News

Triskaidekaphobia: Fear of the Unlucky Number 13

Published

7 years ago

January 13, 2017

Trigger warnings for: triskaidekaphobia, the number thirteen.

Have you jumped on the Friday the 13th bandwagon–complete with loose screws and flattening tires? Take a look in all thirteen shards of the mirror you just shattered, and ask yourself why. (Actually, no–you should probably get that cleaned up first. We can wait.)

(Gif credit: giphy.com)

Once we grow out of the doe-eyed, inquisitive children we all once were, we no longer question such things. We know that that heinous day and date gives some the willies, and that’s just how it is. Always has been, as far back as we can recall.

Clearly, it’s coined as bad luck–and that is not news. Be it a laughable rumor or validated dread, every member of our culture (and many others, since the nineteenth century) have been made aware of the whyfor.

But those who fear the infamous anti-holiday the most aren’t animal shelter volunteers who just received a truckload of black cats, nor those who commute beneath ladders. Hell, it’s not even the campers up at Crystal Lake (Okay–so maybe they’re tied).

It’s those who suffer from triskaidekaphobia: the literal fear of the number thirteen.

That’s a tongue twister. Photo cred: Empire International Studios

And we aren’t here to pass judgment. This is the horror community: a kinship who’d swim through a heap of intestines with glee, like the ball pit at a McDonald’s–yet, some of whom would still piss their pants at the sight of a porcelain doll.

And that’s okay! Unpleasant, albeit, but perfectly fine. We cannot handpick our phobias. If we could, we would all be impenetrable, after all–and this entire genre would never have seen the light of day.

But with an estimated some seventeen to twenty-one million people being affected, this phobia should be further explored.

lorinotes.file

It gets debilitating: to the point where some victims will refuse to leave the safety of their beds, let alone operate heavy machinery, such as a car.

Wikipedia actually notes that, ironically enough, it’s actually safer to drive on Friday the 13th in the Netherlands, likely because so few people will be on the road. (And while Wiki can be edited by anyone, it’s doubtful that Jason Vorhees is all that tech savvy. Then again, he did go to space–and that’s more than most hackers can say.)

Some avoid the airways as well, rescheduling their flights to dodge the risks of the impending day.

They’ll engage in fewer business pursuits.

Finland even has what’s called “National Accident Day,” which–likely deliberately–always falls on a Friday the 13th.

The suspected origins of the fear seem to lie in religion. Judas was the alleged thirteenth guest to pull up a chair at The Last Supper, as was Norse god Loki the thirteenth guest to arrive at the funeral for a murder which he was said to be behind.

Ye olde fear-mongers likely preyed on the over thinkers of their time, who weren’t yet capable of knowing much better. (And, no… over thinkers has twelve letters.) The fear likely spread like a brush fire.

Every person affected likely has their own reasons–and some may not be consciously able to pinpoint their personal cause. But no matter the root of it, their fear–like every fear–is entirely valid. Work through it once you are able, friends. But until then, perhaps root for Freddy.

Gif credit: New Line Cinema, Crystal Lake Entertainment

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

12 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.