Plug It Up: A Horror Movie Podcast

Maddie joins Caitlin to review Saccharine, a new release that tackles what many critics are calling "Ozempic horror." We cover binge eating disorder, fatphobia, bodies (and body dysmorphia), weight loss, GLP-1s, and more. This is a tricky one, but it's also important. Stream it now on Shudder.

Tangents include: sandwiches of RVA, favorite words, tinned food, sock WYRs, "the big one," imagined new pop singles, the downfall of AI, fantasy public infrastructure, jumbotron messages, and pet astrology.

Caitlin is joined by favorite tattoo artist Tannis to review The Cell (2000). We talk about surrealism, psychology, art history, memory, and more. This one holds up, and it's a fav for the weird/goth/art babes in your life.

Tangents include: horror-themed tattoos, movie run times, media literacy, favorite horror movies, upcoming films, and first tattoos. Be sure to check out Tannis over at Black Rabbit.

The beautiful boys of the Straight Chilling Podcast join Caitlin to cover 1993's The Good Son. It appears to have been a critical miss at the time, but a longtime fan favorite for genre lovers. We talk about child psychopathy, monstrous motherhood, 90s parenting, and more.

Tangents include: Straight Chilling's upcoming 600th episode, evil children, a spooky FMK (and the resulting discussion on spectrophilia), Daniel Radcliffe vs Elijah Wood, Soju's beef with Elijah, Macaulay Culkin's name, Stephen King's Maine, DVD shopping, breakfast for dinner, sleeping with fans on, and fragrance.

Christian of the Boiled Milk Podcast joins Caitlin to review The Drama, a 2026 black comedy from A24. Although not a traditional horror movie, this provocative film does go some scary places. We cover subjective morality and what it means to "sit in the gray," among other challenging topics.

Tangents are many and include: nervous puking, theoretical unforgivable confessions,"worst thing" confessions, love languages, the unreliability and subjective nature of memory, intent vs impact, hetero wedding nonsense, Christian's wedding-role EGOT mission, movie teasers vs movie trailers, Plug It Up merch, empty coffee cup props, Al vs AI, and reversing pretty privilege.

Mary and Nichole join Caitlin to cover 2011's We Need to Talk About Kevin, a monstrous-motherhood modern classic. We discuss themes around memory, reluctant motherhood, "bad seed" children, and what it means to love (and hate) a monster, especially when that monster is your child. We carry a lot of empathy for Eva, which seems to be an unpopular take. Where do you land?

Tangents include: psychopathy, podcast catalogs, favorite museums, bows and arrows instead of guns, a Kevin FMK, John C. Reilly, Tilda Swinton, pro-choice movies, pet peeves, and evil kids. Also forgive my temporary misgendering of Ezra Miller, who uses they/them pronouns.

Charlie joins Caitlin to cover a heavy hitter in the horror genre: The Silence of the Lambs. It's a titan of cinema, and we love it... almost as much as we love doing impressions. We talk about gender and sexuality, and we, of course, dig into the background, details, and legacy of the movie.

Tangents include: first horror movies, best shapes, irrational annoyances, toilet paper preferences, latest obsessions, stalkers, and the ol' long pig. And I must correct myself: haramuki is spring rolls; mukimame is shelled edmame.

Mary and Christian join Caitlin to review Obsession, the record-smashing (and face-smashing) new horror hit from director Curry Barker. We discuss autonomy, consent, rejection, and the danger of "the nice guy." #bearbad - you heard it here first.

Tangents include: the pledege of allegiance, animal deaths in movies, first horror movies, annoyances, AI, the best shapes, toilet paper preferences (someone please take my side on this one), our latest obsessions, and obsessive relationship stories.

Soju from the Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to review Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, a charming vampire movie from 2023. We discuss themes around coming of age, burgeoning sexuality, and empathy. This is a very sweet one; find it on Shudder.

Tangents include: other podcast ideas, lost items, recurring nightmares, soju (the drink), comfortable shoes, and a good ol' FMK (creepy-crawly edition).

Charlie joins Caitlin to cover Swallow, a fan favorite from 2019. We talk about themes around pica, motherhood, class, marriage, and abortion, and we praise the movie's writing and direction. It's a great one; find it on Shudder.

Tangents include: Diet Coke, my garden, birds, clocks, swallowing things, bad haircuts, TV volume, instagram, and strange foods.

Victor and Jenna join Caitlin to discuss A24's If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, an excellent but stressful movie from 2025. We talk about monstrous-motherhood, ARFID, eating disorders treatment, and more. It's one we all enjoyed, and could very well be titled Distress Tolerance: The Movie.

Tangents include: an ARFID soapbox, Richmond breakfast spots, movie theater experiences, and what we do when we're feeling down.

Rachel joins Caitlin to cover Jakob's Wife, the underseen Barbara Crampton vampire movie from 2021. This is a personal favorite of ours: it's feminist, it's funny, and it's Barbara Freaking Crampton. We discuss transformation, menopause, humor, Christian patriarchy, and more!

Tangents include: forgetting to hit record, the Overlook Film Festival, recent horror watches, gold vs silver jewelry, steak, potatoes, The Pitt, card games, and board games.

Bob from the Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to cover 1990's shlockfest The Suckling, aka Sewage Baby. We talk about abortion, monsters, mothers, and more!

Tangents include: the Overlook Film Festival, monstrous motherhood, LGBTQIA+ horror, a couple would-you-rather questions, scariest horror movies, Elijah Wood, shark movies, and music.

Charlie joins Caitlin to cover the show's first Kubrick review: Eyes Wide Shut from 1999. We dig into sex, conspiracy, and male fragility. It's a fun movie to talk about, and it certainly hits different in 2026, knowing what we do now.

Tangents include: the one percent, hit movies of the 90s, ideal leaves, Scrubs, and cursive (and also Cursive). DQ something different.

Randy from Straight Chilling Podcast joins Caitlin to cover 2025's Together. We talk about enmeshment, resentment, and oneness, as well as body horror, special effects, casting, and sound design. It's one we were happy to root for!

Tangents include: merging bodies, childhood fears, AI, and comforting sounds.

Rachel joins Caitlin to cover The Amityville Horror, a 1979 horror movie based on the true story of the Lutz family haunting following the DeFeo family murders. We talk about the supernatural power of a mother's love, patriarchal unraveling, menstruating real estate, the failure of the church, and more! If you're a fan of the 2005 version, we also comment on that one a fair amount.

Tangents include: the Warrens, true crime, chopping wood, cats, evil locations, haunted houses, ghosts, paranormal experiences, favorite franchises, tote bags, t.A.T.u., The Bride, James Brolin vs Ryan Reynolds, sexual awakenings, and a good ol' FMK. Thanks to Jodie for inspiring this episode!

Charlie joins Caitlin to cover Bugonia, the 2025 hit from director Yorgos Lanthimos. We admire the movie's script, direction, acting, score, dark humor, and overall themes. We talk about conspiracy thought, big tech, big pharma, vulnerabilty, and more. Review starts around 14:30.

Tangents include: Epstein, Chuck E. Cheese, weddings, Brown Bear, shaved heads, authentic selves, first memories of one another, 2026 movies, Slay the Spire, and Pizzagate. It's good to be back.

This episode has a longer introduction that reflects on my history as a feminist activist, my time in Chile, and the current state of US politics. It may not appeal to everyone, but I felt it was important to share.

The review of 2025 horror releases starts around 14:00. I cover my favorites, my medium-recommends, some flops, horror TV, and what I'm looking forward to in 2026.

Here's to a more active (in all senses of the word) 2026!

Zach and Charlie join Caitlin to cover 2015's Krampus, a holiday horror favorite. We talk about family, spirit, hope, and all things Christmas. Tangents include: hot tubs, stockings, gifts, tarot, holiday traditions, and Chrsitmas hot takes. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Maddie and Colleen join Caitlin to once again perform character analysis on horror charcters through the lens of astrology. This time, we're talking about the "big three" signs for: Kelly Anne from Red Rooms, Annie from Hereditary, Rosemary from Rosemary's Baby, Lestat from Interview with the Vampire, Owen from I Saw the TV Glow, Jigsaw from Saw, Mulder and Scully from The X Files, Maud from Saint Maud, and Elvira from The Ugly Stepsister.

Tangents include: the concept of "big six," dreams with Neptune in retrograde, the end of summer and start of fall, Halloween hot takes, Christmas trees, and pets as Over the Garden Wall characters.

Mary and Nick join Caitlin to discuss The Long Walk, a new horror release based on the Stephen King book by the same name. We talk about fascism, friendship, and futility, as well as how we'd fare during The Long Walk. It's a great movie and a great discussion.

Tangents include: Chinese takeout, a sauce FMK, and fall hot takes.