Watch If You Dare
by Watch If You Dare
Watch If You Dare is a podcast exploring horror cinema through the eyes of a coward and the eyes of a longtime fan. Each episode, Aaron (a horror movie monster boy) and his longtime friend Derek (a lover of the dark and macabre, but a spooky celluloid coward) watch a new movie and then attempt to put their bony fingers on why jumpscares, supernatural entities, and other phobias get under our skin. Whether you’re a hardened horror expert, a casual in a love-hate relationship with scary cinema, or just a victim of a dare, join Derek, Aaron, and the occasional guest or two and face your fears. Find new episodes of Watch If You Dare on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please subscribe, rate and review, and share. We are on Facebook and Twitter @WatchIfYouDare
Episodes
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Episode 185: Friday the 13th Part 3(D) w/ special guest Aaron's MiL Renee
The Spoop bois jump from one iconic slasher to another, but this time......IN 3-D! Joining them to discuss 1982's slasher sequel "Friday the 13th Part III" directed by Steve Miner is Aaron's mother in law Renee. They discuss the reason why Part III was in 3-D, how the movie loosely tackles PTSD,...
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Episode 184: Halloween
To finish this year's Season of Spoop on "Grim Returns," Aaron and Derek discuss the seasonal slasher masterpiece 1978's "Halloween" directed and scored by John Carpenter, who co-wrote it with producer Debra Hill. The spoop bois also include audio clips from various past guests with their…
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Episode 183: Trick or Treat (1986)
To continue the Season of Spoop on the theme of "grim returns," Aaron and Derek cover 1986's supernatural rockstar horror flick "Trick or Treat" (also known as "Ragman") directed by Charles Martin Smith. They discuss the use and marketing of Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons in the cast and the...
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Episode 182: Pet Sematary
The 2026 Season of Spoop on the themes of "returns" and "back from dead" begins now! To start things off, Aaron and Derek discuss 1989's supernatural horror movie "Pet Sematary" adapted from Stephen King's 1983 novel. They talk about the heavy themes in regard to death, how grief can consume and...
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Weeee’re BaaAAaaack!…The Catch Up Episode
The Spoop Bois Aaron and Derek are back! On this special out of continuity, in between episode, the boys explain the hiatus and get into some horror they've enjoyed lately with a focus on movies. ONLY $5 A MONTH to join our Patreon: www.patreon.com/WatchIfYouDare We are on PodBean, Apple…
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Episode 181: Manhunter w/ special guest Mansfield's mom Tammy
This episode features the return of Aaron's mom Tammy as a guest! They discuss 1986's crime thriller "Manhunter" directed by Michael Mann and based off of the 1981 novel "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris. They talk about Brian Cox's performance as Hannibal Lecktor (Lecter), the portrayal of crime...
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Episode 180: Lord of Illusions w/ special guest Cullen Bunn
Aaron and Derek welcome back horror comic author extraordinaire Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man, The Sixth Gun, etc.) to talk 1995's neo-noir supernatural horror film "Lord of Illusions" written and directed by Clive Barker. They discuss what makes Nix such a good horror villain…
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Episode 179: Razorback
On this episode, the Spoop Bois discuss 1984's Australian animal attack horror film "Razorback" written by Everett De Roche and directed by Russell Mulcahy. They talk about the Ozploitation sub-genre of movies, the use of the Australian outback as a wasteland, and the elements of psychedelia and...
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Episode 178: His House
On this episode, Aaron and Derek cover 2020's supernatural folk horror film "His House" written and directed by Remi Weekes. They talk about why movies like this are so important in understanding world views that are not often represented in media, and they get into how the flawed nature of the...
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Episode 177: Silent Hill w/ special guest Valerie Morreale
Val returns to the podcast once again to discuss 2006's supernatural horror film "Silent Hill" adapted from the Konami published game series and directed by Christophe Gans. They talk about how the movie captures the thematic vibes of the game franchise, comparisons and differences from the…
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Episode 176: Dreamcatcher
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2003's science fiction horror film "Dreamcatcher" directed by Lawrence Kasdan, co-written by Kasdan and screenwriter William Goldman, and adapted from the 2001 Stephen King novel. They talk about how this movie failed despite having a superstar team of...
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Episode 175: Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2
PODCAST DAY! For the 2025 holiday season, Aaron and Derek cover 1987's slasher sequel "Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2" directed by Lee Harry. They discuss why a large chunk of this movie is a recap of the first movie, Lee Harry's career, and the brief moments of actual depth through the film....
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Episode 174: Constantine w/ special guest Lauren Willson
To celebrate it now being over 20 years since its release, Aaron and Derek are joined by returning guest Lauren Willson to tackle 2005's supernatural action flick "Constantine" directed by Francis Lawrence and adapted from the "Hellblazer" comic book series. They talk about how the Constantine...
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Episode 173: BLOOD RAGE 2025 w/ special guest Valerie Morreale
For Thanksgiving, the Spoop Bois are joined by returning guest Valerie Morreale of the Screenage Wasteland film website and The Canon Podcast to tackle the 1980s cult holiday slasher film "Blood Rage" directed by John Grissmer. They discuss why they chose this film and what makes it perfect…
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Episode 172: A Cure for Wellness w/ special guest Caitlin Starling
Superstar horror author Caitlin Starling (The Graceview Patient, The Starving Saints, The Death of Jane Lawrence, The Luminous Dead, and many other works) returns to the show to discuss 2016's psychological horror film "A Cure for Wellness" directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Justin Haythe...
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Episode 171: Scream w/ special guests Raf Stitt & Valerie Morreale
For Halloween 2025 and to wrap up the "High School Horror" Season of Spoop, Aaron and Derek are joined by Raf Stitt and Valerie Morreale of the Screenage Wasteland film website and The Canon Podcast to discuss 1996's slasher classic "Scream" directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson....
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Episode 170: Carrie w/ special guest Heather Murray
For the second "high school horror" themed Season of Spoop episode, Heather returns to the show to discuss 1976's supernatural horror movie "Carrie" directed by Brian De Palma and adapted from the Stephen King book. They get into bullying in high school, whether or not Carrie is a sympathetic...
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Episode 169: The Faculty w/ special guests Nate Boyd & Tyler McCarty
It's October, so 2025's Season of Spoop begins! This year the theme is "high school horror." To start off this year's series, Nate and Tyler (hosts of the Hate Speech Podcast, The Bruce Campbell Podcast and Animorphing Time Podcast) return to discuss 1998's science fiction horror film "The…
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Episode 168: Race with the Devil
On this episode, Aaron and Derek take a road trip with 1975's road horror film "Race with the Devil" directed by Jack Starrett. They discuss RV culture, how this movie is a mix of 70s Satanic panic, road movies, car chases and hicksploitation, and the differences between Satanism in media in the...
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Episode 167: Trollhunter w/ special guest Caitlin Starling
On this episode, acclaimed author Caitlin Starling (The Luminous Dead, The Starving Saints, The Death of Jane Lawrence, etc.) joins Aaron and Derek to discuss 2010's Norwegian dark fantasy mockumentary "Trollhunter" written and directed by André Øvredal. They talk about Caitlin's bibliography,...
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Episode 166: The Mangler
On this episode, Aaron and Derek discuss 1995's haunted machine film "The Mangler" directed by Tobe Hooper and based off the 1972 Stephen King short story. They talk about how Hooper combined his humorous horror sensibilities with King's insane creative energy and adding more to what is an...
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Episode 165: Frailty
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2001's psychological horror film "Frailty" directed by and starring Bill Paxton. They talk about Bill Paxton's creepy earnestness, how the writing cleverly handles multiple twists and reveals, and what makes this an effective horror movie without any...
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Episode 164: Jaws w/ special guest Damian Potesta
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," Damian returns to the show to talk the 1975 masterpiece film directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted from the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley. They discuss why "Jaws" is a horror movie first, the effect on merchandise pre-Star Wars, and how it…
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Episode 163: 28 Days Later w/ special guest Heather Murray
On this episode, Heather returns to discuss 2002's post-apocalyptic horror film "28 Days Later" directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. They get into how the lo-fi quality helps enhance the movie, the effect it had on horror and pop culture, and what this did for the careers of…
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Episode 162: Friday the 13th Part 2 w/ special guest Katie O’Hagan
For this Friday June 13th, actress Katie O'Hagan (Mia Winters in Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village) returns on short notice to discuss a personal favorite 1981 slasher sequel "Friday the 13th Part 2" directed by Steve Miner in his directorial debut with Derek and Aaron. They talk about…
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Episode 161: Jacob's Ladder
On this episode, Derek and Aaron discuss 1990's psychological horror film "Jacob's Ladder" directed by Adrian Lyne. They talk about how screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin's spiritual journey and beliefs influenced the script, the heavy inspiration this movie had on the Silent Hill video game…
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Episode 160: Dead Alive (Braindead) w/ special guest Josiah Mansfield
Aaron's brother Josiah returns to the show to discuss 1992's New Zealand comedy splatter film "Braindead" ("Dead Alive" in North America) directed by Peter Jackson with the Spoop Bois. They talk about the wild nature of Peter Jackson's career trajectory, the amount of fake blood used with the...
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Episode 159: The Cell
On this episode, Derek and Aaron discuss 2000's science fiction psychological horror film "The Cell" directed by Tarsem Singh. They talk about how style over substance helps this movie, the Hollywoodization of mental illness and serial killers, and how much of the plot takes place as a true crime...
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Episode 158: Deep Red
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its release, Aaron and Derek discuss Italian giallo film "Deep Red ('Profondo rosso' in Italian)" directed by Dario Argento. They talk about what makes this a quintessential giallo film, the straightforward slasher elements, and how the movie challenges...
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Episode 157: The Hallow w/ special guest Katie O’Hagan
In time for Saint Patrick's Day, actress Katie O’Hagan (Mia Winters in Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village) returns to the podcast to discuss 2015's British-Irish co-produced supernatural horror movie "The Hallow" directed by Corin Hardy with Aaron and Derek! They get into the portrayal of...
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Episode 156: Def by Temptation
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 1990's horror film "Def by Temptation" written, directed, and produced by James Bond III who is also the star. They talk about how this became James Bond III's passion project, the progressive and problematic aspects of the story, and Kadeem Hardison's...
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Episode 155: Blue Velvet w/ special guest Heather Murray
Rest in peace, David Lynch! This episode, Aaron's wife Heather returns to discuss 1986's neo-noir psychological thriller "Blue Velvet" written and directed by David Lynch with Aaron and Derek. They get into Lynch's exploration of the horrific dark underbelly of a white picket fences Americana…
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Episode 154: 30 Days of Night
Aaron and Derek start 2025 off by tackling 2007's vampire horror film "30 Days of Night" directed by David Slade and based on the comic book of the same name. They talk about the severe isolation and how unforgiving the environment is to anyone unprepared, the animalistic portrayal of the…
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Episode 153: Christmas Evil
Happy holidays! For the 2024 holiday episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 1980's Santa slasher "Christmas Evil" (originally "You Better Watch Out," and also known as "Terror in Toyland") written and directed by Lewis Jackson. They compare it with other dark holiday horror movies, discuss the dangerous...
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Episode 152: Ghost Story w/ special guest Heather Gunnell
On this episode, Heather Gunnell returns to the show to discuss 1981's supernatural horror film "Ghost Story" directed by John Irvin and based on the 1979 novel by Peter Straub. They talk about how this is a great horror movie for winter, the tradition of telling ghost stories, and revelations of...
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Episode 151 BLOOD RAGE 2024 w/ special guest Shelby Novak of Scare You To Sleep
For Thanksgiving, the Spoop Bois are joined by returning guest Shelby Novak of Scare You To Sleep Podcast and Bloody Disgusting fame to tackle the 1980s cult holiday slasher film "Blood Rage" directed by John Grissmer. They discuss why they chose this film and what makes it perfect horror viewing...
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Episode 150: Possessor
On their 150th, Aaron and Derek tackle 2020's sci-fi psychological horror film "Possessor" written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg. They discuss the nature of class and privacy shown in the movie, the bleakness of an alternative 2008, and the idea of possession through unexplained scientific...
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Episode 149: The Blob (1988)
It's the 2024 Halloween episode in which Derek and Aaron cover the last "IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!" themed Season of Spoop film! They talk about the 1988 sci-fi horror remake of "The Blob" (original released in 1958) directed by Chuck Russell and written by Russell and Frank Darabont. They...
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Episode 148: Lifeforce w/ special guest James Hales
The "IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!" themed Season of Spoop rolls on. Aaron and Derek are joined by James to talk 1985's British science fiction horror flick "Lifeforce" directed by Tobe Hooper, adapted by Dan O'Bannon, and based on the novel "The Space Vampires" by Colin Wilson. They discuss...
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Episode 147: Killer Klowns from Outer Space w/ special guest Katie of True Crime Campfire
2024 Season of Spoop starts now! The movie theme this year is IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!! To begin, Aaron and Derek are joined by Katie the other cohost of the podcast "True Crime Campfire" to discuss 1988's science fiction comedy horror "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" written, directed and...
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Episode 146: Noroi: The Curse
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2005's Japanese found footage horror movie "Noroi: The Curse" directed and co-written by Kōji Shiraishi. They discuss how the pseudo-documentary presentation compliments found footage, the foreboding dread and methodical pacing, and Japanese culture and...
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Episode 145: The Crow w/ special guest Caitlyne Shirley
The Spoop Boiz are joined by their avenging angel/college pal Caitlyne to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their favorite gothy sadboy revenge tale - The Crow! They explore the original James O'Barr indie comic book, director Alex Proyas' music video visuals that brought this trashfire dystopian...
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Episode 144: Alien w/ special guest Josiah Mansfield
On this extra special episode, Aaron's little brother Josiah joins to discuss 1979's science fiction horror masterpiece "Alien" directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon. They talk about their personal experiences with the movie including their first exposure to it and what they take...
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Episode 143: Dolls
On this episode, the Spoop Bois Aaron and Derek cover 1987's killer toy flick "Dolls" directed by Stuart Gordon. They talk about the role of toys as a childhood attachment and gateway to fantasy, the exploration of younger generations moving away from toys, and the strange juxtaposition of...
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Episode 142: Tetsuo: The Iron Man w/ special guest Jonathan Nowacki
Jonathan returns in the guest seat to discuss 1989's Japanese experimental sci-fi body horror movie "Tetsuo: The Iron Man" directed, written, produced, and edited by Shinya Tsukamoto in his first first feature length film with Spoop Bois Aaron and Derek. They get into the themes or lack thereof,...
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Episode 141: Cronos
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle Guillermo del Toro's first feature film and independent horror movie "Cronos" from 1992. They talk about Ron Perlman's casting in a Spanish language horror movie, del Toro's intention for this being his first feature, and how this provides the blueprint for...
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Episode 140: Silver Bullet
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 1985's horror film "Silver Bullet" directed by Dan Attias and adapted from Stephen King's 1983 novella "Cycle of the Werewolf." They talk about the surprising darker themes present in the flick, the creativity of Stephen King bleeding through, and the...
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Episode 139: Midsommar w/ special guest Heather Murray
Aaron's wife Heather returns to the show to discuss 2019's folk horror film "Midsommar" written and directed by Ari Aster. They talk about whether or not the morality of Dani's choices in the ending matter, what it means to find true freedom, and "The Wicker Man's" massive influence on this film...
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Episode 138: Saint Maud w/ special guest Angela
First time guest Angela joins Aaron and Derek to discuss 2019's psychological horror film "Saint Maud" written and directed by Rose Glass in her feature directorial debut. They get into how the movie explores adult spirituality juxtaposed with trauma, the nature of isolation and repression, and…
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Episode 137: Demons (Dèmoni) w/ special guest James Hales
On this episode, James Hales returns to discuss 1985's Italian supernatural horror film "Demons" (Italian: Dèmoni) directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento with Aaron and Derek. They talk about Bava's involvement with the project in comparison with Argento and other collaborators,...
About this show
Watch If You Dare is a podcast exploring horror cinema through the eyes of a coward and the eyes of a longtime fan. Each episode, Aaron (a horror movie monster boy) and his longtime friend Derek (a lover of the dark and macabre, but a spooky celluloid coward) watch a new movie and then attempt to put their bony fingers on why jumpscares, supernatural entities, and other phobias get under our skin. Whether you’re a hardened horror expert, a casual in a love-hate relationship with scary cinema, or just a victim of a dare, join Derek, Aaron, and the occasional guest or two and face your fears. Find new episodes of Watch If You Dare on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please subscribe, rate and review, and share. We are on Facebook and Twitter @WatchIfYouDare
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