Midsommar [Pt 2] | Brains Be Brainin'

On Part 2 of the Midsommar epsiode, the Ghouls dig into all things brain. Join us as we take time to talk about the (mis)representation of mental illness in film, how we relate to Dani and why she felt like realistic representation, how trauma affects our brains, the importance of support systems, and so much more.

Note from Maegan: Everything we are going to talk about are complex mental health conditions, and diagnosing it based solely on character behavior in a work of fiction can be challenging. The characters are intentionally complex and morally ambiguous. While they may display certain traits, the film's primary focus is on the disturbing rituals and events in the community rather than providing a clinical exploration of personality disorders. Additionally, diagnosing fictional characters with specific mental disorders is a subjective interpretation and may not align with a clinical diagnosis.  I have advanced degrees in psychology and used to work as a registered therapist, so we’re going to navigate this ethically and at a high level being careful to not armchair diagnose.

The diegetic flute music you hear in this episode is from the movie when they first enter the Hagra and it was played by Maegan.

This episode has minisodes to accompany it, so definitely take some time to listen to those for even MORE in-depth content! 

• Modern Madness: Misrepresentation of Mental Illness in Horror | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Monsters are Good For Us: Grief & Mourning Through Horror | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Electric Meatballs: Brain Anatomy & How the Brain Works | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Unveiling the Dark Depths: The History of Psychological Horror | Minisode w/ Maegan

If you or a loved one are struggling, do not hesitate to reach out to the number below for help. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!