Episode 14 : Serial Mom

Horror movies don’t always have to scare you senseless or be overflowing with blood. When you’re a legendary director like John Waters, horror could certainly mean violence, but it can also be the horrid human behavior capitalizing on said violence or the suppressed psycho living under your same roof. Serial Mom (1994) is a perfect satire about a murderous mother’s influence on pop culture and how society views these unbelievable, “true” crime events.

▶️ When an ideal, all-American mom played by Kathleen Turner starts defending her family from life’s annoyances, the bodies begin to mount up. Waters’ film pokes a hole in what people think of as a “normal” family, and makes us think about our own exposure to media. With an uncommon female lead, how does Serial Mom fit in with other serial killer films? Is it possible Serial Mom is even more relavent nowadays? We deconstruct the themes behind the film, and also relive some of favorite scenes that never get old. The brilliant cast of the movie and Waters’ intended vision for the film are discussed, as well as hitting on his supremely influential career, in general.

▶️ Justin and Lindsay stick with two Waters-related movies for their Picks of the Week. The writer/director had always, and famously, teamed up with the amazingly over the top, cross-dressing actor known as Divine. The two made some of Waters’ most memorable films together. But for this Pick, Justin went with Lust in the Dust, one of very few films not written or directed by Waters, but that starred Divine. Lindsay takes the opportunity to talk about her favorite Waters film, Desperate Living— a film so trashy and filled to the brim with filth, it makes you want to shower after watching it.

▶️ If you didn’t think there was a way to connect Billy Murray to John Waters, you’re sorely mistaken. We take you behind the scenes of the Waters and Divine classic, Polyester (1981), and reveal the Murraymoment that has been hiding in plain sight.

▶️ The genre-blending Serial Mom may not frighten you to the core, but the performances and deeper understanding of the film may chill your bones on another level. Episode 14 is a truly fun film — laughing through the horror is highly advised.