Well-Adjusted Horror

Film: Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in), 2008, dir. Tomas Alfredson — the original Swedish version, not the American remake Oscar as the kid who fell through every crack in the social safety net — absent parents, unchecked bullying, zero adult intervention The film's place in the Nordic noir tradition alongside The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo — horror as a lens on the failures of Scandinavian social democracy Eli as an ageless predator disguised as a child — the anti-romantic vampire, feeding scenes played as animal attacks rather than seduction The castration subplot: the book, the brief film moment, and how it connects to the history of the castrati and the "monstrous trans" trope in horror (Silence of the Lambs, Sleepaway Camp) That pool scene — one of the top 10 horror scenes ever committed to film, don't @ us The grooming debate: Is the ending a love story or a tragedy on repeat? (Spoiler: it's the second one) Top 3 vampire films: Let the Right One In, Coppola's Dracula, The Lost Boys (According to Johnathon) What We've Been Watching: 28 Years Later, Abraham's Boys, The Thing, The Abominable Snowman, The Shining, Together Coming Soon: Scream 7, Undertone (A24) Next Month: True Detective Season 1 with the Baldwin Boys!

The gang's all here to bid 2025 a fond (?) farewell. We're ranking the year's horror offerings, from Guillermo del Toro finally delivering the Frankenstein film Levi's waited 30 years for, to Sinners' hot-and-bothered vampires that some of us couldn't be bothered to finish.Weapons confused us until it didn't. The Long Walk made Levi cry. 28 Years Later pissed off Jonathan because The Walking Dead ruined everything. And somewhere in there, we imagined Lloyd the bartender giving Jack Torrance relationship advice.Films Discussed: Frankenstein, Sinners, Weapons, The Long Walk, 28 Years Later, Bring Her Back, Companion, The Monkey, The Ugly Stepsister, Silent Night Deadly Night, Welcome to Derry, Nosferatu, and—of course—Maximum Overdrive.Coming in 2026: Werwolf (it's spelled that way, we checked), Clayface, and whatever nightmare the Pinocchio public domain is cooking up.Give Caleb's wine podcast Natural State of Wine a listen—he's a level two sommelier and will make you a better person, probably.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025): A remake that decided "what if we made the killer sympathetic and also gave him a Venom-style relationship with his murder suit?" Rowan Campbell returns to horror after Halloween Ends, once again playing the tortured guy nobody trusted The Nazi barn scene: Makes zero geographic sense. Maximum entertainment value. Very Indiana Jones. A spirited debate about why modern horror will gleefully show you intestines but treats consensual nudity like radioactive material Budget: $750k. Box office: $3 million. Verdict: Added to the annual Christmas horror rotation. Brief tangent about Luigi Mangione, because of course Levi's history lesson on Christmas drinking traditions—turns out our ancestors got absolutely hammered for 12 days straight and we've been cowards ever since Coming up: New Year's episode with the Baldwin boys

What We're Carving Up:Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)Things We Discussed:Why Christopher Robin abandoning his woodland friends turns them into rage-fueled killers (relatable)The beauty of democracy: bastardizing beloved characters the second copyright expiresWhere's Tigger? (Answer: safe in copyright jail until the sequel)That surprisingly decent animated opening vs. everything that follows80s slasher vibes meet sexist trash aestheticsWhy elevated horror fatigue is real and trash cinema has its placeOther recent disappointments: Keeper, Shelby OaksLooking forward to: Nosferatu, Silent Night Deadly NightThe Verdict: Tasty trash or tasteless trash? You decide. Either way, bring friends who can handle knowing you watched this.

Caleb's podcast: The Natural State of WineFilm Discussed: Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), directed by Dan GilroyCast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, John Malkovich, Toni Collette, Zawe Ashton, Tom SturridgeWines Featured:Lovehammer Cabernet 2020, Pine Mountain, Slow Jam's VineyardDominique Renard Rosé ChampagneJordan Chardonnay 2022Key Discussion Topics:The pretension and exploitation in the contemporary art worldAuthenticity vs. hype in wine, art, and cultureHaunted/cursed art as a horror subgenre (references to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Pickman's Model)Why visual art gets more latitude for bullshit than other art formsThe film's morality play about respecting an artist's final wishesMemorable deaths: the sphere, Hobo Man, paintings that literally killReferences: HP Lovecraft's "Pickman's Model," The Devil's Candy, Candyman (2021), Nightcrawler, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Ongo Gablogian 

The ReturnBack from a 6-month break (Levi's "summer slumber")Spooky season timing couldn't be betterBeer of choice: Maharaja IPA from Avery Brewing ("battery acid in a can")Phantoms (1998)Directed by Joe Chappelle (Halloween: Curse of Michael Myers)Written by Dean Koontz, adapting his own novelStarring baby-faced Ben Affleck as a sheriff/ex-FBI agentFeatures Peter O'Toole bringing gravitas to exposition dumpsRose McGowan and Joanna Going in peak Miramax era rolesPlot DiscussionSmall Colorado town mysteriously empty (before it was cool)Ancient enemy that's basically primordial ooze meets ChatGPTLovecraftian influences mixed with The Thing vibesPacing issues: "It's a four-act movie pretending to be three"CGI that aged like milk left in the sunPeter O'Toole Appreciation CornerFrom Lawrence of Arabia to... thisSurvived pancreatic cancer in the '70s (absolute legend)Professional drinker, occasional actorDied in 2012 at 80October Horror PlansPumpkinhead (Kentucky hillbillies and monsters)Witchfinder General (Vincent Price at his cruelest)Discussion of recent releases: Sinners, Weapons, The Long WalkRandom TangentsSSRIs and their gill-growing propertiesThe bridge troll health guru phenomenonWhy cigarettes are actually good for you (they're not)Ben Affleck's chin as a character unto itselfRating: Mixed bag - great concept, questionable execution, worth it for Liev Schreiber's creepy giggle alone

In this episode, we dive deep into *Deliver Us From Evil* (2014), a blend of supernatural horror, crime thriller, and buddy cop movie — featuring our special guest, Lindsay Brown. Episode question: Is a bad Brooklyn accent worse than complete spiritual depravity? Spoiler: The answer is yes.

We also reflect on Levi's viewing of "Nosferatu," examining its stylistic choices and societal themes. As we rank our favorite horror films from the past year, we highlight the connections between storytelling and audience reactions. We wrap up with our exciting plans for future projects and genre explorations in podcasting.

The episode opens on an emotional note for Jonathan as he acknowledges the bittersweet moment of watching his mentee, Levi, select a film that he deems one of the worst ever made. The duo can't help but dive into the absurdity, as they reminisce about the film's gratuitous nudity, poor acting, and the unforgettable presence of Clint Howard - whose performance, while dubious, is not to be dismissed too lightly. 

Special guest Lindsey joins Levi & Johnathon for a look at Needful Things, an underrated adaption of Stephen King's novel by the same name.Do you idolatry?We idolatry.

This week Levi and special guests Caleb and Luke consider the odd man out in the Halloween franchise, Halloween III.

They're eating the dogs and they're eating the cats. But it's cool, because there are 12 sequels in the Friday the 13th franchise alone.

It's Lovecraft's birthday month, and the boys have words. Join us as we track his influence from The House by the Cemetery to Alien Romulus.

Shark month is over, but the river is filled with carnivorous fish. Join the boys as they look at Piranha (1978).

It's a 90s extravaganza as the boys discuss the phenomenon of twin films, movie monsters, Harvey Weinstein, and bugs. Lots and lots of bugs. INSTAGRAM: @well_adjustedpodcast THREADS: @well_adjustedpodcast X: @wellhorror BLUESKY: @well-adjusted

What do plumbing issues and werewolf transformations have in common? The boys explain as they discuss Joe Dante's werewolf classic The Howling.INSTAGRAM: @well_adjustedpodcastTHREADS: @well_adjustedpodcastX: @wellhorrorBluesky: @well-adjusted

The First Omen, the final omen, and everything in between.

Are you ready for a deep dive into the radioactive horrors of HBO's "Chernobyl"? In this extra-long episode, the Well Adjusted Horror crew and their trusty sidekicks Caleb and Luke put on their hazmat suits to explore this historical drama. Strap in, because things are about to get more toxic than the Exclusion Zone!Topics discussed:The gruesome effects of radiation poisoningThe political horror show of the Soviet system The existential dread that'll make you question everything The incredible attention to detail and tension-buildingThe powerhouse performances by Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson

Join us as the boys discuss the difference between gore and body horror while talking David Cronenberg's "The Fly".patreon.com/welladjustedFollow us on:X:@wellhorrorInstagram:@well_adjustedpodcastThreads:@well_adjustedpodcastBluesky:@welladjustedpodcastLevi's short film : https://youtu.be/xzTIg6Iqfh0?si=CCXnpZBf3l6REm2d

The boys are again joined by the Baldwin brothers to discuss the films they watched in 2023 along with what they're looking forward to in 2024. X: @wellhorrorInstagram and Threads: @well_adjustedpodcastLevi's short film "Madness Within" : https://youtu.be/xzTIg6Iqfh0?si=7wsxkltp7kpwcFME

On this episode the boys sit down to a nice cup of mulled wine and discuss a holiday favorite...Gremlins. INSTAGRAM: @well_adjustedpodcast X:@wellhorrorTHREADS:@well_adjustedpodcast BLUESKY: @well-adjusted.bsky.social 

The boys sit at the dinner table to discuss Eli Roth's "Thanksgiving", the 80's vs. the 90's, and slashers as a subgenre of horror.

For Friendsgiving 2023 the boys are joined by a special guest to discuss Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Hicksploitation, Wes Craven, and sadly Rob Zombie.

The boys are joined by several special guests live at the local Halloween bar. Depravity and debauchery ensue!

Our inaugural Back to School episode and this one is a doozy. Carpenter, King, 27 year olds playing 17, switchblades, addiction, sex, and cars. It's all here.

Levi had high hopes, so did Johnathon, did it pay off? Find out if the boys deserve to have nice things.  

The boys return with their full entourage for a fin-tasatic look at Jaws 4: The Revenge. It's a romanic comedy. But not really.

Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Roger Corman, Vincent Price, Lon Cheney Jr! What more do we need to say? It's The Haunted Palace (1963). It's old. It's creepy. It's comfort food.

Join us as the boys discuss parenting, the legend that is Oliver Reed, and David Cronenberg's The Brood.  Body Horror? Check!  Embellished acting? Check!  Strange, mentally scarring finale? Check! This has everything you want from a Cronenberg film!  

This week the boys break out their scarves and cigarettes for a discussion of the French film RAW (2016).

It's Episode 61, and the boys are finally discussing a movie directed by favorite Jordan Peele — Nope (2022).Themes: Spectacle vs significance, capitalism vs family, animals vs humans, and aliens vs ... everybody. 

We now have a Patreon. You may show your pleasure:patreon.com/WellAdjustedCheck out Levi's short film, Flight:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxldWAMMrBU

Sam Neil is more handsome than your hosts will ever be, and that's okay.But this week's movie is not okay. It's the cold war. It's West Germany. Sam Neil is a spy who can read anyone but his beloved — and maybe the tentacle monster she spawns to replace him? 

The boys are joined by two special guests for a special look at the year head in horror movies.

The boys cover an instant Holiday classic and the origins of Krampus.

Listen along as the boys celebrate one of the best storytellers in any genre — Stephen King.

Mad scientists?Check.Zombies?Check.A severed head in a compromising position with a co-ed?Check.The boys lose their heads with a celebration of their favorite carnival ride of a movie, H.P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator.

The best holiday of the year is around the corner, so the boys pull up a classic — John Carpenter's Halloween.

The Amityville Horror (1977) has stood the test of time, which is odd given that it really isn't a very good movie. Is it a  strait-forward haunting tale punching above its weight because of the based-on-true-story angle?Or is it a more subtle allegory about economic anxiety? 

This week the boys are abuzz with a look at the not-quite-remake of Candyman (2021)

Your favorite podcasters return from their accidental month off just in time for Shark Week, with a somewhat grumpy look at Jaws 2.It may not be the best sequel ever made, but what an electrifying ending!Also, what does it take to lose a mayoral election in Amity?

This week Johnathon once again drags Levi back to the 80s to consider a classic of the werewolf genre — Stephen King's Silver Bullet (1985). This one has all the ingredients of a great King adaption — rabble-rousing yokels, nostalgic voice overs, and a severed head in the first 5 minutes.Also, dad hats. 

There is no better reason to watch a movie than Kevin Bacon, but Tremors (1990) includes several other reasons anyway.It's been called "the perfect bad" movie, and the boys agree with that, except for the "bad" part.Press play and join the love fest for one of the best genre movies ever made.

There are two kinds of people in the world — those who think that The Exorcist (1973) is the greatest horror movie ever made, and those who refuse to flush the toilet in a public restroom.Levi kicks it off with a look at the generational divide that made this movie such a bombshell upon its release, while Johnathon sheds light on the process of becoming a cranky old man. From there the boys quickly get into the deep water of the movie's theology. What does it mean to depict supernatural evil but no supernatural good? Does the God invoked in this movie save his servants, or are our two hero priests left alone in their sacrifice? Give it a listen.

This week the boys look at Interview with a Vampire (1994), the adaptation that introduced movie goers to the world of Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. Brad Pitt is beautiful and sad. Tom Cruise is beautiful and angry. Antonio Banderas is beautiful and confused about consent.Also, theater kids are insufferable.

This week Johnathon tries once again to convince Levi that the 80s were the best decade ever. And this week's movie has it all — switchblades, strippers, albino street thugs, asian stereotypes, and oh yeah, VAMPIRES. 

This week the boys struggle to appreciate Werner Herzog's Nosferatu and come away with mostly questions. Is it a horror movie? Is is an art house dreamscape? Should lead actor Klaus Kinski have spent his life in a psychiatric hospital?One thing is certain: Werner Herzog is a genius, even when the boys struggle to follow his vision.Also, check out the trailer for Levi's short film on YouTube:

This week the boys examine their favorite fictional serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector. From the the movie Silence of the Lambs to TV's Hannibal — as well as the books that inspired them — the boys try to figure out what makes the well mannered doctor so attractive. (Other than the fact that he mostly eats the rude).In a world beset by people punching flight attendants, screaming at waiters, and otherwise making asses of themselves, is Hannibal the hero we deserve?Also discussed: the purpose of manners and etiquette, the taboo of cannibalism, and the importance of aesthetics.

This week the boys are glad to bring some sex positivity to the podcast with an old-fashioned American Christmas slasher, To All A Good Night (1980).Sure, multiple killers are running around in Santa suits, but at least the young ladies in the cast get to sneak their boyfriends into their boarding school for a fun filled weekend.Also discussed: Twitter trolls, hiring assassins online, why Americans are losing their minds in record numbers, and why we need more insane asylums. 

Before this episode, Johnathon was certain there was no horror movie he couldn't enjoy on some, however limited, level. But then Levi made him watch this.Some terrible movies we forgive because of budget constraints. Some terrible movies we forgive because of the heroic efforts of the cast. Some terrible movies we forgive because the movie is in on the joke. And some we forgive because cocaine is one hell of a drug.Not this one. It's the Christmas season. And Gary Busey is still beyond the help of the sweet baby Jesus.