This year, there will be no leftovers! Let’s carve into the surprisingly sharp Thanksgiving (2023) and shine the carving knife spotlight on Jessica, our privileged but persistent Final Girl with a… locket (?) We talk all about her arc, Black Friday madness, and the camp vibes of this Eli Roth holiday slasher. We also dig into the film’s commentary on consumerism, social media rot, and the absurdity of American traditions. Spoiler warning: We talk plot twists and dinner-table deaths and everything in between.Theme by Max Ansonwww.final-girls.comPatreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/FinalGirlsThePodcast
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1:07:31
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1:07:31
Carly from House of Wax
Join us this week to revisit the gloriously grotesque 2005 cult favorite House of Wax, and our Final Girl Carly, played by the scream-worthy Elisha Cuthbert. We dig into Carly’s transformation from fashion intern and Waffle House waitress to one of the grimiest, grittiest Final Girls of the 2000s. We also unpack the heavy 2000s vibes: the Interpol and Deftones soundtrack, the roadside voyeurism, the Paris Hilton-era celebrity spectacle, and the cultural moment this movie captured. Plus, we talk about how the marketing made Paris Hilton the real horror bait.Spoiler warning: We reveal who melts, who shatters, and who walks away covered in wax and ready to fight.Theme by Max Anson www.final-girls.com
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1:01:52
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1:01:52
Deena from Night of the Reaper
We’re heading to the suburbs with Night of the Reaper (2025), a love letter to 80s slasher classics with a modern, blood-soaked twist. Our Final Girl is Deena, a criminology major home from college for what should’ve been a cozy fall break. Instead, she finds herself at the center of a violent, terrifying mystery… and face to face with a masked killer who is dragging the past to the surface.Find our recent guest appearances hereSpoiler warning: If you haven’t watched Night of the Reaper, now’s your chance to press play before the body count rises.Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.com
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56:10
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56:10
Elvira from The Ugly Stepsister
In this episode, we’re slipping into glass slippers and fairy-tale trauma with The Ugly Stepsister (2025). This gruesome, pink cottagecore fever dream reimagines the story of Cinderella from the perspective of Elvira, the not-so-fair stepsister in a kingdom obsessed with perfection. In a world where beauty is currency, conformity is survival, and every flaw could be fatal, Elvira’s transformation arc is a brutal, bloody reminder of how far women are expected to go to be “enough.”We dive deep into this film’s feminist body horror, unpacking its commentary on societal pressure, cosmetic violence, and the cost of chasing beauty in a culture that demands it at any cost. We also talk about why we need way more horror films that get real about the psychological and physical toll of being a woman in a world built to break us.Spoiler warning: We’re spilling all the tea and the beauty serum. You’ve been warned.BUY SARAH'S BABY BOOKS!Theme by Max Anson Visit us at www.final-girls.com
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1:11:14
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1:11:14
Elvira from Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
This week, we’re worshipping at the altar of cleavage and camp with Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. She may not be your traditional Final Girl, but make no mistake, Elvira is horror’s ultimate Final Baddie. Armed with quick wit and zero tolerance for puritanical nonsense, she battles small-town hypocrisy and misogyny and slays while she does.We dig into Elvira’s iconic blend of sex positivity and self-possession and why this 1988 cult classic still stands out in 2025. Elvira outlasts the villains AND she roasts them alive with double entendres and drag-queen-level charisma.Elvira's Cookbook from HellListen to The Hesh Files (Eric's podcast)Listen to Dead Man's Mic podcast (about Halloween Horror Nights)Spoiler warning: We’re opening the spellbook and the movie vault. You’ve been warned.Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.com
Final Girls is a dynamic podcast that dives deep into the world of horror by examining one iconic final girl per episode. Co-hosted by Kellie and Sarah — both UC Davis alumni with strong academic backgrounds — each installment dissects the tropes, triumphs, and challenges of these resilient characters. Drawing from Kellie’s expertise in Human-Computer Interaction and Film, and Sarah’s insights from History and Political Science, the show brings a unique blend of sharp analysis and genuine passion to every discussion.
Each episode explores the final girl's journey in detail, from the creative escape scenes that have become cult favorites to the narrative complexities that define their battles against overwhelming odds. Final Girls celebrates the spirit of women who fight back, inviting listeners to rethink classic horror tropes and appreciate the empowering narratives that make these characters enduring cultural icons.
This podcast is not only a must-listen for horror enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling, gender, and cultural critique.
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