The Boulet Brothers' Dragula wrapped up its 4th Season in December 2021 and has been renewed for a 5th Season on the Shudder Network. The drag, filth, horror, and glamour of the show appeal to many and brings to light a new type of drag that hasn't been in the mainstream.
The thing that stands out above and beyond other drag competition shows is the extermination challenges, the challenge issued to the bottom performers of the week. These challenges are physical and/or psychological tests that force the competitors to deal with their fears to stay on the show. While they're all bad, some have certainly been worse than others.
Stay In Vacuum-Sealed Latex For As Long As Possible
Being vacuum-sealed from head to toe is not for the claustrophobic or faint of heart. Season 4, Episode 7, while not the grossest, was risky as someone could have suffocated under the latex.
Dahli, La Zavaleta, and Sigourney Beaver were tied against a wall and then vacuum-sealed. All three had to get used to the feeling of not being able to move much under the fabric. Fans did not get to see how it played out like other challenges, but the episode jumped right to La Zavaleta being exterminated.
Staple As Many Dollar Bills To Your Body As Possible
Stapling things to one's body hurts and creates a puncture wound comparable to a paper cut. Not only does the staple hurt going in, but getting it out is not very pleasant either.
The battle between Evah Destruction, Louisianna Purchase, and Priscilla Chambers was an intense one as all the queens confirmed that they were terrified of the pain this would bring, and it showed when the extermination challenge started. Louisiana Purchase ended up almost blacking out. Eventually, Priscilla Chambers ended up with the loss.
Beg Not To Be Exterminated While Other Contestants Hurl Rotten Food And Insults
Few things are worse than being at the bottom of a competition series while fellow competitors throw food and hurl insults. Even more demoralizing, the competitors also had to come up with and express reasons why they shouldn't be forced to leave.
That's exactly what happened in Season 3, Episode 4 with Maddelynn Hatter and Maxi Glamour taking the hits. Ultimately, it was Maxi Glamour who was exterminated after she threw a temper tantrum before the extermination challenge even began. She was going to be safe that episode if Dollya Black hadn't chosen to save herself instead of putting up someone for extermination.
Remove Body Parts From A Cadaver While Hooked Up To A 6,000-Volt Electric Collar
Those who have played the game Operation remember getting that tiny shock when they failed to get the body part out of the tiny hole without touching the sides. This is a much larger, dangerous version of that. For reference, a person sentenced to death by electrocution has 2,200 volts at 12 amps flow through their body.
Maddelyn Hatter and Priscilla Chambers went head to head in this electrifying extermination challenge in Season 3, Episode 6. It was the former who was exterminated after being at the bottom for the third time.
Get Pierced By Hypodermic Needles
The most invasive of all the extermination challenges so far, being pierced with body modification needles is no walk in the park. Starting off small, they continue to get bigger until the biggest one was pierced through their skin. This challenge was like a short horror story for the competitors.
Three drag artists were at the bottom in Season 2, Episode 1 after their cenobite looks failed to impress. Felony Dodger, Erika Klash, and Monikkie Shame all took the needles in their arms. Felony Dodger ended up exterminated from Dragula, having the hardest time out of the three.
Stand In The Laboratory And Get Covered In Cockroaches
Cockroaches are known for being one of the most disgusting creatures on the planet. They're creepy, crawly, and all-around cringy. Getting covered in them is not ideal for most people, and watching it on Dragula didn't submerge the feeling.
In Season 4, Episode 6, Jade Jolie and Sigourney Beaver were up for extermination with the latter being the victor. Jade proved that she did not belong on Dragula as she had been mediocre all season and floated by with basic floor show performances. While she had a better time taking the challenge in stride, it was not enough to save Jade from extermination.
Get Buried Alive While In A Coffin As Bugs, Water, And Dirt Are Thrown In Your Face
Bugs are bad enough. With the added factor of being buried alive with water and dirt, this extermination challenge is a whole other level of insanity. Even professional magicians have died doing a similar stunt. For a drag competition to attempt burying alive is risky. Thrills, chills, and facing one's fears is the name of the game.
Not only did Dragula do it in Season 1, but they did it again in Season 4 with slight differences. Pinche Queen and Formelda Hyde were exterminated in their respective season when they struggled to remain calm under extreme circumstances.
Submerge Into Leech-Infested Water
While leeches have a history of being medically useful for alleviating blood clots, they are rarely used today. These slimy suckers will continue to suck blood until there is no more left. If a person is not careful, they could die attempting this, especially being submerged in water with multiple leeches.
Season 4, Episode 2 saw Astrud Aurelia and Bitter Betty in the extermination challenge. It was disappointing to see Astrud at the bottom as they had won the floor show the week prior. Still, that wasn't enough to save them, and ended up exterminated.
Consume A Feast Of Various Animal Parts And Blood
Eating various animal parts is something straight out of an animal horror movie. Dragula, however, takes this to an extreme with an entire buffet full of parts. This is very hard to watch as the setup itself was revolting to look at.
Season 3, Episode 2 saw St. Lucia and Yoskva have a lot of trouble keeping the food down. Their facial expression and gagging made viewers sick to their stomach and it was one of the most difficult challenges to watch. St. Lucia lost the challenge and was exterminated.
Blow A Cockroach Through A Tube Into The Opposing contestant's Mouth
While this extermination challenge is not about eating cockroaches, it is just as disgusting but with no real danger besides choking.
Evah Destruction and Hollow Eve blew into the tube as hard as they possibly could, but it was Evah Destruction that emerged victorious. This was Hollow Eve's second time at the bottom in the competition. Having a cockroach in one's mouth is nauseating and can make even the strongest of people flinch at the thought of losing.