Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast

Today I welcome Tom Brown– librarian, cinephile, photographer, and friend– to talk about his favorite and a new favorite of mine, Pulse or Kairo (2001) by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Tom and I talk about Pulse chronologically scene-by-scene in this episode, probably because almost every shot is gorgeous and “unheimlich.” We also discuss our experience with J-horror, why ghosts are scary (and why Kurosawa thinks ghosts are scary), Harue’s gorgeous apartment, amazing sound design, and how death is eternal loneliness. Tom knows SO much about film production and the production of this movie in particular so you know this is a good one. Happy listening! :)Please note that suicide is a major plot point of this film so we do discuss suicide throughout. In a less serious production note, Kevin the Cat makes an appearance and meows around 25-30 min and at around the hour mark. Apologies!00:00-14:30- Intro / How Tom Got Into Movies & Horror / How We First Got Into J-Horror & Pulse14:30-39:00- Brief Synopsis / Themes of Ghosts, Tech & Loneliness39:00-01:01:00- Score & Sound Design / Special Effects / The End01:01:00-01:19:00- The American Remake / Video Game Playalikes / Double Feature Ideas / OutroPlease note, timestamps are estimates.References:* Arrow Video Release of Pulse (mentioned by Tom; Kurosawa interview)* Chris’ Guide to Understanding Japanese Horror (6/12/2011)* Emerging Cinema Master- Kiyoshi Kurosawa on DVDTalk* J-Horror- Guide to the Unknown podcast episode (4/29/2020) (they also recently did an episode on the American remake of Pulse)* Lost Decades (Wikipedia)* The Psychosocial Dread at the Heart of Japanese Horror by Michael Atkinson (10/29/2024)* Whistle and I’ll Come to You movie (mentioned by Chloe re: sound design)Books mentioned:* Asian Horror by Andy Richards (mentioned by Chloe)* White Noise by Don DeLillo (the first book Tom & I read together and it shares some similarities with the end of Pulse, actually!)Follow Tom on Letterboxd and Instagram.Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network.The sound used in this episode is from the Pulse (2001) trailer and film, used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to meet a ghost and get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

I am starstruck because today I welcome Ashley Casseday (The Losers Club: A Stephen King Podcast, Keep It Weird podcast) to talk about the classic film The Shining (1980). From her work on Loser’s Club, Ashley is (in my opinion) a Stephen King scholar and we reference his other work as much as we talk about the film, so tune in if you love the King of Horror! We also discuss how The Shining is a haunted house movie, differences between the book and movie, our own paranormal investigations, and our hope for the next generation of horror fans. Even though Stephen King doesn’t like this movie, we love it!00:00-21:00- Intro / How Ashley Got Into Horror & Stephen King / How We First Saw (& Read) The Shining21:00-33:00- Brief Synopsis / Is It a Good Adaptation?33:00-01:09:00- The Hotel / The Iconic Imagery / Characters (mostly Dick & Danny)01:09:00-01:28:00- Score / Double Feature Ideas / OutroPlease note, timestamps are estimates.References:* Director’s Club: Mike Flanagan podcast (Chloe was on this pod talking about Doctor Sleep)* Gen(d)erations: Wendy Carlos’ Life and Work Show the Beauty (and Trauma) of Being Openly Trans on Them Magazine by Samantha Reidel (10/10/2019)* The Institute- Loser’s Club podcast (mentioned by Ashley)* Making of the Shining documentary directed by Vivian Kubrick (mentioned by Chloe)* Room 237 (documentary Ashley mentioned)* Stephen King on Letterman talking about The Shining film (8/18/1980)* Timberline Lodge- Overlook Hotel from The Shining article on Oregon LiveBooks mentioned:* The Bloomsbury Guide to Stanley Kubrick (mentioned by Chloe)* Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (sequel to The Shining)* The Institute by Stephen King (another entry in the “shine” canon)* The Shining by Stephen King* Why We Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature (mentioned by Chloe)Follow Ashley on Instagram.Listen to The Losers Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Keep It Weird (listen or watch).Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network.The sound used in this episode is from The Shining (1980) and an 1980’s Stephen King interview on the David Letterman show (linked above) used for educational purposes.To contribute to my Danny’s Apollo sweater fund, please subscribe to my Substack. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

My guest, Patrick Ripoll, hosts several podcasts on the Now Playing Network (96 Greers, Tracks of the Damned, Wizard Jail) talks to me about his favorite horror movie and a movie dear to my heart: Carnival of Souls (1962). Patrick knows SO much about film history, especially about this film, so this episode is great for behind-the-scenes talk. We also chat about MST3K, not being allowed to see PG-13 movies until we were 13, low budget filmmaking and educational films, method acting, and more!Carnival of Souls (1962) is very easy to find online, so please give it a watch before listening. We spoil this movie and other movies with a similar twist (movies more than 20 years old). We also briefly mention depression including suicidal ideation, anxiety, and trauma.00:00-19:00- Intro / How Patrick Got Into Horror / How We First Saw Carnival of Souls19:00-36:00- Brief Synopsis / The History of Carnival of Souls36:00-01:07:00- Performances / Themes of Gender, Mental Health and Alienation01:07:00-01:22:00 The Hitch Hiker / Double Feature Ideas / OutroPlease note, timestamps are estimates.References:* An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce (the short story Carnival of Souls was based on)* Dance Little Children (1961)- one of Herk Harvey’s educational film on STI’s* Interview with Carnival of Souls’ Director Herk Harvey* The Hitch Hiker Radio Play- Suspense, Episode 11* The Hitchhiker S1E16 (1960)- Twilight Zone Episode* The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act- Isaac Butler (book mentioned by Chloe)* Too Many Cooks & Great Choice (unsettling shorts mentioned by Patrick)* Watch Carnival of Souls (1962)Find Us:* Follow Patrick’s podcasts (96 Greers, Tracks of the Damned, Wizard Jail)* Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.* Not Playing NetworkThe sound bites used in this episode are from the trailer and clips from Carnival of Souls (1962) and audio from Dance Little Children (1961) is used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Happy New Year! I asked my previous podcast guests from episodes released this year to talk about their favorite horror movies– either new or new to them– of 2025. So much love for Sinners and Weapons! Thank you for listening, rating and for supporting this podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode and I hope you all have a safe and happy 2026. Stick around ‘til the end to hear our new theme!In this episode, we talk to:* Author TT Madden (Ep. 11- Tales from the Hood)* Gabe Powers from Genre Grinder (Ep. 10- Zombi 2)* Matt Epp (Ep. 3- Suspiria 2018)* Jim Laszkowski from Director’s Club (Ep. 9- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)* Paige Sechrest (Ep. 7- Us)* Chad Evans (Ep. 8- Halloween III: Season of the Witch)* Betsy Tomszak from Books with Betsy (Ep. 5- The Evil Dead)* Bree Tighe (Ep. 2- Rose Red)* Luther Moss (Ep. 1- Bram Stoker’s Dracula)* Actor Ben Tracy (Ep. 4- Red Eye)* Jenni Schofield (Ep. 3- Suspiria 2018)Thank you to every single guest who appeared or recorded with me on Not Scared this year.We mention the films (in no particular order):* Sinners (2025)* Bring Her Back (2025)* Night of the Eagle (1962)* It Ends (2025)* Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)* Nosferatu (2024)* Harvest Brood (2025)* Felidae (1994)* 28 Years Later (2025)* Hex (1980)* Best Wishes to All (2022)* A Hyena in the Safe (1960)* Weapons (2025)And we also briefly mention the new movie Father Mother Sister Brother (info about IFF Boston screening here)Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Baby’s first anime (on the podcast, that is)! This time, I’m welcoming Julia Cristales— library coworker, friend, and fellow bookstagrammer (Reading Rapscallion)— to talk about their favorite Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000). I’m so happy that Julia chose this movie because it truly is one of the most beautiful films that we’ve discussed on this podcast. If you haven’t seen it, check it out! We chat about anime hotties, genre hybridity, the Hammer Horror influence, how shitty it would be to live forever, and how gorgeous 2010’s Tumblr can be. We only mention Twilight twice.Please note, the audio is not up to my standards— I edited it the best that I could and Julia sounds great and that’s what matters! Thank you Julia for bearing with me and we’ll have to have you back for another episode with better audio. But moreover, thank you for showing me this amazing film!00:00-16:00 Intro / Haunted House Attractions / How Julia Got Into Horror / How We First Saw Vampire Hunter D / Discussions on Anime and Manga16:00-29:00- Brief Synopsis / Aesthetics29:00-45:00- Characters / Settings / Directing Animation45:00-1:01:00- Double Feature Ideas / Themes of Immortality and Forbidden Love / OutroPlease note, timestamps are estimates.References:Ghosted by Roz Hernandez (podcast mentioned by Chloe)Weird Illinois (weird state series mentioned by Julia)“The Western Eastern: Decoding Hybridity and CyberZen Goth(ic) in Vampire Hunter D (1985)” by John Edgar Stein in their book Draculas, Vampires and Other Undead Forms (2009) (mentioned by Chloe)Find Us:Follow Julia’s Instagram.Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network.The sound used in this episode is from the trailer and clips from Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

This is one of my favorite episodes because I get to talk to my cousin Isabel Waryan about a movie that we saw as kids that has now become a cozy horror cult classic in both of our households, The Watcher in the Woods (1980). With scare techniques also used in The Exorcist, The Shining and The Evil Dead, can you believe that this is a Disney movie? We express our appreciation for actually-scary kids horror, Betty Davis, and shag haircuts. This is very much a childhood lore episode so if we need something comforting, put this on. And if you’ve never seen this movie, what are you waiting for? It’s perfect for long dark nights where you need something eerie and not-terrifying.00:00-11:30- Intro / How Isabel Got Into Horror / Discussion of Horror for Kids / How We Saw The Watcher in the Woods11:30-20:00- Brief Synopsis / Differences Between Movie and Book / Scary Moments20:00- Acting / Music / Characters42:00- The Watcher / Alternative Endings / Themes of Mothers and Isolation57:00-1:03:00- Double Feature Ideas / OutroPlease note: timestamps are estimates.We forgot to mention that there’s also a remake of this movie from 2017 starring Anjelica Huston made for the Lifetime Channel. To me, it doesn’t have the same type of movie magic, but it exists.References:Evolution of Horror Podcast (our mutual fave!)The Watcher in the Woods by Florence Engel RandallThe Watcher in the Woods is Smart Gateway Horror- Certified Forgotten article written by your’s truly (support their podcast too!)Find Us:Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network.The music used in this episode is from the trailer and clips from The Watcher in the Woods (1980) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Today I welcome sci-fi and horror author (and fellow librarian) TT Madden to discuss about one of their favorites, Rusty Cundieff’s classic anthology horror Tales from the Hood (1995). TT writes a lot of short stories, so we begin our discussion by talking about short narratives and anthology horror. Then we go chronologically (for once!) to discuss the 5 tales in order, including the mortuary wrap-around. So thankful that we finally got a Blu-Ray of this movie and so thankful I got to chat with TT, finally! If you enjoy this episode, please consider buying their books!TW: discussions of violence and racism (throughout), domestic abuse (Boys Do Get Bruised) and lynching (Hard Core Convert)If you watch before you listen, please note these content warnings especially the section Hard Core Convert which has archival footage of images from lynchings and heavy strobe lights.00:00-10:00- Intro / How TT Got Into Horror / How We First Saw Tales from the Hood10:00-19:00- Brief Synopsis / Discussions on Short Form Storytelling19:00-39:00- Welcome to My Mortuary (Wrap-Around) / Rouge Cop Revelation / Boys Do Get Bruised39:00-50:00- KKK Comeuppance50:00-1:05:00- Hard Core Convert / Themes of Systemic Racism / Performances1:05:00-1:17:00- Watchalikes / Where to Buy TT’s Books / OutroPlease note: timestamps are estimates.References:Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (documentary mentioned by TT, can be streamed on Shudder)Horror Noire anthology tv show (mentioned by TT)‘Tales from the Hood’ Director Rusty Cundieff: Why It Took 20 Years to Make a Sequel to His Black Horror Anthology, by Eric Kohn, Indie Wire, July 13, 2018Twenty-Five Years Later and Still Haunted in the ‘Hood’- Pod of MadnessBooks mentioned:Dark Paths: A Queer Horror Romance Collection by TT MaddenThe Neon Revelation by TT MaddenOut There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror edited by Jordan Peele (mentioned by Chloe)When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen (mentioned by Chloe)Visit TT Madden’s website, and follow them on Instagram and Patreon.Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Find other great film podcasts on the Now Playing Network.Listen to Guide to the Unknown podcast!The music used in this episode is from the soundtrack and clips from Tales from the Hood (1995) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

My guest, Gabe Powers of Genre Grinder podcast (also on my new network, the Now Playing Network) and I discuss the Italian classic Zombi 2 (1979), which goes by many names including Zombie and Zombie Flesh Eaters. As you’ll hear, Gabe’s specialty is Italian horror including directors Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento (as well as zombie classics), so we discuss a lot of the Italian horrors coming out around this time and George A. Romero’s zombie films in America, to which Zombi 2 is an unofficial sequel. We also cover booby scuba, dusty zombies, and combing the used DVD section for obscure horror gems. This is a truly one-of-a-kind episode for all you Italian horror lovers out there, so get your Letterboxd ready because you’re gonna add a ton of movies to your watchlist!Gabe is the host of the Genre Grinder podcast, my next-door neighbor on my new network (the Now Playing Network). Each month, Gabe delves in the depths of all sorts of subgenres.00:00-22:00- Intro + New Theme Music / How Gabe Got Into Horror / The History of Zombi 222:00-54:30- Brief Synopsis / Lucio Fulci’s Direction / The Zombies / Music54:30-1:22:00- Other Zombie Movies / Italian Horror Cinema History1:22:00-1:35:00- Double Feature Ideas / Book Recs / Outro + Gabe’s Zombi 2 ThemePlease note: timestamps are estimates.References:Exclusive Memoir: “Zombie”’s Ian McCulloch Remembers Co-Star Richard Johnson, June 26th 2015, FangoriaFulci for Fake (documentary that Gabe mentions)House of Horrors websiteBook list:Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci by Stephen Thrower (mentioned by Gabe for further Fulci lore)The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema From Fodder to Oscar by Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris (mentioned by Chloe)Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento by Maitland McDonagh (mentioned by Gabe)Eaten Alive!: Italian Cannibal and Zombie Movies by Jay Slater (mentioned by Gabe)Profondo Argento: The Man, The Myths and the Magic by Alan Jones (mentioned by Gabe)Roberto Curti’s books on the Italian Gothic (mentioned by Gabe for further research on Italian horror)Genre GrinderWizard Jail, a Visionaries Rewatch Podcast (Gabe’s other podcast)Genre Grinder Cares (merch with profits donated to charity, currently donating to the Minnesotan org Gender/Justice)Follow Gabe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Check out more film pods on the Now Playing NetworkThe music used in this episode is from the soundtrack and trailer for Zombi 2 (1979) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Have you heard the good news? I’m on the Now Playing Network! To celebrate, I’m hosting other podcasters on the network to come tell me about their favorite scary movies. And oh, how the tables have turned… usually I’m the guest on Jim Laczkowski’s podcast Director’s Club, but now he is my guest. Jim— a writer, film critic, musician, and librarian— joins me to talk about his favorite horror movie of all time, Tobe Hooper’s masterpiece The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). We discuss astrology, Franklin, the uncanniness of Texas and owning too many horror t-shirts. Be sure to listen to the end to hear Jim’s song written and performed especially for this episode!00:00-28:00- Intro / Jim’s Horror History / How We First Saw The Texas Chain Saw Massacre28:00-41:00- Brief Synopsis / Themes of Outsiders and Class41:00-55:00- Tobe Hooper’s Inspiration / Marilyn Burns’ Performance / Soundtrack / Effects55:00-01:10:00- Remakes and Sequels / Double Feature Ideas / Books Recommendations / Outro [+ special song!!!]Please note: timestamps are estimates.References:Jim’s essay on The Texas Chain Saw MassacreThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Shocking Truth (2000) Retrospective (Documentary)Tobe Hooper Remembers Texas Chain Saw Massacre- The Austin Chronicle, Marjorie Baumgarten, Friday October 27, 2000Books Mentioned:The Final Girls Support Group by Grady HendrixKiller on the Road by Stephen Graham JonesFollow Jim’s Substack for all things podcast and writing.Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Listen to my episodes on Jim’s podcast Director’s Club (James Wan, Guillermo del Toro, and Mike Flanagan)The music used in this episode is from the soundtrack and trailer for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

In this special bonus episode, I chat with hair stylist, energy worker and lifelong Halloween fan Chad Evans on the gateway horror movie of his youth and one of my favorites, Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982). We discuss this anti-capitalist cult classic as a place in the Halloween franchise, the spiritual Stonehenge elements, beauty in flawed characters, and how this movie will remain relevant as long as there are cult leaders. We hope you enjoy! Now watch the magic pumpkin… watch… watch…00:00-13:00- Intro / Why Chad Loves Halloween III13:00-17:30- Quick Synopsis / Why Chloe Loves Halloween III / How it Fits Into the Franchise17:30-51:00- Score / Characters / Themes / Acting51:00-01:08:00- Double Feature Ideas / Easter Eggs / OutroPlease note: timestamps are estimates.References:Halloween III: Season of the Witch- The Inside Story of a Cult Classics, October 14, 2022, Jack Beresford, Den of GeekSinisterhoood podcast, The Georgia Guidestones (Episode 111)Follow Chad on Instagram.Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.The music used in this episode is from the soundtrack and trailer for Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Paige Sechrest (PhD) joins me to discuss the unsung hero of Jordan Peele’s filmography, Us (2019). We are pretty interested in talking about the intersection of race and class in Us, especially in relation to the phenomena of Get Out. But also, we share our favorite Twilight Zone episodes, the art of playing with audience expectations, and monstrosity in Black horror. Do we understand the logistics of the tethered? No, and we don’t care! Paige is incredibly smart, a wonderful person and a great friend— I hope you all enjoy!00:00-11:00- Intro / Why Paige Loves Horror / How We First Saw Us11:00-27:00- Brief Synopsis / Us in relation to Get Out & The Twilight Zone27:00-50:00- Performances / Music / Dance / Themes of Race and Class in America50:00-01:08:00 Favorite Characters / Scary Moments / Double Feature Ideas / OutroPlease note: timestamps are estimates.References:The All American Nightmares of Jordan Peele- by Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, January 29, 2019Behind the Scenes: Jordan Peele Gives Us a Glimpse Behind the CurtainJordan Peele on ‘Us’- The Big Picture Podcast, March 19, 2019Books Mentioned:The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema From Fodder to Oscar by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris (mentioned by Chloe)“Many Thousands Gone,” an excerpt Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin (mentioned by Paige)The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae (mentioned by Paige)Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.The music featured in this episode is the “I Got 5 On It” and the “Tethered Mix” from Us (originally by Luniz), as well as a short clip of the trailer for Us (2019) used for educational purposes.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my stuff, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I chat with podcaster and film festival programmer Sharon Gissy about one of our mutual faves Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971) directed by John Hancock (no, not that John Hancock). Because both Sharon and I are interested in mental health, those themes are the majority of the conversation, but we also chat about the horror movies that they show in film school, grave rubbings, “unreliable” narrators, and how we would never sell those amazing antiques. Be sure to check out Sharon’s film festival Mental Filmness if you’re in the Chicagoland area, one of the most unique and important film festivals in Chicago.00:00-04:00- Intro / Mental Filmness Film Festival04:00-13:00- Why Sharon Loves Horror / How We First Saw Let’s Scare Jessica to Death13:00-37:00- Brief Synopsis / Themes (Mental Illness, Death) / Acting37:00-58:00- Music / Title / Early 1970’s Horror Landscape / Watchalikes58:00-01:00:00- OutroPlease note: timestamps are estimates.References:7 Facts About Let’s Scare Jessica to Death By April Snelling, Mental Floss, July 20, 2023Director/Producer’s Commentary on the Shout Factory DVD‘Let’s Scare Jessica to Death’ (1970) is a Dreamy and Terrifying 70’s Horror Film By Chrissy Stockton, Creepy Catalog, October 17, 2024‘Let’s Scare Jessica to Death’ Deserves to Be Talked About More, Scaredy Cats, July 14, 2021 (I said that Hooptober is how I found out about this movie but I remembered it was actually Scaredy Cats! Shoutout to SC, please subscribe if you’re not already!)Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, illustrated by Stephen GammellThriller- Michael Jackson music videoFind Us Online:Mental Filmness: A Film Festival about Mental Health, October 10-11, 2025 at the Chicago Hope Academy (Sharon’s film festival)Fur, Feather and Scale (Sharon’s art page)B-Side Me Podcast: Ep. 1: Smashing Pumpkins (Sharon’s podcast)Follow Sharon on Instagram.Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram.Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my stuff, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast, where I talk to people about their favorite horror movies and why they are so special.Today I talked with my outgoing new friend Betsy Tomszak, the bookstagrammer and podcaster behind Books with Betsy and curator of the Off Color Book Club, about an essential movie in her horror education, Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead (1981). We chat a lot about the cursed production element of this movie, but we also cover the music, a fugly necklace, why this movie is NOT a slasher, and the brilliance of a low budget scare. We also discussed a slew of books that reminded us of The Evil Dead because we are both advanced library users. Of course Betsy would pick a horror movie with a book in it!TW: rape. There is a tree rape scene in The Evil Dead that we mention throughout (in detail at 36:00-41:00) and so an extra layer of discretion is advised.00:00-06:00 Intro / Book Talk06:00-15:00 Why Betsy Loves Horror / How We First Saw The Evil Dead15:00-36:00 Production / Brief Synopsis / Scariest Scenes / Music / Acting36:00-41:00- Tree Scene41:00-1:05:00 Sequels / Double Feature Ideas1:05:00- Outro / Betsy’s Podcast & Book Club InfoPlease note: timestamps are estimates.References“27 Things We Learned from The Evil Dead Commentary Track,” Film School Rejects“Sam Raimi and the Raping Tree,” by Matthew Lickona, San Diego Reader, October 17, 2012“Why The Evil Dead is Still So Alive after 40 Years,” by Katie Rife, AV Club, October 29, 2021Books mentioned:* Uzumaki by Junji Ito* Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom* The Viy by Nikolai Gogol* Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix* Dreamcatcher by Stephen King* Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin (the next book club book at Betsy’s Off Color Bookclub, as of recording)Find us online:Betsy’s InstagramBooks with Betsy PodcastFollow Off Color Brewing for info on Betsy’s Book Club. The Off Color Book Club meets 3rd Tuesday every month. Beer paired with each book. All are welcome if you live in Chicago :)Chloe’s Letterboxd and InstagramThe music featured in this episode is, to our knowledge, composed by Joseph LoDuca from The Evil Dead soundtrack as well as a short clips from The Evil Dead (1981) used for educational purposes.Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast, where I talk to people about their favorite horror movies and why they are so special.In this episode, I talk to my childhood best friend, the actor and writer Ben Tracy, about Wes Craven’s Red Eye (2005). The majority of our discussion is focused on how Red Eye is the best thriller about working in customer service, but we also discuss a lot of ~2000’s Minneapolis lore~ as well. You can learn about me advocating for Ben to see The Ring at age 11, a love letter to independent video stores, if a pineapple or grapefruit is more complex, and renovating an old Victorian house as a child. And don’t worry… “Glee” comes up twice. Plus, which recent horror movie actor was nice to Ben during his stint in the service industry? Listen to the end to find out!On a serious note, two of the video stores referenced in this episode were on the same street as the site of a deadly mass shooting that occurred in the past month. While we recorded this podcast before the tragedy, it feels wrong to wax poetic about our neighborhood and not mention that our hearts go out to Minneapolis right now. Donate to the families on this verified page.00:00- Intro / Video Store Appreciation Segment00:08:00- How We First Saw The Film / The Trailer00:16:00- Brief Synopsis / Performances00:26:00- Service Industry Theme00:45:00- Characters / Plot / Scene Discussion01:00:00 Double Features / Customer Service Horror Stories / OutroReferences:“A First Class Thriller from Wes Craven” Robert Ebert, August 18, 2005Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Evolution Theater in Columbus, OH (Ben’s play in October 2025)Follow Ben on InstagramFollow Chloe on Letterboxd and InstagramI’m still learning about podcasting, so please be nice :) Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast, where I talk people about their favorite horror movies and why they are special. In this episode, I talk to two childhood besties, cinephiles Matt Epp and Jenni Schofield, at the same time, discussing our collectively-favorite director and his unique remake Suspiria (2018). Unfortunately we all forgot to get degrees in psychology and European history before we recorded, so this is less of an analysis and more of a conversation about a kickass film. We cover comparisons to the 1977 Dario Argento original, where this movie fits in director Luca Guadagnino’s European films, why Dakota Johnson actually rules, and how watching physical media has changed over the last decade. Ah, Lacan!00:00-10:00- Intros / How We First Saw the Film10:00-12:30- Brief synopsis12:30-27:15- Themes / Comparisons to Suspiria (1977) / Dance sequences27:15-40:00 Comparisons to other Guadagnino movies40:00-52:00- Score / Acting52:00-1:11:00- Reception / Legacy / Double Features1:11:00- OutrosReferencesInterview with Luca Guadagnino for The Ringer, November 1, 2018“What is Suspiria Trying to Say?” The Hollywood Reporter, November 2, 2018Martha GrahamIFF Boston (the screening that Matt talks about has come and gone— sorry Matt!- but IFF is amazing and is always doing something interesting, please check them out!)Central Cinema in Seattle, WAScarecrow Video in Seattle, WAFollow Matt on LetterboxdFollow Jenni on LetterboxdFollow Chloe on Letterboxd and InstagramThe music featured in this episode is the “Main Theme” from Suspiria by Goblin, and Thom Yorke’s “Suspirium,” as well as a short clip of the trailer for Suspiria (2018) used for educational purposes.I’m still learning about podcasting, so please be nice :) Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast, where I talk people about their favorite horror movies and why they are special. This episode is near and dear to my heart because I get to talk to my very best friend about one of our formative childhood movies, the 2002 miniseries Rose Red. During my chat with Bree Tighe (no relation to Kevin), we cover how the movie was almost directed by Speilberg, Stephen King miniseries in general, shipping Ellen and Sukeena, and why you should never get iced tea in the middle of the night (aside from the caffeine). 00:00:00- Introduction / Background / How We First Saw This Movie00:11:30- Synopsis / Character Discussion00:23:30- Favorite Set Pieces / Moments / The House Itself01:01:00- Early 2000’s Horror Landscape / Double Feature Ideas / OutroSources“Bad House: The Making of Rose Red” (2002):“Stephen King And Steven Spielberg Almost Teamed Up For A Haunted House Movie”- Chris Evangelista, Slash Film (Feb. 17, 2024)The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red (the ARG novelization) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (inspiration for the film)We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (Bree’s book rec for a Rose Red readalike)Winchester Mystery House (other inspiration for the film)I’m still learning about podcasting, so please be nice :) Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe