Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist. In this podcast, they combine their interests to provide entertaining and educational breakdowns of movies and the psychology of the characters in them.
Check out our socials!
https://www.instagram.com/psychedupcinema/
https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedupcinema
This week we are discussing Polar Express and the effects of the Uncanny Valley
John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a master’s degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Sources:
24 Sept 2025
Black Swan: Perfectionism
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https://www.instagram.com/psychedupcinema/
https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedupcinema
This week we are discussing Black Swan and its portrayal of a Perfectionism.
John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a master’s degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323323#What-exactly-is-perfectionism
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/perfectionism
https://phys.org/news/2025-06-pirouettes-pressure-ballet-perfectionism-problem.html
https://pickingme.org/blog/blog.html/article/2018/08/08/perfectionism-as-a-trigger-for-skin-picking
1 Sept 2025
Matilda: Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
Check out our socials!https://www.instagram.com/psychedupcinema/https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedupcinemaThis week we are discussing Matilda and its portrayal of a Dysfunctional Family and the different roles of the characters.John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a master’s degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Sources:
https://www.embarkbh.com/treatment/therapies/family-therapy/dysfunctional-family-roles/ (https://www.embarkbh.com/treatment/therapies/family-therapy/dysfunctional-family-roles/)
https://www.slowandwildstudios.com/blog/common-family-roles (https://www.slowandwildstudios.com/blog/common-family-roles)
29 Jul 2025
Narnia: Play Therapy
Check out our socials!https://www.instagram.com/psychedupcinema/https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedupcinemaThis week we are discussing The Substance and its portrayal of Play TherapyJohn has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a master’s degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.Sources:
https://firstwitness.org/news/play-therapy-for-traumatized-children/
https://therapist.com/types-of-therapy/play-therapy/
9 Jul 2025
The Substance: Body Dysmorphia
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https://www.instagram.com/psychedupcinema/
https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedupcinema
This week we are discussing The Substance and its portrayal of Body Dysmorphia.
John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Sources:
https://grief.com/images/pdf/5%20Stages%20of%20Grief.pdf
https://www.ekrfoundation.org/5-stages-of-grief/change-curve/
24 Jun 2025
Five Stages of Grief in Starman
Hosts John and Kate analyze the film Starman, exploring how it portrays the five stages of grief and offering insights into understanding loss.
3 Jun 2025
Fascism in Mickey 17
John and Kate analyze the film Mickey 17, exploring its depiction of fascism and how it manipulates individuals, offering insights into the film's themes.
16 Jan 2025
2024 Psyched Up Awards
Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. This week is the first annual Psyched Up Cinema Award show! We cover all the films covered on the podcast, 2024 film and others. Nomination categories include: Best Movie, Deepest Movie, Worst Movie, Best Representation and more! John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
11 Dec 2024
Stockholm Syndrome in Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. This week we are discussing Beauty and the Beast and its connection with Stockholm Syndrome. This episode discusses symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome and its questionable origins. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22387-stockholm-syndrome (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22387-stockholm-syndrome)
https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Stockholm+syndrome (https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Stockholm+syndrome)
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/stockholm-syndrome-meaning-bank-robbery-b2399531.html (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/stockholm-syndrome-meaning-bank-robbery-b2399531.html)
https://historum.com/t/the-stockholm-syndrome-has-been-debunked.193954/ (https://historum.com/t/the-stockholm-syndrome-has-been-debunked.193954/)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9858395/ (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9858395/)
6 Nov 2024
Hunger Games Catching Fire: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychology expert Kate Smith LCSW and filmmaker John Doe BFA analyze Hunger Games: Catching Fire's portrayal of post traumatic stress disorder, highlighting both accurate and inaccurate representations of PTSD symptoms.
23 Oct 2024
Nightmare on Elm Street: Generational Trauma
Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. This week we are discussing A Nightmare on Elm Street and its portrayal of intergenerational trauma. This episode covers the debate of what Freddy Krueger symbolizes. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Check out our episode on A Nightmare on Elm Street! Out now wherever you listen to podcasts.
11 Oct 2024
Teeth: Purity and R*** Culture
Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. This week we are discussing Teeth and its portrayal of purity culture, r*** culture, and repressed sexuality. This episode also highlights the connection between purity culture, sexual assault, and victim blaming. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Check out our episode on Teeth! Out now wherever you listen to podcasts.
16 Sept 2024
In the Mouth of Madness: Mass Hysteria
Lived any good books recently? Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. This week we are discussing In the Mouth of Madness and its portrayal of mass psychogenic/sociogenic illness. This episode highlights the multiple ways that this movie and its themes can be interpreted. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Check out our episode on In the Mouth of Madness! Out now, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Click the Linktree in our bio!
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_plague_of_1518
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/tics-and-tiktok-can-social-media-trigger-illness-202201182670
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-hysteria-2795232
3 Sept 2024
Turtles All The Way Down: Portrayal of OCD
Welcome to Psyched Up Cinema, where movie breakdowns and psychological analysis meet. This week we are discussing Turtles All the Way Down and its portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an overall well-rounded life story of an adolescent diagnosed with OCD. This episode highlights how this movie accurately weaves a mental health journey within dynamic characters and storylines, showing viewers that you can struggle with mental health and still have a fulfilling life. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
19 Aug 2024
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Childhood Priorities
Have you had the cheese touch? This week we are discussing Diary of a Wimpy Kid and its portrayal of adolescence. This episode touches on adolescent struggles to fit in, bullying, middle school, friendships, and the journey of discovering who you are. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice, a masters degree in social work, and is a licensed certified social worker, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
5 Aug 2024
To Die For: Manipulation
What would you do to be famous? This week we are discussing To Die For and its ties to manipulation. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice and a (soon to be) master of social work, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Instagram (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbURRd0ZLZERjSVdFM3VyNmE0QU1uVFlHTE1wUXxBQ3Jtc0trUi0wZEZ4V1FqbWxvdXptUHY3QnJGUVZGekhabHlhclk0bldkaHNGcFByYlBfWWtVbW9GUjBfZ1JQNzB6d21MaXpjTC1CYjBGSDVZT29fWHZUeldFYTh1c3k5blQ1b3pRa012enpwTUNjMGJzWHFxTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fpsychedupcinema%2F)
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10 Apr 2024
Shutter Island: Memory Repression
Which Would Be Worse: To Live As A Monster, Or To Die As A Good Man? This week we are discussing Shutter Island and its ties to Memory Repression. Memory Repression is when the brain attempts to protect itself from trauma by storing traumatic memories in the unconscious mind. John has a B.A. in visual media arts, with experience in directing, sound editing and gaffing. Kate has a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice and a (soon to be) master of social work, working in a community mental health clinic as an individual outpatient therapist.
Instagram (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbURRd0ZLZERjSVdFM3VyNmE0QU1uVFlHTE1wUXxBQ3Jtc0trUi0wZEZ4V1FqbWxvdXptUHY3QnJGUVZGekhabHlhclk0bldkaHNGcFByYlBfWWtVbW9GUjBfZ1JQNzB6d21MaXpjTC1CYjBGSDVZT29fWHZUeldFYTh1c3k5blQ1b3pRa012enpwTUNjMGJzWHFxTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fpsychedupcinema%2F)
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
5,465
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
90
YouTube
65
Engagement
89
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