In this episode, father-daughter duo Ronan and Mary discuss one of the summer's hottest horror films - Curry Barker's Obsession (2026). The film follows the aftermath of a wish made by Baron "Bear" Bailey (Michael Johnston), which completely transforms his crush and co-worker Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarette) into the perfect and doting girlfriend without her consent; a decision that has devastating consequences for all involved.

We discuss the film's popularity and profitability, especially as a film written and directed by such a young filmmaker as Curry Barker. Considering it in relation to the ideological movements of misogyny and 'incel' culture which are ever increasing in popularity amongst young people (particularly young men), we have found ourselves incapable of separating this film from the reality in which it has been made. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of discourse revolving A.I. in the creative world and how this is manifested in the film, as well as the 'money's paw' premise in general, and the idea of love potions in history and culture.

Audio and Literary Credits:

- Audio clips from Obsession (2026).

- The Second Sex (1949) by Simone de Beauvoir.

- The Monstrous-Feminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis (1993) by Barbara Creed.

This week, father-daughter duo Ronan and Mary tackle one of the most iconic horror films of all time, the 1973 classic The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin.

Combining their individual academic knowledge and backgrounds, Ronan and Mary discuss ancient Mesopotamia, Pazuzu, abjection to the female in the horror genre, the monstrous-feminine, and more.

Audio, Music and Literary credits:

• Audio clips from The Exorcist (1973).
• The Exorcist (1971) by William Peter Blatty.
• Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection (1980) by Julia Kristeva.
• The Monstrous-Feminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis (1993) by Barbara Creed.

• Book about exorcism with Pazuzu on cover: Possession and Exorcism: Among Primitive Races, in Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and Modern Times by Traugott Konstantin Oesterreich (1930).
• Music from: The Best of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells I, II & III - UK Tour 2026.

In a special episode for this podcast, father-daughter duo Ronan and Mary go to see the West End play Stranger Things: The First Shadow and discuss the Stranger Things (2016-2025) television series.

Spoiler warning for the television series up to Season 5.

We discuss the horror elements of the television series in relation to the play, the nostalgia factor of the Stranger Things universe, Dante's Inferno, evil in Henry Creel, and more.

Song and audio credits:

• Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow (2025): the Netflix documentary movie that follows the production of the play.

• Stranger Things Theme Performed Live by Composers Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon: https://youtu.be/VdDWSREDqBE

Content Warning for mentions of child abuse and child sexual abuse with timestamps:

• 23:07-24:35
• 31:37-32:25