Fearless Films

Stranger danger, when a stranger calls, and people are strange, all in one movie! This week Sarah answers the call with, The Black Phone. This 2021 film is based on a story from Joe Hill, and follows a young boy who is kidnapped by a deranged Ethan Hawke, but finds support and advice from the ghostly callers on the Black Phone. Join us as we discuss the smartly written characters, the awesome visual effects, and how we could rework the plot slightly to make this a sleeper prequel to a classic slasher film! So put your ringer on silent, ignore your messages, and as always: don't get too scared!

What happens when musical dreams become discordant nightmares? You must be watching, The Perfection! Join us as Sarah breaks down this Netflix original about two cello prodigies who become involved with a prestigious musical academy that harbors dark secrets. The pursuit of perfection often leads to insanity and dark endings. We discuss the joys of revenge against the powerful and corrupt, why you should always know where your medication comes from, and why this film reminds us of the surreal Italian horror flicks of the 60's and 70's. So sit back, put on your favorite record, and remember: don't get too scared!

What's better than watching cheesy, holiday-themed horror movies? Watching the remakes!! This year for the holiday, we are watching the remake of April Fool's Day! Join us as we watch a bunch of spoiled, rich, 20-somethings get picked off one by one in a plot that only vaguely has anything to do with April Fool's. Unlike the original, which we covered last year, this remake takes itself way too seriously, and misses the mark on being a cheesy, fun film. Pete and Sarah will discuss the glaring lack of southern accents, the better movie that was hiding in the margins of this one, and how relieved they are that the dog lives! So listen in with us, and remember: don't get too scared!

Lep' in the hood, here to do no good!! It's that time of year again! Happy Saint Patrick's Day, Fearless Fans!! Our annual celebration of the Leprechaun franchise brings us back to Earth for the latest entry - Leprechaun in the Hood! Our favorite mischievous monster finds himself in the world of hip-hop. Caught between a greedy record producer, and a trio of up and coming rap artists, everyone wants a piece of the Leprechaun's pot of gold. The question is, will anyone survive long enough to come out on top? Join Pete and Sarah as they discuss this surprisingly progressive 2000's film, fond memories of the video store, and whether or not "home video" releases are a thing of the past. And remember, don't get too scared!

The demon Valak is back, and there is only one person you can call: The Nun...2! In a follow up to the Conjuring Universe prequel/spinoff, we once again find Sister Irene being called upon to fight the forces of evil. This time, she is sent to a boarding school in France to help her old friend, Frenchie, fight off Valak as it torments a bunch of school-children. Join us as Sarah and Pete discuss if this is a worthy follow-up, if some pranks can go too far, and whether this franchise is all leading to something meaningful, or just making it up along the way. So put on a habit, grab a crucifix, and remember: don't get too scared!

It's not The Blob, it's not THEM, it's not even The Tingler! This week, we are talking about the 80's, food based, satirical horror film, The Stuff!! When a white, yogurt-like substance begins to bubble out of the ground, one American corporation does the only thing it knows how to do: it packages it up and sells it to every grocery store across the country! Pete, Sarah, and their special guest, Joe, discuss this strange movie about addictive ice cream that possesses whoever eats it, and creates a dangerous cult-like army that tries to take over the world. Nothing about this movie makes sense, the characters are all kooky, and the plot is all over the place. But hey, that just makes it more fun to watch. So grab a snack, pour yourself a drink, and remember: don't get too scared!

Happy Valentine's Day, Fearless Fans! This week, we are celebrating the holiday with the best example of eternal love in horror cinema: Dracula! This 1994 version from Francis Ford Coppola is operatic, dramatic, and downright sexy! This Dracula is just looking for his lost love, and will kill anyone who gets in his way. Join us as we discuss such topics as: -Sexy Gary Oldman. -The best ways to kill a vampire. -Keanu Reeves finding his British accent. -The beauty of practical effects. -And much more! So cuddle up with your partner, pour a glass of your most red wine, and remember: don't get too scared!

We're back, and we're sharkier than ever! Sarah returns to tell us about the follow up to her last movie, 47 Meters Down: Uncaged. This sequel finds a group of young women breaking the rules to explore an underground sea cave, who then find themselves face to face with near-blind subterranean monsters. The result is lots of interpersonal drama and dire consequences. If you think that sounds a lot like the plot of The Descent, we thought so too! Having nothing to do with the first 47 Meters Down (other than sharks and scuba diving), this movie seems to have just "borrowed" the plot of The Descent and made it a bit... wetter. Join us as we discuss the thrills of archaeology, if sharks are attracted to music, and ask the most important question: can fish scream!? And as always... don't get too scared!

Strap in Fearless Fans, because we've got a doozy of a stinker this week. Pete breaks down the 2003 film, Darkness Falls, and tries to retain his sanity for the duration. Plagued by production troubles that would make Waterworld look like a fun day at an amusement park, Darkness Falls is a heavily re-written, re-edited, and re-named mess of a film that barely counts as a coherent narrative. It follows a young man returning to his hometown to face the monster that haunts it. Rules are made and broken, character motivations are unexplained, and logic is thrown right out the window. Join us and see if Sarah can help Pete keep his sanity by the end of the episode. And remember, don't get too scared!

Two friends + vacation in Mexico + lots of liquor = SHARK ATTACK!! Welcome to the New Year, Fearless Fans! We are kicking things off with a good old fashioned shark attack movie! This week, Sarah presents to us the 2017 film, 47 Meters Down! This undersea thriller stars Mandy Moore and Claire Holt as two sisters on holiday, trying to absorb some sun and some positive energy. When they spontaneously sign up for a shark diving expedition, things immediately go wrong when the line snaps and their protective cage plummets to the ocean floor. With a limited supply of oxygen and hungry sharks circling, the two women must find a way to escape, or find themselves trapped forever. We talk about the realism of this diving disaster, our appreciation for Mandy Moore's acting career, and our many critiques of the various posters and DVD cover art for this film. So strap on your O2, secure your flippers, and remember: don't get too scared!

Merry Christmas, everyone!! It's that time of year again, and Pete has a very special present for everyone: the lesser known 1980 slasher classic, To All a Good Night. This film carries the prestigious title of being the first slasher movie released in theaters in the 1980's! It is also a clear knock-off of the also Christmas themed Black Christmas. Join us as we discuss obnoxious coeds, killers with too much time on their hands, and pervy police officers. Sarah and Pete also have a great discussion on this film's twist ending, and how it may have influenced Scream more than anyone realized. So pull up a chair by the fire, pour yourself a glass of eggnog, and remember: don't get too scared!

No, not that Frozen. Get all your jokes out now, because this movie doesn't feature any lovable snowmen or reindeer. This week we are talking about the 2010 survival horror film, Frozen! It tells the tale of three college friends on an annual ski trip who find themselves trapped on the ski lift overnight when the lodge closes down without them. Facing the dangers of hypothermia, frostbite, hunger, and deadly wolves, the three must figure out how to escape with their lives. No one will return for an entire week, leaving the stranded and faced with their own mortality. Pete breaks down how the movie starts as your typical 2000's fare: shitty characters, a generic rock soundtrack, and a completely implausible situation that sets up the danger. However, he was delighted to report that that the film takes a turn at some point, and the realistic drama and complex character work elevates this into an actually engaging experience. Sarah continues to note more places we cannot visit because of horror movies, and laughs at the accurate "New Englandness" of the whole affair (the movie takes place in Vermont, and the characters are from Massachusetts). So strap on your skis, bring plenty of warm clothing, and remember: don't get too scared!

It's part 2 of our Special Guest Month, and this week we are joined by our very own Social Media Manager!!! (also named Sarah, so it gets confusing). This week's movie was more specifically chosen to confuse and horrify Pete. It's a film that both the Sarah's had watched together previously, during the COVID lockdowns (via a synchronized streaming session). It is The Girl on the Third Floor! And they both hated it! It tells the story of a terrible man, making a last ditch attempt to repair his marriage by fixing up the new house he has bought for him and his wife, all by himself. He is soon confronted by evil spirits that want to tempt him and torture him, and he quickly spirals into madness. Join us as we discuss the importance of General Contractors, the nonsensical editing and plot of the film, and why the Sarah's lovingly nicknamed this movie "the vagina walls movie". And as always, don't get too scared!

It's special guest season on Fearless Films, and this week we are kicking it off when Pete's wife, Cheryl, talks to us about one of her favorite horror films of all time: The Woman in Black! It tells the tale of a turn of the century English solicitor, still suffering the grief of losing his wife to a tragic accident, having to leave his very young son to take a job in the countryside. He is settling the paperwork of an old estate, an isolated house on a patch of land that gets swallowed up by the sea at high tide. There, he finds a tortured spirit haunting the house, and a town full of people that are trying to drive him out, lest he stir the malevolent apparition. Join us as we discuss what makes a truly great ghost story, what are the best-sounding English names, and whether the movie or its source novel has the more depressing ending. And as always, don't get too scared!

We finally made it to the end! Welcome to the final episode (for now) on the Saw franchise. This week we cover the two "spinoff" films: Jigsaw - A new game has begun, and forensic evidence somehow points to the long dead John Kramer. Has he truly risen from the grave? Or has someone new taken on the mantle of the Jigsaw killer? Seeing as how the rest of the series plays it pretty grounded, you can probably figure it out. Spiral: From the Book of Saw - This one acts more like a true spinoff. Chris Rock is a cop investigating a series of murders (all of members of the police) that appear to be paying homage to the long dead Jigsaw killer. This movie doesn't play with expectations, it is definitely about a copycat killer. The mystery is all about their motivations and their identity. Join us as we pick apart these two entries that both Sarah and Pete dislike... strongly! Can we survive to the end of these breakdowns? Or are we going to go as mad as Jigsaw by the end of the episode? Join us and find out. And remember: don't get too scared!

The fun never stops, especially in October! This week, the penultimate episode in our Saw franchise breakdown! First up is part 6: The trap involves an insurance man having to "balance the equation" on multiple lives, and hoping to survive his final test. Meanwhile, secret apprentice Hoffman is desperately trying to stay ahead of the investigators who are trying to uncover his identity. He goes on a rampage to keep his spot as the gamemaster, but outside forces are working against him. Then, its part 7: The original "Final Chapter" in the Saw franchise (we all know how that goes). A man gets rich after claiming to be a Jigsaw survivor and writing a book about his "experience". Hoffman puts his biggest test yet into motion. A mysterious figure from the past makes moves to put a stop to both of these men. Who will be left standing at the end? Who will get the Game Over? Join us as we dig through the messiest of the Saw films, talk about overly drawn out storylines, and break down the many horror tropes employed by part 7. And as always: don't get too scared!

The saga continues... This week, the breakdown covers the fourth and fifth entries in the Saw series. John Kramer and Amanda are dead, but the Jigsaw killings continue. Who is carrying the torch on the Jigsaw legacy? And are they a true believer, or a serial killer using the traps as a cover? More characters are introduced, more mysteries are uncovered, and more creative killings are implemented. Join us as we explore the past and future of the Saw lore, and remember: don't get too scared...

This week, we continue our breakdown of the Saw franchise with Saw 3! It's another series of crazy traps, another lesson to be learned, and another trapper getting in on the action! Following up from part 2, the secret apprentice Amanda is now helping Jigsaw teach his latest lesson - and trying to keep him alive. Suffering from his terminal cancer, Amanda has helped kidnap a brain surgeon and forces her to do everything in her power to make sure Jigsaw lives until the end of the game. This includes some home brain surgery! Strap in for another exciting installment in the Saw franchise, and remember: don't get too scared!

The October Franchise Breakdown Special is back!! This year, Sarah is gonna cover the entire Saw franchise, picking up at part 2 (go back and check out our episode on the original) and taking us all the way to the spinoff film, Spiral: From the Book of Saw. Saw 2 tells the tale of a renegade detective hunting down Jigsaw and discovering that his son is trapped in a house with a group of strangers who must survive the deadly traps and escape before a nerve gas kills them all. Can he save his son before a dangerous secret that threatens his life is revealed? Will Jigsaw escape, now that he is in police custody? What will be the shocking twist that will be as mind-blowing as the first movie? The answers to all these questions await you in this week's episode. So tune in, and remember: don't get too scared!

What happens when you put a group of bored, white, rich kids in a room together and tell them to play a game? You get the 2005 film, Cry_Wolf. What starts as a competitive lying game between some private school friends, quickly spirals into a campus-wide attempt to make the student body believe that there is a serial killer on the loose. But what happens when people actually start ending up dead and missing? Has one of these high schoolers taken things too far? Or have they summoned the wrath of an actual homicidal maniac? Listen in as Pete breaks down yet ANOTHER early 2000's horror film starring Jared Padalecki. This one was another slog for Pete, but Sarah delights in hearing all about it. Join us in the circle, and bring your best poker face. And remember: don't get too scared!