The Big Picture · Discussion · Interview
September 13, 2022/ 82 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins · Chris Ryan
The number-one movie in America is a horror film you can't describe without spoiling it, so Sean and Chris recount 'Barbarian' beat by beat for Amanda, who hasn't seen it. Then Sean sits down with writer-director Zach Cregger.
2 films across 2 segments.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
Recounting 'Barbarian'Sean and Chris, spoilers throughout; Amanda asks the questions
Zach Cregger's horror movie is set in a Detroit Airbnb. It opens as double-booked-rental dread, swerves into a Justin Long cancellation comedy, then flashes back to the 1980s serial killer who built the tunnels underneath. Georgina Campbell plays Tess. Bill Skarsgard plays the too-reassuring stranger. The monster in the sub-basement is called 'Mother.'
Zach Cregger on 'Barbarian'
Cregger, formerly of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U' Know, wrote it blind in his garage and stopped at 45 pages when the giant naked woman appeared. The 1980s flashback and the old man in the bed were a later retrofit, prompted by a producer's one note before he ghosted. Financed at ~$4.5M through Roy Lee and New Regency after the original backer died on the eve of the shoot.
Also mentioned raised along the way
Horror touchstones and comparisons ItSpreeDash CamSuperhostNopeThe Texas Chain Saw MassacreFrom Dusk Till DawnAngstEmpire of LightAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Cregger's references and recommendations Speak No EvilSaint MaudCureNightcrawlerNotes on a ScandalThe DepartedThe Lego Movie
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV / sketch Better Call SaulBlack MirrorThe Whitest Kids U' Know
Games Demon's Souls
Ads TremfyaBoar's HeadNOS EnergyCarvanaNetflix FIFA World Cup