The Shuddering

Episode 5: Possum (2018) & Next of Kin (1982)

Episode Notes

Our run of summertime slasher flicks and creature features now behind us, we decided to switch things up a little for our first September episode. This time around, we're looking at psychological horror, and on the docket is a pair of films that take VERY different approaches to somewhat similar narrative setups. Our modern pick is 2018's Possum, a British film that's light on dialogue but heavy on oppressive atmosphere, grungy production design, and (we know you've seen that utterly terrifying poster) nightmare-inducing imagery. Then, we step back in time to review the 1982 "Oz-sploitation" film Next of Kin, a movie that's a favorite of Quentin Tarantino's and features an unusually chipper and heroic appearance by famed Wolf Creek villain John Jarratt. Plus, a few literary recommendations for your Halloween horror-reading pleasure, and some thoughts about what films actually qualify as psychological horror -- and what films in that category have scarred us for life!