10 horror podcasts you haven’t heard yet

6. Inside The Exorcist

Most of the podcasts on this list establish a pretty clear delineation between “fiction” and “nonfiction.” That’s important in most contexts, but especially when it comes to horror. Depending on your belief system, some of the things discussed in these podcasts could seem very real indeed, regardless of how they were delivered.

With that, a show dealing with ghosts and demons could make those dark corners in your room a little too inhabited for your tastes. Even the most logical people in the world likely need some sort of reassurance that it’s all a tale. A simple “fiction” tag can help with that.

So, what happens when a podcast or other story dispenses with such categories? That seems to be what’s happening with Inside The Exorcist. This seven-part podcast series ostensibly follows the making of William Friedkin’s 1973 film, The Exorcist. Indeed, the majority of anecdotes and stories related within the podcast episodes are true.

Writer Mark Ramsey’s narration — which makes up the great bulk of the seven episodes — is what helps to make it seem almost as if it were a dream or fictional story of his own. So, too, are the stories of exorcism and demonic possession that reportedly inspired William Peter Blatty to write the novel that preceded Friedkin’s film.

Whether or not you believe in all, some, or none of the aspects of this story, Inside The Exorcist is a well-crafted and unnerving exploration. The fact that it’s centered on one of the greatest horror movies in cinematic history doesn’t hurt, either.