#supernatural superhero film

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Brandon Lee as Eric Draven THE CROW (1994)

[beautifulworldsstuff]

"A hero would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would sacrifice the world to save you."

Do anyone know a novel/ movie/ managa... anything that is romantic that represents that quote?

I'm dying for Villain x hero or Villain x civilian thing...but a real superheroes settings.....do you get me?

[flickpulse]

How it started vs How it’s going

Flickpulse: Each week, we handpick the best movies that will help you kick stress to the curb and fill you with inspiration and motivation.

[dovebuffy92]

My Top Ten Favorite Genres & Sub-Genres (For Books, Comic Books, Movies, TV series, and Video Games)

1. Horror

2. Fantasy

3. Science Fiction

4. Urban Fantasy

5. High Fantasy

6. Supernatural/Monsters (especially vampires, witches, and shifters/werewolves)

7. Steampunk

8. Cyberpunk

9. Science Fantasy

10. Superhero Fiction

Honorable Mentions:

1. Gothic Fiction

2. Comedy Horror

[buthigor]

(Soldier Boy by Prime Vídeo)

[schlock-luster-video]

On July 30, 2019 The Crow was screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival.

[avelera]

Sometimes in genre fiction stories, you’ve got magical characters talking about their magical lives in public or wearing their superhero costumes out in the regular world.

Often times, the magical characters feel they need to hide or whisper about things like magic or immortality or fighting demons or like pretend they’re going to a convention to explain their superhero costume.

These are often lovely and charming scenes but let me be clear:

Nobody in a major city would give a fuck.

Just as one example of many, I was literally in line for a book signing in NYC and a man walked by stark ass naked wearing only body paint and basically after the initial surprise, no one did or said anything about it.

The amount of crazy you encounter on any given day walking around a major city makes you basically immune to surprise or taking any kind of action about weird shit happening around you.

If I heard someone talking about their magical powers next to me at a cafe back when I lived in NYC, I’d assume either 1) they’re rehearsing for a play, 2) playing/discussing D&D, and/or most importantly 3) it’s none of my fucking business.

I’m always curious what exactly people think would actually happen in the real world if a supernatural or magical character was overheard by someone who wasn’t actively hunting them or who wished them harm.

If you overheard a time traveler or an immortal or magical person in general candidly speaking about their life at the table next to you, what would you actually do about it?

Would you call the police?

Tell the whole world you just sat next to a real magical person and your evidence is that you overheard their conversation?

Report them to their nemesis? How would you even find them??

Seriously, besides telling your friends about the weird conversation you overheard at lunch or the strange looking person you saw, what exactly would a normal person do even if they really did overhear someone like a time traveler speaking candidly about their travels for anyone to hear?

I ask because I see so many stories set in a superhero or urban fantasy setting worrying about being NOTICED. Noticed by WHO? With what result?? What do you actually worry is going to happen? What would any average person actually do besides shrug and go back to whatever they were doing?

I’d accept that maybe in a smaller town you could become a topic of conversation and even widespread notice.

But let me assure you, friends, in any major city, no one would fucking notice much less say anything about any level of weird shit they saw. The whole point of a big city is that everyone basically ignores the weird shit happening around them at any given point.

So let the fairies and ghosts and time travelers of your fantasy story relax. If they’re in a big city, they could literally fly around downtown with rainbows shooting out their ass and the only comment they’d probably get is from people wondering what movie is being filmed nearby.

[bogleech]

well, you made a fighting roster for one of your favorite things, bugs, so why not do your second favorite? HALLOWEEN.....but you don't have to if you want.

I actually did that of my own accord with concept sketches once but it was two years ago so a lot of people haven't seen it.

It started when I made up a Darkstalkers fan character; a "scream queen" (type of horror movie actress in the 50's) and Bug Eyed Monster duo, with some more move ideas:

But then I decided to just make a dozen monster fighter characters of my own like it was its own distinct game and not Darkstalkers:

Mermaid who was partially eaten by people who thought it would make them immortal, instead it killed them because she was poisonous but she doesn't know that so her ghost is stuck on a revenge killing spree that can never be satisfied

Cartoon werewolf in a zoot suit and punk rock vampire with boombox coffin, I didn't come up with storyline for them, I just needed a werewolf and a vampire

Frankenstein's daughter who put her brain into her own monster in order to defend humanity against her dad's creations and other supernatural threats, I decided on this partly because I'm not really into superheroes but they're one of the top most common Halloween costumes so I tried to make a Halloweeny one that I'd like

Nurse who accidentally transfused herself with cursed mummy blood. I made this one because there's a picture I drew when I was real little of a bleeding mummy with the words "MUMMY BLOOD" on it that child-me thought was the scariest picture ever, and also because I love the (mostly Japanese) trope of medical themed mummies. Also based on the fact that "sexy nurses" are a top selling Halloween costume and then that easily ties into a Silent Hill reference. This all felt creepypasta-like so she's also like a slendersman

Old fashioned Halloween mascot pumpkin man with a vegetable ghost gang, actually the ultimate villain of the setting and a monster that eats children

"Bogeyman" fighter inspired by edgy 90's comic books, a ragdoll scarecrow grim reaper clown. She's a manifestation of the fears of children, but in the sense that she exists to destroy whatever threatens them so her main goal is to kill all other monsters and especially the pumpkin guy

Entire zombie outbreak as one fighter, represented by a cute little fungus mascot, but every fighting move is performed by zombies coming and going from the ground

shapeshifting space alien disguised as a generic housewife, the human disguise would animate like a doll being played with by invisible hands

Ideas for extra-weird, secret unlockable fighters:

Photorealistic giant insect

Vincent Price parody and all his moves are obvious special effects performed by a film crew in the background the whole time

Mysterious entity in a "morph suit" because that's become such a staple of Halloween costumes. Changes into all manner of colors and printed textures for different moves or is the token "mimic" character.

Completely normal middle aged office worker who was on his way to work when he was accidentally caught in the monster brawl, battles on the power of pure blind panic. The tournament put his name down as "I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE"

[davidwontstopwritingsongs]

so in cantonese it's called 奇異女俠玩救宇宙. lets break that DOWN

the tweet i saw about it translated it as "wacky woman fucks around and saves the world". is that an accurate translation? well… yes and no.

let's start with 奇異. you'll also notice it in films like doctor strange (奇異博士). a rough translation would be wacky/weird, yes. or strange if you will. but it also has connotations to magic, the supernatural, interesting things, things outside the realm of reality. something singular, unique. and that fits with the film so well.

女俠 next. 女 means woman. not very much to say here. 俠 if you google it would mean something like brave, hero, etc. not a huuuuge amount to analyse in this part apart from the fact that 俠 is used in the title of every single superhero movie (spiderman is 蜘蛛侠, iron man is 鐵甲奇俠, so on and so forth) so i guess a cantonese person seeing this movie title would assume it was somewhat superhero-y. ("to be fair, it does have quite good action scenes" - my friend who had to have this post infodumped to them at 2am before i decided to post it on tumblr)

NOW THE NEXT BIT. THE BIT THAT INSPIRED THIS UNHINGED 2AM DEEP DIVE. 玩救. THIS IS WHERE THE FUCKS AROUND AND SAVES THE WORLD BIT COMES FROM. 玩 means to play. 救 means to save. so she's playing around and saving something. cool.

but wait, because this is actually an EXTREMELY CLEVER PUN. you see, 救 is pronounced "gou" in cantonese. you want to know another word that is pronounced "gou"? and not just after you fuck around with tones, but actually in the exact same pronounciation? 夠. now what is the significance of that you may ask?

玩救 itself is not a word/phrase. 玩夠, however, is. same pronounciation so it fits into the wordplay. 玩夠 means literally to have "played enough/finished playing". basically you're done, you're moving on. but that is the centre of evelyn's struggle! she doesn't think she's done anything with her life, she constantly rues the fact that she could have done so much more and she didn't! evelyn HASN'T 玩夠 life yet. she wants to do it all, to live all those lifetimes. and it is through living all those lifetimes and finding enlightment that she 玩夠, and thus is also able to 救 the universe.

and then 宇宙 is universe. like the whole universe. there's only one universe in this translation. i'm not quite sure how you would articulate multiple universes in cantonese.

anyway the person who made this title translation was IMMENSELY clever

[batmannotes]

The Epic Saga Concludes with Part Three of the Highly Anticipated Trilogy!

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three   

Based on DC’s iconic comic book limited series ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, join DC Super Heroes from across the multiverse in the action-packed conclusion of the three-part DC animated film Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three. The eagerly awaited film brings to a close the thrilling trilogy that marks the end to the Tomorrowverse story arc.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the all-new, action-packed DC animated film features some of DC’s most famous Super Heroes from multiple universes including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, who come together to stop an impending threat of doom and destruction. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available to purchase exclusively on digital on July 16 and on 4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray on July 23.

Fans of this superhero adventure will also be able to indulge in a range of bonus features including interviews with the filmmakers on how they created a comprehensive universe across seven films.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two are currently available on Digital, 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three features returning popular voice cast members: Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, The Boys, The Winchesters) as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Emmy winner Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Glee) as Superman & Earth-2 Superman, Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton, Black Adam) as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Meg Donnelly (Legion of Super-Heroes, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,) as Supergirl & Harbinger, and Stana Katic (Castle, Absentia) as Wonder Woman & Superwoman, along with Corey Stoll (Ant-Man, Black Mass) as Lex Luthor.

The star-studded ensemble voice cast also includes Gideon Adlon as Batgirl, Ike Amadi as Martian Manhunter/J’Onn J’Onzz, Geoffrey Arend as Psycho Pirate/Charles Halstead, Troy Baker as The Joker & Spider Guild Lantern, Brian Bloom as Adam Strange & Sidewinder, Matt Bomer as The Flash, Ashly Burch as Nightshade & Queen Mera, Zach Callison as Earth-2 Robin & Robin/Damian Wayne, Kevin Conroy as Earth-12 Batman, Alexandra Daddario as Lois Lane, Brett Dalton as Bat Lash & Captain Atom, John Dimaggio as Lobo, Ato Essandoh as Mr. Terrific, Keith Ferguson as Doctor Fate & Two-Face, Will Friedle as Batman Beyond & Kamandi, Jennifer Hale as Hippolyta & Green Lantern Aya, Mark Hamill as Earth-12 The Joker, Jamie Gray Hyder as Hawkgirl & Young Diana, Erika Ishii as Doctor Light/Dr. Hoshi & Huntress, David Kaye as The Question & Cardonian Lantern, Matt Lanter as Blue Beetle, Liam McIntryre as Aquaman, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Dr. Beth Chapel & The Cheetah, Lou Diamond Phillips as The Spectre, Elysia Rotaru as Black Canary & Black Canary II, Matt Ryan as Constantine, Katee Sackhoff as Poison Ivy, Keesha Sharp as Vixen, Jimmi Simpson as Green Arrow, Jason Spisak as Blue Lantern Razer & Hayseed, Armen Taylor as The Flash/Jay Garrick, Gas Soldier & Executioner, and Dean Winters as Captain Storm.

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three is produced by Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau and executive produced by Butch Lukic, Sam Register, and Michael Uslan. The film is directed by Jeff Wamester from a script by Jim Krieg. Casting and voice direction is by Wes Gleason. The film is based on characters from DC and the graphic novel “Crisis on Infinite Earths” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. On July 23 the film will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray Discs online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.

Additionally, the Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more, and features an exclusive special feature - An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation.

SYNOPSIS:

Now fully revealed as the ultimate threat to existence, the ANTI-MONITOR wages an unrelenting attack on the surviving Earths that struggle for survival in a pocket universe. One-by-one, these worlds and all their inhabitants are vaporized! On the planets that remain, even time itself is shattered and heroes from the past join the Justice League and their rag-tag allies against the epitome of evil. But as they make their last stand, will the sacrifice of the superheroes be enough to save us all?​

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three - Physical and Digital

A Multiverse of Inspiration

Jon and John: Stewart and Constantine

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy (Digital only)

An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation

Running Time: 98:06

Rated PG-13 for some violence and language.

*Digital version not available in Canada

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

4K UHD in��limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray arriving on July 23

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy Also      

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

Preorder at Amazon.

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

𝔅𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔬𝔫 𝔏𝔢𝔢 𝔞𝔰 𝔈𝔯𝔦𝔠 𝔇𝔯𝔞𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔗𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔴 (յգգկ)

[darubyprincx]

BREAKING NEWS: The queer-themed superhero Arrow Ace has been out on a justice-fuelled rampage this Valentine's Day Morning, sniping villains from above and appearing randomly to whack people who are being rude to the happily single on the day of love.

This is the first appearance that the Arrow Ace has made since October of last year, and we now go to our field reporter Devon, who has managed to get an interview with the enigmatic hero.

Devon: Thank you Gary! I'm here on the corner of 12th and 7th street in downtown Placeville and next to me is the Arrow Ace, who has graciously agreed to be interviewed. AA: Hello. Devon: Sir, many of our newer viewers want to know who you are and what you do. Do you have an answer for them? AA: Yes. Hi. I'm the Arrow Ace, but you can just call me Ace. I was the sharpest shooter in my archery class in college and later decided to make a pun regarding my identity and thus, the hero personality was born. Devon: So do you have any supernatural abilities or are you just really good with a bow? AA: None whatsoever. I'm just a normal guy 99% of the time. Devon: [short pause to listen through her earpiece] Ah. Yes. A question from the studio. Viewers, Ace is most likely referring to the pun his alias makes when talking about his identity. AA: Yes. I am indeed an aromantic asexual, commonly shortened to aro/ace. Devon: Could you perhaps elaborate on that for those watching who might not know what that means! AA: Of course! A person who is aromantic experiences little, decreased, or no romantic attraction to other people. This may manifest as them not getting crushes, not wanting to participate in dating, or being adverse to romantic activities in general. A person who is asexual experiences little, decreased, or no sexual attraction towards other people. They might not want to participate in sexual activities and may be uncomfortable when the topic is brought up in real life or in media. Devon: I see! Thank you for explaining. Does this have anything to do with your backstory? AA: Yes. I originally took up the mask because as a young man, although I didn't have a word for what I was yet, I was often excluded in school both intentionally and not for not having an interest in dating people. In high school, someone who heard I wasn't interested in sex but also hadn't tried it out yet assaulted me to try and "convince" me otherwise. Ever since, I've been trying my best to be a beacon of light for those going through similar or worse ever since to let them know that there's nothing wrong with them and that you can be happy without those types of relationships. Devon: I see! Is there any reason why you're out and about on Valentine's day specifically? AA: I get asked a lot when seen alone in public if I'm single on this holiday. Most of the time, when I answer with yes, the response is something like "oh you poor soul! May you find love soon!" While the person undoubtedly means well, it still annoys me, so I've decided today to be the guy every aro or ace person wishes they had during that conversation.

[B-roll footage filmed on someone's phone of two person having a conversation. The first person asks "So, got any plans this evening?" The second person uncomfortably replies, "No, not really." The first person responds with "Oh, no! Well, better luck next year. Maybe you'll find someone," promptly cut off mid sentence by the Arrow Ace running up behind them and pwhacking them over the head with a paper towel tube. "You're not less whole or less of a person for not having a romantic or sexual partner," he says to the first person, pointing the tube at them. "That is your business and your business alone. I love you. Have a good day." The two people having the conversation stare after him, perplexed, as he runs off out of view of the camera. The video cuts back to Devon and AA.]

Devon: One last question: how do you know if the person in those discussions is aro or ace? AA: I don't, and I never put them on the spot for it. However, whether you experience attraction to others or not, it's never fun to be judged based on the circumstances you may be in at the moment. Devon: A bit of wisdom for us all. Well, sir, it appears that my time is up, but I appreciate you coming to answer these questions. AA: Of course. And, to all who participate, Happy Valentine's day! The shops always have discounts on chocolate the day after. Go treat yourself if you have the means. You deserve it. Devon: This has been Devon of Lucky 7 News. Back to you, Gary!

Thank you, Devon. I have received reports that a new development is unfolding in southeast Placeville- the Nefarious Anglerfish's cat-fish army is leaping up from the docks to attack unsuspecting couples on their walks. I've been told that the Arrow Ace is on his way to get involved. We'll be right back after these advertisements.

[vicstwashington]

Well, here it is...

SUPERMAN: LEGACY — Written by James Gunn, the film will hit theaters on July 11, 2025 and focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.

THE AUTHORITY — DC's WildStorm characters will join the DC Universe as members of The Authority take matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right.

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD — The DCU will introduce its Batman and Robin in this unusual father-son story, inspired by Grant Morrison's comics.

SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW — This science fiction adventure will be based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely's amazing, award-winning recent comics stories and present a Supergirl that viewers are not used to seeing.

SWAMP THING — The film will investigate the dark origins of Swamp Thing.

CREATURE COMMANDOS — This seven-episode animated show, written by James Gunn, shows Amanda Waller creating a black-ops team out of monstrous prisoners.

WALLER – Starring Viola Davis, this series features Team Peacemaker and will be written by Christal Henry (WATCHMEN) and Jeremy Carver (Supernatural).

BOOSTER GOLD — In this live-action series, Booster Gold uses basic technology from the future to pretend to be a superhero in the present day.

LANTERNS — This enormous TV event series follows intergalactic cops John Stewart and Hal Jordan as they uncover a dark mystery.

PARADISE LOST ­– Set in Themyscira, home of the Amazons and birthplace of Wonder Woman, this TV drama focuses on the genesis and political intrigue of an island of all women.

[writing-with-sophia]

Prompt: Enemies to lovers

A talented detective and a cunning thief find themselves constantly clashing, but as they work together to solve a high-stakes case, they discover a mutual respect and undeniable chemistry.

Two rival CEOs of competing companies are forced to collaborate on a business merger, leading to unexpected feelings and a fierce battle between love and ambition.

In a magical world, a powerful sorcerer and a skilled rogue are constantly at odds. However, when they must join forces to save their kingdom from an ancient evil, their animosity turns into a passionate bond.

A star-crossed warrior and an assassin from opposing sides of a war find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, torn between their loyalties and their growing attraction.

A journalist and a politician clash during interviews, but as they spend more time together, they discover that there's more to each other than meets the eye, leading to a forbidden romance.

A superhero and a supervillain constantly fight each other, but behind their masks, they develop a connection that blurs the lines between good and evil.

Two talented chefs from rival restaurants compete in a high-stakes cooking competition, but as they get to know each other's strengths and vulnerabilities, their rivalry turns into a passionate love affair.

A famous actor and a highly critical film critic clash in the public eye. However, as they engage in heated debates, they discover a shared passion for cinema that leads to a surprising romance.

A captain of a pirate ship and a navy officer are sworn enemies on the high seas. But when circumstances force them to work together to survive, their mutual animosity turns into a deep bond.

A popular athlete and a brilliant scholar are constantly at odds, but when they are paired up for a school project, they discover common ground and a growing attraction.

A supernatural hunter and a powerful supernatural creature are on opposite sides of a centuries-long war. However, as they uncover a shared enemy, they must set aside their differences and work together, leading to a forbidden romance.

A fashion designer and a fashion critic clash in the cutthroat world of haute couture. But as they learn to appreciate each other's unique perspectives, their rivalry transforms into a passionate love affair.

A police officer and a skilled hacker have been on opposite sides of the law, but when they are forced to work together to bring down a dangerous cybercriminal, they discover a deep connection that challenges their beliefs.

Two families who have been feuding for generations find themselves drawn together when their children fall in love, forcing them to confront their long-held prejudices and reconcile their differences.

A diplomat from one country and a rebel leader from another find themselves on opposite sides of a political conflict. However, as they engage in secret negotiations, their initial animosity turns into a forbidden romance that could change the course of history.

A high school jock and a bookish nerd clash in their daily lives, but when they are paired up as lab partners, they discover a surprising intellectual and emotional connection that transcends stereotypes.

Two renowned artists with contrasting styles and philosophies are pitted against each other in a highly competitive art contest. As they learn to appreciate and challenge each other's artistic visions, their rivalry evolves into a passionate love affair.

A firefighter and an arson investigator have a contentious relationship due to their opposing approaches to their work. However, as they team up to solve a series of suspicious fires, their passion ignites in more ways than one.

A famous archaeologist and a treasure hunter constantly vie for priceless artifacts, but when they are forced to team up on a quest for a legendary relic, their competitive spirit turns into a deep, adventurous romance.

In a post-apocalyptic world, a survivor from a peaceful community and a hardened scavenger from a ruthless gang clash in their ideologies. However, as they navigate the dangerous wasteland together, they develop a connection that challenges their preconceptions and offers hope for a better future.

If you want to read more posts about writing, please click here and give me a follow!

[schlock-luster-video]

The Crow is starting in half an hour on Comet TV (May 20, 9:00 P.M. EST) in case anybody's interested!

[pinkeoni]

Byler & Possession Plots

Reading the show through more of Men, Women & Chainsaws

When talking about occult horror in her book Men, Women and Chainsaws, Carol J. Clover writes—

"On the face of it, the occult film is the most "female" of horror genres, telling as it is regularly does tales of women or girls in the grip of the supernatural. But behind the female "cover" is always the story of a man in crisis."

One of the examples that Clover provides is also one of the most popular possession stories— William Peter Blatty's novel and William Friedkin's film The Exorcist. Little Regan Macneil may have been the one possessed, but as the title suggests, the story is really about a man, the exorcist.

I do believe that season twos possession plot does a little more for the possessed than the examples Clover gives in her book, it is interesting that it does follow a similar formula to other possession plots, in that while the story is definitely about the possessed, it's also about the male character that sticks by their side.

So using Clover's book as a guide, I wanted to look again at season two's possession plot and see what it's saying for both Will and Mike's story, how it aligns with other possession stories, how it improves upon them, how it falls into similar pitfalls, and what is reveals about Byler.

The show does do a little better than other possession plots in that it does focus on the perspective of the possessed, Will, and how all of this is affecting him personally. We hear a little bit from Regan in The Exorcist, although the focus is centered much more on how her possession is affecting her mother and of course, her exorcist. The story centers around her, but it’s not really hers. Will’s possession feels a lot more like his story.

As for Mike, he starts the season grieving the loss of El and likely feeling guilt for her “death.” She “died” saving Mike, and Mike was unable to save her. There's a strong theme of heroism at play here. Mike (innocently) put the expectation onto El that she was a superhero. Mike's idea of heroism relates to the ability to perform impossible "Yoda" like tasks, such as lifting objects and killing monsters with your mind. As such, Mike doesn't recognize his own heroism, such as bringing El in and showing her kindness and friendship. This insecurity is later confirmed in season 4.

Mike's story doesn't really start rolling until he goes to check on Will. There, he's able to find purpose and finds his own way to be a hero. maybe without realizing it, he is able to save someone. Mike was there to help Will by offering emotional support, as well as aid him in finding some agency in the situation.

The possession for this season along with the El/Mike/Will triangle reminds me of a film that Clover discusses called Witchboard but with a few key differences. In the film, a woman named Linda is possessed by a spirit after messing with a Ouija Board she got from her ex Brandon, leading Linda’s boyfriend Jim to find a way to free her. The film ends with Jim and Linda getting married.

Similar to The Exorcist, Linda is the possessed person but the story isn’t really hers, it’s about Jim and his arc to becoming a more emotionally open boyfriend. In fact, the emotional core of the film is actually between Jim and his relationship to Brandon, whom Jim reveals is actually an old childhood friend until they had a falling out. Clover notes a particularly homoerotically charged scene in a motel room where Jim and Brandon are able to talk out some of their feelings.

While the possessed person is now Will, the character split is the same. El is not a passive character at all, but her story is still almost entirely split from the boys. She starts off the season missing Mike, but similar to Mike, she chooses to leave him, and her story really kicks off when she seeks out Mama and Kali. Both of them may have started the season thinking about the other, yet they choose to take their stories in different directions.

So maybe that’s why the end of the season feels like the end of Witchboard, which Clover described as the film's “pale, heterosexual ending” where Jim and Linda get married. The season ends with El and Mike at the Snow Ball, which to be fair is set up enough— this is making good on the promise that Mike made to El in the last season. But Will, who has spent most of the season by Mike’s side, is left entirely to the wayside. He gets his own dance partner, but it’s a nameless character who calls him his mean nickname. Mike gets to dance with El, Lucas gets his dance with Max, and Dustin discovers some self confidence when he dances with Nancy. Every ending feels like something that was someone built up— except for Will’s. Will didn’t show any interest in Snow Ball girl before, or any girl at all. It feels unsatisfactory.

Similar to other possession plots, it does fall into the similar pitfall where during most of the last third of the season, Will is barely even there at all. He spends most of his time asleep, and when he is awake— similar to Regan in the last bit of The Exorcist— he’s no longer Will.

And maybe that’s why the shed scene feels so hard hitting. Mike reminds Will of a moment where Will had agency, when he chose to be Mike’s friend. And as a result, he’s able to break through.

To me, that moment feels more like a culmination of both of their arcs for this season, way less than the Snow Ball ending. Mike takes action and calls out to Will, and in an act of agency, Will answers.

There's more interesting stuff from the chapter that I decided not to include here, and I honestly suggest that you go read the book yourself. It's super interesting and highly informative.

Oh, and happy Day 3 of Bylerween 🎃 @bylerween2023