‘Dragula’ Brings Horror, Punk, and Drag to Shudder this October
The cult-favorite has made it to the big time – the new season will debut on Shudder among the horror movies that inspire its contestants.
This week, The Boulet Brother’s announced the premiere date for the 4th season of Dragula. It looks like the high-concept drag competition show has found a haunted home on the horror streaming app Shudder. The show features drag artists from all over the world dishing out their filthiest, glammest, and most horrifying looks for a chance to win $100,000.
The Big, Queer History of Horror
Many of the most iconic horror properties contain some kind of queer subtext. From F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu to Clive Barker’s extreme-fetishist Cenobites in Hellraiser, queer creators have been terrifying audiences for at least a century. These revolutionary creators have used monsters and villains to tell allegorical stories despite, and sometimes under the noses of, anti-queer establishments.
But not all queer-coding in horror is intentional. Some instances, like the really homoerotic tone of Nightmare on Elm Street 2, are so corny that it’s hard to believe it was accidental. Other characters have been adopted by LGBTQ people, like The Babadook or the multi-gender mask collector Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Horror appeals to people because it explores the darkest facets of humanity. Monsters, villains, and malevolent spirits are all reflections of what society doesn’t understand. They are creatures of isolation and rejection; sometimes they stand out as “freakish”, and often have memorable looks and superhuman characteristics. As each generation has its horror icons, there are queer people who saw a screen full of townsfolk brandishing torches and pitchforks and thought, “Oof, been there, buddy.”
Horror, Filth, Glamour, & Dragula
Created and hosted by drag-underworld royalty Dracmorda & Swanthula Boulet, Dragula season 1 premiered on YouTube back in 2016. Capturing the spirit of their numerous nightclub shows and alternative-style stage competitions, the Boulet Brothers have built a cult following among fans all over the world.
The Boulets’ challenges are designed to push competitors to create some of their scariest, weirdest, and campiest concepts. Past seasons have seen personalized Cenobite looks, alien births, monsters of rock, loving portrayals of slash-flick bimbos, and a full-out D&D scene (see Eva Destruction below).
Over the last three seasons, Dragula has expanded ideas of what drag is and who can be a drag performer. Season 3’s cast included nonbinary drag performer Hollow Eve and drag king Landon Cider. Many of the contestants come into the competition with unorthodox styles: Kawaii queens, masked queens, or performers who favor unusual silhouettes and concepts. As more diverse performers join the Dragula family, the perception of drag (and who can do or enjoy it) gets more inclusive.
Eliminations (and sometimes initiations) on the show aren’t for the faint of heart. Contestants who have landed in the bottom have had to drink blood, be electrocuted, and battle each other in thunder-dome cage matches. Season 3 kicked off with Landon downing a jar of live spiders.
Reality competition shows thrive on behind-the-scenes conflict, and each season has its share of dressing room drama. Contestants argue, and many struggle under the pressure. But unlike some reality TV shows, the contestants of Dragula are presented with empathy. Many of the performers share personal stories with each other and the audience, and emotional growth often comes in the form of brilliant displays of creativity.
Dragula Joins the Shudder Family
In October of 2020, AMC’s Shudder aired the 2-hour special, Dragula: Resurrection, featuring 6 legacy contestants competing for $20,000 and a chance to compete again on the highly-anticipated season 4. When COVID-19 brought plans for another season to a halt, the Boulets put together a small traveling production crew that visited each contestant at home. The crew recorded each competitor’s creative process, remote performances, and their struggles and triumphs through the pandemic. When all was said and done, season 3 underdog Saint the Unholy took the home crown (below).
The season 4 premiere isn’t the only spooky creation coming from the Boulets this October. The drag duo of darkness is taking over Heavy Metal magazine’s Halloween issue, filling the pages with their own horror stories. The issue will also host tales of terror from comic book writers Steve Orlando and Steve Foxe, pro wrestler Danhausen, American Horror Story director Axelle Carolun, and more.
Heavy Metal Magazine Halloween Special, art by Dan Quintana
Dragula is spread across a couple of streaming platforms, and the show format evolves as it goes on. I recommend starting with seasons 2 & 3 on Netflix, which have more structure and better production quality. Once the Boulets have a hold of your mind, you’ll be able to better enjoy the behind-the-scenes quality of season 1 on Youtube. And finally, choose a night when the moon is full and bright. Light all of your black candles and get snuggly with your familiars, then check out the Resurrection special on Shudder.
Dragula Season 4 premieres on Shudder on October 19th.
