Scream Creeps

In this episode of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Elaine return after a hiatus to tackle the 2021 slasher Halloween Kills. While not part of their "Science of Scare" countdown (yet), the team felt compelled to review this polarizing sequel just days after Halloween.

The discussion centers on the film's massive shift in tone from the 2018 reboot, moving from suspense to all-out warfare. The group notes the staggering body count—likely the highest in the franchise—and the brutal nature of the kills, including the firefighter massacre and the lightbulb throat stab. However, they are split on the execution of the plot. Josh expresses disappointment in the "mob mentality" storyline and the baffling decision to sideline Jamie Lee Curtis for most of the runtime. The crew also debates the "Evil Dies Tonight" mantra, the confusing hospital suicide scene, and the illogical choices made by characters who should know better (like bringing a small knife to a Michael Myers fight).

Key Highlights
[01:27] The Director & Production: A look at David Gordon Green and Danny McBride returning to direct/write, and how their comedy background influences the horror.
[06:42] A Massive Disappointment?: Josh shares his initial disappointment, noting that the film felt like "filler" to set up the final movie in the trilogy, Halloween Ends.
[08:05] The Firefighter Massacre: The group breaks down the controversial scene where Michael takes out an entire squad of armed firefighters, marking a shift towards him being an unstoppable force.
[12:10] Where is Laurie Strode?: A discussion on Jamie Lee Curtis being stuck in a hospital bed for the majority of the film, leaving the heavy lifting to side characters.
[13:24] The Mob Mentality Mistake: The crew criticizes the hospital scene where the mob chases an innocent mental patient to his death, feeling the social commentary was heavy-handed and poorly executed.
[33:21] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The team agrees this isn't a "creepy" movie but rather a gory one. If it were a "Goro-Meter," it would be a 10/10 due to the visceral nature of the kills (eyeball gouging, bone snapping).

In this episode of Scream Creeps, the team takes a break from their "Science of Scare" countdown (where #27 would have been Annabelle, which they already reviewed) to tackle the newly released The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Jeremy, Josh, and Elaine dive into the third installment of the main franchise, debating if it’s the strongest entry yet.

Unlike the haunted house formula of the previous films, this entry focuses on a procedural investigation and a "transference" of possession. Josh surprisingly claims this is the best Conjuring movie so far, praising the storyline over the pure scare factor, even though he felt the human "occultist" villain was weaker than a demon. The discussion touches on the real-life Arne Johnson case, the "serial killer" trophy room of the Warrens, and the controversial decision to have Ed Warren sidelined by a heart attack for most of the film. The group ends with a "Creepo-Meter" rating, generally agreeing it hovers around a 4/10 on the scare scale, relying more on body horror (like the "pretzel" contortions) than dread.

Key Highlights
[00:40] Break from the List: The hosts explain they are skipping the #27 spot (Annabelle) to review the newly released The Conjuring 3.
[02:27] Best of the Trilogy?: Josh argues that story-wise, this is the best Conjuring film, preferring the "transference" plot over the standard haunted house tropes.
[07:38] The True Story: A discussion on the real-life basis of the film—the trial of Arne Johnson, who claimed "the devil made me do it" after killing his landlord.
[20:31] The Warrens' Trophy Room: The crew questions the logic of keeping cursed objects like the occultist's chalice in a house instead of destroying them or locking them in a storage unit far away.
[26:27] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The group rates the film a 4 out of 10. While not terrifying, the body horror scenes involving bone-breaking contortions effectively grossed them out.
[33:27] What's Next: The team announces their upcoming schedule: a review of the Fear Street trilogy on Netflix before returning to the "Science of Scare" list.

In this episode of Screen Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, Joe, and special guest Dad (Paul) tackle #28 on the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science": the original 1980 slasher Friday the 13th. The team dives deep into the film that spawned a massive franchise, debating whether it truly qualifies as "horror" or if it sits firmly in the "slasher" sub-genre.

The discussion highlights the film's humble origins, noting that it was admittedly created to ride the coattails of Halloween (1978). Despite its low budget and "B-movie" status, the crew marvels at its massive box office return. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the "Mandela Effect" regarding the killer; while everyone associates the franchise with Jason Voorhees, the group revisits the shock of the original twist—that Jason's mother, Pamela Voorhees, was the one doing the killing. The episode wraps up with a nostalgic look back at the scare factor, with Paul noting that while it was a solid 7 or 8 on the "Creepo-Meter" in 1980, modern desensitization drops that score significantly today.

Key Highlights
[01:16] Science of Scare #28: The hosts introduce Friday the 13th as the 28th scariest movie according to science, based on heart rate studies. [05:08] Ripping Off Halloween: The group discusses how the producers explicitly aimed to copy the success of Halloween, placing ads for the film before the script was even written.
[07:39] Budget vs. Box Office: A breakdown of the financials, noting the film made nearly $60 million on a shoestring budget of roughly $550,000.
[14:15] Kevin Bacon’s Cameo: The crew points out one of the film's most famous trivia bits: a young Kevin Bacon in one of his earliest roles before hitting it big with Footloose.
[17:42] The Pamela Voorhees Twist: A discussion on the ending reveal, clarifying that Jason was not the killer in the first movie, and how subsequent sequels retconned his survival.
[46:22] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The team gives their scare ratings. Paul argues it was a 7/8 back in 1980, but the group agrees that by modern standards, it sits closer to a 3 or 4.

In Episode 13 of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Elaine tackle #29 on the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science" list: the 2007 Spanish horror film The Orphanage (El Orfanato), produced by Guillermo del Toro. While the movie is widely praised for its emotional depth and storytelling, the crew debates whether it truly belongs on a list of the scariest movies ever made.

The hosts are unanimous in their appreciation for the film's quality, highlighting its heartbreaking plot and the chilling "One, Two, Three, Knock on the Wall" game scene. However, they struggle to classify it as a true horror film, leaning more towards a supernatural tragedy or thriller. They discuss the devastating twist ending involving the fate of the missing son, Simon, and the eerie presence of the masked boy, Tomas. The episode also touches on the effectiveness of subtitles versus dubbing and the film's atmospheric tension over cheap jump scares.

Key Highlights
[00:46] Science of Scare #29: The hosts introduce The Orphanage as the 29th scariest movie according to scientific heart rate studies.
[02:40] Is It Scary?: A recurring theme in the review—while the movie is excellent, the crew questions if it's "scary" enough for its ranking, noting it feels more like a tragic drama with ghosts.
[05:20] The Game Scene: The group discusses the intense "One, Two, Three, Knock on the Wall" scene, which stands out as one of the few genuinely creepy moments.
[08:15] The Twist Ending: A breakdown of the heartbreaking reveal that Laura accidentally caused Simon's death, locking him in the basement where he fell and died.
[12:30] Guillermo del Toro's Influence: The hosts note the producer's signature style in the film's fairy-tale-like atmosphere and emotional storytelling.
[27:00] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The scores reflect the film's quality but lack of terror. Jeremy gives it a 2, while Josh and Elaine rate it similarly low on the "scare" scale, though all agree it's a must-watch film.

In Episode 11 of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Elaine continue their countdown of the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science," landing on #30: the 2013 sci-fi horror Dark Skies. The crew debates whether this film even belongs in the horror genre or if it's strictly a sci-fi thriller reminiscent of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The discussion is lukewarm at best. While Jeremy appreciated the subtle alien designs and the clever use of light reflections to create symbols, Josh and Elaine found the movie largely boring and filled with plot holes. They lament the underuse of the brilliant J.K. Simmons, whose character appears briefly to deliver exposition and then vanishes. The hosts also break down the ending twist—where the aliens take the older son instead of the younger one—and question the logic of the parents not noticing their child's massive bruises earlier.

Key Highlights
[00:46] Science of Scare #30: The hosts introduce Dark Skies as the 30th scariest movie according to the scientific study, though they question its placement.
[01:36] Horror or Sci-Fi?: A debate on the genre, with the group leaning towards it being a sci-fi thriller rather than a true horror film due to the lack of kills and focus on abduction.
[06:42] J.K. Simmons Cameo: The crew expresses disappointment that J.K. Simmons had such a small role, basically serving as an exposition dump for five minutes.
[07:17] The Twist Ending: A discussion on the finale, where the aliens abduct the older brother, Jesse, subverting the movie's focus on the younger Sam.
[15:43] Plot Holes: Josh points out major logic gaps, such as the parents not noticing their son's extensive bruising until a pool party and the lack of CPS involvement despite threats.
[27:06] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The scores are low again. Jeremy gives it a 1, while Josh and Elaine rate it a 2, agreeing it was watchable but far from scary.

In Episode 12 of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Elaine head to the Australian outback to review the 2005 horror film Wolf Creek, which lands at #31 on the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science" list. The crew debates whether the film's realistic, gritty approach to violence makes it a terrifying masterpiece or just a cringe-worthy slog.

The discussion centers on the film's infamous "head on a stick" scene, which Elaine found particularly disturbing, while Josh felt the movie was "lame" compared to other slashers like The Hills Have Eyes. They break down the character of Mick Taylor (John Jarratt), comparing him to a serial killer version of Crocodile Dundee, and question the logic of the protagonists' decisions. The group also debates the "based on true events" claim, noting its loose connection to the Ivan Milat murders, and wonders why this movie ranks so highly on a scientific scare list when it has such a low body count.

Key Highlights
[00:54] Science of Scare #31: The hosts introduce Wolf Creek as the 31st scariest movie according to the scientific study, noting its Australian origins and low budget.
[04:33] The Gore Factor: Elaine describes her visceral reaction to the "head on a stick" scene involving a severed spine, calling it "cringeworthy" in a disturbing way.
[07:45] Mick Taylor: A discussion on the antagonist, with the group noting the actor's performance and the eerie "Crocodile Dundee" vibes he gives off before turning violent.
[10:02] Logic Gaps: The crew critiques the "teleporting killer" trope, questioning how Mick always knew exactly where the escaping victims were hiding in the massive outback.
[27:00] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The scores are mixed. Elaine gives it a 5/10 for the "cringe" factor of the torture scenes, Josh rates it a 4/10, and Jeremy gives it a 3/10, citing a lack of atmospheric creepiness or effective music.
[40:30] Upcoming Schedule: The team announces that the next movie on the list is Dark Skies (#30), followed by The Orphanage (#29).

In Episode 10 of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Elaine (briefly) dive into number 33 on the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science" list: Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 masterpiece, The Shining. The crew debates whether the film is a story of a man driven mad by isolation or if the supernatural forces of the Overlook Hotel were in control from the start.

The hosts praise Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance as Jack Torrance, noting his natural creepiness even before the "madness" fully sets in. They also discuss the eerie performance of Danny Lloyd as Danny Torrance, whose "Redrum" scenes still send shivers down their spines. The conversation touches on the film's famous ambiguity, the differences between Stephen King's book and Kubrick's adaptation, and the memorable "Here's Johnny!" moment. They also touch on the sequel Doctor Sleep and how it expands the lore.

Key Highlights
[01:00] Science of Scare #33: The hosts introduce The Shining as the 33rd scariest movie according to scientific heart rate studies.
[02:45] Danny Torrance: Jeremy highlights Danny Lloyd's performance as the creepiest part of the movie, particularly his "Redrum" chanting. [09:20] "Here's Johnny!": A discussion on the famous improvised line, noting its origin from The Tonight Show and how it might be lost on modern audiences.
[12:35] Supernatural vs. Madness: The group debates if Jack was always a "douche" who just needed a push, or if the hotel's ghosts (like the bartender and the woman in Room 237) actively possessed him.
[15:00] Room 237: A breakdown of the pivotal scene where Jack encounters the woman in the bathtub, marking his full descent into the hotel's grip.
[36:00] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The scores are solid, with Josh giving it a 5-6/10, Jeremy a 5/10, and Elaine (before dropping off) a 4/10, agreeing it’s more atmospheric and tense than "jump-scare" scary.

In Episode 9 of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, Aaron, and Elaine continue their journey through the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science," landing on #34: Jordan Peele’s 2017 hit, Get Out. While the film is critically acclaimed, the Scream Creeps crew debates whether it truly belongs on a list of the scariest movies ever made.

The discussion focuses on the film's strength as a psychological thriller rather than a traditional horror movie. The hosts appreciate the subtle foreshadowing—like the deer symbolism and the dad's awkward attempts to relate to Chris—that becomes clear on a rewatch. However, they universally agree that the movie lacks the visceral fear or heart-pounding moments found in other entries like Sinister or The Conjuring. They also touch on the "hypnosis" aspect, sharing personal stories about whether hypnosis is real, and debate the effectiveness of the few jump scares present.

Key Highlights
[00:43] Science of Scare #34: The hosts introduce the movie as the 34th scariest film according to a scientific study based on heart rate. [03:10] Foreshadowing: A deep dive into the clues hidden in the first act, such as the dad's "I would have voted for Obama a third time" line and the way he describes the black servants.
[10:30] The Milk Scene: Josh points out the "psycho" energy of the daughter eating Froot Loops separately from a glass of milk while hunting for her next victim.
[11:08] Is It Scary?: The group unanimously agrees that while it's a great movie, it isn't "scary" in the traditional sense, questioning the methodology of the "Science of Scare" list.
[17:00] Hypnosis Debate: A funny detour where the crew discusses the reality of hypnosis, with Jeremy recounting a time Elaine was allegedly hypnotized at a comedy show.
[26:15] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The scores are rock bottom. All hosts—Jeremy, Josh, Aaron, and Elaine—give it a 0/10 on the "Creepo-Meter," emphasizing that while it's an excellent film, it didn't scare them at all.

In Episode 8 of Scream Creeps, the crew—Jeremy, Josh, and Aaron—shift gears from The Conjuring Universe to tackle the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science" list. First up is the #35 entry, Takashi Miike's 1999 cult classic Audition. While legends like Quentin Tarantino and Rob Zombie praise it as a masterpiece, the Scream Creeps hosts have a very different take.

The group universally pans the film for its excruciatingly slow pace, noting that the "horror" doesn't kick in until the final 15 minutes of the nearly two-hour runtime. They discuss the infamous "kiri-kiri-kiri" torture scene involving acupuncture needles and wire saws, but argue that the payoff wasn't worth the boredom. The conversation gets heated as they debate whether the protagonist was hallucinating the entire time, question the logic of drinking someone's vomit (allegedly real, according to trivia), and wonder why this movie is ranked on a "scariest movies" list at all.

Key Highlights
[01:13] New Series: The hosts introduce their new format, reviewing the "Top 35 Scariest Movies According to Science," starting with #35, Audition.
[04:21] The Slow Burn: A major complaint from all hosts is that the movie feels like a drama for the first hour and 40 minutes, with the horror elements only appearing at the very end.
[05:50] The Bag Scene: The crew discusses the gross-out moment involving a mutilated man in a bag eating vomit, which they found more disgusting than scary.
[15:43] Torture Porn?: A debate on whether the movie qualifies as "torture porn." Josh argues it barely qualifies compared to films like Saw or Hostel because the torture scene is relatively short.
[27:04] Hallucination Theory: The group theorizes that the main character might have been hallucinating the entire ending after being drugged, or perhaps he was the man in the bag all along.
[32:00] Creepo-Meter Ratings: The scores are brutal. Jeremy gives it a 0, Josh a 1, and Aaron a 3, agreeing that while it had shock value, it failed to be genuinely creepy or scary.