H.P. Lovecraft is one of the most influential writers of horror fiction in history, creating the Cthulhu Mythos . In the early 1900's his pulp style and fascination with the cosmic unknown, created monsters and creatures of unimaginable origins. His stories often contained deep psychosis and paranoid madness and presented ideas that could be hard to put to film. Despite the challenges, his work is too rich and powerful to ignore and we have seen successful films born from his work. Jerry and Matt look at two such examples with "In the Mouth of Madness" from 1994 and 2023's "Suitable Flesh".

Tom Savini brought his ground breaking, realistic effects into the horror world like a shotgun blast to the head (literally). Through his relationship with George A. Romero and his role in the splatter explosion of the early 1980's, Tom became a rock star in the horror world. Through his acting, stunt work, and mentorship, he is solidified as the coolest guy in any room. Jerry and Matt enjoy some of Tom's most iconic and impressive work in the films "Maniac", 1980 and "Day of the Dead", 1985.

The fifties was a transitional decade for horror. In the post-atomic bomb world, we were terrified by mutated creature features reflecting our fear of world altering technology. It was also a decade of mistrusting your neighbors encapsulated by McCarthyism and finding humans to be the monsters we fear most. The decade in horror was split between giant monsters and the dark, brooding evil of humanity. Jerry and Matt tap into both of these concepts with "Them!" from 1954 and "Les Diaboliques" from 1955.

The haunted house is a classic staple of horror. From the shadowy unknown in silent films to the flashy and bloody tales of today, the idea of the comfort of home being invaded by the supernatural is terrifying. Jerry and Matt look at different houses of horror with the ground breaking "Poltergeist" from 1982 and a modern tale of the extreme haunted house with "Haunt" from 2019.

In an industry sometimes devoid of original ideas, we are stuck with endless sequels, reboots and re-imaginings. Many of these are a cash grab and completely suck. Jerry and Matt discuss some gems that DON'T SUCK, Let Me in and Evil Dead!

While time travel is typically an element of sci-fi or fantasy films, when used for horror it can be disorienting and terrifying.  Humans are the only animals to record and mark time and we need the linear passage to make sense. This week, Jerry and Matt look at the complex and thought provoking time loop in "Triangle" from 2009, and the hilarious time travel slasher from 2023, "Totally Killer". Listen now before time gets away from you...

As the personification of all things evil, Satan and his worshippers are a prime category for horror. The scariest thing may be that these people could be your elderly neighbors or people you know hiring for a babysitter. Jerry and Matt explore Satan and his covens with the classic "Rosemary's Baby" from 1968 and modern throwback with "House of the Devil" from 2009.

Revenge is a powerful motivator and can push people to do horrific things in the name of justice. The premise is rich with possibilities for brutal and visceral tales of terror. The cold of winter pales to the cold wrath of vengeance! Jerry and Matt look at two tales with revenge as a driving motivator with perhaps the OG, "The Last House on the Left", from 1972 and "The Retaliators" from 2021.

With the holiday season full of joy and love, it is a perfect setting to infuse with twisted tales of horror. Pour yourself a glass of eggnog, sit down by a warm fire, and be sure to keep your fire poker handy to fight off any holiday evil that descends upon you! Jerry and Matt enjoy two Christmas horrors with the OG of the holiday horror and the first North American slasher, "Black Christmas" from 1974 as well as "A Christmas Horror Story" from 2015. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good fright...

Tension between classes has always been a perilous situation, wrought with opportunity for horror. With our current world being increasingly divisive and with an ever-growing wealth gap, it only makes sense that newer movies would explore this dynamic. Jerry and Matt look at two recent films that approach this subject with dark humor and bloodshed with "The Hunt" from 2020 and "The Menu" from 2022.