Movies
‘Tarantula’ (1955), and the Existential Politics of Big Bugs
Tarantula (1955) is a cult classic giant spider movie that embodies 1950s nuclear fears. With eerie effects and a chilling Arizona desert setting, it captures Cold War anxieties, making it a standout atomic age horror flick.
The 1950s were a decade defined by fears of nuclear war, outdated gender norms, and conservative values that overtook the general population, creating a country of ultra-patriotic bigots. Thank God this country isn’t like that anymore. Right? Jokes and politics only somewhat aside, the current, very real fear of nuclear warfare was, of course, ever more present in the 1950s. This is what created the “Atomic Age” of horror. Fear of nuclear radiation led to filmmakers producing a plethora of “giant” everything movies. Giant wasps (Monster from Green Hell), giant ants (Them), and even giant lizards (The Giant Gila Monster).
Tarantula (1955): The Ultimate Atomic Age Giant Spider Classic
In Japan, monster movies took a slightly different approach, with the original Godzilla being a slow-paced drama and existentially terrifying metaphor for Hiroshima. American versions of this were much cheesier, but still had a similar terror. And they absolutely ruled the silver screen. However, one mammoth bug from Universal Pictures towers above them all. Tarantula from 1955, from It Came from Outer Space director Jack Arnold, is one of the greatest giant spider movies of all time, and definitely a cult classic that has earned its spot as one of the finest atomic age monster flicks.
The story follows Dr. Matt Hastings (John Agar) and Scientist Stephanie Clayton (Mara Cordray) attempting to understand and help stop a gigantic, mutated Tarantula from wreaking havoc on a small Arizona town. The creature stems from genetic and nuclear testing, having escaped from a desolate desert lab.
Not only is it a creepy, enthralling, suspenseful, and charm-filled novelty of its time, but it also carries the weight of existential dread hiding under the surface of the era.
Why Tarantula Stands Out Among Atomic Age Monster Flicks
Spiders are eternal creatures of discomfort in horror. From realistic creepy crawlies like Arachnophobia (1990) to giants in kitschy flicks like Eight Legged Freaks (2002), all the way back to Arachnida the human spider in The Show (1927), these arachnids have been causing nightmares since the birth of cinema. Still, the idea of a giant tarantula flick, especially one from the 50s’, probably does not ring true as particularly scary.
Maybe cheesy? Campy? Even laughably bad? While yes, Tarantula is as much of a cheese-fest as it sounds, the spider is genuinely eerie. At the very least, it is one of the scariest of this era.
Firstly, the spider is not a cheap rubber prop, but an actual, edited in tarantula. Maybe still campy, but definitely creepier. The dated nature of the effects give the monster an eerie, ominous present, appearing almost like this foreboding dark shadow of death and destruction. The Arizona desert setting also lets the film seep into an almost surrealist, Lynchian quality. Seriously, it is genuinely one of the scarier entries from this period, truly standing the test of time.
The pure emptiness, overtaken by its overcast shadow of nightmarish dread, is genuinely chilling and helps it stand out amongst the rest of these types of movies. An artistic effort was made, which makes for sci-fi suspense that still adds up.
How 1950s Duck-and-Cover Drills Fueled Existential Horror
In 2025, kids in schools regularly practice bomb and school shooting drills, living in a modern state of fear. Times change, but mass fear is embedded in a country with so many skeletons in the closet. In the 1950s, kids from elementary school onward prepped for a nuclear apocalypse. Everyone is familiar with the morbidly funny Duck-And-Cover PSAs, and shows like Fallout continue to foster these atomic-aged aesthetics. Although they went about it with a sense of cheery Suburban optimism, it was an underlying existential horror to constantly be wary of nuclear apocalypse.
Post World War 2, with the H-Bomb developed and the Cold War with Soviet Russia rising, filmmakers began to process these fears with something more whimsical. This, of course, is where these atomic-age bugs come in.
Tarantula’s Giant Spider: A Metaphor for Cold War Nuclear Terror
Tarantula is one of many movies featuring giant insects. While not exposed to traditional nuclear radiation, this massive spider is the product of unexplored scientific testing involving radioactive isotopes, feeding into that fear.
Cheesy as they are, these movies illicit a greater metaphoric terror. The gargantuan nature of these insects symbolizes how small Americans felt. During the Cold War, there was only so much people could do to prepare for what would undoubtedly be the end of the World. Unlike the Godzilla film of Japan, the monsters were not battled with other beasts or allied monsters in these movies. It is many ant-sized humans up against one greater threat.
These were drive-in, blockbuster flicks, almost like MCU films of their days. Still, the horror is rooted in something more profound and human.
Tarantula is a clearcut symbol of nuclear terror, and the feeling of being small when faced up against an existential threat. And these films should be reflected on now more than ever. With the world in political turmoil, and fear of nuclear war ever present, processing these fears through the guise of a giant spider movie may be the perfect way to relieve tension in troubling times.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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)
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.
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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