This year’s Elevenses film club Spooktober special goes deep into the first horror film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture: The Exorcist (1973). Elysia, David, and John bring their range of experiences – from lifelong aficionado to first-time watcher – into a discussion delving into the special collaboration between book author / screenwriter William Blatty and director William Friedkin, and how this movie helped to define their already exceptional careers. Along the way, they discuss the franchise as a whole, the alleged “curse” behind the production, behind-the-scenes stories, and what’s coming next in The Exorcist universe.

The Exorcist franchise:

• The original trilogy: The Exorcist (1973), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Exorcist III (1990)
• William Blatty’s Trilogy of Faith books: The Exorcist (1971), The Ninth Configuration (1978) [1980 film adaptation], Legion (1983, adapted into Exorcist III)
• The dueling prequels: Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) vs. Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)
• Alternative sequels: The Exorcist TV series: (2016-2017, 2 seasons, 10 eps ea.) vs. The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
• The Mike Flanagan “reboot” (partial sequel to Exorcist III): The Exorcist: Martyrs (2027) [trailer]

Other key links discussed:

• SNL parody: The Exorcist 2 (feat. Richard Pryor)
• Documentaries about the original film: The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist (1998) and Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (2019)
• The Exorcist II documentary: Boorman and the Devil (2026) [trailer]

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John and Elysia are joined by Mark from Nevermind the Music to revisit the music and characters of The Vampire Lestat (aka Interview with the Vampire S3) and hand out their Song Superlatives (00:40:47), create their own album playlists (01:14:26), and name some overall Season Superlatives (01:39:08) as they look forward toward S4 (aka Queen of the Damned) and beyond.

The Queen of the Damned teaser

Autumn Brown interviews new showrunner Hannah Moscovitch

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Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Take a seat at the table for the 7th course (the soul!) of this feast of a season. Elysia and John become talking heads about talking heads as they recap the emotional journeys of Lestat and Louis. And of course, we can't forget our favorite murder gremlin and his emotional growth.

Stick around after the credits for a book spoiler Inside the Coffin segment and a Body Thief Murderboard

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Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Is anyone really ok after this episode? We're in shock after watching Claudia give her daddy vampires a piece of her mind. There are witches, betrayals, and heartwarming moments as Elysia and John recap the latest episode of The Vampire Lestat. Grab your finest blood vintage and join us.

Stick around after the credits for a book spoiler Inside the Coffin segment and a Devil's Minion Corner.

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Questions or comments? Send emails to: askdan@thelorehounds.com

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Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

We're all experiencing an awakening of some kind in the latest episode of The Vampire Lestat. From ice cream scoops to vampire origin stories to reliving the losses of our pasts, this episode has it all. Elysia and John laugh and cry along to our favorite gremlins and their games.

Stick around after the credits for a book spoiler Inside the Coffin segment and a Devil's Minion Corner.

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Questions or comments? Send emails to: askdan@thelorehounds.com

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Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Ask not for whom the bell of shame tolls, for it tolls for every vampire on this show. Elysia and John recap Lestat's taunting of Armand, Daniel's transformational trauma and blackout years, and the overall failure of these vampires to develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Stick around after the credits for a book spoiler Inside the Coffin segment and a Devil's Minion Corner.

Contact Us

Questions or comments? Send emails to: askdan@thelorehounds.com

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linktr.ee/thelorehounds

Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Elysia and John head to Toronto to watch Lestat troll Daniel into a feeding frenzy. They discuss media handling of trauma, the truth behind Lestat's dramatizations, and the empathy machine that is Anne Rice's world.

Content Warning: This episode addresses sexual assault and abuse.

Stick around after the credits for a book spoiler Inside the Coffin segment.

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Questions or comments? Send emails to: askdan@thelorehounds.com

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Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Eight bells toll in the Widow's Bay season 1 finale – setting Elysia, Mark (Nevermind the Music), and Lisa (Into the West) off on an investigation to uncover what they mean. Sifting through the heart, horrors, and humor of the second half of the season, they piece together the emerging mythology of the island's many secrets through lore teases and key character moments.

Links Discussed

• Sea Shanty in episode 7
• Did [Writer James Grissom] Actually Know Tennessee Williams?
• Map of the island

Contact Us

Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com

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linktr.ee/thelorehounds

Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.