Welcome to Horror

We conclude our Haunted April season (in May) with Brad Anderson’s atmospheric chiller “Session 9”.

A film in which we learn that health and safety at work is one thing, but health safety in the kitchen can save lives; crematorium walls that pay out like slot machines are best left alone; and maybe if you took less tea breaks and stop pissing off to listen to old tapes, we could get this job finished in a week!

Filmed within the actual abandoned Danvers State Hospital, a location that would be a gift to any horror filmmaker. This haunting locale, combined with a brilliant cast, Anderson’s compelling story and incredible visuals - shot on the then cutting edge 24P HD Digital Video - forms an intense, dark puzzle to be pored over.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.

It’s another cheeky Welcome To Horror bonus episode, you lucky people!

Here’s Chris and Adam’s spoiler free review of 2 more works from writer/director/producer/actor (and all round top man) Kemal Yildirim; his 2021 feature “Wastelands” and its companion piece, the 2017 short “Saudade”.

A haunting drama of an isolated woman, estranged from her family and conducting an on/off dysfunctional relationship, shot with Yildirim’s stunning combination of dream-like imagery with very real (and sometimes shocking) domestic moments and a strong streak of folk-horror.

Massive thanks to Kemal for giving us the opportunity to see more of his work after “The Haunting of the Lady Jane”. Catch these films where you can.

We return, once more to the work of the one and only Mr John Carpenter (the only J.C. we worship round here).

It’s time for 1980’s “The Fog”, a film which proves that 2 generations of scream queens are better than one; that a regular series of pissed-up night-fishing boat-trips will eventually end badly; and Tom Atkins, even without his trademark moustache, is still an absolute shagger.

John Carpenter’s follow up theatrical film to the eternal classic “Halloween”, “The Fog” didn’t do well at the box office, but found its true audience on VHS, and grew in appreciation. A good old fashioned ghost story in the tradition of MR James with an American slant, and a cloud of chilly nautical gothic.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.

In a break to our usual format, and to continue our “Haunted April” episodes we present “Least Haunted”.

A discussion on our general thoughts and feelings towards the uncanny, the supernatural and the unexplained.

The boys recount their own brushes against reality’s veil: Thrill as you hear of the Brentwood Manta Ray UFO, shiver at the tale of the Norfolk Farmhouse Apparition, and prepare to be shocked to your very core when lakeside rituals in The Manor at Harold Hill result in nothing at all.

We enjoyed this chat so much we’ll probably do some more, let us know if that’s something you’d like to hear in the future.

No one prep needed on this, just tune in and join us.

Surprise! It’s a cheeky Welcome To Horror bonus episode.

Here’s a spoiler free review of “The Haunting Of The Lady-Jane” from writer/director/producer Kemal Yildirim.

Currently building a reputation at film festivals; we first saw this film at Horror-on-sea, but wanted to say a bit more about it than we had chance to in our own HOS episode.

A slow burn, folk horror journey across the haunted waterways of England; equally tense and dream like, this film is the perfect kick off to our “Haunted April” episodes.

Catch this movie when you can.

A big shout out to Bethan from the Eerie Essex and Spectre of the Sea podcasts for connecting us with Kemal so we had the opportunity to rewatch the film before recording, and massive thanks to Kemal for reaching out to us.

More Troma goodness for you with 2015’s “My Bloody Banjo”.

A film in which we learn that a vape just doesn’t cut it next to a real cigarette in basic torture; judiciously applied piano wire can liven up even the most tedious of corporate events; and that if you believe in paper; say it with your balls!

The debut feature from Liam Regan, whose latest film “Eating Miss Campbell” is currently wowing horror festivals. Both films are available for pre-order on limited edition Blu Ray at https://refusefilms.bigcartel.com/ Get in quick!

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.

It’s Troma time! Yes folks, we’re finally introducing Chris to the unique world of Lloyd Kaufman as we kick off with “Class of Nuke ‘Em High”.

A film which highlights the usual struggles of American youth: being peer pressured into smoking (radioactive) weed; teenage pregnancy (that results in a giant mutated beast prowling the hallways); the inability to pronounce “cretin” properly; and nuclear power plant bosses who don’t give a wet fart about public safety.

A fine example of the good-naturedly offensive Troma style; with B-movie bizarreness, surprisingly good gore effects and tongue firmly in cheek.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.

Welcome To Horror Presents: “The Curse of We Have Been Watching”.

It’s time once more, gentle listener, for a quick run through of the audio/visual stimuli that we have posted into our cerebral cortexes via our ocular globes and sound flaps.

This episode we discuss “Bedazzled” (1967), “Scream” (2022), “Superstition” (1982), “Cannibal Holocaust”, Tim Burton’s “Wednesday”, “Brotherhood of the Wolf”, “Tomorrow I Shall Wake Up and Scald Myself With Tea”, “Barbarian” and “The Pale Blue Eye”.

Beware of spoilers and swearing and join us!

“What’s in the box?” It’s Adam’s Birthday choice, and he’s opted for wacky screwball rom-com “Se7en” from Hollywood fun-meister David Fincher.

“Se7en”, a bleak glimpse into a world spiralling into hell (a bit like the news, but featuring good-looking people you care about). We learn that a man sitting in his own excrement will usually move out of it if he can; we confirm that serial murderers never use their bath for washing; and someone stops Gwyneth Paltrow before she has a chance to make candles that smell like her fanny.

The gold standard of art-y serial killer films, Se7en spawned hundreds of lesser imitators, but none of those have taken away the disturbing power of the original.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.

We kick off the new year with “The Perfect Host”; a film in which… no, that would be telling…

We here at WTH are very much of the opinion that this particular film, like revenge, is best served cold.

Avoid spoilers, articles and even the trailer in case you miss the opportunity to watch “The Perfect Host” completely fresh, with no idea what’s to come.

This episode is packed with spoilers, and we don’t want you to miss that initial experience of seeing it without any idea of where it’s going, so please watch it before listening.

We assure you that you will be entertained, amused, baffled, surprised and a lot more besides watching this film, and, like us, come away thinking “why the hell isn’t this film better known?”

The only spoiler here is that all at WTH genuinely love this film; and if you like other films we have raved over, you will too.

It just remains to shout “Conga!” and hope you enjoy.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers, and join us.