Question: What is your favorite horror movie?

Meet Russ Meeuf (go.uidaho.edu/4nj1jI2), professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Media (go.uidaho.edu/48I6Wfb) at University of Idaho — and a scholar who knows monsters better than most. What makes a monster truly terrifying? What do these creatures reveal about our deepest fears, our society and ourselves? And why do monsters evolve as our cultural anxieties change? Russ will guide us through the haunted corridors of horror cinema, showing how monsters are more than just nightmares — they’re mirrors. So, grab your flashlight, lock the doors and tune to our Halloween episode...if you dare.

Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at [email protected]. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.

Music

“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).

“Dark Undercurrent” by Harold Schenk (go.uidaho.edu/3LoVlI8) via Amphibious Zoo.

Chapters

(0:00) Favorite horror movie?

(3:50) Getting to know Russ Meeuf

(5:40) What makes a good movie monster?

(7:51) Two sides to every monster

(12:49) What does a director or writer bring to a monster?

(17:19) What do monsters reveal about ourselves?

(20:06) Do monsters evolve over time?

(25:08) Final thoughts