Horror Joy

*/ ?>

Latest Episodes:

Severance, Liminality, and Analog Horror (Mandela Catalog/The Backrooms) Feb 10, 2025

This week on Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff traverse the eerie corridors of liminality in horror. They kick off with a deep dive into the Apple TV series Severance, exploring how its portrayal of work-life separation raises existential and psychological questions. Is it a thriller, or horror? Moving forward, they venture into the unsettling realm of analog horror, with a focus on YouTube creators like Kane Pixels and Alex Kister.

Join us as we travel deeper in the backrooms of liminal horror and the analog threat:

·We’ll discuss how liminality works in Gothic literature

·We’ll analyze what Severance tells us about the value of labor and the role that religious language plays in the trust/fear/disgust of corporate overlords

·We’ll question how authenticity is found in the gritty videos of analog horror and the terror of a found footage retelling of Biblical stories

·We’ll find joy in the mystery box of Severance and the labor of love of analog horror

From grainy VHS aesthetics to biblical retellings, they examine how these themes distort reality and evoke a primal fear of the unknown. Join them in exploring the blurred lines of identity, the nature of labor, and the unsettling nostalgia of analog media.

Severance

Killer tapes and Shattered Screens by Caetlin Benson-Allot

The Backrooms

The Mandela Catalog

Exploring Liminal Spaces in Gothic Literature: The Role of Transition and

Boundary in Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Works of Edgar Allan Poe by Mariyam Farzand

Arts of Wonder by Jeffrey L. Kosky

“What Is Analog Horror? The Subgenre of 'Skinamarink' Explained.” By Samuel Williamson. Collider. 7 Feb. 2023

The Ritual Process by Victor Turner

Walter Benjamin

Alienation in labor

Limbo

00:00-02:18 Hosts Introduction and Episode Overview

02:19 Deep Dive into Severance

03:52 Liminality in Gothic Literature

05:27 Severance: Themes and Analysis

07:12 The Horror of Modern Workspaces

16:23 Rituals and Symbolism in Severance

24:51 Helly R's Role and Corporate Religion

27:30 Exploring the Horrors of Severance

28:40 The Liminality in Severance and Analog Horror

30:45 Analog Horror: A Dive into the Genre

35:08 The Mandela Catalog and Biblical Narratives

37:28 Medieval Drama and Modern Analog Horror

47:23 Finding Joy in Horror

52:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Monstrous Image – Horror in Graphic Novels (Something is Killing the Children and Universal’s Frankenstein) Jan 27, 2025

The Monstrous Image – Horror in Graphic Novels (Something is Killing the Children and Universal’s Frankenstein)

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff explore the portrayal of monsters in the realm of comics and graphic novels. They dive into the complex narratives, dissecting the horror genre as seen in James Tynion IV's 'Something is Killing the Children' and Michael Walsh's 'Universal Monsters: Frankenstein'.

In this episode we:

· Revisit the gothic elements of Robert Eggers' 2024 film Nosferatu, pointing out the underlying themes of predation and power

· Identify major themes of childhood, power, and authority in “Something is Killing the Children” and “Frankenstein”

· Discuss how these stories reflect societal fears, the current political landscape, and the power dynamics in contemporary America

· Share the joy they find in these graphic narratives, highlighting the importance of art and imagination in provoking thought and emotional engagement

00:00 Introduction to Monsters in Comics

01:01 Exploring 'Something is Killing the Children'

01:28 Universal Monsters: Frankenstein's Perspective

02:17 Welcome to Horror Joy

02:48 Nosferatu and the Gothic Elements

08:47 Frankenstein: The Gothic and Modern Anxieties

20:42 Frankenstein's Creation and Ecological Allegories

26:40 Upcoming Release: The EcoWeird

26:44 Diving into 'Something is Killing the Children'

27:21 Why This Comic Stands Out

29:04 Teaching the Comic: Student Reactions

31:31 Plot and Themes of 'Something is Killing the Children'

37:33 Comparisons and Cultural Reflections

39:19 The Real Horror: Societal Issues

47:42 Finding Joy in Graphic Novels

52:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Nosferatu and "First Word on Horror" with Philip Gelatt Jan 13, 2025

2024 was a banner year for horror! From the chilling Immaculate to the unsettling Horror Movie and the glorious mustache of Nosferatu, we were truly spoiled. But now, it's time to turn a new page.

This year brings fresh beginnings, new anxieties, and a renewed opportunity for horror to help us navigate the complexities of our world.

To kick off 2025, Jeff and Brian welcome horror author and creator, Philip Gelatt, to the show. We'll discuss his fascinating new series, First Word on Horror, which offers a unique glimpse into the minds of horror creators.

Then, we'll delve into Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, exploring its racial and sexual politics, the philosophical implications of sunlight, and how it compares to classic vampire tales like Dracula, Salem's Lot, and Midnight Mass.

Did Eggers successfully translate the essence of Nosferatu for a modern audience? Or did he succumb to the Count's hypnotic allure?

Join us as we embark on a chilling journey into the heart of darkness. Bring your sharpest stakes and try not to succumb to the allure of the unknown.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:15 Phil Gelatt's Career Highlights

01:15 Discussing 'First Word on Horror'

01:31 Joy and Horror: A Complex Relationship

03:38 Stephen Graham Jones' Story and 'First Word on Horror' Details

05:13 The Making of 'First Word on Horror'

08:10 Horror Genre's Reputation and Rehabilitation

14:08 Analyzing Robert Eggers' Nosferatu

25:23 Ellen's Symbolic Sacrifice

26:38 A Loveless Film: Exploring Orlok and Ellen's Fate

27:42 Missed Opportunities and Visual Delights

28:47 Atmosphere and Visuals: The Film's Strengths

32:16 Plato and the Sun: Philosophical Insights

37:27 Final Thoughts and Joy in Horror

First Word on Horror

Rise of the Golden Idol (video game)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Dracula: Dead and Loving it directed by directed by Mel Brooks

Thomas Ligotti

Stephen Graham Jones

Laird Barron

A Horror Joy Christmas - Black Christmas and The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood Dec 16, 2024

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we are caught in a mood of anticipation. We anticipate visits from family, a festive meal, and presents to be opened. We also look forward to the celebration of the incarnation of a god in human flesh, whose death brings about one of the greatest ghost stories ever told. Rephrased, the story of Christmas is already a kind of horror narrative.

Join us for a chilling exploration of the darker side of Christmas. In this episode of Horror Joy, we'll delve into the unsettling underbelly of holiday cheer.

We'll discuss:

Algernon Blackwood's "The Kit-Bag": A disturbing tale of anticipation and dread.
Black Christmas: This iconic slasher film reimagines the holiday season as a time of terror.
The Horror of Consumerism: How the holiday season can become a source of stress and anxiety.
Loneliness at the Holidays: How the holiday season increases the chances for loneliness, and how the slasher magnifies this loneliness.

So, grab your eggnog and prepare for a frighteningly festive journey. Remember, even Santa Claus has a dark side.

Second wave feminism

Julia Kristeva Abject

Split directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Michael Cisco

Body, Telephone, Voice: Black Christmas (1974) and Monstrous Cinema by Morten Feldtfos Thompsen

Foucault and surveillance

Psycho directed by Hitchcock

Rosemary’s Baby (1968) Directed by Roman Polanski

The Holdovers directed by Alexander Payne

The Call of the Eco-Weird in Fiction, Film, and Games edited by Brian Hisao Onishi and Nathan M. Bell

"The Kit-Bag" by Algernon Blackwood - Read by Brian Onishi Dec 11, 2024

As an anticipation of our episode out on Monday (12/16), Brian reads "The Kit-Bag" by Algernon Blackwood.

"The Kit-Bag," originally published in 1908 by Pall Mall Magazine, tells the story of Johnson, a young man preparing to go on a Christmas vacation after helping to successfully defend a particularly gruesome murder case.

Alone in his apartment, Johnson begins to experience strange noises and visions. Is it his drunk lodger bringing in the mail? Is it another tenant of the building? Or is it a sinister figure invading his home via his borrowed suitcase (the titular kit-bag). Like an perverse telling of Santa Claus, listen to "The Kit-Bag" find out what's haunting Johnson and whether or not he ever makes it to his promised vacation.

Vampires - Dracula, Salem's Lot, and Midnight Mass *** With Special Guest Chris McAuley of the StokerVerse Dec 02, 2024

Episode Timeline

**2:12-40:42 – StokerVerse and Bram Stoker’s Dracula with Chris McAuley

**40:42-58:26 – Salem’s Lot

**58:27-end – Midnight Mass

From the gothic castles of Transylvania to the sleepy towns of Maine, vampires have captivated our imaginations for centuries. In this episode of Horror Joy, we'll explore the evolution of the vampire mythos, from Bram Stoker's iconic Dracula to modern interpretations like Salem's Lot and Midnight Mass.

We'll discuss:

The Vampire's Enduring Appeal: Why this ancient creature continues to fascinate us.
Dracula's Dark Legacy: The cultural impact of Stoker's masterpiece and its influence on subsequent vampire stories.
Small-Town Horror: How Salem's Lot reimagines the vampire myth for a suburban American setting.
Faith, Fear, and the Undead: The religious undertones of Midnight Mass and its exploration of community and belief.

Join us as we explore the creaking coffins of vampiric narratives. Make sure to bring along your best silver and your favorite stake. But keep an eye on the horizon, lest we let the sun go down before we’re done.

StokerVerse

Jacques Lacan

Virtue Ethics

Dracula and colonialism

The Dark Tower Series

Alien (1979) - An Uncanny Political Fable Nov 18, 2024

In this episode of Horror Joy, we're venturing into the cold, dark depths of space to explore Ridley Scott's iconic sci-fi horror masterpiece, Alien.

We'll delve into the film's terrifying themes, including:

The Alien as the Ultimate Other: How the alien creature embodies our fears of the unknown and the uncanny.
Body Horror and the Violation of the Human Form: The film's disturbing exploration of birth, death, and the body.
Corporate Greed and Existential Threat: The role of capitalism and technology in creating the conditions for the alien's emergence.
The Heroine's Journey: Ripley's evolution from a resourceful crew member to a hardened warrior.

So, buckle up and prepare for a terrifying journey. Just remember, in space, no one can hear you scream.

Elaine Graham Post/Human

Raymond Williams

Frederick Jameson

Julia Kristeva, Abjection

Horror in Space: Critical Essays on a Film Subgenre by edited by Michele Brittany

Appalachian Folk Horror - The Blair Witch Project and Old Gods of Appalachia Nov 04, 2024

Sometimes, the most terrifying monsters aren't lurking in the shadows, but in the very heart of our world. In this episode of Horror Joy, we delve into the eerie world of folk horror, where ancient myths and environmental fears intertwine.

We'll explore:

The Appalachian Nightmare: How the exploitation of the Appalachian landscape has given rise to terrifying folklore and real-world consequences.
The Blair Witch Project: The unsettling power of place and the psychological terror of the woods.
Old Gods of Appalachia: The ancient evil lurking beneath the surface of the Kentucky hills.

Join us as we trek through these haunted landscapes and confront the monsters that dwell within.

Christian Nationalism 2

Old Gods of Appalachia

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Folk Horror – New Global Pathways edited by Dawn Keetley and Ruth Heholt

Coal Stories by Embedded Podcast

Frogman

The Last Broadcast

Cannibal Holocaust

***Special Episode*** - Halloween (1978)! Oct 31, 2024

Join us as we plunge into the shadowy world of Haddonfield, Illinois. In this special episode of Horror Joy, Jeff and Brian dissect John Carpenter's iconic 1978 slasher film, Halloween. We'll explore:

The Shape's Morality: Is Michael Myers a terrifying villain or a moral compass?
Beyond the Mask: Can we find a more subversive reading of this classic horror film?
The Rules of the Slasher: How Halloween established the blueprint for countless horror films to follow.
The Psychology of Fear: Unraveling the psychological underpinnings of the film's enduring terror.

So, lock the doors, grab your sharpest knitting needles, and join us as we explore one of horror’s most enduring masterpieces. But be careful, we can’t all be the final girl.

Emmanuel Levinas

The Thing from Another World (1951)

You’re Next directed by Adam Wingard

Scream Franchise

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Psyche as soul

Horror Nostalgia - The Rack with Tom Deady and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Oct 21, 2024

A Nostalgic Nightmare: Exploring the Comfort of Horror

This week on Horror Joy, we're taking a trip down memory lane. For many of us, our love affair with horror began at a young age, fueled by Goosebumps books, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and the iconic horror paperbacks found on the revolving racks at local grocery stores.

Nostalgia and Horror: A Twisted Embrace

Nostalgia, with its roots in homesickness, offers a sense of comfort and belonging. But horror, while evoking strong emotions, can also be deeply comforting. It disrupts our sense of security, only to draw us back in, promising a strange warmth.

Our Nostalgic Journey:

Tom Deady's The Rack: We chat with Tom about his love for Salem's Lot and the process of curating his anthology of horror stories.
Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories: A discussion on the power of simple illustrations, the performative nature of storytelling, and how horror prepares us for adulthood.

Join us as we spin the rack of horror and revisit the nostalgic thrills that first captivated us. Let's stick together, because you never know what horrors await!

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Geoffrey Chaucer

Gwendolyn Kiste

The Life of Chuck (in If It Bleeds) by Stephen King

The Life of Chuck directed by Mike Flanagan

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Tom Deady

The Rack

The Babadook: Queerness in the Basement with S. Trimble Oct 07, 2024

This episode of Horror Joy delves into the chilling world of The Babadook, a film that has been interpreted as both a study in grief and a queer icon.

Joining us is S. Trimble, an Assistant Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto, to explore these shadowy perspectives.

We'll discuss:

Grief and the Monstrous: The film's exploration of grief and how it manifests as a monstrous figure.
The Babadook's Queer Identity: The reinterpretation of The Babadook as a queer character challenging societal norms.
Queer Feelings and Horror: How queerness can reveal emotions often overlooked in traditional horror.
Challenging Family Dynamics: The way The Babadook subverts the traditional family unit..

Join us as we descend into the basement of The Babadook to explore its queer undertones and the ways in which horror can challenge our understanding of identity and normalcy.

Carol Clover/Gender Distress

Sleepaway Camp

Serial Mom

The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter

Dinner on Monster Island by Tanya De Rosario

Michael McDowell

Heidegger on Anxiety and Fear

Queer Horror with Eric LaRocca Sep 23, 2024

In this episode Brian and Jeff celebrate queer horror. We explore how horror has become a space for queer expression, challenging societal norms and offering a unique perspective on both classic and contemporary horror.

Our guest, Eric LaRocca, a popular and prolific author of queer horror, will join us to discuss:

The Monster Within: How horror reflects our deepest fears and anxieties about identity and belonging.
Queer Liberation through Horror: How the horror genre provides a space for queer individuals to challenge societal norms and express their identities.
The "New Queer Horror": Exploring the emergence of queer horror as a genre and its impact on our understanding of monstrosity and normalcy.

Join us as we traverse this transgressive landscape and discover the queer joy and horror that lies within.

Poppy Z. Brite/Billy Martin

Red X by David Demchuck

Gretchen Felker-Martin

Alison Rumfitt

Haley Piper

Clive Barker

Something is Killing the Children

Sleepaway Camp

Darren Elliott Smith and John Edgar Browning

The Dumb House by John Burnside

The Pillow Man Martin McDonough

Dennis Cooper

It Came From the Closet edited by Joe Vallese

Star Spangled boogaloo - Christian Nationalism 2 Sep 09, 2024

This week on Horror Joy, we're delving deeper into the chilling connection between Christian nationalism and horror. Following our exploration of Victorian roots with Lukas Kwong, we're turning our attention to the modern-day manifestations of this dangerous ideology.

Joining us is Bradley Onishi, author and co-host of the popular political podcast Straight White American Jesus, to provide invaluable insights into contemporary Christian nationalism.

We'll dissect the horrors unfolding around us:

Understanding Christian Nationalism Today: A comprehensive look at the current state of Christian nationalism and its impact on society.
The Power of Community: Exploring the joy and empowerment found in building strong communities.
Weaponizing Faith: How Civil War, The Mist, and "Senator, Senator" depict the dangerous weaponization of Christianity by Christian nationalists.
Corruption and Control: Examining the themes of power corruption and the manipulation of institutions by these extremist groups.

While the terror is a little too close for comfort this week, we find joy in the empowering activity of community. Just try to avoid those dastardly abominations.

Civil War

The Mist (film)

The Mist (Novella)

Senator, Senator in Epitaphs from the Abyss

SCG Hobby, Altoona, PA

Christian Nationalism

Straight White American Jesus

Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism—and What Comes Next by Bradley Onishi

Christian Nationalism: A Horror Story Aug 26, 2024

This episode of Horror Joy delves into the chilling intersection of horror and politics. Brian and Jeff are joined by Lucas Kwong, scholar and host of the podcast Monster in the Mirror, to explore the connections between Christian Nationalism and horror, with a particular focus on Bram Stoker's Dracula and Gothic literature.

We'll uncover the haunting parallels between these two seemingly disparate forces, discussing:

Horror as a Liberating Force: Can horror serve as a mechanism for challenging oppressive ideologies?
Dracula's Nationalist Roots: Exploring the ways in which Christian Nationalism finds resonance in Dracula and Gothic literature.
Found Footage and Fear: The connection between found footage horror and the rise of Christian Nationalist YouTube channels.
Gothic American and Jordan Peele's US: Analyzing the current state of Gothic American and its reflection in Peele's chilling film.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of horror, politics, and the rising threat of Christian Nationalism. Let's hope we can find some joy amidst the horror of our political reality.

Monster in the Mirror hosted by Lucas Kwong

Benedict Anderson’s imagined communities

The Beetle Gothic Novel

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Christian Nationalism

Straight White American Jesusv

CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network)

Justice Samuel Alito “Appeal to Heaven” flag

Visions of Bodies Being Burned by Clipping

Us Directed by Jordan Peele

The Last of Us (Television Show)

The Stand by Stephen King

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Zombie Talk 2: The Night of the Living Dead and Shaun of the Dead Aug 12, 2024

This week on Horror Joy, we're back to the undead for a second helping of brains. Brian and Jeff are diving deeper into the zombie phenomenon, exploring the cultural and societal implications of these shambling hordes.

We'll be chewing over some meaty topics, including:

Zombies and Capitalism: How do the mindless, consumerist zombies reflect our own society's obsession with consumption?
Race and the Undead: We'll examine how zombie narratives reflect and reinforce racial tensions both in the United States and globally.
Communication Breakdown: The importance of communication technology in zombie films, from Night of the Living Dead to Shaun of the Dead.
Gaming the System: Why do we humans seem so inept at surviving zombie video games?
Finding Joy in the Apocalypse: Yes, even in the face of overwhelming undead hordes, there's still room for laughter.

So, grab your favorite zombie survival guide and join us as we navigate the treacherous waters of zombie culture. Just remember, if you hear a moan, it's probably us trying to think of clever zombie puns.

Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis by John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Filip Miscevic

Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror by W. Scott Poole

Black Bodies/White Gazes by George Yancy

We are the Walking Dead by Gary Canavan

Anti-Oedipus by Felix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze

Sula by Toni Morrison

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Smith

1967 Detroit Riots

Zombie Talk: An Interview with Kelly J. Baker Jul 29, 2024

Zombies. They’re everywhere. From the silver screen to the printed page, the undead have become a cultural staple. But what does their enduring popularity say about us?

On this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by the brilliant Kelly J. Baker, author of The Zombies are Coming! The Realities of the Zombie Apocalypse in American Culture. Together, we'll delve into the heart of the zombie phenomenon.

We'll be chewing on these topics:

*How does horror offer a cathartic release for our anxieties?

*Do zombies provide a moral justification to shoot things we don’t like?

*Why can't we seem to shake this insatiable craving for zombie stories?

*How has the zombie apocalypse become a catalyst for the preparedness movement?

So, grab your favorite zombie flick and join us for a thought-provoking discussion. Let's hope our brains stay intact!

The Zombies are Coming! The Realities of the Zombie Apocalypse in American Culture by Kelly J. Baker

Avery Gordon – Sociologist

Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror by W. Scott Poole

28 days later

Warm Bodies

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell

J’Accuse

Disney Zombies

Cinderwitch by Cherie Priest

A Horror Apocalypse - Meta-Horror, Masks, and Cabin in the Woods Jul 15, 2024

This episode of Horror Joy Brian and Jeff wander the dark hallways of meta-horror and ask whether we need a genre apocalypse to get beyond tired tropes of our favorite stories. Meta-horror shines a light on the structure of horror and how this leads to questions about both the audience of horror and the genre itself.

Join us as we attempt to step back and get a broader glimpse of the house of horror:

*We’ll take a quick nostalgic trip through The Haunted Mask, an early Goosebumps title

*We’ll analyze the connections between The Haunted Mask and Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, including the use of masks, issues of identity, and intergenerational horror

*We’ll highlight the meta-horror aspects of Horror Movie and Drew Goddard’s 2011 movie Cabin in the Woods and question whether we need to hit a horror restart button.

Join us as we attempt to exorcise the ghosts of horror past and glimpse a potential future for the genre. Come for the horror. Stay for the Joy

Post Horror by David Church

The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stein

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

Cabin in the Woods, directed by Drew Goddard

“Watchers in the Woods” By Kristopher Woofer (in Reading Whedon, edited by Rhonda Wilcox, Tanya Cochran, Cynthea Masson, and David Lavery)

Emmanuel Levinas

G.W.F. Hegel

Etymology of the word “wood”

Capitalism song by Celine Tshika

Parched shop in Providence, RI is run out of The Matchbox

Philosophy warning by Epic Rap Battles of History

Horror (Un)masked: Paul Tremblay – a conversation with the author on his bestselling new release Jul 01, 2024

This episode of Horror Joy marks our first-ever interview with a horror creator! Join Brian and Jeff as they delve into the mind of acclaimed author, Paul Tremblay, to dissect his chilling new novel, "Horror Movie."

Prepare to be enthralled as we discuss:

* Paul's personal experiences with both the joys and terrors of the horror genre.

* The profound impact the horror community has had on Paul's writing journey and career.

* The role of meta-horror and ambiguity in Paul's fiction, uncovering what sets his work apart.

* The power of horror to illuminate both societal issues and the psychology of those who consume these narratives.

So grab your cursed scripts and settle into your cozy cocoon as we navigate the rich, complex, and entertaining world of Horror Movie. Come for the horror; stay for the joy!

Paul Tremblay

John Darnielle YouTube

Hitchcock on suspense

Husker Du – Something I Learned Today

Husker Dü – Don’t Want to Know if You are Lonely

Mummenschanz

Oh, God - Religious Horror Jun 17, 2024

This episode of Horror Joy ventures into the unsettling realm of religious horror. Brian and Jeff explore the depths of this subgenre through a chilling double feature: A24's critically acclaimed 'Saint Maud' (2019) and the recently released Neon film, 'Immaculate' (2024).

Prepare to dissect some truly horrifying themes:

*We’llanalyze how both films explore the control exerted over the female body, through spectacle in 'Immaculate' and denial in 'Saint Maud'

*We’ll delve into the contrasting ways these films utilize both physical and supernatural elements to create dread

*We’ll explore the chilling impact of institutional control within a religious framework

*We’ll work to uncover the difficult intellectual and emotional joys found in both films

So, light a candle and prepare for a haunting exploration of faith, fear, and the films that blur the line between them.

St. Maud

Immaculate

Carolyn Dinshaw – Getting Medieval

S. Trimble – A Demon Girl’s Guide to Life

St. Teresa of Ávila

Lollards

Horror Joy – We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Pod

Arizona’s 1864 Abortion Law

Opus Dei

Julia Kristeva – Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection

Plato and Augustine on the body

William Blake

Rosemary’s Baby (Ira Levin)

Affective Piety

Jaws - We're Gonna Need a Bigger Pod Jun 03, 2024

This week on Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff dive headfirst into the churning waters of Steven Spielberg's classic, Jaws. We'll explore what makes this film a titan of terror, from John Williams' unforgettable score to the lurking dread of a small island community. But Jaws isn't just about a giant shark. We'll also be dissecting the three major themes:

*An island paradise that becomes an isolated, exclusive community

*Performing masculinity and the environmental cost of unchecked ambition.

* The ecological nightmare of a displaced predator

So grab your floaties and prepare for a clumsy chase into the unknown. Come for the horror, stay for the joy.

Judith Butler - Gender as Performance

Jen Corrigan – Three Men on a Boat

Surveillance – Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault

Sigmund Freud – The Uncanny

Christopher Neff - The Jaws Effect

Nicole Neff – The Belly of the Beast: The Uncanny Shark

Episode 1 - What is Horror Joy? Jun 03, 2024

*In this episode we introduce the idea of Horror Joy and discuss how we have found joy in horror as professors.

*We take a trip down childhood chills with a discussion of our shared love for Goosebumps, Stephen King, and how nostalgia and joy mix.

*Jeff recounts his introduction to horror through old black and white movies and his recent viewing of Willow Creek, while Brian describes a late blooming interest in horror movies and his love for It Follows.

*The episode finishes with a brief discussion of The Blair Witch Project, exploring how our geographical backgrounds shape our reactions to horror.

*If you want to jump into our analysis, head over to episode 2 where we discuss Jaws. Otherwise, come for the horror. Stay for the joy.

Willow Creek

It Follows

The Blair Witch Project

Donna Haraway: Staying with the Trouble