Though the Ghouls have strong, negative feelings about the Warrens, the films have been a fun watch for them as horror lovers. Ghouls discuss the three Conjuring films, the real cases of the Warrens (both covered and not covered in the films), and why giving the Warrens a film make-over is a bad look. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Ghouls walk you through the first 9 Saw movies, the traps that haunt their nightmares, and who their least favorite proteges are. We sorted, or attempted to, the storyline of the franchise. Some of Jigsaw's victims make sense while others feel like a low blow. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Saw Franchise is an important thread in the fabric of horror history. Known for the elaborate, gory, and challenging traps, Saw will leave an ache in your bones. The Ghouls have never been so aware of their individual body parts before. In this first part of our Saw coverage, the Ghouls start to question the motives and the holier-than-thou message John Kramer has for his victims. And they begin to unpack the many layers of the dense story of the franchise, the numerous proteges and more....

The Paranormal Activity franchise holds a special place in the Ghouls' hearts. The first film revived the Found Footage sub-genre (Gabe's favorite) and the films often promised creative jump scares and a slow burn. However, in trying to expand the universe the films began answering questions we never asked while never addressing plot holes or questions we did have. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Final Destination is one of the Ghouls' favorite series! What happens when you beat Death only to have them return with vengeance? With some of the most memorable and creative deaths in the horror genre, the series is a fun slasher with a faceless villain. Did these people really ruin Death's plan or was this all a part of Death's twisted game? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Alien Franchise is what we like to refer to as Listen-to-Women the film because if only any of the other characters did just that, we'd avoid this sticky, acid, chest-bursting mess. Ghouls are talking about the entire Alien franchise (sans AVP, already covered in our Predator episode), yes even Alien^3. Why won't they let Ripley die? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Predator franchise is full of fun action-packed slashers. The first one stars one of the Ghouls' favorite final girls, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The films that follow are a mix of fun and why did this get made? We unpack each of the films (including Alien vs. Predator). We watched them so you don't have to! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

The Cyberpunk franchise is one that highlights countercultural antiheroes trapped in a dehumanizing high-tech future. Kat talks about the history of the Cyberpunk world and explains the bleak picture of the video game. Gabe discusses the sad and too-real characters of the mini-series, Edgerunners and their complicated relationship with tech, healthcare, and their identities in a world intent on erasing the impoverished. --- Support this podcast:...

Dune is an expansive science fiction world created by Frank Herbert with characters, societies, and tropes intended to reflect real-world issues. Ghouls are joined by Dune fan, Mike Levitt who tells them what the book is about, what happens in the film, what doesn't happen in the film, and why we should care about Dune at all. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-ghouls-next-door/support

Star Trek is a story of perseverance, hope, and potential. This show has a robust history that has shaken the television landscape in a variety of ways. What does a future with free healthcare, different species, and the potential to have anything made in an instant do to humanity? Ghouls are joined by Trekspert, Kennedy Allen of Women at Warp, and Your Away Team to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Trek. --- Support this podcast:...

The Expanse is a phenomenal work of science fiction that highlights the resilience and power of people against all odds. This is a show that is as close to scientifically accurate as we can get and features some truly impressive science, language, and history. Ghouls invite mythologist and transmedia creator, Li Sumpter (@MythMediaStudios) to talk about Afrofuturism, our place amongst the stars, and preparing for the inevitable from a place of community care. --- Support this podcast:...

American Psycho is a brilliantly satirical and comical view of the toxicity of consumerism and masculinity. Bateman is an absurd villain that's remarkably not too far from the truth. Gabe discusses the outrageous villain and Kat explores the science of wealth's impact on our brains. Sources in this Episode: American Psycho: A Message on Consumerism How Money Changes the Way You Think and Feel How Money Affects the Psychology of the Extremely Rich Other Reviews on American...

Severance is a horrifying examination of America's corporate culture and the predatory power of those corporations. What does it mean to separate yourself from your "work" self, to remove yourself from any accountability for your actions at work, and to become a corporate slave? Through the pandemic, we've seen a rise in worker power that has afforded us many improvements from the physical office spaces, to better pay, and a stronger sense of importance for our lives outside of work....

The Platform is an unsubtle and disgusting film that confronts our acceptance of our toxic and abusive systems of power. It addresses in a terribly unsubtle way the false promises of trickle-down economics. And more importantly, leaves us with a hope for the future, one in which the children of tomorrow can break the system. Sources in this Episode: The Platform Director’s Ending Explanation Is as Intriguing as the Movie | Collider In The Platform Trailer, Trickle-Down Economics Turns...

The Mist exposes the horrors of a society without control. It pitches the inevitable descent into madness and corruption. Author of the short story Stephen King and director Frank Darabont spin a tale that proves the real monsters are your neighbors, not the otherworld demons outside the windows. But what if this assumption about our society, one terrible event away from chaos, is not only wrong but harmful? Ghouls explore Rebecca Solnit's A Paradise Built in Hell and the ways society has...

Nia DaCosta's Candyman is a sequel to the 90’s folklore villain. The film is creative with its storytelling, handling pain and grief with care. The tale transforms into a way for this community to put a word to their pain. It is no longer about a villain terrorizing an already vulnerable community but instead, something to point to, to separate themselves from and move forward. Gabe explores the evolution of the notorious folklore villain turned vengeful spirit. Kat shares the film's Impact...

Swarm is an exploration of the mentally damaging toll obsession and fandom can have on a person. More than that though, it is ultimately a story about the human need for connection and acceptance. Gabe discusses the series' creative approach to an unreliable narrator we're all rooting for. Kat explains the human brain's need for connection and community. Sources in this Episode: The Significance of 'Swarm' (or God) Giving Dre a Happy Ending Why We Are Wired to Connect Other Reviews...

Skinamarink is a bizarre and disquieting film about interpreting the darkness with a young mind. The experimental film has many interpretations and in that, unifies its viewers to feel that special brand of fear from our youths. Gabe explains some of those theories and how the film successfully scares the pants off of you. Kat discusses childhood fears, how they're incredibly valid, and how to best help a child cope. Sources in this Episode: Skinamarink Explained- Child Abuse, Death, And...

Steven Universe is a phenomenal show covering many issues and experiences while promoting compassion, growth, and freedom of expression. Though it is still very much a children's show, it is one of the few programs out there that covers trauma, identity, and other challenges in a healthy and empathetic way. Gabe reviews each Crystal Gem's unique journey to self-acceptance and also why they wish there was more justice regarding the Diamonds. Kat dives into Steven's growth and how a childhood...

M3GAN is a surprisingly heartfelt film about grief, loss, and AI. When Gemma leaves a grieving Cady in the hands of her robot companion, M3GAN, she may be doing more harm than she ever intended. The Ghouls explore how the film surprised them and became something much more than they were expecting. Gabe examines the film's critical eye toward parenting, technology, and grief. Kat finds that the film did it's research regarding grief in children but finds that Gemma did none at all. What can...

Wednesday follows the moody character, Wednesday Addams during her formative years as a teen sleuth. Jenna Ortega plays the angsty Addams and expands the character we’ve seen many times before. Finally able to embrace their mixed-Latiné heritage, the show lightly touches on the potential. At times, viewers can feel seen in the show in a variety of ways but ultimately by not leaning into or confidently establishing certain characteristics, the show falls short of good...

Ti West’s Pearl serves as a prequel to his X film’s memorable villain, the older, sexually-starved Pearl who wreaks havoc on the young bodies that had the audacity to engage in sexual relations on her property. Gabe appreciates the aesthetics of the film and Ti West's dedication to the theme. Kat dives into the troubled mind of young Pearl and how the complicated stew of terrible situations could influence her decisions. Having a husband away at war, taking care of family, isolating due to a...

I’m Totally Fine is a charming, simple film that explores grief, anxiety, and the weight of unresolved loss. The film is funny and heartbreaking all at once. Successfully tugging at the heartstrings of the Ghouls. Gabe discusses the film's fun concept that can get too real sometimes. Kat researches how animals grieve, revealing humans to not be that special. Sources in this Episode: ‘I’m Totally Fine’ puts a comedic spin on grief Do Animals Experience Grief? The Truth about Animal...

In season 3 of Netflix's You, everyone's favorite problematic lover boy, Joe, has finally settled down into marital bliss with Love. Not all is perfect in this cookie-cutter, little boxes town as Joe and Love’s relationship begins a sharp decline. Turns out that staying together for a baby and because you know each other’s murderous secrets isn’t enough to keep a relationship afloat. Gabe delights at the hilarious season that pokes fun at the characters and fans of the series. Kat explains...

Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is an interesting exploration of memory and the impact of a breakup. Can we grow without the memories of our failures? Gabe discusses the toxic couple and the ways our relationships can define us, shaping us into the people we're to become. Kat researches the effects of break-ups on our brains, and the physical and mental pains that come from a split. As well as covers how our brain retains or erases memories for our benefit and...