How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's Boxing Day, and there's a mole at the very top of The Circus...   No, it's not a strange sequel to Wind in the Willows... Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) tells the story of George Smiley and all his friends as he tries to work out which one of them is a traitor, working under the pay of the KGB. (Smiley, it should be noted, is a member of the British Foreign Intelligence service, and it's generally quite bad when a member of the service is selling secrets to the Soviets).   We discuss the risks of falling in love; the benefits of being likeable; and the merits of mistrusting anything that's too good to be true.   All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?   This film was chosen by our Patron, Steve. If you want to help us decide the films we cover, head to Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod and sign up to unlock bonus episodes, early launches and more!   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: I bet you're the best watcher in the unit. As long as you've got your specs on.   Next up we're rounding out 2022 with a few films we missed along the way.   Get in touch! [email protected]   Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's Christmas Eve, and that can only mean one thing...the Coca-Cola Santa is just a hoax.   Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) tells the story of a group of researchers who, while drilling into a mountain in Lapland, make an incredible and terrifying discovery that rewrites everything we know about Father Christmas. Can a nearby group of Reindeer farmers and their children save the day in time for Christmas?   We discuss a festive horror favourite that turns out to be a surprisingly heartfelt Christmas treat, a classic tale of Father Son bonding, question the gun safety of Lapland Reindeer farmer families and the hiring practices of Father Christmas zealots.   All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?   This film was chosen by two of our lovely patrons - Kate and Moin. If you want to help us decide the films we cover, head to Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod and sign up to unlock bonus episodes, early launches and more!   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: Santa is going to find out who is naughty and nice!   Next time, it's Christmas party time on Boxing Day with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, available on Disney Plus.   Get in touch! [email protected]   Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 258...and please don’t say 'mouth feel.'   The Menu (2022) follows Margot on a dinner date with Tyler to the exclusive island restaurant Hawthorne. Hawthorne is a tasting menu experience designed by its reclusive and obsessive head chef Julian Slowik. The theme of Slowik's menus only make sense once you finish the final course, but it seems as though some of the diners might not make it that far.   We discuss a film serving up several courses-worth of delights, break down the key ingredients of a horror movie dinner scene, discuss the dishes we'd cook under pressure, and unravel the mysterious meanings of Slowik's dining experience as a whole.   All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: There are NO substitutions at Hawthorne!   Next time, it's time for a festive treat that is yet to be decided.   Get in touch! [email protected]   Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 257...and after you've taken everything, what will be left?   The Feast (2021) tells the story of a Welsh family who are hosting a dinner party for their neighbours and a business associate. Catering support is provided by Cadi, a local girl, who seems weighed down by some secret and confused by the actions of the family preparing for their party. Eventually, things take a turn, and let's leave it at that.   We talk about serving food on appropriate crockery; how to time a business proposition; and the appropriate amount of time to overlook someone's inexplicable muteness.   All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: My parents are so full-on so intense. If I don't take something before long, I might kill them.   Next time, food season continues with The Menu.   Get in touch! [email protected] Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 256...and do I look like some kind of monster?   Barbarian (2022) tells the story of Tess, a young woman who shows up to an AirBnB in the middle of the night to find it already occupied. Thanks to a double-booking she and her unexpected roommate, Keith are forced to spend the night together. Is Keith all he seems? That's not the half of it.   We talk about familiar notes played perfectly; the benefits of listening to the experts; and the best ways to convince the police to take an interest in helping you.   All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: Why is it always the girls who get their hearts ripped out in these things?   We're back in two weeks with Welsh language horror, 'The Feast'.   Get in touch! [email protected] Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 254...and today I'm going to be taking the World's Fair challenge.   We're All Going to the World's Fair (2022) tells the story of Casey, a lonely young woman who finds companionship and purpose though taking part in a strange online role playing game called The World's Fair Challenge. As she updates the world on the physical and psychological changes she feels since taking the challenge, she forms an unusual and co-dependent connection with another individual who may have nefarious motives.   We talk about one of the most unique films we've ever covered, share our experiences with the dark corners of the internet, unpack the film's various allegories and deeper meanings and also dish out advice on how to create the most addictive and compulsive online video platform without care for your viewers.   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: someday soon, I am just gonna disappear, and you won't have any idea what happened to me.   We're back in two weeks with 'American Southern Gothic psychological horror drama film' What Josiah Saw (available on Shudder in the UK).   Get in touch! [email protected] Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more. 

It's episode 255...and here I am. A survivor attempting to tell my story, and find healing. 

Halloween Ends (2022) tells the story of Corey Cunningham, a babysitter who gets more than he bargained for when he accidentally kills the child in his care. Avoiding jail time, he falls in love with Allison, the granddaughter of Laurie Strode, who is now fully recovered from the trauma of the last 40 years. Don’t worry about it. 

We talk about the most bewildering film sequel(s) of all time; the benefits of relocating; and hypocrisy runs rife when Joe starts handing out advice on microphone discipline. 

Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: a psycho meets a freak show. This is a match made in heaven.

Get in touch! [email protected] Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 253...and I'm smarter than a beaver.   Prey (2022) tells the story of Naru, a young Commanche woman who is eager to be recognised as a great hunter. To earn the respect of her peers, she intends to hunt a creature which normally preys on humans... but it's a classic case of be careful what you wish for, as an intergalactic hunter equipped with lasers, invisibility and a bad attitude has just rolled into town.   We talk about the honour codes of intergalactic hunters; the importance of taking your chances; and the obvious benefits of silencing any gargles, coughs and clicks when you're trying to employ stealth.   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: If it bleeds, we can kill it.   We're back in two weeks with 'exhilarating gaming horror mash-up' (The Guardian), We're All Going to the World's Fair, or if you don't want to wait that long, sign up to our 'That's Fine' tier on Patreon to get it a week early!   Get in touch! [email protected] Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 252...and this wasn't what I had in mind when I agreed to help out on your film.   X (2022) tells the story of aspiring pornstar Maxine, who takes a roadtrip to a remote farmhouse to shoot an adult film with her motley film crew buddies. Will the farm's elderly residents, including the mysterious and apparently infirm Pearl, prove happy about providing the backdrop for a smutty film? Who could say.   It's smiles all round as we discuss revisionist slashers and elderly flashers, alligators, octogenarian daters, electronic masturbators and fundamentalist Christian agitators, and ask ourselves whether this is the most likeable cast of survivors in the subgenre's history?   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: Pointing it and waving it around is usually enough to scare them straight.   We're back in two weeks with sci-fi sequel Prey (2022), or if you don't want to wait that long, sign up to our 'That's Fine' tier on Patreon to get it a week early!    Get in touch! [email protected]  Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's episode 251...and I mean, we really put on a show.   Nope (2022) tells the story of OJ and Emerald, horse-wrangling siblings struggling to keep the family ranch going in the wake of their father's untimely death. But when mysterious events beset their farm and the nearby theme park, the pair set out to collect undeniable evidence of the strange goings-on, with the help of an enthusiastic technician and a not-so-enthusiastic cinematographer.   We talk themes and theories, UAPs and UFOs, discuss having eyes bigger than your belly and painting eyes on the planet, and wonder whether anything in the film is anywhere near as scary as a chimp on the loose. All of which leads to one important question: how would you survive? Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: You don't look at it unless you want its attention.   We're back in two weeks for Ti West's X, or if you don't want to wait that long, sign up to our 'That's Fine' tier on Patreon to get it a week early!    Get in touch! [email protected]  Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod