South of Midnightfully embraces the folklore of America’s Deep South, with each of its boss fights putting a fresh spin on some legendary monsters and creatures. Huggin Molly is one suchfolklore-inspired boss.
A focal point of a lot ofSouth of Midnight’s pre-release marketing, Huggin Molly is presented in Compulsion’s action-adventure game as a giant spider-like creature with a woman’s face. Players are told long before they ever meet Molly that she’s an incredibly dangerous monster who’s kidnapped countless children over the last few decades. But much like the rest ofSouth of Midnight’s roster, there’s a lot more to Huggin Molly than meets the eye.
The Story of South of Midnight’s Huggin Molly Explained
A Child’s Salvation
Though she’s mentioned a few times before her main appearance, the story ofSouth of Midnight’s Huggin Mollyis told from the perspective of Itchy. An old man now, Itchy was a young boy when Huggin Molly first appeared, and, as he puts it himself, he was the “only schoolboy she ain’t never took.”
When Itchy was a child, he lived with his father in a small village built around a factory. The family was poor, and Itchy’s father was quick to express his frustrations by beating his child. Every mistake Itchy ever made, no matter how small, was met with the end of a switch. Over time, Itchy began to believe that everything bad in his life was his fault, regardless of whether that was true or not.
One day, Itchy heard some kids talk about a woman named Molly who lived further up the mountain. The children said Molly gave them toys and fresh clothes, and Itchy developed a strong desire to visit her, though he knew his father wouldn’t let him. Soon after, Itchy’s father died while working in the factory, and his body was found encased in red yarn. This red yarn is believed to beHuggin Molly’s calling card.
Meanwhile, a young girl named Jane who was living in the same village was forced to look after her infant siblings while both of her parents worked overtime. Out of desperation, she sent Molly a letter asking for her help.
The “Monster” Is Driven Away
Knowing no other way to cope, Itchy blamed himself for his father’s death. The village rallied together to confront Molly at her home, but they were taken aback by her monstrous appearance. In the chaos, Molly managed to escape the mob. In the months following, Molly gradually took all of the village’s children but Itchy, and she became demonized by the townsfolk, who spread the tale of her kidnappings far and wide.
According to folklore, Huggin Molly stalks the streets of Abbeville, Alabama. Dressed in all-black clothing, Huggin Molly is said to take any children who play in the street after dark.
The True Monster Is Revealed
AfterSouth of Midnight’s Huggin Molly boss fight, players learn that Molly wasn’t stealing children, they were coming to her for help and wanted to stay with her. Molly was simply a woman who provided for children who were otherwise completely neglected by their own parents.
Player-character Hazelfinds out that her mother, who works in social care, was actually bringing the children who were failed by the system to Molly so they’d be cared for. These are the children who have gone “missing” in the town of Prospero.
