A movie podcast that asks the hard-hitting question, "Why the flick?" Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @whytheflick on Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.
117: Children of the Corn (1984) "The Scariest Vegetable"
It’s the finale of our Scream King Month and since we started this special event with one of Stephen King’s best adaptations, we’re switching gears for part two to spotlight one of his worst—which brings us to Children of the Corn (1984). Despite its stinker reception, this short-story-turned-feature film has earned a reputation for sparking fear in anyone who finds themselves near a cornfield and rightfully so. But while this crop is arguably the most terrifying, between the rows of murderous kids and devil cults, this flick is filled with less chills, more camp, and a surprise appearance from pre-Terminator Linda Hamilton. On our newest episode, we’re digging into all the nuances of corn and making 1,000 puns along the way while doing our best to recap this unhinged plot.
13 Oct 2026
116: Carrie (1976) "PSA for Periods and Bullying"
Spooky season is upon us and your hosts have conjured up one of our best themes yet. Introducing Scream King Month—a two-episode special event celebrating adaptations from the king of scares himself, Stephen King. For the first flick in our lineup, we knew we had to go with one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. And with a new TV series putting this story back in the spotlight, it was the perfect time to revisit the original Carrie (1976). Best known for its prom-gone-wrong finale and standout performances from Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, this classic is also packed with ‘70s vibes and plenty of other horrors, both on screen and behind the scenes. Join us as we explore it all, including period portrayals, excessive slapping, and cinematic references galore.
Resources
https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-carrie-biggest-differences-book-movie/ (https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-carrie-biggest-differences-book-movie/)
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/04/stephen-king-how-i-wrote-carrie-horror (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/04/stephen-king-how-i-wrote-carrie-horror)
https://www.slashfilm.com/1201929/1976s-carrie-ending-explained-feminine-rage-unleashed/ (https://www.slashfilm.com/1201929/1976s-carrie-ending-explained-feminine-rage-unleashed/)
https://collider.com/carrie-mike-flanagan-female-directors-kate-siegel/ (https://collider.com/carrie-mike-flanagan-female-directors-kate-siegel/)
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/meet-summer-h-howell-carrie-exclusive-interview (https://www.teenvogue.com/story/meet-summer-h-howell-carrie-exclusive-interview)
https://mashable.com/entertainment/stephen-king-carrie-tv-show-review (https://mashable.com/entertainment/stephen-king-carrie-tv-show-review)
https://collider.com/carrie-stephen-king-highest-ranked-rotten-tomatoes-movie/ (https://collider.com/carrie-stephen-king-highest-ranked-rotten-tomatoes-movie/)
29 Sept 2026
115: Knives Out (2019) "Sweater Craze"
Fall is officially here and we’re embracing the cozy vibes with a flick that embodies the autumnal season to its fullest—Knives Out (2019). An instant classic when it hit theaters, Rian Johnson revived the murder mystery genre, bringing the whodunnit into the 21st century with its unexpected structure, sharp social commentary, and plenty of fun twists along the way. Starring Daniel Craig as the newest detective on the scene and fan favorite Benoit Blanc, this first installment set the tone for what’s now become a beloved franchise that leaves us itching for whatever case Johnson has planned next. But until then, this episode we’re figuring out the donut hole of clues while discussing the huge cast, the moody mansion, and, of course, the cable knit sweater.
Resources
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/knives-director-rian-johnson-tackling-a-whodunnit-1236039/ (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/knives-director-rian-johnson-tackling-a-whodunnit-1236039/)
https://www.gq.com/story/rian-johnson-knives-out-interview-2019 (https://www.gq.com/story/rian-johnson-knives-out-interview-2019)
https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/26/rian-johnson-knives-out-script-interview/ (https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/26/rian-johnson-knives-out-script-interview/)
https://knives-out.fandom.com/wiki/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt (https://knives-out.fandom.com/wiki/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt)
https://www.vogue.com/article/knives-out-interview-rian-johnson-casting (https://www.vogue.com/article/knives-out-interview-rian-johnson-casting)
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/making-knives-how-rian-johnson-assembled-a-star-studded-jigsaw-puzzle-1253787/ (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/making-knives-how-rian-johnson-assembled-a-star-studded-jigsaw-puzzle-1253787/)
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-11-16/daniel-craig-glass-onion-knives-out-netflix-james-bond (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-11-16/daniel-craig-glass-onion-knives-out-netflix-james-bond)
https://www.setdecorators.org/?art=film_decor_features&SHOW=SetDecor_Film_KNIVES_OUT (https://www.setdecorators.org/?art=film_decor_features&SHOW=SetDecor_Film_KNIVES_OUT)
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-knives-costume-designer-chose-chris-evans-perfect-sweater-1257525/ (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-knives-costume-designer-chose-chris-evans-perfect-sweater-1257525/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
14 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
82
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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