Reviews

Every now and then I remember that this podcast is Oops All Harlan Guthrie and am floored all over again. The level of creative craftsmanship that goes into this absolute powerhouse of a show is top tier and every episode reaches straight into my heart to squeeze it like a stress ball. I absolutely adore Malevolent and cannot wait to see where the story continues in season 3!

Malevolent uses the audio drama medium SO cleverly by having the story begin with the protagonist Arthur waking up with no sight and a strange new voice in his head. The Lovecraftian horror is gruesome and brilliant, but the show also understands the horror in very human tragedies and I will freely admit to sobbing through many an episode. I didn’t realise when I first started listening that the show is released in ~10 minute instalments on Patreon and listeners there vote on the direction of the story which is a really interesting way of storytelling. The voice acting and sound design on the show are both amazing and I’m sure every new listener is astounded when they realise that it’s all done by one person. I am holding my breath waiting for the next instalment!

ive laughed, cried, yelled, and sobbed with this podcast. I love this podcast so so much its unreal.

This is a very curious podcast, featuring two main characters in one body. I listened to the first few episodes and didn’t think I liked it much. It’s fast-paced and I continued to listen to see what would happen next, however. Next thing I know, I realized that it’s one of my favourite podcasts. I still think it’s bizarre, but the acting, production quality and writing keep me involved every episode. Kudos (and thanks) for such an original podcast. Please keep it coming!

I was tricked. I thought it was just another generic Lovecraftian Investigator Awakens Eldritch Horror but then Harlan tore out my heart and salted the wound with my own tears. Bravo. Elaborate soundscaping, mysterious narrative, but the true beauty of this audiodrama is in the emotional bond between the two leads which strengthens even as the worlds they move through try to tear them to pieces.

Amazing, trully amazing story. Outstanding soundscaping and overall a great, eerie, moving show!

Creative and high production quality

*exited vocal stims and hand flapping noises* thats me after every single episode and chapter of this amazing podcast, everytime I'm left speechles, so yeah please listen to this, I need more people to gush about this podcast to.

All around just so good. It's evident alot of hard work and talent goes into producing this podcast. I can't compliment it enough. Impeccable.

Absolutely 💯 one of the BESTEST Podcasts I've gotten to enjoy ♥︎

as of writing this is, there are 22 episodes and have finished episode seven. A classic 1930's private investigator story with a eldritch twist. The story has similar narration and descriptions to 90's point and click mystery computer games, that I find endearing. The first couple of episodes it almost sounds like the entity that follows the main character, Arthur, is talking through one of those Booomwhacker tubes and it is a little distracting but it is quickly toned down a few episodes in. For sure worth a listen if you like old detective stories.

Absolutely and truly wonderful from top to bottom. My son and I both listen and talk very frequently about this show. It really means a lot to me!

Harlan Guthrie - Creator, writer, editor, voice actor. He literally does it all, and does it all well. Malevolent stands apart not only in its ability to create an action packed narrative, but it's also the only horror podcast that's genuinely scared me. The creator is consistent, and dedicated. The sound production is rich and wonderfully indulgent like a thick milkshake. Weird comparison but you'll know what I mean when you listen.

A really interesting concept with a unique and fun execution. It's a love letter to Weird Fiction worldbuilding; it's an exercise in interactive storytelling; it's an inspection of personhood and humanity, and whether those things are earned or inherent; it's a tragedy that makes us mourn missed opportunities, mistakes and bad choices, and things we didn't realize we had until we lost them.

By far my favorite audio drama. Such a great concept for a podcast, with the narrator literally being the eyes for the character and having to describe everything to both him and the audience. Excellent atmosphere and writing. Haunting and heartbreaking and curious. Amazing that it's a one man show. Always eagerly awaiting the next installment.

so, so, so SO extremely well done from every angle! Given the width of the show settings, I have to talk about the sound design first - EXTREMELY good and chill-inducing. Sometimes there'll be a sound that's just so disgustingly perfect for the situation.The voice acting is also perfect, ESPECIALLY upon the realization that both Arthur and his demon are played by the same voice actor. Their conversations together sound incredibly natural, and both have such good, different inflections on their lines.And the ongoing plot! Each new element of the plot hits really nicely - whether we're meeting a new monster, a new person, or encountering a new problem. There's a lot of really, really good, intense emotion in the show that has me REALLY excited when I see a new ep pop up in the feed!

I cant say enough positive things about this podcast. It is engaging, evocative, thoughtful and well produced. I’ve fallen in love with the characters and have caught myself holding my breath, waiting to see what happens next. I love it. Thank you for this podcast and all of the hard work that obviously goes into it.

Horror/mystery inspired by Lovecraftian mythos, with one person performing all the characters. The body-sharing scenario with is an excellent use of the audio-only medium, as it creates an engaging narrative reason for surroundings to be described. The protagonist can't see impending danger any more than the audience can, which makes the experience immersive and is enhanced by the sound design. It's also a choose-your-own adventure story on the podcast's patreon, which is noticeable in a charming way and drives some of the interpersonal conflict. Tension exists not only in the dangerous situations the protagonist finds himself in, but in the developing relationship between him and the entity occupying his body as they are forced to work together to resolve their situation, which explores issues of symbiosis, body autonomy, and trust. The growth between the protagonist and the entity is interesting, though some of their arguments regarding autonomy become a bit circular over time.

Here you are, minding your own business, until one day you wake up on the floor, unable to see, and with a spooky new voice in your head giving you directions and telling you what to do - at least until you start arguing nonstop. Also there’s a missing girl, a whole bunch of scary monsters biting at your heels, an evil book, some shady cult shit that may or may not have something to do with your spooky invisible friend, and more than one dark and mysterious past to hide. Come join us in the Malevolent cult. New members are always welcome.

One of the very few horror podcasts that has jump scared me. Every episode makes my heart race. Immersive storytelling that will suck you in. Harlan does an amazing job.

A fantastic cosmic horror story with the cleverest hook I've ever heard for an audio drama. Fantastic writing, acting and storytelling!

Malevolent is a wonderful, tense show that will leave you wanting more and more. It's done very well, too! Excellent horror!

The genius of Malevolent isn't the voice acting, though it's fantastic. It's not in the sound design, which is top notch. It isn't in the subject matter, which is straight out of Lovecraft and thus destined to be popular. It isn't even the fact that everything in the show is done by one person. The genius of Malevolent is how *smart* it is in the way it uses the medium. With a blind protagonist and a voice in his head that has to describe everything to him, Harlan Guthrie perfectly inserts the listener in the action and deftly dances around the limitations of the audio-only format. Not just smart, it's bloody brilliant.

I've never been a big horror podcast fan and I almost was too scared to continue this podcast after episode 2. Well, I'm now fully caught up with it and I'm so glad I stuck through. I binged it during work and I kept getting scared when my coworkers would drop by to talk to me because I was so engrossed with the plot and didn't notice them approaching. No regrets. I love it and a huge kudos to the production behind this podcast.