Advertise on podcast: Rogues Gallery

It's the season finale of Rogues Gallery, and our final investigation of the year leads us into the eerily empty halls of Hillcrest Academy for a look back at Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. What began as a modest direct-to-video sequel was reborn as a prestige anniversary event, bringing Jamie Lee Curtis back for one last confrontation with the Shape... or so we thought. We dig into how a late-stage rewrite and a scrapped subplot shaped this sleek, surprisingly brisk entry, and whether the glossy, post-Scream style enhances or undermines what made the early films so haunting. Along the way, we also unpack the chaotic saga of the four different Michael Myers masks, the eleventh-hour overhaul of its controversial score, and whether or not it truly delivers the cathartic ending it intended. Finally, we debate where H20 ranks among the Halloween films we've covered thus far, and Kristen makes her predictions for the next entry. Our next season begins in February 2026. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

It's Fall Verhoeven on Rogues Gallery! Our retrospective of Paul Verhoeven's work is winding down, and we're capping it off with a trip to Mars in his 1990 action/sci-fi fever dream Total Recall.  Join us as we dig into the chaotic production history, break down the wild practical effects, and debate whether or not this is all real or just an implanted fantasy. Get ready for some open-your-mind weirdness because we've got a lot of thoughts about this one. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

A young couple sets out to capture proof of the strange disturbances in their suburban home, but what begins as an experiment in home video quickly spirals into a relentless descent into fear. With its no-frills found-footage style and chillingly simple premise, Paranormal Activity turned a $15,000 indie project into a box office phenomenon and reignited a wave of supernatural horror. On this episode, we dig into the indie sensation that terrified audiences, examine how it reshaped the horror landscape of the 2000s, and debate whether or not the scares hold up when viewed outside the hype. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Lisbeth Salander had already become an international icon before David Fincher brought her to Hollywood with his visceral and uncompromising retelling of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but is this the definitive interpretation of this character and story? That's what we're digging into this week. So join us as we discuss Fincher's exacting craft, Rooney Mara's transformation, the major differences between this and the previous adaptation, the sequels that never materialized, the enduring pop culture legacy of everyone's favorite hacker vigilante, and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're diving into one of the weirdest invasions ever committed to celluloid: Killer Klowns from Outer Space. When a group of extraterrestrial circus clowns land in a small town, they don't come in peace... unless "peace" involves cotton candy cocoons, shadow puppet executions, and balloon animal bloodhounds. Topics include: how the Chiodo Brothers' low-budget labor of love turned into a cult phenomenon, why the clown aesthetic is so effective (and so unsettling), and how this movie manages to be both a parody of '50s B-movies and an earnest entry in the horror-comedy canon. Along the way, we talk creature effects, missed sequel opportunities, and more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

We want to play a game. That's right, it's time to investigate 2004's Saw - the low-budget sleeper hit that became a phenomenon and kicked off one of the most lucrative horror franchises of the last two decades. But this original entry has some key differences from the majority of its sequels, so join us as we unpack the film we remember this being vs. what it actually is. Topics include: the short film that was sent out with copies of the script, the unusual course of events that led to Danny Glover accepting one of the important supporting roles, some of the major inconsistencies with Jigsaw's methodology, how the abbreviated shooting schedule prevented director James Wan from getting all of the footage he needed, the creative solutions that were employed to patch those holes, why the opening fifteen minutes is still our favorite part of the movie, what we think of the sequels, where the franchise goes from here,  and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

"Deepest. Bluest. My hat is like a shark's fin." - Henry David Thoreau This week, we're visiting the Aquatica Research Facility and submerging ourselves in the 1999 sci-fi/action/thriller Deep Blue Sea. Originally conceived as Jurassic Park meets Jaws, the filmmakers ultimately decided to take a page from Alien's playbook instead. Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of that approach, compare the finished film with earlier iterations of the script, go over our favorite characters and set pieces, dissect the lyrics of LL Cool J's tie-in song,  try to make sense of the two straight-to-video sequels, and contemplate DBS's place in the pantheon of non-Jaws shark movies. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

"Sometimes The Pink Opaque feels more real than real life." On this episode, we're traversing The Midnight Realm and opening up a case file on Mr. Melancholy from I Saw The TV Glow. Topics include: writer/director Jane Schoenbrun's inspiration for the story, our own personal connections to the media that this is influenced by, how authentically this captures the miasma of 1990s suburbia, the way our feelings about the movie evolved after subsequent viewings, interpretations of the ending, the incredible soundtrack, and much more!  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're headed to the quiet town of Canaima, where a deadly infestation is crawling just beneath the surface. We're breaking down Arachnophobia, the Spielberg-produced "thrill-omedy" that gave audiences a reason to check their shoes before putting them on. Topics include: the more straightforward tone of the original script, how the finished film aims to balance those genuine scares with campy charm, our favorite characters and moments, the complex logistics behind wrangling hundreds of real spiders on set, the comic book, the video game, the abandoned remake, and more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're strapping into our Gyrospheres and heading back to Isla Nublar to unlock the secrets of 2015's Jurassic World. After spending over a decade exploring (and ultimately rejecting) various story ideas, Steven Spielberg finally hit upon a concept for the long-awaited fourth film in his blockbuster franchise... Open the park. But even with those guardrails in place, this installment went through a wild ride to get to the big screen. On this episode, we're digging into all the behind-the-scenes info and trying to figure out how we feel about this one ten years later. Topics include: the absolutely bonkers version of Jurassic Park IV they came very close to making in the early aughts, why it took so long to shift gears, the big differences between the original draft of this script and director Colin Trevorrow's rewrite, the creation of the Indominus Rex and why the meta aspect they're going for winds up falling flat, the best and worst moments, some mixed feelings about one of the movie's standout sequences, our rankings of these films, thoughts on the upcoming Jurassic World: Rebirth, and much more!  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're revisiting the infamous fifth installment of the Friday the 13th franchise: A New Beginning! The film that dared to continue Jason Voorhees' legacy without the man himself. Set five years after the events of The Final Chapter, this entry follows a troubled Tommy Jarvis as he grapples with trauma and a new wave of murders at a halfway house for troubled teens. While the hockey mask returns, the man behind it is not who you'd expect, leading to one of the series' most controversial twists. Join us as we dissect the film's bold choices, its place in the slasher genre, and whether A New Beginning deserves its notorious reputation. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're venturing deep into the Amazon to confront one of cinema's most infamous serpents: the titular terror of 1997's Anaconda. When a documentary crew sets out to capture the elusive Shirishamas tribe on film, they instead find themselves ensnared in the coils of a maniacal hunter's obsession... and the literal coils of a giant, man-eating snake. Topics include: the filmmakers' original intention to make something similar in tone to Jaws, Jon Voight's campy yet compelling performance, the practical and CGI effects that brought the monstrous anaconda to life, how the movie slithered its way into cult classic status, and much more!  So grab your gear and prepare for a wild ride through the jungle--just watch out for the ssssnakes! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

GoldenEye marked the beginning of a new era for the James Bond franchise, introducing Pierce Brosnan as 007 in a post-Cold War world grappling with shifting geopolitics and evolving cultural expectations. And instead of running from those inescapable truths, the producers decided to confront them head-on. The result? One of the most beloved entries in the entire saga. Join us as we discuss the original plans for Timothy Dalton's third outing, other contenders for the lead role before Brosnan was cast, how the marketing spoiled the film's big reveal, what makes Alec Trevelyan such a standout villain, the way the film puts a fresh spin on established tropes, the incredible supporting cast, deleted scenes, the controversial score, some thoughts about the proposed Old Man Bond film starring Brosnan that seems to be gaining momentum, and of course... the Nintento 64 game. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

This week, we're investigating The Entity from It Follows and discussing what makes this atmospheric horror/mystery so effective.  Topics include: the recurring nightmare that inspired the film, the anachronistic production design and how it adds to the overall dreamlike feel, the incredible score by Diasterpeace, a few differences between the script and the final cut, all the different interpretations of what this is actually about, the divisive ending, the upcoming sequel, and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

In this episode, we delve into the 2022 sci-fi horror film M3GAN, directed by Gerard Johnstone. The story centers on Gemma, a robotics engineer who becomes the guardian of her orphaned niece, Cady. To help Cady cope with her loss, Gemma introduces her to M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), an AI-driven doll designed to be the perfect companion. However, M3GAN's advanced learning capabilities lead her to develop self-awareness, resulting in unexpected and deadly consequences. ​ We'll explore the film's surprisingly wry tone, its themes of artificial intelligence, the ethical boundaries of technological advancement, and the human need for connection. Additionally, we'll discuss how M3GAN fits into the lineage of killer doll narratives, drawing comparisons to iconic figures like Chucky and Annabelle. ​ Join us as we analyze the film's commentary on the potential dangers of AI, its reflection on modern parenting in the digital age, and its place within the horror genre's exploration of technology run amok. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler