ScaryCrit: A Black Horror Podcast
ScaryCrit exists to shine a light on the often underappreciated and groundbreaking contributions of Black filmmakers, actors, and storytellers to the horror genre. From classic masterpieces to bone-chilling releases, we're here to celebrate the powerful narratives, cultural influences, and unique perspectives that define Black horror. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the genre, our podcast is your guide to discovering hidden gems, exploring social commentary, and embracing the terrifying brilliance of Black folk in horror. With in-depth analyses and behind-the-scenes insights, our podcast offers a front-row seat to the terror. Tune in every other Thursday as Lauren and Jared unpack Blackness in horror... or the lack-there-of.
Episodes
*recorded May 30th, 2026
We are back from the dead yet again with a new episode, Critters! Grab your luggage and take the scenic route with us to the 1999 period classic, Sleepy Hollow. Between how the film started out as a garish slasher to the influential, character-driven spooky favorite it is, to a bunch of mispronunciations of "Ichabod" and how our first encounters with the film made this a Halloween perennial, there’s mu...
To start, there is...SO much we didn't talk about. And there's a lot we DID talk about. But there was a lot of it we had to cut for time! In short, we could go on and on about this movie but we'd be here all day—which we're sure a lot of you would love! But as we close out Black History Month, we hope our love and enthusiasm is tangible for the focus of this Special episode of ScaryCrit, devoted to one of 2025's greatest hits...
This week on Scary Crit, Lauren and J catch up on the holidays before cracking open the Negronomicon. Our hosts break down Sinners domination of the Oscar nominations, some dark horses in the awards race, and turn the page to a surprising announcement of a brand-new Kenan and Kel movie.
For the Crit this week, we're revisiting ParaNorman (2012), the stop motion gem that combines zombies, witch trials, and small town fear into ...
Remove those grubby shoes and those synthetic wigs, Critters! There are no kids here (#FTK) and we're among equals to have a small conference about The Witches (1990). Watch for mice!
An enduring childhood classic, we give praise to Anjelica Huston's committed and iconic performance as the Grand High Witch, insight into why children's movies of today don't seem to really have it for their young audiences, and practical effects...
Happy Turkey Day! To celebrate, we're pivoting away from our Halloween theme to snap our fingers to the hilariously morbid 90s Thanksgiving classic, Addams Family Values (1993). We've got the whole spread: campiness done right, the enduring icon that is Joan Cusack's Debbie, satire that reflects with a sting, and what went down at Camp Chippewa. So whether you're cooking or on dish duty, press play and let us (and The Addams) keep ...
This week, we sink our claws into Ginger Snaps (2000), a dark, coming-of-age horror story that turns puberty into a full-blown monster movie. What starts as a tale of two outcast sisters quickly spirals into a blood-soaked exploration of transformation, identity, and the brutal side of growing up and growing apart.
We’re talking werewolves, womanhood, and why Ginger Snaps still stands as one of the most honest and gnarliest de...
All Hallows Eve is upon us! Don your best costumes, grab that plastic jack o'lantern bucket and come paint the ntown red with us as we indulge in 2007's Trick 'r Treat. A tight 82-minutes of delicious anthological horror goodness, we unwrap the treats of Michael Doughterty's immediately established rules, intersecting stories, and how this is one movie that truly encapsulates the spirit of Halloween. So! Happy listening! Just be su...
Scary? Crit? Exactly! On today's episode, get out your broomsticks because we're off to Coventry to discuss everybody's favorite twin witches with Twitches (2005)! Arguably one of Disney Channel's best original movies (especially for Halloween), we give Tia and Tamera Mowry their flowers while talking about the enduring legacy of Twitches, the layered significance of Camryn and Alex's upbringings, standout characters, and our curio...
What better way to step into Spooky Season than with a brand new season of ScaryCrit?!
We're kicking off S11 with some bombastic news: we'll be guests at the Fayetteville Fan Fest on October 18th! A huge thank you to El'Ja Bowens for the opportunity, we can't wait!
We're also very excited to dig right into season 11 and we thought it'd be fun to come full circle and Crit the legacy sequel of the film that was our very fir...
And just like that, we've finally made it to the end of season 10! For this season finale, gather 'round the table, lock arms, and open yourself up to J & L's interpretation of 2023's The Reading. There's so much to get into about this film that was on the page (and glaringly left off it) but one thing is clear: horror could be Mo'Nique's second wind and ScaryCrit is all the way here for it.
A huge thank you to our Critter...
And we're back yet again with a delicious dish for this everlong season of ScaryCrit! Get ready to whet your whistles with J & L's foodie review of 2024's House of Spoils. From L's need for more desperation, J's love of the intersectionality sprinkled throughout, the horror of The Struggle™, and wondering if they both watched the same movie, there's something in this meal of a Crit all of you listeners will love. So dig in!
Time...
🎶Beeeee who you aaaare for your priiiiide🎶
We're back just in time from yet another unscheduled sabbatical for Pride Month! And what better way to celebrate than by turning the channel to our crit of the hazy fever dream that is 2024's I Saw the TV Glow? A conversation about identity, nostalgia, and concept over story, get comfortable and be ready for the laughs and analysis! We're so happy to be back. 'Preciate y'all and your pat...
A day late, but not a dollar short!
In Episode 107, J & L discuss the horror-effort Imaginary (2024), getting into the many disconnected subplots, what genre the film could've really benefitted from, and the fact that this film is a movie that just...happens. Ideas and concepts, y'all. Ideas and concepts...
Disclaimer: We love you, DeWanda Wise (and Issa Rae)!!! And we know it's pronounced MAHN-guh—y'all know's J's he...
The horrors persist but so do we! Life is lifin' which has led to our most drawn-out season yet but not to worry, Critters. We're still here, we're not going anywhere and we've got Ep. 106 for you, hot off the presses! Listen as we take it back to 1990's Def by Temptation for an episode that captivates with conversations about filmmaking on a budget, Melle's beef with lack of quality sheets, how Temptation's victims were all charac...
In episode 105, Lauren and Jared jump through the many timeline paradoxes of Don't Let Go. The supernatural mystery loses its punch and the emotional drama dosen't quite hit home as we stumble behind Detective Jack Radcliff (played by David Oyelowo) on his journey to save his nieces life.
We break down the film's time-warping premise, the emotional stakes, and how the world building fails to deliver. Is it a crime th...
In episode 104, we dive into the 2021 horror film Black as Night. This not-so-unique blend of supernatural horror and social commentary takes us deep into the heart of New Orleans, where a young girl must confront a terrifying vampire threat that lurks in the shadows.
We’ll discuss the film’s themes of colorism, gentrification, and the coming-of-age throughline that has a hard time hitting the mark.
Grab your garli...
Happy New Year, Critters! Wishing you a spooky start to 2025.
In episode 103, Lauren and Jared wrap up 2024 and talk birthday shenanigans and Christmas games before diving into one of the most talked about horror movies of last year, The Deliverance. If you couldn't tell by the title of this episode, we were whelmed. There is something important missing from this film and this episode explores what exactly that thing is...
In episode 102, Lauren and Jared get in their early aughts bag and discuss Jim Gillespie’s lesser-known film Venom.
We don't have a newsletter anymore but...! You can find us on Instagram @ScaryCritPod
Timestamps
12:35 - Negronomicon
32:55 - Crit1:37:57 - Final Curls
Gems from E102
- Oddity (2024)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
- Hoarders (reality show) (2009)
- South Park (animated series) (1997)
- Ed, Edd n’ Ed...
In episode 101, Lauren and Jared discuss their most recommended film of 2024, Oddity.
We don't have a newsletter anymore but...! You can find us on Instagram @ScaryCritPod
Timestamps
6:18 - Negronomicon
22:14 - Crit
38:26 - Pause here if you haven’t watched!
1:30:48 - Final Curls
Gems from E101
- Heretic (2024)
- Candyman (1992)
- Final Destination (2000)
- Creepshow (1982)
- Night of the Living Dead (remake) (1990)
- Scary ...
We’ve reached a milestone, and what better way to celebrate our 100th episode than with a deep dive into a true classic of horror? Join Lauren and Jared as we explore the chilling legacy of Night of the Living Dead (1968).
This iconic film not only redefined the zombie genre but also pushed the boundaries of social commentary in horror. We’ll dissect its unforgettable characters, groundbreaking visuals, and the cultural ...
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