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Monstrum
Overview
The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster for each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature and film.
Status
Returning Series
Network
PBS, YouTube
Seasons & Episodes
2024
Episodes
Who Is This Japanese Yōkai That Is Obsessed With Your Butt?
What looks like a reptile-amphibian hybrid, has a dish shaped skull, smells like fish, is child-like and out to steal your crops and drown your livestock? The Japanese water yokai, Kappa.
Where the Wild Things Are and the Darkness of Max's Inner Journey
As a kid, the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are were downright frightening. But thinking about the book as an adult, it’s clear there’s something deeper to this fantastically monstrous story.
Kong Unleashed: The Making of the Original 1933 Film
In this episode, we explore the legacy of the monumental 1933 film, King Kong, its groundbreaking special effects, and the complex racial and colonial undertones that continue to shape our understanding of this timeless classic.
Is This North American Sea Serpent Real or a Hoax?
Many say that the waters of America’s northern coasts are home to an elusive sea serpent of legend. Named Caddy! Or Cadborosaurus, for long. Sightings and testimonials go back generations. Who is Caddy? And why are serpentine water creatures among humanity’s most prevalent monsters?
Lost in the Backrooms: Exploring the Internet's Creepiest Liminal Space
Ever felt like a place seems real yet oddly unsettling? Welcome to The Backrooms, a digital folklore phenomenon that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, exploring the eerie and uncanny through playful, yet terrifying, community-driven digital storytelling.
King Kong pt. 2
Since his 1933 movie debut, King Kong’s impact on our culture has been persistent. For nearly a century, Kong’s story has changed to reflect, and sometimes comment on, our society’s issues with racism, sexism, and fear of the unknown. Let’s talk about how well this iconic monster’s evolution keeps up with our changing times.
La Lechuza: The Shape-Shifting Witch-Owl
You're walking home, a little tipsy, guided only by the moonlight. Suddenly, you sense something watching you: an unnervingly large owl with a human face! This is La Lechuza, a malevolent witch-owl from Tejano and Mexican folklore.
The Mother of Vengeance: Grendel's Mom
The big baddie in Beowulf isn't actually the monster Grendel, but Grendel's Mother. Who maybe isn't a monster at all? Often depicted as a hideous beast or an alluring seductress, her true nature is debated. Despite appearances, she’s described in warrior terms, challenging traditional gender roles. Translation and interpretation have shape her lore as a fearsome yet misunderstood figure.
The Ancient Terror of the Chinese Hopping Corpse, Jiangshi
Draped in Qing dynasty robes and sporting fanged teeth, long nails and grasping, outstretched arms, the Chinese hopping corpse, jiangshi, is a variation on the vampire that you won’t soon forget!
Why Manticore Is a Dungeons & Dragons Legend
Featured in tabletop RPGs, card games, books, animated movies and shows, the manticore is a legend. And there’s a lot of speculation about the origins of the manticore. Is it a man-eating monster from Persian myth or simply a misidentified tiger?
The Unspoken Rules of Slasher Movies
The 1974 movies Black Christmas and Texas Chain Saw Massacre gave rise to what would become one of cinema’s most enduring genres: the slasher film. In this special episode, we’ll talk about the origins, evolution and cultural impact of these gory popcorn films and take a close look at the key tropes—masked killers, final girls, and gore—that continue to make make slashers iconic.
Gremlins: The Myth and the Menace
You think you know Gremlins—but their story is far deeper than just the 1984 movie. Originally mischievous sprites blamed for aircraft malfunctions during WWI, they evolved into pop culture icons.
Why Do These Christmas Monsters Want To Destroy the World?
The Greek Christmas monster Kallikantzaros is a mischievous, goblin-like creature that emerges during the 12 days of Christmas to wreak havoc. Rooted in ancient Greek traditions, this wild legend makes the holidays just a little bit creepier!
Why Did Changelings Terrorize the Victorian Age?
Let’s talk about the unsettling legend of changelings, creatures said to replace humans with eerie, imperfect copies. What are the historical, cultural, and psychological roots of this folklore?
Top Cast
Dr. Emily Zarka
Host
