Movies
Give Me Your Queer Rage
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.
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.
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.
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.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in April 2026
Shudder is still being coy about its Halfway to Halloween programming. Which means none of us know the full April line-up yet. However, that is not going to stop me from telling you what to watch on the app. I have taken it upon myself to list five of my favorite movies on the streamer. These are movies I have not had the chance to gush about, as they are not new. Most of the five titles are Shudder Exclusives and/or Originals that are the reason I committed to the app. So, if we have similar tastes in films, you might dig some of these gems almost as much as I do. Get ready to laugh, cry, and sleep with the lights on because I have curated a very weird list of bangers you can stream now.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
A Jane Doe is rolled into a coroner’s office, where he and his son soon learn there is more to this murder victim than meets the eye. The Autopsy of Jane Doe is one of the scariest movies I have seen in my adult life. It is suspenseful, wicked, quiet, and unassuming. This witch is serving mystery, immaculate vibes, and the kind of chills we never get anymore. While I usually praise the acting when gushing about this creepy banger, it is the unsettling atmosphere that truly sends me to hell each watch. Do yourself a favor and hit play on Jane Doe this month while she is on Shudder. You’ve earned a nice waking nightmare, and this is the girl. Also, can Emile Hirsch please do more horror because he’s so damn good in this?
Scare Me (2020)
Two strangers tell each other stories in a secluded cabin during a power outage. Scare Me is one of the main reasons I started getting the yearly Shudder subscription. I describe it as a weird feminist love letter to theatre kids because it hit all of those parts of my brain. It is a clever way to pull off an indie anthology and was surprisingly laugh-out-loud funny. Also, Aya Cash wears an iconic sweater in this movie that will become your new personality. I love Werewolves Within and Heart Eyes. However, I am always telling the Josh Ruben stans they need to check out this gem. Scare Me is for the nerds like me and you (I am assuming if you’re reading all of this).
The Dark and The Wicked (2020)
Two adult siblings head to their family’s secluded farmhouse because their father is dying. They soon discover their father’s impending death is the least of their worries when something evil begins tormenting them. Bryan Bertino screws with the rhythm of the scares, which amps up the creepiness of this terrifying tale. This movie also introduced most of us to Marin Ireland who is becoming a horror staple these days. This movie is a moment for so many reasons and I hope you remember to watch it with the lights off. Shudder fully snapped when they added The Dark and The Wicked to their library. There are so many disturbing moments that live rent-free in my brain, and I guess I am welcome.
Satan’s Slaves (2017)
Death is just the beginning for one mother. This Joko Anwar remake is one of the most chaotic things on Shudder. It is haunting, cool, and messy in the best ways. I take advantage of this movie and Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion being on the app and watch them back to back every year. If you somehow missed the Anwar fan wagon, you will want to have someone save you a seat for after you watch these movies. Satan’s Slaves is serving fucked up families, fuck them kids, and demons. What more could we possibly ask for in our cinema? I personally am still hoping we will get a third entry because I love this world so much.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
A girl joins a group of street children after her mother disappears. Issa Lopez’s tragic tale is beautiful, upsetting, and so human it hurts. She wove magical realism and social commentary into what was the first Shudder film to make me cry. I was in no way ready for this devastating emotional journey, and I cannot recommend this title enough. Tigers Are Not Afraid introduced me to Lopez’s work and what a damn good way to get to know her as an artist. Brace yourselves for some crying, and thank me later.
Those are five of my favorite movies that happen to be on Shudder. They are all over the place, but excel in their lanes. They each remain some of my favorite titles on the beloved streamer, and I do not see that changing soon. Let us know your five favorite movies on Shudder in the comments.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in April 2026
Netflix heard it was spring and broke out the good stuff. They are helping us throw off that winter sadness and get into that death business. Suns out, guns out…or however that saying goes. To be fair, the lineup has been pretty packed lately, which has resulted in a bottleneck in my Netflix queue. Admittedly, that is my favorite of all of my problems I have at the moment. But still, I must push forward because there is so much to catch up on. This is why most of my picks this month are titles that also have homework for me. Some are international, some are horror, and some are gangsters serving face. However, I am excited for each of them and so ready to tell you why I think they are the best bets this month.
So, hop into my mind palace and see what five Netflix goodies I am checking out this April.
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
Death Whisperer (2023)
A man returns to his hometown and discovers his sister is suffering from a bizarre illness. This sounds like a possession film to me, and I am finally hitting play. I looked up one day and realized there were three of these films on Netflix. I am not a huge fan of franchises, but I know how most streamers treat films from Thailand. So, this one getting a whole trilogy seems like something I can get involved with. It is also set in 1972 and based on a novel, so the horror vibes will be immaculate. I also found out this was the first Thai movie to be shown in IMAX, and that is a very cool fact. Hopefully, it is as good as I need it to be.
The Green Knight (2021)
A24 adapted Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with Dev Patel. That is all I need to know to get me to sit at this knight’s round table. It is described as a dark fantasy, and I cannot believe I missed this when it came out. I am adding this to the list of things the pandemic took from me as I hit play. I might even have to watch this a couple of times…for research. Is that research looking at Dev Patel and bullying more friends into watching Monkey Man? Who can say?
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026)
Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is pulled back into the life he left behind to end it one way or the other. I am using this movie arriving on Netflix to force me to finally finish this binge that I keep pausing. I do not enjoy being the last person to finish Peaky Blinders. So, I know I would hate not being one of the first people to hit play when it hits the streamers. Aside from thirsting over Murphy, this movie looks sick. It also gives my couch potato heart the promise of closure that I am not sure the show had the chance to give to fans who watched it in real time. So, this is one of those times being late works in my favor. Sorry to everyone who had to wait an eternity for this while I just hop into the express lane.
Re/Member: The Last Night (2025)
Six high school students are forced to break a curse in order to escape a deadly time loop. Re/Member has been on my list since it landed on Netflix. It is a Japanese horror based on a popular manga about kids dying in a time loop. So, all those words lead me to believe this is my kind of party. However, I never got around to it and am so ashamed. Which is why I’m double-focusing on both movies this month. I hope they give me nightmares because that is the only way I will learn my lesson. I also just really miss horror movies that are actually scary.
That Night (2026)
A single mother gets entangled with a murder, and her sister’s attempts to help backfire. This limited series is a Spanish Netflix Original, and it looks fun. Listen! I also firmly believe in supporting women in crime, and I get the impression this group will commit at least a couple of crimes. I am ready for some murder, secrets, drama, and thrills! This winter was rough and I want to feel alive this April. I am hoping that this might be the binge to do it. Wish me luck and I will see you on the other side!
I know it is no surprise that I will be avoiding the outdoors this month. However, I appreciate Netflix for making it easy for me. Why would I go anywhere when I have these titles at home? Thanks for reading my thoughts on all these things I hope I like. Feel free to let us know what you’re watching this month in the comments.


