Rogues Gallery

Ten years after Freddy Krueger first invaded our dreams, Wes Craven returned to the franchise he created with something very different in mind. New Nightmare brought Freddy into the "real world," with Craven, Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, and John Saxon playing versions of themselves in a film that blurred the line between fiction and reality. Join us as we trace Craven's complicated history with the Nightmare on Elm Street series, what brought him back after years away, and how New Nightmare allowed him to reconsider both Freddy Krueger and the effect the character had on popular culture. Along the way, we dig into Freddy's radical redesign, the film's ambitious effects and set pieces, Heather Langenkamp's unusually personal performance, the ways real events from her life found their way into the story, and the movie's darker approach to a character who had gradually become as much comedian as monster. We also discuss the film's disappointing reception in 1994, its influence on the self-aware horror boom that followed, and how New Nightmare holds up more than thirty years after audiences weren't quite sure what to make of it. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Released at the height of the franchise's popularity, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie brought the titular heroes to the big screen with a larger budget, redesigned costumes, and a brand new villain to contend with. Behind the scenes, however, there was an entirely different battle being fought. We trace the project's troubled development and the many changes that reshaped the film along the way. We also discuss the movie's complicated relationship with the continuity of the television series, how it was received by critics and fans, whether or not this feels suitably cinematic compared to the show, and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Originally pitched as a television series in the early 2000s, Zombieland was ultimately reconceived as a feature film. Join us as we trace the project's unusual journey from rejected TV pilot, to low-budget direct-to-video concept, to hit studio release. Along the way, we dig into the film's distinctive sense of humor, the chemistry between its unforgettable cast, and how the story evolved as its scope grew larger. We also discuss whether Zombieland: Double Tap managed to recapture the original's magic, the ill-fated Amazon television pilot that brought the franchise full circle, where Zombieland could go from here, and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

What began as a spec script for The X-Files evolved into one of horror's most enduring modern franchises. By stripping away the traditional slasher formula and replacing the killer with fate itself, Final Destination turned everyday spaces and ordinary objects into sources of dread. We trace the project's unconventional origins and how director James Wong and writer Glen Morgan transformed a familiar teen horror setup into something more unique. Along the way, we dig into the film's elaborate death sequences, the challenge of creating tension without a physical antagonist, how later entries perfected the formula, and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're stepping into the stylish, seductive, and deeply divisive world of Dressed to Kill. Released at the height of Brian De Palma's fascination with voyeurism, identity, and cinematic sleight of hand, the film is both a love letter to classic thrillers and a provocation in its own right. Drawing heavily from the work of Alfred Hitchcock (that's putting it mildly) while pushing further into sex, violence, and dreamlike excess, Dressed to Kill quickly became one of the most controversial films of its era. We discuss how De Palma's visual style helps put a new spin on familiar material, dig into the film's elaborate set pieces, and of course, attempt to unpack its depiction of gender and identity. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's new EP on Spotify and Bandcamp