The Shock Doctors Podcast

Halloween Ends – about two movies too late. The film is a misbegotten mess, top to bottom, riddled with baffling story decisions and underwhelming direction. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d … Continue reading "Episode 131 &#82...

In spite of a few solid scares, Smile is too full of same-y mystery thread-pulling – and in Matt’s opinion, annoying cops – to really succeed. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie … Continue reading "Episode 130 – Smile...

The back end of Pearl isn’t as visually arresting as its opening act, and suffers from some scripting issues, but the film is a knockout showcase for Mia Goth’s delightfully broad performance. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got … Continue reading "Episode...

Although it falters a bit in the back half, Barbarian has a killer opening act and an assortment of thrilling hard left turns in plot and style sprinkled throughout. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for … Continue reading "Episode 128 – Barbarian (2022...

The Invitation features the sexiest vampires this side of Twilight, and in spite of some satisfyingly old-fashioned gothic horror touches, has about as much dramatic heft – or as many scares. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an … Continue reading "Episode 127...

Orphan: First Kill is a wholly unjustified prequel that attempts to top the original’s already ludicrous twist, but is mostly just an inert mess. William Brent Bell is a hack of the first order, and always has been. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, … Continue reading "Episode 126 – Orphan...

They/Them is a poorly scripted, entirely muddled mess, a shallow coming-of-age trauma-bonding teen drama with a vestigial slasher film appendage. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d like us to check out? … Continue reading "Episode 125...

Some promising early sequences are quickly undone by a melange of poorly-differentiated characters and a distinct underuse of the “dark and stormy night” atmosphere. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d like … Continue readin...

With suitably gooshy effects and occasionally inspired mayhem, The Sadness is nonetheless often handicapped by its own excesses, falling awkwardly between being too unpleasant and not unpleasant enough. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the … Continue rea...

Jordan Peele has done it again, building terrific popcorn entertainment around stunning, already iconic new horror imagery, impeccable pacing, and note-perfect performances from Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, Steven Yeun, and Michael Wincott. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher,...

Chloe Okuno’s meticulous direction, an arresting lead performance from Maika Monroe, and a stunner of an ending make this slow burn well worth the watch. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d … Continue reading "Episode 121 –...

Based on a Joe Hill story, The Black Phone nails a trifecta – strong performances from Ethan Hawke, Madeleine McGraw, and Mason Thames, assured direction by Scott Derrickson, and a smart script from Derrickson and writing partner C. Robert Cargill. It’s a blast. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check … Continue reading...

Meet the new sex… very much NOT the same as the old sex. Crimes of the Future isn’t quite vintage Cronenberg, but it’s still plenty good. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie … Continue reading "Episode 119 – Crimes of...

Strong performances by Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear (in his case, several), as well as some interesting ideas, at least make this film deeply watchable, if utterly confounding. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the … Continue reading "Episode 118 &#821...

A flawed but entertaining Stephen King property from the ’80s is turned into dimly lit, poorly written CGI capeshit. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d like us to check out? Feel … Continue reading "Episode 117 – Firestarte...

Jane Schoenbrun’s creepypasta opus is driven by an uncanny grasp of what makes the medium so effective, featuring two powerhouse performances and seamless transitions between found footage, Screenlife, and conventional filmmaking. It’s dynamite. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitche...

The lack of a clear primary protagonist, poor integration of witchcraft elements, and a compromised would-be bombshell in the third act combine to limit the impact of the film’s important message and suitably oppressive mood. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or … Continue rea...

Buoyed by a pair of strong lead performances and a beguiling opening act, tonal issues nonetheless cause the film to stumble a bit as it builds toward and reaches its climax. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an … Continue reading "Episode 114 – Fresh"

While the film tries to grapple with important themes – the cyclical nature of violence and the hardships of the immigrant experience – an utter lack of suspense and a script allergic to subtext leave the whole endeavor dead on arrival. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out … Continue reading "Episode 113 &#8211...

After nearly a decade away from the genre, Ti West still builds tension as well as anyone in the business, but old people having sex isn’t quite as repulsive as he wants it to be. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or … Continue reading "Episode 112 – X"

Period creature-feature goodness and an interesting twist on the mechanics of lycanthropy are diminshed by pacing issues, a sometimes-drab color palette, and some questionable choices about the film’s Roma pseudo-antagonists. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea...

Leatherface’s mask not actually being leather is only like the 17th-worst thing about this movie, which gives you an idea of how thumb-fingered it is. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d … Continue reading "Episode 110 – Tex...

Ben Wheatley’s best film since Kill List is a trippy folk horror nightmare, with strong performances all around. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie you’d like us to check out? Feel free … Continue reading "Episode 109 – In the Ea...

The latest entry in the long-running franchise is not entirely without merit, but enduring all of the “requel” discourse is about as much fun as watching Reddit projected onscreen for 114 minutes. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got … Continue reading "Epis...

V/H/S/94 is a vast improvement over its immediate predecessor, but lags behind the first two films, providing a goofy, grindhouse atmosphere but forgetting to be frightening. Please follow us on Twitter @ShockDoctorsPod, on Facebook at facebook.com/shockdoctorspod, or check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Tune In. Got an idea for the next movie … Continue reading "Episode 107...