The It Couple

Renfield Oct 24, 2024

SJ, Dan, and Spaventa break down the recent action-comedy-horror movie Renfield. They talk about the many reasons the movie feels like a first draft, Nic Cage's successful effort to play Dracula with no goofiness, the group therapy scenes falling completely flat, Nicholas Hoult and Awkwafina being totally miscast, the movie's very fun gory violence, and how Cage feels wasted even though he's the best part of the movie.

Renfield (2023)

Directed by Chris McKay

Written by Ryan Ridley

Starring Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Brandon Scott Jones

The Craft with Colton Haynes Oct 17, 2024

Colton Haynes (Teen Wolf, Arrow) joins SJ and Dan to talk about 90's teen witchcraft movie The Craft. They discuss how the movie is basically X-Men written by the board of a women's college, if they would have been friends with the girls in high school, the meanness of high schoolers in movies of the 90s, and if the movie is scary or not.

The Craft (1996)

Directed by Andrew Fleming

Written by Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming

Starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Skeet Ulrich, Christine Taylor, and Breckin Meyer

No One Will Save You Oct 10, 2024

Dan, SJ, and Spaventa discuss the Hulu alien horror film No One Will Save You. They talk about which scenes feel like Home Alone, if the design of the aliens feels scary, comparisons to Signs, whether we think the movie would have done well as a theatrical release, acting without dialogue, Kaitlyn Dever's creepy dresses, modern horror's overreliance on trauma as character backstory, and the ending feeling like a birth control commercial.

No One Will Save You (2023)

Written and Directed by Brian Duffield

Starring Kaitlyn Dever

The Boogeyman Oct 03, 2024

SJ and Dan cover another Stephen King adaptation, the paranormal horror The Boogeyman. They talk about why the Boogeyman is a lame monster, the generic horror villain trope of feeding on fear, and how they completely disagree about what happens at the end of the movie.

The Boogeyman (2023)

Directed by Rob Savage

Written by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, and Mark Heyman

Starring Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, David Dastmalchian, and Marin Ireland

Scream with Sam Roberts Sep 26, 2024

Dan and Sara welcome Sam Roberts (Jim and Sam Show) to discuss the classic 90s slasher Scream. They talk about if the rules of horror the movie lays out really matter, why Scream is better than most of the movies it celebrates, the method used to keep Rose McGowan stuck in the doggie door, the Psycho quote that does not land, and how Matthew Lillard's character makes the entire movie work.

Scream (1996)

Directed by Wes Craven

Written by Kevin Williamson

Starring David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Jamie Kennedy, and W. Earl Brown

Hellraiser with Brent Sullivan Sep 19, 2024

SJ and Dan are joined by Brent Sullivan (You're Making It Worse podcast) to discuss the original Hellraiser. They talk about Pinhead's World War I veteran backstory, the on-set maggot wrangler, Clive Barker's bad alternative title ideas, and a very Hunter Biden scene.

Hellraiser (1987)

Written and Directed by Clive Barker

Starring Doug Bradley, Clare Higgins, Andrew Robinson, Ashley Laurence, and Sean Chapman

The Good Son Sep 12, 2024

Dan, SJ, and Spaventa discuss the "Evil Macaulay Culkin" movie The Good Son. They talk about how Culkin's character isn't that different from Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, Elijah Wood's dad dumping him at his distant relatives' house immediately after his mother's death, the Augustus Gloop moment, and the ridiculous last line of the movie.

The Good Son (1993)

Directed by Joseph Ruben

Written by Ian McEwan

Starring Elijah Wood, Macaulay Culkin, Wendy Crewson, and David Morse

The Fly with Jon Gabrus Sep 05, 2024

Jon Gabrus (ActionBoyz, High and Mighty podcasts) joins Dan and SJ to discuss body horror classic The Fly! They talk about why we need more remakes of bad movies, the nightmarish image of fingernails falling off, why this is the most pro-abortion movie of all time, how Cronenberg shows Goldblum's gradual transition to Brundlefly, Mel Brooks refusing to be in the movie, and Dan merging with a bedbug in Seth's machine.

The Fly (1986)

Directed by David Cronenberg

Written by Charles Edward Pogue and David Cronenberg

Starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, and John Getz

Talk To Me Nov 14, 2023

As we enter this hiatus period, please enjoy our Talk To Me patreon episode free and unlocked!

SJ, Dan, and Spaventa unpack what they unanimously think is the best new horror movie of 2023, the Australian supernatural possession film from A24, Talk To Me. They discuss how the embalmed hand is not traditionally spooky, how the movie achieves its rough and visceral violence, the unique Australian elements, and the terror of being filmed for tiktoks while under spiritual possession.

Talk To Me (2023) Directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou Written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman Starring Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanju, and Miranda Otto

Thank You From All of Us at The It Couple Nov 13, 2023

The Faculty with Michelle Collins Nov 09, 2023

Michelle Collins (The Michelle Collins Show) joins SJ and Dan to discuss what can only be described as Dawson's Creek meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the 90s high school sci fi horror film The Faculty. They discuss what makes the movie The Breakfast Club of horror, the aliens looking like killer shrimp, the extremely 90s cast, Michelle's Josh Hartnett story, a very weird Schindler's List reference, and the film career of Jon Stewart. The Faculty (1998) Directed by Robert Rodriguez Written by Kevin Williamson Starring Jordana Brewster, Clea Duvall, Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Bebe Neuwirth, Shawn Hatosy, Famke Janssen, Laura Harris, Usher, and Jon Stewart Subscribe at patreon.com/theitcouple for weekly exclusive bonus episodes Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Patreon Preview: Talk To Me Nov 07, 2023

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This week on patreon SJ, Dan, and Spaventa unpack what they unanimously think is the best new horror movie of 2023, the Australian supernatural possession film from A24, Talk To Me. They discuss how the embalmed hand is not traditionally spooky, how the movie achieves its rough and visceral violence, the unique Australian elements, and the terror of being filmed for tiktoks while under spiritual possession.

Talk To Me (2023)

Directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou

Written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman

Starring Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanju, and Miranda Otto

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Leprechaun 4: In Space with Maddy Smith Nov 02, 2023

Maddy Smith (Wild N' Out) joins SJ and Dan to talk about the science fiction slasher sequel Leprechaun 4: In Space. The crew discuss Warwick Davis' commitment to the role, the movie's depiction of nude aliens, and the scene that got the movie greenlit involving a Leprechaun shooting out of a man's penis. Leprechaun 4: In Space (1997) Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith Written by Dennis Pratt Starring Warwick Davis, Rebekah Carlton, Brent Jasmer, Jessica Collins, and Guy Siner Subscribe at patreon.com/theitcouple for weekly exclusive bonus episodes Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Patreon Preview: The Exorcist: Believer Oct 31, 2023

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Happy Halloween! This week on patreon SJ, Dan, and Spaventa went to the see the new Exorcist movie at 1:30pm on a weekday. They discuss the questionable choices that ruin the big exorcism scene, the solid acting and production design, how most of the diversions from the original are misguided, one character we can't believe made it into the final cut, Ellen Burstyn's cringeworthy line about the patriarchy, and the late William Friedkin's message to director David Gordon Greene. Also Dan bought a repulsive movie hot dog. We get into it all.

The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

Directed by David Gordon Greene

Written by Petter Sattler and David Gordon Greene

Starring Leslie Odom Jr, Lidya Jewett, Olivia O'Neill, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Ann Dowd, Ellen Burstyn, and Linda Blair

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The Exorcist with Joe DeRosa Oct 26, 2023

Joe DeRosa (Taste Buds, We'll See You in Hell podcasts) joins SJ and Dan to talk about the demonic possession classic The Exorcist. They discuss why this is one of the best movies of all time, Dan and Joe's longtime personal connections to the movie, how the characters' faith and doubts are challenged and exploited by the Devil, the well-documented cursed production, the movie's glowing portrayal of the Catholic Church, which scene they agree is the gnarliest, the conflict between director William Friedkin and writer William Peter Blatty's visions for the film series, and Joe's many gripes with the landscape of horror films today. The Exorcist (1973) Directed by William Friedkin Written by William Peter Blatty Starring Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb, and Linda Blair Subscribe at patreon.com/theitcouple for weekly exclusive bonus episodes Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Patreon Preview: No One Will Save You Oct 24, 2023

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Dan, SJ, and Spaventa discuss the relatively new Hulu alien horror film No One Will Save You for the second episode of our Patreon launch! They talk about which scenes feel like Home Alone, if the design of the aliens feels scary, comparisons to Signs, whether we think the movie would have done well as a theatrical release, acting without dialogue, Kaitlyn Dever's creepy dresses, modern horror's overreliance on trauma as character backstory, and the ending feeling like a birth control commercial.

No One Will Save You (2023)

Written and Directed by Brian Duffield

Starring Kaitlyn Dever

Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Patreon Preview: Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey (Watchalong Commentary) Oct 23, 2023

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To celebrate the launch of our Patreon we are releasing two bonus episodes this week! Dan, SJ, and Spaventa watch and provide commentary over the highly anticipated independent slasher Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey. You can enjoy this podcast whether you are watching the movie with us or if you're just listening, but if you want to watch the movie it's available to rent in all the usual places and is streaming on Peacock now (not an ad). The rights to the Winnie-The-Pooh children's book series went into the public domain in January 2022, providing a bulletproof legal defense that the filmmakers were not in fact stealing the likeness of a famous Walt Disney Company property. Will Christopher Robin be punished for abandoning Pooh? What grisly fate befell Eeyore? Are Pooh and Piglet cryptids or could they be masked men? All answers will be revealed in this episode.

Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)

Written and Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield

Starring Craig David Dowsett, Chris Cordell, Amber Doig-Thorne, Nikolai Leon, Maria Taylor, Natasha Rose Mills, and Danielle Ronald

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The Silence of the Lambs with Scotty Landes Oct 19, 2023

Scotty Landes (Bananas podcast, screenwriter of Ma) joins Dan and SJ to discuss an all-time classic serial killer horror film, The Silence of the Lambs. They talk about how it compares to other serial killer movies, Anthony Hopkins' impact in less than twenty minutes of screen time, why Jodie Foster didn't want to star in the sequel, Buffalo Bill being just as scary as Hannibal Lecter, and how the movie preceded the widespread mainstream popularity of the true crime genre. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Directed by Jonathan Demme Written by Ted Tally Starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, and Diane Baker Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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The Purge with Sean Donnelly Oct 12, 2023

Sean Donnelly (Brand New Jerks podcast) joins Dan and SJ on the show this week to review the first movie in the dystopian horror franchise The Purge. They discuss their own Purge survival strategies, how the movie revitalized Ethan Hawke's career, Dan buying a sledgehammer for protection, the villains' mostly unexplained motives, and which scene feels very out of place.

The Purge (2013) Written and Directed by James DeMonaco Starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Arija Bareikis, Rhys Wakefield, and Tony Oller Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Psycho with Sam Morril Oct 05, 2023

Sam Morril (We Might Be Drunk podcast) joins Dan and SJ this week to celebrate Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of suspense and horror, Psycho. They discuss gay villains in old movies, why Marion Crane is a terrible criminal, the ways serial killer Ed Gein inspired the story, why Hitchcock shot the movie in black and white, the prevalence of peep holes in motels, the scariness of the famed shower scene, Sam's admiration for Norman's real estate, Anthony Perkins' creepy acting choices, and the movie's Weekend at Bernie's moment. Psycho (1960) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Written by Joseph Stefano Starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Martin Balsam Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Carrie with Kerryn Feehan Sep 28, 2023

Kerryn Feehan (OnlyFeehans podcast) joins the show to talk about the classic high school horror film Carrie. They discuss if Kerryn and SJ empathize with Carrie's teenage girl problems, John Travolta's random southern accent, Piper Laurie thinking she was shooting a comedy, disaster proms in movies, and what makes religion spooky. Carrie (1976) Directed by Brian De Palma Written by Lawrence D. Cohen Starring Sissy Spacek, Amy Irving, Piper Laurie, Nancy Allen, William Katt, Betty Buckley, and John Travolta Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Willow Creek with Bobcat Goldthwait Sep 21, 2023

Bobcat Goldthwait (comedy album Soldier For Christ) joins Dan and SJ to talk about a horror movie he wrote and directed, the found footage creature feature Willow Creek. They discuss filming at the site of the original Patterson-Gimlin footage, eating the local bigfoot burgers, filming with actual long standing members of the bigfoot community, constructing a found footage movie that feels real, an encounter the cast and crew had with a mountain lion, the movie having only 67 edits, and why the movie is shockingly free of gore.

Willow Creek (2013) Written and Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait Starring Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson
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Uncle Sam with Jared Freid Sep 14, 2023

Jared Freid (37 and Single on Netflix, The J-Train podcast) is on the show this week to discuss the Fourth of July themed slasher Uncle Sam. The crew discuss the movie's incoherent political messages, the challenge of distinguishing Uncle Sam's wife from his mom, the first kill taking place 45 minutes into the movie, the insane things Isaac Hayes' character says to children, the worst people in the movie dying offscreen, and the massive amount of plot holes. Uncle Sam (1996) Directed by William Lustig Written by Larry Cohen Starring Bo Hopkins, Timothy Bottoms, Robert Forster, David Fralick, P.J. Soles, William Smith, and Isaac Hayes Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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The Toxic Avenger with Dolph Ziggler Sep 07, 2023

Dolph Ziggler (the hilarious Nick Nemeth) joins Dan and SJ to discuss a favorite movie of his, the superhero/horror cult classic The Toxic Avenger. They talk about the choice to include topless women constantly, Pat Ryan's great 80s politician villain performance, the inexplicable nazi cop, how the vehicular murder scene could have been its own movie, the actual goat from the prank scene having lice, the Toxic Avenger's supernatural sense of right and wrong, nearly every character knowing karate, the painful fast food fight scene, the sundae murder, the absurd love story, and comparisons to Jason Vorhees.

The Toxic Avenger (1984)
Directed by Michael Herz and Samuel Weil Written by Joe Ritter Starring Andree Maranda, Mitchell Cohen, Pat Ryan Jr, Jennifer Baptist, Robert Prichard, and Cindy Manion, Gary Schneider, and Mark Torgi Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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Rosemary’s Baby with Anthony Atamanuik Aug 31, 2023

Anthony Atamanuik (Don't Panic podcast, What We Do in the Shadows) joins the It Couple to discuss one of the all-time classic horror films, Rosemary's Baby. They talk about the return of the nude old people trope, the movie's portrayal of witchcraft and satanism, why John Cassavetes is so good as the mediocre husband Guy, the regrets the book's writer had about bringing satanism into the mainstream, and the party scene that features both Sharon Tate and a future cult leader as extras. They also wonder if there is an acting role Dan and Anthony would give their wives to Satan to get and they inevitably talk about Roman Polanski, Mia Farrow, Woody Allen, and Frank Sinatra. By complete chance we recorded this episode on the 55th anniversary of the film's release. Rosemary's Baby (1968) Written and Directed by Roman Polanski Starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy, and Charles Grodin Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com
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It (1990) with Ian Fidance Aug 24, 2023

Ian Fidance (Bein' Ian with Jordan podcast) joins Dan and Sara to talk about the namesake of the podcast, the 1990 miniseries It. They talk about Harvey Fierstein being the original choice for Pennywise, Tim Curry switching between accents, Pennywise's goofiest attack move, and why the movie could never work in a city setting. This was our first recording so please forgive the sometimes crackly audio.

IT (1990) Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace Written by Lawrence D. Cohen and Tommy Lee Wallace Starring Richard Thomas, John Ritter, Tim Curry, Annette O'Toole, Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher, Tim Reid, and Richard Masur

Have a question about horror movies? Send us an email at theitcouplepodcast@gmail.com