The Pod and the Pendulum: A Horror Movie Podcast

For the next franchise, we're unlocking Ariel's dive into one of the more controversial franchises we've discussed, the I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE FRANCHISE, which we've unlocked from our patreon page.

In this episode, to kick off our I Spit on Your Grave franchise coverage, Ariel and subgenre expert Vannah Taylor and Ariel discuss Rape Revenge as a whole. They explore the strengths and weaknesses of the subgenre, what constitutes a Rape Revenge film, and why these films evoke such strong reactions from audiences. They also set the tone for the series, and include a few points to keep in mind as we delve into the films coming up.

Find more of Vannah Taylor's work!

Vannah's socials: Twitter and Instrgram @sirendeathcult

Vannah's blog: https://sirendeathcult.com/

Vannah's podcast: Rotten FM

More writing and video essays on her LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/sirendeathcult

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Happy Halloween listeners. Nothing screams our favorite autumnal holiday like summer camp. Mike is joined by a very special guest, show cofounder Jerry Smith, as the pair reunite to talk all thing Crystal Lake, the hit new Friday the 13th prequel series, now streaming on Peacock. We discuss the warm relationship between Linda Cardellini's Pamela Voorhees & young Jason, along with the fantastic ensemble including Crazy Ralph, and the long asked for introduction of Jason's father Elias. This is a fun one friends!

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It's time to put on our finest tuxedos and gowns and prepare our acceptance speeches. Devaughn leads the crew in looking back at the horror movies that should have been nominated at the Academy Awards. While the Oscars have never been particularly kind to the horror genre (recent wins from Sinners & Weapons notwithstanding) there have been plenty of genre films more than worthy of awards love and respect. We go through the major categories (performer, director, best picture, score) along with a slew of other worthy categories with our picks.

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This week we wrap up Insidious with our rankings of the six (to date) entries. Will Mike & Nichole's anti Patrick Wilson bias shine through, or will Ariel's enthusiasm for tapioca in human form offset us? Plus, more talk about dogs in trench coats, where the series should head next, and debate on whether Mike could take Wilson (or anyone else) in fisticuffs.

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So nice we recorded it twice. This week on the show Mike and Nichole talk about the latest chapter in the Insidious saga, Out of the Further. With the story of the Lamberts now behind us, a new beginning focuses on a single mother trying to put childhood trauma in the rearview mirror while protecting her daughter from a cult leader trapped in the Further, looking for a way back into the real world. Plus, what did a Doritos' commercial featuring dogs in a trench coat have to do with this one getting made? What does Ben Affleck think about dogs in trench coats? What sort of dating advice can we offer someone whose partner can astral project? If you needed answers to these questions, you've come to the right place!

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Hello listeners, it's Halloween season which means we've got some great bonus material for you. For our comic book fans looking for something scary to read, with fantastic visuals, the new graphic novel WOODSTAKE, from SHP Comics, might be right up your alley. This period piece reimagines the classic vampire story, the charged political and social upheavals of the late 60s, set in the heart of 1969's Woodstock music festival. Peace, love, and bloodsuckers for all. Mike sat down with an interview with Shawn Hainsworth, writer & creator, to discuss the music of the time, the conflicts beyond man vs the undead, and why vampires persist as such a great monster.

Purchase WOODSTAKE here

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Back by popular demand, it's the 2026 Horror Movie Marathon episode. Mike, Devaughn, Brian, Stephen, & Nichole have each been tasked to program four movies around a specific theme, or sub-genre. From trekking through the fog shrouded forests of Twin Peaks, crisis's of identity, slam dancing with punk-inspired horror, getting hot & heavy with erotic horror or going back to class with Genre 101, we've got twenty fantastic, off the beaten path picks for your viewing pleasure.

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Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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We wrap up the story of the Lamberts with this week's deep dive into the Further. It's time for INSIDIOUS THE RED DOOR, the fifth film in Blumhouse Studio's supernatural franchise. Patrick Wilson steps behind the director's chair for the first (and only) time in his career. The Red Door explores generational and suppressed trauma while not getting too dour, and new to the franchise Sinclair Damiel brings some levity to the film despite the writing not giving her a hell of a lot to do as Dalton's college roomie Chris. We lament the great Rose Byrne getting sidelined once again, but overall, Insidious remains one of the more consistent franchises we've covered to date.

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support.

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Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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This week we break down INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY, the second prequel in the Blumhouse fan-favorite franchise. Lin Shaye returns alongside Leigh Whannel & Angus Sampson for a ghost hunt that ties directly into Elise's childhood. Director Adam Robitel (Escape Room, The Taking of Deborah Logan) picks up the reins here, and delivers an entry that's a bit darker and rooted in real world horror with child abuse and kidnapping. What did we think? Listen and find out.

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support.

Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, for as little as $2 at https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum.

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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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 no Patrick Wilson this time.

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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 own careers. It wouldn’t be us if we didn’t point out absentee dads and boy do we have a doozy of one in Insidious to trash! All this, plus our love of jump scares and stinging scores, lipstick demons, and all things Linn Shaye. As an added bonus, Nichole joins Mike on his quest to spread the word on why Patrick wWilson is such a charisma vacuum.

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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 free will, and where the spark of life is stored in the body.

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support.

Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, for as little as $2 at https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum.

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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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 statements from Bruce that raised a few eyebrows. With a more serious approach rooted in telling a story on domestic abuse and toxic families, BURN is the meanest entry yet. That said, your trio of hosts might go against some of the critical grain, as we all found a lot to like here.

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support.

Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, for as little as $2 at https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum.

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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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 this past week to talk about CHUD in advance of a multi-media event / screening of the film this Friday July 31st at the CUT in Gloucester, MA (get tickets here)

CHUD Talk 3:45

THE BLOB 26:30

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Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, for as little as $2 at https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum.

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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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 was Americva's favorite goth for the first two decades of his career.

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support.

Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, for as little as $2 at https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum.

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to http://www.podandthependulum.com to check it out.

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