The Final Girls: A Horror Film Podcast

BONUS • Julia Ducournau on the fictional disease of ALPHA

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A bonus exclusive interview with Julia Ducournau (Palme D'Or winning writer/director of Raw, Titane) about her new film Alpha, out in UK cinemas now.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

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Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

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The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 26 • Unfriended (2014) + Searching (2018)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100

After a short-ish break we return with author Lucy Rose to talk about two screenlife horrors: Unfriend (2014) and Searching (2018), starring everyone's favourite John Cho.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 25 • Ex Machina (2014)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 23:45:00 +0100

Film critic and host of The Losers' Club and The Lady Killers podcast, Jenn Adams, returns to talk about the Frankenstein movie of the 2010s: Alex Garland's Ex Machina (2014).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 24 • Prometheus (2012) + Alien: Covenant (2017)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0100

The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey comes onboard the Alien space ship to mount a passionate defense of the Alien prequels Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017), and argue that it's the best adaptation of the Frankenstein myth.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 23 • Black Mirror (2011-)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0100

Horror scholar, writer and co-host of This Ends at Prom joins Anna to look at ourselves in Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror, covering the series themes and deep-diving into some iconic episodes like "San Junipero", "The National Anthem" and "USS Callister".

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 22 • Pulse (2001) + One Missed Call (2003)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 23:45:00 +0100

Friend of the show, podcaster Steph McKenna joins Anna to discuss two cornerstone J-horrors: the internet ghosts of Pulse (2001) and the cursed voicemail of One Missed Call (2003).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 21 • Resident Evil (2002)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 23:50:00 +0100

Friend of the show Isaura Barbé-Brown and Anna clock in at the Umbrella Corporation to discuss the first Resident Evil (2002) and how it kickstarted the billion-dollar franchise starring Milla Jovovich.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 20 • Hollow Man (2000) + The Invisible Man (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 23:55:00 +0100

This week, we’re stripping it all back (literally) with a look at two very different takes on invisibility, male ego, and coercion: Paul Verhoeven’s Hollow Man and Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man, both reimagining H.G.Wells' classic tale of a mad scientist who discovers invisibility and then comes to regret it. Joining a very sick Anna is friend of the show Ruby McGuigan.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 19 • The Horrors of Y2K

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 23:59:00 +0100

The early 2000s were many things: 9/11, camera phones, government surveillance, MSN Messenger, low-rise jeans, Big Brother and the most extra horror films you can think of. Author Kirsty Logan joins the podcast to go over what makes this moment in horror history so unique, by looking at a wave of horror films from the early 2000s that channelled the paranoia and confusion of the emerging digital age: My Little Eye (2002), The Collingswood Story (2002), Feardotcom (2002).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 18 • Videodrome (1983) + ExistenZ (1999)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0100

As Charli XCX has declared: it's Cronenberg Summer. With his new film The Shrouds out in UK cinemas, we revisit two quintessential techno-body horror films from the Canadian master David Cronenberg. Joining Anna is the critic and author of David Cronenberg: Clinical Trials Violet Lucca.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 17 • The Matrix (1999)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Plug into The Matrix with Anna and guest Becky Darke to discuss Y2K paranoia, long leather coats, the game-changing action scenes, and how hot everyone is in this film.

Read Emily St. James' excellent piece on The Matrix as a trans allegory.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 16 • Ghost in the Shell (1995) + Perfect Blue (1997)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Anime fan and Dread Central's Editor-in-Chief MaryBeth McAndrews pops in to educate Anna on two masterpieces of the genre: Ghost in the Shell (1995) and Perfect Blue (1997). Read MaryBeth's piece about how Perfect Blue predicted fan culture for Polygon.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 15 • Ringu (1998) + The Ring (2002)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Blumhouse Games Creative Lead and friend of the pod Louise Blain takes the time to discuss her foundational videotape horror, The Ring (2002) and the original Ring (1998).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 14 • Ghost in the Machine (1993) + Virtuosity (1995)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 30 May 2025 23:58:00 +0100

The Ladykillers' Jenn Addams pop by to talk about a double bill of cyberpunk cult classics: Ghost in the Machine (1993) and Virtuosity (1995).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 13 • The Lawnmower Man (1992) + Brainscan (1994)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 23 May 2025 23:59:00 +0100

FANGORIA's Amber T joins Anna for an excellent chat about two questionable 90s relics: The Lawnmower Man (1992) and Brainscan (1994).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 12 • Akira (1988)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 May 2025 23:00:00 +0100

The Losers' Club co-host Rachel Reeves helps Anna unpack the brilliance of seminal cyberpunk anime Akira (1988).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 11 • RoboCop (1987) + Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

We welcome author Heather Parry to discuss two men-machine fusion fiestas: Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop (1987) and the cult Japanese horror Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1987).

Buy Heather's book Electric Dreams: Sex Robots and the Failed Promises of Capitalism and read the essay "Everyone is Beautiful and No One is Horny".

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya
Research Assistant: Frankie Wakefield

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 10 • Chopping Mall (1986) + Maximum Overdrive (1986)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 02 May 2025 23:59:00 +0100

Acclaimed author Julia Armfield joins Anna to discuss a double-bill of not-so-acclaimed tech horrors from the eighties: cult classic Chopping Mall (1986) and Stephen King's only foray into filmmaking, Maximum Overdrive (1986).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 09 • The Terminator (1984) + T2: Judgement Day (1991)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0100

Terminator superfan Dr. Sorcha Ní Fhlainn is back to discuss The Terminator (1984) and its perfect sequel Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 08 • Blade Runner (1982) & Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi joins Anna to debate one of the all-time greatest sci-fi movies, Blade Runner (1982) and its sequel Blade Runner 2049 (2017).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 07 • Westworld (1973) & Westworld (2016-22)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 11:28:54 +0000

Filmmaker Jen Handorf gives her take on Westworld (1973) the movie and Westworld (2016-22) the TV show.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 06 • The Stepford Wives (1975) + Demon Seed (1977)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Izzy Custodio (BeKindRewind) pops by to give her take on two bleak films from the 1970s: The Stepford Wives and Demon Seed.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 05 • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Anna is joined by the BFI's Ruby McGuigan on the bravest mission of all: two women talking about Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey on the internet.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 04 • Them! (1954) + Godzilla (1954)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Anna is joined by Fangoria writer Amber T to discuss two enormous monsters of the atomic age: the giant ants of Them! (1954) and the first appearance of giant lizard pal Godzilla in Godzilla (1954).

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Kirsty Logan (No & Other Love Stories)

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Kirsty Logan, to talk about her new short story collection: No & Other Love Stories.

Kirsty Logan is a Scottish writer of novels and short stories. She is the author of Now She is Witch, a medieval witch revenge quest, Things We Say In The Dark, The Gloaming, The Gracekeepers, A Portable Shelter, and The Rental Heart & Other Fairytales. Kirsty was also previously a guest on the podcast to talk about SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and HANNIBAL series.

No & Other Love Stories is out now.

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Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Time to Leave" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

MACHINES 03 • Frankenstein (1931) and the origins of tech horror

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A deep dive into how all tech horror roads lead back to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818) and its most famous cinematic adaptation, James Whale's Frankenstein (1931) with film critic Clarisse Loughrey.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

BONUS • Interview with THE MONKEY director Osgood Perkins

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

An exclusive (and spoiler-free!) interview with The Monkey writer-director Osgood Perkins.

The Monkey is out in UK cinemas from the 21st February

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Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

MACHINES 02 • Metropolis (1927)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000

A deep dive into Fritz Lang's silent science fiction epic Metropolis (1927) with film critic and historian Pamela Hutchinson.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

MACHINES 01 • Introduction

Anna Bogutskaya — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:00:00 +0000

An introduction to the films, themes and fears that the MACHINES series will explore as we journey through the intersections of horror and technology, from the first robots of the silent era, to the most recent AI villains

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

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Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio, Alpha Nine (August Wilhelmsson), "You're Not Hiding Very Well" (Trevor Kowalski), "Path to the Abyss" (Christopher Moe Ditlevsen), "Mirror 45" (Lennon Hutton) and "Someone There" (Victor Lundberg).

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

Introducing new series... MACHINES

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The eight series of The Final Girls podcast will explore the intersections of horror and technology, from the first robots of the silent era, to the most recent AI villains

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Neon Alley" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring horror film history through a feminine lens.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Read Feeding the Monster

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Lucy Rose (The Lamb)

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb.

The Lamb is the buzziest horror debut novel about a cannibal mother and daughter. Margot and Mama live by the forest, away from everyone else. When Margot isn’t at school, they spend quiet days together in their cottage, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Mama feeds them, bathes them, and then – eats them. Lucy is an amazing new talent, writing short stories, making films and now, writing novels too.

The Lamb is out on January 30th.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Time to Leave" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BONUS • Interview with LONGLEGS actor Alicia Witt

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

An exclusive and spoilerific interview with Longlegs, Urban Legend and Twin Peaks actor Alicia Witt.

Longlegs is is now available on DVD, blu-ray and digital.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Samantha Allen (Patricia Wants to Cuddle)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Samantha Allen, author of the creature novel Patricia Wants to Cuddle.

We talk about the sasquatch figure, The Bachelor and the villains of reality TV, Samantha's move from journalism into fiction and much more.

Patricia Wants to Cuddle is available in all bookshops.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Time to Leave" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Silver Nitrate)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of the novels Silver Nitrate, Mexican Gothic and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, amongst others.

We talk about cursed films and taking inspiration from classic horror movies, weaving in Lovecraftian influences, dark magic and Nazi history into her novel-homage to horror fandom and film history.

Silver Nitrate is available in all bookshops.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Time to Leave" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Daisy Johnson (The Hotel)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Daisy Johnson, author of the short story collection The Hotel

Johnson, who has been called “the demon offspring of Shirley Jackson and Stephen King," Johnson is the author of short story collection Fen and the novels Everything Under, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Sisters, which was recently adapted into the film SEPTEMBER SAYS, which is screening at the BFI London Film Festival this month. Her new book is a collection of interconnected short stories swirling around a haunted hotel in the Fens, a place of mythos, rumours and secrets.

The Hotel is out on October 17th. You can also listen to it on Radio 4.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Time to Leave" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 28 • Serial Killers At The Movies

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:58:00 +0100

In the finale for the season, Anna waxes lyrical about what makes a serial killer movie, and how it intersects with horror, biopics and true crime. Plus - why are there no good Jack the Ripper movies?

Includes extracts from Clarisse Loughrey, our interview with Eliza Clark, and Jenn Adams.

Read more:
Violent Delights by Sarah Marshall
I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubehold
Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
Penance by Eliza Clark

Clips: Mindhunter, True Detective, Manhunter (1986), Ripper, Whitechapel, Jack the Ripper, The Simpsons, Hannibal, Dahmer, Seven, Copycat, Zodiac, The Cell and The Batman.

***

If you enjoy this episode, drop us a line on hello@thefinalgirls.co.uk. If you find a good Jack the Ripper movie, please let me know immediately.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and CO.AG MUSIC

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 27 • Almost Rans

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Every single contributor to this series sends in their recommendation for a serial killer movie/TV show we have not covered on this series. Plus, Anna adds her own cheeky almost rans.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 26 • The Batman (2022)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 23:58:00 +0100

The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey joins me in Gotham to talk about a masked vigilante with a strict moral code. And also we talk about Batman.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 25 • You (2018-)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Writer, actor and friend of the pod Isaura Barbé-Brown puts her stalker cap on to talk about the amateur serial killer Joe Goldberg of the Netflix series You (2018-), which wraps up its run this year.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 24 • Serial Mom (1994) + Prevenge (2016)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Film critic and friend of the pod Leila Latif makes a return to talk about two serial killing mothers: John Waters' Serial Mom (1994) and Alice Lowe's Prevenge (2016).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

My book FEEDING THE MONSTER is out today!

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Please indulge me in 5mins of self promotion because my new book is out today! Feeding the Monster: Why Horror Has a Hold on Us is out in bookshops and everywhere today.

Feeding the Monster is about horror films and feelings, a love letter to horror culture and an exploration of why horror has become the defining film genre of the last decade. If you like this podcast, you might like it.

Listeners get a 30% discount on Feeding the Monster on the Faber.co.uk website using promo code PODCAST30

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 23 • True Detective (2014)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Podcaster and friend of the pod Steph McKenna joins Anna to go deep into the b̶e̶s̶t̶ first season of True Detective (2014). Check out our chat about True Detective: Night Country too.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 22 • Mindhunter (2017-19)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

BFI's Ruby McGuigan joins Anna to go deep into both seasons of Mindhunter (2017-19).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 21 • Creep (2014) + Creep 2 (2017)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 23:58:00 +0100

The Faculty of Horror's Alexandra West joins Anna to discuss the brilliance of Creep (2014) and her own Peachfuzz-adjacent experience.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BONUS • Longlegs (2024)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

A bonus (and spoiler-ific) discussion about Longlegs, the most hyped about horror movie of the year, with podcaster Steph McKenna.

Longlegs is out in UK cinemas from the 12th July.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 20 • The Snowtown Murders (2011)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Horror legend Alexandra Heller-Nicholas to discuss the deeply upsetting The Snowtown Murders (2011).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BONUS • The State of Horror in 2024 (So Far)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 23:59:00 +0100

It's halfway through the year, so podcast faves Isaura Barbé-Brown and Becky Darke reunite to discuss the state of the horror nation so far, the best (and the worst) and what we're looking forward to.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

BONUS • Interview with LONGLEGS director Osgood Perkins

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

An exclusive (and spoiler-free!) interview with Longlegs writer-director Osgood Perkins.

Longlegs is out in UK cinemas from the 12th July.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 19 • Memories of Murder (2003) + Zodiac (2007)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey joins me for a double-bill of bangers: Bong Joon Ho's Memories of Murder (2003) and David Fincher's Zodiac (2007).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 18 • Orphan (2009) + Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 23:59:00 +0100

Brilliant critic Savina Petkova stops by to discuss and defend the prolific serial killing girl Esther from Orphan (2009) and its prequel Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Elle Nash (Deliver Me)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Elle Nash, author of Deliver Me, Animals Eat Each Other, Gag Reflex and the short story collection Nudes.

We talk about the process of writing Deliver Me, getting inspiration from headlines, the Ozarks, writing about pregnancy and motherhood and so much more.

Deliver Me is out now.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 17 • Man Bites Dog (1992) + Behind the Mask: Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Noted found footage defends MaryBeth McAndrews joins me to discuss the serial killer mockumentary double bill: Belgian extreme horror Man Bites Dog (1992) and love letter to slasher films Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 16 • The Cell (2000) + Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Author Heather Parry joins me to discuss the most unlikely double bill of this show's history: Tarsem Singh's psychological horror The Cell (2000) and Tom Tykwer's adaptation of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 15 • May (2002) + Monster (2003)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Film analyst, writer and podcaster BJ Colangelo joins me to talk about an unlikely double bill: May (2002), about a lonely young woman who wants to make a friend out of body parts, and Monster (2003), inspired by the real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BONUS • Interview with THE WATCHED director Ishana Night Shyamalan

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0100

An exclusive (and spoiler-free!) interview with The Watched director Ishana Night Shyamalan. The Watched is out in UK cinemas from 7th June.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 14 • American Psycho (2000)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Film analyst and podcaster Mary Wild joins me to discuss one of the all-time great serial killer movies: Mary Harron's American Psycho (2000). We cover the film's journey and influence, from the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel to the memes and influencers inspired by it.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content including bonus reviews and a monthly horror book club.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Eliza Clark (Boy Parts, Penance)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 30 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, welcomes Eliza Clark, author of Boy Parts, Penance and the upcoming short story collection She's Always Hungry.

We talk about the process of writing Penance, useless research rabbit holes, the true crime content machine, and reading books so good it almost makes you want to quit writing altogether.

Penance is out now in paperback.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 13 • The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Actor and writer Isaura Barbé-Brown pops by to dissect one of the most iconic grifter/serial killers of page and screen: Tom Ripley.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 12 • Seven (1995)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 17 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Scholar and critic Dr Sorcha Ní Fhlainn pops by to discuss one of the most influential serial killer movies of all time: David Fincher's Se7en (1995).

Join our Patreon for extra horror content.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 11 • Child's Play (1988) and the Chucky Family Tree

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Critic and podcaster Becky Darke goes through the Chuck Family Tree, from the original Child's Play (1988) and its sequel Child's Play 2 (1990) to the expanded Chuckyverse, his partner-in-crime Tiffany and their child Glen/Glenda.

Join our Patreon for extra horror content.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus.

Music by "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BONUS • Interview with LOVE LIES BLEEDING director Rose Glass

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 04 May 2024 13:39:28 +0100

An exclusive interview with Love Lies Bleeding co-writer and director Rose Glass (spoilers from 25:03).

Listen to our in-depth review of Love Lies Bleeding on our Patreon.

Love Lies Bleeding is out in UK cinemas now.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 10 • Hannibal (TV, 2013-15)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Author Kirsty Logan joins me for the biggest monster of them, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. We discuss the TV series based on the work of Thomas Harris, Hannibal (2013-2015). We discuss the entire series in detail.

Join our Patreon to hear us talk about the Thomas Harris books.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Artwork: Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Alexandra West (Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror)

Anna Bogutskaya — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0100

Bloody Book Club, our monthly series of interviews with horror authors, is back with special guest Alexandra West, talking about her new non-fiction book Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror, out now.

We talk about the process of choosing films to write about and the process of writing about yourself without giving too much away.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

Artwork by Ewa Ferdynus

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 9 • The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and the Hannibal Lecter Cinematic Universe

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Author Kirsty Logan joins me for the biggest monster of them, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. We discuss The Silence of the Lambs (1991) in depth, plus briefly cover the Hannibal Lecter Cinematic Universe: Manhunter (1986), Hannibal (2001), Red Dragon (2002) and Hannibal Rising (2007).

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Artwork: Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

SERIAL KILLERS 8 • The Hitcher (1986) + The Stepfather (1987)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Scholar Stacey Abbott joins me two movie serial killers: the chaos of The Hitcher (1986), where Rutger Hauer kills on the highway and the conservative fantasies of Terry O'Quinn in The Stepfather (1987).

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Artwork: Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 7 • The Boston Strangler (1986) + Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Film critic and writer Katie Rife joins me to discuss very different two portraits of serial killers: the highly fictionalised The Boston Strangler (1968), starring Tony Curtis, and the acclaimed Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986), with the iconic Michael Rooker.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Artwork: Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 6 • 10 Rillington Place (1971) + The Vanishing (1988)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 23:50:00 +0100

Actor and writer Isaura Barbé-Brown goes deep on two quietly distressing films: 10 Rillington Place (1971), which dramatises the real-life murderer John Christie, and the much-acclaimed Spoorloos (1988), a Dutch horror film that was dubbed by Stanley Kubrick to be the "most terrifying film" he'd ever seen. PLUS a little spoilery rant about the American remake The Vanishing (1993).

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Artwork: Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

BONUS • Interview with THE FIRST OMEN director Arkasha Stevenson

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0100

An exclusive (and spoiler-free!) interview with The First Omen director Arkasha Stevenson. The First Omen is out in UK cinemas now.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 5 • Eyes Without a Face (1960) + The Collector (1965)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Editor Maha Albadrawi joins to discuss two films about obsessive men who lock young women in their basements... for love.

Discover what films we're covering next on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Artwork: Ewa Ferdynus.

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

BONUS • Interview with Sydney Sweeney and Michael Mohan + Immaculate Review

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

An exclusive interview with Sydney Sweeney, the star and producer of Immaculate, and director Michael Mohan.

PLUS a spoiler-free review of the film with Bloody Disgusting's Meagan Navarro.

Listen to the full review on Patreon.

Immaculate is out in UK cinemas now.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 4 • Psycho (1960) + Peeping Tom (1960)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Video-essayist Izzy Custodio joins the podcast to go deep on Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) and friend of the pod and podcaster Becky Darke comes by to discuss the other serial killer movie of 1960, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960).

Discover what films we're covering on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

SERIAL KILLERS 3 • The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 01:00:00 +0000

Film critic Christina Newland joins Anna to discuss Charles Laughton's sole directorial effort, the fairytale horror masterpiece The Night of the Hunter (1955). PS: There's a little bit of background noise in the first five minutes that couldn't be removed.

Catch-up with the films we're covering on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

BONUS • The Horror Oscars 2024

Anna Bogutskaya — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Happy Oscars Weekend to all those who celebrate. As always, horror is nowhere to be seen amongst the nominees. So we've decided to take matters into our own hands... and host our very own HORROR OSCARS, including similar amounts of chaos.

The hilarious and smart friends of the pod Becky Darke and Isaura Barbé-Brown join Anna to nominate and award the best horror films of the year.

00:00:00 State of horror in 2023 and why the Oscars hate genre movies
00:19:07 Best Original Screenplay
00:33:17 Best Supporting Actress
00:49:27 Best Supporting Actor
01:00:31 Best Sequel/Requel/Remake/Adaptation
01:27:19 Best Actress
01:40:00 Best Actor
01:51:24 The John Kramer Award for Pettiest Villain
02:05:05 Best Director
02:20:14 Best Picture

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

SERIAL KILLERS 2 • Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Rope (1948), Frenzy (1972)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Film critic Leila Latif joins Anna to discuss Alfred Hitchcock's serial killers in Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Rope (1948) and Frenzy (1972).

Discover what films we're covering on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

BONUS • True Detective: Night Country (2024)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Vulture's TV critic and writer Roxana Hadadi joins Anna to discuss True Detective: Night Country in its entirety (spoilers from 00:41:00).

Read Roxana's review of the show and her interview with showrunner Issa López.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

SERIAL KILLERS 1 • The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) + M (1931)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Film critic, author and film historian Pamela Hutchinson joins Anna to discuss The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and M (1931).

Discover what films we're covering on our Letterboxd.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls is a weekly podcast exploring the history of horror film.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

Introducing... SERIAL KILLERS

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:00:00 +0000

The seventh series of The Final Girls podcast will look at the most vicious and memorable serial killers of horror film and TV history, journeying from the silent to the Marvel era.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Erebus" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 10 • Ma (2019) and the future of hagsploitation

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

We wrap up our series dedicated to hag horror with a deep dive into Ma (2019) and discuss what could be next for hagsploitation. With a special contribution from critic and podcaster Mary Wild and producer Jen Handorf.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 09 • Elder body horror in The Taking of Deborah Logan (2015), The Grandmother (2021), and X (2022)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the penultimate episode of the series, we get into how hagsploitation turned to body horror, and ruined its characters in the process. We cover The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014), The Visit (2015), The Grandmother (2021), The Elderly (2022), Old People (2022), X (2022) and Barbarian (2022). With a special contribution from culture writer Billie Walker, who penned a great essay on the new hagsploitation that you can read here.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 08 • How the Hags Flocked to TV and American Horror Story (2011)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode we go how American Horror Story's first seasons reimagined and reinvigorated the hagsploitation film, with contributions from film critic and podcaster Clarisse Loughrey.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 07 • Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice (1969), What's the Matter with Helen (1971), Death Becomes Her (1992) and female rivalry

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode we go into female friendship and rivalry in hag horror, covering Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice (1969), What's the Matter with Helen (1971) and Death Becomes Her (1992), with contributions from filmmaker Jen Handorf.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 06 • The Killing Kind (1973), Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker (1981), The Fan (1981) and mommy issues

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode we cover the peak hag era, discussing the films Strait-Jacket (1964), The Killing Kind (1973), Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker (1981) and The Fan (1981), with contributions from podcaster and writer Mary Wild.

CW: assault, incest, homophobia.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 05 • Lady in a Cage (1964), The Night Walker (1964), Fanatic (1965), and peak hag

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode we the peak hag era, discussing the films Strait-Jacket (1964), The Night Walker (1964), Lady in a Cage (1964) and Fanatic (1965), with contributions from podcater and writers Maha Albadrawi and Mary Wild.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 04 • Dead Ringer (1964), The Nanny (1965) and the Bette Davis horror supremacy

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode we cover the last era of Bette Davis' illustrious career, the one where she had a clawhold on horror. We cover Dead Ringer (1964), The Nanny (1965), The Anniversary (1968), Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973), Burnt Offerings (1976), The Watcher in the Woods (1980) and, briefly, Wicked Stepmother (1989).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 03 • Hush...Hush...Sweet Charlotte (1964) and the feud between Bette and Joan

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:10:00 +0000

The one where we cover the release and fallout of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and the making of Hush...Hush...Sweet Charlotte (1964).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 02 • Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and the birth of hagsploitation

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The first episode dedicated to the apex mountain of hagsploitation, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

HAGS 01 • Sunset Boulevard (1950) and the first hag

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Looking at the two precedents to the hagpsploitation genre: All About Eve (1950) and Sunset Boulevard (1950).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and @lofigeek

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

Introducing... Hags

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The sixth season of podcast will be looking at the origins, themes and legacy of hagsploitation.

New episode every Friday.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "Bloodlust" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

→ Support us on Patreon for bonus content.

Introducing... EERIE

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100

Coming soon... a new horror podcast I've created, produced and hosted.

EERIE is an 8-episode anthology audio series of original horror stories from some of the most exciting contemporary voices in horror, pulled from literature, film & TV. Brand new original stories commissioned from authors Julia Armfield, Kirsty Logan and Alison Rumfitt, theatremaker Willy Hudson, actors Marli Siu and Jemma Moore, filmmaker Paris Zarcilla, and even a twisted little story from me.

Each story brings a different flavour of scary, from the haunting to the grotesque, to suit different sensibilities and fright thresholds. Every listener will find something that truly creeps them out.

The first episode will be released Monday 2nd October, with new episodes released twice weekly in the lead up to Halloween. Episodes will be available across all podcast platforms.

Listen, subscribe and rate wherever you get your scary stories: https://pod.link/1707870813

BONUS • Beau is Afraid (2023)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 19 May 2023 08:59:00 +0100

Anna is joined by Becky Darke get deep into the nightmare worlds of Beau is Afraid, out now in UK cinemas.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

BONUS • Interview with Naomi Alderman and Raelle Tucker (The Power)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 11 May 2023 09:00:00 +0100

An exclusive spoiler-free interview with the author of The Power, Naomi Alderman, and Raelle Tucker, showrunner of the TV series based on the book, streaming now on Prime Video.

Watch The Power on Prime Video.

A full review of The Power can be found on our Patreon.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Interview with author Alice Slater (Death of a Bookseller)

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:00:00 +0100

A bonus episode interview with the author of Death of a Bookseller, Alice Slater.

We discuss Alice's love of horror films, true crime fandom, unlikeable protagonists and the process of writing the book.

There will be spoilers for the book in the last section of the book that are clearly signalled (spoilers from 00:33:51)

Death of a Bookseller is out now in the UK.

Introducing...Dead By Dawn: An Evil Dead Podcast

Anna Bogutskaya — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:10:00 +0100

Welcome to Dead By Dawn, a limited podcast series exploring the depth of the Evil Dead franchise, from the original cult movie to the upcoming Evil Dead Rise.

Hosted by horror fans and podcasters Mike Muncer, Anna Bogutskaya and Chris Hewitt

Listen and subscribe to Dead By Dawn: An Evil Dead Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch Evil Dead Rise in cinemas from 21 April 2023

Dead By Dawn: An Evil Dead Podcast is supported by Studiocanal

Hosts: Mike Muncer, Anna Bogutskaya and Studiocanal
Artwork Design: Mike Lee-Graham

Producers: Mike Muncer and Anna Bogutskaya

Editor: Mike Muncer

BONUS • Best Horror Films of 2022

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Anna and The Final Girls' contributors pick their favourite horror films of the year, presented in no particular order:

00:01:33 Sorcha Ní Fhlainn on The Black Phone
00:06:40 Becky Darke on Bodies Bodies Bodies
00:09:33 Steph McKenna on Bones and All
00:12:56 Louise Blain on Deadstream
00:16:58 Leila Latif on Nope
00:23:54 Clarisse Loughrey on Crimes of the Future
00:29:53 Jordan Crucciola on X
00:36:40 Isaura Barbé-Brown on Barbarian
00:41:07 Mary Wild on Speak No Evil
00:43:41 Anna Bogutskaya on Huesera

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Nanny writer-director Nikyatu Jusu and actor Anna Diop

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

An exclusive spoiler-free interview with the brilliant writer-director Nikyatu Jusu about her Sundance award-winning horror film Nanny, and the star of the film, Anna Diop.

Watch Nanny on Amazon Prime.

A full review of Nanny can be found on our Patreon.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN 06 • Kier-La Janisse in Conversation

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000

The final episode in our mini-series dedicated to the influential book by Kier-la Janisse, House of Psychotic Women, is an interview with the author herself. This is a recording from the conversation we had during Matchbox Cine's Weird Weekend, in Glasgow.

→ Watch all the films featured in the book HERE.

→ Buy the expanded edition of House of Psychotic Women HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Prince of Darkness" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN 05 • Alice Lowe on Heavenly Creatures

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 12:30:00 +0000

A new mini-series dedicated to the influential book by Kier-la Janisse, House of Psychotic Women. Filmmaker Alice Lowe joins Anna to go into her take on Heavenly Creatures, the female imagination, and her own ambitions as a filmmaker.

→ Watch all the films featured in the book HERE.

→ Buy the expanded edition of House of Psychotic Women HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Prince of Darkness" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN 04 • Kane Senes & Hannah Barlow on CARRIE

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000

A new mini-series dedicated to the influential book by Kier-la Janisse, House of Psychotic Women. Filmmakers Kane Senes and Hannah Barlow, co-directors of Sissy, join Anna to discuss the lasting impact of Carrie, its influence Sissy and how they discovered their film was featured in the book.

→ Watch all the films featured in the book HERE.

→ Buy the expanded edition of House of Psychotic Women HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Prince of Darkness" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

BONUS • Hellraiser (2022)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 11:07:38 +0000

A deep dive review of the new reimagining of Hellraiser, directed by David Bruckner. Becky Darke joins Anna for a furious review demanding more bums. Beware: spoilers from the very beginning of the chat.

Hellraiser is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN 03 • Deborah Haywood on The Brood

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 23:00:00 +0000

A new mini-series dedicated to the influential book by Kier-la Janisse, House of Psychotic Women. Filmmaker Deborah Haywood (Pin Cushion), joins Anna to discuss the grotesquerie of David Cronenberg's The Brood, why it stayed with her, and the body horror of motherhood.

→ Watch all the films featured in the book HERE.

→ Buy the expanded edition of House of Psychotic Women HERE.

→ Attend the Matchbox Cine UK-wide tour HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Prince of Darkness" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN 02 • Prano Bailey-Bond on Let's Scare Jessica to Death

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0100

A new mini-series dedicated to the influential book by Kier-la Janisse, House of Psychotic Women. Filmmaker Prano Bailey-Bond (Censor), joins Anna to discuss the haunting Let's Scare Jessica to Death, the impact it had on the making of Censor and the legacy of the book.

→ Watch all the films featured in the book HERE.

→ Buy the expanded edition of House of Psychotic Women HERE.

→ Attend the Matchbox Cine UK-wide tour HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Prince of Darkness" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN 01 • Introduction

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0100

A new mini-series dedicated to the influential book by Kier-la Janisse, House of Psychotic Women. In this first episode, a conversation between writer Sophie Monks Kaufman and lecturer and podcaster Mary Wild about discovering the book, the cinephile memoir, and what makes it, even ten years on, such a peerless piece of work.

→ Watch all the films featured in the book HERE.

→ Buy the expanded edition of House of Psychotic Women HERE.

→ Attend the Matchbox Cine UK-wide tour HERE.

→ Read Sophie Monks Kaufman's interview with Kier-la HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Prince of Darkness" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

BONUS • Interview with Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween Ends)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:10:30 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with THE Jamie Lee Curtis about the final instalment in the Halloween franchise, Halloween Ends, out in UK cinemas now.

We talk about seeking out scary stories, the emotional crux of the trilogy and the secret love story written into Halloween Ends.

A full review of Halloween Ends can be found on our Patreon.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • The Midnight Club (2022)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0100

A deep dive review of Mike Flanagan and Leah Fong's new Netflix horror series, The Midnight Club, with writer, broadcaster and our Flanaverse reporter Louise Blain.

Spoilers from 0:36:02

The Midnight Club is available to watch on Netflix now.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Alexandra Anger, Monica Pavez and Robert Lantos (Crimes of the Future)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 12:00:00 +0100

David Cronenberg has returned to the horror space with Crimes of the Future. We chatted to Alexandra Anger and Monica Pavez, the team behind the strange and beautiful prosthetics, as well as Cronenberg's longtime producer, Robert Lantos.

Both interviews are SPOILER-FREE.

You can listen to a deep dive review of the film on our Patreon.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Hanna Bergholm (Hatching)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:09:51 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with Hanna Bergholm, director of Hatching, out in UK cinemas now.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with Halina Reijn, director of Bodies Bodies Bodies, out in UK cinemas now.

SPOILER WARNING: We talk about the ending from 0:22:09

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Nope (2022)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0100

Writer and actor Isaura Barbé-Brown joins Anna to go deep and long on Jordan Peele's third feature, Nope (2022), which has just hit UK cinemas.

The first part of the conversation is SPOILER-FREE, and then from we got FULL SPOILERIFIC.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 40 • The Future of Teen Horror

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 12:00:00 +0100

Our farewell to messy teens and the killers who can't stop chasing them, a medley of our contributor's thoughts on the state and the future of teen horror. With thanks to Clarisse Loughrey, BJ Colangelo, Yhara Zayd, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Mary Wild and Louise Blain.

We're doing our first live show at the London Podcast Festival! And it's all about Jamie Lee Curtis. Get your tickets here.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" and "Invasion" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 39 • Yellowjackets (2021)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:10:00 +0100

In the last full episode of the teen horror season we (finally!) cover the hit series Yellowjackets with the show's number one online cheerleader, Jordan Crucchiola.

We're doing our first live show at the London Podcast Festival! And it's all about Jamie Lee Curtis. Get your tickets here.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 38 • Freaky (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 12:00:00 +0100

We're back on our teen slasher bullshit with the teen horror body swap comedy Freaky (2020). Joining us is the hilarious writer and podcaster Becky Darke to talk about why this film works and who she would body swap with given the chance.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Interview with Chelsea G. Summers (author of A Certain Hunger)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0100

A bonus episode interview with the author of A Certain Hunger, Chelsea G. Summers.

Her book has been called the "feminist American Psycho", and is a riot of a novel about sex, hunger, murder and cannibalism.

Dorothy Daniels has always had a voracious – and adventurous – appetite. From her idyllic farm-to-table childhood (homegrown tomatoes, thick slices of freshly baked bread) to the heights of her career as a food critic (white truffles washed down with Barolo straight from the bottle) Dorothy has never been shy about indulging her exquisite tastes – even when it lead to her plunging an ice pick into her lover’s neck.

We discuss how the novel started, female serial killers in pop culture, the reception of the book on social media, and how it didn't start as a horror novel at all.

A Certain Hunger is out now in the UK.

TEEN HORROR 37 • The Slenderman Case

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0100

In this episode, we're doing something different, and tackling a real-life horror: the Slender Man, the Internet's first boogeyman, the real-life attempted murder it inspired, perpetrated by two girls and the media storm that followed. Writer and broadcaster Louis Blain joins us to discuss the real life case, the ill-advised horror film Slenderman (2018) and the true crime documentary Beware the Slenderman (2016) that followed.

Read Kathleen Hale's article on the case in Hazzlitt.

CW: we discuss the Slenderman stabbings in graphic detail

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 36 • Summer of 84 (2018) + Knives and Skin (2019)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:00:00 +0100

First time guest, BFI Programmer Kim Sheehan joins us to discuss two films about cruel, cruel summers but very different aesthetic, Summer of 84 (2018) and Knives and Skin (2019)

Watch Pop Culture Detective's "Stalking for Love" video essay HERE

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 35 • Black Christmas (2019)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0100

Podcaster and writer Becky Darke joins us for an extremely deep dive on the horror, the making and the release of Black Christmas (2019).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 34 • Verónica (2017)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0100

Host and Dashcam screenwriter Gemma Hurley joins us for a discussion on the teen girl possessed in Verónica (2017), the chilling Spanish horror from Paco Plaza.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Alex Garland (writer/director of MEN)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 12:25:00 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with Alex Garland, writer/director of Men, out in UK cinemas now.

SPOILER WARNING: We talk broadly about the film's visuals and ending.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 33 • It: Chapters One and Two

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0100

Writer and broadcaster Louise Blain joins us for a deep dive into what makes Stephen King's It (the book, the mini-series and the movies) so terrifying.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Horror Dispatch from Cannes 2022

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0100

A new format! Anna talks about all the horror and genre-adjacent films she watched at the recent Cannes Film Festival.

0:02:32 Final Cut
0:08:56 Ennys Men
0:14:40 Falcon Lake
0:18:47 The Five Devils
0:23:52 Interview with Léa Mysius
0:28:26 Holy Spider
0:40:23 Crimes of the Future

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 32 • Tragedy Girls (2017)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 27 May 2022 14:34:00 +0100

Writer and podcaster Jordan Crucchiola comes back to the podcast to deep dive into the female friendship between two serial killer teen girls in Tragedy Girls (2017).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 31 • I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016) + Super Dark Times (2017)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 13 May 2022 18:21:33 +0100

Video essayist and writer Yhara Zayd returns to dive deep into what's gone wrong and what's so relatable about the teen boys of I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016) and Super Dark Times (2017).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 30 • Detention (2011) + The Final Girls (2015)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 06 May 2022 14:00:00 +0100

Film producer Jen Handorf makes her return to the podcast to discuss our most unhinged comedy-horror double-bill yet.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 29 • Evil Dead (2013) + Split (2016)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0100

Film critic Leila Latif returns to discuss the reimagining/requel of Evil Dead (2013) and M. Night Shyamalan's return to form with Split (2016).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 28 • The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976 + 2014)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:09:13 +0100

Actual horror legend Alexandra Heller-Nicholas to discuss the underrated slasher The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) and its requel of the same name from 2014.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Mariama Diallo (writer/director of MASTER)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 19:30:00 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with writer/director Mariama Diallo, whose debut film Master is out now on Prime Video.

Watch her short film Hair Wolf online here.

This interview is SPOILER-FREE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 27 • Unfriended (2014) + #Horror (2015)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0100

First-time guest Meaghan Allen joins us to dive into a double bill of Internet horror: Unfriended (2014) and #Horror (2015).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Iris Shim (writer/director of UMMA)

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with writer/director Iris K. Shim, whose debut film Umma will be released exclusively in cinemas on March 25th.

This interview is SPOILER-FREE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 26 • It Follows (2014)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Writer and actor Isaura Barbé-Brown returns to take one of the most acclaimed horrors of the recent times, which brought a new energy to the teen horror genre.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Mimi Cave (FRESH director)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A bonus exclusive interview with Mimi Cave, director of the dating horror film Fresh, out now on Disney+

We talk about the horrors of dating, pushing Sebastian Stan into the extreme, WTF moments in the script and bougie cannibals.

SPOILER WARNING: The first part of the interview is spoiler-free but there are spoilers from 00:XX:00

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 25 • Excision (2012) + Warm Bodies (2013)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Freudian cinephile and podcaster Mary Wild joins Anna to go from gross weird girl horror Excision (2012) to surprisingly wholesome zombie romcom Warm Bodies (2013).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 24 • Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Podcaster Steph McKenna joins Anna to go deep on The Cabin in the Woods, meta-horror, horror puzzles and mermen.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 23 • Phenomena (1985) + The Moth Diaries (2011)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

The Independent's Chief Film Critics Clarisse Loughrey joins us for a gunky deep dive into Dario Argento's Phenomena (1985) and Mary Harron's The Moth Diaries (2011), two films who center teen girls with mystical connections to bugs.

TW: this episode contains a lot of insect talk.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 22 • Jennifer's Body (2009) • Re-release

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A throwback to the very first pod appearance of aughts horror enthusiast, podcaster and Jennifer's Body scholar Jordan Crucchiola's in-depth takes on the Karyn Kusama-directed, Diablo Cody-penned, Megan Fox-starring Jennifer's Body (2009), where a teen girl becomes possessed and turns into a succubus after she is sacrificed to Satan.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 21 • All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006) + The Loved Ones (2009)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 14:46:00 +0000

Aughts horror scholar, writer and podcaster Jordan Crucchiola joins us for an impassioned defense of the lost grindhouse slasher All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006), which languished in distribution hell for years, followed by a gross-out discussion of Australian extreme prom nightmare The Loved Ones (2009), with features a rare instance of a 'final boy'!

TW: this episode contains graphic description of extreme violence and some discussion of incest.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 20 • Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004) + Ginger Snaps Back (2004)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Writer and podcaster Becky Darke dives deep into the only teen girl werewolf franchise we care about: Ginger Snaps (2000), Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004) and the prequel Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004). Featuring extensive opinions from Anna's cat.

We covered the first film in depth with Alexandra West (which you can listen to here).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 19 • Final Destination (2000)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Writer and presenter Louise Blain returns to touch upon an unfairly looked-down-upon teen horror, once a spec script for The X-Files that turned into a film that is both profound and profoundly schlocky.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Romola Garai (AMULET writer/director)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:22:13 +0000

A bonus exclusive interview with Romola Garai, writer/director of Amulet, out in UK cinemas now.

We talk about female anger, casting the film, fairytale and horror influences.

The first part of the interview is spoiler-free but there are spoilers from 00:12:33

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 18 • Cherry Falls (2000)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Writer and horror academic Dr. Alison Peirse returns to the pod to talk about the under-seen teen slasher starring Brittany Murphy, Cherry Falls (2000). We touch on how it upends slasher tropes with a killer that targets virgins, its troubled production history, the fashion and fringe choices (a lot of pleather) and its indirect influence on Malignant.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 17 • Battle Royale (2000)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 12:09:00 +0000

Writer and actor Isaura Barbé-Brown returns to the pod to usher us into the new millennium, with the teen bloodfest that would spawn international controversy and countless imitations.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 16 • Halloween H20 (1998) + The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Horror fan Ally Penelope returns to talk about her love for Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), especially the LL Cool J subplot, and we tackle the surprisingly empathetic story of The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), which works if you take the Carrie bits out.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 15 • Urban Legend (1998) + Idle Hands (1999)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Our first episode of 2022 is a take on two... questionable bangers.

Film critic Leila Latif joins us to take on Urban Legend (1998) and horror stoner comedy Idle Hands (1999) to figure out if they're as bad as we remember them being.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 14 • Disturbing Behaviour (1998) + The Faculty (1998)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

It's the end of the year!

Horror writer, film analyst and co-host of This Ends At Prom podcast BJ Colangelo joins the podcast for the first time to go deep on Disturbing Behaviour (1998). The second part of the episode is a reprise from our FEMALE MONSTERS series, film critic Leila Latif's take on The Faculty (1998). Between these two films, it's the most nineties teen casting ever.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Interview with author Catriona Ward (The Last House on Needless Street)

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

A bonus episode interview with the author of The Last House on Needless Street, Catriona Ward.

Praised by Stephen King, her latest novel has been called the Gothic Masterpiece of 2021.

This is the story of a murderer. A stolen child. Revenge. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.

We discuss Catriona's love of horror, the process of writing horror, serial killers and their pets, Stephen King's endorsement of her book, the gothic novel and what it takes to write from the POV of a cat.

There will be spoilers for the book in the second part of the interview but these are clearly signalled.

The House on Needless Street is out now in the UK.

BONUS • Interview with Julia Ducournau (TITANE writer/director)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

A bonus exclusive interview with Julia Ducournau, writer/director of Raw, about her new film Titane, out in UK cinemas now.

We talk about female violence, about choreographing a massacre, dance horror, and about the mythological and Biblical influences in Titane.

Beware, this interview is SPOILERIFIC.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 13 • I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) + I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Horror fan Ally Penelope joins the podcast for the first time to tackle the perfect anti-Christmas viewing, the most meme-able 90s slasher double-bill.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

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Hello Sidney | Scream (1996) | What's Your Favourite Scary Movie?

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Hello Sidney, a limited podcast series supported by Paramount that cuts deep into one of the most iconic horror franchises ever made.

In this first episode, we go back to the film that kickstarted the franchise and revitalised horror in the 1990s. Written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven, Scream (1996) made slashers cool again.

Hosted by horror fans and podcasters Mike Muncer, Anna Bogutskaya and Louise Blain.

Listen and subscribe to Hello Sidney: The Scream Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Scream releases in cinemas in the UK on 14 January 2022.

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Scream (1996) in 4K, available to download and keep on Apple.

Hello Sidney: The Scream Podcast is supported by Paramount

Hosts: Mike Muncer, Anna Bogutskaya and Louise Blain
Artwork Design: Mike Lee-Graham

Producers: Mike Muncer and Anna Bogutskaya

Editor: Mike Muncer

Introducing... Hello, Sidney: A Scream Podcast

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:59:00 +0000

Welcome to Hello Sidney, a limited podcast series supported by Paramount that cuts deep into one of the most iconic horror franchises ever made.

Hosted by horror fans and podcasters Mike Muncer, Anna Bogutskaya and Louise Blain.

Launching on Wednesday, every episode will go in depth on each Scream film in anticipation of the brand new Scream, coming to cinemas in January 2022.

Listen and subscribe to Hello, Sidney: The Scream Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts.

Scream releases in cinemas in the UK on 14 January 2022.

Hello Sidney: The Scream Podcast is supported by Paramount

Hosts: Mike Muncer, Anna Bogutskaya and Louise Blain

Producers: Mike Muncer and Anna Bogutskaya

Editor: Mike Muncer

TEEN HORROR 12 • The Craft (1996) • Redux

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000

We revisit the film that started off the entire podcast with writer/actor Isaura Barbé-Brown. We go hard on Chris Hooker, and try to understand why Nancy wanted so much power.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 11 • Mirror, Mirror (1990) + Buffy, the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Two teenage girls find special powers: one uses it to take revenge

First-time guest Arden Fitzroy joins Anna to discuss the underseen goth teen nightmare Mirror, Mirror (1990), and in the second half Jordan Crucchiola passionately defends the merits of the big-screen Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Grab tickets for our next event in London - a preview of TITANE - on 15 December.

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 10 • Monster Squad (1987) + Heathers (1989)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Two very different groups of teens, two very different types of monsters in this horror-adjacent teen dream double-bill.

Joining us this week is The Independent Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey to talk about what these two outliers have in common, the true horror of being a teenager, and the how these films have aged.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Grab tickets for our next event in London - a preview of TITANE - on 15 December.

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 09 • A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000

The monstrous spirit of a slain child murderer Freddy Krueger seeks revenge by invading the dreams of teenagers whose parents were responsible for his untimely death.

Joining us this week is film critic, author and scholar Dr. Sorcha Ní Fhlainn to go into the gore, dream logic of Wes Craven's masterpiece, how Nancy stands out from other final girls and what exactly makes Freddy Krueger so terrifying.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 08 • Christine (1983)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Arnie thought he'd met the perfect girl. Turns out, she had a body by Plymouth and a soul by Satan.

Joining us this week is film critic and our Stephen King correspondent Dr. Kelli Weston to go into the terrifying teen angst of Christine (1983).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Scream (1996) • Live Show

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Happy Halloween!

To mark this spooky weekend, we bring you the live podcast recording of our crossover Scream event with our pals Mike Muncer (Evolution of Horror) and Becky Darke (Don't Point That Horror at Me).

Don't miss our live-tweet of Censor at MUBI on Halloween 7PM GMT. You can get 30 days free of MUBI here: https://mubi.com/promos/thefinalgirls

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 07 • The House on Sorority Row (1982)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0100

It's a sorority for a very special kind of girl... one that doesn't mind pulling a murderous prank on their den mother.

Joining us this week is video essayist and writer Yhara Zayd to talk about the film's film noir influences, sorority horror and who is the real villain of The House on Sorority Row.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with Jamie Lee Curtis

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0100

A bonus exclusive interview with THE Jamie Lee Curtis, Laurie Strode herself, about the new film Halloween Kills, out in UK cinemas now.

We talk about her not knowing what a 'final girl' was, a show she developed called 'The Final Girls' and why people have loved Laurie Strode since 1978.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 06 • The Slumberparty Massacre (1982) + The Slumberparty Massacre II (1987)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0100

When you think of slumber parties, you think of murder... right?

Joining us this week is podcaster Mary Wild to go deep on the feminist intentions of The Slumberparty Massacre, the similarities of the driller killer to BOB from Twin Peaks and its dark, dark humour. With a much less deep discussion on the musical psycho horror show that is The Slumberparty Massacre II and its leather daddy killer.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 05 • Prom Night (1980) + Student Bodies (1981)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Joining us this week is writer/actor Isaura Barbé-Brown. We get into the mind of the murderer (again) with Prom Night, discuss the benefits of disco, and fight for the status of the film as an inventive slasher. Plus a first watch of slasher spoof film Student Bodies (1981) and the bits of it that haven't aged well at all.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 04 • Friday the 13th (1980)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Bloody Women Editor Leila Latif joins us for a discussion on the original Friday the 13th - the one with Kevin Bacon, the one without Jason, the mommy of one of the biggest horror franchises.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Midnight Mass (2021)

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 12:00:00 +0100

A deep dive review of Mike Flanagan's new horror series, Midnight Mass, with writer and broadcaster Louise Blain.

Spoilers from 0:29:55

Midnight Mass is available to watch on Netflix now.

***

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 03 • Halloween (1978)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:00:00 +0100

In this episode, podcaster Steph McKenna joins us for a discussion on John Carpenter and Debra Hill's daddy of slasher films, Halloween. We go deep on Laurie Strode and the final girl, what makes Michael Myers so scary, the musical stylings of Mr. Carpenter and so much more.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

Censor This #4: Interview with Prano Bailey-Bond

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Inspired by Prano Bailey-Bond's horror film Censor, The Final Girls present a mini-series dedicated to unpicking some of the many layers of this film and why it stuck with us.

In this final episode of the mini-series, we recorded the live conversation we had with director and co-writer Prano Bailey-Bond after a preview screening of Censor at the Prince Charles Cinema.

The discussion contains mild spoilers.

Censor This is produced by The Final Girls with the support of Vertigo Releasing. Edited by Olivia Graham. Music by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch used with permission.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 02 • Carrie (1976) • Re-Release

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0100

A repost from our FEMALE MONSTERS series.

In this episode, film critic Dr. Kelli Weston joins us for a deep, deep dive on the inimitable classic of horror cinema, Brian de Palma's Carrie (1976). We talk about the monstrous feminine, otherness, Sissy Spacek, period horror, who's the real villain in the film and so much more.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

TEEN HORROR 01 • The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 17:00:00 +0100

A deep dive into one of the most influential horror films of all time, Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Joining us this week is writer/actor Isaura Barbé-Brown. We dive deep into Isaura's love of this film, where it stands culturally, how it influenced horror films, and show a little sympathy for overwhelmed Leatherface.

Read Isaura's piece on Bloody Women Film Journal about Sally Hardesty's iconic status as a final girl.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya

***

Music: "Slasher" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

Introducing... Teen Horror

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:54:36 +0100

In this fourth series, we'll be regressing and reliving the bloody, broody and horny moments of our teenage years through horror films.

New episode every Friday with a special guest to discuss a teen horror (or two).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

Music: "The Shape" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and "Trouble in Woodsboro" by Marco Beltrami

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

BONUS · Candyman (2021)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +0100

A deep dive review of the most anticipated horror film of the year: Nia DaCosta's Candyman.

Film critic Dr. Kelli Weston joins us to discuss the film, its themes and connections to the 1992 cult horror of the same name.

Spoilers from 0:57:19 (but don't worry, we don't say his name).

Candyman is out now in UK cinemas.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

Censor This #3: If In Doubt, Just Reject The Film

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Inspired by Prano Bailey-Bond's horror film Censor, The Final Girls present a mini-series dedicated to unpicking some of the many layers of this film and why it stuck with us.

In this third episode, Evolution of Horror host Mike Muncer and host Anna Bogutskaya discuss the context of the video nasties in 1980s Britain. Throughout the episode you'll hear from lead actress Niamh Algar, make-up and hair designer Ruth Pease and BBFC's Sarah Peacock.

The discussion is spoiler-free.

Censor This is produced by The Final Girls with the support of Vertigo Releasing. Edited by Olivia Graham. Music by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch used with permission.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Censor This #2: Don't Go In the Church

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Inspired by Prano Bailey-Bond's horror film Censor, The Final Girls present a mini-series dedicated to unpicking some of the many layers of this film and why it stuck with us.

In this episode, Projections lecturer and host Mary Wild joins host Anna Bogutskaya to unpick the psychology of lead character Enid Baines, played by Niamh Algar. Throughout the episode you'll also hear from Niamh, hair and make up designer Ruth Pease and composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch.

There are some mild spoilers throughout the discussion.

Censor This is produced by The Final Girls with the support of Vertigo Releasing. Edited by Olivia Graham. Music by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch used with permission.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Censor This #1: What Masterpiece Are We Dissecting Today

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Inspired by Prano Bailey-Bond's horror film Censor, The Final Girls present a mini-series dedicated to unpicking some of the many layers of this film and why it stuck with us.

In this first episode, The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey and host Anna Bogutskaya discuss the horror of Censor. Throughout the episode you'll hear from lead actress Niamh Algar and costume designer Saffron Cullane.

The discussion is mostly spoiler-free. Beware of SPOILERS from 30:40.

Censor This is produced by The Final Girls with the support of Vertigo Releasing. Edited by Olivia Graham. Music by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch used with permission.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Listen to our weekly horror film podcast.

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

BONUS • Fear Street 1666

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:00:00 +0100

A SPOILERIFIC deep dive into the second part of the Netflix horror trilogy, Fear Street 1978 with Isaura Barbé-Brown and Dr. Alison Peirse exploring all the things that make the trilogy work, everything that makes Nick Goode such a douchebag, and the queer love story that underpins the horror trilogy.

Listen to the Fear Street 1994 deep dive HERE.

Listen to our Fear Street 1978 deep dive HERE.

Listen to our interview with director Leigh Janiak HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Interview with director Leigh Janiak (Fear Street)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0100

An exclusive SPOILER-FREE interview with Fear Street director Leigh Janiak.

Listen to our Fear Street 1994 deep dive HERE.

Listen to our Fear Street 1978 deep dive HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Fear Street 1978

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0100

A SPOILERIFIC deep dive into the second part of the Netflix horror trilogy, Fear Street 1978 with Dr. Alison Peirse going over the difference between classic and nineties slashers, the updated Final Girl, and the unexpected nastiness of the film.

Listen to the Fear Street 1994 deep dive HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

BONUS • Fear Street 1994

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 13:54:08 +0100

A SPOILERIFIC deep dive into the first part of the Netflix horror trilogy, Fear Street 1994 with Isaura Barbé-Brown going over the nineties slasher inspirations, R.L. Stine's brand of teen horror, the gore, the multiple killers, the music and nostalgic aesthetics and our predictions for Fear Street 1978.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

VAMPIRES BONUS • Vampire Also Rans

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 May 2021 17:00:00 +0100

After 20 episodes, 40 films, and a few bonus episodes, we're DONE with vampires. But before stake this season, we've got one more bonus episode for you.

We're joined in this episode by the brilliant writer, presenter and broadcaster Louise Blain to go through the films, series and video games that didn’t get their own full episode - but maybe should’ve.

This season was made possible with the support of Arrow Video.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism, founded by Anna Bogutskaya and Olivia Howe.

→ Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

→ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

→ Support us on Patreon.

→ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated horror treats and original writing on horror.

Promising Young Podcast #4 - Girls Just Want to Not Get Assaulted

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 17 May 2021 17:00:00 +0100

Inspired by Emerald Fennell's revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, out in the UK on Sky Cinema, we present a mini-podcast dedicated to diving deep into the myriad of layers and themes of the film, written and directed by Emerald Fennell.

***

Writer/podcaster Jordan Crucchiola, writer, podcaster and filmmaker BJ Colangelo and The Final Girls co-founder Anna Bogutskaya discuss the divisive reaction to Promising Young Woman. Be warned: this episode is SPOILERIFIC from the very start.

Everyone has an opinion about this film. It's created huge cultural conversation. We discuss Cassie's rage, the choice to never show Nina, how the film is NOT a rape-revenge movie and how it tackles internalised misogyny and rape culture.

TW: there is discussion of sexual assault and rape.

Jordan's thread collating all takes on Promising Young Woman can be found HERE

Read BJ's piece on the film's controversial ending HERE.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Promising Young Podcast #3 - Hell Hath No Fury Like a Critic Scorned

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:00:00 +0100

Inspired by Emerald Fennell's revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, out in the UK on Sky Cinema TODAY, we present a mini-podcast dedicated to diving deep into the myriad of layers and themes of the film, written and directed by Emerald Fennell.

Writer/podcaster Jordan Crucchiola and The Final Girls co-founder Anna Bogutskaya discuss the divisive reaction to Promising Young Woman.

Everyone has an opinion about this film. It's created huge cultural conversation. We discuss the Variety incident, Promising Young Woman's triumph at the BAFTAs and the Academy Awards, and what has made it so divisive with critics and audiences alike.

Be warned: this episode is SPOILERIFIC.

Jordan's thread collating all takes on Promising Young Woman can be found HERE

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Promising Young Podcast #2 - But I'm A Nice Guy

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0100

Writer/podcaster Jordan Crucchiola and The Final Girls co-founder Anna Bogutskaya discuss what Promising Young Woman has to say about masculinity.

We discuss the nice guy trope, meta-casting rom-com actors into predatory roles, the rom-com within the revenge film, the legacy of Seth Cohen and Xander Harris, gentle coercion and more.

Be warned: this episode is SPOILERIFIC.

Jordan's thread collating all takes on Promising Young Woman can be found HERE

TW: sexual assault, rape, suicide

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Promising Young Podcast #1 - A Woman's Worst Nightmare

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0100

First up, a mostly spoiler-free discussion about the film and why it strikes such a chord, and how it has ignited a widespread conversation.

Featuring writer/podcaster Jordan Crucchiola, The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey, and is produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

We discuss Carey Mulligan's performance and star persona, Cassie as the hero and the villain of her own story, grief as a corruption force, revenge films, the millenial aesthetic and the music.

The first part of the discussion is SPOILER-FREE.

The full spoilerific discussion begins from 1:24:35

Jordan's thread collating all takes on Promising Young Woman can be found HERE

TW: sexual assault, rape, suicide

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES BONUS • True Blood (2008-14) • Part I

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0100

Our main vampire season might be over, but we've got a couple of bonus episodes yet to come.

Actor and writer Isaura Barbé-Brown joins us for a celebration of the trashy, bloody and extremely horny vampire show True Blood. In first parter we cover, roughly, True Blood seasons 1-4.

Digressions include: an attempted defence of Vampire Bill's accent, Eric's hair drama, the Skarsgaard Stare and Alcide and Jason fanfic.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 20 • A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) + What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 16:00:00 +0100

For the last episode of our vampire season, film critic and Bloody Women Commissioning Editor Leila Latif joins us for a deep dive into two vampire films that came out the same year but couldn't be more different from each other.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night from 00:04:34
What We Do In The Shadows from 00:36:05

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. Our pick this week is Lords of Chaos, a true crime horror film based on the real life Norwegian Death Metal crimes.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 19 • Byzantium (2012) + Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Joining us is special guest and vampire expert Dr. Sorcha Ní Fhlainn to discuss Neil Jordan's second vampire film Byzantium and Jim Jarmusch's arthouse take on vampiric ennui Only Lovers Left Alive (2013).

Byzantium (2012) from 00:04:27
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) from 00:32:08

If you want to explore the vampire more, we recommend Ní Fhlainn's books Postmodern Vampires and the short story collection Visions of the Vampire: Two Centuries of Immortal Tales.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick is the excellent follow-up to Hitchcock's classic, Psycho II.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 18 • Let the Right One In (2008) + Thirst (2009)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Film critic and Bloody Women Commissioning Editor Leila Latif joins us for a deep dive into two vampire horror films that live in that delightful and delicious grey area between arthouse and horror cinema.

Let the Right One In from 00:08:24
Thirst from 00:47:41

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. Our pick this week is The Villainess, a Western-inspired hyper-violent revenge thriller starring Kim Ok-bin.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 17 • Underworld (2003) + Underworld: Evolution (2006) + Underworld: Awakening (2012)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The franchise is lead by a leather-clad Kate Beckinsale as the vampyre warrior Selene, who is part of the centuries-old feud between vampires and werewolves. This war might be coming to a head with the appearance of a man who might be able to unite the two monster clans by becoming a … vampire/werewolf/human hybrid.

We're joined in this episode by the brilliant writer, presenter and podcaster Louise Blain, who gives her hilarious take onthe first three films in the franchise.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick is a campy, pun-filled horror comedy Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Morfydd Clark (Saint Maud) Interview

Anna Bogutskaya — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +0000

On the back of Saint Maud's BAFTA nominations and Morfydd's nomination for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, we bring you a special bonus interview with the lead actor from Saint Maud, Morfydd Clark, who delivers one the most astounding performances of the year.

You can vote for the BAFTA Rising Star Award HERE.

Listen to our deep dive episode on Saint Maud HERE.

Watch Anna's video essay on Saint Maud, "God's Lonely Woman", HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 16 • From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) + 30 Days of Night (2007)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 14:00:00 +0000

I’m joined in this episode by writer and Bloody Women columnist Isaura Barbé-Brown to dive deep into the heist-action-comedy-vampire flick From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) and we move into millenial horror with the underrated 30 Days of Night (2007).

From Dusk Till Dawn from 00:08:23
30 Days of Night from 00:54:55

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. Our pick this week is Audition, one of the most celebrated and controversial J-horrors ever made! You can also read Isaura's piece on it HERE.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BLOODY BOOK CLUB • Interview with Emily M. Danforth (Plain Bad Heroines Author)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 17:02:45 +0000

To coincide with World Book Day, a bonus episode interview with the author of Plain Bad Heroines, Emily M. Danforth (The Miseducation of Cameron Post), out today in the UK!

Flo and Clara, two impressionable students, are obsessed with each other and with a daring young writer named Mary MacLane, the author of a scandalous bestselling memoir. To show their devotion to Mary, the girls establish their own private club and call it the Plain Bad Heroine Society. Described by its author as "Picnic at Hanging Rock + The Blair Witch Project x lesbians".

We discuss Emily's love of horror, the films that inspired this book, Mary MacLane, unrealiable narrators, the burden of likeability and so much more.

This interview is totally SPOILER-FREE.

Plain Bad Heroines is out now in the UK.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 15 • The Bloodthirsty Trilogy (1970-74)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:00:00 +0000

I’m joined in this episode by writer and podcaster Becky Darke for a take on The Bloodthirsty Trilogy, which comprises The Vampire Doll (1970), Evil of Dracula (1971) and Lake of Dracula (1974).

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. Our pick this week is The Bloodythirsty Trilogy itself, a gorgeous edition that features all three films and a ton of exras.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 14 • Blade (1998) + Blade II (2002) + Blade: Trinity (2004)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 16:17:49 +0000

We are once again blessed with culture critic, podcaster and producer Jordan Crucchiola's in-depth take on the original Marvel blockbuster, the vampire-action Blade (1998) as well as its sequels, the Guillermo del Toro-directed Blade II (2002) and attempt to reclaim the much maligned Blade: Trinity (2004).

Blade from 00:10:10
Blade II from 01:00:04
Blade: Trinity from 01:27:05

Digressions include: unimpressive Jabba the Hutt, uni butter, Scream, and our dream John Wick/Evil Soviet Ballet School spin-off.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick is another classic 90s horror film, Candyman.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

PATREON PREVIEW • Twilight (2008)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 11:39:39 +0000

As a Valentine's Day treat, we sat down with the brilliant Grace Barber-Plentie to go into what and why is Twilight (2008).You asked for it (well, someone asked for it).

The full episode is available now on our Patreon.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 13 • Cronos (1993) + Nadja (1994)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, we discuss two odd vampire gems from the nineties that sit between horror and arthouse.

First up, Guillermo del Toro's debut feature Cronos (1993), a timeless vampire film that never actually uses the 'vampire' word. And we go peak nineties indie with Nadja (1994), which features an amazing soundtrack, cast and bonus cameo from executive producer David Lynch.

Joining us in this episode is Zena Dixon, Editor-in-Chief of Real Queen of Horror, to discuss these two oddball vampire gems.

Cronos from 00:07:41
Nadja from 0:42:26

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick is Brian De Palma's little-known goth rock opera Phantom of the Paradise.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 12 • Interview with the Vampire (1994) + Queen of the Damned (2002)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 12:30:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, we go deep on two cinematic adaptations of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles.

First up, Neil Jordan's 1994 adaptation of Interview with the Vampire is a gothic masterpiece that has influenced counteless vampire films since. We also discuss its unfortunate sequel, Queen of the Damned, which came in 2007 starring Stuart Townsend as the vampire Lestat and Aaliyah as Akasha, the titular Queen of the Damned.

Joining us in this episode is film critic Kelli Weston. We discuss the themes of Interview with the Vampire, the softboi energy of Louis, the monstrosity of Claudia the child vampire and the queer reading of the film.

Be warned: the section on Queen of the Damned includes dramatic readings of Lestat's band's lyrics.

Interview with the Vampire from 00:08:07
Queen of the Damned from 1:11:21

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue an underrated contemporary gothic horror Crimson Peak.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Interview with writer/director Laura Kirwan-Ashman (Sour Hall)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

A bonus episode interview with the writer/director of the queer horror audio series Sour Hall, Laura Kirwan-Ashman.

In Sour Hall, George (Lucy Fallon) inherits her family farm it's supposed to be a new start for her and her partner Ash (Pearl Mackie), an escape from the chaotic pace of Manchester life and the traumatic incident that's casting a shadow over their relationship. ... A presence haunts the farm, one that feeds on fear itself, and it's hungry

We discuss the differences of writing for screen vs for audio, the importance of sound design in horror, recording Sour Hall with binauraul technology, empathy in storytelling and the key themes of the story.

This interview is totally SPOILER-FREE.

Sour Hall is available now on Audible.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 11 • The Lost Boys (1987)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, we reach peak 80s with the most iconic vampire film from the decade, The Lost Boys (1987). Joel Schumacher's influential teen-vampire film follows divorcée Lucy who, along with her two sons, Michael and Sam, moves to a small town in California. Soon, the two boys are sucked into the mysterious and dangerous world of bikers, punk vampires and teen monster hunters.

Joining us in this episode is Dr. Alison Peirse to dig into the themes of the film, the true story behind the shiny saxophonist, horror fandom, the origins and the influence of The Lost Boys on vampire films.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue another acerbic teen classic, Heathers.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • 12 Hour Shift (Spoiler-FREE)

Anna Bogutskaya — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:00:00 +0000

A bonus episode discussing the new comedy-thriller-horror 12 Hour Shift, written and directed by Brea Grant.

Writer and presenter Louise Blain joins us for a SPOILER-FREE discussion of 12 Hour Shift. For the full, spoilerific discussion, you can head over to our Patreon.

In 12 Hour Shift, Mandy (Angela Bettis) finds herself one night beholden to a gang of organ-traffickers and when a kidney goes missing she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure these men get what they came for.

12 Hour Shift is out now on VOD in the UK.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Interview with writer/director Brea Grant (12 Hour Shift)

Anna Bogutskaya — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:00:00 +0000

A bonus episode interview with the writer/director of the comedy-thriller-horror 12 Hour Shift, Brea Grant.

12 Hour Shift is out now on VOD in the UK.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 10 • Fright Night (1985) + Near Dark (1987)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we fully embrace the 1980s with a double-bill of the

Joining us in this episode is the UK Editor of Den of Geek Rosie Fletcher to dig into the themes of the beloved teen vampire romp Fright Night (1985) and the dripping sexiness of vampire Jerry Dandridge. In the second part of the episode, we look into Kathryn Bigelow's genre-bending debut film Near Dark (1987), which melds vampire, western and biker film tropes.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue another 80s horror gem, Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 09 • A Taste of Blood (1967) + The Velvet Vampire (1971)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we dive into a double-bill of low budget vampires from two exploitation masters: Hershell Gordon Lewis' A Taste of Blood (1967) and Stephanie Rothman's The Velvet Vampire (1971).

Joining us in this episode is writer and podcaster Heather Drain to pay tribute to these inventive, dreamy and on occasion very funny takes on the vampire myth, vampire brandy, the backdrop of counterculture and the incredible fashion of The Velvet Vampire.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogues is H.G. Lewis' spatterfest Blood Feast.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 08 • The Hunger (1983)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we pay tribute to David Bowie on what would've been his 74th birthday with an in-depth discussion of The Hunger.

A gothic love triangle between a vampire couple, played by Bowie andCatherine Deneuve, and the sleep specialist they ask for herlp when one of them starts aging rapidly, played by Susan Sarandon.

Joining us in this episode is writer and podcaster Steph McKenna to explore everything from the way the film draws from goth culture, the billowing curtains and the chemistry between the gorgeous cast.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue is Black Rainbow, an underseen and genuinely chilling supernatural thriller starring Rosanna Arquette.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 07 • XMAS SPECIAL • Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas everyone!

It’s Christmas Day, and we’re jumping away for a second from our regular programming to discuss a modern classic, Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), a start-studded batshit masterpiece, one of the most faithful adaptations of Bram Stoker’s novel, a fever dream of a gothic horror that has a timeless love story at its heart.

I’m joined in this episode by two extraordinary guests: writer and actor Isaura Barbé-Brown and writer and podcaster Becky Darke for a jumbo-sized episode about this batshit masterpiece with off the charts levels of intensity in every single aspect, from the performances to the design.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue is David Cronenberg's Crash, re-released just this year in a lucious 4K restoration.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 06 • The Addiction (1995)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we jump ahead into the 1990s to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the most interesting, moodiest films about vampires ever made: Abel Ferrara's The Addiction (1995), starring Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken and Annabella Sciorra.

Joining us in this episode is writer and curator Tara Judah.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue is The Addiction, re-released just this year in a stunning 4K restoration.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 05 • Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) + Vampyros Lesbos (1971)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we dive deep into two 1970s films that combine the ghostly with the vampiric. The totally unclassifiable horror gem Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) and Jess Franco's ode to tits and fangs Vampyros Lesbos (1971).

Joining us in this episode is editor-in-chief of Diabolique Magazine, author and film critic Kat Ellinger, who has written a whole book on Daughters of Darkness.

Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) from 00:04:30 (spoilers from 00:34:38)
Vampyros Lesbos (1972) from 00:43:36

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue is Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 04 • Blacula (1972) + Ganja & Hess (1973)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we discuss a double-bill of Black vampire films: the blaxploitation horror take on Dracula, Blacula (1972); and the extraordinary experimental horror Ganja and Hess (1973).

Joining us in this episode is film critic Leila Latif.

Blacula (1972) from 00:04:07
Ganja & Hess (1973) from 00:26:29 (spoilers for the ending only from 0:51:44)

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue is REC.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Possessor (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 12:00:00 +0000

A bonus episode about the acclaimed sci-fi horror film Possessor, written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg.

In Possessor, Tasya Vos, an elite, corporate assassin, takes control of other people's bodies using brain-implant technology to execute high-profile targets.

Possessor is out now on VOD in the UK. Listen to our spoiler-free interview with Brandon Cronenberg.

In this episode we're joined by critic and podcaster Becky Darke for a deep dive into the film. The first part of the episode is spoiler free.

From 0:030:46 we will go into a spoilerific discussion.

We touch on the body horror, extreme violence, burnout, self-mutilation, female assassins, and a lot more.

You can read Becky's essay on the film, "Penetrating Possessor" here.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Interview with Brandon Cronenberg (Possessor)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 12:00:00 +0000

A bonus episode interview with the writer/director of the acclaimed sci-fi horror film Possessor.

In Possessor, Tasya Vos, an elite, corporate assassin, takes control of other people's bodies using brain-implant technology to execute high-profile targets.

Possessor is out now on VOD in the UK.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 03 • Daughters of Darkness (1971) + The Blood Spattered Bride (1972)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we dive deep into two 1970s entries into the very prolific subgenre of lesbian vampire films. The utterly unique Daughters of Darkness (1971) and the Spanish take on Carmilla The Blood Spattered Bride (1972)

Joining us in this episode is editor-in-chief of Diabolique Magazine, author and film critic Kat Ellinger, who has written a whole book on Daughters of Darkness.

Daughters of Darkness (1971) from 00:04:51 (spoilers from 00:24:38)
The Blood Spattered Bride (1972) from 00:56:16

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. This week's pick from their vast catalogue is Richard Kelly's Southland Tales.

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of curated horror treats.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

VAMPIRES 02 • Nosferatu (1922) + Nosferatu, the Vampyre (1979)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Part of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema, in this episode we dive deep into one of the most influential vampire films ever shot, F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror (1922) as well as the Werner Herzog-helmed reimagining Nosferatu, the Vampyre (1979).

Joining us is film critic and silent film specialist Pamela Hutchinson.

Nosferatu (1922) from 00:03:55
Nosferatu, the Vampyre (1979) from 00:23:00

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

New episode every Friday with a special guest to discuss a vampire film (or two).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video.

VAMPIRES 01 • Dracula (1931) + Horror of Dracula (1958) + Dracula (1979)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Our first episode of our new series devoted to exploring the vampire in horror cinema is all about THE most famous vampire of them all: Count Dracula.

Joining us is special guest and vampire expert Dr. Sorcha Ní Fhlainn to discuss the screen adaptations of Dracula, from the original Bela Lugosi Dracula (1931), via Sir Christopher Lee's iconic Horror of Dracula (1958) and finishing with gothic romance Dracula (1979) starring Frank Langella and his epic bouffant.

Dracula (1931) from 00:09:55
Horror of Dracula (1958) from 00:28:08
Dracula (1979) from 00:47:35

If you want to explore the vampire more, we recommend Ní Fhlainn's books Postmodern Vampires and the short story collection Visions of the Vampire: Two Centuries of Immortal Tales.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video. Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Support us on Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter for new, original writing on horror.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Introducing... Vampires

Anna Bogutskaya — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 12:00:00 +0000

In this third season, we will be exploring the the most elegant of monsters - the vampire. We’ll look at how vampires have evolved in horror and why we’re so into them.

New episode every Friday with a special guest to discuss a vampire film (or two).

Produced and presented by Anna Bogutskaya.

This season is made possible with the support of Arrow Video.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Relic (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 15:00:00 +0000

We're joined by Den of Geek's UK Editor, Rosie Fletcher to discuss the scares, themes and metaphors of Relic (2020), the feature film debut by Natalie Erika James. The first part of the episode is spoiler free, and from 0:015:00 we will go into a spoilerific discussion.

When family matriarch Edna goes missing, her daughter and granddaughter return home to find her. They discover a haunting presence hanging over the home, which is taking over Edna's mind.

Relic is out now in UK cinemas and on VOD.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • His House (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 17:17:13 +0000

We're joined by writer Leila Latif to discuss His House (2020), the feature film debut by Remi Weekes. The first part of the episode is spoiler free, and from 0:020:44 we will go into a spoilerific discussion.

The film centers on refugee couple Bol and Rial, who make a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan, but then struggle to adjust to their new life in an English town that has an evil lurking beneath the surface.

His House is streaming on Netflix now.

Digressions include Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù's arms, Wunmi Mosaku's sheer talent, privilege, unseasoned food and our own immigrant experience.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • The Craft: Legacy (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 12:30:00 +0000

We're joined by writer Leila Latif to discuss The Craft Legacy (2020), the new sequel/reimagining of 1990s teen horror classic The Craft. The first part of the episode is spoiler free, and from 0:020:44 we will go into a spoilerific discussion.

An eclectic foursome of aspiring teenage witches get more than they bargained for as they lean into their newfound powers.

The Craft Legacy is in UK cinemas now.

Digressions include the wholesome Instagram of Skeet Ulrich, the acting range of Matthew Lillard, ASOS necklaces.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 21 • The Lure (2015) + The Siren (2019)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +0000

We're joined by presenter and writer Louise Blain to dive deep into all things mermaid, with the Polish horror musical The Lure (2015) and the atmospheric gothic horror The Siren (2019).

NOTE: Spoilers for The Lure begin from 0:17:06

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 20 • Raw (2016)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer and podcaster MaryBeth McAndrews to tear apart the French body horror Raw (2016), why there should be more disgusting women onscreen, sisterly bonds, Justine's sexual awakening, family secrets, big bisexual energy, and much more.

Digressions include: university experiences, a cannibal themed t-shirt line, and what to do if your children are cannibals.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 19 • The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer Leila Latif to dig deep into some of the ideas in The Girl with All the Gifts (2016), a British zombie film that came at the tail-end of zombie fatigue.

Digressions include: babies grow nails in the womb, monsters we can emphasise with and who's the real protagonist of Trouble Every Day.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 13:30:00 +0100

We're joined by writer and podcaster Louise Blain for a deep dive into the most anticipated horror series of the year: The Haunting of Bly Manor.The first part of the episode is spoiler free, and from 0:016:30 we will go into a spoilerific discussion.

Bright-eyed American au pair Dani Clayton is hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house after they fall into his care. Arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions that proceed to haunt the premises.

The Haunting of Bly Manor is streaming now on Netflix.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Saint Maud (2020) + Interview with Rose Glass & Morfydd Clark

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +0100

A bonus episode all about the most hyped about horror film of 2020, Saint Maud, written and directed by Rose Glass.

Maud is a reclusive young nurse whose impressionable demeanour causes her to pursue a pious path of Christian devotion after an obscure trauma. Now charged with the hospice care of Amanda, a retired dancer ravaged by cancer, Maud's fervent faith quickly inspires an obsessive conviction that she must save her ward's soul from eternal damnation, whatever the cost.

We're joined by film critic Kelli Weston for a deep dive into the film. The first part of the episode is spoiler free, and from 0:016:20 we will go into a spoilerific discussion. We touch on the themes of repression, the use of religious iconography, self-harm, voyeurism, loneliness and the voice of God.

Following the discussion, from 1:14:00 you can hear my interview with writer-director Rose Glass and lead actor Morfydd Clark.

Digressions include: The Prince of Egypt inspires a spin-off podcast.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 18 • Bride of Chucky (1998) + Annabelle (2014)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer and podcaster Becky Darke to dive into a double-bill of creepy, possessed murder dolls. First up we'll discuss Bride of Chucky (1998) and from 0:31:00 we'll dive into Annabelle (2014).

Digressions include: dolly sex, the Wanaverse and smooth jazz.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 17 • Splice (2009) + Under the Skin (2013)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 21:31:46 +0100

Actor and writer Isaura Barbé-Brown joins us again to discuss two films she's obsessed with, for very different reasons: Splice (2009) and Under the Skin (2013).

Digressions include: how to define a penis-poop monster.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

FEMALE MONSTERS 16 • Jennifer's Body (2009) + All Cheerleaders Die (2013)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 14:00:00 +0100

We are blessed with culture critic, podcaster and producer Jordan Crucchiola's in-depth takes on the Karyn Kusama-directed, Diablo Cody-penned, Megan Fox-starring Jennifer's Body (2009), where a teen girl becomes possessed and turns into a succubus after she is sacrificed to Satan.

From 1:04:25, we discuss All Cheerleader's Die (2013), a film that has witchcraft, zombies, cheerleaders, magic crystals, and high school politics. A rebel girl signs up a group of cheerleaders to help her take down the captain of their high school football team.

Digressions include: simpler times on social media, Big Cate Blanchett Energy, having fun with trash.

Read the article Jordan references on the reappraisal of Jennifer's Body: You Probably Owe "Jennifer's Body" An Apology.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Ratched (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:00:58 +0100

How could we not cover a new addition to the Ryan Murphy Cinematic Universe.

In 1947, Mildred Ratched begins working as a nurse at a leading psychiatric hospital. But beneath her stylish exterior lurks a growing darkness.

We're joined by The Independent's and The Next Supremes' Clarisse Loughrey to discuss the whole series in detail.

The first part of the episode is spoiler free, and from 0:23:43 we will go into a spoilerific discussion about the show.

The show is created by Evan Romansky based on Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and works as a prequel to the 1975 film of the same name.

Ratched stars Sarah Paulson in the title role of Nurse Ratched, alongside Finn Wittrock, Jon Jon Briones, Judy Davis, Harriet Harris, Cynthia Nixon, Charlie Carver, Sophie Okonedo, Corey Stoll, Hunter Parrish, Amanda Plummer and Sharon Stone.

Ratched is streaming now on Netflix.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 15 • Teeth (2007)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer and podcaster Becky Darke to dive into the 2007 horror-comedy Teeth, in which teenage chastity advocate Dawn discovers she has a toothed vagina (the real-life incarnation of the 'vagina dentata' myth) when she becomes the object of male violence.

Digressions include: WAP, Whitby and severed penises.

100% NSFW

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 14 • Trouble Every Day (2001)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 15:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer Leila Latif to deep dive into the controversial erotical cannibal horror by French auteur Claire Denis, Trouble Every Day (2001). The film inhabits the strange grey area between arthouse and horror cinema, and will most definitely provoke a reaction.

We discuss the fantastic performance by Béatrice Dalle, what the film is really about, themes of infidelity, desire, the way the hyper-graphic violence is shot and Leila posits a whole new theory on the film.

Trigger warning: there is some conversation about sexual assault.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Koko-Di, Koko-Da + Interview with Johannes Nyholm

Anna Bogutskaya — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 20:03:02 +0100

We're joined by film critic, cinema producer and Bloody Women Editor Tara Judah to discuss in the haunting new horror film, Koko-di, Koko-da, which has just landed in UK cinemas and online. The discussion contains no spoilers.

Three years after a shattering personal tragedy, Elin and Tobias’ marriage is at breaking point. Consumed with unresolved pain and anger, the sparring pair head to the great outdoors for a camping trip in the hopes of salvaging their fractured relationship. But unbeknownst to these unhappy campers, they are not alone in the forest and soon Elin and Tobias find themselves trapped in a nightmarish cycle of torment and degradation from which there appears to be no escape.

In the second part of the episode you’ll hear my interview (from 0:19:44) with writer-director Johannes Nyholm.

Koko-di, Koko-da is streaming now on BFI Player.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 13 • Ginger Snaps (2000)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:00:15 +0100

We're joined by writer and co-host of The Faculty of Horror podcast, Alexandra West, to dive deep into one of the best teen horror films ever made, Canadian werewolf movie Ginger Snaps (2000).

We touch on how the film captures suburban boredom, teenage angst, the taboo around periods and female sexuality.

Read Anna's piece on the making and legacy of Ginger Snaps over on Little White Lies.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 12 • Ju-On: The Curse (2000) + The Ring (2002)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:15:36 +0100

We're joined by writer and podcaster Louise Blain to dive into the horror of the new millennium. First, the direct-to-video J-horror that set-ff The Grudge franchise, Ju-On: The Curse (2000) and THAT SOUND.

The second part of the episode (from 0:27:51) will discuss the first English-language remake of Ringu (1998) that set-off a trend, The Ring (2002).

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 11 • Species (1995) + The Faculty (1998)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer Leila Latif to discuss two nineties takes on the female alien. First, we discuss Species (1995) and its insanely misused cast, mix of genres and non-consensual alien sex.

The second part of the episode (from 0:23:15) dives into The Faculty (1998), how this teen sci-fi has aged, the teenage dynamics, the very Josh Hartnett brand of 'hardboi' and why the alien may have had a point.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 10 • Bride of Re-Animator (1990) + Return of the Living Dead III (1993)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 19:00:00 +0100

We're joined by writer and podcaster Becky Darke to dive into two zombies of a very different ilk: Bride of Re-Animator (1990) and Return of the Living Dead III (1993), both directed by Brian Yuzna.

We chat about the homage to Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Herbert West's hubris, the Bride's look and the literal monster mash. In the second part of the episode (0:39:50) we move onto Return of the Living Dead III, talking about Julie and her 'bad girl' look, her teenage death wish, and the way that transformation scene.

Digressions include: early YouTube, Jack Off Jill, Marisa's mom on The O.C., and the heat wave.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 09 • The Bride (1985) + Frankenhooker (1990)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 19:38:00 +0100

We're joined by writer, podcaster and comedian Jourdain Searles to talk about The Bride (1985) and exploitation horror-comedy Frankenhooker (1990). We touch on the amazing performance by Jennifer Beales, Sting as a Frankenstein softboi, accidental winking at key societal issues, the absolute hilarity of 'supercrack', and justice for Zorro.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 08 • Aliens (1986)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:30:00 +0100

We're joined by film critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon to dive deep into Aliens (1986). We talk about the dynamics of the crew, what makes Ripley so iconic, Vazquez's BDE, themes of motherhood, and, of course, the Alien Queen.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • Host (2020)

Anna Bogutskaya — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 15:40:04 +0100

We're joined by podcaster and writer Becky Darke to discuss in detail the brand new horror film, and the first-ever Zoom horror, Host (2020).

Six friends get together during lockdown for their weekly zoom call. It's Haley’s turn to organise an activity and instead of a quiz, she’s arranged for a Medium to conduct a séance

Host is streaming now on Shudder.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 07 • Cat People (1982) + Vamp (1986)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:00:00 +0100

We're joined by horror film writer and filmmaker Zena from Real Queen of Horror to discuss a double-bill of 1980s weirdness: Paul Schrader's erotic horror Cat People (1982) and the horror comedy Vamp (1986), with a knock out performance by Grace Jones.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 06 • The Brood (1979)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 15:00:00 +0100

We're joined by Watershed's Cinema Producer and film critic Tara Judah for a discussion on David Cronenberg's body horror classic The Brood (1979). We talk about taboos around motherhood, birth, divorce, how the film was perceived on release and how it's aged, Oliver Reed, and so much more.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 05 • Carrie (1976)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 15:00:00 +0100

We're joined by film critic Kelli Weston for a deep, deep dive on the inimitable classic of horror cinema, Brian de Palma's Carrie (1976). We talk about the monstrous feminine, otherness, Sissy Spacek, period horror, who's the real villain in the film and so much more.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 04 • The Gorgon (1964) + The Reptile (1966)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 15:00:00 +0100

This episode discusses two gorgeous, Gothic Hammer Horror classics: The Gorgon (1964) and The Reptile (1966).

Writer Kat Ellinger joins us to dive deep into where these films sit in the Hammer canon, the special effects, Gothic settings, why female monsters always need to be tortured, and what is it about snake-women.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 03 • Cult of the Cobra (1955) + The Wasp Woman (1959)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 14:30:00 +0100

We talk about two curious creature features from the 1950s: the very sultry Curse of the Cobra (1955) and Roger Corman's exploitation film The Wasp Woman (1959).

I’m joined in this episode by writer Virginie Selavy to discuss Corman's penchant for strong women, the questionable special effects, and the snake POV shots.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 02 • Bride of Frankenstein (1935) + Dracula's Daughter (1936)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:30:00 +0100

In the first episode of our new season all about monsters, we talk the female-fronted sequels to the most iconic monster movies, Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Dracula’s Daughter (1936).

I’m joined in this episode by writer Dr. Sabina Stent to discuss what makes The Bride so iconic, how Countess Valeska pioneered the 'troubled vampire' and more.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

FEMALE MONSTERS 01 • Island of Lost Souls (1932) + Cat People (1942)

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:30:00 +0100

In the first episode of our new season all about monsters, we talk about The Island of lost Souls (1932) and Cat People (1942). These two films make for a wicked double bill of cat-themed horror.

I’m joined in this episode by Dr. Alison Peirse, author and professor specialised in horror cinema, to discuss Panther Women, cat-themed horror and how these films tackle female sexuality.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

The illustration of the cover is by Yas Aybar.

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Introducing... Female Monsters

Anna Bogutskaya — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 12:30:00 +0100

Monster stories are incredibly powerful. They explore prejudice, rejection, anger and pain. Watching the monster’s pain prevents us from losing control of our own. In this season, we’ll be tracing the lineage and evolution of female monsters and the monstrous feminine.

Produced and presented by The Final Girls co-founder Anna Bogutskaya.

Launching on 12 June, a new episode will land in your feed every Friday. In every episode, we will be discussing a different monster film (or two).

Illustration by Yas Aybar

HERE BE WITCHES 25 • Top 13 Witches

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 15 May 2020 17:30:00 +0100

We've come to the end of our season about witches! In this final episode, we round up and celebrate our favourite 13 witches from film and TV. Anna is joined by frequent guest and podcaster extraordinaire Becky Darke to countdown to our top, indisputable, all-time Best Witch Film Ever.

We will be back in June with a new season. Let us know what you think of the podcast and this series by rating it r leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Our special guest this episode is Becky Darke, follow her work on @bunnydarke and listen to her podcast Don't Point That Horror At Me

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Support us on Patreon! We'll be

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 24 • I Married A Witch (1942) with Pamela Hutchinson

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 08 May 2020 16:35:00 +0100

Veronica Lake plays a 300-year-old witch who returns to life and wreaks havoc when she falls in love with a young politician, played by Frederic March. A romance fantasy comedy, the film by René Clair has had a noticeable influence on other witch films that blend romance and witchcraft.

I'm joined in this episode by film writer, critic and historian Pamela Hutchison to talk the context this film was made in, the dark themes explored under all the laughs and Veronica Lake's charming performance.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 23 • Burn, Witch, Burn! (1962) with Ally Penelope

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 01 May 2020 14:00:00 +0100

A staunchly skeptical professor, Norman (Peter Wyngarde) discovers that his wife Tansy (Janet Blair) has been practicing black magic for years. When he destroys her charms, they fall prey to evil forces cast by someone else in the college.

I'm joined in this episode by horror fan and podcaster Ally Penelope, who hosts the Kill Count podcast, to dive into the ideas in Burn, Witch, Burn! We discuss the strong bond between Norman and Tansy, the hidden darkness in suburbia, the crazy credits of the film and its influence on better known horror films like The Stepford Wives or Rosemary's Baby.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 22 • The Woods (2006) with Louise Blain

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:00:00 +0100

Set in 1965, rebellious teenage Heather (Agnes Bruckner) is sent to a remote all-girls boarding school by her resigned parents, where she has strange, violent dreams and struggles to fit into the school power dynamics. Very soon, she starts suspecting that the teachers, led by the chilly Mrs. Traverse (Patricia Clarkson) might be hiding something. Directed by Lucky McKee, the mind behind such horror cult classics as May and All Cheerleaders Die, this is a witch film big on atmosphere.

I’m joined in this episode by producer, presenter and podcaster Louise Blain, host of the Killt Podcast. We talk about the atmosphere of the film, the power dynamics of boardings schools, all-female environments and a lot about Bruce Campbell.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 21 • The Witches (1990) with Tara Judah

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 14:00:00 +0100

The Witches (1990), Nicholas Roeg's adaptation of Roald Dahl's book, is traumatising af. A young boy and his grandmother as stumble onto a witch's convention. The witches are wicked and sadistic, and beneath their appearance as regular women are hideous, bald, toe-less creatures who hate children more than anything else. Their leader, the Grand High Witch (portrayed with maximum camp by Anjelica Huston) is the worst witch of them all.

I’m joined by the wicked smart Tara Judah, Cinema Producer at the Watershed in Bristol and frequent collaborator of The Final Girls, to dig into some of the reasons why this film, and Angelica Huston’s performance, really gets under your skin.

We talk about Anjelica Huston's sexy, slinky and campy take on the Grand High Witch, the grotesque physicality of the witches, how this fits into Nicholas Roeg's other work and why it remains terrifying for both children AND adults.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 20 • Black Sunday (1960) with Beatrice Loayza

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:05:00 +0100

In this episode, we’re diving into Mario Bava’s atmospheric gothic horror Black Sunday, released in 1960 and banned in the UK untill 1968 for its graphic violence, considered too gruesome at the time. Based very loosely on Nikolai Gogol’s story VIY (which also has its own Soviet film adaptation that I’d highly encourage you to check out!), Black Sunday follows the wrath of the powerful witch-vampire Asa (played by Barbara Steele in her first big screen role), who places a curse on her family after they execute her for her devotion to Satan. Centuries later, she is resurrected and aims to take the body of her descendant, the innocent Katja (also played by Steele).

I’m joined in this episode by Beatrice Loayza, film and culture writer at such outlets as The Guardian, The AV Club, Sight & Sound, i-D and many more. We discuss the gender politics of the film, Barbara Steele's dual role, the conflation of witch and vampire, and the gruesome focus on the face.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 19 • The Love Witch (2016) with Inkoo Kang

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:00:00 +0100

Anna Biller's film centers on Elaine (Samantha Robinson), a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her Gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, and then picks up men and seduces them. However, her spells work too well, leaving her with a string of hapless victims. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved will drive her to the brink of insanity and murder.

I’m joined in this episode by Inkoo Kang, TV critic at The Hollywood Reporter. We talk about Elaine as a protagonist who doesn't know she's the villain of her own story, the questionable coven, witchdom, gender politics, and where this film falls in the genre spectrum.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 18 • The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) with Louise Blain

The Final Girls — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re going to tackle a genuinely terrifying, creepy little film: The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Starring Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox as father-and-son coroners who experience supernatural phenomena while examining the body of an unidentified woman (hence the name Jane Doe) (played by Olwen Kelly). The more they uncover about Jane Doe, the spookier things get.

I’m joined in this episode by producer, presenter and podcaster Louise Blain, host of the Killt Podcast. We talk about the power of rituals, the compact nature of the film, the unmoving but uber-powerful protagonist, how it makes use of sound design and our own morbid curiosity and we pitch about twenty potential sequels and spin-offs to the film.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 17 • Suspiria (2018) with Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:05:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re diving into Luca Guadagnino's remake of a witchy horror classic, Suspiria.

The basic premise of the 2018 Suspiria is the same: young, naive dancer Suzy (here played by Dakota Johnson, a Guadagnino regular) arrives in late 70s Berlin to audition for the renowned Helena Markos Dance Company. She quickly nabs the lead dancer role in an upcoming performance, impressing the head of the school, Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton) but her arrival coincides with the disappearance of another dancer. Meanwhile, an inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe uncover dark and sinister secrets of the dance company.

Our guest this episode is film critic, writer, programmer and Suspiria-ologist Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (@suspirialex) to discuss the relationship between Fassbinder and Suspiria, dance horror, collectives of women, and the power dynamics between witches.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 16 • Season of the Witch (1973) with Rowena Alice

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:40:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re looking at one of the most underseen films by the iconic director George A. Romero. We’ll be chatting about Season of the Witch (aka Jack’s Wife, aka Hungry Wives), Romero’s 1973 drama about an anxiety-ridden housewife (Jan White) who starts dabbling in the occult after meeting a real-life witch at a cocktail party.

It’s a strange, eerie film, really clearly influenced by the third wave feminist movement and also the witch-craze of the late 60s and 70s. There’s suburban ennui, occult rituals, sex magick - and, for the eagle-eyed viewer, a ton of elements that we’ve seen in later films, like The Craft.

Our guest this episode is broadcaster Rowena Alice (@Rowenaaaaa), who joins Anna to discuss the themes, feminist intentions, occult leanings and complicated relationship between the lead characters.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

BONUS • The Invisible Man (2020) + Interview with Leigh Whannell

The Final Girls — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 12:00:00 +0000

Today, we take a little detour from our series dedicated to exploring witches onscreen to bring you a bonus episode about the new film by writer-director Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious, Upgrade).

The first part of the episode features podcaster Becky Darke (@bunnydarke) on how The Invisible Man updates a classic monster, we gush about Elisabeth Moss, and how tension is built from the first moment. The first part of the conversation will be spoiler-free and we'll make it clear when the spoiler-chat begins!

In the second part of the episode you’ll hear my interview with writer-director Leigh Whannell. You can skip to that at 0:46:50

The Invisible Man is released in UK cinemas on Friday 28 February.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 15 • American Horror Story: Coven (2014) with Jen Handorf

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:35:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re going to tackle the third series of Ryan Murphy’s anthology horror series, American Horror Story: Coven. Starring screen legends Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett and Murphy’s repertoire of actors, including Emma Roberts and Evan Peters, Coven is all about witches. Namely, a coven in New Orleans close to being eradicated and battling internal politics to do with its reigning supreme.There is also a resurrected serial killer, Madame LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), and the first screen incarnation of New Orleans legend, the voodoo queen Marie Laveu (Angela Bassett).

I’m joined in this episode by film producer Jen Handorf to discuss the witchiness, narrative arcs, grotesque violence, male objectification, how it attempts to deal with difficult subjects, New Orleans as a character, issues of consent, the real-life inspirations behind some of the characters (including a lot of chat on Marie Laveau) and the one tender moment in the series.

There's a lot.

***

To coincide with our season of films and events, Here Be Witches, we will be focusing this first series on exploring all things witchcraft on film. Each episode, we will dive deep into films and TV shows that we can’t necessarily screen. Each episode, we’ll be joined with special guests to dissect and discuss a film or show, its legacy and the way witches are represented.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Jen Handorf, find her on @JHandorf

BONUS • Little Joe (2020) + Interview with Emily Beecham

The Final Girls — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Today, we take a little detour from our series dedicated to exploring witches onscreen to bring you a bonus episode about the new film by director Jessica Hausner, the plant-based sci-fi horror Little Joe.

The first part of the episode features broadcaster Rowena Alice (@Rowenaaaaa) to discuss the film and some the themes it touches on.

In the second part of the episode you’ll hear our interview with lead actress Emily Beecham, who picked up the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in Little Joe.

Little Joe is released in UK cinemas on Friday 21 February. You can watch the trailer here.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 14 • Practical Magic (1998) with Rhianna Dhillon

The Final Girls — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 13:05:00 +0000

It’s Valentine’s Day, and we couldn’t resist talking about one of my own childhood favourites, Practical Magic. It’s a mix of romcom, horror, fantasy, drama and it’s weird as hell and very much peak nineties. The story centers on Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman), the latest in a long line of witches who bear a particular curse: any man who dares to fall in love with an Owens woman will meet an untimely death. All grown up, Gillian gets involved with an abusive ‘Transylvanian cowboy’ who they accidentally kill. And then, not so accidentally, bring back to life. What follows is both a romance drama, horror film and procedural.

Our special guest this episode is film critic and nineties romcom pundit Rhianna Dhillon, and we discuss the cheesiness of Practical Magic, thirst over the actors, and discuss how it tackles real-life horrors like domestic abuse and stalking whilst remaining a blend of supernatural horror and romantic.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Rhianna Dhillon, find her on @rhiannadhillon

HERE BE WITCHES 13 • Suspiria (1977) & Inferno (1980) with Clarisse Loughrey

The Final Girls — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we go deep on two witch horror classics: Suspiria (1977) and Inferno (1980), both directed by Dario Argento.

Suspiria was the film that shot Argento to international fame, after it became an unexpected box office hit. It follows an an American ballet student, Susie (played by Jessica Harper) who transfers to a prestigious dance academy in Germany but realizes, after a series of brutal murders, realises that the academy is actually a cover-up for a coven of witches, all bowing down to the Mother Suspiriorum, aka the founder of the academy, Helena Markos. After the runaway success of Suspiria, Argento was tasked to deliver a follow-up. Inferno, released three years after Suspiria, provides a lot of backstory to the The Three Mothers, exploring how the three witches set up shop in Freiburg, Rome and New York City, where Inferno is set. Our protagonists are many, but mostly siblings Rose Elliot, a poet living in New York, and Mark, a student in Rome. When Rose disappears, Mark goes to the States to try to find out what happened to his sister, and encounters the Mother of Darkness, the most terrifying of the Three Mothers.

This episode our guest is The Independent's chief film critic, Clarisse Loughrey, and we discuss the sensorial appeal of Argento's work, his unique take on violence and fear, *that cat scene* in Inferno, the relationship between The Three Mothers and where their power comes from.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Clarisse Loughrey, find her on @clarisselou

HERE BE WITCHES 12 • Drag Me To Hell (2009) with Mary Wild

The Final Girls — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:35:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re going to be discussing Sam Raimi’s comedy horror Drag Me To Hell in depth. Our protagonist is the young loan officer Christine (played by Alison Lohman), who, in order to prove to her boss that she can make the "hard decisions", chooses not to extend an elderly woman's mortgage. In retaliation, the woman, who turns to be a witch by the name of Mrs. Ganush, places a curse on Christine that, after three days of escalating torment, will plunge her into the depths of Hell to burn for eternity. The film follows Christine’s frantic attempts to rid herself of the curse, and her constant, increasingly violent persecution by otherworldly creatures

Anna is joined this episode by Mary Wild, the creator of the Projections lecture series, applying psychoanalysis to film interpretation, and the co co-host of the Projections Podcast with Sarah Cleaver. We go deep on different readings of Drag Me To Hell, from its gross-out effects, the body horror, how it portrays female ambition, trauma and insecurity, pathologies, body image, whether Mrs. Ganush is a witch (spoiler alert: yes), and PornHub as curated by Barbara Creed.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Mary Wild, find her on @psycstar

HERE BE WITCHES 11 • Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2020) with Millicent Thomas

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 11:00:00 +0000

"Hell is under new management"

In this episode, we discuss in depth the new series of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, available now on Netflix.

Though she defeated her father Lucifer in the previous series, the Dark Lord remains trapped within the human prison of her boyfriend, Nick Scratch. Sabrina can't live with herself, knowing that Nick is burning in Hell. So with an assist from her mortal friends, “The Fright Club” (Harvey, Rosalind, and Theo), Sabrina makes it her mission to free him from eternal damnation. However, the Dark Lord's unseating has sent shockwaves through the realms—and, with no on the throne, Sabrina must assume the title of “Queen of Hell” to defend it against a challenger, the Prince of Hell, Caliban. Meanwhile, in Greendale, a mysterious carnival rolls into town, bringing with it a threat to the Spellmans and the coven...

A lot of stuff happens in this new series, and Anna is joined by Screen Queenz editor Millicent Thomas to dive deep into how Chilling Adventures of Sabrina fully embraces Hell, paganism, female solidarity and ambition, how maybe Sabrina needs to be single for a while, erasure and the balance of powers.

The first part of the conversation won't contain spoilers beyond the first episode, but we will be diving deep into spoiler territory later on in the episode.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Millicent Thomas, find her on @millicentonfilm and @screenqueenz

HERE BE WITCHES 10 • Hocus Pocus (1993) with Tara Judah and Thea Berry

The Final Girls — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:45:00 +0000

We're diving into a childhood favourite and campy classic Hocus Pocus, from 1993.

The devious Sanderson Sisters (a trio of witches, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimi) return from the grave to continue their quest for immortality. The Sandersons were burnt at the stake in the 17th century because of their penchant for, ahem, sucking the lifeforce of children to remain forever young, beautiful and powerful. They come back from the grave in the 1990s, where a scrappy gang of kids, including a magical, talking cat, take it upon themselves to stop the coven. There’s also a musical number because, you know, Bette Midler.

In this episode, I welcome not one but two esteemed guests: film critic and broadcaster Tara Judah, and Thea Berry, Cinema Producer at the Watershed in Bristol and curator of the film season Reclaiming The Witch, which played at the Watershed last year.

We talk about the terrifying make-up of the Sanderson sisters, the campiness versus the creepiness, how witches are hate children, *that* musical number, and the things that terrified us about witches as children.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guests this episode are Tara Judah, follow her on @midnightmovies, and Thea Berry, who is on @theaberry4

HERE BE WITCHES 09 • The Blair Witch Project (1999) with Nat Luurtsema

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 17:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we’ll be taking on the 1999 found footage horror, The Blair Witch Project.

The Blair Witch Project is the original found footage horror that follows three film students, Heather, Michael and Joshua, as they go into the Maryland backwoods to cover the mystery behind the Blair Witch incidents, which legend says are the product of an exiled witch taken her revenge on the town that wronged her. However, they lose their map and things take an unexpected turn.

It’s an interesting one to discuss in this series dedicated to witches - because there’s a lot of talking about the witch, a lot of witchy business going on, but the witch herself is never seen.

Anna is joined by BAFTA-nominated writer and director Nat Luurtsema to discuss the impact, legacy and witch credentials of found footage horror The Blair Witch Project (1999). We discuss the power of atmosphere, how less is more with the legend of the Blair Witch, Heather as a unlikable lead character, and the impact it had on horror filmmakers everywhere.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Nat Luurtsema, follow her work on @natluurtsema

HERE BE WITCHES 08 • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) with Becky Darke

The Final Girls — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 13:45:00 +0000

In our first episode of 2020, we dive in our first TV show AND a Very Important One at that: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The beloved cult TV series, created by Joss Whedon, ran for seven seasons from 1997 til its finale in 2003. The series’ protagonist is the titular Buffy, a teenage girl trying to make sense of high school whilst also grappling with being the Slayer, the latest in a long line of young women chosen by fate to battle against vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness.

We’re going to be specifically focusing on how witchcraft is presented throughout the whole series, paying special attention to the evolution of the show’s main witch, Willow Rosenberg (played by Alyson Hannigan), who over the course of seven seasons transforms from a shy, studious girl into the most powerful witch in the Buffyverse.

Anna is joined by podcaster and Buffy connoisseur Becky Darke to discuss magic crack dens, magic as a metaphor for female sexuality, the balance of power, and the very few warlocks presented throughout the show.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Becky Darke, follow her work on @bunnydarke and listen to her podcast Don't Point That Horror At Me

HERE BE WITCHES 07 • The Witch (2015) with Chloë Wicks

The Final Girls — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000

In this episode of our witch series, we take on Robert Eggers' The Witch (aka The VVitch: A New England Folk Tale). Set in 1630s New England, English settler William and his family—wife Katherine, daughter Thomasin, son Caleb, and twins Mercy and Jonas—are banished from a Puritan Colony over a religious dispute. William and Katherine try to lead a devout Christian life on an isolated and borderline barren farm. When their newborn son mysteriously vanishes and their crops fail, the family begins to turn on one another. Rumours of a witch in the woods are plenty, tensions rise high, and fingers start being pointed at their eldest daughter, Thomasin.

The film is deliciously ambiguous, and Anna is joined by filmmaker Chloë Wicks to discuss her first viewing of it and why it stuck, Robert Eggers' research-heavy approach to naturalism and dialogue, the ambiguity of the characters, its feminist reclaiming, the different archetypes of the witch and the seductive voice of Black Phillip.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

We will be focusing this first series of our podcast on exploring all things witchcraft on film. Each episode, we will dive deep into films and TV shows that we can’t necessarily screen. Each episode, we’ll be joined with special guests to dissect and discuss a film or show, its legacy and the way witches are represented.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Chloë Wicks, follow her on @chloehwicks

HERE BE WITCHES 06 • The Witches (1966) with Marion Gibson

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 12:50:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the lesser-known Hammer horror film The Witches (aka The Devil's Own), starring Joan Fontaine as an uptight English teacher who comes into the small town of Heddaby to teach at a private children's school run by local siblings Stephanie Bax (Kay Walsh), a well-known journalist, and Alan (Alec McCowen), a wannabe vicar. Very soon, Gwen starts getting inklings that things are not as they seem in the seemingly idyllic village.

The film is surprisingly conservative, and Anna is joined by Professor Marion Gibson to discuss its themes and legacy. It's a fascinating precursor to The Wicker Man, its elements of folk horror, witchcraft as intellectual ambition, trauma, elitism, stereotypes of older single women and dance horror.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Professor Marion Gibson, follow her on @witchesetc

HERE BE WITCHES 05 • The Witches of Eastwick (1987) with Isaura Barbé-Brown

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the comedy horror The Witches of Eastwick (1987), featuring a star-studded cast including Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cher and Jack Nicholson. Three single women in a village have their wishes granted when a mysterious and flamboyant man arrives in their lives.

The film is full of raunchy comedy, big hairdos and presents witchcraft as an aspirational, empowering tool for women who have been trying to fit into a stifling community. Anna is joined by actor Isaura Barbé-Brown to discuss how the film deals with repressed sexuality and female creativity, slut-shaming and the power of covens (even if they’re accidental).

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is actor Isaura Barbé-Brown, follow her on @isaura_bb and find her on Instagram on @isaurasaurus

BONUS • The Nightingale (2019) + Interview with Aisling Franciosi

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 13:05:00 +0000

Today, we take a little detour from our series dedicated to exploring witches onscreen to bring you a bonus episode about the new film by director Jennifer Kent, The Nightingale, released in UK cinemas today.

The first part of the episode features special guest Tara Judah, Watershed's Cinema Producer, to discuss the film and how it portrays the pain, anger and injustice of Australian history. Watch Tara's video essay on Kent’s intention and the influence of the coverage of the film on its reception.

In the second part of the episode you’ll hear my interview Aisling Franciosi, who plays Clare, to discuss her role, working with Jennifer Kent and the responsibility of portraying trauma.

The Nightingale is released in UK cinemas and on digital today. You can watch the trailer here.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

HERE BE WITCHES 04 • The Skeleton Key (2005) with Kelli Weston

Anna Bogutskaya — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:45:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the hoodoo horror The Skeleton Key (2005), starring Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt, Peter Sarsgaard and Joy Bryant. Anna is joined by film critic Kelli Weston to discuss the (questionable) merits of the film, its attempts at tacking history, race and ideas of passing and double-speak, as well as the genius of Gena Rowlands, how hoodoo and voodoo are often conflated in horror cinema, and the figure of the conjure woman.

***

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is film critic Kelli Weston, follow her work on @kelli_weston and read her review of Mati Diop's Atlantics here.

HERE BE WITCHES 03 • Bell, Book and Candle (1958) with Becky Darke

The Final Girls — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 18:45:00 +0000

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

In this episode, we discuss the Classic Hollywood romantic comedy Bell, Book and Candle, which stars legends Kim Novak, James Stewart and Jack Lemmon. Anna is joined by podcaster Becky Darke to discuss the the dark undertones of a seemingly fluffy romcom, the aspirational 'cool witch', the feline character design of Gillian, a coven not afraid of using their powers to have a nice time and why the witch must choose between power and love.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Becky Darke, follow her work on @bunnydarke and listen to her podcast Don't Point That Horror At Me

HERE BE WITCHES 02 • Maleficent (2014) with Rhianna Dhillon

The Final Girls — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:15:00 +0000

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

In this episode, we dive into the different versions of Sleeping Beauty's main antagonist, Maleficent and her evolution from the Disney animated feature to the live-action spin off that gives the villainess a profound backstory. Anna is joined by film critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon to dissect their first impressions of Maleficent, her campiness, Angelina Jolie's performance, and how the live-action Maleficent subverts a witchy stereotype.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Rhianna Dhillon, follow her work on @rhiannadhillon and watch her video essay on Disney villains on iPlayer

HERE BE WITCHES 01 • The Craft (1996) with Ione Gamble

The Final Girls — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 12:00:00 +0000

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

Our first episode dives into the themes, teen goth aesthetic and legacy of The Craft (1996), starring Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True and Robin Tunney. Anna is joined by Ione Gamble, editor-in-chief of Polyester Magazine, to talk about the group dynamics of the coven, the problematics of Manon, fuckboy #1 Chris Hooker, and why Nancy Downs remains a bastion of weirdness for teenage girls everywhere.

***

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe

Our special guest this episode is Ione Gamble, follow her work on @ionegamble and @polyesterzine

Introducing... Here Be Witches

The Final Girls — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0000

The Final Girls are a UK-based film collective exploring the intersections of horror film and feminism.

We’ll be publishing an episode every week, starting with The Craft.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe