Superstar horror author Caitlin Starling (The Graceview Patient, The Starving Saints, The Death of Jane Lawrence, The Luminous Dead, and many other works) returns to the show to discuss 2016's psychological horror film "A Cure for Wellness" directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Justin Haythe with Aaron and Derek. They get into how this movie thematically pairs well with Caitlin's new book The Graceview Patient, the pacing of gothic horror, and fears of claustrophobia and healthcare. They also talk about Mia Goth's performance vs the writing of her character, what makes this flick both ambitious and messy, the trope of a weird paternalistic doctor antagonist, and many other aspects of the movie. Caitlin wants to know why anybody would want to leave. Derek and Aaron want to know what the cure for the human condition is.

For Halloween 2025 and to wrap up the "High School Horror" Season of Spoop, Aaron and Derek are joined by Raf Stitt and Valerie Morreale of the Screenage Wasteland film website and The Canon Podcast to discuss 1996's slasher classic "Scream" directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. They talk about how "Scream" both honors and subverts slasher films, the thematic elements of mass violence in schools, and what it did in revitalizing horror in the 90s. They also get into the undertones of certain relationships between characters, the realism of Ghostface making the slasher more terrifying, all the references to other horror movies, and many other aspects of the film. Val and Raf have a favorite scary movie. Aaron and Derek's parents are going to be so mad at them.

For the second "high school horror" themed Season of Spoop episode, Heather returns to the show to discuss 1976's supernatural horror movie "Carrie" directed by Brian De Palma and adapted from the Stephen King book. They get into bullying in high school, whether or not Carrie is a sympathetic character, and how this adaptation's success impacted the careers of King, De Palma, and star Sissy Spacek. They also talk about how the mother character is the true villain, why most the horror comes from the experiences of an abused teenager, and many other aspects of the film. Heather can see your dirty pillows. Derek and Aaron really like poems.

It's October, so 2025's Season of Spoop begins! This year the theme is "high school horror." To start off this year's series, Nate and Tyler (hosts of the Hate Speech Podcast, The Bruce Campbell Podcast and Animorphing Time Podcast) return to discuss 1998's science fiction horror film "The Faculty" directed by Robert Rodriguez with a screenplay by Kevin Williamson.  They talk about what makes high school scary, the supreme late-90s nostalgia in this movie, and whether or not it still holds up. They also get into Kevin Williamson's writing, all the obvious horror movie references, what seems problematic under a modern lens, and many other aspects of the flick. Nate, Tyler, Derek and Aaron aren't aliens, they're discontent.

On this episode, Aaron and Derek take a road trip with 1975's road horror film "Race with the Devil" directed by Jack Starrett. They discuss RV culture, how this movie is a mix of 70s Satanic panic, road movies, car chases and hicksploitation, and the differences between Satanism in media in the 1970s vs the 80s and 90s. They also talk about the meeting of old school Hollywood and modern horror, Peter Fonda and Warren Oates' careers, the portrayal of authority and paranoia, and many other aspects of the movie. Aaron doesn't drive too well when he's asleep. Derek wants to race for $10.

On this episode, acclaimed author Caitlin Starling (The Luminous Dead, The Starving Saints, The Death of Jane Lawrence, etc.) joins Aaron and Derek to discuss 2010's Norwegian dark fantasy mockumentary "Trollhunter" written and directed by André Øvredal. They talk about Caitlin's bibliography, inspirations, writing process and experiences with professional publishing. They also get into Trollhunter's blending of Norwegian culture and folktale with grounded reality, the movie's exploration of bureaucracy and lack of oversight, the effective use of found footage in the revelation of trolls and plot progression, and many other aspects of the movie. Derek and Aaron are in troll territory now. Caitlin once saw a troll try to eat its own tail. 

On this episode, Aaron and Derek discuss 1995's haunted machine film "The Mangler" directed by Tobe Hooper and based off the 1972 Stephen King short story. They talk about how Hooper combined his humorous horror sensibilities with King's insane creative energy and adding more to what is an otherwise direct adaptation of the short story. They also get into Hooper's use of lighting and set dressing, the not so subtle exploration of capitalism and lack of oversight consuming everything, and how Hooper as a director always "goes for it." Derek is doing a little dance! Aaron has a little bit of that machine in him.

On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2001's psychological horror film "Frailty" directed by and starring Bill Paxton. They talk about Bill Paxton's creepy earnestness, how the writing cleverly handles multiple twists and reveals, and what makes this an effective horror movie without any jumpscares. They also get into McConaughey's proto-True Detective mannerisms, this flick's place between late 90s and aughts horror, and many other aspects of the movie. Aaron and Derek know that destroying demons is good.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," Damian returns to the show to talk the 1975 masterpiece film directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted from the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley. They discuss why "Jaws" is a horror movie first, the effect on merchandise pre-Star Wars, and how it popularized the summer blockbuster. They also get into personal experiences with the movie, the horrors of an uncaring force of nature, differences compared to the book, and many other aspects of the flick. Damian has doll's eyes. Aaron needs a bigger boat. Derek smiles.

On this episode, Heather returns to discuss 2002's post-apocalyptic horror film "28 Days Later" directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. They get into how the lo-fi quality helps enhance the movie, the effect it had on horror and pop culture, and what this did for the careers of Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris. They also talk about how this watch was different for Derek, the characterization of Selena, and many other aspects of the film. Aaron, Derek, and Heather will never hear another podcast that hasn't already been recorded.