The Scariest Form of Media (Part 2)

Hello and happy Halloween! As the title implies, this is a follow up to my post from last semester about analog horror. I'm going to get right into it since there's a lot to cover, but if you're wondering what analog horror even is then check out Part 1 for my explanation. This time around, I wanted to specifically focus on series that have had semi-recent updates. Here are more of the best and my favorite recent analog horror series to check out.

The Backrooms

Possibly the most popular analog horror series, The Backrooms is a staple of the genre (and also an Internet meme). Even though the concept of "the Backrooms" existed prior to the series, Kane Pixels took inspiration to create a world of his own . The concept is that a corporation called ASYNC discovers a world beyond ours that is just unending liminal space, and people are falling into it and becoming lost or hunted by the creatures in it. My favorite thing about this series is the setting. Most of the content focuses on exploring these liminal spaces, the perfect balance between familiar and unsettling. The episode "Found Footage #3" dropped last month, and I was completely blown away by the 45 minutes of pure tension. There's only one real scare, and the rest is just following around the video's protagonist, listening to the incredible and suspenseful music, and waiting for something to happen. The thumbnail photo (pictured below) is enough to give me chills. It's just a house, but the graininess and darkness is so offputting. I've been following Pixels' work since the beginning of The Backrooms, and the VFX he is able to pull off is incredible. It does become a little stale over time and recognizable as just semi-realism, but it never becomes less impressive. I'd definitely say check out this series becuase it's worth the hype.

(Credited to Kane Pixels "Backrooms Found Footage #3" on YouTube)

Vita Carnis

I used to write a personal blog, and even though I'm pretty sure no one has read it, I try not to overlap content. Just this once, though, I'm breaking my rule to talk about Vita Carnis, made by Darien Quilloy. It takes place in a world where humans coexist with creatures of the species Vita Carnis, which are made out of meat. There are eight different genuses, from a plant-like substance to pet-sized creatures (pictured below) to humanoid predators to mysterious floating orbs. It isn't outright scary too often, and the worldbuilding is what drew me to this series. The first episodes are in the style of a documentary describing the species. More recent episodes are research logs, featuring experiments from specialists learning about the species alongside us. The practical and digital effects are really good as well. Something I appreciate is the feeling of suspense and that everything is building up to something big. Is this species malicious or just trying to survive? It always keep me excited for the next update.

(Credited to Darien Quilloy "Vita Carnis - Revealed Progress" on YouTube)

Midwest Angelica

Midwest Angelica is a bit under the radar compared to some of the more well-known analog horror series, but this underrated project deserves a bigger audience. Everything from its concept to execution is so unique. It takes places in a world where an alien body housing a hivemind falls to earth and brings upon the apocalypse. We get to see how the world has been affected and also see scientists learning more about the alien hivemind and how to stop it. It gets campy occasionally, such as episodes like "Homebound," that show the military seemingly obliterating all the infestations of the alien and a monologue from one of the evil masterminds. A big inspiration for the series is an anime called Neon Genesis Evangelion, which I only vaguely know about. The narrative and worldbuilding of Midwest Angelica are both compelling. There are many picturesque shots of the cosmic horror, like something out of an old horror movie. I tried to be vague since I don't want to spoil anything, so you'll have to check this series out for yourself.

(Credited to Midwest Angelica "b a b y l o n" on YouTube)

Angel Hare

This is more of a bonus addition because I don't consider Angel Hare an analog horror. It is rarely scary. It rather provides an incredible story and format that's one of a kind. The series is about a man named Jonah rediscovering an old children's Bible show named "Angel Hare," where he finds out he can communciate with the charcaters. Not only is it unique, but The East Patch executes it flawlessly. From having characters jump between different media formats to the characters themselves being endearing, this series is something to remember. It is presented with the protagonist's dialogue being shown on the screen and characters like Angel Gabby and Friend Francis having excellent voiced acting. The animation and music really make it feel like you're watching an old Bible cartoon, and it's exciting to figure out the mysteries alongside Jonah. The episodes are all pretty short, but there's so much to chew on. It's more focused on being slightly unnerving and surprisingly whomesome, giving lessons about friendship, that makes it stand out from other analog horror series. You can tell the team behind it made it with love.

(Credited to Angel Hare "Remembering 'Angel Hare'" on YouTube)

(Credited to Kane Pixels on YouTube)