The Sunday Scaries

Rick and Trav continue their wee pivot into earlier 2026 releases as they cover Damian McCarthy's 2026 horror film Hokum.  Rick reveals his clairvoyance in knowing every single twist in the movie, Travis expresses his concern about people who decide to take a nap while a witch is literally circling around your bed.

Rick and Trav are stranded on Podcast Island. Luckily for this episode, covering Sam Raimi's SEND HELP (2026) starring Rachel McAdams, they are joined by the only one out of the three of them that knows how to spot a poisonous plant or properly double lash a raft, industry professional, new homeowner, and Rick's patient partner: Sarah Shady. Together the 3 of them discuss the enduring power of Blondie, how men underestimate the difficulty of domestic labor, and Dylan O'brien's ass.

(00:00:30) - Introducing Sarah Shady

(00:04:08) - Intro

(00:04:34) - Horror Movie News

(00:06:30) - Watching Movies as a Production Worker

(00:08:06) - Synopsis

(00:08:55) - Overall Thoughts

(00:13:32) - Rachel McAdams Movies

(00:15:00) - Themes

(00:24:22) - Production Notes

(00:28:50) - Casting

(00:33:18) - Scare-O-Meter

(00:37:29) - Highlights

(00:47:15) - Awards

(01:27:40) - Scream King or Queen

(01:29:22) - Next Week

In memory of Sam Neill who recently passed on July 13, 2026, Rick and Trav honor the legendary Horror King Kiwi by covering his personal favorite of his filmography - Andrzej Żuławski's POSSESSION (1981). Starring a historical turn from Isabelle Adjani, this iconic psychological horror has confounded audiences for over 4 decades and counting - yet we keep coming back for more.... Also covered: tentacle appendages, blood sausage, and why you should be careful around older, erotic German men who also happen to be martial artists. RIP Sam Neill.

(00:02:07) - Random Banter

(00:04:10) - Horror Movie News

(00:06:45) - Intro / In Memory of Sam Neill (1947-2026)

(00:13:35) - Synopsis 

(00:14:08) - Overall Thoughts / Themes

(00:24:30) - Production Notes / Casting

(00:30:10) - Box Office

(00:33:30) - Overall Thoughts / Themes Pt. II

(00:48:10) - Scare-o-Meter

(00:50:08) - Highlights

(00:55:25) - Awards

(01:24:30) - Scream Queen or King

(01:27:15) - Next Week

Our groovy road finally reaches it's destination, as Rick and Trav talk about Sébastien Vaniček's 2026 newest installment in the Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Burn.  If you have the palette to distinguish fresh mashed potatoes from frozen, this one's for you.

Rick & Trav take on a domestic deadite in EVIL DEAD RISE (2023). In the process they cover Otis-sanctioned elevator weight limits, Lee Cronin’s Lee Cronin-isms, and the true horror of dropping a box of pizza.

We are also dedicating this episode to Ricky’s neighbor Bob and his dog Xena, who he lost in a recent house fire. Gofund Me can be found here if you’re interested in helping Bob get back on his feet: https://gofund.me/875d60181

(00:02:10) - GoFundMe for Bob

(00:05:04) - Lee Cronin’s Lee Cronin Segment

(00:10:20) - Overall Thoughts

(00:18:00) - Themes

(00:21:12) - Production Notes

(00:26:17) - Box Office

(00:27:26) - Cast and Crew

(00:29:22) - Connective Tissue

(00:35:40) - Scare-O-Meter

(00:38:28) - Highlights

(00:45:20) - Deep Cuts

(00:48:00) - Awards

(01:19:20) - Scream Queen or King

(01:21:20) - Next Week

Rick and Trav continue their demonic trip down The Groovy Road to Evil Dead Burn as they cover Fede Alvarez's 2013 revitalization of the franchise with EVIL DEAD.  Warning: Drugs, deadites, and dogs named 'Grandpa' lie ahead.

(00:02:57) - Intro

(00:04:40) - Synopsis 

(00:05:25) - Overall Thoughts

(00:21:55) - Production Notes

(00:27:25) - Jane Levy!

(00:31:45) - Box Office, Scrapped Sequel Plans, & Rights Issues

(00:38:02) - Rest of the Cast

(00:40:35) - Scare-o-Meter

(00:43:00) - Highlights

(00:43:07) - Awards

(01:30:22) - Scream Queen or King

(01:32:25) - Next Episode

The Groovy Road to EVIL DEAD BURN continues with the inconceivably batshit insane ARMY OF DARKNESS, the third installment of the Evil Dead franchise. Rick and Trav cover this movie’s connections to Hannibal, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (1986), why it wasn’t titled MEDIEVAL DEAD, why the “Ash vs. Evil Dead” TV show can’t reference this film, and the louder-than-a-boom-stick history of Sun Chips. This is Bruce Campbell at his most Bruce Campbell. Hail to the king, baby.

(00:00:55) - Random Banter

(00:02:36) - Horror News

(00:05:08) - Intro

(00:09:21) - Synopsis

(00:10:10) - Overall Thoughts

(00:16:10) - Production Notes

(00:26:20) - Cast & Crew

(00:31:30) - Highlighting Bruce Campbell

(00:32:30) - Box Office

(00:37:12) - Scare-O-Meter

(00:37:55) - Awards

(01:07:55) - Scream Queen or King

(01:11:33) - Next Week

In anticipation of the release of EVIL DEAD BURN (2026), Rick and Trav begin their trek through the entire franchise, starting with a first for the podcast, a DOUBLE FEATURE, diving into the lore and cultdom of Sam Raimi's THE EVIL DEAD (1981) and EVIL DEAD 2 (1987). Welcome to The Groovy Road to Evil Dead Burn.

(01:42) - Movie News

(06:05) - Introducing our new franchise series: The Groovy Road to EVIL DEAD BURN

(14:40) - Our Relationship to Evil Dead 

(20:57) - Synopsis

(21:15) - The History of THE EVIL DEAD’s Production

(42:00) - The History of THE EVIL DEAD’s Distribution

(50:15) - The Brief History of EVIL DEAD 2 & Continuity Questions

(56:42) - Cast & Crew

(01:01:40) - Scare-o-Meter

(01:06:08) - Awards

(01:36:15) - Scream King or Queen

(01:38:57) - Next Week

Rick & Trav get lost in a litany of liminal linguini creepypasta. From the electrical spend of an infinite set of backroom (rooms?) to Real Life therapists no-clipping their way into a suspended license, the Duo of Dread talk all things Analog Horror, Uncanny Valley, and where Kane Parsons sits amongst next Gen(Z)eration of spooky filmmakers. 

(01:00) - Random Banter

(03:52) - Intro

(04:20) - State of the Union of Horror Movies in 2026

(05:23) - Is horror back? Was it ever gone? 

(08:22) - The Terror of Generative A.I.

(10:04) - Synopsis

(10:35) - Our Viewing Experiences (sponsored by AMC A-List)

(15:45) - The Origin Story of BACKROOMS

(20:48) - Overall Thoughts

(28:11) - Box Office 

(31:40) - Kane Parsons and Production Notes

(35:55) - Production Design & Cinematography

(38:22) - Casting

(42:55) - Scare-O-Meter Rating

(45:33) - Highlights

(47:37) - Deep Cuts & Flea Market Montgomery 

(50:14) - Awards

(01:17:38) - Scream King or Queen

(01:20:18) - Coming Next Week

This week we reach back into the vault for an episode recorded back in January this year, but we're just now releasing. Don't be scared, this one is worth the wait, as Nia DaCosta's The Bone Temple is quite possibly the best installment in the franchise to date.

(01:44) - Intro

(04:45) - Synopsis

(05:18) - What 28 DAYS LATER franchise movies do you need to see beforehand?

(10:38) - Travis' D-BOX experience (!)

(12:20) - Overall Thoughts

(18:25) -  Box Office

(20:10) - Production Notes

(26:55) - Casting

(35:13) - Return of the Hanging Dong 

(38:11) - Rick the Theatre Hero

SPOILER WARNING FROM HERE ON OUT

(40:52) - Themes

(47:53) - Deep Cuts

(57:00) - Scare-O-Meter

(57:39) - Highlights

(01:04:40) - Ranking the 28 DAYS LATER Franchise

(01:07:32) - Awards

(01:51:25) - Scream King or Queen

(01:53:45) - Outro

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