Ep. 08-19: Nightbreed (1990)

In Nightbreed (1990), troubled young man Aaron Boone discovers Midian, a hidden underground city that serves as a refuge for monsters and outcasts. Falsely accused of murder and haunted by visions, Boone becomes one of the Nightbreed himself, caught between the persecuted creatures who’ve accepted him and the violent humans determined to destroy their sanctuary. As reality and nightmare collide, Boone must embrace his monstrous destiny to protect the world beneath.

Let’s descend into the shadowy depths of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed, where monsters are the misunderstood and humanity wears the true mask of horror. Join us as we explore Barker’s ambitious world-building, unforgettable creature design, and the eternal struggle between fear and acceptance. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys journeys through the catacombs of Midian, where the monsters aren’t what they seem—and belonging may come at a terrible price.

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Ep. 05-24: Candyman (2021)

For decades, a ghost story about a supernatural, hook-handed killer terrorized the housing projects of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green. In the present day, an artist explores the macabre history of Candyman, not knowing it would unravel his sanity and unleash a terrifying wave of violence that puts him on a collision course with destiny.

Déjà vu? Is that a mirror I see? We covered the original Candyman (1992), directed by Bernard Rose, back in our third season. Now, we’re taking on the Jordan Peele-produced sequel to the classic. Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of this beautiful film, including the magnificent cinematography and casting, as well as some slight pacing/development problems with the screenplay. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys braves the mirror once again, mustering the courage to call forth Chicago’s infamous urban legend.

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Ep. 03-39: Hellraiser (1987)

Hellraiser is the tale of a married couple, Larry (Andrew Robinson) and Julia (Clare Higgins), who move into an old house belonging to Larry’s missing brother, Frank. Shortly after they move in, Julia discovers a hideous creature hiding in the attic that is actually the remains of Frank, her former lover. Having lost his earthly body to a hellish group of S & M demons, the Cenobites, Frank was brought back into our existence by a drop of his brother’s blood on the floor. He soon persuades his former mistress to bring him humans to sacrifice and complete his body… but the Cenobites will not be happy when they discover this.

Episode 39

Hellraiser (1987), based on the novella The Hellbound Heart and Clive Barker’s directorial debut, was and remains one of the most original concepts for a horror movie ever made. Barker, who came from a theatrical background, is also an accomplished painter, author, and filmmaker… and these talents are clearly present in this one-of-a-kind film. Join us as we discuss Barker’s origins and the elements that brought this incredible vision (and others, including Candyman, 1992) to us. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys escorts you to an alternate dimension where pain and pleasure measure equally and Pinhead is waiting to assist your exploration of them.

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Ep. 03-02: Candyman (1992)

Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project in Chicago’s infamous Cabrini Green. Via Anne-Marie, Helen learns of the legend of Candyman (Tony Todd), a hook-baring figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman’s description begins stalking her, Helen discovers that the legend may be all too real.

Clive Barker has been known for creating disturbing worlds in horror since the release of his seminal Books of Blood in the late 1980s. Hellraiser, Nightbreed (Cabal), and Candyman (The Forbidden)–are just a few entries in the film canon of stories plucked from the pages of those incredibly diverse short stories. Join us, as we discuss the plot and setting changes that elevated this particular film into the realm of American horror classics. Listen… as Johnny Has the Keys journeys to the terrifying urban landscape of Chicago where myth and reality are one, and the naive are forced to become believers when encountering the murderous Candyman.