2024 was a banner year for horror! From the chilling Immaculate to the unsettling Horror Movie and the glorious mustache of Nosferatu, we were truly spoiled. But now, it's time to turn a new page.

This year brings fresh beginnings, new anxieties, and a renewed opportunity for horror to help us navigate the complexities of our world.

To kick off 2025, Jeff and Brian welcome horror author and creator, Philip Gelatt, to the show. We'll discuss his fascinating new series, First Word on Horror, which offers a unique glimpse into the minds of horror creators.

Then, we'll delve into Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, exploring its racial and sexual politics, the philosophical implications of sunlight, and how it compares to classic vampire tales like Dracula, Salem's Lot, and Midnight Mass.

Did Eggers successfully translate the essence of Nosferatu for a modern audience? Or did he succumb to the Count's hypnotic allure?

Join us as we embark on a chilling journey into the heart of darkness. Bring your sharpest stakes and try not to succumb to the allure of the unknown.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:15 Phil Gelatt's Career Highlights

01:15 Discussing 'First Word on Horror'

01:31 Joy and Horror: A Complex Relationship

03:38 Stephen Graham Jones' Story and 'First Word on Horror' Details

05:13 The Making of 'First Word on Horror'

08:10 Horror Genre's Reputation and Rehabilitation

14:08 Analyzing Robert Eggers' Nosferatu

25:23 Ellen's Symbolic Sacrifice

26:38 A Loveless Film: Exploring Orlok and Ellen's Fate

27:42 Missed Opportunities and Visual Delights

28:47 Atmosphere and Visuals: The Film's Strengths

32:16 Plato and the Sun: Philosophical Insights

37:27 Final Thoughts and Joy in Horror

First Word on Horror

Rise of the Golden Idol (video game)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Dracula: Dead and Loving it directed by directed by Mel Brooks

Thomas Ligotti

Stephen Graham Jones

Laird Barron