Broomsticks and Bloodshed

Before modern folk horror and long before witchcraft became mainstream in horror cinema, there was The Virgin Witch (1971), a bizarre blend of occult themes, sexploitation, and questionable storytelling choices. This week on Broomsticks & Bloodshed, Cory and Rossa take a deep dive into one of the strangest witch-themed films they’ve tackled yet.

The hosts break down the film scene by scene, exploring its portrayal of witchcraft, cult imagery, psychic powers, and the many ways it misses the mark when it comes to actual magical practice. Along the way, they discuss the film’s place within the exploitation era of horror, the cultural attitudes that shaped it, and why both lead actresses later distanced themselves from the project.

Before the review, Cory and Rossa catch up on what they’ve been watching, including Interview with the Vampire, Death of a Unicorn, The Backrooms, Obsession, and the surprising discovery of Slumber Party Massacre 3.

Is The Virgin Witch an overlooked cult gem, a fascinating historical curiosity, or simply a confusing collection of boobs, robes, and bad decisions? Tune in as the witches weigh in.

Topics Include:

* The Virgin Witch (1971) film breakdown

* Witchcraft vs. Hollywood witchcraft

* Exploitation horror of the 1970s

* Interview with the Vampire discussion

* Death of a Unicorn review

* Horror recommendations and disappointments

* Season break announcements and future plans for the podcast

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🎙️ Broomsticks and Bloodshed is the podcast where witches talk horror, heresy, and the weird beauty of the unholy.

🩸 If you’re loving the dark magic, cursed cinema and witchy chaos, make sure to rate, review, and subscribe to Broomsticks and Bloodshed! Your support helps more horror lovers find the coven!

🔮 Follow the podcast:

Instagram: brmstixandbloodpod

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Bluesky: brmstixandbloodpod

🕯️ http://linktr.ee/brmstixandbloodpod

✉️ Drop us a line at: [email protected]

The Graham family never had a chance. From the very first frame, Ari Aster’s Hereditary makes that terrifyingly clear — and this week, Cory and Rosśa drag every hidden sigil, every carefully placed hat, and every demonic invocation into the light.

They walk through the full arc of the Graham family’s unraveling, while Rosśa unpacks the deep goetic underpinnings of the film’s magic — Crowley’s Thelemic invocations, the necromantic significance of a corpse in the house, Walpurgis Night, and the binding power of “Liftoach Pandemonium.” Because Aster didn’t just gesture at the occult. This coven knows their craft.

They also dig into Toni Collette’s devastating, awards-robbed performance, the layered color symbolism of red and blue, and why Alex Wolff needed years of trauma therapy after filming.

Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve seen it a dozen times and you’re still finding things — put your phone on silent, turn up the brightness, and come join the coven.

Rating: Four broomsticks. Obviously.

___________________________________________

🎙️ Broomsticks and Bloodshed is the podcast where witches talk horror, heresy, and the weird beauty of the unholy.

🩸 If you’re loving the dark magic, cursed cinema and witchy chaos, make sure to rate, review, and subscribe to Broomsticks and Bloodshed! Your support helps more horror lovers find the coven!

🔮 Follow the podcast:

Instagram: brmstixandbloodpod

Threads: brmstixandbloodpod

Bluesky: brmstixandbloodpod

🕯️ http://linktr.ee/brmstixandbloodpod

✉️ Drop us a line at: [email protected]

This week on Broomsticks and Bloodshed, Cory steps behind the mic solo for a deeply personal dive into the five horror films that shaped his love of the genre forever. From the spiritual terror of The Exorcist to the grief soaked nightmare of Hereditary, the paranoid isolation of The Thing, the grimy brutality of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and the haunting madness of The Shining, this episode explores why horror stays with us long after the credits roll. Together, we unpack fear, faith, grief, violence, isolation, and the beautifully unholy emotions that make horror feel so human. Light a candle, settle into the dark, and maybe leave the hallway light on tonight.

In this episode of Broomsticks and Bloodshed, Cory and Rossa dive headfirst into the iconic 1996 film The Craft, unpacking its legacy, its chaos, and its surprisingly layered portrayal of witchcraft. Recorded on the film’s 30th anniversary, the timing feels almost… fated.

Before getting into the movie, the hosts reflect on a whirlwind weekend at Spirit Northwest, sharing stories from their live screening of Horror Hotel, unexpected fan encounters, and the beautifully chaotic energy of convention life. From there, they ease into their review with a mix of nostalgia, humor, and sharp insight.

The discussion explores each of the film’s central characters and the real-world themes they embody: trauma, power, marginalization, and the intoxicating pull of control. From Sarah’s fragile vulnerability to Nancy’s explosive descent, the hosts examine how The Craft balances empowerment with consequence. They also highlight the film’s cultural impact, including its unforgettable soundtrack, aesthetic influence, and enduring place in witchy spaces today.

Along the way, Cory and Rossa dig into the accuracy and symbolism of the magic portrayed, touching on concepts like invocation, elemental balance, and the ethics of spellwork. They don’t shy away from the darker elements either, including discussions of mental health, manipulation, and the dangers of unchecked power.

Blending personal stories, witchcraft insight, and horror analysis, this episode celebrates The Craft as both a cult classic and a cautionary tale—one that still resonates decades later.

So light your candles, call your corners, and remember: whatever you send out… might just come back.

Step away from the coven for a moment as Broomsticks and Bloodshed dives into a horror catch-up session. Cory and Rossa trade notes on everything they’ve been watching lately, from theatrical releases to streaming deep cuts, covering the good, the bad, and the absolutely unforgivable.

From the chaotic fun of Ready or Not 2 to the bleak dread of The Dark and the Wicked, the duo explores what makes horror hit… or miss. They dig into slow-burn psychological terror, brutal action flicks, overlooked indie gems, and the ongoing struggle of video game adaptations that just can’t quite stick the landing.

Expect passionate rants, unexpected recommendations, and a few films you may want to avoid at all costs. Whether you’re hunting for your next scare or just love hearing horror fans break it all down, this episode is your ultimate watchlist companion.

Plus, stick around for updates on upcoming events, including Spirit Northwest, and more from the ever-expanding world of Broomsticks and Bloodshed.

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In this episode of Broomsticks and Bloodshed, Cory and Rosśa descend into the hypnotic, chaotic world of The Lords of Salem, the divisive occult fever dream from Rob Zombie. From Salem’s blood-soaked past to a modern-day radio station unknowingly broadcasting something sinister, the hosts unpack a film that’s equal parts ritual, nightmare, and visual spectacle.

They explore Heidi’s unraveling as ancient witchcraft resurfaces through sound, discuss the film’s heavy symbolism, and debate whether style truly outweighs substance. Along the way, they dive into the historical inspiration behind Salem’s hysteria, the power of sound in magical practice, and the idea of fate versus free will.

Is this film a misunderstood piece of occult art or an overindulgent descent into chaos? Either way, it leaves a mark.

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Step into the smoky, spell-soaked streets of 1950s Greenwich Village as Cory and Rosśa dive into Bell, Book and Candle (1958), the ultimate witchy rom-com dripping in charm, camp, and subtext. From Kim Novak’s hypnotic allure to Jimmy Stewart’s wide-eyed unraveling, this film serves romance with a side of magic… and a whole lot of questions.

Is love real if it’s conjured? What does it mean to lose your magic for “normalcy”? And is this really a story about witches… or something much deeper?

The hosts unpack the film’s stunning cinematography, beatnik aesthetics, and queer-coded themes hiding just beneath the surface. Plus, they explore the portrayal of familiars, spellwork, and the idea of witchcraft as both power and identity.

Light a candle, grab your familiar, and join us as we revisit a classic where love might be the strongest spell of all… or the most dangerous.

This week on Broomsticks and Bloodshed, Cory and Rosśa crack open the glittery, chaotic spellbook that is the 1989 cult classic Teen Witch. What starts as a simple high school fantasy quickly spirals into magical makeovers, bizarre musical numbers, questionable spellwork, and one of the most legendary rap battles ever committed to film.

The story follows Louise Miller, a shy and chronically overlooked teenager who discovers she is the reincarnation of a powerful Salem witch. With guidance from the mysterious Madame Serena and a magical amulet tied to her past life, Louise suddenly gains the power to bend reality to her will. Popularity, confidence, and the attention of Brad, the school’s golden boy, are suddenly within reach. But as Louise reshapes her life with magic, the line between genuine connection and magically manufactured affection begins to blur.

The hosts break down the film’s many unforgettable moments, from the wildly cringeworthy “Top That” rap battle to the strange pacing, chaotic storytelling, and pure 80s energy that turned this oddball movie into a cult favorite. Along the way, they also examine how the film portrays witchcraft and how it compares to real magical practice, asking whether Louise’s journey is truly about power or simply learning to believe in herself.

Part nostalgic time capsule, part magical coming-of-age story, and part accidental comedy, Teen Witch remains one of the strangest entries in the witchy movie canon. Join Cory and Rosśa as they revisit the spells, the style, and the wonderfully weird legacy of a film that proves sometimes the magic is in the mess. 🧙‍♀️✨

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This week on The Witches of Eastwick, we dive into George Miller’s slick, sensual, and gloriously chaotic tale of power, patriarchy, and polyamory gone demonic.

Cory and Rosśa are joined by special guest Sarah from the Final Girls podcast to unpack the feminist fury and camp spectacle of this 1987 cult classic starring Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and an absolutely unhinged Jack Nicholson.

From martini-fueled coven energy to cherry-pit hexes and a devilish seduction that spirals into full-blown supernatural warfare, we explore how this film balances satire, sexuality, and witchcraft. Is Daryl Van Horne the devil, a chaos demon, or just the embodiment of unchecked male ego? How does the film portray feminine power, repression, and liberation? And why does Jack Nicholson chewing the scenery feel so right here?

We also talk about the film’s groundbreaking sound design, that iconic tennis scene, and the way these three women bloom once they step outside the constraints of small-town patriarchy.

Grab your cherries and your martinis. It’s time to hex the devil.

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https://www.patreon.com/FinalGirlsThePodcast

In this episode of Broomsticks and Bloodshed, Cory and Rosśa dive deep into Mother of Flies, the latest haunting folk-horror film from the Adams Family, streaming on Shudder. Blending personal grief, cancer narratives, and witchcraft as lived practice, the film asks a brutal question: what are you willing to give in exchange for more time?

Cory and Rosśa unpack the film’s poetic structure, its use of ritual magic, bodily horror, and the complicated portrayal of healing that refuses easy answers. They also discuss the real-life context behind the film, including the Adams family’s experiences with cancer, and how that lived trauma shapes the story’s intimacy and discomfort. Along the way, the conversation touches on faith, loss, stillbirth, bodily autonomy, and the ways magic intersects with death rather than erasing it.

Content warning: this episode includes discussion of cancer, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss.