In which we introduce mini episodes: short episodes covering films connected in some way to upcoming full monthly episodes. This month we’re discussing adaptations of work by writer Shirley Jackson. Here we talk about 2018’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle, directed by Stacie Passon, and consider domestic horror, handling unreliable narrators in film and the inherent difficulties in adapting Jackson’s stories.
Episode 02.01: The Babadook
An acclaimed Australian horror film, The Babadook presents the danger of repressed grief and calls into question whether we manifest our own monsters. We discuss this untraditional horror and how it beautifully represents the everyday stressors – from single parenthood, to external judgements – that can cause the most damage.
Episode 01.06: The Lighthouse
We wrap up our first season with a bookend of our first episode: director Robert Egger’s second film, The Lighthouse, which gives us the opportunity to discuss mythology, masculinity, isolation and reality. And Willem Dafoe’s beard.
Episode 01.05: The Wicker Man
It’s time to discuss the gold standard of folk horror on film, 1973’s The Wicker Man. We explore the various themes around nature, religion, and culture as well as the tension between expression and repression. And also how great Christopher Lee is.
Episode 01.04: The Others
Ghosts, fogs, mysterious illnesses, creepy servants and Nicole Kidman slowly coming unhinged: We revisit 2001’s gothic-tinged haunted house story, The Others, to discuss the themes of invaders, motherhood and coming to terms with what we can’t control.
Episode 01.03: Hereditary
Ari Aster’s debut feature takes on family demons, inside and out. We discuss what Hereditary says about parents and children and how we pass along what we can’t handle ourselves.
Episode 01.02: Carnival of Souls
A cult classic movie that inspired the likes of Night of the Living Dead, this little movie out of Kansas highlights some of the real everyday horrors such as gender conformity, trauma, and lurking threats. Carnival of Souls is a great lesson in male gaze of the 60s and how even an unpolished film can be great.
If you liked Carnival of Souls, check out:
- Twilight Zone’s “The Hitch-hiker”
- Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man
Watch Party: Carnival of Souls
To prepare for the second episode of season one, we’re hosting an online watch party of the next film we discuss: Carnival of Souls. Join us on Saturday, July 25 at 7pm Central . We’ll be watching via Amazon Prime’s Watch Party feature.
Episode 01.01: The Witch
A slow-burn witch tale turned on its head. We explore how director Robert Eggers uses film to guide our perception to tell this tale of survival against the wilds in New England. Masculine toxicity, isolationism, coming of age, and general fear of the unknown play a key role in this film as we continually question: what’s really witchcraft and what’s not.
If you liked The Witch, you might also like:
- Fall of the House of Usher, Edgar Allan Poe (internal disintegration)
- We have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson (family dynamics)
Episode 0: About the Podcast
Quiet Little Horrors is a new podcast discussing films of quiet horror. In this first intro episode, get quick insight into how the podcast was born and what your hosts, Jessi and Jen, hope to accomplish in Season 1. You’ll hear what we love about these types of movies, why we are drawn to them, and how we think they are a rising sub-genre in the industry.