The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya: Episode Summary
Episode Title: Gretchen Felker-Martin's Cornucopia of Horror with Katya
Release Date: November 26, 2024

Introduction

In this special episode of The Bald and the Beautiful, hosts Trixie and Katya welcome acclaimed author and film critic Gretchen Felker-Martin. The conversation centers around Gretchen's insights into the horror genre, her favorite films of the past year, and her upcoming projects. The hosts also delve into book recommendations within the horror spectrum, providing listeners with a comprehensive exploration of modern horror media.

Guest Introduction and Banter

The episode kicks off with playful banter as Trixie expresses her admiration for Gretchen's work:

Trixie [02:00]: "Gretchen is an author whom I absolutely adore. She's written two books that I've read. She, most importantly, she has a Patreon that slaps so fucking hard."

Katya adds her enthusiasm for Gretchen’s film critiques:

Katya [03:20]: "Whenever I see a movie, I immediately go to your Patreon to see if you've reviewed it. And I... I'm very embarrassed to say that you're one of the minds that could absolutely change my mind about a movie."

Top Horror Movies of the Year

The core of the episode revolves around Gretchen and Katya discussing their top ten horror movies from the past year. They approach the list from best to worst, providing synopses, critiques, and personal reactions to each film.

1. The Devil's Bath [04:09]

Gretchen names The Devil's Bath as her top pick, surprising Katya who admits she watched it after receiving a recommendation from Gretchen:

Katya [04:20]: "It's the most depressing movie I've ever seen in my life."

Synopsis: Set in the German Middle Ages, the film explores the historical practice of suicide by proxy. Women suffering from intense mental illness and fearing eternal damnation would commit mortal sins, confess immediately for absolution, and be executed by the state. The opening scene features a harrowing depiction of infanticide.

Gretchen [04:25]: "It's like, yeah, absolutely. I gotta kill a kid, chop my head off and drink my blood."

2. Red Rooms [06:00]

Katya shares her admiration for Red Rooms, a French Canadian film that delves into celebrity obsession and desensitization to suffering.

Gretchen [07:09]: "The sound design is cunty. It's like, it is just riveting. It's really fucked up."

The film features a psycho obsessed with snuff films, set against the backdrop of a serial killer trial. Gretchen praises the lead actress's performance, describing her as "a soulless ghoul."

3. I Saw the TV Glow [07:47]

Despite not having seen the film initially, Katya highly recommends I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

Gretchen [08:34]: "It would be like a great mid-century short fiction collection. If O. Henry went insane."

Synopsis: The film portrays a teenager who realizes she is transgender but remains stagnant, resulting in a bleak and claustrophobic narrative intertwined with horrific special effects.

4. Kinds of Kindness [12:08]

Yorgos Lanthimos's Kinds of Kindness earns praise for its intelligent and enigmatic storytelling.

Katya [14:03]: "It's very weird. It feels in a lot of ways like sort of a great mid-century short fiction collection."

Synopsis: Structured in a triptych format, the film explores themes of sexuality and societal norms through surreal and disturbing scenarios, including a sex cult engaging in bizarre rituals.

5. The Substance [14:58]

Katya places The Substance at number five, commending its audacious approach despite its flaws.

Gretchen [15:35]: "It is nasty. It's like a big wet slap every 10 seconds in your face."

Synopsis: The movie features intense character deconstruction, focusing on a wife who undergoes extreme and disturbing transformations, leading to unsettling and grotesque outcomes.

6. Love Lies Bleeding [17:55]

A standout for its combination of humor and hyperviolence, Love Lies Bleeding captivates Gretchen and Katya.

Katya [18:21]: "It's very sexy. All the dykes out there will be eating if you watch this film."

Synopsis: Starring Katie O'Brien and Kristen Stewart, the film navigates a complex relationship filled with unexpected violent outbursts and intimate moments, delivering a unique blend of horror and sensuality.

7. Out of Darkness [24:36]

Katya introduces Out of Darkness as a prehistoric horror film that masterfully blends survival with terror.

Gretchen [30:54]: "There's a scene right in the beginning where they're hunting for rare spiders, and it's so nasty."

Synopsis: The narrative follows hunter-gatherers facing predatory threats in their quest for a new home, featuring innovative special effects and a tense atmosphere.

8. The First Omen [26:38]

The First Omen earns a spot for its captivating use of a constructed language and profound themes.

Katya [26:58]: "Nell Tiger free, who I think before this had only ever done a bit part on Game of Thrones, is so fucking good."

Synopsis: This film delves into apocalyptic themes with a focus on linguistic innovation and deep societal commentary, making it a standout in the genre.

9. The Vordelac [28:00]

Gretchen highlights The Vordelac for its unique portrayal of monstrous entities and sharp social commentary.

Katya [29:17]: "He's a picture of French aristocracy with the paint and the wig and all that stuff."

Synopsis: The story revolves around a puppet-animated monster treated as a human, exploring themes of gender, sexuality, and class within a horror framework.

10. Infested [29:41]

Closing their top ten list, Gretchen and Katya discuss Infested, a spider horror film that excels in instilling fear through its depictions.

Katya [31:13]: "Insect horror is all about the fear of being penetrated because they're small enough to do that, and this movie plays with that so cleverly."

Synopsis: Set in a Parisian tenement, the film portrays rapid-spreading spider infestations that elevate arachnophobia, intertwined with social issues like immigration and class struggles.

Least Favorite Horror Movies

Katya candidly shares her disappointment with certain horror films she found lacking.

1. Alien Romulus [33:26]

Katya criticizes Alien Romulus for its reliance on outdated animation and a disjointed narrative.

Katya [33:26]: "You do not fucking dig up my boy Ian Holm with this AI bullshit."

The film attempts to revitalize the Alien franchise but falls short due to poor character development and technical issues.

2. Strange Darling [34:00]

Gretchen and Katya express mutual disdain for Strange Darling, citing its pretentiousness and flawed structure.

Katya [34:11]: "I felt like an absolute fucking lunatic watching people call it smart."

The film's non-linear storytelling and lack of continuous character development leave both critics unimpressed.

Book Recommendations

Expanding the discussion beyond film, Gretchen offers two compelling horror book suggestions.

1. Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris [35:03]

Katya [35:09]: "There's fungal horror, like nasty fucked up animals. It's so cloying and claustrophobic and upsetting. I really dug it."

Synopsis: The novel follows a Mi'kmaq indigenous woman grappling with depression after her estranged father's death. Her journey leads her to an art residency where she faces psychological and supernatural horrors.

2. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazarika [35:45]

Gretchen [36:06]: "It's about institutionalized cannibalism in the future. One of the greatest final lines in recent fiction."

Synopsis: Set in a dystopian future, the book explores the normalization of cannibalism, offering a brutal critique of societal desensitization and ethical decay.

Upcoming Projects

Katya shares exciting news about adapting Gretchen's work for television.

Katya [32:21]: "Lily Wachowski and I are adapting Manhunt for television... I certainly wouldn't have imagined it happening with someone as incredible as Lily."

Synopsis: The television adaptation of Manhunt promises to bring Gretchen's acclaimed storytelling to a broader audience, collaborating with the esteemed Lily Wachowski.

Where to Find Gretchen Felker-Martin Online

Gretchen provides her online presence details for listeners to follow her work:

Gretchen [36:38]: "Updates only on Twitter, but you will find out what I'm working on there."

She encourages listeners to subscribe to her Patreon for exclusive film reviews:

Gretchen [31:43]: "I highly encourage you to subscribe to her Patreon because the movie reviews are the best."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt appreciation from Gretchen towards the hosts and excitement for future collaborations.

Gretchen [37:08]: "I'm gonna be pissing and shitting all over myself, so it's a good luck with that."

Trixie and Katya express their enthusiasm for Gretchen's contributions and look forward to her upcoming projects, leaving listeners with a sense of anticipation for more engaging conversations in future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Gretchen: "It's so nasty. It's like, yeah, absolutely. I gotta kill a kid, chop my head off and drink my blood." ([04:25])

• Katya: "I went to your Patreon to see if you've reviewed it. And I could absolutely change my mind about a movie." ([03:20])

• Katya: "It's very sexy. All the dykes out there will be eating if you watch this film." ([18:21])

• Gretchen: "I highly encourage you to subscribe to her Patreon because the movie reviews are the best." ([31:43])

This episode of The Bald and the Beautiful offers a deep dive into the horror genre through the discerning lenses of Gretchen Felker-Martin, Trixie, and Katya, blending insightful critiques with entertaining discussions. Whether you're a horror aficionado or a casual fan, this conversation provides valuable perspectives and recommendations to enhance your appreciation of horror media.