Wicked Cinema Podcast
Have you ever watched a movie based on a real crime and wondered how much of it was true? I'm Chelsea and as a lifelong movie lover and true crime listener, I wanted to tell those stories with the care and attention that the victim's deserve. Each episode, I'll watch a movie, dive into the case and discuss the fact vs. fiction. Wicked Cinema Podcast, where truth and entertainment intersect.
Épisodes
Sid and Nancy- 1986
The Sex Pistols. The Punk Romeo and Juliet. Drug addiction. The most volatile, co-dependent relationship. Death. Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen have been portrayed as madly in love and romantic. Couples dress up like them for Halloween. It was the beginning of the end for them when they met. Let's talk about Sid and Nancy (starring Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb) to see how they succumbed to their addictions, both to drugs and each other. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Mommy Meanest- 2024
Young love. Anonymous texts. Cyberbullying. A shocking truth. Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenney were a new, young couple when both began receiving texts that would change their lives forever. Lauryn was the main target, receiving harassing and explicit texts over the course of almost two years. Let's talk about Mommy Meanest (starring Lisa Rinna) to uncover the truth about where the texts were coming from. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com Follow @wickedcinemapodcast on Instagram
Dorothea- 2025
Sacramento. The 80's. An elderly caretaker. Forgery. Grand theft. Murder. Dorothea Puente, an unassuming, beloved community member, shocked the area when she was arrested for murder of several residents of her boarding house. Let's talk about Dorothea and what this 2025 movie got correct, and more importantly, what they flat out made up. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com Follow @wickedcinemapodcast on Instagram
Dead Ringers- 1988
Twin gynecologists. Parallel lives. Gods of their field. Addiction. Mental Decline. Mysterious deaths. Stewart and Cyril Marcus were nearly identical, living nearly identical lives. The Marcus twins became pioneers of their field but descended into a spiral of addiction that destroyed their lives, ultimately leading to their deaths. Watch Dead Ringers (starring Jeremy Irons) with me to see the decline of the codependent brothers. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com Follow @wickedcinemapodcast on Instagram
The Craigslist Killer- 2011
A Boston University med student. A fiancée. Craigslist erotic services. Robberies. Murder. The Boston area was shaken when a slew of attacks was all over the news. The attacker was given the moniker, The Craigslist Killer, when he murdered Julissa Brisman. The Craigslist Killer (starring Jake McDorman and William Baldwin) tells the story of how Philip Markoff was identified and caught. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Follow @wickedcinemapodcast on Instagram Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Corruption in the Suffolk County Police Department
If you haven't listened to Episode 23 Lost Girls- 2020, go back and do so before listening. The discovery and apprehension of the Long Island Serial Killer was delayed in huge part to the corruption and misconduct of the Suffolk County Police Department. In this continuation episode, I talk about the downfall of the highest-ranking officer in the department. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email at wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com Instagram | @wickedcinemapodcast
Lost Girls- 2020
Gilgo Beach. Craigslist. Sex workers going missing. Murders. The search for a serial killer. The disappearance of Shannan Gilbert triggered the discovery and search of a Long Island Serial Killer when multiple bodies show up in an affluent area of Long Island. Lost Girls (starring Amy Ryan, Thomasin McKenzie, and Gabriel Byrne) showcases the journey for one family to find their lost loved one. This movie is interesting as it was filmed before L.I.S.K. was ever found, arrested, or charged. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
The Girl from Plainville Part 2- 2022
Two kids from Massachusetts. Depression. Thousands of texts. The case that shocked the nation. An unprecedented trial. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Michelle Carter was a case that was practically unheard of. In Part 2, I talk about Conrad's last days, the trial, and the aftermath while wrapping up the second half of The Girl from Plainville miniseries. Please be aware that there are discussions of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, and suicide. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
The Girl from Plainville Part 1- 2022
Two kids from Massachusetts. Depression. Thousands of texts. The case that shocked the nation. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Michelle Carter was a case that was practically unheard of. An 18-year-old took his life at the urging of his girlfriend, yet she was over an hour away. Let's talk about The Girl from Plainfield (starring Elle Fanning, Colton Ryan and Chloë Sevigny) and how this relationship began. Please be aware that there are discussions of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicidal ideations and suicide. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Woman of the Hour- 2023
A serial killer. A game show. The many women who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The story of The Dating Game Killer, the many young girls and women who suffered at the hands of a monster and the movie Woman of the Hour (starring and directed by Anna Kendrick). Where truth and entertainment intersect Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast@substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Cursed Film 1973- Minisode
A film set that was plagued with tragedy, accidents, injuries, superstition, possibly cursed objects, and death. Can you guess what classic horror film this was? Full show notes at wickedcinema.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story- 2024
A 14-year-old girl. Grooming. Captivity. Repeated assault. Tanya Kach was a 14-year-old when she was groomed and convinced to run away from home so her middle school security guard could keep her in captivity for a decade. Let's talk about The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story and Tanya's bravery and determination. Where the truth and entertainment intersect. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story- 2024
An abduction. A manhunt. A capture. Carlesha Freeland Gaither was abducted off the streets of Philadelphia and driven around for three days before her rescue. Let's talk about Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story to learn about her harrowing story and how she fought to keep herself alive. Where truth and entertainment intersect. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast@substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
A Is for Acid- 2002
Religious upbringing. Life of crime. A taste for the finer things. Murder. Acid bath. John Haigh is known as one of England's most notorious killers and commonly called The Acid Bath Vampire. He believed that he couldn't be convicted of a crime without a body so he thought he had come up with the perfect disposal.....and acid bath. A Is for Acid shows the life, crimes, and eventual death of Haigh. Where truth and entertainment intersect. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire Story- 2022
Love. Marriage. Babies. Gambling. The mob? An affair. Murder. Melanie McGuire had a family, a career, a paramour, and a new house but the lives of her family would forever be changed on April 28, 2004. Let's talk about Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire Story to find out the disturbing details of Bill McGuire's fate. Where truth and entertainment intersect, Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
"Loosely Wicked" The Town That Dreaded Sundown- 2014
Another one in the Loosely Wicked archive... This week let's talk about the Texarkana Phantom Killer and the cult classic movie that was directly inspired by it...or a movie set decades later about a completely fictitious copycat killer. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email the show at wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Deranged- 1974
Oedipus complex. Break with reality. Graverobbing. Murder. I'm covering the infamous story of Ed Gein and the movie Deranged which is not for "the squeamish or faint of heart". Most are aware of this horrific case, but have you seen this underrated movie based on the true story. Where the truth and entertainment intersect. Full show notes can be found at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
The Burning Bed- 1984
Young love. Gaslighting. Abuse. Mariticide. Francine Hughes and her 4 children's lives were in danger daily until she hit her breaking point on the night of March 9, 1977. Let's talk about The Burning Bed (starring Farrah Fawcett and Paul Le Mat) to learn about Francine's harrowing journey to be free of her abuser. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Communion- 1989
A Horror author. Visitors. Aliens. Abductions. Whitley Strieber has made a name for himself, both as an author and as a believer in aliens. During the mid 1980's, Strieber insists that he was repeatedly visited by otherworldly beings. Do aliens really exist and are they visiting us on Earth? This may not be true crime, but this is a story that sounds almost like a fever dream. Communion (starring Christopher Walken) tells the story of a man who experienced abductions that he knows are real. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Email at wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Top 10 Ranking of 2025
It's a new year but I want to reflect on the cases and the movies I've covered so far. Join me while I rank the 10 movies I covered since beginning in 2025. Join next week to see the first movie of 2026! Email: wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
"Loosely Wicked" Black Christmas- 1974
Introducing a new series- "Loosely Wicked" where I discuss movies very loosely inspired by true crime. The first episode is Black Christmas, the holiday horror cult classic, from 1974 and the inspirations behind it. Screenwriter Ray Moore was inspired by the urban legend of "The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs", George Webster and William Heirens. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Follow @wickedcinemapodcast on Instagram Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com
Karla- 2006
One of Canada's most shocking crimes. A deal with the devil. A truly disturbing husband and wife. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, the Ken and Barbie Killers, terrorized St. Catharine's and Scarborough during the late 80's and 90's. The lives of Tammy Homolka, Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French were tragically and viciously taken by this married couple. Let's talk about Karla (starring Laura Prepon and Mischa Collins) and the tragedy that befell this quiet area of Canada. This is where truth and entertainment intersect. Let's get wicked. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com Follow @wickedcinemapodcast on Instagram Email wickedcinemapodcast@gmail.com If you'd like to donate to the making of this podcast, you can do so below: https://auphonic.com/donate_credits?user=wickedcinemapodcast Donations are greatly appreciated but certainly not expected.
Vampire Clan- 2002
90's teenagers. Blood. Vampires. A coven. Murder. What happens when a group of troubled, teenage outcasts believe they are vampires? Let's talk about Vampire Clan (starring Drew Fuller and Alexandra Breckenridge) and Rod Ferrell, who thought he was a 500-year-old vampire and the brutal murders of Richard Wendorf and Naomi Ruth Queen. This is where truth and entertainment intersect. Let's get wicked. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com If you'd like to donate to the making of this podcast, you can do so below: https://auphonic.com/donate_credits?user=wickedcinemapodcast Donations are greatly appreciated but certainly not expected.
Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story- 2019
An asylum. Exposés. Inhumane conditions. A pioneer journalist. The harrowing story of Nellie Bly, the female journalist in the late 1800's who went out of her way to report on rumors of corruption on the "insane asylum" on Blackwell's Island. Let's discuss Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story (starring Christina Ricci and Judith Light) and her 10 days uncovering the truth. This is where truth and entertainment intersect. Let's get wicked. Full show notes at wickedcinemapodcast.substack.com If you'd like to donate to the making of this podcast, you can do so below: https://auphonic.com/donate_credits?user=wickedcinemapodcast
