Matthew Brookens Brings Horror-Comedy Audio Adventure Illinois Hell Hole to NPR Illinois

Springfield native Matthew Brookens has created a new kind of Halloween treat with Illinois Hell Hole, a two-hour, fully scored horror-comedy audio drama that aired on NPR Illinois (91.9 FM) from October 28 to 30, 2025. The project, described by Brookens as a “movie for your ears,” blends dark humor, cinematic sound design, and local flavor into one immersive experience.

The production features an impressive mix of talent, including voice actors Corey Burton (known for roles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and numerous Disney projects) and Daran Norris (The Fairly OddParents, Veronica Mars, American Dad!). They’re joined by Springfield favorites Reggie Guyton, Jeff Williams from the punk band NIL8, Patrick Russell of the Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company, and Meghan McDonough, Brookens’ high school friend and fellow performer from their Sacred Heart-Griffin days.

Brookens, who has returned to Springfield after years in Los Angeles, brings a wealth of industry experience. He’s worked as a filmmaker and editor, contributing to projects in reality TV, the Walking Dead franchise, and directing the feature film The Art of Pain, which streamed on Netflix and Amazon. His latest work, however, is deeply rooted in his Illinois upbringing. “Illinois Hell Hole” was originally a movie script, but after a table read, Brookens realized the story worked even better in sound. “Your imagination has the best, biggest budget for special effects you can possibly ask for,” he said in an interview with NPR Illinois.

At its core, the story follows Ned, a cynical goth forced to return to his family’s farm after inheriting it. Beneath the rural soil, he discovers something unnatural and sinister ready to burst open — a bottomless pit that grants wishes but carries dark consequences. The narrative is part comedy, part horror, and wholly inspired by the Springfield landscape.

Brookens’ inspiration was personal. He shared that the loss of his mother to ALS and the experience of being torn between Los Angeles and family life shaped the emotional backbone of the project. “I decided to write a story with some of those elements. But a comedy,” he explained.

Actors like Norris appreciated the project’s unique setup. He recorded his parts remotely from his own studio while Brookens read the other characters’ lines to keep the dialogue natural. “It was really great because it felt like playing a scene, not just recording lines,” Norris told PRLog. He also noted that the long-form, audio-only format was something new and exciting for him.

Reggie Guyton, who voices Ned’s cousin Moose, described his character as “naive and well-meaning,” adding comic relief as the story grows darker. Meanwhile, McDonough said she was thrilled to reconnect with Brookens and participate in a project that mixes creativity, local pride, and a touch of weirdness.

As for what’s next, Brookens isn’t done with this universe. He believes Illinois Hell Hole could easily expand into a movie or a TV series, with potential follow-ups like “Texas Hell Hole.” For now, the audio version stands as a proud, independent showcase of Midwest creativity — proof that horror and humor can thrive far from Hollywood.

Listeners can stream or download the full project at illinoishellhole.com.