Final Girls

Sarah Spurlock Hill and Kellie Nicole Hill
  • 5.0 (11)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Final Girls

Final Girls is a dynamic podcast that dives deep into the world of horror by examining one iconic final girl per episode. Co-hosted by Kellie and Sarah—both UC Davis alumni with strong academic backgrounds—each installment dissects the tropes, triumphs, and challenges of these resilient characters. Drawing from Kellie’s expertise in Human-Computer Interaction and Film, and Sarah’s insights from History and Political Science, the show brings a unique blend of sharp analysis and genuine passion to every discussion. Each episode explores the final girl's journey in detail, from the creative escape scenes that have become cult favorites to the narrative complexities that define their battles against overwhelming odds. Final Girls celebrates the spirit of women who fight back, inviting listeners to rethink classic horror tropes and appreciate the empowering narratives that make these characters enduring cultural icons. This podcast is not only a must-listen for horror enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling, gender, and cultural critique.

  1. Naru from Prey

    6D AGO

    Naru from Prey

    Long before Dutch faced the Predator in the jungle, Naru was already rewriting the rules of the hunt. In Prey (2022), Amber Midthunder brings fierce intensity to Naru, a young Comanche woman determined to prove she’s more than what her tribe expects of her. This week, we track Naru’s journey from underestimated healer to full-fledged warrior, discussing how the film flips the franchise’s macho legacy on its head and celebrates Indigenous resilience, skill, and survival. We also dive into how Prey honors Final Girl tradition while pushing it forward—because Naru isn’t just surviving the Predator, she’s challenging the gendered and colonial expectations placed on her from the start. 🩸 Spoiler Warning: We’re spilling guts and spoilers—so watch Prey before pressing play. If you’re loving Final Girls, help us out by rating and reviewing the show—it helps more horror fans (and aspiring warriors) find us. 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    38 min
  2. Iris from Companion

    MAR 19

    Iris from Companion

    In Companion, Iris (Sophie Thatcher) isn’t just fighting for survival—she’s fighting for control over her own identity. Designed to be the perfect partner, our companion bot Final Girl is placed into a role she never chose, reflecting the way young women are automatically slotted into traditional gender roles by society. But as her weekend getaway takes a dark and violent turn, Iris begins to reclaim her autonomy, proving that survival isn’t just about escaping danger—it’s about breaking free from the expectations forced upon her. This week, we explore how Iris’s Final Girl arc challenges ideas of obedience, agency, and self-determination, leading to Iris’s final declaration of total self-control. 🔪🤖🔥 🩸 Spoiler Warning: Freedom comes at a price—and so does listening to this episode unspoiled. You’ve been warned! If you enjoy Final Girls, take a moment to rate and review us—it helps more horror fans find the show, and we’d love to hear your thoughts! 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    54 min
  3. Wendy from The Shining

    MAR 12

    Wendy from The Shining

    Wendy Torrance, played by Shelley Duvall, is often overlooked in the Final Girl conversation, but she shouldn’t be. In The Shining (1980), Wendy is trapped in the sprawling, snowbound Overlook Hotel with an unraveling Jack and a terrified Danny. Yet despite overwhelming odds and ever-increasing terror, Wendy proves that resilience isn’t about wielding an axe—it’s about endurance, instinct, and doing whatever it takes to protect your child. This week, we examine Wendy’s role as a Final Girl, the film’s chilling psychological horror, and why her performance deserves more recognition. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788 or chat on the website. Help is available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and 200+ languages. Security Alert - internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you're concerned you might be monitored, call 800-799-SAFE (7233). Learn more about digital safety here. 🩸 Spoiler Warning: The halls of the Overlook are filled with ghosts—and spoilers. Listen at your own risk! If you enjoy Final Girls, take a moment to rate and review us—it helps more horror fans find the show, and we’d love to hear your thoughts! 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    1h 11m
  4. Sam from A Quiet Place: Day One

    MAR 5

    Sam from A Quiet Place: Day One

    Sam from A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) - brilliantly and expressively played by Lupita Nyong’o - isn’t your typical Final Girl. She’s a woman facing her own ticking clock before the alien invasion even begins. This week, we follow Sam’s unique Final Girl journey through a silenced New York City with her cat Frodo, her unexpected and beautiful companionship with a British stranger, and how her quest for pizza becomes something deeper. We also dig into the film’s emotional core, its unique take on linear time, and why Sam stands out in the Final Girl canon. 🩸 Spoiler Warning: Stay quiet, tread carefully, and keep your ears open—this episode is packed with A Quiet Place: Day One spoilers. Listen at your own risk! If you enjoy Final Girls, please take a moment to rate and review us—it helps more horror fans find the show, and we’d love to hear your thoughts! 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    54 min
  5. Christine from Drag Me To Hell

    FEB 26

    Christine from Drag Me To Hell

    Being a loan officer in LA is tough, but for Christine Brown (played by Alison Lohman), denying a mortgage extension comes with hellish consequences—literally. In Drag Me to Hell (2009), Christine finds herself cursed by a vengeful old woman, stalked by a relentless demon, and racing against time to escape eternal damnation. This week, we break down Christine’s Final Girl arc from timid banker to desperate survivor, the many scary movie appearances of Justin Long, and the fine line between terror and hilarity in the comedy horror subgenre. 🩸 Spoiler Warning: Cross your fingers, toss some coins, and double-check your buttons—this episode is cursed with Drag Me to Hell spoilers. Listen at your own risk! 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    57 min
  6. Sally from Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

    FEB 19

    Sally from Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

    A quick detour to check on a family grave turns into a nightmare when Sally Hardesty and her friends stumble upon something far worse than vandalism. Trapped in the heart of Texas with a family of cannibals, Sally must endure a relentless, nightmarish chase that will push her to the very edge of survival.  This week, we discuss how Sally embodied the Final Girl trope, the raw terror of her performance, and why The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains one of the most viscerally disturbing horror films of all time. When she finally escapes, drenched in blood and laughing maniacally in the back of a pickup truck, one question remains: Did she really survive, or did she just escape? Find the book Sarah references here: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker 🩸 Spoiler Warning: If you thought road trips were bad, wait until you see what’s for dinner. Listen at your own risk! 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    1h 1m
  7. Sarah from My Bloody Valentine (2009)

    FEB 12

    Sarah from My Bloody Valentine (2009)

    What do you do when the love of your life—who bailed right after you survived a collective horror—comes waltzing back into town a decade later… just in time for the anniversary of said trauma? That’s the nightmare facing this week’s Final Girl, Sarah (My Bloody Valentine, 2009), played by Jaime King. As a masked killer with a pickaxe and a penchant for carving out hearts terrorizes her town again, Sarah finds herself caught in a deadly love triangle—one that threatens not just her dignity and relationships, but her survival itself. 🩸 Spoiler Warning: If you think heartbreak is painful, try a pickaxe to the chest. Listen at your own risk! 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    51 min
  8. Needy from Jennifer's Body

    FEB 5

    Needy from Jennifer's Body

    Your high school BFF isn’t just a friend—she’s your bodyguard, your psychic twin, your ride-or-die… and sometimes, your biggest downfall. Just ask Anita "Needy" Lesnicki (played by Amanda Seyfried), a Final Girl unlike any other. This week, we sink our teeth into Needy as a Final Girl in Jennifer’s Body, dissecting how the film flips the male gaze on its head, explores the intensity of female friendships, and embraces teenage girl queerness in all its messy, monstrous glory. We also dig into Needy’s complicated relationships with Jennifer and Chip, her struggle to understand Jennifer’s newfound demonic hunger, and her mission to stop her best friend’s blood-soaked rampage—no matter the cost. 🩸 Spoiler Warning: This episode is hella cursed—listen at your own risk. 🎵 Theme by Max Anson 💻 Visit us at www.final-girls.com

    53 min
See All (13)

    5
    out of 5
    11 Ratings

    About

    Final Girls is a dynamic podcast that dives deep into the world of horror by examining one iconic final girl per episode. Co-hosted by Kellie and Sarah—both UC Davis alumni with strong academic backgrounds—each installment dissects the tropes, triumphs, and challenges of these resilient characters. Drawing from Kellie’s expertise in Human-Computer Interaction and Film, and Sarah’s insights from History and Political Science, the show brings a unique blend of sharp analysis and genuine passion to every discussion. Each episode explores the final girl's journey in detail, from the creative escape scenes that have become cult favorites to the narrative complexities that define their battles against overwhelming odds. Final Girls celebrates the spirit of women who fight back, inviting listeners to rethink classic horror tropes and appreciate the empowering narratives that make these characters enduring cultural icons. This podcast is not only a must-listen for horror enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling, gender, and cultural critique.

    Information

    • Creator
      Sarah Spurlock Hill and Kellie Nicole Hill
    • Years Active
      2K
    • Episodes
      13
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2025 Sarah Spurlock Hill and Kellie Nicole Hill
    • Show Website
      Final Girls

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