[14x9] Our penultimate Season XIV episode keeps the Dracula fanged fun coming, as we look at Luc Besson's 2025 version starring Caleb Landry Jones in the eponymous role as a romantic take on Bram Stoker's villainous character...

And making a return to the show is a true Dracula fan, having already covered the 1974 version starring Jack Palance and Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, it's writer and filmmaker Chris Brosnahan...

🎙️ The Lineup

"Do you think God will forgive us for loving each other so much?" — Vlad

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[14x8] In this episode, we’re sinking our teeth into the 1958 British cult classic Blood of the Vampire. Often mistaken for a Hammer Film—thanks to its lush production design and a script by the legendary Jimmy Sangster—this independent gem carved out its own grisly niche in horror history.

And returning to the show is our regular horror academic and all-round vampire expert, Prof. Stacey Abbott...

🎙️ The Lineup

"You can curse the fates that sent you here. This is the abyss. The bottomless pit of hell itself" — Kurt

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[14x7] Another franchise is complete with the fifth entry in the action-horror series Underworld. It's Anna Foerster's 2016 instalment, Underworld: Blood Wars, where Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is being pursued by both Vampires and Lycans, so she teams up with allies and eventually finds refuge with a Nordic coven...

And making a belated return to the show is the host of the Creepy & Geeky podcast, Robert Clark...

🎙️ The Lineup

"I have lived for a thousand years, and I may live a thousand more, or I may die tomorrow. But I no longer fear death, for I have known it once already." — Selene

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[14x6] The homecoming from hell continues. Season XIV enters its final stretch as we make our (final?) visit to the cursed town of Salem’s Lot. This week, we’re sinking our teeth into the 2004 TNT miniseries.

Rob Lowe stars as author Ben Mears, who returns to his childhood home only to find that an ancient evil is already there....

Joining us to navigate the shadows is a special guest: Dr Simon Brown, an Associate Professor of Film and TV and a self-described Stephen King super-fan. We discuss how this mid-2000s reimagining holds up against King’s legendary source material.

🎙️ The Lineup

Hosts: Dan Owen & Hugh McStay

Guest: Dr Simon Brown

Editor: Dan Owen

"You guys hear about the hippie vampire? He's ghoul, man. Real ghoul." — Mark Petrie

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[BONUS] Concluding our mid-season treat, we're looking at the second half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's first season from 1997...

And joining us to talk about another two episodes is film journalist and podcaster Maria Latilla and writer Brendon Connelly...

🎯 The Agenda

~ [ 00:00:25 ] "Angel" with Maria Latilla

After an attack, Buffy discovers her mysterious ally Angel is actually a vampire, forcing a heart-wrenching supernatural confrontation.

~ [ 00:56:55 ] "Prophecy Girl" with Brendon Connelly

Buffy discovers a prophecy foretelling her death against the Master. Terrified, she quits as the Slayer, but ultimately faces her destiny to save Sunnydale.

~ [ 01:51:45 ] Season 1 Overview

Dan & Hugh reflect on the two Best of Buffy episodes covering Season 1, summarising their thoughts and asking each other a few questions about the show's early days and future...

🎙️ The Lineup

"Giles, I'm 16 years old. I-I don't wanna die." — Buffy Summers.

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[BONUS] As a mid-season treat, we're covering Buffy the Vampire Slayer's first season from 1997, which concerns a teenage schoolgirl called Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) who's also 'The Slayer' who must fight against the forces of darkness...

And helping us explore this cult favourite TV show are two Buffy super-fans: film critic Kat Hughes & film writer and podcaster Lindsay Drysdale...

🎯 The Agenda

~ [ 00:00:22 ] Primer with Dan & Hugh

Before things get underway, we take a moment to talk about our personal histories with the popular series. When did we first discover BTVS? Were we fans at first sight? Did we come to it in later life? And how are we going to tackle covering all seven seasons?

~ [ 00:28:30 ] "Welcome to the Hellmouth" & "The Harvest" with Kat Hughes

In the two-part series premiere, Buffy arrives in Sunnydale seeking a normal life after being expelled from her Los Angeles high school for burning down the gym (which was, naturally, full of vampires).

~ [ 01:50:21 ] "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" with Lindsay Drysdale

Buffy attempts to balance her responsibilities as the Slayer with her desire for a "normal" teenage life, where she can date the hot new boy in class.

🎙️ The Lineup

"You're standing at the mouth of hell. And it's about to open" — Buffy Summers.

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[14x5] He's back! Yes, Dracula, but also... Christopher Lee! Spanish filmmaker Jesús Franco made a more faithful version of Bram Stoker's story in 1970's Count Dracula, with the Hammer legend returning to the role with a distinguished moustache...

And making his third appearance on the show is the Assistant Lecturer in Film & English at the University of Alberta, Murray Leeder...

🎙️ The Lineup

"One of my race crossed the Danube and destroyed the Turkish host. Though sometimes beaten back he came again and again, then at the end he came again, for he alone could triumph. This was a Dracula indeed." — Count Dracula

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[14x4] We’re closing out the trilogy! In this episode, we tackle the final instalment of the Lost Boys franchise: the 2010 direct-to-video sequel, The Thirst.

Directed by Dario Piana, the film sees the return of Edgar Frog (Corey Feldman), who is tasked by a horror novelist to rescue her brother from a DJ distributing vampire blood to his unsuspecting followers.

Joining us for her third appearance is freelance writer Becci Sayce.

🎙️ The Lineup

"Vampirism... there's nothing sexy about being a member of the undead." — Edgar Frog

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[14x3] Udo Kier plays Count Dracula in Paul Morrissey's 1974 version, Blood for Dracula, which finds the master vampire terminally ill and in desperate need of rejuvenating virgin blood... so a trip to Italy to choose an appropriate bride is his only hope...

And making her debut on the show is the host of The Horror and Her podcast, Emma Arneil...

Hosts: Dan Owen & Hugh McStay

Guest: Emma Arneil

Editor: Dan Owen⁠

"If you really were clever, Anton, you would bring me a virgin from Italy and I wouldn't have to go." --- Count Dracula

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If you enjoy what we do, please take a moment to: Subscribe and leave a positive review! Your feedback and ratings are vital for bringing you more great episodes.

Want more? Support us directly! Make a donation on Ko-fi or unlock special perks by joining our Bite Club!

Follow our social media ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. We're part of the ⁠Film Stories⁠⁠ podcast network.

Credits:

Opening music: ⁠Nela Ruiz⁠

Episode artwork: Dan Owen⁠

Podcast artwork: ⁠Keshav⁠

Sound FX: Epidemic Sound

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[14x2] It's the season of Dracula, as we turn our attention to a less common prospect—a direct sequel to Bram Stoker's story by author Joe Hill, where Professor Van Helsing (Titus Welliver) is now living in early-20th-century California with his wife Mina and two sons... it's Abraham's Boys from director Natasha Kermani...

And making a welcome return to the show is co-host of the Beyond the Scream podcast, Rob Taylor...

Hosts: Hugh McStay & Dan Owen

Guest: Rob Taylor

Editor: Hugh McStay

"If you don't stop talking, I'm gonna smother you to death with your own pillow. Then you won't have anything to worry about."—Max Van Helsing

Help Us Grow the Show!

If you enjoy what we do, please take a moment to: Subscribe and leave a positive review! Your feedback and ratings are vital for bringing you more great episodes.

Want more? Support us directly! Make a donation on Ko-fi or unlock special perks by joining our Bite Club!

Follow our social media ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. We're part of the ⁠Film Stories⁠⁠ podcast network.

Credits:

Opening music: ⁠Nela Ruiz⁠

Episode artwork: Dan Owen⁠

Podcast artwork: ⁠Keshav⁠

Sound FX: Epidemic Sound

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices