Deviant Podcast
Deviant is a podcast hosted by writer Tracy Heather Johnson and artist Juliet Sugg, exploring the darker corners of cinema and the monstrous feminine. With a keen eye on the abject, we dissect iconic films, unraveling how horror reflects society’s most unsettling fears and desires. From grotesque transformations to taboo-breaking narratives, Deviant examines the ways in which women, monstrosity, and the body are depicted in film, pushing boundaries and challenging norms. With sharp analysis and thought-provoking insights, each episode invites listeners to confront the discomforting and uncanny, celebrating the power of horror to disturb, provoke, and transcend. Women’s voices, especially on horror, sex and erotica, often struggle for space in everyday discourse. The Deviant Collective places those voices front and centre, investigating a multiplicity of desires that unsettle and disrupt the heteronormative and largely patriarchal culture that controls discussions about who enjoys what, how and who with.
Listen on:
Episodes
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
NEW EPISODE: BABYGIRLPart 1 of our 3-part Cinema x Monstrous Feminine trilogy is here—and we're diving deep into Babygirl (dir. Halina Reijn), starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson.
We’re joined by special guest Mike Muncer (The Evolution of Horror) to unpack power, performance, submission, and the glossy surrealism of Babygirl’s twisted fairytale world.
What does it mean to eroticise control?When does seduction become a performance of power?And how does Babygirl disturb—and delight—with its monstrous feminine energy?
Expect:
What fantasies does Babygirl allow us to project—or reject?
How does the film play with power, glamour, and the gaze?
What’s the role of status, softness, and submission in its erotic language?
Is this soft horror, satire, or a surreal fable?
Twisted, glittering, and full of questions we’re not supposed to ask.
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Join us, Tracy and Juliet, as we kick off the new year with a special bonus episode! We’re taking a look back at how the Deviant Collaboration began, sharing highlights from our first two exhibitions in London and Bristol, and talking about the journey of creating the Deviant Collective Publication. Plus, we’ll give you a sneak peek at what’s ahead for us in the new year. We can’t wait to share it all with you!
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
In episode three, Juliet and Tracy get festive with a discussion of 1974's Black Christmas. An under-seen gem, this movie set the template for much of the slasher genre, but with a surprisingly disturbing undertone that ticks lots of Deviant boxes with its treatment of sexual mores during a peak period for horror. As ever, we recommend you watch Black Christmas before listening, as we spoil plot points from the outset; it's currently available to rent via Amazon Prime.
We also give a few thanks for the support the Deviant project received in Bristol and London this year - stand by for our full recap coming in our new year episode, including details of exciting future Deviant developments.
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Join writer Tracy Heather Johnson and artist Juliet Sugg on Deviant as they unravel the twisted brilliance of Strange Darling. In this spoiler-filled episode, the co-hosts delve into the film’s bold narrative structure, its exploration of power dynamics, and its unsettling depiction of obsession and violence. With their incisive perspectives, Tracy and Juliet discuss the film’s genre-defying twists, visual storytelling, and its place in the conversation on unconventional love and danger. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by the dark and daring corners of cinema.
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Deviant Podcast: Spoiler Deep Dive into The SubstanceIn this episode of Deviant, writer Tracy Heather Johnson and artist Juliet Sugg take a deep, spoiler-filled dive into the provocative and unsettling film The Substance. With their sharp creative insights, they unpack the film’s exploration of the monstrous feminine, its use of the abject to challenge comfort zones, and its commentary on the ongoing high/low-brow culture wars. From the film’s haunting visuals to its layered storytelling, Tracy and Juliet debate its bold artistic choices, lingering questions, and cultural significance. Whether you’re a cinephile, an art lover, or intrigued by taboo-breaking cinema, this conversation promises to fascinate and provoke.