Watch If You Dare
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Watch If You Dare is a podcast exploring horror cinema through the eyes of a coward and the eyes of a longtime fan. Each episode, Aaron (a horror movie monster boy) and his longtime friend Derek (a lover of the dark and macabre, but a spooky celluloid coward) watch a new movie and then attempt to put their bony fingers on why jumpscares, supernatural entities, and other phobias get under our skin. Whether you’re a hardened horror expert, a casual in a love-hate relationship with scary cinema, or just a victim of a dare, join Derek, Aaron, and the occasional guest or two and face your fears. Find new episodes of Watch If You Dare on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please subscribe, rate and review, and share. We are on Facebook and Twitter @WatchIfYouDare
Episodes
- Episode 181: Manhunter w/ special guest Mansfield's mom Tammy
Tammy, Aaron, and Derek discuss the 1986 crime thriller "Manhunter," covering Brian Cox's performance, crime procedurals, and the villain Francis Dollarhyde. They also touch on Michael Mann's "Miami Vice" influence and the film's themes.
- Episode 180: Lord of Illusions w/ special guest Cullen Bunn
In Episode 180, hosts Aaron and Derek are joined by horror comic author Cullen Bunn to discuss Clive Barker's 1995 film "Lord of Illusions." They analyze the character of Nix, the performances, and the film's exploration of magic and godho…
- Episode 179: Razorback
In this episode, the Spoop Bois analyze the 1984 Australian film Razorback, directed by Russell Mulcahy. They explore themes of Ozploitation, the Australian outback, psychedelia, man vs nature, and the film's unique aesthetic.
- Episode 178: His House
This episode covers the 2020 film "His House," discussing its themes of representation, character depth, and the blend of supernatural horror with social commentary on South Sudan's conflict. Hosts Aaron and Derek analyze the movie's relev…
- Episode 177: Silent Hill w/ special guest Valerie Morreale
Valerie Morreale returns to Watch If You Dare to discuss the 2006 film Silent Hill. The conversation covers the movie's connection to the game series, differences from the source material, and specific plot points like Sean Bean's subplot…
- Episode 176: Dreamcatcher
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2003's science fiction horror film "Dreamcatcher" directed by Lawrence Kasdan, co-written by Kasdan and screenwriter William Goldman, and adapted from the 2001 Stephen King novel. They talk about how…
- Episode 175: Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2
PODCAST DAY! For the 2025 holiday season, Aaron and Derek cover 1987's slasher sequel "Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2" directed by Lee Harry. They discuss why a large chunk of this movie is a recap of the first movie, Lee Harry's career…
- Episode 174: Constantine w/ special guest Lauren Willson
To celebrate it now being over 20 years since its release, Aaron and Derek are joined by returning guest Lauren Willson to tackle 2005's supernatural action flick "Constantine" directed by Francis Lawrence and adapted from the "Hellblazer"…
- Episode 173: BLOOD RAGE 2025 w/ special guest Valerie Morreale
For Thanksgiving, the Spoop Bois are joined by returning guest Valerie Morreale of the Screenage Wasteland film website and The Canon Podcast to tackle the 1980s cult holiday slasher film "Blood Rage" directed by John Grissmer. They discus…
- Episode 172: A Cure for Wellness w/ special guest Caitlin Starling
Superstar horror author Caitlin Starling ( The Graceview Patient, The Starving Saints, The Death of Jane Lawrence, The Luminous Dead, and many other works) returns to the show to discuss 2016's psychological horror film "A Cure for Wellnes…
- Episode 171: Scream w/ special guests Raf Stitt & Valerie Morreale
For Halloween 2025 and to wrap up the "High School Horror" Season of Spoop, Aaron and Derek are joined by Raf Stitt and Valerie Morreale of the Screenage Wasteland film website and The Canon Podcast to discuss 1996's slasher classic "Screa…
- Episode 170: Carrie w/ special guest Heather Murray
For the second "high school horror" themed Season of Spoop episode, Heather returns to the show to discuss 1976's supernatural horror movie "Carrie" directed by Brian De Palma and adapted from the Stephen King book. They get into bullying…
- Episode 169: The Faculty w/ special guests Nate Boyd & Tyler McCarty
It's October, so 2025's Season of Spoop begins! This year the theme is "high school horror." To start off this year's series, Nate and Tyler (hosts of the Hate Speech Podcast, The Bruce Campbell Podcast and Animorphing Time Podcast) return…
- Episode 168: Race with the Devil
On this episode, Aaron and Derek take a road trip with 1975's road horror film "Race with the Devil" directed by Jack Starrett. They discuss RV culture, how this movie is a mix of 70s Satanic panic, road movies, car chases and hicksploitat…
- Episode 167: Trollhunter w/ special guest Caitlin Starling
On this episode, acclaimed author Caitlin Starling ( The Luminous Dead , The Starving Saints , The Death of Jane Lawrence , etc.) joins Aaron and Derek to discuss 2010's Norwegian dark fantasy mockumentary "Trollhunter" written and directe…
- Episode 166: The Mangler
On this episode, Aaron and Derek discuss 1995's haunted machine film "The Mangler" directed by Tobe Hooper and based off the 1972 Stephen King short story. They talk about how Hooper combined his humorous horror sensibilities with King's i…
- Episode 165: Frailty
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2001's psychological horror film "Frailty" directed by and starring Bill Paxton. They talk about Bill Paxton's creepy earnestness, how the writing cleverly handles multiple twists and reveals, and wh…
- Episode 164: Jaws w/ special guest Damian Potesta
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," Damian returns to the show to talk the 1975 masterpiece film directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted from the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley. They discuss why "Jaws" is a horror movie first, the…
- Episode 163: 28 Days Later w/ special guest Heather Murray
On this episode, Heather returns to discuss 2002's post-apocalyptic horror film "28 Days Later" directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. They get into how the lo-fi quality helps enhance the movie, the effect it had on horror a…
- Episode 162: Friday the 13th Part 2 w/ special guest Katie O’Hagan
For this Friday June 13th, actress Katie O'Hagan (Mia Winters in Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village) returns on short notice to discuss a personal favorite 1981 slasher sequel "Friday the 13th Part 2" directed by Steve Miner in his…
- Episode 161: Jacob's Ladder
On this episode, Derek and Aaron discuss 1990's psychological horror film "Jacob's Ladder" directed by Adrian Lyne. They talk about how screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin's spiritual journey and beliefs influenced the script, the heavy inspirat…
- Episode 160: Dead Alive (Braindead) w/ special guest Josiah Mansfield
Aaron's brother Josiah returns to the show to discuss 1992's New Zealand comedy splatter film "Braindead" ("Dead Alive" in North America) directed by Peter Jackson with the Spoop Bois. They talk about the wild nature of Peter Jackson's car…
- Episode 159: The Cell
On this episode, Derek and Aaron discuss 2000's science fiction psychological horror film "The Cell" directed by Tarsem Singh. They talk about how style over substance helps this movie, the Hollywoodization of mental illness and serial kil…
- Episode 158: Deep Red
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its release, Aaron and Derek discuss Italian giallo film "Deep Red ('Profondo rosso' in Italian)" directed by Dario Argento. They talk about what makes this a quintessential giallo film, the straightfor…
- Episode 157: The Hallow w/ special guest Katie O’Hagan
In time for Saint Patrick's Day, actress Katie O’Hagan (Mia Winters in Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village) returns to the podcast to discuss 2015's British-Irish co-produced supernatural horror movie "The Hallow" directed by Corin H…
- Episode 156: Def by Temptation
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 1990's horror film "Def by Temptation" written, directed, and produced by James Bond III who is also the star. They talk about how this became James Bond III's passion project, the progressive and pr…
- Episode 155: Blue Velvet w/ special guest Heather Murray
Rest in peace, David Lynch! This episode, Aaron's wife Heather returns to discuss 1986's neo-noir psychological thriller "Blue Velvet" written and directed by David Lynch with Aaron and Derek. They get into Lynch's exploration of the horri…
- Episode 154: 30 Days of Night
Aaron and Derek start 2025 off by tackling 2007's vampire horror film "30 Days of Night" directed by David Slade and based on the comic book of the same name. They talk about the severe isolation and how unforgiving the environment is to a…
- Episode 153: Christmas Evil
Happy holidays! For the 2024 holiday episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 1980's Santa slasher "Christmas Evil" (originally "You Better Watch Out," and also known as "Terror in Toyland") written and directed by Lewis Jackson. They compare it wi…
- Episode 152: Ghost Story w/ special guest Heather Gunnell
On this episode, Heather Gunnell returns to the show to discuss 1981's supernatural horror film "Ghost Story" directed by John Irvin and based on the 1979 novel by Peter Straub. They talk about how this is a great horror movie for winter,…
- Episode 151 BLOOD RAGE 2024 w/ special guest Shelby Novak of Scare You To Sleep
For Thanksgiving, the Spoop Bois are joined by returning guest Shelby Novak of Scare You To Sleep Podcast and Bloody Disgusting fame to tackle the 1980s cult holiday slasher film "Blood Rage" directed by John Grissmer. They discuss why the…
- Episode 150: Possessor
On their 150th, Aaron and Derek tackle 2020's sci-fi psychological horror film "Possessor" written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg. They discuss the nature of class and privacy shown in the movie, the bleakness of an alternative 2008, a…
- Episode 149: The Blob (1988)
It's the 2024 Halloween episode in which Derek and Aaron cover the last "IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!" themed Season of Spoop film! They talk about the 1988 sci-fi horror remake of "The Blob" (original released in 1958) directed by Chuck…
- Episode 148: Lifeforce w/ special guest James Hales
The "IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!" themed Season of Spoop rolls on. Aaron and Derek are joined by James to talk 1985's British science fiction horror flick "Lifeforce" directed by Tobe Hooper, adapted by Dan O'Bannon, and based on the no…
- Episode 147: Killer Klowns from Outer Space w/ special guest Katie of True Crime Campfire
2024 Season of Spoop starts now! The movie theme this year is IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!! To begin, Aaron and Derek are joined by Katie the other cohost of the podcast "True Crime Campfire" to discuss 1988's science fiction comedy horr…
- Episode 146: Noroi: The Curse
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 2005's Japanese found footage horror movie "Noroi: The Curse" directed and co-written by Kōji Shiraishi. They discuss how the pseudo-documentary presentation compliments found footage, the foreboding…
- Episode 145: The Crow w/ special guest Caitlyne Shirley
The Spoop Boiz are joined by their avenging angel/college pal Caitlyne to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their favorite gothy sadboy revenge tale - The Crow! They explore the original James O'Barr indie comic book, director Alex Proyas'…
- Episode 144: Alien w/ special guest Josiah Mansfield
On this extra special episode, Aaron's little brother Josiah joins to discuss 1979's science fiction horror masterpiece "Alien" directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon. They talk about their personal experiences with the movie…
- Episode 143: Dolls
On this episode, the Spoop Bois Aaron and Derek cover 1987's killer toy flick "Dolls" directed by Stuart Gordon. They talk about the role of toys as a childhood attachment and gateway to fantasy, the exploration of younger generations movi…
- Episode 142: Tetsuo: The Iron Man w/ special guest Jonathan Nowacki
Jonathan returns in the guest seat to discuss 1989's Japanese experimental sci-fi body horror movie "Tetsuo: The Iron Man" directed, written, produced, and edited by Shinya Tsukamoto in his first first feature length film with Spoop Bois A…
- Episode 141: Cronos
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle Guillermo del Toro's first feature film and independent horror movie "Cronos" from 1992. They talk about Ron Perlman's casting in a Spanish language horror movie, del Toro's intention for this being…
- Episode 140: Silver Bullet
On this episode, Aaron and Derek tackle 1985's horror film "Silver Bullet" directed by Dan Attias and adapted from Stephen King's 1983 novella "Cycle of the Werewolf." They talk about the surprising darker themes present in the flick, the…
- Episode 139: Midsommar w/ special guest Heather Murray
Aaron's wife Heather returns to the show to discuss 2019's folk horror film "Midsommar" written and directed by Ari Aster. They talk about whether or not the morality of Dani's choices in the ending matter, what it means to find true freed…
- Episode 138: Saint Maud w/ special guest Angela
First time guest Angela joins Aaron and Derek to discuss 2019's psychological horror film "Saint Maud" written and directed by Rose Glass in her feature directorial debut. They get into how the movie explores adult spirituality juxtaposed…
- Episode 137: Demons (Dèmoni) w/ special guest James Hales
On this episode, James Hales returns to discuss 1985's Italian supernatural horror film "Demons" (Italian: Dèmoni ) directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento with Aaron and Derek. They talk about Bava's involvement with the p…
- Episode 136: May w/ special guest V.P. Morris
The Spoop Bois Derek and Aaron are joined by author V.P. Morris ("ShadowCast," "The Dead Letters Podcast," and "Dead Ringer") to discuss 2002's psychological horror film "May" written and directed by Lucky McKee. They talk about the dualit…
- Episode 135: The Fly w/ special guests Heather Wixson and Patrick Bromley
On this extra special episode, Patrick Bromley (critic, host of "F This Movie!" podcast, contributor on Bloody Disgusting, Daily Dead, and Corpse Club) returns to the show and the horror chick Heather Wixson (author and former horror journ…
- Episode 134: Arachnophobia
After an unexpected hiatus, Aaron and Derek are back to tackle 1990's spider attack horror flick "Arachnophobia" directed by Frank Marshall in his directorial debut. They talk about Aaron's severe arachnophobia, how fun the cast is, and wh…
- Episode 133: Cube
On this episode, Derek and Aaron tackle 1997's Canadian independent sci-fi horror flick "Cube" directed and co-written by Vincenzo Natali. They talk about the themes of paranoia and hopelessness, the simple yet effective aesthetic of the s…
- Episode 132: Us w/ special guest Dash Chain
First time guest Dash Chain joins Aaron and Derek to discuss 2019's psychological horror movie "Us" written and directed by Jordan Peele. They talk about Peele's inspiration behind writing the movie, the commentary on American privilege an…