Pod People, it's a new year! The horrors persist, but so do we. We hope 2026 is off to a great start for you, and if it isn't, perhaps a new episode will help to soothe the soul?

In this episode, we discuss Vic Effects, an indie psychological horror film that's currently making the rounds at film festivals! We were lucky enough to receive a screener from writer and director Chris Shern, and friend-of-the-pod Katelin Stack plays The Woman in it. Since this film isn't widely distributed yet, no big spoilers, but we still have a hearty conversation about foley artistry, that trippy moment when art and reality blur, DIY horror, meta storytelling, and obsession.

We also talk about some of the films that are premiering at Sundance Film Festival, which we'll be attending later this month. And you better believe you'll get a full report of that trip on a future episode.

PS - This episode was recorded prior to the new year, so there are discussions of the holidays and December, and why does it already feel like it's been three months since then?

Twitter - @HorrorMargins
Facebook - @HorrorInTheMarginsPodcast
Instagram - @horrorinthemargins
TikTok - @horrorinthemargins

If there's a movie you'd like us to review or a creator you'd like us to interview, send us an email at horrorinthemargins@gmail.com. We're happy to consider your suggestions.

Stay spooky, Pod People.

Podcast intro - Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
Podcast outro - Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay

In this episode, we talk to Nebula, Ignyte, Hugo, Locus, and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated writer of speculative short fiction Thomas Ha about his debut short story collection, Uncertain Sons and Other Stories. We discuss immersive storytelling and grounding tales in reality even when navigating apocalyptic and fantastical worlds, a whole lotta writing craft, the conundrum of running or fighting in the face of grave danger, interconnected stories in the Thomas Ha-iverse, how science fiction has an uncanny able to predict our future, and much more.

Visit Thomas's website to learn more about his work: https://www.thomashawrites.com/

Get a copy of Uncertain Sons and Other Stories: https://undertowpublications.com/shop/uncertain-sons

Twitter - @HorrorMargins
Facebook - @HorrorInTheMarginsPodcast
Instagram - @horrorinthemargins
TikTok - @horrorinthemargins

If there's a movie you'd like us to review or a creator you'd like us to interview, send us an email at horrorinthemargins@gmail.com. We're happy to consider your suggestions.

Stay spooky, Pod People.

Podcast intro - Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
Podcast outro - Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay

Pod People, it's been an exceptional year for the horror genre, so we decided to pause so we could take stock of some of the media we've enjoyed thus far. We talk the films Weapons, Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and more, as well as some books we've loved, including Old Soul by Susan Barker, Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang, Diavola by Jennifer Thorne, and The Skin You're In by Ashley Robin Franklin, and more.

Obviously, this is nowhere near an exhaustive list, and after we recorded this episode, a whole wave of films hit theaters for October, so there is much to celebrate. Horror is alive and well!

We want to hear from you! What horror media have you really enjoyed this year? Share it with us, and we just might shout you out on a future episode!

Twitter - @HorrorMargins
Facebook - @HorrorInTheMarginsPodcast
Instagram - @horrorinthemargins
TikTok - @horrorinthemargins

If there's a movie you'd like us to review or a creator you'd like us to interview, send us an email at horrorinthemargins@gmail.com. We're happy to consider your suggestions.

Stay spooky, Pod People.

Podcast intro - Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
Podcast outro - Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay