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That Was Pretty Scary

Morbid Network
Horror Genre
Mental Health
Horror
Horror Films
Stephen King
Hollywood
Jordan Peele
Horror Film
Sinners
Grief
Horror Movies
Blaxploitation Horror
Happy Death Day 2U
Halloween
Mike Flanagan
Vampires
Jim Crow South
Gremlins
James Wan
Barbarian

That Was Pretty Scary is a horror podcast hosted by Jon Lee Brody. From reviews and recaps of classic and contemporary horror to deep dive analysis and conversations with creators, JLB explores why scary movies stick with us and why they matter. NOTE TO LISTENERS: When That Was Pretty Scary first launched in 2023, it began as a joint venture between Jon Lee Brody and Freddie Prinze Jr. In 2025, af... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes190Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for That Was Pretty Scary

Latest Episodes

It's BATMAN DAY! And to celebrate this, JLB sits down with writer HENRY GILROY who wrote the Batman Animated Series episode 'Nothing to Fear' famous for debuting The Scarecrow and containing the ultimate Batman mic drop of "I am vengeance. I am the n... more

JLB sits with ARKIRA CHANTARTANANOND who stars in Blumhouse's latest horror romance movie 'The Last Kiss'. She talks about bringing life to her character, her background in computer science and what Asian American representation means to her.

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JLB welcomes director/writer YOKO OKUMURA to TWPS this week, The two discuss Yoko's early work, her 2022 feature 'Unseen' and her latest venture 'The Last Kiss' that stars McKenna Grace and hails from Blumhouse.

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'The Last Kiss' is available NOW ... more

JLB breaks down Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk's summer camp horror comedy "Hell of a Summer' and why summer camp is cinema's sociological experiment.

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Hosted by ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Henry Gilroy
Writer of Nothing to Fear, Batman: The Animated Series
Warner Bros. Animation / Batman: The Animated Series
Episode: Batman The Animated Series "Nothing to Fear" with writer HENRY GILROY!
Arkira Chantaratananond
Actress in The Last Kiss; writer/director
The Last Kiss (film)
Episode: TWPS Scary Talk with ARKIRA CHANTARATANANOND (The Last Kiss)
Yoko Okumura
Filmmaker
Unseen; The Last Kiss (Director/Writer)
Episode: TWPS Scary Talk with Director/Writer YOKO OKUMURA (Unseen, The Last Kiss)
Alex Ullom
Director and writer of It Ends
It Ends (director/writer)
Episode: TWPS Scary Talk with 'IT ENDS' Director/Writer ALEX ULLOM
Meredith Borders
Senior Editor of Fangoria
Fangoria
Episode: Blades (1989) with Special Guest Host MEREDITH BORDERS (Senior Editor of Fangoria) | TWPS Forgotten Gems
Kate Dolan
Filmmaker specializing in horror and author of Soulmate, Cat Calls, You Are Not My Mother
Episode: TWPS Scary Talk with KATE DOLAN (Director/Writer of 'SOULM8TE')
Megan Lawless
Actress known for Obsession, The Hate U Give, The Girl From Plainville
Actor
Episode: TWPS Scary Talk with MEGAN LAWLESS (Obsession)
Madison Shepard
Special guest host, comedian and performer
Actress/Comedian (Single Drunk Female)
Episode: Night of the Living Dead (1968) with Special Guest Host MADISON SHEPARD
Guinevere Turner
Screenwriter and filmmaker; co-writer of Go Fish; adaptor of American Psycho
Filmmaking/Screenwriting
Episode: AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) with screenwriter GUINEVERE TURNER

Host

Jon Lee Brody
Host of That Was Pretty Scary; long-form horror analysis and interviews with creators

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Alternate takes

    I don’t always agree with the takes, but I think the host presents some takes that I haven’t encountered elsewhere. I don’t dig the episodes where the “celebrity” guests have zero context and need the film spelled out to them.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    doubtingtomjr
    United States2 months ago
  • Keep it coming JLB!

    So glad you continued the pod. Rly appreciate your thorough work, prep, and your energy is infectious. Keep em coming bud and looking forward to live activations!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OPCVB12
    United States4 months ago
  • An Intellectual Deep Dive into Horror

    I have been a listener since day 1. After the exit of Freddie Prinze Jr, Jon Lee Brody has completely evolved and elevated the podcast. I have a list on my Letterboxd account of films I would like to watch, and thanks to this podcast lots of hidden horror gems has been added. I have told so many people to listen to this podcast too. Highly recommend it if you are a horror newbie, casual fan, or horror enthusiasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TX Rock Chalk Rachel
    United States7 months ago
  • So excited about this show!

    I’ve been a TWPS listener from day one. I’ll miss Freddy but John’s knowledge and passion for horror makes for such an incredible and well thought out show. I’m so excited for these changes coming and looking forward to what’s next!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    laurentylerzino
    United States8 months ago
  • Great, but

    I absolutely adore this pod! Does anyone know what happened to Freddie though? Loved their chemistry !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scirulz16
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guest diversity and crash-course on film craft keep the show fresh and educational.
Insightful analysis that goes beyond recap, with insider industry context.
Listeners value the deep dives into production and representation.
Episodes mix thoughtful critique with accessible storytelling, appealing to both fans and professionals.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TWPS Scary Talk with Director/Writer YOKO OKUMURA (Unseen, The Last Kiss)
Q: How does The Last Kiss balance rom-com structure with horror elements and what should audiences expect from the tonal blend?
It's about turning expectations on their head—opening with a fairy-tale vibe and then subverting it with slasher and murder-mystery energy, while maintaining character-driven warmth and levity through the chemistry of Laurel and Poppy, so the film can feel like a gateway to horror for younger viewers without losing emotional stakes.
TWPS Scary Talk with Director/Writer YOKO OKUMURA (Unseen, The Last Kiss)
Q: What was the movie that made you fall in love with movies and what was the one that made you want to make movies?
The same film inspired both passions: a documentary-like fascination with the making of films (The Princess Mononoke making-of) that sparked a love for the filmmaking process, followed by Hedwig and the Angry Inch as the North Star that shaped her desire to create cinema.
Batman The Animated Series "Nothing to Fear" with writer HENRY GILROY!
Q: Why is the line 'I am vengeance, I am the knight, I am Batman' so pivotal in this episode?
The line marks Bruce Wayne embracing his Batman identity as a response to personal trauma and a declaration of purpose, contrasting Crane's fear-based power with Batman's self-possessed resolve that he will fight for others even at great personal cost.
Batman The Animated Series "Nothing to Fear" with writer HENRY GILROY!
Q: What does the 'essence' of a character mean in practice for this show?
The essence is the character's ego rendering and the emotional truth that makes them relatable, not just their surface traits or powers. This approach helps align Batman's identity with Human truths and keeps the mythos consistent across stories.
Batman The Animated Series "Nothing to Fear" with writer HENRY GILROY!
Q: What was the approach to Jonathan Crane in crafting this episode to bring us this version of Scarecrow?
Henry Gilroy describes Crane as an egomaniac who savors fear and pain, a simple yet terrifying setup that allowed the fear toxin to uncover a deeper, preexisting emotional wound rather than creating fear from scratch. This grounded the horror in Crane's psychology as the engine of the plot.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About That Was Pretty Scary

What is That Was Pretty Scary about and what kind of topics does it cover?

That Was Pretty Scary offers in-depth, thoughtful analysis of horror cinema, blending rigorous film critique with creator interviews and industry context. Episodes frequently explore behind-the-scenes decisions, representation, production design, and the cultural impact of both classic and contemporary horror, often anchored by long-form conversations with filmmakers, actors, and writers. The show stands out for its insider perspective, balance of technical insight and accessible storytelling, and a willingness to critique genre conventions while celebrating memorable craft. Listeners can expect a mix of deep dives, personal anecdotes from guests, and discussions about media preservation, representation, and industry dynamics that make horr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to That Was Pretty Scary?

These podcasts share a similar audience with That Was Pretty Scary:

1. Scream!
2. Pod Mortem: A Horror Podcast
3. The Horror Virgin
4. Horror Movie Club
5. Nightmare on Film Street - A Horror Movie Podcast

How many episodes of That Was Pretty Scary are there?

That Was Pretty Scary launched 4 years ago and published 190 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on That Was Pretty Scary?

Recent guests on That Was Pretty Scary include:

1. Henry Gilroy
2. Arkira Chantaratananond
3. Yoko Okumura
4. Alex Ullom
5. Meredith Borders
6. Kate Dolan
7. Megan Lawless
8. Madison Shepard

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