Dear Final Girl

No matter the adventure, your trauma will follow you. Work it out on solid ground, folks. In this episode, the Final Girls look at two surprisingly similar suspense movies, The Descent (2005) and Fall (2022). Learn about best friend betrayal, the giveaway plot points, and the sweat scale of suspense in this special comparison episode

You really can't go home again. Especially if you're Kirsty, a Final Girl grappling with an evil stepmother, a pervy uncle — and oh yeah, some Cenobites who want to tear your soul apart. Come to Daddy as Lori and Tam explore the further reaches of Hellraiser experience in Clive Barker's 1987 classic.

A white stretch limo makes its predatory creep through NYC. Nevermind the riots, an assassination attempt against the president, a water main break, and the general mayhem. Financial bro Eric Michael Packer needs a haircut. Join Lori and Tam for a discussion of David Cronenberg's ode to corporate horror.

What happens when grief goes sideways — into a secret life and a secret house? Our latest episode explores The Night House (2020), whether the afterlife is filled with something or Nothing, and one creepy-ass voodoo doll.

In a companion episode to Silence of the Lambs, Lori and Tam continue to follow Clarice Starling's career through Hannibal and why her toxic relationship with the FBI makes her a great candidate for The Great Resignation. Join us as we also explore the complex relationship trios through both movies.

Sometimes a pandemic will make you re-evaluate one of your favorite characters. More than three decades since Silence of the Lambs brought Clarice Starling to the big screen -- and a little over a year since CBS cancelled her on the small one -- we're taking a look at her grit and perseverance through the lens of today's Great Resignation, the impact of gender, and what you do when the job doesn't love you back.

From the Creature from the Black Lagoon to horror comics to Dario Argento, this Horrorigin Story episode features Dear Final Girl co-host Lori Beerman. Don't say we didn't warn ya.

Kurt is a horror writers, but is his evil twin keeping him from doing what he loves? Lori and Tam offer support through a discussion of The Dark Half.

#HorrorFam's beloved @beernut1 shares his Horrorigin Story, a tale of classic movies and classic horror from a classy guy who grew up normal except for his love of horror—and a rather traumatic history with the movie Gremlins.

"Then the virus wasn't on TV anymore. It was in the street." Sound familiar? 376 days after COVID lockdown, Lori and Tam watch 28 Days Later in response to a listener letter about losing time, finding perspective and understanding painful times while we're living through them.

Am I already messing up this parenting thing before the baby sees the light of day? No Rachel, you're not. In response to this week's letter, Tam and Lori check out Prevenge, the 2016 horror comedy about a newly widowed and pregnant Ruth and her VERY articulate and homicidal fetus.

This episode has everything! Lady Shasha talks growing up a fourth-generation horror fan in Connecticut on a steady diet of HBO, Gore Zone, Elvira, Dean Koontz, drive-ins, Blacula and Buster's Pub & Video. Plus what it's like being one of the few women of color producing content in the horror community.

Relating to others can be murder. Just ask Darling, the title character of Mickey Keating's phenomenal 2015 film. Or ask Janet, whose letter to Dear Final Girl inspired our movie choice for this episode. Tam and Lori talk how we connect, how we isolate, and how hard it is to feel lonely.

Nothing like a little government insurrection to inspire a watch of They Live! Tam and Lori tackle the individual's role in society, media and messaging, what lies beneath, and what we can still count on when things fall apart. Tune in for the earnest angst, stay for the quotes from Honest Abe, Martha Nussbaum and the usual tangents.

Do things feel different but somehow still the same? A letter from Purgatory sparks questions about identity as Tam and Lori check out Possessor.

In this Horrorigin Story Episode, Van recalls his childhood as a "mature little person," his initial rejection of movies in the humorous-yet-violent genre, and his eventual introduction to Cronenberg's The Fly. Stay for the discussions of Kafka, librarians, and Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark.

A final girl in Nashville struggles with a job that's starting to feel like a trap. Sound familiar? Tam and Lori watch Saw while discussing how to get out, how to cope until you do, and how to find out what you really want so your next move is the right on. Check it out!

There's only one thing wrong with the Davis baby... It's Alive! Lori and Tam take on Larry Cohen's 1974 classic, inspired by @Lando_Horror's Horrorigin Story. Lots of high-caliber acting in this low-budget production with explorations of how authority structures touch the lives of private citizens in crisis.

Check out our return episode and learn how Minnesota winters, watching late-night B-movies with a Pepsi-lovin' grandma, and those awesome 80s VHS covers created a lifelong horror compulsion for @Lando_Horror.

In the season closing episode, Frank (@NewHeyah) recounts the time he found horror with Jason Goes To Hell, rediscovering the genre in '96 with Scream, and re-rediscovering horror more recently with Leprechaun Origins. L&T talk horror as a solitary experience and one that builds community, the power of finding horror when you're "too young," and escaping to your own private cinema. 

Dear Final Girl dances into the story of a girl, her mother, and the movie that shaped a lifelong love of horror. This week's origin story comes from writer Valerie Thompson (@ValMThompson).  

This week Tam and Laura reflect on the memorable Horror Origin story submitted by horrorfam favorite @NoKimOnlyZuul. Talking about her earliest experiences with horror gets our intrepid two pondering their own teenage perspectives. It's all in a day's work for a true final girl.  

Leigh Evans (Night of the Horrorphile) discusses how he identified with Leatherface's Texas Chainsaw Massacre, his parents' own devotion to horror films, the harsher realities of growing up in the South, and finding joy in real darkness through horror. 

 This week Laura and Tam look out for their friend TJ Denton, artist extraordinaire for Joe Bob's The Last Drive-In, as he helps his mother cope with a painful loss.The episode features the dark and magical film The Lovely Bones (2009), explores the five stages of grief, and how we keep moving forward in difficult times.

It's all about staying in this week as Tamara and Laura catch a case of Cabin Fever. This time our intrepid hosts are on a quest to discover if the 2016 remake helps break those self isolation blues.

An unforeseen phenomenon pitting science against fear? Some things never change as Dear Final Girl rediscovers 1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers. A young Donald Sutherland, a bagpipe screeched chorus of Amazing Grace, and a still surprising ending leave our hosts to ponder the concepts of strangers in a not so strange land. 

On this installment of Horrorigin Stories, Jimmy Detroit talks Dracula, Milwaukee's classic Nightmare Theater with Dr. Cadaverino, finding horror magic at the public library, and how his mom helped him navigate fear. All this plus what it felt like to earn every kid's badge of honor: staying up late -- and staying awake -- to watch scary movies.

Adapting to extreme conditions can require extreme measures. Laura and Tam find lessons in A Quiet Place for a Final Girl who knows what it's like to tiptoe through threatening situations. Building a life that works when chaos is swirling around you isn't easy. But it's what we do if we want to survive and claim happiness.

In this week's Horrorigin Story, Chris (@boobafett69) shares his memories of watching scary movies in a packed theatre. Chris and Laura share an early link to When A Stranger Calls, and Chris reminds us of the thrill of watching horror late at night on a tiny TV. 

On this episode of Dear Final Girl, Tamara and Laura deal with the serious topics surrounding addiction as well as the helplessness of watching someone go through its devastation. It's a chance for the pair to delve into Pet Sematary, a film that has both detractors and ardent followers. 

Friends don't let friends watch Troll 2...ALONE. A letter from Justin inspires us to watch the best worst movie ever made and explore the topic of peer pressure. Plus the ill effects of meat eating as Laura orders a second steak.

Horrorgins returns with a new look at the people who love the genre. In honor of Valentine's Day, Martin Shelby (@Gemini_Nights) shares his own first forays into adoring genre fare and beyond.

Everyone has a story about their introduction into horror and Dear Final Girl is ready to listen. This week, artist TJ Denton (@TDenton_1138) reveals the importance of Halloween and Psycho 2 in his love of the genre. 

Laura and Tam head out on a voyage of discovery with Ari Aster's Midsommar. How do you conquer fear and find fulfillment? Should we be more open to the world? Is a bear just a bear? Questions of life (and Swedish festivals) as we read a heartfelt letter from Kim. Plus book recommendations out the wazoo.

Dear Final Girl isn't done with @CreepiesRobin just yet. In this latest edition of Horrorigin Stories Robin Harrington discusses how family shaped her unending love for the genre.

Film: The Witch (2015). It’s the 1600s and you know what that means, hints of witchcraft and the usual puritanical blame game. Get ready Black Phillip; Laura and Tam are on the case to solve some very devilish mysteries. MutantFam favorite and friend of the show @CreepiesRobin joins in on the action.

Film: Black Christmas (1974), Surviving the holidays takes on new meaning for some fierce sorority sisters. This Week’s Letter: Knowing what you want but not how to say it. Plus Tam and Laura give the gift of horror history as they debate how older films stand up to today’s culture while kitties run amok in the background.

Film: Friday The 13th (1980), you don’t have to love the Final Girl to appreciate her strength. Monstrous kettles, a damaged Final Girl, warnings from the townsfolk. This Week’s Letter: Troubles with parental pressure and learning to do it on your own. Plus: Nasty Women, the Brenda/Alice foil, meet them at the door.

“Many of us wanted our monsters back.” Friend of the show Isaac Thorne describes discovering Fright Night and how this mid-80s throwback filled with “gore, scares, rock and roll, comedy and bare breasts” made it OK for a 14-year-old boy to love horror movies. Check out this first mini-sode of Dear Final Girl’s Origin Stories series!

Film: Vertigo (1958), not your typical Final Girl flick but then again what is? Eyebrow goals, male messiahs, hope, wandering. This Week’s Letter: Anxious in TN struggles with fear. Getting stuck in the moment, keeping options open, do what scares ya. Plus Tam talks Elizabeth Gilbert, weed. Laura nurples the hubs, abuses air quotes.

Film: Halloween OG (1978), including Final Girl strength, Annie and Linda ain’t all bad, and Laurie Strode for President. This Week’s Letter: Bitter in Dayton grapples with friend jealousy. Perception, comparison, awareness, and vulnerability. Horror fans getting outside themselves. Plus Tam sports gray lipstick, Laura talks Joe Bob’s Halloween Hootenanny, shoutouts, and background cats and husbands. 

Dear Final Girl is Dear Abby for horror freaks. Film discussed: Scream and how it flipped the script. This Week’s Letters: Marie copes with grief on an anniversary, Fran works through a break-up. Plus trusting yourself, skeevy haircuts, 1990s know-it-alls, and Laura’s sexual revelation. It was a surprise even to her!

This informational episode features Laura discussing the idea of Carol Clover's Final Girl, how it persists in late 20th century horror, and what it means for us today. 

Love horror movies? Going through some stuff? Send your problems, doubts and fears to Dear Final Girl, the advice and horror podcast that dishes on life and other scary movies. Drop us a line at DearFinalGirl@gmail.com or send a Twitter DM to @FinalDear. Stay alive out there!