Ginger Snaps (2000) – Review

Oh, Ginger Snaps—the gory, grisly, gloriously goth answer to everyone who thought high school couldn’t get worse than a bad hair day. This isn’t your typical coming-of-age horror flick; it’s a film that says, “Hey, adolescence is already terrifying, so let’s just throw in some werewolves to make it interesting!” And it’s also a Canadian-made horror film, so bonus points for that.

Directed by John Fawcett and written by Karen Walton, Ginger Snaps follows the story of two teenage sisters as they grapple with puberty, alienation, and the horrors that unfold when Ginger is bitten by a werewolf. Known for its dark humour, feminist undertones, and bold approach to body horror has cemented its place as a cult classic in the horror genre. This is a dark, furry thrill ride of teenage rebellion and werewolf transformation that will make you wonder if puberty really does bite — literally!

 

This movie isn’t on the fence when it comes to horror.

The film begins by introducing Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins), two goth-inclined sisters who are obsessed with death and the macabre, which makes them outcasts in their suburban town of Bailey Downs. Their familial bond is close-knit, forged by shared macabre fascinations and an undying disdain for the high school social hierarchy. Their morbid fascination with death leads to them staging elaborate scenes of their own gruesome deaths, which they photograph for their school projects. This does not go over all that well. They have a pact to escape their dull lives together, and they share a grim promise to die together rather than live apart.

 

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, this is not.

The central plot is set in motion when, one night, Ginger gets her first period, an event she has dreaded, and on that same night, she is attacked by a mysterious creature — The Beast of Bailey Downs had been savaging the local dogs.  The fact that it turns out to be a werewolf shouldn’t be too much of a shock. The attack leaves her injured, but she quickly begins to heal, and soon she starts undergoing physical and emotional changes that mirror the symptoms of both puberty and lycanthropy. Her body begins to transform in ways that terrify Brigitte, as she notices Ginger becoming more aggressive, sexual, and animalistic. Ginger grows more distant from Brigitte and begins to adopt a rebellious, dangerous personality, embracing her new “predatory” side. As time goes on, keeping these “changes” from their well-meaning but clueless mother (Mimi Rogers) becomes tougher and tougher.

 

“Do you think anyone will buy this as Morning Sickness?”

Brigitte, determined to save her sister, seeks help from a local drug dealer and biology enthusiast named Sam (Kris Lemche), who has some knowledge of the supernatural. Together, they attempt to find a cure for Ginger’s transformation. Sam provides them with a potential antidote derived from monkshood, but Ginger’s condition rapidly worsens, and she becomes fully uncontrollable. The film escalates as Brigitte tries desperately to reconnect with Ginger, but their bond is increasingly strained by Ginger’s metamorphosis. As Ginger becomes increasingly aggressive, unpredictable, and sensual, Brigitte struggles to find a cure, ultimately putting her loyalty to her sister to the test.

 

Can Velma and Shaggy save the day?

Stray Observations:

• The moniker “The Beast of Bailey Downs” could be a nod to “The Beast of Gévaudan” which terrorized south-central France between 1764 and 1767 and featured in the film Brotherhood of the Wolf.
• Among the students paged over the school’s PA system are Samuel and Theodore Raimi, known of course for the Evil Dead movies, with Sam Raimi an executive producer of this film.
• Both Katherine Isabelle and Emily Perkins have been in multiple episodes of the TV series “Supernatural,” and each actress has appeared in episodes of “The X-Files.”
• The film is set in the fictional town of Bailey Downs, where 15 years later the movie A Christmas Horror Story was also set.
• Ginger and Bridgette wear bone necklaces that reminded me of Marsha Quist from The Howling, and once turned Ginger gains the same strong sexuality.

 

Ultimate Girl Power.

Ginger Snaps uses the werewolf transformation as a powerful metaphor for puberty and the tumultuous journey of self-discovery. The film poignantly examines how societal pressures on young women shape their identities, sexuality, and relationships with their bodies. Ginger’s transformation is set in motion by her first menstrual cycle, aligning with classic horror tropes about “monstrous femininity.” However, Ginger Snaps twists this trope by portraying Ginger’s metamorphosis as both horrifying and empowering, embodying the conflicting emotions that many adolescents experience during puberty. While Buffy fought vampires and Carrie went telekinetic, Ginger faces her inner beast—and gives us a wild, biting, and bloody look at the nightmare that is adolescence. It’s like The Breakfast Club with fangs and way fewer feel-good moments.

 

Even the school guidance counsellor couldn’t help.

The film also highlights the deep-seated fears of female sexuality in society, with Ginger’s newfound physicality symbolizing the fear and attraction surrounding young women’s sexual awakenings. As her transformation progresses, Ginger becomes more assertive and sexually confident, challenging traditional notions of femininity and chastity. Her animalistic urges stand in contrast to societal expectations for young women to remain passive and submissive. This exploration of female sexuality within a horror framework offers a fresh and provocative take on the werewolf mythos.

Ginger Snaps is notable for its raw and metaphorical approach to teenage transformation, using the werewolf myth to examine puberty, identity, and sisterhood in a way that is both terrifying and touching. It has since gained a cult following for its unique blend of horror and dark humour, as well as its feminist undertones and subversive take on werewolf lore.

 

She’s the ultimate bitch.

At its core, Ginger Snaps is a story about sisterhood and the painful process of growing apart as individuals mature. Ginger and Brigitte’s relationship is the emotional backbone of the film, serving as both the narrative’s driving force and its most poignant element. Their bond initially appears unbreakable, but Ginger’s transformation strains this connection, forcing Brigitte to confront her own fears of isolation and dependency. Brigitte’s loyalty to Ginger is tested as she is forced to confront the monster her sister has become. This evolution explores the complexities of sibling relationships, especially as one person grows and changes in ways the other cannot understand. The sisters’ bond also illustrates the struggle between maintaining individual identity and upholding family loyalty, a theme that resonates universally.

 

Sibling rivalry, anyone?

Director John Fawcett and cinematographer Thom Best utilized classic horror tropes but distinguished itself with a unique visual style that balances the grotesque with the darkly comedic. The film’s special effects, though modest by today’s standards, are impressive for their time, using practical effects to create a visceral transformation for Ginger that feels organic and disturbing. This grounded approach to body horror complements the film’s themes, enhancing the visceral discomfort of witnessing Ginger’s bodily changes. Moreover, the film’s suburban setting plays a crucial role in its horror elements. The idyllic neighbourhood contrasts sharply with the darkness within the Fitzgerald household and the psychological chaos consuming Ginger. This setting reflects the dissonance between societal expectations of young women and the inner turmoil they face as they grapple with their identities.

Note: The director refused to have CGI effects in the film, opting for all of the special creature effects to be done with prosthetics and makeup

In conclusion, Ginger Snaps stands as a powerful, layered film that transcends its horror roots to deliver a thoughtful and gripping exploration of growing up, female identity, and the complexities of sisterhood. Through its clever use of the werewolf transformation as a metaphor, it offers a raw, unapologetic take on the challenges of adolescence and the pressures placed on young women by society. Over two decades since its release, Ginger Snaps remains a relevant and influential film, reminding audiences that the scariest transformations are often the ones that happen within.