By Shannon McGrew
Shout! TV's new series, DOUBLE TAKE, features celebrity guest hosts curating themed double features from Shout! TV's catalog, complete with in-depth discussions of the films. For the premiere event, celebrating Women's History Month, Catherine Corcoran (Terrifier, Return to Nuke 'Em High) will present K-19: The Widowmaker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, followed by Misbehaviour, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe.
For the release of DOUBLE TAKE, Creepy Kingdom's Shannon McGrew spoke with host/actor Catherine Corcoran. During their chat, they discussed everything from curating the perfect double feature to the evolving role of women in film and the importance of representation in the industry.
Thank you for speaking with me today. How did you approach curating the films for this marathon? Were there any specific themes or messages you wanted to highlight?
Catherine Corcoran: Curating the lineup for DOUBLE TAKE was an incredible experience because it gave me the chance to highlight the duality of women in film. Emily, Brian, and I had been workshopping ideas for a while, and with Women's History Month, this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Over 50% of moviegoers are women, and you can't talk cinema without them - how we've been portrayed, how we've subverted expectations, and even how we continue to redefine the space. We made a list of Shout!'s titles of films that not only showcase strong, complex female characters but also celebrate the unique voices of women behind the camera. The horror genre, in particular, has long been a playground for exploring societal anxieties. I wanted to include films outside of horror that challenge traditional tropes while embracing the genre's power to tell deeply resonant, thought-provoking stories.
You've worked in horror, a genre with a complicated history with its portrayal of women. How do you feel horror has evolved in terms of female representation?
Catherine Corcoran: Horror has always been a fascinating lens through which to examine gender roles. The freedom of being considered the "step-child" of cinema (as Mick Garris would say) gives us the opportunity to acknowledge themes well before other genres will be brave enough to. Women have always been integral to that. Femininity, trauma, sexuality, motherhood, capability, and survival are the backbone themes of horror cinema. Over the years, the box office success of these stories driven by and starring women has given the opportunity to expand on even more dynamic, fully realized portrayals of women. I'd love to see that develop even further beyond "final girl" and "scream queen" stereotypes and, of course, through pay equity.
What's most exciting for me is seeing the rise of women filmmakers who are bringing their own experiences and perspectives to the genre. Films like Julia Ducournau's Raw, Rose Glass's Saint Maud, Arkasha Stevenson's The First Omen, and Jennifer Kent's The Babadook are proof that horror can be deeply personal, psychological, and terrifying but also empowering when women are the ones telling the story.
Why do you think it's important to have dedicated programming like DOUBLE TAKE to celebrate women in film?
Catherine Corcoran: Representation matters. For so long, the industry has been dominated by a singular perspective, and when we highlight women's voices, we're not just giving credit where it's due - we're expanding the scope of storytelling itself.
Of the top 100 grossing films of 2024, women made up 42% of protagonists. This is a huge on-screen victory, but behind-the-scenes representation remains disproportionately low. Last year, women accounted for only 22% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers in the top 250 grossing films. That's a two percentage point dip from 2022, with an overall increase of just five percentage points since 1998. This plays directly into the gender pay gap. In 2017, the highest-paid male actor earned $68 million, while the highest-paid female actor earned $26 million (ranking 15th in overall actor salaries). Beyond that, in the 97-year history of the Academy Awards, women have made up only 17.6% of all nominees (with less than 2% being women of color). Only three women have won the Best Director Oscar: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2009), Chloé Zhao for Nomadland (2021), and Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog (2022).
Dedicated programming like Shout TV!'s DOUBLE TAKE allows audiences to see the depth, variety, and innovation that women bring to cinema. It's also a way to inspire future filmmakers and signal that these stories deserve to be seen, studied, and celebrated.
Are there any women filmmakers or performances that have particularly inspired you throughout your career?
Catherine Corcoran: Absolutely. I've always been inspired by women who challenge the norms of storytelling and performance. Naturally, directors like Kathryn Bigelow and Chloé Zhao, and I've always been a fan of Catherine Hardwicke's indies. More recently in genre, Ana Lily Amirpour and Arkasha Stevenson have been really inspiring - I also love Diablo Cody's writing.
As for performances, I'll never forget watching Sigourney Weaver in Alien - it was one of the first times I really felt the power, intelligence and multidimensionality of a female protagonist who I could identify with. Sarah Michelle Gellar in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" also did that for me. And, of course, I have to mention Marilyn Burns' performance in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. But I also think actors like Lupita Nyong'o and Kate Siegel are diving head-first into raw, intense performances and setting new standards for horror heroines, which is incredible.
What do you hope audiences take away from this lineup regarding women's contribution to cinema?
Catherine Corcoran: I hope audiences walk away with a deeper appreciation for the impact women have had - and continue to have - in and on film. I hope it's a fun ride and a reminder of how much work we still have to do. Women have been shaping this space from the very beginning, whether in front of or behind the camera, and their influence is undeniable. More importantly, I want this programming to spark conversations and inspire the next generation of filmmakers to push boundaries, tell their own stories, and refuse to be confined by outdated tropes. The more diverse the voices in cinema, the richer and more compelling the stories become.
DOUBLE TAKE with Catherine Corcoran will begin on March 21st at 8PM ET / 5PM PT and can be viewed on Shout! TV.