One Halloween movie recommendation
A kitschy, technicolor nightmare.
I detest horror movies. There’s enough horror in the real world, thank you very much. I don’t need it as my entertainment. Gore imprints itself in my mind; even the trailer for a horror movie will keep me up at night. But, there is one horror movie I don’t just tolerate, but enjoy re-watching and remembering. The Love Witch came out in 2016, a gory year imprinted in most of our minds. Directed by feminist filmmaker Anna Biller, the film is an allegory for the way men fear the innate, intuitive power of women—an examination of the femme fatale trope with a 1960s technicolor pulp color palette.
Biller explores her cinematic worlds from the female gaze. Thus, the dreamy, color-block aesthetic of The Love Witch. The protagonist, Elaine Parks, played by Samantha Robinson, is a modern witch whose powers of seduction leave a trail of dead lovers in her wake. Biller has shared that it took years to find the perfect set pieces at vintage stores and salvage yards. She handmade the costumes in the Renaissance mock wedding scene. The care shows.
In an interview with The Guardian, Biller opens with this quote about the film: “The big question is what would happen if men loved women as strongly as women want them to; the way women crave to be loved by men. Men are known for being much less emotional than women, but, in my experience, they’re much more emotional. And that’s why they won’t, or can’t, open that gate–it would destroy them. And that’s what kills all the men in my movie–having to experience their own feelings.”
The sets and costumes are a decadent treat, the score is a time machine to the 60s, and the humor is dry. If you’re looking for spooky chic, give it a watch. If you need to convince a man to watch The Love Witch, just tell him it was shot on 32mm film. Men love 32mm film.
Happy Halloween!
Until next week,
Elizabeth
This newsletter is just one facet of Zhuzh, my platform dedicated to conscious consumption and making space for delight. I offer secondhand-and-vintage-based wardrobe and interior styling services, art curation, and super chill life coaching. Keep up with me on Instagram and learn more at www.zhuzhlife.com.