Grave Tone

Predator: Badlands might be the freshest take on the franchise yet. We break down why making Dex—the Yautja—our actual protagonist changes everything, how full-CG facial capture makes this the most emotive Predator we’ve seen, and why a story with no humans on screen somehow feels… more human.We also get into the Weyland-Yutani connective tissue to Alien, the surprisingly funny script beats, and a finale that teases big things to come. Our Grave Tone “digs” rating: Meaghan lands at 8 digs, Arthur at 7.5 digs. Little shovel noises included.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We caught up with James Kondelik (writer/director) and Wai Sun Cheng (producer) right after the world premiere of PITFALL at ScreamFest LA 2025. They walk us through how a simple premise—a hiker trapped in a spike-lined pit in the woods—became a raw, character-driven survival slasher.We cover how the movie was made, the team’s emphasis on painful, tactile, practical effects, the cast (including Richard Harmon, Alexandra Essoe, Randy Couture, Marshall Williams, Jordan Claire Robbins), the story DNA behind the killer, and what it took to keep the tension human. Then we end with a quick-fire round of horror-genre questions.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a cozy-spooky Halloween at Gravestone: Megan & Arthur hit record on Halloween night and switch things up with a storytelling game, each brings three short scary tales: two based in fact, one pure fiction. The other has to spot the fake…to win the pot of candy. Play along!Highlights we talk through:Chelsea’s 1981 Halloween murders and those strange Son of Sam prison whispers about a planned double murder. What was real, what was rumor?The bloodied nightgown visitor sitting on a porch swing with a knife—was it a prank, a breakdown…or something worse?A supposed Niagara-side disappearance with puzzling clues and conflicting theories. Coincidence—or cover?The tragic Halloween-night case of Martha Moxley—and why it still lingers.Tell us which story you think was fake and drop your own creepy mini-tales. We’re @GravestonePod everywhere. Also, expect more than movies here, books, games, and horror in every format are coming. Stay scared and stay tuned.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The most-funded horror on Kickstarter is finally in theaters—here’s what Shelby Oaks gets right after Neon’s reshoots, and why that mockumentary-to-feature opening still rules. We break down the found-footage DNA, Camille Sullivan’s performance, the demon’s slow reveal, and the spoiler-heavy ending.We also revisit the film’s road from Fantasia to wide release, Mike Flanagan’s light-touch EP role, and how the new edit tightens pacing without overusing sound cues. Stay for our favorite scene-stealers (hey, Norma) and a candid talk about the baby plotline and Mia’s POV.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur dig into Pitfall (2025)—a backwoods survival slasher that premiered at Screamfest LA—without spoilers. Think 127 Hours, but make it horror… and give the villain a Rambo-style edge.We break down why the characters feel capable (not cannon fodder), how the practical work sells the pain, and why the cast chemistry keeps the tension human. We also drop a few interview soundbites from our conversation with writer-director James Kondelik and producer Wai Sun Cheng (full interview coming soon). If you’re in New Orleans, keep an eye out—Screamfest NOLA is on the horizon.Stay tuned for our full interview with the director, James Kondelik, and producer Wai Sun Cheng!Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Black Phone 2 (2025) review: Gwen takes center stage as winter-camp horror, dream-phone lore, and a meaner Grabber turn this sequel into a tense, atmospheric surprise. Is it as good as the original?We go spoiler-free first, then dive into spoilers: the icy setting, Sinister/Elm Street vibes, Ethan Hawke behind the mask, continuity callbacks (Fin vs. Finney), the dad’s big scene, darker cinematography you can still see, and whether this franchise needs a Part 3 or a prequel.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Frankenstein (2025) peak del Toro? We break down the performances (Isaac’s swaggering Victor, Elordi’s heartbreaking Creature, Goth’s standout Elizabeth), the jaw-dropping practical sets, and why this adaptation nails Mary Shelley’s themes without feeling dusty.We also discuss the current Gothic horror wave (hello, Nosferatu) and where this film stands among 2025’s biggest genre releases.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We meant to cover Shelby Oaks this week… until we double-checked the date and realized the U.S. theatrical release moved to October 24, 2025. So we did what any horror fiend would do on October 3: fired up Shudder and watched V/H/S/Halloween the second it dropped.Inside the episode, we:Recap the franchise’s evolution and why the anthology/found-footage format still works in 2025.Walk through the new wraparound “Diet Phantasma” (ghost-soda tests gone very wrong) and five segments:Coochy Coochy Coo — feral, grimy Barbarian-adjacent chaos.Ut Supra Sic Infra (Paco Plaza) — daytime dread and slick police-investigation tension.Fun Size — trick-or-treat rules with a lanky candy fiend; the funniest entry.Kidprint (Alex Ross Perry) — deeply upsetting nineties video-ID horror (hard watch, effective).Home Haunt — family haunt gone too real, a love letter to DIY Halloween (plus a fun Rick Baker cameo).Shout out Good Boy opening weekend (yes, the dog lives).Share what’s next on our spooky-season watchlist.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur dig into GOOD BOY—a supernatural chiller shot from a dog’s eye-level that’s been turning heads on the festival circuit and heading to a wider release via IFC/Shudder. We keep things spoiler-free, focusing on how the film’s third-person canine perspective reframes haunted-house language: blurred human faces, hand-centric framing, and long, shivery holds on dark corners.We share anecdotes from the Fantasia screening, craft talk from the post-show Q&A, and why this specific dog (Indy!) makes the film unexpectedly emotional. We also touch on the “does the dog die?” anxiety spike, quick festival stats, and why 73 tight minutes is the perfect length for this kind of dread machine. If you’ve been on the fence, this ep is your nudge to see it cold.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur continue our Childhood Trauma series with the not-so-beloved sequel An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)—a movie Meaghan adored at 10, but that hits… differently now.We pit Paris against An American Werewolf in London (1981), break down the werewolf-as-tragedy archetype, and ask why Paris’ sunny ending, choppy rewrites, and then-cutting-edge-now-dated CGI undercut the horror. We also shout out the surprisingly stacked ’90s soundtrack, talk Julie Delpy giving 120%, Tom Everett Scott’s “boy-next-door” casting, and how the film’s club-kid vibe tried to modernize a classic monster.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Him (2025)” is a gorgeous, vicious sports-horror about the cult of football—GOAT rituals, fame as religion, and a prospect pushed to the brink. Here’s our spoiler-free take… then full spoilers.We just left opening night: stunning visuals and killer performances clash with heavy-handed symbolism and a wobbly mid-section. We break down the “Jordan Peele effect” (producer vs director), the blood-rite GOAT mythology, and that gnarly final set piece—plus why we still recommend supporting original horror even when it fumbles the ball.First Impressions (Spoiler-Free): “Too many ideas,” brilliant look & acting, marketing framed as a quasi-Peele film.What Works: Visual design; strong leads (Wayans/Withers); dark humor; set-piece finale that sticks the landing aesthetically. What Fumbles: Overstuffed symbolism, pacing drop mid-film, side characters are underserved, cult thread feels shoehorned. Themes We Chew On (Spoilers): GOAT mythos/“I’m him,” blood heritage, gladiator lineage, the machine/ownership, temptation and image-making.Sports & Body Horror: Brain injury, pressure to perform, hints of CTE anxiety filtered through horror. Verdict & Ratings: Not “worst of the year,” closer to 6–6.5/10; audience will split along expectations. Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fresh off the release of The Long Walk (Sept 12, 2025), we spiral into a full-on King-verse binge and each bring a Top 5 to make a definitive Top 10 of Stephen King adaptations. Expect praise, side-eyes, and at least one “that ranking will change tomorrow.”Shownotes: Why the ’97 Shining Works — faithful themes (addiction, family, culpability), the Stanley Hotel, King’s cameo; keywords: The Shining miniseries, Stephen King vs Kubrick, Stanley Hotel.Coming-of-Age King — Stand By Me on friendship, class, and change; keywords: Stand By Me, The Body novella, Rob Reiner.One Room, Big Scares — 1408 and practical-effect disorientation; keywords: 1408 explained, John Cusack, Dolphin Hotel.Group Dynamics in Terror — The Mist: zealotry vs reason, an ending that haunts; keywords: The Mist ending, Frank Darabont, supermarket siege.2025’s Dark Laughs — The Monkey: morbid comedy that lands; cast highlights; keywords: The Monkey 2025 review, Osgood Perkins, Theo James, Elijah Wood.Machines With Malice — Christine and Carpenter’s synth dread; keywords: Christine movie, John Carpenter, Plymouth Fury.Fan Obsession as Horror — Misery, parasocial nightmares; keywords: Misery analysis, Annie Wilkes, James Caan, Kathy Bates.Crowning a Modern Classic — IT Chapter One and why it still rules; keywords: IT 2017, Pennywise, Losers’ Club.Lightning Round — Gerald’s Game, Creepshow, Haven, Salem’s Lot (’79); keywords: King anthology TV, Mike Flanagan adaptation, 70s miniseries.Follow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fresh from the theater, we break down Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk (2025)—the new Stephen King adaptation starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Mark Hamill, and Judy Greer.We start spoiler-free with story setup and tone, then move into book vs. movie changes (pace rules, state-by-state selection, and a reworked finale), before a full spoiler discussion on character arcs, themes of authoritarianism, grief, and survival.We also share production nuggets (yes, the shoot was in Canada) and why the performances had us in tears. Along the way, we place The Long Walk inside 2025’s horror boom and the current wave of King projects.Shownotes:Spoiler-Free First ImpressionsStory Setup & WorldBook → Movie ChangesPerformances That Wrecked UsThemes That LingerProduction Notes & TriviaWhere It Lands in 2025’s Horror WaveFollow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s officially spooky-season kickoff, so we caught The Conjuring: Last Rites on release day (Sept 5) and hit record the moment we got home. Expect raw, sleepy-brain honesty and lots of laughs.We frame where The Conjuring 4 lands in the Conjuring Universe and why folks keep flocking to these movies, plus that “Phase One/Phase Two” chatter that’s circulating.What we liked: glossy atmosphere, strong performances, stellar makeup/prosthetics, and a few mean jump-scares (yes, including one very large… Annabelle). What didn’t: a long, long runway before the Warrens actually “take the case,” and franchise-familiar beats.Opening-night chaos & set-upWhere this sits in the Conjuring UniverseWhat workedWhat didn’t Smurl-haunting beatsWhy mainstream horror keeps the blood pumpingFollow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re launching a recurring mini-series—Movies That Traumatized Us—by revisiting the 90s sci-fi shocker Screamers (1995). Arthur first saw it as a kid, and the infamous teddy bear imprinted hard; Meaghan watched it for the first time as we recorded, and, well… we have thoughts. Expect nostalgia, nitpicks, and a lovingly critical autopsy of 90s genre cinema.Series Kickoff: Movies That Traumatized UsWhy Screamers (1995)?PKD & Dan O’Bannon DNAWhat Aged Well vs. NotScreamer “Types” & Why They’re CreepyThat Ending & Arthur’s Stuffy BanCanadian Connections & Cast NotesWhat We’d ChangeFollow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

School is in session… and so is horror.In this episode of Grave Tone, Meaghan and Arthur explore the never-ending fascination with academic horror and dark academia in books, films, and television. Why do classrooms, boarding schools, and universities make such chilling backdrops for horror stories? From Stephen King’s Carrie and Christine to cult favorites like The Faculty, Urban Legend, and Happy Death Day, all the way to modern hits like Wednesday and adaptations of Ninth House and Babel, we uncover the tropes, themes, and cultural fears that keep bringing audiences back to campus-based horror.We also play a creative game of “Build Your Own Dark Academia Horror” — constructing the perfect setting, antagonist, and twist ending for a fictional campus horror movie.If you love dark academia aesthetics, horror history, slashers, supernatural thrillers, or just the spooky vibes of school hallways after dark, this episode is for you.🎒 Back to School, Back to HorrorWhy September always feels like horror seasonThe link between academic calendars and horror media releases🏫 Academic Horror: A Subgenre That Never DiesWhat makes schools such an effective horror settingFrom gothic boarding schools to modern college slashers📺 Iconic Examples in Film & TVCarrie, Scream 2, Urban Legend, The Faculty, Suspiria, Cry Wolf, The Blackcoat’s DaughterModern revivals: Wednesday, Happy Death Day, Lisa Frankenstein📚 Academic Horror in LiteratureStephen King (Carrie, Rage, Christine)R.F. Kuang (Babel, Catabasis), Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House), Naomi Novik (A Deadly Education)🎭 Dark Academia AestheticsSecret societies, snowed-in libraries, and morally rotten institutionsThe blurred line between fantasy and horror🩸 Build Your Own Horror School (Game Segment)Snowed-in libraries, creepy PA systems, varsity jackets, and a killer twist ending👻 Closing ThoughtsWhy academic horror keeps resonating with audiencesBest of luck to students and teachers heading into a new semesterFollow us & Subscribe:SpotifyApple PodcastTikTokInstagramThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IntroductionArthur and Meghan kick off with the observation that the horror genre has entered a mainstream upswing. More audiences are engaging with the horror genre, and horror movies of 2025 are shaping up to be especially strong.The Horror Release CalendarAnalysis of 140 U.S. theatrical horror films (2015–2025).Key findings:October dominates releases, especially after the 13th (Friday the 13th effect).July is the second-biggest month thanks to summer slashers and counter-programming against blockbusters.January is a surprising third, while November and December are quieterPandemic and Streaming ShiftsCOVID-19 disrupted production and theaters, but also reset distribution. Post-pandemic, studios spread horror releases more evenly across the year, with streaming accelerating access.Indie Power & Breakout DirectorsDiscussion of how filmmakers like Jordan Peele, Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, Zach Cregger, and Mike Flanagan changed the landscape. Their originality, technical experimentation, and social themes helped push horror forward.Box Office & Hype CyclesFrom sleeper hits (Barbarian) to blockbusters (Weapons), horror is proving it can rival superhero films in ticket sales without billion-dollar budgets.Legacy & RebootsHow filmmakers balance nostalgia with originality in franchises like Scream, Evil Dead, and Alien. Success requires respecting the past while innovating.Indie & Fan-Made HorrorStreaming, festivals, and even YouTube opened doors for films like Talk to Me and fan projects like Don’t Hike Alone. These projects prove horror thrives in low-budget, grassroots spaces.Gateway Horror & Youth AudienceRising trend of YA and middle-grade horror: Fear Street, Goosebumps, Hell of a Summer, and the upcoming Sketch show studios are nurturing the next generation of horror fans. Check out our Horror Starter Pack episode if you are just getting into the horror genre.Closing ThoughtsStudios are finally taking more risks on originality, and audiences are rewarding them. With horror covering everything from arthouse to popcorn slashers, the genre looks unstoppable.Follow us on socials!ThreadsSpotifyApple PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We break down Zach Cregger’s Weapons (2025) — the 2:17 mystery, what the multi-perspective structure adds, where the scares land, and how Brolin and Garner anchor the chaos. We talk themes, filmmaking choices, and whether the ending sticks the landing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yet again we attended the Fantasia Film Festival 2025 and saw some amazing horror movies as well as the directors and cast! We recap which horror movies we loved the most and explain what the festival is all about.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Horror curious but historically terrified? We got you. This episode builds a gentle-on-the-nerves starter pack: three films, three books, and three video games that bring the chills without wrecking your sleep schedule.We talk about what each pick does well (atmosphere, story, jump scares you can actually handle), how to match them to your scare tolerance, and why “beginner horror” doesn’t have to mean boring. You’ll leave with a roadmap, a few laughs at our own cowardly moments, and the confidence to try horror again on your own terms. Hit play, keep the lights on if you want, and let’s ease you into the dark.Follow us on all socials @gravetonepod!TikTokInstagramBlueSkyThreadsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.