Open Mic Night of the Living Dead
A horror movie podcast where every episode ends in a song! Actually, two songs. Hosts Rachel and John review cult classics, creature features, and creepy gems, write original music inspired by each film, and perform it for each other live and uncut. Expect weird trivia, nerdy banter, and bizarre deep dives. Full episodes feature movie analysis and live songs, followed by shorter bonus encore episodes with demo versions and extra commentary. New episodes drop weekly. Come for the gore, stay for the encore.
Podcast Description
A horror movie podcast where every episode ends in a song! Actually, two songs. Hosts Rachel and John review cult classics, creature features, and creepy gems, write original music inspired by each film, and perform it for each other live and uncut. Expect weird trivia, nerdy banter, and bizarre deep dives. Full episodes feature movie analysis and live songs, followed by shorter bonus encore episodes with demo versions and extra commentary. New episodes drop weekly. Come for the gore, stay for the encore.
Episodes
Episodes


Sep 3, 2025
Sep 3, 2025
28 min
In this encore after show episode, we revisit The Evil Dead and reflect on why it continues to captivate us after all these years. We chat about the layers we uncover with each rewatch, and then take a creative detour - brainstorming tongue-in-cheek horror-themed ad reads inspired by Scream, The Exorcist, and The Evil Dead itself (ever wondered where Ash gets his chainsaw serviced?). As a treat, we debut an original music demo inspired by The Evil Dead, so be sure to stick around for that. If you love horror, humor, and a bit of music, join us for a playful, undead-infused celebration of all things creepy, kooky, and chainsaw-y!


Aug 27, 2025
7: The Evil Dead (1981)
Aug 27, 2025
Aug 27, 2025
1hr 29 min
*Content Warning*: Discussion about the portrayal of sexual violence and assault in this film and others beginning at 56:35.
In this episode, we dive into Sam Raimi’s cult classic, The Evil Dead (1981). We revisit the cabin in the woods, break down the film’s bloody history, and share our own first experiences watching Ash battle Deadites. We explore the indie production’s wild behind-the-scenes stories, from DIY special effects to the infamous tree assault scene, and discuss why Raimi’s scrappy filmmaking still resonates today. Plus, we review the film’s legacy, offer our horror fan ratings, and debut original songs inspired by the movie: Me and My Friends and Let's Fucking Leave. Whether you're a diehard fan or new to The Evil Dead universe, join us as we unpack what makes this franchise so iconic - and a little bit crazy.
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:00 Story Time
00:23:25 Vibe Check
01:08:30 Open Mic
01:24:15 Losing Light


Aug 20, 2025
Aug 20, 2025
23 min
In this episode, we dive into our post-show thoughts on The Exorcist and share new horror movie recommendations you won't want to miss. We reflect on the connections between possession and mental illness, unearth some fun Exorcist-adjacent films like Beyond the Door, and revisit favorites such as Final Destination, Oculus, and Pumpkinhead. We also explore how context and nostalgia color our horror experience, from iconic kill scenes to character development that really resonates. To top it off, we debut a full-band demo of our original song inspired by The Exorcist, titled Nothing Left. Whether you're here for the film talk or the music, join us for another round of after-dark horror discussion!


Aug 13, 2025
5: The Exorcist (1973)
Aug 13, 2025
Aug 13, 2025
1hr 58 min
On this episode, we dive into William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist. We dig into the film’s chilling origins, its groundbreaking practical effects, and the themes of faith, mental illness, and parents pushed to their breaking point. We break down our favorite characters - yes, we both loved Father Karras - and swap personal stories about our first times watching the film (from tiny dorm TVs to 4K big screens). Plus, we each share original songs inspired by the movie - Nothing Left and Take Me (The Redemption of Father Karras) - choosing scenes that hit us hardest. Whether you’re a superfan or a first-time watcher, join us as we exorcise (and celebrate) one of horror’s all-time greats.
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:15 Story Time
00:37:03 Vibe Check
01:36:10 Open Mic
01:50:10 Losing Light


Aug 6, 2025
Aug 6, 2025
28 min
In this encore episode, we dive deep into the world of Scream, discussing the legacy and future of this iconic horror franchise. We chat about the upcoming Scream 7, sharing behind-the-scenes updates, casting news (including the return of Neve Campbell and some surprising additions), and our hopes and fears for where the story will go. We also explore the challenges and thrills of sequels in horror, reflecting on why these movies matter so much to fans. Plus, we reveal and perform our original songs inspired by Scream: Love Interest and I'll Be Right Back. Join us for a lively conversation filled with nostalgia, speculation, and music that captures the spirit of survival in the face of terror.


Jul 30, 2025
3: Scream (1996)
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
1hr 17 min
In this episode, we dive deep into the iconic horror film Scream. We share our personal experiences with the movie, break down its influence on the genre, and talk about what makes it such a game-changer for horror fans and newbies alike. From memorable characters to meta-commentary, practical effects, and its unforgettable opening scene, we discuss why Scream hits so hard for us and how it redefined slasher cinema. Plus, we each reveal original songs we wrote inspired by the film - Love Interest and I'll Be Right Back - playing them for each other live for the very first time. If you love horror, nostalgia, and a fresh musical twist, this episode is for you.


Jul 23, 2025
2: January Faves - Top 24 of '24 Encore
Jul 23, 2025
Jul 23, 2025
19 min
In this after show episode, we dive into the movies we watched in January that didn’t make it into our main rankings, but still deserve some love. We chat about genre gems like Critters, Terror Train, Assault on Precinct 13, and Death Race 2000, plus newer releases such as Get Away and Out of Darkness. We discuss what stood out (and what fell short) for us, share personal favorites, and reflect on our evolving horror tastes. To top it off, we premiere the polished demo of Rachel's original song, Ballad of Jack Deth, inspired by the cult classic Trancers. Join us for this relaxed, music-infused recap of our latest horror discoveries!


Jul 16, 2025
1: Delayed Reactions ~ Our Top 24 of '24
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
1hr 8 min
In this special preview episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we count down our top 12 horror movies each, sharing our combined Top 24 of ‘24. We revisit films we watched together this year - some classics, some new releases, and a few hidden gems that caught us by surprise. Along the way, we dig into why certain movies lingered in our minds, what scares us, and how horror hits differently depending on our life experiences. Spoiler-free (for now!), we share our favorite picks, honorable mentions, and debut original songs inspired by Trancers and The Substance. Whether you’re into campy ‘80s goodness or this year’s boundary-pushing releases, join us as we chat about what makes for a memorable horror watch and kick off the creative side of the podcast with our impromptu musical tributes.








