We continue our series looking back at some of the most noteworthy horror movies of 2025 (#2025stillalive) by discussing the latest feature from Josh Ruben (of Werewolves Within). HEART EYES is a rather lightweight film with an ambitious goal: to make a film that is both a romantic comedy and a slasher. Although the balance is sometimes a bit off, the film impressively succeeds at being funny, charming, suspenseful, and fun. We're joined by returning guests, novelists Nick Medina and Christina Henry, to discuss what works and doesn't about this unique cocktail as well as what the film might entice us to think about in this age of trivial social media sentiments and our tendencies to romanticize dangerous things.

Also featuring friend of the show Andrew Nelson in a Patron-only segment discussing STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 5, this is a fun and breezy conversation that we really hope you'll enjoy.

3:28 - Upcoming works from Christina Henry and Nick Medina

7:10 - Whatcha Watchin' / Readin' / Listenin' To

Patron Only Segment: STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 5

22:00 - HEART EYES

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We have another special interview episode for you today for something that's not directly horror-related, but definitely falls within our framework of examining what scares us to find what saves us. Recently, Nathan was invited to host an author discussion at Troubadour Booksellers in Charlotte with author and pastor Greg Jarrell, whose book OUR TRESPASSES: WHITE CHURCHES AND THE TAKING OF AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOODS paints a sobering portrait of the ways that "race, geography, policy, and religion have created haunted landscapes in Charlotte, North Carolina, and throughout the United States." The conversation was so strong, Nathan invited Jarrell to share his book with us on the show.

As was observed of Jarrell's work, he "brings receipts" for a conversation that is compelling, challenging, and thought-provoking about the moral gravity of having displaced and devalued our neighbors, both systematically and ideologically. Offering substantive research and thoughtful analysis, Jarrell provides not only an insightful portrait of how we got here, but what avenues might be open to us for lasting change.

We hope you'll check out Greg Jarrell's book and we hope you enjoy this conversation!

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Our lookback series at some of the best films of 2025 (#2025stillalive) continues this week with the sequel to Scott Derrickson's 2021 film The Black Phone. Picking up 4 years after the events of the first film, BLACK PHONE 2 tells a decisively scarier and more spiritually conscious story about Gwen and Finn making their way to a Christian camp in the mountains to confront the mysterious, haunting, lingering power of The Grabber. It's a film of disarming potency, with both a strong emotional and spiritual resonance, making it one of the strongest films of Derrickson's career.

We're joined by FoG favorites Steven Beckley and Blake Collier, as well as welcoming a new guest to the show: long-time FoG community member Abby Dewsnap. Also featuring a Patron-only segment where we discuss STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 4 (with yet another first-time guest Josh Raugh), this is a hearty and heart-filled episode that we really hope you enjoy!

5:09 - Two Questions with Abby Dewsnap

Patron Only Segment: STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 4

11:48 - BLACK PHONE 2

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We have another special interview episode with you this week featuring director Darren Lynn Bousman discussing his latest film, TWISTED, available right now to buy or rent on VOD. Starring Djimon Hounsou and Lauren LaVera, Twisted tells the story of a resourceful con artist (LaVera) whose con involves flipping houses they don't own and pocketing the deposits. When her latest mark brings her in contact with a respected surgeon (Hounsou), she soon discovers that he has secrets and intentions which will flip the situation back on her and her partner (Mia Healey) in ways they never could have imagined.

The plot is full of surprises, reminiscent of classic pulp thrillers, and has a complex moral ambiguity at its center. Bousman sat down with Reed to discuss exploring this tale and blurring the lines (both thematically and aesthetically) in creative ways.

Twisted is available as of 2/6/26 to rent or own on VOD and we hope you enjoy our conversation about it!

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We continue our look back at some of the strongest and most interesting horror films of 2025 (#2025stillalive) by examining a decisively unconventional and deeply affecting horror film called THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Starring Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow in powerhouse performances, The Rule of Jenny Pen tells the story of an elderly judge (Rush) who, following a debilitating stroke, finds himself in a long-term care facility that is menaced by a maniacal bully (Lithgow). As his physical condition worsens and the staff become increasingly less likely to intervene, he finds every inch of his perceived power and authority stripped away from him. It is a harrowing and thought-provoking film of truly unique impact.

We're joined by a host of FoG friends and Final Girl gamers: Paula Deming, Meg Oak, and Julie Ahern. Together we unpack all of the various terrors and hopes that this film has to offer, resulting in one of our heartiest and most vigorous conversations ever. Also featuring a Patron-only segment where we continue our journey through STRANGER THINGS Season 5, this is a lengthy but deeply thoughtful conversation that we really hope you enjoy.

4:32 - Favorite Final Girl Stories

19:53 - Recent Favorite Board Game Plays

Patron Only Segment: STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 3

34:42 - THE RULE OF JENNY PEN

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For the cinema fan, the Oscars remain the pinnacle of awards recognition for achievement in film. Since their opening in June of 2022, The Independent Picture House in Charlotte has managed to carve out a space that includes all of the best parts of going to the movies by focusing on bringing the community together through film.

We're joined this week by Claire Lechtenberg, the Director of Development and Marketing for IPH, to tell us more about what this unique and engaging cinematic space has to offer. And because IPH are hosting a major Oscars celebration on March 15th, we thought it would be fun to invite her on to talk about the 2026 slate of Academy nominees.

We chat disappointments, surprises, accolades, and bewilderments. Plus, we provide you with a list of the essential films you should check out before the ceremony. This is a really fun conversation and we hope you enjoy it!

2:51 - Two Questions with Claire Lechtenberg

10:59 - Claire's History with IPH

20:16 - Special Events at IPH

27:59 - The Oscars at IPH

32:23 - 2026 Oscars Nominees

46:57 - Surprises and Disappointments

1:00:07 - Essential Oscars Viewing

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We continue our look back at some horror films from 2025 with a film that's already been discussed a good bit on the show through interviews and Whatcha segments. Adam Cesare's book CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD first hit Reed's radar when it was published back in 2020. He had already been pitching it for years as "Scream: The Novel". Naturally, when Eli Craig (of Tucker and Dale Vs Evil fame) directed the adaptation, we had to cover it! Last year, we had the chance to sit down with both Adam Cesare and (briefly) Eli Craig to discuss the film. And this week we invite back friends of the show A J Porfirio and Evan Derrick of Van Ryder Games (creator of the smash board game hit Final Girl) to discuss it in all its spoiler glory.

Also joining us is Gorey Gamer Matt Murray (who also visits Hawkins with us in a Patron-only segment about Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 2). On this hearty episode, we not only discuss all the clowns in all the cornfields, we also play a Board Game trivia contest and share the latest updates about FINAL GIRL SERIES 4, which launches on Kickstarter Feb 4.

So, kick back and enjoy this lively conversation that we really hope you'll enjoy!

5:14 - Final Girl Series 4 Kickstarter Update

Patron Only Segment: STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 2

18:43 - Board Game Trivia!

27:32 - CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD

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We have a very special conversation to share with you that, although not explicitly horror-centric, absolutely sits in the landscape of "exploring what scares us to find what saves us." In 2014, friend of the show, author, and ethicist Dr. David Gushee published CHANGING OUR MIND, a thoughtfully researched, sensitive, and bold call for the Evangelical church to rethink traditional religious teaching about LGBTQ+ inclusion. Incorporating scriptural exegesis, crucial historical context, and scientific and sociological developments, Dr. Gushee makes the compelling case for us to re-examine how we've treated, talked about, and engaged with the LGBTQ+ community as a body of faith. The work was challenging, controversial, and -- for countless congregations -- extremely helpful.

Nathan Rouse first read the text shortly after its publication, which he describes as "giving his theology permission to go where his spirit was leading". It was largely the book that prompted and inspired Nathan to first invite Dr. Gushee as a guest on the show. Now, all these years later, Dr. Gushee joins Nathan to discuss the book's central interests and share the heart behind its key convictions. It's a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation that we hope will both challenge and inspire you in equal measure.

Please note, this episode contains a moment of brief, uncensored language.

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