35 - The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe

35 - The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509776/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we celebrate one year of Drawn to Darkness by raising a glass to Edgar Allan Poe’s revenge-soaked classic, "The Cask of Amontillado", a story about wounded pride, wine snobbery, and one extremely committed masonry project. Expect talk of Poe’s tragic life, literary feuds, mysterious deaths, buried-alive panic, Freemasons, creepy crypts, and why you should never follow a frenemy to a second location. We also discuss the unsettling question the story refuses to answer: what exactly did Fortunato do? Was this revenge for a real wrong, a thousand tiny slights, or one fragile man’s fantasy of perfect punishment? Spoiler and Content Warning: Content includes revenge, murder, claustrophobia, being buried alive, darkness, damp crypts, bones, chains, alcoholism, death, possible mental instability, and the horrible realisation that someone who smiles at you might also be planning to wall you up. We also spoil the "The Cask of Amontillado". So go read it this 1846 classic, and come back.  Palate Cleanser: For a lighter trip into the macabre, try black comedies and dark-weirdo classics like Clue, The Craft, Heathers, The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, or Drop Dead Gorgeous. They let you enjoy the creepy, strange, and morbid without trapping you in an underground wine murder dungeon. Also, the podcast That Aged Well, to revisit beloved films and asks how well they hold up; The Basement Yard, for silly green-flag-guy energy. And don't forget to take a moody evening walk while listening to Poe short stories, if your idea of self-care involves dusk, dread, and nineteenth-century guilt spirals. Recommendations: Poe stories including The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Raven, The Premature Burial, Berenice, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Murders in the Rue Morgue His Hideous Heart, a YA anthology of contemporary Poe retellings Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher Wine and Crime episode on being buried alive The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror adaptation of The Raven The Princess Bride, because Count Rugen knows when to run from vengeance Goodfellas, especially the manipulation and “go into the scary second location” energy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, for the danger of politeness overriding instinct Speak No Evil, for another brutal lesson in ignoring red flags The Descent, for being trapped underground in the dark Interview with the Vampire, for a particularly horrible buried-alive fate Buried, starring Ryan Reynolds CSI, the Nick-buried-alive episode, for peak 2000s TV trauma Immaculate, for a brief but memorable buried-alive horror moment Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, especially “Graveyard Rats” Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, for the Well of Souls Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, for bone-lined crypts in Venice Macbeth, because “false face must hide what false heart doth know” is basically Montresor’s entire personality Homework: Next up: The Silence of the Lambs. We’re moving from Poe’s damp catacombs to Buffalo Bill’s basement, with more second-location danger, more manipulation, more dungeon-like spaces, and Clarice Starling walking one of horror’s most memorable corridors. Watch or rewatch before our next episode. And after that: Mindhunter.  We are officially in our basement era. Until then, do not follow anyone into a damp, bone-lined crypt for a drink, no matter how rare they say it is. We’ll see you next time on Drawn to Darkness. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).

34 - Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509776/fan_mail/new] Devil in the White City by Erik Larson In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we dive into Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City, a packed, fact-filled account of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the terrifying crimes of H. H. Holmes. Along the way, we unpack Daniel Burnham’s impossible project management nightmare, Frederick Law Olmsted’s dramatic hatred of flowerbeds, power boats, and mediocre gravel paths, the invention of the Ferris wheel, the rise of Kodak snapshots, Juicy Fruit, Cracker Jack, the dishwasher, spray paint, zippers, Shredded Wheat, and far too many things that apparently came from one fair. But beneath the White City’s glowing spectacle is Holmes’ so-called murder castle: a labyrinth of rooms, corridors, chutes, gas lines, hidden spaces, and a basement that feels straight out of Silence of the Lambs. We discuss Holmes’ charm, aliases, fraud, manipulation, blue eyes, possible small ears of vice, and his horrifying ability to sense vulnerability “the way another man might capture the trace of a woman’s perfume.” We also ask the important questions: would you rather go to an event at Harvard or Yale? Is Chicago deep dish actually pizza or a casserole? And how many red flags does a man need to wave before someone checks the basement? Content & Spoiler Warning Serial murder, fraud, gaslighting, grave robbing, gassing, botched or illegal abortions, the horrors of life without modern dentistry and vaccines, and the intense stress of impossible project management. We also spoil The Devil in the White City, including the crimes of H. H. Holmes. Palate Cleanser After all that murder and fraud, watch Maul on Disney+ for the Star Wars completists, and Daredevil in preparation for the next Spider-Man movie, and Stranger Things with the kids. Recommendations: Erik Larson’s other books, including Dead Wake and Isaac’s Storm. The Wager for more novelistic nonfiction that will make you annoy everyone around you with historical facts. The Alienist for an old-timey hunt for an 1890s serial killer. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll for a fictionalised challenge to the idea that Ted Bundy was some criminal genius. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule. The Five, about Jack the Ripper’s victims. If you want to know more about H.H. Holmes, check out Last Podcast on the Left’s episode on H. H. Holmes and Lore's episode “The Castle.” And for more information about the era, try the Dollop episodes on the Pinkertons, Tesla and Edison, and “Cereal Men” with Patton Oswalt. Titanic for Gilded Age vibes, plus the book’s Titanic connection. Loving Frank for Frank Lloyd Wright-related drama. Heretic, Barbarian and Black Phone for scary basements. American Psycho and The Talented Mr Ripley for monsters with a facade. Horns by Joe Hill, inspired by Holmes’ own claim that his head and face were becoming devil-like. Instant Dream Home on Netflix for stressful, probably-not-real renovation timelines. Weezer’s Pinkerton. And always: Arrested Development, because Buster Bluth was also a mama’s boy, as H.H. Holmes claims, and Olmsted has Lucille Bluth-level dramatic energy. Parks and Recreation, because of the Harvest Fest, Leslie Knope-level organisation, and Ben Wyatt-style cost-cutting. Homework Horror double feature. Amontillado wine features twice on menus at the fair, so read Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” and watch Silence of the Lambs because the real Buffalo Bill performed at the fair. And remember: Beware of charm, aliases, suspicious life insurance requests, and men who need a shovel to bury “potatoes” in the cellar. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).

33 - Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509776/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we ask the important questions: Is Jurassic Park actually horror? And would not having a favourite dinosaur be a dealbreaker? We dive into Steven Spielberg’s iconic dinosaur summer blockbuster, from trembling cups of water and bloody goat legs to whatever chaos theory is, Chekov’s electric fences, and Jeff Goldblum’s unbuttoned shirt. Along the way, we unpack the film’s blend of adventure, horror, and sci-fi, discuss whether the dinosaurs were scientifically accurate (spoiler alert: no), and debate the ethics of cloning extinct creatures, billionaire hubris, and scientists “playing God.” We also talk about childhood dinosaur obsessions, the trauma of The Land Before Time, why the T-Rex attack sequence and velociraptor attack qualify as horror, and how Spielberg balances awe, suspense, humour, and terror. Expect deep dives into practical effects vs CGI, the terrifying implications of AI and unchecked technology, casual ’90s sexism, theme park capitalism, and how “clever girl” has become a part of our family vocabularies. Content & Spoiler Warning: Dinosaur attacks, jump scares, graphic injuries, severed limbs, electrocution, animal deaths (including a goat and a cow), children in peril, broken glasses, and people being eaten by dinosaurs (obviously). We also discuss sexism, commenting on appearance  in professional settings, scientific ethics, AI anxiety, and of course we spoil Jurassic Park. Palate Cleanser: After all that dinosaur-fuelled chaos and billionaire recklessness: * Watching TikTok collectively lose its mind over a businessman being served enormous glasses of wine at a Courtyard Marriott in Westbury, New York.  * Big Mistakes on Netflix - dark crime comedy featuring Daniel Levy and Laurie Metcalf.  Spielbergian Recommendations: * Spielberg’s E.T, The Goonies, Hook (justice for Hook), and of course Jaws. Creature Features & Survival Horror * Deep Blue Sea for Samuel L. Jackson * Rogue for another creature feature that will make you pull your feet up. * The Birds – because they descended from dinosaurs. Science, Ethics & Playing God: * Gattaca  * M3GAN  * King Kong  * Westworld (especially Season 1)  * Never Let Me Go  * Klara and the Sun  * Frankenstein  * Project Hail Mary  Dinosaurs & Paleontology: * See Jurassic Right podcast (for truly dedicated Jurassic Park fans)  * Jurassic Park Minute podcast  * The Shortest History of Dinosaurs by Riley Black  * Dinosaur Train and Night at the Museum for the kids * Toy Story for short T-Rex arms * Friends — because Ross Geller was a palaeontologist.  * Go to Universal Studios Jurassic Park attractions and The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles  Actor Appreciation Corner: * The Big Chill and Ragnarok for more Jeff Goldblum * Law & Order: SVU for BD Wong fans  * Big Little Lies for Laura Dern fans  Homework: Read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. We’re heading into the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and an exploration of murder, ambition, architecture, and historical chaos.. And remember: Don’t underestimate wild animals. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).

32 - Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509776/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we dive into Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, the “glorious,” “classic” mob epic that somehow feels both iconic and unsettling. From razor-blade-sliced garlic in prison to cocaine-fuelled paranoia and helicopter chases, we unpack the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a kid who always wanted to be a gangster, and ended up a broke, bored “schnuck” in witness protection. We explore the film’s unforgettable characters (Jimmy the Gent, Tommy the loose cannon, and Karen, our MVP), iconic scenes (Funny how?), and the uneasy tension between glamour and brutality. Expect deep dives into the insular world of the mafia, the real Lufthansa heist, cult dynamics, toxic masculinity, and why this isn’t actually the bro movie some people think it is. We also what our mafia nicknames would be and discuss all the cameos and familiar faces. Content & Spoiler Warning This episode contains discussion of graphic violence (shootings, beatings, strangulation), drug abuse (especially cocaine), emotional and domestic abuse, and gaslighting. It also includes full spoilers for Goodfellas and references to other crime and horror media.  Palate Cleanser After all that coke-fuelled chaos and mob violence: * Company Retreat (Jury Duty Season 2) - a mockumentary where (almost) everyone is in on the joke. “Delightful,” absurd, and a much-needed reset.  * Saying “Hey—oh!” like you’re in The Sopranos (very quotable).  Recommendations Mafia & Crime: * The Godfather, The Sopranos, A Bronx Tale  * The Prince of Providence  by Mike Stanton for corruption in Providence. * Mob Wives (for chaotic reality TV energy)  * Crime Town podcast - organised crime beyond the usual cities (and dedicated to Annie’s uncle) * Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi (the book about Henry Hill’s life that inspired Goodfellas)  True Crime & Culture: * Adolescence and Inside the Manosphere (Louis Theroux) for confronting toxic masculinity  * Sweet Bobby – both Goodfellas and this have witness protection (or do they?)   Films & TV: * The Night Of for addiction when incarcerated * Stir of Echoes - underrated Kevin Bacon thriller featuring Illeana Douglas, Tommy’s girlfriend in Goodfellas * Stand By Me for kids that find a body * The Studio for a Scorsese cameo  Unexpected Connections: * Mean Girls - because Tommy is basically Regina George with a gun  * Parks and Recreation - questionable interior design parallels  * Sing - for a very different “My Way” experience  * When Harry met Sally for another movie with the director's mom. Homework:  Watch Jurassic Park – is it horror? Maybe.  We’re continuing with a ‘90s classic that helped shape our love of film (and Ryan Coogler’s), with a surprising connections to Goodfellas (hi Samuel L. Jackson). And after that: Devil in the White City by Erik Larson  Keep your temper. Trust your gut. Don’t do coke. Don’t piss off psychopaths. And don’t marry into the mafia.  We’ll see you next time on Drawn to Darkness. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).

31 - Ryan Coogler's Sinners with guest Makeda Pennycooke

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509776/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we dive into Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a genre-bending vampire period drama set in 1930s Jim Crow Mississippi. Joined by special guest Makeda Pennycooke, life and anti-racism coach, we unpack a film that is as gorgeous as it is unsettling, layering horror, history, and music. We break down vampire lore, our favorite characters, standout performances (Michael B. Jordan playing twins), the transcendent musical moments, and the symbolism woven throughout, from religion and ancestral knowledge to systems of white supremacy, power, and assimilation. Content & Spoiler Warning This episode contains full spoilers for Sinners and our discussion includes reference to violence, gore, and body horror (it’s a vampire movie). Some of the deeper horrors include racism, white supremacy, the Ku Klux Klan, lynching, and child loss. There’s also a snake that gets killed and drool. Really really gross drool.   Palate Cleanser After all that intensity, Caroline and Makeda’s cure? TikTok’s National Parks content (also dubbed “Only Parks”) Passages with Amanda Jacobson from Wine & Crime (Twilight season recap)  Recommendations Films & TV: * Eight Mile for more from Omar Miller (Cornbread).  * Friday Night Lights and The Wire for early Michael B. Jordan and Raising Dion - lighter Michael B. Jordan content for the kids. * What We Do in the Shadows  - always WWDITS * Blade, Interview with the Vampire, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film), Let the Right One In, Abigail, Dracula, Midnight Mass  for more vampire picks  * The Haunting of Hill House, Fall of the House of Usher for layered horror storytelling with a director who likes actors and sticks with them. * Get Out for themes of appropriation and identity. * Lovecraft Country for horror grounded in racial history.  * Across the Spider-Verse for Hailee Steinfeld fans  Books & Reading: * The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone  * A History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter  * Passing by Nella Larsen  * The Reformatory by Tananarive Due  * Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark  * The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett * A Discovery of Witches (book series) by Deborah Harkness  * Ted Chiang’s Story of your Life and Others for the melding of time. Podcasts & Other: * Reel Conversations with Britt and Bree for black women’s perspectives on Sinners  * The Next Best Picture Podcast Sinners episode for lots of background info. * Horror Joy podcast episode on Sinners and The Reformatory * Time Bandits for questioning who writes history  Documentary/True Crime: * Lost Women of Alaska - produced by Octavia Spencer  Homework: Goodfellas - a lighter pick with a Chicago Mafia connection  And Start reading The Devil in the White City - another Chicago-based story blending crime and history  And remember, if someone asks to be invited in, say no!  We’ll see you next time—only on Drawn to Darkness. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).