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In our fascinating interview with Clelia McElroy, founder of Monstrous Flesh, we delved into the intersection of tarot, horror, and feminist discourse. This unique project has become a vital platform for exploring the representation of women and non-binary individuals in horror through curated film courses, events, and thought-provoking podcasts.
The conversation began with a personal journey into tarot reading, where Clelia shared how she initially rejected these practices due to societal judgments despite her mother's intuitive nature. This mirrors the way many women have been conditioned to dismiss practices associated with feminine intuition and spirituality. Years later, Clelia embraced tarot, finding it a meaningful form of connection and self-exploration - a beautiful parallel to her work reclaiming horror as a space for feminine expression.
Exploring Clelia's background revealed her French origins from Carcassonne, though she's called the UK home for two decades. This cultural transition highlights an important theme in her work: finding authentic community and creating spaces where people can genuinely connect over shared interests. The discussion perfectly captured how Clelia's outsider perspective informs her approach to creating inclusive horror discourse that welcomes diverse voices and experiences.
The tarot cards drawn during our interview provided fascinating frameworks for discussion. The Seven of Swords prompted reflections on integrity and handling sensitive topics. Clelia beautifully articulated her approach to facilitating difficult conversations without imposing her viewpoint, emphasizing her goal of creating spaces where people feel comfortable challenging preconceptions about horror and feminism. When faced with the common "what about men?" question, she explained her focus on creating platforms for underrepresented voices while still acknowledging the complexity of gender in horror.
The Lovers card sparked a discussion about collaboration, particularly with her podcast co-host Dr. Megan Kenny, a folklorist who brings expertise on horror's connections to mythology. Their partnership illustrates how combining different perspectives enriches conversations about horror. Despite geographical distance, their digital collaboration demonstrates how passion for subject matter can overcome physical barriers - a testament to the power of finding your creative community.
The Three of Cups, associated with community and celebration, provided the perfect opportunity to explore how Monstrous Flesh fosters collaboration. Clelia's grassroots approach began with small community center gatherings and has evolved into partnerships with other inclusive film groups in Nottingham. Their annual International Women's Day celebration of women in horror exemplifies this community-building ethos, bringing together filmmakers, artists, writers, and enthusiasts to share their passion.
Perhaps most compelling was our exploration of the "feral feminine" concept - the idea that feminine rage remains largely unacceptable in society even in 2025. Horror provides a unique space to explore and express this rage, challenging gendered expectations around violence and emotional expression. Through Monstrous Flesh, Clelia creates opportunities for women and non-binary people to reclaim horror narratives that have historically objectified them.
Nottingham emerges as a vital character in this story - a city with a thriving creative scene that welcomed Clelia and her ideas with open arms. This demonstrates how important physical community remains even in our digital age, especially for marginalized voices seeking to challenge dominant narratives in film and literature.
