This episode of Horror Joy ventures into the unsettling realm of religious horror. Brian and Jeff explore the depths of this subgenre through a chilling double feature: A24's critically acclaimed 'Saint Maud' (2019) and the recently released Neon film, 'Immaculate' (2024).

Prepare to dissect some truly horrifying themes:

*We’ll analyze how both films explore the control exerted over the female body, through spectacle in 'Immaculate' and denial in 'Saint Maud'

*We’ll delve into the contrasting ways these films utilize both physical and supernatural elements to create dread

*We’ll explore the chilling impact of institutional control within a religious framework

*We’ll work to uncover the difficult intellectual and emotional joys found in both films

So, light a candle and prepare for a haunting exploration of faith, fear, and the films that blur the line between them.

St. Maud

Immaculate

Carolyn Dinshaw – Getting Medieval

S. Trimble – A Demon Girl’s Guide to Life

St. Teresa of Ávila

Lollards

Horror Joy – We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Pod

Arizona’s 1864 Abortion Law

Opus Dei

Julia Kristeva – Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection

Plato and Augustine on the body

William Blake

Rosemary’s Baby (Ira Levin)

Affective Piety

This week on Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff dive headfirst into the churning waters of Steven Spielberg's classic, Jaws. We'll explore what makes this film a titan of terror, from John Williams' unforgettable score to the lurking dread of a small island community. But Jaws isn't just about a giant shark. We'll also be dissecting the three major themes:

*An island paradise that becomes an isolated, exclusive community

*Performing masculinity and the environmental cost of unchecked ambition.

* The ecological nightmare of a displaced predator

So grab your floaties and prepare for a clumsy chase into the unknown. Come for the horror, stay for the joy.

Judith Butler - Gender as Performance

Jen Corrigan – Three Men on a Boat

Surveillance – Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault

Sigmund Freud – The Uncanny

Christopher Neff - The Jaws Effect

Nicole Neff – The Belly of the Beast: The Uncanny Shark

*In this episode we introduce the idea of Horror Joy and discuss how we have found joy in horror as professors.

*We take a trip down childhood chills with a discussion of our shared love for Goosebumps, Stephen King, and how nostalgia and joy mix.

*Jeff recounts his introduction to horror through old black and white movies and his recent viewing of Willow Creek, while Brian describes a late blooming interest in horror movies and his love for It Follows.

*The episode finishes with a brief discussion of The Blair Witch Project, exploring how our geographical backgrounds shape our reactions to horror.

*If you want to jump into our analysis, head over to episode 2 where we discuss Jaws. Otherwise, come for the horror. Stay for the joy.

Willow Creek

It Follows

The Blair Witch Project

Donna Haraway: Staying with the Trouble

Horror Joy is a podcast by two university professors who take a deep dive into the world of horror. Join us as we seek to find joy, even in horror.