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The Best Spooky Podcasts to Keep You Up at Night

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In the past, iHorror posted a great article on the six podcasts you should be listening to right now. And they were right, those six are amazing (you can never go wrong with Jim Harold). Much like weeds on the lawn of an abandoned house, amazing spooky podcasts (both paranormal and horror themed) pop up all the time.

Some are informative about legends, some are more entertainment based with interviews and commentary, and some are filled with fictional yet terrifying stories written by listeners. I’m here to bring you a creepy handful of my favorites. So, turn down the lights, turn up the volume, and let’s dig in.

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The NoSleep Podcast

As a fellow writer of both fiction and nonfiction, this is a favorite in my house. Based off of the NoSleep subreddit and created by David Cummings, each episode is a hand-picked collection of stories submitted on their reddit page.

Each is narrated by different actors and the acting for the most part is phenomenal. Some of the stories can truly terrify you, make you uncomfortable, or give you goosebumps all over. The best part? They are always taking submissions on their NoSleep page.

Podcasts

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Astonishing Legends

What started as a small legend based podcast by Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess has grown exponentially in the last two years. Their episodes range from creepy encounters to unsolved true crime to legends hundreds of years old. Extensive research goes into each segment and they are thorough in their information. As a history buff and paranerd, this is one of my favorites.

Podcasts

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The Big Seance Podcast

Here is another small podcast that is gaining momentum in the paranormal and spiritual crowds. Created and hosted by Patrick Keller, this podcast deals with ghosts, psychics, spiritualism, and actual live seances.

Some of my favorite episodes include the history of Madame Delphine Lalaurie, his interview with Guy Lyon Playfair about the involvement (or lack thereof) of the Warrens in the case of the Enfield Poltergeist, and an interview with Chip Coffey. Join the The Big Seance Parlor to keep up on the conversation and be updated about new episodes.

Podcasts

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The Movie Crypt

Stepping away a little from the paranormal side of things is The Movie Crypt. If you are a fan of the show Holliston, that name will sound familiar to you. The masterminds behind the horror sitcom, Adam Green (Hatchet, Frozen) and Joe Lynch (Knights of Badassdom) bring you a podcast full of interviews with the biggest names in horror and full movie commentary on their favorite scary movies.

They even have a little countdown on when to start your movie along with them. It’s both fun and informative as they give listeners an inside look behind the scenes at creating horror.

Podcasts

(Image credit: realghoststoriesonline.com)

Real Ghost Stories Online

Created and hosted by husband and wife team Tony and Jenny Brueski, this is a podcast out of Wichita, KS. It offers personal experience tales from listeners both called in and written and all true (that remains to be seen but some of them are truly creepy). If you have your own personal experience, you can submit them here.

There are hundreds of horror, paranormal and scifi themed podcasts but unfortunately I can’t list them all.

Some honorable mentions that are definitely worth listening to are The X-Files Files with Kumail Nanjiani (unfortunately no new episodes have shown up in a year), Nightmare on Film Street (only missing the list because I’m new to the podcast and need more episodes under my belt first), Those Conspiracy Guys (each episode is very long but if you have time and like conspiracies, this is for you) and Beyond Reality Radio (hosted by Jason Hawes of Ghost Hunters and JV Johnson).

Nearly all of the podcasts have a website you can stream directly from. They are also available on iTunes, iHeartRadio, Podcast Republic, or your favorite podcast streaming app. Beyond Reality Radio also runs on multiple radio stations across the country.

So, take this list and explore all of the reaches of parapsychology, science fiction, history and entertainment. And don’t blame me if you can’t sleep tonight.

(Featured image courtesy of codyschibi.com)

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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