Explore every episode of the podcast What Monster

CRIMINAL LAW is part legal drama, part serial killer thriller. It’s high-sounding, operatic, it’s moralistic. And, yeah—at times, a little silly.

The premise is simple enough, a defence attorney with a conflict of conscience works to entrap his guilty, murderous client.

There’s a moral complexity to the killer’s motive—prescient, really—as important today as it was in the 1980s or as it has ever been. Themes that resonate with me, they’re all here:

• complicated, dysfunctional familial bonds;

• class and social mobility;

• multi-generational wealth, the patriarchy, and entitlement; and

• misogyny, bodily autonomy, and reproductive rights.

Oh, and—my absolute favourite:

• repressed queerness with monstrous outcomes.

If this all sounds a bit heavy, don’t be put off. At the end of the day, CRIMINAL LAW is a trashy, popcorny thriller. I love it.

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This week, Steven discusses director Martin Campbell’s underrated 1989 queer serial killer thriller CRIMINAL LAW.

Movies and TV series mentioned:

• American Psycho (2000)

• Hannibal (2013-2015)

• Primal Fear (1996)

• Psycho (1960)

• The Chamber (1996)

• The Firm (1993)

• The Pelican Brief (1993)

• Urban Legend (1998)

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WHAT MONSTER is written and narrated by Steven Gregor.

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"John Carpenter’s original HALLOWEEN movie is elegant, sophisticated in its simplicity. A classic. One of the most important American movies ever made, no doubt. But now we’re watching HALLOWEEN II and the rules are different. The stakes have been raised. As Randy in SCREAM 2 explains, sequels are all about the: 'Carnage candy. Your core audience just expects it.' And, I do love me some carnage-flavoured Halloween candy. Let’s go!"

This week, Steven discusses Rick Rosenthal’s much-maligned 1981 slasher sequel HALLOWEEN II.

Movies mentioned:

• Dead Poets Society (1989)
• Poltergeist (1982)
• Rocky (1976)
• Scream 2 (1997)
• St Elmo's Fire (1985)
• Starman (1984)
• The Exorcist (1973)
• The Shining (1980)

Plus:

• Budweiser advertisement 'King of Halloween' (2018)
• Documentary 'Halloween: A Cut Above the Rest' (2003)
• Film talk show 'Cinema Showcase' (1984)

What Monster is written and narrated by Steven Gregor.

"Having empathy for the victims in horror movies is easy to understand. But, as a rationalisation for watching horror movies, is it too simplistic? What about empathy for the monster?"

This week, Steven discusses horror movies and empathy—for the victims and the villains.

Movies mentioned:

• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• Carrie (1976)
• Chain Reactions (2024)
• Friday the 13th (1980)
• Halloween (1978)
• Peeping Tom (1960)
• Prom Night (1980)
• Psycho (1960)
• Scream (1996)
• The Prowler (1981)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Plus:

• TEDx talk 'How Horror Movies Taught Me Empathy' by Mark Gunnells (2019)
• The New Republic article 'What It Says About You If You Enjoy Horror Movies' by Alice Robb (2015)

What Monster is written and narrated by Steven Gregor.

"Kevin Williamson is a slasher movie magpie—lifting scenarios, and even dialogue, from other movies. It’s what I love most about his writing style. Well, that and—he sure knows how to write an iconic chase scene."

This week, Steven discusses the O.G. SCREAM, directed by Wes Craven. Also in this episode, he talks about the very first time he went to the movies. And, he falls into a Kevin Williamson rabbit hole—it’s his happy place—spotting some moments in Williamson's movies that are directly lifted from other slashers.

Review: The Substance (2024). Plus: Slasher movies saved me. And: A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss, Feeding the Monster by Anna Bogutskaya

Review: Strange Darling (2024). Plus: Help! I'm a spoilerphobe! And: Mike Flanagan, Stephen King

Nerdsplaining INTRUDER (1989)

Nerdsplaining THE FUNHOUSE (1981)

Nerdsplaining THE FINAL TERROR (1983)

Nerdsplaining THE INITIATION (1984)

Nerdsplaining THE PROWLER (1981)

Nerdsplaining MADMAN (1981)

Nerdsplaining THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW (1982)

Nerdsplaining GIRLS NITE OUT (1982)

Nerdsplaining HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (1981)

Nerdsplaining FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)