Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe?
Horror writer Dalton Deschain and film critic Dylan Roth are tasked with reviving the short-lived Dark Universe of horror movies, pitching each other a new installment in a Marvel-style grand opus featuring Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Mummy. This podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Universal Pictures but it's funnier if you pretend that it is.
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Unlocking Dark Legion: Death's Door
10/13/2024
Unlocking Dark Legion: Death's Door
Here it is at last: The complete story break conversation in which Dylan & Dalton determined when, how, and why the Dark Legion would meet their terrible fates in Dark Legion: Death's Door! How much did our storytellers know before they broke ground on their sadistic sequel? How much of their plans changed between this initial discussion and the final draft? Have they let any clues or crumbs slip through about the grand finale they've got planned in Dark Legion: Hell on Earth? Listen and find out! PLUS: A track from Bodies for the Geek Pit, Pt. 1, the new EP by Dalton Deschain & the Traveling Show! Let the soothing love song "Supernova" soothe your soul halfway through our depressing conversation. (Starts at 00:47:41)
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Dark Legion: Death's Door, Part Two
09/29/2024
Dark Legion: Death's Door, Part Two
WHO WILL SURVIVE? Part One of the Phase Three finale put our heroes — and our audience — through Hell. The stakes are higher than ever. What fate awaits the Dark Legion? Our partner podcast this month isn't a podcast, but an honest to god book, by our friend and voice of Dr. Jennifer Halsey — Ella Dawson! Check out wherever books or audiobooks are found. GUEST CAST (watch out for spoilers!) Ella Dawson as Dr. Jennifer Halsey Gita Jackson as Countess Marya Zaleska merritt k. as Adelaide Van Helsing Sarah Norcross as Demi Lavelle Frankie Starker as Princess Ahmanet Kendra Wells as Hunter Marin TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:04:45 - Act Two, Part Two 00:32:41 - Discussion 00:38:34 - Act Two Continued 00:45:42 - Discussion 00:49:11 - Act Two Continued 00:56:56 - Discussion 01:09:46 - Act Three 01:37:17 - Discussion 01:38:06 - Post-Credits Scene 01:40:14 - Discussion
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Dark Legion: Death's Door, Part One
09/22/2024
Dark Legion: Death's Door, Part One
THE END IS NEAR. The two-part finale of Phase Three begins here. Ahmanet lives. Set is loose. The Dark Legion is in great danger. What terrors await Earth's Mightiest Monsters? PLUS: A bonus clip from the patest episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton?, available for Patrons at . GUEST CAST (watch out for spoilers!) Ella Dawson as Dr. Jennifer Halsey Gita Jackson as Countess Marya Zaleska merritt k. as Adelaide Van Helsing Rachel Millman as Gwen Conliffe Sarah Norcross as Selinsgrove Coroner, Mi Seulgi, Demi Lavelle, and additional voices Steph Salo as Carol Laemmle and additional voices Joe Stando as Dr. Jack Griffin and Selinsgrove Cop Frankie Starker as Princess Ahmanet Kendra Wells as Hunter Marin Patrick Willems as Satan and Selinsgrove Nurse TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:00:37 - Cold Open 00:05:01 - Discussion 00:09:40 - Fan Expectations 00:21:49 - Director Choice 00:23:31 - Act One 01:02:19 - Discussion 01:11:24 - Act Two Part One 01:44:06 - Discussion 01:49:55 - Act Two Continued 02:03:46 - Discussion
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BONUS: Mamma Mia! / Under the Influence of Sybonk
09/13/2024
BONUS: Mamma Mia! / Under the Influence of Sybonk
While you await DEATH'S DOOR with bated breath, here's this month's episode of the Patron-exclusive podcast Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? in its entirety absolutely free! Don't worry, we're not just being generous. We're after your money. We're starting an exciting new project on our bonus podcast ARE YOU AFRAID OF DYLAN & DALTON? called Studio Mandates, in which patrons who subscribe at the $25/mo level for at least one month get to request a loose, improvised pitch for a Dark Universe remake of the film of their choosing. First up, by request of Studio Executive Balthazar, we came up with a version of the ABBA musical MAMMA MIA! featuring man-eating sirens and a certain crusty old seaman from our established mythology. PLUS, our ongoing segments: Treks Education, in which Dylan has challenged Dalton to watch every Star Trek movie; and The Dalterion Collection, in which Dalton has selected a list of arthouse faves that Dylan has never seen. This month, it's STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER and John Cassavettes' A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE! All this and more on this episode! For past and future episodes, please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton. If we get our total to $1000/mo, we'll make the bonus podcast bi-weekly instead of monthly! $5/mo gets you the audio version of the bonus pod, plus access to a warm and welcoming creative community on Discord. $8/mo includes the video version of the bonus podcast (which is a new phenomenon - this is only the second time we've done this). $15/mo gets you an on-air thank you every episode $25/mo (even just once!) entitles you to a movie pitch request on a future episode. Start a 7-day free trial today, whydoncha? TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 - Intro! 0:02:15 - Our thoughts on Mamma Mia! (2008) 0:10:51 - Dalton and Dylan's dream jukebox musical projects 0:14:06 - Bev Check! We almost forgot! 0:14:52 - A digression about the Bat Out of Hell musical 0:17:06 - Our Mamma Mia! pitch 0:37:39 - Patreon goal announcement 0:41:50 - We say we don't have time to talk about Alien: Romulus but then we do it anyway 0:52:46 - Patron acknowledgement 0:53:30 - Treks Education - Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1:09:00 - Dalton's Star Trek rankings, in progress 1:13:43 - The Dalterion Collection - A Woman Under the Influence
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Robot Monster w/Bill Corbett
09/08/2024
Robot Monster w/Bill Corbett
Heads up: For this, our 50th episode, we have created a full VIDEO VERSION of the episode. Not just a picture of the episode cover with some graphics on it, but an honest-to-god video. Watch it here, if you'd like: One of our comedic heroes, Bill Corbett of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and RiffTrax, calls in to pitch us an updated version of a film that has been tackled by BOTH of his shows - 1953's ROBOT MONSTER! How can we reimagine this cheap, crappy 3D B-movie for a new millennium, and a shared universe that's more about vampires and werewolves than robots and aliens? This episode's ad break includes Dalton's band's new music video in its entirety! Check out "Hell Breaks Loose" by Dalton Deschain & the Traveling Show, and find it on your favorite streaming platforms. Here's a direct link to the official YouTube posting: PLUS: If you like what we do, please consider supporting us at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:02:18 - Introducing Bill Corbett! 00:15:13 - Robot Monster History 00:21:11 - Robot Monster Recap 00:43:23 - Hell Breaks Loose 00:47:30 - Patron Shoutouts 00:49:01 - Bill’s Pitch 01:19:40 - Plugs 01:25:15 - Housekeeping
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Phase Three Recap! Plus: Dracula in Hell
08/25/2024
Phase Three Recap! Plus: Dracula in Hell
Dark Legion: Death's Door is just a month away, which means it's time for another rapid-fire Dark Universe recap! Join us as we attempt to coherently summarize the past ten canon episodes of our show in no more than five minutes each, while also reflecting back on some of the season's twists and turns. PLUS: By your request, we've compiled all eight of this season's serialized post-credit scenes into one continuous story, which we call DRACULA IN HELL! This episode is brought to you by our Patreon, where you can find new episodes of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? every month. Start a free trial and join our community at patreon.com/dylananddalton TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:13:58 - Dark Legion: The Mummy’s Hand 00:21:06 - The Mummy: Heaven’s Gate 00:27:33 - The Dark Universe Holiday Special 00:31:00 - A Native American Werewolf In Paris 00:35:42 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame 00:41:25 - The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies 00:48:04 - Cat People/Kill Your Darlings 00:53:37 - The Invisible Man’s Revenge 01:00:53 - Return to the Black Lagoon 01:06:18 - Van Helsing 01:16:50 - Dracula In Hell Part 1 01:20:05 - Dracula In Hell Part 2 01:22:34 - Dracula In Hell Part 3 01:26:29 - Dracula In Hell Part 4 01:29:29 - Dracula In Hell Part 5 01:34:53 - Dracula In Hell Part 6 01:40:26 - Dracula In Hell Part 7 01:44:35 - Dracula In Hell Part 8 01:50:48 - Housekeeping
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Darkman w/Daniel Kibblesmith
08/11/2024
Darkman w/Daniel Kibblesmith
A decade before directing the blueprint for a generation of superhero blockbusters, Sam Raimi attempted to create his own mashup between comic book hero and Universal Monster: Darkman! How the hell did it take us so long to adapt this one? Luckily, Emmy-nominated TV and comics writer is here to pitch an exciting new take on the cult classic! PLUS: Some exciting updates about ! Our podcast partner for this episode is , a show about the most important comic of the 21st century, and the greatest series you’ve never heard of. Each week Journalist Gita Jackson and DC Historian Alex Jaffe read and explore an issue of 52, a 2006 exploration of the DC universe by a legendary team of talent that shaped everything that came after it. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:02:23 - Introducing Daniel Kibblesmith 00:18:46 - Plot Recap 00:48:32 - Daniel’s Pitch 01:02:11 - Workshopping 01:27:16 - Patreon Updates
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Van Helsing, Part Two
07/28/2024
Van Helsing, Part Two
It's time for the shocking conclusion of Dalton's Van Helsing pitch, the Carmilla Trilogy, and what I suppose we can start calling the House of Frankenstein Trilogy. The Dark Legion faces their most daunting challenge to date: each other! Phase Three's threads converge here, and everything will change! PLUS: Who got married during the two-year gap? Your answers are here. Our podcast partner this week is . Join your hosts Chris, Anna, and Greg as they dare to ask the question, "If this movie is so bad, why do you like it so much?". Special guests bring us their own personal favorite bad movies and we figure out what is up with the movies we love to hate and hate to love. Dylan recently appeared on this show to rave about The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:13:03 - Dylan’s Expectations 00:22:49 - Act Two Part Two 00:26:59 - Discussion 00:31:38 - Act Two Continued 00:36:07 - Discussion 00:39:12 - Act Two Continued 00:53:04 - Discussion 01:03:54 - Act Three 01:18:01 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:20:25 - Discussion 01:33:03 - Post-Credits Scene 01:39:15 - Discussion
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Van Helsing, Part One
07/21/2024
Van Helsing, Part One
They said it would never happen — Dalton has written script too big for one episode! Van Helsing revisits the ruthless Adelaide, last of the Van Helsing line, in a story that wraps up Dalton's Carmilla Trilogy and reassembles practically the entire Dark Legion. It's a tall order. Can this pitch live up to its lofty expectations? PLUS: A bonus clip from the patest episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton?, available for Patrons at . TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 - Start 00:06:25 - Listener Expectations 00:16:40 - Director Choice 00:20:12 - Prologue 00:25:29 - Discussion 00:26:34 - Act One 00:41:01 - Discussion 00:45:55 - Act One Continued 01:04:10 - Discussion 01:12:28 - Act Two Part One 01:40:05 - Discussion
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The Ghost and Mrs. Muir w/Magnolia Porter Siddell
07/07/2024
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir w/Magnolia Porter Siddell
In our latest guest pitch episode, writer and cartoonist brings us her take on the 1947 supernatural romance The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, in which a fiercely independent widow grows attached to the deceased sailor (sorry, SEAMAN, he wants to be called a seaman) who haunts her new house. Dylan & Dalton are immediately taken with the original film, but how can a story about ghosts fit into their Dark Universe, where the absence of ghosts has been an important plot point? Magnolia has some ideas, and where D&D take them might have serious implications for the upcoming Dark Legion: Death's Door! Our partner podcast this week is ! 52 Pickup is a podcast about the strange and wonderful DC Comics series 52. Every other week, join Gita Jackson of Aftermath and Alex Jaffe of the podcast Insert Credit as we take you on an issue-by-issue journey through a comic book series that explains everything about the DC universe, if you only look hard enough. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:03:21 - Introducing The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 00:09:55 - Plot Recap 00:46:45 - The Pitch 01:25:14 - Director Choice and Final Casting 01:29:25 - Plugs
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Return to the Black Lagoon
06/23/2024
Return to the Black Lagoon
Last season, Dalton brought us a unique and ambitious reimagining of a Universal classic: THE BLACK LAGOON. It's a bleak and surreal horror story about gender, isolation, oppression, repression, and death. It's not a movie that calls for a sequel, and even less a movie that calls for a sequel from Dylan. Nevertheless, that was Dylan's assignment for this episode. Did he deliver? How does one write a follow-up to someone else's deeply personal story? Where does one find the balance between honoring someone else's voice and expressing their own? These questions answered, plus the fates of Hunter Marin and the Ferryman, in this exciting episode! This episode is brought to you by the Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Patreon, home of the monthly AYADD bonus podcast and one of the most friendly and creative Discord communites online. Start a free 7-day trial at ! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:12:15 - Fan expectations 00:17:34 - Director choice 00:20:28 - Prologue 00:28:16 - Discussion 00:33:14 - Act 1 00:51:16 - Discussion 00:59:22 - Act 2 Part 1 01:16:49 - Discussion 01:31:16 - Act 2 Part 2 01:45:11 - Discussion 01:54:31 - Act 3 02:06:40 - Mic-Credits Scene 02:08:08 - Post-Credits Scene 02:12:18 - Discussion
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Jaws w/Patrick Willems
06/09/2024
Jaws w/Patrick Willems
There's only one storyteller we would trust to pitch a Dark Universe reimagining of Jaws, one of the greatest films of all time: filmmaker and YouTube star Patrick Willems joins us from Cannes, France to share his vision of the most ill-advised movie remake of all time! Plus, learn about the time Patrick met Tom Cruise at the premiere of the latest Mission: Impossible movie, and learn the history of the Nick Morton Funko Pop! RELEVANT TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:20:10 - Patrick’s Aborted Dark Universe Video 00:26:56 - The Nick Morton Funko Pop 00:30:04 - The Mummy 2017 Relitigated 00:41:33 - Meeting Tom Cruise 00:49:40 - Is Richard Dreyfuss Hot? (NOTE: We recorded this bit before Dreyfuss at a Jaws screening) 00:55:20 - Patrick’s Jaws Pitch 01:47:31 - Plugs!
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The Invisible Man's Revenge
05/26/2024
The Invisible Man's Revenge
Dalton's informal "Carmilla Trilogy" continues with The Invisible Man's Revenge, a sequel to our breakout episode from way back in 2022! The fanbase is split as to what to expect from this one. Will this chapter be another kooky slapstick comedy, or will it be a nihilistic bloodbath the likes of which the Dark Universe has never seen? You'll get your answers, plus nearly 90 minutes of story, right here on AYADU! PLUS: A snippet from the latest episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? in which the hosts each introduce the other to a corner of cinema that they've never explored. Dalton has to watch all 13 Star Trek movies, including the bad ones. Dylan has to watch Richard Linklater's "Before Trilogy," one of the most celebrated film series of all time. Sounds fair, right? Get our whole library of bonus podcasts by joining our Patreon at for $5 a month. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:14:57 - Prologue 00:18:22 - Act 1 00:48:23 - Discussion 00:56:57 - Act 2 Part 1 01:09:17 - Discussion 01:17:43 - Act 2 Part 2 01:28:02 - Discussion 01:31:40 - Act 2 Part 2 Resumed 01:39:00 - Discussion 01:44:57 - Act 3 02:01:22 - Mid-Credits Scene 02:03:34 - Post-Credits Scene 02:09:02 - Discussion
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Village of the Damned w/Avery Edison
05/12/2024
Village of the Damned w/Avery Edison
Writer and comedian has come to pitch a new take on Village of the Damned, and she has come PREPARED. It's our most in-depth guest pitch to date! This one's got it all: Creepy children, uncanny creatures, gender feelings, and ties to our Dark Legion! And, bits? Yeah, we got those, too. You don't want to miss this one. Our podcast partner this week is , a show about great food and the people who love to make & eat it. Every week, hosts Tom Zalatnai & Teffer Adjemian dig into a different dish, meal, ingredient, cuisine, or piece of food media, exploring the history & culture around it, sharing favorite recipes, and learning from our wonderful guests.
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Cat People (OR Kill Your Darlings)
04/28/2024
Cat People (OR Kill Your Darlings)
After a months of sequels and spin-offs, it's time for a wholly new addition to our Dark Universe, and it's even more different than anyone expected. On this episode, Dylan pitches a new take on the 1942 classic Cat People, a small-scale, low-budget, Sundance-style horror dramedy with minimal connections to the Dark Legion mythology. It's a very rough draft, but the hosts are ready for workshop — and so are the characters! (Jump to 01:20:19 if you want to skip to the end of the deliberately uncomfortable sex scene.) PLUS: A peek at the most recent episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton?, the monthly podcast that's available exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. Start your 7-day free trial today at ! 00:00:00 - Start 00:09:40 - Fan Expectations 00:21:18 - Director Choice 00:23:20 - Cold Open 00:25:07 - Act One 00:53:36 - Discussion 01:03:36 - Act Two Part One 01:16:29 - Trigger Warning Start 01:20:33 - Trigger Warning End/Discussion 01:32:20 - Act Two Part Two 01:41:53 - Discussion 01:48:04 - Act Three 01:58:04 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:59:06 - Post-Credits Scene 02:04:51 - Discussion
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Behind Love Never Dies (AYADD bonus preview)
04/21/2024
Behind Love Never Dies (AYADD bonus preview)
Hello, gentle listeners, here's a little taste of what you might be missing on our Patreon at . Once a month, we release a new episode of our bonus podcast, Are You Afraid of Dylan and Dalton?, where we talk about horror and sci-fi movies, challenge each other with stupid little trivia games, and answer non-Dark Universe-related questions from our listeners. We’re going to start publishing clips from the bonus pod on the main feed every month, and this episode felt like a particularly good one to start with. The latest episode features Dalton digging into much greater detail about how they composed the story and music for their musical episode, The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies. Here’s a little taste of that conversation, and if you’d like to hear the rest, and to join our wonderful and welcoming community on Discord, head on over to and start your free one week trial, after which you get a steady stream of bonus shit from us for $5/mo.
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The Thing That Couldn't Die w/Kendra Wells
04/14/2024
The Thing That Couldn't Die w/Kendra Wells
Acclaimed writer and illustrator (and voice of Hunter Marin) Kendra Wells joins your hellish hosts to resurrect an infamously bad Universal monster movie, The Thing That Couldn't Die! It's a movie so weirdly unsatisfying that the only way to enjoy it is via Mystery Science Theater 3000, but Kendra has arrived with a plan to reshape it into something worth watching. CORRECTION: Ayo Edebiri is pronounced "EYE-oh ed-DEB-ree" so we were all at least half wrong. Sorry, Ayo, we love you. PLUS: We announce our latest collaboration with Kendra, a new t-shirt featuring a certain socialist werewolf and the phrase "LITERALLY EAT THE RICH!" It can be found on and is available on a wide array of merchandise. PLUS PLUS: Check out Dylan's bizarre new YouTube project, , in which he plays a professional wrestling fan who stumbles across a supernatural threat to our very reality.
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The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies
03/31/2024
The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies
Last season, Dylan surprised Dalton by composing four original songs for his Dark Universe take on The Phantom of the Opera. "Fuck," said Dalton, "Now I have to do a musical episode!" It's finally here, and it does not disappoint. The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies is a new Dark Universe story, a sequel to Dylan's Phantom, a riff on Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, and a fully produced musical EP! What does Dalton have in store for everyone's favorite monster hunting power couple, Carol and Jenny? One thing's for sure: This episode's gonna get people talking. Guest starring Ella Dawson as Jenny Halsey and Steph Salo as Carol Laemmle! Our partner podcast this week is , where hosts Adam and Allie answer questions you've never asked about monsters from folklore, pop culture, and our own world. 00:00:00 - Start 00:08:17 - Fan Expectations 00:13:37 - Director Choice 00:17:14 - Act One 00:21:45 - “Previously On!” 00:25:55 - Discussion 00:28:34 - Act One Continued 00:44:20 - “Carol’s Lament” 00:48:20 - Act One Continued 00:49:26 - Discussion 01:01:34 - Act Two 01:15:01 - Discussion 01:22:09 - Act Two Continued 01:39:17 - “The Raven” 01:42:55 - Discussion 01:51:21 - Act Two Continued 01:58:24 - Discussion 02:06:22 - Act Three 02:18:20 - “Carol’s Lament (Reprise)” 02:20:20 - Act Three Continued 02:25:18 - Mid-Credits Scene 02:27:13 - Discussion 02:39:52 - Post-Credits Scene 02:42:49 - Discussion
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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World w/Rax King & Amber Rollo
03/17/2024
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World w/Rax King & Amber Rollo
You've heard us say it before and it's never been more true than it is now: This is the wildest guest pitch we've ever heard. Rax King and Amber Rollo, the hosts of , have reimagined the 2011 Edgar Wright film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as an X-rated bloodbath slasher movie starring a certain very large six-time world champion professional wrestler. How will this new interpretation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novels honor its legacy as a genre-mashing transmedia personal critique that went over the head of roughly half of its audience? Listen here to find out! Our partner podcast this week is ! 52 Pickup is a podcast about the strange and wonderful DC Comics series 52. Every other week, join Gita Jackson of Aftermath and Alex Jaffe of the podcast Insert Credit as we take you on an issue-by-issue journey through a comic book series that explains everything about the DC universe, if you only look hard enough.
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Part Two
03/03/2024
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Part Two
It's the stunning conclusion of our giant-sized action-horror blockbuster, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Will Victor Frankenstein be able to reconcile with his resurrected son? What will become of Esmeralda? And, crucially, WHO WAS IN THE BATHROOM? These questions will be answered, plus a lot that you probably didn't have about Dylan's chaotic writing process vs. Dalton's more orderly and functional one. PLUS: The hosts get into their most heated argument ever, which will have lasting repercussions on the future of the Dark Universe! 00:00:00 - Start 00:22:14 - Act Two Part Two 00:33:29 - Elsa Discussion 00:35:25 - Act Two Part Two Continued 00:37:26 - THE GREAT ESMERALDA DEBATE 00:46:45 - Act Two Part Two Continued 00:48:21 - THE GREAT ESMERALDA DEBATE CONTINUED 00:55:39 - Act Three 01:18:28 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:19:55 - Post-Credits Scene 01:23:52 - Discussion 01:24:55 - Reshoots 01:36:20 - Discussion
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Part One
02/25/2024
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Part One
A pitch too big for one episode! Dylan's brought in a whopping 80-page script for his half of the House of Frankenstein duology, The Hunchback of Notre Dame! How will he connect this massive Victor Hugo novel with the mythology of Frankenstein? How accurate are the fan predictions? Will the seeds planted by Dalton in A Native American Werewolf in Paris bear fruit? Find out now, and stay tuned for PART TWO in seven days! Our podcast partner this week is the sci-fi/fantasy book podcast . Think of them as your friendly, neighborhood online book club. Each month, Laura Benson, Jason Rico, and Bella Romero (with the occasional guest host) will read a new book, then discuss it in an episode. 00:00:00 - Start 00:05:43 - Fan Expectations 00:21:59 - Director Choice 00:23:33 - Prologue 00:27:24 - Act One 01:03:40 - Discussion 01:13:52 - Act Two Part One 01:39:01 - Discussion
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The Mad Ghoul w/Ramon Villalobos
02/11/2024
The Mad Ghoul w/Ramon Villalobos
Comics artist joins our devilish hosts to discuss what might be the worst movie we've ever had to watch for this show, "The Mad Ghoul," a creature feature so forgettable that Universal didn't bother renewing the copyright. Can this rowdy trio salvage a potentially ripe concept into a movie that belongs in our Dark Universe? Can they do it without saying anything inflammatory and losing half their audience? Only one way to find out. Our partner podcast this week is , your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.
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A Native American Werewolf in Paris
01/28/2024
A Native American Werewolf in Paris
At long last, it's Dalton's first solo pitch of Phase Three and the first half of our loose "House of Frankenstein" duology: A Native American Werewolf in Paris! Dalton's all about fulfilling the promise of the premise, so how will they make this story appropriately wolfy, thoroughly Parisian, and respectful towards Gwen's indiginous heritage without overstepping their bounds as a white storyteller? For one thing, Dalton has curated a playlist of songs from Native artists that would be included on the soundtrack, which you can listen to on or . (Don't try to play it overtop of the episode, though - Dylan scored over all of those sections with music evoking the vibes of the suggested songs.) How will Gwen's story play out now that it's in the hands of a different co-host? What kind of traps or trampolines will Dalton lay out for Dylan to use when he picks up the "House of Frankenstein" story in The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Only one way to find out. Our partner podcast this week is , where hosts Adam and Allie answer questions you've never asked about monsters from folklore, pop culture, and our own world. 00:00:00 - Start 00:03:18 - Fan Expectations 00:14:01 - Dalton’s Preamble 00:17:58 - Director Choice 00:21:47 - Act One 00:54:07 - Discussion 01:05:50 - Act Two Part One 01:22:37 - Discussion 01:27:39 - Act Two Part Two 01:50:12 - Discussion 01:57:42 - Act Three 02:12:02 - Mid-Credits Scene 02:13:00 - Post-Credits Scene 02:15:28 - Discussion
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Teen Wolf w/Joseph Fink
01/14/2024
Teen Wolf w/Joseph Fink
It's the Dark Universe's first ongoing TV series pitch! Our hosts are joined by Joseph Fink, the legendary co-creator of Welcome to Night Vale, to workshop a new take on the 1985 sports comedy Teen Wolf! Note that we didn't call it a horror-comedy, and that we're sort of calling it a comedy under protest. (We don't like it very much!) How much inspiration will it take from the original Michael J. Fox vehicle? Will it have anything to do with the popular MTV show? What percentage of the episode will be spent talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? There's only one way to find out. Our podcast partner for this episode is The Mirror Universe Star Trek Podcast, a thoughtful program in which an Australian and a Canadian have a conversation about Star Trek: what we think it is, how it's evolved over the years, and how it reflects our culture...like a mirror. Dylan has basically joined the panel for this show at this point, so check it out!
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The Dark Universe Holiday Special
12/17/2023
The Dark Universe Holiday Special
Because we don't know how not to do shit like this: It's The Dark Universe Holiday Special, a full-script, full-cast episode featuring our entire surviving Dark Legion! What do we have in store for this short, semi-canonical installment in the Death's Door Saga? How silly will we get? Will we be parodying a beloved holiday classic? Which of our heroes will learn the true meaning of Christmas? We address the many terrific predictions from our fan community, which, thank goodness, are mostly incorrect, and take you page-by-page through our creative process for this sweet little treat of an episode. Our partner podcast this week is actually not a podcast, but a crowdfunding effort for a sci-fi short film, ! Directed by our friend Andy Webb and starring Evan Evagora (Star Trek: Picard) and Zoe Cipres (Roswell, New Mexico), Anomaly is a story about relationships and obsession, combining the look and tone of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The X-Files. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAST Ella Dawson (Jennifer Halsey) is an author and sex and culture critic. Her book The Reunion is coming soon from Dutton Books. She's on Twitter . Gita Jackson (Evelyn O’Connell) is a freelance journalist and critic whose work can be found at Motherboard, Kotaku, GQ, Polygon, and more. They're across social media. Jo Kroger (Cassie Falk) is a who has toured all across the US and Western Europe. She is also one of the voices of the viral parody band The B-69s. Rachel Millman (Gwen Conliffe) is a writer, social media editor, and the co-host of the delightful wrestling podcast . She's on social media . Steph Salo (Carol Laemmle) is an extremely chill homie and her posts are for homies only. Joe Stando (Jack Griffin) is a midwestern folk hero in New York City, a snappy dresser, and general bon vivant. He's on Twitter and on Instagram . Kendra Wells (Hunter Marin) is best known for their work on the graphic novels Real Hero Shit and Tell No Tales, and on the D20 liveplay podcast. They are on most social media . MUSIC "New Traditions" by Dalton Deschain & the Traveling Show "Great Shot, Kid!" by No Jersey (previously released by The Hell Yeah Babies) The piano track for the big singalong is by Sing2Piano karaoke instrumentals Everything else is Dylan goofin' off at his keyboard as per usual. 00:00:00 - Start 00:20:16 - The Dark Universe Holiday Special 01:00:10 - Discussion
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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein w/Branson Reese
12/03/2023
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein w/Branson Reese
Because you demanded it: The time has come at last to introduce our Dark Universe's take on the beloved classic, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein! Fans have speculated for the past year how AYADU might incorporate this concept into our ongoing narrative. Will we cast new actors as Abbott & Costello's characters? Will we select a modern comedy duo to goof off with our monster cast? Luckily for us, we don't have to decide, and we've passed that weighty task on to comedian and illustrator Branson Reese, creator of Swan Boy and Rude Tales of Magic! Branson joins us to share his expertise on vintage comedy and his unpredictable new take on the Abbott & Costello monster movie! Our partner podcast this week is ! 52 Pickup is a podcast about the strange and wonderful DC Comics series 52. Every other week, join Gita Jackson of Aftermath and Alex Jaffe of the podcast Insert Credit as we take you on an issue-by-issue journey through a comic book series that explains everything about the DC universe, if you only look hard enough.
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The Mummy: Heaven's Gate
11/19/2023
The Mummy: Heaven's Gate
Phase Three is officially in full swing! For the first canon pitch of the season, Dylan takes up the reins of our Mummy franchise, creating a new adventure starring both Nick Morton and Evelyn O'Connell that will change the shape of the Dark Universe forever. What awaits on the other side of Heaven's Gate? How has the world changed since the events of The Mummy's Hand? And what the hell does any of this have to do with The Matrix? Find out in this colossal new episode. Today's partner podcast is , a conversation with creatives about and around Comics, Coffee, and Heavy Metal music. Hosted by Don Cardenas. Check out Dalton & Dylan's appearance in Episode #123, available wherever you stream Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe. 00:00:00 - Start 00:07:44 - Fan Expectations 00:15:15 - Director Choice 00:17:04 - Prologue 00:22:12 - Act One 00:32:00 - Discussion 00:38:20 - Act One Continued 01:01:47 - Discussion 01:08:38 - Act Two 01:21:38 - Discussion 01:27:44 - Act Two Continued 01:35:35 - Discussion 01:41:14 - Act Two Continued 01:48:30 - Discussion 01:53:29 - Act Three 02:07:23 - Mid-Credits Scene 02:08:23 - Post-Credits Scene 02:11:38 - Discussion
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Colossus: The Forbin Project w/Gita Jackson
11/05/2023
Colossus: The Forbin Project w/Gita Jackson
Our first guest pitch of Phase Three is a departure from our usual creature feature; It's a bleak 1970s sci-fi thriller, but one that definitely still qualifies as a monster movie. Open your mind to the terror of Colossus: The Forbin Project, a forgotten gem about a surprisingly sassy artificial intelligence, dug up by journalist Gita Jackson. What does Gita have in store for their fresh take on Colossus, and can D&D find a way to fit it into the Dark Universe canon? Our partner podcast this week is , your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.
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Launching Phase Three of our Dark Universe
10/22/2023
Launching Phase Three of our Dark Universe
The wait is over! Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? is back and we're going to keep cranking out movie pitches until you're sick of us. On our season premiere, hosts Dalton Deschain & Dylan Roth answer questions from the lovely Dark Universe fanbase and reveal the titles of all [REDACTED] movies in Phase 3! Plus, who will be our first guest of the season? You know things have gotten serious when we've actually updated the opening monologue. Stick with us for the next (checks notes) year and a half as we bring the Death's Door Saga to a close! Our partner podcast for this episode is . Popcorn is their ammunition, the couch is their foxhole, the cinema is their place of worship. Welcome to the party, pal. New episodes every Friday, streaming wherever you find podcasts. Check out Dylan & Dalton's recent guest appearance, in which they talk about Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
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BONUS: Two Weeks to the Season Premiere!
10/08/2023
BONUS: Two Weeks to the Season Premiere!
The wait is almost over! The first episode of the new season is in the can, the first guests are booked, and the first script is in progress. Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? is back for Phase 3 on October 22nd. In the meantime, there's a new episode of our bonus podcast up on our Patreon, Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton, and we're making some guest appearances on other shows throughout October! Catch us on The Film Majors talking about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its wacky sequel, plus Dylan will be on an upcoming episode of Original Podcast Do Not Steal. We'll see you in two weeks for the return of our regular schedule!
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