‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans’ Recap – ‘Zombie Prom’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that the zombie has become a true staple of the horror genre, especially in this modern era of horror. Because they have dominated the airwaves and still captivate and terrify us after all these years and of course, they continue to inspire creative artists everywhere to create the most terrifying ghoul possible, including the participants of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans. For this week’s episode focused on the wonder of the zombie in a supremely imaginative manner, by having the Titans create not one, but two looks this week to properly explore the sheer terror of the zombie and its importance to the genre.
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For the challenges present in ‘Zombie Prom’ involved creating a glamorous look for the Titans, one that made them as normal as possible, before they were to transform those gorgeous prom goers into members of the living dead. A move that would truly explore the horror and majesty of the zombie. Since the transformation and loss of innocence that accompanies this creature, is a powerful story unto itself about the bastardization of death they create, and how their cravings for warm, human flesh… lean into the shedding of our humanity to become shells of our former selves. The kind that are driven by pure, motorized, instinct and well… after eating brains for a chance to not be sent home through immunity, the Titans began their march toward living death.

Which once again led to some epic creations. The kind that really did glam out the contestants like never before or immediately remind us of our own awkward selves during prom back in the day before the living dead took over and terrified us on screen. Because good heavens, the Titans went all out to invent some memorable zombies. Koco for instance, brought forth a twisted zombie, one that evoked nausea with the gore, and Victoria’s was also horrendously impressive and screen worthy with its subtle, Savini/Nicotero feel and even Hoso wowed with the guts and gore. But not everyone did as well as they did. In fact, Astrud and Abhora’s work was sub-par to the judges and that brought forth… a twist.

In that, Drac and Swan thought now was a good time to shake things up and really remind everyone of the fragile nature of their standing on the show through a little peer pressure. Which is why the judges decided that it be up to the winner to decide who went up for elimination, which… brought all the tea we’ve been discussing full circle in this tale. Because the Astrud/Abhora/HoSo triangle of emotions boiled over to a head in this episode. To the point where everyone was over it and calling them out for it and that frustration… put both Astrud and Abhora up for elimination. In the hopes of finally putting an end to the drama so work could be done, and well the plan worked.

Because one of those two were sent packing, and well… by now, you know the drill. We don’t discuss the winner or the banished in these recaps, we’re all about the lesson and there were plenty here. Such as how this episode reminded us to not be romantically involved in the workplace, and yes, this IS work for sure. Alongside some wonderful lessons about the zombie and our obsession with it and well, all of that made for another incredible leg of the competition. One that is going to intensify and likely impress further now that the drama is over. Because it was becoming a distraction, and it will be interesting to see how much more focused the Titans become now that the triangle has been broken up. Until next time.

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