Horror Babes

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are keeping your November going with another 2022 film about why dudes are the worst: Alex Garland's "Men". Listen in if you want to hear why Rory Kinnear understood the exact point of the project, how music and musique concrete affects the tone of a film, and where allegory meets tone poems. There are SPOILERS in here, so just a heads up. TW/CW: discussions of gore, assault, self-harm

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are talking a brand new release this week with Zach Cregger's Barbarian (2022). They're dive into gender issues, how to approach commentary, and wondering when Donald Glover will finally make a horror film. This is a brand new film, so just know there are so so many SPOILERS in this episode. CW/TW: discussions of gore, sexual assault

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are wrapping up their Horror Musical Month with an undeniable banger: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)!! Listen in to hear why this is the best adaptation since The Thing, what to do if you want to make a good musical, and whether or not horror can even translate to a musical format.

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are back for week three of Horror Musicals Month with Tim Burton's adaptation of "Sweeney Todd" (2007). You'll hear opinions on Sondheim, rants about Hot Topic fashion, and why this very capable movie may not land. Heads up, there are SPOILERS for this movie that's almost old enough to drive. CW/TW: discussions of gore, sexual assault, cannibalism

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher continue their Horror Musicals October with Brian de Palma's "Phantom of the Paradise" (1974). Queue it up to vibe with their takes on wild costume design, coherent story disguised as chaos, and why the whip-pan is still one of the best shots in all film. YO!! There be SPOILERS beyond the first two minutes of this pod! CW: discussions of self-harm

Hey, Babes!! Nicole and Topher are BACK from hiatus for yet another themed October! This month is all about horror musicals, and they're kicking it off with the greatest of all time: Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). They're talking nuanced camp, transgressive music, and brilliant costumes. There are SPOILERS in here, so beware!

Hey, Babes! Topher picked a movie that is a bit on the nose this week: Misery (1990). Check it out to hear him and Nicole dive in on how to break out as an actor, how to flip the script on two-hander films, and why making major changes can serve your adaptation! Heads up, there are SPOILERS in here!!

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are reunited at long last to discuss One Missed Call (2008). Listen to their take on this remake to hear them pitch a horror sequel to Hannah Montana, a DC Comics crossover event involving the cast of Jersey Shore, and just generally their thoughts on mid-budget films!! There are SPOILERS for this movie inside - BEWARE! CW/TW: discussions of child abuse, gore, Munchausen's

Hey, Babes! Topher and FS Chxll are back this week with Part Two of their discussion on Jordan Peele's Get Out (2017). If you didn't listen to Part One, then this is the wrong episode! Turn around! Listen to that one, ya goober!! Heads up there are major SPOILERS in here.

Hey, Babes! Nicole decided to try and one-up Topher by catching Covid. BUT!! He countered by having an incredible musician, composer and dear friend FS Chxll on to finally talk about Jordan Peele's feature debut: Get Out (2017). Listen in to hear Chxll talk about weird warehouse parties, Topher do some Foley work, and both of them refusing humility. This convo went on for hours, so look out for Part 2 next week!! Heads up, there are major SPOILERS here. TW/CW: discussions of racism, gore

Hey, Babes! Topher is back with more metal in his body!! Nicole let him back on the podcast to talk about Don Coscarelli's adaptation of John Dies At The End (2012). Check this episode out to learn what cosmic horror really is, how to adapt a multiverse into a coherent story well before the Mouse did, and why a certain podcast studio chair causes you to wild out. Heads up, there are SPOILERS here.

Hey Babes! Welcome to part two of our episode on X (2022). If you haven't heard part one yet, go back and listen to that one first, trust us, you want to be up to speed for this one! Just in case you're new here, YES there are spoilers! Footnotes: https://collider.com/x-movie-explained-pearl-maxine-ti-west-interview/

Hey Babes! Topher is MIA but Nicole is joined by her besties Shannon and Olivia as they deep dive into A24/Ti West's new film X! Listen to them unravel as they talk about what it means to be young and hot, polyamory, and the porn industry! TW/CW: talk of death and suicide.

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are in the studio this week to talk about Palme d'Or nominee, Personal Shopper (2016). Listen in to hear all about why boredom is good sometimes, how to use shot selection to push narrative, and when to trim down your stories. As always, this episode contains SPOILERS.

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are here this week with a brand new movie: Mimi Cave's debut feature, Fresh (2022). Listen in to hear why you shouldn't date doctors, how manipulating manipulators can save your life, and when you should be cynical. This is movie is just over a month old, so know that there are major SPOILERS in this episode. TW/CW: cannibalism, violence against women

Hey, Babes! Do children and/or twins freak you out? Us too! So check out this episode about the Franz and Fiala debut feature: Goodnight, Mommy (2014). Nicole and Topher are talking perfect film structure, how not to cope with grief and loss, and how you too can make a weird sculpture with your former cat! Heads up, there are major SPOILERS for this movie, so watch it first. It's amazing!

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are rounding out Soundtracks That Slap Month with a true banger: The Wicker Man (1973). Listen in to hear why this movie is the template for folk horror, what makes a killer soundtrack, and just how cool Christopher Lee is!!

Hey, Babes! Y'all know Soundtracks That Slap Month couldn't happen without an appearance from The Master John Carpenter!! Nicole and Topher are jumping into his cult classic 'Ghosts of Mars' (2001). Listen in to learn why the box office is wrong, what Nicole's favorite Muppet movie is, and how Topher and Roger Ebert learned to agree. Heads up, there are SPOILERS for this 21 year old movie. FOOTNOTES: Roger Ebert Review https://bit.ly/3rFSbDv

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher tackled Dario Argento's classic Susipiria (1977) for this week's installment of Soundtrack's That Slap Month!! They're talking why Italian film from this era just worked, how color theory can take a movie to the next level, and why hiring a prog rock band to do you soundtrack and score is a very good idea. TW/CW: discussions of gore

Hey, Babes! Soundtracks That Slap month continues with Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin (2013)!! Listen in to hear where adaptations run into problems, what Nicole and Topher think about vibey scores, and why you should absolutely be in love with Mica Levi aka Micachu. TW/CW: discussions of sexual assault FOOTNOTES Interview with Mica Levi in Indiewire https://bit.ly/3JqdKha

Hey, Babes! It's Nicole's birthday month so you know we had to have a theme! It's Soundtracks That Slap, which means we're kicking it off with none other than the brand new Foo Fighters horror-comedy, Studio 666 (2022). Listen in to hear all about why music is so important in film, how to make good campy fun, and to wonder why Topher drinks coffee way too loudly. Heads up, there are SPOILERS here, so don't get it twisted.

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are rounding out March with a request: Terrifier (2016). Listen in to hear why story matters, what homage can accidentally get you, and whether or not these two would follow a clown into a basement!

Hey, Babes! This week Nicole and Topher are discussing Roxanne Benjamin's "Body At Brighton Rock" (2019)! Listen in to hear about the dumbest protagonist in movie history, why you never hike alone, and Topher saying "put up your damn tent" a record amount of times.

Hey, Babes! Horror or Nah? is back! By accident this time!! Topher has special guest Nicole Leigh Hood on to chat about Boots Riley's debut feature: Sorry to Bother You (2018) and whether or not it lives in the horror genre or some other strange place. Give it a listen to find out the definitive final answer to the question that's been bothering all of you (sorry for that).

Hey, Babes! March is here with a recent film from an up-and-coming writer/director we're really stoked for! We covered Julia Ducournau's debut feature: Raw (2016). What a ride this movie is. In all honesty, just watch it and then decide if you wanna listen (or the other way around - we're not your dads). Just know it is an amazing, gorgeous, seriously intense film we both loved. TW/CW: self-harm, cannibalism, and for sure gore

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are rounding out Origins Month with a banger: Mario Bava's "Black Sunday" (1960). Listen in to hear the Babes discuss feminism in Witch Form, why greyscale matters, and why actual bats don't!!

Hey, Babes! Origin Month rolls on with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)!! Listen in to hear Nicole and Topher go absolutely gaga over the VERY FIRST HORROR FILM EVER!! They're talking strange set construction, the beginnings of visual and storytelling tropes, and how we reinterpret classics over time.

Hey, Babes! Origins Month continues with one of the oldest Japanese demon films: Onibaba (1964). Nicole and Topher continue this fun February by dissecting one of the most intense and interesting movies yet to be on this whole dang podcast! If you want an oldie and a goodie, this is your jam!

Hey, Babes! Welcome to 'Origins' Month!! Topher has picked a bunch of movies that honor the beginnings of our favorite genre for his birthday! These two weirdos are here to talk about the OG vampire film: Nosferatu (1922). Nicole can't speak German, Topher knows nothing about boats, and the both love Renfield!!

Hey, Babes! We're back with a brand new movie this week: Scream V (2022). Nicole and Topher are here to discuss the newest installment in Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson's iconic franchise. Listen in to hear them discuss how the guys from Radio Silence knock it out the park with their first Scream film. This movie is brand new so heads up, there are SPOILERS here!! TW/CW: discussions of gore

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are here this week to talk about the latest film from David Bruckner: The Night House (2021). Tune in to hear about how good directing can save a rough script, why Rebecca Hall can step on all our necks, and learn how to run a solid psychological thriller with a reliable narrator! TW/CW: self-harm, suicide

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are back this week with a nearly brand-new film: Censor (2021). The Horror Babes are discussing Prano Bailey-Bond's debut feature and talking about how to structure a film, why scripting matters, and what in the world is happening in this strong first offer of a psychological horror film.

Hey, Babes! 2022 continues by spitting in the face of Film Daddy David Lynch by analyzing his debut feature film: Eraserhead (1977)!! Nicole and Topher dive into this low-narrative, 21-page script and find so many fun things to talk about! Listen in to hear Nicole's opinions on babies, Topher's opinion on etymology, and the both of them make fun of anyone who thinks David Lynch is weird.

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are closing out the year with a recent cult classic: Saint Maud (2019). They wanted to dive back into an A24 film, so they went with this absolutely terrifying psychological horror film. Listen in to hear Nicole describe vibes, Topher sing some musicals, and the both of them fully lose their minds despite their attempts to keep them. CW/TW: discussion of self-harm and sexual assault

Hey, Babes! Merry Xmas! This year, we wanted to cover an absolute classic: GREMLINS (1984)!! Nicole shames Topher for his coffee habits, Topher mocks an idiot who thought Cuba was Japan, and they both decide on good names for hedgehogs. TW/CW: discussions of gore, self-harm

Hey, Babes! Join Nicole and Topher this week to talk about the camp horror film Teeth (2007). Tune in for song parodies, more song parodies, and - if you're lucky - another song parody. SERIOUS CW/TW: intense discussions of consent, sexual assault and grooming https://www.vice.com/en/article/j5x957/teeth-is-the-feminist-horror-classic-that-men-tried-to-sabotage

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are back this week to talk about how to hunt trolls! Not the Anna Kendrick or Justin Timberlake type - they're talking proper trolls! The big kind! Just like in 2011's Trollhunter! Listen in to hear them yell about which troll is best, how to make a good found footage film, and why all art is political.

Hey Babes! Nicole and Topher are here this week with a Very New Film!! THat's right - they're here to cover Edgar Wright's latest movie, Last Night In Soho (2021). Listen in to hear them yell about musical theater, leave John Larson alone, and talk about why Wright deserves an Academy Award. TW/CW: violence against women, self-harm FOOTNOTES Robbie Collin for The Telegraph https://bit.ly/3F6ddzS Edgar Wright interview with Collider https://bit.ly/328vOg1

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are back this week to talk about a recent hidden gem: Terrified (2017). Listen in to hear them talk about how to pace a film, why story sometimes doesn't matter, and, as usual, a whole lot of tangents. TW/CW: discussions of gore

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher finally did their third Stephen King analysis with "The Mist" (2007). Nicole talks about off-brand cereals, Topher nitpicks, and they both forget the names of different musicals. As always, listen to find out more!! TW/CW: self-harm, harm to children

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher wanted to give y'all a little special something for your post-Halloween blues, so they decided to cover their first not-quite-a-movie! They hit up a fantastic little Black Mirror episode: "Playtest" (2016). Listen in to hear Nicole talk about good improv, Topher hate on Chris Nolan, and both of them referencing terrible Kris Jenner memes. Heads up, there are SPOILERS here!!

Hey, Babes! Join us for the final episode of Ghost Stories Month? If you do, you'll get to hear Nicole and Topher go in on the first Paranormal Activity (2007)!! Nicole pitches a new movie, Topher forgets the names of several movies, and they both have a lot to say about why the franchise should have been different! Love y'all and thanks for listening to the Horror Babes talk about all kinds of ghosts for five weeks in a row!

Hey, Babes! Ghost Stories Month continues with The Sixth Sense (1999). The Babes are finally covering an M. Night Shyamalan film! Topher focuses on minutiae, Nicole has a theory and they both can't deal with how flat an actor Bruce Willis is. CW/TW: violence against children, self-harm FOOTNOTES M. Night Shyamalan with Hollywood Reporter: https://bit.ly/3b03ldl

Babes! Here's another special bonus episode for you, a psychological terror, the ghostly tale of a tower in Italy! Nicole delivers a haunting narration of The Tower by Marghanita Laski, so get cozy and get in the mood to be spooked! CW/TW: Suicidality

Hey, Babes! Ghost Stories Month continues!! It's been a while since we've done a Horror or Nah? so Topher had very special guest Nicole Leigh Hood on to discuss her favorite film: Spirited Away (2001). Join them to learn whether or not Spirited Away is a horror film, and what that means for the genre at large!

Hey Babes! In line with our theme Ghost Stories, Nicole is bringing you a haunting narration of the classic The Phantom Coach by Amelia Edwards. Light a candle, grab some cider and snuggle up for this tale of ghostly transit.

Hey, Babes! Ghost Stories Month continues with the remake of Thir13en Ghosts (2001). Join in to hear Topher explain some ghosts, Nicole explain why Matilda is a horror movie, and what makes for a bad remake. CW/TW: self-harm, gore FOOTNOTES Bloody Disgusting review: https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3672038/revenge-remakes-thirteen-ghosts/

Hey, Babes! Welcome to Ghost Stories Month! Nicole and Topher are kicking it off with Guillermo del Toro's “Crimson Peak” (2015). Join them to hear Nicole get angry about Ahh Real Monsters, Topher get angry about Titanic and eventually they discuss this amazing film! FOOTNOTES Guillermo del Toro with Collider https://collider.com/the-strain-crimson-peak-news-guillermo-del-toro/

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher felt like a refresh so it's the reboot of Child's Play (2019) this week. Join them to hear about what doll is the scariest, why the answer to that is “any doll”, and why Topher will never trust you if you have a single doll. TW/CW: discussions of child abuse, animal abuse, suicide

Hey Babes! Did you know that in space no one can hear you open a gate to Hell? If you didn't, now you do! This week we covered a cult classic: Event Horizon (1997). Join us to hear Nicole kicking down gates, Topher mending fences and learn why this once-panned movie is actually good! CW/TW: discussions of self-harm/suicide

Hey, Babes! This week, Nicole and Topher are talking about an absolute classic: Candyman (1992). Tune in to hear Topher yell about fish, Nicole yell about fish, and both of them yell about fish. Also, y'know, they talk about why this film is fantastic and dive deeper into what goes into making it fantastic, but it's mostly the fish. CW/TW: discussions about white supremacy, rape, violence against women