NECROMANIACS PODCAST

This week we return to Italy for to discuss the work of horror / giallo icon Lucio Fulci. ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHERE a.k.a PERVERSION STORY a.k.a. UNA SULL'ATRA is one of Fulci's lesser known films but delivers a unique take on a noirish crime drama.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Come un Delirio”– Riz Ortolani

Not exactly a “horror movie” but 1989's Last Exit to Brookyn is a study of horrible people doing horrible things.  Based loosely on Huber Selby Jr.'s 1964 novel, this bleak study in brutality tells a story of Brooklyn's savage underbelly. Directly by Uli Edel, it features some familiar faces including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stephen Lang, Burt Young and Jerry Orbach among others. Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “The Butcher”– Leonard Cohen

This week we have another Brooklyn-based horror, 1990's Jacobs Ladder. This moody film features expert acting by Tim Robbins with support by Danny Aiello and Elizabeth Pena.    Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Lack of Communication”– Ratt

This week, we go back to 1977 to discuss THE SENTINEL, a supernatural horror film boasting a sublime cast including Burgess Meredith, Jeff Goldblum, John Carradine, Beverly D'Angelo and Christopher Walken. We've got demons, gateways to Hell and creepy priests all set in Brooklyn Heights.    Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “The 11th Commandment”– Bethlehem

It looks like 2025 is going to be the year of the Werewolf and we're stoked about that! The first entry is Leigh Whannell's reimagining of the WOLF MAN. We remember his reimagining of the Invisible Man in 2020, another attempt at reimagining a classic Universal Monster as well as his hits Saw and Insidious.  This lean and mean production features the seasoned actors Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner, playing a husband and wife dealing with the werewolf business as an infection as opposed to a curse.  Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “The Shift”– Samhain

Quality control manager, Rennie Resmini, joins us as a guest host.  We discuss the dark, psychological thriller The Stranger this week.  Featuring Necro favorites Joel Edgerton and Sam Harris, this 2022 Australian thriller, heavy on atmosphere,  tells the true crime story of the elaborate plan to solve a child abduction case.  Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “The Low Road” – Beasts of Bourbon

Richard Matheson's classic I AM LEGEND has been adapted several times over the years. This week, we discuss THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, possibly the best version of this post-apocalyptic classic featuring a sublime performance by Vincent Price. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Fuck the Universe” – Craft

We have bad news to deliver today. Mike's brother Kevin has passed was so we would all like to express our condolences to Mike and the Scondotto family.  If you're so inclined, please send positive messages and condolences to Mike.  

This week's episode is a caller recommendation. Predating Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, by a year, Confessions of a Serial Killer tells the story of Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole in a thinly veiled pseudo-documentary.   Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Confessions of a Serial Killer – Goresfest 

This week we go back to 1978 for the American giallo The Eyes of Laura Mars. Based on a screenplay by John Carpenter and directed by Irvin Kershner, this neo-noir has all the trappings of it's Euro cousins such as red herrings, gloved hands wielding knives and cool atmosphere.  Additionally, we have a top-notch cast including Faye Dunaway, Tommy Lee Jones, Raul Julia and Necro-favorite Brad Dourif.  Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Prisoner” – Barbara Streisand 

By popular demand, we cover XTRO this week. This film has come up n conversation with you guys over the years so we turn our gaze to this offbeat, sometimes confusing alien abduction video nasty from 1983.     Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Rise” – Voivod

This week we go back to 1970 to explore Bird with the Chrystal Plumage, the seminal giallo written and directed by the maestro Dario Argento. Bird was Argento's directorial debut and was the first entry into the “Animal Trilogy” which would include his next two films The Cat o' Nine Tails and Four Flies on Gey Velvet.     Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Witchcult Today” – Electric Wizard

It's Necro Thursday! Last week we stated that Heretic was Hugh Grant's only horror film in his filmography.  You guys quickly pointed out our error and pointed us Lair of the White Worm, Ken Russell's profane folk horror loosely based on Bram Stoker's novel by the same name.  Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Wond'ring Aloud” – Jethro Tull

2024 was such a great year for Horror that we ran out of time to discuss some of these films. Heretic co-directed and co-written by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods came out at the tail end of the year. Boasting a lean and mean cast featuring High Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, the film tells the story of two missionaries who try to convert a deceptively dangerous loner.  

This week we go back to our favorite era, the 1970's to explore a film featuring one of our favorite actors, Donald Sutherland. We visit the horror-adjacent genre of 70're neo-noir for Klute written and directed by Alan J. Pakula #necromaniacspodcast #horsemenofthepodcastingapocalypse #necrothursday Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Forever my Queen”– Pentagram

This week we go back to what is arguably the greatest era of film, the 70's.  1973 brought us Don't Look Now, directed by Nicolas Roeg based on Daphe Du Maurier's novel, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. The strange tale deals with loss, grief and anxiety and is set in the brooding atmosphere of Venice, Italy. #necromaniacspodcast #horsemenofthepodcastingapocalypse #necrothursday Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Spiral Mirror” – David Lynch featuring Jack Cruz This episode is dedicated to the memory of Rich Hall

This week, we take a break from talking about all of the great films of 2024 and go back to the early 80's. The Changeling was released in 1980 to relatively lukewarm critical response.  The film featured the sublime, veteran actor George C. Scott and tells the story of a composer dealing with the loss of his family who sets up residence in, you guessed it, a haunted house.   Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “True Love's Flame” – David Lynch featuring Jack Cruz

If you listened to last's week's best of 2024 episode, you will know that we are quite fond of this movie.  Rober Egger's Nosferatu is a powerful film, possibly a career milestone for him.  His previous movies, though critically successful, have fared modestly with respect to box office sales.  So far Nosferatu is a commercial success, so hopefully this will make life a little less challenging for Eggers. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Bela Legosi's Dead” – Bauhaus

Happy new year everyone, we're back to kick off 2025.  This week, you get Mike, Mike. Jeff AND our fellow Horseman Brandon Legion of the HorrorWolf666 podcast.  2024 was a landmark year for horror films, so many great and original films were released this year. It was a real challenge to come up with our Top 6. In pretty much any other year, any of these top 6 could be a number 1. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “ Five to One” – The Doors

The creepy, uncomfortable 2022 original version of this film rated high with us.  The Danish film directed and written by Christian and Mads Tafdrup was an intense study in dread, anxiety and tension.  Do we really need a remake only three years later?  Enter James Watkins who brought us the brutal Eden Lake back in 2008 to see if he is up to the task. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Love Fade” – Tamaryn 

2024 has been a great year for horror. Shudder continues with their stream of killer exclusives with DADDY'S HEAD. Directed and written by Benjamin Barfoot, this British slow-burn comes at us with heavy atmosphere and a genuinely creepy monster. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Brainchild” – Bloodlet 

What a year 2024 has been for horror! This week, we discuss THE SUBSTANCE, the satirical, body horror written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. You may remember Coralie from her 2023 revenge film, aptly titled REVENGE. This time around she is teamed up with heavy hitters Demi Moore, Dennis Quaid and relative newcomer Margaret Qualley, all delivering outstanding performances. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Nowhere” – Cop Shoot Cop

Damien Leone began the saga of Art the Clown over ten years ago with the short film collection All Hallow's Eve. Terrifier, the first feature length film hit the streets with a grim, brutal update to the classic slasher archetype and the mayhem continued in 2022 with Terrifier 2, upping the ante with cruelty, dark humor and extreme violence but with the introduction of a deeper storyline and mythology.  This year's Terrifier 3 is, by all estimations, a box office hit.  Listen in on our discussion of the biggest horror film of 2024. Does it get the Necro Seal of Approval? Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Terrifyer” – Pig Destroyer

On the heels of the 2024 Election, it felt appropriate to cover Dead Zone directed by David Cronenberg.  Based on the novel by Stephen King, the film seems eerily relevant today. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Walks Alone” – Cows

Hot of a debut at Fantastic Fest, Mads hits the shores of the US via Shudder.  Written and directed by David Moreau, MADS tells the story of a brutal virus running rampant, causing chaos and mayhem. Intro: “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro: “Computerstaat” – Abwarts 

It seems like this film came out of nowhere and has been garnering quite a bit of attention.  STRANGE DARLING is JT Mollner's second feature length film that explores serial murder, possibly the tense relationship between the sexes and madness. SHOT ENTIRELY ON 35 MM, this film is also Giovanni Ribisi's cinematography debut.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Brainchild” – Bloodlet

It's time for the yearly entry of the V/H/S franchise which comes to us via SHUDDER.  This year, V/H/S BEYOND promises us a horrific exploration of science fiction via several vignettes written and directed by various current filmmakers including Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel, Justin Long and others. Tune in and see how this one stacks up.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “I Turned into a Martian” – Misfits

We've been waiting over 3 years for this new version of Salem's Lot, the Stephen King 1975 classic horror novel. Back in 1979, Tobe Hooper was first up to adapt the novel in his made-for-tv miniseries. In 2004, Mike Salomon brought The Lot to us again with another miniseries featuring Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer and Rob Lowe.  How does Gary Dauberman's feature film measure up?   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “To Walk the Night” – Samhain

Seldon Hunt joins us for another installment of Mayhem Down Under, our exploration of Australian horror / crime films.  This week we discuss ACOLYTES, the 2008 serial killer drama directed by Jon Hewitt, featuring the great Joel Edgerton. Intro:    “We Can't be Beaten” – Rose Tattoo Outro:  “Wanted Man” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

This week, we go back to 1999 to talk about Eyes Wide Shut, the final film by the great Stanley Kubrick. Based on the novella “Dream Story” by Arthur Schnitzler, Kubrick weaves a tale of deception, anxiety and murder as the 20th century comes to a close in New York City.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Naval Officer” – Jocelyn Pook

This week, we go back to 2008 to revisit the uncomfortable, British horror-thriller Lake Eden.  Written and directed by James Watkins, this film, in some ways primed him for Speak No Evil, his latest filmmaking assignment.  Additionally, you get Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly early in their careers, portraying a young couple who get terrorized by a group of young townie-hoodies.  Eden Lake has been cited as a film commenting on “Broken Britain” moral panic of the early 21st century.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Wires” – Dead and Gone

As we mentioned before, 2024 has had some powerful films that have been pushing the envelope in the horror world.  Oddity, written and directed by Damian McCarthy, is a movie that is starting the get a stir among the horror afficionados. You may remember Caveat, McCarthy's 2020 film that rated pretty high on the Necro Meter.  Tune in and see what we think of his latest effort.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Wires” – Dead and Gone

We dive back into the Giallo world this week with The Red Queen Kills Seven Times. This our firs foray into the filmography of Emilio Miraglia; unfortunately, this was his final film.  Though Miraglia was a prolific filmmaker, this was only his second giallo, this first being The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave. The Red Queen Kills Seven Times follows two sisters Evelyn and Kitty, an alleged curse and the typical red herrings and plot twists that you can expect from these films.     Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Serpents of the Light” – Deicide  

It's been a Hell of a year for horror and there is a lot left on the horizon.  Maxxxine is the third installment of Ti West's trilogy. Each film has been unique yet still adhering to universe set up in X.  This time around, Mia Goth is portraying a more world weary, cynical version of the character, now relocated to LA and working in hardcore porn.  Her life takes a turn when a big opportunity comes to her but will her dark past come back to haunt her?   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “I'm Insane” – Ratt

Do we need another entry into the Alien Saga? We've had Covenant, Prometheus and now the new, Fede Alvarez-helmed Alien Romulus.  Check out what the Necromaniacs have to say about it.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Hall of Ice” – Lebanon Hannover

It's been a sick year for horror films, so much has been released and the year isn't even over year.  We probably should have gotten to this one earlier this year, but better late than never.  This week, we get into Immaculate, the antichrist film that was released conspicuously moments before The First Omen.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Leave the Church Behind” – Nunslaughter

This week we have all three Necro-Hosts! Oz Perkins Longlegs is probably the most talked about horror film of the year so far.  The marketing campaign created a really intense, creepy vibe and drummed up a ton of anticipation.  Tune to for our take on it   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Doing the Obvious” – Cows

As longtime listeners know, we are quite fond of hardass, Australian movies. There is a unique quality to these bleak, nihilistic movies that really connect to a primal part of your brain and inspire an almost visceral reaction.  Necromaniacs joined up with artist and outback movie aficionado Seldon Hunt to give you Mayhem Down Under, our exploration of these grim, violent films.   First up, is the classic SNOWTOWN MURDERS, the 2011 hard-as-nails film directed by Justin Kurzel based on the true events that took place in Adelaide, South Australia between 1992 and 1999.  Proceed is you dare, this film is not for the faint of heart.   Intro:    “We Can't be Beaten” – Rose Tattoo Outro:  “My Hate is Strong” – Werewolves

This week we go back to 1973 for Sergio Martino's roughie TORSO.  Long-time listeners will know that Martino is highly respected here at the Necro Camp, but what makes TORSO most interesting is that, though it operates well within the Giallo world, it can also be considered a proto-slasher having predated all of the seminal slasher films by at least one year.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Fucked with a Knife” – Cannibal Corpse

This week, we discuss the modern classic AMERICAN PSYCHO.  Based on the Brett Easton Ellis novel, this film was controversial when it came out in 2000 largely due to it's themes of misogyny and overall cynical point of view.  At the time, Christian Bale was a relatively unknown actor and was advised against taking the role because it may prove to be “carer suicide” but the actor believed in the vision of director Mary Harmon and delivered a performance that put him on the map and propelled his career forward.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Hip to be Square” – Hughey Lewis and the News

It's summertime! We decided to cover the classic CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON to open sun and fun season. Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Where Chaos Reigns” – LLYR

We're back this week with our analysis of “ambient slasher” IN A VIOLENT NATURE. Jeff and Mike give you their breakdown, takes some Neco Calls and meeting sick celebrities. Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “In Damnation's Embrace” – LLYR

This week, we discuss STOPMOTION, a film that has been getting a lot of attention recently.  This is Robert Morgan's feature debut and incorporates live action with, you guessed it, stop-motion animation to tell feverish, weird tale about a filmmaker, he abusive mother and the hazy lines between reality and illusion.  Also, I mispronounce author Brian Evenson's name twice during the episode.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Amputate” – Negative Prayer

Mike S returns after a brief hiatus.  This week, we discuss a fairly obscure British film called GHOST STORIES written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman.  Offbeat, unique and unconventional; how will it fair on the Necro chopping block?    Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Extortion” – Christbane

The prequel game can be a tricky one, especially with such an iconic franchise as The Omen. Check out our take on The First Omen, the directorial debut of Arkasha Stevenson and the direct prequel to the 1976 classic   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “I am Abomination ” – 1349

Damn, what timing we have! On the heels of the first-ever felony conviction of a former US President, we take on the tense, speculative “horror” movie CIVIL WAR.   Intro:    “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:  “Rocket USA” – Suicide

Robert Eggers is undoubtedly a luminary in the horror world and it is no surprise that we are on board with his band of weirdness.  This week, we dive into the many-faceted movie THE LIGHTHOUSE. What is actually going on in this film? Listen and dig our commentary on this modern classic. Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” – Iron Maiden

This week, we are back in time to 70's Italy.  Lucio Fulci along with Dario Argento are possibly the most well-known filmmakers in European Horror / Giallo so we have been diving deep into their catalogs.  1972's Don't Torture a Duckling (Non si sevizia un paperino), is one of his most critically renowned films.  Check out what we have to say about it.     Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Sol Niger” – Babylon Whores

This week we dive into the curious genre of American Christian Independent Horror with Nefarious.  Ever wonder what a Christian Fundamentalist might do with a budget to make a horror film? Well, give this episode a listen.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Snakes of Christ” - Danzig

Somehow we missed this one last year. Dark Harvest is a 2023 horror film inspired by Norman Partridge's novel of the same name.    Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Skulls” – Misfits

This week we go back to the 90's to check out as film that influenced last week's episode LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. 1992, an unsuspecting British audience was subjected to GHOST WATCH, a program that was largely perceived as being real! For years, this film has been hard to find until the good people at Shudder at it to their streaming platform.   Intro:     “Necromaniacs” – Mike Hill Outro:   “Ghost Walk” – The Mighty Sphincter