In this episode of Raised By Horror we’re talking about Oscar nominations, Heretic, Nosferatu, new films in theatres, and horror books we're excited about.

In Oscar noms, we discuss the history of The Oscars ignoring horror films, the few films it has acknowledged, how we feel about Demi Moore and The Substance nominations, as well as Nosferatu and Alien: Romulus noms.

Image via: A24’s ‘Heretic’ from Iowa filmmakers is a test of faith [Iowa Public Radio]

Next we peel back the surprising layers of Heretic, a tense horror thriller that pits two Mormon missionary girls against a terrifyingly charming Hugh Grant. We also pick apart THAT ending, which is still being hotly debated in forums, and the reactions in reviews from different religious review sites. Also, the film's questions about religion and marketing, and how abusers leverage faith to put people in cages.

Then we do a deep dive into Nosferatu: how it compares to other iterations of the canon (see what we did there?), what male reviewers are getting wrong about this particular Nosferatu, and why this film resonates both powerfully and bleakly for women -- particularly American women right now. We pick apart people's expectations of the film, its place in the depictions of female maladies, why it's so similar to The VVitch, and how the film shows us that monsters are created for control -- to decide who is, and is not, "normal."

We wrap up with films and books. Excitement for Heart Eyes, much love for Companion, mixed feelings on The Monkey, why you should pre-order The Butcher's Daughter, and get copies of Bowling With Corpses and The Contortionist's Handbook.

Find all podcast links on our Raised By Horror Linktree (including YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and more). Theme song: Pop Goes the Weasel by Kevin MacLeod [Wikimedia Commons].

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