The Fear of God: A Horror Movie Podcast

We conclude our mini-series on folk horror (#whatthefolk) with a discussion of the meditative, horrific, and strangely beautiful film from last year: YOU WON'T BE ALONE. Constructed as a sequence of loosely connected vignettes (ones which involve both different characters and yet, the same character), it tells the story of a young girl who is turned into a witch at a young age and proceeds through the world with the ability to transform herself. What emerges is a deeply haunting and equally moving portrait of a "brutal and biting world", but one which may yet be navigated with grace and beauty and hope.

We're joined by friend of the show and Quarterly King, Ian Olson for a heartfelt and thoughtful conversation about what it means to be in this often savage and strange world. We hope it encourages and challenges you and we hope you enjoy it.

3:08 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: Whatcha Watchin' / Readin' / Listenin' To?

4:30 - Ian Olson's The Book of Common Terror

15:16 - YOU WON'T BE ALONE

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We continue our series on folk horror films (#whatthefolk) with a film from South Korea and Thailand called THE MEDIUM. Recommended to us by a longtime listener during our annual FoGgoween Party, The Medium tells the harrowing story of Nim, a regional shaman blessed and inhabited by the spirit of Ba Yan to bestow blessing upon her local community. When her niece Mink begins to exhibit signs that she might be the next human vessel for the goddess, questions begin to arise about whether what is possessing her is benevolent or malicious. What follows is a haunting, captivating, and frequently disturbing story that grapples with deeply rooted questions about belief and religious practice. We dive into all of it with a lot of humor and open hearts as always.

Also featuring a Patron-only "Whatcha" segment, this is a conversation we thoroughly enjoyed having and we hope you enjoy it as well.

2:31 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: Whatcha Watchin' / Readin' / Listenin' To?

4:38 - THE MEDIUM

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you like what we do at the Fear of God, we'd like you to consider becoming a Patron. You'll get extended episodes every week and special invitations to online events and hangouts. You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, like this one we're previewing today on WORLD'S GREATEST DAD, the independent dark comedy from 2009 written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and starring Robin Williams.

For the whole episode, visit Patreon.com/TheFearofGodPodcast and thank you so much for listening!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're continuing our journey through the sub genre of folk horror (#whatthefolk) with another landmark entry in the genre from 1971: THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW. We're joined by Continuity Guru Steven Beckley for a hearty and vibrant conversation about one of the most controversial and infamous horror films of the 1970s. While its specifics may be a bit too disjointed (and a bit too problematic) to wholly support, a surprisingly strong conversation emerges about the different ways people deal with the problem of evil, often completely ignoring their own hand in feeding it themselves.

Also featuring a "Whatcha" segment for the Patrons, this is a strong conversation that we're quite proud of and hope that you enjoy.

**Special note** - As with last week's film, the film in discussion contains a scene of sexual assault which is somewhat more extensive and viewer discretion is advised. Even if you choose not to watch the film, we'd encourage you to hear our thoughts about it and thank you.

4:02 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: Whatcha Watchin' / Readin' / Listenin' To?

5:57 - THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're taking a brief intermission from our Shyamalamarama series to bring you a handful of discussions on the subgenre known as "folk horror", which we've lovingly titled #whatthefolk.

We start with the 1968 film WITCHFINDER GENERAL, starring Vincent Price as the historical figure Matthew Hopkins, who executed more than 300 people for the crime of witchcraft in just under 3 years. We're joined by author and scholar Leland Merritt, whose work on folk horror and its relationship to the Hebrew Bible provides some incredible insights to both the genre and the more challenging narratives we find in the scriptures.

**A special note of consideration** Although the film exercises restraint in its visual representation, it does contain instances and discussions of sexual assault. Our conversation addresses these as well as similar instances in Biblical texts and we want to give awareness for sensitive listeners. We have a very thoughtful and insightful conversation that we hope you'll hear and enjoy as always, although discretion is advised.

3:36 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: Whatcha Watchin' / Readin' / Listenin' To?

5:11 - Getting to know special guest, Leland Merritt

15:30 - Getting to know the Folk Horror Subgenre

33:55 - WITCHFINDER GENERAL

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're going to be taking a quick, temporary pause on Shyamalamarama but not before we close out our discussion of SERVANT Season 2 and take a stroll back to Nana and Pop Pop's house for a refresh on M Night Shyamalan's 2015 film, THE VISIT. We're joined this time around by Gorey Gamer Matt Murray as we assess whether or not The Visit still holds up and why it sparked a creative resurgence for Shyamalan. We also wrestle with its potentially problematic characterizations and its more subtle heartbeat of forgiveness.

Also featuring a Patron segment catching up with what games we've all been playing as well as a deeper dive into episodes 7 through 10 of Servant Season 2, this is a hearty, thoughtful, and fun conversation we hope you'll enjoy.

2:53 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: Whatcha Playin'? / and SERVANT, Season 2, Episodes 7 - 10

4:39 - SERVANT, Season 2

28:22 - THE VISIT (Redux)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're continuing our run through the films of M. Night Shyamalan (SHYAMALAMARAMA!) with one of "his" worst reviewed films: AFTER EARTH. Originally envisioned by its star Will Smith as a multi-platform, mega franchise launchpad, After Earth strangely failed at nearly every one of its aims, including on set reports that M. Night Shyamalan didn't actually perform most of the director duties. We dissect the film's many missteps and try to engage with what it seemed to be trying to do while having quite a bit of fun in the process.

Also featuring a Patron segment discussing episodes 4-6 of the TV show SERVANT, this episode is both briefer and (possibly) way more fun than actually watching After Earth and we hope you enjoy it.

5:12 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: SERVANT, Season 2, Episodes 4 - 6

7:31 - AFTER EARTH

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here at the Fear of God, we explore -- we don't explain -- and that's perhaps most relevant on today's discussion on KNOCK AT THE CABIN, part of our ongoing series on the works of M. Night Shyamalan called Shyamalamarama! We're joined once again by professor and author Brandon Grafius for an earnest and thoughtful dialogue about the film's philosophies and its difficulties. We dive a bit into the book as well and how the same scenario can prompt multiple conversations and considerations, for good or ill.

Also featuring a Patron segment with foreign correspondent Vera Goudie about SERVANT, Season 2, episodes 1 through 3, this is a thoughtful and thought-provoking conversation that we really hope you enjoy.

3:24 - Business Time

Patron Only Segment: SERVANT, Season 2, Episodes 1 - 3

6:11 - KNOCK AT THE CABIN

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.