Spooky Tuesday - A Horror Movie Podcast

Is it just us, or are all these macho men kind of making eyes at each other? This week, we're heading into the jungle to encounter a creature we've never faced before — Predator (1987) — while armed with our hallmark homoerotic subtext goggles. That's right, these babies don't just have thermal or infrared vision, they can also pick apart all of the complicated threads of the poly relationships between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and their ragtag crew of body building heroes from over a mile away. Join us as we talk about masculinity, mandibles, memes, and more on our newest episode of Spooky Tuesday. References:https://meathookcinema.com/2017/11/24/no-homo-john-mctiernans-predator-1987/https://screenrant.com/predator-1987s-hidden-meanings-make-it-deeper-than-you-realized/https://screenrant.com/1987-predator-rewatch-aged-well/https://screenrant.com/predator-behind-scenes-facts-arnold-schwarzenegger-john-mctiernan-movie/https://dejareviewer.com/2014/04/01/predator-is-surprisingly-deep-action-movie/https://loudandclearreviews.com/predator-1987-film-review-action-thriller/https://avp.fandom.com/wiki/Yautja_(Predator)https://www.cbr.com/predator-rocky-origin/

We know, we know, The Descent: Part 2 (2009) might just be one of the most hated sequels in horror history, but what if for Chelsea's birthday we pretend it wasn't? On our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're picking up right where we left off two years ago and heading back into those unexplored Appalachian caves, where we're discovering even *more* gay subtext than we found the first time around. This episode has it all — toxic yuri, throuples, and CLEAR references to other films like Sky High and I Know What You Did Last Summer — so turn your brain pea-sized like a crawler's and simply enjoy the silliness of a movie that answers the all-important question: where exactly *do* the cave creatures poop?References: https://www.thefrightclubni.com/post/exclusive-the-descent-turns-16-interview-with-shauna-macdonaldhttps://fanlore.org/wiki/Toxic_Yaoi/Yurihttps://www.reddit.com/r/FIlm/comments/s5eg66/the_descent_2005_a_film_about_queer_childbirth/https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/130krnn/what_was_the_point_of_the_descent_part_ii_so_they/https://x.com/spooky_tuesday/status/1706369802007351415

Can a Fifth Tuesday be the *first* Tuesday of the month? We're pretty sure we laid that groundwork over the summer, which is why we're kicking off back-to-school season with Sky High (2005), our non-spooky freebie for September. Though it definitely brings the Halloween dress up vibes, this flick may be more family friendly than fearsome, but it still stars horror icons like Kurt Russell, Bruce Campbell and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. With its empowering message, extremely pleasing color palette, and an all-time bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold performance in Warren Peace, this movie was the moment back in the day — and, 20 years later, we're talking on our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday about why it still is. References:https://screenrant.com/sky-high-movie-trivia-facts/https://www.cbr.com/sky-high-2-doomed-sequel-story-details/https://thedisinsider.com/2024/06/01/sky-high-director-reveals-plans-for-potential-sequel/https://thedisinsider.com/2024/03/06/sky-high-director-is-ready-for-a-sequel/https://screenrant.com/sky-high-almost-got-sequel-save-university/

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, several different European countries came together to make a new body horror black comedy. A fairytale retelling from the perspective of a traditional Cinderella side character, The Ugly Stepsister (2025) doesn't shy away from how gruesome those classic stories can be. This flick was also a near-winner for our quarterly Patreon poll, so we figured the best way to end Au-Guessed You Might Want Us to Continue the New Release Theme Into August would be to throw it back several centuries to the days of yore. Join us on our latest Spooky Tuesday as we talk tape worm eggs, try our hands at improv, and ponder the never-ending pressure to be young and beautiful. References:https://youtu.be/iXHCOR-FPrE?si=Q-SDIAf3Yk41oJTGhttps://youtu.be/TeEAlWSIY3E?si=gaMGpu7r7qWI-Vq8https://www.grimmstories.com/en/grimm_fairy-tales/aschenputtelhttps://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm021.htmlhttps://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.htmlhttps://plasticsurgeryofboston.com/the-origin-of-plastic-surgery/https://www.123dentist.com/123-dentist-presents-history-braces/https://www.tiktok.com/@history_with_amy/video/7281247339480681761https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-ugly-stepsister-review-1235087462/https://www.vulture.com/article/review-the-ugly-stepsister-is-fairy-tale-body-horror.html

We did it, Spookies! We finally made it to our 249th episode, the milestone that is of course the most important and special and that all podcasts strive to reach! Given this momentous occasion, we wanted to celebrate with a bang — which is why we just couldn't wait to tackle Weapons (2025), the movie our Patrons voted for us to cover this quarter. One of the summer's biggest releases and a flick taking over the horror meme-o-sphere, Zach Cregger's latest project had audiences rushing to theaters, and here at Spooky Tuesday we were definitely part of the crowd. Join us this week as we talk about iconic cameos (Justin Long? June Diane Raphael? Aquamarine?!), narrative structure, and our new-found love for Austin Abrams. References:https://youtu.be/dzwMW6nHyhQ?si=SCugIz2vwLNcidNUhttps://youtu.be/KxUJq7BKgqw?si=EeFselZpsZ43xsAXhttps://youtu.be/xWZBtA7QuTs?si=0PcZPBLX4YjgMY9zhttps://youtu.be/gh-bYGENJz0?si=FcSPvfSgNVec2PDihttps://youtu.be/RqAWj4irMM8?si=MK_pH6ATszjLIiRthttps://fandomwire.com/zach-creggers-floating-gun-scene-in-weapons-offers-no-definite-answers-i-dont-understand-it/https://www.ign.com/articles/weapons-has-a-secret-weapon-and-thats-why-its-a-great-horror-moviehttps://thedirect.com/article/weapons-2025-movie-title-explainedhttps://gizmodo.com/weapons-spoilers-zach-cregger-gladys-amy-madigan-2000637376https://www.slashfilm.com/1934386/weapons-aunt-gladys-villain-motivation-explained/

It's any Spooky's dream to own an antiques store full of all kinds of haunted odds and ends, but Darcy is struggling with a nightmare in Oddity (2024). After the murder of her twin sister, she's determined to know more about the man who committed the crime — and her clairvoyant powers are all she needs if she can just get her hands on a few specific items. On a new Spooky Tuesday, we're sticking with our theme of new (enough) releases as we explore an Irish indie flick firmly grounded in the overlap between our world and the next. References:https://mashable.com/article/oddity-wooden-man-damian-mccarthyhttps://mashable.com/article/oddity-ending-explainerhttps://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/oddity-review-1234966875/https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/oddity-wooden-man-paul-mcdonnell-damian-mccarthy-interview-1235029113/

Spookies, Au-Guessed That You Might Want Us to Continue the New Release Theme Into August, which is why we're keeping our coverage recent with Strange Darling (2024). Though it first debuted on the festival scene in 2023, JT Mollner's out-of-order story hit theaters just last year, and it left audiences buzzing. Not only did Willa Fitzgerald and scream king Kyle Gallner deliver powerful performances as The Lady and The Demon, the nature of the narrative also lent itself to some major discourse. On top of that, it features cameos from Barbara Hershey, Ed Begley Jr., and the most intense breakfast we've ever laid eyes on, so needless to say we've got a lot to sink our teeth into on a new Spooky Tuesday. Bon appétit!References: https://scriptmag.com/interviews-features/flipping-the-script-on-the-final-girl-a-conversation-with-strange-darling-writer-director-jt-mollnerhttps://saltlakefilmreview.com/2024/08/24/strange-darling-has-some-serious-problems/https://www.thetribune.ca/a-e/misogynistic-tropes-in-strange-darling-overshadow-its-thrills-10092024/https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/1foonqt/lets_talk_about_the_sexual_politics_of_strange/https://decider.com/2025/03/04/strange-darling-ending-explained-strange-darling-end-credits-podcast-art-pallone/https://youtu.be/SSaLydxSjSk?si=lTemJrJh4BiucFXPhttps://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1eypgxs/hey_rmovies_im_jt_mollner_director_and/

You know what we did last summer, Spookies — which is why we had to bring back I Know What You Did Last 🤘 SUMMER 🤘 for the release of the newest film in the franchise. Taking a sort of Scream 5 requel approach (and borrowing a few other things from the Scream series), this flick introduced us to a new crew of Gen Z youngsters while also revisiting familiar faces. But how does it measure up against the originals? And does it even need to as long as it's better than that straight-to-video third movie? On our latest episode and the last installment of Ju-Lying If You Said You Didn't Want Us to Cover Some New Releases This July (as we've been calling it all month), we're heading back to Southport with I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025).References: https://variety.com/2025/film/features/jennifer-love-hewitt-i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-brandy-1236464471/https://people.com/lola-tung-nicholas-alexander-chavez-cut-i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-exclusive-11766135https://people.com/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-director-defends-twist-exclusive-11774571https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/07/19/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-killer-spoilers/84518416007/https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1m2q3hj/comment/n3tlksu/https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/1m2orn9/comment/n4mrps1/?context=3https://x.com/JennKaytin/status/1947404141980225615

The new releases just keep coming, Spookies! This week we're covering Companion (2025), the hotly anticipated horoco/hocoro that stars some of the biggest up-and-comers in the genre. Featuring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid as a retro-futuristic couple — no matter how much of an oxymoron that might sound like — and with support from Lukas Gage, Harvey Guillén, and Megan Suri, this flick doesn't pull any punches on its performances. We don't want to say too much (unlike the trailers, which gave away the whole goat or whatever the saying is), but we're asking the important questions and breaking down all the best bits on the latest Spooky Tuesday. References:https://screenrant.com/companion-2-chances-unlikely-explained-drew-hancock/

If we're sticking with our sneaky theme of new releases, then we *have* to talk about Sinners (2025). One of the biggest movies to hit screens this year — and already the subject of future Oscar speculation — Ryan Coogler's latest collab with bestie Michael B. Jordan had audiences buzzing. This movie produced its fair share of both ~discourse~ and discussion, and we're adding our voices to the choir as we break down the vampire design, fall in love with Wunmi Mosaku and Hailee Steinfeld, and talk about that very important tutorial on how to eat some ice cream.  References: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-04-16/ryan-coogler-ludwig-goransson-sinners-music-blueshttps://historycanthide.substack.com/p/everything-you-missed-in-ryan-cooglershttps://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/sahel-sunjata-stories-songshttps://screenrant.com/sinners-soundtrack-song-guide/https://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/sinners-ludwig-goransson-sinners-soundtrack-ryan-coogler-1236368959/https://www.aaihs.org/the-sinners-movie-syllabus/https://www.indiewire.com/features/podcast/sinners-ryan-coogler-inspiration-explained-1235115400/https://www.spectrecollie.com/2025/04/21/pick-poor-robin-clean-one-more-thing-i-love-about-sinners/

Spookies, would you rather A) face off against a single clown in a cornfield B) take on one corn in a whole field of clowns or C) talk about Ginny and Georgia when you’re supposed to be recording a horror movie podcast? On our latest episode, we’re exploring all three of those options as we cover Katie Douglas in Clown in a Cornfield (2025). Based on a series of books from Adam Cesare, this flick is giving summer slasher in the best way, and we’re breaking down the tropes, familiar faces, and possible sequels on a new Spooky Tuesday. References: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/clown-in-a-cornfield-twist-explained-author-adam-cesare-1236396086/

We may be done with the theme months for now, but just like you can never escape death, you can't really get away from a Spooky Tuesday theme event. This week, we're throwing it back to 2022's Final Destination Summer as we cover Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025). A return to the franchise with a fresh perspective on the formula, this flick dives deep into the lore and brings back one last appearance from the iconic Tony Todd. On our latest episode, we're sharing our favorite deaths, debating the stakes, and discussing what's the deal with all those premonitions. References:Behind the Opening SequenceTony Todd FeatureEvery FD Death Explainedhttps://collider.com/final-destination-bloodlines-not-the-origin-story-no-character-overlap-explained-adam-stein-zach-lipovsky/https://www.npr.org/2025/05/24/nx-s1-5409322/final-destination-bloodlines-deathhttps://www.landofgeek.com/posts/final-destination-bloodlines-easter-eggshttps://finaldestination.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Destination:_Destination_Zero

We want it to be good for you, Spookies — which is why we left our final pick for Homoerotic Thriller Pride in our Patron's hands. To round out the month, we're ending with a bow and Black Swan (2010), a balletic horror that fulfills all your body horror (and body pleasure) fantasies. Starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis with supporting performances from Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder, this flick strives for perfection, and we dare say they just might reach it if you take all of the critical approval into account. Seriously, this Darren Aronofsky film had a decent showing at the Academy Awards, but whether it redeems him in our eyes after Mother!, well, that's up for discussion. References:https://btchflcks.com/2013/12/the-horror-of-female-sexual-awakening-black-swan.htmlhttps://www.thepinknews.com/2012/07/12/black-swans-gay-love-scene-prompts-more-complaints-than-any-other-film/https://filmschoolrejects.com/black-swan-ocd/https://medium.com/@snehanarayan/black-and-white-the-real-reason-black-swan-is-a-tragedy-0a91e969d87dhttps://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3549664/horror-queers-lesbian-hallucinations-metoo-sexual-repression-black-swan/https://www.theclassicalgirl.com/10-reasons-real-ballet-dancers-hate-black-swan/

The idea of making a movie that’s both homoerotic and thrilling is hardly new, which is why we decided to throw it back to the ‘40s for our third installment of Homoerotic Thriller Pride. On the latest Spooky Tuesday, we’re talking about Cat People (1942), a subtly sapphic creature feature about Irena, a recent immigrant who fears her passions may come with dangerous consequences. Given that this flick was made under the Hays Code, there’s a lot it couldn’t show or even really hint it, but it’s been viewed through a queer lens for decades. This week, we’re pointing out parallels and pondering the past as we dabble in cinematic history. References: https://www.horrorhomeroom.com/cat-people-1942-coding-lesbianism-via-otherness/https://wordpress.lehigh.edu/screams/2020/03/22/cat-people-1942/ https://screenqueens.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/cat-people-exploring-lesbianism-through-the-otherness/https://unimelbfilmsoc.org/2022/11/30/a-retrospective-review-cat-people-1942-and-1982/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_Code

When it comes to erotic thrillers, Mulholland Drive (2001) is one of the classics — and given that it opens with a serendipitous sapphic love story between a Hollywood hopeful and an amnesiac A-list actress, it felt like a must-do for this year's pride lineup. Though the 2.5 hour runtime may be daunting to new viewers, this movie earns every minute, mixing mystery with the charm of an unexpected romance. And we do mean unexpected. Known for his surrealist style, David Lynch wrote and directed a film that takes you on a journey as it examines love, loss, and the meaning of dreams. Also, Billy Ray Cyrus is there for a second, too. References:https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/mulholland-drive-explained/https://www.mulholland-drive.net/studies/swap.htmhttps://screenrant.com/mulholland-drive-behind-scenes-facts-david-lynch-hollywood-satire/https://theasc.com/articles/mulholland-drive-cinematic-journeyhttps://medium.com/outtake/in-plain-sight-the-hidden-symbolism-in-mulholland-drive-4183752813e1https://screenrant.com/interpretations-of-mulholland-drive/https://medium.com/@ashfaq.mf/metaphor-in-mulholland-drive-2dcfbb029271https://afterellen.com/importance-mulholland-drive-sapphic-cinematic-history/

For our Nic May-ge finale, we saved the best for last. We're finishing off our month-long Cage Rage by delving deep with Mandy (2018), an atmospheric adventure that explores the nature of grief and revenge. Full of rich, saturated colors and '80s rock and roll bangers, this flick is the perfect mix of vibes and emotion. Plus, it also features full-frontal male nudity, drug trips, and tigers, so really what else could you need, are we right?References: https://mandysoundtrack.bandcamp.com/album/amulet-of-the-weeping-maze-from-the-mandy-original-motion-picture-soundtrackhttps://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/9g1skw/piecing_together_some_of_the_horror_influences_on/https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueFilm/comments/ahhn4j/does_anyone_have_any_theories_on_the_meaning_of/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula_hawkhttps://nofilmschool.com/camp-film-festivalhttps://screenrant.com/nic-cage-mandy-every-80s-movie-reference-explained/https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/mandy-how-heavy-metal-inspired-2018s-most-psychedelic-action-horror-film/https://screenrant.com/mandy-behind-scenes-facts-panos-cosmatos-nicolas-cage-horror-movie/https://www.moviemaker.com/how-they-did-it-panos-cosmatos-mandy/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3515039/nicolas-cage-character-mandy-inspired-jason-voorhees/https://ew.com/movies/2018/08/10/nicolas-cage-mandy-jason-voorhees/https://www.vulture.com/2018/09/lets-talk-about-the-most-harrowing-scene-in-mandy.html

It’s that time of year, Spookies! Sydney’s back in town, and that means we get to record another very special in-person episode, and this one’s all about Drive Angry (2011). For our third installment of NIC MAY-GE, we’re focusing on a grindhouse-inspired thriller where the man of the month teams up with Amber Heard. An adrenaline-fueled adventure that sees this duo facing off against Billy Burke, this flick dials up the sex, style, and violence, and it’s one you definitely don’t want to watch with your dad — despite the father-daughter themes. Join us (and Nicolas Cage) as we hit the road at high speeds like we’re escaping from hell itself. References:

They say there's no love like the kind you get from your parents — except for maybe in Mom and Dad (2017). For our second installment of NIC MAY-GE, we're leaving the coast behind and heading deep into the suburbs... and a world where mothers and fathers are mysteriously turning on their own children. With Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair teaming up for a black comedy that turns the ~natural order of things~ on its head, this flick is a wild romp that takes less than 90 minutes (allegedly) to get through. Tune in to our latest episode as we debate poor optics, iconic visuals, and how this whole thing might work. References:https://www.filminquiry.com/interview-brian-taylor-mom-and-dad/https://rue-morgue.com/exclusive-interview-mom-dad-writer-director-brian-taylor-on-killing-kids-nicolas-cages-madness-and-more/

When one theme month ends, another begins — or at least that's the way it goes at Spooky Tuesday these days. Next up? NIC MAY-GE, a.k.a. four weeks of scary movies all dedicated to the works of Nicolas Cage. We're kicking things off with The Wicker Man (2006), an American reimagining of the 1973 folk horror, but what makes this flick most famous is a line that didn't actually make the theatrical cut. On our newest episode, we're playing compare and contrast between all the various versions as we dig into the conspiracy theory of it all, shout out some iconic quotes, and try to tell apart an island of beautiful blondes. References:Alternate Ending: https://youtu.be/rvMwSrh0aGs?si=usPemjSOs6lneKgwhttps://collider.com/why-is-the-wicker-man-2006-so-bad-nicolas-cage/https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2022/2/22/the-wicker-man-is-a-gloriously-unhinged-cult-classic-thats-one-of-the-best-bad-movies-ever-madehttps://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3576363/second-chances-wicker-man-remake-misunderstood-gem-just-plain-bad/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a39510660/nicolas-cage-defends-wicker-man-bees-scene/https://screenrant.com/wicker-man-malus-bees-failed-ritual-theory/https://beeculture.com/the-wicker-man-the-eye-of-the-beholder/https://www.speakupaskanswer.com/blog/2014/07/22/the-wicker-man-2006https://decentfilms.com/reviews/wickerman2006https://www.facultyofhorror.com/2015/04/episode-26-mother-lover-matriarchy-in-the-wicker-man-1973-2006-and-paranormal-activity-3-2011/https://ttkmeup.com/blog/2020/4/24/the-wicker-man-hilariously-hating-women-since-2006

You did it, Spookies! You survived PLANET OF THE APE-RIL! So to celebrate, we thought we'd spend our final installment exploring the new era of the franchise. In many ways, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) is as much a prequel as it is a reboot, and it offers an interesting starting point for an updated look at this story. With our now extensive knowledge of the original movies, we're ready to talk not only about all of the CLEAR references sprinkled throughout, but also to analyze what might be coming down the pipeline for the future of the Planet of the Apes. References:https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/16wybuq/references_to_previous_planet_of_the_apes/?share_id=zK4W7bipDGZBgl59VSCjX&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=4