Back to Show
Monstrum
The Macabre Origins of the Grim Reaper
Season 3
Episode 9
There are fewer images of Death personified than the scythe-wielding skeletal form of the Grim Reaper. But where did it come from? You may have heard that this haunting figure emerged as a result of the Black Plague, but that’s only a fraction of the story. This episode looks at the long history of skeletal Death in religion, literature, art, and pop culture.
Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Support Provided By

9:12
There’s something deeper to this fantastically monstrous story!

11:25
Meet Kappa, a Japanese water yokai that's obsessed with butts.

12:08
Is Bigfoot a benevolent beast or bloodthirsty killer? Depends on who you ask, and when!

10:58
What grim skeletal equine monster roams the villages of Wales under the cover of night?

7:54
Behind their face paint, creepy clowns reveal our deepest fears about who we can trust.

12:18
Why do kids and teens love to scare each other so much at sleepovers?

13:50
Since the start of recorded history, there has always been something creepy about dolls.

12:30
The SCP Foundation is wiki-powered, crowd-sourced folklore at its finest!

12:08
Is Bigfoot a benevolent beast or bloodthirsty killer? Depends on who you ask, and when!

11:49
The trickster Púca is an animal-spirit that was once dreaded across many lands.

8:32
Of all the many terrifying monsters haunting the waters of the world the Nixie stands out.

11:52
The nocturnal entity called Nishi reflects the complex nature of good vs. evil in Bengali.