Plug It Up: A Horror Movie Podcast (Caitlin Grant)

Elizabeth returns to talk with Caitlin about the terrible movie The Reaping. A whole river of period blood awaits!

Elizabeth joins Caitlin to cover the brutal world of ballet in 2010's Black Swan. Black Swan hits a ton of monstrous feminine beats: monstrous menstruation, monstrous motherhood, treacherous friendships between women, body horror in women, and women who are themeslves horrific. We also look at themes of mental illenss, perfectionism, and doppelgangers (which are, for the record, scary). Black Swan is an incredible movie, and the behind-the-scenes trivia makes it all the more impressive.

Mary returns to talk with Caitlin about Stephen King's Dolores Claiborne. God damn, do we love Kathy Bates! She's the best, and we think more people should know about this great movie. Be sure to stick around for the awesome bumper Mary made for the show, and also consider checking out (and donating to) RAINN.org.

Colleen joins Caitlin to cover Bodies Bodies Bodies, a 2022 horror-comedy from A24. The movie touches on themes of technology, messy interpersonal relationships, and privilege, all while making us laugh. Forgive my goof of conflating Rachel Sennott and her character, Alice.

Tangents include: Ms. New Booty, astrology, whisper singing, A24, Zach, podcasting, walking out of movies, swords, internet trends, new albums, xenomorphs vs The Thing, and a good ol' FMK.

Mathula joins Caitlin to cover 2003's Dogville, the first installment of Lars Von Trier's unfinished United States trilogy. It's an impressive undertaking with a unique production history and bleak plot. We talk about themes of hopelessness, arrogance, and man's tendency towards harm. It's a rough watch at times, but a really interesting movie overall. Shoutout to Mathula for mailing me the DVD and chatting with me.

Tangents include: hair, goth-ness, bins of pins, dogs, HBO, changing movie endings, horror movie tropes, a bean WYR, correcting assumptions, and craft fairs. Be sure to check out Hallelujah Dystopia.

Charlie and Matt join Caitlin to talk about Huesera, a recent Mexican-Peruvian horror movie that features a new take on the monstrous motherhood trope. We explore themes around identity and family, and we look at motifs regarding spiders, ritual, and religion. Definitely worth a watch. Forgive our many bone(r) jokes and our exaggerated pronunciation.

Tangents include: the Virgin of Guadalupe, cool aunts, La Milpa, Christmas lights, Christmas trees, movie sequels, cereal, desserts, soccer (el futbol, as we deftly clarify), weird dreams, signs we'd been taken over by a pod person, sleep styles, and an FMK for comfort items. Shoutout to our buddy Golob, who was named dropped a few times.

Nobody puts baby in the refrigerator!

Victor joins Caitlin to talk about 2019's Saint Maud, a psychological slow-burn from director Rose Glass. It's got one of the most memorable final seconds of a movie ever. We talk themes of religion, penance, ecstasy, and delusion, and we look at some symbolism, too. We also talk about self-immolation, because how can you not? Tangents include board games, our creative writing projects, a rousing FMK of The Chipmunks, an existential FMK, and upcoming horror for 2023.

Mary joins Caitlin to talk about horror movies that deserve a second chance. These movies aren't necessarily "underrated" (because that means different things to different people, especially depending upon familiarity with the genre), but they're movies that got written off too soon. They deserve a second look; at least we think they do. Let us know if there are any you'd add to the list.

Sofia and Dani join Caitlin to talk about The Bad Seed (1956). The movie approaches the monstrous motherhood trope from two angles: learning your biological mother was a monster, and learning that your child is as well. Transatlantic accents abound!

Tangents include: Belle Gunness, Mary Bell, greetings, desserts, chain restaurants, first and current celebrity crushes, and animal identities.

Maddie and Charlie join Caitlin for an extra special episode. We tackle the X Files' spin on monstrous motherhood in "Terms of Endearment." That's episode 7 of season 6, if you'd like to watch before listening. We examine the monstrous feminine beats of this particular episode, and we do a deep dive on the X Files as a whole: favorite episodes, skips, FMKs, and how Gillian Anderson plays "dignified but horny" in all her roles. (That's a compliment; we deeply appreciate her craft.) We'll be back to movies next week, but we hope you enjoy this special episode!

Colleen joins Caitlin to cover what might be the ultimate Plug It Up movie: 2016's Raw. We bring sleepover energy to this one! We chat about many aspects of the monstrous feminine: monstrous menstruation, monstrous motherhood, monstrous sisterhood, forbidden appetite, and body horror (among various other things that make me love Raw). Ducournau is a favorite, and Raw is a top 10 movie of all time for me. Thanks again for the great questions! And come see me, Colleen, and Maddie at horror trivia in Richmond. 

Caitlin is joined by Jason from Dads from the Crypt to talk about the controversial 1983 slasher Sleepaway Camp. Join us as we talk our way through Camp Arawak and reminisce on our own camp stories. We also talk about vaginal steaming. Bet you didn't anticipate reading those words together today. Be to check out Dads from the Crypt! This episode features discussions on homophobia, transphobia, and movie depictions of sexual assault, just as an FYI.

Elizabeth and Alyssa join Caitlin to talk about The Conjuring, a good movie based on pretty terrible people. I appreciate Alyssa and Elizabeth bringing extensive knowledge of just how bad the Warrens actually were. But we did enjoy the movie! And man oh man, that Patrick Wilson sure can wear a pair of pants. The audio gets a little feedback-y at times, but it's tolerable. Just know that no, that's not your car/headphones/phone making that noise.

Zach and Charlie join Caitlin to cover Late Night with the Devil, one of 2024's most anticipated horror movies. We all loved the movie, which is a bottle piece told in real time. We dig a little deeper into Bohemian Grove ("the grove" mentioned in the movie), the AI controversy, the effects, the acting, and the film's overall themes.

Tangents are many, and include: abortion Big Gulps, talk shows, museum disasters, Last Podcast on the Left (and lots of Henry Zebrowski), Triple D, eating organs, cryptids, overhyped movies, dream podcast guests, tiktok, horror at the Oscars, villains, pet names, and tattoos. 

Caitlin is joined by two moms - Lara and Elizabeth - to discuss a dark but beautiful monstrous motherhood movie: The Others. It's a spooky and atmospheric retelling of The Turning of the Screw, and Nicole Kidman gets it exactly right. Suck it, Tom Cruise. We share our love of the costuming, the fog, and a tried and true horror trope done exceptionally well. Since the movie is, uh, dark, the motherhood fact is about mothers from the animal kingdom! Lots of cute mom/baby animal facts. Be sure to check out On Our Sleeves, the organization Lara mentioned. You can find them at onoursleeves.org.

Randy from the Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to talk about I Saw the TV Glow, a surreal new A24 movie from director Jane Schoenbrun. We talk about identity, gender, memory, nostalgia, and the importance of media. With its smart direction, melancholic tone, moody aesthetic, both universal and specific themes, and potent symbolism, it's a real accomplishment of a movie, and we have a lot of love for it.

Tangents include: Fred Durst, childhood television, a Mia Goth character FMK, cryptids, first movies, pizza toppings, and, of course, edging.

Keith of the Horror Convos Podcast joins Caitlin to cover 1995's Species, a movie that is both campy and complex. We talk about the movie's themes and production, and we cover many horror tropes: the succubus, Frankenstein monsters, monstrous menstruation, monstrous motherhood, and science gone awry.

Tangents include: fighting sharks vs fighting gators, believing in aliens and/or ghosts, tarot readings, sci fi universes we'd live in, and technology we'd like to see. Be sure to check out Horror Convos!

It's a special! Special guest Alfonso joins Caitlin to discuss Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (The Producer's Cut), and to talk about the Cult of Thorn backstory that enriches not just the 6th chapter of Halloween, but all chapters of Halloween. Alfonso walks me through the lore he's developed about the Druid curse featured in the producer's cut of Halloween 6 - its origins, its effects, and the way it perfectly weaves through the Halloween franchise. It's fascinating, and it makes perfect sense. You may notice that we were recording during a hurricane, so forgive my anxieties of the power cutting off our conversation. I'm glad the power stayed on and our conversation about the lore wasn't lost! Must've been the Druid curse protecting us...

Mary joins Caitlin to cover their favorite ending scenes in horror movies. From entire end-sequences to punchy final-shots, we cover the best of the best. Standout themes include: good guys winning, bad guys winning, heart-stopping twists, harrowing bleakness, discomforting ambiguity, and the good ol' A24 stare.

Tangents include: cybertrucks, quicksand, hurricanes, books and general [il]literacy, Halloween triple features, and finger liquids.

Colleen and Caitlin experienced Titane in theaters together, where they enjoyed the surround-sound squelches of Alexia's body being taped down, among other grotesque body horror moments. Titane is a wild one! We analyzed the movie as best we could, shared a lot of laughs, and reflected on the ways TLC shows formed my brain. Also, I royally messed up pronouncing Garance Marillier's name. I think I called her Garance Miller? Sorry, Garance! My apologies. I do love you.

Soju from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to cover 2002's Queen of the Damned, a movie about fame, loneliness, and desire. It's got soundtrack for the ages, and it hits some of our favorite vampire tropes. We also talk about Aaliyah and the tragic circsumtances surrounding her death.

Tangents are mostly vampire related, as we got a ton of great vampire questions from the audience. We also talk about card suits, good advice, body parts, and 2024 horror.

Long time friend Dani joins Caitlin to cover 2014's A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. It's a feminist favorite, and it uses vampirism to explore addiction and subversion. It also has a killer soundtrack. Who wouldn't love a black-and-white movie about a chador-wearing, skateboarding vampire who stalks bad guys and plays good music? We also talk about what's going on Iran currently, and we have a lot of fun with the fan-submitted questions. Thanks, as always, for sending those in! 

Zach joins Caitlin to review a list of favorite horror comedies - some old, some new, and some that might just be funny to us. Let us know if you think we missed any! Just do so gently, for we are sensitive.

Tangents include: Candy's house, sandwiches, cosplay, Victor meeting Bruce Campbell, white boy songs, CiCi's, spiders, and pets.

Caitlin is joined by longtime friend Charlie to talk about the Spanish horror movie Veronica. Enjoy the over-pronunciation!

Mary joins Caitlin to cover 2003's Gothika. Gothica (stylized as Gothika for the movie) is a real word! New vocab - you love to see it. We dig into themes of revenge, supernatural vs logic, and good ol' ego. We also talk at length about Reese's Cups, our friends Nick and Darren, and our love of John Carroll Lynch. Thanks for the questions! These were some of the best yet. Be sure to check out Mary's show Binge This, and rate Plug It Up on your podcatcher of choice!

Maddie and Colleen join Caitlin to cover Poor Things, the new surrealist, steampunk epic from Yorgos Lanthimos. We talk about the stellar performances from Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe, and we look at themes around sex, sexuality, identity, existentialism, gender, and bodily autonomy. There's also lots of silly joking around. The review starts around 21:45.

Tangents include: running bits, Barbie, boyfriend jumpscares, "weird Mormon pants cults," turning non-horror properties into horror properties, putting our consciousness in other bodies/robots, sleepwear, favorite toes, inedibles, wedding desserts ("that make you nut"), sperm (sorry), and letting it linger.

Jon Schnaars of Bloody Good Horror fame joins Caitlin to cover Resurrection, a 2022 horror movie starring Rebecca Hall. We look at themes of motherhood, trauma, and surrealism, and we get into the creepy Tim Roth of it all. (We say that with respect - what a chilling and fantastic performance.) Tangents include soda, board games, and top sheets. This was recorded in December, hence all the holiday talk. Thanks for joining, Schnaars! 

"Misogyny is bad, mmkay?" - Mr. Garrison, I mean Alex Garland. Mary joins Caitlin to talk about A24's new horror movie Men. While it has notes of everything we tend to like (commentary on misogyny, original sin allegories, cool body horror, and folklore), this one felt a little ham-fisted, and a bit 101. Still a cool effort, and certainly lots to dig into. Count how many times we say "I don't know." It's a lot. Be sure to check out Whitney's review at bloodygoodhorror.com, and keep an eye out for Mary's new show Binge This!

Andy from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to cover the originator or the hagsploitation/psychobiddy subgenre: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane. It's a movie with fantastic stunt-casting, incredible lighting, and excellent themes within the monstrous feminine (envy, aging, regression, and resentment).

Tangents include: nicknames, film festivals, Ryan Murphy (duh), black t-shirts, Hausu, Loose Change (yikes), salads, Underworld, cheese, and pubes.

Be sure to check out Straight Chilling wherever you get your podcasts! 

Charlie and Zach join Caitlin to cover 2023's Piglady. We dedicate this episode to our good friend Sarah, who loves pigs. (We love you, Sarah!) Piglady is a monstrous femme figure, and... that's about all we can really say. Tune in to hear Zach make a case for the movie, while Charlie and Caitlin go hard on the critique.

Tangents include: murder pigs, guinea pigs, Peppa Pig, pork in general, bacon in particular, cryptid movies, pets, "deers," costumes, tortoises, the reptile expo, and "the people's eyebrow." Also, Charlie throws down a serious accusation: that Caitlin is NOT a "girls' girl." Tune in to Skin of a Killer Podcast to make a true determination.

Sweet with the skeet, brah!

Mary joins Caitlin to cover 2022's Orphan: First Kill, the much anticipated prequel to 2009's Orphan. We talk about Esther/Leena as a monstrous femme figure, and we look at the multiple angles of monstrous motherhood we get in this movie. Definitely give it a watch, and go in blind if you can. Our tangents this episode include: JonBenet Ramsey, franchise horror, Christmas, gifs, water, and our unwillingness to fight back against a horror foe. Thanks, as always, for the great questions!

A surprise bonus episode! Friend of the show Mary joins Caitlin to read through listener-submitted questions and stories. We heard from anonymous, Whitney, Roger, and Erica on this one. The coming age stories were hilarious, and the questions were fantastic. Keep sending them in! As our friend Zelda Rubinstein says: "All are welcome!"

Brother episode with off-the-charts sibling energy. Zach and Charlie join Caitlin to cover Happy Death Day, a 2017 horror comedy that features a time loop. We talk about how the time loop trope is great for setting up second chances and character redemption, and we go over funny moments from the movie.

Tangents include: ring tones, physical media, cake, cookies, Ukrop's, cereal, crunching/chewing/misophonia, oatmeal, weapons, phone cases, and hot takes. Special guest "appearance" from "Ryan."

Maddie and Mackenzie join Caitlin to cover 2014's Lyle, often touted as a lesbian re-telling of Rosemary's Baby. We look at some classic monstrous motherhood themes, including gaslighting partners, losing a child, and Satanic syndicates poaching your offspring. We also discuss the most iconic (for better or worse) fake website in horror history. We really love Lyle, though, and we have a great time talking about this lesbian re-telling, as well as imagining lesbian re-tellings of other famous horror movies. Tangents include: karaoke, shoes in the house, and cheez whiz.

Elizabeth and Tracy join Caitlin to talk about the 2014 found footage banger The Taking of Deborah Logan. In this movie, a woman watches her mother get taken by illness, age, and the supernatural. It's a great meditation on aging, the complex relationships between some mothers and daughters, and old secrets coming to light. It's beautifully done, and did I mention that they talk about Richmond a lot? That's important to me. We also round out our series on PMS. Be sure to find Elizabeth and Tracy on social media.

Caitlin is joined by her brother Zach to review Mom and Dad - a perfect movie for siblings to cover! We talk about Nic Cage leaning in to the Cage Rage, as well as how we think our parents would kill us. Is that messed up? Yeah, but it's a good time. The period fact in this episode is imporant and emotional, and I appreciate Zach sharing some insight and remembering a childhood friend no longer with him.

A solo episode with mini reviews on Immaculate and The First Omen, two similar movies that came out right around the same time. I talk about why the conversation around bod[il]y [autonomy] horror is particularly relevant right now, given the rollbacks to access to reproductive healthcare. Credit to Victor for the subtitle idea!

Tangents and questions include: 2024 horror, television, books recs, podcast production, my friend Sarah, my grandfather, dream podcast guests, B horror movies, farts, Dead Girl, and what makes me love horror.

Little bro Zach joins Caitlin to cover 2022's Monstrous, a monstrous-motherhood (insert Leo DiCaprio pointing at TV gif) movie with a double twist, starring Christina Ricci. We look at themes of grief, love, and time, and we talk about the meanest landlady in the history of cinema.

This is sort of an oops-all-tangents episode. The back half is much longer than the first, but I promise we make it worth your time. Zach continues to hurl hater accusations against me, we talk Twi(light), and I publicly apologize for a video game mishap from our childhood. Other tangents include: MarioKart, the Brady Bunch, super powers, conspiracy theories, cheese, ramen, wings, chicken in general, riblets, Lord of the Rings, Piglady, and Yellowjackets (spoiler warning for Yellowjackets).

Your self-deprecating internet siblings are FINE. No need for a wellness check, despite our bleakness!

What a special episode! Dr. Natalie Feinblatt joined me to cover the new psychological horror movie A Banquet, and I had the pleasure of interviewing the film's director, Ruth Paxton. Natlaie and I talked about themes of eating disorders and general mentall illness, monstrous motherhood, and body horror, and Ruth gave some really beautiful insights into the film. This is a new-new one, and we do get into spoilers, so heads up! I feel very close to the movie and can't recommend it enough. Special thanks to Ruth Paxton for joining!

Mathula of Hallelujah Dystopia joins Caitlin to cover The Devil's Bath, a quietly-released and beautifully-crafted 2024 horror movie. The movie touches on depression, sexuality, monstrous motherhood, and religious and old-world traditions, all while teaching us about the historical phenomenon of suicide by proxy. It's a harrowing watch, but it has rocketed up my 2024 horror rankings.

Tangents include: crafts, surprise 2024 horror hits, childhood television, melancholy movies, funerary options, Schoolhouse Rock, dreams, and a slew of WYRs.

You WILL forgive Helga's barks because a) she's a good baby girl, and b) it's Mathula's birthday! 

Colleen joins Caitlin for a deep dive on the feminist, queer horror classic Jennifer's Body! We are thrilled to see Jennifer's Body having the renaissance it deserves. It's an excellent movie that suffered from really bad marketing at the time of its release. It's not the Girls Gone Wild movie that frat boys hoped it'd be; it's a movie about the complexities of women's friendships, as well as coming of age as a queer person. It's also hilarious. And Megan Fox unhinges her jaw and eats people! Join us as we give love to JB, the thoughtful horror comedy that got overlooked in its time, but is now getting the praise it deserves.

Mary and Charlie join Caitlin to cover The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the impactful David Fincher thriller. It's got it all: high stakes, revenge, heists, mysteries, Happy Meals, and more. We look at themes of misogyny, violence against women, and intuition vs politeness.

Tangents include: merkins, piercings, accents, Emma Stone, booktok, ramen, childhood aspirations, summer vs winter, takeout, Charlie's wedding, mean eggs, mean milk, sleep habits, Disney jams, Titanic, muppets, beverages, and a cutlery FMK. If you enjoy the goofiness of this episode, check us out over at Skin of a Killer.

SAIL AWAY! SAIL AWAY! SAIL AWAY!

Birthday boy Bob from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to cover 2017's Thoroughbreds, a movie that features a couple of monstrous femme figures. We look at themes of wealth, pedigree, friendship, and murder, and we do our best to tease out the distinctions between sociopathy and psychopathy.

Tangents include: physical media, chicken wings, tiki drinks, space vs ocean, snacks, antiques, puppies vs kittens, 2023 horror, and some FMKs. 

Be sure to find Bob at Straight Chilling and Let's Get Physical Media! And the book I mentioned is The Sociopath Next Door by Matha Stout. 

Mary returns to help Caitlin cover a controversial movie: 2008's Dead Girl. Some have pushed it away, considering it misogynist and repulsive, but both Mary and I think there's solid feminist messaging in this one, even if some scenes are hard to watch. We look at toxic masculinity, the ways class and sexism connect, and the illusion of "the nice guy." We also talk about the figure who originated the idea of creating a captive sex zombie: Jeffrey Dahmer. Creeps all around! Go, Dead Girl, go! Zombie chomp an incel. 

The gentlemangs from Straight Chilling Podcast join Caitlin to cover 1987's Blood Rage - a Thanksgiving horror movie for the ages. It's got some monstrous motherhood beats, and it gives us a great evil twin story. It also takes place in Jacksonville, FL, home of Straight Chilling! Tangents include chain restaurants, celebrity nemeses, and getting "the ick." Be sure to check out Straight Chilling wherever you get your podcasts. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nina, Eileen, Colleen, and Zach join Caitlin to cover 2023's Cocaine Bear. Before you side eye... she's a mama bear. A MONSTROUS mama bear! So we're counting it for monstrous motherhood. A seamless shoehorn into the Plug It Up repertoire of the monstrous feminine! We look back at our favorite scenes, recount our fun theater experience, "tag" ourselves as characters, and touch on other animal-horror favs. Tangents include: grabbing Colleen, chips, showers, SSRIs, kids, MLMs, comfort TV shows, and drunk personalities. 

I would be remiss if I didn't follow up: we found out that Zach DOES INDEED have a Capricorn moon. Colleen nailed it. The Zach/Colleen friendship was tested by both the Cocaine Bear movie and this episode recording, but they persevered. The Zach/Colleen leo/virgo alliance remains strong.

Caitlin is joined by retuning guest Maddie and new guest Matt to cover Hereditary. Do you like horror movies with a lot of decapitations? Well have I got a movie for you! Ari Aster has an incredible ability to depict trauma and horror in a way that will really stick with you. I do a deep dive on Paimon, Matt shares about his encounter with a man invoking Beelzebub, and Maddie blows my mind with her monstrous motherhood analysis. Hail Paimon!

horror, horror movies, feminism, periods, menstruation, monstrous menstruation, plug it up, monstrous motherhood, monstrous feminine, hereditary, toni collette, gabriel byrne, alex wolff, milly shapiro, ari aster, ann dowd, a24, paimon, cult horror, occult

Due to a scheduling snafu, the regularly scheduled episode had to be moved, so instead you get some good old fashioned talking-into-the-void from yours truly. I go over some trailers (Don't Worry Darling, The Munsters, The Menu, Smile, Pearl, and Barbarian), some recent releases (Nope, Torn Hearts, Watcher, Hellbender, and They/Them), and some horror TV (the Chucky series, as well as American Horror Story and Stories). I also chat about life and give some podcast recommendations. Hopefully this isn't weird? I'll be back with regular episodes next week.

Morgan joins Caitlin to cover 1999's Jawbreaker, a campy classic that paved the way for many a movie about treacherous friendships between girls. It's funny, highly stylized, has a stacked cast, and pays homage to icons that came before it, including Queen Carrie White.

Tangents include: bridesmaid dresses, exclamations and vocal stims, sneezes, hiccups, dream jobs, and under-boob sweat.

Be sure to check out Morgan's CandleCore shop, and come see us at the Good For Her screening series! Richmond is the spot for feminist horror. 

Zach, Mary, Charlie, and Colleen join Caitlin to discuss the best and worst of horror in 2023. We cover our favorite and least favorite horror movies of the year, as well as our favorite horror shows. We also talk about trends in the genre, theater experiences, our favorite Plug It Up moments, and our hopes for 2024 horror. We come in SWINGING, both for movies and for one another.

Tangents include: karaoke songs, Hogwarts houses, so-bad-they're-good movies, owls, magic 8 balls, seasonal foods, gas lights, Disney characters, cringe teenage moments, chores, tattoos, drinks, sauces, and more.

Happy new year! Thank you all for your support!

Milissa, Nick, and Mary join Caitlin to cover 2022's Smile. It was a box office success, but it's somewhat controversial one among horror fans. Is it derivative, or is it paying homage? We tease out that question and more, including some monstrous motherhood themes.

Tangents include: milkshakes, Dateline, breakup horror, worst fast food experiences, sharks, pubes, and some great would-you-rather and fuck-mary-kill topics. Check out Skin of a Killer, as well as Milissa's awesome art, and be sure to tune in to Binge This to see if Nick and Mary can recover from their brawl.

Colleen and Mary join Caitlin to cover Ari Aster's 2019 masterpiece Midsommar. We talk about the significance of mirrors, the insidiousness of the cult, the complex relationships and trauma, the dizzying disorientation, the attestupa, the blood eagle... We really do our best to cover it all. We also chat about the upcoming A24-themed party Colleen is throwing. Who would you dress as? Huge thanks to Mary and Colleen for joining to talk about one of my favorite movies, and a special shoutout to Maddie, who I know really wanted to be here for this one. Don't worry, Maddie. I mentioned your name no less than 20 times probably.

Mathula joins Caitlin to cover Phenomena from 1985. Also known as Creepers, this Argento flick has a monstrous mother, a bug-obsessed Jennifer Connelly, and a razor-wielding chimp. Plus Donald Pleasence. What more could we want?

Tangents include: Eggers, Aster, vampires, Giallo movies as a whole, bugs, Lost, Florida, dystropian fiction, sneezing, and bathroom trashcans.

Be sure to check out Mathula's art at Hallelujah Dystopia!

Caitlin is joined by longtime friend Matt to discuss the cult classic Teeth. Matt is also a dentist, so how could we NOT do Teeth? This episode is really personal for me, as I talk at the end about a condition that I have called vaginismus/vulvodynia. Long story short: like Dawn in Teeth, my vagina sometimes feels inhospitable, and it's made for comlicated and painful moments in my life. We end up talking a lot about medical self-advocacy, and how important it is to feel comfortable with your healthcare providers. Go easy on me; it's a sensitive one.

Maddie joins Caitlin to cover Watcher, the newest release from director Chloe Okuno. We talk about stalker movie trops, such as gaslighting and isolation, and I open my heart to Maika Monroe. Tangents include: pumpkin carving, TikTok (always), and scary movie theater experiences. This one is sitting on my top 10 list for 2022 horror - well done, Watcher! 

Eric from Bloody Good Horror joins Caitlin to cover May, a cult classic from 2002. Many of us - for better or worse - have related to May at some point. She's an often-overlooked icon of the monstrous feminine, and we wanted to give her her due. We talk about themes of isolation, identity, and being an outsider, and we look at symbols around dolls and fragmentation.

Tangents include: BGH origins, college loneliness, shoveling snow, favorite films, gangster movies, desert island books, songs of the moment, vampire universes, sleep sounds, scenes that made us horror fans, tea, and feet.

Be sure to check out Bloody Good Horror and HY-FY! And remember: if you can't find a friend, make one.

Eric from Bloody Good Horror joins Caitlin to cover 2004's Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed. We revisit monstrous menstruation as a trope and praise the movie for being a truly excellent sequel.

Tangents include: podcasting, snacks, PSLs, urban legends, easter eggs in horror movies, legs vs eyes count, werewolves vs regular dogs, soups, flaws that would save us in a horror movie, and animated movies.

Be sure to check out Eric's music HY-FY, especially his new album, dropping Friday, September 13th.

Mary joins Caitlin to count down a list of the best redemption arcs in horror movies. What makes a good redemption? A swell of courage? Alignnment of a previously skewed moral compass? Teamwork while fighting a common enemy? Sacrifice? Join us as we analyze our favorites.

Tangents include: backstories in horror, things we're looking forward to, best/worst movies of 2024 so far, selling your soul, hotdogs, crackers, animal sounds, 4th of July, nudity in horror, Anaconda, and Lake Placid. And SOAK, our Skin of a Killer podcast.

It's been a while since I've shared a solo episode, but I wanted to chat a little bit about my recent bilateral salpingectomy, in case any other folks out there had questions or wanted to learn more about the procedure. This is always something I've wanted for myself, and it means even more now post-Roe. Take charge of your bodily autonomy and reproductive health in the ways that work best for you, and support your fellow people in what works for them. Thanks for listening! 

Pickens joins Caitlin to cover Dario Argento's Suspiria. We talk about Italian horror overall, Suspiria's bright colors (and its bright blood), the iconic score by Goblin, and lots of trivia. Tangents for this episode include: Return to Oz, chickens, Diablo Cody, Rugrats, and Sheetz. Be sure to check out Pickens' instagram to see photos from his very cool meet-and-greet with Felissa Rose! 

Accomplished actor Galen Howard joins Caitlin to talk about 1977's Rabid. Rabid is a Cronenberg movie, so you know body horror is on the table. We look at how mosquitoes inspired the creature design, how uniquely the zombie mechanics come together, and how our protagonist navigates her monstrous transformation with respect to gender. Rabid is a great movie, and we had a lot of fun talking about it. Be sure to check out our new single "Potato Man Loves Ketchup Man," coming soon to a radio near you. Find Galen Howard on instagram @galenhoward, and check him out in movies, on TV, and in music videos!

Zach and Charlie join Caitlin for some bridal horror! We cover Rec 3, the most Spanish movie ever. We talk about Rec 3's humor, gore, and Catholic zombies, and we look at the ways it subverts wedding traditions. Tangents include: Cocaine Bear, Twilight, organ donation, marriage, favorite numbers, vacations, Sarah's wedding, and scariest horrror moments. 

Elizabeth and Stephanie join Caitlin to talk about 2019's The Other Lamb. Drink every time we say the word patriarchy. Just kidding, please don't. You'll get alcohol poisoning. Tune in for our discussion around a patriarchal separatist cult that slaughters lambs and also *slaughters lambs* (symbolically). We thought we were smarter than this movie. We probably aren't. But we had a lot of fun with it.

Maddie and Mary join Caitlin to discuss a new addition to the Plug It Up repertoire of the monstrous feminine: bridal horror. Although weddings are beautiful and fun, they can also be catastrophic, or even deadly. 2019's Ready or Not is a favorite in general, and it perfectly captures wedding chaos and bridal horror. Plus, Samara Weaving's scream is everything. We look at themes of family, wealth, and deals with the devil, and we go on plenty of wedding tangents. *Cues Love Me Tender and lights a cigarette.*

Show regular Mary and new guest Dave join Caitlin to talk about an all-time favorite - 2005's The Descent. Dave is an experienced outdoorsman, and he brings a lot to this episode, especially because Mary and I are scared of everything. We love our brave cave Dave. We all agree that Juno is THE WORST, and we marvel at how well this subterranean movie was made. Join us as we look at the trreachery of monstrous female friendships. Be sure to check out @wickedwildweare on instagram.

Colleen and Maddie join Caitlin on stage for the first ever Plug It Up Live! This was recorded on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Nightmare Weekend (hosted by Galaxy Con) in Richmond, VA. Instead of a movie review, we share some of our favorite monstrous femme figures, as well as our favorite final girls. Ah, the duality of woman! We had our first live Q&A as well.

Tangents include: swimming, soups, franchise horror, Koko the Gorilla, gaylor truthers, Avril Lavigne, screen names, mac and cheese, boy moms, and more. Also catch some of our friendship lore being explored live and in real time. 

HUGE thanks to Chuck Lindsey for the introduction and recording, and to everyone who came to the show!

Mary and Victor join Caitlin to talk about 2003's Dead End - a Christmas horror movie that features a monstrous femme figure and some monstrous motherhood. Overall opinions varied, but we all appreciated the very 2003 vibe. Since this is a Christmas movie, we discussed all things Christmas: Christmas movies, Christmas traditions, Christmas presents, Christmas meals, and good ol' white elephant gift exchanges. Thank you all for submitting the fun questions, and thanks to Mary and Victor for joining! Happy holidays! 

Charlie joins Caitlin to discuss the trailers for Final Destination: Bloodlines, 28 Years Later, Bring Her Back, The Ugly Stepsister, and Sinners. For skippers, the trailer review starts around minute 28:00.

Tangents include: the DMV, tattoos and piercings, gardening, The Office, late night cravings, favorite vacations, hair, Mister Rogers, nostalgia, Richmond, a FMK for vampires, aligning with villains, and some Charlie + Caitlin friendship lore.

To quote my beloved American Horror Story: surprise, bitch! Here's an American Horror Story mini episode! Just talking into a mic about Ryan Murphy stuff - what could possibly be more fun, or more insane? Big thanks to Whitney and Elizabeth for sending in AHS questions! I give a rundown of my favorite seasons and characters, talk a little about Stories (the spin-off), and think about where I hope to see AHS go in the future. American Horror Story has a lot of good Plug It Up themes: monstrous motherhood, monstrous menstruation / coming of age, women battling horrors, and women who are themselves horrific. Feel free to send any AHS questions my way! BALENCIAGA!

Zach joins Caitlin to antagonize her, and to cover Abigail, a new release from the folks a Radio Silence Productions. It's a great horror comedy with an ensemble cast, lots of blood, and fun vampire lore. We also recount our somewhat eventful theater experience.

Tangents include: trailers, 2024 horror releases, cartoon outfits, bugs, rings, taste buds, breakfast foods, and a slew of Would You Rather questions.

Back with another solo episode! On this one I go over some of my recent horror watches, including Bodies Bodies Bodies, My Best Friend's Exorcism, Halloween Ends, and American Horror Story: New York City. I also talk about which horror movies I still need to see to round out 2022, some of which look great, and some of which give me pause. I also talk at length about the Dahmer series on Netflix and true crime as a genre in general. That's actually, like, half the episode - whoops! Keep an eye on the feed for more 2022 releases, coverage of classics, and a few holiday movies that fit Plug It Up's themes. The year's not over yet! 

Mary, Zach, and Charlie join Caitlin to cover Swimfan. It's a real time capsule of a movie; it'll take you right back to 2002. It has a monstrous femme figure in stalker Madison, and it gives us themes of obsession, deception, and troubled pasts. It also gives us an iconic pool scene.

In perhaps the most unhinged second-half of a Plug It Up episode to date, we explore the following tangents: birthdays, Twilight (and Skin of a Killer), chugga chugga as it relates to choo choo, game shows, hibachi, coitus, juice (including "doodoo juice"), lots of pool talk, DP of all kinds, Michael Shannon, and some great FMKs. 

Soju from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to discuss Only Lovers Left Alive, an indulgent 2013 vampire movie from Jim Jarmusch. We talk about brooding, the arts and humanities, love and companionship, and O-negative popsicles. Vampirism 101, really.

Tangents include: blood types, FMK for Anne Rice vamps, which emojis are the most sinister, beverage fountains, Say Yes to the Dress, Great British Baking Show, books, lighting preferences, and upcoming movies.

Stephanie and Rachael join Caitlin to cover Lights Out, the 2016 feature based on a short of the same name. Lights Out has a monstrous femme figure in Diana, and it has notes of monstrous motherhood in Sophie. We talk about the plays on light and dark, the outstanding practical effects, and the truly effective scares. Also, we stan Bret, a himbo goth boyfriend for the horror recordbooks. We chat about Stephanie and Rachael's kickball and volleyball teams, reminisce about RVA Horror Club, and answer some great questions. Thanks for submitting them! Also don't forget to grab some Plug It Up merch!

Vulnerable o'clock! I got to thinking about why I like body horror so much, and I wanted to share that with you all. I think it comes from my experiences as viewing my own body as horrific (or capable of horrors). That comes in the form of chronic illness (crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis), unusual body conditions (vaginismus and vulvodynia), and good old fashioned fatphobia. It's hard when others view your body as gross or monstrous, and even harder when you view your own body that way. We're all working through our stuff. I'm glad we have horror to help us through.

Zach, Maddie, Colleen, Mary, and Charlie join Caitlin to look back at the year in horror. We share our top 5 (and bottom 3) movies of the year, and we look at the rankings from other Plug It Up guests. Thanks so much to all the guests who submitted lists! We also talk about horror TV from this year, and we look back at our favorite Plug It Up episodes and moments. We talk about the horror movies we're looking forward to in 2023, and we make plans on what movies (new and old) to cover on the show next year. Tangents include: holiday food, rom-coms, life advice, and our roles in a theoretical slasher movie. Thanks so much to Charlie, Mary, Maddie, Colleen, and Zach for joining, and thank you all for the support throughout the year. Happy new year, everyone!

Mary joins Caitlin to cover Luca Guadagnino's reimagining of the Italian horror classic Suspiria. Like the original, the remake is hypnotic and surreal, and it features dancing and witchcraft. The 2018 version digs into motherhood themes, and it explores the dark feminine. AND, it stars Tilda Swinton, Tilda Swinton, and Tilda Swinton. Despite our qualms about the triple-casting, we really do love this one. Thanks for joining, Mary!

Maddie joins Caitlin to cover 2023's No One Will Save You, now streaming on Hulu. The townspeople certainly view our main character as a monstrous femme figure, but we are endeared to her. We talk about themes of isolation, regret, giref, and survival, and we applaud Kaitlyn Dever.

As always, the latter half of the episode is nutty and full of laughter. Tangents include: sneaking things into movie theaters, astrology, fantasy spending, couches and other furniture, hypothetical arrests, sister fights, battling aliens, UFOs/UAPs, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, books, abductions, Nicki Minaj, sibling memories, gussying up our weaknesses incorporate speak, eldest daughter syndrome, softball, and tennis.

Be sure to check out Maddie and Mackenzie on My Cryptid's Keeper!

Charlie joins Caitlin to cover 2017's Revenge, by director Coralie Fargeat, who gave us The Substance in 2024. We talk about Fargeat's unique style, which combines realism with hyper-stylized elements, her body horror trends, and her feminist themes. We also talk about the controversy around rape revenge as a narrative structure. It's a movie we both really enjoy.

Tangents include: animal vomit (aww), Faulkner, espanol, Mary Vincent, 2025 horror, names, Casey Anthony, theaters, icebreaker fun facts, ice cream toppings, Tori Amos albums, and horror duo BFFs. 

Mary and Christian join Caitlin to count down the best and worst horror remakes. We rank the 15 best and 15 worst, then we do a lightning round of yea-or-nay to remakes that we didn't rank (with a special shoutout to The Fly, which should've made the best-of list). We also discuss confirmed upcoming remakes, and we chat about which horror movies we can see being remade. One running theme: we've got a real affinity for the early 2000s remakes. Thanks to Mary and Christian for joining! I'm glad our friendship survived this battle royale.

Caitlin is joined by Exorcist mega-fan Alyssa to talk about about the iconic film. Themes, production, reception, the novel, the "true story," trivia - we cover it all! Alyssa also wanted me to note her favorite Exorcist fact that we forgot to mention on the show: Evangelist Billy Graham claimed an actual demon was living in the celluoid reels of this movie. Pazuzu is powerful in all forms, even (especially?) film reel! Enjoy our Regan/Pazuzu impressions, which are too vulgar to write here.

Colleen and Maddie join Caitlin to assign "big three" astrological placements to popular horror characters. Three queer, horror-obsesed women talking about astrology, boygenius, and doms/subs? Groundbreaking! But hey. It's FUN. We have a great time, and we make strong cases for our designations. Characters covered on this episode: Carrie White from Carrie, Nina from Black Swan, Amy Dunne from Gone Girl, Jennifer Check from Jennifer's Body, Thomasin from the Witch, Rose from Get Out, Jay from It Follows, Justine from Raw, Maxine from X, Dani from Midsommar, and Norman Bates from Psycho. We'll definitelydo another episode to cover more horror chracters.

Tangents include: famous bottoms of history, towers vs bunkers, utensils, senior yearbook photos, farm chores, mascots, Maddie's hoarded memes, and more!  

Pickens, Joe, and Victor join Caitlin to talk about Return to Oz - a fever dream, a cult classic, and, yes, the official sequel to The Wizard of Oz. For a kids' movie, it's got some serious horror beats, and it has a great monstrous femme figure in Princess Mombi. We chat about our favorite freaky moments and go over some fun movie trivia. Tangents for this episode include: Bugaboo Creek, malls, the Muppets, Disney parks, Elton John, and of course a few on-theme FMKs. 

Maddie and Colleen join Caitlin to cover Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool. We look at themes of wealth, privilege, hedonism, exploitative tourism, and ethics. But most importantly, we relish the opportunity to do impressions of Mia Goth's deranged baby voice and discuss Skarsgard on a leash.

Tangents include: Colleen's delightful fixations, Caitlin's borderline unhealthy obsession with her friends, Maddie's trip to FRAHHHNCE, Culkins vs Skarsgards, board game failures (oopsie), celebrity hair, fantasy pets, sandwiches, bird poop, deer, cryptids, bigfoot erotica, cosplay, eye rolling, Swifties/Gaylors, infinity pools, scary insects, clones, favorite meals, and friendship love fests. Shoutout to AC for being the question MVP this episode.

Be sure to check out My Cryptid's Keeper and Roll 4 Improv. We were just being silly gooses, your honor!

Bob from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to discuss their favorite PG-13 horror movies. Horror tends to live comfortably in the R rating, but with the right atmosphere, PG-13 horror can deliver some real scares. Let us know if we missed any of your favorites!

Tangents include: voting, favorite characters from 2024 horror, autumn, a FMK, crocs, Youtube, our buddy Ripley, Outback Steakhouse, Australian food, and more. Be sure to check out Straight Chilling wherever you get your podcasts.

Caitlin is joined by Chase, the only friend who will tolerate her love of American Horror Story while still gently challenging her to think critically about it. This episode is about season 3 episode 1 of American Horror Story Coven, but we touch on AHS tropes and themes as a whole. Ryan Murphy, hit me up. Also, come answer for your crimes.

horror, feminism, periods, menstruation, monstrous menstruation, plug It up, amanda laird, heavy flow, ryan murphy, american horror story, ahs, american horror story coven, coven, ahs coven, bitchcraft, jaime brewer, emma roberts, kathy bates, jessica lange, angela bassett, taissa farmiga, lily rabe, sarah paulson

Adam joins Caitlin to cover 2022's Soft and Quiet. Inspired by the events of the 2020 birdwatching incident, Beth de Araujo wrote Soft and Quiet as a critique of the racism and white nationalism that originate specifically in white women. We talk about those themes, as well as feigned white victimhood, patriarchy, and the rise of fascism.

Tangents are happier and include: pies, candles, and strangest movies of 2024. Be sure to check out Bad For Me and Adam's extensive, impressive, home-made bow tie collection! 

Everybody's little brother Zach joins Caitlin to cover Slaxx, a movie about possessed pants. We talk about retail madness, the myth of "ethical" consumption, and how this movie nails horror comedy with a message. It's goofy and silly, but also affecting.

We also talk about: camp counselor stories, retail work experiences, brushing teeth with twigs, being haters, jeans, pooping fruits, one hit wonders, correcting assumptions, chicken nuggets, wisdom tooth removal, beans, our dad's strange portioning, and spoons vs forks.

Matt, Michael, Charlie, and Caitlin got reservations at Dorsia to do some fine dining and chat about American Psycho, often cited as "a movie about a misogynist, directed by a feminist." We talk about yuppie misogyny, consumerism, and nihilism, and we quote the movie in our best Patrick Bateman voices. We also dish out some high school stories, so be prepared to be transported back to 2006-2007. Tangents include: Lady MacBeth, business cards (obviously), juice, Crocs, Ed Gein, and Ed Kemper. 

Caitlin is joined by fellow podcaster Natalie Katona to talk about 2018's The Wind. We dig in to monstrous motherhood and the brutality of the frontier. We also do a deep dive on prairie madness, which is as harrowing as it sounds. Natalie shares about her podcast To All the Men I've Tolerated Before, which you can find on any podcast platform, as well as her show on Fireside by the same name. Give her a follow, and check out The Wind!

Elizabeth joins Caitlin to cover 2005's The Skeleton Key. We've got a great monstrous femme figure in The Skeleton Key, and the movie does a good job of exploring the intersections of race, age, gender, and spirituality. We also speculate at it possibly being an influence for Get Out, another horror movie that explores those issues extremely well. Tangents include: DVD bonus features, pizza, blankets, discount stores, flags, posters, animal horror, the haunted house Elizabeth gew up in, and some FMKs. 

Dynamic duo Elizabeth and Chase join Caitlin to talk about Excision, a movie with a top-notch cast and some weird-ass dreams. In this one, we don't have a monstrous menstruation transformation, per se; rather, we get to know a monster in her own right who weaponizes her menstruation. This movie is not in Chase's top 20. Or top 200. He really hates it. But it's set in Virginia, so I like it! We also get some follow-up on the theory of menstrual synchronicity.

Colleen joins Caitlin to cover 2023's Clock. This has been a year of monstrous motherhood in horror, and the movie Clock is no exception. It looks at the idea of women's so-called biological clocks, and it explores themes of heritage, patriarchy, procreation, and general fertility. So many eggs!

Tangents include: DnD (always), Halloween costumes, tokophobia, Jon Hamm, stress dreams, Halloween candy, death row meals, surprising foods, lack of kids, Gen Z insults, Kyle Prue, captions, and airport routines.

Find Colleen at Roll 4 Improv, and find us both at Nightmare Weekend!

Charlie joins Caitlin to cover Strange Darling, a recent erotic thriller from JT Mollner. We talk about the production (specifically that it was beautifully shot on 35mm), the editing, the acting, and the score. We both really loved the movie, and we enjoyed taking a closer look at the gender themes throughout.

Tangents include: Top Chef (skippers, jump to minute 11 to get to the movie review), favorite months, pet names, balloons, feral cats, horror universes to live in, horror soundtracks, and Jennifer Tilly.

Victor joins Caitlin to cover Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, a 2013 movie about a monstrous femme alien figure. We discuss the movie's gender dynamics, sound design, use of nudity, and overall messaging, landing in a place of "discovering humanity."

Tangents include: Galaxy Con, Author Con, D&D, pet peeves, alien space vampires, SPF, FMKs for gym equipment and new releases, and childhood career projections.

Zach and Charlie join Caitlin to cover The Conjuring 2, set in jolly old England (so prepare yourselves for our accents and impressions). We talk about Ed and Lorraine Warren becoming Christian superheroes, and we discuss the "real life" case as it played out in Enfield. It's a silly, fun time.

Tangents include: Charlie's wedding, dreams, LPOTL, Paranormal Activity, books we've re-read, thirst vs hunger, worst movies of 2024, hauntings, favorite podcasts, Candy's house, chocolate, Conjuring vs Insidious movies, and a few good Would You Rathers. 

Soju from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to talk about Park Chan-wook's Thirst. Thirst is a beautiful vampire romance that incorporates themes of sexuality, pain, guilt, and the monstrous feminine. Soju is my vampire homie, and we give a lot of love to Thirst. We also give a lot of love to Underworld. In fact, take a shot every time we say "Underworld" (just kidding - that's dangerous). 

Tangents include: gummies, weapons, peanut butter, Twilight, other vampire media, the Culkin brothers, and some FMKs and WYRs. Be sure to check out all the cool stuff happening over at Straight Chilling. 

Joe from Films at First Sight and No Film Left Behind joins Caitlin to cover 1994's Serial Mom, the monstrous motherhood classic from John Waters. 2024 marks Serial Mom's 30th anniversary, and we are thrilled to revisit it. We talk about our favorite jokes, our favorite kills, and just how John-Waters-y this movie is.

Tangents include: a mini review of Trap, movies we wish we could rewatch for the first time, 2024 horror, black and white movies, dream houses, prank calls, ghost activities, and Joe's pronunciation of water.