Xenomania

Martin Kearns
  • 5.0 (5)
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Xenomania: A Cult Horror Odyssey is your new favorite podcast for all things spooky, strange, and downright weird! Join three friends—Jon, Ryan, and Kearns—as they dive headfirst into the eerie world of cult horror. From obscure horror flicks to creepy pop culture and the quirky psychology behind humanity’s love for the macabre, this podcast has it all. With its unique blend of deep research, casual banter, and spine-tingling storytelling, Xenomania invites listeners to delve into the twisted allure of cult horror, one haunting episode at a time.

  1. 1d ago

    Puppet Master: The Horror Franchise That Refused to Die

    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.

  2. Jul 30

    Obsession is Pure Psychological Terror - Xenomania 83

    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.

  3. Jul 23

    Is Evil Dead Rise REALLY an Evil Dead Movie? - Xenomania 82

    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.

  4. Jul 20

    Tucker and Dale vs. Evil: The Hillbilly Horror Comedy Classic

    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.

  5. Jul 11

    The Burning: The 80s Slasher That Deserves More Love - Xenomania 80

    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.

  6. Jul 2

    Jaws Made Everyone Fear the Water - Xenomania 79

    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.

  7. Jun 25

    Hokum Gets Stranger Every Minute

    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.

  8. Jun 18

    Candyman Never Lost Its Sting

    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.

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About

Xenomania: A Cult Horror Odyssey is your new favorite podcast for all things spooky, strange, and downright weird! Join three friends—Jon, Ryan, and Kearns—as they dive headfirst into the eerie world of cult horror. From obscure horror flicks to creepy pop culture and the quirky psychology behind humanity’s love for the macabre, this podcast has it all. With its unique blend of deep research, casual banter, and spine-tingling storytelling, Xenomania invites listeners to delve into the twisted allure of cult horror, one haunting episode at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Kearns
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Xenomania