Happy 4th of July, horror family! Today has been a full day for me so I decided to slow down and retreat to my horror cave (aka my studio room) while I wait for my husband to cook an all American dinner so we can eat while watching fireworks. What better way to get re-energized than by sitting in front of my computer and tell you about a movie that makes me think about this holiday? (And no, it is not Jaws.)

Enter Wrong Turn (2003) and its inbred cannibal family. I first watched Wrong Turn back in my collage days, back when we used to rent movies at Blockbuster, back when we did not have an official term for Netflix and chill. I remember I kind of watched the movie and kind of liked it. Fast forward to many years later and, after owning my own copy and having given it a full uninterrupted watch, I can now say without a doubt that Wrong Turn was for sure a good movie. But why exactly do I associate this film with the 4th of July? I have no idea. It is one of those Marath quirks I have learned to accept and love. It is what it is. No big deal.

Wrong Turn tells the story of a group of friends and a total stranger joining forces to not only get safely to the main road (they were both stranded and lost), but also to avoid getting murdered by the inbred cannibals; on that note, the opening credits of the film was one of the better ones I’ve seen as it gave a full backstory as to who the antagonists were (I just love it when the Art and Design Departments set the mood well in that way –perfection!).

Okay, without further ado, I would like to give you my Yes to YAZ! list of my top 5 favorite things from Wrong Turn:

5. WHO EVEN LIVES HERE? That moment when our protagonists find a house and hope they can be helped by the owners, just to realize the house is empty and that it is a mess, a total chaotic and disgusting mess, in fact, it is such a mess that the jars full of body parts are all dusty and grimy, I mean, dust? Gross.

4. THIS IS US AND THIS IS OUR HOUSE. When we get to see up-close and personal the antagonists of the film and each one of them looks more grotesque than the other. Excuse me, how many horror movies do we have to make to remind you guys that inbreeding is wrong? I mean…

3. FRANCINE’S KILL. Brava!

2. THIS TOTAL BABE. He is the typical dude who does not say Sorry or Thank You when a situation totally calls for it, I mean, he does not have time for you and your shenanigans, he just moves forward and looks incredible hot while doing it. Good for him.

1. JESSIE, THE TOUGHEST OF THEM ALL. Alright, alright, I will get serious for this one. Jessie gets introduced to us when she goes looking on her own for the object that gave their truck a flat tire. Jessie is her own person, she is strong, resourceful, and caring for those around her, but don’t mistake her kindness with weakness as she is the type of woman that will ask if you are okay after you had an accident and, after making sure you are good to go, will throw a big backpack at you and say, “Good, you are the mule” and have you follow her and her team toward safety. Jessie is the kind of woman you need to have on your side when things get rough. She will be wise to know when to push you and when to give you a hand. She will lead by example. She will be confident and quiet. She is here and that is enough.

You guys perfect timing, dinner is ready. Happy 4th and stay safe.

In Love and Fear,

-Marath