Labyrinth - S10 E81

In the penultimate episode of the season, we're diving headfirst into the dark fantasy movie that defined 80s childhoods (for some of us, Dan included, maybe?) but was a complete box-office flop: Labyrinth (1986). Settle in for spoilers, swearing, and probably a tangent or two about where babies go when Jareth steals them.

Was it just a logistical nightmare with all those puppets, animals, and babies? Yes. Does Jareth's portrayal raise some eyebrows today? Absolutely, he's the villain, you muppet! But despite its initial failure as a movie that flopped at the box-office, Labyrinth’s unique blend of whimsy, darkness, and catchy songs (dance, magic, dance!) has cemented its status as a cult classic. We talk about the worm, the door knockers, the Bog of Eternal Stench, and why Jim Henson took the flop so hard.

What to expect from this episode:

• Speculation on the film's deeper themes and interpretations, from it being a coming-of-age story about Sarah letting go of childhood things, an anti-hoarding message via the Garbage Lady, a metaphor for life's journey and friendship, or even the darker fan theory that the entire event is a result of Sarah's mental illness

• A deep dive into the incredible puppet work and practical effects, highlighting characters like Hoggle and the technical challenges of the "Swiss cheese" set
• Discussion about the confirmed sequel in development, touching on previous directors attached (Scott Derrickson, Fede Alvarez) and the current attachment of Robert Eggers (EGGERS!)

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube