News

Editorial: Netflix’s ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ Moves Diversity to the Foreground

Published

6 years ago

October 28, 2018

**Author’s note: This discussion of the diversity in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina does contain a few spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. It’s almost hard to believe that in 2018 words like “diversity” and “inclusion” are seen as “liberal”, “socialist”, and “weak”, but here we are and it seems like the mere mention of these words can set off a storm of negative and nasty reactions. This seems especially so when it comes to entertainment. Fortunately, many filmmakers and showrunners have opted not to listen to these loud, offensive voices, and Netflix’s new Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a prime example of inclusion in storytelling and casting. The new Netflix series boasts a cast of characters and actors who are racially diverse and represent multiple facets in both gender and sexual orientation. What’s more, their inclusion isn’t in the background. It’s not an afterthought. These characters and the actors who play them are integral to the world of Greendale and Sabrina’s life. Take Sabrina’s cousin, Ambrose Spellman, for example. Played by black, British actor Chance Perdomo, Ambrose is a powerful, openly pansexual warlock. Forced into house arrest after conspiring to blow up the Vatican, Ambrose chafes at his confinement but it has strengthened his familial relationship with Sabrina. He is a confidant and adviser who knows all too well how dangerous the Church of Night can be.

Ambrose Spellman (Chance Perdomo) in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Photo by Diyah Pera/Netflix)

Then there’s Sabrina’s friend, Susie Putnam. Early on, we discover that Susie is non-binary, meaning that they do not identify as either totally male or female. The non-binary identification is a sticking point for many who do not understand that gender is not a binary construct as we have often been taught in western society but rather a spectrum with many shades of grey. What’s more, the showrunners at Netflix went one step further than we’ve seen with many projects lately and cast non-binary actor Lachlan Watson in the role. Having a non-binary character like Susie played by the openly non-binary Watson seems especially important in the U.S. at the moment as the federal government actively works to remove protections from discrimination for gender non-conforming, non-binary, and transgender identities.

Susie (Lachlan Watson) and Rosalind (Jaz Sinclair) in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Photo by Diyah Pera/Netflix)

And then there are the sheer number of powerful, racially diverse women of varying ages in key roles throughout the series. Miranda Otto’s Zelda Spellman radiates power even in her most vulnerable moments while Lucy Davis’ Hilda Spellman is a bundle of joy wrapped in emotional strength. Tati Gabrielle’s Prudence is the deliciously wicked leader of the three self-proclaimed Weird Sisters and Jaz Sinclair is a mortal learning to embrace her power as a young woman in the role of Rosalind Walker. And let’s not forget the mysterious and conniving Mary Wardell played by the talented and beguiling Michelle Gomez! But why is this all important? Why does this spectrum of representation matter? Earlier this year, I ran a series of articles celebrating queer identity and inclusion in the horror genre and the amount of comments that I read on those articles implying that inclusion was “shoving the gay agenda down people’s throats” was both remarkable, disheartening, and entirely predictable. I’m not certain what level of fragility in one’s sexuality and identity one has to have in order for it to feel threatened merely by the inclusion of a character outside your own experience, but I’m almost positive it must be similar to that of sugar glass. Unfortunately, this happens not only with queer inclusion, but reminding you again that it’s 2018, this is still true for women and people of color, where horror films with ethnic leads are labeled “too urban” and women are still expected to be two-dimensional sex objects ready to drop their clothing at a moment’s notice to titillate young male audiences. Which leads me to a couple of stumbling blocks in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. There is a very thin line between sexuality and sexualized and there were times when the show wavered on that line. Kiernan Shipka’s Sabrina finds herself naked (no frontal nudity) more than once in the ten-episode series, and while the instances were, for the most part, missing the male gaze that we so often ascribe to the lens that captures female nudity, it is a bit disheartening when one remembers that regardless of the actress’ age, the character is only 16. Then there is a scene early in the season in which Sabrina and her fellow witches use their magic to trick the four bullies who have been tormenting Susie into making out with each other at which time they take photographs of them and threaten to blackmail with them. Certainly it was effective on those bullies, but I wonder if it isn’t a bit tone-deaf in a series that is doing so many good things for queer people otherwise to make somewhat of a joke out of sexuality in this moment. It especially becomes troublesome later when it is revealed that one of those young men was molested as a child. Even with a few missteps, however, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is doing far more for normalized representation than many other offerings we’ve had of late. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season One is available in its entirety on Netflix and I would encourage anyone who is a fan of inclusive horror to dive into this interesting and progressive new series. Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

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News

A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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News

Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Timothy Rawles

atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

^{Airport ’75}

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

^Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

^Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

^{The Clovehitch Killer}

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

_Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

^Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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