The 1970s saw a wave of sci-fi horror films that connected second-wave feminism with the increasing advances in technology at the time.

They explored themes of autonomy and liberation, particularly among middle-class white women in America.

In the town of Stepford, the men are getting exactly what they always dreamed of, perfect wives.

In 1975, Brian Forbes adapted Ira Levin's hit novel, The Stepford Wives, depicting a world in which sexually liberated women were being killed

and replaced by subservient sex bots.

She's changed!

And stop telling me I'm crazy!

A couple of years later, Donald Camel's demon seed depicted the kind of physically and sexually

abusive domestic relationship we had never seen before,

one in which Julie Christie is forced into being a subservient wife and mother by a machine.

Open the door, Alfred. Can you hear me? Open the door.

All electrical and mechanical systems here are now under my control.

Join me as we continue exploring the evolution of man-made monsters,

and we discuss Brian Forbes, the Steppford Wives and Donald Camels, Demon Seed.

Welcome back to the evolution of horror.

My name is Mike Munza and as ever I am your host.

In this podcast, we explore and dissect the history and the evolution of the horror genre, one subgenre at a time.

We are currently in the midst of our 11th season exploring the evolution of man-made monsters. And this is part 15 in this week's episode, as that intro suggested, we're going to be

looking at two female-centric sci-fi horror films from the 1970s, the Stepford Wives and Demon

Seed. Both of these films are dark and fun, and I would recommend you

watch both of them before listening to our discussion. So, joining me to discuss these two bangers.

I've got a returning guest. She is one of the busiest and most respected figures in horror

...