Xenomania

A podcast receives mysterious audio recordings from an unknown sender. What begins as a man recording his girlfriend talking in her sleep becomes something much darker. Meanwhile, skeptical podcast host Evie is caring for her dying mother, and something inside her own home may be listening. This week on Xenomania, we're diving into Undertone, a strange, minimalist horror film that weaponizes silence, sound, grief, and the things your imagination creates when the camera refuses to show you what's there. We debate the paranormal, the movie's unsettling audio design, its glacial slow burn, Evie's skepticism, the mysterious recordings, and an ending that left us with very different ideas about what actually happened. Plus, reviews, Top Fives, and an unexpectedly creepy recording that arrives while we're discussing a movie about unexpectedly creepy recordings. Coincidence? Probably. Probably.

Resident Evil FINALLY Got the Games Right... Sort Of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City promised fans something they'd been waiting decades for: a Resident Evil movie that actually feels like Resident Evil. So why did they make Leon an idiot? In Part I, we're heading back to Raccoon City to talk about our history with the games, the characters the movie absolutely nails, the ones it completely fumbles, and whether cramming Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2 into one movie was ever going to work. We also get into George Romero's lost Resident Evil, the strange history of video game adaptations, and whether nostalgia is doing some of the work for this one. Then Slash or Stash puts video game movies on trial, from Resident Evil and Street Fighter to Mortal Kombat and some truly questionable cinematic decisions.   Part II goes deep into the games and the lore behind Raccoon City before we tear into what the movie changes, what it leaves out, and the bizarre decisions that keep a faithful adaptation from becoming a great one. We're talking the T-virus, Umbrella, Spencer Mansion, missing monsters, questionable character changes, Wesker, Leon, Claire, Jill, and whether trying to combine multiple games ultimately doomed the movie. Then we unleash some wonderfully unhinged audience reviews before closing with our Top Five Resident Evil games. Is Welcome to Raccoon City the adaptation fans wanted, or another wasted opportunity?

In Part I of Xenomania's The Faculty, we're heading back to Herrington High to talk Robert Rodriguez, Kevin Williamson, the extremely '90s soundtrack, and one absolutely stacked cast. Does The Faculty still hold up? Are any of these teachers believable? Why is Usher here? Is Zeke actually cool? And would you really buy drugs from Josh Hartnett? Plus, we put Robert Rodriguez's filmography through Slash or Stash. In Part II of Xenomania's The Faculty, we're digging into the monster gimmick, the homemade drugs, the alien queen, and why the movie's second half doesn't work nearly as well for some of us as the first. We also tackle the huge influence of The Thing and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, some wildly divided audience reviews, and finally our Top Fives. So, after 28 years, is The Faculty still a cult classic, or is nostalgia keeping it alive?

Sex, murder, alligators, and one extremely questionable farmhouse. Welcome to Ti West's X. This week on Xenomania, we're heading back to 1979 for Ti West's X, where a group of young filmmakers arrive at an isolated Texas farm hoping to make an adult movie and leave with considerably fewer cast members than they started with. But underneath the blood and grindhouse aesthetics is a surprisingly strange little horror movie. We get into whether X actually hooked us from the beginning, the bizarre mainstream moment adult films experienced during the 1970s, rental culture, the real-life Farmer's Daughter connection, and the story of Spalding Gray. We also talk about Ti West's decision to put Mia Goth in dual roles, whether the characters are actually likable, and whether any of us initially realized who was underneath all that old-age makeup. We break down the movie's extensive foreshadowing, Easter eggs, kills, and the clues Ti West plants before things go spectacularly wrong. We also tackle the bigger question at the center of the movie: does Pearl actually work as a horror villain? And with X becoming a hit for A24 and launching an entire trilogy, we look at what made this filthy little throwback connect with audiences in the first place. Who walks away with the movie, Mia Goth or Jenna Ortega? Grab your camera, stay out of the lake, and whatever you do, don't piss off the elderly couple who own the property. Welcome to X.

The Deadites are back. The blood is flowing. And apparently someone decided a chainsaw wasn't enough anymore. This week on Xenomania, we're digging into Evil Dead Burn, the latest descent into the wonderfully deranged world of The Evil Dead. With a new female lead stepping into the nightmare and a jackhammer joining the franchise's increasingly ridiculous arsenal of improvised demon-killing hardware, Burn has a hell of a legacy to live up to. Because Evil Dead isn't just another horror franchise. From Sam Raimi's low-budget nightmare in the woods to Ash Williams, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, the 2013 remake, Ash vs Evil Dead, and Evil Dead Rise, this series has spent decades reinventing itself without completely losing the nasty little soul buried underneath. So where does Evil Dead Burn fit? We get into the new characters, the Deadites, the practical insanity, the franchise's evolving mythology, the new setting, and—of course—the decision to hand our heroine a freaking jackhammer. But we're also asking the bigger question: How far can Evil Dead evolve before it stops feeling like Evil Dead? Grab the Necronomicon, ignore every warning written inside it, and join us for Xenomania. What could possibly go wrong? Xenomania is a horror podcast exploring horror classics, cult favorites, modern nightmares, creature features, franchise deep dives, and everything wonderfully strange lurking in the dark.

This week on Xenomania, all aboard for Train to Busan (2016)—the South Korean zombie phenomenon that took a speeding train, filled it with the undead, and created one of the most relentless zombie movies of the modern era. Ryan experiences the movie for the first time, while Jon and Kearns return to a film that somehow manages to make its confined train setting feel bigger and more dangerous with every passing minute. We get into Yeon Sang-ho's direction, the incredible physicality of the infected, fast zombies versus shamblers, the influence of George Romero, and those unforgettable sequences where sheer masses of bodies come crashing through glass. But Train to Busan isn't only about zombie carnage. We also meet the characters who give the movie its heart, including Seok-woo, a distant father whose relationship with his daughter Soo-an becomes increasingly important as the outbreak spirals out of control—and Sang-hwa, who immediately establishes himself as exactly the kind of human wrecking ball you want beside you during a zombie apocalypse. Along the way we talk Korean horror, World War Z, Peninsula, Seoul Station, zombified animals, claustrophobic horror, streaming's role in bringing international genre films to American audiences—and why Yeon Sang-ho may have made a movie that's almost impossible for him to top.

This week on Xenomania, we're heading into Insidious, James Wan's supernatural horror hit that helped reshape mainstream horror in the early 2010s. When Dalton Lambert suddenly falls into an unexplained coma, his family begins experiencing increasingly disturbing supernatural activity. But the problem isn't the house. Dalton has wandered into The Further, and something on the other side wants his body. In this episode, we revisit why Insidious felt so fresh when it first hit theaters, why the first stretch of the movie still builds dread so effectively, James Wan's approach to suspense, the effectiveness of the first 30–40 minutes, the Red-Faced Demon's diminishing returns, astral projection and The Further, the similarities to Poltergeist, and whether the film loses some of its power once the supernatural mythology takes over. We also get into the Red-Faced Demon, Josh's questionable parenting, the movie's take on astral projection, the similarities to Poltergeist, and whether Elise, Specs, and Tucker help the film—or push it too far into camp. And because one Lin Shaye discussion apparently wasn't enough, Jon unveils a brand-new game: Shaye or Nay. If you love supernatural horror, haunted-house movies, James Wan, creepy family dramas, and horror films that divide the room, this episode is for you. 🎙 About Xenomania Xenomania is a horror podcast exploring horror classics, cult favorites, supernatural nightmares, modern hits, franchise deep dives, and everything strange lurking beneath the surface.

This week on Xenomania, we're stepping into Pan's Labyrinth (2006)—Guillermo del Toro's haunting masterpiece that blends fairy tales, war, and horror into one of the most unforgettable films ever made. Set in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the story follows young Ofelia as she escapes the brutality of Captain Vidal and discovers a mysterious labyrinth where a Faun claims she may be the long-lost princess of an underground kingdom. But is the fantasy real... or is it the only way a child can survive the horrors surrounding her? In this episode, we explore the historical backdrop of Franco's Spain, the mythology behind the Faun, the symbolism of the Pale Man, and the film's unforgettable creatures. We also debate whether the fantasy world exists at all, discuss Captain Vidal as one of cinema's most chilling villains, and explain why Pan's Labyrinth remains one of Guillermo del Toro's crowning achievements. In this episode we discuss: Why Pan's Labyrinth is far darker than most fantasy films Guillermo del Toro's unforgettable creature design The historical reality behind Franco's Spain Is the Faun helping Ofelia—or manipulating her? The Pale Man and one of horror's most iconic scenes The film's ambiguous ending and what it really means Why Captain Vidal is one of cinema's most terrifying villains Whether you love dark fantasy, psychological horror, mythology, or beautifully crafted filmmaking, this episode explores why Pan's Labyrinth continues to captivate audiences nearly two decades later.

This week on Xenomania, we're revisiting Puppet Master (1989)—the direct-to-video horror classic that helped define an entire generation of late-night VHS rentals and launched one of horror's longest-running cult franchises. What began as a modest Full Moon release quickly became the face of Charles Band's studio, introducing audiences to Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, Jester, Leech Woman, and a bizarre mythology that somehow only got bigger with every sequel. But does the original still hold up? In this episode, we dive into Ryan's lifelong love of the franchise, the incredible stop-motion animation, the surprisingly whimsical score, and why Puppet Master found lasting success outside the traditional theatrical model. We also explore Charles Band's transition from Empire Pictures to Full Moon Entertainment, debate whether Puppet Master or Demonic Toys is the better franchise, and share plenty of laughs—including one unforgettable conversation about whether Tunneler resembles... well... you'll have to hear it for yourself. In this episode we discuss: Why Puppet Master became a VHS legend Charles Band, Full Moon, and the birth of a horror empire The stop-motion effects that still charm today The whimsical score that makes the horror even creepier Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys Our favorite puppets, kills, and moments from the original film A brand-new game that puts our horror knowledge to the test Whether you grew up renting horror tapes from the local video store or you're discovering Puppet Master for the first time, this episode celebrates one of horror's most enduring cult classics.

This week on Xenomania, we're diving into Obsession, the breakout indie horror film from Curry Barker that's been generating serious buzz among horror fans. Made on a modest budget but packed with ambition, Obsession proves that creativity and atmosphere can outshine massive studio productions. Barker crafts a psychological nightmare filled with escalating tension, unsettling imagery, and the kind of slow-burning dread that sticks with you long after the credits roll. What impressed us most isn't just the scares. It's the filmmaking itself. From the cinematography and pacing to the performances and sound design, Obsession feels like the arrival of a filmmaker with a bright future in horror. In this episode we discuss: Why Obsession became one of this year's biggest indie horror success stories • Curry Barker's directing and storytelling style • The film's psychological horror and mounting tension • The performances that sell the nightmare • How the movie accomplishes so much on an independent budget • Whether Obsession lives up to the hype If you love indie horror, psychological thrillers, hidden gems, and supporting the next generation of horror filmmakers, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

This week on Xenomania, we're diving into Evil Dead Rise, the franchise reboot that trades the cabin in the woods for a crumbling apartment building... but does it still feel like Evil Dead? From Danny discovering the Necronomicon beneath the building after an earthquake to Ellie's terrifying transformation, we break down what makes this entry unique while asking the biggest question of all: does Evil Dead Rise deserve to stand alongside Sam Raimi's original trilogy? Along the way we discuss the redesigned Necronomicon, the surprisingly effective family dynamic, Alyssa Sutherland's unforgettable performance as Ellie, the movie's brutal body horror, and the countless Easter eggs connecting it to the rest of the Evil Dead universe. We also debate whether the apartment setting works as well as the iconic cabin, examine the franchise's three distinct Necronomicons, and play a round of Slash or Stash that somehow manages to stay completely safe for the hosts. In this episode we discuss: Is Evil Dead Rise really an Evil Dead movie? • Alyssa Sutherland's terrifying performance as Ellie • The apartment setting versus the classic cabin • The redesigned Necronomicon and franchise lore • Hidden Easter eggs and references throughout the film • Why this movie is far more unsettling than many modern horror films • Our latest round of Slash or Stash If you love Evil Dead, supernatural horror, practical gore, body horror, and horror franchise deep dives, this episode is for you.

This week on Xenomania, we’re heading into the woods for one of the best horror-comedies of the 2010s: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. What looks like a backwoods slasher setup quickly becomes something much smarter, bloodier, and funnier, as two perfectly nice hillbillies are mistaken for killers by a group of extremely doomed college kids. We dig into the movie’s brilliant reversal of horror tropes, the chemistry between Tucker and Dale, the absurd body count, the surprisingly sweet heart underneath all the gore, and why this one has become such a cult favorite. Is Tucker and Dale vs. Evil one of the greatest horror-comedies ever made? Grab a beer, stay away from the wood chipper, and join us for another episode of Xenomania.

This week on Xenomania, we’re heading back to summer camp for one of the nastier entries in the 1980s slasher boom: The Burning. Before Jason owned the woods, Cropsy was stalking campers with garden shears, Tom Savini was delivering some of the gnarliest practical effects of the decade, and the summer camp slasher formula was still being carved into horror history. We dig into the film’s legacy, its infamous raft scene, the Cropsey urban legend connection, the weird early appearances from future stars, and whether The Burning deserves to stand alongside the bigger names of the genre. Is this an underrated slasher classic, or just another bloody campfire story from the VHS era? Grab your flashlight, avoid the lake, and join us for another episode of Xenomania.

This week on Xenomania we revisit Jaws, the film that didn't just create a blockbuster franchise, but changed Hollywood forever. When a great white shark begins attacking swimmers off the coast of Amity Island, Police Chief Martin Brody finds himself caught between public safety and the town's dependence on summer tourism. What follows is one of the greatest suspense films ever made as Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, and the legendary Quint set out to hunt a predator that has already become the stuff of nightmares. Nearly fifty years later, Jaws remains a masterclass in tension. Steven Spielberg famously shows less of the shark than audiences expect, forcing viewers to imagine what lurks beneath the surface. The result is a film that still creates anxiety every time someone steps into the water. But Jaws is more than a shark movie. It is a story about fear, obsession, survival, and three unforgettable characters brought to life by an iconic cast. In this episode we discuss: Why the shark works so well despite limited screen time • The legendary performances of Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw • The making of the film and the mechanical shark problems that changed everything • John Williams' iconic score and how it transformed suspense filmmaking • Why Jaws remains one of the most influential movies ever made • Whether it still deserves its reputation as the greatest shark movie ever made If you enjoy classic horror, creature features, suspense films, and cinematic masterpieces, Jaws remains essential viewing.

This week on Xenomania we dive into Hokum, one of the strangest horror films we've covered in a long time. What begins as a seemingly straightforward backwoods horror story quickly spirals into something far more bizarre. Packed with eccentric characters, dark humor, unexpected twists, and a healthy dose of Southern Gothic weirdness, Hokum constantly keeps viewers guessing about where it's heading next. The film embraces its oddball personality and refuses to play by the rules. Every time you think you've figured it out, it throws another curveball. The result is a horror-comedy that feels unpredictable, chaotic, and surprisingly memorable. In this episode we discuss: The film's bizarre blend of horror, comedy, and mystery • The Southern Gothic atmosphere and eccentric characters • Why the movie keeps escalating in unexpected directions • The balance between absurdity and genuine tension • Whether Hokum succeeds because of its weirdness or despite it • Why horror fans looking for something different should give it a shot If you enjoy indie horror, Southern Gothic storytelling, horror-comedies, and movies that constantly surprise you, Hokum is worth a look.

This week on Xenomania we step into the mirror and revisit Candyman, one of the most intelligent, unsettling, and enduring horror films ever made. Based on a story by Clive Barker, Candyman follows graduate student Helen Lyle as she investigates an urban legend tied to Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects. What begins as academic curiosity quickly becomes a descent into obsession, folklore, and terror as the line between myth and reality begins to disappear. More than thirty years later, Candyman remains a masterclass in atmospheric horror. The film blends supernatural scares with themes of class, race, violence, and the power of storytelling in ways that still feel remarkably relevant today. And then there is Tony Todd. His performance as Candyman is one of the most iconic in horror history. Elegant, tragic, terrifying, and strangely seductive, he created a villain whose presence lingers long after the credits roll. In this episode we discuss: Why Tony Todd's performance remains legendary • The film's exploration of urban legends and folklore • Philip Glass's haunting score • The social themes that make the film feel timeless • Why Candyman stands among horror's greatest villains • Whether the film is even more relevant today than it was in 1992 If you enjoy supernatural horror, psychological horror, and horror movies with something deeper on their minds, Candyman remains essential viewing.

This week on Xenomania we dive into Dangerous Animals, a survival horror thriller that proves the scariest thing in the ocean is not always the shark. The film follows a free-spirited surfer who finds herself trapped by a sadistic killer obsessed with sharks and the terror they inspire. What begins as a shark movie quickly transforms into something much darker as predator and prey become tangled in a brutal fight for survival. What makes Dangerous Animals stand out is how it combines shark horror with a serial killer thriller, creating a constant sense of tension both in and out of the water. The result is a movie that feels fresh, unpredictable, and far more intense than its premise initially suggests. In this episode we discuss: The unique blend of shark horror and serial killer suspense • Why the villain is far more terrifying than the sharks • The survival elements and escalating tension • The film's practical effects and suspense sequences • Whether Dangerous Animals earns its place among modern creature features If you enjoy survival horror, shark movies, and tension-filled thrillers, Dangerous Animals is one of the most interesting horror releases of the year.

This week on Xenomania we dive into George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, the zombie classic that helped define modern horror. Set almost entirely inside a shopping mall during the collapse of society, the film blends brutal zombie horror with sharp social commentary, dark humor, and some of the most iconic practical effects ever put on screen. Decades later, it still feels grimy, chaotic, and strangely relevant. What makes Dawn of the Dead endure is not just the gore or the atmosphere. It is the way Romero turns consumer culture into part of the horror itself. The mall becomes both sanctuary and prison while the dead wander its halls out of instinct and memory. In this episode we discuss: Why Romero’s zombies still work better than most modern versions • The shopping mall setting and the film’s commentary on consumerism • Tom Savini’s legendary practical effects work • The balance of horror, satire, and bleak humanity • Why Dawn of the Dead remains one of the most influential horror films ever made If you enjoy zombie horror, practical effects, and classic horror cinema, Dawn of the Dead remains essential viewing.

This week on Xenomania we get into Oddity, a horror film that builds dread in a way most modern horror movies do not even try anymore. The story follows a blind medium connected to a brutal murder and the strange wooden figure she brings into an isolated house afterward. From there, the movie leans hard into atmosphere, tension, and the feeling that something is deeply wrong long before anything actually happens. What makes Oddity work so well is how restrained it is. The film does not rely on constant noise or nonstop jump scares. Instead, it slowly builds pressure until every room, every shadow, and every silence starts to feel threatening. In this episode we discuss: Why the wooden figure is so unsettling • The atmosphere and slow-building tension • How the film uses silence and stillness effectively • The performances and emotional undercurrent • Why Oddity stands out in modern horror If you enjoy psychological horror, slow-burn horror, and atmospheric horror movies, Oddity is one of the strongest recent releases in the genre.

This week on Xenomania we dive into Basket Case, one of the strangest and most unforgettable cult horror movies of the 1980s.   The film follows Duane and the mysterious creature hidden inside the basket he carries everywhere he goes through New York City. What starts as a grimy revenge story quickly turns into something much stranger as the movie mixes body horror, dark comedy, sleaze, and pure exploitation energy into one unforgettable experience.   Made on a tiny budget and shot in a raw, chaotic version of early 80s New York, Basket Case became a cult phenomenon because it feels completely unfiltered. The movie is weird, funny, uncomfortable, and somehow weirdly heartfelt underneath all the madness.   In this episode we discuss:   Why Belial became an iconic cult horror creature The grimy New York atmosphere and how much it adds to the film The blend of horror, comedy, and exploitation The practical effects and low-budget charm Why Basket Case still stands out decades later   If you enjoy cult horror, practical effects, and chaotic 80s horror movies, Basket Case is essential viewing.

This week on Xenomania we get into Death of a Unicorn, a horror-comedy that takes one of fantasy’s most magical creatures and turns it into something violent, strange, and unexpectedly brutal. What starts as an awkward family trip quickly spirals into chaos after a unicorn is accidentally killed, unleashing consequences that become bloodier and more surreal the deeper the movie goes. The film mixes dark humor, creature horror, and satire in a way that feels completely unhinged at times, but that is also part of its charm. We break down how the movie balances absurd comedy with genuine horror and why the unicorn concept works far better than it probably should. In this episode we discuss: The creature design and how savage the unicorns actually are • The mix of horror, satire, and dark comedy • The performances and comedic timing • Why the movie feels so different from most modern horror-comedies • Whether the concept fully sticks the landing If you enjoy creature features, horror-comedy, and bizarre modern horror movies, Death of a Unicorn is one of the strangest releases in recent years.

This week on Xenomania we get into Good Boy, a horror movie that flips perspective in a way you do not see very often. The story is told largely through the eyes of a dog, which turns even the smallest moments into something tense. You are not just watching the horror unfold. You are experiencing it from a completely different point of view, one that feels more instinctive and unpredictable. That shift does more than just feel like a gimmick. It changes how the scares land, how the tension builds, and how you connect to what is happening on screen. In this episode we discuss: How the POV approach changes the entire tone of the film • Why the dog perspective makes the horror feel more immediate • The emotional angle and why it hits harder than expected • Whether the concept works long term or wears thin • Where Good Boy fits in modern experimental horror If you enjoy experimental horror, unique storytelling, and films that take risks with perspective, Good Boy is one that stands out.

This week on Xenomania we get into The Stuff, a horror movie that starts with a simple idea and takes it somewhere completely unhinged. A mysterious white substance is discovered bubbling out of the ground, and before long it becomes the hottest new dessert on the market. People cannot get enough of it. The problem is, the more you eat, the less control you have. What starts as a bizarre premise quickly turns into something much darker, blending body horror, satire, and a surprisingly sharp take on consumer culture. We break down why The Stuff has become such a cult classic and how it manages to be funny, disturbing, and weirdly relevant all at the same time. In this episode we discuss: The concept and why it works so well • The mix of horror, comedy, and satire • The practical effects and how they hold up • The commentary on consumerism and advertising • Why this movie still stands out in 80s horror If you enjoy cult horror, 80s creature features, and movies that get strange fast, The Stuff is one you have to see. 🎙 About Xenomania Xenomania is a horror podcast exploring cult horror films, franchise deep dives, and the strangest corners of the genre.

This week on Xenomania we get into Critters 4, the sequel that takes the franchise in a completely different direction by launching it straight into space. After the chaos of the earlier films, the series trades small towns and apartment buildings for a sci-fi setting, changing the tone in a way that feels both ambitious and a little strange. The Critters are still dangerous, but everything around them feels colder, quieter, and more isolated. We break down whether this shift actually works and how the movie fits into the larger franchise. In this episode we discuss: The move to a space setting and how it changes the formula • The darker tone compared to earlier entries • How the film connects to Critters 3 • The sci-fi elements and whether they help or hurt the series • Where this sequel lands in the overall franchise If you enjoy creature features, 90s horror, and strange franchise turns, Critters 4 is one of the most unusual entries in the series.

This week on Xenomania we get into Critters 3, the sequel that takes the franchise out of small towns and traps it inside a rundown apartment building. Set almost entirely in a tenement, the movie shifts into a more contained, claustrophobic kind of chaos as the Critters start multiplying and closing in on everyone inside. It is a very different vibe from the first two films, and not always in the ways you would expect. We also talk about the early appearance of Leonardo DiCaprio and how strange it is seeing him show up in a movie like this before he became… well, Leonardo DiCaprio.   In this episode we discuss: • The shift to a single-location setting and how it changes the tone • The fact that Critters 3 and Critters 4 were filmed back to back • Why this might be the least lethal movie in the series • The early Leo performance and how it fits into the film • Our Stash or Slash segment focused on third installments in horror franchises If you enjoy 80s and early 90s horror, creature features, and weird franchise entries, Critters 3 is one of the more unusual turns the series takes.

This week on Xenomania we dive into Sinners, a horror film that has quickly turned into something bigger than just another genre release. What starts as a story rooted in guilt and belief becomes something much heavier as the film leans into cultural themes, identity, and the weight of personal history. It is not just trying to scare you. It is trying to stay with you. Sinners has already started building a reputation beyond horror circles, with strong performances and a soundtrack that plays a major role in shaping the tone. The music is not just background. It feels tied directly to the emotion of the story and the characters themselves. We also talk about the film’s growing recognition, including award buzz and standout performances that are getting serious attention. In this episode we discuss: How the film uses religion, guilt, and identity as horror devices • The cultural conversation forming around the movie • The music and how it drives tone and emotion • Performances that are already getting award attention • Whether the horror is supernatural, psychological, or something in between • Why the film lingers long after it ends If you enjoy psychological horror, elevated horror, and films that blend genre with deeper themes, Sinners is one that demands attention

This week on Xenomania we dive into Ready or Not, a horror-comedy that turns a wedding night into a brutal game of survival. When Grace marries into a wealthy family, she quickly learns that their traditions are not just strange. They are deadly. What starts as a twisted game of hide and seek spirals into a night of violence, panic, and a family that will do anything to survive their own rules. We break down why Ready or Not works so well, from its sharp humor to the way it blends tension with outright chaos. In this episode we discuss: Why the premise is simple but incredibly effective • Samara Weaving’s performance and why it carries the film • The balance between horror, comedy, and satire • How the movie plays with class, wealth, and family power dynamics • Why the ending lands as hard as it does If you enjoy horror-comedy, survival horror, and modern horror movies with personality, Ready or Not is one of the most entertaining entries in recent years.

This week on Xenomania, we dive into the chaotic cult sequel Critters 2: The Main Course — a movie where the tiny alien monsters come back bigger, nastier, and multiplying faster than anyone can stop them. What starts as a small-town Easter celebration quickly turns into full-blown creature chaos when the Critter eggs begin to hatch. From rolling balls of teeth to exploding alien carnage, Critters 2 pushes the original film’s creature-feature madness to completely ridiculous levels. In this episode we discuss: Why Critters 2 goes even harder into horror-comedy • The wild creature effects and classic 80s practical monsters • How the sequel turns small-town horror into total chaos • Why the Critters franchise still stands out among creature features If you love 80s horror movies, creature features, cult horror, and practical monster effects, Critters 2: The Main Course is one of the strangest and most entertaining sequels of the era. Critters 2, Critters 2 The Main Course, Critters movie review, Critters franchise, 80s horror movies, creature feature movies, cult horror movies, horror podcast, Xenomania podcast, Critters 2 kill count, Critters 2 explained

Critters (1986) might be the best weird 80s horror-comedy. In this episode of Xenomania, we go back to the original Critters, the cult creature feature that introduced one of the strangest alien infestations in horror. When a group of small, extremely hungry alien prisoners crash land in rural Kansas, a quiet farming town suddenly finds itself dealing with rolling balls of teeth that eat absolutely everything in their path. The only people who know how to stop them are two intergalactic bounty hunters who are not exactly experts at blending in. We talk about how Critters fits into the wave of 80s creature features that followed Gremlins, and why the movie still stands out because of its practical effects, dark humor, and surprisingly mean little monsters. In this episode we discuss: Why the Critters themselves are still great creature designs • The movie’s mix of sci-fi, horror, and comedy • The bounty hunters and the weird tone they bring to the film • How the movie helped kick off one of the strangest horror franchises of the 80s Critters is messy, funny, and full of classic practical effects. Exactly the kind of creature chaos that made 80s horror so much fun.

This week on Xenomania, we dig into the Irish horror-comedy The Boys from County Hell — a vampire movie that starts with a simple road construction job and ends with an ancient bloodsucker waking up under rural Ireland. When a crew of local workers accidentally disturb an old grave tied to Irish folklore, they unleash something that definitely should have stayed buried. What follows is a mix of brutal vampire horror, dry Irish humor, and one very bad day for a group of guys who just wanted to finish their shift. In this episode we discuss: The unique Irish folklore behind the vampire Abhartach • Why The Boys from County Hell stands out from typical vampire movies • The movie’s balance of horror and comedy • Creature design and old-school vampire brutality • Why small-town horror settings still work so well If you enjoy horror comedy, vampire films, folk horror, or indie horror movies, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Xenomania Episode 62— Scream VI New city. Same rules. Worse consequences. This week we head to New York for Scream VI, the franchise’s loudest, meanest entry yet. No small-town nostalgia. No safe houses. Just subways, alleyways, and a Ghostface who feels less interested in games and more interested in making a point. We talk about the shift in setting and how the city changes the tension. Crowds don’t make you safer. They make you invisible. The subway scene alone is worth the price of admission, and we break down why it works so well. We also get into: The evolution of the “core four” and whether they’ve earned plot armor The franchise leaning harder into brutality The ladder scene and why it’s one of the most effective sequences in the series How this film handles legacy without leaning on it Scream VI feels bigger, faster, and more aggressive than 5. It knows the audience understands the rules, so it pushes harder against them. Is it the best in the franchise? Maybe not. Is it the boldest since the original? That’s a real conversation.

Legacy is a dangerous thing. This week we revisit Woodsboro for Scream (2022) — the sequel that pretends to be a reboot while quietly sharpening the knife. New cast. Old trauma. Same mask. We talk about how the film balances nostalgia with new blood, and whether it actually earns that balance. Does bringing back Sidney, Gale, and Dewey feel necessary… or safe? And more importantly, do the new characters stand on their own? We get into: The “requel” concept and how the movie openly mocks it The hospital sequence and why it’s one of the cleanest suspense builds in the franchise Dewey’s arc and whether it hits the way it’s supposed to Toxic fandom as motive and whether that angle still lands Scream 5 knows the audience is in on the joke. The question is whether that awareness makes it smarter… or softer. It’s self-aware. It’s polished. It’s brutal when it wants to be. And it proves one thing: Ghostface doesn’t need a reason. Just a phone call.

This week we finally tackle Baskin. It starts like a grimy cop movie. Guys in a patrol car. Dumb jokes. A late-night call that feels routine. Then they get sent to an abandoned building, and from there the movie just keeps going down. Literally. The shift is what makes it work. You’re grounded for just long enough to feel stable, and then that stability disappears. The film stops explaining itself. Scenes stretch. Conversations feel wrong. The deeper they go, the less it feels like a mistake and the more it feels like something waiting. We spend a lot of time talking about the Father. Not just how he looks, but how he carries himself. He isn’t loud. He isn’t rushed. He feels certain. That calm is what makes him stick. We also get into the way the movie handles power. These are men who think they’re in control. Uniform, authority, weapons. None of that matters down there. The movie strips them down slowly, and it doesn’t offer an easy way out. The ending isn’t clean. It loops back on itself. It leaves you sitting with it. If you’ve never seen Baskin, this is one of those watches that feels less like entertainment and more like you stumbled into something private.

RomCom tropes to die for.” In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns spiral into the sticky, savage chaos of Heart Eyes — a film where the apocalypse isn’t just viral, it’s romantic. We break down why the monsters don’t attack Luna, how this world turns affection into infection, and whether the line between symbiosis and codependence has ever been blurrier. There’s something unsettlingly sweet about it all: the pastel lighting, the almost-musical pacing, the way decapitations land like love songs. It’s a love story dressed in flayed skin, a YA fever dream mashed into a Goya painting. And yes, it works. We also talk about how Heart Eyes joins the ranks of recent horror films that dare to ask: What if the girl survives because she’s the problem?

"You opened the door. They walked in." In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns return to the woods. Not the ones where magic lives, but where people do terrible things for no reason at all. The Strangers: Chapter 1 is not a reboot. It is a quiet escalation. A slower blade. And yes, it is still knocking. We dive into the bleak domesticity of it all. A cabin. A couple. A car that will not start. And why this film refuses to explain anything. There is no twisted backstory. No monstrous reveal. Just the cold echo of a line that hits harder than any jump scare: "Because you were home." We unpack the aesthetic upgrades, the tonal restraint, and why horror is still scarier when it hates you quietly. This is not survival horror. It is acceptance horror. And Chapter 1 may be just the first scratch on the window.   00:00 Introduction to Xenomania and The Strangers 00:41 Diving into The Strangers: Chapter One 01:22 Comparing the Original and the Reboot 03:13 Character Analysis: Maya and Ryan 04:17 The Airbnb Horror Trope 05:57 Beer Talk and Nostalgia 10:02 Back to The Strangers: Expectations and Disappointments 14:18 Renny Harlan's Filmography 14:54 Slasher Stash: Renny Harlan Movies 28:23 Chris Farley Stories and TV Edits 30:03 The Warriors: Original vs. New Edition 31:15 Gaming Culture and Microtransactions 32:42 Movie Reviews: The Strangers 49:35 Top Five Reboots 57:36 Top Five Obscure Masks 01:02:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

The rage never left. In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns trek through the ash-crusted mythos of 28 Years Later: Bone Temple, where blood memory and broken faith collide in the ruins of civilization. This isn’t just another infection movie, it’s a story about what survives when survival stops being enough. We follow Jimmy, a demented cult leader with running out of fingers, and Ian, the doctor who still believes mercy is sacred . When Ian gives the beast Sampson a syringe of morphine, it’s not cruelty. It’s communion. He still sees the man beneath the monster. Against all odds — and genre rules — Bone Temple dares to find a fragile, flickering light in the rage-plagued dark. It delivers devastation, yes, but also something bordering on grace. The ending shouldn't work. But it does. And it cracks the door open for what comes next. The virus has changed. So have we.

“Mommy, am I still me?” In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns descend through the ash-fog of Konami’s most cursed export to talk religious fanaticism, trauma cults, and how Silent Hill (2006) is somehow both aggressively incoherent and artistically iconic. We discuss why the town feels like a Lovecraftian divorce court, how Radha Mitchell sold genuinely unhinged mom energy, and why pyramid-headed grief demons are always the final boss of parenting. Plus: acid spit nuns, dead-eyed zealots, and a parking lot scene that lives rent-free in our collective psyche. Is the movie good? That depends on how many sirens you've heard this week.

Say it once, say it twice, say it five times and get wrecked. In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns stare too long into a rearview mirror of American horror and watch it reflect rot,  gentrified ghosts, legacy trauma, and bees with union grievances. Candyman returns with a paintbrush dipped in blood and ink, and the Xenoboys debate whether this reboot-sequel-refracted-nightmare sticks the landing or gets stuck in its own honey trap. Spoiler: art is pain, and pain is profit. We talk Cabrini-Green, puppets that slit throats, and what happens when a myth fights back.

“I see dead tropes…” For years, The Sixth Sense has lived in the shadow of its twist. In this episode of Xenomania, we revisit M. Night Shyamalan’s breakout film with fresh eyes and less nostalgia. Yes, it’s a well-crafted ghost story with moments of genuine pathos, but how well does it hold up under scrutiny? We unpack the emotional weight of Haley Joel Osment’s performance, the chilly atmosphere, and Shyamalan’s restrained direction. But we also ask harder questions about pacing, predictability, and the long-term impact of a film that may have taught a generation of viewers to look for gimmicks over depth. The Sixth Sense is remembered for what it hides. We’re more interested in what it reveals.

In this year-end finale of Xenomania, Jon and Ryan slip into their shiniest disco suits and dial into New Year’s Evil (1980)—a sleazy, synth-laced slasher set during a televised NYE countdown. As a killer named “Evil” offs a victim at the stroke of midnight in each U.S. time zone, we discuss the film’s time-locked gimmick, glam-punk aesthetics, sleazy subtext, and its strange place in the slasher canon. We don’t explore the blend of punk nihilism and Reagan-era paranoia simmering just beneath the surface, but cap off the year with our favorite movies and episodes of 2025. From voice modulators to pink champagne murder, join us as we toast to one last bloody night before the ball drops.    

In this holiday massacre of an episode, the Xenomania crew unwraps Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022), Joe Begos’s neon-slick splatterfest where a military-grade robotic Santa malfunctions into a relentless killing machine. Come for the grindhouse aesthetic, stay for the synth soundtrack, practical gore, and surprisingly sharp central performances. We dig into the subtext (is there any?), the style (hell yes), and how the film splits the sleigh bells between homage and full-blown absurdity. It’s Silent Night, Deadly Night by way of The Terminator, with a double shot of J&B.

In this stark, brutal episode of Xenomania, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns set off down the desolate highways of The Long Walk — Francis Lawrence’s harrowing 2025 adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian thriller. Fifty boys. One rule: never stop walking. Three strikes and the guns come out. No finish line. No mercy. Only one winner gets a wish and riches beyond belief — everyone else just collapses in the dust. The hosts break down how the film turns a terrifyingly simple premise — keep moving or die — into a psychological survival saga full of pain, camaraderie, existential dread, and the crushing weight of unrelenting competition. They unpack Cooper Hoffman’s compelling lead performance, David Jonsson’s emotional depth, and Mark Hamill’s chilling Major, all while asking a haunting question: how far would you walk?

In this milestone 50th episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns strap on explosive collars and dive headfirst into Battle Royale (2000)—Kinji Fukasaku’s ultraviolent, emotionally raw, and politically charged cult classic. They dissect its brutal allegory for youth disillusionment, the ethical rot of authority, and how the film paved the way for modern dystopias like The Hunger Games, Squid Game, and beyond. What happens when a classroom turns battlefield? Who deserves to survive? And why does this film still hit harder than ever 20+ years later? Spoiler: there’s no detention. Just death.

In this holiday-slasher episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns trim the tree with terror as they unwrap the controversial cult classic Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984). From killer Santas to traumatic orphans, the guys explore how this low-budget bloodbath turned yuletide cheer into a moral panic—and became one of the most infamous seasonal slashers of the ‘80s. They dive into Catholic guilt, VHS horror boom aesthetics, and why the line “Punish!” still hits like a sleigh bell to the face. Come for the murder montage. Stay for the deranged Christmas carols. Ho-ho-horrifying.

In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns gather around the blood-soaked banquet table to dig into Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving (2023), a pitch-perfect homage to holiday slashers, grindhouse grit, and small-town hysteria. From Black Friday mayhem to Pilgrim masks and meat thermometers in all the wrong places, they dissect how Roth turns a fake trailer into a full-on feast of gore, gags, and gruesome cheer. Who lives? Who gets basted? And is Thanksgiving the best seasonal slasher in years? Tune in for talk of genre tropes, teen scream archetypes, Roth’s return to form, and the eternal question: what would John Carpenter do?

He’s stitched from the dead, soaked in sorrow, and newly born in Guillermo del Toro’s hands.   In this episode of Xenomania, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns break open the coffin lid on the upcoming Frankenstein, del Toro’s long-gestating adaptation of the gothic classic. What does it mean for the creature to feel? To love? To rage against his makers?   They discuss the early visuals, the tragic elegance of the new creature design, the casting of Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Andrew Garfield, and how this version promises to be the most mythic, mournful Frankenstein yet.   Plus: literary roots, monster metaphors, and how grief becomes horror in del Toro’s universe.

In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns thread the film through the reel as they dive into Sinister (2012)—that grainy, grief-soaked descent into found footage and demonic legacy. They dissect how Scott Derrickson weaponized Super 8 film, where Ethan Hawke ranks on the “horror dad breakdown” scale, and why Bagul might be the most anti-cinema entity in the genre. From lawnmower jumpscares to ghost kids in the attic, the trio unpacks Sinister's brutal rhythms, the ethics of exploitation, and that final, gutting fade to black. Spoiler alert: no one makes it out alive. Not even the home movies.

Beauty is pain and perfection is just the prettiest form of rot. In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns inject themselves straight into The Substance (2024) — Coralie Fargeat’s visceral, body-horror masterpiece starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. From Hollywood’s obsession with youth to the brutal metamorphosis of envy and identity, we peel back the skin of this glittering nightmare to see what festers beneath. It’s glossy. It’s gory. It’s glorious. And the only thing more dangerous than wanting to be perfect is succeeding.   Xenomania, The Substance 2024, Coralie Fargeat, Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Body Horror, Feminist Horror, Psychological Horror, Horror Podcast, Dark Fantasy, Transformation Horror, Modern Horror, Cult Horror, Hollywood Horror, Scary Movies, Horror Fans

No Michael. No knife. Just masks, murder, and a jingle that’ll rot your brain. In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns peel back the latex on Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982), the black sheep of the franchise that traded slashers for sci-fi sorcery. From Stonehenge conspiracies and sinister corporations to Silver Shamrock’s cursed commercial, we dig into how this fever dream of a film went from flop to cult phenomenon. Eight more days to Halloween… if you’re lucky.

Before the skyscrapers, before the commandos — the hunt began on the plains. In this episode, Jon, Ryan, and Kearns stalk through Prey (2022), the lean, vicious reimagining of the Predator mythos. We break down Amber Midthunder’s powerhouse performance as Naru, the stripped-back tension of Comanche survival against extraterrestrial terror, and how this film brought the franchise back to its primal roots. The rules are simple: hunt or be hunted.