21 Comments
Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

So good (as always), Lindy! Sincerely, Terri, age 42 😀

Expand full comment

YAY a new Butt News, and for one of my favorite movies!

The thing about Pelle's parents always bothered me too. In my mind I'm like - well, maybe they have smaller festivals w/ less sacrifices sometimes and they died that way?? That's my theory.

Agree that this movie isn't scary at ALL but it's genuinely enjoyable. Have you seen The Wicker Man (original, not Nicholas Cage one - although, lol, I'd love a Butt News about that version!)? Very similar vibe/aesthetic. Folk horror is the BEST.

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

How if they kill off all the sorta-old people and only do this Midsommer thing every 90 years how how how does anyone even know what to do? (I mean, I know the answer is "we read the tapestry and just kind of get the vibes" but what if it's supposed to be a puppet show or something?

Expand full comment
Nov 30, 2023Liked by Lindy West

Ok I have not finished reading the review yet, I haven't even made it past the fifth paragraph because first I had to come here and say BRAVA for linking to mutherfucking Teen Girl Squad, a staple of my formative years. Now I probably need to watch a little don hertzfeltd for posterity/nostalgia. you are doing the lords work Lindy!!!!

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

I had to rewatch this before reading your review and I honestly had forgotten how funny it is and how satisfying the ending is. My favorite exchange is the one between Christian and Siv ("I think I ate one of her pubes...") It absolutely confirms my feeling that "real life" is so much scarier than any horror film. The real horror here is the suicide/murder of Dani's family, the complete jackassery of how Christian treats Dani, and how she twists herself into knots to justify that treatment ("it's my faut", "I'm lucky to have you" etc. UGH). I also picked up on a lot of foreshadowing and symbolism I missed the first time I saw it in the theater. I will argue that this has a happy ending and Dani goes on to live a happy life with her new family (at least until she's 72 then they'll toss her off a cliff).

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2023·edited Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

Even before I clicked on "Burnt or Dead", I knew what to expect, but I was so happy nonetheless. Thinking (and talking) in a Teen Girl Squad voice is generally an affliction of mine, and I absolutely prefer people who can reference Homestar Runner. So glad you could work it into this overview like the old lady shoving Christian's bum.

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

Ibsen-with-big-eyes really got me.

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

Butt News 5eva

I can't post every quote that made me laugh out, but this one got me pretty good: Christian: A dogshit boyfriend and an EVEN WORSE DEAD-DOGSHIT friend, and that’s the Christian Guarantee!

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2023Liked by Lindy West

"Ever wonder how I got two spouses?? It took a LOTTA PUBES." had me in absolute stitches, thank you so much. It's true!

Expand full comment

This is one of my all time favorite movies and I found it a very comforting rewatch right after the Dobb's decision. (I have so many nominees for the fire hut) Also I find myself shipping Pelle and Dani which might be super fucked up? And now I'm off to buy one of those incense holders too, thank you for this, it was hilarious.

Expand full comment

Is there a way to stream Thin Skin?

Expand full comment

This is an absolutely perfect run down of this movie. Great work!

Expand full comment

Hi Lindy, I wanted to start off by saying I love Buttnews and have been following you since the Jezebel days. That being said, however, Substack has publicly come out and said they will not be removing the Nazis that have proliferated on their platform. That they believe it would do more harm than good to silence them. I cannot in good conscience, especially as a Jew, continue to support a platform like this. I would hope that you feel the same. I was curious if you had any plans on moving Buttnews off of Substack because I would really hate to have to stop reading/listening. I have linked pertinent articles in case you hadn’t heard the news.

https://www.businessinsider.com/substack-nazi-problem-free-speech-money-analysis-2023-12

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/business/substack-nazis-content-moderation.html

Expand full comment

“Always trust knitting celebrities!” WORD.

Expand full comment

I’ve heard THAT one before—lookin @ u, Scream 2 when the knife goes through the bathroom stall divider!!!

I'm STILL messed up by that!! That lives rent free in my head for life

Expand full comment

Jessie Maed and Lindy West are friends?!!!??? Are all the coolest people friends???!!!!!??

Expand full comment