From Monster Squad to Mental Health: Andre Gower Discusses the Healing Power of Horror Part 1

The Horror Heals Podcast

In this episode of Horror Heals, Corey and Kendall welcome Andre Gower, star of the cult favorite The Monster Squad and creator of the documentary Wolfman’s Got Nards. Andre shares his journey in the horror genre, the making of his documentary, and how horror movies have a unique way of helping people work through trauma and fears. The trio discusses the role of horror in mental wellness, how genre films serve as modern mythology, and how controlled fear can be a tool for healing. This is part one of a two-part episode, so stay tuned for more insights from Andre in part two!

Topics Discussed:

• The creation of Wolfman’s Got Nards and Andre’s perspective on horror documentaries.
• The generational love for horror, especially The Monster Squad.
• How horror films help audiences process real-life trauma.
• Shared experiences in horror conventions and the welcoming horror community.
• The evolution of horror and its role in today’s culture of mental wellness.
• The intersection of art and healing, with a focus on horror.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro: Rewatching Wolfman’s Got Nards and the appeal of horror documentaries
• [02:25] The power of horror as modern mythology
• [07:09] How monster movies reflect societal fears and cultural archetypes
• [11:59] Horror as a tool for mental and emotional healing
• [16:43] The role of controlled fear in building resilience
• [23:57] Andre's first horror convention and the magic of the genre community

Connect with Andre Gower:

Instagram