Name: Monstrum
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2018-10-22
Cast: Dr. Emily Zarka

The monsters you fear were made by humans. Want to know why?

Currently Airing

Brainy horrorMyth-bustingAcademic chaos

Latest Episode

Lost in the Backrooms: Exploring the Internet's Creepiest Liminal Space

11 min

Season 6 • Episode 5

Latest

Lost in the Backrooms: Exploring the Internet's Creepiest Liminal Space

Jun 6, 2024

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.

Overview

Documentary

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.

Content warning

monster zombie mothman

Otherness and fear of the unknownCultural projection of societal anxietiesEvolution of folklore through mediaHumanity as the real monster

Standout Aspects

Writing

Zarka's PhD-level takes served with genuine enthusiasm.

Production

Creepy animated sequences that slap harder than they should.

Editing

Tight 15-20 min episodes, zero fluff.

Best for:Solo·Binge·Background

First AiredOct 22, 2018

StatusOngoing

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelmedium

Seasons6·Episodes84

Top Cast

Dr. Emily Zarka

Host

Ask about Monstrum

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Dr. Zarka literally has a PhD in monsters—her dissertation focused on 19th-century Gothic literature and its cultural anxieties.

Cultural

The show originated as a PBS Digital Studios production, making it one of the rare 'edutainment' horror series with actual academic funding behind it.