For this episode of So, You Like Horror?, Jake is joined by Sarah to discuss the 2023 horror-comedy The Blackening. Directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins, the film follows a group of college friends whose Juneteenth weekend reunion turns deadly when they discover a disturbing board game and become targets of a masked killer.

Jake and Sarah break down the movie’s central question: if the Black character is usually the first to die in a horror movie, what happens when the entire cast is Black? They discuss the film’s mix of slasher horror, ensemble comedy, cultural references, friendship drama, and social commentary, along with the way it challenges stereotypes about Black identity and representation.

The conversation also explores the cast chemistry, the “Blackest” debate, the Juneteenth setting, the effectiveness of the killer and board-game concept, and whether The Blackening works better as a horror film, comedy, or social satire. They also compare it to films such as Scream, Scary Movie, Get Out, Candyman, and The Cabin in the Woods.

Does The Blackening successfully flip one of horror’s oldest stereotypes? Is it scary enough to work as a slasher? And does it belong in the larger conversation around modern Black horror?

Listen now and let us know where The Blackening ranks among your favorite horror-comedies.

This week on So, You Like Horror?, I welcome returning co-host Scott from Up North to discuss one of the most beloved horror anthology series of all time: Tales from the Crypt.

From its roots in the legendary EC Comics to its groundbreaking run on HBO, Tales from the Crypt helped redefine what horror television could be. We explore the history of the series, the creation of the iconic Crypt Keeper, and how the show's blend of dark humor, graphic horror, and twist endings made it a cultural phenomenon.

We also discuss some of the show's most memorable episodes, including "And All Through the House," "Television Terror," "The Man Who Was Death," and "Dig That Cat… He’s Real Gone," while examining the recurring themes of greed, revenge, morality, and poetic justice that defined the series. Along the way, we look at the show's influence on modern anthology horror, its connection to EC Comics, and why it remains a favorite among horror fans decades after its original run.

Does Tales from the Crypt still hold up today? Which episodes are essential viewing? And could the Crypt Keeper ever make a successful comeback?

Join us as we revisit one of horror television's most influential and entertaining series.

Topics Include:

• History of Tales from the Crypt
• EC Comics and horror anthology storytelling
• The Crypt Keeper's legacy
• Best and most memorable episodes
• Dark humor and horror television
• HBO's impact on horror programming
• Horror anthology series rankings
• The show's lasting influence on modern horror

#TalesFromTheCrypt #HorrorPodcast #HorrorTV #CryptKeeper #ECComics #HorrorAnthology #ClassicHorror #HBO #SoYouLikeHorror #HorrorFans

In this episode of So, You Like Horror?, we will discuss the 1995 cult horror film Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight. Bringing the twisted humor of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt to the big screen, Demon Knight follows Brayker, a mysterious drifter protecting an ancient key from a smooth-talking demon known as The Collector.

We break down the film’s mix of religious horror, practical effects, dark comedy, monster-movie chaos, and mid-’90s horror energy. We also discuss Billy Zane’s unforgettable villain performance, Jada Pinkett Smith’s role as Jeryline, the film’s themes of temptation, sacrifice, survival, and why Demon Knight has built such a loyal cult following over time.

Is Demon Knight one of the most entertaining horror films of the 1990s? Does it deserve more respect from horror fans? And did Tales from the Crypt deserve a bigger run on the big screen?

Listen as we revisit the blood, demons, humor, and madness of Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight.