Madison McSweeney
@mmcsw13.bsky.social
Horror/Weird/Bizarro writer from Ottawa. Author of THE DOOM THAT CAME TO MELLONVILLE and MOST LIKELY TO SUMMON NYHILOTEPH. Mildly obsessed with pro-wrestling and martial arts movies. Non-Euclidean.
Pit and the Pendulum-inspired Halloween costume + Mayfair Theatre Rocky Horror night. Happy Halloween!
November 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Pit and the Pendulum-inspired Halloween costume + Mayfair Theatre Rocky Horror night. Happy Halloween!
8. A Chinese Ghost Story III (Hong Kong, 1991)
Tony Leung gives a fun comic performance as a naive monk ensnared in supernatural and erotic intrigue. Gorgeously shot with wonderfully crazy practical effects.
Tony Leung gives a fun comic performance as a naive monk ensnared in supernatural and erotic intrigue. Gorgeously shot with wonderfully crazy practical effects.
October 26, 2025 at 2:45 AM
8. A Chinese Ghost Story III (Hong Kong, 1991)
Tony Leung gives a fun comic performance as a naive monk ensnared in supernatural and erotic intrigue. Gorgeously shot with wonderfully crazy practical effects.
Tony Leung gives a fun comic performance as a naive monk ensnared in supernatural and erotic intrigue. Gorgeously shot with wonderfully crazy practical effects.
7. Burnt Offerings (US, 1976)
A quietly terrifying evil house drama with an excellent, well-utilized cast. Oliver Reed plays to his strengths as a quiet man with anger bubbling beneath the surface; it’s horrifying to watch Bette Davis’ vivacious aunt wither.
A quietly terrifying evil house drama with an excellent, well-utilized cast. Oliver Reed plays to his strengths as a quiet man with anger bubbling beneath the surface; it’s horrifying to watch Bette Davis’ vivacious aunt wither.
October 26, 2025 at 2:21 AM
7. Burnt Offerings (US, 1976)
A quietly terrifying evil house drama with an excellent, well-utilized cast. Oliver Reed plays to his strengths as a quiet man with anger bubbling beneath the surface; it’s horrifying to watch Bette Davis’ vivacious aunt wither.
A quietly terrifying evil house drama with an excellent, well-utilized cast. Oliver Reed plays to his strengths as a quiet man with anger bubbling beneath the surface; it’s horrifying to watch Bette Davis’ vivacious aunt wither.
6. A Chinese Ghost Story (Hong Kong, 1987)
This wuxia fantasy romance is gorgeous, funny, and surprisingly weird, with an endearingly clueless protagonist and wonderful stop motion ghouls.
This wuxia fantasy romance is gorgeous, funny, and surprisingly weird, with an endearingly clueless protagonist and wonderful stop motion ghouls.
October 26, 2025 at 2:21 AM
6. A Chinese Ghost Story (Hong Kong, 1987)
This wuxia fantasy romance is gorgeous, funny, and surprisingly weird, with an endearingly clueless protagonist and wonderful stop motion ghouls.
This wuxia fantasy romance is gorgeous, funny, and surprisingly weird, with an endearingly clueless protagonist and wonderful stop motion ghouls.
5. The Vourdalak (France, 2023)
A strange family is systematically dismantled by its patriarch, who has returned from battle without his humanity. Chilling and offbeat folk horror with a satirical edge.
Couldn’t believe my eyes when the marionette came out.
A strange family is systematically dismantled by its patriarch, who has returned from battle without his humanity. Chilling and offbeat folk horror with a satirical edge.
Couldn’t believe my eyes when the marionette came out.
October 13, 2025 at 3:33 AM
5. The Vourdalak (France, 2023)
A strange family is systematically dismantled by its patriarch, who has returned from battle without his humanity. Chilling and offbeat folk horror with a satirical edge.
Couldn’t believe my eyes when the marionette came out.
A strange family is systematically dismantled by its patriarch, who has returned from battle without his humanity. Chilling and offbeat folk horror with a satirical edge.
Couldn’t believe my eyes when the marionette came out.
4. Encounters of the Spooky Kind (Hong Kong, 1980)
A conspiracy to cover up a politician’s affair sets the stage for ghoulish gags, feats of magic, and expertly staged man vs. zombie kung fu fights in this jiangshi classic. Very funny with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek spookiness.
A conspiracy to cover up a politician’s affair sets the stage for ghoulish gags, feats of magic, and expertly staged man vs. zombie kung fu fights in this jiangshi classic. Very funny with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek spookiness.
October 9, 2025 at 4:01 AM
4. Encounters of the Spooky Kind (Hong Kong, 1980)
A conspiracy to cover up a politician’s affair sets the stage for ghoulish gags, feats of magic, and expertly staged man vs. zombie kung fu fights in this jiangshi classic. Very funny with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek spookiness.
A conspiracy to cover up a politician’s affair sets the stage for ghoulish gags, feats of magic, and expertly staged man vs. zombie kung fu fights in this jiangshi classic. Very funny with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek spookiness.
3. Grave Encounters (Canada, 2011)
This found footage flick about sleazy TV ghost hunters mines terror from disorientation; the best scares involve endless tunnels and exits opening onto brick walls.
(Caught this one at a book party/movie screening hosted by Ottawa horror author Stephanie Anne).
This found footage flick about sleazy TV ghost hunters mines terror from disorientation; the best scares involve endless tunnels and exits opening onto brick walls.
(Caught this one at a book party/movie screening hosted by Ottawa horror author Stephanie Anne).
October 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
3. Grave Encounters (Canada, 2011)
This found footage flick about sleazy TV ghost hunters mines terror from disorientation; the best scares involve endless tunnels and exits opening onto brick walls.
(Caught this one at a book party/movie screening hosted by Ottawa horror author Stephanie Anne).
This found footage flick about sleazy TV ghost hunters mines terror from disorientation; the best scares involve endless tunnels and exits opening onto brick walls.
(Caught this one at a book party/movie screening hosted by Ottawa horror author Stephanie Anne).
Little Ghosts Fest was the best time! So lovely to read some stories, hang with the @littleghostsbooks.bsky.social crew again, and see some of my fave horror authors in person. There was a quirky and diverse vendor market and a great selection of panels that were consistently packed.
October 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Little Ghosts Fest was the best time! So lovely to read some stories, hang with the @littleghostsbooks.bsky.social crew again, and see some of my fave horror authors in person. There was a quirky and diverse vendor market and a great selection of panels that were consistently packed.
2. Brides of Dracula (UK, 1960)
Deviating from its source material, this Hammer Dracula sequel is nimbler and more shocking than its predecessor.
Fischer delivers twists with aplomb, as vampire ladies chew scenery; Cushing’s clinical performance plays up the central dissonance of his Van Helsing.
Deviating from its source material, this Hammer Dracula sequel is nimbler and more shocking than its predecessor.
Fischer delivers twists with aplomb, as vampire ladies chew scenery; Cushing’s clinical performance plays up the central dissonance of his Van Helsing.
October 3, 2025 at 1:13 PM
2. Brides of Dracula (UK, 1960)
Deviating from its source material, this Hammer Dracula sequel is nimbler and more shocking than its predecessor.
Fischer delivers twists with aplomb, as vampire ladies chew scenery; Cushing’s clinical performance plays up the central dissonance of his Van Helsing.
Deviating from its source material, this Hammer Dracula sequel is nimbler and more shocking than its predecessor.
Fischer delivers twists with aplomb, as vampire ladies chew scenery; Cushing’s clinical performance plays up the central dissonance of his Van Helsing.
1. Kwaidan (Japan, 1964)
Human folly collides with an unknowable and unforgiving spirit world in this elegant and eerie anthology, which adapts four folk tales compiled by Lafcadio Hearn. At times the film feels like a stage play; surrealistic touches place it firmly in the realm of nightmare.
Human folly collides with an unknowable and unforgiving spirit world in this elegant and eerie anthology, which adapts four folk tales compiled by Lafcadio Hearn. At times the film feels like a stage play; surrealistic touches place it firmly in the realm of nightmare.
October 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
1. Kwaidan (Japan, 1964)
Human folly collides with an unknowable and unforgiving spirit world in this elegant and eerie anthology, which adapts four folk tales compiled by Lafcadio Hearn. At times the film feels like a stage play; surrealistic touches place it firmly in the realm of nightmare.
Human folly collides with an unknowable and unforgiving spirit world in this elegant and eerie anthology, which adapts four folk tales compiled by Lafcadio Hearn. At times the film feels like a stage play; surrealistic touches place it firmly in the realm of nightmare.
Open invitation to join me in my annual Halloween month movie challenge!
Goal: 10 horror movies from 10 different countries by October 31st.
I’ll be posting my progress here - feel free to send recs or tell me what you’re watching! #AroundTheWorldByHalloween
Goal: 10 horror movies from 10 different countries by October 31st.
I’ll be posting my progress here - feel free to send recs or tell me what you’re watching! #AroundTheWorldByHalloween
October 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Open invitation to join me in my annual Halloween month movie challenge!
Goal: 10 horror movies from 10 different countries by October 31st.
I’ll be posting my progress here - feel free to send recs or tell me what you’re watching! #AroundTheWorldByHalloween
Goal: 10 horror movies from 10 different countries by October 31st.
I’ll be posting my progress here - feel free to send recs or tell me what you’re watching! #AroundTheWorldByHalloween
Fun fact: the title story of my new horror collection KAYFABE pays tribute to Queen Charlotte Flair and style icon Alexa Bliss.
I wrote it like 4 years ago, so I thought was it a good omen when they both returned at the Royal Rumble this year. #wrestlingcommunity
I wrote it like 4 years ago, so I thought was it a good omen when they both returned at the Royal Rumble this year. #wrestlingcommunity
September 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Fun fact: the title story of my new horror collection KAYFABE pays tribute to Queen Charlotte Flair and style icon Alexa Bliss.
I wrote it like 4 years ago, so I thought was it a good omen when they both returned at the Royal Rumble this year. #wrestlingcommunity
I wrote it like 4 years ago, so I thought was it a good omen when they both returned at the Royal Rumble this year. #wrestlingcommunity
The ByTowne Cinema in Ottawa has been screening Hong Kong action movies and PEKING OPERA BLUES was the best yet. Perfect ratio of screwball comedy and spy drama, with a high-flying show-stopping climax. The theme song’s a bop, too. Fantastic.
September 8, 2025 at 3:39 AM
The ByTowne Cinema in Ottawa has been screening Hong Kong action movies and PEKING OPERA BLUES was the best yet. Perfect ratio of screwball comedy and spy drama, with a high-flying show-stopping climax. The theme song’s a bop, too. Fantastic.
Finished this @weirdpunkbooks.bsky.social novella this weekend - MUTANT CIRCUIT by Mark Jaskowski. A high-octane cosmic/body horror conspiracy thriller that reminded me of FEVER HOUSE.
September 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Finished this @weirdpunkbooks.bsky.social novella this weekend - MUTANT CIRCUIT by Mark Jaskowski. A high-octane cosmic/body horror conspiracy thriller that reminded me of FEVER HOUSE.
Hit up the Capital Pride market today, lots of rad books and art! Brought home some K-POP DEMON HUNTERS prints by @vanderbander.bsky.social, a gothic poetry zine by Parker A.M. Johnston, and @stephanneauthor.bsky.social’s new book MODERN HAUNTINGS.
August 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Hit up the Capital Pride market today, lots of rad books and art! Brought home some K-POP DEMON HUNTERS prints by @vanderbander.bsky.social, a gothic poetry zine by Parker A.M. Johnston, and @stephanneauthor.bsky.social’s new book MODERN HAUNTINGS.
Behold! My debut collection of short stories, KAYFABE, is available for pre-order from @filthyloot.bsky.social.
6 tales of wrestlers, kaiju, pageant queens and bodybuilders facing off against the sublime and surreal.
Kitsch horror!
(Pre-order link in reply)
6 tales of wrestlers, kaiju, pageant queens and bodybuilders facing off against the sublime and surreal.
Kitsch horror!
(Pre-order link in reply)
August 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Behold! My debut collection of short stories, KAYFABE, is available for pre-order from @filthyloot.bsky.social.
6 tales of wrestlers, kaiju, pageant queens and bodybuilders facing off against the sublime and surreal.
Kitsch horror!
(Pre-order link in reply)
6 tales of wrestlers, kaiju, pageant queens and bodybuilders facing off against the sublime and surreal.
Kitsch horror!
(Pre-order link in reply)
Spotted: GIVE UNTO US by @justinlutz.bsky.social at BMV Books in Toronto
August 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Spotted: GIVE UNTO US by @justinlutz.bsky.social at BMV Books in Toronto
Popped by @littleghostsbooks.bsky.social to pick up their newest original (STUDENT BODIES by @ttmaddenwrites.bsky.social which seems right up my alley) and a spooky Paperback From Hell.
Psst…there may be some signed copies of MOST LIKELY TO SUMMON NYHILOTEPH in store now.
Psst…there may be some signed copies of MOST LIKELY TO SUMMON NYHILOTEPH in store now.
July 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Popped by @littleghostsbooks.bsky.social to pick up their newest original (STUDENT BODIES by @ttmaddenwrites.bsky.social which seems right up my alley) and a spooky Paperback From Hell.
Psst…there may be some signed copies of MOST LIKELY TO SUMMON NYHILOTEPH in store now.
Psst…there may be some signed copies of MOST LIKELY TO SUMMON NYHILOTEPH in store now.
Ozzy Osbourne never stopped creating diabolical, emotional music as haunting as it was heavy. (Listen to 2020’s ORDINARY MAN if you haven’t). Personal demons blending with his Prince of Darkness persona, blasting an Ozzy song on a bad day felt like having a seasoned guide along a dark road. RIP.
July 23, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Ozzy Osbourne never stopped creating diabolical, emotional music as haunting as it was heavy. (Listen to 2020’s ORDINARY MAN if you haven’t). Personal demons blending with his Prince of Darkness persona, blasting an Ozzy song on a bad day felt like having a seasoned guide along a dark road. RIP.
Loved RIP IT UP by Kou Machida. Surreal, mean-spirited narrative told in a linguistically playful stream-of-consciousness style. An enjoyable whirl.
July 6, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Loved RIP IT UP by Kou Machida. Surreal, mean-spirited narrative told in a linguistically playful stream-of-consciousness style. An enjoyable whirl.
THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by @sgj.bsky.social is one of the best books of the year so far. A darkly funny and deeply tragic horror western that plays with voice and language in an interesting way. Introduces an ingenious vampire-slaying method to the canon.
July 5, 2025 at 1:16 AM
THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by @sgj.bsky.social is one of the best books of the year so far. A darkly funny and deeply tragic horror western that plays with voice and language in an interesting way. Introduces an ingenious vampire-slaying method to the canon.
Happy Canada Day! Celebrate with some maple-flavoured terror
July 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Happy Canada Day! Celebrate with some maple-flavoured terror
Made a trip to visit the tire crow (“Where the Rubber Meets the Road”) on its last day on display by Pimisi Station.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
June 27, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Made a trip to visit the tire crow (“Where the Rubber Meets the Road”) on its last day on display by Pimisi Station.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
Made a trip to visit the tire crow (“Where the Rubber Meets the Road”) on its last day on display by Pimisi Station.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
June 27, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Made a trip to visit the tire crow (“Where the Rubber Meets the Road”) on its last day on display by Pimisi Station.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
Got to meet the artist, Gerald Beaulieu, as he was loading it into a U-Haul.
I’ll miss this beautiful bird.
Some of my favourites from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts:
June 2, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Some of my favourites from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: