How to Win Friends and Disappear People

QCODE

Starring Leslie Grace and Soni Bringas, this 10-episode supernatural thriller follows Nancy (BRINGAS), a nebbish computer scientist, who becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor. It doesn’t take long for her to uncover a dark secret: the mystery woman, El (GRACE), is actually a centuries-old vampire. As Nancy becomes her familiar (basically her assistant), bringing the vampire into the social media-driven world of millennial New York City, they are both pulled down a rabbit hole of deceit, murder, and mayhem. ~~~ From QCODE, the makers of fantastic audio fiction like Narcissa with Diana Agron and Soft Voice with Naomi Scott. All 10 episodes will be available for free, but QCODE+ subscribers get early, uninterrupted access to new episodes. Learn more at https://qcodemedia.com/qcodeplus. ~~~ Produced by QCODE with Executive Producers Leslie Grace and Sophia Lopez. Written and directed by Sophia Lopez. Starring Leslie Grace, Soni Bringas, James Paxton, Rico Rodriguez, Katrina Bowden, and Carlos Alazraqui. read less

Our Editor's Take

How to Win Friends and Disappear People is a scripted thriller podcast with supernatural, comedic, and true crime elements. The immersive audio experience is cinematic, like a movie for the mind. Sophia Lopez wrote and directed the ten-episode series, which is set in New York. It's an ironic spin on Dale Carnegie's book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. The book explains how to coerce friendship, like-mindedness, and change from others. This podcast explores what happens when friendships become obsessive, unhealthy, or even monstrous.

Actress Soni Bringas voices Nancy, an introverted data scientist who loves true crime. Nancy notices her neighbor, El, leads a life that's the opposite of hers. El goes out each night when Nancy comes in. She's sexy, confident, and secretive. Nancy soon discovers El's secret: She is a vampire. Actress Leslie Grace voices El's character. She is also the executive producer of the podcast.

The podcast's surround-sound audio effects make the listener feel like they're there. Elevators ding, sirens blare, and phones ring as characters move through different scenes. The background music resembles horror film soundtracks. Nancy's office scenes provide humor to relax listeners right before scares occur.

How to Win Friends and Disappear People reveals frightening shifts in El and Nancy's codependency. Both feel lonely and envious of each other. El gained unwanted popularity without seeking it. Nancy's unpopularity makes her obsess over El. Soon, Nancy becomes El's servant, finding victims for El to kill. The two become more alike, and power struggles ensue.

Rico Rodriguez played a child who's wiser than the adults on Modern Family. Rodriguez's character, Luis, is smarter than others in this thrilling podcast, too. He and his colleague, Paulina, voiced by Katrina Bowden, attempt to solve the bloody crimes.

How to Win Friends and Disappear People may make listeners wonder if El is the only monster. This is a fun series for those who enjoy true crime, vampires, or comedic thrillers. It's a fascinating analysis of identity and predators through a supernatural view.

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