This episode of Horror Joy turns to academic horror through Mariama Diallo’s 2022 film Master, set at the fictional elite Ancaster University. Our discussion treats the film’s central claim that what haunts is not the past but the present and future: racism, microaggressions, elitism, and the suffocating atmosphere of tradition.

We welcome returning guest T (S. Trimble Associate Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto) and first-time guest Joe Vallese (NYU faculty fellow, expository writing), editor of It Came From the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror.

The conversation then unpacks Master’s slow-burn dread: Gail Bishop (Regina Hall), the newly appointed first Black master; Jasmine, a first-year Black student; and Liv, a professor up for tenure, all navigating both explicit racism and subtler academic violence.

We discuss the Scarlet Letter as a canonical text used to police interpretation and power in the classroom, including Jasmine’s failing grade and the gaslighting embedded in academic evaluation.

In this episode of Horror Joy, we dive into the intertwining relationship between horror and joy with guest Daisy Pierce, author of 'Something in the Walls,' 'The Missing,' and 'The Silence.'

Daisy shares her thoughts on how horror provides a safe outlet for experiencing fear and anxiety, and discusses her origins and influences as a writer.

We explore the different cultural approaches to folklore in the US and UK, the power dynamics behind traditions, and the challenges of writing horror, especially from a female perspective.

Daisy also touches on her interest in ghost hunting and shares some recent horror media that has brought her joy.

Find Daisy at https://daisypearce.com/

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' Jeff and Brian delve into Robert Rodriguez's 1998 film 'The Faculty.'

The episode explores the film's portrayal of high school alienation, the nineties cultural backdrop, and the use of alien parasites as a metaphor for societal issues.

We discuss the film’s all-star cast, its nostalgic nineties aesthetic, and its underlying themes related to drugs, authority figures, and football culture.

The episode also highlights the anti-lesbianism strain evident in late nineties teen movies and the joy found in the film’s tongue-in-cheek horror elements.

In this episode of Horror Joy's 'Meet Your Maker', we delve into a conversation with Stoker award-winning author Emily C. Hughes.

We discuss her book 'Horror for Weenies', designed to help the faint-hearted navigate through significant horror films.

Emily talks about the relationship between horror and joy, citing examples of modern twists on classic horror tropes.

She shares her personal journey from being a scaredy-cat to a lover of horror, underlining the importance of community and invitation in appreciating the genre.

Emily also highlights some of her current favorite horror films, books, and games, drawing attention to the breadth and appeal of horror.

This episode of 'Horror Joy' delves into Luca Guadagnino's 2018 reimagining of 'Suspiria.'

Brian and Jeff explore the themes of academic horror, feminism, and political violence within the film's setting of post-war Berlin.

We compare Guadagnino's version to Dario Argento's original 1977 film, discussing the significant differences, including the portrayal of witchcraft and the regulation of bodies in an academic setting.

We highlight the film's complex power structures and touches on the role of music, dance, and cinematic techniques in creating horror.

The discussion also questions Guadagnino's claim of making a feminist film, examining the intricate dynamics between the characters and the violent depiction of women's bodies.

We find a blend of intellectual and emotional engagement in the film, despite their mixed feelings about some aspects.

 Breathing Back the History of German Modern Dance through the Horror Film Genre in Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria (2018) by Wesley Lim

Entanglement In Time: Nostalgic Affect As Cine-Choreography In The White Crow (2018) And Suspiria (2018) by Kaixuan Yao

Radically Feminist or Monstrously Feminine?: Witches and Goddesses in Guadagnino's Suspiria (2018)Goddesses in Guadagnino's Suspiria (2018) by Lindsay Macumber

Roberts, John W. “Dancing the Dance of Another: Allegory, the Diagram, and Suspiria (2018).” Discourse: Journal for Theoretical Studies in Media and Culture, vol. 45, no. 1–2, Dec. 2023, pp. 33–64. EBSCOhost,

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' Brian and Jeff sit down with author and playwright Nat Cassidy to explore his career and the intricate relationship between joy and horror.

Cassidy discusses his journey from a macabre child fascinated by the works of Stephen King and Shakespeare to a versatile storyteller working across various mediums, including novels, plays, and audio dramas.

The conversation delves into the philosophical underpinnings of fear and anxiety, the evolution of horror as a genre, and the impact of his latest work, 'When the Wolf Comes Home.'

Cassidy shares his insights into the immersive and ecstatic qualities of horror, likening it to spicy food that delights because it hurts.

We also touch on the importance of live performance and the existential truths that horror can reveal.

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff jump headlong into academic horror. Their firs stop is Dario Argento's 1977 class, Suspiria.

We explore themes such as ritualized violence, paranoia, and the cult-like power dynamics of a coven of witches who both govern and are governed by the institution.

We highlight the vivid colors, atmospheric elements, and unsettling soundtrack that is used to convey meaning and evoke fear.

We delve into the use of witches not as symbols of feminist empowerment but as tools of misogyny, driven by the male gaze.

Additionally, we consider the idea of suppressed queer and feminine elements in a drab world.

We conclude with a look at the film's reliance on practical effects over CGI, setting a joyful yet terrifying tone.

Kristeva, Julia. Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Translated by Leon S. Roudiez, Columbia University Press, 1982.

In this episode of 'Horror Joy, Meet Your Maker', Jeff sits down with Ivy Grimes, an author known for her supernatural and surreal short story collections including 'Glass Stories'.

Ivy discusses her unique journey into the horror genre having grown up in a conservative setting, her inspirations from filmmakers like David Lynch, and her fascination with using glass as a central motif.

The conversation delves into the relationship between horror and joy, the elements of weird fiction, and the influence of classical literary tales on Ivy's writing.

 The episode wraps up with a look at the contemporary indie horror writing community and Ivy's upcoming projects.

Ivy Grives website

 The 25th Hour anthology

In this episode of 'Meet Your Maker' by a Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by Terrell Dorsey, founder of the film production company Vault 81. Terrell discusses his journey into film making, the creation of his film 'Sawmill Road,' and his unique perspective on the intersection of horror and joy.

He elaborates on his passion for writing, directing, and producing original horror content that resonates with audiences.

Terrell also talks about his influences, learning experiences, and the authentic local lore behind 'Sawmill Road.'

The episode concludes with insights into his future projects and the vision for Vault 81, including an ambitious feature film called 'The Tunnels.'

Terrell Dorsey

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff speak with Jack Finn, a Horror author from the Pacific Northwest.

Jack discusses his life-long love for Horror, how it played a joyous role in his childhood through monster movies, and his journey from enjoying Horror to writing it.

He talks about his 2023 debut novel 'The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad,' his werewolf duology 'Prey Upon the Lambs' and 'The Desolation of Hunters,' and his short story collection 'They Come When You Sleep.'

The conversation delves into the intersection of Horror and joy, folklore's influence on his work, and the genre's deeper thematic elements.

Jack also provides insights into his writing process, the significance of historical and cultural contexts in his stories, and his upcoming projects.

Withered Hill by David Barnett

Cunning Folk by Adam Neville

Yellow Jackets