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On this episode of The Stream Queens, Marrs and Rachel get into some Hebrew folk horror with their review of The Golem (2019). We discuss the unique perspective this film brings to the subgenre, why alchemy gets us excited, and what this movie has in common with rape-revenge films.
We also talk blood spouts, uncomfortable sex scenes (times two!), and Marrs’ brush with a real-life Final Destination situation (pinky finger edition).
So, was this movie worth summoning? Check out Stream Queens Horror Podcast Episode 34 to find out!
Be sure to stay tuned for the outtakes to hear the very, um, dark way that Marrs motivates herself to write.
What to watch before the next episode: Braid (2019)
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The Stream Queens Theme Music is “Die Historic” by Three Chain Links
I just listened to your podcast on the Golem and wanted to add a little context. You seemed to find the opening scene the least successful part of the movie and I suspect it’s because you don’t know the original story. There are many golem stories but the most famous and possibly original story is “The Golem of Prague”. Again there are many versions but the basic outline is as follows: The Jews of 16th C. Prague are being oppressed and endangered so the community leader, Rabbi Judah Loew (also known as the Maharal) creates a golem as a protector. BTW, Rabbi Loew is a historical figure, considered the greatest Jewish authority of his generation. But in the folktale, Rabbi Loew sculpts a humanoid figure out of clay, writes secret words on a scroll, places the scroll in the figure’s mouth and writes “emet” (truth) on its forehead. This brings the creature to life. He sends it on various missions. When it returns, he erases the first letter from the forehead so it spells “met” (death) and the golem deactivates. Somehow the creature gets out of control and becomes destructive. Rabbi Lowe realizes he made a mistake, removes the scroll and destroys it so the creature can never return to life. Tour guides in Prague will take you to Rabbi Lowe’s synagogue and tell you the golem is still hidden in a secret compartment in one of the walls.
When I saw the opening of the movie, it was like watching a movie called “Pinocchio” and in the opening scene, Pinocchio hacks Gepetto to death in the workshop. It was a way of telling the viewer, “This isn’t your grandmother’s Golem story”. You can take issue with the quality of the CGI or direction but I thought it was a wonderfully shocking way to open.
Hiya Larry! Thanks so much for this context! I remember thinking it was tonally really different from the rest of the movie but this really helps explain that! Very cool 🙂