ScaryCrit: A Black Horror Podcast
ScaryCrit: A Black Horror Podcast
Lauren La Melle and Jared Hudson
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.
...Because! - Sleepy Hollow (1999)
*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 much to discuss. So make haste! …Because! Timestamps 4:09 - Negronomi...
Jun 11
1 hr
Sinful Salad - Sinners (2025)
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, a new crown jewel in Black horror and honestly a piece of Black Hi...
Feb 26
1 hr 31 min
ParaPOV - ParaNorman (2012)
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 a love letter to the genre. From the emotionally heavy themes...
Jan 29
1 hr 20 min
GHWIC - The Witches (1990)
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 leaving the most out-of-this-world impressions, amongst othe...
Dec 11, 2025
1 hr 13 min
Camp Conviction - Addams Family Values (1993)
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 you company! Timestamps Negronomicon - 6:50 Crit - 18:46 Final...
Nov 27, 2025
1 hr 11 min
OUTSIIIIDE! - Ginger Snaps (2000)
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 depictions of teenage horror ever made. It’s moody, messy, and magnif...
Nov 13, 2025
1 hr 7 min
Jingle Back - Trick 'r Treat (2007)
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 sure to check your candy, keep that costume on, don't touch thos...
Oct 30, 2025
1 hr 15 min
Game of Twitches - Twitches (2005)
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 curioisity on the film's production among other topics. We love thi...
Oct 16, 2025
1 hr 10 min
What It Do - I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
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 first ScaryCrit. That's right! Today we're going back to Southp...
Oct 2, 2025
58 min
On the Page - The Reading (2023)
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 Critters for sticking beside us throughout our jagged prescence thro...
Jul 31, 2025
1 hr 16 min
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