Rug Pullers: Topsy-Turvy Horror Twists

Some horror films end with a twist. These films start with a premise, wait until you’ve buckled in, and then swerve into oncoming traffic. Welcome to Rug Pullers, the subgenre where the story you thought you were watching was the bait. This week, Tommy, Pete, Kynan, and guest Chelsea Stardust tear into three films that gleefully yank the floorboards out from under you: Ghostwatch (1992), the BBC broadcast that gaslit an entire country into thinking their telly was haunted; Barbarian (2022), a movie that weaponizes airbnbs; and Strange Darling (2023), a predator–prey thriller that rearranges itself so often it could qualify as Lego.We debate whether Barbarian’s “mother” is a monster or the most tragic character in the film, whether Ghostwatch’s bumbling TV presenters are brilliant or just British, and whether Strange Darling’s chapter titles are clever or just yelling at you in big fonts. Chelsea Stardust brings a filmmaker’s take on horror tropes, Kynan grapples with whether rug-pulls are honest shocks or cinematic pranks, and Pete wonders if humanity should collectively agree never to go into creepy basement-basements again.These movies sucker punch. They remind you that horror isn’t about the monster in the dark, it’s about the floor that you’re standing on... and how you never noticed that it is made of quicksand.Featured FilmsTonight's Triple Feature:Ghostwatch - Apple TV | Amazon | LetterboxdBarbarian - Apple TV | Amazon | LetterboxdStrange Darling - Apple TV | Amazon | LetterboxdView Our List on Letterboxd(00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark(03:02) - Introducing Chelsea Stardust!(04:18) - Rug Pullers(05:55) - Ghostwatch(09:07) - GW1(09:29) - Ghostwatch(25:08) - GW2(25:41) - Ghostwatch(31:21) - GW3(31:51) - Barbarian(55:01) - Strange Darling(01:16:23) - Coming AttractionsSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Kyle | Kynan | Pete | TommyShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible