‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’ Recap: ‘Terror in the Woods’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Photo of the Cast of Season 5 of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’ Courtesy of Shudder.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the Season Five Premiere of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’. To revisit the Season Four Finale, click here.
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One would think that after five years of educating fans regarding the wonder of horror, the Boulet Brothers would run out of topics to explore and showcase for their loyal fans. After all, there’s been forty episodes of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, and ten of Titans, and one epic movie, and Drac and Swan have truly left no stone or skull unturned regarding the genre. They celebrate it all, and teach us in the process and yes, in the hands of anyone else, that might be enough. But the fact of the matter is, Drac and Swan, are genuine horror experts, who are students of the genre and every single corner it represents and never was that more evident during the season five premiere of Dragula, which debuted on Shudder last night.
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For a new cycle of this wildly and rightfully popular drag competition show/horror education hour, brought forth another incredible examination of the genre and the various monsters and subgenres that populate horror. For ‘Terror in the Woods’ took the time to move the audience and the new monsters into the forest worlds of horror. Where Jason Voorhees loves to roam, alongside fabled beings of yore and even serial killers such as Angela Baker from Sleepaway Camp. And well, this was a brilliant way to kick off season five. Since it allowed for the competitors to get a taste of things to come by being forced to trudge through the woods in drag outfits to a safe space where they were informed of the details regarding this episode’s theme.

Wherein the group had to tap into the primal fears that outdoorsy and woodsy horror films provide us with, all while showcasing their talents as drag artists and well, that type of set up meant we were in for a learning experience, and so were the monsters and the first thing we learned… was that this group is the show’s most unique to date. Mainly because they come from a very diverse background in the world of drag, and their skill sets are simply amazing. Which meant that the tea that is usually served early in the competition wasn’t present here. Sure, there was sass, and ribbing upon one another and that confidence we love from the monsters… but they were ready to work first, and really impress through and through and well, that brought about some fascinating costumes for certain. The kind that mostly met the challenge when all is said and done. 

For we were treated to horrible marshmallow nightmares courtesy of Blackberri, creepy crawlies by way of Orkgotic, and individuals and monsters that absolutely made us think of what scares us in the woods when we’re camping or spending time with friends in nature, and to really educate us on the importance of how those fears are/were expressed through drag and the films that inspired the costumes, Drac and Swan brought in some heavy hitting judges. For Mike Flanagan, the master of deep psychological horror was on the stage, as was Angela Baker herself. For Felissa Rose stopped by to speak upon the matter since it is near and dear to her heart, and the hearts that Angela literally stole out of people’s chests, and that brought about… an amazing education and an amazing floor show.

One that saw the judges hit the ground running with their patented honesty and hard truth so that everyone understood the standard and what was to come, and well… that’s all we will say on the finale of this episode. Because this year, we don’t want to discuss who won the day or who went home, we want you to experience the gravity of those moments. So, we will close this recap out, with praise. Because it was just great to have this show back on the air and meet a fresh set of brilliant competitors that are going to interpret the best parts of horror in a unique and dynamic manner. One that will allow for us to learn lessons untold from two genuine horror experts and icons, as every contestant puts their best nightmare forward to be crowned as The World’s Next Drag Supermonster. Until next time.

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