The Pod and the Pendulum: A Horror Movie Podcast

This week we're joined by Mae Shultz (Pleasers & Punishers podcast) to talk about the third chapter in the INSIDIOUS saga. While we leave the Lambert's behind, we get a prequel that could have been titled "How Elise (Lin Shaye) got her Mojo Back" as she helps teenaged Quinn try to ward off the Demon That Can't Breathe. Writer Leigh Whannel made his directing debut here, and it's a solid effort, filled with some terrific jump scares. We take a look at the themes of grieving and disability that are examined throughout, but most of all we're just grateful there's...

This week Mike, Stephen, and Nichole light the lanterns, load up the magic dice and go back into the Further with INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2. With the whole creative team, including writer Leigh Whannel, director James Wan, and our three principles Lin Shaye, Rose Byrne, & Patrick Wilson returning, the Blumhouse original proved a hit with audiences once again. Building on what works while not resting on its laurels, the sequel continues to put the Lambert family through the ringer, even as it shifts from a haunted house tale to a supernatural thriller.

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If you haven't already, go back and listen to part one of our episode! Mike and Nichole are on hand to talk INSIDIOUS,  one of the most successful, and also maybe under appreciated franchises of the century. We look back at the terrific jump scares that James Wan crafted with ease. We also ask whether or not its reputation as The Conjuring's kid brother has hurt it a bit. So join us as we go "further" into the supernatural than we ever have before.

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This week we go further than we ever have as a podcast as we look back at the surprise supernatural blockbuster, INSIDIOUS. Mike and Nichole are on hand for this two-parter to discuss why this franchise, for all its success at the box office, feels like a bit of an afterthought when compared with other horror franchises. We look at the importance this James Wan / Leigh Whannel collaboration had when it came to establishing Blumhouse as a force when it came to theatrical horror in the 2010s, as well as the importance of the movie to both of their...

This week we bring the Re-Animator series to a close with a look back and the sadly lifeless BEYOND REANIMATOR. A co-production with Spain, this direct-to-SyFy entry find Jeffrey Combs still bringing the goods as Dr. Herbert West. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast doesn't seem up to the task, and even the special FX seem like a retread from what's come before.

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Mike, Brian, & Steven are back, bringing another stitched together from spare parts and spare takes to life with our breakdown of the campy, splatter-filled, queer horror classic, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR. Society's  Brian Yuzna steps behind the director's chair, and brings KNB FX, & Screaming Mad George on hand for the visuals, so you know it's going to look great. We get a little silly with this one, but ask you dear listener, what other podcast is brave enough to ask whether Paul Giamatti is a giving lover? 

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Brian and Mike bring Brian's  Holy Terror cohost, Pat Brennan, onboard to talk the splatter-filled, sci-fi horror classic RE-ANIMATOR. Featuring iconic turns from Jeffrey Combs & Barbara Crampton, this is a weekend sleepover staple, featuring everything a coming-of-age horror fan wanted in a movie. From over the top gore, incredible special effects like the greatest severed talking head in cinema history, and a whole lot of the lovely Ms. Crampton, there's a lot to love in this scrappy indie. Underneath the surface, this sideways take on the Frankenstein mythos has a lot to talk about when it comes to man's f...

It’s like a disco inferno out here! This week Mike, Devaughn & Ariel are on hand to talk about the sixth entry into the long running Evil Dead franchise, EVIL DEAD BURN. It’s fair to say this one is the most divisive among longtime fans of the series, as director Sebastian Vanicek brings more than a touch of French Extremity to a franchise know just as much for its campy laughs as it is over the top gore. Mike also explores whether or not Raime, Campbell and company hedged their bets in the leadup to Burn's release with some...

This week's episode is a bit of a bonus show. We wanted to remember the great Chuck Russell ( A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Mask) who passed away last week by unlocking our Patreon episode from 2020 where Mike and Jerry discussed his fantastic remake of THE BLOB.  Featuring some of the most spectacular special effects of the decade, Russell's film completed a loose trilogy of 1950s science fiction B picture remakes alongside David Cronenberg's The Fly and John Carpenter's The Thing. 

As an added bonus, we included Mike’s appearance on WGBH’s  The Curiosity Desk th...

Mike and Devaughn are back for another season of Netflix's hit show Wednesday. This time around, the show gives audiences more of what they wanted: more Jenna Ortega, more of the Addams Family as a unit, more monsters, more murder, and lots more death. With Tim Burton on hand to direct another four episodes, the show maintains its YA gothic vibes while delivering a bit more story and intrigue to build around. PLUS-Steve Buschemi joins the cast, and who doesn't love that?

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Who knew all it would take to make the Addams Family relevant again was a few dance moves and Tik Tok? This week Mike and Devaughn look back at the first season of Wednesday, which forgoes exploring the family dynamic and chooses to focus on its goth, deadpan, anti-socialite teen girl. Serving up a mix of gumshoe private detective antics and YA fantasy, it was Tim Burton's first foray into television as he serves as executive producer and director of the first four episodes. The show made an even bigger star of Jenna Ortega, and reminded audiences why Burton...

This week Mike, Ariel & Devaughn head back to animation land and ask the question, "Is Wednesday Addams kind of a jerk?" When we're not badmouthing young children, we're hitting a wide range of topics not limited to Mike's annual existential crisis about the state of the show and the franchises we cover. That said, there is a lot to discuss here including some eye-catching animation and gags and just what happened to kids' movies at the turn of the decade?

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This week we step way out of our normal comfort zone and talk about the scariest thing of all: 21st century animated movies made for six-year-olds! That’s right, we’re going to discuss 2019’s THE ADDAMS FAMILY, starring Oscar Issac, Charlize Theron, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll & Chloe Grace Moretz as Wednesday. We talk about how animated movies have changed and toned down since we were kids, the mixed messages of the movie, how this animated tale more closely resembles the spirit of Charles Addams’ comic strip, and take a foray into our favorite divas.

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This week we have a bonus treat for you all. Filmed when he was just 19 years old, Kaine Parsons has crafted a liminal, arthouse horror film that has resonated with audiences-especially younger ones-to the tune of over $300 million at the box office and counting. Serving as not only A24's largest box office in its history, the film also gives notice that that the dawn of the YouTube to cinema pipeline is in full swing.

Mike and Brian are on hand to document the history of this creepypasta turned viral sensation, and what works so well in...

This week, Mike & Devaughn tackle the hard to find third entry in The Addams Family franchise. Released by Sabin Entertainment in 1998, this one has never hit streaming, and was only released on VHS. Luckily, a kind soul has uploaded the movie to YouTube, and you can watch it here.

After the passing of Raul Julia and the relative commercial letdown of Addams Family Values, it was time for a reboot. The great Tim Curry steps into Gomez' shoes, paired with Daryl Hannah. This one sands down any of the harsh edges, adult humor, and sexuality of the...

Mike and Devaughn are on hand to break down ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, the sequel to 1991's smash The Addams Family. The title itself a play on the fear mongering and hand wringing over the threat to the "traditional" family, this one runs back the hits while offering some darker, slightly edgier humor. The sequel has also become a Thanksgiving favorite, and add in a scene chewing performance from Joan Cusack, and you have the rare sequel that may top the original.

Listener note, next week's episode is only available on Youtube, unless you own the VHS. So...

This week we open a new franchise and move in a family friendly direction with THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Starting with the 1991 film of the same name, we look at the first family in the macabre. Built around a perfect cast starring Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and a young Christina Ricci, this was at the forefront of 90s IP, a craze that cashed in on Boomer nostalgia and Gen X latch key kids raised on syndicated television. Mike, Stephen, & Devaughn are on hand to talk the troubled behind the scenes production, found family, and gateway horror. 

P...

Enjoy this clip from our latest Patreon episode, on Andre Ovredal's latest-PASSENGER. Mike & Nichole discussed this fun B-movie that got lost a bit in the shuffle during May's abundance of strong horror.

If you want access to the complete episode, plus over 100 hours of exclusive content, head to patreon.com/podandthependulum and become a supporter for as little as two bucks.

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This week we open the Patreon vaults and make our 2025 episode n Robert Eggers' Nosferatu available for everyone to enjoy.

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Enjoy this brief clip from our Patreon exclusive episode on Curry Barker's OBSESSION. Download this, and over 100 hours of bonus content by going to patreon.com/podandthependulum right now.

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Mike, Devaughn, & Nichole are joined again by Mae Shults (Pleasers & Punishers podcast) to review the second season of Shudder's THE CREEP TAPES. While we all enjoyed S1, we're in agreement that the second go round is a bold step forward. Featuring appearances from genre favorites (David Dastmalchian) & Mark Duplass' real life wife (Katie Aselton) the second season gets bigger, weirder, messier, and drops more Peachfuzz lore.

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As a special bonus episode, Mike sat down with David Bertolino, founder of Spooky World  and author of the new bookBehind the Screams at Spooky World.  Before there was Universal Horror Nights, and the big theme parks got in on haunted attractions, there was an old farm in the middle of Western Mass that attracted hundreds of thousands of customers every October throughout the 90s. With attractions designed by none other than Tom Savaini, and luminaries including Linda Blair, Elvira, Kane Hodder, & Robert Englund in attendance, Spooky World was the place to be every October if you lived in Ne...

This week Mike, Nichole & Devaughn are joined by musician and podcaster Mae Shults (The Pleasers & Punishers podcast) to discuss the first season of The Creep Tapes. Serving as a stripped-down version of the films, the Shudder exclusive show finds Josef/Wolfie lining up a half dozen new victims under a variety of disguises ranging from a struggling actor, a documentary filmmaker’s biggest fan, an erstwhile parachuter, and even a man of the cloth. Along with learning more about Mark Duplass’ character’s history and upbringing the show explores queer themes, and Wolfie’s existential struggle as he begins to feel...

Seven years ago we launched the podcast, so why not take a little victory lap? Mike, Stephen & Brian are on hand look back at the history of the podcast and how some of the crew got involved. We also discuss our own gateways to horror movies. Plus, a short mailbag and listener feedback, along with where we think the genre may head, what we've thought of horror movies in 2026 so far, and what upcoming horror movies we're excited for

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Mike and Nichole are joined by filmmaker Mary Beth McAndrews (Bystanders) to talk about 2017's found footage serial killer flick CREEP 2. Mark Duplass returns as Aaron / Peachfuzz, but in Desiree Akhavan's Sara, he may have met his match. Where the first explores the dynamics of male friendship & bonding, this time around gender and power dynamics are at play as Peachfuzz finds the avant garde videographer impenetrable. Each stunt is meant to maximize the audience's discomfort, and yet Sara remains unflappable.

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Enjoy this brief clip from our full episode on the new Faces of Death film. With Mike, Ari, and Brian. To get the full episode, and to gain access on up to 100+ hours of bonus shows, become a patron today for as little as two bucks at patreon.com/podandthependulum

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It's Peachfuzz time! This week we breakdown the 2014 found footage mumblegore classic CREEP. Mike, Devaughn, and Nichole are joined by guest Alex Pagliuca to talk about this two-hander from Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice. An equal parts horrific, suspenseful, cringey and funny exploration at the sort of social isolation and loneliness that drives a person to stay in a situation that is rife with red flags.

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This week we rank all the theatrical entries in THE OMEN franchise.

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Stephen, Mike and Ariel are on and to take one final look at Omen related properties, this time turning to the small screen with two failed projects. Up first, it's a TV pilot from 1995 that would have taken the series in a strange direction. Seemingly have little to nothing to do with the Antichrist, NBC's THE OMEN was a mixture of possession horror and ecological terror staring the great character actor William Sadler. It failed to find an audience in the dog days of summer, and NBC declined to pick it up for a series.

Watch it...

Mike and Stephen are joined by guest Alex Paglicua for the second half of our episode on THE FIRST OMEN.  This time we're diving into the text and themes of the movie with an exploration of how scandals shifted our views of the Catholic Church and forced them into a more antagonistic role. We discuss the film in the context of other tragedies that befell children unfortunate enough to be placed in Catholic orphanages while also tackling the fantastic horror elements Arkasha Stevenson brought to the table.

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In the wake of the repeal of Roe vs Wade, it only makes sense that art would reflect the terror women feel in a world increasingly hostile to them, and the increasing loss of their bodily autonomy. In 2024, a pair of movies centered on nuns forced to give birth not only against their will, but also their knowledge were released back-to-back and seemed to be in conversation with one another. Arkasha Stevenson's feature film directorial debut not only improved on Neon's Immaculate,  but it also added depth to...

While the 2000s were lousy with horror remakes, perhaps none struggled to justify its existence as much as this uninspired, beat-for-beat retread of the Richard Donner Catholic shocker. It seemed to only exist because a studio executive noticed that there would be a 6/6/6 on the calendar less than 11 months before this would be dumped into theaters to a tepid if lucrative response. This week Mike, Stephen & Devaughn look back at what went wrong and what could have salvaged this Liev Schriber and Julia Stiles vehicle.

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This week we've got four hosts on hand to talk the fourth entry in the Omen franchise. Coincidence or the work of the Devil? You decide.

We break down this 1991 FOX made-for-television reboot of the franchise. With a gender swapped AntiChrist, hopes were high the fledgling network could use their deep film archives to entice viewers to the small screen. Unfortunately, the less than stellar results here, with muted violence and a script that mirrors the beats of the original to a degree that leaves you wondering "Why am I not watching the 1976 movie instead?" killed that...

Enjoy this preview of Mike and Nichole's discussion on A24's latest horror offering Undertone.

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This week Mike and Stephen are on hand to talk politics, the end of the world, and just how hot  young Sam Neill was. That’s right, it’s time for The Omen 3: The Final Conflict. 

As a special bonus, you get to hear the two of us was rhapsodic about the Oscars, which ran the night before. If that’s of no interest to you, feel free to skip ahead to roughly 29:00 into the show.

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This week, the only thing worse than a little tyke Anti-Christ is a pre-teen Antichrist. If the Devil doesn't kill you, then hormones surely will! Mike, Nichole and Stephen are on hand to talk about this solid second entry in The Omen franchise, which finds a young Damien at military school when he learns of his destiny as the son of Satan. Featuring an increase in graphic violence, a pair of Academy award winners, and a strong turn from young Johnathan Scott-Taylor as Damien, we found...

IT’S ALL FOR YOU LISTENERS! This week we kick of a new franchise with part two of a two part dive into THE OMEN, a movie that asks, “What if the Antichrist was revealed to be a cherubic five year old boy that also enjoyed cosplaying as AC/DC guitarist Angus Young?”

Stephen, Brian, Nichole and Mike are joined by special guest photographer and filmmaker Rachel Schwebach to talk religious trauma, the history of cult and evil kid cinema, the dreaded Omen curse, what it has in common with 1970s political thrillers, and the twists and turns...

IT’S ALL FOR YOU LISTENERS! This week we kick of a new franchise with part one of a two part dive into THE OMEN, a movie that asks, “What if the Antichrist was revealed to be a cherubic five year old boy that also enjoyed cosplaying as AC/DC guitarist Angus Young?”Stephen, Brian, Nichole and Mike are joined by special guest photographer and filmmaker Rachel Schwebach to talk religious trauma, the history of cult and evil kid cinema, the dreaded Omen curse, what it has in common with 1970s political thrillers, and the twists and turns this one to...

This week Mike and Nichole check in for the five season A&E horror-drama, Bates Motel, a creative prequel and reimagining of Psycho. Starring Vera Farmiga and Freddy Highmore as Norma and Norman Bates, the show explored the psychosexual dynamic of the mother / son duo while offering a sympathetic portrayal of a mom who would protect her increasingly unhinged and dangerous son from consequences at any cost.

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Mike, Brian, and Stephen pay tribute to the late Bud Cort and look back at the failed pilot/TV movie for Bates Motel

Watch the movie here-https://youtu.be/_uRu6TqIqTQ?si=RsAaeD0tJ0CvqSpl

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