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Monstrum

The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster for each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature and film.

The Unspoken Rules of Slasher Movies

32m 44s

The 1974 movies Black Christmas and Texas Chain Saw Massacre gave rise to what would become one of cinema’s most enduring genres: the slasher film. In this special episode, we’ll talk about the origins, evolution and cultural impact of these gory popcorn films and take a close look at the key tropes—masked killers, final girls, and gore—that continue to make make slashers iconic.

Episodes

  • The Unspoken Rules of Slasher Movies: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Unspoken Rules of Slasher Movies

    S6 E11 - 32m 44s

    The 1974 movies Black Christmas and Texas Chain Saw Massacre gave rise to what would become one of cinema’s most enduring genres: the slasher film. In this special episode, we’ll talk about the origins, evolution and cultural impact of these gory popcorn films and take a close look at the key tropes—masked killers, final girls, and gore—that continue to make make slashers iconic.

  • Why Manticore Is a Dungeons & Dragons Legend: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why Manticore Is a Dungeons & Dragons Legend

    S6 E10 - 12m 47s

    Featured in tabletop RPGs, card games, books, animated movies and shows, the manticore is a legend. And there’s a lot of speculation about the origins of the manticore. Is it a man-eating monster from Persian myth or simply a misidentified tiger?

  • The Mother of Vengeance: Grendel's Mom: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Mother of Vengeance: Grendel's Mom

    S6 E8 - 8m 44s

    The big baddie in Beowulf isn't actually the monster Grendel, but Grendel's Mother. Who maybe isn't a monster at all? Often depicted as a hideous beast or an alluring seductress, her true nature is debated. Despite appearances, she’s described in warrior terms, challenging traditional gender roles. Translation and interpretation have shape her lore as a fearsome yet misunderstood figure.

  • La Lechuza: The Shape-Shifting Witch-Owl: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    La Lechuza: The Shape-Shifting Witch-Owl

    S6 E7 - 10m 29s

    You're walking home, a little tipsy, guided only by the moonlight. Suddenly, you sense something watching you: an unnervingly large owl with a human face! This is La Lechuza, a malevolent witch-owl from Tejano and Mexican folklore.

  • King Kong pt. 2: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    King Kong pt. 2

    S6 E6 - 10m 9s

    Since his 1933 movie debut, King Kong’s impact on our culture has been persistent. For nearly a century, Kong’s story has changed to reflect, and sometimes comment on, our society’s issues with racism, sexism, and fear of the unknown. Let’s talk about how well this iconic monster’s evolution keeps up with our changing times.

  • Is This North American Sea Serpent Real or a Hoax?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Is This North American Sea Serpent Real or a Hoax?

    S6 E4 - 11m 15s

    Many say that the waters of America’s Northern coasts are home to an elusive sea serpent of legend. Named Caddy! Or Cadborosaurus, for long. Sightings and testimonials go back generations. Who is Caddy? And why are serpentine water creatures among humanity’s most prevalent monsters?

  • A Giant Monster With a Giant Problem: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Giant Monster With a Giant Problem

    S6 E3 - 9m 6s

    In this episode, we explore the legacy of the monumental 1933 film, King Kong, its groundbreaking special effects, and the complex racial and colonial undertones that continue to shape our understanding of this timeless classic.

  • How a Children’s Book Introduced Us To Our Inner Demons: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How a Children’s Book Introduced Us To Our Inner Demons

    S6 E2 - 9m 12s

    As a kid, the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are were downright frightening. But thinking about the book as an adult, it’s clear there’s something deeper to this fantastically monstrous story. Notable for taking on the darker and more complicated emotions a child experiences, the book tackles the idea of inner demons in a way that kids and adults alike can understand.

Extras + Features

  • Exhumed: A History of Zombies Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Exhumed: A History of Zombies Preview

    30s

    In this new one-hour Halloween PBS special, Dr. Emily Zarka will deconstruct some of the most significant moments in zombie popular culture over the last two centuries to reveal what these creatures say about us.

  • Welcome to Monstrum!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Welcome to Monstrum!

    48s

    The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.

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