Description

This week, we’re heading to the shore—but not for the sunshine. Returning guest Michel Eljaiek joins co-host Bella Efstratis to explore the darker side of paradise through three beach-set thrillers that reveal just how quickly bliss can turn into terror.

• First up is Old (2021), M. Night Shyamalan’s eerie tale of a secluded beach where visitors age rapidly, confronting the horror of time and mortality.
• Then it’s The Beach (2000), Danny Boyle’s cult favorite starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a backpacker who discovers an idyllic island commune that slowly unravels into something far more sinister. 
• And finally, there’s the low-budget hidden gem The Sand (2015), where a group of spring breakers wake up to find the beach itself has turned against them—thanks to a flesh-eating organism lurking just beneath the surface.

From body horror to environmental dread, we dive into how each film uses the beach to explore humanity’s desire to escape pain, chase pleasure, and preserve a state of bliss—no matter the cost. These movies may look like vacation films on the surface, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find something far more disturbing.

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You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd
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Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.