From M3gan to Christmas Demons – Akela Cooper Gets Festive and Fearsome

Writer and director Akela Cooper (M3gan, Malignant) joins Talking Strange host Aaron Sagers to discuss her chilling short "Old Acquaintance," part of David Dastmalchian and horror drag icons The Boulet Brothers' The Boulet Brothers’ Holiday of Horrors anthology now streaming on Shudder and AMC+. Set on New Year’s Eve, "Old Acquaintance" follows a woman returning home after her father’s sudden death, only to discover the demon that haunted him may now be coming for her. Cooper unpacks the story’s emotional core, the mythology behind the demon, and why the holidays are the perfect pressure cooker for horror. The conversation also explores Cooper’s collaboration with The Boulet Brothers and David Dastmalchian, the challenge of telling a deeply personal, terrifying story in a short format, and how holiday traditions can amplify dread instead of comfort. And don't miss the other interviews for Holiday of Horrors as part of the Talking Strange show, including chats with David Dastmalchian, The Boulet Brothers, and Kate Siegel (The Haunting of Hill House, Hush, The Fall of the House of Usher). _______________________________________________________________ The Talking Strange Show with Aaron Sagers is a weekly paranormal pop culture show featuring celebrity and author interviews, as well as experts in all things strange and unexplained. Talking Strange is a creation of Aaron Sagers with production help from Michael Ahr. Host Aaron Sagers is a paranormal TV host and journalist who appears as host of 28 Days Haunted on Netflix, and on Paranormal Caught On Camera on Travel Channel, Discovery+, and MAX streaming service. If you like Talking Strange, please subscribe, leave a nice review, and share with your friends. The Talking Strange Paranormal Show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you check out spooky content. Connect with the show community on Facebook as well. Email us with episode ideas, guest suggestions, and spooky stories: [email protected] Follow Host Aaron Sagers: Twitter/X Blue Sky Instagram Facebook TikTok Patreon (For Q&As, livestreams, cocktail classes, and movie watches) Until Next Time: Be Kind. Stay Spooky. Keep It Weird. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices