Hey campers,
Happy Monster Camp Monday! Here in Chicago the weather is finally warming up. The winter depression is slowly fading away, making room for the regular depression. The birds chirping outside of my window wake me up five minutes earlier every single morning. I hope wherever you are is free of allergens and straight men in basketball shorts walking around in 30 degree weather.
Question for you: Do all horror fans love Halloween? Obviously folks outside of the US might say no. But I’m curious to know what you all think—it’s always around April/May where the hype for my favorite holiday begins. I think that’s why summer has become more bearable for me. Only a few months of scorching hell before Disney Channel movie marathons and pumpkin cream cold brews.
To kick off the Halfway to Halloween celebrations, I compiled a list of some horror media that’s set to hit screens this summer. These are just a few of the ones I’m most looking forward to. I’d love to hear what you’re consuming, what you’re patiently waiting for, what you can’t wait to lose sleep over.
Doctor Strange (May 6, only in theaters)
Listen—it’s SAM RAIMI. I was already looking forward to seeing Miss Maximoff take the stage because she is the gay icon of Marvel and no one can tell me any different.
I’m not really sure what else there is to say that hasn’t already been said about this movie. I’m just fucking excited to see a new Sam Raimi movie, and I’m excited as a Marvel fan to dive into a new world for a few hours. Seeing it this Thursday and we’ll be discussing it on Fear Queers later this month!
Monstrous (May 13, in theaters and VOD)
As you’ll see, there are a few creature features on this list. Monstrous stars the incomparable Christina Ricci who just recently blew me away with the character Misty in Yellowjackets, one of my favorite TV shows to come out in the last few years.
And while the reviews for this movie are overwhelmingly negative after premiering at the Glasgow Film Festival in March, I’m still hoping to give it a chance. How bad could it be with Ricci starring…right? Probably eating my words here, but y’all let me know. Will you be checking this one out?
Men (May 20, only in theaters)
The title says it all, folks. As a casual Alex Garland fan, I’m very intrigued by the title and trailer for this film.
What I do know is that no matter what its haters and die-hard fans say, A24 has been putting out some of my favorite films this year. From X to Everything Everywhere All At Once (and another film coming up at the bottom of this list), the production company has been hitting every mark for me. I’m sure Men will be no different. I’m excited to go into this one not knowing what to fully expect.
Stranger Things Season 4 (Vol. 1 - May 27/Vol. 2 - July 1, Netflix)
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to dive back into The Upside Down. As hyped up as a show like Stranger Things is, I find myself caring less and less. Maybe some things are just good, and while I don’t feel that way about the second season of the show, I’m generally entertained by the Hawkins kids and the deadly adventures they go on.
Season 3 brought us an out queer character in the 80s, and I’m curious to see where that story evolves and goes. I think the storytelling could either go really badly or be just fine—I’m not expecting this to be queer cinema at its finest, but not all things have to be. Some of us are just looking for a good binge watch and fun time.
The last thing about this I’ll say is that we all know Will is gay, and we just want the poor baby boy to be safe. Protect him at all costs.
The Quarry (your console of choice, June 10)
I. am. so. fucking. ready. I’m a big fan of horror video games (see my forthcoming essay about the queerness and transness of The Last of Us in Hear Us Scream Vol. 2!).
Match that with the talents of David Arquette, Brenda Song, Lin Shaye, and Ted Raimi starring, I simply could not ask for more…besides maybe a SMG cameo.
This is also perfectly in-line with our Half-o-ween theme—who doesn’t love a classic summer horror story? As a choose your own adventure game, your choices determine the story that follows. I can’t wait to play this on a rainy, thundering summer evening with all the lights turned off and the sweet AC blasting 🎮
Nope (July 22, only in theaters)
Need I say more? Jordan Peele’s latest flick stars icons Steven Yeun, Daniel Kaluuya, Barbie Ferreira, and THE Keke Palmer. The talk behind this trailer has been wild, and while the consensus is obviously aliens, I think there’s also something a bit more sinister going on. I’m wondering what curveballs Peele will inevitably throw at us.
There’s a lot to look forward to here: a surely stellar soundtrack, beautiful cinematography, and star-studded acting. Also expecting Peele to reinvent the wheel as he typically does with each new horror movie.
Prey (date TBD, Hulu)
There’s not a lot of information circulating about this film at the moment, but what’s out there is VERY promising. The fifth installment in the Predator franchise, Prey will be the prequel to the other films. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg of 10 Cloverfield Lane fame, this is bound to be a promising spooky science fiction flick.
“Set in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, the action-thriller follows Naru, the skilled warrior who fiercely protects her tribe against a highly evolved alien predator.”
As we’ve seen previously on this list, we love a special creature feature. And with an Indigenous woman as its leading role, I’m hoping this movie will offer wider perspectives of Indigenous voices within the horror community. Portrayed by Indigenous actor Amber Midthunder, this character is going to serve us everything we need in a strong, badass femme protagonist. Very much ready to learn more about it 👽
Bodies Bodies Bodies (August 5, only in theaters)
I cannot stress this enough: this movie IS my Joker. Rachel Sennott, I am on my knees. Please notice me.
To be honest, this cast really confuses me, and I’m loving every part of it. I see some WLW moments. I’m seeing some iconic outfits. It’s giving hilarious dialogue that could have so easily been boring or overdone but somehow isn’t. This perfect mixture of Scream and Spring Breakers was simply made for me—a wild, self-aware, and hilarious whodunit. PLUS a new original song from Charli XCX. That’s just icing on the cake, and I can already guarantee it’ll be at the top of my Spotify Wrapped playlist this year.
With its overtly meta and comedic dialogue paired with a strangely iconic cast, I’m already pinging this as one of my favorites of the year. This brand of satire is one that doesn’t land with a lot of people, and I totally get that. But this is right up my alley and I’ll be first in line opening night, possibly with an edible or two in my system. I’m anticipating Bodies Bodies Bodies to be any queer horror lover’s bread and butter.
P.S.: We need a Charli XCX Halloween album ASAP.
Don’t Worry Darling (September 23, only in theaters)
The trailer for Don’t Worry Darling just dropped today, and while this might not be technically considered a summer release, I thought I’d leave you with this last note. Florence Pugh IS the moment, and I absolutely cannot wait for her to dive into this character, body this role, and leave us all speechless like she usually does. She perfectly compliments the horror/thriller genres. She constantly pushes the boundaries of acting in genres that require her to do so, and I know this will be no different.
Harry Styles is…there. I said what I said.
Looking forward to kickstarting the REAL spooky season with this movie. What about you all?
Those are my picks, ghouls! What am I missing? Do any of these catch your eye too? Let me know in the comments or email me with movies, TV, books, video games, and other media you’re looking forward to devouring this summer.
Thanks for reading through the first Monster Camp Halfway to Homoween list, and I’ll catch you next week with a brand new post!
Stay queer, spread fear,
Beyza