The Pod and the Pendulum: A Horror Movie Podcast

This week Mike, Ariel & Devaughn head back to animation land and ask the question, "Is Wednesday Addams kind of a jerk?" When we're not badmouthing young children, we're hitting a wide range of topics not limited to Mike's annual existential crisis about the state of the show and the franchises we cover. That said, there is a lot to discuss here including some eye-catching animation...

This week we step way out of our normal comfort zone and talk about the scariest thing of all: 21st century animated movies made for six-year-olds! That’s right, we’re going to discuss 2019’s THE ADDAMS FAMILY, starring Oscar Issac, Charlize Theron, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll & Chloe Grace Moretz as Wednesday. We talk about how animated movies have changed and toned down since we were kids, the...

This week we have a bonus treat for you all. Filmed when he was just 19 years old, Kaine Parsons has crafted a liminal, arthouse horror film that has resonated with audiences-especially younger ones-to the tune of over $300 million at the box office and counting. Serving as not only A24's largest box office in its history, the film also gives notice that that the dawn of the YouTube to cinema pipe...

This week, Mike & Devaughn tackle the hard to find third entry in The Addams Family franchise. Released by Sabin Entertainment in 1998, this one has never hit streaming, and was only released on VHS. Luckily, a kind soul has uploaded the movie to YouTube, and you can watch it here . After the passing of Raul Julia and the relative commercial letdown of Addams Family Values, it was time for a r...

Mike and Devaughn are on hand to break down ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, the sequel to 1991's smash The Addams Family. The title itself a play on the fear mongering and hand wringing over the threat to the "traditional" family, this one runs back the hits while offering some darker, slightly edgier humor. The sequel has also become a Thanksgiving favorite, and add in a scene chewing performance...

This week we open a new franchise and move in a family friendly direction with THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Starting with the 1991 film of the same name, we look at the first family in the macabre. Built around a perfect cast starring Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and a young Christina Ricci, this was at the forefront of 90s IP, a craze that cashed in on Boomer nostalgia and Gen X latch ke...

Enjoy this clip from our latest Patreon episode, on Andre Ovredal's latest-PASSENGER. Mike & Nichole discussed this fun B-movie that got lost a bit in the shuffle during May's abundance of strong horror. If you want access to the complete episode, plus over 100 hours of exclusive content, head to patreon.com/podandthependulum and become a supporter for as little as two bucks. Hosted by Simplec...

This week we open the Patreon vaults and make our 2025 episode n Robert Eggers'  Nosferatu available for everyone to enjoy. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, for as little as $2 at patreon.com/podandthependulum .  Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us...

Enjoy this brief clip from our Patreon exclusive episode on Curry Barker's OBSESSION. Download this, and over 100 hours of bonus content by going to patreon.com/podandthependulum right now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike, Devaughn, & Nichole are joined again by Mae Shults (Pleasers & Punishers podcast) to review the second season of Shudder's THE CREEP TAPES. While we all enjoyed S1, we're in agreement that the second go round is a bold step forward. Featuring appearances from genre favorites (David Dastmalchian) & Mark Duplass' real life wife (Katie Aselton) the second season gets bigger, weirder...

As a special bonus episode, Mike sat down with David Bertolino, founder of Spooky World  and author of the new book Behind the Screams at Spooky World.  Before there was Universal Horror Nights, and the big theme parks got in on haunted attractions, there was an old farm in the middle of Western Mass that attracted hundreds of thousands of customers every October throughout the 90s. With attractio...

This week Mike, Nichole & Devaughn are joined by musician and podcaster Mae Shults ( The Pleasers & Punishers podcast) to discuss the first season of The Creep Tapes. Serving as a stripped-down version of the films, the Shudder exclusive show finds Josef/Wolfie lining up a half dozen new victims under a variety of disguises ranging from a struggling actor, a documentary filmmaker’s biggest...

Seven years ago we launched the podcast, so why not take a little victory lap? Mike, Stephen & Brian are on hand look back at the history of the podcast and how some of the crew got involved. We also discuss our own gateways to horror movies. Plus, a short mailbag and listener feedback, along with where we think the genre may head, what we've thought of horror movies in 2026 so far, and what u...

Mike and Nichole are joined by filmmaker Mary Beth McAndrews (Bystanders) to talk about 2017's found footage serial killer flick CREEP 2. Mark Duplass returns as Aaron / Peachfuzz, but in Desiree Akhavan's Sara, he may have met his match. Where the first explores the dynamics of male friendship & bonding, this time around gender and power dynamics are at play as Peachfuzz finds the avant garde...

Enjoy this brief clip from our full episode on the new Faces of Death film. With Mike, Ari, and Brian. To get the full episode, and to gain access on up to 100+ hours of bonus shows, become a patron today for as little as two bucks at patreon.com/podandthependulum Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adverti...

It's Peachfuzz time! This week we breakdown the 2014 found footage mumblegore classic CREEP. Mike, Devaughn, and Nichole are joined by guest Alex Pagliuca to talk about this two-hander from Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice. An equal parts horrific, suspenseful, cringey and funny exploration at the sort of social isolation and loneliness that drives a person to stay in a situation that is rife with r...

This week we rank all the theatrical entries in THE OMEN franchise. Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support.  Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join...

Stephen, Mike and Ariel are on and to take one final look at Omen related properties, this time turning to the small screen with two failed projects. Up first, it's a TV pilot from 1995 that would have taken the series in a strange direction. Seemingly have little to nothing to do with the Antichrist, NBC's THE OMEN was a mixture of possession horror and ecological terror staring the great charact...

Mike and Stephen are joined by guest Alex Paglicua for the second half of our episode on THE FIRST OMEN.  This time we're diving into the text and themes of the movie with an exploration of how scandals shifted our views of the Catholic Church and forced them into a more antagonistic role. We discuss the film in the context of other tragedies that befell children unfortunate enough to be placed in...

VOTE ON A FRANCHISE YOU WANT US TO COVER IN 2026 In the wake of the repeal of Roe vs Wade, it only makes sense that art would reflect the terror women feel in a world increasingly hostile to them, and the increasing loss of their bodily autonomy. In 2024, a pair of movies centered on nuns forced to give birth not only against their will, but also their knowledge were released back-to-back and seem...

While the 2000s were lousy with horror remakes, perhaps none struggled to justify its existence as much as this uninspired, beat-for-beat retread of the Richard Donner Catholic shocker. It seemed to only exist because a studio executive noticed that there would be a 6/6/6 on the calendar less than 11 months before this would be dumped into theaters to a tepid if lucrative response. This week Mike,...

This week we've got four hosts on hand to talk the fourth entry in the Omen franchise. Coincidence or the work of the Devil? You decide. We break down this 1991 FOX made-for-television reboot of the franchise. With a gender swapped AntiChrist, hopes were high the fledgling network could use their deep film archives to entice viewers to the small screen. Unfortunately, the less than stellar results...

Enjoy this preview of Mike and Nichole's discussion on A24's latest horror offering Undertone. Our patrons get access to this full episode, as well as over 100+ hours of exclusive bonus content for as low as two bucks a month. To get full access sign up today at patron.com/podandthependulum Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use o...

This week Mike and Stephen are on hand to talk politics, the end of the world, and just how hot  young Sam Neill was. That’s right, it’s time for The Omen 3: The Final Conflict.  As a special bonus, you get to hear the two of us was rhapsodic about the Oscars, which ran the night before. If that’s of no interest to you, feel free to skip ahead to roughly 29:00 into the show. Please take a moment t...

VOTE HERE FOR THE FRANCHISE YOU WANT US TO COVER IN 2026! This week, the only thing worse than a little tyke Anti-Christ is a pre-teen Antichrist. If the Devil doesn't kill you, then hormones surely will! Mike, Nichole and Stephen are on hand to talk about this solid second entry in The Omen franchise, which finds a young Damien at military school when he learns of his destiny as the son of Satan....