by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
We all have that feeling. You know the one: You finish watching a movie and something about it hits you in just the right spot. Whether it was the theme, the story, or even the characters, there was a quality about it that almost makes you want to turn around and go back a second, third, or even fourth time!
Bar the reality of living in the movie theater for the rest of your days, you turn to the rest of pop culture and start to look for other avenues where you can find that same feeling.
Well I’m here to make this plight easier for all. Each month, I take a piece of pop culture that was prevalent in the social consciousness — whether it is a movie, TV show, or something else — and then recommend other forms of media for those who want to stay in that world a little bit longer.
Welcome to your One Stop Pop, internet!
August is always a funny month. Although it is part of the summer, it’s normally quite free of the big releases, so that whatever is performing the best can enjoy some fresh air away from competitors. Therefore, it’s always a little difficult for me to find what August release blew up the world, as there typically isn’t very much that comes out at all.
So instead, I’m going to talk about a movie that’s making waves in the indie circles, and has quickly become the talk of the town as possibly the best horror movie of the year — and one of the best in general. I am of course talking about the little Aussie film known as Talk to Me.
If you haven’t heard of it, this new A24 flick follows a group of friends, who, after discovering an embalmed hand that allows conversations with the dead, find themselves lost in the ecstasy and danger that comes with all its power.
This is an excellent film, and if you haven’t seen it — and don’t mind a little scare — then I highly recommend you make your way to your local cinema and check it out, as you’d really be remiss not too. I mean, it’s making waves in the film circles for a reason after all.
However, we’ve spent too much time talking, and not enough time recommending! So without further ado… let’s get started.
Book: White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
What does talking to the dead often evoke? Why, haunted houses of course! Ghosts and ghouls pervading your every thought, also often being a representation for something else. Whether it’s grief, drugs, or something else, there is so much that can be done with the general blank canvas of a haunting.
With all that said, I would like to turn your minds to a chilling YA psychological thriller named White Smoke, written by Tiffany D. Jackson.
Tempting, tense, and titillating, the novel follows our protagonist, Marigold, who is running from ghosts — both metaphorical and literal. While the phantoms of her old life keep chasing her, a move with her newly blended family promises a fresh start, but delivers something much more sinister.
A combination of supernatural creepiness and family drama, this book is a perfect companion to Talk to Me, especially with how it plays with reality, and makes the reader question their own ability to perceive what is a truth and what is a lie.
Podcast: The NoSleep Podcast
But what if you want something a little more original, a little more evocative, a little more ‘I don’t feel like sleeping tonight’?
Well, just like how Talk to Me genuinely creeps any viewer out, to the point where I had to double check my bedroom corners before going to sleep following my own watch, The NoSleep Podcast will be sure to deliver this experience to you again and again.
This episodic audio listening experience is a multi-award winning anthology series of original horror stories, with rich atmospheric music to enhance the frightening tales.
Intended to disturb, this podcast was created off of a Reddit thread where contributors would craft their own tales of woe and scares. Think of it as the online version of telling spooky stories around the campfire or at a sleepover. Remember when you used to hang out with friends and see who could evoke the most yells and grimaces from the crowd? Well this podcast is the literal personification of that, and more.
Running since 2011, and spanning 11 seasons, there is more than enough content for anyone to sink their teeth into.
TV Show: Marianne
Okay, let’s head over to television and find a show that is high on the creep factor. However, in this case, just like how Australia isn’t typically a market that you hear pumping out the big tickets of the month, France is also one that isn’t always the center of attention… until now!
Marianne is a 2019 French Netflix series wherein a famous writer returns to her hometown to find inspiration following writer’s block. However, instead of old friends and family welcoming her home, a sinister presence makes itself known instead.
Filled with homages to classic horror films and tropes, this takes the nostalgia and gives it a refreshing new twist that will have you gravitating toward your nearest pillow.
Supremely engrossing, and absolutely horrifying, this isn’t exactly a palate cleanser to Talk to Me, but more a medium in kind. Plus, it’s full of the sexy, mind-boggling elements film fans have come to know and love from the French oeuvre.
Video Game: Alone in the Dark
Staying with the horror, but going a little more on the camp, we’re making our way back to the land of classic games. That’s right, while this is technically a horror game, have no fear, your boots are unlikely to fly off while you play it.
Alone in the Dark is a survival horror video game series, where you control private investigator Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood, who go on to investigate a haunted house or town that is full of undead creatures.
Now, while there is a remake about to come out next year, I am recommending that you taste test the first one to get a little fun in the way of your horror.
Inspired by the scintillating tales of Edgar Allen Poe, the reason why this game is a notable one isn’t just due to its subject matter, but also due to its importance to the concept of gaming. In fact, this game’s haunted mansion — the Derceto Manor — shows the very first iconic pre-rendered location in horror gaming. Originally meant to be depicted by photographs of a real manor, the developers decided on three-dimensional graphics instead to further ingratiate the player into the experience, and the rest is history.
Well I hope you all can sleep at night.
No, really, I hope my recommendations aren’t throwing you off your sleep schedule, as we all know how difficult it can be to set a good one in place!
Whether you’re wanting a metaphorical (or not so) scare, a creepy campfire feel, a classic international tale, or the campy nostalgic game, there should be something here to appease the lot of you.
I’ll return with September’s biggest hit, which right now is looking to be as sparse as August was, so we’ll have to see what that one will end up being. Until then thank you for visiting SiftPop’s One Stop Pop. We hope to see you again soon!
You can read more from Alice-Ginevra Micheli, and follow her on Instagram and Letterboxd