Discover the untamed terror of Aussie and Kiwi horror, where dark humor meets wild frights in films as unpredictable as the land itself.
When it comes to horror, the land Down Under and its neighbor across the Tasman Sea have carved out a niche filled with raw, rugged, and unapologetically terrifying films. From outback slashers to suburban nightmares and supernatural tales steeped in local folklore, Aussie and Kiwi filmmakers have mastered the art of making audiences squirm with a mix of dark humor, shocking gore, and visceral storytelling.
Whether it’s the unnerving, sun-scorched tension of Wolf Creek or the eerie, bone-chilling atmosphere of The Babadook, these films deliver a flavor of horror that’s as wild and unpredictable as the landscapes themselves.
In this month-long podcast series, Donna shares a few Aussie and Kiwi horror films that are among her favorites.
Talk to Me (2022)
Australian twin directors Danny and Michael Philippou take us into the spirit world with some teens and the embalmed hand of a psychic. They also show the horror of grief and how it can consume us. Sit next to Donna on the couch for this spoiler-free haunt; she’ll let you in.
THE FRIGHTENERS (1996)
Let’s travel to New Zealand to discuss Peter Jackson’s 1996 horror comedy, The Frighteners. Frank Bannister, a local con man who can see and speak with ghosts, has to stop a malevolent specter that is killing both the living and the dead. It’s spoiler-free, and Donna gives a pretty small rant about letting go.
UNDEAD (2003)
Next up is the 2003 Australian horror comedy sci-fi film Undead. Written and directed by The Spierig Brothers, it gives us Night of the Living Dead vibes with a dash of Peter Jackson-style gore and dark humor, just how we like it. It’s spoiler-free and full of ravenous zombies.
DEATHGASM (1998)
Let’s tune into the most metal horror comedy film, Deathgasm (2015). Pages from The Black Hymn to attain world domination via demons, teenage metalheads, splatter gore effects, and the most hilarious scenarios you could ever imagine make Deathgasm one of the best things to come out of New Zealand since Peter Jackson.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Donna Tha Dead is a podcast for lovers of horror, cult classics, and other genres of cinemas. Your host, Donna, is a confirmed ghost story and horror film addict. To those that can hear Donna’s voice, she invites you to come hold her hand in the darkness and listen.
New episodes typically post every other week, and you can listen right here on morbidlybeautiful.com or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
You can connect with Donna on Instagram and Twitter @donna_tha_dead.
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