Cult of the Living Dead

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we plunge headfirst into cosmic nihilism, nerd fantasy, and rotoscope spectacle in Heavy Metal (1981). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan unpack the film's cult reputation, tracing the corrupting journey of the glowing green evil known as Loc-Nar as it threads together a chain of brutal, sex-charged, and apocalyptic tales across time and space, from doomed astronauts and warrior women to undead bombers. We explore how Heavy Metal collides science fiction, sword-and-sorcery, horror, and rock-and-roll excess into a delirious animated assault on morality, power, and desire. More than four decades later, it endures as one of the most abrasive and confrontational cult animation landmarks of the early 1980s.

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we plunge headfirst into the sun-scorched highways, occult bravado, and lawless excess of Álex de la Iglesia's Perdita Durango (1997). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan unpack the film's feral cult reputation, tracing the violent road trip of Perdita and her unhinged lover Romeo Dolorosa as a botched kidnapping, and a Santería-fueled scheme spirals into ritual murder, borderland chaos, and reckless erotic power games. We explore how Perdita Durango collides crime thriller, dark comedy, and exploitation spectacle into a savage satire of American pop mythology, spiritual grifting, and outlaw romance. Nearly thirty years later, it endures as one of the most abrasive and confrontational cult films of the late 1990s.

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we descend into the blood-spattered back alleys and righteous fury of Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints (1999). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan unpack the film's cult-born legacy, tracing Irish Catholic brothers Connor and Murphy MacManus as a drunken bar brawl, a mysterious execution, and a whispered blessing from a shadowy figure ignite their violent crusade against Boston's criminal underworld. We explore how The Boondock Saints fuses vigilante fantasy, religious symbolism, and crime swagger into a chaotic morality play about justice, brotherhood, and the seduction of being chosen. More than two decades later, it stands as one of the most divisive and strangely enduring cult films of the late 1990s, a messy, profane, and fervent relic of indie bravado that still dares its audience to cheer for holy violence.

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we slow down and roll across the American heartland in David Lynch's The Straight Story (1999). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan unpack Lynch's most disarming film, tracing Alvin Straight's improbable journey from rural Iowa to Wisconsin on a riding lawn mower, fueled by stubborn pride, quiet regret, and a need to make things right. We explore how The Straight Story strips away surrealism and horror to reveal a deeply human meditation on aging, family, and the weight of lived time, where small encounters become confessions, and the open road turns into a space for reflection rather than escape. More than two decades later, it stands as one of the most tender and unexpected films in his career, a reminder that even the strangest auteur can tell a story that pulls at the heart.

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we stumble through the rise, fall, and endlessly repeated rebirth of American music legend Dewey Cox in Jake Kasdan's Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan unpack the film's demolition of the music biopic, tracing Dewey's journey from childhood trauma to chart-topping fame, creative excess, and total emotional collapse. We explore how Walk Hard skewers rock mythology, drug culture, and the sacred clichés of artistic suffering, where every setback becomes destiny, and every genre demands its own Dewey phase. From wrong kid deaths and prophetic catchphrases to fake Bob Dylan, endless wives, and songs that explain exactly what is happening, we examine how the film exposes the absurdity hiding inside musical legend-making. Nearly two decades later, it remains one of the sharpest and most rewatchable comedies ever made.

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we descend into the Georgetown townhouse that forever changed horror in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan unpack the film's collision of medical realism and spiritual terror, tracing Regan MacNeil's possession as faith erodes and doubt takes root. We explore how domestic normalcy turns to blasphemy, where science fails, the Church hesitates, and evil speaks in a child's voice. From crisis of belief, obscene whispers, and the immortal Pazuzu, we examine how The Exorcist weaponizes restraint to devastate audiences. Nearly fifty years later, it remains carved into the foundation of modern horror.

Join Cult of the Living Dead as we bike back into the rain-slick streets and storm-drain shadows of Stephen King's most cursed town in It: Welcome to Derry (2025). In this episode, The Dale, Cea, and Twan dive into the show's prequel mythology, unpacking generational fear, small-town rot, and the chilling origin of the cosmic clown who feeds on children. We explore how the series expands the Losers' Club legacy with 1960s Americana dread, Cold War paranoia, and the quiet horror of secrets buried beneath. From grief, memory, and trauma to red balloons and ritual sacrifice, we trace how Welcome to Derry reshapes the nightmare while honoring the terror that made King's universe immortal.

In this episode of Cult of the Living Dead, we unwrap all three versions of Black Christmas (1974, 2006, and 2019), tracing how one eerie holiday slasher keeps getting reborn for better and worse. The Dale, Cea, and Twan break down the original's suffocating atmosphere, the 2006 remake's mean-spirited excess, and the 2019 reboot's polarizing reinvention. We dig into shifting themes of voyeurism, violence, and gender politics, and how each era's fears bleed into the sorority house walls. From obscene phone calls to disturbing origin stories, this is a franchise defined by its legacies.

In this episode of Cult of the Living Dead, we unwrap the controversy and carnage of Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), the slasher that turned Santa Claus into a seasonal boogeyman. The Dale, Cea, and Twan dig into the film's moral panic origins, its mean-spirited holiday nihilism, and how trauma and repression fuel Billy's bloody path. We discuss the protests, the pulled ads, and why the film's reputation often overshadows what's actually on screen. Is it tasteless exploitation, or a bleak Christmas nightmare that still cuts deep decades later?

In this episode of Cult of the Living Dead, we step into the icy nightmare of Jack Frost, where a small town is terrorized by a killer who returns in the most unlikely form: a sentient snowman born from a chemical accident. The Dale, Cea, and Twan break down how the film blends slasher tropes with dark humor, and why its low-budget absurdity somehow works better than it should. We dig into the film's tone, the surprisingly good practical effects, and how its commitment to the bit turns a throwaway premise into a minor cult fixture. We ask whether Jack Frost is a scrappy winter horror must-watch, a so-bad-it's-good slasher, or simply a strange cinematic artifact that refuses to melt away.

In this episode of Cult of the Living Dead, we brave the apocalyptic world of Black Friday, where retail hell turns literal as a parasitic alien outbreak crashes the biggest shopping night of the year. The Dale, Cea, and Twan break down how the film recreates what it's like to work retail, and how the customers are the real monsters all along. We dig into the the underwhelming story and how not even Bruce Campbell could save this movie from the bargain bin. We ask whether Black Friday is a goofy creature feature, a workplace satire, or the world's most cathartic therapy session for anyone who's ever worked a holiday shift.

In this episode, The Dale and Cea dissect the rise of long-form terror and ask whether television has quietly dethroned film as horror's true powerhouse. From prestige chillers like IT: Welcome to Derry, and The Haunting of Hill House, we explore how episodic storytelling reshapes fear. The crew digs into it in this new world of streaming. Have production companies placed their investments in your living room instead of the silver screen? Tune in as we decide if TV has already claimed the horror crown or if cinema still has some scares left in it.

In this episode, we dive into Murder Party (2007), a Halloween-night fiasco in which one lonely guy's attempt at socializing spirals into an art-school death trap. The Dale, Cea, and Twan break down Jeremy Saulnier's film debut, a chaotic gathering of deranged creatives, duct-taped victims, and performance pieces that really kill. We dig into the film's satire of artistic ambition, its gloriously messy practical gore, and its ridiculous premise. Join us as we break down the world's worst Halloween party and uncover just how far these wannabe auteurs will go for “true” art.

In this episode, we explore Troll 2 (1990), a movie so deliriously bad that it goes beyond mere failure to become a cult classic. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as they discuss the story of Joshua and his family's disastrous vacation to Nilbog, a town of cheerful vegetarians who are secretly goblins. We'll examine how a film made without trolls, coherence, or irony turned into a beloved cult favorite. From the infamous “They're eating her!” scene to the legacy of Best Worst Movie, we ask: how did this green-goo fever dream win our hearts? 

In this episode, we dive into Grandma's Boy (2006), a stoner comedy about growing up way past the point of no return. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we break down the story of Alex, a 35-year-old video game tester forced to move in with his grandma and her eccentric roommates. We'll explore how the film turns slackerdom into a story of redemption, where gaming, weed, and grandma collide in absurd harmony. Tune in as we unpack its cult appeal, juvenile genius, and why it remains a mark for Happy Madison.

In this episode, we dive into Kaneto Shindō's Onibaba (1964), a haunting descent into lust, survival, and damnation set against the marshes of medieval Japan. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we break down a tale where hunger and desire blur into horror, where two women kill to live, and one demonic mask turns the human face into something even more monstrous. Tune in as we explore how Onibaba redefined the boundaries of folk horror and erotic dread. We'll dig into its hypnotic visuals, the ritualistic rhythms of survival, and the way Shindō weaponizes shadow, sound, and silence.

In this episode, we break down Alexandre Aja's High Tension (2003), a ferocious entry in the New French Extremity movement that fuses raw brutality with psychological collapse. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we dissect this blood-soaked slasher, a film that begins as a home-invasion shocker and ends as a hallucinatory study of obsession and repression. Tune in as we break down the film's legacy. We'll talk about its place in early-2000s horror, its controversial narrative pivot, and why High Tension still divides audiences two decades later.

In this episode, we break down Demián Rugna's Terrified (2017), a relentless slice of Argentinian horror that invades the quiet streets of Buenos Aires with unexplainable terror. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we unpack the film's mosaic of urban hauntings. From its fractured storytelling to its police procedural framework, we trace how Terrified transforms ordinary domestic spaces into gateways of Lovecraftian Horror. Rugna crafts a nightmare where fear is communal, unstoppable, and deeply rooted in the unseen.

In this episode, we break down Danny and Michael Philippou's Bring Her Back (2025), a suffocating horror descent into grief, obsession, and the forbidden pull of resurrection. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore the film's bleak atmosphere, where a foster mother's desperate yearning collides with occult rituals. From the chilling performances by Sally Hawkins to the unrelenting sense of dread, we trace how the film transforms loss into a nightmarish cycle of possession, decay, and guilt that can't be buried. So tune in as we dive into how Bring Her Back's portrait of love is corroded by the hunger to undo death itself.

In this episode, we recap our favorite moves of the year, well kinda. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we take a look back at the movies we've watched in 2025 and pick out our favorites. We'll laugh, we'll cry, so join us and let us know what your favorites from the year are.

In this episode, we break down David Sandberg's Kung Fury, a neon-drenched, synth-fueled, 30-minute blast of pure ‘80s fever dream. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we unpack the film's delirious mashup of kung-fu cops, time-traveling Nazis, Norse gods, and rampaging arcade machines. From VHS-soaked aesthetics to knowingly absurd one-liners, we dive into how Kung Fury parodies and over-the-top action to create a cult short film that feels like both a lost relic and a parody trailer brought to life.

In this episode, we break down Steven LaMorte's Screamboat, a wild horror-comedy that turns Disney's 1928 steamboat setting into a blood-soaked nightmare cruise. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we unpack the film's unhinged tone, midnight-movie energy, and its blend of cartoon nostalgia and slasher mayhem. From twisted sight gags to over-the-top kills, we explore how Screamboat weaponizes childhood iconography and warps it into something grotesque, hilarious, and unforgettable.

In this episode, we break down Gaspar Noé's I Stand Alone is a brutal plunge into the mind of an aging butcher seething with rage, isolation, and despair. Join The Dale, Cea, and TWan as we unpack the film's stark narration, suffocating nihilism, and its unflinching portrait of alienation on the margins of society. From shocking monologues to Noé's infamous “warning” countdown, we explore how the film dares its audience to confront the darkest corners of the human condition.

In this episode, we enter the high-pressure world of Boiler Room (2000), where ambition and greed clash with morality and consequence. From Seth Davis's desperate hustle for legitimacy to the seductive pull of fast money and faster lies. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we unravel how Ben Younger's crime drama exposes the dark underbelly of American capitalism.

In this episode, we ride through the fog-drenched woods of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow (1999), where gothic romance and grisly legend collide. From Ichabod Crane's skeptical science to the Headless Horseman's bloody reign. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore how Burton turns Washington Irving's classic tale into a fever dream of superstition and spectacle.

In this episode, we explore David Lynch's Wild at Heart, a surreal road trip of love, violence, and sex. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we follow Sailor and Lula's journey through hitmen, witches, and the twisted underbelly of Americana. From Elvis serenades to unhinged mobsters, we examine how Lynch transformed a lovers-on-the-run story into a fever dream of desire and doom.

In this episode, we spiral into Gaspar Noé's Climax — a hypnotic descent into chaos, dance, and delirium. What starts as an electrifying rehearsal turns sinister when the troupe's sangria is spiked, unraveling the night into paranoia, violence, and hallucination. Joining The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we break down the film's unbroken takes, pulsing soundtrack, and raw performances that blur the line between choreography and collapse. It's part fever dream, part horror show, and completely unhinged.

In this episode, the boys went to the movie and watched 2025's Superman. Directed by James Gunn, Superman is a showcase of superhero team-ups and action-packed scenes. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we break down whether Gunn has successfully saved the DC Universe. Will discuss the highs and lows of the film and what we're looking forward to next.

In this episode, we dive into The Iron Giant, a story of friendship, fear, and identity set against the backdrop of 1950s paranoia. Directed by Brad Bird, this 1999 animated gem blends Cold War anxiety with heartfelt storytelling and hand-drawn wonder. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore what makes The Iron Giant timeless, tender, and tragically overlooked.

In this episode, we cover Bringing Out the Dead, Martin Scorsese's overlooked gem that dives into the life of a New York City paramedic. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore how Scorsese turns burnout into spiritual warfare and chaos into dark poetry. Nicolas Cage stars as Frank Pierce, a man unraveling under the weight of lives he couldn't save and ghosts he can't shake. Set in the drug-fueled streets of 1990s Hell's Kitchen, the film pulses with exhaustion, guilt, and hallucinatory dread.

In this episode, we dive into The 'Burbs, a dark comedy where paranoia brews behind picket fences. Through the eyes of Ray Peterson, we witness neighborly suspicion spiral into full-blown hysteria as he and his friends investigate the creepy Klopeks next door. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss if The 'Burbs still holds up today and what? Directed by Joe Dante, this 1989 cult classic blends slapstick, suspense, and a healthy dose of suburban dread.

In this episode, we dive into City of God, a portrait of life inside Rio's most infamous favela. Through the eyes of aspiring photographer Rocket, we witness the rise of gang violence, the fall of innocence, and the chaos that grips an entire generation. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss what makes City of God brutal, beautiful, and unforgettable. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, this 2002 masterpiece blends documentary-style realism with breathtaking style.

In this episode, we dive into the nightmarish world of Tetsuo: The Iron Man, a groundbreaking 1989 cyberpunk horror film by Shinya Tsukamoto. Blending industrial noise, body horror, and surreal visuals, the film follows a man's grotesque transformation into a twisted hybrid of flesh and scrap metal. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss the movie's disturbing visuals, hyper-sexual themes, and why it remains a cult classic decades later.

In this episode, we step into the world of Paprika, a mind-bending anime that blurs the line between dreams and reality. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we dive into Satoshi Kon's visionary tale of a therapist who uses experimental technology to explore the subconscious. As stolen dream devices unleash chaos, the boundaries of identity, control, and sanity dissolve. We break down the film's amazing visuals, haunting themes, and its influence on modern cinema. This episode is a journey through the subconscious you won't want to miss.

In this episode, we explored Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Pulse. As Tokyo falls into eerie silence, a group of disconnected strangers uncovers a series of ghostly events linked to the internet. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss the film's themes of loneliness, technology, and the feeling of existential dread. We dive into its haunting atmosphere, slow-burn terror, and why it remains one of the most unsettling J-horror films of the 2000s. Tune in as we break down why this film's core message of technology and loneliness was ahead of its time.

In this episode, we take a closer look at The Ice Cream Man, a 1995 cult horror film starring Clint Howard as Gregory, a disturbed man who turns his childhood trauma into something far more dangerous. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss the film's surreal atmosphere, strange character choices, and its place in the world of low-budget horror. We discuss where The Ice Cream Man lands on the pantheon of slashers, is it a gem or a relic of campy horror comedy?

In this episode, we change things up and rank our top 10 horror icons. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss who we believe are the greatest horror mascots of all time. From legendary slashers to modern classics, tune in and see if your number one is on our list.

In this episode, we dive into the world of M3GAN, the high-tech horror that blends artificial intelligence with parental paranoia. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss the film's themes of grief and the dangers of our over-reliance on technology. Is M3GAN a protector or a homicidal maniac? Tune in as we break down what this film says about our future with AI.

In this episode, join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we dive into the cult classic Plan 9 from Outer Space, often hailed as the best worst movie ever made. From flying saucers to reanimated corpses, we discuss the wild plot and the lasting legacy of Ed Wood's infamous sci-fi disasterpiece. Whether you love or hate it, this film is a fascinating piece of cinematic history. Tune in as we explore what makes Plan 9 unforgettable, flaws and all.

In this episode, we explore The Elephant Man, David Lynch's haunting yet compassionate portrayal of John Merrick, a severely disfigured man in Victorian England. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we review the film's themes of humanity, dignity, and the societal response to physical difference. From its powerful performances to its amazing black-and-white cinematography, we discuss why this 1980 classic resonates today. Join us as we break down the emotional and ethical questions at the heart of this unforgettable film.

In this episode, we dive into Peter Jackson's gloriously gory cult classic Dead Alive, a wild blend of slapstick horror and over-the-top splatter. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore how Dead Alive became a fan favorite and what it reveals about Jackson's early filmmaking style. killer Sumatran rats to lawnmower massacres, we discuss the film's outrageous practical effects and surprising emotional core.

In this episode, we dive into Unicorn Wars, a shockingly brutal yet visually stunning animated film that pits adorable teddy bears against magical unicorns in a battle for forest dominance. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we discuss the film's dark themes, satirical undertones, and the haunting parallels it draws to real-world conflicts. Is this cute-meets-carnage film one of the best war movies of the last ten years? Tune in as we break down the brilliance of this unexpected animated epic.

In this episode, we embark to Mars with John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars—a film where possessed miners, leather-bound space cops, and Ice Cube fight for survival. Join The Dale, Cera, and Twan as we discuss what went wrong, what (surprisingly) went right, and why Martian ghosts are really into body modification. Is it an underrated sci-fi horror or John Carpenter's worst film?

In this episode, we ride the wave of 90s nostalgia with Surf Ninjas—a martial arts comedy that's equal parts absurd and awesome. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we break down the tale of two brothers, ancient prophecies, and the power of Sega Game Gear. Listen in as we debate whether it is a hidden gem of the ninja craze or a wipeout.

In this episode, we dive into the cult classic Ready to Rumble, a 2000 comedy that blends professional wrestling with over-the-top humor. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore the film's unique place in pop culture, its over-the-top characters, and its impact on the wrestling world. Was this film the WCW's last-ditch effort to stay relevant, or was it a love letter to wrestling and its fans? Join us as we break down what makes this film a guilty pleasure for many wrestling fans.

In this episode, we dive into David Lynch's surreal and haunting film Inland Empire. A labyrinth of mystery and psychological turmoil, the movie follows actress Nikki Grace as her life blurs with her role in a film, unraveling a chaotic narrative of identity and reality. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore the film's themes of self-destruction, memory, and the power of illusion. With its fragmented storytelling and Lynch's signature dreamlike visuals, Inland Empire challenges viewers to confront the darkest corners of the human psyche. Tune in as we dissect one of Lynch's most complex and enigmatic works.

In this episode, we dive into Attack of the Killer Tomatoes a zany horror-comedy that critiques the political structure of the USA. Unfortunately, we had technical difficulties with this episode and lost most of our sound. But fear not you can still hear our reviews and see what we will cover next week.

In this episode, we dive into the world of Hackers , a film that captures the rebellious spirit of the early internet age. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we break down the film's iconic characters and explore how it shaped pop culture's view of hacking. We also discuss the film's unique visuals, 90s techno soundtrack, and it's portrayal of hacker culture. So tune-in as we determine if Hackers is a so bad its good movie or a true Cult Classic.

In this episode, we dive into John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic They Live, a sci-fi thriller that blends social commentary with action-packed intrigue. Join The Dale, Cea, andf Twan as we explore the film's take on consumerism, media manipulation, and how Reganomics effected 1980s America. We'll unpack the film's relevance today, offering insight into its enduring impact on pop culture. Tune in for a deep dive into one of Carpenter's most thought-provoking works.

In this episode, we dive into the world of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, the much improved sequel that continues to turn childhood nostalgia into a horror-filled nightmare. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore the darker twists of the beloved characters, their sinister evolution, and what makes this movie stand out over its predecessor. Tune in for a deep dive into the blood-soaked, honey-dripping madness of this disturbing follow-up!

In this episode, join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we dive into the satirical brilliance ofMonty Python's Life of Brian. From its sharp religious and political commentary to its infamous controversies, we explore what makes this film a comedy classic. We'll break down its most memorable moments, and why it still resonates today. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a look at one of the greatest comedies ever made!