Ghouls Next Door

Swarm is an exploration of the mentally damaging toll obsession and fandom can have on a person. More than that though, it is ultimately a story about the human need for connection and acceptance. Gabe discusses the series' creative approach to an unreliable narrator we're all rooting for. Kat explains the human brain's need for connection and community. Sources in this Episode: The Significance of 'Swarm' (or God) Giving Dre a Happy Ending Why We Are Wired to Connect Other Reviews on Swarm: Is 'Swarm' Based on a True Story? Explained | The Mary Sue Donald Glover’s 'Swarm' Says Stanning Is a Sickness - The Atlantic A pop star's killer fan runs amok in 'Swarm.' Why it's 'not a work of fiction' Swarm Controversies Analysis Bad buzz: gory stan satire Swarm is a shallow look at extreme fandom | US television | The Guardian 'Swarm' Review: Surreal, Darkly Comedic, and a Hell of a Ride | SXSW 2023 Review: ‘Swarm’ takes pop star obsession to surreal, bloody and hilarious lengths | Datebook 'Swarm' Is a Sly Horror-Satire About Much More than Beyoncé Stans 'Swarm' is about how we're doing fandom wrong 'Swarm' Review: Dominique Fishback Shines in Beyoncé-Inspired Thriller - Variety 'Swarm' explores toxic fandom through the eyes of a serial killer : NPR What 'Swarm' Has to Say About Toxic Fandom | News | BET Toxic: “Swarm” and Horror’s Obsession with Obsessed Fandom In ‘Swarm,’ Toxic Fandom Is the Ultimate Horror | Vogue --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Midnight Mass is a slow-burn horror series exploring the impact of spirituality, our place in the universe, and the horrors that we face when religion is contorted and weaponized. Gabe talks about how this is a personal story for Flanagan and shares their own personal history with religion. Kat talks about the inevitability and inequity of death. Both Ghouls discuss the moments of the show that have forever changed them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Haunting of Bly Manor is a slow-burn, creeping horror show that critiques classism, softly embraces queer love, and haunts its audience with tragedy. Gabe discusses the overall theme memory plays in the show and how this is a love story more than a ghost story. Kat talks about why people want to be remembered when they die and how to assure you will be. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Haunting of Hill House is a supernatural horror series that explores the impact of grief and mental illness under the guise of a haunted house story. Gabe dives into the characters: how the Crain children represent a stage of grief, their experience with the magical realism of the haunted house, and events in their childhood shaped their lives. Kat discusses the impact of trauma and grief on young minds and how you can help a child dealing with such things. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool is a compelling science fiction film that scrutinizes the opulent lifestyle of the 1%, delving into their sinister nature of overindulgence. Gabe discusses the lifestyles of the rich and the famous and more importantly, why this film leaves much to be desired. Kat shares tools so you can be a better human than James, the main character was. Sources in this Episode: James At The End Of Infinity Pool Wasn't The Real James | Screenrant Morality and Personal Identity in Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool | Horror Obsessive --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Possessor is a gripping sci-fi horror movie that intertwines an existential identity crisis with a chilling undertone of commentary on the issues of data mining, surveillance and labor alienation. gabe unpacks the film's themes by dabbling into a little Marxism and also highlights a very real issue within the first scene of the film. Kat explains data mining and other technological advances that raise alarms when it comes to ethical concerns. Sources in this Episode: Psychological Infections: Brandon Cronenberg on Possessor | Roger Ebert On Possessor, Data Mining, and Labor Alienation | Medium 'Possessor' Review: Identity Theft as Nihilist Nightmare | Slant Magazine White Audiences Are Obsessed With Black Martyrdom | Electric Literature Neuralink brain chip's first human patient. How does it work? | About That 20th WCP: Ethical Assessment of Implantable Brain Chips Researchers grapple with the ethics of testing brain implants | Science | AAAS What Is Data Mining? A Beginner’s Guide (2022) Amazon's empire of surveillance The Ethics of Data Mining --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Crawl is a home invasion film with a twist, the intruders are gators and your house is being flooded by a Category 5 hurricane! Gabe is shares the true Floridian things about this film (as a Floridian themselves). Kat tells us the difference between gators and crocs; and what to do to survive an attack. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Meg 2 is a wild ride where prehistoric aquatic beasts make people their tasty lunch. Ghouls discuss this fun film and what the real Megaladons were like. Kat gives us a rundown of the world's deadliest sharks and what to do if you're attacked by one. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Birds (1963) is a classic creature feature with an even more terrifying backstory and making-of. Ghouls discuss this sleepy film, the potential themes, and the interesting approach to storytelling. Gabe also explores the real horror of the film: Hitchcock's unhealthy obsession and torture of Tippi Hedren. Kat shares facts about the most dangerous birds and if we should be afraid of birds. Gabe even gives us a taste of a fun true-crime theory involving birds! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Beast starring Idris Elba is a suspenseful, family-driven story where one father fights to protect his family while another (furry and vicious) father fights to avenge the loss of his own. An expected film with heartfelt moments, Ghouls unpack this sleeper film. Kat shares what to do when you encounter a lion and also, maybe some things you shouldn't do. (Thanks WikiHow!) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Slotherhouse is an absurd new horror film that follows a killer sloth in a sorority. It is exactly as you imagine it is. Ghouls talk about where it hits and misses. Kat shares fun, unexpected facts about sloths. Do they have the capacity to kill? The answer might surprise you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Cocaine Bear is a quirky, dark comedy that charmed the Ghouls. Full of memorable characters, a villain you root for, and some helpful tips to survive a bear attack. Ghouls talk about the film and Kat shares some instructions on how to know when a bear means business and what to do in the event they do. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

James Wan's Malignant is a truly unique film with creative imagery, a troublesome plot, and unforgettable stunts. This episode is ripe with spoilers because it's quite difficult to understand the story without knowing the truth. Ghouls discuss the "twist" ending, the hilarious stunts, and what they think would've made it even better. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Insidious is a fun franchise of dreamwalkers, demons, and hereditary trauma. The Ghouls discuss all 5 films, the good, the bad, and the hideous (looking at you Insidious 3). --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Though the Ghouls have strong, negative feelings about the Warrens, the films have been a fun watch for them as horror lovers. Ghouls discuss the three Conjuring films, the real cases of the Warrens (both covered and not covered in the films), and why giving the Warrens a film make-over is a bad look. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Ghouls walk you through the first 9 Saw movies, the traps that haunt their nightmares, and who their least favorite proteges are. We sorted, or attempted to, the storyline of the franchise. Some of Jigsaw's victims make sense while others feel like a low blow. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Saw Franchise is an important thread in the fabric of horror history. Known for the elaborate, gory, and challenging traps, Saw will leave an ache in your bones. The Ghouls have never been so aware of their individual body parts before. In this first part of our Saw coverage, the Ghouls start to question the motives and the holier-than-thou message John Kramer has for his victims. And they begin to unpack the many layers of the dense story of the franchise, the numerous proteges and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

They Cloned Tyrone is a loud, absurd, and charming sci-fi film that's equal parts blaxploitation, social commentary, and confirmed conspiracy theories. Following three unlikely heroes as they uncover a government conspiracy that weaponizes cultural staples and stereotypes against them. Gabe unpacks the harmful stereotypes and the power of Blaxploitation films. Kat gives an in-depth history lesson about the government and CIA's role in the role of drug trafficking around the world and how they use their power to oppress. Sources in this Episode: They Cloned Tyrone Director Juel Taylor Uncovers the Easter Eggs in They Cloned Tyrone | Netflixed Tyrone’ Ending Explained: What Do the Clones Represent? - Decider What Is Blaxploitation: The Essential Guide To The Subgenre Food Deserts The INFAMOUS “Black” McDonald’s commercials Director Juel Taylor Uncovers the Easter Eggs in They Cloned Tyrone | Netflix The Truths and Symbolisms in “They Cloned Tyrone” | by ASUS BUTTERFLY They Cloned Tyrone' Director Juel Taylor on His Favorite Conspiracies and Winning Over Erykah Badu How ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ Transforms Racial Archetypes into Unlikely Heroes A Tangled Web: A History of CIA Complicity in Drug International Trafficking -- Institute for Policy Studies The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia What We Really Know About the CIA and Crack THE CIA-CONTRA-CRACK COCAINE CONTROVERSY: A REVIEW OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS MANAGING A NIGHTMARE - How the CIA Watched Over the Destruction of Gary Webb | The Intercept | By Ryan Devereaux Reaganomics and Its Implications for African-American Family Life Reaganomics: The Impact On Black Economic Mobility --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Get Out is a film that effectively blends horror, comedy, and social commentary into a genuinely brilliant horror film. Gabe discusses the way Peele showcases Black history and trauma without being traumatic. Kat unpacks the harm of white liberals and performative activism. Sources in this Episode: Get Out Explained: Symbols, Satire & Social Horror | The Take Get Out – MEDIA Get Out Fact Sheet Black Trauma vs. Black Horror Jordan Peele’s Get Out Political Horror By Dawn Keetley 6 Ways I Have Faced Anti-Blackness By White Liberals in Organizing Spaces The Scariest Part of ‘Get Out’ Was The Trueness To Life by Jordie Davies Societal structures have historically prioritized race over gender, especially in the context of white supremacy When Feminism Is White Supremacy in Heels Get Out: Structural Racism and Academic Terror by Renee Nicole Allen Ways to Help: A Black Feminist Resource List (Fall 2023) the palestine academy #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) Resources Stop Cop City Black Neurodiversity Resource List bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Jordan Peele's Us is a film intentionally titled, because it is a critique of us. It is gluttonous with its imagery and commentary, overflowing with context, history, and scoldings. The Ghouls do their best to unpack the many themes addressed in this fun horror film from classism, identity, Hands Across America, dance, and access to care. Sources in this Episode: Jordan Peele’s Us: the big plot twist, explained Why Hands Across America Is So Vital to Jordan Peele's Us ‘Us’ Movie Explained: Is Jordan Peele Creating a ‘Get Out’ Trilogy? – The Hollywood Reporter Jordan Peele’s Us: the ending, explained. Beware spoilers! “It's Our Time Now”: The Aesthetics of Horror in Jordan Peele’s Us  ‘Us’ Movie Explained: Is Jordan Peele Creating a ‘Get Out’ Trilogy? joris_explains @SaraTalksArt Contextualizing Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Jordan Peele’s 'Us' Is Not-so-Secretly About Class Mikaela Loach --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support