‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’ Recap: ‘Weird, Wild, West’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the phenomenal Shudder series, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, we talked at length about how the show was suddenly working to educate its fans on the more obscure corners of the horror genre. For the prior entry in this grand competition, fused two genres together for the monsters, by having them rock out at a Nosferatu themed beach party and that really did allow for fans of horror and the uninitiated to learn more about the humble origins of the vampire on the silver screen and the majesty of the beach themed horror film. And well, that level of effort in educating us on horror’s past left all of us wondering what corner of the genre the series was going to spotlight next.
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As it turns out, the Boulet Brothers opted to go even deeper into the history of horror, by spotlighting a part of the genre that is darn near forgotten at this point, the western horror. Yes, you read that right, western horror. Where the scares find their way into the wild west in the most unique way imaginable and that made ‘Weird, Wild, West’ an utter delight to watch. In part because it was incredibly cool to see this part of the genre be put on display once again, since there was a time where monsters and aliens and everything you could imagine found their way into western themed stories, to the point where there was once a television series in the 1960s that toyed around with this genre fusion.

Which meant, that to properly pay tribute to this sub-genre of horror, the Boulet Brothers wanted each competitor to bring a weird and wacky monster to life that featured a western theme and as is often the case, the monsters delivered through and through. But before we talk about the looks and some of the surprises that came about, we do need to discuss something important that happened in this episode. In that, this group of monsters, who at one point were at each other’s throats and talking all kinds of smack… actually came together in respect in this tale, for the most part. Which is a huge deal since it just goes to show that the Boulet Brothers did indeed pick the right artists. The kind that will support and push one another, and well… that definitely showed in the looks. 

Because good heavens, did the monsters deliver this time around. For their western themed looks were nothing short of breathtaking. For each and every one of them offered up a bizarre and wild costume, that properly fused together multiple genres in a magnificent manner, and the judges definitely took notice. Since they heaped all kinds of praise on the competitors this week. To the point where it was difficult to really see the difference between the victor and the runner up. But what is also of note, is how much harder the judges are judging the costumes and the performances. For as the field whittles down, they are expecting the best through and through, and that led to another stunning surprise during bottom looks and another unique elimination round. Wherein everyone had to ride a buckin’ bronco to test their wild skills, and for the bottom lookers, this wild ride was designed to determine whether or not they’d stay in the competition. 

As to who didn’t make it, well we won’t spoil that here. Nor will we speak to the winner, because once again, you need to experience the highs and the lows firsthand. Especially when it comes to this week’s loser, since they take part in a cinematic experience, courtesy of the most chilling and finest wraparound story the Boulet Brothers have assembled to date and well, once again, this show just delivers. Because it was just amazing to be treated to another exploration of a corner of the horror genre that isn’t spotlighted enough and the costumes just keep getting better and better every week and well, this really is the most amazing artistic competition on the airwaves right now. And it will be quite incredible to see what amazing creations and history lessons we are going to be treated to… come next week.  

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