Explore every episode of the podcast ScaryCrit: A Black Horror Podcast
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
On the Page - The Reading (2023)
31 Jul 2025
01:16:48
And just like that, we've finally made it to the end of season 10! For this season finale, gather 'round the table, lock arms, and open yourself up to J & L's interpretation of 2023's The Reading. There's so much to get into about this film that was on the page (and glaringly left off it) but one thing is clear: horror could be Mo'Nique's second wind and ScaryCrit is all the way here for it.
A huge thank you to our Critters for sticking beside us throughout our jagged prescence throughout the season. Life stay happenin' but we love doing this show and don't take a single listen for granted. And remember, if you have any recommendations for a future Crit, our lines our open.
Thank you all and we'll see you again for Season 11!
Timestamps
5:14 - Crit Intro
06:52 - Crit
1:12:25 - Final Curls
Gems from Ep. 110
RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009, television series)
Them (2022, television series)
The Reading (2023)
Precious (2009)
Jumanji (1995)
Late Night with the Devil (2024)
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
The Muppet Movie (1979)
I Love Lucy (1951, television series)
The Brady Brunch (1969, television series)
Ouija (2014)
Crimson Peak (2015)
Ma (2019)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
And we're back yet again with a delicious dish for this everlong season of ScaryCrit! Get ready to whet your whistles with J & L's foodie review of 2024's House of Spoils. From L's need for more desperation, J's love of the intersectionality sprinkled throughout, the horror of The Struggle™, and wondering if they both watched the same movie, there's something in this meal of a Crit all of you listeners will love. So dig in!
Timestamps
4:04 - Negronomicon
26:46 - Crit
1:23:49 - Final Curls
Gems from Ep. 109
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
Smile (2022)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
M3GAN (2023)
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Him (2025)
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (2024)
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991)
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
Teen Witch (1989)
Atlanta (2016)
Weapons (2025)
Barbarian (2022)
Parasite (2019)
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (2022)
Companion (2025)
The Village (2004)
The Nun II (2023)
The Nun (2018)
Together (2025)
Better Half (2023)
House of Spoils (2024)
West Side Story (2021)
Argylle (2024)
Hamilton (2015, stage musical)
Wish (2024)
Kraven the Hunter (2024)
Love Hurts (2025)
Hunger (2023)
The Wretched (2019)
The Wicker Man (2006)
Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Flint Street (2007)
The Bear (2022, television series)
Black Swan (2009)
Smile 2 (2024)
Love Island (2019)
Lovecraft Country (2020, television series)
Crimson Peak (2015)
Nancy Drew: The Haunted Carousel (2003, video game)
We're back just in time from yet another unscheduled sabbatical for Pride Month! And what better way to celebrate than by turning the channel to our crit of the hazy fever dream that is 2024's I Saw the TV Glow? A conversation about identity, nostalgia, and concept over story, get comfortable and be ready for the laughs and analysis! We're so happy to be back. 'Preciate y'all and your patience as we do this show and this thing called life.
Timestamps
5:50 - Negronomicon
29:39 - Crit
1:13:29 - Final Curls
Gems from Ep. 108
Sinners (2025)
It (2017)
It Chapter 2 (2019)
Ironheart (2025, television series)
Black Panther 3 (TBA)
Final Destination Bloodlines (2025)
Final Destination (2000)
Final Destination 2 (2003)
Final Destination 3 (2006)
The Final Destination (2009)
Final Destination 5 (2011)
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Fast & Furious (2009)
I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair (2021)
Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990, television series)
Inception (2010)
Poltergeist (1982)
Growing Up, Vol. 1 (2017, album)
Growing Up, Vol. 2 (2018, album)
Growing Up, Vol. 3 (2019, album)
Goosebumps (1995, television series)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997, television series)
In Episode 107, J & L discuss the horror-effort Imaginary (2024), getting into the many disconnected subplots, what genre the film could've really benefitted from, and the fact that this film is a movie that just...happens. Ideas and concepts, y'all. Ideas and concepts...
Disclaimer: We love you, DeWanda Wise (and Issa Rae)!!! And we know it's pronounced MAHN-guh—y'all know's J's heart.
The horrors persist but so do we! Life is lifin' which has led to our most drawn-out season yet but not to worry, Critters. We're still here, we're not going anywhere and we've got Ep. 106 for you, hot off the presses! Listen as we take it back to 1990's Def by Temptation for an episode that captivates with conversations about filmmaking on a budget, Melle's beef with lack of quality sheets, how Temptation's victims were all character studies, Black masculinity + power-plays, and some fish named Steve. We've missed y'all and hope you enjoy the episode! Dig in!
In episode 105, Lauren and Jared jump through the many timeline paradoxes of Don't Let Go. The supernatural mystery loses its punch and the emotional drama dosen't quite hit home as we stumble behind Detective Jack Radcliff (played by David Oyelowo) on his journey to save his nieces life.
We break down the film's time-warping premise, the emotional stakes, and how the world building fails to deliver. Is it a crime thriller? A ghost story? A time travel tale? Or none of those things? Join us as we try to unpack the time travel, grief, and second chances of Don't Let Go.
In episode 104, we dive into the 2021 horror film Black as Night. This not-so-unique blend of supernatural horror and social commentary takes us deep into the heart of New Orleans, where a young girl must confront a terrifying vampire threat that lurks in the shadows.
We’ll discuss the film’s themes of colorism, gentrification, and the coming-of-age throughline that has a hard time hitting the mark.
Grab your garlic and stake, and tune in for a deep dive into a film that will leave you questioning what’s lurking in the dark.
Timestamps 04:56 – Negronomicon
34:16 (pause here to avoid plot spoilers!)
29:17 - Crit
1:37:34 – Final Curls
Podcaster's note:
A video that Mami Wata Mayowa posted online gave me the language I was looking for when we recorded this episode. The trope with colorism is that dark-skinned women are jealous of light-skinned women. This underlying belief colored the conversation this film was trying to have into a weird coming-of-age story that didn't sit right with me. I have a hard time understanding the perspective of the film has and I think there were a lot of other elements in the story that made this theme seem shallow at best.
xo, Lauren
Gems from E104
Black as Night (2021)
Cheers (1982, television series)
The Twilight Zone (1959, television series)
The Faculty (1998)
Scream 7 (upcoming)
Companion (2025)
The Blackening (2023)
Barbarian (2022)
22 Jump Street (2014)
Idle Hands (1999)
The Devil Wear Prada 2 (upcoming)
Moana 2 (2024)
Moana (2016)
Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996)
Jason X (2021)
Wolf Man (2025)
Van Helsing (2004)
28 Years Later (2025)
The Last of Us (2023, television series)
Fear Street trilogy (2021)
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
Goosebumps (2023, television series)
Goosebumps: The Vanishing (2025, television series)
Goosebumps (1995, television series)
The Nightmare Room (2001, television series)
The Haunting Hour (2010, television series)
Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001, television series)
Squid Game (2021, television series)
Virgin River (2019, television series)
Locke & Key (2020 television series)
Sinners (2025)
Mickey 17 (2025)
Black Panther (2018)
Spongebob Squarepants (1997, animated television series)
Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999, animated television series)
The Monkey (2025)
Longlegs (2024)
Until Dawn (2025)
Until Dawn (2015, video game)
Black Christmas (2019)
Black Christmas (1976)
Happy Death Day (2016)
Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Lights Out (2016)
Shazam: Fury of the Gods (2023)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
Chlorine Sky (Mahogany L. Browne, Crown Books for Young Readers, 2021, Print)
The Babadook (2014)
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022, television series)
Blade (1998)
Day Shift (2022)
30 Days of Night (2007)
Fright Night (1985)
True Blood (2008, television series)
Twilight (2008)
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
Abigail (2024)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997, television series)
Underworld (2003)
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Interview with a Vampire (2022, television series)
Happy New Year, Critters! Wishing you a spooky start to 2025.
In episode 103, Lauren and Jared wrap up 2024 and talk birthday shenanigans and Christmas games before diving into one of the most talked about horror movies of last year, The Deliverance. If you couldn't tell by the title of this episode, we were whelmed. There is something important missing from this film and this episode explores what exactly that thing is.
Gems from E103
The Play That Goes Wrong (play) (2012)
Super Mario Party Jamboree (video game) (2024)
Nosferatu (2024)
Crimson Peak (2015)
Nosferatu (1922)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1922)
Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009)
The Wire (2002)
The Sopranos (1999)
Breaking Bad (2008)
Game of Thrones (2011)
House of the Dragon (2022)
Holiday Heart (2000)
Infinity Train (2019)
Precious (2009)
The Deliverance (2024)
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Saw (2004)
Hide and Seek (2005)
The Number 23 (2007)
The Babadook (2014)
The Conjuring (2013)
Sinister (2012)
The Addams Family (1991)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)
RENT (play) (1996)
Insidious (2010)
Hamilton: An American Musical (play) (2015)
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
The Last Exorcism (2010)
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
The Exorcist (1973)
When Evil Lurks (2023)
Sinister (2012)
The Reading (2023)
Speak No Evil (2022)
Godzilla (2014)
South Park (1997)
Lovecraft Country (television series) (2020)
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat (2024)
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (2020)
Origin (2024)
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents (Isabel Wilkerson, Random House, 2020, Print)
Dora the Explorer (2019)
Stranger Things (2016)
Concrete Cowboy (2020)
The Butler (2013)
Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Five Nights at Freddy’s (video game) (2014)
Monsters We Make (manga) (2024)
Dragon Ball Z (animated television series) (1989)
Bad Parenting (video game) (2024)
Mouthwashing (video game) (2024)
Fears to Fathom - Ironbark Lookout (video game) (2023)
We’ve reached a milestone, and what better way to celebrate our 100th episode than with a deep dive into a true classic of horror? Join Lauren and Jared as we explore the chilling legacy of Night of the Living Dead (1968).
This iconic film not only redefined the zombie genre but also pushed the boundaries of social commentary in horror. We’ll dissect its unforgettable characters, groundbreaking visuals, and the cultural impact that continues to resonate today.
Plus, we’ll call the Negronomicon off the shelf to share our must see horror movies for 2024. So grab your favorite snacks, turn up the volume, and get into our 100th episode celebration!
....We missed y'all. Please excuse us for the unintentional hiatus but we have returned with a new episode and our second Special! Our first Special focused on season one of the horror anthology series Them, Them: Covenant (2021). With season two, titled Them: The Scare (2024) having been recently released, we had to strike while the iron was hot with another Special. We get into what we thought about the season, the casting, execution of theme and ideas and how it compares to S1. So lock in, turn up that volume up and get cozy with 99 1/2!
We've got one question... Do you like Phil Collins?
Get ready for a deep dive into the dark and stylish world of American Psycho (2000) aswe dissect the enigmatic Patrick Bateman. Join Lauren, Jared, and returning guest El'Ja Bowens for a thrilling discussion on this psychological thriller, exploring the film's satirical edge, haunting visuals, and Christian Bale's unforgettable performance.
We'll unravel the layers of Bateman's psyche, discussing the blurred lines between reality and delusion, the cultural and intersectional commentary, and the film's enduring impact on pop culture.
Is is really Spooky Season if we're not talking about a Halloween movie?
Get ready for a side-splitting episode as we delve into the sequel that is 'Halloween: Resurrection' (2002). Join Lauren and Jared for a deep dive into this ironically iconic installment where Michael Myers returns once again to murder and mame LIVE on the internet.
We'll explore the portrayal of Blackness, the misuse of the Black characters in the film, and the impact this film had on the 'Halloween' franchise. From the strange pacing to the classic jump scares, we break down the elements that made this film, for better or for worse, a memorable addition to the horror canon.
Is 'Halloween: Resurrection' an underrated gem or a comical misstep in the franchise? Find out on this episode of ScaryCrit! Sign Up for our Newsletter
"Hey, guys!" In our latest podcast episode, we take you on a journey into the unique world of Ma (2019). Join us as we dissect the complex psyche of the unforgettable character portrayed by the illustrious Octavia Spencer (we love you!), and the harrowing transformation of a seemingly ordinary house into a place of unspeakable horrors.
We'll explore the themes of isolation, obsession, and the haunting consequences of past secrets, all while taking a closer look at the exceptional performances that brought this psychological thriller to life.
Prepare for a thought-provoking crit that uncovers the darkest corners of human nature and the darkest corners of a script that could have used a little more TLC and concrete conversations about intersectionality. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Ma or just curious about the film's deeper layers, this episode is sure to leave you intrigued, entertained, and perhaps even a little bit unnerved. So have a listen and get home safe! ...Or else.
We are playing hella mindgames in this episode of ScaryCrit, where we get lost in the trappings of the 2000s trippy thriller The Cell. This has been an episode long in the making and it makes quite a step in our #Roadto100! Bolstered by Melle's delicious passion for this underrated gem, we explore Jennifer and Vince's uncharacteristic roles, the movie essentially being two different stories, the illustration of fantasy and darkness through the mind and the mind itself being the perfect sandbox for The Cell to play with all it's weirdness in.
Note: If y'all have not ever watched The Cell, we implore you heavily to please see it before listening. Seriously!
Second note: Please don't hold our mispronunciations of Hercule Poirot and Gonjiam against us. Jared got the I and J mixed up and Melle's heart was in the right place. Thank you.
Beware the stare of Mary Shaw. She had no children, only dolls. And if you see her in your dreams...
You BEST bet'not scream!!! Tf? Today on ScaryCrit, we're taking a trip down to dreary Raven's Fair to hang with the good sis Mary and her vociferous dolls and dish about Dead Silence (2007). A brainchild of the fathers of Saw (2005), Leigh Whannel and James Wan, we have a fun time analyzing how this film holds up in the possessed/haunted doll subgenre, toying with the idea of if the movie were from another character's perspective, defining the "curse" of Mary Shaw, and pondering how the Dead Silence we got wasn't originally the one James and Leigh had in mind. So turn us on, turn yourselves down (or else) and enjoy!
Today on ScaryCrit, we're getting lower than low, crittin' the 2014 found-footage horror gem As Above, So Below. Quite an underrated entry in the genre, drop down with us as we chat about the film's not quite on-the-nose take on Dante's Inferno, the first act's noteworthy genre shift/blend, the film's take on what hell is and how this personally affected each of the characters. Remember, once you're in hell, the only way out is down. So pray, repent, press play and dive on in!
This season of ScaryCrit keeps coinciding with some must-watch horror releases and we'd be remiss if we didn't take full advantage! This week's episode is no different as we grab hold of A24's horror feature Talk to Me (2023), having seen it on its opening night. We think that Talk to Me is a unique film in that it operates parallel to your typical possession horror flick (which makes for some unforgettable results).
Listen in as we unpack that as well as the Philippou bros.'s direction (and career beginnings), the bystander effect and what it means to bear witness in regards to social media as a narrative device, the jarring juxtaposition in framing possession as a party game, and Mia's intense and lonely bout as a grieving protagonist.
This episode might be a long one but we'd like to think it's quite gripping all the same. So, take our hand and let us guide you straight into another stellar episode of ScaryCrit! You're not going to be able to let go of this one.
We return to the Further in today's episode as we crit the recently released Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth installment of the iconic supernatural horror series! Some of the things we discuss are whether or not the series was able to maintain its scare factor, the complicated father/son relationships that frame the story, the refreshing inclusion of Dalton's college friend Chris (shout-out to actress Sinclair Daniel!), and Patrick Wilson's debut as director. So, grab your lanterns, make sure to mark your way back and join us we go beyond the Red Door and see what hauntings are going on in the Further this go-round.
When we tell you Lauren has been dying to talk about Near Dark (1987) since season 1! Kathryn Bigelow's genre bending cult classic holds a special place in our hearts and if you haven't seen this vampire-cowboy-romance then strap in for the ride of your night. For this crit, we discuss the true meanings of relationships, loneliness, and the canonical depictions of vampires and how this film flips what we expect to see in a film like this.
After a break to recharge and plan WE. ARE. BACK. And what a season opener we've got in store for you! We call the Negronomicon off the shelf to give you updates on the WGA strike and talk about the games of the summer, Diablo IV and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Then, we crit one of the most anticipated horror films this year, The Blackening (2023); our theater experience, the duality between horror and comedy, and what we think made this film so authentically good.
We've also got a big announcement: We're almost to our 100th episode! Can you believe it?! We've got some exciting things in store for Season 9 so be on the look out for our newsletter!
Timing was on our side for our season 8 finale, as we decided to go with a good ol' fashioned bookend—anybody remember the season premiere? That's right! Our film for today is none other than the just-released Evil Dead Rise (2023)! The trope for this one centers on murderous mothers so you know we get into all the things possessive, obsessive and manipulative parenting (which goes a bit differently in the Evil Dead universe). Now, if y'all have not seen the movie and don't want to be spoiled, you might want to do what Danny should've done and not press play! We'd hate to ruin the experience for you. Other than that, get ready to dig into some murderous maternal mayhem as we react, critique and ponder on the newest installment in the Evil Dead franchise.
As always Critters, thank you for all the love and listens during another season! We feel like we're growing every day and couldn't have done it without you. As usual, we'll be taking a break after this episode but don't worry. We'll be hard at work planning out what we hope to be our biggest season yet, our #roadto100 season! It's not every day you make it to 100 episodes so we're going to do our best to make S9 something special, for you and ourselves. Feel free to binge on all our episodes during the wait. It'll be worth it!
Our trope this week dear Critters is that of witches, who we stan over at ScaryCrit. For this one, we're lighting a candle and opening the book to Robert Egger's 2015 folk-horror gem, The VVitch.
From Egger's ardent direction when it came to historical authenticity, to Thomasin's plight and Jared's passion for good for her! stories, there's so much to conjure up while talking about this film: The actual factual history of witches being in direct opposition to patriarchy and the stringent ideals of men and church, what it means to be goaded into becoming that which you're accused of being, how the cauldron was dropped when it came tomarketing, and how this film challenges expectations and perceptions of antagonists and happy endings—there's so much magic happening in today's episode. Get into it!
Ooooh, it's playtime over at ScaryCrit today as we unbox 1991's plastic horror Dolly Dearest. While the 90s are well known to have been in the grip of another tiny terror, Dolly Dearest still offers a lot for us to talk about, from Dolly's design, the family dynamics of the Wades, stark cultural differences and the uncanny. So come join us in the dollhouse—it's teatime!
It's a funhouse over at ScaryCrit today as we encounter Art the Clown in 2016's indie gore-fest, Terrifier. Coulrophobia, what may have inspired Terrifier, the strong and weak points of the film and how ridiculousness is Terrifier's fuse box are just some of the crazy things discussed in today's episode. And for our The Last of Us Part II (2020) players, Jared has finally made it to that moment; be sure to skip the cold opening if you want to avoid spoilers!
Timestamps 0:00 - I Do Have An Idea of What Loss Is (cold open) (contains The Last of Us Part II spoilers) 10:37 - Theme song 11:36 - Negronomicon 36:05 - Crit 1:53:10 - Final Curls
In the Crit this week on ScaryCrit, Lauren and Jared discuss sour deals and alt-Black Girl Magic with Henry Selick's Netflix phenom Wendell and Wild (2022). Rate and review ScaryCrit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
So, let's say your ex disappears for 2 years, pops back up with a new man, and invites you to a get-together out of the blue to "reconnect?" Well, that's just what happens to our buddy Will in 2015's indie thriller The Invitation, which we use as the crux for our trope this week: cults. Listen as we explore what cults are and why they have a draw, Will's trauma as a catalyst, the concept of the film's unnerving dinner party and The Invitation's theme of sacrifice and denial. As a bonus, we also recorded this during the airing of the 95th Academy Awards so some of our live reactions to winners was caught on film (hope you enjoy them and can maybe relate).
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Scooby Doo and the gang been taught us, y'all: the monsters are (almost) always human. That's our trope this week on ScaryCrit, with Lauren and Jared taking a look at one of the most harrowing horror/suspense films in recent memory, The Boy Behind the Door (2020). A vicious juxtaposition of violence against innocence, this Crit explores the intersectionality that instigates Bobby and Kevin's precarious situation as they try to get out of it, the film's genius, subversive handling of audience expectation and how absolutely dark this trope can be.
Trigger warning: like the film it covers, this episode contains discussion of violence against children. Listening discretion is advised.
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Lemme tell y'all about the original ghoul, the first found footage horror, the one who was causing paranormal activity over a decade before Micah set up that camera. Our trope this week is found footage and we're taking a trip across the pond to discuss the poltergeist Mr. Pipes and his supernaturally effective 15 minutes of fame in 1992's Ghostwatch. From the scares, filming technique, highly entertaining and effective format, greenlighting process and 31 year legacy, we have a lot of fun to discuss in today's episode.
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Our trope this week is one of the undead... Zombies! While we're so used to all the death, destruction, and chaos that this trope brings, we're actually talking about a more stripped down approach to the subject by taking a look at the 2018 French horror film The Night Eats the World. What happens when you give a misanthrope a whole apartment building to survive in solo during the zombie apocalypse? We try and answer this question by sitting down with the character of Sam, his loneliness, this film's unique characterization of zombies, what the zombie trope has to say about society and Sam's own purpose (or lack thereof?) of surviving.
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"So you wanted a twist, aye?" Well, you're gettin' one because our trope for this week is twist endings! Forget a locksmith--we've got The Skeleton Key (2005) to Crit this week. We unlock thoughts and feelings about twist endings, the perception and motives of the film's "antagonists," situational awareness across the characters and their cultures, and why this film personally gives Lauren the ick.
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Everybody remembers their first mad scientist, right? Maybe Herbert West was yours back in '85! On today's episode, after we dust off the Negronomicon (14:34) we're covering the aforementioned "Mad Scientist" trope in all its white-lab-coat-glory via Re-Animator (1985). Get ready for a humorously experimental discussion (37:11) of science, morality, this film's influence, one-liners, and Mace the security guard.
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Strap in, Critters! Hearkening back to our humble beginnings of super-long episodes, we've got a lot to get through this week!
After flipping through a stacked Negronomicon featuring our reviews of Velma (2023) and the premiere episode of The Last of Us (2023), your favorite horror pod hosts dust off our VCRs and press play on a true crit of David Cronenberg's Videodrome (1983). The trope for this weeks episode: body horror. Get ready for some analysis, reactions and a classic media studies analysis, because you can't say Videodrome without McLuhan.
We dropped lot of gems this week--too many to fit in the show notes, but we've got 'em all collected here. Be sure to have a look!
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An invasion? A mystery... kind of? Freaky children?!
John Carpenter's remake of Village of the Damned holds a 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it holds a special place in Lauren's heart. This week, we examine the story of the children of Midwich. The gimmicks, the cast, and the plot in between.
Oh how we've missed you, Podcast People! What Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and all the things in between.
For our S8 premiere we finally finally crit the one, the only, The Evil Dead. You don’t just watch The Evil Dead, you experience it. So much has been said about this cult phenomenon, so check out our thoughts on Sam Raimi's beloved classic!
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Scream Queens - Scream (1996) ft. The Carpenter Queens
13 Oct 2022
02:12:14
For our 75th, you know we had to do something special. And you've all probably been wondering why we haven't tackled a certain horror classic. Well, wonder no more! In our super-sized season 7 finale, we finally hopped on the slay-train to Woodsboro and caught up with everyone's favorite and fabulous video clerks, The Carpenter Queens to discuss the one and only, tried and true, sharp-tongued and slasher-rificScream (1996)!
The iconography of the Ghostface mask, Kevin Williamson's pen game, Sidney Prescott being one of the best Final Girls in the game, word of mouth before social media and Drew Barrymore's famous blonde blunt bob in that unforgettable first 13 minutes... It's all gabbed about here and more! Seriously. Because between the Negronomicon and the Crit, we mentioned so many movies that we had to link the Gems from Episode 75 as there just wasn't enough space in the show notes!
We think this is one of our best and favorite episodes yet and we hope you think so too. And be sure to drop by TCQ video for a visit after you're done here. Tell 'em Lauren and Jared sent ya! Thanks so much to you (and our awesome interns Andrew and Mikayla!) for a splendid season 7. We'll see you soon for season 8!
And find our wonderful Guest Critters, The Carpenter Queens! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarpenterqueens/ Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasalexanderphoto/ Raymond: https://www.instagram.com/stfuray/
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It's not spooky season if we don't talk about one of its most iconic creatures, the vampire! Or, in this case, the Daywalker! That's right, put on your finest black leather trench and get ready to slice and dice your way through our crit about 1998's Blade. From its blaxploitation vibes and Wesley's iconic portrayal of the Marvel comic character to how the film was able to demystify its own lore, we have more here than you can shake a stake at. So get ready for the real world and pull that trigger (by pressing play)!
Negronomicon Correction: Jared was actually referring to the 4th episode of the third season ("Killer Within") of The Walking Dead, not the second.
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In E73, we venture through the gory, insane funhouse that is Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses (2003). Join Lauren, Jared, and Intern Andrew as we chat about the pure unconventionality of the editing and narrative style in this film, Sid Haig's beloved performance as Captain Spaulding, and why (or, in a certain somebody's case, why not) this film is a foundational horror film.
According to Lauren, it's officially spooky season! What better way to ring in the Halloween Spirit than by covering one of the creepiest found footage films in the genre, Paranormal Activity (2007)? Aside from taking a peek at what made this film so noteworthy and effective, we also wonder about Micah and Katie's economic situational awareness, their frightfully toxic relationship dynamic, how writer and director Oren Peli "trained" us to jump when scared, and of course the film's genius marketing.
So yeah, what does happen when you sleep? But better question is what happens to when you listen to a new episode of ScaryCrit? Good things, we hope! Enjoy, Critters!
It's your typical group-of-young-adults-get-stranded/stuck-in-a-remote-location-and-then-get-hunted-down-by-the-savage-cannibalistic-locals picture but you know what? That's what makes it work! Have a seat with Lauren and Jared as they discuss 2003's backwoods horror romp Wrong Turn. Our hosts get into why they each consider it foundational in their horror upbringings and why the film following a tried and true formula makes it such a palatable piece in the genre.
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A digital Red Queen, glimpse of white rabbits, what could be seen as zombified "cards," and an amnesia-afflicted girl named Alice... Who knew Resident Evil (2002) could be seen as the action-horror remix of a beloved fairytale? We discuss this and more in our 70th(!) episode, like what sets Resident Evil apart from other video-game adaptations, the icon that is Michelle Rodriguez, understanding the complexities of the story as an adult and what one Karl Marx might think of Alice's adventure down in the Hive if he gave the movie a watch.
Join us as we journey into The Further to discuss one of the most effective PG-13 horror films in modern memory: Insidious (2010). One-word title mastery, first reactions to the film, the dissonant score, and how scary we still find this movie are just a few things Lauren and Jared get into this week.
Find Us Online Website: www.scarycritpodcast.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scarycritpodcast Instagram: http://instagram.com/scarycritpodcast
Credits Host and Producer: Lauren La Melle - instagram.com/laurenlamelle Host and Editor: Jared Hudson - instagram.com/blossomsandbooks93 Production Intern: Andrew Fernie Communications Intern: Mikayla Wells Gems from Episode 68
The Godfather (1972)
Beast (2022)
3000 Years of Longing (2022)
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
The Hateful 8 (2015)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Call (2013)
Monsters University (2013)
Wednesday (2022)
Nevermore (Kate Flynn and Kit Trace, Webtoon, 2022, Digital)
The Walking Dead (2010)
Insecure (2016)
Midnight Mass (2021)
Scream (2022)
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
The Fallout (2021)
The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
Waiting… (2005)
The Addams Family (2019)
The Addams Family 2 (2021)
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
The Sandman (2022)
Orphan: First Kill (2022)
Orphan (2009)
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Psycho (1998)
Cabin Fever (2016)
Cabin Fever (2003)
The Birds (1963)
Psycho (1960)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Generation (2021)
Sesame Street (1969)
Infinity Train (2019)
The Thin Man (1934)
Charmed (1998)
Teen Titans (2003)
Samurai Jack (2001)
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Jared and Lauren take on the curse of Kayako in 2004's The Grudge. They discuss what made it so scary, the effectiveness of the non-linear storytelling, PG-13 vs. the unrated version, the complexity of the story, and how it personally changed what horror could look like for us.
Listen as Lauren and Jared break into 2008's creepy The Strangers and discuss director's Bryan Bertino's inspirations, the terror of the absence of a motive, the fact that no one is locking their doors again (a cardinal horror sin of Jared's), and what makes the three masked assailants so memorable 14 years later.
Timestamps 5:39 - Negronomicon 27:22- Crit 1:12:42 - Final curls
There's a podcast. After you listen to it, they say you get a call. And the person on the other end says that you're gonna have another episode to listen to in seven days, raaaargh!
....Okay, so maybe not as ominous as our subject of today's Crit but we tried. Get comfortable as we rewind 2002's unsettling but very vibe-y The Ring (2003), America's gateway to J-horror remakes and a film that made us all paranoid about blank tapes and TVs. From Gore Verbinski's masterful and immersive direction, Craig Wood's effective editing, Noah as a baby daddy and to what Jared and Melle personally found scary about the film, the conversation in this episode flows deep, like Samara's well. So grab your popcorn, turn your volume up and don't touch that dial. ScaryCrit comin' atcha like a girl crawlin' through your TV screen.
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It's time for a buzzworthy good time as we get into a movie that changed and really cut into the horror genre: James Wan and Leigh Whannel's Saw (2004)! Character analyses, Jigsaw's motives, Danny Glover being typecast, the legacy of the Saw franchise and how well Saw would've worked if it was a standalone film rather than a series—these are just some of the "rules" discussed in this game of an episode, as well as a hello from one of our interns! Happy listening, Critters!
Collusion n' Consequences - Final Destination 2 (2003)
21 Jul 2022
01:15:45
Taking it back to 2003, Jared and Melle buckle up for the wild ride that is Final Destination 2 and debate on how well it holds up nearly 20 years later. Everyone is scared, everyone is panicking, and everyone is asking how Officer Burke could afford that apartment…
Bringing Down the Ghost House - Thir13en Ghosts (2001)
14 Jul 2022
01:42:18
Welcome to another season of Scary Crit, folks!
We missed y'all and hope the feeling's mutual. For S7, we've decided to take on the classics, but with a little twist. These are the horror classics that made us. Those films that imprinted on us with scares that will last a lifetime, if only in memory.
First up is a 90s baby childhood classic, Thir13en Ghosts (2001). Come along with us as we throw stones in a glass house and talk about the film's technical aspects, framing, character depth and exactly what kind scary the movie is. Be sure to listen all the way to the end: ScaryCrit is leveling up and we're excited to see what comes next!!
Well, wouldn't you know it? Another season finale! Season six has been quite sickening if we don't say so ourselves but it wouldn't have been such a success without our wonderful guest stars–give it up for AJ and Jonne from D180 Podcast (A Dry Squeeze), Eric Thompson (Downward), Sasha Banks (Buggin') and Brandon Evans (Picky Eater)!!! We had so much fun and can't wait to add to our list of guest Critters in future episodes.
For our season 6 finale, we basically do an episode of Everything Wrong With for a film from way back in Jared's memory banks: 1997's vicious lizard sci-fi horror Aberration. Everybody's a critic and our red pens were compulsory this time around as we tried to leave no scale unturned. Enjoy and we'll see y'all for season seven!