Horror Joy

In this episode of Horror Joy, the hosts welcome Victoria Dalpe, author of 'Selene Shade: Resurrectionist for Hire.' Dalpe shares her insights into the intersection of joy and horror, her affinity for horror comedy, and the ethical dilemmas explored in her book. The discussion covers how horror can serve as a cathartic experience, influenced by '80s horror films, and the unique blend o...

In this episode of 'Meet Your Maker,' Brian takes a solo interview with acclaimed horror author John Langan. They talk about his works, including 'The Fishermen' and the upcoming short story collection 'Lost in the Dark.' They discuss the intricate relationship between joy and horror, the communal aspect of the horror community, and the influence of found footage films on L...

In this live-recorded episode of 'Horror Joy,' the hosts are joined by New York Times bestselling author Paul Tremblay at Next Chapter Bookshop in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Tremblay discusses various themes in his works and answers audience questions. Topics include the relationship between joy and horror, his journey to becoming a writer, inspirations for his horror novels targeted tow...

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Jeff and Brian introduce a new podcast series titled 'Meet Your Maker,' focusing on conversations with horror creators. Their first guest is Jake Tri, the author of 'Nightmare Soup,' a crowdfunded horror anthology reminiscent of 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.' Jake discusses the inspiration behind 'Nightmare Soup,' the resur...

In this special anniversary episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff reflect on their first year of celebrating the emotional and intellectual joys of horror. They discuss their favorite moments, memorable interviews with horror figures likePaul Tremblay, S. Trimble and Stephen Graham Jones, and the impact of films like Jaws, The Blair Witch Project, and Silence of the Lambs. T...

Join your favorite Horror podcasters as they introduce 'Meet Your Maker,' a new series from Horror Joy. This show is dedicated to interviewing some of the best-known and emerging Horror authors, including Clay McLeod Chapman, Victoria Dalpe, Sadie Hartmann (AKA Mother Horror), John Langan, Thomas Ha, Jake Tri, Kat Silva, and many more. Each 30-minute episode will explore new books, stories...

In this episode of Horror Joy, we turn back time to solve the puzzle of the first three films of the Final Destination franchise, exploring the ways they engage with the horrors of the new millennium, its politics, and its technologies. The series’ horrors are doubled when we realize that the first film starts off with an exploding plane, uncannily anticipating the 9/11 terrorist attacks that fund...

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' hosts Brian and Jeff delve into the 2023 anthology Never Whistle at Night , edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. This collection, featuring indigenous dark fiction, navigates the intersections of horror, colonization, and representation. We discuss: ·      The impact of these stories both in the classroom and as a means of broadening perspectiv...

Right now in the US, it feels like we're living in a haunted house of historical racial horrors, with "DEI" being demonized and books banned. Southern and Black Gothic literature, however, bravely uncover these past atrocities and their ongoing impact. On this Horror Joy episode, we welcome author Briana N. Cox to explore Black/Southern Horror. First, we bite into Ryan Coogler's 20...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff explore the themes of justice, truth, and morality through the examination of two iconic cop horror films: David Fincher's 'Seven' (1995) and Bong Joon-ho's 'Memories of Murder' (2003). We discuss: ·      The portrayal of police ineptitude and brutality ·      Sin as a model for understanding moral judgements ·      The impact o...

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian and Jeff revisit the iconic nineties teen slasher films Scream (1996) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997). They explore how Scream redefined the slasher genre with its meta-horror elements and adherence to and subversion of classic horror rules. They contrast this with I Know What You Did Last Summer’s more traditional approach, discussing its them...

This week on Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff welcome New York Times best-selling author Stephen Graham Jones to the show. We'll be discussing his incredible new novel, "The Buffalo Hunter, Hunter," and delving into the intricate themes it explores: Community, Inherited Guilt, Justice, and the Construction of Truth: We examine how these complex societal issues are portrayed within the narrat...

In this episode of Horror Joy, Jeff and Brian delve into cult representations in Ari Aster's popular horror films 'Hereditary' (2018) and 'Midsommar' (2019). They emphasize the intricate storytelling and thematic parallels between the two films, providing in-depth analysis on toxic masculinity, folklore, and community care as portrayed in Aster's works. They discuss: ·     ...

On this episode of Horror Joy, Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff unpack the discomforting narratives of John Darnielle's Universal Harvester and A24's Heretic , examining how faith fuels both profound peace and unsettling horror. We'll trace the emotional arcs of these characters, exploring the role of belief in their lives and in our own. We’ll discuss: ·      The role that expectation...

This week on Horror Joy, Jeff and Brian wrestle with the dualities of fear in Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs and Osgood Perkins' Longlegs . They dissect the psychological and gender horrors lurking within The Silence of the Lambs , contrasting it with the mythological and satanic elements of Longlegs . They examine the tangled webs of desire, identity, and rationalization, revea...

This week on Horror Joy, Jeff and Brian delve into the unsettling world of body horror, examining how it reflects societal pressures and personal anxieties. They dissect Coralie Fargeat's 2024 film, The Substance , starring Demi Moore, a biting critique of female beauty standards and the male gaze. They also explore Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk's novel, The Empusium , a health resort...

This week on Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff traverse the eerie corridors of liminality in horror. They kick off with a deep dive into the Apple TV series Severance, exploring how its portrayal of work-life separation raises existential and psychological questions. Is it a thriller, or horror? Moving forward, they venture into the unsettling realm of analog horror, with a focus on YouTube creators like...

The Monstrous Image – Horror in Graphic Novels (Something is Killing the Children and Universal’s Frankenstein)   In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff explore the portrayal of monsters in the realm of comics and graphic novels. They dive into the complex narratives, dissecting the horror genre as seen in James Tynion IV's 'Something is Killing the Children&#...

2024 was a banner year for horror! From the chilling Immaculate to the unsettling Horror Movie and the glorious mustache of Nosferatu , we were truly spoiled. But now, it's time to turn a new page. This year brings fresh beginnings, new anxieties, and a renewed opportunity for horror to help us navigate the complexities of our world. To kick off 2025, Jeff and Brian welcome horror author and c...

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we are caught in a mood of anticipation. We anticipate visits from family, a festive meal, and presents to be opened. We also look forward to the celebration of the incarnation of a god in human flesh, whose death brings about one of the greatest ghost stories ever told. Rephrased, the story of Christmas is already a kind of horror narrative. Join us for a chi...

As an anticipation of our episode out on Monday (12/16), Brian reads "The Kit-Bag" by Algernon Blackwood. "The Kit-Bag," originally published in 1908 by Pall Mall Magazine, tells the story of Johnson, a young man preparing to go on a Christmas vacation after helping to successfully defend a particularly gruesome murder case. Alone in his apartment, Johnson begins to experience stra...

Episode Timeline **2:12-40:42 – StokerVerse and Bram Stoker’s Dracula with Chris McAuley **40:42-58:26 – Salem’s Lot **58:27-end – Midnight Mass   From the gothic castles of Transylvania to the sleepy towns of Maine, vampires have captivated our imaginations for centuries. In this episode of Horror Joy, we'll explore the evolution of the vampire mythos, from Bram Stoker's iconic Dracula to...

In this episode of Horror Joy, we're venturing into the cold, dark depths of space to explore Ridley Scott's iconic sci-fi horror masterpiece, Alien . We'll delve into the film's terrifying themes, including: The Alien as the Ultimate Other: How the alien creature embodies our fears of the unknown and the uncanny. Body Horror and the Violation of the Human Form: The film's dist...

Sometimes, the most terrifying monsters aren't lurking in the shadows, but in the very heart of our world. In this episode of Horror Joy, we delve into the eerie world of folk horror, where ancient myths and environmental fears intertwine. We'll explore: The Appalachian Nightmare: How the exploitation of the Appalachian landscape has given rise to terrifying folklore and real-world consequ...

Join us as we plunge into the shadowy world of Haddonfield, Illinois. In this special episode of Horror Joy, Jeff and Brian dissect John Carpenter's iconic 1978 slasher film, Halloween . We'll explore: The Shape's Morality: Is Michael Myers a terrifying villain or a moral compass? Beyond the Mask: Can we find a more subversive reading of this classic horror film? The Rules of the Slash...