Synopsis:
Eighty minutes of pure horror queer celebration with original musical numbers, voodoo, zombies, Drag Queens, and campy neo-giallo delight soaked in blood, gristle, and glitter, oh my! In this “glam horror” righteous extravaganza, a battle for territory requires the Bouvèé sisters to set aside their differences to become the “Big Easy Queens!” Entirely made-in-Florida and set in the steamy underworld, BIG EASY QUEENS follows Minnie Bouvèé, Mob Queen of the Quarter, and her rivalry with her arch-nemesis, Poodles Makenzie. After Minnie Bouvèé has Poodles Makenzie’s crew brutally slaughtered, she braces for the blowback; what she doesn’t expect, however, is to be stalked by a creepy masked figure who leaves behind bouquets of gardenias and terrifying notes. Is this Poodles’ revenge, or the work of Minnie’s estranged sister who stole her man years ago and has suddenly reappeared in her life?
Directed by Erynn Dalton
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Review by Parker Jesse Chase:
“Big Easy Queens” is a musical celebration of queer horror, blending blood, gristle, and glitter into a unique spectacle. The film revolves around a battle for territory forcing the Bouvèé sisters to set aside their differences and unite as the “Big Easy Queens.”
The story follows Minnie Bouvèé, Mob Queen of the Quarter, as she contends with her arch-nemesis, Poodles Makenzie. After having Poodles’ crew brutally slaughtered, Minnie braces for retaliation, but is instead stalked by a creepy masked figure who leaves behind bouquets of gardenias and threatening notes. The mystery deepens as Minnie wonders if this is Poodles’ revenge or the work of her estranged sister, who reappears in her life after years of animosity.
From the title card, it’s clear “Big Easy Queens” promises a bloody tale. The film draws cinematic inspirations from iconic films such as “The Birdcage”, “The Producers”, and “Chicago”, with a touch of “Austin Powers” thrown in (the gun bra scene is particularly memorable). A threatening letter attached with white gardenias—a personal touch for Miss Bouvèé—adds an eerie layer to the plot. The musical numbers delve into the characters’ complicated histories, especially involving Jackson, who left Minnie for her sister, Mimi. Jackson’s constant scheming for money reveals the emotional manipulations at play.
Mimi makes a deal with Poodles, agreeing to be her “pet” in exchange for limitless cash to keep Jackson. Just as Mimi thinks she’s getting what she wants, a surprising twist keeps her desires just out of reach.
The bloody covered gardenias are the most artistically cinematic element, and the kaleidoscope sequence is killer—pun intended. The film’s play on witchcraft, in a scene reminiscent of “I Love Lucy” and “Scooby-Doo”, showcases the sister duo’s plot to outsmart Poodles.
As the story unfolds, the villain behind the crime isn’t who we expect. The thrupple of men planning to take over the Quarter is revealed to be led by Giuseppe, Miss Bouvèé’s right-hand man, who witnessed his mother’s accidental murder at Minnie’s hands with Poodles’ right hand man and Jackson by his side. The revenge plot comes full circle, with the sisters uniting to take down the thrupple and rise in power.
In the end, the two sisters find their happy ending not with a man, but by rediscovering their bond and performing together at the club. The production design, costumes, and setting perfectly capture the glitz and glam of the LGBTQ Queen lifestyle with a mob boss twist. This blend of high camp and gangster drama is rare, making the film’s storytelling experience truly unique.
Directed by Erynn Dalton, with a screenplay by Robert Leleux and an original score by Geoffrey Short, “Big Easy Queens” is a blood-soaked, glittering joyride through queer horror. Eric Swanson as Miss Bouvèé and Jennifer McClain as Poodles MaKenzie deliver standout performances, making this film a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Festival Reviews 