So, You Like Horror? Podcast

In this episode of So, You Like Horror?, we break down The Conjuring (2013), the film that helped redefine modern supernatural horror. Joined by friend and returning guest Jennifer Brooke, we explore how James Wan crafted a slow-burning, tension-driven story rooted in the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. We go beyond the scares to examine what makes The Conjuring so effective, from its atmospheric setting and practical effects to its deeper themes of faith, fear, possession, and the corruption of the home. We also discuss the balance between “based on a true story” and cinematic storytelling, and how that framing impacts the audience experience. The conversation breaks down each act of the film, highlights key scenes like the clap game and the exorcism, and examines how The Conjuring launched one of the most successful horror franchises of the modern era. If you’ve ever wondered why this film still holds up and why it feels different from other horror movies, this episode takes a closer look at what’s really behind the fear. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

On this episode of So, You Like Horror?, we break down Midnight Mass, the slow-burning Netflix series from Mike Flanagan that challenges what horror can be. Joined by returning co-host Upnorth Scott, we explore how the show moves beyond traditional scares to examine faith, guilt, addiction, and the fear of death. We discuss the role of Crockett Island as an isolated community shaped by belief, Riley Flynn’s struggle with trauma and loss of faith, and the contrast between doubt and certainty through characters like Bev Keane. We also take a closer look at Father Paul and how charisma and conviction can blur the line between faith and fanaticism. The conversation dives into the show’s pacing, and how it builds tension through stillness rather than action. We break down the finale, its themes of accountability and acceptance, and how Midnight Mass compares to The Haunting of Hill House. At its core, this episode examines how belief shapes identity, how stories influence truth, and why this series continues to stand out in modern horror television. Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at [email protected]. We’re open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.

In this spoiler heavy episode of So, You Like Horror?, we take a deep dive into Scream 7, the latest installment in the iconic slasher franchise that began with Scream and continued through Scream VI. Directed by franchise co-creator Kevin Williamson, Scream 7 shifts the spotlight back to Sidney Prescott as a new Ghostface killer targets her teenage daughter, pulling Sidney back into a nightmare she thought she had escaped. In this solo episode, we break down the film’s opening kill at Stu Macher’s house, the controversial return of Stu through deepfake manipulation, the brutal tavern sequence, and the psychological motives behind the film’s double Ghostface reveal. We also explore the major themes driving the story, including generational trauma, the mythology of the “final girl,” digital identity manipulation, and the idea that Ghostface has evolved beyond a single killer into a cultural symbol that refuses to die. Does Scream 7 successfully reinvent the franchise for a modern era of A.I. and parasocial obsession, or does it sacrifice the classic mystery and meta commentary that defined the series? Join the conversation as we analyze where this film fits within the Scream legacy and whether this chapter truly closes the story of Sidney Prescott. Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at [email protected]. We’re open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.

This week on So, You Like Horror?, we’re revisiting the 1990s Nickelodeon anthology classic Are You Afraid of the Dark? in a true family roundtable format. Joined by Sarah and our daughter Sophie, we break down why this series worked as gateway horror for an entire generation and why it still holds up today. We explore the show’s unique campfire framing device, the cultural context of its 1990 premiere, and how The Midnight Society trusted kids with atmosphere instead of jump scares. From eerie standouts like “The Tale of the Phantom Cab” and “The Tale of the Twisted Claw” to emotionally layered episodes like “The Tale of the Nightly Neighbors” and the unsettling “The Tale of the Captured Souls,” we examine how the series handled big themes, mortality, prejudice, aging, isolation, and consequence without gore or spectacle. We also discuss the 2019–2022 reboot era, including Carnival of Doom, Curse of the Shadows, and Ghost Island, and how modern pacing shifts the tone from campfire storytelling to serialized survival horror. This episode looks at horror through three lenses: a parent revisiting childhood nostalgia, a child experiencing it for the first time, and a lifelong horror fan analyzing why it works. We talk about emotional regulation, storytelling as invocation, and why slower, atmosphere-driven scares can be more powerful than anything loud or fast. If you grew up with Nickelodeon horror or you’re introducing it to your own kids, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of So, You Like Horror?, we take a closer look at The Haunting, a big-budget gothic horror film released at a turning point for studio horror in the late 1990s. Directed by Jan de Bont, the film reflects an era defined by massive sets, early CGI, and a growing belief that scale and spectacle could replace restraint. Loosely inspired by Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, the 1999 adaptation makes a deliberate shift away from psychological ambiguity and internal dread, choosing instead to externalize horror through aggressive architecture, visible supernatural forces, and clearly defined evil. We break down the film’s three-act structure, examine Eleanor “Nell” Vance as the emotional center of the story, and explore how Hill House functions as a physical manifestation of trauma rather than a space of uncertainty. Along the way, we discuss recurring themes including caretaking as self-erasure, fate versus free will, faith reduced to aesthetic design, and the tension between spectacle and subtlety in horror storytelling. We also place The Haunting in conversation with earlier and later adaptations, including The Haunting from 1963 and the Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House from 2018, to ask a central question: is this film a misunderstood gothic tragedy, or a cautionary tale about what happens when visual excess overwhelms emotional weight? Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at [email protected]. We’re open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.