Robin J.

The 5 Stages of Watching an Ari Aster Film A 31 Screams first-time watch: 'Midsommar' (2019)

I watched Midsommar for the first time this past weekend for Riot Fest: 31 Screams... I'm still working through my feelings - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/the-5-stag...

Redefining Horror: On 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' & the Art of Unease Week 2 of 31 Screams begins with a film that proves the scariest part isn’t the escape – it’s what follows.

One of my favorite horror films of the last 20 years isn't widely recognized as a horror. That needs to change - Redefining Horror: On 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' & the Art of Unease open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

BHHC #14: Spades, Survival, and the Politics of Black Horror Riot Fest Opening Night: The Blackening

Kicking off "Riot Fest:31 Screams" with a new Black Horror History Corner entry - BHHC #14: Spades, Survival, and the Politics of Black Horror open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Introducing Riot Fest: 31 Screams One horror(ish) film for every day of October

Halloween arrived early over at Riot Wrrrd! - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/introducin...

BHHC# 13: *Deep Negro Spiritual Sigh* Black Horror History Corner – or BHHC for short – is an ongoing series focusing on Black horror films of the past and present.

#Run wasn't a great horror/sci-fi film, but it made me weirdly optimistic about the genre... Okay, just hear me out -
open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Reflections on Pedro Pascal’s Hot Girl Summer Three films. One summer. Did Hollywood's new it-guy deliver?

A movie star is born? - On #PedroPascal’s Hot Girl Summer open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Pete Davidson Enters His Scream Queen Era What a unique snowflake this movie is... (Summerween #2)

#PeteDavidson stepped out of his comfort zone with a new #horror flick that's more than meets the eye... Get it? Eye? Because there's an eye in the marketing collateral...? Nevermind. - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/pete-david...

We Need to Talk About the Cat in 'Sorry, Baby' And that’s the problem…

Eva Victor's new film is a quiet & thoughtful meditation of trauma recovery, but is a feline companion stealing the show? - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/we-need-to...

Michael is the only Black character and a lot of what's happens hinges on him, but no one ever takes the time to really get to the heart of who he is or what actually he cares about... That's the kind of the point, no? Isn't that the ultimate commentary performative white activism?

Pale Tales: Red Flags, Stirrup Chats, and Emotional Avoidance "Girls" Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2: None of these decisions are good decisions... Ah, the memories.

A rewatch recap series? Sure... - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/pale-tales...

When Rage Finds Its Rhythm On 'Ballerina' & grief's urge to destroy... Plus a new recap series announcement.

#Ballerina was one of my favorite films this year, but for very personal reasons - open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Half a Year, Half a Brain, and a Whole Mess Are we even really here? A midyear superlative spiral because half the year is already over apparently.

A bootleg midyear review: Half a Year, Half a Brain, and a Whole Mess - open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Poisoned Peaches: You Thought the Karen Read Trial Was Messy? Season 3 of 'Ginny & Georgia' heads to the courtroom as The Mayoress Murderess stands trial.

From the other side: season 3 through Georgia's perspective. Plus the perfect playlist - open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Poisoned Peaches: My Bad, Y’all In which I lacked self-control and finished ‘Ginny & Georgia’ season 3 way ahead of schedule.

Supposed to be a weekly #GinnyandGeorgia recap. Accidentally watched the whole season. Now I’m unpacking character arcs one at a time. Full Ginny breakdown + playlist is up now. - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/poisoned-p...

In Which a Romcom Warrants a Sunday Bonus Post On a whim, I decided to get a 10:10 pm ticket to see Materialists.

#Materialists is meandering at best, and callously irresponsible at it's worst - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/in-which-a...

Songs I Hope to Love Again Remembering my mother in melody

Went back to my #music writing roots and launched a new series today on my Substack called soundtracked. The first entry goes back to where my love of music started: my mom -
riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/songs-i-ho...

Empathy.exe Not Found On 2025’s ‘Companion’ & the real price of emotional automation

I wrote about "Companion" a little while ago and finally decided to post it on RW! Is this my first venture into the #filmsky community? - Empathy.exe Not Found open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

The Weight of Duty: Kendra the Black Vampire Slayer Unpacking season two with an in-depth look at the show's most underappreciated character.

In honor of the anniversary of the #Buffy series finale, I dropped a new "7 by 7" essay... At this rate, I think I'm on pace to finish the series by 2054. - open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

HEY KID YOU WANT TO BE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

I've heard that Hilary Swank will be a series regular if the show gets renewed for season 4. I'm curious to see a full season arc for adult a Melissa.

The Blood Hive Diaries: The First Ever Antler Awards Letting the wilderness choose the best of 'Yellowjackets' season three.

#Yellowjackets may have concluded its 3rd season last week, but that doesn't mean The Blood Hive Diaries is done yet - open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

I might be the last person who still has sympathy for teen Shauna. She did lose a baby and has had no way to healthily process that trauma, the rage makes sense. I'm also leaning toward Callie murdering Lottie - if Lottie was murdered, I'm still not 100% sure. And lol at "switching out lesbians."

The Blood Hive Diaries: Kill Your Darlings 'Yellowjackets' Season 3, Episode 9: As we head towards a finale that's sure to be bloody, 'Yellowjackets' reminds us that no one is safe.

We're careening towards the #Yellowjackets season finale and the writers are closing up some loose ends. The recap is up - open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

Same. It was the first film I saw as a girl who was going through my own struggles that made feel a little less isolated.

Girl, Interrupted I think attempts to explore how society tries to classify women as mentally ill when they don't fit into a pre-approved mold. It also explores the fact that mental health can look different for different people - there isn't a one-size-fits-all fix.

Yeah, I've been giving the Callie stuff more thought. There's something going on with her for sure. She's a little too eager to convince Jeff that Shauna is being delusional. Idk, I can't trust any of these characters right now lol. Everyone is shady.

The Blood Hive Diaries: A Plague of Trauma 'Yellowjackets' Season 3, Episode 8: This show is gaslighting me in real time, and I don’t know if I love it or hate it.

It's Friday, so we know what that means - a new #Yellowjackets episode and a new recap: open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

With a Song in My Heart, I Bid You Adieu (Part II) A definitive ranking of the best emo songs ever.

Part II and the playlist are up now - riotwrrrd.substack.com/p/with-a-son...

With a Song in My Heart, I Bid You Adieu (Part I) A definitive ranking of the best emo songs ever.

Dropped a rare Monday post. Felt like stoking a little controversy this morning for the #emo kids.

open.substack.com/pub/riotwrrr...

It'd be a heck of a twist if it was Jeff, but I'm starting to think Lottie just fell down the stairs.