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Give Me Your Queer Rage

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The number of US mass shootings surpasses days in 2023 so far. However, our government is more concerned with waging a legislative war on LGBTQ+ people, such as with the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ laws. Rage is a reasonable reaction to our country’s hypocrisies, and our art should express it, including the art form that is the horror genre. In this article, I’ll show you a few modern queer horror movies that channel some of our community’s pain and (queer) rage in inspirational ways.

Drag & Horror

As of April 25th of this year, there have been 166 anti-drag attacks nationwide (also surpassing days in 2023 so far) amidst anti-drag bills spearheaded by Tennessee’s ban on drag shows in public spaces. Yet, drag artists continue to show up and turn out. Each performance–fierce, campy, emotional, or otherwise–is a protest against the status quo, which is how drag has always been. Drag, like horror, has always been political.

In Death Drop Gorgeous (2020), a local drag bar is preyed upon by a mysterious killer. You won’t find much overt political commentary in this campy slasher, but that’s the point. This indie gem, by just existing, is a big middle finger to those who wish to silence members of our community.

It also helps that the movie’s hilarious. It’s a reminder that we can turn rage into humor. Bursting at the seams with drag representation that runs the gamut (I see myself as a Tragedi), I love the escape Death Drop Gorgeous gives anyone who needs it.

You can stream Death Drop Gorgeous (2020) on Shudder.

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Us vs. The Healthcare System

One in six LGBTQ adults, according to a 2017 survey, report avoiding healthcare due to worries of discrimination. Considering the 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced this year that could become law, those concerns aren’t without merit. Speaking from experience, it’s enraging when the healthcare system fails you amidst a crisis, and it’s one of the reasons disparities persist.

Hypochondriac (2022) shows a gay man named Will (played by Zach Villa) fighting against a mental breakdown. Unfortunately, the healthcare professionals he consults with along the way are mostly useless, so the situation worsens. This queer psychological horror is from Will’s perspective, which makes for a horrific ride. The filmmaker, Addison Heimann, said the movie’s based on his mental breakdown.

I could afford better healthcare if I had a dime for every doctor who gave me the same canned diagnosis given to Will. Art is an escape but also a catalyst for impactful conversations. By providing us with a peak into the life of someone we wouldn’t have otherwise encountered, art creates rare opportunities for empathy and change.

You can stream Hypochondriac (2022) on Tubi.

A Tale of Two Husbands

Once upon a time, there were two interracial husbands. The newlyweds purchased a home in a predominately white suburb. Malik, who’s Black, was met with racial microaggressions. He was gaslit when he tried communicating this with his husband, Aaron. Malik set his rage aside as he focused on surviving the horrors that came next. The premise for Spiral (2019) is a perfect metaphor for the dangers of not working together as a community.

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Aaron was so desperate for validation from his straight neighbors that he inadvertently left Malik to fend for himself. Aaron is like members of our community who only address homophobia but turn a blind eye to the other systems of oppression. Racism, misogyny, transphobia, ableism, etc., must be appropriately addressed if we’re ever going to make it.

When we allow others to divide us, we all lose. It’s as simple as that, and I love how Spiral drives that message home. Unfortunately, divisive tactics make it easier for the powers that be to pick us off one by one.

You can stream Spiral (2019) on Shudder.

One for the Road

An aspiring pornstar and his best friend, Benjamin, and Dom, smuggle suspicious contraband in Swallowed (2022). It’s a body horror starring horror royalty Mark Patton and Jena Malone as drug lords. But, if Benjamin and Dom want to survive, they must fight back. The message? Standing up to people holding power over us is scary but not impossible.

Swallowed (2022) is streaming on your favorite VOD service.

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In conclusion, art creates a snapshot of the zeitgeist, which helps contextualize future conversations. Horror movies can and should be unapologetically queer while doing what it does best: scare us. Often, that fear resolves in cathartic ways. Support queer horror movies so we can continue getting more. Most importantly, remember to vote and protest injustices. And don’t forget to give me your queer rage.

Ryan, a.k.a. Brother Ghoulish, is a horror content creator and author of There’s Something Wrong in Morrington County, a QPOC-lead horror short story collection.

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The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in November 2025

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Halloween season is over, and many streamers have forgotten about us horror kids. While they take their 11-month hiatus from the genre, we can be grateful that we still have an app that cares. We are so lucky that Shudder remains that girl year-round. Whether you’re finishing their new original show Guts & Glory, catching up on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, or running at some of their deep cuts like I am, Shudder has your best interests at heart. As usual, she has quite a few titles fighting for our attention. Which is why I am here with five titles I think should be at the top of all of our watch lists this November. So, cancel your holiday plans and pick up your remote because we have got horrifying things to watch.

The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month

Habit (1995)

An alcoholic unwittingly enters into a relationship with a succubus in New York City. If you ever wondered what Larry Fessenden was getting up to in his youth, you need to see this ’90s gem. I lucked out and caught it at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival last year, and I lived my best life. While watching it on the small screen will not be the same, I plan to hit play anyway. Mostly because I love to see 1990s succubi leaving their mark on men…and also the horror genre. Shudder is also adding The Last Winter and Depraved, so we can spend a whole day with Uncle Larry’s work.

Sew Torn (2024)

A seamstress happens upon a failed drug deal and steals a briefcase. She soon finds herself caught in a deadly situation where all roads lead to death. I caught Sew Torn at SXSW last year and have been wondering what happened to it. So, I am very happy this odd little bird has found her way to Shudder. I cannot wait to make my friends who are looking for something cute and deadly watch. I knew nothing when I hit play on this, and I encourage you to know as little as possible, too. I fear I have already written too much in this blurb to be completely honest. 

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You can watch Sew Torn on November 1st.

The Retreat (2021)

A couple goes on a pre-wedding retreat and unwittingly becomes targets of a group of serial killers. We have seen too many movies about retreats, and I thought this one would be more of the same. This title does not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does set itself apart within this oversaturated subgenre. The Retreat is a surprisingly fun and tense little thriller that feels made for the winter watches. Come for the lesbian characters leading the film, and stay for the violence. I also encourage you to check it out while it is on Shudder, because it is usually on apps with ads.

You can watch The Retreat on November 1st.

The Creep Tapes (Season 2)

Peachfuzz returns with more tapes, chaos, kills, and WTF moments. Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have reentered the TV arena and are making things weird again. If award shows were real, this duo would be leading the Emmys charge. I saw the first three episodes, and Josef/Peachfuzz is still the serial killer after our own hearts. Our Wolfie is still cutting up (literally and figuratively) in the most amazing ways. Guest stars in danger this season include David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Katie Aselton (The League), and Robert Longstreet (The Haunting of Hill House). 

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You can watch The Creep Tapes (Season 2) on November 14th.

Krampus (2015)

A kid accidentally summons demons during the holidays in this horror comedy. Krampus remains one of the top-tier Christmas horror titles for me. It is also my favorite Michael Dougherty film. Not only because it has the star power of Adam Scott and Toni Collette, either. This movie is wicked, and even the kids are in danger. I do not have many holiday horror movies I revisit every year, but Krampus is one of the very few. It still holds up, and I cannot wait to rewatch it with a festively boozy beverage. 

You can watch Krampus on November 15th.

Those are a few reasons I am grateful for Shudder this holiday season. While the rest of you are fighting with your family and friends, I will be parked in front of my TV. You can have your turkey because I would rather gorge myself on episodes of The Creep Tapes anyway.

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Let me know what Shudder shenanigans you have got your little eye on. I am nosy and want to make sure I am not missing anything on my favorite streamer.

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The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in November 2025

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The year is winding down, and I don’t know about you, but I am trying to pack in as many 2025 horror movies as I can. Is this because I love making end-of-the-year lists? Yes. Is it because I am an unhealed overachiever? Also, yes. So, I am assuming some of you are also cruising the streamers to see what you may have missed. While Netflix has had my favorite new slasher Heart Eyes for a bit, and I have mentioned that in previous streaming guides, they also have other new horror titles to show you.

I do not talk about them as much because I did not have a good time with them. However, that does not mean you won’t enjoy some of these titles. That’s why I am taking the high road and finding something to be grateful for about each of them. That way, you will know there is a silver lining if you do watch them. Allow me to help you figure out what to prioritize this month and what to skip. Check out this chaotic Netflix hitlist below! 

The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month

28 Years Later (2025)

A group of survivors on a small island has built a fortress to protect them from the rage virus. However, a young boy discovers what is really outside the walls of their community and sets off to find a cure for his sick mother. We all loved 28 Days Later, and some of us liked 28 Weeks Later. So, 28 Years Later was never going to live up to the hype with almost thirty years of anticipation. While I didn’t love it, I did enjoy seeing Danny Boyle helm another zombie installment. What he does in the subgenre is top-tier, and we are welcome (even if the script left me wanting more). That might have gotten buried in all the talk about the dicks seen in the movie, though.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)

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A group of girls competing for prom queen starts disappearing, leaving the underdog to figure out what is happening to her competition. I had a lot of thoughts about this lackluster installment in Netflix’s Fear Street adaptations. As someone who grew up reading Fear Street books and wanting to adapt them myself, I do not understand how this movie came out so badly. Which made it hard to find something nice to say about this title. However, the soundtrack slaps, and it is not the soundtrack’s fault that it was wasted on a low-energy bottom-tier slasher. So, if you hit play on this, you can at least look forward to hearing some retro bangers selected by music supervisor Nora Felder. If you are familiar with her work on Yellowjackets and Stranger Things, you know Felder does not miss.

Maa (2025)

To battle a demon’s curse, a mother transforms into the legendary goddess Kali. As usual, Netflix did not advertise an international horror movie that seemed to have some potential. If they had told us Maa was an Indian Hindi-language mythological horror movie, most people who yell for intersectionality and originality would have run at it. Instead, we had to find out about it months later while looking for something we hadn’t already seen on the app. This movie is too long, and I cannot say it is good by any stretch of the imagination. However, it also made me realize how little I know about the goddess of destruction. If you are a nerd like me, this might lead you down a cool rabbit hole. You can also say you gave a view to a horror movie starring Brown people. Who knows, maybe you could be one of the few who enjoy this chaotic film.

Until Dawn (2025)

A group of friends find themselves trapped in a time loop where they keep getting killed in gruesome ways. I love the video game and was so bummed this adaptation was so bad. However, the practical effects are very cool and should be celebrated more. I think the stuff that the SFX team pulled off might be the only reason to watch the movie personally. I’m happy the actors whose work I enjoy got paid, and that’s another positive thing I can say. However, if we want to see young people in deadly time loops, we have so many movies that do it better. Excuse me as I look right at Happy Death Day and all of the movies that have tried to copy her.

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Ziam (2025)

A Muay Thai fighter battles through a zombie apocalypse to save the woman he loves. Netflix fumbled the advertising for this one too, because who doesn’t want to see a Thai zombie film? So, I was excited to watch it, but then sad I did not like it. However, I think this one is on me. It is an action-horror with a lot of heartfelt moments, and that’s not my bag. I wanted more violence and zombie action because I am a broken and heartless ghoul. So, Ziam might be the only movie on this list that does not deserve my bombastic side eye. I am waiting for other people to watch it and let me know if they have a better time with it, though. 

While I was not the audience for these movies, I am assuming some of you will dig them. Worst-case scenario, you cross off a few more 2025 horror movies and have something to talk about at Friendsgiving. Happy Horrordays! I will see myself out now…

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