Who Gets to Survive: The Final Girls of Horror
Horror movies are best known for their monsters and villains \u2013 but there\u2019s another half to the equation. The Final Girls who survive horror films and live to see another sequel have been fueling the genre for half a century. Freddie Krueger met his match in Nancy. Michael Myers can\u2019t outwit Laurie. Ripley is the ultimate survivor of Alien movies. But the trope of the Final Girl has gone through an evolution in recent years. I talk with Robin Means Coleman, University of Virginia professor and author of the book Horror Noire, about the underlying issues of race and gender in who gets to be considered a Final Girl, and why she coined the term Enduring Women. Cultural critic Jenika McCrayer guides us through modern day Final Girls, who are more diverse and complex. And PhD student Morgan Podraza maps out the evolution of Jamie Lee Curtis\u2019s character in the Halloween franchise, from innocent high schooler to gun-toting grandma.\nThis week's episode is sponsored by Sol Reader and Henson Saving\n\nGo to solreader.com to and use the code IMAGINARY at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of Sol Reader Limited Edition.\n\nVisit hensonshaving.com/imaginary to pick the razor for you and use the code \u201cimaginary\u201d to get two years' worth of blades free with your razor \u2013 just make sure to add them to your cart.\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices