Skip to main content
Back to Show
Monstrum

The Disturbing Reasons We Invent Monsters

Season 7 Episode 8

What makes a monster? From folklore to horror films, monsters reveal cultural fears, moral lessons, and human desires. Let's talk about what creatures like vampires, werewolves, and Krampus teach us about ourselves—and how monster theory helps us trace the line between humanity and the unknown.

Support Provided By
Season
What Happened During Our Scary Slumber Party
12:18
Why do kids and teens love to scare each other so much at sleepovers?
The Evolution of Creepy Dolls
13:50
Since the start of recorded history, there has always been something creepy about dolls.
The SCP Foundation: Declassified
12:30
The SCP Foundation is wiki-powered, crowd-sourced folklore at its finest!
Uncovering the Enigma: Sasquatch Sightings
12:08
Is Bigfoot a benevolent beast or bloodthirsty killer? Depends on who you ask, and when!
Was Púca the Nightmare Bunny That Inspired Donnie Darko?
11:49
The trickster Púca is an animal-spirit that was once dreaded across many lands.
The Hidden Origins of Nixie, the Scariest Little Mermaid
8:32
Of all the many terrifying monsters haunting the waters of the world the Nixie stands out.
Beyond the Supernatural Horror of the Nishi Daak Ghost
11:52
The nocturnal entity called Nishi reflects the complex nature of good vs. evil in Bengali.
The Untold Secrets of Pokémon’s Monster Mythology
13:22
What inspired Pokémon’s Monster Mythology?
Hero, Beast, or Both? The Complex Lore of the Centaur
13:49
Horses have inspired countless equine folklore, but none are quite like the centaur.
Are Cyborgs Really Monsters?
11:02
Advances in technology are always met with some degree of technophobia—and villainization.
Unicorns: Magical Icons or Violent Beasts?
12:53
A majestic, all-white horse with a spiraled horn is just one depiction of many.
How Bloody Mary Turns Fear Into Fun
9:35
Bloody Mary is less important than the ritual that summons her.
Active loading indicator