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PODCAST

Watch If You Dare

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. 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 PodBean, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, CastBox, and Google Play. Please subscribe, rate and review.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

145:40

Episode 171: Scream w/ special guests Raf Stitt &...

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/10/31

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. They talk about how "Scream" both honors and subverts slasher films, the thematic elements of mass violence in schools, and what it did in revitalizing horror in the 90s. They also get into the undertones

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136:19

Episode 170: Carrie w/ special guest Heather Murray

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2025/10/23

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 character, and how this adaptation's success impacted the careers of King, De Palma, and star Sissy Spacek. They also talk about how the mother character is the true villain, why most the horror comes from the

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114:17

Episode 169: The Faculty w/ special guests Nate Boyd...

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/10/06

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 Faculty" directed by Robert Rodriguez with a screenplay by Kevin Williamson. They talk about what makes high school scary, the supreme late-90s nostalgia in this movie, and whether or not it still holds up. They

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125:32

Episode 168: Race with the Devil

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/09/30

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 1970s vs the 80s and 90s. They also talk about the meeting of old school Hollywood and modern horror, Peter Fonda and Warren Oates' careers, the portrayal of authority and paranoia, and many other aspects of

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125:14

Episode 167: Trollhunter w/ special guest Caitlin...

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/09/09

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, inspirations, writing process and experiences with professional publishing. They also get into Trollhunter's blending of Norwegian culture and folktale with grounded reality, the movie's exploration of

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02:23:08

Episode 166: The Mangler

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2025/08/21

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 otherwise direct adaptation of the short story. They also get into Hooper's use of lighting and set dressing, the not so subtle exploration of capitalism and lack of oversight consuming everything, and how Hooper

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02:14:14

Episode 165: Frailty

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/08/07

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 jumpscares. They also get into McConaughey's proto-True Detective mannerisms, this flick's place between late 90s and aughts horror, and many other aspects of the movie. Aaron and Derek know that destroying demons

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02:56:13

Episode 164: Jaws w/ special guest Damian Potesta

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2025/07/17

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 popularized the summer blockbuster. They also get into personal experiences with the movie, the horrors of an uncaring force of nature, differences compared to the book, and many other aspects of the flick. Damian has

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02:37:01

Episode 163: 28 Days Later w/ special guest Heather...

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/07/01

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 Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris. They also talk about how this watch was different for Derek, the characterization of Selena, and many other aspects of the film. Aaron, Derek, and Heather will never hear another

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01:57:18

Episode 162: Friday the 13th Part 2 w/ special guest...

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/06/13

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 the consistency of the Friday the 13th franchise, how the sequel tries to outdo the first, and the acceptance of Jason's death plot hole. They also get into memorable characters and kills, what makes this a

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02:42:46

Episode 161: Jacob's Ladder

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2025/05/30

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 franchise, and how this sits somewhere between cult hit and horror masterpiece. They also get into the exploration of Vietnam and government experimentation, Lyne and Rubin's specific ideas on what they wanted in the

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01:52:38

Episode 160: Dead Alive (Braindead) w/ special guest...

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2025/05/11

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 practical effects, and the insane humor and how it works. They also get into their favorable scenes, why setting the film as a 1950s period piece helps enhance certain themes, mother-son dynamics, and many

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02:37:33

Episode 159: The Cell

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2025/04/21

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 thriller vs the dream horror scenes. They also get into how the cast features Jennifer Lopez, Vincent D'Onofrio and a slew of character actors, Tarsem Singh's music video directing career, and many other

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02:15:03

Episode 158: Deep Red

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/03/29

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 perception and memory. They also get into the film's portrayal of sexual orientation and gender dynamics, the thematic use of the color red, what makes it accessible for newer audiences to the subgenre, and many

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02:23:48

Episode 157: The Hallow w/ special guest Katie O’Hagan

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2025/03/16

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 Irish folklore with nature and vegetation, distrust of outsiders, and the horrors of changelings. They also talk about the Lebor Gabála Érenn, the encroachment of modern humanity against old magic, and many

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01:42:00

Episode 156: Def by Temptation

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2025/02/21

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 portrayal of K through the plot. They also get into the the excellent soundtrack, the shadow of politics in a post-Reaganism urban America, and many other aspects of the movie. Aaron and Derek use a cigarette

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02:20:29

Episode 155: Blue Velvet w/ special guest Heather Murray

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2025/02/07

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 town, Dennis Hopper's horrifying portrayal of the villainous Frank Booth, and dynamics of sex and violence. They also discuss some of Lynch's real life inspirations for the story, the concept of love conquering

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02:35:37

Episode 154: 30 Days of Night

Watch If You Dare ·

2025/01/24

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 vampires, and the addition of certain character relationships not shown in the comics. They also get into the concept of becoming a monster to fight monsters, whether or not the runtime is warranted, and many other

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02:07:14

Episode 153: Christmas Evil

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2024/12/24

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 nature of the deranged Santa's interaction with children, and the thematic elements of working class stress. They also talk about Lewis Jackson's inception of the plot, the dream-like climax, and many other

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02:39:15

Episode 152: Ghost Story w/ special guest Heather...

Watch If You Dare ·

2024/12/15

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 town elite thematically being more relevant now than ever. They also get into unnecessary character inclusions, Peter Straub's reaction to the movie, the effectiveness of the ghost, and many other aspects

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174 results

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