REC is a clever zombie film that follows people trapped in an apartment building. While trying to survive and get to the bottom of this quarantine, our protagonists fight to record the horrors around them. Joined by regular guest, Wi-Moto Nyoka (Dusky Projects), Ghouls discuss the unique villain, found footage horrors, and other faves.
Jeff Barnaby's Blood Quantum is a relentless, gory zombie film with an interesting twist. This film pulls no punches and through the anti-hero Lysol, we get to see that generational trauma, anger and resolve acted out in vengeance and graphic horror.
Ghouls revisit one of their all time favorite horror films that turns the classic monster, zombie, into a harsh history lesson.
ZOM100 is a quirky show set during the zombie apocalypse that encourages viewers to take advantage of the time we have left. When our jobs under the oppressive systems of capitalism have already turned us into zombies, flesh eating monsters can feel like a fresh start and a good excuse to start living.
Joined by the Boos Next Door (Mike Levitt & Isaiah Luck), Ghouls talk about the charmingly positive protagonist, Akira, and what our own bucket lists look like. When there's always a crisis anyway, we might as well live with more whimsy. No time like the present.
All of Us Are Dead is a compelling and emotionally charged TV series about a zombie outbreak at a high school in South Korea. The zombies cause chaos, but the true horrors, as always, are the many ways society fails these kids. Ghouls discuss the parts they love of the show, what they hope to see in a season 2, and how this show differs from other zombie media.
No one is coming to save us, so we must protect each other.
28 Years Later is a wild, emotional ride exploring the complications of growing up in the midst of an apocalypse. Garland and Boyle return to the series, offering a vibrant and creative story where even amongst decades of death, the loss of a loved one still hits hard.
Ghouls are joined by fellow podcaster, Erick Barragan of Cinepamina to discuss the highs, lows and very many choices made in this film.
Until Dawn is a wild time-loop slasher film inspired by the game. Ghouls invite their good friend and fellow gamer, June Bethea to talk about the ways the film exceeded their expectations and where it needed work. Perhaps this film could've been called literally anything else? We discuss the director's short film successes and our favorite parts about the game (QTEs, 1000s of script pages, and more!)
With delightfully absurd gore and entertaining banter, Clown in a Cornfield, is a fun summertime slasher. It offers a pleasant, somewhat unexpected twist, some truly bizarre characters and as always beloved in the slasher genre, teen angst.
Black Mirror’s Joan is Awful is a cautionary tale of our dangerous future in the shadow of hyper-surveillance, deep-fakes, and AI ownership. Joan is Awful explores the horrors of accepting shady terms and conditions. The Ghouls unpack the ways that AI and Data Mining are horrifying even now.
Common People is a particularly heartbreaking episode as it feels so much like our lives now. A sharp criticism of our healthcare system, subscription services, and capitalism, Common People pulls no punches despite being housed on the predatory subscription system, Netflix.
Companion is a seamlessly hilarious sci-fi romantic comedy that freshly examines power dynamics in artificial intelligence relationships. Ripe with refreshing and quick twists, the film leaves little room for questions and instead guides us through a bloody tale of deprogramming and toxic relationships.
Mickey 17 is an entertaining science fiction film that distills the fearful future of unchecked capitalism into a heartfelt, comedic romp. The Ghouls discuss what Mickey 17 gets right about Elon Musk’s Mars plan, our likely dystopian future after a second Trump Presidency, the reality of human cloning, and the horrors of climate change. How close are we to Bong Joon-ho’s dystopian space odyssey?
The Ghouls explore the revolutionary impact of Wicked in 2025. We dissect how Cynthia Erivo's Black Elphaba transforms the green-skinned witch's journey into a searing commentary on race, while simultaneously exposing the musical's chilling political prophecies. From "Defying Gravity" as a representation anthem to the Wizard's propaganda machine mirroring today's politics, we reveal why this story hits differently in 2025. When Animals lose their voice in Oz, marginalized communities recognize the playbook. When Elphaba is labeled "wicked" for speaking truth, activists see their reflection. Discover how one musical manages to challenge both Hollywood's casting traditions and America's political reality in a single, defiant gesture. Prepare to see "Wicked" through new eyes—where fantasy and reality collide in perfect, uncomfortable harmony.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners feels like two movies in one and both are phenomenal pieces of media. At once a beautiful, heartbreaking, and emotional depiction of Jim Crow era America and a charming, hilarious, and horrific exploration of faith, culture, and folklore. Ghouls unpack their takeaways from a film ripe with meaning and impact diving into the intersectionality, intentionality, and fantastical nature of the film.
Severance has given us one of the most nuanced examinations of identity, consciousness, and labor rights in recent television. The Ghouls dissect Severance Season 2's brilliant dual commentary: the fight for innie personhood alongside corporate America's modern "Sunken Place" for Black professionals. From Helly's rebellion to Milchick's blackface paintings, Apple TV's workplace thriller mirrors our reality of eroding worker rights, modern company towns, and the dehumanizing effects of capitalism. "Did you think just because you gave us half a life, we wouldn't fight for it?"
From brilliantly explores Rebecca Solnit's disaster utopia concept, showing how communities respond to catastrophes with solidarity rather than chaos. The Ghouls explore how the trapped townspeople build meaningful connections despite relentless threats. From creates a true disaster utopia, showing people cooperating across backgrounds and sharing resources in Colony House's socialist community. We also explore the psychological toll of perpetual danger, comparing adaptive vs. maladaptive coping mechanisms through characters like Jade, Sara, and Elgin, revealing why isolation leads to corruption while community offers survival. Plus: connections to current social movements and recent protest victories! Perfect for horror fans, social psychology enthusiasts, and anyone seeking hope in difficult times.
The Ghouls Next Door are going LIVE to celebrate 300 spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and downright ghoulish episodes of horror and media literacy!
Join Gabe and Kat for a night of chills, thrills, and unforgettable moments as we look back on 300 episodes of turning fear into fierce conversations. Expect live Q&A, fun games, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, and so much more!
Let’s break down the beauty, horror, and heartbreak of Interview with the Vampire.
AMC’s Interview with the Vampire is a haunting, gothic masterpiece that redefines Anne Rice’s classic story through the lens of race, queerness, and power. This deep dive explores the tragic, abusive relationship between Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt—one built on manipulation, control, and toxic love.
This adaptation transforms Interview with the Vampire into a radical, hauntingly relevant story about survival, identity, and the devastating cost of love in a world built on power and control.
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Is Nosferatu a cautionary tale about repression, or an empowering story of feminine defiance? Let’s dive into this gothic nightmare and uncover the terrifying truths behind the fiction.
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is a chilling reflection of historical oppression, medical horror, and the fear of feminine autonomy. The film’s eerie atmosphere, psychological terror, and feminist themes connect directly to the real-life history of how women were controlled, misdiagnosed, and silenced in the 19th century.
The Ghouls explore Nosferatu through both film analysis and historical context—examining how the gothic horror of Count Orlok reflects societal fears of independent women, medical oppression, and patriarchal control. From Ellen’s supernatural descent to the real-world horrors of hysteria diagnoses, forced medical treatments, and the suppression of female autonomy, Nosferatu becomes a terrifying metaphor for historical and systemic abuse.
Ghouls break down the emotional depth and trauma explored in Your Monster (2024), highlighting themes of childhood neglect, feminine rage, and trauma responses like fawning. We dive into how Laura’s emotional repression—stemming from both physical and emotional neglect in childhood—shapes her adult life, relationships, and health. The film subtly explores how neglect, especially in Latine communities, goes beyond the physical and deeply affects emotional well-being, often manifesting as chronic illness. Laura's experiences reflect how people-pleasing and fawning behaviors become survival mechanisms when one's emotional needs are constantly dismissed.
We also examine how societal structures like capitalism exacerbate childhood neglect, forcing parents into difficult situations where emotional care is neglected. Through Laura’s journey, Your Monster reveals the profound effects of generational trauma, microaggressions, and the systemic forces that limit the expression of emotional needs. In addition to the exploration of emotional neglect, the film gives voice to Latine anger, showcasing how Laura’s repressed rage becomes a form of empowerment and healing. This is a story about confronting the monsters inside, healing from trauma, and seeking self-empowerment in a world that often tells marginalized groups they don’t have permission to be angry.
Lisa Frankenstein is a darkly comedic, neon-soaked horror film set in the late 80s, penned by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams. It explores Lisa’s journey from grief-stricken teen to self-assured misfit as she accidentally resurrects her Victorian crush and navigates a chaotic world filled with small-town gossip, body parts, and dark humor.
Ghouls Next Door unpack this delightful mashup of camp, gore, and heart. Dive into our discussion about the film’s unique blend of comedy, grief, and 80s nostalgia, as well as how it stacks up against other iconic horror comedies like Heathers and Jennifer’s Body. Perfect for fans of unconventional storytelling, horror enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a quirky, heartfelt tale with a side of gore!