Explore every episode of the podcast Grave Tone: Horror Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horror Trends 2025: What 10 Years of Data Reveal | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:34:02 | |
Introduction Arthur and Meghan kick off with the observation that the horror genre has entered a mainstream upswing. More audiences are engaging with the horror genre, and horror movies of 2025 are shaping up to be especially strong. The Horror Release Calendar
Key findings:
Pandemic and Streaming Shifts COVID-19 disrupted production and theaters, but also reset distribution. Post-pandemic, studios spread horror releases more evenly across the year, with streaming accelerating access. Indie Power & Breakout Directors Discussion of how filmmakers like Jordan Peele, Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, Zach Cregger, and Mike Flanagan changed the landscape. Their originality, technical experimentation, and social themes helped push horror forward. Box Office & Hype Cycles From sleeper hits (Barbarian) to blockbusters (Weapons), horror is proving it can rival superhero films in ticket sales without billion-dollar budgets. Legacy & Reboots How filmmakers balance nostalgia with originality in franchises like Scream, Evil Dead, and Alien. Success requires respecting the past while innovating. Indie & Fan-Made Horror Streaming, festivals, and even YouTube opened doors for films like Talk to Me and fan projects like Don’t Hike Alone. These projects prove horror thrives in low-budget, grassroots spaces. Gateway Horror & Youth Audience Rising trend of YA and middle-grade horror: Fear Street, Goosebumps, Hell of a Summer, and the upcoming Sketch show studios are nurturing the next generation of horror fans. Check out our Horror Starter Pack episode if you are just getting into the horror genre. Closing Thoughts Studios are finally taking more risks on originality, and audiences are rewarding them. With horror covering everything from arthouse to popcorn slashers, the genre looks unstoppable. Follow us on socials! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Weapons (2025) Deep Dive: Ending Talk, Hidden Clues, Why 17 Kids Walked Out at 2:17 a.m. | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:31:35 | |
We break down Zach Cregger’s Weapons (2025) — the 2:17 mystery, what the multi-perspective structure adds, where the scares land, and how Brolin and Garner anchor the chaos. We talk themes, filmmaking choices, and whether the ending sticks the landing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| What is Fantasia Film Festival & Our favorite horror movies | 04 Aug 2025 | 00:39:36 | |
Yet again we attended the Fantasia Film Festival 2025 and saw some amazing horror movies as well as the directors and cast! We recap which horror movies we loved the most and explain what the festival is all about. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Just Getting Into Horror? The Horror Starter Pack You Can Actually Handle | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:39:58 | |
Horror curious but historically terrified? We got you. This episode builds a gentle-on-the-nerves starter pack: three films, three books, and three video games that bring the chills without wrecking your sleep schedule. We talk about what each pick does well (atmosphere, story, jump scares you can actually handle), how to match them to your scare tolerance, and why “beginner horror” doesn’t have to mean boring. You’ll leave with a roadmap, a few laughs at our own cowardly moments, and the confidence to try horror again on your own terms. Hit play, keep the lights on if you want, and let’s ease you into the dark. Follow us on all socials @gravetonepod! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025 Review| 90s Slasher Vibes Return | 19 Jul 2025 | 00:42:07 | |
Cue the rain‑slick streets and foggy fishing docks, this week we are breaking down I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) from top to bloody bottom. Join us as we unpack every throwback scare, size up the new cast against the ’97 originals, and walk you through the plot (spoilers ahead). Stick around for rapid‑fire trivia that will make you shout, “I still know!” Whether you’re a seasoned slasher fan or a curious newcomer, this episode gives you all the chills, laughs, and Easter eggs you need. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Classic, Underrated, Iconic: Our Ultimate Horror Subgenre Picks | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:34:00 | |
In this episode, we each reveal our all-time favorite horror subgenre—and then break it down with our top picks: a classic, an underrated gem, and a genre staple. From found footage to folk horror, slashers to psychological terrors, it’s a love letter to the weird, wild, and wonderfully scary corners of horror. Expect passionate takes, deep cuts, and more than a few surprises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| M3GAN 2.0 Review And Reactions | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:23:36 | |
In this fun episode, we dive headfirst into the twisted world of M3GAN 2.0. Join us as we unpack every spine-tingling moment, break down the plot’s wildest turns, and share our unfiltered reactions to the killer doll’s terrifying return. Did the sequel live up to the original’s campy horror charm? Was M3GAN’s evolution everything we hoped for, or a total misfire? We debate the best and worst scenes, dissect the film’s social commentary on AI and parenting, and explore what M3GAN 2.0 might mean for the future of tech-based horror. Whether you’ve seen the movie or just want to hear the gory details, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Welcome To Gravetone! Intro & Horror Movie Hopefuls | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:47:16 | |
In this intro episode, we introduce our horror podcast hosts and their deep-rooted love for the genre. We also discuss our favorite horror movies, books, and video game hopefuls for 2025. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| BONUS: The Voice Behind Billy's Inner Demon: Mark Acheson on Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025) | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:29:35 | |
In this bonus episode of Grave Tone Podcast, Meaghan and Arthur sit down with prolific character actor Mark Acheson for a wide-ranging conversation about craft, career, and Christmas horror. Mark is probably best known as the unforgettable Mailroom Guy from Elf (2003), but his career spans four decades, three Emmys (via his role in Fargo), Zack Snyder's Watch, Chronicles of Riddick, Brand New Cherry Flavor, and so much more. Most recently, he plays Charlie in Mike P. Nelson's Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025) — a disembodied inner voice that guides slasher antihero Billy Chapman (Rohan Campbell) on a very specific kind of naughty list. Reviewers have compared the dynamic to Dexter meets Venom, and the performance earned Acheson standout notices from multiple critics. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| From Page to Screen: This Is Not a Test — Did the Courtney Summers Adaptation Nail It? | 28 Feb 2026 | 00:44:42 | |
We just got home from the theatre, and we're breaking down This Is Not a Test (2026), the new zombie horror film directed by Adam McDonald and based on the beloved Courtney Summers YA novel. Meaghan read the book (and the bonus sequel novella, Please Remain Calm). Arthur has a giant zombie-kill knife on his nightstand. We are, arguably, the ideal people to review this. This Is Not a Test just hit theatres, and we are fresh out of our seats. Based on the beloved 2012 YA novel by Canadian author Courtney Summers — rereleased in January 2026 with the sequel novella Please Remain Calm — this new zombie film is directed by Adam McDonald and stars Olivia Holt (Heart Eyes), Froy Gutierrez, Corteon Moore, Carson MacCormac, and Chloe Avakian. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| We Bury the Dead Review: Ending Explained, The Zombie Baby Twist & What It Means | 04 Jan 2026 | 00:27:51 | |
Today we’re reviewing We Bury the Dead (2026) (written/directed by Zak Hilditch), starring Daisy Ridley as Ava—a woman who volunteers with a body retrieval unit while searching for her missing husband in a devastated Tasmania. FULL SPOILERS AHEAD: We discuss the movie’s zombie design, the “cognitive undead” idea we wish the film explored more, what worked (shots, tension spikes, performances), what didn’t (pacing + cliché ramp), and the ending that left us arguing all the way home. If you watched it too: Were you into the metaphor-heavy approach, or did you want more straight-up zombie survival? Drop your take in the comments. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Plague (2025) Review: Water Polo Camp Psychological Horror (IFC) | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:32:44 | |
It’s the first Grave Tone episode of the year, and we’re kicking things off with a screener review of The Plague: a brutally realistic, deeply unsettling coming-of-age horror-thriller set at a boys’ water polo sleepaway camp. New kid Ben arrives already anxious… and immediately learns the camp’s “tradition”: the group chooses one boy to label as “the plague,” and everyone treats him as contagious. What starts as a juvenile joke curdles into full-on social exile, escalating Ben’s fear, shame, and survival instincts. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Top 10 Horror Movies of 2025 (Ranked) | Sinners, Weapons, The Long Walk & More | 27 Dec 2025 | 00:54:19 | |
It’s the end-of-year horror hangover episode: Megan and Arthur reveal their Top 10 Horror Movies of 2025, counting down from #10 to #1—without telling each other their lists ahead of time. They cover buzzy sequels that actually delivered, festival discoveries that deserve wider distribution, and the movies that hit hardest emotionally (even when the blood was flowing). Expect passionate takes on modern Stephen King adaptations, dark fairy-tale/body-horror energy, the return of big-franchise swings, and why one film absolutely earned the #1 spot for both hosts. Also included: honorable mentions—the movies that narrowly missed the cut, plus a few genre-adjacent picks that still scratched the horror itch. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| How Stephen King Said “DO IT!!!” - Jonathan Janz Interview: Veil, Stephen King’s The Stand Anthology, and the Horror Renaissance | 20 Dec 2025 | 00:33:43 | |
Horror comes to life with the horror author Jonathan Janz on Grave Tone. In this episode, Jonathan breaks down how he landed in the officially authorized Stand universe — including the wild behind-the-scenes moment when Stephen King gave the green light for The End of the World as We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand (edited by Brian Keene and Christopher Golden) and why that “DO IT!!!” email changed everything. We also dig into Jonathan’s newest release, Veil (sci-fi horror), his love of big swings and clear endings, and the early-life ingredients that shaped him: growing up next to a graveyard, horror-loving family TV habits, and even Poe recordings that hit way too early. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Silent Night, Deadly Night Ranked (1984–2025) + 2025 Remake Review | Killer Santa Franchise | 13 Dec 2025 | 00:45:08 | |
It’s finally holiday horror season… so we did the only sensible thing: watched all seven Silent Night, Deadly Night films and ranked them from worst to best, including the bonkers detours (psychic coma connections, witchy cult chaos, killer toys) and the entries that actually work as slashers. We also hit the theater for the new 2025 Silent Night, Deadly Night, and—spoiler alert—it’s way better than we expected. We talk about what makes it click, why it feels like a “breath of fresh air,” and which franchise DNA it smartly remixes. The 2025 film is written/directed by Mike P. Nelson, premiered at Fantastic Fest, and was released theatrically Dec 12, 2025. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Review – More Lore, Less Gore? | 06 Dec 2025 | 00:33:26 | |
In this episode of Grave Tone, your hosts break down the sequel’s bigger budget, sleeker Jim Henson Creature Shop animatronics, and why the old, more deteriorated suits are still the truly scary ones. They talk about the PG-13 kills, the tame gore, and how the loudest cheers weren’t for creative deaths but for character reveals, Easter eggs, and fan-service moments pulled straight from the games and creators like MatPat. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| 2026 Horror Movies We Can’t Wait For 🩸 28 Years Later, Evil Dead Burn, Soulm8te & More | 29 Nov 2025 | 00:48:05 | |
2026 is stacked with horror: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Evil Dead Burn, Soulm8te, Night Patrol, Send Help, new Exorcist and Resident Evil movies, The Bride!, a Robert Eggers werewolf film, and more. In this Grave Tone episode, we break down the best upcoming 2026 horror movies, from monster reboots and AI horror to sequels, reboots, and gothic nightmares you need on your watchlist. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Childhood Trauma #3: LINK (1986) Rewatch, Childhood Trauma & 80s Horror Nostalgia | 22 Nov 2025 | 00:28:34 | |
Welcome back to Gravestone, the horror podcast where childhood trauma becomes content. In this episode of our Childhood Trauma series, we dive into LINK (1986), the not-quite-chimp killer ape movie set in a remote English mansion with Elizabeth Shue, Terrence Stamp, and a very badly supervised group of apes. We start by reading the official IMDb synopsis… and then rewrite it with the honesty it deserves: idiot student, creepy professor, wildly inappropriate assistant job, and a locked room full of experimental apes on the edge of a cliff. From there, we break down the movie’s clunky writing, cursed job offer, and tone problems. Does LINK even know if it wants to be horror, thriller, or slapstick? Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Is Keeper (2025) Any Good? Movie Explained. Gorgeous Folk Horror, Messy Story | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:33:27 | |
On this episode of Gravestone, Meaghan and Arthur talk all things Keeper (2025), Osgood Perkins’ latest folk horror about a couple’s anniversary trip that devolves into a surreal nightmare of toxic romance, creepy cabins, and generational sacrifices. Fresh out of a Sunday screening (plus a long drive and some seriously annoying talkers in the theater), they break down their spoiler-filled reaction to Keeper (2025): what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why both of them walked away hovering around 3 digs out of 10. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Predator: Badlands Review — Yautja POV, Killer Planet, & That Ending | 08 Nov 2025 | 00:27:56 | |
Predator: Badlands might be the freshest take on the franchise yet. We break down why making Dex—the Yautja—our actual protagonist changes everything, how full-CG facial capture makes this the most emotive Predator we’ve seen, and why a story with no humans on screen somehow feels… more human. We also get into the Weyland-Yutani connective tissue to Alien, the surprisingly funny script beats, and a finale that teases big things to come. Our Grave Tone “digs” rating: Meaghan lands at 8 digs, Arthur at 7.5 digs. Little shovel noises included. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Serial Killer Horror That Played It Way Too Safe: Psycho Killer 2026 Review | 21 Feb 2026 | 00:42:19 | |
Psycho Killer (2026) is the first Disney-distributed film to land 0% on Rotten Tomatoes — and we just saw it opening night. Here's our full spoiler review. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en, Sleepy Hollow), directed by debut director Gavin Polone, and starring Georgina Campbell as a revenge-driven state trooper hunting a ritualistic serial killer, Psycho Killer had everything going for it. So why does it fall so completely flat? Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| PITFALL (2025) at ScreamFest LA — Director James Kondelik & Producer Wai Sun Cheng on Brutal FX, How The Horror Movie Was Made & Killer Origin | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:54:48 | |
We caught up with James Kondelik (writer/director) and Wai Sun Cheng (producer) right after the world premiere of PITFALL at ScreamFest LA 2025. They walk us through how a simple premise—a hiker trapped in a spike-lined pit in the woods—became a raw, character-driven survival slasher. We cover how the movie was made, the team’s emphasis on painful, tactile, practical effects, the cast (including Richard Harmon, Alexandra Essoe, Randy Couture, Marshall Williams, Jordan Claire Robbins), the story DNA behind the killer, and what it took to keep the tension human. Then we end with a quick-fire round of horror-genre questions. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Trick or Truth: The Chelsea Halloween Murders, a Vanishing at Niagara & a Knife at the Door | 01 Nov 2025 | 00:33:26 | |
It’s a cozy-spooky Halloween at Gravestone: Megan & Arthur hit record on Halloween night and switch things up with a storytelling game, each brings three short scary tales: two based in fact, one pure fiction. The other has to spot the fake…to win the pot of candy. Play along! Highlights we talk through:
Tell us which story you think was fake and drop your own creepy mini-tales. We’re @GravestonePod everywhere. Also, expect more than movies here, books, games, and horror in every format are coming. Stay scared and stay tuned. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Shelby Oaks (2025) Review, What Neon’s Reshoots Changed + Demon Lore Explained (Spoilers) | 26 Oct 2025 | 00:31:27 | |
The most-funded horror on Kickstarter is finally in theaters—here’s what Shelby Oaks gets right after Neon’s reshoots, and why that mockumentary-to-feature opening still rules. We break down the found-footage DNA, Camille Sullivan’s performance, the demon’s slow reveal, and the spoiler-heavy ending. We also revisit the film’s road from Fantasia to wide release, Mike Flanagan’s light-touch EP role, and how the new edit tightens pacing without overusing sound cues. Stay for our favorite scene-stealers (hey, Norma) and a candid talk about the baby plotline and Mia’s POV. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Pitfall (Screamfest 2025) – Survival Horror with Brutal Practical FX + Interview Tease | 25 Oct 2025 | 00:20:59 | |
In this episode of Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur dig into Pitfall (2025)—a backwoods survival slasher that premiered at Screamfest LA—without spoilers. Think 127 Hours, but make it horror… and give the villain a Rambo-style edge. We break down why the characters feel capable (not cannon fodder), how the practical work sells the pain, and why the cast chemistry keeps the tension human. We also drop a few interview soundbites from our conversation with writer-director James Kondelik and producer Wai Sun Cheng (full interview coming soon). If you’re in New Orleans, keep an eye out—Screamfest NOLA is on the horizon. Stay tuned for our full interview with the director, James Kondelik, and producer Wai Sun Cheng! Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Black Phone 2 Review: Is It As Good As the First? Winter Camp Nightmares, Gwen’s Story & The Grabber Returns | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:30:09 | |
The Black Phone 2 (2025) review: Gwen takes center stage as winter-camp horror, dream-phone lore, and a meaner Grabber turn this sequel into a tense, atmospheric surprise. Is it as good as the original? We go spoiler-free first, then dive into spoilers: the icy setting, Sinister/Elm Street vibes, Ethan Hawke behind the mask, continuity callbacks (Fin vs. Finney), the dad’s big scene, darker cinematography you can still see, and whether this franchise needs a Part 3 or a prequel. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| We Saw del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025) Early — No-Spoiler Review (Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi | Netflix Nov 7) | 13 Oct 2025 | 00:29:36 | |
Is Frankenstein (2025) peak del Toro? We break down the performances (Isaac’s swaggering Victor, Elordi’s heartbreaking Creature, Goth’s standout Elizabeth), the jaw-dropping practical sets, and why this adaptation nails Mary Shelley’s themes without feeling dusty. We also discuss the current Gothic horror wave (hello, Nosferatu) and where this film stands among 2025’s biggest genre releases. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| V/H/S/Halloween REVIEW (Shudder): Best & Worst Segments, Fun-Size Terror, and Kidprint Disgust | 04 Oct 2025 | 00:29:19 | |
We meant to cover Shelby Oaks this week… until we double-checked the date and realized the U.S. theatrical release moved to October 24, 2025. So we did what any horror fiend would do on October 3: fired up Shudder and watched V/H/S/Halloween the second it dropped. Inside the episode, we:
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| GOOD BOY Review (Spoiler-Free): The Dog-POV Haunted House That Stole SXSW | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:21:55 | |
In this episode of Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur dig into GOOD BOY—a supernatural chiller shot from a dog’s eye-level that’s been turning heads on the festival circuit and heading to a wider release via IFC/Shudder. We keep things spoiler-free, focusing on how the film’s third-person canine perspective reframes haunted-house language: blurred human faces, hand-centric framing, and long, shivery holds on dark corners. We share anecdotes from the Fantasia screening, craft talk from the post-show Q&A, and why this specific dog (Indy!) makes the film unexpectedly emotional. We also touch on the “does the dog die?” anxiety spike, quick festival stats, and why 73 tight minutes is the perfect length for this kind of dread machine. If you’ve been on the fence, this ep is your nudge to see it cold. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Childhood Trauma Series Ep2: Revisiting An American Werewolf in Paris (1997) | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:34:36 | |
In this week’s Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur continue our Childhood Trauma series with the not-so-beloved sequel An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)—a movie Meaghan adored at 10, but that hits… differently now. We pit Paris against An American Werewolf in London (1981), break down the werewolf-as-tragedy archetype, and ask why Paris’ sunny ending, choppy rewrites, and then-cutting-edge-now-dated CGI undercut the horror. We also shout out the surprisingly stacked ’90s soundtrack, talk Julie Delpy giving 120%, Tom Everett Scott’s “boy-next-door” casting, and how the film’s club-kid vibe tried to modernize a classic monster. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Him (2025) Review: Monkeypaw Expectations, Stunning Visuals, Too Many Ideas | 20 Sep 2025 | 00:39:48 | |
“Him (2025)” is a gorgeous, vicious sports-horror about the cult of football—GOAT rituals, fame as religion, and a prospect pushed to the brink. Here’s our spoiler-free take… then full spoilers. We just left opening night: stunning visuals and killer performances clash with heavy-handed symbolism and a wobbly mid-section. We break down the “Jordan Peele effect” (producer vs director), the blood-rite GOAT mythology, and that gnarly final set piece—plus why we still recommend supporting original horror even when it fumbles the ball.
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| Sam Raimi's SEND HELP Is His Best Horror Film in 17 Years | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:31:00 | |
Sam Raimi is back in the horror director's chair, and it's glorious. On this bonus episode of Grave Tone Podcast, Meaghan and Arthur break down Send Help (2026), the survival horror thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien as corporate co-workers stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. They dive into the film's sharp commentary on nepotism and corporate culture, the incredible on-screen chemistry between the two leads, Danny Elfman's perfectly calibrated score, and the moral gray area at the heart of the story — who is really the villain here? Plus: real survival tips, a Crisco survival debate, connections to Triangle of Sadness, and their final ratings. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Most Faithful, The Most Frightening: Top 10 Stephen King Adaptations Ranked | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:44:30 | |
Fresh off the release of The Long Walk (Sept 12, 2025), we spiral into a full-on King-verse binge and each bring a Top 5 to make a definitive Top 10 of Stephen King adaptations. Expect praise, side-eyes, and at least one “that ranking will change tomorrow.” Shownotes:
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| The Long Walk (2025) Movie Review, ENDING Explained & Changes From The Book | 13 Sep 2025 | 00:46:12 | |
Fresh from the theater, we break down Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk (2025)—the new Stephen King adaptation starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Mark Hamill, and Judy Greer. We start spoiler-free with story setup and tone, then move into book vs. movie changes (pace rules, state-by-state selection, and a reworked finale), before a full spoiler discussion on character arcs, themes of authoritarianism, grief, and survival. We also share production nuggets (yes, the shoot was in Canada) and why the performances had us in tears. Along the way, we place The Long Walk inside 2025’s horror boom and the current wave of King projects. Shownotes:
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| The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) REVIEW, Smurl Haunting & the Conjuring Universe “Phase Two”? | 06 Sep 2025 | 00:33:29 | |
It’s officially spooky-season kickoff, so we caught The Conjuring: Last Rites on release day (Sept 5) and hit record the moment we got home. Expect raw, sleepy-brain honesty and lots of laughs. We frame where The Conjuring 4 lands in the Conjuring Universe and why folks keep flocking to these movies, plus that “Phase One/Phase Two” chatter that’s circulating. What we liked: glossy atmosphere, strong performances, stellar makeup/prosthetics, and a few mean jump-scares (yes, including one very large… Annabelle). What didn’t: a long, long runway before the Warrens actually “take the case,” and franchise-familiar beats.
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| Childhood Trauma Series #1: Screamers (1995) - 90s Sci-Fi Horror Rewatch | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:32:57 | |
We’re launching a recurring mini-series—Movies That Traumatized Us—by revisiting the 90s sci-fi shocker Screamers (1995). Arthur first saw it as a kid, and the infamous teddy bear imprinted hard; Meaghan watched it for the first time as we recorded, and, well… we have thoughts. Expect nostalgia, nitpicks, and a lovingly critical autopsy of 90s genre cinema.
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| The Dark Allure of Academic Horror and Dark Academia | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:32:53 | |
School is in session… and so is horror. In this episode of Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur explore the never-ending fascination with academic horror and dark academia in books, films, and television. Why do classrooms, boarding schools, and universities make such chilling backdrops for horror stories? From Stephen King’s Carrie and Christine to cult favorites like The Faculty, Urban Legend, and Happy Death Day, all the way to modern hits like Wednesday and adaptations of Ninth House and Babel, we uncover the tropes, themes, and cultural fears that keep bringing audiences back to campus-based horror. We also play a creative game of “Build Your Own Dark Academia Horror” — constructing the perfect setting, antagonist, and twist ending for a fictional campus horror movie. If you love dark academia aesthetics, horror history, slashers, supernatural thrillers, or just the spooky vibes of school hallways after dark, this episode is for you. 🎒 Back to School, Back to Horror
🏫 Academic Horror: A Subgenre That Never Dies
📺 Iconic Examples in Film & TV
📚 Academic Horror in Literature
🎭 Dark Academia Aesthetics
🩸 Build Your Own Horror School (Game Segment)
👻 Closing Thoughts
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| Cold Storage (2026) — David Koepp's Sci-Fi Horror Comedy Is Disgusting Fun | 14 Feb 2026 | 00:29:28 | |
We just got back from the theater to review Cold Storage (2026), the new horror comedy based on David Koepp's 2019 novel. This film has an absolutely stacked cast — Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Georgina Campbell (Barbarian), Liam Neeson, Leslie Manville, Sosie Bacon (Smile), Richard Brake, and Vanessa Redgrave — all trapped in a self-storage facility when a parasitic alien fungus escapes from a sealed military vault beneath the building. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Whistle (2026) Review: The Aztec Death Whistle Horror Movie Explained | 07 Feb 2026 | 00:35:44 | |
Megan and Arthur review Whistle (2026), the new cursed-object horror where blowing an “Aztec death whistle” calls in something worse than a demon—your future death. This episode is spoiler-heavy: we talk kill highlights, what works (and what doesn’t), the movie’s throwback teen-horror vibe, and why it feels like a mashup of Final Destination chaos with Smile-style curse mechanics. Also: cast notes (hello, Nick Frost), soundtrack/needle-drop appreciation, and a quick myth-vs-reality check on the “death whistle” lore. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Childhood Trauma Horror Rewatch With Horror Roulette Podcast: Dolls (1987) + Poltergeist (1982) | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:55:51 | |
Childhood Trauma Horror Rewatch of Dolls (1987) and Poltergeist (1982) — with Horror Roulette Podcast. Evil dolls, haunted suburbia, clown nightmares, and iconic 80s practical effects… what still scares us now? Meaghan & Arthur (Grave Tone) team up with Nelly & Antony (Horror Roulette Podcast) to revisit two films that hit us at the worst possible age. We break down the moments that caused the damage (porcelain doll terror, the Poltergeist clown, the tree attack, the mirror scene, the skeleton pool) and the stuff we didn’t remember—like how funny Dolls can be on a rewatch. Follow us & Subscribe: Follow Horror Roulette Podcast too! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Why Universal’s Dark Universe Failed (The Mummy 2017 & the Monsterverse That Never Was) | 24 Jan 2026 | 00:32:14 | |
Universal’s Dark Universe was supposed to be a Monster MCU — and The Mummy (2017) killed it. We break down Dracula Untold, The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll, and every reason the franchise collapsed. Universal tried to resurrect its legendary monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Invisible Man, The Mummy) inside one shared cinematic universe… and it cratered almost instantly. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Review) — The Zombie Sequel That Blew Us Away | 17 Jan 2026 | 00:42:06 | |
We’re back, for the second time. After seeing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on Friday, January 16, 2026, we recorded our full review… and then the audio file vanished into the void. So at 7:00 a.m. (with coffee and pure spite), we did it again, because this movie is worth it. In this episode of Grave Tone Podcast, Meaghjan and Arthur break down why The Bone Temple is a massive step up and (for us) one of the best zombie/infected films we’ve seen. It doesn’t just rely on gore or nonstop chaos; it blends action, dread, character work, dark humor, and big thematic swings in a way that feels deliberate and shockingly well-balanced. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Primate (2026) Movie Review | Killer Chimp Creature Feature (Spoilers + Best Kills) | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:30:16 | |
In this episode of Grave Tone, Megan and Arthur record immediately after an early screening of Primate (2026)—a lean, mean creature feature where a beloved chimp named Ben turns deadly after a rabies incident, trapping a group of young friends in a remote cliffside home in Hawaii. We start with quick first reactions and a spoiler-free verdict on what Primate delivers: hard R gore, strong tension, and surprisingly effective comedic beats that keep the ride watchable even when it’s gnarly. Then we dive into full spoilers, unpacking the movie’s setup (Lucy returning home to a grieving family), the rabies/mongoose catalyst, and how the isolation of the house + pool-cliff geography turns into a survival nightmare. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| THE BRIDE! (2026) REVIEW | Jesse Buckley Is UNREAL, Christian Bale Delivers, But Does The Third Act Kill It? | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:35:50 | |
We just saw THE BRIDE! (2026) — Maggie Gyllenhaal's punk feminist reimagining of Bride of Frankenstein — and we have a LOT to say. Jesse Buckley gives one of the best performances of the year, Christian Bale is doing full chameleon mode, and the dance sequence alone is worth the price of admission. Arthur and Meaghan break down the full film — what works (a lot), what doesn't (that third act), and where this sits in the 2026 monster movie renaissance alongside Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and Lee Cronin's upcoming The Mummy. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| The Man Behind Ice Spiders & a Bram Stoker Nomination | Eric Miller on Horror Writing, Hollywood & Whatever Happened to Uncle Ed? | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:49:38 | |
In this special midweek bonus, Arthur and Megan sit down with Eric Miller, a horror writer who's navigated pretty much every corner of the genre across multiple decades and formats. He's written and produced screenplays, including the SyFy Channel's cult creature feature Ice Spiders (yes, the one with the ski resort and the giant spiders), along with Night Skies, Swamp Shark, and Mask Maker. He's an editor whose anthology Hell Comes to Hollywood earned a Bram Stoker Award nomination. And in January 2025, he released his debut novel, Whatever Happened to Uncle Ed?, a darkly funny, action-packed horror story where a former high school basketball star inherits a mansion, a fortune, and a generational curse that comes with shapeshifting demons and underground battle arenas. Kirkus Reviews called it "simultaneously horrifying and hilarious." Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Undertone: We're A Horror Podcast. They Made a Movie About One. Let's Talk | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:36:58 | |
Arthur and Meaghan review A24's Undertone (2025) — Ian Tuason's directorial debut and one of the most talked-about horror films of early 2026. A paranormal podcast host receives ten mysterious audio recordings at her dying mother's bedside, and what starts as content slowly becomes a waking nightmare. They break down the film's extraordinary sound design, its slow-burn atmosphere, the meta joy of two horror podcasters reviewing a horror podcast movie, and where it lands on their rating scale (Arthur: 7/10 — Meaghan: 6.5/10). Plus: the Fantasia connection, the A24 deal, and why you really should see this one in Dolby if you can. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ready or Not 2: Here I Come Review: Bigger, Better & Bloodier | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:35:01 | |
Grace is back, her sister's in danger, and the whole world is apparently run by satanic billionaires. Arthur and Meaghan review Ready or Not 2: Here I Come and break down whether this blood-soaked sequel actually earns its place next to the original. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is directed by Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) and picks up exactly where the first film left off — Samara Weaving covered in blood, the mansion in ashes, and everything you thought you knew about that first movie suddenly feels like just the opening act. This time, the game is global. Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| They Will Kill You Review: Satanic Cults, Zazie Beetz, & Kill Bill Vibes | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:35:02 | |
THEY WILL KILL YOU (2026) Review | Satanic Cult Horror, Zazie Beetz, Kill Bill Vibes & Full Spoilers — Grave Tone Podcast Arthur and Megan just got back from the theater and they're reviewing They Will Kill You — the new horror-action-comedy from director Kirill Sokolov, starring Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Myha'la, Heather Graham, and Tom Felton. Follow us & Subscribe: ⚠️ SPOILERS: Full spoiler breakdown starts partway through — listen for the warning. 🔪 WHAT WE COVER: - Full plot breakdown: Asia infiltrates the Virgil, a satanic cult's immortal NYC high-rise - The Kill Bill and Edgar Wright comparisons (and why they're accurate) - Fight choreography breakdown — the stunt team genuinely went above and beyond - The Dante's Inferno symbolism baked into the building's design - Arthur's rating: 7/10 digs | Meaghan's rating: 5.5/10 digs — and why they split - Patricia Arquette's Irish accent (it's a whole thing) - Why Heather Graham's disembodied eyeball might be the film's best character - The Rosemary's Baby origin story behind the whole film - Tom Felton playing ukulele songs about joining a cult on set - Zazie Beetz being called a "cyborg" by the crew for her relentlessness 🎬 Director: Kirill Sokolov (Why Don't You Just Die!) 🎬 Produced by: Andy & Barbara Muschietti (IT, Welcome to Derry) 🎬 Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures 🎬 In theaters: March 27, 2026 📅 COMING UP: Interview with director Mike P. Nelson drops Monday — do not miss it. Collab episode with Horror Roulette on Anti/Violent Nature — coming to their feed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| 10+ Horror Films You Can Only Watch Once (Hereditary, Hounds of Love, The Mist…) | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:42:33 | |
Unrewatchable horror movies, we all have a list. This week Arthur and Meaghan dig into the horror films they love but will never, ever put on again: Hereditary, Hounds of Love, The Mist, Gerald's Game, Hostel, Annihilation, Mandy, The Ring, Silent Hill, and more. And the thing is, being unrewatchable isn't always a knock. Some of these are genuinely excellent films. The reasons vary: some are too dark, some hit physically wrong, some only work when you don't know the ending, and some are just so stylistically unhinged you need a very specific headspace to return to them. They go through all of it. ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: — The Mortuary Assistant movie vs. the game: why it doesn't translate — Eli Roth's Ice Cream Man remake, Horror Sector (his new production company), and how Snoop Dogg ended up attached — Mike Flanagan's mirror Easter egg (it's on our TikTok, go look) — The case for Australian horror cinema beyond Wolf Creek — Why Japanese horror originals almost always beat their American remakes — Nicolas Cage in Mandy and why "cage rage headspace" is a real thing — Carla Gugino appreciation that is long overdue — Ari Aster's next A24 project: what we know Films discussed: Hereditary, Gerald's Game, Hostel, Hounds of Love, The Mist, Mandy, Annihilation, Cabin Fever, The Mortuary Assistant, Silent Hill, The Ring, Terrifier, Martyrs, A Serbian Film, Wolf Creek... Follow us & Subscribe: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Mike P. Nelson Interview: A Deep-Dive With The Horror Director Of Wrong Turn, VHS 85, Silent Night Deadly Night, and the Amazon Creature Feature | 30 Mar 2026 | 01:05:01 | |
Mike P. Nelson has made a habit of walking into beloved horror franchises and doing something completely unexpected with them. He did it with Wrong Turn in 2021, he did it twice in VHS 85, and now he's done it again with his reboot of Silent Night Deadly Night, a film that somehow turned Pixar, the Bill Paxton thriller Frailty, and an Indiana Jones homage into a killer Santa movie that went genuinely viral before it even hit theaters. In this special bonus interview episode, Arthur and Meaghan sit down with Nelson for a wide-ranging horror nerd conversation covering the full arc of his career. They get into how Universal Monsters, Monster Squad, and his dad's shoulder-rig camera sent him down the filmmaking path. They talk about Wrong Turn's tri-fecta of politics and its unexpected resonance. They dig into the two connected segments Nelson contributed to VHS 85, including the one that turns a sniper-based horror premise into something genuinely devastating, and how he convinced the producers to let him link them across the film. Follow us & Subscribe: 🎄 WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE 🐍 From Universal Monsters and Monster Squad to a killer Santa who takes his orders from a Pixar-meets-Frailty dark passenger, Mike P. Nelson's path through horror is exactly as weird and specific as his movies. In this interview, Arthur and Meaghan talk with Nelson about: → Growing up on recorded-off-TV VHS tapes and making backyard movies with his dad's shoulder-rig camera → How The Domestics led to Wrong Turn, and why the franchise's political subtext made it worth taking on → His two connected segments in VHS 85, including the active-shooter-as-horror-film concept behind "No Wake", and how he convinced producers to let him link them → The creative process behind Silent Night Deadly Night (2025): the Dexter-coded dark passenger, the Rohan Campbell and Ruby Modine casting, and why Mark Acheson was the only choice for the voice of Charlie → The now-viral Nazi massacre sequence, how it was inspired by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, shot in a day and a half with real squibs, and what got cut for time → A genuinely pitched sequel: both leads are in, the producers are in, it's just waiting on a distribution green light → Boiúna: Legend of the Amazon: shot on the actual Amazon River in Colombia, produced by the Event Horizon and Resident Evil producer, distributed by Lionsgate, described as "a little bit more grim" than Anaconda → Horror bracket: Midsommar, Cabin in the Woods, The Shining, Wrong Turn, one winner → Childhood trauma pick: Toy Soldiers, and why it still makes him uncomfortable in ways pure horror films don't See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||