Abject Women: The Greatest Horror of All

[@BroeyDeschanel]

Hello! My friend Hannah and I started a podcast :) it's called Rehash, and it's all about social media phenomenons that once took the world by storm, only to be quickly forgotten! We're releasing episodes weekly, which you can find here (and wherever you get your podcasts): anchor.fm/rehashpodcast

[@zeynepgulsu1899]

you must be kidding? I've never seen so much nonsense, this much distortion in a video. now for half an hour you tried to prove that what the first english patient actor said is true. we can continue to be miserable, let's enjoy suffering, we do it to ourselves, it's okay? If women are so fond of abjection, why do you give examples from recent times? Is it only women who like body horror movies, men don't, life cannot be viewed only from a woman's perspective, it is not possible to always separate women from men, which is sexism. the examples you gave from female comedians have been done by male comedians for years. the fact that jennifer's body is not liked is not a good horror movie, we know that the people who are killed will be killed long before they are killed, we are not surprised, we are forced to watch something we know, there is black humor in the movie, it is not a horror movie, it is black comedy. about women's indulgence in true crimes, ha ha, how can you be so blind, who are blamed for criminals, have you ever seen fathers blamed, mothers are blamed, women watch real crimes to not to not be the mother of criminals, which no matter how much they learn it's useless, one bad father is enough to make a child delinquent, the problem is fathers, fathers have a lack of love in their children, not mothers. fathers need to show compassion to their children, and mostly they don’t, they are supposedly preparing children for a real life, injustice life, they made life this way injustice.

[@rooboatdeer22yu51]

You could argue that taking time removing your societal programming that Has negative effects and healing is getting back to the pure version of ourselves . I don't like purity culture at all. People May took an idea and warped it to control others. The cycle of the collective ego continues. The way you can access calm, center, and full connection with self often is by facing fears. accepting and forgiving yourself (& others) for mistakes made.

[@Wendy_Cedeno]

@@zeynepgulsu1899 GET A LIFE

[@zeynepgulsu1899]

@@Wendy_Cedeno bu düşünce değil, beynin varsa göster

[@ripwednesdayadams]

I just went to add it to my podcast library when my eyes fell on the Man Repeller episode. I was literally just thinking about what happened to that site the other day and did a deep dive. Random coincidence? It’s probably the algorithm but idc- your content was made for me. Can’t wait to listen/watch everything you put out. You have quickly become one of my favorite creators.

[@josephcarver5860]

The female vampire makes more sense as a female than male. If the typical woman was approached by a pale guy in the middle of the night and he tried to seduce her. She would probably just go “Handbag, use pepper spray.” But if the typical man was approached by a pale woman in the middle of the nigth and tried to seduce him. He would definatly just go “This alleyway looks good enough.” It would be embarrassingly easy for female vampires.

[@ameliag8574]

this is the plot of the movie a girl walks home alone at night! would def recommend

[@crablegs.]

nailed it

[@Snormite]

But vampires are more than that, they are ancient creatures in positions of power using their status to lure victims, and served as a metaphor for how the powerful fed off the blood from those below them... But even if we take that out of the equation, a vampire doesn't needs to "lure you in" with words, they can just chase someone walking alone in the night and pounce on them with their superior speed and strength, not to mention that they can also go for male victims instead of female ones alone.

[@DecarabiaSMT]

"Don't talk about blood, spit, vomit, shit or piss. That's not feminine and it's upsetting" "Childbirth is the most beautiful thing ever" 😒

[@nancybevan9382]

Thank you. Shit, you can even go further with that eye roll with "pregnancy is so beautiful/look at her glow." I'm currently 6 months pregnant, and I have never felt less feminine and more unattractive than I do now and it's nearly impossible to verbalize this to my male partner. The constant urinating/threats of a UTI, the vaginal discharge, the increased acne/sebum on your face, your body temperature being at an all-time high leading to constant sweating, dealing with constipation, weird body odor due to fluctuating hormones, and watching your body grow larger when society tell you that this is not the proper way to look. For me, it hasn't been pretty. And I find myself purposefully going to prenatal appointments alone because I don't want to have to expose my partner to this "grossness." I'm looking forward to being a mother, but I wish we could be honest about the pregnancy process outside of silly ensemble cast comedy movies.

[@philmcclenaghan7056]

You seem to be mixed up here. I take it you are saying "society" say those things, ie. Men. Men don't say both those. Women say child birth is beautiful. Men don't.

[@JDM-is-my-name]

@@philmcclenaghan7056 both statements are statements that women often say and the reason why is because women, as a whole, are being forced into a mindset where children, what many men think is the purpose of women, are beautiful and precious. It is a thought pattern that creates the "Childbirth is beautiful" sentiment. Men want to have children - > women can have children + the female body is inheritanly gross and sinful (old religious thinking, but still enforced) - > women are inherently horrible creatures, unless they conform + women must be feminine and beautiful and adhere to my (the man's) preferences - > social pressure om the women to conform = women try to apply the sentiment of "Women must be what a man wants" with "Womenhood is inheritanly horrific and terrible and sinful" and that often ends up in thought like "A women must be a virgin to be appealing" contradicting with the thought that "Women are only sexy if they have experienced in sex" and thoughts like "Women's bodies are made purely for men and the creation of children" and the thought that "Women's bodies are horrible, terrible and terrifying" The thought that "Childbirth is beautiful" comes from a place where women are trying to fit the many thoughts and opinions about the female body together, so they make sense. It's good to be a virgin, but having a period and not being pregnant is gross. The female body is terrifying and gross, but it's good that it can be pregnant. A woman has to be pure of heart and body or else the man is sold a "used product", but women who are virgin are boring and frail. There are so many things that lead back to the objectification of the female body and women's way of interpretation all the mixed messages and the example of "Childbirth is beautiful" fits like a glove. This became an essay comment, but msot of mine do, I hope I didn't lose you along the way because I am trying to become better at making my comments more understandable

[@DecarabiaSMT]

@@philmcclenaghan7056 i haven't mixed up anything. I have heard multiple versions of both statements from men and women, especially christian men. And yes, i meant this comment as "these are conflicting statements in society" idk why you'd assume my position that I'd consider "society" to be only men, when i don't believe that. I'm not gonna make any assumptions about your character or spectate why you felt the need to reply to a KZbin comment with a "men don't say these things" type of statement, but I do know for a fact that you are not the spokesperson for every man on planet earth. Adios

[@anzabi1543]

@@philmcclenaghan7056 right. Women try to say it's beautiful to remind women they're still women. Men don't even believe pregnancy is beautiful, they know their wives etc will be in utter pain and danger and still expect them to carry out their offspring. You're not building a very good case for men rn ^^

[@CaptainWyatt]

"Tear jerkers, fear jerkers, and just plain jerkers" was a great line

[@yeoldegeorgemac]

I think that a huge part of what makes “good for her” movies and the monstrous feminine so compelling for female viewers is that women are not allowed any form of catharsis within society except destruction, usually ultimately of the self. It’s a reflection of our frustrations put into resolute climax and I think that fantasy of (kind of) relief shows something interesting.

[@k80_]

“It is women who love horror. Gloat over it. Feed on it. Are nourished by it. Shudder and cling and cry out- and come back for more.” -Bela Lugosi “I used to rebel by destroying myself, but realized that’s awfully convenient to the world. For some of us our best revolt is self-preservation.” -Mitski I think it’s so cathartic because it takes the ugly, gross, vulnerable things about people, *especially* women, and leans into it. Heightens it. Actually explores it instead of pushing it down. Because you can’t push down any feeling forever. It provides a great outlet for thinking about or experiencing things we’re told not to, in a safe, consensual way. Edit: oops she says this in the video. Oh well, writing this still helped me think through some stuff

[@amitav5695]

Kind of why Fight Club is popular among men.

[@sonorasgirl]

Not totally related, but EVERY time I read “good for her” it’s now said in Lucille Blooth’s voice 😂

[@sodium5239]

women are done with being subtle

[@nomadpurple6154]

@@sodium5239 There are still enviroments (my old workplace) that don't accept direct women but I am proud to see younger women challenging this more and more. And even more happy to see when the enviroment doesn't adapt to them, they take their talents to better places that deserve them more. let's all stop being subtle!!!

[@imani0nline]

It’s so interesting how repulsed society is when women are vulgar and speak candidly about thier body, it’s so normalized you don’t even notice it. Girls are just raised not to talk about certain things or do certain things because to engage in such behaviour is unladylike.

[@pelmer3948]

Humanity: A species that is smart enough to create incredibly complex feats unlike any other, but is dumb enough to come up with the idea that women's bodily functions are wrong or shouldn't be discussed, and that to do so is wrong.

[@adeponol]

I swear we watch the same videos

[@tierrabutler3577]

Exactly recently I just found out about ph balances

[@Devil_Around_Midnight]

yeah and men have to deal with male violence everywhere they go.

[@JediJuniper92]

Yes!! This comment makes me think of the movie Poor Things.

[@TaraMooknee]

as someone who was pressured to hide any evidence of my period from my male family members - I love this 😈

[@LilayM]

Oh, so it's not just me? Cool. TMI rant: somehow it's okay for my brother's nosebleed wipes to fill up the trash n go all around it, but if blood from my used tampons so much as dares to seep through the layers of TP around it, I'll get a yelling from mom. Mind you, nobody but her ever raised an issue. But yeah - should go w/o saying: sucks that you were put under this pressure. And... thanks for sharing.

[@gabbyb9418]

Taraaaaa I love you 😍 thanks for being such an inspiration! But yeah, agreed. As someone with endometriosis and also had their grandfather ask if there's a HOLE in my uterus bc of ignorance, women's issues are certainly not talked about enough. Somehow, we have barely any research in endo yet 10% of people with uteruses have it. Somehow, people still think pregnancy cures it. Believing there is a cure at all is absolute nonsense! A few extremely drastic treatments, including literal cancer drugs? Yeah, that and birth control are the treatment we get. Sorry, having one of those "I need to have a little blood curdling scream as loud as I can while smashing breakables" kinda days.

[@hunterpower6015]

SAME!

[@anitachandra2030]

Do people still do that in western countries.

[@moonblossom2289]

@@anitachandra2030 ohhh yes, my dad loves horror movies but starts squirming as soon as the concept of periods or even just medical descriptions of how vaginas and uteruses work come up (cant imagine why dudes like this could be bad at sex🙄)

[@fortune_roses]

*Monstrous Feminine* : Medusa, succubus, witches, sirens, harpies... they all allude to *male fragility*

[@wynngwynn]

I love witches

[@AnimeFan-wd5pq]

One thing about these myths that I find interesting is how creatures that are female always need some trait that fulfils the stereotype of women. Fertility, attractiveness, even the protecting of children. Men don’t have to follow these, stereotypes only pulled upon. It all has to come from how the base human in all stories are male and white. The fact it is isn’t terrible, but a little change would be appreciated.

[@MaxxHarleenMurrder]

All my favorite types of women

[@AnimeFan-wd5pq]

@@MaxxHarleenMurrder well… all those tags do exist.

[@Sam-0827]

Medusa’s story is so sad

[@zombelladonna]

I was 14 when Jennifer’s Body came out, and I refused to go see it because of the way it was marketed. At the time I thought Megan Fox was vapid because of the way her character was sexualized in Transformers. Looking back now I realize that it wasn’t her fault, and she’s a genuinely talented actress. But years after it came out I saw Jennifer’s Body and absolutely loved it, and I would’ve loved it as a teenager too. It’s a shame that it was marketed so poorly, because I loved horror and dark humor as a teenager and I’m sure there’s others who had a similar experience with misjudging both the film and Megan Fox.

[@MaxxHarleenMurrder]

Yo same! I refused to see it for so many years and regret it now.

[@TheLily97232]

I watched it with my friend BECAUSE of that (we were girls pressured into oversexualizing ourselves to attract dudes because that was our worth in my country). But I think it did touch us in a deeper way I remember that feeling to that day

[@bryna7]

Same

[@colorfulreason]

Same!

[@Azathqua]

Yeah I remember seeing the trailer and thinking "oh its a Ginger Snaps rip off, I think I'll pass." In my early twenties I finally seen it and I also loved it and felt bad for not giving it a go. I had nothing against Megan Fox, I liked her, I just thought that it was going to be a mainstream shit movie that was taking from a movie that I had loved and identified with growing up.

[@rynthorn1551]

So glad Jennifer's Body is getting it's due. I remember seeing it in the theater as a young 20-something and feeling oddly empowered afterwards. I remember weirdly likening it to the feeling I got watching Sailor Moon for the first time. It was like, both of these media show the image of femininity being used and transformed into a kind of power in a way I do not often see it. So glad to see discussions like this.

[@selty]

Same! I saw it when I was 18 and I thought it was such a cool movie, I didn't know why I liked it so much but my entire female friend group all really connected with it.

[@alexiamattei3781]

I was 7 years old when I saw this movie in theatres for the first time😂. I love it and it became one of my favourite movies

[@flwrsforlay]

Jennifer's Body is actually fucking hilarious.

[@daniellesve5595]

Especially because I related so much to Jennifer in high school, the men around me treating me like an object and I didn't have the vocabulary to express how unhappy it made me. I started crying at the part where she kills the football player because it was so cathartic for me haha say what you want but diablo Cody has *been there*

[@SecretTwilightGirl]

For anyone who wonders how black ppl factor into the overwhelmingly whiteness of feminist film theory and the “male gaze” The Oppositional Gaze by bell hooks is a good deconstruction of some of these theories touched upon here!

[@BroeyDeschanel]

yes! "oppositional gaze" in Black Looks: Race and Representation is an amazing read!

[@EJofKC]

Cool, I'll rabbit hole on this a little bit. To be honest, I was struggling to track at the Abjection definition part of the video until it was contextualized alongside the black experience. I still am pretty uncertain of my own grasp on this, but hey love to continue the dive!

[@emmadasilva1794]

That sounds so interesting! Definitely adding to my reading list

[@nocturnalcove9736]

*The female body continues to be misunderstood* As someone who was diagnosed with obesity when it was actually a non-canerous tumour for nearly a decade, this statement speaks for itself to me.

[@dl-zf9dj]

hearing someone speak fondly about Yhara Zayd made me smile

[@Sam-0827]

Same, her and shanspeare are such good video essay girlies 😍💕

[@Yharazayd]

ma, i'm famous! (brilliant vid, babe 💗💗)

[@dominomasked]

I learned really early on that I was either a sex object or a malfunctioning sex object.

[@emmy_cat_taylor]

now I’m sad but seen

[@ahomefordreams]

felt this

[@ahviouslyanarchy9188]

Right in the pit of my soul

[@MaddieDragsbaek]

brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!! the research, the structure, the editing, the set, the outfit- you nailed this. so thought-provoking and fun to watch, love ur content 💌

[@auntbeast9640]

GIRL I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL

[@Ladyknightthebrave]

I cannot believe you referenced Window Water Baby Moving. We watched that movie in one of my avant-garde film classes and we were not adequately prepared. Also my teacher had a rule about complete silence during the film. So we just sat in the dark claustrophobic room, and slowly distressed whale sounds began to ring out, because we were not prepared and could not contain our horror silently

[@ada3686]

This comment made my day. I was like "I wonder if anyone is going to talk about Window Water Baby Moving in the comments?" I used to show it or parts of it in the back when I taught film. Student reactions to avant-garde film, especially in Intro to Film (where they were less ready for it than higher level film courses) was one of the most exciting parts of teaching because it's the closest you get to getting to experience weird stuff for the first time again. Stuff like showing Un Chien Andalou and then being like "so, thoughts?" never failed to deliver.

[@bunnycrofts8127]

I just started the video so I'm totally in the dark here, but paint me INTRIGUED BOIS.

[@candacesteiger5906]

I don’t understand how this film could elicit horror? Isn’t just a natural home birth of a baby in a tub? I’ve done that twice and it’s wild and powerful but not once would I think of it as horror? My 4 year old has seen images and videos of my birthing her baby sister in a birthing tub. I refuse to let my girls grow up to be adults who see labor and birth as horror. Maybe I’m an abject woman 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

[@katyfive1]

@@candacesteiger5906 It can be horrifying in a bodily sense - and there's plenty of woman who suffer ptsd/post depression, so bare in mind that your experience doesn't link up with everybody. Then there's people with tokophobia. The film Alien is about the horror of birth too - there's room for both positive and negative depictions of the act, but society usually romanticizes birth and never shows the true reality, which can be quite shocking for many. The UN also labels forced birth as torture, because it can be used against women and girls especially in areas of conflict. Even wanted pregnancy can be incredibly damaging and painful - a reality not often discussed to be frank, as if society doesn't want to put women and girls off, this "beautiful act". It can be both beautiful AND horrifying, very much depends on context and who. Edit: also something that still kills over 500 women per day? Is very much in the realm of horror. It’s bodily horror.

[@isanalim5938]

@@candacesteiger5906 idk but I’m a woman and it made me sick to the point I had to lay down. I had never seen a natural birth before, at least not in it’s entirety. I don’t know what this means about me and how I deal with my own womanhood 😅

[@BroeyDeschanel]

guys this is truly my most pretentious, grad school 101 video yet! sorry in advance :P

[@bex8538]

Isn't that what we follow you for? 😂

[@constantsunset9625]

Thank you for taking me to grad school Broey Deschanel!!!🙏🙏

[@poisonedpeanutbutter9475]

Yeah, about that, I have an unrequested suggestion. English is my second language, but I have a degree in Visual Arts and Aesthetics and even I got a headache at some points, but I love it! Though you may want to consider "lowering down" de vocabulary a little bit for the sake of reaching a more diverse audience, since not everyone has the access to the education to decode such encrypted messages, because I have a feeling that most of your audience is just western people with higher education that kind-of-already-knew some information about whatever topic you choose for a video, like myself. So maybe more diversity in the comment section would be fun! Of course, IF that's something you'd want. Anyway, great content as always! I'm a big fan :D

[@icyboi13]

Definitely one of my favorite videos you've ever done.

[@mrdeer111]

😂😂

[@elle_rose_xx]

There is nothing quite like grossing a guy out by talking about your period. 10/10 would recommend. (They shouldn’t be grossed out by it but if they’re going to be pathetic about it may as well make them pay)

[@MathiasKp]

Why would you on purpose trying to gross someone out? So should guys talking about non sexually semen ejection at every time they get a change? Or other body function they don't necessary can control, like getting an unwanted erection?

[@emmy_cat_taylor]

@@MathiasKp if to recoil is one’s knee-jerk response @ the mere mention of anything that is menstrual related - then all I’m doing on purpose is speaking freely about myself- it’s *purposeful* to behave offended by it - and it’s a choice to stay principally ignorant & maintain childish preconceptions just to justify veiled misogyny.

[@jg2783]

​@@MathiasKp ​​My experience of boys and men is they constantly revel in proudly & publicly describing all biologically male bodily functions. Voluntary and involuntary ones. Functions that might be a threat to their image of virile male if personally admitted to (ex. ED) are still openly spoken about as happening to others. As an observer it seems the only truly "gross" & "unspeakable" functions to most men, are the ones that have nothing directly to do with them.

[@tapeball4071]

@@MathiasKp I totally agree with your point - if people can talk freely about their periods and expect others not to be disgusted, then the same should apply to semen, shit, piss, vomit, etc. Discussing your period cramps and discussing your diarheaa are both forms of speaking freely about yourself.

[@RainyDayWolf]

Let me recommend you Excision

[@Fraggle-h7o]

"tear jerkers fear jerkers or just plain jerkers" Stop everything. This is the final and best line of the internet. shut it down, we peaked.its over.

[@emmy_cat_taylor]

It *is the right opinion*

[@MaxOakland]

Seriously

[@blueberrysk1es]

sady doyle’s book “dead blondes and bad mothers” is such a fascinating exploration of the monstrous feminine in horror films, true crime and folklore. it’s also very accessible and pretty funny! it’s honestly one of my favourite books and if you enjoyed this video you’d probably love it 💗

[@kostajovanovic3711]

Ah, Sady not sadly, was confused for a minute

[@kaamn1829]

excellent, thanks for the rec! it sounds like just my stuff!

[@starrr365]

Ooh sounds great! Additional reading could include Body Horror by Anne Elizabeth Moore- I'm about halfway through the reprinting right now and it's fascinating

[@L0LWTF1337]

The scene in Transformers everyone knows, the one where Megan Fox bends over the car while fixing it, actually has her give dialogue where she complains that Men don't take her serious in her profession because of her gender. The writer did intend social commentary there and maybe even Michael Bay might have been in on the joke and framed her as a juxtaposition. But it really does not matter what the intention was if the result clearly was just male gaze overload. I kinda want to make an experimental art film now where during every sex scene someone just reads feminist theory books out loud.

[@liamross340]

like sex scene intro kissing undressing smash cut to the couple sitting down by a fire reading books and talking to the audience about feminist philosophy. like that scene in the big short of margot robbie in a bath drinking champagne explaining stocks

[@cassondralynch6342]

Oh good god.

[@Retrostar619]

A director's true intent reveals itself through execution. In the Fox scene the dialogue is completely at odds with the leering way the scene is filmed. Whether this is done unconsciously (or with a knowing wink) the end result is the same; it ends up overpowering any social message, and we're left with spectacle.. which is Bay's M.O. Contrast this with Jessica Biel's dialogue in Easy Virtue: 'In Detroit, what we lack in dirt, we make up for in filth'. Now, that could be taken as a come-on, but Biel's delivery and the way the scene is staged turn it into something more meaningful, and the director gave his actors the freedom to interpret the dialogue as they saw fit. Execution is everything.

[@Kattlarv]

One thing I have repeatedly come across in all forms of media: Is how people are VERY offended if women do anything a man would. Or, overall: "Acts selfish". As, generally: Women are allowed 3 archetypes: 1: Pleasure men. As their duty. Or for wealth/fame. 2: Wants pregnant. 3: Ice queen. (Almost always evil. As what monster doesn't want 1 or 2?) Like, take the classic "selfish donkey" in a movie, sitcom or whatever. If male: He tricks a girl into sleeping with him, then its exposed, and everyone calls him a bad person. And it's brushed off. And he rides off into the sunset, having been pleasured. If female: She tries to gain money, fame or whatnot by pleasuring a guy. And: Then haha! Turns out that guy is a loser, and we mock the girl for being tricked. It's ALWAYS about pleasuring the man. Similarly, guys can be vulgar about how much they were pleasured. And girls can be vulgar about how many men they have pleasured. But NEVER the opposite. Like, you can have a cartoon where they do graphic sex jokes, show penis on screen and whatnot. But it CANNOT be followed up by a girl expressing having urges or being pleasured. At most: We can get a clinical, medical term PG reference. And I'm more than a little annoyed at it xD Like, where's all my girls with personal urges and needs at? Why is it that THE most graphic joke a female shapeshifter is allowed to make, is to be asked if she turned into a dude?

[@GoblinsAreAGirlsBestFriend]

I would be so interested in someone exploring beyond the traditional "male gaze" and "female gaze" concepts - as a bisexual woman, a lot of material that is labelled "for the male gaze" I find equally stimulating - maybe it's a moot point, now that I'm writing it out... I just think it would be interesting to explore more angles to those theories.

[@Singinghomealone]

i don’t think this would be a bad idea! i’m personally hesitant to call anything “female gaze” bc it implies the woman is the one in power, which is pretty rare in pop media, but non straight women (especially lesbian women) definitely have attraction to things that are deemed “male gaze”. there’s also a lot of stuff that’s not conventionally considered part of that, like muscular/masculine women in butch/stud cultures, that would be really cool to dive into.

[@MeatSnax]

A little over 10 years ago, I went to a performance art exhibit in Brooklyn. It was pretty regular, some guy played a video of himself screaming over clips of Star Wars and the iraq war, a girl spun around until she was falling down, some other goofy Brooklyn art-kid stuff. The host said we were free to hang but the performances were over, when a girl in the crowd holding a bouquet of fake flowers started wrapping her head in plastic wrap. She moved to the center of the room, finished covering her entire head with her hair sticking out, got completely naked, and started chopping her hair off with a barber's straight razor. She got on her knees, still naked, still holding the bouquet with her hair all around her, and a guy came up with a beer bong and funneled a beer into her mouth through a breathing hole in the plastic wrap. It was the most surreal and cathartic piece of art I've ever seen, completely divorced from my personal experience as a straight white dude, and it still changed my life. I remember it vividly and I think about it often.

[@neivilde.1242]

"yhara's videos are required viewing" this is the only time i have com prepared, school wishes

[@marsouinrirou]

starting with the ICONIC fleabag scene, I already know I'm going to love this

[@Fincayra15]

30:00 The reason I cringe when characters continue to do something “gross” despite or unaware of others’ reactions, is the increasing risk of punishment. It can be physical, it can be taking away resources to exist or pleasure, it can be using psychological/emotional/verbal and certain physical abuse to take away or contort my sense of self. I’ve experienced all of these and more personally, and it’s more upsetting than cathartic for me to watch the risk increase. It brings up physical memories of these traumas, an extremely sudden desire to act abjectly, and the horrifying re-realization that I don’t have a writer’s room watching over me.

[@KhalideKashmiri]

I deeply relate to that. For me, the most horrifying thing is a typical American comedy when a usually male main character does something so cringy, so shameful, that it becomes unbearable to watch. I just get up and run when i sense that the film is going in direction of inducing extreme shame and disgust I rarely reacted to abject female behaviour on screen like that, though. I could relate to that, to the constant awareness of not being "feminine" enough, "ladylike" enough and "pure" enough, to the feeling of desperation that's induced by knowledge that i as an individual in truth am human and flawed and gross. It makes me empathize with female characters, feel unity, belonging even

[@Fincayra15]

Oops I meant 24:00

[@Fincayra15]

@@KhalideKashmiri that’s interesting. Do you have some ideas about why you react to male social abjection that way? (If you’re okay with discussing it) I’m thinking about socialized sexism (socialized in the sociology/psychology sense, not political), or fear that they’ll lash out at any characters nearby to replace the shame with anger, or characters will punish him for showing weakness. I’ve been trying to figure out lately why I get so uncomfortable when most men I date act very vulnerable. It worries me that my first reaction isn’t understanding and openness. It feels deeper than being socialized to expect men to not show weakness, because I don’t react this way with close male friends.

[@KhalideKashmiri]

@@Fincayra15 interesting. I used to link that with very simple fact that men in media are usually portrayed as protagonists no matter what, and that they can be cringy, disgusting, stupid, ungainly, untidy, have mommy issues, be losers or 40 y/os without sexual experience, and still deserve love and affection, or at least sympathy. I have never seen a female character in a film in a situation like that (maybe only in marginal media like the girls series), and it's concerning to me. So during those scenes i internalise the events portrayed on screen and that produces an extreme reaction of second-hand shame. To me, as a woman, that amount of shame could be akin to social death, it's simply unacceptable for a woman to be such a mess and still be accepted and cherished. I know i couldn't survive a situation like this and not lie in bed in the middle of the night feeling extreme shame and disgust towards myself decades later. I am still unable to face such scenes, i still walk away sweating with my heart racing but now I know that happens bc i internalise it Hope you are satisfied with my response)))

[@Fincayra15]

@@KhalideKashmiri thank you! That actually helps a lot.

[@ValeriaSarmientoOhDearBooks]

I'm a simple woman, I see Megan Fox on Jennifer's Body and I click.

[@juliah653]

As an angry CSA victim, 8th grade me found so much validation and catharsis in Jennifer’s Body. Something about the raw power and revenge elements was one of those little things that helped me survive.

[@burymeinjhenny918]

I hope you are doing better now

[@juliah653]

@@burymeinjhenny918 so, so much better! I’m 25, happy, in a loving secure relationship, with a job that I love. Not to be cheesy but holy shit, it really does get better!

[@burymeinjhenny918]

@@juliah653 I’m so glad to hear that :,) best of luck and I hope you continue to be happy ❤️

[@zypher1990]

You’ve done it again! I really enjoyed this one. Update: Just watched this again and can I offer that women in rap may hold some of the best examples of Black women getting to be abject. Like, I have a hard time explaining to some people why some rappers and their content isn’t crude to me - I just get it, relate and it speaks to very specific and raw parts of my life.

[@sun_yu_lu]

ahh i love this point!!

[@emmy_cat_taylor]

Wonderfully put

[@jaquitavulpix3418]

Just started, but that opening scene about womanhood being pain sadly is so normal even among (radical) feminists. Contrapoints talked about it too, how for some women being a woman basically means suffering, be it violence from men, menstrual pain or childbirth. I mean, yeah, going through pain and surviving it is something that makes you stronger and all that, but it should not be the essence of your gender identity. edit/PS: Love your content (especially the 'intellectual' parts! I love reading up on your sources^^) and this in particular. My mom, my grandma and me are (were in the case of my grandma :( ) big horror fans while the men in the family tend to not understand why :D

[@laurellee1435]

I get the impression a lot of those women don't have a strong sense of gender identity and that womanhood feels like something that was forced upon them and that they went to great lengths to try to carve out a space within womanhood which was very distant from expectations of femininity. A lot of the transphobic ones often state how if they were young today they would have probably transitioned, and because they're attached to that space within womanhood they carved out, and sometimes a lesbian identity too (often where they found the most community and camaradarie) they get very reactionary about the idea of similar people rejecting those paths and spaces, especially if it affirms womanhood as to do with femininity all as positive things to be proud of and makes their own little box within womanhood feel smaller. I feel that a lot of them if younger probably would be nonbinary, or potentially irritated by a sense of pressure to be nonbinary whilst presenting as they do, being assumed to be a he or a they if they have short hair and boyish clothes etc by well meaning friends etc. It's all mostly irrational but I had a short radfem stage in life which was mostly triggered by my extreme response to watching SA and r*pe on screen making me quite anti most media Esp porn, the r*pey humour at the time. I never felt like a woman. Most of my experience with womanhood is perception of me and projected on to me. But I've always considered myself somewhat genderqueer because this started before puberty and got stronger around puberty regardless of how I was treated by others. I think a lot of the radfems basically have a lot of internal work to do

[@jaquitavulpix3418]

@@laurellee1435 I totally felt/feel this "go to great lengths to try to carve out a space within womanhood which is very distant from expectations of femininity" (as a teen) and for me it was effort to grow into a comfortable version of femininity - one that can be pink and fluffy (which I rejected as a teen) but also all the other things I like that were male-associated and not for girls to be done. It is work to grow up and do that. I appreciate that a lot of female youtubers around my age (early to late 20s) talk alot about that nowadays (eg the backlash back then to Twilight, the 'not like other girls'-thing etc) and it helps me to grow as a person. But what I find very sad is when a feeling of victimhood and pain just becomes all that your identity is. Because it is not, and it should not ever be. A lot of radfems never grew over that feeling of being victimized (by men, society or other women). And it is just so wrong to take that out onto trans people.

[@4651adri]

@@laurellee1435 you don't have to 'feel like a woman' to be one. You simply are born one. You don't choose your gender, society assignes you one depending on that. Redeem want to abolish gender

[@destroyraiden]

Well according to some men must become men through traumatic rites of passage while women are ignored into womanhood.

[@bigooft9521]

Ngl, I don't think this is entirely a terf/radfem thing, and I see it in a lot of libfeminism too! I've actually seen people argue trans women have a place within womanhood/feminism *specifically because* of the violence they experience from cis men! My criticisms of the take aside, 'experiencing gendered violence is what makes people women and/or subject of feminism' is the underlying logic of a lot of feminist thought.

[@ihaps1117]

I've been saying this for like a decade or whatever since this movie came out, Jennifer's Body is so fucking underrated. The Mean Girls type comedy, especially with the backlash from portraying the movie as something purely sexual due to Fox being the star, hits perfectly. **Spoiler** "Ow my tit" "No bitch, your heart"

[@ElectroSocketBlues]

Disability scholars/disabled feminists like Mia Mingus and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha also engage with the abject (in concept if not in name) in their work in fascinating ways! I also see trans people/artists exploring abjection in complex ways, particularly as it relates to the cultural paranoia around medical transition--bodily dissonance, excess, and transformation all obviously have the potential to be pretty resonant themes for trans artists and spectators. Great video!

[@jupiterzombies]

trans (male) and disabled here and can i just say i love artistic depiction of both the abject as well as artistic renditions of beauty of our natural bodies; both are fascinating in their own way

[@5zakuro]

Halfway through this video i realised that abjection is the perfect word for what I've been appreciating about the singer ashnikko. Especially in her older songs (manners is a personal favourite, and blow has my favourite music video) but also in some of her newer stuff (maggots, the halloweenie series) she embraces grossness and childishness and cringyness in such a way that it feels immensely cathartic.

[@cgfmiko]

Yes yes yes!!! That’s exactly it.

[@shwetaaaaaaaaaaaa]

That feeling of power when watching an abject female as a female spectator is so true. I've been able to survive break-ups and literal traumas by watching movies like Gone Girl or reading books like eating pray love. Like, no matter how much the media bashed these works, they're here to empower anyone (especially women) who consume them. I watched Jennifer's body at an impressionable age of 14 and I was genuinely questioning my sexuality when the 'Megan provoking Amanda sexually' scene came on tv. It was so hot! I have only been with men since then but My God, to this day that scene makes me drool. Jennifer's body did a lot of things for me. I can't believe it was initially criticized; for me it is a treat to watch EVERYTIME!

[@Ren-ls4yl]

As someone in grad school, I literally DEVOUR your videos for more readings and interesting analyses. This is my favourite video so far!! Thank you so much for making me keep falling in love with social sciences over and over again :)

[@sub_bacchus]

I read the TW as (fake blood, fake vomit, rotted fruit and fan art) and I can't get it out of my head.

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

The Church of the Algorithm gives this video its blessing, and must it stay clear of the blasphemers from The First Algorithmic Temple (and the many people impersonating their members).

[@cthulhutheendless1587]

Amen

[@Flowertot]

Amen

[@Heothbremel]

So mote it be

[@devoy5611]

So mote it be

[@AammaK]

in ecumenical fashion, amen

[@SecretTwilightGirl]

Saw abject in the title and had to click. If this is referencing who I think it is, I’m in! Julia Kristeva is the Goat.

[@sortingoutmyclothes8131]

The way she says "body" sounds like she's saying "bawdy," which strangely fits perfectly with what she's talking about.

[@vis8259]

Oh wow this is SO cool. This put a lot of feelings into words for me, thank you for your hard work

[@amandae7896]

I would love to see a deep dive of yours on the ethos/ideology/cultural significance of Lana Del Rey throughout her career! A lot of your videos touch on intellectual or aesthetic themes that I think are relevant to understanding what’s going on with her as a persona.

[@lalrinfeliralte4599]

one of the most educational video I've ever watched, thank you for the sacrificial mentioning of lena and amy lol

[@Jason-ue7gi]

Lovely video!!! I think there's really something to be added in about abjectness and femininity from a trans perspective, too- the way that trans people both AFAB and AMAB are often viewed in the lens of their relationship with femininity.

[@beckyginger3432]

Yes! I've been trying to put these into words!

[@DerAykac]

Since Jennifers Body was released twelve years ago, i fail in every way imaginable in understanding why it´s supposed to be a bad movie. Just why? It´s awsome. As in "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil" awsome. EDIT: I feel like you could have mentioned the nurses from Silent Hill.

[@elle_rose_xx]

As someone who is SICK OF MY REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM not being taken seriously and also someone who is in love with Megan fox, this video made me happy

[@andreakostkavelazquez8613]

I haven't even watched this yet because I'm in class but you have got to read Barbara Creed's "Horror and The Monstrous Feminine- An Imaginary Abjection" !! so good

[@ITGirlll]

I loved Jennifer’s Body when it came out & thought the dialogue was amazing, everyone thought I was insane & I did not understand until KZbinrs started talking about it, why other people didn’t like it. Most underrated female film.

[@iputcreamcheeseinmyramen]

this video feels like a long fever dream...it's also incredibly insightful and it finally helped me put into words really well why I love Jennifer's character in Jennifer's Body so much, it really did feel freeing to watch and rewatch that movie

[@emmy_cat_taylor]

@wwrr rrr no no that doesn’t work because it’s literally just normal every day man stuff.

[@sarahmcdonald6980]

literally as I was watching this my Dad walked into the room and I turned it down, so as not to upset him.

[@hotaruhime]

Even if I don't watch a lot of horror movies, the female aspect of them has always been fascinating to me. I'm very happy that you mentioned Julia Ducourneau in this video, I saw both of her movies recently and Titane in particular blew my mind. Her movies are very visceral (with the use of body horror and violence) and so visually interesting at the same time. Highly recommend it !

[@anzabi1543]

Also I love how men are always like "if you wanna be seen as an equal, prove you can do the same things as men! " Like you can't pretend like you're not an oppressor but then act as the oppressors advocate. You wanting us to prove something to you tells me that you do still think men are more capable of anything and everything, and that you're still not willing to give something back. Like how about men prove they are allowed to take care of children like women do. And you can't just work a 40-60 hour week and only be home once on the weekend cause mothers have to be at home with their kids 24/7 or they're called bad mothers. And you can't sleep around cause if we did that we would be called wh*res. And you can't remarry cause you'd be called a gold digger. The list goes on. So as a woman, being abject DOES bring a lot of freedom cause yeah, we have wants and needs too and they aren't to stupendously follow any idiot man's lead ^^

[@morighani]

PERIOD

[@ladyredl3210]

Say it louder, the men in the back need to hear you!

[@j0hnicide]

stay at home dads and loyal men do exist though, they're just emasculated

[@anzabi1543]

@@j0hnicide who said they dort exist?

[@ladyredl3210]

@@j0hnicide sigh. Go troll somewhere else, incel. But, to address this seriously, men should be allowed to be the domestic partner, so to speak, and not be shamed. We all need to work on changing this as a society.

[@MartaRzehorz]

love the vocal fry in the low quality bits; also the vid reminds me of my ideas about the right to be ugly, I do not wanna be called "beauty inside" "beauty in my own way", I want to be just at least at some times allowed to be ugly, everyone should be, beauty not a virtue, ugliness not a sin, also the down to earth, humility notion in it, sorta freeing

[@wackymacky6507]

I am literally suffocating due to a lack of Girls discourse. Thank for the breath of fresh air!

[@otakuofmine]

again really glad Jennifer's body is mentioned again, loved it from the beginning. also to note that it actually uses also a classic trope of the only playful implied gayness in horror movie, which is a subversion in itself kinda.

[@kseniav586]

This was so, so good. I wanted to get deeper into abject theory for a long time but couldn't bear Kristeva's writing. Now that I think of it, I also perceive it as abject - kind of awful, but impossible to resist and not engage with. Great video, thank you for your work.

[@arthurkassabian2528]

The critique of female comedians through an Abject interpretation reminds me of Krusty the Clown's criticism of female stand up comics in that episode of the Simpsons: I wish I remembered which episode it was.

[@meownover1973]

I think women are funnier than men. Literally. If you want to see funny girls & women, just open tik tok.

[@arthurkassabian2528]

@@meownover1973 I would never suggest that one type of gender, or even any type of persons in general, is funnier than another.

[@emmy_cat_taylor]

@@arthurkassabian2528 well has anyone ever *asked you*

[@joselocalau123]

there's this female comedian in my country, Chiqui Aguayo, who had her debut at a very famous Festival (the whole country watches it). And soooo many men on TV were talking shit about her for being "too vulgar" because she said the world "vagina" too many times apparently and that's a BAD word. I was so annoyed because YES, THE FEMALE BODY IS GROSS and we should be allowed to talk about yeast infections and laugh about it, damn it!

[@nadde4569]

Ahh I just love those moments when a thought or an abstract concept that’s existed in my mind is put into words by someone! Even though it can give a rush of freedom watching something like Jennifer’s body I’ve always felt that story’s that showcase all of women visually, like how female characters go about their daily life is what truly makes a character feel real and not like a person that was designed with a purpose rather than just existing!

[@willherondale6367]

HALLELUJAH! The amount of time I'm wasted having (ill advised) debates in comment sections with people who don't understand this, or actually assert you don't need to apply crop factor to aperture is honestly depressing. This video perfectly sums it up in a really easy to understand way, without being oversimplified. Thanks Simon! The final piece of the puzzle that ISO 100 on a crop sensor is more sensitive (read, gain boosted, noisy) than ISO 100 on a full frame camera was for me the last piece of the puzzle that explains how all the maths works.

[@likealittlelamb]

This was such a great video, literally one my favourite topics. I was so shocked at the end when you cited Alexis Shotwell because she is literally a professor at my university and she's a wonderful teacher, it's so cool to see little connections like this!

[@ctrl.sapphic74]

it’s ALWAYS a good day when you post

[@kiarabraum341]

God EXACTLYYY. I just watched Jennifer's Body and was trying to express why I loved it so much. This is why! You said it baby!!

[@FinalGirlSyndrome]

Absolutely loved this ❤️ I wrote a whole paper on the idea of the monstrous feminine and how it’s portrayed in The Exorcist. Super interesting video!

[@closeoutentertainment]

Love the video as always. Noticed you didn't mention Kusama when you discussed Jennifer's Body. Would've been a lot cooler if you did. The casting of Nicole Kidman in The Destroyer has had similar reactions.

[@sonorasgirl]

Just as an aside, Tiffanie Haddish is HILARIOUS. Even just her portrayal in Tuca and Bertie alone is enough to win my respect, but she just kills in everything

[@gentlemanscarecrow5987]

I kept thinking about Tuca and Bertie while watching this. A huge component of that show's ideology is how girls are, like anyone, gross, and it's brilliant.

[@sonorasgirl]

@@gentlemanscarecrow5987 exactly! And it makes the comedy so good and so RELATABLE

[@zekec6088]

sex bugs sex bugs sex bugs

[@vaerighey4172]

I have always loved Jennifer's Body, but I felt like I would be shamed for liking it. But I always loved it, you have made me want to watch it again. This movie made me think Megan Fox was sexier than any of her other movies, she was a badass.

[@siennamxxx97]

I haven't even watched it and I know this is going to be my favorite video of yours.

[@alisonjane7068]

i can't (don't want to, anyway) look at my arm when i'm getting my blood taken. i have described it to others saying something like, "i don't like seeing something coming out that's supposed to stay in." apparently, there is a word for that.

[@mayday8982]

I was just thinking about Brooey Deschanel today

[@darraghmondoux3923]

I’m still so mad you brought this to my attention months after my undergrad thesis was submitted

[@ViolentOrchid]

Waiting for discussion of Brand New Cherry Flavor.

[@Fincayra15]

Yes!

[@Liolia22]

Oh my gosh, that intro scene from Fleabag is one of my favorite scenes of all time, the monologue is amazing and defines the experience of owning a womb (vs. not) in an amazing way. The full thing is worth a watch, not just that scene but the whole show.

[@PitchfordStache]

One of my favorite channels--excellent as usual.

[@emilybarton3515]

The first person that came to mind after I watched this was Marina Abromovic (I think that's how you spell it). Her art has been rejected for years, yet is one of the best examples I can think of for abjection in the world of performance art. Fantastic video!

[@maryhowland1286]

Any reason you didn't give the respect to Abramović to take 10 seconds to check how to spell her name, and introduce her to us correctly?

[@janedoeeyed]

This helped me confront my feelings towards the houseless population in my town. I know to have empathy but I still feel irrational fear. Looking at fear not as irrational but social abjection let's me confront that fear better informed

[@timbofication9788]

The squiggly mouth emoji joke immediately after the "Just plain jerkers" joke is what secured that subscription I just thought you'd wanna know

[@estellazacharia4830]

I absolutely love this video and I've watched it so many times -- I actually just wrote my thesis on the way that midwives in Mexico (who were usually women of color) were abjected by the state, as reflected in public health legislation and medical texts!! I spent a lot of time with Kristeva and also read Imogen Tyler's text!! This was such a great video to help me better understand abjection within the context of femininity while I was doing my research! Thank you!!!

[@chunellemariavictoriaespan8752]

21:05 =Just realized... I don't remember looking into mirrors as a child...

[@AmberRBowes]

The way my excitement JUMPED when the vid opened with That fleabag scene!! Thanks for another awesome video ☺️

[@brianmontalvo7044]

I watched Jennifer’s Body with a friend of mine when it came out. I was 16 at the time and pretty much though the movie was going to be pure male gaze spectacle. I remember leaving the theater feeling very unsure of what I’d just watched. My buddy completely dismissed it and I did too not much later.

[@saraloveart]

Loved this! I've been following you for a while now and every time you upload another video essay I enjoy it to the fullest. Thank you for all the effort and research you put into your work. Your channel is one of my favourites from youtube, you introduce the audience to such interesting topics that shape our daily lives with a wonderful script and use of visuals. I'm glad more and more female creators are partaking in this kind of video genre. Hope you're having a nice day!

[@bonniestar7583]

And the videos keep getting better and better

[@strange0gatherings]

Really loved this one! Perfectly described the feeling of watching Biagio hold Arabella's menstrual blood clot in "I May Destroy You." Its like, after cringing at the body so grotesquely explored I found my muscles calmed into a more relaxed state.

[@mirandalovett6063]

Thank you for making this video! I haven't been able to name that feeling of internalized disgust we all have but this makes so much sense. I feel like abjection is something we need to unlearn to become more aware and compassionate

[@sandrathe2nd]

Watching this a thousand years in the future but I did my masters thesis on the abject and this easy AMAZING💚💚💚

[@tcookie]

Not sure if it's related, but I remember reading about abjection in the context of racial purity/impurity and Victorian ideals of hygiene/cleanliness. See: Geographies of Exclusion by David Sibley.

[@avilove8602]

One of my favorite things about this movie was how gorgeous it all came together. Megan fox, such a symbol in the media, weaponizing what she has always been so prized for, against the people who have reduced to her to that one thing.

[@namjoonswife4150]

liking this without even watching the video because i know its going to be a great video

[@Summer-kb2dm]

Holy crap! That was good. Thank you.

[@typefeisu]

I loooove love love thissssss idk where I first found the word but I was obsessed with it in college and made a little zine about it when I was "going thru it" back in 2011-2012 "ABJECTION ABOUNDS" WOW this video was made for me

[@mrtspence]

Wow the youtube algorithm has been killing it lately. Glad it sent you my way. Great video, entertaining and interesting.

[@BananaP1zza]

I remember when I was going in to watch Jennifer's Body for the first time, I thought that it would be a shallow film with shallow female characters. I actually really enjoyed the movie, but couldn't put my finger exactly on why. I just felt that it expressed the perspective of teenage girls well, with a bit of an interesting twist. I could never understand why it was so poorly received. Until now.

[@ana-nim]

Same but I didn't go to the movie because I thought it's some shallow borderline porn horror movie for boys. Very sad because if I knew what it's about I would enjoy this movie back then! Very misleading marketing

[@ane3sha]

what a great video! y’all always hit it out of the park.

[@kellyelizajoslin4762]

Wow this finally put this phenomenon in a way I could understand it.

[@howaboutnooo00]

Oh this was brilliant, thank you!

[@orangeworm]

this is the first time i've been early dangg. i've recently been thinking about jennifer's body a lot so that thumbnail and the title is really interesting! i will definitely look into it more after watching your video.

[@droppy3104]

I literally wrote my term paper about exactly this topic last semester

[@ShawntayArroyo]

Frankly one of the best analytical understandings of the Abject. This is a hard theory to wrap your head around and you provided examples and interpretations perfectly. This was easy to follow and easy to digest. It took me two years of reading and researching during my English Lit. undergrad to feel comfortable enough to use Kristeva's theory in my writings. I used it a LOT with my interest being in the American Gothic; the abject is a focal point in a lot of American Gothic literature. I wish I had this video essay to give me more context then. Excellent job!

[@GarageFilmz100]

This was a brilliant essay - Couldn't stop thinking abt Swarm and how much it relates, I could see it's abject nature being why it wasn't received well critically