Podcasts
‘Scream 2’ Puts a Killer Mother Behind the Mask [The Lady Killers Podcast]
“You killed my son! And, now, I kill you and I can’t think of anything more rational.”
Compared to traditional slasher fare, there are many things that set the Scream franchise apart: multiple survivors, metatextual commentary, Matthew Lillard, the list goes on and on. But one of the most unique aspects of this beloved string of films is the fact that anyone and everyone could be the killer. With no supernatural elements or sub-human weapon-wielders, only a confirmed kill can eliminate a character from the suspect list. Many charismatic villains have donned the ominous Ghostface mask, but none so complex as the one revealed in Scream 2. Running on vengeance, grief, and motherly love, Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalf) manipulates a psychotic young man and picks up the knife herself in an elaborate plan to seek revenge for the death of her son.
After surviving what has become known as the Woodsboro Murders, perpetual final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is attending Windsor College and hoping to move on with her life. She’s got a tight-knit group of friends – including fellow survivor Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) – and a perfect pre-med boyfriend with dreamy blue eyes and a so-so singing voice. But it seems Ghostface has not yet finished his business with Sidney. With the release of Stab, a movie based on the horrific crimes, a new string of murders begins on campus. Friends and enemies reunite to unmask the killer before he – or she – can create a real-life sequel.
The Lady Killers continue Murderous Mothers Month with a look at one of horror’s most iconic moms. Mrs. Loomis infiltrates the cinematic group with her flattering, if obvious, remarks and sneaks into our hearts with her unsettling eyes and cut-throat judgment. Co-hosts Jenn Adams, Mae Shults, Rocco T. Thompson, and Sammie Kuykendall will chat about local women, Greek tragedy, female ambition, and misplaced blame while dissecting the film’s shocking twist. Is Sidney the best person we all know? Is Gale an overlooked final girl? Has Timothy Olyphant always been hot and don’t we all have hard-ons for Cameron? They’ll sing along with Dewey’s theme song and serenade a wonderful killer while discussing their love for Wes Craven’s beloved sequel.
Stream below and subscribe now via Apple Podcasts and Spotify for future episodes that drop every Thursday.
On the DL.
After spending June on explicitly queer texts like Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn (listen) and William Castle’s Homicidal (listen), it’s only appropriate that Horror Queers celebrate the American holiday with a blockbuster film with a not-so-secret gay connection.
In Independence Day, an unlikely group of people come together when the human race faces extinction from a threatening alien race. After spaceships destroy every major city, pilot Steven Hiller (Will Smith) must team up with secret tech genius David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), as well as the US President (Bill Pullman), to execute a daring plan to save the planet from annihilation.
Along for the ride are the two saviors’ romantic partners – WH Communications Director Constance (Margaret Colin) and stripper Jasmine (Vivica A. Fox) – plus eccentric scientist Dr. Okun (Brent Spiner), who is at the center of the film’s most horrific set piece.
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Episode 393: Independence Day (1996)
Today, we celebrate our Independence Day…courtesy of gay German director Roland Emmerich.
As the summer blockbuster celebrates its 30th anniversary, we’re looking back on an alien disaster film that scared young Trace (thanks to that alien autopsy scene) and turned Will Smith into a star.
Plus: the death that upsets the most; bemoaning Vivica A. Fox’s career; pondering what could have been with the casting; why Smith’s bravado and the film’s patriotism doesn’t always work for Joe; and plenty of riffing on the atrocious sequel.
Cross out Independence Day!
Coming Up Next: We’re retreating to the country for some questionable therapy courtesy of Joe Dante’s 1981 classic, The Howling!
P.S. Subscribe to our Patreon for over 503 hours of Patreon content including this month’s new episodes on Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Forbidden Fruits, Saccharine, Evil Dead Burn, an audio commentary on the utterly ridiculous sequel Howling II: Your Sister Is A Werewolf (1985), and the conclusion of our Requel Tier coverage of AMC’s The Vampire Lestat.