Spooky Tuesday - A Horror Movie Podcast

Spookies, it feels like we've been waiting forever to work this theme month into our schedule, but one could also argue the genre was only invented in 2024. Nonetheless, we'd like to welcome Pop Star Horror Month to the stage, and we've invited Trap (2024) to be our opening act. A true daddy-daughter film where Josh Hartnett plays a doting father who moonlights as a serial killer, this flick also features a collab between writer-director M. Night Shyamalan and his own double act offspring, Saleka Shyamalan. Come join the concert with us on our newest Spooky Tuesday as we talk tunes, mommy issues, and more. References:https://people.com/all-about-m-night-shyamalan-kids-8691825https://consequence.net/2024/06/trap-saleka-interview-lady-raven-release/https://www.theringer.com/2024/08/05/movies/trap-movie-concert-music-lady-raven-m-night-shyamalan-salekahttps://ca.rollingstone.com/music/trap-m-night-shyamalans-daughter-saleka-as-lady-raven-shares-first-song-from-dads-new-film/https://bloody-disgusting.com/music/3823462/saleka-releases-lady-raven-with-special-guest-kid-cudi-listen-now/https://www.nylon.com/nylon-nights/saleka-shyamalan-trap-premiere-interview

We've got a lot to celebrate this week, Spookies! Not only is it our very own Monica's birthday, it's also a Fifth Tuesday and the sneaky unofficial start to a new themed month — so of course we had to cover The Phantom of the Opera (2004). A luxe movie musical that captures the theatrical flair of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway show and pairs it with the camp sensibilities of director Joel Schumacher, this flick practically jumps out of the screen when that first booming note hits. On a new Spooky Tuesday, we challenge you not to sing along as we talk all things score and book lore. References:https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/did-minnie-driver-and-emmy-rossum-feud-on-the-phantom-of-the-opera-set.html/https://x.com/driverminnie/status/1275219191323217920https://x.com/JohnTylerJRT/status/884599605601738752https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/how-to-explain-trumps-love-for-the-musical-catshttps://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2015/11/29/why-it-sucked-the-phantom-of-the-opera

Pitching itself as The Substance meets Mean Girls, Slanted (2026) is the hot new high school body horror hitting the scene — but if you go in expecting either of those movies, you're not setting yourself up for success. A slower-paced but sharply-fanged satire, this flick looks at life in America with fresh eyes as it explores themes of immigration and assimilation. With Shirley Chen and Mckenna Grace sharing one race-swapping role as Joan-turned-Jo, Amy Wang's first feature examines one way to try and remove racism from your life, and we're digging into the details on a new Spooky Tuesday.   References: https://joysauce.com/slanted-director-amy-wang-wants-you-to-confront-your-asian-shame/ https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/real-life-inspirations-behind-new-horror-movie-slanted Interview with Slanted Cast and DirectorInterview with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Amelie Zilber, and Amy Wang

Did a certain recent release have you longing for a little more David Arquette? Then you might be on the same page as our Patrons, because when it came time for them to pick a flick in our Quarterly Vote, they went with Eight Legged Freaks (2002). A creature feature that takes creepy crawlies and gives them the classic toxic waste treatment, this monster movie dares to ask if there's anything scarier than a spider. The answer, BTW? Two hundred spiders that are all really big. Join us on a new Spooky Tuesday as we talk squashing bugs, Scarlett Johansson, government conspiracies, and 4DX effects. References: https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/mind/2021/are-spiders-intelligenthttps://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/arachnology-and-entomology/spider-myths/myth-daddy-longlegs-wouldhttps://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2023/10/31/is-it-true-that-you-sometimes-swallow-spiders-in-your-sleep/https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/spitting-spider-guidehttps://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Spiders_(Eight_Legged_Freaks)https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3551125/eight-legged-freaks-remains-criminally-overlooked-horror-comedy/https://sarahalbeebooks.com/reel-bugs-8-legged-freaks/https://pophorror.com/ten-fun-facts-about-ellory-elkayems-eight-legged-freaks-2002/

In the horror community, opinions are majorly divided when it comes to Scream 7 (2026) — and that holds true here at Spooky Tuesday. Throwing it back to our Day 1 roots, we're tackling the newest collab between Neve Campbell, Kevin Williamson, and our boy Matthew Lillard as we evaluate what sort of place this flick has in the larger Ghostface franchise. Join us on our latest episode as we talk commentary and kills while waxing nostalgic about Scream movies past.  References:https://www.joblo.com/scream-7-review-a-second-opinion/https://www.decodingeverything.com/scream-7-review-artistic-failure/

If you love a movie with a twist or just one that's twisted, Se7en (1995) is probably at the top of your list. A serial killer crime story that stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the admin from your favorite medical shows as five-second side characters, this fucked up flick draws inspiration from the seven deadly sins — and potentially a secret eighth one if you buy into those theories. With its torturous death tableaus, it also reads as a clear precursor to John Kramer's Saw traps, and we're discussing all those details and more on a new Spooky Tuesday. References:https://screenrant.com/se7en-hidden-details-never-noticed-movie/https://filmobsessive.com/film/film-analysis/one-key-detail-will-change-the-way-you-watch-se7en/https://www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/1f5ogv/se7en_john_doe_was_not_the_killer_somerset_was/SE7EN : Deleted Scenes, Alt. Beginning & Ending (w/edits) Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth PaltrowDeleted Scenes with Commentary | Se7en

Sorry, Spookies, we didn't mean to pick a flick that was impossible to see in theaters — but if you can manage to hunt down a showing of Cold Storage (2026) near you, it's definitely worth the watch. Starring Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, and Liam Neeson, this horror comedy tackles the zombie genre in ways that are both familiar and fresh. With CLEAR references to films like The Return of the Living Dead, Train to Busan, and Alien, David Koepp's smart new book-turned-screenplay is very much in conversation with the genre, and we're pointing out parallels and parsing the different kinds of pastries on a new Spooky Tuesday. References:https://www.nasa.gov/history/45-years-ago-skylab-reenters-earths-atmosphere/Zombie Ant Fungus Explained

Sushi dinners with Rachel McAdams on a tropical island? That sounds like heaven to us, so we're not sure what Dylan O'Brien is complaining about in Sam Raimi's new horror comedy, Send Help (2026). On our latest Spooky Tuesday, we're getting to the bottom of it, though, as we revisit our Survivor days, push Teen Wolf on Monica, and break down all that CGI gore. Whether you saw this flick in 4DX 3D or just regular stylez sans piped-in tuna smell, there's no denying that it makes for a fun ride, so join us as we hop on a plane and head out to sea to get our hands dirty.References:Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, and Sam Raimi Break Down a Survival Scene from 'Send Help'Sam Raimi Gushes About How Stephen King Gave Him His First Chance In The Film BusinessSam Raimi On Putting Rachel McAdams And Dylan O'Brien In Brutal Scenarios For 'Send Help'Dylan O'Brien Goes ROGUE Interviewing Send Help Co-Star Rachel McAdamsMean Girls "One Way or Another"Rugrats The Movie (2000) - One Way Or Another

Ready to get romantic? For our Valentine’s Day episode, we thought we’d host the ultimate getaway at a little place we like to call Bone Lake (2025). Located out in an isolated wood, it’s as sexy — and deadly — as it sounds, and this flick turns up the heat when two couples discover they’ve booked the same luxurious lake house for the weekend. Starring Malignant’s Maddie Hasson and directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, this week’s movie features breakups, make ups, and mind games. What more could a Spooky Tuesday ask for?References: Director AMA

Ready for The Big Game™, Spookies? The most exciting day in football is right around the corner, and we wanted to get in on the fun — which is why we picked HIM (2025) for this week's episode. On our latest Spooky Tuesday, we're hitting the field with Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers for a little pigskin practice as we toss around the ball, nuggets of sports history, classic Americana themes, and theories about what's going down behind-the-scenes in Justin Tipping's trippy flick. References:https://www.motionpictures.org/2025/09/how-director-justin-tipping-mixed-art-nike-ads-multiple-genres-in-his-sports-horror-him/Nike Freestyle AdJonathan Glazer's Jordans Adhttps://artsfuse.org/317121/film-review-him-a-carpet-bombing-of-the-optic-nerve/https://nerdist.com/watch/video/him-interview-the-horror-of-sports-religion/https://time.com/7318791/him-movie-ending-explained/Lucas Blue Him (2025) Breakdown & Analysishttps://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/cannupa-hanska-luger-mascot-jordan-peele-horror-film-him-1234756028/https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/about-wwi/football-and-wwihttps://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3906346/him-costume-designer-dominique-dawson-shares-exclusive-insight-and-images/

Rumor has it that this week's pick might be one of the best pictures of 2025 — and with the Oscars showing the horror genre so much love this year, we figured we'd repay the favor. On our latest episode, we're taking a hard look at the world and what's really going on with Bugonia (2025), the latest collaboration between Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, and Jesse Plemons. This flick asks some interesting questions about aliens, conspiracy theories, and power dynamics, and we're diving into it all on the newest Spooky Tuesday. References:https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a69205373/bugonia-ending-explained/https://nerdist.com/article/bugonia-yorgos-lanthimos-film-review/https://www.npr.org/2025/10/30/nx-s1-5591161/bugonia-reviewhttps://youtu.be/Ul1DR02mL4A?si=cdV8w-tuPJmFwuk1https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/yorgos-lanthimos-bugonia-production-design-space-1235166364/https://youtu.be/t8-Jz3MyBXw?si=a7IpXE1OIBeEnkpzhttps://youtu.be/mop-xm1TK9g?si=P6MS1aMX5hy2JxFlhttps://youtu.be/y60YgT6A9KI?si=Yf9K9El49guO4AaR

It's that time of year again, Spookies: Matthew Lillard's birthday has circled around on the calendar once more, and we're celebrating with Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (2025). Though this flick is a little light on the Matty Lilly, it does give us the Billy & Stu reunion we've long been yearning for — at least sort of. With Skeet Ulrich joining the cast, our fave two homoerotic horror actors were reunited on the red carpet, and we're hopeful the third installment will give us even more. Join us on a new Spooky Tuesday as we break down our theories about the middle movie of the FNAF trilogy. References:https://www.slashfilm.com/2042991/five-nights-at-freddys-2-review/https://movieweb.com/hidden-video-game-easter-eggs-five-nights-at-freddys-2/

The holidays may be over, but it’s still important to get the whole family together, which is why we picked Silent Night (2021) to help bring us back from our break. A nontraditional horror movie about spending the end of the world with the people you care about, it raises questions that are unfortunately all too relevant to our trying times. On our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday, we’re getting the gang back together to talk about friendship, British humor, and all the toxic whirlydos headed our way. References:https://ew.com/movies/silent-night-ending-explained/https://screenrant.com/silent-night-movie-ending-explained-art-twist-meaning/https://blackgirlnerds.com/review-silent-night-is-a-british-tale-of-impending-doom/https://www.dreadcentral.com/interviews/419145/silent-night-director-defends-her-divisive-christmas-horror-story/

Our Patrons made their voices heard, Spookies, and the official results are in: We're covering The Thing (2011) for our Quarterly Patreon Pick. Less a remake of the 1982 John Carpenter original and more a revisiting to that same universe, this flick continues to explore the lore behind the ever elusive ~thing.~ It also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as an Ellen Ripley-esque scientist, so you *know* that's right up our alley. On our last episode of 2025, we're getting into the original plans for this scifi flick, the studio meddling that knocked it off course, and all the various ways we could sex it up to make an Antarctic research station just a little bit hotter. Check out our episode on The Thing (1982) here: https://www.spookytuesdaypod.com/latest-episodes/the-thing-1982References:https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-thing-2011-stealth-prequel-john-carpenter-original-strongerhttps://cinapse.co/2019/11/the-thing-2011-its-probably-better-than-you-remember/https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/i-rewatched-2011s-the-thing-and-still-believe-it-gets-too-much-hatehttps://activemaas.wordpress.com/2024/01/16/continuity-and-discrepancy-in-1982-and-2011-the-thing/https://wickedhorror.com/features/editorials/practical-matters-the-frustrating-story-of-the-thing-prequel-we-could-have-had/https://monsterlegacy.net/2013/03/03/the-thing-pilot-alien-creature-deleted-fired/https://www.reddit.com/r/RedLetterMedia/comments/8yoy9f/i_had_access_to_behind_the_scenes_of_the_thing/https://open.substack.com/pub/thecurvingeye/p/xenomaternity-and-meThe Thing Making Of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDn4XBKXrCkThe Thing ADI In House Tests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R8ASn25GLg

The spirit of Frankenstein still lives within us, Spookies — which is why we're just not ready to move on from some of those themes. This week, we're staying in the gothic horror genre as we cover The Woman in Black (2012), a remake of an '80s made-for-TV movie that stars Daniel Radcliffe in one of his first non-Potter roles. A ghost story with a karmic kick, this flick features chihuahuas in sailor suits, dancing monkeys, and all the ether you could ever dream of, so join us on a new Spooky Tuesday as we go trawling through the muck and fog to try and put some souls to rest. References:https://fantasyliterature.com/reviews/the-woman-in-black/https://moviecuriosities.fmuk.org.uk/?p=2786https://ruelleelectrique.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/film-review-the-woman-in-black-sister-to-la-llorona-and-the-lady-of-the-lake/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/05/susan-hill-jane-goldman-interview?newsfeed=true

Happy Thanksgiving, Spookies! This week, we're thankful for Herman Munster, chest hair, and cuddly cats, because we're celebrating the holiday with Stephen King's Pet Sematary (1989). One of the few adaptations of his books that the prolific author actually got to write the screenplay for himself, this flick is interesting in the ways it both stuck to and veered away from the original story. On our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're diving into those differences and dodging 18 wheelers as we talk about the merits of playing god and slaying a cunty little funeral fit. References:https://www.slashfilm.com/1546643/stephen-king-pet-sematary-creepy-painting-meaning/https://pshares.org/blog/death-as-the-villain-in-pet-sematary/https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/feb/21/rereading-stephen-king-pet-semataryhttps://www.strangeharbors.com/blog/2019/4/3/revisiting-1989s-pet-semataryhttps://newrepublic.com/article/153546/pet-sematary-refuses-diehttps://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2018/08/10/pet-sematary-these-corruptible-vessels/https://screenrant.com/pet-sematary-movie-george-romero-not-director-stephen-king/https://stephenking.com/xf/index.php?threads/the-real-question-about-the-ending-spoilers.19690/

Is he hot or is he just 6’5 and made up of various large men’s most beautiful body parts? Is he hot or just played by Jacob Elordi in 10 hours of prosthetics on wobbly fawn legs and with a glimmer of innocence and curiosity in his eyes? On a new Spooky Tuesday, we’re talking about Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025), and we’re asking the important questions, like who drinks milk? And what *is* the meaning of circles? Join us on our latest episode as we head up to the Arctic Circle to explore the nature of life and death, butterfly seductions, and generational cycles of trauma.References: Tour of Victor's Lab: https://youtu.be/JRiLMssdaco?si=1klpMP_A20R4p8K0Color Coding: https://youtu.be/E_Ys8Mpl0BU?si=kMNszcAjooEMPwj6https://youtube.com/shorts/1J6lvmU7NZc?si=S3IGPgeIRaEoza0XBreaking down the scene where The Creature and Elizabeth first meet: https://youtu.be/ngOJpHi4eR0?si=NJ-wxvvGFN3p407shttps://youtu.be/zYV3a3VMC3E?si=LkftHNGq8sDyk84Ahttps://youtu.be/zYV3a3VMC3E?si=tXGBxDvuVDDd9KOkhttps://ew.com/frankenstein-guillermo-del-toro-mia-goth-break-down-scene-when-elizabeth-creature-meet-11845438https://defector.com/guillermo-del-toros-frankenstein-is-flawed-because-his-creature-is-nothttps://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a69286597/frankenstein-netflix-movie-vs-book-differences-explained/https://www.artforum.com/columns/guillermo-del-toro-frankenstein-film-tyler-dean-1234737781/https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3914069/10-easter-eggs-in-guillermo-del-toros-frankenstein/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/frankenstein-jacob-elordi-makeup-monster-creationSpark Notes: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/summary/https://medievalmilanetc.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/st-bartholomew-flayed/https://www.berniewrightson.com/galleries/frankenstein/Paige Michalchuk: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQxX2H1CTql/

Promising that any project will “redefine the found footage genre” might set the bar a little high, but audiences were hyped for Shelby Oaks (2025). The debut feature of film critic turned movie maker Chris Stuckmann, this flick got the ball rolling with a fan-backed Kickstarter and ended with horror icon Mike Flanagan lending his name to the poster. But what happens when the word-of-mouth momentum doesn’t seem to last past the premiere date? On a new episode of Spooky Tuesday, we’re examining the tapes for ourselves and adding our voices to the fray as we discuss what worked, where things went wrong, what the casual viewer might not know about the effort that went into this demonic offering to Tarion, and where Monica’s least favorite Taylor Swift lyrics come into play. Welcome to our underworld, Spookies — it’s about to get quite dark. References:https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/how-chris-stuckmann-neon-shelby-oaks-1235956162/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/shelby-oaks-chris-stuckmann-new-ending-1236415484/https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/shelby-oaks-post-mortem-1235157726/https://www.polygon.com/shelby-oaks-ending-explained-chris-stuckmann-interview/

As hard as Tiffany Valentine slays, we knew we weren't going to get nearly our fill of Jennifer Tilly in Bride of Chucky — which is why Jennifer Tilly TwosWeeks continues with Bound (1996). One of the homoerotic thrillers that got just barely edged out of our Pride lineup last season, this flick has been waiting for us to circle back, and now that Spooky Season has gone back into hibernation (though, let's be real, that doesn't stop us from being spooky year round), November felt like the perfect time. Don't get us wrong, though — this Wachowski sisters project may not be a horror movie in the traditional sense, but between the mafia drama, lesbian sex, and Gina Gershon's everything, it'll definitely have your heart racing. References:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrys#Lesbian_symbolhttps://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/30/bound-the-wachowskis-immaculately-crafted-queer-thriller-was-a-test-run-for-the-matrix

Technically, Spookies, Sydneypalooza goes all the way to the end of October, and while Clowntober TwosWeeks may have come to a close, another themed event is just beginning. You may have noticed our gorgeous new episode art for Season 6(66), and you may have noticed that Sydney is all gussied up as a very iconic figure in it — which is why we figured that our Halloween episode would be exactly the right time to cover Bride of Chucky (1998). Although we’ve barely dipped our toes into the Child’s Play franchise, we’ve got a lot of love for both Charles Lee Ray and Tiffany Valentine here at Spooky Tuesday, and we’re ready to pay homage to one of horror’s hottest (and most toxic) couples as we kick off Jennifer Tilly TwosWeeks with our latest episode. References:https://screenrant.com/bride-of-chucky-behind-scenes-facts-trivia/