Horror Joy

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Latest Episodes:

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