Episode Sixty Three

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, we’re heading back to 1986 for a rewatch of Labyrinth, the musical fantasy cult classic directed by Jim Henson and starring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. The movie didn’t dominate the box office at release, but its practical effects, puppetry, and fully textured worldbuilding helped it grow into the kind of comfort-watch that people return to for decades. We’re not all coming in with the same nostalgia, either, which makes the conversation way more fun.

Before we dive into goblins, we share quick fandom news: Villains and Vixens updates (including ticket timing, panels, merch, and those looming pre-order deadlines), plus a little ranty moment about matching editions and the newest Avatar hardcover box set announcement. Then we get into why Labyrinth still holds up, what feels dated, and what hits harder as an adult, especially the themes of consequences, forgiveness, and choosing who you want to be.

We also nerd out over behind-the-scenes details and filmmaking craft: the crystal ball juggling illusion, the amount of coordination required to puppeteer characters like Hoggle and Ludo, and why practical effects can age better than early CGI. And, because we’re us, we ask the big question: is Labyrinth a kissing movie, or are we just projecting fairy-tale vibes onto the Goblin King? We wrap with Labyrinth-inspired book recommendations across cozy fantasy, romantasy, and darker adult reads.

Labyrinth starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly
IMDB