Horror Joy

A Nostalgic Nightmare: Exploring the Comfort of Horror This week on Horror Joy, we're taking a trip down memory lane. For many of us, our love affair with horror began at a young age, fueled by Goosebumps books, Are You Afraid of the Dark , and the iconic horror paperbacks found on the revolving racks at local grocery stores. Nostalgia and Horror: A Twisted Embrace Nostalgia, with its roots in...

This episode of Horror Joy delves into the chilling world of The Babadook , a film that has been interpreted as both a study in grief and a queer icon. Joining us is S. Trimble, an Assistant Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto, to explore these shadowy perspectives. We'll discuss: Grief and the Monstrous: The film's exploration of grief and how it manifests a...

In this episode Brian and Jeff celebrate queer horror. We explore how horror has become a space for queer expression, challenging societal norms and offering a unique perspective on both classic and contemporary horror. Our guest, Eric LaRocca, a popular and prolific author of queer horror, will join us to discuss: The Monster Within: How horror reflects our deepest fears and anxieties about ident...

This week on Horror Joy, we're delving deeper into the chilling connection between Christian nationalism and horror. Following our exploration of Victorian roots with Lukas Kwong, we're turning our attention to the modern-day manifestations of this dangerous ideology. Joining us is Bradley Onishi, author and co-host of the popular political podcast Straight White American Jesus , to provid...

This episode of Horror Joy delves into the chilling intersection of horror and politics. Brian and Jeff are joined by Lucas Kwong, scholar and host of the podcast Monster in the Mirror , to explore the connections between Christian Nationalism and horror, with a particular focus on Bram Stoker's Dracula and Gothic literature. We'll uncover the haunting parallels between these two seemingly...

This week on Horror Joy, we're back to the undead for a second helping of brains. Brian and Jeff are diving deeper into the zombie phenomenon, exploring the cultural and societal implications of these shambling hordes. We'll be chewing over some meaty topics, including: Zombies and Capitalism: How do the mindless, consumerist zombies reflect our own society's obsession with consumption...

Zombies. They’re everywhere. From the silver screen to the printed page, the undead have become a cultural staple. But what does their enduring popularity say about us? On this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by the brilliant Kelly J. Baker, author of The Zombies are Coming! The Realities of the Zombie Apocalypse in American Culture . Together, we'll delve into the heart of th...

This episode of Horror Joy Brian and Jeff wander the dark hallways of meta-horror and ask whether we need a genre apocalypse to get beyond tired tropes of our favorite stories. Meta-horror shines a light on the structure of horror and how this leads to questions about both the audience of horror and the genre itself. Join us as we attempt to step back and get a broader glimpse of the house of horr...

This episode of Horror Joy marks our first-ever interview with a horror creator! Join Brian and Jeff as they delve into the mind of acclaimed author, Paul Tremblay, to dissect his chilling new novel, "Horror Movie." Prepare to be enthralled as we discuss: * Paul's personal experiences with both the joys and terrors of the horror genre. * The profound impact the horror community has had...

This episode of Horror Joy ventures into the unsettling realm of religious horror. Brian and Jeff explore the depths of this subgenre through a chilling double feature: A24's critically acclaimed 'Saint Maud' (2019) and the recently released Neon film, 'Immaculate' (2024). Prepare to dissect some truly horrifying themes: *We’ll analyze how both films explore the control exerted...

This week on Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff dive headfirst into the churning waters of Steven Spielberg's classic, Jaws. We'll explore what makes this film a titan of terror, from John Williams' unforgettable score to the lurking dread of a small island community. But Jaws isn't just about a giant shark. We'll also be dissecting the three major themes: *An island paradise that beco...

*In this episode we introduce the idea of Horror Joy and discuss how we have found joy in horror as professors. *We take a trip down childhood chills with a discussion of our shared love for Goosebumps, Stephen King, and how nostalgia and joy mix. *Jeff recounts his introduction to horror through old black and white movies and his recent viewing of Willow Creek, while Brian describes a late bloomi...

Horror Joy is a podcast by two university professors who take a deep dive into the world of horror. Join us as we seek to find joy, even in horror.