The Brood (1979) with Dr. Carly Trask-Kuchta, M.A., Psy.D.

01/02/24 • 85 min

In this episode of The Horrors of Love we will discuss David Cronenberg’s 1979 psychological body horror The Brood.

This is, if I had to choose, my favorite film by Cronenberg if not one of my all-time favorite films period. I sleep with a poster of it above my bed. It tells the story of a separated couple and their child and the strange, new age psychotherapy being prescribed to the mother, played masterfully by Samathan Eggers. The would-be mad scientist administering this treatment is portrayed by English film icon Oliver Reed.

In order to analyze the kinds of love haphazardly displayed in this film -- parental love, marital love, self love and so on -- I thought it was important to bring in an expert who loves the film as much as I do. Our guest for this episode also happens to be my best friend, my sister in life if not by blood, and an adoring wife and mother. More to the point, she is the Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Director of Training at a community mental health center in Connecticut. I cannot imagine a more suitable guest to discuss this absolutely enrapturing film, welcome Dr. Carly Trask-Kuchta M.A., Psy.D.!

I’m so happy about the conversation we had – Carly brings so much amazing insight into the film and all the little easter eggs Cronenberg has hidden for us.

Thank you for listening to Horrors of Love! You can find us on Instagram at @horrorsoflove.

In this episode of The Horrors of Love we will discuss David Cronenberg’s 1979 psychological body horror The Brood.

I’m so happy about the conversation we had – Carly brings so much amazing insight into the film and all the little easter eggs Cronenberg has hidden for us.

Thank you for listening to Horrors of Love! You can find us on Instagram at @horrorsoflove.

Previous Episode

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) with Will Sheff of Okkervil River

Welcome to the Horrors of Love! I am your host, Jeanette Wall. In this series, I discuss what we learn from the genre of horror about dating, sex, love and relationships. In this episode we’ll be discussing the epic, bizarre, delightfully ornate Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. In this very loyal adaptation, we see Gary Oldman star as Dracula, in his many forms, as he seeks out his lost love reincarnated as the wonderful Wynona Rider. Keaneu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Waits also star in this masterclass in dreamlike filmmaking.

I’m joined by a wonderful musician, Will Sheff, who I’m lucky to call my friend. He is a troubadour of American indie rock, a well-read and well-watched hero, a filmmaker, podcaster, the list goes on. He’s also one of my favorite people to follow on Letterboxd. You will know him from his many, gorgeous albums with his band Okkervil River, as well as his latest solo album, Nothing Special (which I think is quite special), out now.
We dive right into the episode here, we couldn’t help ourselves. This is such a rich conversation, Will and I dig into Coppola’s maximalist ode to the vampire myth, vampires as a metaphor for power in war, the beautiful costumes of Eiko Ishioka, and much much more. It meant so much to me to have Will on the podcast, and I can’t wait for you to listen. So, with that, here’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula...
Be sure to follow Will at @okkervilriver.
Thank you for listening to Horrors of Love! You can find us on Instagram at @horrorsoflove.