Dear Final Girl

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 husban...

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!