Reviews

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.

Absolutely adore this podcast! Within the first minute I was hooked by the amazing production values, immersive and believable acting, and intriguing premise--and it's only gotten better with every episode! This is truly a story that makes the absolute most of the specific media employed, with a built in reason for the setting to be explained to the listener while also supplying a great audio atmosphere that brings the characters and setting to life. I love the very close, intimate focus the show places on its characters and their journey, and I look forward eagerly to every release. Keep up the great work!

Malevolent is the type of podcast that gets you hooked within the first episode. From the world building to the character dynamics, it's abundantly clear that this story is one woven with deep care & consideration.

Malevolent is fantastically creepy. The soundscaping is incredibly well done and the characters dynamic is very fun to listen to. I usually listen to podcasts with 10- 25 minute episodes but this one just grips me and doesn't let go, however long the episode is. Also honestly, it's even fun to relisten to. One morning I listened to the same episode 4 times in a row (guess which one?) and only stopped because I had a class lol ALSO, just a fun fact: if you're running in the dark, this is the perfect podcast to listen to. Just try it and you'll know (: Favourite quote: "ARTHUR!"

There is nothing out there as scary, innovative, mysterious, and did I say scary as this. And when you realize its from one guy, it's almost too much. I was sucked in almost immediately by the pov that the story is told from, throwing you into a sudden mystery with twists and turns that leave you legitimately frightened in the dark. The descriptive way the monsters are described, and the horrible noises they make, made me physically ill and sometimes I had to turn it off since I work with animals and controlling your energy to stay positive is a must. Even as an old pro at this, I had to walk away briefly to slow my heart beat down. I hear it's a million times better as a Patreon supporter and one day, maybe I'll get to experience that but even as just a listener, and not a contributer, it's one of the best podcasts I've ever heard.

Malevolent gripped me in the first 30 seconds and it hasn't let go yet. I'm a huge fan of Lovecraftian horror and this is peak. The sound design, the acting, the writing, all of it is top notch and absolutely worth listening to. One of the struggles of a podcast is setting the scene since it's all audio, and Malevolent has a truly inspired method of describing what the characters see, because one has just become blind and the other has hijacked his sight. It's so clever and an exciting way to be served up the story. And the story is thrilling and so many threads are laid down to be picked back up later and when it pays off it really pays off. It's a choose your own adventure with supporters of the show making decisions for the character, but the writing is so smooth that I honestly had no idea for the first few episodes that it was happening. No matter what the decision, the outcome flows so nicely into the larger narrative that it's like it was intended all along. And as for voice acting and soundscaping, this is the best you'll find. You'll hear quite a few different characters in this audiodrama, but it's all the same actor/creator. Which is another thing I found out later because I couldn't tell at all. The voices are so distinct and well done and I'm in awe of how characters played by the same person interact so seamlessly that it feels like a full cast. And the sound design is better than heavily produced podcasts I've listened to. Not just on par, but better. Seriously, do yourself a favor and just listen to it.

Absolutely fantastic Lovecraftian horror tailored to the medium. The characterization and relationship of the two leads is great, the editing is superb, and it's unbelievable that every single character is voiced by the same person.

Malevolent is my new obsession. Absolutely stellar production quality, amazing writing and acting, truly intriguing plot and characters I adore. Would highly recommend for anyone who likes horror audio and especially cosmic horror. Or buddy cop stories, lol. I knew in the first 10 minutes I was hooked and hours and hours later I still adore it.

Like a bit of tension. Want to explore a world of horror. Then tune in. Each episode is short enough for you to fit in to your day, no matter how busy. And I promise it will be worth your while. The premise is enough to have you off balance, then the production work will have you jumping and squirming. The timing of the beats is really well down, the ups and downs, the tension, the humour, the emotion, all blending into a whole.

This podcast is great for those who love a good horror podcast. A great combo of mystery, detective noir, and lovecraftian horrors, this is a great listen. I love the duoprotagonists and their banter, as well as the overall premise. The community is great, and you can influence how the story goes if you join their patreon. Worth a listen!

To say that this is one of the best shows i've ever listened to would be the understatement of the century. and then when you take into account that the creator does all the voicing and writing HIMSELF!? I mean you have to commend that hands down. make sure you don't miss this, especially if you're a fan of cosmic horror and/or mystery horror!

I absolutely love this podcast!! I was drawn in from the very first episode. It only gets better and better!

Harlan does an absolutely fantastic job of creating a haunting atmosphere that draws you in and doesn’t let go… much like an Eldritch horror. An amazing listening experience without a doubt!

Story, acting, characters, production, all stellar. Jump scares, intrigue and fantastic atmosphere, and I love the characters.

Malevolent is up there with the best cosmic horror shows easily. It always keeps me on the edge of my seat. Harlan does an excellent job making this show what it is.

Malevolent ticks all the boxes of what I look for in a long-form horror story: great pacing, fascinating characters, a high-stakes mystery to unravel, and editing that could make me actually believe a monster from another dimension is manifesting inside of my room. Add to that a brilliant framing device that embraces the audio medium and the fact that this is somehow, impossibly, a one-man show, and you have a breath of fresh air for fans of audio-horror. Well played, Mr. Guthrie.

Malevolent is one of the best podcasts I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Harlan is a pro at building suspense, emotion, and scares through superb voice acting and professional sound boarding. Malevolent is a fun, and creative story utilizing Lovecraft mythos to deliver chills and scares. While it pulls from Lovecraft, Harlan is a master story teller, and delivers refreshing original content in the cosmic horror genre that will leave you anxiously awaiting more. Malevolent is perfect for those both heavily invested in horror and those just dipping their toes into the scene.

Fantastic! Stumbled upon this spooky adventure and was instantly hooked. Each addition only furthers my enthusiasm. The characters are engaging and interesting, the mysteries deep but not convoluted, the lore is explorable but not overwhelming, sound design is fan-f'ing-tastic. Treat yourself and give this a listen. (And if you really like it check out the patreon options, 100% worth it)

This gripping story hits the ground running, pulling you right along our two confused and panicked main characters. The ambience and sfx are leveled nicely and do a brilliant job immersing you into the world of Malevolent. The voice actors themselves do a remarkable job creating an emotional depth to each of the characters through the fear, paranoia, and the faint glimmers of hope that are dangled in front of them. If you love eldritch horror or you are just a fan of audio dramas, then this is a must listen for you. I have been immensely enjoying this one and can't wait to hear how this all pans out! Great job all around!

A Nightmarish Tale This gripping story hits the ground running, pulling you right along our two confused and panicked main characters. The ambience and sfx are leveled nicely and do a brilliant job immersing you into the world of Malevolent. The voice actors themselves do a remarkable job creating an emotional depth to each of the characters through the fear, paranoia, and the faint glimmers of hope that are dangled in front of them. If you love eldritch horror or you are just a fan of audio dramas, then this is a must listen for you. I have been immensely enjoying this one and can't wait to hear how this all pans out! Great job all around!

These stories are brilliantly immersive, pretty claustrophobic and create a top fantastic foreboding atmosphere. Actual “oshit” moment for me was him getting a lift in the wrong car. I shall recommend this to everyone. And the sound production, superb

amazing story, i love the character dynamic so much. would love to write more comprehensive review when ive caught up, but really really enjoying it so far. the acting is incredible and the sound mixing is so professional. thank you for sharing this work!

Malevolent follows investigator Arthur Lester and a mysterious entity who shares his body. Particularly his eyes. While Arthur uses his experiences as a detective, he must rely on the entity’s descriptions and guidance to navigate the world and its dark mysteries. The character interactions and narrative paint clear pictures to the listener and the sound editing add a level of quality that especially fuel the horrors of the Cthulhu mythos. I highly recommend it.

A chilling, gripping and mesmerising ride. Can this really be the work of one person? Not only can you get sucked into the darkness created by Harlan Guthrie but there is a fascinating discord server with a knowledgeable, interesting and inclusive community. There are Patreon options too, which even allow you influence Arthur's actions.

Malevolent is a fantastic character-focused horror story. The show uses the audio-only medium very well by incorporating the narration into the dialogue and keeping a sense of mystery. There is a lot of re-listrn value to try to piece the story together as we learn more of what is going on! I even joined the Patreon, and having weekly chapters is wonderful. I highly recommend this show to anyone who likes suspenseful narratives, mysterious eldritch spooks, and brilliant character arcs.

Unique storytelling format, experimental narratives, and genuinely scary!

Had me hooked from the first two sentences. Incredible storytelling and characters, perfect blend of mystery, madness, and monsters. 5 million out of 5, please everyone listen to this immediately.

This podcast is amazing in terms of horror, mystery, and also friendship between two unlikely people. If you want a podcast with good characterizations, a fleshed out story, and phenomenal voice acting then Malevolent is definitely for you!