Demián Rugna's 2023 film When Evil Lurks is an investigation into the world of demonic possession that I guarantee you have never experienced before. This incredible story of a community completely at the mercy of an unreliable and untrustworthy man leads ultimately to the demise of a family unit. If you liked Terrifier (2017), then you will fall in love with this film. 

SOURCES

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16300962/ 

Polygon Article/Interview - "When Evil Lurks' director says his staggering horror movie is really about pesticide" by Tasha Robinson: https://www.polygon.com/23935228/when-evil-lurks-director-interview-demian-rugna-meaning 

I don't know if there has ever been a more difficult film for me to sit through than this one. Gaspar Noé's Irreversible (2002) gave me both a nightmare and an existential crisis. Viewed in reverse-chronological order, this film will leave you upset with yourself for having watched it and proud that you made it to the very end.

SOURCES/MORE INFORMATION

IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0290673/

Mephistopheles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles 

An Experiment with Time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Experiment_with_Time 

IndieWire Interview: https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/why-gaspar-noe-directed-on-cocaine-masturbated-in-his-own-film-and-shot-a-live-birth-55975/ 

Article from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/aug/02/artsfeatures.festivals 

Laws of Thermodynamics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_thermodynamics

Have you ever heard of a director remaking one of their own movies shot-for-shot? Well, now you can say that you have. Michael Haneke has written and directed Funny Games twice - once in 1997 and again in 2007. Let's take a swim in the pool of Michael Haneke's genius by dissecting Funny Games (2007), which gives metacinema a whole new meaning. 

SOURCES/INFORMATION

IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0808279/ 

Metacinema: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacinema 

Information on Michael Haneke's films: "Michael Haneke (Contemporary Film Directors)" by Peter Brunette

Film essay on Michael Haneke: https://youtu.be/DcGFBa8fFdI?si=Cyl1ejBE3WyJOW5Q  

IMPORTANT LINKS

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @finalgirlon6

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-abilrj0CQpeMCFhv9wLQ 

Redbubble Shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/carolyn15/shop?asc=u 

Inside (2007) is a revolutionary take on the stereotypicaly home invasion film. With body horror aplenty and a woman as the perpetrator, this film takes on fetal abduction, revenge, and grief in such a manner that will have the viewer questioning themselves for days after watching. Oh, and need I mention that there is a spectacular performance from a CGI fetus?

SOURCES

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0856288/

Fetal Abduction Cases: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_abduction

Center for Missing and Exploited Children Report: https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/ncmec-analysis/Infant%20Abduction%20Trends_10_10_22.pdf 

IMPORTANT LINKS

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @finalgirlon6

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-abilrj0CQpeMCFhv9wLQ 

Redbubble Shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/carolyn15/shop?asc=u 

In terms of films that have impacted my life, this one might take the cake. Martyrs (2008) is a journey into the impact of the trauma suffered by Lucie and her lifelong best friend, Anna, after Lucie tasks Anna with cleaning up a home invasion that ends up in a family annihilation. Join me as I discuss what it means to be a martyr and how the afterlife may not be what you imagine it is. 

SOURCES

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1029234/

New French Horror/Extremity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Extremity#Themes_and_characteristics

IMPORTANT LINKS

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @finalgirlon6

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-abilrj0CQpeMCFhv9wLQ 

Redbubble Shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/carolyn15/shop?asc=u 

If you are in search of the ultimate horror drama film, look no further than Possession (1981). Directed by Andrzej Zulawski, this film is a surrealist and horrific dive into what a breakup can look and feel like. This film has everything from body horror to drama to psychological torment and beyond. 

SOURCES
Possession Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possession_(1981_film) 
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082933/ 
Youtube Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1dtelvi_E8 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @finalgirlon6

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-abilrj0CQpeMCFhv9wLQ 

Redbubble Shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/carolyn15/shop?asc=u 

Lars von Trier plus Charlotte Gainsbourg plus Willem Dafoe - what could possibly go wrong (other than everything)? In this episode, I explore the controversial 2009 film Antichrist, which shocked the film community in unimagineable ways after its premiere at Cannes. A dark but apt journey into the lives of a married couple struggling after the loss of their son, Nic, and the first installment of the Depression Trilogy, Antichrist is not for the faint of heart.  

SOURCES

IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0870984/ 

Fox Symbolism: https://allthingsfoxes.com/fox-symbolism/

Deer/Doe Symbolism: https://www.millersguild.com/deer-symbolism/ 

Crow Symbolism: https://birdfact.com/articles/crow-symbolism

Atypical or Prolonged Grief: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolonged_grief_disorder 

The Three Beggars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Three_Wonderful_Beggars

Gynocide/Gendercide: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendercide 

Psychological? Environmental? Thriller? Drama? There is no one right way to describe this unique indie film from the incredibly talented Todd Haynes. Whatever you take away from this film will be the thing that scares you the most. Truly atmospheric, Safe (1995) is a masterpiece of the hollow lives many of us live. 

SOURCES

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114323/ 

While this film may appear at first glance to be the classic arthouse vibe (you know, where the characters in the film don't have real names), it is so much more than that. Check out this episode where I attempt to contain my love of Jennifer Lawrence by not talking about her the entire episode. 

SOURCES/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5109784/

Cain and Abel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cain_and_Abel 

War in Heaven: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Heaven 

Loud and Clear Review: https://loudandclearreviews.com/mother-darren-aronofsky-movie-hidden-meaning-2017-film/ 

Sometimes the greatest gift in life is cleansing it of toxic people. Midsommar takes the ideas of family, being an outsider, and looking for belonging to a whole new extreme. 

Social Media

Instagram: @finalgirlon6

Sources

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8772262/ 

Hidden Clues: https://www.looper.com/246758/things-you-only-notice-the-second-time-you-watch-midsommar/ 

The Big Picture Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yMchW9033HewjrArpllhr?si=6zYyTQUaQV-wMTmMOCse8w