Sunday, May 17th, 2026
This SUNDAY, May 17th, Hot Wax Coffee Shop hosts another edition of Sacrilegious Cinema: Menagerie of Madness with a trip down memory lane, ushering in the usual high school rejects in their reign of retribution where they finally get their flowers in these fearsome flicks. We study two vastly different pariahs in Carrie and Lola, investigating dual sides of the same coin- from overbearing mothers to daddy issues— both with the common goal of love and acceptance, despite acting as the antithesis to one another. We cordially invite you to join in our annual prom themed double feature event to celebrate the season. So grab your gowns and take out your tuxes- and get ready to relive your youth through the silver screen. This duo’s beauty lies skin deep, harnessing symbols of sexuality, repression, self-loathing, vengeance and loneliness under a feministic lens.💗
Opening the night at 8PM- step into the tragic life of Carrietta White, sheltered from the world by her mother-a religious zealot- and outcast by her peers at Bates High School. Years of isolation and bullying rapidly fester, enhanced by her entrance into maturity, where her telekinetic abilities are only amplified, eventually culminating in a night of chaos at her senior prom where she is baptized in pig’s blood in a perverse mockery of her inauguration as queen. Be my guest for this psychological tale of the ‘monsterhood in menstruation’ sub-genre and let’s delve into the corruption riddled in Christianity, exalting femininity and sexuality in the terms of religious repression and social constructs, especially in the hierarchy of high school.
CARRIE (1976), penned by the monarch of horror, Stephen King himself, and artfully adapted by Brian de Palma, accelerated both men’s success, serving as King’s debut novel and claim to fame, also advancing de Palma’s career, plunging him into the mainstream limelight from his avant garde beginnings. De Palma employs a sublime balancing act between satirization and seriousness in this exhibit of duality of an adolescent’s worst nightmare brought to life. Drawing influence from the French New Wave movement and the works of Alfred Hitchcock, Carrie flaunts masterful camera work adorned by a striking color palette reminiscent of a fever dream. Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie portray the mother/daughter dynamic with such zest, each individually crafting a commanding presence in their visceral performances, reinforcing the status of the movie. The telekinesis acts as an extension of Carrie’s emotions- unbridled rage to heart wrenching humiliation, wielding weaponry in her womanhood- there lies an emphasis on shame and marques of violence concerning its jurisdiction over the sensual. 🐖🩸🪣 👑
Then, at 10PM, join high schooler Brent Mitchell as he steps into the world of Lola Stone in this candy colored nightmare.
Still reeling from his father’s gut-wrenching death a year prior, Brent becomes his fellow classmate’s captive when he rejects her invitation to the school formal. This brand of unrequited love comes with consequence, as Brent discovers beneath the melted pink bubblegum visage lies a vicious heart and a penchant for punishment. THE LOVED ONES (2009) offers an aberrant affair, supplemented by a demented daddy-daughter duo touching on the often unexplored Electra Complex and reflecting a case study of our sadistically spoiled princess enabling a delusional dwelling woven from the likes of a fairytale. Xavier Samuel supplies a harrowing performance as the distraught heartthrob, while Robin McLeavy compliments the star’s angst and desperation with her manic malice and deranged disposition, making for an intense viewing experience. This Australian gem harbors the blood of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the fabric of Misery, as well as dipping into Dahmer and other real life serial killers as a horrifying foundation for the narrative. The discordant ambience amidst the glitter and gore evokes a palpable irony lurking under a saccharine guise, tackling grief, trauma, obsession, and the subversion of gender roles all wrapped up nicely in a tarnished pink bow. So pucker up for Princess. 👑 🪩💉🎀🍬
Come out to crown the queen and (pig’s) blood will be spilled. Prom doesn’t get anymore petrifying. ✨🌌
Wear your fanciest formal wear and take a nostalgic prom picture to get 25% off your tab (and don’t forget to tag us on social media).
FREE popcorn included with a mandatory purchase- no cover charge with a 1 drink (or snack) minimum from the bar.
(Movie nights offer psychological insight accompanied by behind the scenes information and observations by your horror hostess). 🍿🎞️🎥