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The Modern Horror Series Does It Right: Queer Representation

Has everyone rehydrated after sobbing their eyes out? Before we get started, we’re going to talk about the third episode of The Last of Us, so take caution as plot points will be discussed. We’ll also be discussing The Haunting of Bly Manor, which you should watch if you haven’t already. If you haven’t already put it together with the title and the two series, we’re discussing queer representation in horror series.

As a queer woman that consumes horror media like a child consumes candy, queer representation has been quite a hit or miss. We’ve had American Horror Story, which has the representation in numbers but is riddled with stereotypes and biphobia. Before the 2010s, there were films that were had implicit queer representation. Recently, we’ve had Jennifer’s Body and it can be traced all the way back to the 1960s with The Haunting. However, the 2020s have given us two distinct queer relationships that shine through the tragic settings. We’re going to discuss them individually.

SPOILERS ARE DISCUSSED FOR THE FOLLOWING: THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR, THE LAST OF US, THe Walking Dead, supernatural, killing eve, game of thrones, The 100

The Haunting of Bly Manor: A Sapphic Love Story

2020 started off as a vile year full of sickness, death and depression. However, one thing I was looking forward to was a new Mike Flanagan series. The Haunting of Hill House rocked my world on its release. It too had fantastic queer representation, though it wasn’t the forefront. The Haunting of Bly Manor was a different beast. Time looping, confusing and fascinating–it was an experiment that paid off content wise. What I was not expecting was crying so hard I felt like I was going to throw up over the storyline of Dani and Jamie.

Examining Dani and Jamie's Beautiful and Heartbreaking Relationship in THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR - Daily Dead

Their Sapphic love story can be summed up in a Taylor Swift song title: sad, beautiful, tragic. Heterosexual love stories thrive on the will-they-won’t-they tension that grows over a story arc. This time, we get to see that explicitly through two women. There’s no drama around the circumstances on how they’re in love. There’s also no dramatic coming out sequence that verifies that ‘allows’ them to fall in love. They are simply falling in love like a typical romance we’ve seen on screens before–and it was refreshing. Before I delve into it more as well as compare it with episode 3 of TLOU, let’s get into how these tragic love stories are not in coherence with a harmful trend in media.

Bury Your Gays: A Harmful trope

While both of the storylines I’m discussing end tragically–in one or another’s death–these do not fall into the ‘bury your gays’ trope. ‘Bury Your Gays’ comes from the trend in media of an LGBTQ+ character finding happiness and then, in a shocking, unnecessary turn of events, they are killed off. This usually comes out of nowhere, and it’s a cheap trick to make a bunch of people cry and get upset as if it was some shocking plot twist and intended from the start. It’s lazy writing and seems like a cop out from writers–almost like they’re scared of writing a queer experience themselves and won’t bring in writers to finish out a character’s storyline.

Examples of this trope being used: Charlie in Supernatural, Villanelle in Killing Eve, Denise in The Walking Dead, Poussey in Orange is the New Black, Lexi in The 100. One even involves Pedro Pascal with the death of his character Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones. All unnecessary in the scheme of plot and brutality.

The Haunting of Bly Manor and The Last of Us did not do that, however. It ended sadly and in deaths, but we got to see them fall in love and be happy. There was no tragic ‘cusp of happiness.’ They were happy. They were in love, and it was on display. It didn’t end on shocking nor surprising terms. We knew what was going to happen when the bad things began–it was not to shock the audience. This led to true grief and no anger towards the writers–they did it right. They also did it in less time than the worst writers that draw out their queer character’s storyline only to kill them off.

The Last of US: Long, Long time

The Last of Us already had me impressed, but nothing took my breath away quite like this episode. We got a two-decade love story in 60 minutes, and it was something beautiful. We follow Bill and Frank, who weren’t fully fleshed out in the game–Frank was already dead when we meet up with Bill. This allowed for a lot of flexibility with his story and how to adapt it to the screen. What we got was a sweet, gentle love in a messed-up world. We saw them bicker about paint, we saw them laugh and eat strawberries. We saw them spontaneously and thoughtfully in love.

The queer romance between Bill and Frank is beautiful.

The end of their story is a tragic one. It is not violent, however, as someone may expect in a zombie-style show. There was no such thing as a gentle death on The Walking Dead. Bill and Frank got to grow old together. They discussed how scary love is. They talked about queer sex like it was sex–we saw that first time awkwardness on screen. It was relieving to see something so endearing about a queer relationship without fetishization or stereotypes. It was pure love like every relationship should be. There is a reason “Long, Long Time” is being compared to the Pixar movie, UP–it was a life complete we were mourning.

Comparing Bly manor and Long, long time

There isn’t much more to say in comparing these two, other than we have a queer love story that ends tragically by forces out of their control and another queer love story that ends tragically in a good way. It was not death for drama. Their deaths were meaningful and inevitable–either by the cruel curse of the Lady in the Lake or by a man not letting the love of his life die alone. Queer representation can always improve; however, it seems like The Last of Us took from notes from media that came before it. They approached Bill and Frank’s story with the same melancholy delicateness that Flanagan did with Dani and Jamie’s.

How Bill and Frank Are Queer Representation that isn't 'Bury Your Gays'

As I’ve said before, queer stories should not be solely about the common traumas. Not every LGBTQ+ story needs a dramatic coming out story nor do we need to watch the character we love bullied and terrorized. The community already deals with those things enough. If TV is meant to be an escape from it all, every piece of media that represents us shouldn’t focus only on that. We want to see romance and comedy. Drama that is about universal stuff. These shows are not released to push a ‘woke’ narrative. If you’re claiming it is, you need expand your horizons and stop watching things that cater only to you.

The love stories here are sad and magnificent–and we got them from the horror genre. I think I’m going to love them (and cry about them) for a long, long time.

What’s Next

I still haven’t recovered, and I don’t plan on doing so. TikTok also won’t let me go–I keep getting bombarded with the most beautiful, sad edits of those two. The Void of Celluloid is on visual platforms with regular content. Therefore, check out the TVOC TikTok and Instagram. It is Black History Month as well as Valentine’s Day coming up, so I am going to do a few articles here and there about Black horror cinema and television as well as some recommendations on what to watch for the holiday and over the course of the month. Stay tuned for that.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here. You can follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horror filled tomorrow. See ya next time.

She is the Moment: A Review of M3GAN

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid

January is usually a dud for horror movies. They are low budget and usually low effort, leading to box office bombs and terrible, forgettable pictures. Therefore, it is a shock when we have a film in theaters that has people buzzing. It’s positive buzz as well, rather than the so-bad-it’s-good kind of buzz. Therefore, I had to go see for myself if it really is what everyone is making it out to be.

It ended up being all I wanted. The latest release from Blumhouse: M3GAN is the moment, and exactly the moment we needed this January. With its only big flaw being the first act, M3GAN is a worthwhile one-time watch that will make a great franchise for Blumhouse to expand on and also encourage the company to go with more independent projects due to this financial success. Let’s get into it.

When it’s meta, anything goes

The biggest factor that led to my enjoyment of M3GAN is its self-awareness. It never takes itself too seriously once it kicks off and knows what people want and expect it to be. Sometimes when films are anticipating poor or lackluster reception, they brace themselves and try to throw in some major twist in hopes things seem profound. Nothing is worse than watching a film that doesn’t know it’s a bad film.

M3GAN clearly anticipated its reception and instead went the meta route. This allows a film to laugh with us rather than just us laughing at it. It knows exactly what it wants to be and knows what we expect it to be, therefore it’s going to give it all to us unapologetically. What we get is a film filled to the brim with camp, but its message doesn’t get lost in all of it because it allows us to laugh and interact with it. It’s playing with its audience the entire time.

And the OScar Goes to… the girl who played M3GAN!

New M3GAN Featurette Serves As Reminder For M3GAN's Imminent Arrival - Fangoria

Yet again, we have another example of younger actors knocking out of the park, and then some. We have another complex, kind of cold character in the always brilliant Allison Williams. However, I’m giving the credit to Violet McGraw who played Cady as well as the two actresses who collaborated in creating M3GAN herself: Amie Donald and Jenna Davis. The physical comedy of this film is top notch; therefore, Amie Donald deserves so much credit for playing such a crazed, unhinged AI android. There is a scene in which she full on runs on all fours that had me cackling and impressed that someone could do it so smoothly.

On top of that, Jenna Davis contributed her vocal chops quite a few times–which is arguably my favorite moments of the film. Whenever M3GAN broke out into song, I wheezed. On top of the delivery of M3GAN’s dialogue, the film knew that the robot was the star of the show and casted it accordingly. Paired with some more over-the-top performances from the gullible people asked to back M3GAN’s development, the performances really sent this film home after, again, a slow start.

The Dangers of AI: The MEssage REmains

Exclusive Clip: Watch M3GAN Show Allison Williams Who's Boss – Rolling Stone

Was I laughing almost the entire time? Yes. Was the meaning lost in all of it? Absolutely not. M3GAN has a very crystal clear, Black-Mirroresque message of the dangers of AI and becoming attached to technology. It also has introspection on grief and trauma with talks of attachment theory and children’s exposure to unfiltered technology for too long, too early. Whether it be Gemma’s diminishing empathy due to overworking with robots or Cady’s extreme emotional attachment to M3GAN, the message is heard loud and clear.

One of the most important parts of this movie was M3GAN confronting Gemma on messing with code that Gemma herself didn’t understand. It is a harsh reality of AI–almost every unmoderated instance developed much faster than expected. If AI is unchecked, it could turn dangerous really fast as a ‘conscious’ should not have access to all of this information. We also shouldn’t rely on AI to provide us things either. AI art may seem harmless, but we don’t know the extent of how much data it consumes and how many adjustments these systems have left before they’re out of control of the people who made them.

Final Verdict

M3gan: Solid 7/10

While I sing its praises high, M3GAN is one of those films that will remain great if we keep the amount of watches low. I think it is a highly effective first-time watch with unsurmountable camp. However, I don’t necessarily want to go through the first fifteen minutes of the movie again, as that part was the weakest part of the whole thing. They’ve already set a sequel up for M3GAN. It quietly started production and announced itself opening weekend. I think this is the first time that a franchise is a smart move, as its villain can be in different mechanisms. Also, I want to hear “Titanium (M3GAN’s Version)” one more time.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horror filled tomorrow. See ya next time.

So Bad It’s Good: The Modern Creature Feature

on January 18, 2023January 17, 2023 By thevoidofcelluloid 1 Comment

As we all know, not every creature feature is going to be Jaws. Sure, there was a time that they tried to be and failed. However, the more they failed, the more self-aware they became. The quality of a film is not linear, but rather circular. The polar opposites are bad and good, but there are grey areas present. There’s a reason that when films reach a certain level of bad that they become good again.

It is simply due to absurd comedy. These so-bad-they’re-good movies have things that are so insane or stupid that causes us to laugh harder than if we’re watching a traditional comedy. Bad CGI, cheesy dialogue, and ridiculous plot points contribute to this ultimate factor that makes these creature features guilty pleasures for majority of us. They are the movies we watch when we want to laugh and react in complete disbelief. So here are a few of those ‘bad’ films that are some of the most entertaining and hilarious watches to this day.

Zombeavers (2014)

Zombeavers' Review: Surprisingly Not a Porno, But Still Fun - High-Def Digest: The Bonus View

Yes, the villain is given away in the title. Zombeavers is exactly what it sounds like, and it is truly a delightfully stupid movie. It is self-aware, so it is comforting to laugh when you know the creators were in on the joke. This one is personally my ‘least favorite’ of the list, but it still is a fun time. The setup is typical–horny college students on vacation are terrorized by a sinister entity. This sinister entity just happens to be zombified beavers.

Not only is there zombified beavers, but there are also Werebeavers, which are actually disturbing. However, the zombie beavers are bloody, glorified hand puppets for majority of the movie. They also hint at zombie bees at the end, so there might be a sequel down the line titled ‘Zombees.’ These kinds of films can go on forever, but Zombeavers is in fact worth your time if you’re down for campy, raunchy fun.

Godzilla (1998)

You can’t mention so-bad-it’s-good films without mentioning this monstrosity. I personally grew up with the 1998 Godzilla, and much to my mom’s dismay, I loved this movie as a little kid. It was scary, but exciting–but I had low standards as a four-year-old. I watch it now, and oh boy, it’s terrible. However, the cheesiness in this film makes it watchable and more importantly, it makes it laughable. It’s a cinematic mistake that we should never forget as it is Hollywood’s first portrayal of the monster.

The odd choice of Matthew Broderick paired with the weird ‘fivehead’ that Godzilla has are some of the glaring issues. However, if you think about it in terms of Ferris Bueller fighting a T-Rex mutant, that’s the stuff dreams are made of. It is one of the most cliche action movies of all time, but there is a reason it remains on television to this day. It’s in the same category as Waterworld: you don’t seek it out, but you will watch the whole thing if you come across it accidentally.

Eight Legged Freaks (2002)

Wait, is that ScarJo? Why, yes, it is. Eight Legged Freaks is an oddball horror comedy that is exactly what it sounds like. Freaky spiders. In fact, freaky, HUGE spiders. This resided on Netflix for the longest time when they started Instant Streaming, so you may have watched it once upon a time. It demands a revisit however, because this film is highly underrated for what it delivers.

Eight Legged Freaks' Remains a Criminally Overlooked Horror Comedy - Bloody Disgusting

It’s genuinely creepy for arachnophobes, as the design of the spiders are borderline gross. However, with the Syfy style graphics and the ridiculous plot, it makes for an undeniably entertaining watch. It has a similar comedic timing to Tremors, so there is sure to be a few belly chuckles that the movie intends. It knows it’s a ridiculous creature feature and lives up with the rest of them on purpose rather than by accident. This one is hugely underrated in my opinion.

Lake Placid (1999)

This one is my personal favorite. Lake Placid is a fun film that has a stacked cast–not the main stars though. I’m talking about Brendan Gleeson and the late and more-than-great Betty White. Both of these actors steal the show and paired with an obnoxiously gigantic crocodile, you’re in for a hilarious treat. Lake Placid does suffer in dialogue and doesn’t explain where the thing came from, but it’s here and ready for some carnage.

Betty White is actually the instigator for a lot of the events in the film. So not only does she bless us with her presence, but she also blesses us with her badassery. I miss her. The effects here are actually not bad in comparison with the other films–which makes it stand out and make the future special effects engineer in me happy. Most importantly Lake Placid is the film that brought Betty White back into the mainstream, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

This is the film that comes to mind when I think of so-bad-it’s-good movies. Deep Blue Sea is hilarious and outrageous in all of the best ways. In fact, it’s insulting to even think that Sharknado is the top so-bad-it’s-good film. To start it all off, the cast in this film is fully loaded. I mean, we have LL Cool J, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Saffron Burrows and Thomas Jane. Therefore, no matter how bad the writing is, we’re still guaranteed something entertaining because these people are known for acting their asses off–whether it be in a good or bad way.

It also has one of the most iconic speech scenes in film history, and we don’t even get to see him finish. Paired with some of the worst computer-generated sharks you’ll ever see, this film is a cheesy classic that is a rite of passage for any movie fan. This film paved the way for those SyFy films we all know but will most likely never watch. However, it’s a badge of honor to have this film on your shelf.

What’s Next?

This concludes my summarization of the five creature features that come to mind. I know there’s plenty out there that I haven’t even touched on, but I would love to hear which creature feature is your favorite–both in the good and the bad way. Currently, The Void of Celluloid has been very active on TikTok and other social media, so if you prefer your daily dose of horror in small video shorts, go and check that out. Stay tuned for my review of M3GAN and hopefully Skinamarink this month as I seem to have a reason to go see a horror film in theaters in January. Maybe the curse has finally been lifted.

The Void’s Top Ten Horror Films of 2022

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid

It was a fantastic year for horror this previous year. Nearly every month, something notable dropped. Sure, we had some ugly ones (I’m looking at you, Texas Chainsaw Massacre), but we also had some great ones. 2022 is going to be a year that we talk about when we look back on film history, and horror is a standout genre in that discussion. My top three picks will remain in people’s mouths for sure. Due to awards season always looking bleak for this genre, I am taking it into my own hands to give these films the praise they deserve.

Already looking forward to the new year? I also talked about my top five most anticipated horror films for 2023, which you can check out here. If you would rather a starter guide to horror and have no idea what I’m on about, I made a series just for you, which you can check out here. Nevertheless, let’s move on and discuss my top ten picks for this previous year.

10. The Black Phone

The Black Phone' review: Ethan Hawke embodies fears of Stranger Danger generation | Mashable

While I consider this one more of a thriller, The Black Phone stands out this year for the outstanding performances it provided. Not only did Ethan Hawke kill it as the diabolical Grabber, but its two lead protagonists are sure to be rising stars. Sure, this film did have its plot holes, but it is easily corrected by imaginative autofill or reading the source material, which is a quick read. A slow burn in an entertaining way–I was a fan. You can read my review for this film here, but there is definitely enough here to make my top ten.

9. Studio 666

Foo Fighters Made a Horror Film. Because Why Not? - The New York Times

Speaking of endearment behind films, Studio 666 is a beautiful, hilarious ode to the Foo Fighters and what they were and still are. Taylor Hawkins was a tragic loss this year, and it happened so quickly after the release of this celebratory film. However, it is honestly a heartwarming and heartbreaking tribute to the glorious friendships in that band. It’s still a fun watch however, with goofy scenes followed by grisly kills. I definitely don’t recommend it to the merely acquainted fans, but if you’re in on the jokes already with the Foo, then you’re in for a grand ol’ time.

8. Watcher

Watcher was a fantastic watch. This is Chloe Okuno’s debut feature film after co-directing V/H/S ’94, a fun anthology from the previous year. Her and Maika Monroe are a match made in heaven as a shocking, disturbing tale takes form over a fast hour and a half. The paranoia you will feel during this film is exemplary and will have you checking out your windows for suspicious activity–or make you too scared to even do so. This was a terrifying watch when I lived in my downtown apartment.

7. Sissy

I just recently reviewed this film right here on TVOC, so be sure to check it out if you want some more details. Sissy is the unsung hero of 2022. A smaller, indie film that was released as a Shudder exclusive made me laugh and gasp the whole way through. It’s the first horror film that accurately spoofs the influencer generation in the best way without making fun of the concept. It also is an introspective look on trauma and how severe things can get if its triggered. While that might be in a satirical way, there is still some endearment behind it all.

6. The Menu

Alright, this one definitely leans more towards the thriller-comedy, but the concept alone is horrifyingly brilliant that I had to include it on this list. No, this film isn’t about cannibalism like the trailer made it seem like it was, but rather about the horrors of the service industry–something that a lot of us can relate to. There are brilliant performances all around in this movie, the story is exciting, and it is full of twists and turns. This film is available for streaming on HBO Max as of January, so watch it as soon as you can. It is just as good on the rewatch as well. This one isn’t in my top five only because it is barely horror.

5. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies

Bodies Bodies Bodies: The Void's Top Ten

This one looked like it might have been a stinker this year, but it ended up being one of my favorites. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is a brilliant horror comedy that has one of the best twists I’ve ever seen in a horror movie. While the first twenty minutes of this movie take a while to get going, you’ll be hooked once it kicks off. If you’re skeptical throughout, I beg you to wait for the ending. It clicks everything into place and steps it up from a fun time to a great, hilarious time. This one has stuck with me and made it pretty high on my top ten list.

4. Fresh

Who knew dating could be just as horrifying as cannibalism? This one IS about cannibalism, even though the first twenty minutes play out like a traditional romcom. Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar Jones deliver a performance that leaves you on the edge of your seat throughout its runtime. I feel like this one deserves a revisit as it was huge and then disappeared as the year went on. It is gross, but if you can get past it, there is a worthwhile film in there with a final act that makes it all worth it in the end, two times over.

3. Pearl / x (TIE)

This one is a tie, because one would not exist without the other. Ti West has returned in triumphant fashion with his films X and Pearl. This is the quickest trilogy ever to exist once Maxxxine drops this year. Not only is it the quickest, but it’s also dripping with quality. X and Pearl are both effective horror films that tell the most outlandish stories that provide metaphors on aging, inhibitions, sex and more. It is female rage incarnate with Mia Goth playing the starring role, and I am eating it up, not leaving a crumb.

2. Nope

Alright, some may argue this isn’t a horror film. It’s definitely a genre fusion, leaning more towards sci-fi and comedy, but has some standout horrifying moments that makes it jump up on this list for me. The Gordy situation as well as the entire Star Lasso experience are some of the more disturbing things I’ve seen in a film in a while. NOPE is a fantastic film and while Get Out is a masterpiece and one of my favorite horror films of all time, this is my favorite of Jordan Peele’s releases so far. I wrote an entire article on what the Gordy scene is even about, I loved it so much.

1. Barbarian

You had to see this coming. Barbarian is inventive and will go down as a legendary horror film. It’s hard to believe that this is Zach Cregger’s first horror film. He completely knocked it out of the park. This film has its immaculate twists and turns, making it a fun, disturbing and memorable watch. I simply laughed in disbelief the entire time due to how great this movie is. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it as soon as possible and go in completely blind. It’s truly a trip and an experience you won’t forget. I don’t even want to write about it because I don’t want to give it away, but it is possibly in my top ten of the decade.

What’s NExt

Thank you for hearing me out on these top ten films. What are your thoughts on these films? Let me know in the comments and I am happy to discuss. As for what’s next, TVOC is posting daily content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. There will be buttons below to check out that and you can see my lovely face discussing various topics on the regular. Be sure to follow those if you’re into fun facts, history, and the occasional fan edit dedicated to the art that is horror. There usually isn’t many top ten lists, but there is top fives. New blog posts will be posted Monday, Wednesday and Friday as regularly as possible.

Sissy: The Gen-Z Slasher You’ve Never Heard About

on January 11, 2023January 10, 2023 By thevoidofcelluloid

I’ll admit it. I’m lame and don’t venture out of the critical buzz bubble as much as I should. I do have a direct link to someone who does, however, and that is my lovely mother. So, when she summoned me to her house for a movie night and said that she found a horror comedy that ‘makes fun of Gen-Z,’ I was skeptical. As someone who resides in Gen-Z, there is good satire out there. Hello, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. However, it usually leans towards cringy, out of touch humor ergo the ‘Gen-Z Hospital’ sketch from SNL.

Sissy Shows Us The Dark Side of Sisterhood | SXSW 2022

However, I put my expectations into a mental box, threw away the key and went in blindly. I ended up enthralled, laughing and wincing at the scathing burns. Someone watched my childhood and kept track of what happened to all of us between the ages of 20 and 25 when the internet flourished and put it into a slasher movie. This isn’t a cringy cyberbully-cautionary tale that I thought it was.

Social Media Addiction: THe Dopamine Response

“Well, your fucking phones are poisoning your minds, okay? So, when you develop a dissociative mental disorder in your late twenties, don’t come crawling back to me.”
– Bo Burnham, “30”

Heard that, Bo. A lot of us grew up with our eyes glued to a screen of some sort. Tumblr and YouTube were my vice as I spent my days reading creepypasta, fanfiction and hyper-fixated on YouTubers. It would always feel good to write something and receive several notifications back that your words and content were recognized in some way. It still feels good, obviously. However, there’s the dependence and the defining nature that social media has contributed to most of our lives growing up in this era.

Sissy talks about filling the social void with social media rather than actual interaction and how the dopamine we get from social media is as addicting as any other drug. Therefore, it takes mental tolls that we might not even notice until it’s too late. The most obvious toll is the way we socialize with actual people. Sissy follows Cecelia, a wellness influencer that runs into her childhood friend and gets tied up in past childhood traumas.

A spoiler Free Review: Sissy

This review will not go into distinct detail about this movie, because everyone should go and immediately watch it. It twists, and it twists hard. Sissy is a brilliant modern horror that finally feels like it’s in the modern era rather than leaning into the stereotype of the younger generation. It is a film about childhood trauma and dealing with it in adulthood. Childhood trauma is way more severe than people make it out to be, there is a reason therapists inquire about it first and can track down our problems due to it.

Sissy follows Cecilia, who already doesn’t seem to practice what she preaches, as she is faced with everything that went wrong with her childhood all at once. The film overall acts as an effective yet extremely humorous commentary about influencers and how we should humanize them and also take them with a grain of salt. It also really plays into the female rage trend that we’ve seen in the past few years, which is always a plus for me personally.

Violent, brutal and brutally honest, it’s a horror-comedy that everyone has slept on last year and should move quickly to the top of your horror viewing list. Especially if you want a good laugh, it is very funny both in traditional comedy and an absurdist way. The main point to mention is Aisha Dee’s performance and how she should be everywhere. She is so convincing and sympathetic as Cecilia and has already solidified her status as an impressive horror actor with her Channel Zero performance. You can watch Sissy now on Shudder, which is a mandatory subscription as a horror fan.

Rating of Sissy

What’s Next

Coming up next on The Void of Celluloid, I’m going to take you through my top ten horror picks of 2022 now that the year feels fully behind us. There was a lot of consulting for these picks as this year presented quite a few titles and a lot of genre blending. TVOC just recently did a series on starter horror, which you can check out here. I am also posting daily content on the TVOC TikTok/Instagram/YouTube, so be sure to follow those and check out what’s going on over there.

Thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horror filled tomorrow. See ya next time.

Starter Horror: Tamer R-Rated Horror Films to Start Off

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid

First came PG horror. Next came the PG-13 films. Now, the final part focuses on the transition into R-rated horror. The horror genre is a diverse one. As we take this next step into the typical R-rated horror part of it, know that there is so much range that resides in this section. Some are only a notch above a PG-13 horror movie and others should require eye bleach. Therefore, this is the trickiest step into horror.

Because you cleared Insidious and are feeling ready for something more intense doesn’t mean you should go jumping into Terrifier. There tamer R-rated gems are the building blocks to go back to the classics and move forward with the latest releases. There will be three subgenres on display: psychological, slasher and supernatural. Note that more subgenres exist–obviously–but these are the three that are the most recognizable. Let’s get started.

You’ve gotten this far, but still not into it

These three films I’ve picked are definitely a bit more intense than the ones mentioned previously. However, in my personal opinion, these are essential watches in the grand scheme of film, not just horror film. These are significant films from legendary filmmakers that should be viewed and appreciated–even if you’re not into the horror thing after all of this.

Stephen King's Christine Remake: Plot, Cast, and Everything Else We Know — A flick about an evil car also might be a great choice for a starter film…

Another side note: these are R-rated movies. I am not recommending these films are for children. They are age restricted for a reason. That being said, the power is in the hands of the parents and whether or not their child is mentally ready for these films. I know that I watched them at a point that I was ready to see them which was definitely before seventeen, and some of these films (especially the first one) are seemingly important to watch as kids reach high school. A great rule of thumb if you can’t quite remember what happens in these movies is to check the IMDb Parents Guide, which is moderated by the people for the people. Keep that in mind, and let’s go over three movies that I think are great starting points for R-rated horror.

Everyone’s Favorite Period Piece: Carrie

Yes, I nabbed that heading from Fleabag. Carrie remains as one of the top supernatural horror films out there. Yes, there is a ripple of psychological horror in there, but due to Carrie and her seemingly omnipotent telekinetic powers, I am categorizing this as supernatural. Carrie is a Stephen King adaptation that carries a heavy message. It is tamer in its on-screen violence but does have moments of nudity and on-screen abuse that might make it a cautious watch. Albeit it is an important watch.

Carrie: five films that influenced Brian De Palma's teen-horror classic | BFI

Honestly, it’s one of the best films that discusses the horror of puberty and how femininity isn’t always pretty. It might be too relatable of a tale to a high school girl who is trying to figure it all out as well. Carrie teaches the lesson of being kind to your fellow woman which some forget in the teenage years. The film also toes the line on arthouse horror–another subgenre worth looking into if you’re one for metaphors and symbolism.

Oh, the psyche: The Shining

Speaking of Stephen King adaptations, here is another that is our proud representation of psychological horror. Yes, the source material of this book makes it very clear something supernatural is at play, but Stanley Kubrick ditched that concept. The Shining is a domestic psychological horror through and through. We watch as isolation, paranoia and previous traumas and addiction take over a family in the snowed-in Overlook Hotel. With phenomenal performances from Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall (fight me on this one, I dare you), it is a surreal watch.

This film is mild in violence other than the last twenty minutes of the film and other than some sexual implications and some nudity, this film is tame compared to the other two picks. However, the mental gymnastics are the rough part of this movie. It remains one of the most rewatched films in all of cinema history and has spawned countless conspiracy theories about its meaning and what is real and not real. If this is your kind of thing, I must direct you to American Psycho next if you’re ready for a harder R-rated horror flick.

The king of all Slashers: Halloween

Now you might think me wacko to consider this one a starter horror. However, it is the horror film. It’s less intense than the films it inspired as in what we see on screen. The scares are impactful without the on-screen gore. This film created the slasher genre we all know as it manufactured the tropes of said subgenre. John Carpenter is a brilliant filmmaker that specializes in the genre that everyone needs to know and respect. That is a threat.

Halloween is a brilliant film with stellar cinematography and amazing performances from Jamie Lee Curtis (her first flick) and Donald Pleasence. It also has an interesting story, which I wrote about right here on TVOC. There is nudity, there is implied sex and minor drug use–and a lot of death. It is a slasher film after all. This is the most intense of the three on here. Therefore, the enjoyment of this film will determine if one would like to continue their horror journey and their next step into the R-rated horror realm.

What’s Next?

That wraps the Starter Horror series on The Void of Celluloid. As I can’t stress it enough, horror should be respected and appreciated by all, but one does not need to indulge in it if they are not into the feeling of getting scared. Horror movies function off adrenaline rushes. Some people aren’t into that sort of thing. Others might want to take a stab at it but haven’t had the priming of becoming a horror appreciator: acknowledging that it is all fake and all in good fun. Much like roller coasters, horror induces a shock that should follow with a flabbergasted chuckle.

You can now check out TVOC’s TIkTok. Go ahead and check it out. I post daily to that thing so join the horror discussion and join me on our daily spelunking adventures. Next Monday, we’re going to be going over what is coming out this month both in theaters and streaming and discussing what’s worth seeing. January is always a rough month for horror but there are a few promising flicks if you dig through it all.

Starter Horror: Kicking it Up a Notch with PG-13 Horror

on January 4, 2023January 2, 2023 By thevoidofcelluloid 1 Comment

The transition from PG to PG-13 horror can seem like quite a leap if not done properly. There are some good PG-13 movies out there. Those ones will scare the pants off you and might cause someone to step away from the genre just as they were getting into it. Here at The Void of Celluloid, we want to level the playing field so that everyone can learn about and appreciate the genre. This is part two of our Starter Horror series, you can find part one here.

With the step to the greater beyond comes a jump in time as well. PG-13 didn’t exist until Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which released in the mid-eighties. Funnily enough, the aforementioned Gremlins kind of led the charge on that one due to some traumatized kiddos. Have no fear though, there are some gems in the genre that are perfect for ramping up to the classics that we’ll discuss in the final part of the series. You can check out my commentary about PG-13 horror here.

Things to take note of: The big step

PG horror bans a lot of things so the transition may seem a little intense. PG-13 horror contains blood and more violence than eyes may be used to–hence the discretionary warning that comes with the genre. Therefore, please be advised that while you might want to make the horror loving buddy out of your eight-year-old kid, some of this content is too intense for them. Let your kid be a kid for a while longer–then you can expose them to the darkness and make them into cool young adults once they come of age.

The Sixth Sense: PG-13 Horror — The Sixth Sense is also a great pick for a PG-13 horror film.

As for the adult audience coming to this for guidance, PG-13 horror films are ripe for the taking when it comes to scary movie nights with friends or Halloween parties. Don’t go in alone if you think it might be too intense for you. Have a scream and a laugh with a buddy and note that these movies are meant to scare you. Don’t be embarrassed if one of them riles you up a bit too much. You’ll learn what subgenres you like and don’t like on this journey.

Horror COmedy anyone? Tremors

This is a prime example to introduce people to the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. Tremors is one of those movies that many consider to be a comfort film. It’s funny, ridiculous and has an impressive monster that everyone should be familiar with: the Graboid. It is definitely funnier than it is scary, but there is quite a bit of blood, guts and carnage that edges this into this category. On top of some on screen kills that are pretty brutal, this film is a perfect mix of comedy and horror that will test the waters gently if one is ready for more intense films.

This film spawned several sequels, but we can ignore that if we don’t desire campiness–all of them don’t live up to this one. Therefore, this is a perfect film to show the potential of franchises and see how one feels about the cheesiness the genre can provide. Not all horror sequels are equal, though–we can get into that another time. This film has the constant intensity of a typical horror movie with bits of comic relief thrown in. A perfect soiree for a newcomer after they’ve taken their baby steps.

An Introduction to Atmospheric Horror: The Others

There are two paths a horror movie can take: short term scare or long term. The long-term scare is what usually garners horror films critical acclaim. Enter another modern classic, The Others starring Nicole Kidman. Atmospheric horror plays primarily in the suspense genre, much like the classic Hitchcock movies. When atmospheric horror is mild, it is the most accessible form of horror movies and deserves appreciation even from non-horror fans.

The Others is simply a ghost story with killer twists and turns. It has its mild scares, but its atmosphere it creates and the pit of dread it plants in its viewers are what makes it a horror movie. Much like movies such as The Haunting (1960) or The Sixth Sense, the story is rich around the scares. If you prefer the slow build up to a major twist rather than the traditional horror movie rollercoaster, then make atmospheric horror movies your go to. Trust me, though, there are strictly atmospheric horror that are not for the faint of heart, so make sure you tread lightly and prepare yourself.

Insidious: The top Tier PG-13 Horror Movie

As I’ve stated before in previous articles, Insidious is the pinnacle of PG-13 horror. It will scare the daylights out of you. With little to no blood but effective jump scares, James Wan knocks it out of the park. This film sparked the PG-13 horror craze of the early 2010s. The ghosts in here are nightmarish. Also, there is something incredibly atmospheric about the Further. This purgatory-like dimension adds something to the film that makes it stand out amongst other films of its kind.

Insidious (2010) directed by James Wan • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

Insidious remains one of the more intense starter horror movies, but it is a sure sign that someone is ready for the next step if they genuinely enjoyed it and found the scares exciting rather than traumatizing. This film has sequels–the third one is a really solid prequel–and will have a new installment out this year, so if one wants to stay in the tamer category, go on with the franchise and support the new one in theaters when it comes out. Nothing beats a good theater experience, especially for a horror movie.

What’s next?

That wraps up my three picks for starter PG-13 horror movies. As I can’t stress it enough, horror should be respected and appreciated by all, but one does not need to indulge in it if they are not into the feeling of getting scared. Horror movies function off adrenaline rushes. Some people aren’t into that sort of thing. Others might want to take a stab at it but haven’t had the priming of becoming a horror appreciator: acknowledging that it is all fake and all in good fun. Much like roller coasters, horror induces a shock that should follow with a flabbergasted chuckle.

The final part will focus on three classics that are good for starters–not necessarily going to throw them in the deep end with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. That will be the final part of this series. I hope this is a good guide to those who are curious or to parents who aren’t sure how to introduce their kids. Nobody wants nightmares.

31 Days of Horror ’22: Diving into Week Three

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I am an Amazon Affiliate and will receive earnings on any purchases made through those links. I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the article on the 31 Days of Horror.

We’re back this week with the next seven movies in this year’s 31 Days of Horror. This is the third iteration of the 31 Days of Horror; you can find the one chock full of classics here. As for this year, we have classics, newbies and deeper cuts peppered in here and there. You can check out the first week here and the second week here if you see a movie you missed on the calendar below.

There will be one more post after this one: The Final Ten Days. Now that that’s established, let’s go ahead with days 15-21.

A Micro-rant from The Void

For those that are going to stay away from some of these films because of tiny little words you have to read, please try and push yourself to do so. There will be subtitled movies in this week as well as next week, and if you aren’t open to subtitles, you’re going to miss out on a lot of good horror. As Bong Joon Ho said, “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Alright, micro rant over, let’s get to the goodies.

October 15th: The Slumber party massacre (1982)

The Slumber Party Massacre': Slashing the Patriarchy - Bloody Disgusting

We’re cheesin’ it up with a cult classic: The Slumber Party Massacre. A film in which was written as a parody but then shot as if it was a slasher. Therefore, it is hilarious and has quite a bit of meta humor before the time meta-horror was popular. There isn’t much to say for plot as the title gives it away immediately but be prepared for a hilariously cheesy and somewhat bad movie that is fun, nonetheless. A charming example of communication is crucial in the filmmaking business.

How about a slumber party where no one gets murdered? First off, the food of a sleepover is definitely pizza. Therefore, try out these dunkable Pizza Bites that keeps that lovely greasy goodness all folded into the dough for a relatively mess free snack. You gotta add a little sin to the party, so try out this sweet Malibu Sunset–doesn’t even taste like booze which is every young drinker’s dream. If you’re not into the drinking thing, that’s alright too–I found this Virgin Sunset for you. To keep up with classic 80s slashers, the double feature has to be Prom Night to double down on the fun and comfort cheesy slasher films can bring.

You can rent The Slumber Party Massacre on Amazon Video or flaunt that you’re cultured in the genre by adding it to your collection here. Check out the custom sticker I made for this romp of a film on Redbubble.

October 16th: THe Omen (1976)

The Ace Black Movie Blog: Movie Review: The Omen (1976)

Alright, fun and games are over. When it comes to classic horror films, The Omen ranks up there. A very dreadful story that doubles as birth control, this had to make the list this year. Evil children are always creepy, but the Devil in an actual child? Absolutely terrifying. The more stressful element is for the parents–how do you handle this situation? The Omen deals with that stress throughout its runtime and it is a very worthwhile watch. It might have you side eyeing your little ones, however.

We’re dealing in terms of heaven and hell here, folks. Protect yourself by drinking this Sainte Trinite cocktail which has to be just as effective as holy water. You can make an ode to Mother Mary herself if you prefer the alcohol-less route with this Virgin Mary Mocktail. We can’t have it all pure up in here however, as we want to convince Damien we’re on his good side. Make a dish in his honor with these ‘Devil’ Deviled Eggs–a deviled egg recipe with a twist. The double feature has to do with evil children as well, but she wasn’t born evil. Go visit Regan with The Exorcist.

Rent The Omen on Amazon Video and if it isn’t in your physical collection already, you can get that here. You guessed it, I did make a design for this one too.

October 17th: Raw (2016)

Raw (2016) is a Radical Coming of Age Horror Film That Gives Women Power Over Their Desires – Flip Screen

This one is a doozy. Raw is one of the best horror films I’ve seen in recent years, and it is also one of the most disgusting. A vegetarian freshman is hazed to eat raw meat upon her arrival at university. After ingesting, she develops an animalistic craving for flesh–both animal and human. Quite an interesting take on a coming-of-age film. This is Julia Ducournau’s debut feature-length film, who recently released the bonkers Titane in 2021. However, it seems like she’s been in the game for years as she never fails once in this movie to intrigue and terrify.

This is a French film, so it’s time to indulge in some French food. I decided to go vegetarian as meat might not be appetizing during this film’s run. Therefore, check out this savory Triple-Threat Onion Galette and snack on it if you’re not queasy. This is also a college film, and you might need to remember your college years in order to forget Justine’s. Get a big group and plan a sleepover, then make the iconic college party drink Hop, Skip and Go Naked–which contains a lot of booze. If it’s just you and a buddy, however, indulge in this Blood Orange Lemonade which you can keep as is or add booze to take off the edge. Cannibalism is a rough topic, but fascinating, nonetheless. A double feature to stay on topic but lighten it up is the cult classic Parents.

You can check Raw out on Amazon Video or add some surreal culture to your shelf by adding it to your physical collection here. You can check out my slick typography design for this film here on Redbubble.

October 18th: Shutter (2004)

Fatal Frame: Chilling Thai Horror Film 'Shutter' Turns 15 - Bloody Disgusting

At the turn of the century, there was quite a boom of Asian horror. We got Ringu and Ju-On: The Grudge from Japan, but what about the other countries? Out comes Shutter from Thailand. A ghost story that has to do with cameras is sure enough to give you the creeps. Shutter follows Jane and her boyfriend, Tun after Jane hits someone with her car and murders her. Noticing that there are figures appearing in the background of her boyfriend’s photographs, she fears it is the vengeful spirit of the young girl she hit. This one is twisty turn-y and is a must watch for any horror fan.

Thai horror needs to be accompanied with some Thai food. Make these easy Chicken Satay skewers to snack on–they make great leftovers as they are delicious cold. Try something new with this refreshing Sabai Sabai Cocktail. If you’re not into the alcohol side of things, Thailand has quite an array of mocktails including this Ko Tao Mocktail. Continue down the path of Thai horror and check out another spooky tale, The Unseeable.

Rent Shutter on Vudu as it is unavailable on Amazon at the moment. This design for this film brings more to the eye, make sure to look closely on Redbubble.

October 19th: Nope (2022)

Film review: Jordan Peele's 'Nope' provides unsettling social commentary with strong execution - Daily Bruin

If you’re a regular, you know that I loved this film. I understand it is one of the more polarizing films of the year, but NOPE toes the line between disturbing and hilarious during its entire runtime. A pair of siblings take over their family business after their father dies in a freak accident. Upon the opening of a theme park near their property, they see something Not Of Planet Earth lurking in the hills. The thing that makes this film disturbing is best kept secret until after watching, but you can read all about that scene here.

Upon viewing, I HAD to know what a Cactus ICEE tasted like. Well, this Prickly Pear Frozen Margarita will have to do instead, especially since the original probably didn’t have booze. I sure as hell wouldn’t give Jupe a liquor license. If booze doesn’t suit your fancy, try out this Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie. The theme park gave me discount Knott’s Berry Farm vibes, so I had to go with a Dupe of Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry BBQ Meatballs since no one does crazy theming better than Knott’s. For this film, I wanted to pair it with another creature feature. Therefore, be sure to check out The Host from the genius Bong Joon Ho.

You can now watch Nope on Amazon Video or complete your Jordan Peele collection by adorning it on your shelf which you can purchase here. This is the film that caused me to start these designs, so check out the OG Gordy’s Home design on Redbubble.

October 20th: Suspiria (1977)

Ah, Argento. Suspiria remains as one of the prettiest horror films out there. The colors, the geometric patterns and the groundbreaking cinematography in this film continues to influence the world around it and even inspire a remake in 2019 (which is also quite good). An elite ballet school has a violent, brutal secret lurking in every room, and we follow Suzy as she unravels the knots and discovers the truth–and it has to do with some freaky witchcraft. It’s a slower burn, but has some of the most brutal and iconic death scenes of all time.

Class it up with this Ballerina Wine Cocktail that is an easy sipper to nurse throughout the movie. If you’re not into an herbal wine drink, try this Pumpkin Witch’s Brew to become one with the coven. It does take place in Germany as well, so eat something that a ballerina probably wouldn’t eat with this German Beer Cheese Spread–versatile with multiple types of carbs. The double feature is another mystery-horror with its twists and turns and that is Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, so have fun with these girls really going crazy.

Watch Suspiria on Tubi (the only platform to have Suspiria?) or have it on your shelf alongside your other Giallo films by purchasing the physical version here. I did a rather classy, painting-style design for this one, so be sure to check it out on Redbubble.

October 21st: His House (2020)

This was a surprise from Netflix after an overall lull in their original movies. His House is filled with terror and rich with metaphor. A couple who has escaped from South Sudan takes refuge in a quaint English town. Haunted by the death of their daughter, they struggle to adjust and take different methods of coping. However, their house seems to be haunted, and the thing haunting it is something truly evil. This is an intense, surreal ride, so try to pay attention during the times you’re able to keep your eyes on the screen.

For this film, we are blending an English drink with a South Sudanese treat. When I think of English cocktails, I immediately think of a Pimm’s Cup–a perfect tasty blend of herbs, spices and booze. Believe it or not, I found a Virgin Pimm’s as well that emulates that complexity in flavors as well. You can usually find Pimm’s rather easily in the US at specialty liquor stores. As for food, we’re going sweet with this delicious Sudanese Kahk–a recipe that might contribute to your Christmas baking as well. Shape them with these spooky cookie cutters. I chose another Netflix original turned modern horror essential with The Ritual.

You can watch His House on Netflix–a platform that sadly doesn’t have any physical copies readily available. You can check out my original design here on Redbubble.

Coming Up Next

So, there’s the third week of the 31 Days of Horror here on The Void of Celluloid. Hopefully this spawned some ideas on what to make for any upcoming movie nights this spooky season. For those that like to go hard and celebrate every day like me, go for it–I have given you the tools. We had Week 1 and Week 2, coming up next are The Final Ten Days which will be linked respectively once published.

31 Days of Horror ’22: Week Two

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid 2 Comments

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I am an Amazon Affiliate and will receive earnings on any purchases made through those links. I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the article.

We’re back this week with the next seven movies in this year’s 31 Days of Horror. This is the second iteration of the 31 Days of Horror; you can find the one chock full of classics here. As for this year, we have classics, newbies and deeper cuts peppered in here and there. You can check out the first week here if you see a movie you missed on the calendar below.

There will be two more posts after this one: Week 3 and The Final Ten Days. Now that that’s established, let’s go ahead with days 8-14.

October 8th: The Funhouse (1981)

The Funhouse (1981) [31 Days of Gore] – The Goug' Blog

There is something cheesy and fun about this next film. The Funhouse from Tobe Hooper has quite a cult following and holds up as a creepy, odd film from the 80s. This is the film that put Hooper more prominently on Spielberg’s radar for Poltergeist, so you know it has to be good. Creepy clown like figures, terrifying animatronics and one helluva monster makes this a romp that one won’t forget. This definitely a sleeper hit from the slasher surge.

Of course, we have to lean in on the circus theme. Clowns always scare me, so I had to have my liquid courage based around the freaky guys. Therefore, go with the Clown Car Cocktail or if you are brave enough, go with the non-alcoholic Cranberry Clown Mocktail. Now, everyone loves a good snack mix. This one is on theme and does contain some polarizing things, so make adjustments as necessary. This Circus Snack Mix has the cherished (or dreaded) Circus Peanuts and other fun bits and bobs. In order to make this an epic double feature, pair this film with the wacky Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Rent The Funhouse here on Amazon Video or own it in its newly 4K remastered version here. I made a design for this one as well featuring the creature itself, which you can check out here on Redbubble.

October 9th: Hereditary (2018)

Review: In 'Hereditary,' the Horror Is Slow-Cooked and Homemade - The New York Times

Yes, this movie. It’s a slow burn, but good god does it pay off. I am an Ari Aster fan here and have rewatched both this and Midsommar multiple times whenever I’m in a mood to get disturbed. Hereditary is an intense film that deals with possession in multiple versions. That’s about all I can say without giving anything away, because if you haven’t seen this film, it will impact you the best if you go in blind. It’s a slow burn but stick with it as the last 15 minutes are some of the most intense minutes in film history.

For this one, I have an interesting cocktail that is directly inspired by the film: the Hail Paimon Cocktail. If the mixture of pomegranate and peanut butter into a shooter doesn’t sound like your style, maybe just stick with the peanut butter with this non-alcoholic Peanut Butter Milkshake that you COULD make alcoholic by adding a bit of Skrewball. Now, to honor Charlie, make these Homemade Devil Cremes and make sure NOT to put nuts in them.

You can rent Hereditary on Amazon Video and you need to add it to your physical collection ASAP if you want some brownie points with the cool indie kids. Buy it here. As for the design? I leaned way more on the inside joke side as it is a heavy supplied topic on Redbubble–check it out here.

October 10th: Green Room (2015)

This film is fantastic and seems to be forgotten. Brutal as can be, Green Room leans more like a thriller than a horror if you subtract the gore and violence. A punk band have a gig at a bar in the middle-of-nowhere Oregon (my state!). Little did they realize that the bar is a Neo-Nazi bar and the band they’re opening for falls swiftly in that genre as well. Deciding to take the gig anyways–to quote Stephen Stills, “a gig is a gig is a gig is a gig,”–they end up having to fight for their lives as the crowd is deadly. It’s an intense one as well as another A24 film.

For the food, we have to go hardcore punk in solidarity for this poor band. Therefore, I’ve gone with the strong but tasty Ankle Breaker Cocktail. Not into the booze? That’s alright, you can still be punk rock with this Molotov Mocktail. To echo the wish of them playing at a normal dive bar rather than this hellhole, we paired it all with these White Castle Copycats–a crowd-pleaser and made to accompany alcohol. Now for this double feature, I’m going a little lighter as I want to honor the late Anton Yelchin that delivers in this role and going with Odd Thomas–a cute but creepy flick.

Rent Green Room on Amazon Video or add it to your now growing A24 physical collection here. I also designed a very simple but very reliable design for this one. Check it out here on Redbubble.

October 11th: Ganja and Hess (1973)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH – GANJA & HESS — Beyond The Void Horror Podcast

Ganja and Hess came to my attention with the release of Clipping’s album There Existed an Addiction to Blood and I’ve been hooked ever since. This film is one of the most famous blaxploitation horror films out there and was released a year after Blacula. Dr. Hess Green gets stabbed with an ancient dagger by his unstable assistant and becomes a vampire. After the assistant goes missing, his wife Ganja Meda goes looking for him and falls in love with Dr. Green–who turns her into a vampire as well. It is a fascinating film with beautiful imagery and luscious symbolism. It was also remade by Spike Lee as Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, but due to critical reception, you’re better off sticking with the classic.

Want a bloodthirst just as mighty as our vampire lovers? Check out this macabre Vampire Vodka with a Syringe of ‘Blood’ which has a fun interactive element that will win over guests in a heartbeat. If you don’t need the heat of alcohol with your blood, try out this Raspberry Mojito Mocktail with the syringe instead. In order to continue your feast of blood, try out this sweet and salty Bloody Popcorn. For a double feature, you’re going to want more Duane Jones in your life. Therefore, pair this with the original Night of the Living Dead.

You can rent Ganja and Hess on Amazon Video or have it adorned on your entertainment center by purchasing it here. Listen to Clipping’s There Existed an Addiction to Blood to get into the spooky mood with some experimental noise rap that has killer bars. I did do a design for this film as well, can’t stop, won’t stop.

October 12th: Jennifer’s Body (2009)

I know a lot of people who have a soft spot for this film, myself included. Jennifer’s Body is a good time. Filled to the brim with cringy noughties’ humor and a film that has earned some respect among the LGBTQ+ community, it has aged quite well in a modern scope–as long as you don’t take it too seriously. Jennifer comes back from a sacrifice gone wrong and seeks revenge to those who have done her dirty–men primarily. It’s a romp that needs to be revisited if you didn’t like it the first go around.

If Jennifer can, you too can go both ways with Cheese + Chocolate Fondue. In terms of drinks, I had to find the iconic and morbidly named 9/11 Tribute Shooter in which they drink pre sacrifice, so make sure you have one before and after she turns (or as many as you want you wild animal you). I also found a virgin version, but make sure it’s a virgin beforehand. My double feature pick for this film is Ginger Snaps to go back-to-back with sultry, violent femmes.

You can rent Jennifer’s Body here on Amazon Video or add it to your (now-growing, yes?) physical collection here. Check out the design I made on Redbubble for this one.

October 13th: The Birds (1963)

This film is responsible for most peoples’ irrational fears of birds. One of Hitchcock’s tried and true classics adapted from a Daphne Du Maurier novella. It focuses on Melanie and her small town as they try and survive once the avian species in the area turn murderous. With iconic shots and terrifying tension, don’t sleep on The Birds as it is one of the best horror films of all time. One thing I will mention with this film is to watch it with consideration of what Hitchcock did to Tippi Hedren, more of which you can read about in my article all about Hitchcock.

I had to keep with the ‘bird’ theme when choosing these drinks. Therefore, I went with a Kentucky Bird, which is a variation of the classic tiki cocktail, the “Jungle Bird.” Due to it being a booze forward drink, my mocktail consists of one of the ingredients–pineapple juice. Therefore, indulge in this Pineapple Mocktail if you’re not into the strong stuff. In regards of food, I kept it very retro chic and looked for recipes around the 1960s. There, I came across one of my favorite snacky recipes: Bacon Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes. It’s delicious and bite sized that you’ll think you’re eating like a bird.

Rent The Birds on Amazon Video or flex your classic horror movie muscles by having it adorn your shelf, which you can get here. I made a very chic, very classic design for this film on Redbubble.

October 14th: Don’t Look Now (1973)

Speaking of Daphne Du Maurier, this film is a must watch if you haven’t seen it yet. A surreal horror nightmare, Don’t Look Now addresses some of the bleakest topics there is out there. Not only that, but it is also a visual masterpiece. Starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, Don’t Look Now reigns as a surreal psychological thriller that stood the test of time gracefully. There’s not much more I can say as going into this film with little information has a huge payoff.

This film will pair nicely with a Little Red Jacket Cocktail, both in feeling and in the literal sense of the red jacket seen several times in the film. As that cocktail contains Jägermeister, I wanted to see if there could be a mocktail that has same spiced taste. Considering Jaeger has 56 herbs and spices, I had to narrow it down to a delicious tasting mocktail that has no name relation to the content of the film: Don’s Virgin Sacrifice. Now, we’re ending the week fairly classic, so why not take it to the 70s with this Classic Cheeseball, perfect for spreading and stress eating the dread away.

You can rent Don’t Look Now on Amazon Video or own it physically by following the link here. Due to the film’s harrowing subject matter, I mashed up two films for the design to poke fun at a trope rather than referencing the movie itself. Check that design out here.

Coming Up Next

So, there’s the second week of the 31 Days of Horror here on The Void of Celluloid. Hopefully this spawned some ideas on what to make for any upcoming Halloween celebrations. For those that like to go hard and celebrate every day like me, go for it–I have given you the tools. We had Week 1, coming up next is Week 3 and The Final Ten Days which will be linked respectively once published.

Celebrating Poltergeist’s 40th Anniversary

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This month, I am personally celebrating my mom’s 50th birthday by seeing a film in theaters that’s turning 40. The film that got me started with horror. The film that is the ultimate starter-horror with its PG rating, mild scares and whole lot of heart. The title gives it away, we’re talking about Poltergeist.

Durango Arts Center holds special 'Poltergeist' screening – The Durango Herald

The Steven Spielberg produced and written; Tobe Hooper directed flick from 1982. A true treat to any moviegoer as it is tame in its scares but deep and rich in its story. It’s a film that has stood the test of time and didn’t even receive a smudge from its terrible remake (what a waste of Sam Rockwell). However, with genius and heart comes tragedy, which struck in the real life of those involved in the film. We’re going to be going over all of that as we jump into this legendary void of Poltergeist.

Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg: an interesting account

One of the rumors that have stuck around throughout the years is that Steven Spielberg actually directed majority of Poltergeist. I mean, it makes sense–the film does have that Spielberg charm. However, there’s more to this story as another iconic film is celebrating 40 this year as well. ET: The Extra-Terrestrial was being filmed at the same time as Poltergeist right next door. Believe it or not, that was the script that Spielberg tried to get Tobe Hooper to direct. Having been impressed with his directing in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, he wanted him for a project and offered the fully fleshed out script of ET rather than the half-baked idea of Poltergeist.

Shockingly, Hooper turned the script down as he was seeking out a film about ghosts rather than aliens. There was a script that Spielberg had been aware of back in his Close Encounters days called ‘Night Skies’ which would then become the framework for Poltergeist. Spielberg took up the entire helm of ET and offered Hooper the job of directing Poltergeist, which he accepted. Due to ET being the bigger budget, Spielberg was contracted to focus his efforts on that film despite the second project occurring at the same time.

Spielberg did not take the reins however due to conflict, but rather partnership. Tobe Hooper would set up the shots, Spielberg would make adjustments and that was that. Spielberg remains adamant to this day that Hooper deserves the credit for director and that it is Hooper’s project as much as it is his. That is the true answer to this day.

Tragedy on Set: The Infamy Behind Poltergeist

There are two major tragedies tied to this film and its series (though more have occurred). It is known for being one of the ‘cursed’ sets–The Exorcist is the most notorious for its cursed nature. There are two incidents that have tainted its legacy despite neither happening on set.

Dominique Dunne

Dominique Dunne had a blooming career. Poltergeist was her first theatrical role and her role as Dana Freeling, the teenage daughter, got quite a lot of screen time. She lined up a role in V, the popular sci-fi miniseries from 1983. On October 30th, 1982, she was rehearsing with V costar David Packer–a few weeks before is when she cut ties with her abusive boyfriend John Sweeney. There had been multiple violent episodes between the two, and Dunne had finally fled and broke it off after a friend walked in on Sweeney choking Dunne after a heated argument.

Sweeney showed up at her house, saying he only wanted to talk it out. After she went outside to talk, Packer heard them start to argue, then heard two screams and a thud. He went outside and saw Sweeney over Dunne, strangling her. At the hospital, Dunne was declared brain dead and taken off life support. Sweeney was charged with voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 6 years in prison. Production of V moved on yet used some footage of her for a cameo and dedicated the entire series to her memory.

Heather O’Rourke

The other tragedy lies in the legacy of the other leading lady: Heather O’Rourke. O’Rourke was merely five years old when she was cast as Carol Anne Freeling and garnered a Young Actor award for her performance. After Poltergeist’s reception came in, it was time for a sequel. However, shortly after the release of Poltergeist II, O’Rourke was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease after contracting giardiasis–a parasite that attacks the intestines and may produce similar symptoms–from well water at her house. They prescribed her cortisone which causes her tissues to swell and led to a fatal constriction of blood vessels in her intestines.

O’Rourke began feeling flu-like symptoms which devolved into cardiac arrest on January 31st, 1988. She was revived by medics shortly after and was flown to the San Diego Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery. After surviving surgery, she went into cardiac arrest again in the recovery room. Despite 30 minutes of CPR, she passed. She was barely twelve years old.

Many consider the Poltergeist set cursed. While there are paranormal whisperings of events that occurred on set, it was these tragedies with their unnatural circumstances that have the most substantial evidence of any curse. Dunne’s murderer getting off with manslaughter. O’Rourke’s misdiagnosis at the most inopportune time. These are weird cases, but mostly tragic.

A Lighter Note: Fun Facts about Poltergeist

With a mix of controversy and curses, I thought it would be nice to close this article with some fun facts. I mean, we have reason to celebrate, Poltergeist turns 40 this year!

Five Fun Facts

Poltergeist at 40: How the Classic Film Changed Haunted House Horror

The film actually started as a sequel of Close Encounters of the Third Kind but split off from its source material rather quickly. Seems like the aliens went to E.T. instead.
Heather O’Rourke was incredibly mannered on set–however, there was one scene that she was not fond of. The scene when she is sucked into the closet and hanging on by the headboard upset her severely. They got the shot of her looking back and screaming, but shortly after she burst into tears. Spielberg promised her she would never have to do that scene again. Therefore, a body double was used for the rest of the scene.
The two main scares in this film are actually inspired by Spielberg’s real childhood fears. The tree is based off of a tree that cast shadows into his childhood bedroom and the clown–well the clown is self-explainable to anyone who suffers from coulrophobia (like me).
The tree scene was actually filmed in reverse. Opting to have Oliver Robins spit out rather than swallowed made the final result look better. It also shortened the time the actor had to be in the tree itself–I declare that a win-win.
Most know that the pool scene contained real skeletons. However, when filming that scene, the pool was surrounded with live wires and electrical equipment. JoBeth Williams refused to get in the pool until she was guaranteed safety from possible electrocution–a very reasonable request. Spielberg insisted total attention of the crew. When met with lukewarm enthusiasm, Spielberg got in the pool with Williams to ensure her safety. It also helped her feel more comfortable filming the scenes.

Conclusion

Poltergeist was my first horror movie, and it remains as one of the best of the genre. I think what makes Poltergeist unique is it is packed full of heart. The family dynamic is front and center in this film. Despite the short runtime, you care about the characters and want this family to be okay. The 2015 remake is not worth the watch as this whole dynamic was missing. It also lacked the brilliant practical effects that the original has. Anyways, happy 40th birthday Poltergeist. You can rent Poltergeist on Amazon Video or if you want to support the physical media movement, buy it physically here.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. Love Poltergeist? Check out the custom sticker here on Redbubble designed by yours truly. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horrific tomorrow. See ya next time.