The Strangers (2008)

David Dastmalchian is a familiar face that's been in a ton of movies and has no trouble holding his own as the lead in this 2024 horror. As a late night TV host struggling for ratings, he's essentially willing to make a deal with the devil. It's silly but will certainly divide horror fans into 2 camps, those who love it and those who couldn't care less.

This was Liv Tyler's film. Did she fumble it? Well, TJ and Chris will decide that on this episode of Dead Air Horror Review. This is a mix of subgenres, both thrill killing and home invasion, and while it's core concept was solid, it was a build up for a truly anti-climactic end--at least for Chris.

This not a film for the faint of heart. The psychological torture of the protagonist is the main focal point of this movie and it is utterly disturbing through and through. Before we review, we already know this is going to be a huge thumbs up for TJ. We just know him like that. Let's see if Chris feels the same way.

Ever want to see Memento or Time Crimes, but based on a boat in the middle of the ocean...then we got you fam! This thriller, starring Melissa George and featuring Liam Hemsworth, has an an intriguing start and finish but the bulk of the film (the middle) leaves a lot to be desired--at least for Chris.

We offer you what has been offered to us...a steaming pile of "meh." Originally, Chris was really into this film mostly b/c of the Jewish Orthodox lore of a child-stealing demon, but the story slowly deflated like a sad, old balloon about halfway through. It had a lot of potential that sadly it didn't capitalize on. Don't get TJ started on the lazy CGI monster. Oof!

In Episode 7 we discuss From Beyond starring Jeffrey Combs as his oft portrayed weirdo character that can't help but shift his just in such a way that makes Chris feel uneasy. This movie is fantastic in that it a) start Jeffrey Combs b) has a character named Bubba that is eaten alive by alien flies and reduced to bone and c) has a weird sex fetish/Hellraiser vibe that seems like it fit well in 80s horror. High scores from TJ and Chris on this 80s horny psychological horror.

TJ and Chris are split on this one. Suitable Flesh was either an authentic grab at 80's camp a la Tales From the Crypt or was a complete mess that totally hit the mark (depending on which one of us you ask). Very high scores elsewhere, almost suspiciously though because even they TJ really enjoyed this film it was wayyyyyy overhyped. Neither of us would recommend.

Okay, so...wow. That movie was something else. But what else would you expect from Alex Garland. You know whenever his name is attached to any movie that it's going to take you in a direction you hadn't anticipated and that's why he's a master of his craft at both writing and directing. Men gives men a bad name and for good reason. What a bunch of scumbags!

As a child, were you ever afraid of swimming in the presence of ghosts in a neighborhood pool? Nope? Yeah, neither were we. A great white shark squeezing it's way through through pipes that led from the ocean to the pool drain was more of a terrifying thought than ghosts. This should have remained a 4-minute short film available on Vimeo rather than a full-fledged feature film including horror heavyweight James Wan and Blumhouse, but sadly this is the watered-down horror genre world we live in now.

Hang out with us for Season 2, Episode 3 of Dead Air Podcast where we watch The Frighteners this week. Starring Michael J. Fox, this dark comedy is definitely Peter Jackson's most polished film up to this point in his career. With the backing of Robert Zemeckis as Executive Producer and a big Hollywood studio, he essentially builds his Weta Workshop to what is it today. Not knowing what to expect from this film, it was a big surprise to say the least.