13 Degrees of Screams: A Horror Movie Podcast

In this special episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we sit down with Matthew I. Schmidt — the writer, director, and editor behind the chilling indie horror film Mr. Sandman. Together, we dive deep into the horror genre, exploring Matt’s inspirations and interests, and the unique experience of filming right out of his own home. We also unravel the creepy concept of the dream world and how it shaped the unsettling atmosphere of his wor...

In this episode, we’re tackling the razor‑sharp satire of the 1989 teen cult classic Heathers.

From high school cliques to explosive dark humor, Heathers redefined teen movies with its biting commentary on popularity, peer pressure, and the dangers of fitting in. We break down the film’s unforgettable trio, explore its shocking themes, and discuss why this black comedy still resonates decades later. Tune in to see what's our damage...

In this episode, we spin the pottery wheel and try not to get our hands dirty with Ghost (1990) — the romantic thriller that made us believe in love beyond the grave. Join Alex and Stephanie as they dissect this genre-blending classic, where con artists, mediums, and murder mysteries collide. From Whoopi Goldberg’s hilarious psychic antics to the chilling shadows of the afterlife, we explore what’s truly scary about this film and w...

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we dive into the 1978 slasher that started it all—Halloween. With one of us experiencing the film for the very first time, we unpack reactions to John Carpenter’s masterpiece.

From Laurie Strode’s emergence as the quintessential final girl to Michael Myers’ cryptic behavior, we explore what makes this film a genre-defining classic. Is Michael a soulless killer… or just a flair-for-drama kin...

In this spellbinding episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we dive broom-first into one of the most iconic and perfect Halloween movies of all time: Hocus Pocus! Join us as we spotlight our brave protagonists and the deliciously wicked witches who steal the show: Sarah, Mary, and Winifred Sanderson! Are they the most powerful and evil witches of our time or far too easily thwarted?

And yes, we discuss the feline enigma that haunts us t...

On this episode of 13 Degrees of Scream, we dive headfirst into the neon-lit chaos of McG’s 2017 horror-comedy The Babysitter. What starts as a night of innocent fun for 12-year-old Cole turns into a blood-soaked battle for survival when he discovers his beloved babysitter Bee is part of a satanic cult—and he’s the next sacrifice. We unpack the film’s cheesy humor versus re-watchability, determine if Bee really cares about Cole, an...

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, one of us takes our very first plunge into Wes Craven’s iconic horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. We dive deep into the twisted dream world of Freddy Krueger and discuss his eerie powers and the blurred line between reality and nightmare. We also explore the haunting real-life inspiration behind the film: the tragic stories of Cambodian refugees who mysteriously died in their sleep.

...

This week, we turn into a werewolf in Teen Wolf!

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Scream, we sink our claws into Teen Wolf (1985), a film that’s more coming-of-age comedy than creature feature — and not always for the better. While Michael J. Fox brings undeniable charm, the movie sidesteps its horror premise in favor of slapstick basketball montages and questionable metaphors about adolescence. Follow along as we discuss the over ...

This week, we go to the world’s fair in We’re All Going to the World’s Fair!

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we talk about how people can see the same movie in totally different ways. We also look at the strange and uncomfortable online relationship between our characters that may or may not be more sinister than it seems.

Things start to feel even more creepy when Casey begins acting weird. Is she being pulled into somet...

This week, we try to find some lost kids in Weapons

This week, we unravel the eerie mystery of Weapons (2025)—Zach Cregger’s chilling follow-up to Barbarian. Seventeen third-graders vanish from their homes at exactly 2:17 a.m., leaving behind one silent witness and a town full of suspicion. Is it supernatural? Psychological? Justine Gandy’s worst nightmare? Join us as we dive deep into the film’s layered horror, twisted timelines, ...

This week, we run over a man in I Know What You Did Last Summer!

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we dive into the foggy waters of this late-90s slasher. We discuss why this film is a decent, if not groundbreaking, entry in the horror genre, dissecting the killer’s questionable motives and the somewhat confusing backstory that tries to tie it all together. 

And of course, we pay homage to the true queen of the film: Hele...

This week, we find out we’re an emotional support robot in Companion!

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we plug into Drew Hancock’s genre-bending thriller where domestic bliss comes with a body count.

From Barbie-bright visuals to sinister reprogrammings, we unpack the film’s commentary on autonomy, consent, and the terrifying limits of emotional engineering. Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher serve up stylish gore and psycholo...

This week, death is all around us in The Monkey!

In this episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, we fling open the case on The Monkey, a film that’s equal parts family trauma and ridiculously random deaths. We dive deep into the themes of generational pain, dissect the bonkers kill sequences that had us laughing, and debate whether this movie is secretly a comedy with some horror sprinkled in.

Tune in as we rank its scariness on our scal...

This week, we dig up some tiny demons in The Gate!

We’re cracking open The Gate (1987)—aka what happens when your backyard becomes a portal to hell and your parents leave you home alone with some geodes and a mysterious hole in the backyard.

Alex and Stephanie dive into this chaotic cocktail of stop-motion demons, melting faces, and questionable parenting. Is The Gate a nostalgic gem or just a dirt pile of ‘80s madness? We’re talki...

This week, we get possessed by some demons at an abandoned funeral home in Night of the Demons!

Get ready to party... in hell! Join us as we break down the chaotic cascade of possessions that turn a Halloween bash into a demonic nightmare. From demon chases to disappearing lipstick (if you know, you know), we explore how each character’s descent into darkness adds to the terror.

We revel in the glorious 1980s Halloween vibes: the c...

This week, we send ourselves to prison to starve in The Platform!

This week on 13 Degrees of Screams, we ride the elevator of despair straight into The Platform—a movie that asks, “What if capitalism was a horror movie... and also really bad at food service?”

Join us as we chew through this dystopian fever dream, where the people are questionable at best and dinner, if it comes at all, contains health code violations. Follow along ...

This week, we get the Mystery Inc. gang back together by solving a mystery on Spooky Island in Scooby Doo!

Come along with us as we discuss this 2000s family friendly movie (that originally wasn’t family friendly at all!) In this episode, we talk about the characterization of these classic characters, the missed opportunities of the spooky themed Spooky Island, and the strange revelation that Scrappy Doo was the villain all along (...

This week, we descend into the catacombs of Paris with special guests Cassidy and Amanda from Drinking The Koolaid!

Join us as we crawl deep into the haunted heart of the Paris Catacombs to explore As Above, So Below! Follow along as Scarlett and her team descend into hell to uncover the Philosopher’s Stone. Then stick around for the discussion as we determine whether or not anyone made it out alive and if Scarlett was really justi...

In this week's episode of 13 Degrees of Screams, I quiz Stephanie on negative Rotten Tomatoes reviews for the movies we covered so far in 2025! Which movie should you not see sober...or not at all? Which movie doesn't do enough with it's jazzy technology? Which movie literally demonizes a transgender spirit? Listen along to find out!

Play along by going to our website for a handy list of all the movies we have covered so far this y...