Faculty of Horror
173 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 1K ratingsPodcasting from the Horrored Halls of Academia
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Episodes
Episode 127. In Plain Sight: Manhunter (1986)
March 23, 2024 16:27 - 1 hour - 92.8 MBIn this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate how multiple characters are perceived and perceive Michael Mann’s entry into the Hannibal Lec(k)tor cinematic universe. From cops to killers and the humanity in between, these cuts go deep. REQUIRED READING Manhunter. Dir. Michael Mann, 1986. EXTRA CREDIT How Thomas Harris defined a genre and created […]
See you at SALEM HORROR FEST 2024!
March 18, 2024 16:45 - 17 minutes - 13.8 MBWe’re packing our bags to hop onto our broomsticks for our annual trip to SALEM HORROR FEST 2024 – and you’re invited!Listen in for important info, dates, and highlights! Buy your tickets here! LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Episode 126. Bad Habits: The Devils (1971)
February 29, 2024 16:58 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBFrom the depths of Warner Bros archives, Ken Russell’s infamous film The Devils has been resurrected (ish) once more! Andrea and Alex take this opportunity to dive into the politics, contractions, and naughtiness present within one of the most controversial cult films ever made. REQUIRED READING The Devils. Dir. Ken Russell, 1971. […]
Episode 125. Fack XI: 2023 Year in Review
January 26, 2024 18:07 - 1 hour - 103 MBIt’s time to look back before we scream forward! Join Andrea and Alex for horror and non-horror faves and a game that will decide their fate for 2024. Alex’s Horror/Horror Adjacent Faves 1. Red Rooms (dir. Pascal Plante) 2. Godzilla Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki) 3. Talk to Me (dir. Danny and […]
Episode 124. Death in Venice: Don’t Look Now (1973)
December 18, 2023 19:19 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBAndrea and Alex delve into the murky depths of Nicolas Roeg’s classic to uncover the film’s themes of mysticism, misogyny and the ethics of mourning. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READING Don’t Look Now. Dir. Nicolas Roeg, 1973. EXTRA CREDIT Daphne du Maurier’s short story. The Year of Magical […]
Episode 123. Love Bites: The Hunger (1983) and Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
November 27, 2023 20:34 - 1 hour - 88 MBIn this episode Andrea and Alex delve into some truly long-term relationships and their lasting implications. From ageless vampires to hipster gentrification, sometimes loving someone “forever and ever” isn’t as fun as it seems. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READING The Hunger. Dir. Tony Scott, 1983. Only Lovers Left Alive. Dir. Jim Jarmusch, […]
Episode 122. Homecoming: IT Chapter 1 (2017) and IT Chapter 2 (2019)
October 22, 2023 17:59 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBWe all float down here… or we’ll lose our minds trying to make sense of Andy Muschietti’s blockbuster horror films based on Stephen King’s classic novel. In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate the depths of Derry’s sewer system, summer holidays and sexual awakenings. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READING It […]
Episode 121. Close Quarters: Single White Female (1992)
September 25, 2023 19:03 - 1 hour - 84.1 MBWhat kind of person could you live with? Barbet Shroeder’s paranoid erotic thriller seeks to answer that question and more as it delves into queer fear, sexual conservatism, property rights and female intimacy. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft If you’re Toronto, catch Alex’s lecture on Brexit in the modern British horror film […]
Episode 120. Unseen Forces: The Invisible Man (1933 & 2020)
July 21, 2023 19:39 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBFrom economic disruptors to controlling techbro exes, the unseeable has been used as a metaphor in a variety of ways. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look back at H.G. Wells’ original text, James Whale’s Universal classic and how #MeToo created a new kind of monster. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Invisible […]
Episode 119. Metamorphosis: The Fly (1958) and The Fly (1986)
June 24, 2023 16:25 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBDust off the telepods and put your swatters away – it’s time for our thoughts about a short story, an iconic original film, and an even better remake to mingle molecules in an all-new episode. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Fly. Dir. Kurt Neumann, 1958. The Fly. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1986. […]
Episode 118. Friends till the End. Child’s Play (1988)
May 26, 2023 15:22 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBIn this episode we look at the origins of the original “Good Guy.” From his place in the history of toys to his ties to masculinity to the anxiety around 1980s family structures, we go deep with Chucky to find out what makes him kill. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Child’s Play. Dir. […]
Episode 117. Fear of Folk: The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971)
April 25, 2023 17:55 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBWe’re back on our old stomping grounds of Salem Horror Fest to plow the fertile fields of themes and metaphors to unearth why the British folk horror classic, The Blood on Satan’s Claw, left us feeling so icky. From teens and occultism to PSAs and power, we dig deep. Tickets for Alex’s Brexit lecture […]
Episode 116. Carrying On: The Quatermass Xperiment
March 23, 2023 14:11 - 1 hour - 56 MBIn this episode we look at what happens when an American experiment crash lands in the British countryside. By looking at the state of England after two World Wars, a crisis of masculinity and humanity’s shaky grasp on scientific responsibility, Andrea and Alex uncover what is truly driving innovation and our need to win. Salem […]
Episode 115. House Guest: Misery (1990)
February 23, 2023 17:48 - 1 hour - 81.6 MBMind the roads this time of year because we’re covering Rob Reiner’s iconic film that delves into the murky territories brought to light when your saviour is also your #1 fan. We cover romance novels, toxic fandom, addiction, and more so buckle up! And make sure you know where the Dom Pérignon is kept. […]
Episode 114. Facks: 2022 Year in Review
January 25, 2023 21:18 - 2 hours - 120 MBWe cast one last glance at a year with a lot of horror highs. Featuring our best of 2022, things we can’t live without, our top 10 horror movies of all time, and, of course, some bloopers. Become a Patron! EXTRA CREDIT Alex’s Best of 2022 1. Nope 2. Barbarian 3. Prey 4. […]
Episode 113. Stayin’ Alive: Black Christmas (1974) and Halloween (1978)
December 13, 2022 19:56 - 2 hours - 97 MBWe’re live from Toronto to celebrate our 10th anniversary! This episode revisits the films of our first-ever episode to explore whether our opinions on two horror classics have changed. We dig into the evolution of slashers and the conservative monsters that came to life during a wave of social change while we try to find […]
Episode 112. Intruder Alert: Them (2006) & The Strangers (2008)
November 22, 2022 15:02 - 1 hour - 113 MBLock your doors and check your windows because some uninvited guests are on their way. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore the origins and hyperbole around the home invasion sub-genre and why there may be more to fear than those trying to break in. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is […]
Episode 111. Homegrown: 28 Days Later (2002)
October 28, 2022 15:57 - 1 hour - 110 MBAndrea and Alex cross the pond to revisit Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic film that brought the zombie genre back to (un)life. From virology to bodily autonomy to Brexit, there’s a lot to chew on. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad on […]
Episode 110. Fight or Flight: Final Destination (2000)
September 26, 2022 18:54 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBAndrea and Alex evoke the spectre of Death in their analysis of James Wong’s turn of the century ode to vibes. From risk society to the abject, Final Destination has a plan for everyone. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad […]
Episode 109. Class Act: Society (1989)
July 30, 2022 16:01 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBThe elite are literally a different breed in Brian Yuzna’s cult classic film about the perils of popularity and privilege. In this episode, Andrea and Alex dive into the mystique that surrounds the wealthy and explore why they need the rest of us to survive. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Society. Dir. Brian […]
Episode 108. Souped Up: Blade (1998) and Constantine (2005)
June 29, 2022 21:21 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBUsing two popular examples, Andrea and Alex look at the collision between the horror and superhero genres. From conservative leanings to taboo-breaking stories, we explore two films that deviate from the norm (and occasionally, their own source material) to embark in two very different directions. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Blade. Dir. […]
Episode 107. Ultraviolence: A Clockwork Orange (1971)
May 26, 2022 15:57 - 1 hour - 72.8 MBTime to take a break from the ol’ Ludwig Van and join us at the Korova Milkbar for a trip into the near dystopian future of A Clockwork Orange. From our Pavlovian responses, to patient care and British Literature, we’ll slooshy what Kubrick’s film has to offer. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING A […]
Episode 106. Home Sweet Home: The Haunting (1963)
April 21, 2022 18:27 - 1 hour - 63 MBTime to walk the halls of the terrifying Hill House with Andrea and Alex as they explore what it means to be haunted, gender dynamics in times of duress and why it’s hard to remake a classic. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Haunting. Dir. Robert Wise, 1963. EXTRA CREDIT Shirley […]
Episode 105. Doom Scroll: Pulse (2001) and Suicide Club (2001)
March 24, 2022 16:11 - 1 hour - 89.3 MBIn this episode, Andrea and Alex explore two different yet eerily similar films that came out of Japan in 2001. The conversation covers where history, humanity and community end, exploring what is left in its wake and the new limitations of imagining the future. CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free […]
Episode 104. Dark Ages: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and Relic (2020)
February 24, 2022 16:15 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBWhether you call them Hagsploitation, Psycho-Biddy or just plain Elder Horror, growing old is a scary prospect and horror has mined those depths to great effect. Andrea and Alex dive into the murky waters of gender and aging, the burden of care and whether the cycle can be broken. Become a Patron! […]
Episode 103. 2021 Year in Review: From the Book of Fack
January 26, 2022 19:14 - 2 hours - 131 MBIt’s that time of year where we look back at our horror and non-horror faves from the last year and have a bit of fun while we’re at it. Become a Patron! EXTRA CREDIT Alex’s Best of Horror Dexter: New Blood Titane Censor Caveat Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched Yellowjackets Midnight Mass Malignant […]
Episode 102. Rule Breaker: Scream (1996)
December 21, 2021 19:18 - 1 hour - 81.3 MBDo you like scary movies? Because Wes Craven’s Scream sure does! In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle the game-changing film, discussing its origins, impact and legacy. Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Scream. Dir. Wes Craven, 1996. EXTRA CREDIT The 1990s Teen […]
Episode 101. Death Trap: Saw (2004) and Hostel (2005)
November 24, 2021 17:16 - 1 hour - 107 MBDo you want listen to an episode about Torture Porn? Well, you’re in luck! Andrea and Alex dive into the 2000s to look at the phenomenon of Torture Porn; what preceded it, what it meant, and where we can potentially place it in our collective imagination. Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art […]
Episode 100. American Nightmare: The Crazies (1973)
October 22, 2021 21:01 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBLive from Salem Horror Fest, our 100th episode on George A. Romero’s The Crazies sees us tackling small-town life, biology, the Vietnam War, health care and our own podcasting mortality. Plus, a very special Cameo! Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Crazies. […]
Episode 99. Be Our Guest: The Invitation (2015)
September 27, 2021 17:47 - 1 hour - 74.7 MBThe table is set, the wine is poured and the time has come to take your seat at the table as we delve into Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation. From a history of dinner parties to the dynamics of grief, we’re serving up a once in a lifetime, four-course meal of analysis. Class of 2021 Merch […]
Bonus content – Candyman (1992) Commentary
August 25, 2021 20:37 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBSweets for the sweet! We’re still on our annual August hiatus but we accidentally said “Candyman” five times and resurrected a commentary we recorded for our Patreon back in 2019. Whoops!Listen in to whet your appetite for Nia DaCosta’s reimagining this weekend! Become a Patron! Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”
Episode 98. House Warning: The Amityville Horror (1979) and Poltergeist (1982)
July 27, 2021 16:54 - 1 hour - 103 MBCall your bank and pack the moving truck because we’re uprooting everything we think we know about home ownership. From the Lutz’ mortgage with Devil to the skeletons in the Freelings’ closet (and backyard), Andrea and Alex unearth what lies beyond and beneath the white picket fences of American suburbia. Become a Patron! […]
Episode 97. No Future: Jack the Ripper in The Lodger (1927) and From Hell (2001)
June 29, 2021 18:32 - 1 hour - 87.2 MBThe fog of Victorian London settles on Alex and Andrea as they dive into “Ripperology”: the facts, fiction and shadow cast by Jack the Ripper over our culture. By examining how the figure is depicted in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger and The Hughes Brothers’ From Hell, we can begin to untangle the history of more […]
Episode 96. Missing Links: Trollhunter (2010) and Willow Creek (2013)
May 25, 2021 13:58 - 1 hour - 79.1 MBIf you go down in the woods today You’re sure of a big surprise Andrea and Alex leave the comforts of modernity and go back to nature to discover what humanity has left behind through our obsessions with cryptids and conspiracy theories. From our fascination with humanity’s evolution to our need to colonize, we have […]
Episode 95. Faith and Chance: Possession (1981)
April 27, 2021 00:46 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBIn this episode, we delve into the murky waters of intimate relationships, nuclear families, and revolutionary theatre practices with Andrej Zulawski’s Possession. From the film’s almost instant cult-status to its rocky release, we look at what has made Possession one of the great filmic break-ups and breakthroughs of the late 20th century. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING […]
Fack Flash! Mortal Kombat (2021) – PREVIEW
April 25, 2021 16:00 - 7 minutes - 3.73 MBCHOOSE YOUR DESTINY! Andrea and Alex got unreasonably excited about the new Mortal Kombat movie, so we recorded our pre-and post-movie impressions in an all-new Fack Flash. 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! […]
Episode 94. Bad Romance: Twilight (2008)
March 21, 2021 18:40 - 2 hours - 110 MBGet 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 […]
Episode 93. Candid Camera: Perfect Blue (1997) and Cam (2018)
February 25, 2021 17:43 - 1 hour - 106 MBFrom 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. […]
Fack Flash! Best Couples in Horror – PREVIEW
February 13, 2021 16:16 - 4 minutes - 3.49 MBRoses 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”
Episode 92. 2020 Year In Review: Dawn of the Fack
February 06, 2021 23:37 - 3 hours - 151 MBA 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 […]
Episode 91. Reality Bites: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
December 22, 2020 02:21 - 1 hour - 72.4 MBIn 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. […]
Episode 90. Dream Within a Dream: Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
November 24, 2020 02:56 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBIn 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! […]
Fack Flash! The Craft: Legacy – PREVIEW
November 19, 2020 18:34 - 5 minutes - 5.79 MBThe 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 […]
Episode 89. Die Partisan: The Dead Zone (1983)
November 03, 2020 02:58 - 1 hour - 81.6 MBSURPRISE! 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. […]
Episode 88. Cult Classic: The Howling (1981)
October 31, 2020 04:57 - 1 hour - 146 MBWe’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 […]
Episode 87. Mother Monster: Pyewacket (2017) and Hereditary (2018)
September 28, 2020 02:29 - 1 hour - 92.4 MBCW: 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 […]
BONUS CONTENT! Commentary: I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
August 28, 2020 16:04 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBThe 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”
Episode 86: Summer of Plague Pt 3. Nature Is Healing: Mimic (1997) and The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
August 01, 2020 02:09 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBOur 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 […]
BONUS CONTENT! Commentary: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
July 24, 2020 20:02 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBAlex 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”
Episode 85: Summer of Plague Pt 2. Shut In: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
June 30, 2020 15:18 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBTime 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 […]