Film Review: Ginger Snaps
Welcome back to another episode of Hysteria! I promised I would talk about spooky things all month long, so this Tuesday, we'll be talking about the movie Ginger Snaps, which was recommended to me by my dear friend Julie. I went into it completely blind, but it has a lot of themes I think would resonate with Hysteria readers! I'd also like to add a spoiler warning here: I will give a rundown of the plot. Also, a content warning for mentions of sex, drugs, and suicide. I've recently started promoting my blog on TikTok and Instagram, so if you're new here, welcome: my name is Mila, and I talk about all things feminism, riot grrrl, and horror. Let's get into it---I hope you enjoy!
Ginger Snaps is not, by any standards, a critically acclaimed movie. It is a very Canadian, very 2000's era movie. As far as similarities go, I'd say this is the love child of Jennifer's Body and Heathers; if Ginger and Brigitte (the two main girls) fused, I think they would make Violet Harmon from American Horror Story. The plot is only slightly confusing at first, but don't worry, because it becomes much more confusing later on. Here is where I spoil everything.
Ginger and Brigitte are fifteen-year-old sisters who have a pact to either run away from home or kill themselves when they turn sixteen. They also have not gotten their period yet, which is important. The girls are incessantly bullied and called sluts, whores, skanks, etc., by kids in their gym class, so one night, they decide to go out and kill one of their schoolmates' dogs. While they're killing the dog, Ginger is attacked by a mysterious creature, and she subsequently gets her period for the first time. Oh, did I mention that there was a full moon and other kids in their neighborhood were dying from vicious dog attacks? Yes, this is a creature feature. Ginger (and some of her victims) are slowly transformed into tailed, furry, sharp-toothed werewolves, except, not really. As she's trying to kill Brigitte's friend Sam near the end, she looks more like an alien lizard creature, which is pretty cool.
After a gruesomely sick transformation scene where Ginger turns into some twisted, slimy creature, Brigitte and Sam scheme to inject her with the cure in an old-fashioned silent monster hunt around the house. Here, she is depicted as a traditional werewolf, bad CGI and all. It's an unsuccessful feat, and Sam is brutally mutilated before Ginger attempts to do the same to her sister. Ginger accidentally kills herself, and the movie ends as Brigitte wistfully rests her head on her monstrous sister. Roll credits and queue disturbing strings.
I will add that my favorite scene (and the funniest) in the entire movie is at 1hr and 10mins, when an infected Tim attempts to kill Brigitte, but, unbeknownst to him, she is holding a syringe that would cure him. He says, "Come to papa, baby. Come get some candy," before he growls and pounces on top of her, where she discreetly injects him with the liquid. This scene is so damn funny because he lies still on the ground for like ten seconds, then props himself up and says, "I...uh...I have to go, um... I have a class" and walks into an empty field. Like, I guess bro?? He was not seen in the movie after this.
Did I enjoy the movie? Hell yes I did! With edgy 2000s horror movies like this, it's hard to lighten up while watching them, but I heard a lot of funny quips I really enjoyed. It's a two-hour movie, which isn't very long, but it moves quickly. Another thing I loved about the movie is how it portrayed Ginger and Brigitte's dynamic; it was never black-and-white between them. Unlike Jennifer's Body, neither of them was popular nor particularly studious. Before Ginger got sick, they were just edgy teenage girls in the 2000s who were different. That's all.
Let's briefly talk about the 'Curse' that this movie draws on. It's on the movie poster and mentioned in the actual movie, but what actually is it? The 'Curse' represents two things: a woman's menstrual cycle and the ability to turn into a werewolf, apparently. I think Ginger Snaps does a really amazing job in saying: You think getting your period is a curse? Try being a werewolf for a day and see how it works out. It is a ridiculous comparison, after all. Periods suck and everything, but a curse? Shame on whoever says that statement earnestly.
Overall, I gave this movie 3.5 stars on Letterboxd (sorry to the non-users out there). I had a pretty fun time watching it, but werewolf flicks just aren't my thing. Ginger Snaps is a fun, spooky season watch that you don't have to pay too much mind to, so I suggest throwing it on in the background of whatever you're doing.
I'll see you next Tuesday at 12pm to talk about another scary season delight!
Watch out for wild dogs,
Mila
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