June 27, 2022:
It was fascinating to watch this through the lens of my disability. Ehlers-Danlos has caused my body to deteriorate. My joints become more and more lax, my gait has become more and more wobbly, my pain levels continue to increase. In my youth I was a ballet dancer; I was the first in my class to go en pointe. I developed POTS symptoms before EDS, and I didn’t understand why I was dizzy and couldn’t focus on my turns and spins like before. My body was no longer under my control…and it continues to change as I age. Watching this movie as someone with these progressive disabilities made me feel seen, oddly enough, although I will never be luring beautiful people to my mountain to touch and hurt them. Horror is and has always been the perfect vehicle for exploring grief.

That being said, please know that in my new life as a disabled person, I feel more myself than I ever have. I can’t put a finger on exactly why, but after have said all that, know that I am okay. I feel deeply for Pearl, but I am fine. ♥️

April 10, 2023:

First time rewatching it after seeing Pearl, and I love the continuity. The wheelchair in the cellar hits differently.

I love how this movie has definite visual callbacks to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Pearl to The Wizard of Oz. Looking forward to Maxxxine’s.

Noted this time that Howard served in both World Wars. Did he reenlist to get away from Pearl’s crazy for a while? ( )