[TV Review] The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Season 4

Created by The Boulet Brothers, Dragula follows the trials and tribulations of eleven contestants as they battle it out to be drag’s number one super monster. Joined by special guest judges, the competitors must showcase their horror abilities in association with the four traits that Dragula as a drag movement abides by: Drag, Horror, Filth and Glamour.

After struggling to find a place amongst the more mainstream streaming platforms, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula has seemingly found its place amongst a community of like minded horror enthusiasts over at Shudder, and what a perfect fit it is. Dragula, like all outcasts who find their community, is flourishing under the Shudder platform, with creativity, fun and supportiveness flowing through season four with ease and comfort.

Unlike certain other drag competitions, the eleven competitors are not judged on their drag, but rather how their drag relates to the challenges and themes of each episode. Drac and Swan Boulet subscribe to the idea that drag is art, and art is subjective and there is no correct way to do drag. In many other drag competitions and pageants, only one form of drag seems to be relevant, (ie) how best a person can imitate an overly stereotypical view of what a woman should look like, with big hair and even bigger heels. Dragula aims to showcase all types of drag, with inclusivity and diversity being at the core of its values. 

In season four, viewers are introduced to a whole plethora of artists and performers, representing different genders, cultures and types of drag. Included in the group is AFAB “female impersonator impersonator “artist Sigourney Beaver, stunning trans performer Bitter Betty, Latinx drag star La Zavaleta, the colourful and exciting Korean-American Hoso Terratoma , New York club kid star Merrie Cherrie, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Jade Jolie, mask enthusiast Formelda Hyde, Astrud Aurelia and Koko “The Body” Caine. As well as these nine new “uglies” (a term of endearment by The Boulets), joining them is the winner of The Boulet Brothers Dragula:Resurrection (2020) Saint, who also competed on Season 3 along with fellow returning contestant Dahli. 

Ranging from challenges such as Horror Icons, Ghost Ship Glamour, Killer Klowns and the recurring much- loved floor show Monsters of Rock, each artist showcases their own individual drag style displaying their ingenuity and uniqueness. The only aspect which seems to be lacking in this series amongst the floor show performances is a touch of filth. Whereas in past seasons, there has been a number of gag-worthy foulness, including acts by Biqtch Pudding in season two and the Zombies in Death Valley elimination challenge in season one, season four has more of a shiny and polished feel, which unfortunately causes the series to lose some of its filthy punk rock aesthetic audiences fell in love with in the earlier series. 

The biggest highlight of the series, and indeed all past seasons, has been the wrap-around acts where The Boulets create mini horror film scenes. Bloody and glamourous, Swan and Drac are the perfect horror hosts, in the same vein as Elvira or Vampira, and need their own horror film stat! Despite the lack of some much needed grime and gore, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Season Four is a welcome respite from the overly heteronormativity and flashiness of other drag competitions. In Dragula, a home is found for all the outsiders, the freaks and those on the periphery of society.

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