The Sarian Siren: A Conflux of Beautiful Monstrosity in Murder, Mystery, and Makeup

This article features a dual discussion of both monster studies as a growing field and the modern storytelling medium of the podcasting genre. By analyzing the themes included in YouTuber Bailey Sarian’s video series Murder, Mystery, and Makeup, we can see how monstrosity in humans not only persists in the twenty-first century but is seen as a continuation of the fascination with monstrosity perpetuated in classical times through myriad legends and lore. The siren, a particularly famous figure, was said to have tempted men with the knowledge that only they possessed, a draw that eventually morphed into the sexualization of the once sexless beings. Sarian seems to embody the siren in her work, providing us with knowledge that we are simultaneously disturbed by but can’t turn away from.