Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and women's, gender and sexuality studies, released a new episode of their podcast, "Horror Joy." In "Severance, Liminality, and Analog Horror," the hosts traverse the eerie corridors of liminality in horror.
ALTOONA, Pa. — Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and women's, gender and sexuality studies, released a new episode of their podcast, "Horror Joy."
In "Severance, Liminality, and Analog Horror," the hosts traverse the eerie corridors of liminality in horror. They kick off with a deep dive into the Apple TV series “Severance,” exploring how its portrayal of work-life separation raises existential and psychological questions. Is it a thriller, or horror? Moving forward, they venture into the unsettling realm of analog horror, with a focus on YouTube creators like Kane Pixels and Alex Kister.
Join them as they travel deeper in the backrooms of liminal horror and the analog threat. Discussion topics include the following:
- How liminality works in Gothic literature
- What “Severance” tells us about the value of labor and the role that religious language plays in the trust, fear, or disgust of corporate overlords
- How authenticity is found in the gritty videos of analog horror and the terror of a found footage retelling of Biblical stories
- Finding joy in the mystery box of “Severance” and the labor of love of analog horror
From grainy VHS aesthetics to biblical retellings, Onishi and Stoyanoff examine how these themes distort reality and evoke a primal fear of the unknown. Join them in exploring the blurred lines of identity, the nature of labor, and the unsettling nostalgia of analog media.
The full episode can be accessed on podcast providers or on Red Circle. Learn more about the "Horror Joy" podcast.
