The Fear of God: A Horror Movie Podcast

Reed Lackey & Nathan Rouse
  • 4.9 (117)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Faith and the Horror genre may seem to be opposites, but every week Reed and Nathan put them in dialogue together. Join us for conversations about the things that haunt us and the things that heal us, explorations at the intersection between faith and fear, where we examine what scares us, in order to find what saves us.

  1. 5d ago

    The Devil's Bath

    Our #speakingintongues series covering international language films is nearly to its close, but not before we stop by 18th century rural Austria for a harrowing and emotionally devastating examination of a horror story rooted -- terrifyingly so -- in actual history. THE DEVIL'S BATH is the third film by directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz to be covered on the FoG (following Goodnight Mommy and The Lodge). It tells the story of Agnes, newly married, who struggles to navigate her perceived purpose in the world as a wife and (hopefully) a mother. But as her husband's absent affections confuse her and her daily duties overwhelm her and the pressures of the surrounding people oppress her, she begins to slide into what the locals call "the devil's bath" -- or what we might call depression. In that era, the Catholic church condemned suicide as a mortal and irredeemable sin. People who deeply desired to die but did not wish to be sent to hell found a hideous loophole: they would murder someone (often an innocent child) and then confess the crime so that they could be executed following confession and forgiveness. This "suicide by proxy" is documented more than 400 times in this era and this film leans heavily upon historical record for its story. To help us discuss this potent film, we're joined by friend of the show JR Forasteros and his fellow Don't Split Up podcast host (and new FoGger) Adriana Mezquitti. Our episode also features a Patron-only segment (with guest Andrew Nelson) discussing DARK, Season 3, Episode 6. The film, although quite heavy, has moments of profound compassion and a deeply centered humanity. It presents for us a rich conversational opportunity that also has the laughter and thoughtful asides you've come to expect from us. We really hope you're safe and well and we hope you enjoy this week's discussion. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 5:05 - Two Questions with Adriana Mezquitti Patron Only Segment: DARK, Season 3, Episode 6 15:28 - THE DEVIL'S BATH See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 54m

  2. May 27 ·  Bonus

    Speed Demon Interview with Jon Keeyes

    We have another bonus interview conversation with you today and it's a great one. SPEED DEMON sits squarely at the intersection of action and horror as a runaway train is taken over by a demonic entity. Now, the only hope is a nun (Katie Cassidy) who is struggling with her faith and personal demons of her own. Filled with compelling characters and a wry sense of humor, Speed Demon also has an undercurrent of heart and hope. Nathan and Reed got to sit down with director Jon Keeyes and we packed a lot of interview into under 20 minutes, surveying Keeyes early work and the personal themes which compelled him to make this film. We hope you'll check out Speed Demon, in theaters on May 31st, and we hope you enjoy our conversation with director Jon Keeyes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    20 min

  3. May 26

    The Ugly Stepsister

    We continue our series featuring international language films (#speakingintongues) with a fascinating film which inverts the traditional narrative of Cinderella and explores the story from the perspective of her "ugly stepsister". Far more than merely a clever inversion, THE UGLY STEPSISTER reveals itself to be surprisingly funny, sharply insightful, and fearlessly grotesque. It presents a critique of both perceptions of beauty and the pressures put upon women in a society that treats their desirability as a currency, necessary for survival. We're joined by returning friend of the show, Dr DeAnna Daniels and new friend of the show Dr Nicole Symmonds to unpack the myriad of ways this film challenges convention and pushes us to rethink our approach to our bodies and their monstrous beauty. Also featuring a Patron-only segment discussing DARK, Season 3, Episode 5 with returning friend Lindsey Dunn, this is a lively and thoughtful discussion that we really think you'll enjoy. 5:09 - Happy Hour Horror Hangout Announcement (5/31 4 pm EST) 7:22 - Two Questions with Dr Nicole Symmonds Patron Only Segment: DARK, Season 3, Episode 5 19:55 - THE UGLY STEPSISTER See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    2h 3m

  4. May 19

    The Platform

    We continue our series on international language films this week (#speakingintongues) with a Spanish film that gained significant attention on Netflix a few years ago for its inventive premise and sharp social commentary. THE PLATFORM has a unique and inventive premise. Prisoners are paired on floors of a prison where every day, a platform filled with food descends from the top floor to the bottom. Inmates on the upper floors have plenty to eat, but as each successive floor stuff their face to its filling, the lower floors are left with little more than broken glass and silverware. But when an inmate named Goreng (Ivan Massagué) decides that this system needs to be broken from the inside, a harrowing mission presents itself. We're joined by friends of the show Andrew Vogel and Suzann Petrongolo, whose independent film HERMAN was featured in our interview series. Together we discuss this film's specific take on human nature and the systems which are constructed to literally pit us against one another. Also featuring a Patron-only segment discussing DARK, Season 3, episode 4 with Gorey Gamer Matt Murray, this is a thoughtful and vibrant conversation that we really hope you enjoy. 6:24 - Two Questions with Suzann Petrongolo Patron Only Segment: DARK, Season 3, Episode 4 16:35 - Checking in on HERMAN 23:48 - THE PLATFORM See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 44m

  5. May 14 ·  Bonus

    Affection Interview with BT Meza and Dan Rebert

    We have another fun interview to share with you this week about a recent independent release that quickly caught our attention. AFFECTION tells the story of Ellie (Jessica Rothe) who awakens one night in an unfamiliar bed next to a husband she doesn't recognize (Joseph Cross) and with a daughter she doesn't remember (Julianna Layne). She then begins to experience a cycle of sudden, severe tremors and horrifying disorientations that point to a whole other life. What follows is a wholly surprising scenario of science-fiction, horror, and obsession. It's a twisty thriller rooted in deep emotional resonance and featuring three outstanding performances. Reed and Vera had the chance to sit down with writer/director BT Meza and special effects supervisor Dan Rebert about their remarkable film that hit theaters May 8th. We hope you'll check it out and we hope you enjoy this interview! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min

  6. May 12

    The Innocents (2021)

    We continue our series examining non-English language films (#speakingintongues) by looking at an exploration of childhood impulses that is as harrowing as it is heartbreaking. THE INNOCENTS, written and directed by Eskil Vogt, tells the story of four young children in a small community who suddenly discover that they are developing strange powers. What follows confronts our very concept of innocence and reveals some compelling observations about the ways that children learn how to navigate their little worlds. We're joined by third chair and Ghoul Scout troop leader Vera Goudie to discuss this captivating film about some of our earliest -- and worst -- impulses. Also featuring a Patron-only segment about DARK, Season 3, Episode 3, it's a thoughtful and often vulnerable conversation about our individual power and they ways leverage it to meet our needs and we really hope you enjoy it. 7:16 - Announcements Patron Only Segment: DARK, Season 3, Episode 3 15:26 - THE INNOCENTS See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 45m

  7. May 11 ·  Bonus

    Fulci's Inferno Interview with author Matt Rogerson

    We have a bonus interview for you this week about a recent book release that is unique and fascinating. Matt Rogerson is a film historian and health researcher who has written extensively about Italian cinema, particularly those films which center on faith and horror. His latest book, FULCI'S INFERNO: FAITH IN THE FILMS OF A HORROR AND GIALLO AUTEUR, examines filmmaker Lucio Fulci and his lifelong wrestling with the idea of hell through his films. Rogerson's book acts not only as a kind of biography for Lucio Fulci through a careful examination of his work, but also as a richly compelling examination of the way concepts of Hell have been used both creatively to express deeply-rooted questions about faith but also as a means through religious structures to control and manipulate people. It's a compassionately written and thoroughly researched exploration of how the ideas of Hell informed various perspectives of Italian filmmakers, many of whom were acting creatively in direct confrontation to the religious establishments of their day. Reed sits down with Matt to discuss this dynamic and the ways that Lucio Fulci's creative output has been largely dismissed and ignored and now deserves a refreshed examination. We hope you'll check out Matt's book and we really hope you enjoy this richly informed conversation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 4m

  8. May 5

    I Saw the Devil

    We continue our series on international language films (#SpeakinginTongues) with a film that is as profound and compelling as it is upsetting and brutal. Kim Jee-woon's I SAW THE DEVIL is a blistering exploration of vengeance and violence, frequently ranking in lists of the greatest films of the 2010s. It focuses on a serial killer named Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik) who viciously murders a woman one evening after finding her car broken down on the side of the road. What he doesn't expect is that his victim's fiancée is a highly trained secret agent named Soo-hyeon (Lee Byung-hun). Soo-hyeon quickly determines not only to find his beloved's killer, but to subject him to the same kinds of pain and torment that he had unleashed upon his victims. What follows is an exquisitely constructed interrogation of our concepts of justice and our often-insatiable thirst for revenge in the face of tragic suffering. It is smart, thoughtful, and often deeply troubling. It also has an undeniable moral fortitude that few other revenge narratives have ever quite been able to achieve. We invite two clerical voices to help us unpack the film's wealth of themes: Justi Schunior and Josh Raugh. Their respective experiences in vocational ministry offer a unique perspective on an undeniably potent subject, one we're quite certain you will find challenging and inspiring. Also featuring a Patron-only discussion of DARK, Season 3, Episode 2, this is a hearty and heartfelt episode that we really hope you enjoy. Patron Only Segment: DARK, Season 3, Episode 2 6:39 - Two Questions with Josh Raugh 11:41 - Two Questions with Justi Schunior 17:59 - Who is My Neighbor? 39:56 - I SAW THE DEVIL See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 56m
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Faith and the Horror genre may seem to be opposites, but every week Reed and Nathan put them in dialogue together. Join us for conversations about the things that haunt us and the things that heal us, explorations at the intersection between faith and fear, where we examine what scares us, in order to find what saves us.

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