Faculty of Horror - podcast cover

Faculty of Horror

Andrea Subissati and Alexandra Westwww.facultyofhorror.com
Podcasting from the Horrored Halls of Academia

Episodes

Episode 137. One of Us: Freaks (1932)

Join us as we delve into the lineage and legacy of Tod Browning’s pre-code horror classic. From the morality police to representation of disability to community building through murder, we discuss why Freaks remains a unique and unrepeatable entry in the horror canon. More content over on our Patreon! REQUIRED READING Freaks. Dir. Tod Browning, 1932. […]

Feb 25, 20251 hr 3 min

Episode 136. Curse of Fack: 2024 Year in Review

Andrea and Alex run down their favourite horror films from 2024, share what they’re looking forward to this year and go head-to-head in trivia for Fack supremacy. Join our Patreon community! LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”

Jan 28, 20252 hr 49 min

Episode 135. Family Matters: The Brood (1979)

Join us as we breakdown the isolated families of David Cronenberg’s The Brood. From family structures to the legalese of it all, we investigate why and how we cling to each other. Last chance for our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin. REQUIRED READING The Brood. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1979. EXTRA CREDIT Cronenberg […]

Dec 28, 20241 hr 5 min

Fack Flash! Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU

Christmas came early for the profs this year, with an advance screening to Robert Eggers’ hotly anticipated adaptation of Nosferatu! We recorded our immediate reaction at the cinema for our Patreon, but we wanted to spread the good cheer for the film’s wide release. Hear our raw reactions – but beware spoilers if you don’t […]

Dec 24, 202423 min

Episode 134. Material World: They Live (1988)

In this episode Andrea and Alex deep-dive into John Carpenter’s cult-classic exploring the ways that materialism, Marxism, and maximalism have driven us to the edge of consumption. Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin. REQUIRED READING They Live. Dir. John Carpenter, 1988. EXTRA CREDIT “Eight O’Clock in the Morning.” […]

Nov 26, 20241 hr 14 min

Episode 133. Missionary Position: The Conjuring (2013)

James Wan’s blockbuster horror offering The Conjuring thrilled audiences and created a cinematic universe but for Andrea and Alex it left an icky feeling that has nothing to do with demonic possession. By investigating the politics, means and ideology behind the film, they’ll uncover the true villains behind this narrative. Check out our Class of 2024 […]

Oct 30, 20241 hr 4 min

Episode 132. Mother May I?: Suspiria (2018) with Stacie Ponder

For this very special back-to-school episode, Andrea and Alex are joined by the one and only Stacie Ponder to dig into the depths of Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s classic. From the dance of politics to the dance of sexuality, there’s more under the floorboards of the Markos Dance Academy than meets the eye. […]

Sep 19, 20242 hr 41 min

Episode 131. Clever Girl: Island of Lost Souls (1932) and Jurassic Park (1993)

Pack your bags and leave your conception of the social fabric that binds us behind because we’re going to two private islands in this episode! From the darkness of Dr. Moreau’s experiments to John Hammond’s capitalist enterprise, these journeys into the human desire for control rarely end well for anyone involved.   REQUIRED READING Island […]

Jul 30, 20241 hr 28 min

Episode 130. Nature Calls: Eden Lake (2008) and Backcountry (2014)

Pack your bags and your partner because this episode leaves the comforts of civilized society far behind. In this episode we unpack the need for serenity, the heritage of toxic masculinity, and why a bear might actually make a great boyfriend. REQUIRED READING Eden Lake. Dir. James Watkins, 2008. Backcountry. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2014. […]

Jun 25, 20242 hr 30 min

Episode 129. Bad Trip: Angel Heart (1987) and Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

Whether you’re ascending or descending, spiritual journeys through the afterlife are never easy. In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle two films that share some overlapping tendencies but deviate in unexpected ways. REQUIRED READING Angel Heart. Dir. Alan Parker, 1987. Jacob’s Ladder. Dir Adrian Lyne, 1990. EXTRA CREDIT Satanic Feminism: Per Faxneld’s book about […]

May 29, 20242 hr 37 min

Episode 128. The Feral Feminine: Cat People (1942)

Coming to you live from Salem Horror Fest, Andrea and Alex prowl the darkest corners of RKO’s cult classic Cat People. From the themes of immigration and assimilation to the parallels of sex and power, we uncover how Jacques Tourneur and Val Lewton’s dark vision of 1940s America remains a prescient warning. REQUIRED READING Cat People. […]

Apr 29, 202457 min

Episode 127. In Plain Sight: Manhunter (1986)

In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate how multiple characters are perceived and perceive Michael Mann’s entry into the Hannibal Lec(k)tor cinematic universe. From cops to killers and the humanity in between, these cuts go deep. REQUIRED READING Manhunter. Dir. Michael Mann, 1986. EXTRA CREDIT How Thomas Harris defined a genre and created […]

Mar 23, 20242 hr 41 min

See you at SALEM HORROR FEST 2024!

We’re packing our bags to hop onto our broomsticks for our annual trip to SALEM HORROR FEST 2024 – and you’re invited!Listen in for important info, dates, and highlights! Buy your tickets here! LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”

Mar 18, 202418 min

Episode 126. Bad Habits: The Devils (1971)

From the depths of Warner Bros archives, Ken Russell’s infamous film The Devils has been resurrected (ish) once more! Andrea and Alex take this opportunity to dive into the politics, contractions, and naughtiness present within one of the most controversial cult films ever made. REQUIRED READING The Devils. Dir. Ken Russell, 1971. […]

Feb 29, 20242 hr 38 min

Episode 125. Fack XI: 2023 Year in Review

It’s time to look back before we scream forward! Join Andrea and Alex for horror and non-horror faves and a game that will decide their fate for 2024. Alex’s Horror/Horror Adjacent Faves 1. Red Rooms (dir. Pascal Plante) 2. Godzilla Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki) 3. Talk to Me (dir. Danny and […]

Jan 26, 20242 hr 52 min

Episode 124. Death in Venice: Don’t Look Now (1973)

Andrea and Alex delve into the murky depths of Nicolas Roeg’s classic to uncover the film’s themes of mysticism, misogyny and the ethics of mourning. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READING Don’t Look Now. Dir. Nicolas Roeg, 1973. EXTRA CREDIT Daphne du Maurier’s short story. The Year of Magical […]

Dec 18, 20231 hr 6 min

Episode 123. Love Bites: The Hunger (1983) and Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

In this episode Andrea and Alex delve into some truly long-term relationships and their lasting implications. From ageless vampires to hipster gentrification, sometimes loving someone “forever and ever” isn’t as fun as it seems. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READING The Hunger. Dir. Tony Scott, 1983. Only Lovers Left Alive. Dir. Jim Jarmusch, […]

Nov 27, 20231 hr 29 min

Episode 122. Homecoming: IT Chapter 1 (2017) and IT Chapter 2 (2019)

We all float down here… or we’ll lose our minds trying to make sense of Andy Muschietti’s blockbuster horror films based on Stephen King’s classic novel. In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate the depths of Derry’s sewer system, summer holidays and sexual awakenings. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft REQUIRED READING It […]

Oct 22, 20232 hr 45 min

Episode 121. Close Quarters: Single White Female (1992)

What kind of person could you live with? Barbet Shroeder’s paranoid erotic thriller seeks to answer that question and more as it delves into queer fear, sexual conservatism, property rights and female intimacy. Class of 2023 merch Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft If you’re Toronto, catch Alex’s lecture on Brexit in the modern British horror film […]

Sep 25, 20232 hr 32 min

Episode 120. Unseen Forces: The Invisible Man (1933 & 2020)

From economic disruptors to controlling techbro exes, the unseeable has been used as a metaphor in a variety of ways. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look back at H.G. Wells’ original text, James Whale’s Universal classic and how #MeToo created a new kind of monster. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Invisible […]

Jul 21, 20231 hr 18 min

Episode 119. Metamorphosis: The Fly (1958) and The Fly (1986)

Dust off the telepods and put your swatters away – it’s time for our thoughts about a short story, an iconic original film, and an even better remake to mingle molecules in an all-new episode. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING The Fly. Dir. Kurt Neumann, 1958. The Fly. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1986. […]

Jun 24, 20232 hr 31 min

Episode 118. Friends till the End. Child’s Play (1988)

In this episode we look at the origins of the original “Good Guy.” From his place in the history of toys to his ties to masculinity to the anxiety around 1980s family structures, we go deep with Chucky to find out what makes him kill. Become a Patron! REQUIRED READING Child’s Play. Dir. […]

May 26, 20231 hr 1 min

Episode 117. Fear of Folk: The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971)

We’re back on our old stomping grounds of Salem Horror Fest to plow the fertile fields of themes and metaphors to unearth why the British folk horror classic, The Blood on Satan’s Claw, left us feeling so icky. From teens and occultism to PSAs and power, we dig deep. Tickets for Alex’s Brexit lecture […]

Apr 25, 20231 hr 2 min

Episode 116. Carrying On: The Quatermass Xperiment

In this episode we look at what happens when an American experiment crash lands in the British countryside. By looking at the state of England after two World Wars, a crisis of masculinity and humanity’s shaky grasp on scientific responsibility, Andrea and Alex uncover what is truly driving innovation and our need to win. Salem […]

Mar 23, 20231 hr 1 min

Episode 115. House Guest: Misery (1990)

Mind the roads this time of year because we’re covering Rob Reiner’s iconic film that delves into the murky territories brought to light when your saviour is also your #1 fan. We cover romance novels, toxic fandom, addiction, and more so buckle up! And make sure you know where the Dom Pérignon is kept. […]

Feb 23, 20231 hr 29 min

Episode 114. Facks: 2022 Year in Review

We cast one last glance at a year with a lot of horror highs. Featuring our best of 2022, things we can’t live without, our top 10 horror movies of all time, and, of course, some bloopers. Become a Patron! EXTRA CREDIT Alex’s Best of 2022 1. Nope 2. Barbarian 3. Prey 4. […]

Jan 25, 20232 hr 11 min

Episode 113. Stayin’ Alive: Black Christmas (1974) and Halloween (1978)

We’re live from Toronto to celebrate our 10th anniversary! This episode revisits the films of our first-ever episode to explore whether our opinions on two horror classics have changed. We dig into the evolution of slashers and the conservative monsters that came to life during a wave of social change while we try to find […]

Dec 13, 20222 hr 26 min

Episode 112. Intruder Alert: Them (2006) & The Strangers (2008)

Lock your doors and check your windows because some uninvited guests are on their way. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore the origins and hyperbole around the home invasion sub-genre and why there may be more to fear than those trying to break in. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is […]

Nov 22, 20221 hr 23 min

Episode 111. Homegrown: 28 Days Later (2002)

Andrea and Alex cross the pond to revisit Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic film that brought the zombie genre back to (un)life. From virology to bodily autonomy to Brexit, there’s a lot to chew on. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad on […]

Oct 28, 20221 hr 20 min

Episode 110. Fight or Flight: Final Destination (2000)

Andrea and Alex evoke the spectre of Death in their analysis of James Wong’s turn of the century ode to vibes. From risk society to the abject, Final Destination has a plan for everyone. Become a Patron! Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad […]

Sep 26, 20221 hr 9 min