The Ghoul Guides Association

What is a Gothic villain? In this deep dive episode Lauren takes us through the historical foundations of the archetype - from feudal lords to Niccolo Machiavelli, and from Shakespeare's Iago to Milton's Shakespeare - and then explores some key characters from Gothic fiction. Got your own favourite Gothic villain? Let us know in the comments! SUPPORT THE GHOUL GUIDES! If you enjoyed this video the...

In this new episode of Ghoul Friends we continue to explore the Ecogothic. This is the second instalment of our two part conversation with Dr Kathleen Hudson where we discuss the developments of Ecogothic in culture, the Gothic and beyond. Join us as we continue our conversation about the Ecogothic and the sublime, delve into trends in the New World and the emergence of Weird fiction, and round ou...

What is the Ecogothic? That's what we explore in the first episode of Ghoul Friends - and this week Ghoul Guides Lauren and Mary are joined by Dr Kathleen Hudson to define the Ecogothic and discuss its development in culture and the Gothic. Join us for part 1 of the conversation where we talk about the folkloric Green Man, chivalric Romances, Early Gothic works and the sublime. And if you want...

In this review episode, Mary discusses the recent Netflix crime thriller Colors of Evil: Black. Join us as we dive into the dark world of this Polish serial killer film, talk about some of the settings that make this gorgeously Gothic, and unearth the film's interesting use of local Polish vampire folklore. SUPPORT THE GHOUL GUIDES! If you enjoyed this video then why not subscribe to our chann...

Sink your teeth into our new deep dive episode all about vampires, and specifically the vampires of Kashubian folklore in Poland! Join Mary and Lauren as we unearth the specifics of the Łopi and Vjesci, vampiric figures from Poland’s Kashubian region, and discuss the similarities and differences between Kashubian vampires with the traditional bloodsuckers of Eastern Europe folklore. We also examin...

In this bumper episode of So, You Don’t Like Horror? Mary and Lauren discuss some of the recent spring and summer horror film releases - including chiming in the discourse around summer smash hit 'Obsession' . If, like Lauren, you’re a scaredy cat who can’t watch horror films but wants to find out all about them, or if you’re a horror fan and want to hear more about the films you’ve seen (...

Note: Due to some strangeness with the audio files not syncing, we've had to use the audio taken directly from the video version - apologies for any talking over each other, ums, and interrupting. To celebrate Women in Translation month in August 2026, join us for our special review episode! In this episode, Lauren shares six of her favourite books in translation written by women – including c...

In this review episode, Lauren talks us through the recent Apple TV series Widow's Bay. Join us and find out more about the show that all the cool kids are watching – from Guillermo del Toro to your local Ghoul Guides. And if you want to find out more about New England Gothic (or want a handy refresher) check out our deep dive exploring the genre, scroll back one epsiode in our feed!

REUPLOAD - the issue with unsynchronised tracks is now fixed, thanks for your patience! In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of New England Gothic. Join us as we discuss the colonial and religious foundations of the genre, examine what makes it different from Southern Gothic and explore some of the key authors and works that shaped its development. If you like stories of witchcraft,...

In this episode, we dive in the prophetical world of the apocalypse and millenarianism as Lauren tells Mary all about the bizarre world of Joanna Southcott and her followers. Was Joanna really a prophet of the Lord? What is the Panacea society? What exactly is millenarianism? And, what's in Joanna's mysterious box? Find out all this and more in this episode.

In this review episode, Mary tells Lauren all about her recent theatre trip to see The Psychic, the new ghostly offering from Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson. Join us as we delve into the previous spooky works by the masters of macabre - including their previous horror play Ghost Stories - and explore the world of psychics, mediums and showmen featured in their latest collaboration. And don't worr...

Do you ever feel like you're made of glass? In this episode, Lauren uncovers the glass delusion and explores instances across history where people believe they are entirely made of glass (or in some instances that just one very specific body part is made of glass) and that they might therefore shatter into tiny pieces. Join us as we uncover the story of King Charles VI, who was very famously a...

In this review episode we dive into Lee Heejoo’s latest novel Holy Boy. Published in the UK in March 2026, this is the first of Lee’s works that was translated into English and it delivers bucket loads of suspense, Gothic thrills and unhinged acts of worship and devotion. Whether you’re a K-pop fan, or if you’re just here for the cult stuff, you won’t want to miss this book and its thrilling exami...

Ín the second instalment of our Gothic Lives of Saints mini-series, we uncover the mystical life of Saint Catherine of Siena. From Catherine’s visions to conversations with her divine spouse (God) and her many frequent battles with the ultimate adversary (Satan), join us as we delve into the difficult and sometimes gross stories that lead to Catherine’s sainthood. And of course, we’ll also be disc...

REUPLOAD! Thank you to Bethany for letting us know the tracks weren't synced - you are out Association Member of the Month, which we just made up. Do you really know what makes a Gothic heroine? In this episode, Lauren is exploring just that! Join us as Lauren leads Mary through all of the key the evolutions of the Gothic heroine - swoons and all - from her origins in early modern chivalric ro...

One horror fan, one scaredy cat, lots of scary movies! So You Don't Like Horror? is back and, as usual, Mary is reviewing some of her favourite new horror releases from the first months of 2026. Whether you're a scaredy cat like Lauren, who wants to vicariously enjoy a spoiler-filled discussion of horror films from the comfort of your own home (and find out whether it's safe to watch t...

In this review episode Mary discusses Strange Buildings - the latest book offering from cult horror author and YouTuber Uketsu. Who is Uketsu? What makes these books so addictive? Can the ordinary and mundane really be frightening and uncanny? And, can you solve the mystery of the Rebirth cult featured in Strange Buildings? If you’ve read any of Uketsu’s works or have any other book recommendation...

Was 536 CE really the worst year ever? Find out what made this year so horrible in our latest deep dive as Lauren takes Mary through the impacts of international and ecological crises, checks in with our old friends the Goths and explores how the events of 536CE created decades of Ecogothic stories.

In this review episode, Mary and Lauren are joined by special guest and Brontë expert Dr Hannah Moss to talk about the latest Wuthering Heights film. What do Hannah, Mary and Lauren make of Emerald Fennel’s adaptation? What do they make of Charlie XCX’s music? And would we recommend this film? Watch to find out. Have you seen Wuthering Heights? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! NOTE...

In this episode Mary and Lauren are joined by special guest Dr Rehman Abdulrehman to talk about all things related to Jinn and Zanzibar Gothic, and also his new book Jinn in the Family. Jinn in the Family is out now and you can get your copy here: https://leadwithdiversity.com/jinn/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... Also check out Rehman’s other work and projects here: Books - https://leadw...

"Fear is the new faith. "Join us as we return to the apocalyptic world of infected that is the 28 Days Later franchise. In this episode we are again joined by Dr Kathleen Hudson to review the latest instalment in the British zombie series, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026). We get Kathleen's American perspective on the film, talk about what we think of the Jimmy Crystal’s bizarr...

Join us as we delve into the wicked world of treachery that is The Traitors! Or, as we like to call it at Ghoul Guides HQ: the very best playable Gothic murder mystery ever created. Since 2021, The Traitors has become an international phenomenon with over 30 versions produced in countries across the globe from the Netherlands to the UK, Hungary, Italy, Canada, India and so many more. What makes th...

In our second holiday bonus episode Mary shares her festival highlights from Sheffield's very own horror film festival: Celluloid Screams 2025. Join us for a review of some of Mary’s favourite horror films from the USA, Canada, Japan and South Korea that featured in this year’s Celluloid Screams festival. Watch our review of Mayhem 2025 here:    • So You Don't Like Horror? Bonus episode: M...

In this holiday bonus episode Mary shares her festival highlights from Nottingham's Mayhem Film Festival 2025. Join us for a review of some of Mary’s favourite horror, cult and sci-fi movies from South Korea, Japan, Poland, Iran and the US that featured in this year’s Mayhem festival. 00:00 Intro 02:17 Mayhem 05:46 Old Woman with a Knife, Dir. Min Kyu-dong, South Korea 09:16 Chess of the Wind,...

In this festive edition of the Ghoul Guides Association, we uncover the man, the myth the legend himself: Santa Claus. Or rather, we dive into some of the more Gothic aspects of the legend of the real Saint Nicholas of Myra. Join us to discover how this gift-giving bishop became the Father Christmas we all know, find out who exactly are the Pickle Boys, and why everyone wants a piece of the bones...