Spiders, bugs, creepy crawlies - they are some of the worst phobias a person can have. The new film, STING (2024), certainly plays into those fears well and may be the reason it has received such fabulous reviews.

From IMDB: "After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family's survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster."

Though primarily filmed in and starring mostly Australian performers, the movie takes place in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. The movie was written and directed by Kiah Roache-Turner. When it appeared on Hulu in late 2024, its word of mouth spread. Your co-hosts take a look at it and give their thoughts.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

"Based on true events" or "Inspired by true events" is not that uncommon for film, especially the thriller and horror genres. The new film, THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN, is one of them. Though completely fictional, it is inspired by the real life Florida serial killer Billy Mansfield.

From Rottentomatoes: "Inspired by a true story, "The Man in the White Van" delves into the eerie underbelly of a seemingly idyllic 1975 Florida town, and follows the harrowing experience of young Annie Williams, a spirited girl whose carefree existence is turned upside down as she becomes stalked by an ominous man in a white van."

The film was directed and co-written by Warren Skeels. The film starts Madison Wolfe, Brec Bassinger, Ali Larter, and Sean Astin. With the help of Ali Larter, Sean Astin, and Giovanni Ribisi (as cinematographer) to independently produce, the movie was picked up by Relativity Media for distribution. It received mixed reviews on release, but is this film truly a hidden gem that everyone must see?

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

Some pretty solid independent horror films are always the surprises each year. A small budget horror film from Connecticut, USA, just arrived entitled CANDLEWOOD, based off local legends.

From IMDB: A mixed family moves from the city to a remote village, buying a house unseen. Unwelcoming locals and a real urban legend threaten their new life as they confront the property's dark history.

Your podcast hosts were able to interview the director, Mike Furhman, along with Kristi Schoonover who had a small part in the film. After its limited theatrical release, it is now available on VOD everywhere.

Legends, myths, and folklore are a perfect place to dig for ideas to bring life to a horror film. But what if you combine such a thing with the gangster and revenge thriller subgenres? That's when you get the brand new Japanese film DEMON CITY (2025) based off a manga and anime.

From IMDB: Framed for his family's murder and left for dead, an ex-hitman will stop at nothing to exact revenge on the masked "demons" who have taken over his city.

Director Seiji Tanaka had his debut film MELANCHOLIC (2018) win multiple awards at festivals like the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Udine Far East Film Festival. His latest stars Toma Ikuta, Masahiro Higashide, and Miou Tanaka. DEMON CITY was released in Q1 of 2025 on Netflix. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.

IN THE BEDROOM, the 2001 Oscar nominated motion picture, was given praise by movie critic Roger Ebert as the best film he had seen at Sundance. It is a family drama, but it also is much more than that. Generational, getting old, losing a loved one, and seeing the end of a family line. The movie was ground breaking in many ways and has become a classic.

From IMDB: A New England couple’s college-aged son dates an older woman who has two small children and an unwelcome ex-husband.

The film was directed by Todd Field who also acts. He co-wrote the script with Robert Festinger based off the story KILLINGS by Andre Dubus. The cast is filled with big names including Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Marisa Tomei, Nick Stahl, and William Mapother. It received fabulous reviews and earned over $40M USD at the box office. Your co-hosts take a look at this classic film and give their thoughts.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.