Horror Joy

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' Brian and Jeff sit down with author and playwright Nat Cassidy to explore his career and the intricate relationship between joy and horror. Cassidy discusses his journey from a macabre child fascinated by the works of Stephen King and Shakespeare to a versatile storyteller working across various mediums, including novels, plays, and audio dramas. The conver...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff jump headlong into academic horror. Their firs stop is Dario Argento's 1977 class, Suspiria. We explore themes such as ritualized violence, paranoia, and the cult-like power dynamics of a coven of witches who both govern and are governed by the institution. We highlight the vivid colors, atmospheric elements, and unsettling soundtrack that is used...

In this episode of 'Horror Joy, Meet Your Maker', Jeff sits down with Ivy Grimes, an author known for her supernatural and surreal short story collections including 'Glass Stories'. Ivy discusses her unique journey into the horror genre having grown up in a conservative setting, her inspirations from filmmakers like David Lynch, and her fascination with using glass as a central mot...

In this episode of 'Meet Your Maker' by a Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by Terrell Dorsey, founder of the film production company Vault 81. Terrell discusses his journey into film making, the creation of his film 'Sawmill Road,' and his unique perspective on the intersection of horror and joy. He elaborates on his passion for writing, directing, and producing original horro...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff speak with Jack Finn, a Horror author from the Pacific Northwest. Jack discusses his life-long love for Horror, how it played a joyous role in his childhood through monster movies, and his journey from enjoying Horror to writing it. He talks about his 2023 debut novel 'The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad,' his werewolf duology 'Prey Upon the La...

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' hosts Brian and Jeff delve into the appeal of found footage horror and are joined by author Michael Wehunt to explore these themes. They discuss Wehunt's debut novel, 'The October Film Haunt,' which blends subgenres including found footage, slasher, and occult horror. The conversation covers Wehunt’s writing journey, the intricacies of the horro...

In this episode of Horror Joy’ Meet Your Maker series, Jeff and Brian welcome author Chris Dileo to discuss his new book, Empty Devils (Cabelo Books, 2025), and his deeply personal relationship with horror. Dileo emphasizes that reading is a process of cooperation between the reader's imagination and the writer's world. He discusses how he used Empty Devils to distill the national tragedy...

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Jeff and Brian sit down with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, directors of the upcoming found footage horror film 'Man Finds Tape,' releasing on December 5th. The conversation covers the joy to be found in horror, the directors' backgrounds, the creative processes behind their projects, and the unique blend of found footage and cosmic horror in their...

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian and Jeff welcome acclaimed author Gwendolyn Kiste, a multiple Bram Stoker Award winner, to discuss her novel 'The Haunting of Velkwood.' They explore the synergistic relationship between horror and joy, emphasizing the cathartic and self-discovery elements inherent in the genre. Kiste shares her journey from a young storyteller to an author who us...

The Depths of Horror: Exploring Barry Levinson's The Bay In this episode, Brian and Jeff delve into Barry Levinson's 2012 found footage horror film, 'The Bay.' Set during a disastrous 4th of July celebration in Claridge, Maryland, the film intertwines environmental horror with a mockumentary format. The story follows reporter Donna Thompson as she navigates through a town descendin...

In this episode of Meet Your Maker, we are joined by author Kayli Scholz, known for her horror novels St. Grit, Black Rain Season, and her most recent novel, Yeehaw Junction. Kayli discusses the intersection of joy and horror in her work, sharing personal anecdotes about how horror has influenced her life, from childhood experiences to her deep immersion in genre writing. She delves into the socie...

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff continue their deep dive into found footage horror by investigating the 2007 Spanish film [REC], directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. The conversation explores the film's claustrophobic terror, its political nature, and its effectiveness as a groundbreaking entry in the found footage genre. We discuss: The Appeal of Fo...

In this episode of Meet Your Maker, a series by Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff welcome author Clay McLeod Chapman to discuss his work, including his recent novel, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes , and the fascinating relationship between joy and horror. Chapman shares his belief that joy and horror work together, emphasizing the catharsis found in horror, which allows for the release...

This episode of Horror Joy features a deep dive into the genre of found footage horror, particularly focusing on the 2023 film 'Frogman.' Hosts Brian and Jeff discuss with the film's co-writer and director, Anthony Cousins, the allure and believability of found footage horror, influences from other horror media, and the complexities of creating effective practical effects. They explore...

In this episode of Horror Joy, the hosts bring on two guests for the first time: Alan Good, founder and editor of Malarkey Books, and Lauren Bolger, a horror author published by Malarkey Books. The discussion dives into the intersection of horror and joy, and both guests share their unique perspectives. Alan talks about the community support that keeps Malarkey Books afloat and the joy of seeing p...

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Jeff and Brian discuss Zach Cregger's 2025 film 'Weapons.' The film’s controversial portrayal of children as both instruments and objects of horror breaks traditional tropes by delving into issues like school shootings, societal decay, and the overarching themes of violence and isolation. Through its intricate narrative and complex characters like A...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by Nick Medina, author of 'Sisters of the Lost Nation,' 'Indian Burial Ground,' and the recently released novel, 'The Whistler.' Nick discusses his shared perception of finding joy in horror, reflecting on the creativity and talent within the genre. We explore his writing journey, the long road to getting published, a...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff delve into the 2013 haunted house film 'The Conjuring', directed by James Wan. They explore the film's use of horror tropes, its connections to the Amityville Horror, and its implications regarding Christian nationalism. The episode also examines Ed and Lorraine Warren's roles, the significance of the basement as a metaphorical space, a...

In this episode of Meet Your Maker, hosts welcome Thomas Ha to discuss his forthcoming collection 'Uncertain Sons'. The conversation delves into Ha’s perspective on the intricate relationship between horror and joy, the cathartic and connective aspects of horror literature, and the experiential overlap between fear, happiness, and grief. Ha shares insights into his creative process, his mu...

Unpacking the Cyclical Horrors of The Amityville Horror In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' hosts Jeff and Brian Onishi delve into the 1979 classic film 'The Amityville Horror.' The discussion explores the recurring themes of cycles in our lives and how they manifest in horror, touching on historical and contemporary issues. They analyze the unsettling story of George and Kathy Lutz,...

In this episode of Horror Joy, the hosts are joined by Matthew Trifan, an emergency physician and author of the supernatural horror collection 'The Fever Called Living'. They discuss the complex relationship between horror and joy and how Trifan integrates his medical background into his horror writing. Highlights include the impact of secondhand trauma on medical professionals, the existe...

Exploring Horror and Joy with Author John Chrostek In this episode of Horror Joy, the hosts are joined by John Chrostek, a writer, editor, and designer, to discuss his recent collection, Boxcutters, and his upcoming novel, Feast of the Pale Leviathan. They delve into John's perspective on the relationship between horror and joy, the cathartic nature of horror, and its role as a tool for social...

Exploring the Horrors of Food in 'The Menu' and 'Where the Soul Goes' In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff dive into the intricate relationship between food and horror. They are joined by author Katherine (Kat) Silva to discuss Mark Mylod's 2022 film 'The Menu' and its commentary on class, privilege, and consumption through the lens of fo...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by Kat Silva, author of the Deadlands Trilogy. They discuss the unique relationship between joy and horror, particularly how the horror genre can bring emotional catharsis and mental stability. Kat shares the personal journey of her writing career, starting from childhood and leading to her current work. She talks about the role of grief in...

In this episode of 'Meet Your Maker', Horror Joy welcomes Sadie Hartman, aka Mother Horror. Sadie discusses her influential work in the horror genre, including her books '101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered' and 'Feral and Hysterical.' The conversation delves into the relationship between joy and horror, how horror serves as an escape from real-life anxietie...