podcast review: "The burned photo"

THE BURNED PHOTO is an Ambie Award-winning horror/thriller audio drama produced by QCODE in partnership with Vertigo Entertainment. Created by Nicole Exposito, The Burned Photo features stellar writing and direction from Jeremy Novick & Kwynn Perry and stars Charmaine Bingwa and Katherine McNamara. In this review, we’ll break down what makes the show stand out, who it’s best suited for, and whether this terrifying tale is worth adding to your queue.

SYNOPSIS

The Burned Photo, tells the story of Felicia and Kira, two women, whose lives become intertwined when they discover they are being terrorized by the same multi-generational curse that is determined to end their family lineages… but why?

QUICK FACTS

• Genre: Horror / Thriller / Serialized Audio Drama
  
  

• Average Episode Length: 30 - 50 Minutes
  
  

• Release Frequency: This series released it's Season 2 finale on April 25th, 2022.
  
  

• Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms.
  
  

• First Released: 2021

WHAT MAKES IT STAND OUT

Those of you familiar with other QCODE productions know all too well the level of care and finesse that goes into their shows, and The Burned Photo is no exception. Armed with quality production resources, known actors, and established scriptwriters, this series makes you feel every heart-stopping moment in perfect detail. Beyond its sound design, the story (based on a spooky Reddit thread from years prior) is compelling and seamlessly blends horror and mystery into an intriguing plotline that keeps you hooked from start to finish. If the elements of a family lineage curse, two strangers discovering shared fate, and supernatural beings rooted in history don't leave you wanting more, I don't know what will.

WHO WILL LOVE IT (AND WHO MIGHT NOT)

• ✅ Great for: Fans of well written supernatural horror, lovers of historical thrillers, those of you looking for a spooky Halloween listen.
  
  

• ❌ Maybe skip if: You're not a fan of terrifying tales. The Burned Photo is not for the faint of heart and contains mature themes, graphic violence, adult language, and plenty of scares. We certainly do not recommend this show for children.

OUR TAKE

As a lover of well-paced storytelling, intriguing mysteries from the past, and engaging sound design, The Burned Photo had me gripped from the very first episode. I started the series as a way to pass time on a long work commute but ended up binging the whole series within a handful of days, often sitting on my couch at home listening to an extra episode when I had planned to take a nap instead. The initial premise is fairly simple, but over time the story takes on new layers (family secrets, forbidden sorcery, a terrible curse) that allow the plot to evolve beyond just "scary" moments. For example, just when you think you understand where the scriptwriters are taking you, Season 2 dives into the subplot of an 18th-century sorcerer that provides even further depth into the murky past of the show's supernatural villain. It's an excellent story executed with extreme precision and is definitely a must-listen for those of you looking for your next thrilling foray into the dark side of audio storytelling.

LISTEN HERE

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Website

RELATED PODCASTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY

If you like The Burned Photo, you might also enjoy:

• Borrasca – The residents of Drisking, Missouri begin suddenly disappearing and young Sam Walker is going to find out why.
  
  

• The Left Right Game – An idealistic young journalist follows a group of paranormal explorers, obsessed with a seemingly harmless pastime known as the Left/Right Game.
  
  

• Dungeon Masters – A private investigator goes on a quest to find a college student who dissapeared while enacting a real life game of D&D.