Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) goes from small-town golden girl to haunted survivor in I Know What You Did Last Summer, a film that asks: what if your worst mistake came back with a hook? This week, we unravel Julie’s guilt, paranoia, and transformation from trembling honor student to one of the most iconic Final Girls of the late ’90s. We talk about the wave of post-Scream slashers, Y2K fashion, that iconic screaming-in-the-street scene, and why this movie is pure seaside teen trauma.Spoiler Warning: This episode contains major spoilers for I Know What You Did Last Summer and the sequel that… maybe we all kinda forgot?Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.comIf you’re loving the pod, leave us a rating or review—no secrets, just support.
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Senator Roan from The Purge: Election Year
For Final Girls' 4th of July episode, we're diving into a character who isn't just a survivor; she’s a force. In The Purge: Election Year (2016), Elizabeth Mitchell’s Senator Charlie Roan transforms personal trauma (watching her family murdered during a Purge) into a fierce political campaign to abolish the ritual once and for all. This week, we discuss Senator Roan's Final Girl energy, whose platform puts her directly in danger. We also ponder whether she's really the star of this movie, and if Frank Grillo is a Final Daddy.Spoiler Warning: This episode contains The Purge: Election Year spoilers, political violence, and a pulse-pounding fight for democracy.If you’re loving Final Girls, drop us a rating or review—it helps more resistance-loving scream queens find the show before the next Purge night.Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.com
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Tammy from 28 Weeks Later
Tammy may not be the most famous Final Girl, but in 28 Weeks Later (2007), she’s sprinting for her life through one of the bleakest apocalypses ever put on screen. This week, we delve into Tammy’s fight to survive the Rage Virus outbreak, her dual roles as both caretaker and survivor, and her remarkably concise Final Girl arc in the final ten minutes.Spoiler Warning: The infection spreads fast, and so do the 28 Weeks Later spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.If you're loving Final Girls, leave us a rating or review—it helps more horror fans find the pod before the next outbreak hits.Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.com
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Dani from Midsommar
Sometimes healing means burning it all down. For our summer Solstice episode, we’re not going it alone. This is our very first episode with guests, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome our friends Cory and Rossa from Broomsticks and Bloodshed to the pod! Together, we step into the sun-drenched nightmare of Midsommar (2019), where grief blooms into ritual and heartbreak transforms into something far more powerful.We unpack Dani’s earthy catharsis, the film’s lush, unsettling symbolism, and how creepy cult aesthetics make Midsommar one of the most haunting (and unfinished) modern Final Girl arcs.Broomsticks and Bloodshed’s InstagramBroomsticks and Bloodshed’s BlueskyBroomsticks and Bloodshed’s Rosemary’s Baby episodeOur Rosemary’s Baby episodeSpoiler Warning: The flowers are blooming, the fires are burning, and the Midsommar spoilers are plentiful.If you’re loving Final Girls, leave us a rating or review, it helps more witches find the coven.Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.com
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Jen from Revenge
Jen starts Revenge (2017) as the sexy, sidelined girlfriend, only to rise reborn in blood as one of the most viscerally unhinged Final Girls of the last decade. This week, we delve into the Final Girl journey in Coralie Fargeat’s neon-drenched takedown of the male gaze, Jen’s brutal transformation from victim to avenger, and why this film is a must-watch for fans of rage, resilience, and very creative use of a beer can.We’re talking trauma, body horror, and full-throttle survival in the desert—with enough symbolism and guts to keep your head spinning and your stomach clenched.CONTENT NOTE: We discuss a scene of SA from the film.Link to No Bodies’ Good 4 Her: Femme Revenge Films Part 1Link to No Bodies’ Good 4 Her: Femme Revenge Films Part 2Unfortunately, the app we referred to is no longer available, but you can find a similar one here.Spoiler Warning: This episode contains Revenge spoilers, graphic content, and one awesome Phoenix.If you’re loving Final Girls, leave us a rating or review—it helps more rage-filled angels find the pod.Theme by Max AnsonVisit us at www.final-girls.com
Final Girls is a dynamic podcast that dives deep into the world of horror by examining one iconic final girl per episode. Co-hosted by Kellie and Sarah — both UC Davis alumni with strong academic backgrounds — each installment dissects the tropes, triumphs, and challenges of these resilient characters. Drawing from Kellie’s expertise in Human-Computer Interaction and Film, and Sarah’s insights from History and Political Science, the show brings a unique blend of sharp analysis and genuine passion to every discussion.
Each episode explores the final girl's journey in detail, from the creative escape scenes that have become cult favorites to the narrative complexities that define their battles against overwhelming odds. Final Girls celebrates the spirit of women who fight back, inviting listeners to rethink classic horror tropes and appreciate the empowering narratives that make these characters enduring cultural icons.
This podcast is not only a must-listen for horror enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling, gender, and cultural critique.
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