All Episodes - Not Quite Dead
Two gal pals chat about their favorite horror movies. We go deep, but also keep it pretty shallow.
View Podcast Details125 Episodes
The Conjuring
NQD is kicking off an all-new season focusing on the horror scream king Patrick Wilson! The modern horror icon stars in our first movie of the year: The Conjuring (2013). Director James Wan kicks off this horror movie franchise with Patrick Wilson alongside Vera Farmiga playing real-life paranormal investigator couple Ed and Lorraine Warren. They're skeptical of the haunting at the Perron house...until they get there. Discussion points include: 1970s sideburns, vintage real estate, mother/daughter relationships.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Don't say his name a third time! Tim Burton is back 30ish years later with the long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara from the original are back too, joined by newcomers Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci and Justin Theroux. Beetlejuice is surprisingly helpful in this jaunt to get Lydia's daughter out of the underworld. Discussion points include: stitching fetishes, unnecessary B-plots, the excellent Catherine O'Hara.
Dead Snow
Is this our silliest episode yet? You tell us! To cap off the 2024 year and our zombie season, we're bringing you Dead Snow. The 2009 flick Dead Snow delivers exactly what's on the label: a Nazi zombie campy horror movie. Come for the cheesy plot, stay for the copious blood and guts. Discussion points include: Nazi zombies (duh), snowmobile skiing, a disgusting outhouse rendezvous.
Planet Terror
Planet Terror introduces NQD to yet another type of zombie: the biochemical-warfare induced mutant! Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror was released as one-half of the Grindhouse production alongside Quentin Tarantino's Deathproof. Arguably and demonstrably the more successful of the two, Planet Terror follows a ragtag group just trying to survive: a go-go dancer, her ex-lover, an unhappily married pair of doctors, the town sheriff, and the sheriff's BBQ-joint running brother. Discussion points include: tongue abscesses, campy quantities of blood, unnecessary director self-inserts.
House of the Dead
NQD tackles their first Uwe Boll-directed movie, and it lives up to his reputation! House of the Dead (2003) is a zombie movie of contradictions - so much death, yet so very boring. A group of friends are going to a rave on a remote rainforest island, but quickly discover zombies are on the rampage. With help from the smuggling boat crewmen that took them to the island, a handful of ravers, and a harbor patrolwoman, the friends attempt to kill as many zombies as they can. Discussion points include: video game cut scenes, immortal Spanish priests, movie references or ripoffs?
The Girl with all the Gifts
The Girl with all the Gifts is a beautiful, thought-provoking zombie movie. We loved it and we think you will too! It's a criminally under-watched film, so make sure to add it to your rental queue! Melanie, a zombie-human hybrid child, escapes the military compound she's lived her whole life in and helps guide a group of humans across London. Discussion points include: alignment charts, military compounds, next-generation zombies.
Resident Evil
Milla Jovovich, how we love you. NQD is bringing you the original 2002 Resident Evil, the very first in a five movie franchise. Special guest David Celarie from the horror movie podcast Knight Light joins us to discuss all of the gruesome action and play a special game! Jovovich fights off amnesia, zombies, and a shady tech company in this horror-action flick. Discussion points include: video game adaptations, memory loss, evil mega-corporations.
World War Z
It’s World War Z, the blockbuster sensation filled with the fastest zombies we’ve ever seen. Based on a global best-selling book, WWZ is an action-packed jaunt around the world with Brad Pitt at the helm as UN special investigator. Discussion points include: plane crash scenes, traumatized spare children, unnecessary family plot.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
A remake that’s…pretty good! Dawn of the Dead is already a zombie classic, and while this version doesn’t update much, it does place us squarely in the early 2000s. Special guests High on Film’s Brad Davis and Chris Maxwell join us for this action-packed episode! Before he was releasing cuts of DC movies, Zack Snyder directed the remake of Dawn of the Dead. Featuring the iconic mall setting and a creepy little zombie baby, it’s a modern classic! Discussion points include: mall theft, power-tripping security guards, and the saddest chess game ever.
Little Monsters (2019)
Lupita Nyong'o stars as the cutest zombie killing teacher ever in the Hulu-released horror-comedy flick Little Monsters (2019). Slacker Dave joins his young nephew on a field trip strictly to get closer to his cute teacher, Miss Audrey. Dave quickly learns he needs to take at least a little responsibility when the field trip has to face a horde of zombies. Discussion points include: disrespectful houseguests, the slacker-to-hero storyline, children's entertainers.
Train to Busan
Train to Busan was director Yeon Sang-ho's gift to the world in 2016. Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame calls it the best zombie film ever made - and who are we to disagree? Gong Yoo (known now for Squid Game) plays Seok-woo, a hedge fund manager who prioritized work over his family - until a zombie apocalypse traps him and his young daughter on a high speed train. They are up against zombies and the selfishness of their fellow passengers, making for a thrilling horror film. Discussion points include: undead animals, Korean horror themes, multiple villains.
Shaun of the Dead
Edgar Wright wraps his love of the zombie genre in many layers of era-specific humor in the buddy horror comedy Shaun of the Dead! Guest Jason Burk from Hemispheric Views joins us again to reminisce on this not-so-cult classic. Shaun is your typical Gen X slacker who shirks responsibility at every available opportunity. That is, until a zombie apocalypse arrives in his garden. With the help of his equally lame best friend, Shaun embarks on a quest to save his mum and ex-girlfriend, and maybe do a little bit of growing up along the way (but, probably not). Discussion points include: the loser hero's journey, hot skeletons, witty dialog, and - oh, wait, you've got red on you.
28 Days Later
Director Danny Boyle reinvigorated the zombie genre with 2002's 28 Days Later. Cillian Murphy wakes up alone and naked in a hospital bed 28 days after a rage virus decimates England. Zombies, lack of resources, and some really gross military dudes round out some real horror in this episode! Discussion points include: how quickly men become terrible in a disaster, falling in love in an apocalypse, how to flag down help.
Night of the Living Dead
NQD couldn't kick off a Zombies season without George Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead! Bringing the zombie genre to life, Romero shocked 1960s audiences with his tale of the undead. It's gruesome, it's seminal, it's a ghoulish good time! Discussion points include: earlier zombie movies, a useless woman, space radiation.
The Grudge
The Grudge came out hot on the heels of global interest in J-horror, and is one of the better American adaptations! Sarah Michelle Gellar stars in Sam Raimi's 2004 ghost horror story as an American exchange student attempting to solve a haunting. Discussion points include: Japanese horror history, onryo, the ghosts' rules.
Saw X - 100th Episode Xtravaganza!
Are you ready for a Saw X-travaganza?! We here at NQD certainly are! Join us as we talk all things prequel, play the drinking game we came up with way back in Season 1 of the podcast, test each other's Saw trivia knowledge, and re-rank the films in the franchise. It's a blast, and not just the kind that makes you lose a limb. Discussion points include: what makes a critically acclaimed Saw film, the return of director Kevin Greutert, John Kramer's doodling.
Smile
Smile (2022) may be director Parker Finn's feature length film debut, but it has the style and scares to feel like a veteran effort. Psychiatric therapist Laura already has a lot of baggage - workaholic, abusive childhood, a strained relationship with her sister - when a delusional patient seems to transmit a terrifying curse onto her. Is it all in her head, or is there an entity really after her? Discussion points include: homages to other horror films, a useless fiancé, poor trauma processing.
The Orphanage
The 2007 Spanish film The Orphanage has horrors of multiple levels: a missing child, playful ghosts, and home renovations. The J.A. Bayona horror flick was a smash hit internationally, bringing acclaim to the Spanish film industry. Not Quite Dead gets into the details of a woman buying the orphanage she grew up in with her family, only to be plagued by ghosts and the loss of her son. Discussion points include: abandoned beach-front real estate, watching the wrong movie, Peter Pan references. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Casper
Not Quite Dead? More like "Not So Scary" when we cover nostalgic classics like the 1995 movie Casper! Fan favorites Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman and Devon Sawa star in the kid-friendly film about a dead child ghost falling in love with a living teen. Discussion points include: terrible uncle poltergeists, the CGI of the 90s, and dead wives.
Evil Dead Rise
The Evil Dead Rise! The series is back and chock full of Sam Raimi-isms, with plenty of homages to the much beloved earlier entries in the franchise. Stuffed to the brim with disgustingly gory effects and plenty of slyly funny jokes, Lee Cronin's 2023 addition to the Evil Dead series is a welcome one. Discussion points include: sister relationships, where not to take a pregnancy test, our favorite callbacks.
Paranormal Activity
The first found footage movie to be scary since Blair Witch! Paranormal Activity debuted in 2007 to critical acclaim and a staggering box office on a shoestring budget. Couple Katie and Micah are already on tense terms when they get third-wheeled by Katie's own personal (literal) demon. Micah is an inept boyfriend whose only skill is pissing off a demon, while poor Katie has to be haunted while surrounded by his cameras. Discussion points include: bad boyfriends, specializing in undead hauntings, budget filmmaking.
Infinity Pool
Come away with us to tropical Li Tolqa, home to beautiful resorts and pay-to-play murder and crime sprees! The catch is teeny-tiny: be executed for your misdeeds or pay to have a clone of yourself be killed in your place. Infinity Pool, directed and written by Brandon Cronenberg, explores issues of privilege, tourism, and scifi existentialism in one not-so-neat package. Discussion points include: fictional tourist countries, White Lotus, Cronenberg the Elder vs Cronenberg the Younger.
Poltergeist
They're here! NQD is covering the classic horror film Poltergeist. Effectively a Steven Spielberg movie, this movie introduced a new cultural fear: getting stuck in the TV. Join us as we dissect the haunting of this all-American 80s family, baby angel Carol Anne's entrapment in the ghostly plane, and a host of malicious spirits. Discussion points include: the old timey 80s, what's a poltergeist vs a haunting, and sketchy special effects.
Knock at the Cabin
TW: This episode contains discussion of suicide and self-harm. If you need help or are having thoughts of harming yourself, please call or text 988. M. Night Shyamalan, you dog, you did it again. A thrilling popcorn flick with twists aplenty, the 2023 mystery/horror movie Knock at the Cabin brings the frights. Are these four strangers really preventing the end times, or are they delusional cultists targeting a queer family? Discussion points include: Dave Bautista's career, suicide cults, our favorite type of apocalypse.
Oculus
Director Mike Flanagan, now better known for the Flanaverse of horror shows on Netflix, helmed Oculus as one of his first feature-length films. Siblings Kaylie and Tim post up in their childhood home, where they attempt to capture definitive proof that a cursed mirror caused their family’s tragedy, not their father. Jump scares galore in this one! Discussion points include: how to outsmart ghosts, eating things you definitely shouldn't, the nonsensical characterization of Kaylie. The Lasser glass, while not real, was hung in a real place - Balmoral Castle. Learn about other myths and folktales from the Bavarian forest. Pica is a real and scary condition! Episode edited by Tedd Williamson. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Renfield
The two greatest Nicks, together at last! Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage join up for a fun, albeit critically bombed, turn in the horror comedy Renfield (2023). Hoult plays the much maligned assistant to Cage's Dracula, with variably funny turns from Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz in supporting roles. Discussion points include: top comedy and horror moments, vampire traits, other notable Louisiana vampire lore.
41st Anniversary of The Thing in Which We Talk About the 40th Anniversary Fathom Event
Did you know that the 80s were 40 years ago? We did, and so did the film industry! This special episode covers John Carpenter’s The Thing and its 40th Anniversary Fathom event (err….one year later). What we consider today a masterpiece look at the horror of a perfectly-replicating alien invasion, the folks of the 80s found disgusting, depressing, and a little dull. Boo for them, yay for us! Discussion points include: lackluster Fathom events, Carpenter’s special effects, the fun of paranoia and nihilism. Check out some of the practical special effects in the movie. Learn how you too can work in Antarctica. Read about the real-life Nauls of Antarctica. Mick Garris throws shade like no other. BONUS! See Meg's many pages of notes for this movie, unfiltered. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
His House
A hauntingly tragic story of immigration, ghosts both real and imagined, His House is a universally acclaimed horror film. The 2020 directorial debut from Remi Weekes about a South Sudanese refugee couple in the UK touches on culture, racism, xenophobia, and war trauma. Heavy but necessary topics that truly show that horror is embedded in all aspects of society. Discussion points include: UK immigration statistics, refugee trauma, what makes a good person. Read about the cripplingly high bonds that immigrants have to pay to be released from detention. Learn about UK immigration statistics. How much does the average grocery bill cost per week? Episode edited by Tedd Williamson. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Scream 6
The requel has become a franchise! Scream 6 returns with the same cast from Scream 5 - Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera as the leads - with a few extras from the Scream days of old. Appearances from Gail Weathers and Kirby keep the franchise foundation in what we find to be a very strong entry to the series. Discussion points include: how meta is too meta, ranking the Scream films, and fakeout kill counts.
The Others
A family psychodrama wrapped up in a ghost story - the stuff of nightmares! Nicole Kidman's turn as a 1940s mommy dearest in The Others is a stellar performance, a welcome retreat from some of the campier ghost movies this season. Discussion points include: WWII, creepy children, the place of religion in an ambiguous afterlife. Read all about Nicole Kidman's behind the scenes trivia. Are light allergies real? Learn about the novella that this movie - and The Haunting of Bly Manor! - is based on, The Turn of the Screw. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey
This isn’t the 100 Acre Woods you remember! Much to the mouse house’s chagrin, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was fast tracked for release once the IP came into the public domain. What else is there to do but make a gruesome, terrible horror movie out of a beloved childhood character? Discussion points include: copyright law, the uselessness of adult Christopher Robin, B-movie horror tropes. Learn all about the Copyright Act of 1909 What other IPs went into the public domain when Winnie the Pooh did? Read about the company that made the frightening masks Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
13 Ghosts
Special guest Jason from the podcast Hemispheric Views joins us for 13 Ghosts (also known as THIR13EN GHOSTS). A family inherits a mansion stuffed to the brim with arcane and creepy artifacts - throw in a character that can see ghosts and an occultist uncle and you've got a good time brewing! Discussion points include: the illustrious Matthew Lillard, what it would be like living in a glass house, and two brand new games. Check out Jason's podcast Hemispheric Views! Read Roger Ebert's most hated movies list. If you can't get your hands on the DVD to watch the special features, read all of the ghosts' backstories here. Episode edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
M3gan
She's cute, she plays games, and she can kill the annoying people in your life - it's Megan! Wait, not, it's not our podcast host Megan, it's M3GAN! Evil doll and new best friend M3GAN took the internet by storm in 2022. Discussion points include: other evil doll comparisons, who needs parents when you have consumerism, and how movies go viral on TikTok now. Buy your own classic Furby on eBay! Learn the iconic M3GAN dance. Check out some behind-the-scenes trivia from director Gerard Johnstone and producer James Wan. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Frighteners
Amazingly, The Frighteners (1996) once held the title of most cutting-edge special effects. Primarily a slapstick comedy set to a Danny Elfman soundtrack, watching it today leaves a lot to be desired. Discussion points include: the most WTF moments of the movie, Michael J Fox's career, Peter Jackson's special effects company Weta FX history.
Barbarian
What makes a Barbarian? Director Zach Cregger's 2022 movie gives the Not Quite Dead gals much to ponder on the topic. A refreshingly smart, scary, and at times hilarious movie, Barbarian is a fun new entry into the modern horror canon. Discussion points include: AirBnBs, Justin Long scary movie supremacy, the horror movie three-act. Read about The Gift of Fear, the book that director Zach Cregger based the first act on. Learn about Brightmoor, a real (sad) place. Just one real life example about how dangerous underground tunnels can be. Yuck! Here's the world's most inbred family. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
We Are Still Here
The very well-received yet little-known film We Are Still Here brings 70s ghostly delights to our screen. Couple Anne and Paul uproot their lives after family tragedy strikes, only to find themselves in a haunted new house with even creepier neighbors. Discussion points include: avoiding your weird new neighbors, what decade are we even in?, ghostly revenge. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Menu
The 2022 new release The Menu stars favorites Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult. The film, written by Will Tracy and Seth Reiss, is about a young couple visiting an exclusive, high-end restaurant on a remote island. What's on the menu? Death! Discussion points include: social commentary, how terrible foodies are, the food we'd want to try off the tasting menu. Episode edited by Tedd Williamson. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Ring
7 days.... Not Quite Dead is kicking off the new year with the 2002 classic The Ring, a remake of Hideo Nakata's 1998 Ringu. Director Gore Verbinski helms this atmospheric, genuinely scary flick. Discussion points include: symbolism of the movie within the movie, the excellent special effects, and alternative pay-it-forward schemes. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Not Quite Dead Holiday Extravaganza 2022
The girls wanted to wish their listeners a very Merry Christmas with this special episode that explores the horrors of the holiday season. There will be merriment, shared fears, and of course, spoilers. Check out the movies we cover in this episode: Dec 1 - Love Actually Dec 2 - Gremlins Dec 3 - Friday After Next Dec 4 - The Santa Clause Dec 5 - A Charlie Brown Christmas Dec 6 - Bad Santa Dec 7 - Falling for Christmas Dec 8 - A Merry Friggin’ Christmas Dec 9 - Home Alone Dec 10 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dec 11 - Miracle on 34th Street Dec 12 - Santa’s Slay Dec 13 - Ernest Saves Christmas Dec 14 - Batman Returns Dec 15 - Christmas, Again Dec 16 - Spirited Dec 17 - Christmas Vacation Dec 18 - A Muppet Christmas Carol Dec 19 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dec 20 - It’s a Wonderful Life Dec 21 - Die Hard Dec 22 - Elf Dec 23 - Jingle All the Way Dec 24 - Nightmare Before Christmas Dec 25 - A Christmas Story
Season 9 Kids Horror Finale
Thank you for joining us for Season 9: Kids Horror! In this finale, we keep it short and sweet for all you busy parents - we rank the movies in age-appropriateness, and share a finger painting craft!
The Addams Family (1991)
They're creepy and they're kooky / Mysterious and spooky / They're all together ooky - that's right, we're covering The Addams Family! Featuring everyone's favorite macabre characters, the 1991 movie introduced a new audience to the bizarre aristocratic family. Episode Extras Watch the trailer Read about the history of the movie Learn more about the troubled production of the movie Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Monster Squad
Ostensibly a real movie and not just a vehicle for Universal Studios to sell merchandise, The Monster Squad is a late 80s kids' classic horror movie. Featuring iconic characters like Dracula and the Wolfman, the plot of the movie is loosely draped around a group of kids trying to prevent the monsters from taking over the world. This episode is a classic debate of nostalgia versus quality - tell us what you think!
Goosebumps
Not Quite Dead covers the 2015 movie Goosebumps, a film jam packed with references to the classic kids horror book series. The film takes a meta approach to author R.L. Stine and his creations, for better and worse! Controversially, Megan believes this to be the worst movie we have ever covered on the podcast. Come unpack that with us in this episode! Episode Extras Check out the huge list of Goosebumps books in the series Read an interview with author R.L. Stine Do you agree with this ranking of the books in the series?
Fear Street: 1666
The final installment of the Fear Street trilogy takes us all the way back to 1666 - and then forward to 1994 - then back again - then back again. Sheesh! Should this series have been four movies instead of three? Were all of the plot lines resolved in the final chapter? Tune in and find out!
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
If you were an 80s or 90s baby, you may be entitled to financial compensation for emotional trauma from the illustrations featured in the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series. This movie pastiches some of the more famous stories from the children's books into a plot involving a historic local woman accused of witchcraft, the haunted house she lived in, and the high school kids compelled to stop the murders in their town.
Fear Street: 1978
Fear Street 1978 pays homage to the campground slashers of the era, with all the blood, sex, and pot you'd expect. "Wait!" you're thinking, "Isn't this a kids' movie?" Well, listen to this minisode and hear what the NQD gals have to say about that.
The Witches (1990)
The Roald Dahl classic children's book gets the movie treatment in the 1990 flick The Witches! This movie is notably creepy with its Jim Henson puppetry and intense witch makeup on Anjelica Huston. The Not Quite Dead gals debate the film's ending - markedly different from the book - and discuss the legacy of Roald Dahl's books. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Fear Street: 1994
Netflix's three-part Fear Street series is getting the Not Quite Dead minisode treatment this season! Come listen to discussion on the surprisingly (to some) mature content and debate with us when you can introduce kids to their first slasher movie. Episode edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Hocus Pocus
We’re kicking off spooky season with a genre of scary movies that’s fun for the whole family: Kids’ Horror! This season premieres with the 90s Disney cult classic Hocus Pocus. Join the NQD gals as they discuss the Sanderson sisters, the perfection of New England fall vibes, and the rules around black flame candles.
Season 8 Comedy Finale
Thank you for joining us for Season 8: Comedy! In this finale, we have some fun segments for you: mad libs, bingo, and a Cabin in the Woods inspired craft!
The Dead Don't Die
What kinda movie is this? A dark comedy, an homage to George Romero, a not scary movie about the end of the world? Jim Jarmusch's The Dead Don't Die might be a head-scratcher, but it's a fun one. Join Not Quite Dead for the last movie of the horror comedy season and all of its meta humor!
Mars Attacks!
The 1996 Tim Burton helmed Mars Attacks! marks a turning point in the notable filmmaker's career - and boy do the Not Quite Dead team have a lot to say about it. As a fleet of Martian spacecrafts are invading planet Earth, it is up to the incompetent global governments, overeager American military, and hapless citizens to fight back. The cast is stacked, the CGI is campy, and the heads are enormous in this episode! Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Is this a horror-comedy, or one of the best buddy comedies ever made? The Not Quite Dead gals adore Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2011), directed by Eli Craig. The story of two redneck best friends whose vacation is ruined when ignorant college students mistake them for serial killers is irresistible - and we hope you feel the same!
Zombieland
The 2009 smash hit Zombieland was the cultural phenom that brought us the concept of a double tap, reinvigorated America's love for Twinkies, and gave us one of the best Bill Murray cameos of all time. The Not Quite Dead gals talk about the many "rules" of surviving a zombie apocalypse, the practicalities of a cross-country roadtrip, and the early 2000s appeal of Jesse Eisenberg. Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin - don't miss this one! Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Scary Movie
Well, they're not all winners. Scary Movie kickstarted a decade's worth of spoofs, from the long-running franchise itself to the dismal Epic/Date/Disaster Movie series. The movie has its laughs but join us in this quickie episode as Not Quite Dead tears apart the very dated jokes.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice....Beetlejuice....Beetleju -- Not Quite Dead! The first of two Tim Burton-helmed flicks this horror-comedy season is Beetlejuice! With an over-the-top performance from Michael Keaton and iconic turns from Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, this movie was an instant comedy classic. The Not Quite Dead gals also get into the creepiness of this movie, from post-post-modern interior design to giant limbo sandworms.
The Cabin in the Woods
The Cabin in the Woods (2011) is a quintessential Joss Whedon flick - irreverent, effortlessly funny, and punctuated with moments of surprisingly brutal violence. This meta horror-comedy plays on classic horror movie tropes - a group of hot college kids are stalked and murdered one by one in a remote cabin in the woods. Boring? No way. The B plot is a workplace comedy about the office workers orchestrating the murders as part of a god-appeasing ritual.
Gremlins 2
To discuss Gremlins 2, Not Quite Dead is joined by the hosts of the movie discussion podcast High On Film, Brad Davis and Chris Maxwell! Gremlins 2: The New Batch is the silly, Looney Tunes-riffing, meta little brother of the original Gremlins movie. In this episode, we talk the surprisingly great comedy and horror moments, and most controversially, which other sequels outshine their predecessors. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Ghostbusters
Who you gonna call? Not Quite Dead! This beloved 80s mega-hit gets the NQD treatment to kick off Season 8: Horror Comedy! Join us as we weigh scares against laughs and go over the many underrated merits of Rick Moranis.
Season 7 Vampires Finale
Thank you for joining us for Season 7: Vampires! In this finale, we have some fun segments for you: a vampire trait commonality matrix, a genre trivia quiz with a special guest, and a build a vampire craft!
30 Days of Night
To close out the season, an honest-to-goodness, true vampire horror movie: 30 Days of Night. Cleverly set far in the Northern Hemisphere where a small town is plunged into continuous darkness, 30 Days is actually frightening! No sparkly vamps here, just monsters ready to devour a weak and scared populace. Listen to the NQD gals relish in some true horror in this episode. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Underworld
Slap on your Hot Topic choker and zip up those combat boots - we're going to the Underworld! Len Wiseman's 2003 Underworld hit all of the goth fantasy movie notes: vampires vs lycans, pleather aplenty, and a moody, kind of weird romance plot. Everyone is wet, everyone is in a corset, and the NQD gals are just wondering where the heck this movie takes place.
The Lost Boys
These aren't your average teen rebels! They also eat people! Set in idyllic, fictional Santa Carla, California, The Lost Boys wrap beach town vibes, a boyhood coming-of-age story, and 80s culture with the spooky veil of vampirism. In this episode, we discuss Joel Schumacher's fun career, the conflicting vampire lore posited, and, of course, the Frog Brothers. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Blade
Leaning into multiple genres - superhero, horror, and action - Blade (1998) was a revolutionary counterpoint to other caped crusader fare of the decade. You won't find blood soaked raves in a Batman movie, at the very least. Listen in as the NQD gals discuss the intersection of monsters and superheroes and the leather obsession of the late 90s.
Draculafest: Nosferatu - Count Dracula (1970) - Bram Stoker's Dracula
One Dracula movie, ah ah ah. Two Dracula movies! Ah ah ah. THREE, three Dracula movies, ah ah ah! This mega episode covers three adaptations of the Dracula novel: Nosferatu, Count Dracula, and Bram Stoker's Dracula. All with varying degrees of fidelity to the book (and acting quality), the Not Quite Dead gals cover the highs and the lowest of lows in these movies (looking at you, Keanu's British accent). Tell us what your favorite version of Dracula is on the blog or on socials! Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Interview with the Vampire
Starring the 90s superstars of Anne Rice's nightmares, Interview with the Vampire was the blueprint for many gothic vampire fantasies. The Not Quite Dead gals are back for a new season talking about everyone's favorite undead aristocratic monsters. Put on your frilliest shirt and enjoy the first episode of our Vampire season!
Krampus
Do you feel like your Christmas movies aren't bizarre enough? Your live action movie is missing the charm of animated sequences? Do you want to see a crew of gingerbread demons attempt to kill a child? Well, you're in the right place! Krampus, the remarkably well-rated Christmas horror comedy, stars some of our all-time faves: Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and David Koechner. It features the eponymous Austro-Bavarian folklore monster that punishes naughty children, plus its gang of demented Christmas demons terrorizing a family into loving each other. Episode edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Black Christmas
A sorority Christmas horror story with multi-dimensional female characters and delightful montages of ultra-violence make the Black Christmas (2019) remake a fun, festive movie. Riley and her closest sorority sisters are staying at Hawthorne College over winter break, but their seasonal cheer is threatened as girls start disappearing. Listen in to this very special episode and get in the Christmas slasher spirit.
Gremlins
Don't get them wet, don't expose them to sunlight, and don't feed them from 12:00AM to 5:47AM - wait no, just don't feed them after midnight. If only it were more specific! Did you also forget this was a Christmas movie? Well, strap in, because the tale of lovable scamps turned murderous gremlins is also a holiday treat. Episode edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Scary Christmas! For this seasonal special, we're covering your favorite movie from the 6th grade - The Nightmare Before Christmas! "But that's not a horror movie!" you cry in despair. And to that we say, how many Christmas movies involve the kidnap and torture of Sandy...ahem...Santa Claus? Get festive with us as only Not Quite Dead can! Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Season 6 Rituals Finale
We're wrapping up the season with a few of our favorite things: ranking items judgmentally, crafting, and celebrating friendship. Thanks for listening and share your favorite rituals with us! Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer and Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Ouija
That board game you played during high school sleepovers gets a movie made about it! As thrilling as a Dream Phone movie would be, this movie is (un)fortunately about Ouija boards. Feeling more like a vehicle to sell more board games at Target than putting together a plot-driven movie at times, Ouija attempts to tell the story of a girl investigating the mysterious death of her best friend. With plot elements of a board that can't be destroyed, inconsistent ghostly abilities, and unconvincing adults acting as teenagers, this movie leaves a lot to be desired but gives a whole lot to talk about. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Ritual
A guys' trip wrought with anger, grief, tension, and a shortcut through a dense Swedish forest. Sounds like a blast to us! The Ritual (2017), directed by David Bruckner, explores the dynamics of male friendship in the wake of their friend's murder against the backdrop of a remote hiking trip. The men are pursued by what seems to be a creature in the forest, but also by their own shame and guilt. This movie is a visual treat with an ending that gives us plenty to talk about. Get into it! Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Ready or Not
In-laws, am I right? Ready or Not (2019) is the most contemporary movie of Season 6, and it is a raucous ride of real scares and real laughs. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett helmed the original concept of newlywed Grace who is unwittingly forced into a family ritual on her wedding night. The Not Quite Dead gals discuss family traditions, board games, and the institution of marriage in this episode. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Rosemary's Baby
The darkness of Rosemary's Baby comes from within and without. Unfavorably associated with director Roman Polanski, Rosemary's Baby is now often viewed through the modern lens of the post #metoo movement era. But! It is a horror movie, and one of the all-time greats. We give credit where it is due to the stellar performance of Mia Farrow and get into the controversial gray area of problematic artists. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
House of the Devil
The House of the Devil has all of the late 70s to early 80s horror trappings an audience could desire: pizza delivery gone awry, a teen girl babysitting in a rural old house, and a spooky title card declaring the film is "based on true events." The Not Quite Dead gals discuss how convincing this film is, considering it was released in 2009. Intended as an homage to satanic panic and slasher films of a bygone era, The House of the Devil is a slow burn...or maybe just a bit slow. Tune in! Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Exorcist
So iconic that it has transitioned to parody and back again, we are covering The Exorcist (1973). Loosely based on real events, The Exorcist introduced a generation to the head spinning, vomit- and curse-spewing Linda Blair and the concept of needing a young AND an old priest. The OG of satanic panic movies has a veritable wealth of things to talk about, and boy-how do the Not Quite Dead gals talk! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Suspiria
Not Quite Dead is kicking off Season 6: Rituals with a double feature of everyone's favorite dance horror classic and its remake: Suspiria! The 1977 Dario Argento film is acclaimed for its iconic style, while Luca Guadagnino's 2018 remake is polarizing (as most remakes are). Get into this spooky season as we discuss all of the satanic and pagan tropes and debate which occult rituals are more effective than others. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Forever Purge
The Purge series has always asked its audience to suspend its disbelief. The greatest instance of this is trusting that homicidal purgers respect that come the 7AM purge-ending sirens, all crime is illegal again. The Forever Purge is the next logical step in this franchise, because of course a contingent of these masked maniacs will want to keep purging! It's the American way! Special guest Brett Lee from Tabletop Titans and Hobby Titans joins us to discuss the many merits and demerits of the latest installment in our Purge series. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Child's Play Season Finale
There were laughs, there was bloodshed, there was an animated crass little doll AND his gross offspring. This season was a rollercoaster of the highest of cinematic highs and the lowest of lows, both of which involved Jennifer Tilly. Read our blog for episode extras, including photos of the Not Quite Dead girls' very own voodoo dolls! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer and Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Child's Play (2019)
Everyone loves a remake! Or wait, no. Remakes are a highly divisive topic for many fandoms, the Child's Play one included. In this 2019 film by Lars Klevberg, Child's Play gets an update for the modern, smart home era. Gone are the voodoo rituals and serial killer soul transfers, hello Aubrey Plaza and Buddi doll. Listen in and tell us if you think this is a worthy addition to the mythos of Chuck. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Cult of Chucky
With a psychiatric hospital setting and the promise of a multitude of Chucky dolls murderously scampering around, you would think Cult of Chucky would be a strong entry to the series. Listen in on this short episode as the Not Quite Dead gals explain why this one is very skippable. From plot holes to a thin script, the cult is not nearly as scary nor funny as audiences would hope. There's still fun to be had, though, so join in for a recap and our seasonal segments! Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Curse of Chucky
The first straight to DVD entry in the Child's Play franchise...Curse of Chucky! Bringing back Brad Dourif and his daughter Fiona in the leading roles of Chucky and Nica Pierce, director Don Mancini leans into the horror part of this horror comedy. Listen in as the gals dig into the movie that attempts to redeem the franchise after the less-than-stellar Seed of Chucky. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Seed of Chucky
Woof! Seed of Chucky, the anticipated follow-up to Bride of Chucky, is a marked low point in the Child's Play franchise. In this Chuck's Notes minisode, the Not Quite Dead girls go over the few plot highs and many plot lows to keep you up to speed on the series. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Bride of Chucky
Here comes the bride…from hell! Chucky gets lucky when his girlfriend Tiffany Valentine – portrayed by the iconic Jennifer Tilly – becomes his hot doll companion. Bride of Chucky breathes life into the flagging franchise. Listen in with the gals as this horror comedy strikes just the right balance of slashing and fun. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Child's Play 3
In Season 5, check out the Chuck's Notes minisodes, covering the, erm, more skippable Child's Play series movies. Listen to this short episode to find out what you need to know - and why, exactly, this movie is not worth a rewatch - before the next franchise entry, Bride of Chucky.
Child's Play 2
The fun just doesn't stop in Child's Play 2! Director John Lafia helms this sequel that sees child Andy Barclay shuttled into a foster home with the killer doll Chucky close on his heels. This episode is chock full of quippy one-liners and doll-gore, plus we continue our new segments of Catchphrases and Cate's Predictions! Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Spiral
SPOILER ALERT! Presenting a special episode of the latest entry in the Saw franchise: Spiral! With Darren Bousman, James Wan, and Leigh Whannel back at the helm, the 9th installment of the series sees Chris Rock grapple with a new Jigsaw copycat killer. The gals see and review Spiral during its opening weekend and get very much into the details, so watch it first before listening! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Child's Play (1988)
In the Season 5 premiere episode, the gals start the Child’s Play franchise off – a series that Megan loves and Cate has never seen! This classic campy slasher series introduces Chucky to the world, played by the legendary Brad Dourif. This first movie has it all: a haunted doll, defenestration, Haitian voodoo, cursing at children…it’s an 80s dream. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Season 4 Finale
Join us as we celebrate the galactic greatness of our Space Horror season! From a space-themed baking challenge to picking this season's overall MVP film, Megan and Cate reminisce on the best and worst films that straddle the genre lines. Listen in and thanks for listening to Season 4!
Gravity
The co-hosts of the podcast High on Film join us for a special episode covering Gravity! In a season of sci-fi horrors, we ask the question: Is the space thriller movie Gravity actually a horror movie? And what other movies are potentially in the wrong genre? Join us for our rapturous praise of Alfonso Cuaron's film and an all-new game (that may live and die in this episode). Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
High Life
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of graphic sexual assault and sexual behavior. The French psycho-sexual space horror High Life (2018) from director Claire Denis is so much more than its plot summary of a man surviving in space alone with his daughter after his crewmates' deaths. From its non-linear plot structure, ritualized survival methods, and through-line of dark sexuality, this film is a challenging entry in the horror canon - if you consider it a horror movie at all. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Apollo 18
The year is 1974 and the space race has cooled - or has it? Government conspiracy theories and moon rock-based creatures abound in the found footage space horror Apollo 18 (2011). Director Gonzalo López-Gallego would like to have us believe his film is truth about a failed NASA mission, but the overall effect is underwhelming. The gals still find enough to talk about in this episode! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Pandorum
Holy convoluted plot, Batman! If you like your movies stuffed with as much plot as it can handle, look no further than the 2009 sci-fi thriller Pandorum. Starring Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster, this film is a melange of psychological horror, Twilight Zone-esque creatures, dead wives, post-apocalyptic scenarios, AND an interstellar journey gone awry. The gals get so into the weeds on this one, you almost forget about the cannibal subplot. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Twilight Zone
A small, unremarkable episode nestled in between the behemoths of the season. Each minute of this episode as dense as the center of a dying star. Intrepid podcasters exploring a strangely familiar frontier. What untold mysteries lie in wait in... the Not Quite Dead Twilight Zone Minisode? The gals get into the classic sci-fi anthology series to plumb it for the best space-themed episodes with all the Rod Serling fangirling you can dream of. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Sunshine
Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland team up post-28 Days Later for Sunshine (2007), a criminally under-rated science fiction drama/horror with a soon-to-be all star cast. Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh and Cliff Curtis are an ensemble crew en route to reignite the dying sun when things, as they often do, go awry. Join us as we show this movie some love for its plotting, acting, and mind-bending last act twist. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Jason X
From the depths of Crystal Lake to the great expanse of the galaxy, director James Isaac brings us the space slasher Jason X (2001). Yes, this is the tenth installment of the Friday the 13th series and yes, (spoiler) Jason ends up with a chrome hockey mask in this movie. In a baffling extension of a franchise that already literally went to hell, a research ship is terrorized by the immortal Jason. Come for the laughs, stay for the surprisingly large amount of nudity. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Alien
We're blasting off into Season 4 with the classic Ridley Scott space horror Alien (1979). This crew of space truckers get sidelined by a distress call that brings aboard an unwelcome and terrifying stowaway. We talk practical effects, HR Giger, and all of the glorious '70s hairstyles in this episode. Plus - with all new segments this season, this is something you don't want to miss. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Season 3 Indie Finale
Let's give a round of applause to the finale of the Independent Horror Film season! We hope you enjoyed the byzantine plot structures, artistic cinematography, and wild allegory conjecture as much as Megan and Cate did. Make sure to check out our Instagram @notquitedead_podcast and follow our blog for extras! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer and Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Babadook
The most terrifying tale of all: motherhood! The Babadook (2014), directed by Jennifer Kent, is ostensibly a story of a boogeyman plaguing a single Australian mother and her spirited son. But as Megan and Cate get into it, it's a gruesome, difficult to watch tale of unchecked grief, parenthood, and PTSD. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Midsommar
Dancing, endless sunshine, tea that makes you feel funny. Sounds like a good time, right? Well, if you’re an American in the 2019 film Midsommar, it could really go either way! Listen to the penultimate movie of Season 3 and debate with us - would you rather have a shitty boyfriend or a slightly murderous Swedish cult family? Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
It Follows
What is "It"? In this minisode, Megan and Cate discuss whether "It" is sexual shame, AIDS, general trauma - and strongly disagree with director David Robert Mitchell's intention. It Follows (2014) tracks a group of teenagers as they resist a slow-moving yet consistent apparition. Listen to this short episode and debate along with us - the interpretation is most of the fun! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Green Room
A broke punk band, a sketchy gig in the Pacific Northwest, and a Nazi gang cover-up conspiracy. What could go wrong? Jeremy Saulnier's 2015 horror-thriller Green Room has all of the tension and surprising gore you could ask for. Megan and Cate debate about effective techniques for fighting against dumb-yet-strong white supremacists and discuss what our desert island band would be. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Hereditary
We thought we'd break up season 3 with a family-friendly movie - Hereditary (2018)! Do some arts and crafts alongside mom Annie, play with dolls with Charlie, go for a joyride with Peter, and share a nice meal with dad Steve. Whatever you do, don't look too closely at grandma's scrapbooks. Join the Not Quite Dead gals as they get into Ari Aster's psychologically horrifying debut feature-length film. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Wicker Men
A tale of two giant wooden effigies, painstakingly crafted by rural island cultspeople. A tale of two protagonists, deeply unlikeable in their own ways. A tale as old as time: the original and the remake. Megan and Cate get into The Wicker Man (1973) and The Wicker Man (2006) to analyze what makes the original so great, and what makes the remake so, so bizarre. Watch both, watch one, or watch neither – any way, this short episode is a fun one! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The VVitch
Join the gals as they get deep on one of their all-time favorite horror movies The VVitch: A New England Folktale (2015). The debut film from director Robert Eggers uses dialog pulled directly from 1600s documents to build the religiously fervent, tightly coiled with paranoia atmosphere. Patriarch William gets his family excommunicated from their Puritan village because he won't play nice with the townspeople - surely relocating to a remote spot outside of the wilderness a full day's horseride from town will work out well. Edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
Rubber
What are the elements of an indie movie, besides, of course, being produced by an independent film studio? Avant-garde plot structure, shoestring budgets, characters stoically looking off-camera into the distance while a plinky piano plays? Sure, some of those elements are present in the horror comedy/satire film Rubber (2010), but it also has a healthy dose of fourth-wall breaking meta commentary and a psychokinetic murderous tire as its protagonist. Megan and Cate spend this short episode digesting what, exactly, they just watched. Join us for the ride! Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Blair Witch Project
In the last two decades, no film has wrought more confusion, fear, and satire than The Blair Witch Project (1999). Written and directed by Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick, the advertised-as-real found footage documentary taps into our most primal fears and paranoia. The gals dig deep into this one, looking at American horror roots and how the phenomenon of the newly weaponized Internet catapulted this movie into infamy. Don't forget your map for this one! Episode edited by Cate Smith. Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Purge Finale
That’s a wrap on Season 2! Join us for a medley season finale episode where we chat about our ranking of the series, make a Purge bingo game, look at how people on the Internet would handle the Purge, and, of course, do some arts and crafts. Happy hunting!
The Purge: The First Purge
It was about time for a prequel. After three chronological entries in The Purge series, we have been flung back in time to see how, exactly, the New Founding Fathers of America were able to launch what they called "the experiment." Gerard McMurray helms The First Purge (2018) in a tonally and narratively compelling direction, elevating the series to new heights. Megan and Cate talk soundtrack, script, and all the other goodies built into the last movie of The Purge series. You don't want to miss this episode (or this movie)! Music by Zach Pfeifer.
The Purge: Look Who's Purging Now
“I turned myself into a minisode, Morty! I’m minisode Riiiiiiiick!” Join the gals for our Season 2 minisode all about the classic Rick and Morty season 2 episode “Look Who’s Purging Now.” Released in 2015 after the first two Purge movies came out, the episode is a satire of all our favorite Purge cliches. Get meta with us and check your candy for Purgenol! Music by Zach Pfeifer. Episode edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer.
The Purge 3: Election Year
Did YOU vote for The Purge? We know WE sure didn't, but here it is in Election Year, the bleakest of all Purge years. Join Cate and Megan as they follow a sexy she-Bernie through the blood soaked streets of DC in The Purge: Election Year! Music by Zach Pfeifer. Edited by Megan Prior-Pfeifer.
The Purge 2: Anarchy
Ready for a little chaos? Season 2 Episode 2 drops the gals off in Downtown Los Angeles to experience one night of the purge. Director James DeMonaco is back at the helm for The Purge: Anarchy (2014) to give us a thriller/action/horror sequel that is a genuine improvement on the first entry. Former police sergeant Leo Barnes has an axe to grind on Purge night, but when he runs into an innocent group stranded in the middle of the city, will his morals outweigh his desire for revenge? Megan and Cate are along for the ride! Music by Zach Pfeifer. Episode edited by Cate Smith.
The Purge
Season 2, you wild kids! Join us in the second season as we break down the first movie in the Purge series. The original movie, released in 2013 and directed by James DeMonaco, is an accomplished horror thriller (and sometimes near-satire) film with a great cast on a relatively lean budget. All crime - including murder! - is legal for one 12 hour period per year. A wealthy suburban family goes into lockdown at their house during the annual purge; at least, until things start to go sideways. The movie is fraught with murderous neighbors, government propaganda, and bad boyfriends. Plan your purge party or maybe just get out of town for a couple of days because we're only one bad election away from our very own purge. Intro and Outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw Finale
Welcome to the Season 1 Finale of Not Quite Dead! To cap off the season, we have a Very Special Episode™ with fun segments all about our favorite aspects of the Saw series. Thanks to the creators of the Saw movies and to all of our listeners for making the first season so great.
Jigsaw
You thought it had ended with Saw 3D (ironically AKA Saw: The Final Chapter), but alas, one decade later we were back at the theaters in to watch the 2017 installment of the series directed by The Spierig Brothers and written by Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger. Jigsaw has been dead for ten years but a new crop of victims in vicious torture traps have been discovered. The detectives are on the case, and only time will tell if they can save the newest group of victims. Join Megan and Cate as they dissect the last (for now) Saw movie. Featuring some serious narrative retconning and some of our favorite tropes, this movie makes us ask: Is this a Saw movie for the diehard fans or just for newbies? Only you can decide. Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw 7
This time it's Saw...in your face! The movie of many names - Saw 3D, Saw VII, Saw: The Final Chapter - is here. The (ostensible) end of the franchise has Kevin Greutert back at the helm to have a little fun while fulfilling his duty to see to the ends of Detective Hoffman, hapless Jill Tuck, and another cadre of unwitting victims. Listen to Megan and Cate's breakdown of the 2010 horror movie and all of its camera-splashing bloody hijinks. Hoffman may be the Saw series' own Michael Meyers, but this is the final chapter...for now. Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw 6
Oh my! In Saw VI, most of our main characters are dead, except for our gruesome twosome. Detective Hoffman and Jill Tuck are bound to continue carrying on Jigsaw's demented legacy in this 2009 jaunt from first-time director Kevin Greutert. Join us as we plunge into the depths of the Saw series to encounter typical Saw fare: flashbacks, traps that are feats of mechanical engineering, and a handful of surprises. The biggest twist of all? It's the only Saw movie to take place in a zoo! Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Se7en Minisode
The first Saw movie has been frequently accused of ripping off David Fincher's 1995 psychological thriller Se7en. Megan and Cate review the differences and similarities between the two movies, including weighing on Jigsaw vs John Doe's motivations as serial killers. Listen in and and judge for yourself - these two villains definitely would! Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw 5
If you need more Costas Mandylor in your life, look no further than the back half of the SCU franchise. The 2008 gore-fest directed by David Hackl ticks all the Saw boxes: detective cat-and-mouse, brutal torture devices, and extolling the virtue of teamwork. Megan claims this is her favorite of the Saw series, but really she just loves a good story about friendship. Cate is here for the blood and Julie Benz (Dexter’s Rita!). Detective Hoffman and FBI Special Agent Strahm are back at each other’s throats while investigating the Jigsaw murders of Saw III and Saw IV while another convoluted trap plays out. Strahm’s suspicion of Hoffman is ever increasing, but who will come out of the game with blood on their hands? Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw Rebirth Minisode
Bonus content! To promote Saw II, IDW Publishing released the one-shot comic Saw: Rebirth in 2005. This prequel dives into John Kramer the man before he becomes the Jigsaw Killer. Listen in on this short episode as we cover the differences in John’s backstory between the prequel and the later Saw movies in the series. Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw 4
The hits just keep coming! Jigsaw and pals have another adventure in the 2007 Scott Patterson vehicle Saw IV. Director Bousman is back at the helm to tell the tale of SWAT Lt. Rigg, a victim of Jigsaw’s latest torturous games. Megan and Cate are at the edge of their seats as the story unfolds: Will Rigg get jigsawed? Or will he truly sees as John Kramer sees and become the Jigsaw himself? Only a dozen (or so) flashbacks will tell. Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw 3
The third episode of Not Quite Dead covers the third installment of the series, the 2006 venture that was the highest grossing film of the whole Saw franchise. Tobin Bell earns his 2007 MTV Movie Award nomination for "Best Villain" as he demeans medical professionals and sets up another convoluted series of tests and traps, all while lying in a bed dying for the entire movie. This movie has it all: twists, devious torture devices, a hot Shawnee Smith, and Megan and Cate wondering who exactly we're rooting for here. Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw 2
Buckle up, things are escalating in the Saw Cinematic Universe (SCU). Join Cate and Megan in counting the myriad traps at play in Saw II, the 2005 quick follow sequel directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and written by Leigh Whannell and Bousman. Detective Matthews is not a great cop, dad, or man in general. His character is put to the test by Jigsaw when he learns that his teen son is locked in a house with 7 others who must fight through Jigsaw's deadly puzzles to survive. The clock is ticking, the neurotoxic chemicals are pumping, and the blood is flowing. Time is running out, Detective Matthews, and Jigsaw, Megan, and Cate are watching your every move. Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.
Saw, The Original
The first, the OG, the one that started it all. Jump into our first podcast episode and listen to us chat about the 2004 horror movie Saw, directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell. Generic dude Adam and Dr. Lawrence Gordon are chained in a dank warehouse bathroom with nothing but a dead body, a handful of clues, and two rusty saws. Will they survive serial killer Jigsaw’s trap with life and limb intact? Will Danny Glover run out of newspaper clippings to crack this whole thing wide open? Will Megan and Cate build a faithful recreation of the bathroom diorama? Tune in and find out! Intro and outro music by Zach Pfeifer.