That Was Pretty Scary

In this episode of That Was Pretty Scary, Jon Lee Brody explores the intricate layers of the movie Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler. Jon delves into complex themes such as cultural erasure, identity, mental health, and the unique portrayal of vampires. He discusses the significance of Bow and Grace as symbols of erased history and the hauntingly beautiful arc of their characters. The conversation also touches on themes of faith, th...

Join Jon Lee Brody as he takes a deep dive into the 'Happy Death Day' movies with special guests director Christopher Landon and star Jessica Rothe. In this exciting episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary,' they revisit both 'Happy Death Day' and 'Happy Death Day 2U,' sharing behind-the-scenes stories, exploring the emotional layers of the films, and discussing the potential for a third installment. Rothe and Landon open up about their ...

Join Jon Lee Brody in this deep dive into 'Sinners,' the 2025 film directed by Ryan Coogler. In this first part, Jon explores why this generational film, starring Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, occupies a special space in our minds. He delves into the movie’s supernatural, historical, and cultural themes, emphasizing its unique mix of southern gothic, horror, and drama. John also highlights the significance of music as a power...

Join host Jon Lee Brody and special guest Maggie Levin on That Was Pretty Scary as they discuss Jennifer Kent's modern horror masterpiece, The Babadook (2014). Dive deep into themes of grief, motherhood, and psychological horror as Maggie shares her insights and personal experiences with the film. The conversation also explores Maggie's journey as a filmmaker, her work on the Blumhouse movie My Valentine, and her collaboration with...

Join Jon Lee Brody in this electrifying episode of That Was Pretty Scary, where he is joined by the talented writer and executive producer of 'Hard Eyes,' Michael Kennedy. Dive deep into the creative process behind the horror-romance film 'Hard Eyes' and discover the collaboration magic between Michael and Christopher Landon. From blending genres and character development to memorable one-liners and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, thi...

In this episode of That Was Pretty Scary, Jon Lee Brody is joined by Angel Melanson, digital editor at Fangoria, to dive deep into the misunderstood 2009 film Jennifer's Body. They discuss the problematic marketing, the film's complex themes, and Diablo Cody's ahead-of-its-time writing. The duo also touches on the societal norms of 2009 and how they unfairly impacted the movie's reception. Filled with personal anecdotes and insight...

In this episode of That Was Pretty Scary, host Jon Lee Brody is joined by writer and creator LaToya Morgan. They dive into LaToya's work on HBO Max's Duster, her time on The Walking Dead, and her approach to horror and character-driven storytelling. They also discuss the influence of iconic figures like Pam Grier, the intricacies of creating compelling narratives, and LaToya's upcoming projects. Don't miss this insightful conversat...

Welcome to a special episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary' featuring special guest Jodie Sweetin! Join hosts Jon Lee Brody and Jodie as they delve into the 1984 classic Ghostbusters. They explore its unique blend of horror and comedy, discuss memorable scenes, and share personal anecdotes about the film's impact. Is Peter Venkman really the coolest Ghostbuster? Does Ghostbusters belong in the horror category? Tune in as they answer th...

Join Jon Lee Brody as he kicks off 'Scary Talk' on 'That Was Pretty Scary' with special guest Austin Nichols. Best known for his roles in 'The Walking Dead,' 'Bates Motel,' and 'One Tree Hill,' Austin discusses his extensive career in horror and beyond. Hear about his love for cinema, the intricacies of his characters, and his experiences on set. Plus, get excited for his upcoming role in 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Don't mis...

Imagine it's 1993, and Hollywood is dominated by iconic TV shows and movies like Beavis and Butthead, Power Rangers, and Jurassic Park. Amid this, there's a fascinating story about a film that was never made—David Cronenberg's adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In this episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary,' Jon Lee Brody delves into Cronenberg's unique vision, which aimed to honor Shelley's legacy by focusing on real human emo...

In this deep dive episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary,' host Jon Lee Brody takes listeners back over a century to explore the groundbreaking silent film, 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' (1920). Often overlooked in discussions of cinematic history, this German Expressionist masterpiece quietly laid the foundation for the horror genre and influenced a multitude of iconic filmmakers such as Tim Burton, Guillermo Del Toro, and Martin Scors...

Join Jon Lee Brody in this week's episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary' as he dives deep into the 1987 cult classic, 'Killer Workout'. From aerobics and fitness crazes of the 80s to the VHS rental boom, this episode covers it all. Jon dissects the movie's plot, highlighting its blend of horror, slasher, and giallo elements, all wrapped in neon and leg warmers. Whether revisiting or discovering for the first time, fans of 80s B-movies ...

Join host Jon Lee Brody in this deep dive into the obscure 1984 horror B-movie 'Fatal Games'. Discover the fascinating yet bizarre premise of aspiring Olympians being hunted by a javelin-wielding killer at the Falcon Academy of Athletics. Jon covers the plot points, background production details, and the state of 1984's film industry and world events that influenced the movie. Learn why this film has remained an obscure cult curios...

Join Jon Lee Brody in a solo deep dive into Jordan Peele's Nope. With co-host Freddie Prince Jr. away, Jon takes the reins to explore the film's overarching themes, subtexts, and his interpretations. Discover the intricate layers, from the film's commentary on Hollywood's exploitative nature to the powerful societal messages embedded in its narrative. Jon also delves into the concept of spectacle, the nuances of the characters, and...

In this special solo episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary,' host Jon Lee Brody dives deep into the 1977 horror film 'The Hills Have Eyes,' directed by the legendary Wes Craven. Celebrating their 13th episode, John discusses the film's historical context, themes of class warfare and survival, and the impact of Craven's direction on the genre. Learn about the film's production struggles, the innovative storytelling approaches, and how i...

In this episode, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jon Lee Brody break down the 2016 horror film Hush. The movie revolves around a deaf and mute writer living in solitude who must defend herself when a masked killer appears at her window. Freddie and Jon discuss the film's unique tension-building techniques, strong performances, and effective use of minimalistic settings. They also delve into the movie's portrayal of a realistic struggle for ...

Join Jon Lee Brody and Freddie Prinze Jr. as they dissect the 2019 Korean film 'Parasite.' In this episode, they explore the intricacies of the movie's plot, themes of class discrimination, character development, and the parasitic relationships that are central to the story. They discuss the film's impact on bringing Korean cinema into the mainstream and the unique storytelling techniques employed by director Bong Joon-ho. This epi...

Join Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jon Lee Brody as they reminisce about the 1998 horror flick, 'The Faculty.' They dive into the cast, the nineties nostalgia, and the intriguing plot involving high school teachers turned aliens. Freddie shares personal anecdotes and reflects on the film's cult status, touching on its impressive cast, including Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, and Famke Janssen. They discuss the film's thematic elements, its p...