277 episodes

Welcome to Fright School, a podcast that explores horror films through the eyes of someone who is experiencing them for the first time. Each week, Joshua (the horror nerd) pushes Joe (the unsuspecting newbie) to the edge of the Mountains of Madness, as they discuss the cultural attitudes, conditions, and events that have shaped some of the most terrifying horror films. Will Joe survive his journey? Will Joshua take things too far? Join us every week for new episodes on Monday to find out! Are you ready? Class is in session.

FRIGHT SCHOOL J. Napier and J. Fejeran

    • TV & Film
    • 4.8 • 23 Ratings

Welcome to Fright School, a podcast that explores horror films through the eyes of someone who is experiencing them for the first time. Each week, Joshua (the horror nerd) pushes Joe (the unsuspecting newbie) to the edge of the Mountains of Madness, as they discuss the cultural attitudes, conditions, and events that have shaped some of the most terrifying horror films. Will Joe survive his journey? Will Joshua take things too far? Join us every week for new episodes on Monday to find out! Are you ready? Class is in session.

    Par Baked Boyfriend - Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

    Par Baked Boyfriend - Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

    Welcome back to Fright School! Happy St. Patrick's Day! How many pints of Irish are you? Joe is having a reunion with GIRLS5EVA and taking all of that girl power one step further with LOVE LIES BLEEDING. Joshua saw Madonna in Silver Daddy Land aka Palm Springs. This week, we are finishing up our mini salute to the Mary Shelley's enduring work FRANKENSTEIN with LISA FRANKENSTEIN (2024)! This neon piece of comedy horror gets a bit overshadowed by its reverence for its references, but it is fun spotting the many and varied Easter eggs hiding in it. We wonder what the Future Legendary Spooky Children will think of the film in a few decades, chat about Diablo Cody's universe, and realize there is little to actually compare the film to in Mary Shelley's original novel. Oh well! Dig up some cans of TAB from the graveyard of 80s nostalgia, pop some popcorn, grab LISA FRANKESNTEIN, WEIRD SCIENCE and BEETLEJUICE and you may have the makings for a perfect slumber party with the Monster High Ghouls...


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    • 49 min
    Sexbot in the City - Ex Machina (2014)

    Sexbot in the City - Ex Machina (2014)

    Welcome back to Fright School! Joshua catches Joe up on 22 years of SOUTH PARK history. Joe breaks down SCHMIGADOON. Joe is also gifting the world with a Cabaret to benefit Lambda Archives! This week we're celebrating the tenth anniversary of EX MACHINA (2014). We compare the film to BLACK MIRROR, discuss human responsibility and AI, explore the film's relationship to FRANKENSTEIN, and debate the ethics of ChatGPT. Can a fashion forward gynoid drink a Cosmo?

    Monstrous Creators and Exploited Creatures: Ex Machina and Frankenstein by Screen Queens
    An Examination of Themes of Consciousness and Humanity in Ex Machina
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    • 52 min
    Poor Justine! - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

    Poor Justine! - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

    Welcome back to Fright School! Joshua is doing some deep processing. Joe is seeking thoughts on the state of new Beyoncé music. This week we're taking it back 30 years to MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN! We compare the film with previously discussed adaptations, learn about Romanticism, and find ourselves in awe of Robert De Niro's Monster.

    MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN (1994): A RETROSPECTIVE by Keri O'Shea
    'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein': The (Almost) Perfect Adaptation of a Horror Classic by Matthew Mosley
    The Cultural Historical Context of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by Sandra M. M. Gastaldi

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    • 55 min
    #BlackWomenInSTEM - The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)

    #BlackWomenInSTEM - The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)

    Welcome back to Fright School! Joe got his hair did! We discuss THE NEW LOOK and FEUD: CAPOTE VS THE SWANS. This week we chat about THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER (2023). We break down the FRANKENSTEIN references at work in the film, discuss systemic violence, the state of mental health and substance use treatment, and the pressure on Black women to save us all.
    The Humanity at the Heart of The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster by JP Nunez
    THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER IS A HARROWING TAKE ON THE FRANKENSTEIN TALE by Tai Gooden
    ‘The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster’ Review: A High Schooler Tries to Bring Back Her Dead Brother in Uneven Indie Horror By Murtada Elfadl



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    • 54 min
    A Well-Behaved Woman - Abby (1974)

    A Well-Behaved Woman - Abby (1974)

    Welcome back to Fright School! This week we get into it about our shifting Queer culture. We compare and contrast Queer As Folk, Looking, and Love, Simon. We're continuing our Black Horror History dive with ABBY (1974)! Hitting theatres almost a year to the day of THE EXORCIST's release, Abby was quickly mired in legal troubles from Warner Bros. We compare the two films, discuss the Queerness of the film, and get curious about the Christian and Yoruba themes and the way Africa is envisioned in the western imagination.
    Spectacular Degradation: Exploitation Horror and the Monstrous-Feminine in ABBY and THE EXORCIST by Lea Anderson
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    • 50 min
    La'Kerry (with TJ Tallie) - MA (2019)

    La'Kerry (with TJ Tallie) - MA (2019)

    Welcome back to Fright School! We are excited to be joined once again by Professor T.J. who tells us all about their return to JEOPARDY! Joe revisits DISTRICT 9. We are once again celebrating Black History Month with an ode to HORROR NOIRE with MA (2019)! T.J. called it a "misfire on every level" back in 2019 and we're very excited to hear about his current thoughts on the film. We also compare MA to A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, recast the film with Melissa McCarthy in order to interrogate the racial themes, explore Black women's access to their rage, and briefly discuss mental health themes in the film. Joshua and T.J. bond over bad alcohol choices in their misguided youth. Did everyone have a MA in their neighborhood?

    The Trouble with the Movie MA by Isabella L Price
    We Asked A Psychiatrist To Analyze 'Ma' By Matthew Jacobs
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    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
23 Ratings

23 Ratings

Jimmykins7792 ,

From the Newbie

I hadn’t watched much horror until listening to this podcast. Joshua and Joe definitely know how break down the movies, and they are fun to listen to. I want to watch more horror now!

RLA527 ,

yes, yes, yes! yes.

Fright School is one of my absolute favorite pods! I came for the horror discussions & not only does THAT deliver, but I also stayed for the chemistry, humor, heart & wit that Joshua & Joe express in every episode. Never disappointed, I find myself laughing out loud at least a few times every episode, along with delving into lines of thought about horror that I may not have come to on my own. Big thumbs up from this life long horror fan! 👍🏻❤️

Vamp pass ,

So fun!

I love their witty banter! They are so smart and love that they talk about books too. The cats are hilarious! Very fresh and wonderful! I love horror movies and they remind me of why I love them so much. It is fun to revisit the movies I’ve seen and they give me new ones to watch. Thank you so much, guys!

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