world with a discussion of his 2004 black comedy Palindromes. Trigger/content warnings: Pedophilia, abortion, anti-choice protestors, murder, mention of sexual assault. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow MB: @mbmcandrews Follow Dax: @daxebaben Please remember to rate/review/subscribe!

We continue our series on Todd Solondz's work with his controversial 2001 dramedy, STORYTELLING. Full disclosure: We also talk about coffee for a solid 10 minutes, so skip ahead to about 11:05 if you don't want to hear it! Content/trigger warnings: racism, sexual assault, ableism, homophobic language, mentions of pedophilia (no depictions), murder. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow Dax: @daxebaben Follow MB: @mbmcandrews You can help the show by remembering to rate/review/subscribe!

Happiness, where are you? Dax and MB continue their Todd Solondz series with an examination of his highly controversial film Happiness. Listener discretion advised. TW/CW: pedophilia, abuse, mentions of suicide, murder, mass shootings, drugging, rape, sexual harassment, bodily fluids. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow MB: @mbmcandrews Follow Dax: @daxebaben

We kick off our director series featuring Todd Solondz by discussing his 1995 cult classic, Welcome to the Dollhouse. Trigger warnings: mentions (but no depictions) of rape & pedophilia, homophobia, transphobia, verbal abuse, and kidnapping. Follow the pod on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow MB: @mbmcandrews Follow Dax: @daxebaben

The WONA team finishes up their "disturbing animation" series with a discussion about Isao Takahata's World War II story, Grave of the Fireflies. Trigger warnings: child death, child mistreatment/endangerment, starvation, war, firebombing/burn victims. Follow us on Twitter: @WONApodcast Follow MB: @Mbmcandrews Follow Dax: @Daxebaben