Faculty of Horror: Recent Episodes
Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West
Marina de Van’s debut feature shocked audiences and critics when it premiered. The film remained a cult classic for years in the New French Extremity movement slowly racking up fans and detractors. In 2025, Severin Films released an extensive two disc version with de Van’s film and a bunch of extras including this episode! Join us as we dig into the gnarly underbelly of de Van’s meditation on the ownership of self and the extremes of self-preservation. Thank you to Severin Films and be sure to check out the release! Join our Patreon community!REQUIRED READINGIn My Skin. Dir. Marina de Van, 2002.
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Grab your zero gravity suit and lock in as Andrea and Alex delve into the sweeping mindscapes of Tarsem Singh’s striking debut feature. With its Silence of the Lambs influences to its stacked cast and extreme artistic influences, we discuss why this film remains so singular and explore the traces of DNA it carries from its predecessors. Get the “Fix Your Hearts or Die” Merch by Goblin Purwin this June at our TeePublic Store!All proceeds will go to Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction.Join our Patreon community!REQUIRED READINGThe Cell. Dir. Tarsem Singh, 2000.
EXTRA CREDITHannibal Lecter: A Life. Brian Raftery’s new book about the infamous fictitious serial killer and his lineage. The Disappointing History of Science in the Courtroom: Frye, Daubert, and the Ongoing Crisis of “Junk Science” in Criminal Trials by Jim Hilbert. From the Frye standard to Daubert, a history of legal “expertise.”
Grotesque, Sublime and Monstrous: Horror in Art. A brief look at the origins of extreme horror in art.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Andrea and Alex investigate the mysterious happenings in Stuart Gordon’s foray into the dark side of academia and science fiction in his first feature. Through the modernized adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s tales, they’ll uncover how class, opportunity, and gender factor into the film version. Get the “Fix Your Hearts or Die” Merch by Goblin Purwin this June at our TeePublic Store!All proceeds will go to Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction.Join our Patreon community!REQUIRED READINGRe-Animator. Dir. Stuart Gordon, 1985.
EXTRA CREDITHerbert West—Reanimator by H. P. Lovecraft. Read parts 1-6 free online.Rue Morgue Library vol 11: The Weird World of H.P. Lovecraft.Re-Animating a Literary Icon. Ravenous Monster’s interview with Stuart Gordon.Monsters and Mad Scientists: A Cultural History of the Horror Movie. Andrew Tudor’s in-depth look at the impact of scientific advancements on the genre. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Behind the door of a seemingly normal American home lies something evil. Something that’s been waiting. No, it’s not a demon – it’s a heteronormative relationship with a total douchebag! Join Alex and Andrea for a dive into the murky waters of demonology, tech bros, and home security with Oren Peli’s feature film debut. Join our Patreon community!REQUIRED READINGParanormal Activity. Dir. Oren Peli, 2007.
EXTRA CREDITThe Faculty of Horror: Episode 26. Mother Lover: Matriarchy in The Wicker Man (1973 & 2006) and Paranormal Activity 3 (2011).
Horror’s New Wave: 15 Years of Blumhouse. In which Jason Blum break’s down PA’s long road to theatrical release.
With Paranormal Activity, Paramount Sets New Marketing Model. An overview of the grassroots marketing campaign.
Surveillance Tech is Changing Our Behaviour and Our Brains. How our rapidly evolving technology is taking over our domestic and public spaces.
I Love My Husband (Who Hates Me). The Cut’s piece on the socially acceptable misogyny in heteronormative relationships. “Understanding Home Video” from Home Truths? Video Production and Domestic Life: Tracing the home video industry from America’s Funniest Home Videos to FailArmy.The right-wing roots of Silicon Valley: traces the roots of the techbro boom in the ’90s to the “free thinkers” of the modern manosphere.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Wes Craven’s first feature continues to draw audiences and critics to it. By examining the production, reception, and impact of The Last House on the Left, Andrea and Alex will investigate the legacy of the rape-revenge subgenre and our evolving understanding of it.
Apologies for the poor audio on this one, guys! We’ll catch that gremlin one day and we’ll skin him alive*!
Join our Patreon community!REQUIRED READINGThe Last House on the Left. Dir. Wes Craven, 1972.
EXTRA CREDITA Promising Young Woman and the End of the Girlboss Era. Ayesha A. Siddiqi’s in-depth analysis of the Emerald Fennell’s first feature.
Screams and Nightmares: The Films of Wes Craven. A thorough look at Craven’s oeuvre with insights and anecdotes from the man himself.
Celluloid Crime of the Century – the full 2003 doc is on YouTube, featuring interviews with Craven, Cunningham, and select castmembers.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
This month, we’ve summoned friend of the show (and verified Lynch stan) Stacie Ponder to join us as we wander aimlessly into the surrealist nightmare of David Lynch’s mind. Through an exploration of his first film Eraserhead, we’ll investigate one of cinema’s most enigmatic creatives and his myths of America.
Check out Stacie’s podcast: Final Girl After Dark!
Join our Patreon community!REQUIRED READINGEraserhead. Dir. David Lynch, 1977.
EXTRA CREDITWho Made That Built-In Eraser? An overview of an American partnership.The Theatre of the Absurd Martin Esslin’s critical essay that defined an undefinable movement. Premonition Following an Evil Deed (1995) on YouTube. A very unsettling 56-second film!
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Another year of mad fackery has come to end, so Andrea and Alex take a last look at 2025 to review our horror (and non-horror) faves of the year.
Join our Patreon community!Alex’s picks:Weapons
Bring Her Back
The Ugly Stepsister
Final Destination Bloodlines
Companion
Good Boy
The Occupant of the Room
Mangittatuarjuk: The Gnawer of RocksAndrea’s picks:Bring Her BackWeaponsFinal Destination Bloodlines
Heart Eyes
The Ugly StepsisterDangerous AnimalsHimLISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Andrea and Alex interrogate the pearl clutching that went on during Silent Night, Deadly Night‘s initial theatrical run, what it means to cultivate festive cheer, and the importance of being nice and never naughty.
Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design! Join us over on Patreon for more content!REQUIRED READINGSilent Night, Deadly Night. Dir. Charles Sellier Jr, 1984.EXTRA CREDITAt the Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night. Siskel and Ebert’s review. A Once Controversial Release, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” Gains Another Chance to Terrorize. Film at Lincoln Center’s piece on the history and importance of Silent Night, Deadly Night. Santa Claus: The Myth in America. A look at St. Nick’s bizarre (and frankly, kind of hilarious) origin story as a folk hero and a religious icon
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Mind the fog and join Andrea and Alex as they explore the dark hallways of Alejandro Amenábar’s The Others. From geopolitics to religion and the weight of motherhood, not everything in the film is as it appears.
Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design! REQUIRED READINGThe Others. Dir. Alejandro Amenábar, 2001.EXTRA CREDIT“Nicole Kidman made a horror movie about Tom Cruise and Scientology.” A video exploration of Kidman’s performance under the watchful eye of Scientology.
Taken from Life: The Unsettling Art of Death Photography. The history and science of capturing images of the dearly departed.
The Birth of Purgatory by Jacques Le Goff. How Catholicism decided it needed a third state between heaven and hell.
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It’s almost time kids, the clock is ticking! Andrea and Alex explore the strange world of Halloween III: Season of the Witch, uncovering tricks and treats in the history of holiday, Celtic rituals, and our evolving relationship with our TVs.
Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design! REQUIRED READINGHalloween III: Season of the Witch. Dir. Tommy Lee Wallace, 1982.EXTRA CREDITHalloween III: Season Of The Witch – The Inside Story Of A Cult Classic. Director Tommy Lee Wallace on ditching Michael Myers to make Halloween’s best sequel, 40 years on.The Commercialization of the Calendar: American Holidays and the Culture of Consumption, 1870-1930, by Leigh Eric Schmidt.Irish San Francisco. An article detailing the Irish population metrics in California.Tricks of Festival: Children, Enculturation, and American Halloween by Cindy Dell Clark.Halloween’s Mutation: From Humble Holiday to Retail Monstrosity. NYT article on the rise and popularity of the holiday. Video, Science Fiction, and the Cinema of Surveillance. Thomas Doherty’s article exploring the place of television in film. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
In this episode Andrea and Alex delve into the dark side of masculinity with the film adaptations of Apt Pupil and We Need to Talk About Kevin to explore the manosphere, motherhood, and the complexities of anger.
Please note: this episode was recorded September 5, 2025.
Class of 2025 Merch is now available. Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design! REQUIRED READINGApt Pupil. Dir. Bryan Singer, 1998.
We Need to Talk About Kevin. Dir. Lynne Ramsay, 2011.EXTRA CREDITGuns by Stephen King. King’s essay on gun culture and mass shooting in America.
How American Racism Influenced Hitler. Alex Ross’ New Yorker piece on America’s dark relationship with the Nazis.
The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. Sharon Hays’ treatise on the profession and expectations of mothers.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Buckle up and keep your eyes on the road because we’re chatting about the teen slasher thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer. From morality and justice to small town trappings, we unearth a murky past that refuses to stay buried!
More content over on our Patreon!REQUIRED READINGI Know What You Did Last Summer. Dir. Jim Gillespie, 1997. EXTRA CREDITBehavioral Risks during the Transition from High School to College. The NIH report on tendencies and actions during the last summer before adulthood.Generation Multiplex. Timothy Shary’s examination of youth culture at the movies.
The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings. Jan Harold Brunvand’s seminal work on modern folklore.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Pack your car and mind the detours because we’re kicking off summer with an episode on The Hills Have Eyes. From familial tensions to political warfare in the original and the remake, there’s a whole host of darkness to be found under the summer sun.
More content over on our Patreon!REQUIRED READINGThe Hills Have Eyes. Dir. Wes Craven, 1977.The Hills Have Eyes. Dir. Alexandre Aja, 2006. EXTRA CREDITSawney Bean – Scotland’s Most Famous Cannibal. An overview of the Scottish legend.Fairy Tales for the Apocalypse. Christopher Sharrett’s interview with Wes Craven.Through the Eyes of America: Wes Craven’s “The Hills Have Eyes.” Matt Carlin via Mubi.com.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Join Andrea and Alex live from Salem Horror Fest for feats of strength (!) and a discussion of the horrors of beauty standards, the weight of celebrity culture, and the algorithms that are out to get us.
More content over on our Patreon!REQUIRED READINGThe Substance. Dir. Coralie Fargeat, 2024. EXTRA CREDITCareless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. Sarah Wynn-Williams account of her time at Facebook. On Women. Susan Sontag’s essays on women and their physical relationships to the world.Fran Lebowitz on Race and Racism. From the 1997 edition of Vanity Fair where Lebowitz discusses nepo babies.How Ozempic shaming illuminates complexities of treating weight problems from the Harvard Gazette.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Spring has sprung so it’s time to get into the greenhouse! In this episode, Alex and Andrea investigate the differences between mother and caretaker, the privilege of home upkeep, and why yuppies love windchimes.
More content over on our Patreon!REQUIRED READINGThe Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Dir. Curtis Hanson, 1992. EXTRA CREDITThe Unnatural History of the Nanny. The NYT’s 1973 exploration of the importance of the role in modern culture. The Lifesaving, Horrifying History of Wet Nurses. A look at another key and intimate household role. Querying ‘Karen’: The rise of the angry white woman. Before she was a haircut meme, she was a person.Review: Third Wave Feminisms. Is “capitalist feminism” a thing?Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Doyle’s non-fiction treatise that examines the othering of female power. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Log on to this episode where we go deep with the film adaptation of the cult video game Detention. From totalitarianism in Taiwan and beyond, the ghosts of our past often have dire warnings about our present and future that we should heed.
More content over on our Patreon!Catch us LIVE at Salem Horror Fest!REQUIRED READINGDetention. Dir. John Hsu, 2019. EXTRA CREDITDoes Historical Accuracy in Games Really Matter? The pros and cons of infusing entertainment with fact. Piecing together the past: The Notion of Recovery in Fiction and Film from Taiwan by Steven L. Riep. Observations on recovery narratives and how the white terror has been commemorated but remains poorly understood.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Join us as we delve into the lineage and legacy of Tod Browning’s pre-code horror classic. From the morality police to representation of disability to community building through murder, we discuss why Freaks remains a unique and unrepeatable entry in the horror canon.
More content over on our Patreon!REQUIRED READINGFreaks. Dir. Tod Browning, 1932. EXTRA CREDITSpurs. Tod Robbins short story on which Freaks is based. What’s so Scary about Disability? Laura Elliott’s piece on the legacy of fearing some bodies. Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space. Amanda Leduc’s exploration of how society has stigmatized disabilities for centuries. Code of the Freaks. A 2020 documentary covering portrayals of disability in film.A Brief Timeline of the History of Disabilities: The Shameful Treatment of People with Disabilities. An overview covering how perceptions of disabilities have shifted over human history. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Andrea and Alex run down their favourite horror films from 2024, share what they’re looking forward to this year and go head-to-head in trivia for Fack supremacy.
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Join us as we breakdown the isolated families of David Cronenberg’s The Brood. From family structures to the legalese of it all, we investigate why and how we cling to each other.
Last chance for our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.REQUIRED READINGThe Brood. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1979. EXTRA CREDITCronenberg on Cronenberg. A collection of interviews with the man himself on the making and meaning of his films. The Evolution of Pregnancy Portraits From Tudor England to Beyonce. A history of the pregnant body as spectacle. The Brood: Separation Trials. A Criterion retrospective by Carrie Rickey.Self-Labeling And Women’s Mental Health: Postpartum Illness And The Reconstruction Of Motherhood – a look at the history of puerperal insanity.Oliver Reed and Orson Welles on Merv Griffin. From Andrea’s secret stash of bookmarked videos.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Christmas came early for the profs this year, with an advance screening to Robert Eggers’ hotly anticipated adaptation of Nosferatu! We recorded our immediate reaction at the cinema for our Patreon, but we wanted to spread the good cheer for the film’s wide release.
Hear our raw reactions – but beware spoilers if you don’t want details!
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(Membership makes a great gift, just sayin’)
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In this episode Andrea and Alex deep-dive into John Carpenter’s cult-classic exploring the ways that materialism, Marxism, and maximalism have driven us to the edge of consumption.
Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.REQUIRED READINGThey Live. Dir. John Carpenter, 1988.EXTRA CREDIT“Eight O’Clock in the Morning.” Ray Nelson’s short story that inspired They Live. The Politics of Gender Presentation – Why what we buy to wear matters.The Films of John Carpenter. John Kenneth Muir’s examination of Carpenter’s filmography. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
James Wan’s blockbuster horror offering The Conjuring thrilled audiences and created a cinematic universe but for Andrea and Alex it left an icky feeling that has nothing to do with demonic possession. By investigating the politics, means and ideology behind the film, they’ll uncover the true villains behind this narrative.
Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.REQUIRED READINGThe Conjuring. Dir. James Wan, 2013. EXTRA CREDITWar Over ‘The Conjuring’: The Disturbing Claims Behind a Billion-Dollar Franchise. Hollywood Reporter’s Investigation into the claims made about the real-life Warrens.Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film. The essay collection featuring Alex’s chapter on The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2. Screenwriters Chad and Carey Hayes, interviewed by The Christian Broadcasting Network. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
For this very special back-to-school episode, Andrea and Alex are joined by the one and only Stacie Ponder to dig into the depths of Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s classic. From the dance of politics to the dance of sexuality, there’s more under the floorboards of the Markos Dance Academy than meets the eye.
For more Stacie, check out her blog Final Girl, her column Devil’s in the Details in Rue Morgue, and her Twin Peaks recap podcast series with Mike Muncer, The Detective and the Log Lady.Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.REQUIRED READINGSuspiria. Dir. Luca Guadagnino, 2018. EXTRA CREDIT40 Years of German Autumn. An overview of the left-wing terrorist attacks that rocked the nation.Gaylords of Darkness podcast – ep 82
Hannah Arendt’s challenge to Adolf Eichmann. The banality of evil, in context.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Pack your bags and leave your conception of the social fabric that binds us behind because we’re going to two private islands in this episode! From the darkness of Dr. Moreau’s experiments to John Hammond’s capitalist enterprise, these journeys into the human desire for control rarely end well for anyone involved.
REQUIRED READINGIsland of Lost Souls. Dir. Erle C. Kenton, 1932.Jurassic Park. Dir Steven Spielberg, 1993. EXTRA CREDITThe Man Who Hated Moms: Looking Back on Philip Wylie’s “Generation of Vipers” – Island of Lost Souls‘ co-writer has some serious mommy issues.Dinosaurs as a Cultural Phenomenon – Why have dinosaurs gained such a hold on the public’s imagination?Of Fossils and Androids: (Re)Producing Sexual Identity in “Jurassic Park” and “Blade Runner” – An essay on how sexual identity anxiety is explored in sci-fi. The Devil in Our DNA: A Brief History of Eugenics in Science Fiction Films. David A. Kirby’s deep dive into how one of the darkest chapters in modern science was utilized on the big screen. Kathleen Burke Wins Nationwide Contest! The Road to Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. An overview of promotional materials for the Panther Woman contest.Marx for Cats. The history of cats big and small as viewed through a Marxist lens.The story of amusement parks is the story of America. A look at how the history of amusement/theme parks reflects America. Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Doyle’s excellent book about female power and monstrosity. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Pack your bags and your partner because this episode leaves the comforts of civilized society far behind. In this episode we unpack the need for serenity, the heritage of toxic masculinity, and why a bear might actually make a great boyfriend.
REQUIRED READINGEden Lake. Dir. James Watkins, 2008. Backcountry. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2014. EXTRA CREDITOverall Crime Down 44% Since 1995. The Guardian article that pushes back against conservative narratives. Gangs and Children. A study on the impetus for youth to join gangs and why.The Gated Community Mentality. Rich Benjamin’s piece on the groupthink that emerges from the gated community lifestyle.Imagining Nature and Erasing Class and Race – Carleton Watkins, John Muir, and the Construction of Wilderness. Even nature is a socially constructed concept!David Mech’s website – the author of incel bible The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species addresses the widespread misuse of the term “Alpha.”From the “Cosmo Quiz” to Quizilla to Buzzfeed… what’s next?. The Smithsonian Magazine looks back at the history of quizzes. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Whether you’re ascending or descending, spiritual journeys through the afterlife are never easy. In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle two films that share some overlapping tendencies but deviate in unexpected ways. REQUIRED READINGAngel Heart. Dir. Alan Parker, 1987.Jacob’s Ladder. Dir Adrian Lyne, 1990. EXTRA CREDITSatanic Feminism: Per Faxneld’s book about the evolution of Lucifer as liberator.The Book of Lilith. An investigation into the persecution and villainization of Adam’s first wife. Temptresses. An overview of some of the most iconic evil women and why they are feared. Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg – borrow it for free!The Milgram Obedience Experiment.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Coming to you live from Salem Horror Fest, Andrea and Alex prowl the darkest corners of RKO’s cult classic Cat People. From the themes of immigration and assimilation to the parallels of sex and power, we uncover how Jacques Tourneur and Val Lewton’s dark vision of 1940s America remains a prescient warning. REQUIRED READINGCat People. Dir. Jacques Tourneur, 1942. EXTRA CREDITWhat history tells us about assimilation of immigrants. The paper published by Stanford University that explains the trends that followed immigration booms in the US in the first half of the 20th century. On Female Rage: Does the Wallpaper Look Yellow to Anyone Else? The Harvard Crimson’s examination of a new age of feminine anger that is forever grappling with the past. When God Was a Woman. Merlin Stone’s 1976 exploration of pre-Christian religions where women led. The uproar over the New Yorker short story “Cat Person,” explained. Male hysteria at women writing fiction about their feelings.Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror. Alex’s new book includes more thoughts on Cat People.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate how multiple characters are perceived and perceive Michael Mann’s entry into the Hannibal Lec(k)tor cinematic universe. From cops to killers and the humanity in between, these cuts go deep. REQUIRED READINGManhunter. Dir. Michael Mann, 1986. EXTRA CREDITHow Thomas Harris defined a genre and created fiction’s most likeable villain. An overview of the Hannibal Lecter saga and what made it unique. The Tabloid that Launched America’s Obsession with True Crime. Joe Pompeo’s look back at the lasting impact of the Daily News. Eating Blake, or an Essay on Taste: The Case of Thomas Harris’s “Red Dragon”. An examination of the use of high art in a mass market paperback. Hollywood, Home Movies, and Common Sense: Amateur Film as Aesthetic Dissemination and Social Control, 1950-1962. How technology shaped suburban America’s leisure time. How 70 years of cop shows taught us to valorize the police by Constance Grady. A history of depictions of law enforcement, from bumbling buffoons to modern day menace.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
We’re packing our bags to hop onto our broomsticks for our annual trip to SALEM HORROR FEST 2024 – and you’re invited!
Listen in for important info, dates, and highlights!Buy your tickets here!LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
From the depths of Warner Bros archives, Ken Russell’s infamous film The Devils has been resurrected (ish) once more! Andrea and Alex take this opportunity to dive into the politics, contractions, and naughtiness present within one of the most controversial cult films ever made. REQUIRED READINGThe Devils. Dir. Ken Russell, 1971. EXTRA CREDITArs Erotica. Excerpt from Mario Vargas Llosa book on the influence of spectacle on the West. Society of the Spectacle. Guy Debord’s treatise on performance and coercion. Sex Education in the 1970s. A rundown of the controversial sex education film Growing Up. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
It’s time to look back before we scream forward! Join Andrea and Alex for horror and non-horror faves and a game that will decide their fate for 2024. Alex’s Horror/Horror Adjacent Faves1. Red Rooms (dir. Pascal Plante)2. Godzilla Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki)3. Talk to Me (dir. Danny and Michael Phillippou)4. The Curse (TV, created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie)5. Poor Things (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)6. Fall of the House of Usher (TV, created by Mike Flanagan)7. Beau is Afraid (dir. Ari Aster) Andrea’s Horror/Horror Adjacent Faves1. Talk to Me (dir. Danny and Michael Phillippou)
2. Poor Things (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)
3. Huesera: The Bone Woman (dir. Michelle Garza Cervera)
4. Godzilla Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki)
5. The Blackening (dir. Tim Story)
6. The Last of Us (TV, created by Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin)
7. Red Rooms (dir. Pascal Plante)
8. Fall of the House of Usher (TV, created by Mike Flanagan)Alex’s Non-Horror FavesStories I Might Regret Telling You by Martha WainwrightMonster: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire DedererThe Cure live in June May/December (dir. Todd Haynes)Past Lives (dir. Celine Song)Andrea’s Non-Horror FavesInscryption (PC)Slay the Spire (PC)Vanderpump Rules (TV)Tetris (dir. Jon S. Baird)If Books Could Kill podcastLISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Andrea and Alex delve into the murky depths of Nicolas Roeg’s classic to uncover the film’s themes of mysticism, misogyny and the ethics of mourning. Class of 2023 merchArtwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READINGDon’t Look Now. Dir. Nicolas Roeg, 1973.EXTRA CREDITDaphne du Maurier’s short story.
The Year of Magical Thinking. Joan Didion’s memoir of the year following her husband’s death.
Mysticism as a Female Path. Mary Sharratt’s look and the intertwining history of mysticism and women.
Take Some Pills for Your Hysteria, Lady. A history of men putting women on pills.Devil’s Advocates: Don’t Look Now by Jessica Gildersleeve – accessible thru JStor via your local library perhaps?The Social Regulation of Grief by Martha R. Fowlkes. Some emotional attachments are socially undervalued.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
In this episode Andrea and Alex delve into some truly long-term relationships and their lasting implications. From ageless vampires to hipster gentrification, sometimes loving someone “forever and ever” isn’t as fun as it seems. Class of 2023 merchArtwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READINGThe Hunger. Dir. Tony Scott, 1983. Only Lovers Left Alive. Dir. Jim Jarmusch, 2013. EXTRA CREDITNot All Fangs are Phallic. James Craig Holte’s investigation of the female vampire film. Why hipsters could be seen as modern-day colonisers. The article by Melissa Tandiwe Myambo on the political and cultural effects of gentrification. Rising costs and gentrification force locals out of Detroit’s downtown and Midtown. Detroit Metro Time’s piece on seniors being forced out of their subsidized housing due to market inflation. Contemporary myths on boredom. An emergent field of study about when people feel out of sync with the present.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
We all float down here… or we’ll lose our minds trying to make sense of Andy Muschietti’s blockbuster horror films based on Stephen King’s classic novel. In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate the depths of Derry’s sewer system, summer holidays and sexual awakenings.Class of 2023 merchArtwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READINGIt Chapter 1 and It Chapter 2. Dir. Andy Muschietti, 2017 and 2019.EXTRA CREDITDanse Macabre. Stephen King’s treatise on horror. Why do Students Get Summers Off? A history of getting to play hooky in the summer. The American Small Town in the Age of the US Empire. The dream and reality of the American small town. Return of the Repressed. Robin Wood’s iconic essay about the American horror film. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
What kind of person could you live with? Barbet Shroeder’s paranoid erotic thriller seeks to answer that question and more as it delves into queer fear, sexual conservatism, property rights and female intimacy. Class of 2023 merchArtwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft If you’re Toronto, catch Alex’s lecture on Brexit in the modern British horror film on October 17 at the Revue Cinema – get your tickets here. REQUIRED READINGSingle White Female. Dir. Barbet Schroeder, 1992. EXTRA CREDITYou Must Remember This. Katrina Longworth’s in-depth look at Hollywood, including the last two seasons on the Erotic ’80s and ’90sThe Rise and Fall of the Erotic Thriller. An overview of the complicated sub-genre. ‘Single White Female’ at Thirty: The Legacy of the Women Stalkers of the 1990s – Lesbianophobia in SWF.A Room Of One’s Own. Virginia Woolfe’s treatise on women and access to private spaces. Revolting Doubles: Radical Narcissism and the Trope of the Lesbian Double by Olu Jenzen Queersighted: The Gay Best Friend Criterion Collections video discussion of the problematic tropeBarbet Schroeder’s quite a character.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
From economic disruptors to controlling techbro exes, the unseeable has been used as a metaphor in a variety of ways. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look back at H.G. Wells’ original text, James Whale’s Universal classic and how #MeToo created a new kind of monster. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Invisible […]
Dust off the telepods and put your swatters away – it’s time for our thoughts about a short story, an iconic original film, and an even better remake to mingle molecules in an all-new episode. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Fly. Dir. Kurt Neumann, 1958. The Fly. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1986. […]
In this episode we look at the origins of the original “Good Guy.” From his place in the history of toys to his ties to masculinity to the anxiety around 1980s family structures, we go deep with Chucky to find out what makes him kill. Become a Patron!REQUIRED READINGChild’s Play. Dir. Tom Holland, 1988. EXTRA CREDITThe History of Creepy Dolls. An examination of how dolls became part of our nightmares.Technology’s Covert Socialization of Children: High-Tech Toys. How “high-tech” toys create a false sense of safety. Hasbro’s My Buddy Doll. A history of the doll that inspired Chucky.“Midnight Scenes and Orgies”: Public Narratives of Voodoo in New Orleans and Nineteenth-Century Discourses of White Supremacy. The Child and Adult Trauma in American Horror of the 1980s. Freud’s uncanny child in the era of consumerism.The Place of Play: Toys and Digital Cultures. A look at toys as “generation-shapers.” Hasbro Brazil’s ad for Baby Alive, encouraging parents to examine their gender biases.LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
We’re back on our old stomping grounds of Salem Horror Fest to plow the fertile fields of themes and metaphors to unearth why the British folk horror classic, The Blood on Satan’s Claw, left us feeling so icky. From teens and occultism to PSAs and power, we dig deep. Tickets for Alex’s Brexit lecture on Tues May 2 are available now! Become a Patron!REQUIRED READINGThe Blood on Satan’s Claw. Dir Piers Haggard, 1971. EXTRA CREDITFolk Horror Hours Dreadful And Things Strange. Paul Scovell’s essential text for British folk horror. Satanic Tourism: Adolescent Dabblers and Identity Work. Pseudo-Satanism as harmless teen fun!The Seventeenth Century on Film: Patriarchy, Magistracy, and Witchcraft in British Horror Films. Here’s to King James III!LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
In this episode we look at what happens when an American experiment crash lands in the British countryside. By looking at the state of England after two World Wars, a crisis of masculinity and humanity’s shaky grasp on scientific responsibility, Andrea and Alex uncover what is truly driving innovation and our need to win. Salem Horror Fest InfoBecome a Patron!REQUIRED READINGThe Quatermass Xperiment. Dir. Val Guest, 1955. EXTRA CREDITHammer and Beyond by Peter Hutchings. An in-depth examination of the studio and its impact. Seeing is Believing by Peter Biskind. A definitive text for American films in the 1950s. The Imagination of Disaster. Susan Sontag’s essay about the role of science-fiction in the midst of the Cold War. LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Mind the roads this time of year because we’re covering Rob Reiner’s iconic film that delves into the murky territories brought to light when your saviour is also your #1 fan. We cover romance novels, toxic fandom, addiction, and more so buckle up! And make sure you know where the Dom Pérignon is kept. Fack’s Instagram: @facultyofhorrorSalem Horror Fest InfoThe Cat Came Back lectureBecome a Patron!REQUIRED READINGMisery. Dir. Rob Reiner, 1990. EXTRA CREDITOn Writing by Stephen KingAdventures in the Screen Trade by William GoldmanHigh and Low Culture by Abigail WilliamsYour Legs Must be Singing Grand Opera by Douglas Keesley “What’s Toxic Fandom and What Creates It?” By Rachael Lefler“Where have all the Artist-Addicts gone?” A New York Times article about the white male writer as tortured artist tropeLISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
We cast one last glance at a year with a lot of horror highs. Featuring our best of 2022, things we can’t live without, our top 10 horror movies of all time, and, of course, some bloopers. Become a Patron!EXTRA CREDIT
Alex’s Best of 20221. Nope 2. Barbarian 3. Prey4. Orphan: First Kill5. Men6. Slash/Back7. Fresh8. Scream9. What We Do in the Shadows S4Andrea’s Best of 20221. Hellbender2. The Innocents3. Watcher4. Men5. Scream6. The Harbinger7. WNUF 28. Resurrection9. Smile10. Mad GodWhat Alex Can’t Live Without:Estee Lauder Advanced Night RepairNike Internationalists Dark Roast CoffeeA weighted blanketA hair straightener (the GHD model mentioned)What Andrea Can’t Live Without:VaselineCroc’s Brooklyn platform sandalLululemon leggingsWireless headphones & AudibleTiger BalmAlex’s Greatest Horror Movies of All Time:1. The Shining (1980)2. Alien (1979)3. The Exorcist (1973)4. Get Out (2017)5. The Stepford Wives (1975)6. Audition (1999)7. The Witch (2015)8. American Psycho (2000)9. Suspiria (2018)10. Scream (1996)Andrea’s Greatest Horror Movies of All Time:1. The Shining (1980)
2. The Devils (1971)
3. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
4. The Innocents (1961)
5. Night of the Hunter (1955)
6. The Witch (2015)
7. The Wicker Man (1973)
8. Get Out (2017)
9. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
10. Spoorloos (1988)LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
We’re live from Toronto to celebrate our 10th anniversary! This episode revisits the films of our first-ever episode to explore whether our opinions on two horror classics have changed. We dig into the evolution of slashers and the conservative monsters that came to life during a wave of social change while we try to find the sherry. Thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to the $2500 we were able to donate to Sistering Toronto. Learn more about the organization and their work at sistering.org.Become a Patron!REQUIRED READINGBlack Christmas. Dir Bob Clark, 1974. Halloween. Dir John Carpenter, 1978.EXTRA CREDITMonsters and Mad Scientists: A Cultural History of the Horror Movie. Andrew Tudor’s examination of expert characters within the genre and how their usefulness has changed. “Recurrent Monsters: Why Freddy, Michael, and Jason Keep Coming Back.” Paul Budra’s essay from the collection Part Two: Reflections on the Sequel that examines slasher monsters and their staying power. “A History of Co-Ed Ivy League Schools.” An overview of the co-ed movement in the most prestigious American schools. The Gift of Fear: Gavin de Becker’s self-help book on how the power of intuition can predict interpersonal violence. “Her Body, Himself: Gender in the Slasher film” (1987). Carol Clover’s journal article that set the foundation for her 1992 book, Men, Women and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film.
Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession. Alice Bolin’s essay collection on the true crime phenomenon of beautiful dead girls.
LISTENRight click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Lock your doors and check your windows because some uninvited guests are on their way. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore the origins and hyperbole around the home invasion sub-genre and why there may be more to fear than those trying to break in. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is […]
Andrea and Alex cross the pond to revisit Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic film that brought the zombie genre back to (un)life. From virology to bodily autonomy to Brexit, there’s a lot to chew on. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad on […]
Andrea and Alex evoke the spectre of Death in their analysis of James Wong’s turn of the century ode to vibes. From risk society to the abject, Final Destination has a plan for everyone. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad […]
Andrea and Alex evoke the spectre of Death in their analysis of James Wong’s turn of the century ode to vibes. From risk society to the abject, Final Destination has a plan for everyone. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad […]
The elite are literally a different breed in Brian Yuzna’s cult classic film about the perils of popularity and privilege. In this episode, Andrea and Alex dive into the mystique that surrounds the wealthy and explore why they need the rest of us to survive. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Society. Dir. Brian […]
Using two popular examples, Andrea and Alex look at the collision between the horror and superhero genres. From conservative leanings to taboo-breaking stories, we explore two films that deviate from the norm (and occasionally, their own source material) to embark in two very different directions. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Blade. Dir. […]
Time to take a break from the ol’ Ludwig Van and join us at the Korova Milkbar for a trip into the near dystopian future of A Clockwork Orange. From our Pavlovian responses, to patient care and British Literature, we’ll slooshy what Kubrick’s film has to offer. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING A […]
Time to walk the halls of the terrifying Hill House with Andrea and Alex as they explore what it means to be haunted, gender dynamics in times of duress and why it’s hard to remake a classic. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Haunting. Dir. Robert Wise, 1963. EXTRA CREDIT Shirley […]
In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore two different yet eerily similar films that came out of Japan in 2001. The conversation covers where history, humanity and community end, exploring what is left in its wake and the new limitations of imagining the future. CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free […]
Whether you call them Hagsploitation, Psycho-Biddy or just plain Elder Horror, growing old is a scary prospect and horror has mined those depths to great effect. Andrea and Alex dive into the murky waters of gender and aging, the burden of care and whether the cycle can be broken. Become a Patron! […]
It’s that time of year where we look back at our horror and non-horror faves from the last year and have a bit of fun while we’re at it. Become a Patron! EXTRA CREDIT Alex’s Best of Horror Dexter: New Blood Titane Censor Caveat Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched Yellowjackets Midnight Mass Malignant […]
Do you like scary movies? Because Wes Craven’s Scream sure does! In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle the game-changing film, discussing its origins, impact and legacy. Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Scream. Dir. Wes Craven, 1996. EXTRA CREDIT The 1990s Teen […]
Do you want listen to an episode about Torture Porn? Well, you’re in luck! Andrea and Alex dive into the 2000s to look at the phenomenon of Torture Porn; what preceded it, what it meant, and where we can potentially place it in our collective imagination. Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art […]
Live from Salem Horror Fest, our 100th episode on George A. Romero’s The Crazies sees us tackling small-town life, biology, the Vietnam War, health care and our own podcasting mortality. Plus, a very special Cameo! Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Crazies. […]
The table is set, the wine is poured and the time has come to take your seat at the table as we delve into Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation. From a history of dinner parties to the dynamics of grief, we’re serving up a once in a lifetime, four-course meal of analysis. Class of 2021 Merch […]
Sweets for the sweet! We’re still on our annual August hiatus but we accidentally said “Candyman” five times and resurrected a commentary we recorded for our Patreon back in 2019. Whoops!Listen in to whet your appetite for Nia DaCosta’s reimagining this weekend! Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Call your bank and pack the moving truck because we’re uprooting everything we think we know about home ownership. From the Lutz’ mortgage with Devil to the skeletons in the Freelings’ closet (and backyard), Andrea and Alex unearth what lies beyond and beneath the white picket fences of American suburbia. Become a Patron! […]
The fog of Victorian London settles on Alex and Andrea as they dive into “Ripperology”: the facts, fiction and shadow cast by Jack the Ripper over our culture. By examining how the figure is depicted in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger and The Hughes Brothers’ From Hell, we can begin to untangle the history of more […]
If you go down in the woods today You’re sure of a big surprise Andrea and Alex leave the comforts of modernity and go back to nature to discover what humanity has left behind through our obsessions with cryptids and conspiracy theories. From our fascination with humanity’s evolution to our need to colonize, we have […]
In this episode, we delve into the murky waters of intimate relationships, nuclear families, and revolutionary theatre practices with Andrej Zulawski’s Possession. From the film’s almost instant cult-status to its rocky release, we look at what has made Possession one of the great filmic break-ups and breakthroughs of the late 20th century. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING […]
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY! Andrea and Alex got unreasonably excited about the new Mortal Kombat movie, so we recorded our pre-and post-movie impressions in an all-new Fack Flash. The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the full episode, plus even more perks and extras.Become a Patron! […]
Get out the glitter and baseball bats because we’re diving into the complex world of Twilight. From fandom to first love to coming of age and problematic depictions, we’re going deep with this one. Hold on tight, spider monkey! Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Twilight. Dir. Catherine Hardwicke, 2008. EXTRA CREDIT How Twilight Changed Fan […]
From pop idols to cam girls, the line between reality and perception is dangerously blurred. In this episode, Andrea and Alex delve into the world of personas, obsession and perfection with two films, released decades apart, that grapple with modern anxieties. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Perfect Blue. Dir. Satoshi Kon, 1997. Cam. Dir. […]
Roses are red, Violets are blue The best couples in horror! From us, to you <3 The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the full episode, plus even more perks and extras. Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
A year in review of a year like no other. The world may have been disrupted in a myriad of ways but we still watched a lot of great content so enjoy our favourite films of last year, a Q&A with questions from you, a very special crossover with Gaylords of Darkness and bloopers. Always […]
In our final episode of 2020, Andrea and Alex venture back in time to Franco’s Spain to face down nightmares, bravery and politics – both real and imagined – as they break down Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Pan’s Labyrinth. […]
In this episode, Alex and Andrea we venture into the knowns and many unknowns of Peter Weir’s seminal Australian film. From missing white women to colonialism and purity and propriety, we tackle the many mysteries of Hanging Rock. Class of 2020 Merch is now available! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! […]
The much-anticipated (if less embraced) The Craft: Legacy is out and we had… feelings… accompanied by a strange and sudden desire for an adult beverage. Blessed be? The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras. Become […]
SURPRISE! We’re back with a bonus episode to help you get through Election Day and the ensuing aftermath by talking about David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone. In this episode, we delve into notions of fate, time travel paradoxes, cults of personality, the responsibility of the individual, and the importance of a good wool coat. […]
We’re virtually live from Salem Horror Fest this year and we’re talking about sexy werewolves and not-so-sexy wellness with Joe Dante’s The Howling. From cultish retreats to women in media, Alex and Andrea go to the darkest reaches of the p0rn theatre… Class of 2020 Merch is now available! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe […]
CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones: 1-800-273-8255. We’re kicking off a new semester by tackling two incredibly dark films that ask the question: have you checked on your mom lately? Alex and […]
The summer bonus trilogy concludes! Join Alex as she mines the occasional depths, miscalculations and style choices of Sylvain White’s I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, examining whether the 1990s Teen Horror Cycle can exist in a new millennium. Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Our Summer of Plague wraps up with a look at potential cures and a post-human reality. Between Guillermo del Toro’s Frankensteinian bugs and a post-apocalyptic UK, the end of the world may be closer (and more necessary) than we think. The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Become a Patron! REQUIRED […]
Alex is back with Julie and Ray to continue their summer pastime of making terrible terrible decisions! This time with Brandy, Jack Black and some dubious geography trivia. Get your rain slicker, your tanning bed and some popcorn and join the fun! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Time to hunker in your bunker! In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle the issues surrounding Nice Guys, privilege, and the conservative ideology around preservation during times of upheaval. The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING 10 Cloverfield Lane. Dir Dan Trachtenberg, 2016. EXTRA CREDIT r/niceguys. These “nice […]
Join Alex for a commentary on the teen slasher classic, I Know What You Did Last Summer. Featuring a discussion of wigs, classism, star power and how an urban legend threatened to bring down a cynical generation, this commentary makes the case for July 4 becoming the Fisherman’s Holiday. Cue up the film, get some […]
Our Glossary of Gore series is normally for Patreon members, but… it’s been a week. Here’s Andrea on cultural hegemony. Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
We’ve had a lot of people asking what we’ve been watching lately so here’s a run of the new releases that have been on our radar. The second portion of this episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the rest of our lockdown activities, plus even more […]
What starts as a routine stop for a firefighters and a puff piece for some TV journalists descends into one of the most chilling and prescient film franchises in contemporary horror. To kick off the Summer of Plague series, Andrea and Alex delve into the nooks and crannies of Spanish history and a Barcelona apartment […]
By reminding us of the past, ghosts can shape our future, revealing hidden truths, histories and uncertainties that we’re often too scared to acknowledge. Grief and terror become inextricably intertwined in Peter Medak’s The Changeling, and Andrea and Alex untangle the metaphors, traumas and unspoken realities that have made this film a Canadian horror classic. […]
Skipping the pond and travelling back to the roaring ’20s (the last ones, that is), Andrea and Alex take a tour of interwar Germany via two of the country’s most celebrated cinematic marvels. From the Weimar Republic to the Frankfurt school, from German expressionism to antisemitism, the past presents us with creativity unfettered (and warnings […]
From the Gothic urban landscape, to narrative switch-a-roos, to entitled male rage, David Fincher’s Se7en is much more than a morality-wielding killer with a penchant for… unboxings. In this episode, Andrea and Alex delve into the movie’s complicated moral codes, the history of detective fiction and the dangers of having a God-complex. The Fack […]
It’s a Fack Flash episode about our pets! Join Alex, Andrea and a feisty Pomeranian for a chat about furbabies, familiars and the auditory terrors of canine indigestion. The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras. […]
It’s that time again… Best of 2019! Best of the Decade! Bloopers! Banter! Bats! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! EXTRA CREDIT Become a Patron! Here’s that Johannes Nyholm clip with the “drunken baby” from his film, Las Palmas. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and […]
In our first Fack Flash of 2020, Alex and Andrea look back at horror’s biggest happenings and headlines of the past decade, including #metoo, Women in Horror Month, the return of Stephen King, and much more! Become a Patron for access to the full episode! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As“
Locking your windows and doors won’t do much good when Béatrice Dalle is at your door. This month we tackle the grotesque Holiday classic Inside (À l’Intérieur) and examine themes of conception, religion, and motherhood alongside the French politics of the time. Become a Patron! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! REQUIRED READING […]
Pass the popcorn! Patrons in our Professor Emeritus tier can watch Bernard Rose’s Candyman with Alex and Andrea via a full-length commentary track. Here’s a taste! Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As“
Sharpen your teeth (and your wits) because this month, we’re devouring the world of Anne Rice and her cinematic vampires. Discussing their emergence from Gothic literary fever dream to hyper-stylized incarnations on the big screen, Andrea and Alex prove that there’s still life in them yet. Become a Patron! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our […]
In our first-ever Glossary of Gore episode, Alex tackles Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze; analyzing Mulvey’s essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema and discussing how it’s been applied since it became part of cinematic vernacular.The full episode is available only to the post-graduate tier of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to […]
Live from Salem Horror Fest 2019 – Andrea and Alex tackle Jonathan Glazer’s alien masterpiece. Bringing the outlying universe down to Earth, Under The Skin reveals the darkest parts of consciousness in a chilling meditation on what it means to be human. Become a Patron! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! REQUIRED READING […]
Our first-ever Ask the Fack Q&A episode is live, in which we discuss our favourite books, our top non-horror movies, and some bonus parenting tips for horror fans (hey, you asked!) The full episode is available only to the graduate tier of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus […]
Andrea and Alex kick off a new semester with a discussion of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s House, a truly bizarre but exciting entry into the horror canon. Covering everything from witch-y house cats, to nuclear bombs to inter-generational tensions, this episode may never capture the unbridled energy of the film but it might unlock some doors… Become […]
This month, Andrea and Alex pull back the veil on narrative cinema and the true-crime phenomena. From John McNaughton’s nightmarish debut to David Fincher’s gumshoe epic, the answers to our response and responsibility to real-life events is almost always more complex than they appear on the surface. Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted […]
Is it the apocalypse or just the start of a new era? Can it be both? Andrea and Alex delve into everything from the military to existentialism, brought to life by Frank Darabont's controversial adaptation of Stephen King's novella.
Andrea and Alex hit the hay one last time to discuss how Freddy became a marketing legend, a cultural sensation and an arbiter of taste. Transitioning from installments in the late ’80s to the ’90s to the early aughts, Freddy illustrates how slashers have evolved (or devolved) to become cultural icons. Class of 2019 T-shirts are […]
Freddy Krueger may be the man of our dreams but what about his creator, the studio that sustained him, his victims and the 1980s? Andrea and Alex dive into their nightmares and beyond to explore the lasting effects of one of horror’s most beloved franchises. Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts! Salem […]
Andrea and Alex unmask Georges Franju’s 1960 masterpiece Eyes Without a Face and peer into the damaged landscape of a post-World War II France, body modification and why sometimes, father doesn’t know best. REQUIRED READING Eyes Without a Face. Dir. Georges Franju, 1960. EXTRA CREDIT Blood of the Beasts (1949) Franju’s short documentary about the slaughterhouses on the […]
Andrea and Alex head West to explore the notions of Manifest Destiny and the Frontier Myth in Antonia Bird’s Ravenous. Combining historical context through a modern gaze, Ravenous proves you are who you eat. REQUIRED READING Ravenous. Dir. Antonia Bird, 1999. EXTRA CREDIT Manifest Destiny – An overview of the philosophical American mandate to head West. Cannibal […]
Andrea and Alex return for their annual year in review episode. From their favourite films of 2018 to FAQs and bloopers, few stones are left unturned… and those are probably haunted anyway. EXTRA CREDIT Alex’s Favourite Films of 2018: Suspiria Pyewacket Annihilation Assassination Nation Cam Andrea’s Favourite Films of 2018: Suspiria Hereditary Assassination Nation […]
Andrea and Alex break down the foundational elements of Darren Aronofsky’s divisive mother! From authorship to ecofeminism to sink instillation, few stones are left unturned or unexamined. REQUIRED READING mother! Dir. Darren Aronofsky, 2017. EXTRA CREDIT What is Ecofeminism? An overview of the term that rose to prominence in the 1970s. The Death of […]
This month, Andrea and Alex tackle two films whose hearts lie in the darkest, most secret parts of suburban utopia. In Bryan Forbes’ The Stepford Wives and Jordan Peele’s Get Out, we follow protagonists who are socialized to make room for the privileged and examine what happens when they strike back. REQUIRED READING The Stepford […]
Join Andrea and Alex live at Salem Horror Fest! In this episode they tackle Ti West’s The House of the Devil and it’s reliance on the 1980s Satanic Panic movement. From modern technology to notions of the real and unreal, how much of the devil is in the details? REQUIRED READING The House of the Devil. Dir. […]
When it’s up to the misfits of Harrington High to stop the parasite-infected faculty from taking over the world, mayhem ensues. Alex and Andrea cut through the muck with a discussion on The Faculty‘s position in the ’90s teen horror cycle, the sociology of high school, and what happens when marketing partnership go awry. REQUIRED READING The Faculty. […]
The horror-western sub-genre has generally been a male dominated one with films like Bone Tomahawk (2015), Ravenous (1999), and From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). Emma Tammi’s new film The Wind reorients the narratives of the unknown American frontier in the 1800s and focuses on Lizzie (Caitlin Gerard) and her husband Isaac (Ashley Zukerman) as their […]
As you may have heard, Alex and Andrea have chapters in a forthcoming anthology from House of Leaves Publishing. Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film is a collection of writings exploring the cultural landscape of religion in horror cinema. Bringing together leading critics, historians and writers in this field, the book includes an introduction by author and theologian […]
New England is often considered the birth place of modern America. When the Puritans founded Plymouth Colony in 1620 they couldn’t have known it would become the bedrock for many of the issues Americans still face today. Sam Levinson’s Assassination Nation, uses its Salem, Massachusetts setting to highlight how little has changed from the uptight, […]
It’s a funny thing seeing a film at TIFF’s Midnight Madness (the horror/genre programming section of TIFF). The audience is bananas. The energy is palpable and the audience participation is through the roof. At last night’s world premiere of David Gordon Green’s Halloween (2018), the audience was primed, Jamie Lee Curtis was in the house […]
Corbin Hardy’s The Nun begins with a recap of where we’ve seen The Nun (aka the demon Valak) before, most notably in Ed Warren’s (Patrick Wilson) painting in The Conjuring 2 (2016) firmly entrenching the film as another spin off in The Conjuring universe or Waniverse. In the footsteps of the franchise’s other spin offs, Annabelle […]
Horror can be horrifying, but it can also be hilarious. Whether it’s mad science or vampires living together, the comedy in these films heightens the absurd as well as our notions of “typical” behavior. At its best, comedy and horror function as a subversion of our day to day lives and expectations enlightening us to […]
What constitutes a film? What constitutes a podcast episode description? Andrea and Alex ask these questions (okay, maybe not that last one) and more in this month’s episode. By plundering the depths of filmic conventions, audience expectations and interpersonal contracts, Michael Haneke’s Funny Games asks the hard questions for which there are many answers. REQUIRED […]
In this episode, Alex and Andrea look through an illicit peephole into the world of the mad and macabre. Both Peeping Tom and Psycho caused sensations when they were released in the same year, causing Western audiences to question the nature of evil, our proximity to one another and how many women we can watch die on screen. […]
Andrea and Alex reach for the heavens and find the furthest reaches of hell with two films about space exploration and the darkness therein. Event Horizon and Sunshine explore the different reasons humankind would dare try to conquer space and the horrors that might await us there. REQUIRED READING Event Horizon. Dir Paul W.S. Anderson, […]
The past few years have seen the figure of the witch become a cultural touchstone for progressives and conservatives alike. From the resurgence of astrology, tarot, and natural healing methods to feminist rallying cry, the witch has never been more inclusive or divisive. Through analysis of two recent films, Andrea and Alex examine the witch’s […]
John Carpenter’s terrifying cult classic stands the test of time in many regards – from the practical effects, to the performances to the storytelling, there’s little about the film that doesn’t work. Andrea and Alex tackle the film and its stances on leadership, paranoia, the notion of discovery, and more over a bottle of Jim […]
Come for the bloopers, stay for our favourite films of 2017, the A’s to your burning Q’s and the friendship challenge rematch! EXTRA CREDIT Salem Horror Fest! Thank you for having us! NPR’s Code Switch – a great episode on Black identity in horror and in Jordan Peele’s Get Out. The Get Out Syllabus – From […]
In our first-ever live episode recorded at Salem Horror Fest in Salem, Massachusetts, Andrea and Alex delve into the dark and depraved world of Patrick Bateman and Bret Easton Ellis to discover what is real and what can be bought with a platinum American Express credit card. From the rise of the yuppie to contemporary parallels, American […]
Winter is upon us again and what better way to embrace the cold than an exploration of Tomas Alfredson’s beloved contemporary genre classic, Let the Right One In? Alex and Andrea discuss the ties that bind and why blood is thicker than knitwear. REQUIRED READING Let the Right One In. Dir. Tomas Alfredson, 2008. EXTRA […]
Ghosts, possession, autonomous sculptures and that’s just scratching the surface of Tim Burton’s genre-bending cult classic, Beetlejuice. In this episode, Andrea and Alex manage to avoid saying his name three times while diving into the aesthetics, capitalist virtues and bureaucracy of the afterlife that surrounds everyone’s favourite bio-exorcist. REQUIRED READING Beetlejuice. Dir. Tim Burton, 1988. EXTRA […]
Alex and Andrea go back to the zombie’s origins with George A. Romero’s original Dead trilogy. From their social roots in Haiti to their ties to the New Hollywood movement, these films make delicious brain food. REQUIRED READING Night of the Living Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, 1968. Dawn of the Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, […]
Alright, it’s mid-October. Are you tired yet? Thought not. Onwards! October 16: Scream 2 (1997). Scream is a classic, but Scream 2 is a classic sequel. The original dynamics of my favourite Scooby gang (Sidney, Gale and Dewey) are at play and Wes Craven’s direction easily guides their story forward for a fun and violent […]
Andrea and Alex tackle the mysterious and ever changing narrative landscape of Vincenzo Natali’s Canadian cult film, Cube (1997). From workers rights to torture porn to prime numbers, they try to solve it all before they succumb to the film’s traps and trappings. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: […]
Pumpkin spice everything? Check. Weekly trips to home furnishing stores to pick up housewares that they consider “seasonal”? Check. Premature pumpkins that will likely rot before Halloween day? Check, checkity-check! You’re ready, I’m ready, let’s do this. October 1: Death Note (2017). I’ll be first to admit, this Netflix-exclusive feature had “bad idea” written all […]
Andrea and Alex head to a land down under, exploring a landscape which seems familiar but can change drastically when you head down the wrong back country road. From familial ties to an unforgiving Outback, Australia can provide a terrifying backdrop for the darkest of human psyches. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA […]
Andrea and Alex deep dive into humanity’s literal fear of wolves, metaphorical fear of the beast within and the differences between British and French werewolves. Hint: it’s not just the accent. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: buy them here! Don’t forget to enter our contest to win an […]
Takashi Miike created one of the most infamous, beloved and decisive films when he made Audition: a story of people looking for love in all the wrong places that has influenced a generation of filmmakers and terrified audiences all over the world. Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into the international and seemingly universal […]
Andrea and Alex combine their powers and enter all the cheat codes to analyze two of the most iconic survival horror games that were re-imagined as movies. With a look at how narratives transition across mediums and the rise in popularity of video game and nerd culture, their two-player co-op campaign attempts to unlock the mysteries of both […]
The discussion of rape and sexual violence has never been in our cultural conversation as much as it is now. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look at an exploitation classic and a contemporary award-winner to parse out how rape is depicted and how revenge is achieved, if at all. REQUIRED READING I Spit On […]
Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into Neil Marshall’s 2005 contemporary horror classic, examining the intersections of intimacy, adventure, trust and truth. Who will survive, what will be left of them and which ending will they go with? REQUIRED READING The Descent. Dir. Neil Marshall, 2005. EXTRA CREDIT Cave Ecosystems: Bones and Baskets – A […]
What were our favourite movies of 2016? What are your FAQs? And most importantly – is Alex or Andrea the better friend?? EXTRA CREDIT In Praise of Paul Feig’s Beautiful Male Idiot – Sam Adams article on Paul Feig’s cinematic trope. Emily Shoichet, Tattoo Artist – Follow the amazing artist and friend of the Faculty through […]
‘Tis the season to be scary! Andrea and Alex unpack all the rules that come with Gizmo and the Mogwai and what they mean to small-town America at Christmastime. Don’t get your values wet or feed them after midnight! REQUIRED READING Gremlins. Dir. Joe Dante, 1984. Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Dir Joe Dante, 1990. […]
“Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West are indefatigable thinkers when it comes to horror films, and their Faculty of Horror podcast is appropriately never without some sort of brain-melting insight into an otherwise pulpy genre.” Full article here
Andrea and Alex examine two cult classic films which explore the notions of time, childhood and misplaced nostalgia. Both films explore history’s dark secrets and the frailty of humanity but do either of them offer a truly happy ending? REQUIRED READING The Night of the Hunter. Dir. Charles Laughton, 1955. The Innocents. Dir. Jack Clayton, […]
The possibilities are endless when it comes to a good scare. The horror anthology is a rarity in the genre but when executed successfully they are beloved. Andrea and Alex do a deep dive into two infamous cult classics which deal in a variety of stories taking place around everyone’s favourite holiday. REQUIRED READING Creepshow. […]
You survived the first 16 days of Alex’s picks, huh? Well, turn off your devices, dim the lights and brace yourself for the last 2 weeks of October! October 16: Night of the Living Dead (1968). Seriously, is there ever a bad time to return to this classic? Personally, I get hit with something new every […]
Hi gang! I’ll be kicking off the list taking the first 16 days of October with a curated day-by-day breakdown and Andrea will follow up with her list for the second half of the month shortly. My list is focused on horror films that veer more towards fun and that evoke an autumnal sense of […]
Diving into the depths of France and Belgium, Alex and Andrea examine the politics and borders of New French Extremity. Confronting the complex historical narrative that France has created for itself, all is not as it appears as these films bring the repressed to light. REQUIRED READING Calvaire. Dir Fabrice Du Welz, 2004. Martyrs. Dir […]
After some spectacular “pre-lash” (preemptive backlash) from the online community, Paul Feig’s all-women Ghostbusters has finally hit the screens. Alex and Andrea take a break from their summer sabbaticals to reflect on their love of the original films, what this reboot means to them in terms of representation and why safety lights are for dudes. REQUIRED READING […]
In the 1980s, vampires left their castles and European hideaways for American suburbs and small towns. In this episode, Andrea and Alex examine what happens when the monster you fear is part of your community and discuss what is to be done when they want to borrow more than just sugar…. REQUIRED READING Fright Night. […]
“Andrea and Alex question every element of their subjects but never take cheap shots at them… Their love for an often maligned genre is inspiring and positive, making them essential voices in the movie podcast community.” Read full article here
The ’90s are alive in space with the sequels which have been derided and praised in equal measure. Drawing from the complex production histories of both movies, Andrea and Alex seek to understand the competing visions of the filmmakers and themes that underpin them. REQUIRED READING Alien 3. Dir David Fincher, 1992. Alien: Resurrection. Dir […]
Catch Jonesie the cat and keep the work loader handy because Alex and Andrea are on an express elevator to LV-426 discussing feminism, mothering, special effects and the enduring influence of classic science fiction in the Alien franchise. Stay tuned for Part 2 in June! REQUIRED READING Alien. Dir Ridley Scott, 1979. Aliens. Dir James Cameron, […]
Hollywood is currently enamored with the comic book superheroes who have dominated the film landscape for the last several years. In this episode, Andrea and Alex go back to the earlier origins of graphic novel adaptations examining the cult followings earned by horror films based on beloved source materials (as selected by you, our listeners). […]
Everyone’s got mother issues, right? This episode examines the perceived and manifested strains on maternal instinct once malevolent forces enter the picture. Alex and Andrea investigate where these forces come from and what they truly want. REQUIRED READING The Babadook. Dir Jennifer Kent, 2014. Goodnight Mommy. Dirs Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, 2014. EXTRA CREDIT […]
Bust out your corsets and button up your pinafores because we’re going back to the 19th century… by way of the 1990s. In this episode, Alex and Andrea examine conflicting authorial intentions, monsters and their makers and what happens when love won’t stay dead. REQUIRED READING Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dir Francis Ford Coppola, 1992. Mary […]
Andrea and Alex dive back into the virtual mailbag to reassess everything covered in 2015, from the highs to the lows and everything in between. EXTRA CREDIT Films of the New French Extremity: Visceral Horror and National Identity. Alex’s book is now available for pre-order! The Neo-Gothic Horror of James Wan. Alex’s piece on horror impresario […]
Alex and Andrea take a tour of the Overlook Hotel examining Stanley Kubrick’s seminal film, the spectre of Stephen King’s book and the complexities of family life under the American dream. REQUIRED READING The Shining. Dir Stanley Kubrick, 1980 EXTRA CREDIT Kubrick Goes Gothic. A preview piece from American Film anticipating the release and impact of […]
Alex and Andrea are joined by Paul “Canuxploitation” Corupe to deconstruct the architecture and isolation of David Cronenberg’s first feature, SHIVERS, within the context of the Canadian film industry. So grab your favourite parasite, check on your neighbours and listen in. To enter the HORRORWOOD NORTH giveaway – use #Horrorwood and tag us (@FacultyofHorror) with your favourite […]
Keep a crucifix close and put some pea soup on the stove because Alex and Andrea are confronting their demons to talk about The Exorcist and why the scariest things are sometimes the most personal. REQUIRED READING The Exorcist. Dir William Friedkin, 1973. EXTRA CREDIT The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. The 1949 Washington Post […]
Why do we watch horror movies? The aptly named documentary Why Horror? poses that very question to scholars, writers, artists, filmmakers and fans. The film follows comedian, horror journalist and our guest Tal Zimerman as he ventures around the world in an attempt to figure out why we love the grotesque and the terrifying. Why […]
A mini-episode sharing our memories of Craven’s films and their impact. EXTRA CREDIT Never Sleep Again: The Nightmare on Elm Street Legacy (2010). The only Nightmare on Elm Street documentary you need to see. Post Mortem: the Mick Garris Interview series. A wonderful four-part interview with Craven covering the highlights of his career. LISTEN Right […]
When director Todd Strauss-Schulson introduced his newest film The Final Girls on the final day of the Toronto International Film Festival, he promised a love letter not only to horror, but to the slasher genre specifically. Strauss-Schulson, whose previous credits include A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, spoke about the impact the Friday the 13th series […]
Andrea and Alex grab their randomly assigned weapons and try to survive the danger zones of Kinji Fukasaku’s turn of the millennium classic while discussing the film’s emphasis on generational divides and the construction of adolescence. REQUIRED READING Battle Royale. Dir Kinji Fukasaku, 2000. EXTRA CREDIT Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. The Japanese High School: […]
“For fans looking for in-depth analysis on the cultural impact of horror, The Faculty of Horror podcast is hard to beat.” Read full article here
Andrea and Alex open a puzzlebox to unpack the history, mythology and impact of Clive Barker’s iconic series. REQUIRED READING Hellraiser. Dir Clive Barker, 1987. Hellbound: Hellraiser II. Dir Tony Randel. 1988. EXTRA CREDIT The Hellbound Heart – Clive Barker’s novella that spawned the franchise. “Fire, Brimstone and PVC: Clive Barker’s Cenobites as Agents of Hell” […]
Blockbusters are as much a part of summer as sunburns and mosquitoes. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore what it means when the billion dollar industry that is Hollywood casts its evil eye on the horror genre during their most profitable time of the year. REQUIRED READING The Haunting. Dir Jan De Bont. 1999. […]
We return to the theme of witches with an evil eye to look at them in a broader historical and social context. Who was a witch? Who was a bitch? Who actually deserved what they got? REQUIRED READING The Witchfinder General. Dir Michael Reeves. 1968. Inferno. Dir Dario Argento. 1980. The Crucible. Dir Nicholas Hytner. 1996. […]
“Despite the sometimes-heavy topics, the conversation between these two smart-as-hell ladies is always funny and lively – never pedantic. Make no bones about it: The Faculty of Horror is a ghastly game-changer.” Full article in issue 67
Andrea and Alex talk about sisters doing it for themselves as women run communities, islands and families with sinister intentions. Are they better, worse or the same as communities run by men? Have they developed an immunity to bee stings and Bloody Mary? REQUIRED READING The Wicker Man. Dir Robin Hardy. 1973 The Wicker Man. […]
Andrea and Alex return to the outskirts of civilization with Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods. Looking at archetypes, genre tropes and the limits of humanity, the Faculty ponders the fate of horror and if it should survive. REQUIRED READING The Cabin in the Woods. Dir Drew Goddard. 2012. EXTRA CREDIT […]
Up is down, left is right and black is white in this month’s episode. Tackling the Canadian winter horror film Pontypool, Andrea and Alex talk about national identity, broadcast journalism and how the stories we tell should stop making sense. REQUIRED READING Pontypool. Dir Bruce McDonald. 2008. EXTRA CREDIT Marshall McLuhan’s Understanding Media: The Extension […]
Andrea and Alex talk to emerging filmmaker Ashlea Wessel about her new body-horror/creature feature “Ink”. The ladies talk filmmaking styles, assembling a crew and horror influences. She also created this amazing photo of The Faculty of Horror! In case you ever wondered what our babies would look like… The Indiegogo campaign for INK is still going. Please […]
We mentioned that Andrea reviewed Álex de la Iglesia’s Witching and Bitching in our Assessment episode. As it turns out, the movie came out too long ago for Rue Morgue to run her review in the mag, so here it is for your critical reading pleasure! WITCHING & BITCHING Starring Mario Casas, Hugo Silva and Carolina Bang […]
Andrea and Alex venture once more into the breach and tackle the questions and comments received over the last year. They also look back on a year’s worth of topics and reassess their own opinions. EXTRA CREDIT The 8-bit Lakeside Lunatic by artist Trevor Henderson. House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis […]
“The Faculty of Horror stands out as one of the more intelligent discourses on genre cinema today and stands as proof that the horror genre can offer thematic depth and richness that critics often overlook.” Full article here
Andrea and Alex get in the holiday spirit by exploring the myths, legends and traditions that surround one of the most beloved and iconic figures in North America, Santa Claus. In both Saint and Rare Exports, our notions of Santa are turned on their heads but we might still discover the true meaning of Christmas. […]
Don’t drink the herbal remedy, don’t eat the mousse because Andrea and Alex are back to talk about Roman Polanski’s 1968 film, Rosemary’s Baby. By looking at filmic techniques, societal changes and our relationship with evil, you’ll see that this is no dream, this is really happening. REQUIRED READING Rosemary’s Baby. Dir Roman Polanski. 1968. […]
Toronto based visual artist, award-winning photographer and friend to The Faculty of Horror Ashlea Wessel is about to make her mark in the world of film with her upcoming short, Ink. Merging body horror with Wessel’s own unique visual style, Ink has the makings of a tantalizing and evocative short film. While Ink is still […]
Andrea and Alex take a wrong turn down the horrored halls and discuss Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick’s groundbreaking film, The Blair Witch Project. By looking at the created mythology, unstable narrative and audience reaction they hope to find the map before it starts getting dark. REQUIRED READING The Blair Witch Project. Dir Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel […]
“…the Faculty of Horror shows the oft overlooked intelligence in a blood-splattered genre of popular culture. It’ll turn your brain on and then… it’ll splatter it on the walls.” Full article here
Alex and Andrea explore the history, treatment and perception of eating disorders through Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar winning film Black Swan and Sam Raimi’s return to the horror genre, Drag Me To Hell. REQUIRED READING Black Swan. Dir Darren Aronofsky. 2010. [DVD] Drag Me To Hell. Dir Sam Raimi. 2009. [Blu-ray] EXTRA CREDIT A History of Eating […]
Alex checked out TIFF’s Midnight Madness 2014 and caught a bad case of seasickness REC 4: Apocalypse director Jaume Balagueró began his post TIFF screening Q and A with an answer to the question, why did you move away from the found footage format? Balagueró replied, because I wanted to give the audience something […]
“Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West examine horror in ways that are fascinating … even if you’re not a horror fan. Great stuff.” Full article here
Pack your bag, say goodbye to Mom and Dad because it’s camp time. The annual tradition of camping has come to the Faculty of Horror and Andrea and Alex set off into the wilds to talk about nature, madmen/women and the politics of adolescence. REQUIRED READING Sleepaway Camp. Dir. Robert Hiltzik. 1983. [Blu-ray/DVD] Friday the […]
Alex and Andrea take the biggest boat they can find and go into the deep as summer dawns once again. Their bait is the examination of nature as vengeance, the strong hold of Americana and the new masculine hero. Hopefully they’ll be home in time for dinner. REQUIRED READING Jaws. Dir. Steven Spielberg. 1975. [Blu-ray/DVD] […]
We here at the Faculty of Horror know we’re pretty lucky that we’ve got some of the most engaged, thoughtful and funny listeners who take time out of their day to listen to us. Recently, we partnered with Mongrel Media to do a giveaway for Jonathan Glazer’s new film Under the Skin. If you haven’t […]
Join Alex and Andrea as they call the corners and delve into the world of witchcraft. By examining The Craft (1996), Antichrist (2009) and The Lords of Salem (2013) the role of the witch as protagonist/antagonist will emerge and will reveal that there is more to these women than meets the eye (of newt). REQUIRED […]
Andrea and Alex dig up the bodies they have been burying around the city and discuss the business of death, dream logic, and some beloved character’s journeys through Don Coscarelli’s first two films in the Phantasm universe. REQUIRED READING Phantasm. Dir. Don Coscarelli. 1979. [DVD] Phantasm II. Dir. Don Coscarelli. 1988. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA CREDIT […]
Alex and Andrea pack up their problems and head to a remote cabin in the woods to learn what lurks deep inside every man which leads to bloodshed and dismemberment. Hopefully, by utilizing hero and mythical analysis they’ll be able to get the safety deposit back. REQUIRED READING The Evil Dead. Dir. Sam Raimi. 1981. […]
“The series is refreshingly unpretentious, knowledgeable, and will leave you thinking long after you curl up on one of these frigid nights on your couch and watch Evil Dead.” Full article here
With Valentine’s Day upon us again, Alex and Andrea examine the mates of classic monsters. What is their role? How big is their ring? And will it last past the wedding night? REQUIRED READING The Bride of Frankenstein. Dir. James Whale. 1935. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] The Brides of Dracula. Dir. Terence Fisher. 1960 [Blu-Ray & DVD […]
In their twelfth episode Andrea and Alex sift through assorted feedback culled from emails, comments and social media. They dare to tackle the dark and tortuous questions from a year of horror podcasting such as, who are you? Why are you here? Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior? LISTEN […]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so Andrea and Alex take a bite out of Tobe Hooper’s horror classic and all the film and cultural theory that goes with it because the family that eats together, stays together. REQUIRED READING The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Dir. Tobe Hooper. 1974 [DVD] [Blu-Ray] The Texas […]
It’s that time of the month! In this episode, Alex and Andrea get a visit from their Aunt Flo to talk about the most natural of all curses: womanhood. Listen as they bleed poetic about Ginger Snaps and Carrie. REQUIRED READING Carrie. Dir. Brian De Palma. (1976) [DVD] [Blu-ray] Ginger Snaps. Dir. John Fawcett. (2000) […]
Alex and Andrea regress back to childhood to discuss children in scary situations. From the good, the bad and the adorable, they tackle notions of class, purity and what happens to the kids who get picked last for Stick Ball. REQUIRED READING The Bad Seed. Dir. Mervyn Leroy. 2004. [DVD] [Blu-ray] The Omen. Dirs. J.M. […]
In this episode Andrea and Alex dig up the stories from our past that we just can’t seem to quit. Why do they keep reappearing, who’s responsible and what’s that scratching noise? REQUIRED READING Candyman. Dir. Clive Barker. 1992 [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Urban Legend. Dir. Jamie Banks. 1998. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] LISTEN Right click or option-click here […]
In this episode the ladies tackle genre, identity and snack food structures in Jonathan Demme’s classic 1992 film Silence of the Lambs. Listen for their screams… REQUIRED READING Manhunter. Dir. Michael Mann. 1986. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] The Silence of the Lambs. Dir. Jonathan Demme. 1991. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Red Dragon. Dir. Brett Ratner. 2002. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA […]
Alex and Andrea watch a cursed tape. Well, two cursed tapes. Well, a movie about a cursed tape and a remake of that movie. In this episode we’re talking about Hideo Nakata’s Ring (1998) and the Gore Verbinski The Ring (2002) and how changes big and small illuminate dark secrets in different parts of the […]
Join Alex and Andrea along with special guest Stuart “Feedback” Andrews (host of the Rue Morgue Podcast and Cinephobia Radio) as they tackle Joss Whedon’s seminal television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By delving into some of the most significant episodes of the series, this Scooby Gang will dive into the thematic and schematic elements […]
In this episode, Andrea, Alex and friends tackle the age-old question, which horror films scare you the most? Using different analytical frameworks we discuss a variety of scary films and scenes while grappling with our own traumas. EXTRA CREDIT The Uncanny by Sigmund Freud. Freud’s essay about The Uncanny and its transformative powers. LISTEN Right […]
In this episode, Alex and Andrea aim their smart-bombs squarely at Diablo Cody’s Jennifer’s Body and how there’s much more to the film than meets the eye. REQUIRED READING Jennifer’s Body. Dir. Karyn Kusama. 2009. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA CREDIT Horror Films… And the Women Who Love Them by Christine Spines, originally printed in Entertainment Weekly. A […]
To celebrate the world’s most meaningless holiday, Andrea and Alex take a look at Fear and Fatal Attraction in a celebration of love- the kind that takes a lot to die. REQUIRED READING Fatal Attraction. Dir. Adrian Lyne. 1987. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Fear. Dir. James Foley. 1996. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA CREDIT The Traffic in Men and […]
Join horror journalists and occasional academics Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West as they discuss the seminal Canadian proto-slasher Black Christmas, as well as John Carpenter‘s immortal classic Halloween. REQUIRED READING Black Christmas. Dir. Bob Clark. 1974. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Halloween. Dir. John Carpenter. 1978. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
