TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains explicit descriptions and discussions of suicide, both fictional and literal. Please take care of yourself and be mindful when choosing to listen.

Other content warnings: descriptions of drug use, gore, violence, stigma of mental illness, emotional abuse, relationship abuse, cults

Welcome back to Horga! For any travelers just arriving, please take a cup of very normal tea, a bite of very normal meat pies, and listen to the previous episode. For today’s ceremony, you will encounter: deeper insight into Christian Hughes aka Mr. Gaslight, an amusing demonstration performed by two warring academics, cultural and historical iterations of the May Pole, and explorations of gender and relationship roles. Lie back in the meadow, watch the dance of the May Queen, and enjoy your stay with the Horga- you may never want to leave!

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains explicit descriptions and discussions of suicide, both fictional and literal. Please take care of yourself and be mindful when choosing to listen.other content warnings: descriptions of drug use, gore, violence, stigma of mental illness, emotional abuse, relationship abuse, cults

Who knows scaredy cat Laney's favorite movie? If you guessed the absolute masterpiece that is Ari Aster's MIDSOMMAR, then you would be right! We both have so much to say while breaking down the plot, themes, reactions, and cultural influences of this film that we had to split our discussion into two parts! In Part 1, we examine the effects this film had on each of us, how its depictions of mental illness and relationship abuse, as well as its broader themes of grief, belonging, and older European folk cultures have cemented Midsommar in each of our top ten favorite movies. Other topics include: high praise for the cinematography, acting, and costumes; debating the nuances of Aster's cherry picked Pagan holidays, and the beginnings of our discussion tanking the levels of villainy versus heroism that each character brings to the story. More to come in Part 2!

• Content warnings: violence, descriptions of gore
• I’m sure we’ve all had game nights that end with everyone wanting to kill each other– but what would happen if the devil from the bible was influencing the stakes from the start? Hide and Seek games can be found in many a horror film, with their built-in jumpscares and convenient eavesdropping setup, but 2019’s Ready or Not takes it to a whole other level! Carson and Laney have some fun with this horror comedy (which got a sequel earlier this year!), examining the class and gender roles the movie explores, the sheer beauty and talent of Samara Weaving, and Carson’s favorite horror movie question: is it bad luck, or bad choices that lead the characters to their eventual (and very entertaining) demise?

• Content warnings: descriptions of gore and medical trauma, discussions of alcohol abuse, mental illness stigmatization, and child abuse.
• What’s this? A wild podcast guest appeared! Join Scaredy Cat and Horror Hound in welcoming friend of the pod and Exorcist super fan, Amanda! The trio discuss the many intricacies, controversies, and allegories of the genre-defining 1973 classic The Exorcist. From audience (over)reactions and overcultural impacts, to feminist interpretations versus nuclear family propaganda, there are countless ways to view and critique the infamous possession of Reagan McNeil and the violent consequences that follow. Bringing their own ideas of the film’s meaning as well as discussing the literature that it has inspired over the decades, Carson, Laney, and Amanda have a lively discussion about the importance of this film, as well as its drawbacks. We also get some fun tidbits from Amanda about the making of the film, the different versions that have been released over the years, and Amanda’s background with horror as a genre! Make sure you’ve got your crucifix, holy water, and all-important pea soup at the ready!

Content warnings: discussions of sexual violence, sexual assault, and familial abuse; descriptions of BDSM dynamics and kink culture; descriptions of body horror

The pod; you opened it, we came. Explore the far reaches of experience with us and the Cenobites as we discuss Clive Barker’s dark kinky classic, Hellraiser! Horror Hound Carson actually did some homework this time and read Barker’s original short story The Hellbound Heart which the Hellraiser franchise stems from, adding new context to the discussion contrasting book vs movie, why we think Barker changed some elements when adapting his own work, and creating a richer world of gender, sexuality, and BDSM culture to unpack. Additional topics include: handling of various female character archetypes, how gender and gendered acts are played with and subverted, the unmatched hotness levels of Clare Higgins, and what these stories try to teach us about consent, pleasure, and power dynamics. Get to work on solving the puzzle box, don your best leather garb, and come join us in Hell!

Content warnings: descriptions of gore, discussions of sexual assault, discussions of gendered violence

We’re getting groovy, baby!

For our first dual-film episode, we dig up the first two installments of the classic Evil Dead franchise, comparing and contrasting the two ret-conned origins of Sam Raimi’s campy gorefest extravaganza. Topics include: ogling final boy Bruce Campbell, when “bad” practical effects are actually the best and creepiest, when laughter can be a fitting response to shock-factor content, how the franchise creates and plays with hyper-masculinity, and why suspending your disbelief to enjoy a fun movie is good, actually! Dust off your tape player, rev up your chainsaw, and raise hell with us, Ash, and the Book of the Dead!

Content warnings: discussions of transphobia and transphobic violence, discussions of real life serial killers

From books, to movies, to the greatest television series of all time, the Hannibal franchise has a little something for everyone- especially if you’re wearing your queer-horror-comedy glasses like us! We have a lot to say about all these different types of media that bring the iconic Dr. Hannibal Lecter to life, though we do our best to focus in on the 1991 film adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Silence of the Lambs. Listen in for discussions about The Trans Representation Question, the inherent camp and queerness of Hannibal’s villain archetype, how gore cinematography can create the most beautiful visuals, and of course general fanning over this franchise’s cast of characters and talent. Pull out your Rolodex and cookbooks, lay back on the therapy couch, and fly fly away with us to escape that awful silence of the lambs…

Slay-bells riiing, are you listening…in the laaane, blood is glistening…Happy holidays from Scaredy Cat and Horror Hound! Continuing our on again-off again seasonal episodes, we are kicking off Season 2 of the pod with our first holiday-themed horror film, Black Christmas (1974). Join us for further discussion on the slasher subgenre, how comedy and horror are excellent bedfellows, actually, and what constitutes “feminist filmmaking” given the time period and subject matter of the film. Including a live reaction from everyone’s favorite Scaredy Cat rewatching the final scene to get that juicy jumpscare!