Join us on Dismembering Horror as we explore the vast and varied world of horror movies. From cult classics to modern masterpieces (and everything in between), we break down what worked (and what didn't) and provide a unique, filmmaker's perspective on the genre.
Join us on Dismembering Horror as we explore the vast and varied world of horror movies. From cult classics to modern masterpieces (and everything in between), we break down what worked (and what didn't) and provide a unique, filmmaker's perspective on the genre.
Our plans for the future! Including our new horror film you can support and learn about at www.haveyouseenmemovie.com !!!
CATCH YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE 💀🎞🖤😎
We'll keep you posted here. In the meantime, you can support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@DismemberingHorror
Yours in Dismembering,
Ryan and Tim
Join us as we traverse the arid, alien landscape of 'The Outwaters,' Robbie Banfitch's found-footage horror that charts a group of friends' descent into terror in the heart of the Mojave Desert.
Despite its ambitious intention and appealing premise, we found it lacking in narrative coherence, intentionality, and verisimilitude. Ryan was underwhelmed, generously allotting it a "stream" for its earnest attempt, and for the sake of staying up on the latest in independent horror. Tim had a much stronger reaction, labeling it a stern "avoid."
Prepare to lose yourself in the shifting sands of our latest episode as we attempt to uncover 'The Outwaters,' a film that, in our estimation, also lost its way.
'The Outwaters' (2022)
Written and Directed by Robbie Banfitch
Where we watched: Apple TV rental
RecommenDEADtions: 'The House Bunny' / 'The Flash'
In our latest episode, we unravel the layered world of ‘Men,’ a British folk horror film by Alex Garland, that sees a widowed woman, portrayed by Jessie Buckley, on “vacation” in a countryside village, tormented by the eerie men in the village, all brought to life by Rory Kinnear. We unpack Garland's layered narrative, drawing links to ancient cautionary tales, while also exploring the film's religious undertones and symbolism. ‘Men’ is a film that invites and defies consensus in equal measure, a trait reflected in our own verdicts. Ryan wasn’t very enamored, though conceded to a ‘rent’ due to the film's originality and enough intriguing elements. Tim however absolutely loved ‘Men’, awarding it an enthusiastic ‘buy.’ Are you ready to hear some men talk about ‘Men’? Tune in to our episode and let's dissect this folk horror enigma together!
"Men" (2022)
Written and Directed by Alex Garland
Where we watched: Showtime
RecommenDEADtions: ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ / ‘Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror’
"The Vanishing" isn't your usual kidnapping drama — this one's got LAYERS.
We get tangled up in an intricate web spun around "what happened" rather than "whodunnit." "The Vanishing" taps into our fascination with the aftermath of a horrific event and explores the relentless grip of obsession. We chew on the tricky question of moving on and the paradoxical timelines of grief.
Tim heartily recommends it with a "rent," while Ryan can't help but hold it to the higher standard of a "buy." Are you ready to vanish into "The Vanishing"?
"The Vanishing" (1988)
Directed by George Sluizer
Written by Tim Krabbé (novel), George Sluizer (screenplay)
Where we watched: Blu-ray
RecommendDEADtions: "Freeway" and "Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby" / "Knock at the Cabin"
Join us as we dismember the paradoxically dark reality of "Torso," an Italian horror classic that centers on a masked killer on a throat-slitting, sexual spree. We hop into our little Italian car and journey into the film's unsettling depiction of violence, exploring its uncanny ability to get at a disturbing, “real” feeling, despite unrealistic effects (a Giallo staple). With Ryan awarding it a "rent" and Tim giving it a "stream," we discuss the film's unique tension where brutality meets believability and so much more. We promise it'll be a 'cut' above the rest!
Torso (1973)
Directed by Sergio Martino
Written by Ernesto Gastaldi
Where we watched: Fandor
RecommendDEADtions: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 / Britt's art installation
Ryan and Tim take a dreary, deadite deep-dive into "Evil Dead Rise," the fifth installment in the iconic horror franchise. While the film didn't quite live up to Ryan's hopes, lacking a certain bite and earning a "stream" rating, Tim found it more compelling and awarded it a "rent." Our hosts discuss how and if filmmakers can "put evil" into a movie, how a “modern” approach both help and hurt the movie, as well as the potential pitfalls of too much character development. So pardon us as we can’t help but say: JOIN US!
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Written and Directed by Lee Cronin
Where we watched: Theaters
RecommenDEADtions: Showing Up / Beau Is Afraid
Starring everyone’s favorite Nicolas Cage as the iconic Transylvanian Lord of Darkness, “Renfield” offers a fun and fresh “what if” in the form of a nine-decades-later sequel to the 1931 original “Dracula.” Ryan enjoyed the performances but couldn't bring himself to rate it higher than a "stream." On the other hand, Tim was smitten by its silliness, declaring it a new comfort movie and granting it a solid "buy." Tune in as we dismember the film's blood-sucking humor, chilling charm, and Nicolas Cage's reliably committed portrayal of the legendary vampire. Don't miss this fang-tastic episode!
Renfield (2023)
Directed by Chris McKay
Written by Ryan Ridley
Where we watched: Theaters
RecommenDEADtions: Beau Is Afraid / Piranha
For this episode, we submerge ourselves into the drizzling, moody world of the 1997 psychological thriller "Cure." Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the film follows a detective investigating a series of gruesome murders. The chilling twist? The real killer isn't committing the murders himself; instead, he hypnotizes others to carry out the heinous acts. Join us as we dismember the film's appropriately hypnotic atmosphere, and thought-provoking themes of identity, control, and culpability when the lines between perpetrator and victim blur. Ryan rated the film a (conservative) "rent it," while Tim surprised Ryan and opted for a "stream."
Cure (1997)
Written and Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Where we watched: The Criterion Channel
RecommenDEADtions: Alien from L.A. / Shall We Dance (1996)
Ryan and Tim are joined by recurring guest and "Scream Fiend" Peter Warden to dissect the latest installment in the fabled franchise, "Scream VI." With Ghostface and the “Scream” (2022) crew back on the chopping block, the trio slices and dices their way through the film's scintillating suspense, bloody butcherings, and terrifying twists. They also dismember the idea of fictionalizing real-life violence in horror storytelling, taking a stab at carving out what feels right or not. Don't miss this gripping and gruesome discussion that's sure to make you SCREAM with delight!
Scream VI (2023)
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick
Where we watched: Theaters
RecommenDEADtions: Ryan: "Modern Girls" | Tim: "Parasite" | Peter: "Babylon"
Our 200th episode is here! We've explored so many nooks and crannies of the genre, and now, in celebration of this milestone, we're taking a look back at the past hundred episodes to pick out our top nine films. Join us as we revisit some of our favorites, and see which ones have stayed with us long after the credits rolled.
"Speak No Evil" takes the well-worn trope of doing something foolish to prove oneself and turns it on its head, delving deeper into the horror of societal expectations. We were both along for the ride into the forest, countryside, and rock quarry, navigating the dangers of polite society and psychopaths alike. With our tongues firmly intact, we dismember the nuances of modern niceties explored in this thrilling film. "Speak No Evil" earned a double "rent" from both of us.
Speak No Evil (2022)
Directed by Christian Tafdrup
Written by Christian and Mads Tafdrup
Where we watched: Shudder
RecommenDEADtions: All That Jazz / The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari
Don't be fooled, like his father before him, the younger Cronenberg knows what he's doing: and delivers with “Infinity Pool.” While keeping the family tradition of body-centric horror, Brandon adds his own cerebral touch that titillates in all the right Cronenberg-y ways. Ryan and Tim both agree that this film deserves a "buy" for a plethora of reasons, including Mia Goth’s incredible, unhinged performance. This film is so good, it'll get under your skin and make you want to peel back the layers with multiple repeat viewings.
Infinity Pool (2023)
Written and Directed by Brandon Cronenberg
Where we watched: Theaters
RecommenDEADtions: Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll Generations Saved Hollywood (book) / Fire of Love
This week on Dismembering Horror, we delve into the pre-and-post-apocalyptic depths of darkness with Tim's pick for "the bleakest movie" he's ever seen. Get ready for the shock and awe of "Threads," a British classic that rocked the country with its pseudo-documentary style and heart-stopping realism. We were joined by Bob Mielke, the writer of the "Threads" book, and Rachel Kempf, co-founder of its publishing company. It was an honor to have them on the show for an even more in-depth dissection. With a rare quadruple "buy," it's time to join the fun (but don't say we didn't warn you, this one's not for the weak-hearted) and get ready for a blast of horror (pun intended).
Threads (1984)
Directed by Mick Jackson
Written by Barry Hines
Where we watched: Shudder
RecommenDEADtions: Martyrs / Ace Venture: When Nature Calls / Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery / The Damned, Carol for Another Christmas, My Nuclear Life (podcast), and Super Critical Podcast (podcast), The Girls of Atomic City (book)
Check out Bob’s THREADS book and other offerings from DieDieBooks here: https://diediebooks.com/
“Dinky dinky do,” if we do say so ourselves! What an interesting experience “Skinamarink” was. Stark, eerie, unsettling, challenging for some, this Canadian film has been causing quite a stir with audiences, both good and bad. Eleven people walked out of Tim’s theater, sparking a conversation worth its own dismembering. The path to loving this movie may well be in the viewer's ability to tap into their childhood fears and feelings. Ryan had no problem getting there, while Tim could never quite find that zone, earning a “buy” and a “stream” respectively.
Skinamarink (2023)
Written and Directed by Kyle Edward Ball
Where we watched: AMC Burbank 16
RecommenDEADtions: Coming Home / White Lotus
Ahh, the late great glory of 90’s indie film…what’s that you say? This film was made two years ago? But it encapsulates that late 90’s vibe so well! “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” is a moody spiral down into finding oneself in the burgeoning age of creepy-pasta internet—relentlessly eerie and artfully depicted by a filmmaker as they too were finding themselves. Ryan and Tim found this one ripe for exploration with little to criticize, rating it a “buy” and “rent” respectively.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair (2021)
Written and Directed by Jane Schoenbrun
Where we watched: HBO Max
RecommenDEADtions: Fatal Pulse / The Video Archive Podcast with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avery
If you thought getting a lump of coal in your stocking was bad, just you wait! This holiday season we decided to deepen our understanding of the true roots of Christmas: Paganism. Well, or at least some very German lore. With a standout cast, and tremendous set and creature design, the guys felt that despite some lulls, “Krampus” was a nice gift for the holidays and garnered a double “rent.” Just remember, the spirit is all about giving—and if you doubt that spirit, Krampus will come and take it all away.
Krampus (2015)
Directed by Michael Dougherty
Written by Todd Casey, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields
Where we watched: Blu-ray
RecommenDEADtions: Elvira’s Haunted Hills / Raising Arizona
It’s “Midsommar” meets “Ratatouille!” Get ready for some fine dining with the subject of this week’s episode, “The Menu.” Touching on all sorts of interconnected themes, prompting us to dismember all that comes with working in the service industry, and getting excited about the horror-centric premise at the heart of it all, this frenzied, food-centric feast of a film gave us plenty to chew on. The burger off this menu was cooked just to our liking, with Ryan dishing out a “rent” and Tim going all out with a “buy.”
The Menu (2022)
Directed by Mark Mylod
Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy
Where we watched: Theaters
RecommenDEADtions: Freaked / The Green Knight
It's Thanksgiving with everybody's favorite twin Floridians, Todd and Terry! With a relatively small list of Thanksgiving themed/set horror films, we decided to carve up a very special turkey of a 1980's slasher this year... "Blood Rage!" Thanks to solid kills, a unique setting, and even more unique portrayals of how humans act, this could-be-holiday-classic came with enough sides to earn a "stream" from Tim and an enthusiastic "rent" from Ryan.
Blood Rage (1987)
Directed by John Grissmer
Written by Bruce Rubin
Where we watched: Blu-ray
RecommenDEADtions: House on Haunted Hill (1999) / Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
She drowned in a lake, but died in a dry lake bed months before. If that isn’t eerie enough, then the fact that time is relative and a flat circle will really bake your noodle. "Lake Mungo" explores the doom of a prescient haunting, and the trauma of losing a loved one, all through the medium of captured images. Docu-style horror really did the heavy lifting on this one. Influential as it may be, Tim and Ryan were ultimately underwhelmed with this one giving it a double “stream.” Freaky, provocative, but a bit sloggy, there were good aspects aplenty to dismember.
Lake Mungo (2008)
Written and Directed by Joel Anderson
Where we watched: Blu-ray
RecommenDEADtions: Reflections of Evil / Barbarian