Skip to main content
Back to Show
Monstrum

The Origins of ‘Big Bug’ Science Fiction

Season 3 Episode 14

Insects make up 80 percent of the world’s species, so it's not all that surprising we’ve occasionally made them into monsters in science fiction and horror. What is staggering is why the “big bug” subgenre took off in the 1950s. Find out how nuclear weapons, the suburbs, the Cold War, and the pest control industry all contributed to a beloved film subgenre in this episode.

Support Provided By
Season
The Unspoken Rules of Slasher Movies
32:44
Let’s talk slasher films–their origins, their lasting impact, and why we love them so much!
Why Manticore Is a Dungeons & Dragons Legend
12:47
Is the Manticore a man-eating monster from Persian myth or simply a misidentified tiger?
The Ancient Terror of the Chinese Hopping Corpse, Jiangshi
12:13
Jiangshi, is a variation on the vampire that you won’t soon forget!
The Mother of Vengeance: Grendel's Mom
8:44
Translation has shaped the lore of Grendel's Mother as a fearsome yet misunderstood figure.
La Lechuza: The Shape-Shifting Witch-Owl
10:29
La Lechuza: The Shape-Shifting Witch-Owl
King Kong pt. 2
10:09
King Kong and how his long-lived story has changed to reflect our society’s complex social issues.
Lost in the Backrooms: Exploring the Internet's Creepiest Liminal Space
11:16
Ever felt like a place seems real yet oddly unsettling?
Is This North American Sea Serpent Real or a Hoax?
11:15
The Pacific Northwest's enigmatic waters are home to an elusive sea serpent of legend: Cadborosaurus
A Giant Monster With a Giant Problem
9:06
In this episode, we explore the complicated legacy of the monumental 1933 film, King Kong.
How a Children’s Book Introduced Us To Our Inner Demons
9:12
There’s something deeper to this fantastically monstrous story!
Who Is This Japanese Yōkai That Is Obsessed With Your Butt?
11:25
Meet Kappa, a Japanese water yokai that's obsessed with butts.
Uncovering the Enigma: Sasquatch Sightings (ASL)
12:08
Is Bigfoot a benevolent beast or bloodthirsty killer? Depends on who you ask, and when!
Active loading indicator