Thumb War

Latest Episodes:

Welcome to Derry Episode 7 Review: Pennywise Shines, Logic Burns | Thumb War Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Episode 7 Had Us Yelling at the TV | Welcome to Derry Review

In this episode of Thumb War, we review Welcome to Derry Episode 7 (2025) — an hour of television that somehow delivers peak Pennywise and peak frustration at the same time.

We talk:

Why the Pennywise stage performance works so well
Andy Muschietti’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it organ-grinder cameo
The Black Spot fire, emotional shortcuts, and broken horror logic
When tragedy feels earned… and when it absolutely doesn’t

If you’re wondering whether Welcome to Derry is sticking the landing — or quietly falling apart — Episode 7 gives us plenty to argue about.

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Welcome to Derry Ep 6 Review: Pennywise’s Origin Explained | “The Best Episode So Far?” Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Episode 6 of Welcome to Derry finally feels like the show hitting full stride.

On this episode of Thumb War, we break down the darkest chapter yet — from Pennywise’s unsettling origin story to Ingrid’s role in feeding the horror beneath Derry. Jason and Rachel debate the black-and-white flashbacks, the show’s obsession with daddy issues, and whether this episode recontextualizes everything we’ve seen so far.

If you’ve been waiting for Welcome to Derry to fully deliver on its promise, Episode 6 might be the turning point.

Spoilers ahead for Episode 6.

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Stranger Things 5 Premiere: Dustin’s Mullet, Demogorgon(?) Drama & Joyce Being Joyce Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

JD and Rachel return to the Upside Down to recap Stranger Things Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 — and yes, we’re spoiling everything.

We talk Will’s nightmare opening, the “is that CGI or a PS5 cutscene?” debate, the Dustin/Lucas/Steve dynamics, Robin’s Pretty in Pink broadcast, Jonathan vs. Steve (again), the baffling obstacle course sequence, Holly’s shocking growth spurt, Joyce catching heat, Murray being the delivery man for every important plot point, and the possible real shape of Season 5.

Subscribe for more TV breakdowns, new series reviews, and chaotic movie talk every week on Thumb War.

Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com

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Revenge Of The Sith: Anakin Snaps, Obi-Wan Cooks & Jeshua Kidd Judges Us Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

JD & Rachel fire up the hyperdrive for a deep-dive review of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith — joined by special guest Jeshua Kidd, Jedi Master and all-around Star Wars encyclopedia.

We break down the fall of Anakin Skywalker, the tragedy of Order 66, why Ewan McGregor is acting circles around everyone, and how the film has aged two decades later. Plus: favorite moments, tiny details we never noticed, and which scenes STILL give us goosebumps.

New to Thumb War? We review movies, TV, and all things pop culture — with bad jokes, bold opinions, and occasional dog cameos. Subscribe, rate, review, and check out our Patreon for bonus content!

Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com

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Welcome to Derry Ep 5 — Incredible Pennywise… Questionable Everything Else Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Derry Episode 5 finally gives us what everyone’s been begging for: Pennywise. In the sewer. In full nightmare mode.

In this Thumb War recap, we break down everything from the genuinely awesome parts — Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying Pennywise reveal, the triple-decker teeth, the contortions, the hallucinatory sewer sequences — to the parts that made us feel like we were taking crazy pills.

Including: • The indigenous prophecy lore dump that explains why everyone in Derry acts insane • “There’s something in the water — clown shit” (not our words, the episode’s) • The soldiers making the absolute worst tactical decisions in TV history • A major character death that makes ZERO spatial sense • Whether Matty’s emo sewer glow-up actually worked • Our ongoing fight with the YouTube algorithm thanks to… certain phrases • Why the acting and production design continue to be the saving grace of this series

This is a spoiler-filled, chaotic, honest recap of Episode 5 — the good, the bad, and the “why is everyone in this show so dumb?”

Full transcript moments include Pennywise illusions, failed plans, secret shards, hallucinations, and multiple “are you serious?” plot beats.

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Thumb War: Patreon T-Giving Chaos! Korean BBQ, Terrible Movies & “Turgid” Reviews | P-Hounds Only Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to our Patreon-only T-Giving episode, where the vibes are loose, the thumbs are down, and the opinions are turgid (yes, we go there). In this clip, we bounce between:

Jason’s birthday Korean BBQ adventure The Room, Species, Wicked, and other cinematic crimes Classic P-Hounds-only chaos you won’t see on the main feed

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Welcome to Derry Ep 4 is a LORE DUMP | Pennywise Easter Eggs & Why this Episode Dragged Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

Thumb War is back and slightly annoyed for a new Welcome to Derry Episode 4 Review! We’re forced to ask a serious question: Is this the worst episode yet? The Stephen King Universe lore is being dumped like it's an end-of-season yard sale, and frankly, we're tired of them explaining everything. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason, Rachel, and special guest Jeshua Kidd wade through the Derry, Maine mud to discuss the highly questionable writing and deeply confusing plot points. We break down the absolutely cringe-worthy dialogue, the heavy-handed Pennywise connections and whether the excessive Stephen King Easter Eggs are just fan service covering up a weak script.

In this train wreck, we discuss: The truly unbelievable "How do you move a piano?" scene that made us question everything. Is the 'friendly one' from Juniper Hill trustworthy, or just another convenient plot device? Why the show is struggling to move beyond exposition and actually tell a story.

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Predator Badlands Review — Empathy, Exploding Caterpillars & Klingon-like Drama Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Predator Badlands should’ve been the ninth-installment cash-grab we all politely ignore… but somehow Dan Trachtenberg cooked. In this week’s Thumb War, Rachel and Jason dive into the surprisingly emotional new Predator movie that mixes Klingon-like family drama, Alien-universe corporate stupidity, exploding caterpillars, razor grass, and the most adorable digital murder-gremlin since Grogu.

We get into: Predator sibling beef Elle Fanning playing two androids (one sweet, one corporate demon) Found-family wolf-pack metaphors The baby callous creature who is basically Hazel in CGI form Weyland-Yutani being idiots… again And the controversial PG-13 “Disney-fication” of Predator

This one is shockingly heartfelt, visually bonkers, and absolutely primed for a sequel.

Huge thumbs up. Go see it in a theater.

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Welcome to Derry Episode 3 Review: Did the Horror Budget Fall Into the Sewer? | Thumb War Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

Spoilers for Welcome to Derry Episode 3!

Thumb War returns to Derry, Maine, where the sewers are wet, the ghost children look like Spirit Halloween interns, and the cemetery scene feels one jump scare away from a discount haunted house behind a Home Depot.

After two strong episodes, Episode 3 might be our first real stumble of the season. We break down:

Did the show blow its horror budget in Episodes 1 & 2? Are these ghost kid vibes spooky or just… sticky? Why does the community meeting scene feel like mid-season Canadian public access TV? Are we in Derry or at Canada’s Wonderland Fright Night? Pennywise lore updates (even though he may be on PTO this week)

We still love the show, but we also reserve the right to yell at it.

If you want ad-free episodes, Discord access, and our monthly Patreon Hangout, join the P-Hounds over on Patreon. Support the show and keep the red balloon floating.

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SHAME (2011): Fassbender’s Monster vs. The Human Spirit | PATREON EXCLUSIVE Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Join our Patreon to listen to the entire episode, AD FREE: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU

This week on Thumb War we dive headfirst into “Shame”, the Steve McQueen film that proves even the hottest people alive can be absolutely miserable.

We unpack Michael Fassbender’s Olympic-level libido, Carey Mulligan’s emotional demolition derby performance, the subway eye-sex, the hotel disaster, the threesome-from-hell, and the sibling dynamic that made us both yell “No thank you.”

Jason is weirdly unimpressed. Rachel is weirdly invested. Fassbender is weirdly… relentless.

If you like art-house chaos, trauma bonds, and movies that make you question your entire browser history, this episode is for you.

Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com

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