Ginger Snaps (2000)
Directed by: John Fawcett
Written by: John Fawcett, Karen Walton
Starring: Danielle Hampton, Emily Perkins, Jesse Moss, John Bourgeois, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, Mimi Rogers
GINGER SNAPS (2000)
Directed by John Fawcett
Trilogy available on Limited-Edition Blu-ray Box Set from Second Sight Films
The Fitzgerald sisters, Ginger and Brigitte, are inseparable social misfits living in the suburbs of Bailey Downs. Obsessed with death and the macabre, the two think nothing of the neighbourhood dogs being ripped apart by a mysterious monster, that is until they come face-to-face with the bloodthirsty creature themselves! Injured by the beast, Ginger is shaken from the ordeal but, over the coming weeks, Brigitte begins to notice her sister change before her very eyes. With Ginger’s behaviour becoming more erratic and dangerous, Brigitte must find a way to save her sister before it’s too late.
Taking the essence of the mythology and attempting to ground it in reality, Canadian indie horror GINGER SNAPS is the werewolf movie that broke the mould and made something unique of its own. More than 20 years later, the film is still looked upon as one of the genre’s great examples and will probably be treasured even more as Second Sight Films gives the trilogy its signature special edition treatment.
So what makes GINGER SNAPS stand out from the crowd?
Whilst the werewolf angle is the driving force of the film, at the heart of it GINGER SNAPS is a coming-of-age story. These two sisters, one of whom, Brigitte, has moved up a year so she can hang out with her older sister, are pretty reclusive. They dress dowdily, they love the gothic, and they’re not into boys whatsoever. Their perfect company is each other. They’re also late developers and have not yet started menstruation. With Ginger almost 16 years old, she’s most definitely a late bloomer and her younger sister is following suit. However, after Ginger complains of back ache, their mum Pamela correctly predicts that she may be suffering from pre-menstrual problems, and, low and behold, she starts her period. Unfortunately for Ginger, she’s come on during a full moon – a deadly combination when there’s a beastie on the loose! The rest of the film sees Ginger begin to change in front of Brigitte’s eyes. She goes from avoiding social interactions and covering up to dressing more provocatively and copping off with the lads at school at any given opportunity. Suddenly interested in the opposite sex and eager to try new things, Ginger has shed her former skin and is changing into something different, something new… but something that could spell disaster for everyone around her, including herself.
For the most part, GINGER SNAPS plays out like a high school horror with the events focused on the teens and how it affects their school and personal life, just like many other movies of the genre aimed at young adults during the late 90’s and turn of the 21st century. The way in which Ginger Snaps differs is that it takes on what I think is the lesser explored mythology out of the big four: vampires, zombies, werewolves, and ghosts. In doing so, it aims to connect with its audience by relating to them in a way where other werewolf movies haven’t before. What we end up with is a teen horror that deals with the pains of puberty, identity, peer pressure, and high school drama, and the many changes that a girl undergoes through this as she grow into a young woman… all the while, not made any easier by the pains of transforming into a werewolf. Not any old werewolf though. In this movie, a more scientific approach is taken towards lycanthropy. Like a virus, once you’re infected, it begins to take hold but eventually this particular infection will take over until there’s nothing more of the human form left. No temporary full moon transformations. This experience is a one way ticket, thus the pressure is on for Brigitte to do whatever she can to fight for her sister.
Whilst the threat of becoming a werewolf is a driving force of the film, underneath we see another side of pain and suffering as the sisterly bond begins to wane. As Ginger deals with the changes of womanhood and the effects of being scratched, distance grows between herself and Brigitte. With her older sister going through changes she’s yet to experience herself, Brigitte can no longer relate to her sister Ginger like she used to. Ginger’s sexual appetite and emotional and chemical changes in her body are alien to her. Couple this with the lycanthropy issues and suddenly you have a fractured partnership where there was once a double act who depended on one another. As the divide becomes every greater, so does Brigitte run the risk of losing her sister for good.
As with any creature feature, it’s vital we talk about the FX. GINGER SNAPS is wonderful in its progressive transformation as Ginger begins to experience changes within her body. A bit of fur here, the emergence of a tail there, and.. what’s that? A new set of teeth?! The drip-feeding of the changes is brilliantly handled and teases to what the finished article may look like as the film progresses. The initial attack involving Ginger and Brigitte never paints a clear picture of what the creature looks like, due to fast cuts, edits and extreme camera angles giving very little away away, so the anticipation for the full reveal of what a lycanthrope in Bailey Downs may look like is high, and does not disappoint! The end result is quite frightening and thrilling to look at, as well as being different in tone to other werewolves we’ve seen in things like An American Werewolf in London, and post-Ginger Snaps entries Dog Soldiers and Hemlock Grove. I also have to congratulate the special effects team on the copious amount of guts and blood splayed about the place throughout the film’s running time, particularly in the opening scene which certainly sets the tone for the rest of the film.
With such an incredibly dark comedic streak running throughout, GINGER SNAPS is one of those movies that I like more and more with each watch. Mimi Rogers as Ginger and Brigitte’s mum Pamela Fitzgerald is absolutely hilarious in her own way and brings a lot of the humour to the table as the mother who likes to interfere in her daughters’ private lives but ultimately is very supportive of her beloved children. The film wouldn’t be what it is today though without the two fantastic performances from the film’s leads, Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle, who capture the pains of adolescence so well. The duo have a great sisterly chemistry and deliver some dark wit of their own as their characters struggle through with what life has thrown at them.
A creature feature horror with heart – one that will speak to many female horror fans out there who have experienced the emotional and physical turmoil of puberty, GINGER SNAPS offers up something delightfully dark and different that goes beyond your traditional horror, laced with just the right amount of humour to give the film its bite.
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Genre label Second Sight Films have released a Limited-Edition Box Set of the GINGER SNAPS TRILOGY with all three films on Blu-Ray, and each disc laden with extras. The trilogy comes packaged in a rigid slipcase featuring new artwork by Michael Dunbabin, along with five collector’s art cards and a 112-page book with new essays on the film from Meredith Borders, Kat Hughes, Dr Rachel Knightley, Mikel J Koven, Jolene Richardson, Zoe Rose Smith, and Caelum Vatnsdal.
Ginger Snaps Blu-Ray Special Features (Second Sight Films)
Audio Commentary with Mary Beth McAndrews and Terry Mesnard
Co-hosts of Scarred For Life Podcast, Mary Beth McAndrews and Terry Mesnard provide fun analysis and discussion of the movie, for a film they both clearly share a love for. An easy to listen to commentary by genuine film fans with a great rapport between the two.
Audio Commentary with Director John Fawcett
An ideal listen if you want to get into the headspace of filmmaking with Fawcett providing cinematic insight and facts about the movie right from the off, detailing that the film was shot in the fall of 1999 in Brampton, Ohio. Fawcett goes into detail about the scenes, casting and the filmmaking process.
Audio Commentary with Writer Karen Walton
This commentary is perfect for getting inside the mind of writer Karen Walton as she discusses her approach to the story and the characters, particularly the Fitzgerald sisters who she admits to injecting a bit of herself into. She also talks about how she wasn’t a fan of the horror genre initially due to the way in which women are often portrayed, but Ginger Snaps offered her the chance to tell a story that she herself would like to see. A fascinating listen.
A Blood Red Moon: An Interview with Director John Fawcett (26 mins 44 secs)
In this new interview, Ginger Snaps director and co-writer John Fawcett discusses his film influences, like The Fly and Beautiful Creatures, and how he wanted to make a character horror film with female protagonists. Fawcett talks about his approach to the film and what he was aiming for.
What Are You Wereing?: An Interview with Producer Steve Hoban (24 mins 39 secs)
In this new interview, producer Steve Hoban provides some background on the production of Ginger Snaps, as well as his working relationship with John Fawcett, who he met in 1992 at the Canadian Film Centre where they collaborated on Fawcett’s short film, Half Nelson. He discusses Ginger Snaps‘ four year script development, amongst other aspects of creating the film.
The Art of Horror: An Interview with Storyboard Artist Vincenzo Natali (20 mins 53 secs)
As a friend of Fawcett, Walton and Hoban, Cube director Vincenzo Natali agreed to pick up the pens once again as a storyboard artist for their film Ginger Snaps, having followed its development. In this new interview, Natali discusses the movie and his work with Fawcett.
Canadian Uncanny – Stacey Abbott on Ginger Snaps (14 mins 8 secs)
An audio essay set to film footage by Stacey Abbott who provides academic-style analysis.
Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth and Fur (1 hour 6 mins 43 secs)
Shout Factory! making of documentary on the movie with interviews with cast and crew, including director John Fawcett, writer Karen Walton, editor Brett Sullivan, SFX artist Paul Jones, and actors Emily Perkins and Jesse Moss. A fantastic watch for fans of the film.
Growing Paints: Puberty in Horror Films (27 mins 9 secs)
Another Shout Factory! special feature sees HorrorHound and Rue Morgue journalist Kristy Jett host a panel including filmmaker Axelle Carolyn, journalist Heidi Honeycutt, and Fangoria writer and filmmaker, Rebekah McKendry. The four chat about puberty and womanhood in the movies, discussing how it’s handled and how sexuality is explored. An interesting listen and various film recommendations are given and discussed. As expected, Brian De Palma’s Carrie is one of the first movies to be mentioned that fit the category.
The Making of Ginger Snaps (4 mins 50 secs)
On set interviews with director John Fawcett, writer Karen Walton and producers Steve Hoban and Karen Lee Hull, as well as the cast Katharine Isabelle, Emily Perkins, Kris Lemche and Mimi Rogers.
Cast Auditions and Rehearsals (17 mins 45 secs)
Plenty of footage of Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle auditioning and rehearsing scenes, with an addition of one scene involving Jesse Moss who plays Jason. It’s great to see the raw energy both women bring in these rehearsals.
Deleted Scenes (25 mins 2 secs)
A variety of deleted scenes from the film, including scenes shot in the school, Ginger and Brigitte post-attack and scenes at Sam’s greenhouse.
Deleted Scenes with Director’s Commentary (25 mins 2 secs)
Sames deleted scenes but with director John Fawcett providing commentary.
Deleted Scenes with Writer’s Commentary (25 mins 2 secs)
Same deleted scenes but with writer Karen Walton providing commentary.
Production Design Work
Nine creative elements are broken down and can be cycled through using your remote control. This includes the design of Bailey Downs town sign, the logo for the local high school, cigarette packet branding logos and the idea of the Monkshood plant.
Creation of the Beast (4 mins 58 secs)
Footage from the creative workshop of the werewolf, focusing on the sculpture and the fur. The footage also shows the department testing how the werewolf moves with an actor walking on all fours in the werewolf costume.
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