The First Omen (2024)

It's always the same with kids these days, isn't it. "Aww gee Dad, can't I have just one more exorcism before bed?" "Okay, but this is the Last Exorcism." And then they get up five minutes later and they're insisting they're still possessed. Sure, it's cute, but you can't wait until they grow out of it....none of that is related to the 2010 mockumentary 'The Last Exorcism', but don't worry--you've got a whole episode on that to listen to! So tell your kids to go back to bed and have their exorcism in the morning, and listen to Half Price Horror!

"I remember a rose... and falling down a long flight of steps." So begins William Peter Blatty's endeavor to sequelize his own novel, and it's safe to say it's an attempt that bears the distinctive stamp of its creator. So what does that mean? Well, listen to the episode and you'll find out!

Look, when it came to calling people in the 80s there were only two options--the Ghostbusters, and 976-EVIL. This is the movie about the folks who picked wrong, and if you want a fun campy silly 80s horror schlock spectacular then this is the film for you!

The deep dive into the 'Exorcist' franchise continues, with underloved and underseen sequel 'Exorcist II: The Heretic' getting its time to shine! Is it a misbegotten failure to replicate the grim intensity of the original, or is it actually a pretty typical 70s sci-fi thriller with the era's usual emphasis on ESP, paranormal powers, and the next step in human evolution? Time for you to take a listen and find out!

Naturally, this is a podcast that embraces all the various incarnations and aspects of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. So rather than get mired in 80s nostalgia forever, Half Price Horror is taking a look at the 2010s incarnation of the Movie Macabre and a 1971 movie Elvira covered for it, the infamous exploitation cheapie 'I Eat Your Skin'!

Time to cross off one of the big ones, as Half Price Horror finally tackles a film so big it started its own subgenre--1973's 'The Exorcist'! Let's dig into the awful on-set behavior of its director, the fears of feminism and women's bodies, and all the complex symbolism that resonated with the viewing public when this horror hit was released. It's a perfect time of year for it, as Halloween month continues!

Halloween season continues with a look at the big bug movie to begin all big bug movies, 1954's 'Them!' It's got giant ants, it's got James Arness, it's got Leonard Nimoy, it's got the guy who played Santa Clause in 'Miracle on 34th Street'! It's an influence on 'Aliens', it's the start of a whole atomic horror subgenre, so have a listen and enjoy this trip into the roots of horror. And all the ants crawling around down there.

I'm not saying Godzilla was a poser, but the Rhedosaurus was rampaging in cities a whole year before it became "cool". So come along and check out the adventures, of the OG, the stop-motion, the coolest prehistoric kaiju this side of Baffin Bay, as we kick off Halloween season right with a look at Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen and the movie that created a genre!

And so, it's time to conclude our look at the 'Omen' franchise with 'The First Omen'! (Yes, I know, it sounds like it's... look, don't overthink the title, okay? It's just a prequel.) And if you like 70s conspiracy thrillers, Ralph Ineson, Bill Nighy, and one of the most fearless performances since Isabelle Adjani in 'Possession', you're going to love hearing about this one!

It's time to end the Cornetto trilogy with a look at what happens when the fun's over, the drinking doesn't make you happy anymore, and you look around and ask yourself, "How did I wind up here?" Plus, there are aliens and androids and an apocalypse, but really it's about the day you realize you just can't keep partying like this anymore. And what you do when you don't know how to stop.