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…

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. Fir…

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 · T…

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 Summe…

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 …

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 w…

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 discu…

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 desir…

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…

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 an…

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 I…

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 202…

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 alr…

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,…

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 myth…

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 th…

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 …

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 classi…

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…

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 ex…

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 re…

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…

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 haunt…

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 ow…

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 Cultur…

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 b…

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 profou…

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 fil…

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:…

*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…

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.By Brian Onishi + Jeffery Stoyanoff