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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