Faculty of Horror

Get out the glitter and baseball bats because we’re diving into the complex world of Twilight. From fandom to first love to coming of age and problematic depictions, we’re going deep with this one. Hold on tight, spider monkey!   Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Twilight. Dir. Catherine Hardwicke, 2008. EXTRA CREDIT How Twilight Changed Fan […]

From pop idols to cam girls, the line between reality and perception is dangerously blurred. In this episode, Andrea and Alex delve into the world of personas, obsession and perfection with two films, released decades apart, that grapple with modern anxieties.   Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Perfect Blue. Dir. Satoshi Kon, 1997. Cam. Dir. […]

Roses are red, Violets are blue The best couples in horror! From us, to you <3 The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the full episode, plus even more perks and extras. Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”

A year in review of a year like no other. The world may have been disrupted in a myriad of ways but we still watched a lot of great content so enjoy our favourite films of last year, a Q&A with questions from you, a very special crossover with Gaylords of Darkness and bloopers. Always […]

In our final episode of 2020, Andrea and Alex venture back in time to Franco’s Spain to face down nightmares, bravery and politics – both real and imagined – as they break down Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.   The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!   Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Pan’s Labyrinth. […]

In this episode, Alex and Andrea we venture into the knowns and many unknowns of Peter Weir’s seminal Australian film. From missing white women to colonialism and purity and propriety, we tackle the many mysteries of Hanging Rock.   Class of 2020 Merch is now available!   The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! […]

The much-anticipated (if less embraced) The Craft: Legacy is out and we had… feelings… accompanied by a strange and sudden desire for an adult beverage. Blessed be? The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras. Become […]

SURPRISE! We’re back with a bonus episode to help you get through Election Day and the ensuing aftermath by talking about David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone. In this episode, we delve into notions of fate, time travel paradoxes, cults of personality, the responsibility of the individual, and the importance of a good wool coat.   […]

We’re *virtually* live from Salem Horror Fest this year and we’re talking about sexy werewolves and not-so-sexy wellness with Joe Dante’s The Howling. From cultish retreats to women in media, Alex and Andrea go to the darkest reaches of the p0rn theatre…    Class of 2020 Merch is now available!    The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe […]

  CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones: 1-800-273-8255.    We’re kicking off a new semester by tackling two incredibly dark films that ask the question: have you checked on your mom lately? Alex and […]

The summer bonus trilogy concludes! Join Alex as she mines the occasional depths, miscalculations and style choices of Sylvain White’s I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, examining whether the 1990s Teen Horror Cycle can exist in a new millennium.   Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”    

  Our Summer of Plague wraps up with a look at potential cures and a post-human reality. Between Guillermo del Toro’s Frankensteinian bugs and a post-apocalyptic UK, the end of the world may be closer (and more necessary) than we think.   The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!   Become a Patron! REQUIRED […]

Alex is back with Julie and Ray to continue their summer pastime of making terrible terrible decisions! This time with Brandy, Jack Black and some dubious geography trivia.   Get your rain slicker, your tanning bed and some popcorn and join the fun! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”    

Time to hunker in your bunker! In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle the issues surrounding Nice Guys, privilege, and the conservative ideology around preservation during times of upheaval. The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!   Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING 10 Cloverfield Lane. Dir Dan Trachtenberg, 2016.  EXTRA CREDIT r/niceguys. These “nice […]

Join Alex for a commentary on the teen slasher classic, I Know What You Did Last Summer. Featuring a discussion of wigs, classism, star power and how an urban legend threatened to bring down a cynical generation, this commentary makes the case for July 4 becoming the Fisherman’s Holiday. Cue up the film, get some […]

Our Glossary of Gore series is normally for Patreon members, but… it’s been a week. Here’s Andrea on cultural hegemony. Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”

We’ve had a lot of people asking what we’ve been watching lately so here’s a run of the new releases that have been on our radar. The second portion of this episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the rest of our lockdown activities, plus even more […]

What starts as a routine stop for a firefighters and a puff piece for some TV journalists descends into one of the most chilling and prescient film franchises in contemporary horror. To kick off the Summer of Plague series, Andrea and Alex delve into the nooks and crannies of Spanish history and a Barcelona apartment […]

By reminding us of the past, ghosts can shape our future, revealing hidden truths, histories and uncertainties that we’re often too scared to acknowledge. Grief and terror become inextricably intertwined in Peter Medak’s The Changeling, and Andrea and Alex untangle the metaphors, traumas and unspoken realities that have made this film a Canadian horror classic. […]

Skipping the pond and travelling back to the roaring ’20s (the last ones, that is), Andrea and Alex take a tour of interwar Germany via two of the country’s most celebrated cinematic marvels. From the Weimar Republic to the Frankfurt school, from German expressionism to antisemitism, the past presents us with creativity unfettered (and warnings […]

From the Gothic urban landscape, to narrative switch-a-roos, to entitled male rage, David Fincher’s Se7en is much more than a morality-wielding killer with a penchant for… unboxings. In this episode, Andrea and Alex delve into the movie’s complicated moral codes, the history of detective fiction and the dangers of having a God-complex.   The Fack […]

It’s a Fack Flash episode about our pets! Join Alex, Andrea and a feisty Pomeranian for a chat about furbabies, familiars and the auditory terrors of canine indigestion. The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras. […]

It’s that time again…   Best of 2019!   Best of the Decade!   Bloopers!   Banter!   Bats!   The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! EXTRA CREDIT Become a Patron!   Here’s that Johannes Nyholm clip with the “drunken baby” from his film, Las Palmas.  LISTEN Right click or option-click here and […]

In our first Fack Flash of 2020, Alex and Andrea look back at horror’s biggest happenings and headlines of the past decade, including #metoo, Women in Horror Month, the return of Stephen King, and much more! Become a Patron for access to the full episode! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As“

Locking your windows and doors won’t do much good when Béatrice Dalle is at your door. This month we tackle the grotesque Holiday classic Inside (À l’Intérieur) and examine themes of conception, religion, and motherhood alongside the French politics of the time. Become a Patron! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! REQUIRED READING […]

Pass the popcorn! Patrons in our Professor Emeritus tier can watch Bernard Rose’s Candyman with Alex and Andrea via a full-length commentary track. Here’s a taste! Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As“

Sharpen your teeth (and your wits) because this month, we’re devouring the world of Anne Rice and her cinematic vampires. Discussing their emergence from Gothic literary fever dream to hyper-stylized incarnations on the big screen, Andrea and Alex prove that there’s still life in them yet. Become a Patron! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our […]

In our first-ever Glossary of Gore episode, Alex tackles Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze; analyzing Mulvey’s essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema and discussing how it’s been applied since it became part of cinematic vernacular.The full episode is available only to the post-graduate tier of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to […]

Live from Salem Horror Fest 2019 – Andrea and Alex tackle Jonathan Glazer’s alien masterpiece. Bringing the outlying universe down to Earth, Under The Skin reveals the darkest parts of consciousness in a chilling meditation on what it means to be human. Become a Patron! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! REQUIRED READING […]

Our first-ever Ask the Fack Q&A episode is live, in which we discuss our favourite books, our top non-horror movies, and some bonus parenting tips for horror fans (hey, you asked!) The full episode is available only to the graduate tier of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus […]

Andrea and Alex kick off a new semester with a discussion of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s House, a truly bizarre but exciting entry into the horror canon. Covering everything from witch-y house cats, to nuclear bombs to inter-generational tensions, this episode may never capture the unbridled energy of the film but it might unlock some doors… Become […]

This month, Andrea and Alex pull back the veil on narrative cinema and the true-crime phenomena. From John McNaughton’s nightmarish debut to David Fincher’s gumshoe epic, the answers to our response and responsibility to real-life events is almost always more complex than they appear on the surface. Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted […]

Is it the apocalypse or just the start of a new era? Can it be both? Andrea and Alex delve into everything from the military to existentialism, brought to life by Frank Darabont's controversial adaptation of Stephen King's novella.

Andrea and Alex hit the hay one last time to discuss how Freddy became a marketing legend, a cultural sensation and an arbiter of taste. Transitioning from installments in the late ’80s to the ’90s to the early aughts, Freddy illustrates how slashers have evolved (or devolved) to become cultural icons. Class of 2019 T-shirts are […]

Freddy Krueger may be the man of our dreams but what about his creator, the studio that sustained him, his victims and the 1980s? Andrea and Alex dive into their nightmares and beyond to explore the lasting effects of one of horror’s most beloved franchises. Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts!  Salem […]

Andrea and Alex unmask Georges Franju’s 1960 masterpiece Eyes Without a Face and peer into the damaged landscape of a post-World War II France, body modification and why sometimes, father doesn’t know best. REQUIRED READING Eyes Without a Face. Dir. Georges Franju, 1960. EXTRA CREDIT Blood of the Beasts (1949) Franju’s short documentary about the slaughterhouses on the […]

Andrea and Alex head West to explore the notions of Manifest Destiny and the Frontier Myth in Antonia Bird’s Ravenous. Combining historical context through a modern gaze, Ravenous proves you are who you eat. REQUIRED READING Ravenous. Dir. Antonia Bird, 1999. EXTRA CREDIT Manifest Destiny – An overview of the philosophical American mandate to head West. Cannibal […]

Andrea and Alex return for their annual year in review episode. From their favourite films of 2018 to FAQs and bloopers, few stones are left unturned… and those are probably haunted anyway. EXTRA CREDIT Alex’s Favourite Films of 2018: Suspiria Pyewacket Annihilation Assassination Nation Cam   Andrea’s Favourite Films of 2018: Suspiria Hereditary Assassination Nation […]

Andrea and Alex break down the foundational elements of Darren Aronofsky’s divisive mother! From authorship to ecofeminism to sink instillation, few stones are left unturned or unexamined. REQUIRED READING mother! Dir. Darren Aronofsky, 2017. EXTRA CREDIT What is Ecofeminism? An overview of the term that rose to prominence in the 1970s.   The Death of […]

This month, Andrea and Alex tackle two films whose hearts lie in the darkest, most secret parts of suburban utopia. In Bryan Forbes’ The Stepford Wives and Jordan Peele’s Get Out, we follow protagonists who are socialized to make room for the privileged and examine what happens when they strike back. REQUIRED READING The Stepford […]

Join Andrea and Alex live at Salem Horror Fest! In this episode they tackle Ti West’s The House of the Devil and it’s reliance on the 1980s Satanic Panic movement. From modern technology to notions of the real and unreal, how much of the devil is in the details? REQUIRED READING The House of the Devil. Dir. […]

When it’s up to the misfits of Harrington High to stop the parasite-infected faculty from taking over the world, mayhem ensues. Alex and Andrea cut through the muck with a discussion on The Faculty‘s position in the ’90s teen horror cycle, the sociology of high school, and what happens when marketing partnership go awry. REQUIRED READING The Faculty. […]

The horror-western sub-genre has generally been a male dominated one with films like Bone Tomahawk (2015), Ravenous (1999), and From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). Emma Tammi’s new film The Wind reorients the narratives of the unknown American frontier in the 1800s and focuses on Lizzie (Caitlin Gerard) and her husband Isaac (Ashley Zukerman) as their […]

As you may have heard, Alex and Andrea have chapters in a forthcoming anthology from House of Leaves Publishing. Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film is a collection of writings exploring the cultural landscape of religion in horror cinema. Bringing together leading critics, historians and writers in this field, the book includes an introduction by author and theologian […]

New England is often considered the birth place of modern America. When the Puritans founded Plymouth Colony in 1620 they couldn’t have known it would become the bedrock for many of the issues Americans still face today. Sam Levinson’s Assassination Nation, uses its Salem, Massachusetts setting to highlight how little has changed from the uptight, […]

It’s a funny thing seeing a film at TIFF’s Midnight Madness (the horror/genre programming section of TIFF). The audience is bananas. The energy is palpable and the audience participation is through the roof. At last night’s world premiere of David Gordon Green’s Halloween (2018), the audience was primed, Jamie Lee Curtis was in the house […]

Corbin Hardy’s The Nun begins with a recap of where we’ve seen The Nun (aka the demon Valak) before, most notably in Ed Warren’s (Patrick Wilson) painting in The Conjuring 2 (2016) firmly entrenching the film as another spin off in The Conjuring universe or Waniverse. In the footsteps of the franchise’s other spin offs, Annabelle […]

Horror can be horrifying, but it can also be hilarious. Whether it’s mad science or vampires living together, the comedy in these films heightens the absurd as well as our notions of “typical” behavior. At its best, comedy and horror function as a subversion of our day to day lives and expectations enlightening us to […]

What constitutes a film? What constitutes a podcast episode description? Andrea and Alex ask these questions (okay, maybe not that last one) and more in this month’s episode. By plundering the depths of filmic conventions, audience expectations and interpersonal contracts, Michael Haneke’s Funny Games asks the hard questions for which there are many answers. REQUIRED […]

  In this episode, Alex and Andrea look through an illicit peephole into the world of the mad and macabre.  Both Peeping Tom and Psycho caused sensations when they were released in the same year, causing Western audiences to question the nature of evil, our proximity to one another and how many women we can watch die on screen. […]

Andrea and Alex reach for the heavens and find the furthest reaches of hell with two films about space exploration and the darkness therein. Event Horizon and Sunshine explore the different reasons humankind would dare try to conquer space and the horrors that might await us there. REQUIRED READING Event Horizon. Dir Paul W.S. Anderson, […]

The past few years have seen the figure of the witch become a cultural touchstone for progressives and conservatives alike. From the resurgence of astrology, tarot, and natural healing methods to feminist rallying cry, the witch has never been more inclusive or divisive. Through analysis of two recent films, Andrea and Alex examine the witch’s […]

John Carpenter’s terrifying cult classic stands the test of time in many regards – from the practical effects, to the performances to the storytelling, there’s little about the film that doesn’t work. Andrea and Alex tackle the film and its stances on leadership, paranoia, the notion of discovery, and more over a bottle of Jim […]

Come for the bloopers, stay for our favourite films of 2017, the A’s to your burning Q’s and the friendship challenge rematch! EXTRA CREDIT Salem Horror Fest! Thank you for having us!  NPR’s Code Switch – a great episode on Black identity in horror and in Jordan Peele’s Get Out. The Get Out Syllabus – From […]

In our first-ever live episode recorded at Salem Horror Fest in Salem, Massachusetts, Andrea and Alex delve into the dark and depraved world of Patrick Bateman and Bret Easton Ellis to discover what is real and what can be bought with a platinum American Express credit card. From the rise of the yuppie to contemporary parallels, American […]

Winter is upon us again and what better way to embrace the cold than an exploration of Tomas Alfredson’s beloved contemporary genre classic, Let the Right One In? Alex and Andrea discuss the ties that bind and why blood is thicker than knitwear. REQUIRED READING Let the Right One In. Dir. Tomas Alfredson, 2008. EXTRA […]

Ghosts, possession, autonomous sculptures and that’s just scratching the surface of Tim Burton’s genre-bending cult classic, Beetlejuice. In this episode, Andrea and Alex manage to avoid saying his name three times while diving into the aesthetics, capitalist virtues and bureaucracy of the afterlife that surrounds everyone’s favourite bio-exorcist. REQUIRED READING Beetlejuice. Dir. Tim Burton, 1988. EXTRA […]

Alex and Andrea go back to the zombie’s origins with George A. Romero’s original Dead trilogy. From their social roots in Haiti to their ties to the New Hollywood movement, these films make delicious brain food. REQUIRED READING Night of the Living Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, 1968. Dawn of the Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, […]

  Alright, it’s mid-October. Are you tired yet? Thought not. Onwards! October 16: Scream 2 (1997). Scream is a classic, but Scream 2 is a classic sequel. The original dynamics of my favourite Scooby gang (Sidney, Gale and Dewey) are at play and Wes Craven’s direction easily guides their story forward for a fun and violent […]

Andrea and Alex tackle the mysterious and ever changing narrative landscape of Vincenzo Natali’s Canadian cult film, Cube (1997). From workers rights to torture porn to prime numbers, they try to solve it all before they succumb to the film’s traps and trappings. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: […]

Pumpkin spice everything? Check. Weekly trips to home furnishing stores to pick up housewares that they consider “seasonal”? Check. Premature pumpkins that will likely rot before Halloween day? Check, checkity-check! You’re ready, I’m ready, let’s do this. October 1: Death Note (2017). I’ll be first to admit, this Netflix-exclusive feature had “bad idea” written all […]

Andrea and Alex head to a land down under, exploring a landscape which seems familiar but can change drastically when you head down the wrong back country road. From familial ties to an unforgiving Outback, Australia can provide a terrifying backdrop for the darkest of human psyches. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA […]

Andrea and Alex deep dive into humanity’s literal fear of wolves, metaphorical fear of the beast within and the differences between British and French werewolves. Hint: it’s not just the accent. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: buy them here! Don’t forget to enter our contest to win an […]

Takashi Miike created one of the most infamous, beloved and decisive films when he made Audition: a story of people looking for love in all the wrong places that has influenced a generation of filmmakers and terrified audiences all over the world. Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into the international and seemingly universal […]

Andrea and Alex combine their powers and enter all the cheat codes to analyze two of the most iconic survival horror games that were re-imagined as movies. With a look at how narratives transition across mediums and the rise in popularity of video game and nerd culture, their two-player co-op campaign attempts to unlock the mysteries of both […]

The discussion of rape and sexual violence has never been in our cultural conversation as much as it is now. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look at an exploitation classic and a contemporary award-winner to parse out how rape is depicted and how revenge is achieved, if at all. REQUIRED READING I Spit On […]

Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into Neil Marshall’s 2005 contemporary horror classic, examining the intersections of intimacy, adventure, trust and truth. Who will survive, what will be left of them and which ending will they go with? REQUIRED READING The Descent. Dir. Neil Marshall, 2005. EXTRA CREDIT Cave Ecosystems: Bones and Baskets – A […]

What were our favourite movies of 2016? What are your FAQs? And most importantly – is Alex or Andrea the better friend?? EXTRA CREDIT In Praise of Paul Feig’s Beautiful Male Idiot – Sam Adams article on Paul Feig’s cinematic trope. Emily Shoichet, Tattoo Artist – Follow the amazing artist and friend of the Faculty through […]

‘Tis the season to be scary! Andrea and Alex unpack all the rules that come with Gizmo and the Mogwai and what they mean to small-town America at Christmastime. Don’t get your values wet or feed them after midnight! REQUIRED READING Gremlins. Dir. Joe Dante, 1984. Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Dir Joe Dante, 1990. […]

“Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West are indefatigable thinkers when it comes to horror films, and their Faculty of Horror podcast is appropriately never without some sort of brain-melting insight into an otherwise pulpy genre.” Full article here

Andrea and Alex examine two cult classic films which explore the notions of time, childhood and misplaced nostalgia. Both films explore history’s dark secrets and the frailty of humanity but do either of them offer a truly happy ending? REQUIRED READING The Night of the Hunter. Dir. Charles Laughton, 1955. The Innocents. Dir. Jack Clayton, […]

The possibilities are endless when it comes to a good scare. The horror anthology is a rarity in the genre but when executed successfully they are beloved. Andrea and Alex do a deep dive into two infamous cult classics which deal in a variety of stories taking place around everyone’s favourite holiday. REQUIRED READING Creepshow. […]

You survived the first 16 days of Alex’s picks, huh? Well, turn off your devices, dim the lights and brace yourself for the last 2 weeks of October! October 16: Night of the Living Dead (1968). Seriously, is there ever a bad time to return to this classic? Personally, I get hit with something new every […]

Hi gang! I’ll be kicking off the list taking the first 16 days of October with a curated day-by-day breakdown and Andrea will follow up with her list for the second half of the month shortly. My list is focused on horror films that veer more towards fun and that evoke an autumnal sense of […]

Starring Bailey Noble, Troian Bellisario and Kate Burton Directed by Kevin and Michael Goetz Written by Mark L. Smith Anchor Bay Films Admittedly, it’s tough to approach a remake of a film like Martyrs with an open mind. The announcement of Kevin and Michael Goetz’ remake met with some serious fan backlash online, and rightfully […]

Diving into the depths of France and Belgium, Alex and Andrea examine the politics and borders of New French Extremity. Confronting the complex historical narrative that France has created for itself, all is not as it appears as these films bring the repressed to light. REQUIRED READING Calvaire. Dir Fabrice Du Welz, 2004. Martyrs. Dir […]

After some spectacular “pre-lash” (preemptive backlash) from the online community, Paul Feig’s all-women Ghostbusters has finally hit the screens. Alex and Andrea take a break from their summer sabbaticals to reflect on their love of the original films, what this reboot means to them in terms of representation and why safety lights are for dudes. REQUIRED READING […]

In the 1980s, vampires left their castles and European hideaways for American suburbs and small towns. In this episode, Andrea and Alex examine what happens when the monster you fear is part of your community and discuss what is to be done when they want to borrow more than just sugar…. REQUIRED READING Fright Night. […]

“Andrea and Alex question every element of their subjects but never take cheap shots at them… Their love for an often maligned genre is inspiring and positive, making them essential voices in the movie podcast community.” Read full article here

The ’90s are alive in space with the sequels which have been derided and praised in equal measure. Drawing from the complex production histories of both movies, Andrea and Alex seek to understand the competing visions of the filmmakers and themes that underpin them. REQUIRED READING Alien 3. Dir David Fincher, 1992. Alien: Resurrection. Dir […]

Catch Jonesie the cat and keep the work loader handy because Alex and Andrea are on an express elevator to LV-426 discussing feminism, mothering, special effects and the enduring influence of classic science fiction in the Alien franchise. Stay tuned for Part 2 in June! REQUIRED READING Alien. Dir Ridley Scott, 1979. Aliens. Dir James Cameron, […]

Hollywood is currently enamored with the comic book superheroes who have dominated the film landscape for the last several years. In this episode, Andrea and Alex go back to the earlier origins of graphic novel adaptations examining the cult followings earned by horror films based on beloved source materials (as selected by you, our listeners). […]

Everyone’s got mother issues, right? This episode examines the perceived and manifested strains on maternal instinct once malevolent forces enter the picture. Alex and Andrea investigate where these forces come from and what they truly want. REQUIRED READING The Babadook. Dir Jennifer Kent, 2014. Goodnight Mommy. Dirs Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, 2014. EXTRA CREDIT […]

Bust out your corsets and button up your pinafores because we’re going back to the 19th century… by way of the 1990s. In this episode, Alex and Andrea examine conflicting authorial intentions, monsters and their makers and what happens when love won’t stay dead. REQUIRED READING Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dir Francis Ford Coppola, 1992. Mary […]

Wanna help us pick the movies for April’s episode? Wanna enter to win a copy of Rue Morgue’s BLOOD IN FOUR COLOURS? Well, you can accomplish both just by commenting on this blog post! Simply comment below with your favorite horror movies based on comic book/graphic novels, and you’re automatically entered to win one of three copies of […]

Andrea and Alex dive back into the virtual mailbag to reassess everything covered in 2015, from the highs to the lows and everything in between. EXTRA CREDIT Films of the New French Extremity: Visceral Horror and National Identity. Alex’s book is now available for pre-order! The Neo-Gothic Horror of James Wan. Alex’s piece on horror impresario […]

Alex and Andrea take a tour of the Overlook Hotel examining Stanley Kubrick’s seminal film, the spectre of Stephen King’s book and the complexities of family life under the American dream. REQUIRED READING The Shining. Dir Stanley Kubrick, 1980 EXTRA CREDIT Kubrick Goes Gothic. A preview piece from American Film anticipating the release and impact of […]

Alex and Andrea are joined by Paul “Canuxploitation” Corupe to deconstruct the architecture and isolation of David Cronenberg’s first feature, SHIVERS, within the context of the Canadian film industry. So grab your favourite parasite, check on your neighbours and listen in. To enter the HORRORWOOD NORTH giveaway – use #Horrorwood and tag us (@FacultyofHorror) with your favourite […]

Keep a crucifix close and put some pea soup on the stove because Alex and Andrea are confronting their demons to talk about The Exorcist and why the scariest things are sometimes the most personal. REQUIRED READING The Exorcist. Dir William Friedkin, 1973. EXTRA CREDIT The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. The 1949 Washington Post […]

Why do we watch horror movies? The aptly named documentary Why Horror? poses that very question to scholars, writers, artists, filmmakers and fans. The film follows comedian, horror journalist and our guest Tal Zimerman as he ventures around the world in an attempt to figure out why we love the grotesque and the terrifying. Why […]

A mini-episode sharing our memories of Craven’s films and their impact. EXTRA CREDIT Never Sleep Again: The Nightmare on Elm Street Legacy (2010). The only Nightmare on Elm Street documentary you need to see. Post Mortem: the Mick Garris Interview series. A wonderful four-part interview with Craven covering the highlights of his career. LISTEN Right […]

When director Todd Strauss-Schulson introduced his newest film The Final Girls on the final day of the Toronto International Film Festival, he promised a love letter not only to horror, but to the slasher genre specifically. Strauss-Schulson, whose previous credits include A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, spoke about the impact the Friday the 13th series […]

Andrea and Alex grab their randomly assigned weapons and try to survive the danger zones of Kinji Fukasaku’s turn of the millennium classic while discussing the film’s emphasis on generational divides and the construction of adolescence. REQUIRED READING Battle Royale. Dir Kinji Fukasaku, 2000. EXTRA CREDIT Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. The Japanese High School: […]

“For fans looking for in-depth analysis on the cultural impact of horror, The Faculty of Horror podcast is hard to beat.” Read full article here

Andrea and Alex open a puzzlebox to unpack the history, mythology and impact of Clive Barker’s iconic series. REQUIRED READING Hellraiser. Dir Clive Barker, 1987. Hellbound: Hellraiser II. Dir Tony Randel. 1988. EXTRA CREDIT The Hellbound Heart – Clive Barker’s novella that spawned the franchise. “Fire, Brimstone and PVC: Clive Barker’s Cenobites as Agents of Hell” […]

Blockbusters are as much a part of summer as sunburns and mosquitoes. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore what it means when the billion dollar industry that is Hollywood casts its evil eye on the horror genre during their most profitable time of the year. REQUIRED READING The Haunting. Dir Jan De Bont. 1999. […]

We return to the theme of witches with an evil eye to look at them in a broader historical and social context. Who was a witch? Who was a bitch? Who actually deserved what they got? REQUIRED READING The Witchfinder General. Dir Michael Reeves. 1968. Inferno. Dir Dario Argento. 1980. The Crucible. Dir Nicholas Hytner. 1996. […]

“Despite the sometimes-heavy topics, the conversation between these two smart-as-hell ladies is always funny and lively – never pedantic. Make no bones about it: The Faculty of Horror is a ghastly game-changer.” Full article in issue 67

Andrea and Alex talk about sisters doing it for themselves as women run communities, islands and families with sinister intentions. Are they better, worse or the same as communities run by men? Have they developed an immunity to bee stings and Bloody Mary? REQUIRED READING The Wicker Man. Dir Robin Hardy. 1973 The Wicker Man. […]

Andrea and Alex return to the outskirts of civilization with Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods. Looking at archetypes, genre tropes and the limits of humanity, the Faculty ponders the fate of horror and if it should survive. REQUIRED READING The Cabin in the Woods. Dir Drew Goddard. 2012. EXTRA CREDIT […]

Up is down, left is right and black is white in this month’s episode. Tackling the Canadian winter horror film Pontypool, Andrea and Alex talk about national identity, broadcast journalism and how the stories we tell should stop making sense. REQUIRED READING Pontypool. Dir Bruce McDonald. 2008. EXTRA CREDIT Marshall McLuhan’s Understanding Media: The Extension […]

Andrea and Alex talk to emerging filmmaker Ashlea Wessel about her new body-horror/creature feature “Ink”. The ladies talk filmmaking styles, assembling a crew and horror influences. She also created this amazing photo of The Faculty of Horror! In case you ever wondered what our babies would look like… The Indiegogo campaign for INK is still going. Please […]

We mentioned that Andrea reviewed Álex de la Iglesia’s Witching and Bitching in our Assessment episode. As it turns out, the movie came out too long ago for Rue Morgue to run her review in the mag, so here it is for your critical reading pleasure! WITCHING & BITCHING Starring Mario Casas, Hugo Silva and Carolina Bang […]

Andrea and Alex venture once more into the breach and tackle the questions and comments received over the last year. They also look back on a year’s worth of topics and reassess their own opinions. EXTRA CREDIT The 8-bit Lakeside Lunatic by artist Trevor Henderson. House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis […]

“The Faculty of Horror stands out as one of the more intelligent discourses on genre cinema today and stands as proof that the horror genre can offer thematic depth and richness that critics often overlook.” Full article here

“The hosts use their knowledge of psychological themes and awareness of social issues, along with wide range of film knowledge and references to create a thoroughly interesting, intelligent, and engaging conversation in each show – highly recommended.” Full review here

Andrea and Alex get in the holiday spirit by exploring the myths, legends and traditions that surround one of the most beloved and iconic figures in North America, Santa Claus. In both Saint and Rare Exports, our notions of Santa are turned on their heads but we might still discover the true meaning of Christmas. […]

Don’t drink the herbal remedy, don’t eat the mousse because Andrea and Alex are back to talk about Roman Polanski’s 1968 film, Rosemary’s Baby. By looking at filmic techniques, societal changes and our relationship with evil, you’ll see that this is no dream, this is really happening. REQUIRED READING Rosemary’s Baby. Dir Roman Polanski. 1968. […]

“If you’ve ever enjoyed a college class, and you like the genre of horror… you’re gonna feel right at home here.” Full episode here

Toronto based visual artist, award-winning photographer and friend to The Faculty of Horror Ashlea Wessel is about to make her mark in the world of film with her upcoming short, Ink. Merging body horror with Wessel’s own unique visual style, Ink has the makings of a tantalizing and evocative short film. While Ink is still […]

Andrea and Alex take a wrong turn down the horrored halls and discuss Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick’s groundbreaking film, The Blair Witch Project. By looking at the created mythology, unstable narrative and audience reaction they hope to find the map before it starts getting dark. REQUIRED READING The Blair Witch Project. Dir Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel […]

“…the Faculty of Horror shows the oft overlooked intelligence in a blood-splattered genre of popular culture. It’ll turn your brain on and then… it’ll splatter it on the walls.” Full article here

Alex and Andrea explore the history, treatment and perception of eating disorders through Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar winning film Black Swan and Sam Raimi’s return to the horror genre, Drag Me To Hell. REQUIRED READING Black Swan. Dir Darren Aronofsky. 2010. [DVD] Drag Me To Hell. Dir Sam Raimi. 2009. [Blu-ray] EXTRA CREDIT A History of Eating […]

Alex checked out TIFF’s Midnight Madness 2014 and caught a bad case of seasickness   REC 4: Apocalypse director Jaume Balagueró began his post TIFF screening Q and A with an answer to the question, why did you move away from the found footage format? Balagueró replied, because I wanted to give the audience something […]

“Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West examine horror in ways that are fascinating … even if you’re not a horror fan.  Great stuff.” Full article here

Pack your bag, say goodbye to Mom and Dad because it’s camp time. The annual tradition of camping has come to the Faculty of Horror and Andrea and Alex set off into the wilds to talk about nature, madmen/women and the politics of adolescence.  REQUIRED READING Sleepaway Camp. Dir. Robert Hiltzik. 1983. [Blu-ray/DVD] Friday the […]

Alex and Andrea take the biggest boat they can find and go into the deep as summer dawns once again. Their bait is the examination of nature as vengeance, the strong hold of Americana and the new masculine hero. Hopefully they’ll be home in time for dinner. REQUIRED READING Jaws. Dir. Steven Spielberg. 1975. [Blu-ray/DVD] […]

We here at the Faculty of Horror know we’re pretty lucky that we’ve got some of the most engaged, thoughtful and funny listeners who take time out of their day to listen to us. Recently, we partnered with Mongrel Media to do a giveaway for Jonathan Glazer’s new film Under the Skin. If you haven’t […]

Join Alex and Andrea as they call the corners and delve into the world of witchcraft. By examining The Craft (1996), Antichrist (2009) and The Lords of Salem (2013)  the role of the witch as protagonist/antagonist will emerge and will reveal that there is more to these women than meets the eye (of newt).  REQUIRED […]

Andrea and Alex dig up the bodies they have been burying around the city and discuss the business of death, dream logic, and some beloved character’s journeys through Don Coscarelli’s first two films in the Phantasm universe.  REQUIRED READING Phantasm. Dir. Don Coscarelli. 1979.  [DVD] Phantasm II. Dir. Don Coscarelli. 1988. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA CREDIT […]

“Cannot recommend [The Faculty of Horror] highly enough! Essential listening… I’m counting the days until the next episode.” Full article here

Alex and Andrea pack up their problems and head to a remote cabin in the woods to learn what lurks deep inside every man which leads to bloodshed and dismemberment. Hopefully, by utilizing hero and mythical analysis they’ll be able to get the safety deposit back. REQUIRED READING The Evil Dead. Dir. Sam Raimi. 1981. […]

 We are pleased to greet you at the new permanent resting place of the horrored halls of academia. Back when we started in December 2012, The Faculty of Horror podcast was a fun little idea that would allow the two of us to hang out, nerd out and drink wine on a regular basis. To our […]

“The series is refreshingly unpretentious, knowledgeable, and will leave you thinking long after you curl up on one of these frigid nights on your couch and watch Evil Dead.” Full article here  

With Valentine’s Day upon us again, Alex and Andrea examine the mates of classic monsters. What is their role? How big is their ring? And will it last past the wedding night? REQUIRED READING The Bride of Frankenstein. Dir. James Whale. 1935. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] The Brides of Dracula. Dir. Terence Fisher. 1960 [Blu-Ray & DVD […]

In their twelfth episode Andrea and Alex sift through assorted feedback culled from emails, comments and social media. They dare to tackle the dark and tortuous questions from a year of horror podcasting such as, who are you? Why are you here? Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior? LISTEN […]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so Andrea and Alex take a bite out of Tobe Hooper’s horror classic and all the film and cultural theory that goes with it because the family that eats together, stays together. REQUIRED READING The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Dir. Tobe Hooper. 1974 [DVD] [Blu-Ray] The Texas […]

It’s that time of the month! In this episode, Alex and Andrea get a visit from their Aunt Flo to talk about the most natural of all curses: womanhood. Listen as they bleed poetic about Ginger Snaps and Carrie. REQUIRED READING Carrie. Dir. Brian De Palma. (1976) [DVD] [Blu-ray] Ginger Snaps. Dir. John Fawcett. (2000) […]

Alex and Andrea regress back to childhood to discuss children in scary situations. From the good, the bad and the adorable, they tackle notions of class, purity and what happens to the kids who get picked last for Stick Ball. REQUIRED READING The Bad Seed. Dir. Mervyn Leroy. 2004. [DVD] [Blu-ray] The Omen. Dirs. J.M. […]

In this episode Andrea and Alex dig up the stories from our past that we just can’t seem to quit. Why do they keep reappearing, who’s responsible and what’s that scratching noise? REQUIRED READING Candyman. Dir. Clive Barker. 1992 [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Urban Legend. Dir. Jamie Banks. 1998. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] LISTEN Right click or option-click here […]

In this episode the ladies tackle genre, identity and snack food structures in Jonathan Demme’s classic 1992 film Silence of the Lambs. Listen for their screams… REQUIRED READING Manhunter. Dir. Michael Mann. 1986. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] The Silence of the Lambs. Dir. Jonathan Demme. 1991. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Red Dragon. Dir. Brett Ratner. 2002. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA […]

Alex and Andrea watch a cursed tape. Well, two cursed tapes. Well, a movie about a cursed tape and a remake of that movie. In this episode we’re talking about Hideo Nakata’s Ring (1998) and the Gore Verbinski The Ring (2002) and how changes big and small illuminate dark secrets in different parts of the […]

Join Alex and Andrea along with special guest Stuart “Feedback” Andrews (host of the Rue Morgue Podcast and Cinephobia Radio) as they tackle Joss Whedon’s seminal television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By delving into some of the most significant episodes of the series, this Scooby Gang will dive into the thematic and schematic elements […]

In this episode, Andrea, Alex and friends tackle the age-old question, which horror films scare you the most? Using different analytical frameworks we discuss a variety of scary films and scenes while grappling with our own traumas. EXTRA CREDIT The Uncanny by Sigmund Freud. Freud’s essay about The Uncanny and its transformative powers. LISTEN Right […]

In this episode, Alex and Andrea aim their smart-bombs squarely at Diablo Cody’s Jennifer’s Body and how there’s much more to the film than meets the eye. REQUIRED READING Jennifer’s Body. Dir. Karyn Kusama. 2009. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA CREDIT Horror Films… And the Women Who Love Them by Christine Spines, originally printed in Entertainment Weekly. A […]

To celebrate the world’s most meaningless holiday, Andrea and Alex take a look at Fear and Fatal Attraction in a celebration of love- the kind that takes a lot to die. REQUIRED READING Fatal Attraction. Dir. Adrian Lyne. 1987. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Fear. Dir. James Foley. 1996. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] EXTRA CREDIT The Traffic in Men and […]

Join horror journalists and occasional academics Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West as they discuss the seminal Canadian proto-slasher Black Christmas, as well as John Carpenter‘s immortal classic Halloween. REQUIRED READING Black Christmas. Dir. Bob Clark. 1974. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] Halloween. Dir. John Carpenter. 1978. [DVD] [Blu-Ray] LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.