375: All Horror October Week 2 - Gateway Horror: Poltergeist (1982)/The Monster Squad With Guest Garrett Wieland

All Horror October rolls on! This week we tackle “gateway horror” — the movies that first lured us into the world of scares, or the ones you’d put in front of a horror-curious kid today. Guest Garrett Wieland helps unpack the just-scary-enough that defines this subgenre. First up is Poltergeist (1982), Tobe Hooper’s haunted-house classic that terrified a generation while still managing to be PG-rated. From cursed televisions to suburban dread, the guys dig into why this film remains a rite of passage for budding horror fans. Then the conversation shifts to The Monster Squad (1987), the cult favorite that mashed together classic Universal monsters with ‘80s kid adventure vibes, creating a bridge between nostalgia and nightmare fuel. As tradition dictates, we pop another oktoberfest — this time from Alstadt Brewing, delivering malty, fall-friendly comfort with every sip. And it's Beer and a Movie’s first taste of Zilker Brewing, adding a fresh Austin flavor to the mix. Whether you grew up sneaking VHS tapes or you’re looking for the perfect spooky-season introduction for the next generation, this gateway horror episode offers plenty of scares, laughs, and beers to go around