The Strangers Revisited: Mostly Horror Rewind with Writer/Director Bryan Bertino

Summary of The Strangers Revisited: Mostly Horror Rewind with Writer/Director Bryan Bertino

by Mostly Horror | Morbid Network | Wondery

1h 29m•October 2, 2025
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Summary — The Strangers Revisited: Mostly Horror Rewind with Writer/Director Bryan Bertino

Author/Host: Mostly Horror | Morbid Network | Wondery

Overview

This episode is an intro/reintroduction to a Mostly Horror Rewind: a past interview with writer/director Bryan (Brian) Bertino — the creator behind the original The Strangers and other films like The Monster and The Dark and the Wicked. Hosts Steve and Sean use the episode to explain why they prefer the original Strangers, criticize the recent remakes/sequels, and to preview a restored conversation with Bertino. The episode also includes a short news/game segment covering a few horror/genre headlines.

Key points & main takeaways

  • The hosts strongly dislike the recent Strangers sequels (referred to as Chapter One, Chapter Two), and encourage listeners to prioritize the original 2008 film.
  • They brought back a previous interview with Bryan Bertino to remind listeners of the original creator’s perspective and to “double down” on why the OG Strangers matters.
  • They note the poor box-office/hype for the newer installments (lower opening weekend) and argue opening weekend often reflects marketing/hype more than a film’s quality.
  • Short news rundown:
    • A feature-length adaptation of an episode called “Pumpkinhead” from R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour is coming to Tubi (Oct 17). Hosts are unsure how closely it will follow the original episode.
    • FX ordered a pilot for Very Young Frankenstein — a TV series based on Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, with Zach Galifianakis and Kumail Nanjiani involved and creative team from What We Do in the Shadows.
    • Michael Shanks (director of Together) is developing Hotel, Hotel, Hotel, Hotel — a sci-fi thriller about a man trapped in a hotel who must cooperate with different versions of himself. The hosts raise concerns because Together faced accusations of being derivative of a foreign project; they’re watching for any similar controversy.

Notable quotes / insights

  • “We don't like the new Strangers movies. Just off the fucking rip.” — blunt summary of the hosts' stance.
  • “The only strangers that matter, which is the original Strangers.” — reinforces their recommendation to watch the 2008 film.
  • On box office vs. quality: opening weekend is “more reflective of the hype for the movie and the marketing… than it is for… how a movie is.”

Topics discussed

  • The Strangers (original) vs. new Strangers sequels (Chapter One / Chapter Two)
  • Mostly Horror Rewind and the decision to re-air a past Bryan Bertino interview
  • Bryan/Brian Bertino's filmography (The Strangers, The Monster, The Dark and the Wicked) and potential return to talk about his new film (Vicious)
  • Industry/news briefs:
    • R.L. Stine / The Haunting Hour — “Pumpkinhead” feature-length adaptation to Tubi
    • FX pilot: Very Young Frankenstein (Zach Galifianakis, Kumail Nanjiani; creators from What We Do in the Shadows)
    • Michael Shanks’ Hotel, Hotel, Hotel, Hotel — premise and controversy around his previous film Together
  • Sponsorship mentions (NetCredit, Angie, Marisa’s) at the top of the episode

Action items / recommendations

  • If you’re a fan of The Strangers franchise: watch or rewatch the original 2008 The Strangers (the hosts recommend it above the remakes/sequels).
  • Listen to the rewind interview with Bryan Bertino for the creator’s perspective (the episode contains that interview after the intro).
  • Keep an eye on:
    • Very Young Frankenstein (FX) if you like genre comedy done by the What We Do in the Shadows team.
    • The Tubi R.L. Stine adaptation if you’re interested in modern reworkings of classic kids’ horror material.
    • Michael Shanks’ upcoming Hotel project and any reporting on originality/controversy related to Together.

Useful context for listeners

  • This episode functions mainly as an intro/news segment and a lead-in to a previously recorded interview with Bryan Bertino; it does not contain the full Bertino interview in the included transcript portion.
  • Hosts convey a strongly opinionated stance: they prefer the original Strangers and are skeptical of the new franchise installments.