Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast

Chloe’s Not Scared
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Semiweekly

Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast is a conversation about what's your favorite scary movie. chloesnotscared.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    27. Shocker (1989)

    It’s about time that I had another guest on from the Now Playing Network family! My guest is friend Jim Laczkowski, who is a librarian, writer, critic, musician and podcaster of Director’s Club and B-Side Me. And we have some shocking news! Not only are we covering the Wes Craven flick Shocker (1989) on this episode, but we are also getting together on Director’s Club to discuss Wes Craven more broadly (so check that out on the Director’s Club feed around Halloween). In this episode, we talk about rockin’ soundtracks, Craven’s “electro-world,” Tracy Letts, and… am I going to start watching The X-Files finally? Listen to find out! Find “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Instagram and subscribe to my Substack for exclusive bonus episodes. 00:00-13:30- Intro / Our Craven History / New Horror Landscape 13:30- 31:00 - How Jim First Saw Shocker / Brief Synopsis / Soundtrack / Television 31:00-48:00- Horace Pinker / Favorite Scenes / Themes of the “Electro-World” and Violence 48:00- 01:02:00- Double Feature Ideas / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop promote Shocker (MTV’s Headbanger Halloween) * Shocker (1989) Director’s Commentary (on Blu Ray) * Wes Craven: The Man and his Nightmares by John Wooley (book mentioned by Chloe) * Jungian archetypes (Wikipedia, mentioned by Chloe as a Craven influence) * The Texas Chain Saw Massacre episode (Jim’s first episode on this pod) Books Mentioned: * The Human Chair by Junji Ito (mentioned by Chloe) * The Dark Descent (our book club book) * House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (our other book club book) Find Us: * Follow Jim’s website for all things podcast and writing. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Listen to my episodes on Jim’s podcast Director’s Club (James Wan, Guillermo del Toro, and Mike Flanagan) The music used in this episode is from the soundtrack and trailer for Shocker (1989) and MTV’s Headbanger Halloween (1989) used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For exclusive episodes, subscribe at a paying level to my Substack. If you enjoy my work, this is the best way to financially support me! Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Sep 1

    26. Absentia (2011)

    On today’s episode, Christopher Bevard (author, podcaster) and I discuss an indie Kickstarter-funded feature called Absentia (2011). The director– you may have heard of him– is a dude named Mike Flanagan. Because Chris is a writer, we mostly discuss storytelling and creating a mythology in horror fiction, but we also chat about Muppets as monsters, Doug Jones, if we would run down that tunnel, region-free Blu-ray players and more. Our first Mike Flanagan movie on the podcast is Mike Flanagan’s first movie! Be sure to check out Chris’ podcast Cicatrix and his books. Find “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Instagram and subscribe to my Substack for exclusive bonus episodes. 00:00-18:00- Intro / Chris’ Writing and Horror History / Our Flanagan History 18:00- 36:00 - Brief Synopsis / Music / Elements of Storytelling / Setting 36:00-53:00- Script / The End 53:00- 01:06:00- Double Feature Ideas / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * Absentia (2011) A Retrospective Documentary * Absentia Kickstarter (with fundraising promotional videos created by the cast and crew) Find Us: * Follow Chris’s website (where all his books live), Cicatrix podcast and Cicatrix Patreon. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network. The sound/clips used in this episode are from the trailer and film of Absentia (2011) and used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Aug 18

    25. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

    Today I welcome Full Bleed Zine creators and artists Eerie Ed and Tombstone Tony (aka Edward Witt and Tony Recktenwald) to talk about the excellent gateway horror classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988). We discuss all things special effects, Ed’s hatred of clowns, what we would do if we encountered a circus tent in the woods, and how more horror movies need a cool theme song. We also chat about the power of Letterboxd connections and the wonderful horror community in Chicago. Ed and Tony are two of the most positive welcoming people I’ve met— their positivity & joy about the genre is contagious. Take a listen! If you are in Chicago, come hang at Super-Horror-o-Rama at the Music Box Theater! Ed and Tony are programming a great two-night double feature on September 25-26, 2026. Come to one or both films! And be sure to pick up Full Bleed Zine at select comic book stores in Chicago (or buy a digital issue)! Find “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Instagram and subscribe on Substack for exclusive bonus episodes. 00:00-20:00- Intro / Chicago Horror Community Love / How Ed and Tony Got Into Horror and First Saw Killer Klowns 20:00- 47:00- Brief Synopsis / Scariest Scenes / Special Effects / Characters / Favorite Gags 47:00-01:05:00- Genre / The End / Theme Song 01:05:00- 01:12:00- Double Feature Ideas / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * Super-Horror-o-Rama- Music Box Theater in Chicago (Ed and Tony’s involved screenings are September 25 and 26, 2026- come to one or both!) * Full Bleed Zine info * Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Making of Killer Klowns featurette on YouTube * Killer Klowns from Outer Space: Visual Effects with Gene Warren featurette on YouTube * Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) * Ruined Podcast Find Us: * Follow Full Bleed Zine on Instagram. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network. The clips used in this episode are from the Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) trailer and film, and the theme song Killer Klowns by The Dickies are used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Aug 4

    BONUS: 2026 Horror Book Roundup

    Bonus! Books!!! I’m joined by Betsy Tomszak, bookstagrammer and podcaster behind Books with Betsy (from episode 5 where we talked about The Evil Dead), to talk about ten horror books that we read this year (and mention about a gazillion more). We chat about books released in 2026 (starting at 09:00) but also a few new-to-us books, what all of our book clubs have been reading, our experience with the Chicago Public Library Summer Reading Challenge, Creepypasta-inspired horror, how horror fiction makes us make sense of the horrors of the world, and more! What horror books have you been reading this year? If books aren’t your thing, never fear! We will be back to our regular format on August 18. Main books we talked about: * The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig * Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night II (release: 8/18/26) * Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer * You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine by Alexandra Kleeman * The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer * Old Country by Matt and Harrison Query * Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra * The Extra and The Other novellas by Annie Neugebauer * Whalefall by Daniel Kraus * The Morgue Keeper by Ruyen Meng (not technically horror but graphic & violent historical fiction) Other books mentioned: * Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler * The Road by Cormac McCarthy * It by Stephen King * The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones * Witchcraft by Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix * The Dark Descent anthology * Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix * Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology * The Mobius Book by Catherine Lacey (not horror) * Trad Wife by Sarah Langan * The Mad Wife by Meagan Church * Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke * A Better World by Sarah Langan * You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White * We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer * House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski * Night Watching by Tracy Sierra * Angel Down by Daniel Kraus * A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang (not horror) * Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Family by Patrick Radden Keefe (not horror) Find us online: * Betsy’s Instagram * Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram * Books with Betsy Podcast * Follow Off Color Brewing (Chicago) for info on Betsy’s Book Club. The Off Color Book Club meets 3rd Tuesday every month. A beer is paired with each book! Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jul 8

    24. Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

    Writer and critic Rachel Bellwoar joins me on the podcast to discuss the glam-rock campy classic of our dreams, Brian De Palma’s The Phantom of the Paradise (1974). I’m so excited to talk about our first horror musical on this pod, so Rachel and I fully take advantage of our mutual love of musicals to go kinda long about our favorites (13:00-18:00). But mostly we chat about Phantom, specifically the loveable awkwardness of Winslow and Phoenix, mask horror, surveillance and homages in De Palma movies, and of course, BEEF. Be sure to check out Rachel’s writing on Comicon and The Physical Media Advocate, and follow her on Bluesky! FYI- she writes about books too! Find “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Instagram or email me at chloesnotscared@gmail.com. Subscribe to Substack for exclusive bonus episodes. 00:00-22:00- Intro / Rachel’s Horror History / How We First Saw The Phantom of the Paradise / Our Experience with Musicals and De Palma 22:00-39:00- Brief Synopsis / Songs / Characters / Direction 39:00-50:30-Faust & the Music Industry / Beef 50:30-01:04:00- Imagery / The Ending 01:04:00-01:22:30- Double Feature Ideas / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * Rachel on Director’s Club (Jack Clayton episode) * Phantom of the Paradise Shout Factory BluRay (interview mentioned by Chloe) * Popcorn Disabilities by Kristen Lopez (book mentioned by Rachel) * Uncanny Valley Girls by Zefyr Lisowski (book mentioned by Chloe) * Both of us wish we’d had time to properly research queer readings before the discussion, so if you’re craving that, here’s an episode of our beloved and often-mentioned Horror Queers podcast talking about The Phantom of the Paradise! Find Us: * Follow Rachel’s writing on Comicon, The Physical Media Advocate and Bluesky. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network. The clips used in this episode is from The Phantom of the Paradise (1974) trailer and film, used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Jun 23

    23. Ginger Snaps (2000)

    The Meg Loves Movies x Chloe’s Not Scared crossover that you’ve all been waiting for! Playwright, theater educator and dramaturg Meg Mechelke joins me on the pod to discuss the Y2K cult classic Ginger Snaps (2000). We howl about the sadness of werewolves, the cynical women canon, our upbringing in a cold almost-Canadian climate, funny yet competent moms, and taking angst seriously. If you’re not following Meg, what are you doing with your life? Give them a follow! Meg brings a much-needed critical look at the horror genre with a fun, conversational tone. Please note that dog death (at 18:00) and suicide (at 21:00) are major plot points so we do briefly discuss these topics. Find “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Instagram or email me at chloesnotscared@gmail.com. Subscribe to Substack for exclusive bonus episodes. 00:00-12:00- Intro / Meg’s Horror History / Our Experience with Werewolf Movies / How We First Saw Ginger Snaps 12:00-37:00- Brief Synopsis / Setting / Characters / Themes 37:00-53:00- The Werewolf / Legacy 53:00-1:10:00 - Sequels (mostly Ginger Snaps 2) / Double Feature Ideas / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * Creating the Beast: Behind the Bloody Making of Ginger Snaps Featurette * Faculty of Horror podcast * Horror Queers podcast * The Nottingham Horror Collective (Meg is/will be published here!) Find Us: * Follow Meg on Instagram and Meg Loves Movies. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network. The clips used in this episode is from Ginger Snaps (2000) trailer and film, used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Jun 9

    22. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

    Returning guest and prolific author TT Madden comes back to the pod to discuss a fun classic Bride of Frankenstein (1935), our oldest movie to date and our first sequel (possibly the first horror sequel)! We discuss how new horror reflects the moment, the Hays code, Pretorius’ crypt picnic, how this holds up as a sequel and a queer film to modern audiences, swans, and of course The Monsters Mate…? We go pretty chronologically in this one and it’s a pretty short film, so please watch before listening! And if you’d like to stay updated on all the great sci-fi horror books that TT Madden writes, be sure to follow them (links below). Let me know if you want a bonus episode of true scary stories!! Find us on Instagram or email me at chloesnotscared@gmail.com. 00:00-13:00- Intro / T’s Horror History / How We First Saw Bride of Frankenstein & Universal Monster Movies 13:00- 31:00- Brief Synopsis / Horror Sequel Tropes / Hays Code 31:00-1:04:00- Pretorius / Blind Man Scene / The Bride 1:04:00-1:21:00 - Remakes, Sequels & Double Features / Legacy / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * All things by TT Madden * Crossness Pumping Station (mentioned by Chloe, apparently where they filmed the new Frankenstein according to a bloke on the train?!) * Evolution of Horror podcast- Man Made Monsters Ep. 4 on Bride of Frankenstein (mentioned by Chloe) * “We Don’t Belong Dead! A Definitive Reclamation of James Whale’s Bride of Frankenstein” Jason Lake on Gayly Dreadful * Poor Things by Alasdair Gray (mentioned by Chloe) * The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara (mentioned by TT) * Thou Shalt Not picture (mentioned by TT) * The Mummy Bumper Sticker (mentioned by TT) Find Us: * Visit TT Madden’s website. * Follow TT on Instagram and Patreon. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network. The music and clips used in this episode are from Bride of Frankenstein (1935) trailer and film, used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

  8. May 26

    21. The Descent (2005)

    Another returning guest Bree Tighe joins me to discuss her favorite horror movie and a movie she showed me a decade ago, The Descent (2005). We discuss going spelunking while hungover and jetlagged (couldn’t be us), our experience with caves (very little), if we like Juno (yeah, we do) and the UK ending (aka the only ending worth watching). Plus some tangents about behind the scenes, watching library DVD’s, and a crawler’s family tree. Also, we recorded a bunch of scary stories –including one about a haunted clothes hanger– and then it all deleted mysteriously so, let me know if you want a bonus episode telling our true scary stories!! Find us on Instagram or email me at chloesnotscared@gmail.com. 00:00-14:00- Intro / Bree’s Horror History / How We First Saw The Descent 14:00- 42:00- Brief Synopsis / Nature is Scary / Characters including Crawlers 42:00-55:00- Behind the Scenes / Fight Scenes / Ending 55:00-01:18:00- Sequels / Double Features / Outro Please note, timestamps are estimates. References: * Beneath the Scenes Featurette (Bree mentioned) * Cinephilia Beyond- “Neil Marshall’s The Descent at 20” * Final Scene (the UK version) * House of Ashes game (Bree mentioned) * Into the maelstrom- Roger Ebert Review- August 3, 2006 (Chloe mentioned) * The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King (Chloe mentioned) * Bree & I also talked about Rose Red last year (listen here) Find Us: * Find Bree watching horror movies at my house. * Follow Chloe’s Letterboxd and Instagram. * Find other great film pods on the Now Playing Network. The clips used in this episode is from The Descent (2005) trailer and film, used for educational purposes. Listen to “Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to get new reviews and special features, please subscribe to my Substack. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloesnotscared.substack.com/subscribe

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Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast is a conversation about what's your favorite scary movie. chloesnotscared.substack.com

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