Episode 18: Maternal Horror 

This episode was recorded on January 10, 2024 and posted on January 27, 2024.

Content Warning: Light vulgarity. 

Introduction

• Welcome to No Bodies Episode 18
• Introductions to your Ghosts Hosts with the Most - Lonely of Lonely Horror Club and Projectile Varmint aka Suzie
• Introductions to our guests Tammynator and Amatuer Destroyer aka Jess of Horror Through Her Eyes
• Today’s Topic: Maternal Horror

Discussion on Maternal Horror

• What is maternal horror? Why is this a prevalent horror subgenre?
• Highlighting the prevalence of maternal mental health 

This Week’s Coroner’s Report

• What films capture your fears or anxieties around parenthood?

Film Discussion

• Antenatal Period Films
  • False Positive (2021) / Our Father (2022)
  • Huesera: The Bone Woman (2023)
  • Clock (2023)
• Postpartum Period Films
  • Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
  • Lyle (2014)
  • The Others (2001)
  • The Babadook (2012)
  • The Yellow Wallpaper (2021) / The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkin Stetson / The Awakening by Kate Chopin
  • Baby Ruby (2022)
• Childrearing & Identity 
  • Grace (2009)
  • Resurrection (2022)
  • Goodnight Mommy (2014)

Worst & Best Representations of Maternal Horror

Spoilers ahead!

Worst

• The Brood (1979) - Tammy
• False Positive (2021) - Jess & Lonely
• Abandoned (2022) - Suzie

Best

• The Act (2019) - Lonely
• Inside (2007) - Suzie
• Rosemary’s Baby (1968) - Tammy
• We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) - Jess

Suzie’s Deep Cuts

Includes films with under 5k ratings on IMDB. 

• Motherly (2021)
• Blood Born (2021)
• The Apology (2022)
• The Womb (2022)
• Prevenge (2016)

Closing Thoughts

• As mothers, what is one storyline you want to see portrayed in future horror films?

Thank you to our guests! 

• Keep up with Horror Through Her Eyes on Spotify, Facebook Group, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Letterboxd! Reach out to their show by email at [email protected]. 
• Follow Tammy on Instagram!
• Follow Jess on Instagram!
• Check out Tammy & Jess on The HorrorCast!

Keep Up with Your Hosts

• Check out our instagram antics and drop a follow @nobodieshorrorpodcast. 
• Take part in our new audience engagement challenge - The Coroner’s Report! Comment, share, or interact with any Coroner’s Report post on our socials to be featured in an upcoming episode. 
• Projectile Varmint - keep up with Suzie's film musings on Instagram @projectile__varmint
• Lonely - read more from Lonely and keep up with her filmstagram chaos @lonelyhorrorclub on Instagram and www.lonelyhorrorclub.com.

Original No Bodies Theme music by Jacob Pini. Need music? Find Jacob on Instagram at @jacob.pini for rates and tell him No Bodies sent you! 

Leave us a message at (617) 431-4322‬ and we just might answer you on the show!

Sources

Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. (2022, August 22). MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health - Perinatal & Reproductive Psychiatry at Mass General Hospital. https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics-2/psychiatric-disorders-during-pregnancy/

Hess, A. (2023, June 22). When Motherhood Is a Horror Show. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/12/arts/motherhood-horror-movies-tv.html

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders - Center for Women's Mood Disorders. (2019, June 4). Center for Women’s Mood Disorders. https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/wmd/resources/mood-disorders/perinatal/