Podcast
The Complete Guide to Horror Movies
Want unsolicited explicit opinions on your favourite horror movies and franchises?
Join Justin, Coop and Byron as we take you through each horror movie franchise, sub-genre, time capsule and more as we examine each film, trivia and give our harsh truths and loud praises to the most underrated and underappreciated genre in the filmmaking world. Horror!
- Episodes
- 145
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 41 min
- On air since
- 2022
- Latest episode
- 1 week ago
Episodes
145 episodes, newest first
-
47 min
#134 - Body Melt (1993) Review
Season 5, Episode 24
Show notes
Health and Wellness meets Body Horror!Join BP, Coop and Justin as we do a deep dive review of Body Melt, the 1993 Australian independent body horror film directed by Philip Brophy and written by Brophy and Rod Bishop. Brophy and Bishop were members of the experimental music group → ↑ →. Brophy also composed the film's score.Body Melt follows Dr. Carrera (Ian Smith) and his assistant Shaan (Regina Gaigalas) who run the futuristic Vimuville health resort and conduct secret, unregulated human experiments.They distribute free, experimental "E-59" vitamin supplements to unsuspecting residents of Pebbles Court, a suburban cul-de-sac in the housing estate of Homesville, Melbourne.The movie satirises suburban lifestyles and fitness fads.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror podcast.
↪ YouTube
The film was shot in October and November 1992.The screenplay was developed from four short stories by Brophy. The film was funded by the Australian Film Commission and Film Victoria, and was shot on Super 16 mm film for enlargement to 35 mm. ReleaseBody Melt screened at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival in 1993. It was first screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 1994 and returned to the festival's programme in 2022.The film received a limited Australian theatrical release through DUMB Films in 1994, followed by a domestic video release through 21st Century.Critical receptionMartin Unsworth of Starburst praised the film's inventive gore and satirical elements, while noting that its episodic structure sometimes came at the expense of narrative cohesion.Chris Coffel of Bloody Disgusting described the film as a satire of health and fitness culture, comparing its slapstick gore to the work of Sam Raimi and early Peter Jackson. He also considered the satire relevant beyond the period in which the film was made.#bodymelt #bodyhorror #shudder #health #australia #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #horror #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
58 min
#133 - Crystal Lake (Pilot) Deep Dive
Season 5, Episode 23
Show notes
Will the Jason Universe sink or swim? Join BP, Coop and Justin as we take a deep dive into Crystal Lake, the 2026 American slasher television series developed by Brad Caleb Kane that is based on the Friday the 13th film franchise.
It is a prequel to the 1980 film and stars Linda Cardellini in the leading role of Pamela Voorhees, with Callum Vinson as a young Jason Voorhees, William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins and Gwendolyn Sundstrom.
Produced by A24, the series premiered on Peacock on October 15, 2026. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Crystal Lake
00:32 Podcast Opening Sequence
01:12 Welcome to Crystal Lake: cast, premise and Friday the 13th’s return
02:25 Rapid-fire questions: does Crystal Lake need a pop soundtrack?
04:16 First impressions of the blood, gore and practical-style effects
06:06 Most disturbing moments: the face slash, blood-filled bag and Jason’s drowning
08:35 Period details: cars and the authenticity of the setting
09:33 Linda Cardellini’s performance as Pamela Voorhees
10:29 Sink or swim? First reactions to the pilot
12:50 Opening credits and revisiting Pamela and Jason’s origin story
14:25 A distracting wig and early production criticisms
15:12 BP’s overall thoughts: retro filmmaking and a convincing Pamela
18:00 American Horror Story detour
18:33 Coop’s overall thoughts: character development and respecting the source material
19:35 Jason X, camp humour and the franchise’s sillier side
20:48 Could Crystal Lake lead to another Friday the 13th film?
21:45 Horror reboots, sequels and the appetite for returning franchises
25:12 Why Thirteen Ghosts deserves a TV series
26:15 Favourite parts: Pamela and Jason’s relationship
27:01 Pamela’s grief and the overwhelming lakeside celebration
27:33 Jason’s bullying and the adults who ignore it
28:12 Inventive kills and the blood-filled bag
28:48 BP’s favourites: opening titles and creative choices
29:25 Following Pamela into the lake: the standout camera shot
30:06 Gore, abrupt editing and the visual style
31:26 Avoiding trailers and watching without spoilers
32:22 Coop’s favourites
38:04 Least favourite parts
40:56 BP’s criticisms
45:06 Coop’s criticisms
50:40 Riverdale or Not to Riverdale: lakes, grieving mothers and revenge
53:18 Ratings and Final Verdict
57:42 More horror reviews and closing remarks#crystallake #a24 #jasonvoorhees #fridaythe13th #victormiller #lindacardellini #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #horror #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
1 hr 14 min
#132 - I Don't Want to Drink Your Blood Anymore ft. Writer/Director Andrew Sullivan
Season 5, Episode 22
Show notes
From filming in 23 hours of sunlight per day on Bokeh to producing video games and now an indie vampire horror flick, Andrew Sullivan has done it all and today he joins me on the podcast to talk all things horror with his new film 'I Don't Want To Drink Your Blood Anymore'.
How does Andrew navigate the indie film space and what lessons did he learn from his first feature that starred scream queen Maika Monroe?
Tune in to the podcast to find out more and buy your ticket at the upcoming screenings at the Philadelphia Film Festival!
https://filmadelphia.org/movies/i-dont-want-to-drink-your-blood-anymore/
Find out more about I Don't Want To Drink Your Blood Anymore
↪ Linktree
↪ TikTok
↪ Facebook
↪ X
↪ BlueSky
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Andrew Sullivan Interview Preview
01:12 Meet Writer-Director Andrew Sullivan
01:44 How Jaws Sparked a Love of Horror
04:06 Horror Influences: Twilight Zone, The X-Files & Jordan Peele
08:18 Philadelphia Film Festival World Premiere
12:38 I Don’t Want to Drink Your Blood Anymore Explained
13:33 How the Pandemic Inspired Eiko’s Story
15:41 The Many Roles Behind an Indie Horror Film
18:25 Reinventing the Reluctant Vampire Story
22:13 Lake Mungo, Found Footage & Emotional Horror
23:30 How Low Budgets Drive Creative Filmmaking
27:19 Meet Miki Ishikawa, Sierra McCormick & Nick Sagar
32:05 Casting Eiko, Jessica & Douglas
36:34 The Hidden Challenges of Indie Film Production
42:11 Lessons Learned from Making Bokeh
45:02 Why a Female-Led Crew Changed the Film
47:20 Is “Horror-Adjacent” Still Horror?
50:19 28 Years Later and Character-Driven Horror
51:18 Why Final Destination’s Death Scenes Work
54:24 Representation, Jordan Peele & Horror Backlash
58:18 Review Bombing and Toxic Film Commentary
01:01:35 Australian Horror Movies Worth Watching
01:03:31 Why Great Australian Films Struggle to Break Through
01:05:51 Romper Stomper, Saccharine & Australian Cult Cinema
01:07:21 Andrew Sullivan’s Best Advice for Filmmakers
01:12:03 Release Plans and Festival Screenings
01:13:12 Final Thoughts
#vampire #indiefilm #philadelphia #filmfestival #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #horrortok #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
1 hr 39 min
#131 - Carrie (2026) - Pilot Review
Season 5, Episode 21
Show notes
Is Mike Flanagan's Carrie adaptation a worthy successor? We break down the first episode of the 2026 Amazon Prime series looking closely at how the show adapts Stephen King's classic novel.
The series follows Carrie White (Summer H. Howell), a teenage girl who has spent her life in seclusion, as she joins high school following her father's death, and the emergence of her mysterious telekinetic powers and the events leading up to her infamous rampage.
Carrie also stars Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Joel Oulette, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, Thalia Dudek, Amber Midthunder, and Matthew Lillard.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Carrie (2026) Review – Mike Flanagan's Stephen King Adaptation
01:08 Plot, Cast and First Impressions
04:50 Every Carrie Movie Ranked
07:05 Carrie (2013) vs Carrie (2002) vs Carrie (1976) and The Rage: Carrie 2
10:50 Why Horror Remakes Often Fail
15:00 Samantha Sloyan as Carrie's Terrifying Mother
17:00 Other Characters
19:45 Mike Flanagan's Visual Style, Cinematography and Direction
22:00 Carrie 2026 Soundtrack and Modern Horror Music
23:00 Summer H. Howell as Carrie White
25:00 Changes to Carrie's Age, School Life and Bullying
28:00 How Carrie 2026 Explores Trauma and Character Development
29:30 Margaret White's Religious Abuse and Psychological Control
33:00 Samantha Sloyan's Performance and Mike Flanagan Connections
35:30 Carrie 2026 Marketing, Posters and Trailer Criticism
37:00 Carrie Episode 1 Problems – Casting and Character Ages
40:00 Telekinesis, CGI and the Controversial Shower Scene
41:30 Are the High School Bullies in Carrie Realistic?
44:00 Carrie White's Appearance and Casting Choices
45:30 Julianne Moore vs Samantha Sloyan
48:30 Carrie 2026 Criticisms – Soundtrack and Character Writing
51:00 Chris Hargensen's Storyline and Controversial Changes
52:00 Carrie Season Finale Discussion and Story Twists
54:30 Why Modern Horror Soundtracks Can Ruin the Atmosphere
58:00 Carrie vs Other Horror Movies and TV Soundtracks
62:00 Rapid Fire Q&A
64:00 Social Media Bullying in Carrie 2026
69:00 Could Stephen King's Carrie Work as a Musical?
73:00 Carrie 2026 vs the Original Novel
75:00 Carrie's Religious Upbringing and the First Episode
77:00 The Shower Scene vs the Original Carrie Movie
79:30 Carrie's Telekinetic Powers and the Episode 1 Ending
81:00 Mike Flanagan's The Exorcist Reboot – Can It Work?
85:00 The Exorcist Franchise, Sequels and Horror Remakes
89:00 Carrie the Musical, Riverdale and Horror TV Crossovers
92:00 Carrie Full Season Rating and Final Verdict
96:00 Overall Carrie 2026 Review Score
97:00 Ranking Mike Flanagan's Best Horror TV Series
98:15 Final Thoughts and More Horror Movie Reviews
#carrie #mikeflanagan #amazonprime #summerhowell #josietotah #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
1 hr
20 Even More Iconic WTF Stories from Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Bonus
Season 4, Episode 17
Show notes
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction is a cult gem from the Y2K era that deserves love and admiration from horror fans! In celebration, I've compiled 20 more segments to showcase the truly bizarre WTF moments that shocked audiences and left viewers asking "What did I just watch".
Check out or Top 10 Most Iconic WTF Segments from the cult hit show
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PIBTZOsb7DMZB4YuTb2A2?si=njTWHvp-S7eeAioe18gXeQ
Plus 15 More Iconic and Weird WTF Segments from Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pPXVTdCawRERheUCWyqcL?si=Vyue8YHxT5KodKrka3iZ8w
PLUS Check out our interactive retrospective episode on Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction's 'Touch of Evil' episode
https://open.spotify.com/episode/69vNkY5iNFhbo24xbppWfp?si=8MNodGp2TcmDZdJas09YDA
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Subscribe to our YouTube channel
↪ Shop our Store!
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
0:00 Intro – 20 More Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Stories
0:49 #20 The Caller – A radio shock jock gets a chilling call from a listener
3:48 #19 The Gravedigger’s Nemesis – Revenge in the graveyard
7:38 #18 The Perfect Record – Where Carrie meets security
10:41 #17 Devil’s Tattoo – Something st(inks) about this guy demanding a tattoo for his girlfriend
12:48 #16 The Nightmare – A terrifying dream and final destination meets a rich preppy couple
14:51 #15 Bad Dreams – A clumsy woman is haunted by a recurring vivid nightmare
17:59 #14 The Weatherman – A narcissistic meteorologist lies to get clout
20:37 #13 You Are Next – A fortune cookie spells doom
23:04 #12 Grave Sitting – Blonde teenager scares herself to death during a dare
25:22 #11 The Devil’s Autograph – Murderous conman gets inked
28:03 #10 Wax Executioner – French brothers are haunted by creepy wax dolls
31:44 #9 The Warning – Overzealous coffin salesman scares middle-aged man
34:17 #8 The Wreath – Annoying kid ruins his own memorial
36:37 #7 The Curse of Hampton Manor – Iconic businesswoman is killed for not believing in superstition
40:29 #6 Out of Service – White couple in woods nearly get killed
42:38 #5 Makeup Magic – Looksmaxxing for a frumpy secretary who wants a man that hates her
46:18 #4 The Student – Creepy kid nearly kills his teacher
49:45 #3 Murder on the Second Floor – Eyewitnesses can't tell difference between giant person and 3 babies in a trenchcoat
53:12 #2 Writer’s Agent – Brian Griffin's competition returns from the grave to sign autographs
56:32 Beyond Belief Podcast – Touch of Evil
56:43 #1 Secret - you'll just have to watch this segment
59:25 Thank you for watching
#beyondbelief #jonathanfrakes #anthology #horror #television #xfactordasunfassbare #rtlzwei #shoutfactory #foxtv #dickclark #alfredhaber #filmrise #90s #2000s #scary #spooky #halloween
-
1 hr 5 min
#130 - Resident Evil (2026)
Season 5, Episode 20
Show notes
It's Cregger time! Join BP, Coop and Justin as we dissect and analyse everything about the 2026 Resident Evil Reboot starring Austin Abrams.
The reboot was written by Shay Hatten and Zach Cregger and directed by Cregger who of course rose to acclaim with Weapons and Barbarian and as you all know my cohosts absolutely loved Weapons and think it’s the great horror movie of all time but all jokes aside, there’s no doubt Weapons and Barbarian have propelled Zach Cregger to the top of the most in-demand directors in the horror space.
Following the abysmal failure of Netflix’s resident evil film TV series, the 2026 reboot is a stand-alone story that takes elements of the entire Resident Evil game series in an act of fan service that will delight many horror fans but may anger some of the hardcore resident evil fans.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
0:00 Cold Open: Journey to Raccoon City General
0:43 Resident Evil (2026) Review & Reboot Overview
1:27 Resident Evil Movies Explained: 2002–2026
2:43 Our History With the Resident Evil Franchise
3:21 Resident Evil Games, Movies & the 2002 Original
6:08 Watching Resident Evil for the First Time
8:13 Box Office Performance & Critical Reception
8:55 60-Second Resident Evil Review Challenge
10:30 Coop’s Verdict as a Resident Evil Gamer
12:13 BP’s Perspective as a Franchise Newcomer
14:13 Best Scenes, Scares & Austin Abrams’ Performance
17:23 Video Game Easter Eggs, Monsters & Dark Comedy
19:18 Padlocks, Health Items & Classic Gameplay References
22:27 The Protagonist’s Fate & Alternate Endings
25:15 Snow Horror, Cinematography & Zack Cregger’s Direction
29:56 How the Practical Effects and Running Scene Were Filmed
30:55 What Didn’t Work: CGI, Logic & the Abrupt Ending
34:49 First-Person Camera Shots and Scientist Plot Holes
38:30 Cringeworthy Dialogue, Padlocks & Video Game Storytelling
41:26 Why the Ending and Credits Music Fell Flat
44:48 Rapid-Fire Resident Evil Questions Inspired by Tyra Banks
45:00 Milla Jovovich vs Austin Abrams as Protagonist
46:04 Should Resident Evil (2026) Get a Sequel?
48:15 Would a Resident Evil Prequel Work?
48:59 Is the Movie Only for Resident Evil Fans?
50:54 Should Milla Jovovich Have Made a Cameo?
52:11 Could a Medieval Resident Evil Movie Work?
52:46 The Movie’s Biggest Weaknesses
54:21 Resident Evil vs Riverdale: The Conspiracy Begins
54:47 Every Resident Evil and Riverdale Connection
57:20 The Hosts React to the Riverdale Comparisons
58:55 How the Riverdale Segment Was Created
1:00:47 Final Ratings and Review Scores
1:04:10 Final Verdict and Outro
#residentevil #zachcregger #austinabrams #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
25 min
#129 - The Loved Ones (2009) Drilldown Review
Season 5, Episode 19
Show notes
Nikki from Obsession has nothing on Lola Stone!
Join BP, Coop and Justin as we analyse the 2009 cult Australian horror favourite 'The Loved Ones' starring Xavier Samuels as Brent, a teenager who finds himself at the mercy of Lola (Robin McLeavy) a classmate who kidnaps and tortures him with the help of her dad after he declines her offer to attend the school dance.
The Loved Ones has been praised for it's brutality, originality, humour, dark subject matter and the performances of the cast.
We break down our favourite parts, overall thoughts, what could be improved, deliver some trivia and rate this movie out of 10.
Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
0:00 Intro – The Loved Ones (2009) Horror Movie Review
0:41 The Loved Ones – Australian Horror Classic Explained
1:38 Why We Chose The Loved Ones
3:24 Brent’s Trauma, Lola Stone & the Twisted Setup
4:24 First-Time Reaction – Gore, Torture & Pure Unease
7:01 Best Parts – Soundtrack, Visual Style & Performances
8:55 The Mystery, Previous Victims & Trapdoor Horror
10:44 Practical Gore, Blood Effects & Robin McLeavy as Lola
11:18 Brent vs Jamie – Two Very Different Nights
12:51 What Didn’t Work? Pacing, Dialogue & Subplots
13:48 Why The Loved Ones Trailers Worked So Well
14:14 Xavier Samuel & Robin McLeavy’s Performances
17:36 The Loved Ones Trivia & Horror Movie Influences
18:06 Carrie, Misery & Serial Killer Inspirations
19:07 The Hidden Meaning Behind “Lola Stone”
19:51 Wolf Creek Connection – John Jarratt as Daddy?
20:35 Brent’s Silence & the Bleach Torture Scene
20:42 Prom vs Australian School Formal Explained
21:51 Review & Ratings – Is The Loved Ones Worth Watching?
22:26 Why The Loved Ones Still Holds Up
23:38 Final Score and Verdict
24:48 Outro
#thelovedones #xaviersamuels #seanbyrne #robinmcleavy #kaseychambers #notprettyenough #blood #gore #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive
-
27 min
#128 - Lake Mungo (2008) Deep Dive Review
Season 5, Episode 18
Show notes
Just like Alice, we're taking a deep dive.... into Lake Mungo!
Presented in the pseudo-documentary format with elements of found footage and docufiction, it is Anderson's only film. It follows a family trying to come to terms with the loss of their daughter Alice (Talia Zucker) after she drowns and the potentially supernatural events they experience after it.
Lake Mungo premiered at the Sydney Film Festival on 18 June 2008, and was screened at the American South by Southwest film festival in March 2009. It received positive reviews from critics and has gained a cult following since its release, being included by IndieWire in "Top 15 Best Found Footage Movies", and ranked by Variety as the most terrifying found footage film although we beg to differ.
Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Lake Mungo (2008) – Australian Horror Movie Review
00:40 Lake Mungo’s Film Festival History & Cult Reputation
01:10 Why We Didn’t Like Lake Mungo
02:09 First Reactions – Great Concept, Weak Execution
05:33 Favourite Moments & the Creepy End-Credits Reveal
06:16 Lake Mungo’s Terrifying Mobile Phone Jump Scare
07:42 Why the Low-Quality Phone Footage Works So Well
08:11 The Film’s Uncomfortable Motel Scene
09:04 Horror Movies, Teen Characters & Changing Film Classifications
11:12 More Favourite Scenes
11:45 The Biggest Problems With Lake Mungo
12:35 Why the Movie Needed More Scares
13:16 Does the Mockumentary Style Actually Work?
13:59 Director Joel Anderson & Late Night with the Devil
14:38 Lake Mungo’s Posters & Marketing Problem
16:05 Bad Acting, Stiff Characters & Wasted Potential
17:22 The Fake Ghost Photos & Plot Twists
18:29 Does Lake Mungo’s Ending Actually Pay Off?
18:57 Is Lake Mungo Really a “Slow Burn” Horror Movie?
19:58 Is the Famous Jump Scare Carrying the Entire Film?
20:18 Australian Horror Movies & Small-Town Cult Status
21:07 Snowtown, Local Fame & Australian Movie History
22:02 Final Ratings
23:43 Is Lake Mungo Worth Watching?
25:07 Our Combined Lake Mungo Score
25:17 Why Do Horror Fans Love Lake Mungo?
25:34 Ghost Photos Scarier Than the Entire Movie?
26:07 Final Thoughts & Outro
#lakemungo #foundfootage #shudder #mikeflanagan #australia #horror #review #podcast #jumpscare #terrifying #ghost #haunting
-
53 min
#127 - Leviticus (2026) Deep Dive Review
Season 5, Episode 17
Show notes
Join BP, Coop and Justin as we discuss Leviticus, a 2026 Australian coming-of-age romantic supernatural horror film written and directed by Adrian Chiarella in his feature directorial debut. Starring Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, and Mia Wasikowska (who also serves as an executive producer), the film follows two teenagers who, after being forced to undergo a supernatural conversion therapy ritual, are tormented by a violent entity that shapeshifts into the person they desire most, each other.
The film premiered in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on 23 January. It was theatrically released in Australia on 18 June to positive reviews from critics, who praised its premise and performances.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Leviticus (2026) Review — Full Spoilers
00:20 Plot, Cast & Australian Horror Premise
00:57 Conversion Therapy Allegory Explained
01:45 Great Concept, Uneven Execution
03:58 Character Chemistry, Religious Cult & Entity Horror
07:58 What Leviticus Gets Right
11:17 Best Scenes, Cinematography & Lead Chemistry
13:32 Entity Reveal, Horror Effects & Standout Performances
17:05 What Leviticus Gets Wrong
20:58 Entity Rules, Plot Holes & It Follows Comparison
24:32 Leviticus Fan Theories: The Father & Conversion Healer
25:55 Pacing Problems, Cult Backstory & Missed Opportunities
29:19 How Leviticus Could Have Improved Its Story
31:18 The Leviticus Rhyme Game
32:59 Leviticus Ending Explained & Trauma Allegory
34:13 The Bus Ending Plot Hole
35:49 Who Is the Smartest Character in Leviticus?
36:59 How Would You Defeat the Entity?
38:11 Is Leviticus One of Australia’s Best Horror Movies?
41:09 Cringiest Scenes & Cinema Audience Reactions
43:58 Final Ratings & Leviticus Review Verdict
48:16 Another Viewer’s Verdict on Leviticus
49:10 A Personal Story About Conversion Therapy
52:07 Where to Watch Leviticus on Streaming
52:40 More Horror Reviews & Final Outro
#leviticus #gay #lgbt #australia #causeway #joebird #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
32 min
#126 - Saccharine (2026) Deep Dive Review
Season 5, Episode 16
Show notes
You are what you eat, which explains why I'm such an assh*le.
Join BP, Coop and Justin as we do a deep dive review of Saccharine, the 2026 Australian supernatural horror film written and directed by Natalie Erika James. It stars Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald, Madeleine Madden, and Robert Taylor.
The film had its world premiere at the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on 22 January. It was released in the United States on 22 May 2026, and in Australia on 9 July 2026.
PLOTAfter succumbing to an obscure weight-loss craze involving the eating of human ashes, lovelorn medical student Hana finds herself terrorised by the ghost of the person she's eating.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 77 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Tapping into anxieties latent in an era of weight loss drugs, Saccharine's insights into nuanced themes come with a lot of empty calories but its gross-out scares sure do hit the spot."
Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Francis's lead performance received praise from critics. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that her "commitment to the central role is so unfaltering that she makes the script's rough patches less of a deal-breaker", while Tomris Laffly of RogerEbert.com described Francis as "extraordinary".
Chapters
0:00 Saccharine Opening Scene
0:38 Saccharine (2026) Horror Movie Review
1:52 Saccharine Plot Explained
2:21 First Impressions
3:47 Diet Culture, Eating Disorders & Body Horror
5:12 Saccharine’s Message About Weight Loss
7:29 Hannah’s Transformation & Best Moments
8:43 Cast, Performances & Visual Style
9:56 Midori Francis & Saccharine’s Disturbing Imagery
11:45 Saccharine Ending Discussion
12:35 Biggest Problems With Saccharine
14:00 Pacing, Character Decisions & The Fat Suit
16:25 Saccharine Horror Movie Question Game
16:59 Does Saccharine Feel Australian?
18:51 How Saccharine Could Have Been Better
20:23 Should Saccharine Get a Sequel?
21:14 Could Saccharine Work With a Male Lead?
22:59 Binge Eating & Saccharine’s Food Horror
23:54 Is Bertha Really the Villain?
25:39 Saccharine’s Most Disturbing & Cringe-Worthy Scene
27:01 Saccharine Review Scores
27:24 Justin’s Rating
28:07 BP’s Rating
29:48 Coop’s Rating
31:16 Saccharine Final Verdict
31:39 Outro
#saccharine #stanoriginals #midorifrancis #natalieerikajames #apartment7a #ozempic #weightloss #skinny #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
1 hr 20 min
#125 - Insidious: Out of the Further (2026) | Deep Dive Review
Season 5, Episode 15
Show notes
The sixth entry into the Insidious franchise has arrived and we have a lot of thoughts about it! Join BP, Coop and Justin as we breakdown everything about Insidious: Out of the Further where we look at key scenes, discuss the characters, production values, scare factor and analyse what makes this movie great and what parts need improvement.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ YouTube
↪ Letterboxd
Insidious: out of the Further stars Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea and Maisie Richardson-Sellers, with Lin Shaye reprising her role from the previous films.
Insidious: Out of the Further premiered on August 18, 2026 at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles, California, and was theatrically released in the United States on August 21, 2026, by Sony Pictures Releasing. It received mixed reviews from critics, but was deemed as an improvement over its predecessor.
Chapters
0:00 Welcome & Insidious: Out of the Further Setup
1:29 Cinema Etiquette Rant
9:33 Opening Scene, Trauma Horror & Franchise Fatigue
14:16 Full Plot Summary — Spoilers
21:01 Initial Reactions: Was It Actually Scary?
22:02 BP’s Overall Thoughts
24:53 Coop’s Overall Thoughts
33:01 Who Is the Audience for Insidious?
36:51 Favourite Parts: Pillow Fort, Teeth & The Further
40:49 BP’s Favourites: Direction, POV Shots & Melbourne
45:12 Coop’s Favourites: Performances, Gore & Cinematography
47:51 VHS Tapes, the Twist Reveal & Gross Sound Design
50:01 Least Favourite Parts: Story, Ending & Jump Scares
50:56 BP’s Criticisms: Makeup, Elise & Franchise Fatigue
57:25 Coop’s Criticisms: CGI, Volume Scares & Returning Villains
1:02:51 Missing Comic Relief & the Tattoo-Shop Medium
1:06:56 Time-Paradox Problems
1:08:28 The Insidious Rhyming Question Game
1:14:04 Cringiest Moments & the Blood “Health Bar”
1:15:47 Final Ratings and Recommendations
1:18:48 Combined Score
1:19:21 Outro
#insidious #inisidiousoutofthefurther #outofthefurther #demon #astraltravel #podcast #horror #horrorpodcast #review #deepdive #blumhouse #linshaye
-
41 min
#124 - The Ugly Stepsister (2025) | Deep Dive Review
Season 5, Episode 14
Show notes
This fractured fairy tale is more horrific than you thought.
Join BP, Coop and Justin as we do a deep dive review of the 2025 Norwegian satirical, black comedy, body horror film 'The Ugly Stepsister' (Den Stygge Stesøsteren), written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, in her feature film directorial debut.
An international production mostly in Norwegian, it is loosely based on the 19th century fairytale "Aschenputtel" by the Brothers Grimm, itself a retelling of the French fairy tale "Cinderella"; unlike most versions of the stories revolving around Cinderella, it focuses instead on one of her stepsisters who embarks on a grueling quest to capture the heart of a handsome prince. It stars Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp and Flo Fagerli.
The film had its world premiere as the opening film of the Midnight section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on 23 January. It was also screened at the Panorama section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February. It was theatrically released in Norway on 7 March by Scanbox Entertainment, in Denmark on 28 May, and in Sweden on 13 June.
It was nominated for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Award at the 98th Academy Awards.
The Ugly Stepsister is available to stream on Shudder.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ YouTube
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 The Ugly Stepsister: Welcome to the Nightmare
01:35 First Impressions: A Surprisingly Brutal Cinderella Story
05:25 Why European Horror Hits Differently
06:45 Favourite Parts: Music, Alma & the Dreamlike Fairy Tale
10:30 The Horrifying Beauty Procedures
15:25 The Toe Scene: One of Horror's Most Brutal Moments
17:45 Tapeworms, Gore & the Physical Effects
20:10 The Prince, the Ball & the Cruelty of the Characters
22:55 European Horror, Nudity & Why It Works
25:40 The Ball Scene: Editing, Suspense & Elvara's Breakdown
28:40 Costumes, Makeup & the Real Cinderella Transformation
31:00 The Ballet Teacher, the Chocolate Scene & More Weirdness
34:20 The Darkest Part of the Story: Abuse & Beauty Standards
36:45 Least Favourite Parts: The Worms & Small Production Gripes
38:00 Music Choices & Inconsistent Colour Grading
40:00 Editing Problems & the Tapeworm Could Have Gone Further
42:00 Should The Ugly Stepsister Be Remade?
44:00 Ryan Murphy, The Substance & Hollywood's Adaptation Problem
46:00 Could Looksmaxxing Become a Body-Horror Movie?
48:00 Beauty Standards, Masculinity & the Modern Man
49:15 Ratings: Is The Ugly Stepsister a Horror Masterpiece?
50:50 Final Thoughts & Podcast Outro
#theuglystepsister #bodyhorror #cinderella #familyguy #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #horrortok #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal #shudder
-
1 hr 22 min
#123 - Australian Horror is Absolutely Unhinged
Season 5, Episode 13
Show notes
Australia, home of vegemite, kangaroos, koalas with STI's and some of the most brutal horror movies on the planet. Today I'm joined by Patrick from The Horror Avenue, a fellow Australian and horror lover as we discuss all the best Australian horror films and TV Shows plus our thoughts on 2026 cinematic releases, SAW and more!
Follow Patrick and The Horror Avenue on his social channels below.
↪ TikTok
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ YouTube
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast & Patrick from The Horror Avenue
01:22 Horror Collections, Physical Media & JB Hi-Fi Hauls
01:51 Horror Avenue's Top Five Clues Series
02:42 Streaming Sundays & Catching Up on 2026 Horror
03:06 Obsession
03:30 Pride Month, T-Blockers & Horror Recommendations
03:57 Saccharine – Australian Body Horror & Ozempic
06:22 LGBTQ+ Horror & Men's Mental Health Month
07:51 Leviticus & Why Australian Horror Needs More Support
09:28 Why Australia Doesn't Promote Its Own Horror Films
10:08 The Babadook & Australia's International Horror Legacy
11:40 Australia's Greatest Horror Movies & Hidden Gems
13:10 Patrick's Top 3 Horror Movies of All Time
14:19 Poltergeist & The Scary Horror Movies
14:43 Wolf Creek – Australia's Ultimate Nightmare
16:32 Seeing Wolf Creek Young & Australia's Brutal Horror
17:31 Mick Taylor, Sadistic Kills & Wolf Creek's Best Moments
18:44 Wolf Creek 2 & The TV Series
22:07 Wolf Creek Legacy – Will Mick Taylor Return?
23:04 Could Bananas in Pyjamas Become a Horror Movie?
24:02 The Babadook Through the Eyes of a Parent
28:42 Lake Mungo – Australian Horror Classic or Overrated?
31:06 The Tunnel – Australia's Found-Footage Horror
32:18 Rogue – Greg McLean's Crocodile Creature Feature
33:14 The Loved Ones – Lola & Australia's Most Disturbing Horror
36:02 Snowtown – Australia's Most Devastating True Crime Film
37:40 Talk to Me & Bring Her Back – Two Very Different Horror Films
44:48 Undead, Aussie B-Movies & Australian Horror Comedy
45:44 Thirst & Australia's Early Vampire Horror
46:18 Patrick – The Original Australian Horror Classic
47:10 Undead, The Spierig Brothers & Jigsaw
48:14 Saw Fans Debate Jigsaw
50:32 Favourite Saw Films & Saw VI's Twist
51:54 James Wan Returns & The Future of Saw
55:20 Nightmare on Elm Street, Reboots & Horror Fan Backlash
56:15 Why Obsession Could Be Blumhouse's Horror Comeback
57:14 Bear Is the Real Villain
1:00:14 Saw Reboot, Blumhouse & Franchise Fatigue
1:05:28 Bear, Nikki & The True Horror of Obsession
1:10:32 Obsession's Commentary on Consent & Agency
1:13:34 The Future of One Wish Willow & Other Horror Projects
1:14:07 You, Game of Thrones & TV Shows That Take Time to Get Good
1:16:14 Round the Twist – Australia's Strangest Kids' TV
1:18:11 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Horror Avenue
1:18:51 Outro - Upcoming Australian Horror Episodes & Giveaways
#horroravenue #australia #australianhorror #wolfcreek #babadook #lakemungo #thelovedones #patrickfilm #thirstmovie #undeadmovie #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
36 min
#122 - Quarantine (2008)
Season 5, Episode 12
Show notes
Not even Dr. Fauci could've predicted this infection...Join BP, Coop and Justin as we break down and analyse the 2008 found footage zombie flick 'Quarantine' starring Jennifer Carpenter as Angela Vidal, a reporter who alongside her cameraman and a pair of Los Angeles firemen follow a distress call to an apartment building where they discover a deadly mutated strain of rabies spreading among the building's occupants; escape becomes impossible once the government descends upon the building to prevent the virus from spreading beyond it, and the pair continue to record the events that unfold inside, of which the film itself is the result.⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This discussion contains full spoilers, including the ending.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Is Quarantine 2008 still a terrifying found footage horror classic? We re-examine the containment chaos and Angela Vidal's arc.This Quarantine 2008 review breaks down the effectiveness of the film's claustrophobic setting and its gritty take on emergency response. Whether you are a fan of the genre or deciding if it holds up today, this discussion analyses how the visual style shapes the tension.
Quarantine is a remake of the 2007 Spanish film REC and was directed and co-written by John Erick Dowdle, produced by Sergio Aguero, Doug Davison, and Roy Lee, and co-written by Drew Dowdle.
The film stars Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hernandez, Columbus Short, Greg Germann, Steve Harris, Dania Ramirez, Rade Šerbedžija, and Johnathon Schaech.Quarantine features no actual musical score, using only sound effects, and differs in its characters, dialogue, and explanation of the virus from its source material.Quarantine was released in the United States by Sony's subsidiary Screen Gems on October 10, 2008. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $41.3 million worldwide at the box office. It was followed by a sequel, Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011).
Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Overview of Quarantine (2008)
02:34 First Impressions & Why the Film Still Holds Up
06:25 Jennifer Carpenter's Performance & Strong Character Work
11:42 Best Scenes, Effects & The Terrifying Ending
18:45 Why Quarantine Is One of the Best Found Footage Films
25:52 More Favorite Moments & Tension-Building Sequences
34:40 Ensemble Cast, Effects & Sense of Dread
42:32 Least Favorite Parts & Minor Criticisms
51:50 Quarantine vs. REC – Which Is Better?
59:30 Behind-the-Scenes Trivia & Production Facts
01:04:40 Why the Found Footage Style Works So Well
01:09:18 Final Ratings & Closing Thoughts
#quarantine #rec #foundfootage #review #podcast #jennifercarpenter #dexter #whitechicks #zombie #infection #horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
1 hr 5 min
#121 - Infernal Tramps - Interview with Indie Horror Author Alex Grass
Season 5, Episode 11
Show notes
Iconic horror author Alex Grass joins me on the podcast to discuss 'Infernal Tramps' his new collection of chilling short stories as we chat about writing short horror stories, favourite horror movies, TV Shows and adaptations plus Deep Impact? Yes even a 1998 disaster movie is on the cards for today's episode.
Alex Grass is an independent horror author born and raised in Pennsylvania and now living in Brooklyn with his wife and three kids. His 2022 novel A Boy’s Hammer was nominated for the Kirkus Prize. Alex’s short stories have appeared in Maudlin House, The Genre Society, Trembling With Fear, and many more avenues.
Purchase Infernal Tramps belowhttps://www.amazon.com/Infernal-Tramps-Tales-Weird-Terror-ebook/dp/B0GSN4BX4Y
Follow Alex Grass
↪ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infernaltramps/
↪ Website: https://www.infernaltramps.com/
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Meet Horror Author Alex Grass
00:47 How Alex Became a Horror Writer
02:18 Recovery, Stephen King & Beginning a Writing Career
03:26 Growing Up With Horror in Australia
04:54 Childhood Horror Inspirations & Writing Early Stories
07:00 Nostalgia vs Modern Horror
08:36 The Future of Horror & Internet Filmmaking
11:29 "Obsession" and Modern Psychological Horror
13:11 Hidden Australian Horror Gems
16:57 Australia's Horror Industry & Horror Authors
18:35 Travelling Overseas & Cultural Stereotypes
19:49 American Politics Through an Australian Visitor's Eyes
21:40 Why Politics Dominates Modern Conversations
23:03 Doctor Sleep: Book vs Film
26:28 Mike Flanagan's Best Horror Series
28:28 Working in Film & Leaving the Industry
29:49 Inside "Infernal Tramps"
33:31 Writing Weird Horror & Twilight Zone Influences
35:13 Favourite Story in the Collection: The Golden Mile
37:17 Writing Original Horror Without Copying Influences
38:57 Why Stephen King's Short Stories Are So Effective
41:14 Childhood Fears That Still Stick
43:27 Horror That Becomes Scarier as an Adult
45:41 Parenthood Changes Horror Forever
47:51 Why Horror Fans Are So Passionate
49:49 The Best Writing Advice Alex Ever Received
51:34 Learning the Importance of Editing
54:41 Quitting Smoking & Helping Others
56:24 Favourite Australian Horror Films
57:52 Bring Her Back vs Talk to Me
59:08 Working With the Philippou Brothers
01:00:48 Horror, Culture Wars & Difficult Subjects
01:01:18 Where to Buy Infernal Tramps
01:02:33 Disaster Movies, Deep Impact & Roland Emmerich
01:04:22 Final Thoughts & Outro
#horror #movie #horrorfilm #splatter #deathscene #scarymovie #horror #completeguidetohorror #horrormovie #scary #creepy #graphic #deepdive #paranormal
-
1 hr 17 min
#120 - Obsession (2026)
Season 5, Episode 10
Show notes
For once, women should NOT choose the Bear.
Obsession is the runaway horror hit of the year making over $431,000,000 at the global box office meaning this has made over 575 times it's production budget. But so many horror fans have stated that they think this is overhyped and not scary enough to be deemed a modern classic but what is the truth? We discuss our thoughts on the movie including what we loved, what we disliked and the subtext and themes behind this twisted wish tale to settle the debate once and for all!
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Shop our Store!
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
0:00 Introduction & Obsession Overview
1:48 Why Obsession Is 2026's Biggest Horror Film
4:03 First Impressions After Watching
7:18 Is Obsession Overhyped?
10:05 Watching in Cinemas vs Watching at Home
13:18 How a $750K Horror Film Made $430 Million
15:54 Kari Barker's Direction & Simple Storytelling
18:42 Plot Summary Begins (Spoiler Warning)
21:12 Bear's Wish Changes Everything
24:03 Nikki's Terrifying Transformation
26:53 Favourite Scenes Begin
29:14 Indie Navarrette Steals the Movie
32:47 The Creepiest Nikki Moments
36:21 The Car Scene & Iconic Visuals
39:15 Comedy Hidden Inside the Horror
42:08 Michael Johnson's Performance
45:02 Cinematography, Lighting & Sound Design
48:36 Breaking Down the Ending
52:18 Did Bear Get What He Wanted?
55:11 Nikki: Villain, Victim or Both?
58:43 The Film's Message About Obsession
1:02:15 Consent, Control & Body Autonomy
1:06:34 Why the Ending Is So Disturbing
1:10:08 Fan Theories & Alternate Interpretations
1:13:41 Horror Trivia & Behind-the-Scenes Facts
1:17:08 Biggest Strengths of Obsession
1:20:36 What Didn't Quite Work
1:24:12 Final Ratings
1:27:44 Should You Watch Obsession?
1:30:18 Horror Fans vs Casual Viewers
1:33:07 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks
Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural psychological horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants his wish for his friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrific consequences.
Obsession premiered on September 5, 2025, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where Focus Features acquired the distribution rights for $14–$15 million, the highest price commanded by a genre film in TIFF history, and Jason Blum came on board as an executive producer under Blumhouse Productions.
became a sleeper hit, setting multiple box-office records and receiving positive reviews, with Navarrette‘s performance receiving widespread acclaim.
It has grossed $430.1 million worldwide and ranks as the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2026.
In 2025, Barker said the characters of Obsession are unlikely to appear in another film.
In 2026, Barker said he was considering an anthology television series where each episode explores a new character making a wish, or a sequel, for which he has an idea. His next film, Anything but Ghosts, is set in the same shared universe, including a reference to the events of Obsession in the form of a news report.
-
31 min
#119 - Backrooms (2026)
Season 5, Episode 9
Show notes
Backrooms has leaped from the internet to International cinemas with massive success. Today I'm breaking down all the highs and lows of the liminal space fever dream horror and why it deserves another chance from so-called horror lovers who dismissed this.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Shop our Store!
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Chapters
00:00 Backrooms' Record-Breaking Success
02:03 Spoiler Warning & Channel Intro
03:08 Opening Scene & Clark's Story Begins
06:05 Clark Enters the Backrooms
08:12 Exploring the Backrooms & First Death
10:41 Mary Investigates the Backrooms
13:11 Clark's Breakdown & The Still Life Reveal
16:30 Escape, Async & The Ending Explained
18:45 First Impressions & Why the Film Deserves Praise
21:10 Story Analysis & Character Development
25:00 Ending Criticism & Unanswered Questions
26:44 Hidden Meanings, Symbolism & Themes
34:40 Production Design, Sets & Cinematography
39:08 Is Backrooms Actually Scary?
41:24 Critical Reception & Final Rating
45:18 The Future of the Backrooms Franchise
47:42 Final Thoughts & Outro
Backrooms is a 2026 American science fiction psychological horror film directed and co-scored by Kane Parsons in his feature-length directorial debut, and written by Will Soodik. It is a theatrical addition to Parsons' web series and was inspired by the "Backrooms" creepypasta. In the film, Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a furniture store owner, and Mary (Renate Reinsve), his therapist, discover a dimension of seemingly endless liminal spaces accessed through the store's basement. Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell also star.
After uploading the web series in January 2022, Parsons was approached by several studios about potentially adapting his series into a feature film. In February 2023, it was officially announced that work had begun on a film adaptation of the Backrooms based on Parsons' videos, with him also directing. Roberto Patino was initially set to write the screenplay, but was replaced by Soodik. Filming began in the summer of 2025 and concluded in August 2025.
Backrooms premiered at the Aero Theatre in Los Angeles on May 7, 2026, and was theatrically released in the United States by A24 on May 29. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed $350 million worldwide, becoming A24's highest-grossing film to date and making Parsons the youngest filmmaker to reach number one at the United States box office. Backrooms is the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2026 and the second-highest-grossing horror film of 2026.
-
1 hr 22 min
#118 - Scary Movie 6 (2026)
Season 5, Episode 8
Show notes
Scary Movie is back with a sixth instalment! But with so many divisive reviews and negative reception from critics and fans, what did the latest entry get right and oh so wrong? Find out in our group review.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Shop our Store!
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Scary Movie (colloquially known as Scary Movie 6) is a 2026 American parody film directed by Michael Tiddes and written by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez.
It is the sixth installment in the Scary Movie film series, following Scary Movie 5 (2013), and has been referred to as the spiritual sequel to the first two films.
It stars Marlon, Shawn, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall. The plot follows Cindy Campbell and her friends Ray Wilkins and siblings Shorty and Brenda Meeks reunited when the same masked killer from the first film resurfaces.
A sixth Scary Movie film was announced in 2024 and later that same year, it was revealed to have the involvement of the Wayans family for the first time since 2001.
Scary Movie was released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on June 5, 2026. It received negative reviews from critics.
Cast
- Marlon Wayans as Shorty Meeks
- Wayans also portrays Joe Jackson in an in-film trailer, Tiffany Wilson from White Chicks (2004), and Count Brolock in a parody of Nosferatu (2024)
- Shawn Wayans as Ray Wilkins
- Anna Faris as Cindy Campbell
- Regina Hall as Brenda Meeks
- Olivia Rose Keegan as Sara Campbell, Cindy's older daughter
- Cameron Scott Roberts as Jack, Sara's boyfriend
- Savannah Lee Nassif as Tuesday Campbell, Cindy's younger daughter
- Dave Sheridan as Doofy Gilmore / Ghostface (voice)
- Cheri Oteri as Gail Hailstorm
- Gregg Wayans as Brad Meeks, Brenda's son
- Ruby Snowber as Elle, Brad's girlfriend
- Sydney Park as Dei Meeks, Brenda's nonbinary child
- Lochlyn Munro as Greg Phillippe
- Benny Zielke as Jess, Greg's transgender son
- Kim Wayans as Nurse Ratchett
- Chris Elliott as Shorthand
- Jon Abrahams as Bobby Prinze
- Kenan Thompson as "Jermaine"
- Carmen Electra as a bartender
Additionally, Anthony Anderson, Kai Cenat, Teyana Taylor, and Shaquille - O'Neal cameo as themselves.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction & Movie Setup
00:02:04 First Reactions to Scary Movie 6
00:05:00 Nostalgia Overload Criticism
00:08:14 Marketing and Offensive Humor
00:10:26 Shorty, Ray, and Character Focus
00:12:34 Best Jokes and Opening Scene
00:15:56 Favorite Laugh-Out-Loud Moments
00:18:46 More Highlights and Cameos
00:22:46 Political Humor Discussion
00:27:38 Cindy and Brenda Underused
00:30:48 Deleted Scenes and Trailers
00:34:52 Character Writing Problems
00:36:36 New Cast and Streaming Parodies
00:39:30 Ghostface, Scream, and References
00:43:45 Franchise Ranking Debate
00:47:20 Comparing to Earlier Scary Movies
00:51:05 Slapstick Comedy and Acting Issues
00:55:10 Horror Parodies That Worked
00:59:20 What Should Have Been Cut
01:03:15 Strengths of the New Sequel
01:07:10 Final Scores and Rankings
01:12:45 Would We Watch It Again?
01:17:20 Final Verdicts and Closing Thoughts
01:21:08 Outro and Sign-Off
-
13 min
#117 - Exit 8 VS. Hokum VS. Obsession
Season 5, Episode 7
Show notes
Join me for a spoiler-free discussion on three new horror movies currently in cinemas: Exit 8, Hokum, and Obsession. I will provide a quick analysis of each, highlighting their best parts and any issues I found without spoiling fates of characters or important plot points.
Horror is on a true renaissance this year with so many horror sequels and original films coming our way in 2026!
For May in particular, we have Obsession, Passenger, Backrooms and more getting released so choosing a horror movie above the others is getting hard! Especially during the cost of living crisis.NO SPOILERS so keep it cute in the comments and let me know what you thought of each movie :)
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Shop our Store!
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
Exit 8 (Japanese: 8番出口, Hepburn: Hachiban Deguchi) is a 2025 Japanese mystery psychological horror film directed by Genki Kawamura, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kentaro Hirase, based on the 2023 video game The Exit 8 developed by Kotake Create.
The film stars Kazunari Ninomiya as an unnamed man who is caught in a looping subway corridor and must find anomalies in each loop to escape.Exit 8 had its premiere at the Midnight Screenings of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, and was released in Japan by Toho on 29 August. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed ¥5.2 billion.
Hokum is a 2026 supernatural horror film written and directed by Damian McCarthy. The film stars Adam Scott as an author who travels to a hotel in Ireland, unaware that it may be haunted.
Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Michael Patric, Will O'Connell, Brendan Conroy, and Austin Amelio appear in supporting roles.
Hokum premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 14, 2026, and was released in the United States by Neon on May 1, 2026. The film received positive reviews from critics.
Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker.
The film follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants him his wish for his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrifying consequences.
Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter also appear in supporting roles.
Obsession premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, as part of its Midnight Madness block. It had a theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features.
The film received positive reviews and has grossed $35 million worldwide.
Chapters
00:00 introduction
02:00 Exit 8 Review
05:00 Hokum Review
07:14 Obsession
10:14 Final Thoughts and Winner
#horror #review #exit8 #hokum #obsession #currybarker #adamscott
-
22 min
#116 - The Pennywise Dancing Clown Special (Part 1) - IT (1990) VS. IT (2017)
Season 5, Episode 6
Show notes
Step on up for the battle of the Pennywise entities.
For Part 1 of our Pennywise franchise special, we take a look at the original IT book, the 1990 miniseries starring Tim Curry, the documentary of the miniseries and the 2017 and 2019 film adaptations starring Bill Skarsgard.
Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.
↪ TikTok
↪ Twitter
↪ Facebook
↪ Instagram
↪ Shop our Store!
↪ Tip us $5
↪ Linktree
↪ Letterboxd
It (also known as Stephen King's IT) is a 1990 ABC two-part psychological horror drama miniseries directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and adapted by Lawrence D. Cohen from Stephen King's 1986 novel of the same name.
The story revolves around a predatory monster that can transform itself into its prey's worst fears to devour them, allowing it to exploit the phobias of its victims. It mostly takes the humanoid form of Pennywise, an evil clown.
Cast members included Tim Curry (Pennywise), Richard Thomas, Annette O'Toole, John Ritter, Harry Anderson, Jonathan Brandis, Tim Reid, Dennis Christopher, and others. Produced by Green/Epstein Productions, It was filmed over a period of three months in Vancouver, British Columbia, in mid-1990 with a budget of $12 million, double the usual television budget.
While divided critical perspectives towards It have continued in later years, the miniseries has become most known for Curry's version of Pennywise, considered by several publications to be one of the scariest clown characters in film and television.
It has also spawned an Indiegogo-funded documentary film about the miniseries' production, titled Pennywise: The Story of It (2020); and an alternate history sequel short named Georgie, also by the producers of the documentary.
It (titled onscreen as It Chapter One) is a 2017 American supernatural horror film directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman. Starring Jaeden Lieberher and Bill Skarsgård, the film was produced by New Line Cinema, KatzSmith Productions, Lin Pictures, and Vertigo Entertainment.
A critical and commercial success, the film set box office records and grossed over $704 million worldwide, becoming the third-highest-grossing R-rated film at the time of its release, and grossed over $719 million through subsequent re-releases. Unadjusted for inflation, it became the highest-grossing horror film of all time.
The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the performances, direction, cinematography and musical score, and was called one of the best Stephen King adaptations.
The second film, It Chapter Two, was released in 2019, covering the remainder of the book. A prequel television series, It: Welcome to Derry, premiered on HBO in 2025, with Skarsgård returning as Pennywise.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:48 Overview
01:10 IT Book by Stephen King
04:03 IT Miniseries (1990)
09:00 Pennywise The Story of IT Documentary and Georgie Short Film
10:30 IT Chapter One (2017) VS. IT Chapter Two (2019)
20:30 Giveaway Prize Pack! How to Enter
#it #pennywise #clown #timcurry #billskarsgard #welcometoderry #hbomax #newlinecinema #warnerbros #stephenking #horror #podcast
Film Reviews lists
More Film Reviews shows picked out from the charts
More in Film Reviews
Placed highest on Apple Podcasts' Film Reviews chart right now