Discover the Horror Podcast

Hardware (1990), Death Machine (1994), and Event Horizon (1997)

The 1990s are often thought of as a decade of dread for horror fans—not because of what was on the screen, but because nothing good supposedly came out of it. Or at least, that's the typical response. But as we continue down the path to Discover the Horror, we're starting to realize that what we remember about the past isn't always accurate—whether it's based on our own memories or what we were told.

When you really dig into those ten years, there's actually a lot of great stuff that came out—even just here in the U.S. And when you look beyond to international horror, it gets even better. Browse through the list and you're bound to say, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that one."

In this episode, we decided to tackle that decade and picked three titles that, as it turns out, share some very similar themes. And we think all three are well worth watching.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Batman Returns (1992), The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Boneyard (1991), Braindead (1992), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Candyman (1992), Cronos (1992), Day of the Dead (1985), Death Machine (1994), Dellamorte Dellamore (1994), The Descent (2005), Dr. Giggles (1992), Dust Devil (1992), Event Horizon (1997), Evil Dead 2 (1987), The Exorcist (1973), Faces of Death (1978), Freeway (1996), Goodfellas (1990), Godzilla (1998), Gravity (2013), Halloween (1978), Halloween H20 (1998), Hardware (1990), Hellraiser (1987), Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), High Tension (2003), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), Judge Dredd (1995), Jurassic Park (1993), Lord of Illusion (1995), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), Meet the Feebles (1989), Mimic (1997), Misery (1990), The Mummy (1999), Nightbreed (1990), Pulp Fiction (1994), The Princess Bride (1987), Reign of Fire (2002), The Resurrected (1991), Return of the Living Dead (1985), Return to Splatter Farm (2020), Ringu (1998), Scream (1996), Scream 2 (1997), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Star Wars (1977), Thelma & Louise (1991), The Thing (1982), Valentine (2001), Warning Sign (1985), Willow (1988)

Die, Monster, Die! (1965), Necronomicon (1993), and Gods of the Deep (2023)

While Stephen King may dominate when it comes to movie adaptations of his work—good or bad—one might expect that H.P. Lovecraft, given his immense impact on the literary world, would inspire just as many films. Yet, despite his influence, far fewer movies have been made from his stories than you'd think. Perhaps it's because Lovecraft's horror isn't about the details of what his characters see, but rather what those horrors do to them—often driving them into madness. And therein lies the beauty of his work.

In this episode, we dive into three very different films, spanning three decades, each drawing from the strange and unsettling tales of this enigmatic author from Providence, Rhode Island. If you're not well-versed in Lovecraft's work, this is your chance to experience three adaptations—loose as they may be—that offer a glimpse into his nightmarish imagination.

Films Mentioned in this Episode:

Castle Freak (1995), Color Out of Space (2019), Creepshow (1982), The Crimson Blade (1963), Crying Freeman (1995), Demon Wind (1990), The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964), Die, Monster, Die! (1965), Dracula Prince of Darkness (1966), The Dunwich Horror (1970), The Evil Dead (1981), From Beyond (1986), Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995), Gods of the Deep (2023), Hatchet (2006), The Haunted Palace (1963), Humanoids from the Deep (1981), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), The Invisible Ray (1935), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), Leprechaun (1993), Leprechaun 2 (1994), Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996), Leprechaun 5: In the Hood (2000), Leprechaun 6: Back 2 Tha Hood (2003), Lovecraft Country (2020), Lurking Fear (1994), Necronomicon (1993), Re-Animator (1985), Return of the Living Dead III (1993), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), The Unnamable (1988), Vampyres (1974)

In our search for more knowledge about the horror genre, the films we love, and the people behind them, many horror fans began their journey with reference books. Long before the internet, these books served as stepping stones, introducing fans to films they had never heard of and offering deeper insight into the people behind the movies they already knew and loved. It was like opening doors for the first time—or pushing open ones that had only been slightly ajar—allowing us to explore and learn so much more.

In this episode, we welcome author Bryan Senn to the show to discuss these essential reference books. With over three decades of experience writing about sci-fi and horror in a variety of magazines—not to mention his own books on multiple subjects—Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. So sit back and enjoy—but keep a notepad handy, because you might want to jot down a few titles to track down!

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Abyss (1989), Angel Heart (1987), Attack of the Beast Creatures (1985), The Believers (1987), Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971), The Body Snatcher (1945), Captive Wild Women (1943), Chloe, Love is Calling You (1934), Class of Nuke 'em High (1986), The Corpse Grinders (1971), Cry of the Banshee (1970), Death Curse of Tartu (1966), The Descent (2005), Dog Soldiers (2002), Evil Dead (1981), The Fly (1986), The Fly II (1989), Frankenstein's Daughter (1958), Friday the 13^th (1980), A Game of Death (1945), The Ghost Ship (1943), The Giant Gila Monster (1959), Halloween (1978), The Haunting (1963), The Howling (1981), The Howling V: The Rebirth (1989), Howling: New Moon Rising (1995), Lady Terminator (1989), Late Phases (2014), Leprechaun (1993), Leviathan (1989), The Long Hair of Death (1964), Lords of the Deep (1989), Most Dangerous Game (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Mummy (1959), The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals (1969), The Mummy's Hand (1940), The Mummy's Tomb (1942), Mystics in Bali (1981), Nazi Mummy (2019), Night of the 1000 Cats (1972), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Onibaba (1964), Robot Jox (1989), Scream Blacula Scream (1973), The Secret of the Mummy (1982), Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), The Seventh Victim (1943), Signs (2002), Sound of Music (1965), Sting of Death (1966), The Strangeness (1985), Sugar Hill (1974), The Thing (1982), Toxic Avenger (1984), The Uncanny (1977), Uninvited (1988), Van Helsing (2004), Voodoo Black Exorcist (1974), Voodoo Heartbeat (1973)

Night of the Bloody Apes (1969), Don't Go in the House (1979), Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981)

In 1984, in the U.K., the Video Recording Act was passed, which required certification of all video releases by the British Board of Film Classification, aka BBFC. This all came about due to a list of video titles that a group of various religious and other social groups run by the likes of Mary Whitehouse, deemed unsuitable to be viewed and thought for sure it would help corrupt the youth of England. The initial list had 72 titles on it, both films that had already been released after obtaining a BBFC certificate but now was deemed too offensive, as well as a whole bunch of other titles that were believed to fall under the obscenity law. If you own a shop that rented or sold one of these titles, you could be shut down, fined, and possibly even go to jail for it. And this all took place, not in the dark ages, but in the mid 1980s. Hard to believe it, especially growing up here in the U.S.

Some of those titles have only recently gotten passed and released over in the U.K., even 40 years later. Blows the mind.

In this episode, we discuss not only the whole Video Nasty era, but cover 3 films from that list, with each of us watching all 3 and see if we made it through without turning us into mindless deviants. Oops. Too late.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Bat Woman (1968), Beast in Heat (1977), The Body Snatcher (1957), The Braniac (1962), The Burning (1981), Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981), Curse of the Crying Woman (1962), The Curious Dr. Hump (1969), Dead of Winter (1987), Doctor of Doom (1963), Don't Answer the Phone (1980), Don't Go in the House (1979), Don't Look in the Basement (1973), Don't Open Till Christmas (1984), Driller Killer (1979), Entrails of a Virgin (1986), Eyes of a Stranger (1981), Faces of Death (1978), Fear No Evil (1981), The Gestapo's Last Orgy (1977), Horror High (1973), I Drink Your Blood (1971), I Spit on Your Grave (1978), Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974), Maniac (1980), Mortuary (1982), Mother's Day (1980), Nekromantik (1988), New York Ripper (1982), Night of the Bloody Apes (1969), Perdita Durango (1997), The Prowler (1981), Psycho (1960), Roar (1981), Santo and Blue Demon vs. Dracula and the Wolf Man (1973), Santo and Blue Demon vs. the Monsters (1970), Santo vs. Frankenstein's Daughter (1972), Santo vs. the Head Hunters (1971), Santo in the Treasure of Dracula (1969),Santo in the Vengeance of the Mummy (1971), Shock Waves (1977), Silent Night Deadly Night (1984), Speed (1994), SS Experiment Love Camp (1976), Subspecies (1991), Suspiria (1977), Terrorvision (1986), Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Twister (1996), Unhinged (1982), El Vampiro (1957), The Wresting Women vs. the Aztec Mummy (1964)

In the horror community, the easiest way to show you are a fan is by what you wear. The horror T-shirt has been a staple in the fandom for what seems like forever. But it wasn't always like that. To say that fans have it easy today is a slight understatement. Not only in terms of their availability, but of the selection that is out there! It is an easy way to show the public that you are a card-carrying horror fan, whether you're wearing a Texas Chain Saw t-shirt, Cannibal Holocaust, or even a Night of the Living Dead shirt, it gives others that immediate notation that this person likes horror films.

Fright Rags, one of the bigger horror T-shirt companies, has been around for over 2 decades, so we decided to ask owner/operator Ben Scrivens on the show to not only talk about the ins and outs of running a T-shirt company, but also to talk about our love of horror films and conventions.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Blood Sucking Freaks (1976), Braindead (1992), Bride of Re-Animator (1990), Burial Ground (1981), Cannibal Holocaust (1980), Christine (1983), Day of the Dead (1985), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead 2 (1987), Faces of Death (1978), Friday the 13^th (1980), Friday the 13^th Part 3 (1982), Friday the 13^th: The New Blood (1988), The Gates of Hell (1980), The Greasy Strangler (2016), Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Hellraiser (1987), House by the Cemetery (1981), Humanoids from the Deep (1980), I Spit on your Grave (1978), It's Alive (1974), Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3D (1983), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), Let Sleeping Corpse Lie (1974), A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985), Night of the Living Dead (1982), Q: The Winged Serpent (1982), Return of the Living Dead (1985), The Shining (1980), Tales from the Darkside (1990), Tenebrae (1982), Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), They Live (1988), The Thing (1982), Videodrome (1983), The Warriors (1979), The Wicker Man (1973)

The Leopard Man (1943), The Seventh Victim (1943), Isle of the Dead (1945)

Back in episode 23, we covered producer Val Lewton and three of his films. While Lewton only produced about a dozen films—and only a handful of them horror—his work made a huge impact on the genre. That's why we've decided to discuss three more of his films, hoping to inspire other fans to seek out not only the ones we've covered but his other titles as well.

With the help of a talented group of craftsmen—including directors Jacques Tourneur and Mark Robson, screenwriter Ardel Wray, and a skilled cast of actors he worked with repeatedly—Lewton created films that stood apart. They weren't just different from what he was hired to produce; they defied the expectations of most horror fans at the time. His films had style, compelling stories, and uniquely well-developed characters. They're a testament to how effective something as simple as a walk down the street can be when crafted by the right people.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Body Snatcher (1945), Cat People (1942), The Curse the Cat People (1944), Curse of the Demon (1957), The Day After (1983), Isle of the Dead (1945), I Walked with a Zombie (1943), The Leopard Man (1943), Old Dark House (1932), The Seventh Victim (1943)

Nosferatu (1922), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

In episode 78, we started our ongoing Twice Told Tales segment, featuring the first two versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. In this episode, with the recent release of Robert Eggers long awaited version of Nosferatu, we're going back to the original, one of cinema's first true monsters, in F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu, then following it up with Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre.

As in our first Twice Told Tales episode, this isn't a comparison as to which one is better, but an opportunity to dig deep into each film, discussing why we think the impact it has made is still felt today, for both versions. We'll point out the differences, the similarities, as well as some other behind-the-scenes on the films and filmmakers as well. 

There is a reason the original film, one that was supposed to be completely destroyed, still lives on, almost like the undead title character. There is a reason you'll see a photo from Nosferatu in almost every book on the horror film genre. And some might think for Herzog to dare make his own versoin of this iconic classic was utter nonsense. Until you see the film.

Join us on a little journey back over a century into the past, to the very beginning of horror cinema, and an incredible new take on this tale.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The 400 Blows (1959), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Breathless (1960), The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), Count Dracula (1970), Dracula (1931), Dracula (1979), Dracula Blows His Cool (1979), Friday the 13^th (1980), For a Few Dollars More (1965), The Great Silence (1968), Love at First Bite (1979), Horror of Dracula (1958), Nocturna (1979), Nosferatu (1922), Nosferatu (2024), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), Salem's Lot (1979), Shadow of the Vampire (2000), Thirst (1979), Vampire (1979), Vampire in Venice (1988)

As 2024 comes to an end, we look in a rearview mirror filled with some amazing films, especially ones that came out this year. Filmmakers around the world wowed us with creative stories, intriguing plots and outstanding techniques. It is definitely a great time to be a horror fan.

2024 was another stellar year for us at the podcast, where we covered a wide variety of subjects, from Bigfoot to Amicus Films, from Women Directors to Al Adamson & Sam Sherman, to more obscure topics like German Expressionism, and much more. We also had an astonishing lineup of special guests including Severin's David Gregory, Vinegar Syndrome's Archivist Oscar Becher, HorrorHound's Aaron Crowell, and Will Morris from Oscarbate and The Music Box Theatre, just to name a few.

One thing that continues through this year is our constant love and admiration for those that have made some long lasting impact on the genre, and our constant striving to help share that love with our listeners. Nothing excites us more than hearing that we've turned someone on to a film or filmmaker or even sub-genre that they might have not experienced before. And you can be damned sure that we plan to continue that in 2025.

So join us in this extra long special episode as we go over our favorite viewings of this year, as well as some shout-outs and discussions on other films that came out in 2024. 

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Abilgail (2024), Alien Romulus (2024), All You Need is Death (2023), An American Werewolf in London (1981), Azrael (2024), Baghead (2024), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015), Blackout (2024), Caveat (2020), Cemetery of Terror (1985), Contracted (2013), Crawl (2019), Cuckoo (2024), Daddy's Head (2024), Darker Than Night (1975), The Deliverance (2024), Depraved (2019), The Descent (2005), The Devil's Bath (2024), Don't Panic (1987), The Dead (2010), The Equalizer (2014), Exhuma (2024), The First Omen (2024), Godzilla Minus One (2023), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), Grave Torture (2024), Habit (1995), Heretic (2024), High Tension (2003), His House (2020), The House of the Devil (2009), Humane (2024), Immaculate (2024), Impetigore (2019), In a Violent Nature (2024), Infested (2024), Infinity Pool (2023), The Innkeepers (2011), I Saw the TV Glow (2024), I See You (2019), Late Night with the Devil (2024), Like Me (2017), Little Bites (2024), Longlegs (2024), Macumba Sexual (1983), Maxxxine (2024), Mr. Vampire (1985), Never Let Go (2024), Night Swim (2024), Nosferatu (2024), Oddity (2024), Pearl (2022), Poison for the Fairies (1986), Re-Animator (1985), Robot Jox (1989), Salem's Lot (2024), Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975), Saloum (2021), Satan's Slave (2017), Savage Hunt of King Stakh (1980), Sea Fever (2019), Smile 2 (2024), Something in the Water (2024), A Song from the Dark (2024), Starve Acre (2023), Sting (2024), Stopmotion (2024), Strange Darling (2024), Suzzanna: Queen of Black Magic (2024), The Substance (2024), Talk to Me (2022), Terrifier (2016), Terrifier 3 (2024), The Terror (2018), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022), Things Will Be Different (2024), Under Paris (2024), Under the Shadow (2016), Vampyros Lesbos (1971), V/H/S/Beyond (2024), The Wind (2018), Winterbeast (1992), X (2022)

Wake Wood (2009), The Wind (2018), Apostle (2018)

Folk horror has its roots in tales of witches and paganism, stretching back centuries. In cinema, the term "folk horror" was first coined by Rod Cooper in Kine Weekly to describe the 1971 classic Blood on Satan's Claw. However, the themes that define folk horror—witchcraft, ancient rituals, and the eerie power of nature—have been present since the earliest days of film. A prime example is Benjamin Christensen's Häxan (1922), which delves into witchcraft and age-old rites.

Regardless of its origins or definitions, folk horror has endured over time, weaving its way through the history of cinema. In recent decades, the genre has experienced a remarkable resurgence, not just in the United States but globally. This renewed interest may owe much to Kier-La Janisse's expansive 2021 documentary, Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched, which shone a spotlight on the subgenre and sparked widespread conversation.

With the recent release of Volume Two of Severin's All the Haunts Be Ours box sets, now seems the perfect time to explore some of the standout modern folk horror films from the past two decades. So, venture with us into the remote villages, pagan rites, and shadowy woods where all the horrors sit waiting for you in the dark corners where people rarely go. 

Films mentioned in this episode:

Abigail (2024), Alucarda (1977), Apostle (2018), Birth/Re-birth (2023), Blood on Satan's Claw (1971), Cuckoo (2024), Dracula (2006), Five Nights at Freddy's (2023), Flesh and the Fiends (1960), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), Isolation (2005), Pet Sematary (1989), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Underworld (2003), Wake Wood (2009), The Wicker Man (1973), The Wind (2018), Witchfinder General (1968), Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched (2021), Zombie (1979)

From Hell it Came (1957), The Oily Maniac (1976), Cry Wilderness (1987)

It's Turkey Time once again here at the podcast! And in this one, we have 3 wonderful titles to serve up to you, each one with a different flavor to appease a variety of tastes!

As we've mentioned many times before, a "turkey" is not a bad movie. It's not an intentionally made bad movie. It is a film where the creators did their damnedest to make an honest-to-goodness quality production. For whatever reasons, either lack of budget, time, talent, or whatever, what they delivered might not be as good as they'd hoped, but it is still entertaining. Remember, the only bad movie is a boring one, and Turkeys are not boring. So tune in to find out about 3 Turkeys that we feel are more than worth watching during your own Turkey Day celebration!

Movies mentioned in this episode:

Abby (1974), Abominable (2006), Blood Freak (1972), The Chooper (1971), Corpse Mania (1981), The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Cry Wilderness (1987), The Day of the Triffids (1963), Ghost Nursing (1982), From Hell it Came (1957), Hunchback of the Morgue (1973), Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957), It Came from Hollywood (1982), Night Train to Terror (1985), The Oily Maniac (1976), Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957), She-Creature (1956), The Unholy (1988)