In this episode of The Horrors of Love we will discuss David Cronenberg’s 1979 psychological body horror The Brood. 

This is, if I had to choose, my favorite film by Cronenberg if not one of my all-time favorite films period. I sleep with a poster of it above my bed. It tells the story of a separated couple and their child and the strange, new age psychotherapy being prescribed to the mother, played masterfully by Samathan Eggers. The would-be mad scientist administering this treatment is portrayed by English film icon Oliver Reed. 

In order to analyze the kinds of love haphazardly displayed in this film -- parental love, marital love, self love and so on -- I thought it was important to bring in an expert who loves the film as much as I do. Our guest for this episode also happens to be my best friend, my sister in life if not by blood, and an adoring wife and mother. More to the point, she is the Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Director of Training at a community mental health center in Connecticut. I cannot imagine a more suitable guest to discuss this absolutely enrapturing film, welcome Dr. Carly Trask-Kuchta M.A., Psy.D.! 

I’m so happy about the conversation we had – Carly brings so much amazing insight into the film and all the little easter eggs Cronenberg has hidden for us. 

Thank you for listening to Horrors of Love! You can find us on Instagram at @horrorsoflove. 

Welcome to the Horrors of Love! I am your host, Jeanette Wall. In this series, I discuss what we learn from the genre of horror about dating, sex, love and relationships. In this episode we’ll be discussing the epic, bizarre, delightfully ornate Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. In this very loyal adaptation, we see Gary Oldman star as Dracula, in his many forms, as he seeks out his lost love reincarnated as the wonderful Wynona Rider. Keaneu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Waits also star in this masterclass in dreamlike filmmaking. 

I’m joined by a wonderful musician, Will Sheff, who I’m lucky to call my friend. He is a troubadour of American indie rock, a well-read and well-watched hero, a filmmaker, podcaster, the list goes on.  He’s also one of my favorite people to follow on Letterboxd. You will know him from his many, gorgeous albums with his band Okkervil River, as well as his latest solo album, Nothing Special (which I think is quite special), out now. 

We dive right into the episode here, we couldn’t help ourselves. This is such a rich conversation, Will and I dig into Coppola’s maximalist ode to the vampire myth, vampires as a metaphor for power in war, the beautiful costumes of Eiko Ishioka, and much much more. It meant so much to me to have Will on the podcast, and I can’t wait for you to listen. So, with that, here’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula…

Be sure to follow Will at @okkervilriver. 
Thank you for listening to Horrors of Love! You can find us on Instagram at @horrorsoflove. 

This month Horrors of Love is honored to be joined by Horror Movie Night, the winner of the Best Podcast Theme Song Award for many years running (as determined by Jeanette). Scott, Matt and Kyle host the long-celebrated show via Geek Scape Network, where you can find many other podcasts to tickle your fancy. You’ll remember Kyle from our premiere episode on Lucky McKee’s MAY, and I cannot recommend their show enough. It’s a great resource for finding your new favorite VHS favorites. 

For this I actually chose a film that I discovered because these guys covered it on their show, the absolutely trash-tastic BRAIN DAMAGE (1988). The movie follows Brian, a young man who becomes acquainted with a talking parasite known as Aylmer that injects him with an addictive fluid that causes euphoric hallucinations (like you do).  We go deep in this conversation, talking about the pursuit of sex and drugs, 80’s New York, and considering the work of VHS Horror Titan director Frank Henenlotter through a feminist lens (something we KNOW he would love, haha).

Be sure to listen and follow Horror Movie Night at @hmnpodcast!

Thank you for listening to Horrors of Love! You can find us on Instagram at @horrorsoflove. 

Now on Apple Podcasts, thank you so much Geek Scape.