
Forget streaming services and podcast apps. This Halloween, a new independent horror series wants you to experience its nightmares the old-fashioned way: by picking up the phone.
Misfortune is an unusual audio horror experience that unfolds entirely through a telephone call. The premise follows a group of friends in Syracuse who discover mysterious black fortune cookies that nobody ordered. When they crack them open, the fortunes inside begin coming true.
And, as you might expect, things get considerably darker from there.
Unlike traditional horror podcasts, Misfortune doesn’t require an app, a subscription, or even a download. Instead, listeners simply call (315) 818-5869 to enter the story.
Each episode runs just a few minutes and features a full voice cast and immersive sound design. Even better, the phone system remembers where listeners left off, allowing them to return to the unfolding nightmare without starting over.
According to the creators, the series has already received more than 1,400 calls since its pilot episode launched on September 22.
With Halloween approaching, Misfortune offers an intriguing alternative to the usual horror marathon. It’s free, accessible, and promises to pull listeners into its unsettling world in roughly three minutes.
Want to try it yourself? Call (315) 818-5869.
Just remember: some fortunes are better left unopened.

