Mostly Horror

Today, we’re joined by Melbourne-based tattoo artist Josh Todaro, who’s amassed a huge online following for his movie and horror-inspired tattoo style. But he’s not just killing it in the tattoo game. Josh is also a film writer and director, and the creator of the horror short film Button Man . This year, he even had the opportunity to work as a tattoo consultant on Insidious Chapter 6: Out of the Further , with his hands actually featured in the film! We chatted all about his experience growing up in a spooky house surrounded by his mother’s massive (and very creepy) doll collection, what first got him into art and tattooing, and how he developed his unique style. He also shared all about his experience working on the latest installment of the Insidious franchise, gave us his thoughts on whether aliens are real, and shared some exciting things he’s cooking up in the movie world. If you love tattoos AND horror movies ... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode, we have a super fun Mostly Horror Rewind! We’re bringing back an old episode from years ago, when we brought on our friends Brandon and Bruce to build bands using horror characters. From Six Shooter of Puppet Master on the keys to Pennywise on the drums to The Babadook as the lead vocalist, we compare our ideal horror character bands, share our wild band names, and debate why these characters would make perfect, and probably terrifying, bands. It's a game we had a blast playing, and we're sure you'll have a great time tuning in, so... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're bringing back our Mostly Horror rubric for another movie, this time with the 1987 Disney animated film, The Brave Little Toaster. It's a movie that we watched as young kids, and despite it being a Disney animation, its nightmare scenes, eerie music, and dark undertones still unsettle us to this day. That's why we put it to the test to determine whether we'd consider it not a horror film, horror adjacent, mostly horror, or a certified horror film. We take into consideration its iconography and put it through the campfire test (would it still be horror if it were a story told around a campfire?), the crowd test (how would others react?), and residue test (how much did it haunt you after watching it?) to come to our conclusions. And with its terrifying clown nightmare scene, themes of suicide, and creepy settings, The Brave Little Toaster might have more horror to it than you remember. So come on this journey with us as we dig up this movie from our childhood that still sits unsettlingly with us to this day. Did this movie scare you as a kid? How much of it would you consider horror? Make sure to ... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we welcome back filmmaker Leigh Whannell, the co-creator of horror franchise favorites like Saw and Insidious , and the director of films like The Invisible Man and Wolf Man . He’s back as a producer on the latest film in the Insidious franchise, Insidious: Out of the Further , coming August 21st. Leigh shared how Insidious came about from a desire for creative freedom, discussed his creative partnership with James Wan, the lasting impact of Saw and Insidious , and how these franchises have evolved over the years. Plus, we got into the story behind “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” whether ghosts are real, and, of course, some of Leigh’s great horror recommendations. It was awesome to have Leigh back on the show, and he had plenty of great stories, insights, and recs to share, so… COME HANG OUT!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we bring back Xanthe, one of the hosts of the podcast Kindergeist , to talk about children’s horror. After catching up on all the latest news with her podcast and her current PhD research on children’s perspectives on horror, we put our “Is It Horror?” rubric to the test with another film: Coraline . This time, we break down the film’s intent and horror iconography, try out the “campfire test” (would this still be a scary story if told around a campfire?), and more to decide whether this amazing stop-motion animated film is not a horror film, horror adjacent, mostly horror, or a certified horror film. And even though it’s considered a “kids’ movie,” the button eyes, spider webs, and eerie soundtrack make it much scarier than we might expect from a children's animated film. Do you think Coraline is a horror film? Make sure to tune in for this fun conversation, and … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we're trying something new. Our show is built around the idea that some films may not be "traditional" horror, but still feel mostly horror, or at least horror-adjacent. To explore that idea, we've created a rubric to determine whether a film qualifies as horror. For our first attempt, there was no better film to put to the test than Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey . We're joined by our friend Bruce as we evaluate the film across five categories: its intent, its storytelling DNA (how much of the film is built from horror storytelling), the horror experience, its horror iconography, and, ultimately, whether it should be classified as not horror, horror-adjacent, mostly horror, or a certified horror film. Do you think Nolan's The Odyssey is horror? We'd love to hear your thoughts. So… COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we sat down with writer, producer, and showrunner Nick Antosca, the creator behind the shows Channel Zero , The Act , Brand New Cherry Flavor , and the new Apple TV+ series Cape Fear , whose season finale just aired. Nick shared how Jaws and Night of the Living Dead first introduced him to horror as a child and also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at what a showrunner actually does. We also discussed Cape Fear and how he reimagined the iconic story for modern audiences, reinvented Max Cady with Javier Bardem in the role, and approached the adaptation. And of course, Nick shared some great horror recommendations that every fan should check out. This was an awesome conversation about adaptation and the creative process behind some incredible horror projects, sooo… COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Director Nicolas Winding Refn joins us this week for a wide ranging conversation covering his career from Pusher through Bronson, Drive, and Neon Demon, up to his latest film, Her Private Hell, starring Sophie Thatcher. Refn returns after a ten year break from feature filmmaking, following a near death health scare he's been open about. He breaks down his creative process in detail, including his use of a triangle structure to connect disparate ideas into a single story, and how images, rather than plot, are always his true starting point. Its a great conversation about the creative process, sooo... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steve and Sean are flying solo this week, no guest, just the boys catching up and diving into Evil Dead Burn. We open with our July travels then get into the news: remembering Sam Neill, the new Nightmare on Elm Street remake landing at Paramount Primal, and David Howard Thornton joining Behind the Mask 2: The Return of Leslie Vernon. Then it's a full breakdown of Evil Dead Burn, Sébastien Vaniček's entry in the franchise and the first chapter of the new trilogy kicked off after Evil Dead Rise. We get into what we expected walking in, how the Deadite work compares to Rise, the practical effects and eye work, whether the film leans too far into action over horror in spots, and where Burn actually lands once you rewatch the entire franchise back to back. We close out with our full Evil Dead rankings, and yes, we disagree. We are the things that were and shall be again!!! Sooo... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we're rewinding the clock and bringing back an interview from five years ago! We sat down with Richard Vreeland, better known as Disasterpeace, the composer behind It Follows , as well as films like Bodies Bodies Bodies and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On . In this episode, we talk all about his collaboration with director David Robert Mitchell, how Mitchell discovered him through his soundtrack for the game FEZ, the intense three-week time crunch in which he composed the It Follows score, and some of his biggest sonic inspirations, including the stabbing sounds from Psycho . Disasterpeace also shares how he documents his creative work on his website, along with the personal projects and concept albums he loves to make. Plus, Steve gets into the latest updates from the horror world and shares some of his recommendations for the week. It's a great throwback episode, so... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we caught up with New York Times best-selling and Bram Stoker Award-winning author Paul Tremblay, whose acclaimed novels include The Cabin at the End of the World (adapted into the film Knock at the Cabin ), A Head Full of Ghosts , which is currently in the works as a film , Horror Movie, and his latest novel, Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep , coming out this week. We chatted with Paul about all the recent news in his world, from the upcoming A Head Full of Ghosts adaptation to the release of Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep . He also opened up about major changes in his life, from a recent health scare to retiring after 31 years as a math teacher to pursue writing full-time. Paul shared what it was like visiting the set of A Head Full of Ghosts in Ireland, calling it a dream to see the film finally come together. We also dove into the origins of Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep , discussing his thoughts on human creativity versus AI-generated work, the unique challenge of writing between two perspectives, and the question of whether AI could every possess consciousness. This was an insightful conversation about horror, creativity, and technology, something that couldn’t be more relevant today. Sooo … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we sat down with actress Natalie Grace, the breakout star of Lee Cronin’s The Mummy . Natalie shared all the details of her experience bringing Katie’s terrifying mummy form to life, from the audition process and lengthy prosthetic and makeup sessions to performing her own stunts for the role. She also told us about her very first acting gig at just four years old, the surreal experience of suddenly seeing her own face plastered across billboards this year, and her journey into horror fandom sparked by her role. And of course, she shared some awesome film and reading recommendations. If you've ever wondered what it's like to step into the role of a horror movie monster, this is a great listen, sooo ... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week’s episode, we got to chat with Adrian Chiarella, writer and director of the Australian supernatural horror film Leviticus , hitting theaters this Friday, June 19. Adrian is an award-winning filmmaker who gained acclaim with Dwarf Planet and his television work, and Leviticus marks his feature directorial debut. We dove into Adrian’s background as an editor and how that has shaped his perspective and work now as a director. Adrian also shared how, as a queer teenager, he turned to horror films and connected with their themes of otherness and identity, and how those influences ultimately found their way into Leviticus . He shared his experience casting and working with the film’s actors, one of whom appeared in Talk to Me , and how they built their chemistry both on and off set (apparently playing Fortnight together works great.) We also talked A Nightmare on Elm Street, Frank Ocean, and Cure. It was a fascinating conversation with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories along the way. You don’t want to miss this great chat about an exciting new horror film that’s about to hit theaters, sooo … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, the two of us decided to dive straight into one of the most talked-about and highly anticipated horror films of the year: The Backrooms . What began as a single unsettling image posted online anonymously has now evolved into an A24 feature film, already amassing over $200 million worldwide. We break down the origins of The Backrooms and how it's evolved over the years, from its roots on 4chan and the rise of liminal horror to becoming a viral YouTube sensation created by a teenager before eventually being picked up by A24. We discuss what worked, what didn't, what disappointed us, and what we hoped to see from the adaptation. And despite moments that genuinely impressed us, we found ourselves grappling with why some of the horror elements that worked so well online didn't translate nearly as well onto the big screen. We also chatted about creepypastas, filming found footage, and Slender Man, and why some horror concepts might be more effective online than they are in theaters. If you've seen the film and have thoughts of your own, this is a great convo to dive into, so ... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we’re joined by Mostly Horror veteran CJ Leede, author of Maeve Fly and American Rapture , to discuss her latest novel, Headlights . We caught up on her experience living on the road, talked about the color palettes of her books, and explored how visiting locations shapes her storytelling. She also shared how the role grief and mortality played into writing Headlights , and what it was like navigating those more difficult themes while simultaneously reaching new highs in her career. We also spent plenty of time talking about John Denver, UFOs, roadside attractions, and other paranormal mysteries. As always, it was an absolute pleasure catching up with CJ and hearing about the journey behind Headlights. There's never a dull moment talking with CJ, so ... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we’re joined by Hugo Docking, a filmmaker and the co-founder of Spare Flesh, a stop motion animation and puppetry studio based in the UK. His work is known for its grotesque puppets, dark musical shorts, and incredible craftsmanship that turns stop motion into body horror and twisted comedy. Together, we chatted about Hugo’s introduction to horror through Salad Fingers , disturbing British children’s media, and how COVID brought him back to stop motion filmmaking. We also learned all about the universe of Spare Flesh and how a passion slowly became a career. We dove into films like Moving Parts and To The Brink, the art of mixing mediums, and creating work in a world of chaos and uncertainty. We absolutely loved our conversation with Hugo and learning about his incredible mesh of horror, comedy, and animation, and we’re certain you will too, so … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we’re joined by the director of yet another horror movie in theaters this month, André Øvredal, the filmmaker behind fan favorites like Trollhunter , The Autopsy of Jane Doe , and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark . Now, he’s back with his latest supernatural horror film, Passenger . Together, we had an awesome conversation about his history with horror, from a childhood memory of a haunted tennis court movie to obsessively reading Stephen King novels. We also dove into the behind-the-scenes of Trollhunter’s iconic VFX and his approach to finding humanity within monsters. We also talked about his collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, van life culture as reflected in Passenger , and a super sick projection sequence in his latest film. This episode is packed with great stories and insight into filmmaking as a craft. So … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we’re joined by filmmaker, actor, and comedian, Curry Barker. Alongside his friend and collaborator Cooper Tomlinson, Curry is one of the minds behind the sketch comedy duo That’s a Bad Idea . He’s also the creator of a viral horror film, Milk & Serial , and now, his feature film Obsession is hitting theaters. In this episode, we delve into Curry’s experience watching The Ring too young, what YouTube comment sections have taught him about trusting your audience, and how he approached making possession movies feel fresh again. He also tells us about his swaggy style evolution and his upcoming work on a reimagining of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre . We had an absolute blast talking with him, and you’ll have just as much fun listening in, so … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we reunited with writer and director, Damian McCarthy, whose chilling new feature Hokum is now out in theaters. (It’s so terrifying that it reportedly made an audience member pee their pants during an early screening!) Starring Severance and Parks and Rec actor Adam Scott, the film is already off to a strong box office start. We chatted with Damian about his experience collaborating with Adam and what he brought to the role of Ohm, the influence of Damian's Irish Catholic background on his writing, and the grueling experience of filming in a burning hot desert. Plus, Damian teases his next horror film, which we already can’t wait to learn more about. As always, it was nothing but a fantastic conversation with Damian, so … COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we did something new. It's just us, no guests. We're calling this segment "Pscyhoanalyze Me," and the whole idea is simple: you can learn a lot about someone by their movie picks. So, in this episode, we put that to the test. We're talking first-date horror picks, villains we'd (maybe?) defend, hot monsters, and what film we'd want playing on our deathbed. Along the way, we're throwing out questions that are personality-revealing and really get you thinking. If you're down for some wild questions (and maybe trying to answer them yourself), this episode is fun, introspective, and just a little unhinged. So ... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpod TikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorror Steve: @stevenisaverage (all socials) Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X) Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe , rate , and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.