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What women want: to embrace their inner monsters
Feb 26, 2025
Aisha Harris, co-host of Pop Culture Happy Hour, dives into the chilling yet captivating world of women’s internal struggles as depicted in recent films. They dissect how movies like 'The Substance' and 'Nosferatu' artistically manifest themes of self-loathing and societal pressure. Harris highlights the impact of beauty standards on women’s self-image and explores the emotional isolation faced by female characters. The conversation reveals the tension between desire and shame, shedding light on the quest for self-acceptance in a world filled with grotesque expectations.
22:31
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Quick takeaways
- Recent films like 'The Substance' illustrate women's struggles with self-loathing and societal beauty standards through grotesque body horror narratives.
- In 'Baby Girl', the internal conflict of a high-powered CEO grappling with societal expectations and personal desires highlights women's complex relationship with pleasure and shame.
Deep dives
Exploring Female Disgust and Self-Loathing
Several recent films highlight women's struggles with self-loathing and societal expectations. In the film 'The Substance,' Demi Moore portrays a woman grappling with the pressures of aging and beauty, as she takes a drug that temporarily restores her youth but spirals into a gruesome cycle of body horror. This film reflects the toxic standards imposed on women, showcasing moments where the protagonist examines her appearance in a mirror, illustrating her deep-seated insecurities. The portrayal emphasizes how unattainable beauty ideals can lead to damaging behaviors, resonating with viewers' own experiences of self-doubt and external judgment.
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