Dir. Nathan Noyes | Now Streaming On: Shudder | Rating: 4/5

Another day, another Dragula review. Following reality tv is always an interesting experience. There is a need for reality tv to constantly reinvent itself to hold people’s attention. Considering this is the 6th addition to the Dragula franchise, Titans delivers reinvention in the best possible way.

In this first season of Titans, the element of “fright feats” is transformed with all contestants having to compete in challenges, regardless of their winning placements. Stylistically, Titans edits down one of my only qualms about this franchise, the long expositions and music videos at the beginning and end of each episode. This creates a more competitive, serious, and concise feel to each episode.

Obviously, if you bring fan favorites back – the season is bound to be well liked. Almost all of the competitors this season were artists that I loved in their original seasons. The camaraderie between the competitors as they returned to the Dragula stage added a palatable and personal lens to the boudoir conversations.

My one critique of this season is the change to the format of the final episode. The typical three part floor show was shortened to a single larger floor show for each finalist. I’m a fan of the original three part version, since it captured all the tenants of the show. If you know me, you know that I’m also heartbroken that they didn’t do the Carrie-style blood dump on the winner this season.

Overall, the Boulets have outdone themselves again as critical creative icons and leaders in the horror space. I’m counting down the days until I get to meet them on the Titans tour (around 100 days at the time of writing!!). I can’t thank these two icons enough for the amount of sheer joy they’ve given to this lonely ghost and all the ways they’ve challenged my view of this genre.

Know Before You Watch: Features SFX gore, flashing lights.