Smile, The Lighthouse, Hocus Pocus 2, The Wailing, Sentinel - Jay Dyer & Jamie Hanshaw
In this podcast episode, Jay Dyer and Jamie Hanshaw kick off Spooktober by discussing various horror films, particularly focusing on "Hocus Pocus 2," "Smile," and "The Lighthouse." They analyze the themes of witchcraft, trauma, and demonic possession, raising concerns about the normalization of witchcraft and propaganda within popular culture. The conversation intertwines critiques of film narratives with cultural observations, including the portrayal of madness and the impact of these films on society. Throughout the discussion, Dyer emphasizes the psychological dimensions of horror while sharing personal anecdotes and encouraging listener engagement. Overall, they highlight how these films reflect deeper moral questions and changing societal values.
Chain 6 steps
- Jay Dyer: Discussion about the themes of 'Smile'.“the smile was a little gruesome, but a pretty well -done horror movie.”
via Hocus Pocus 2- Jay Dyer: 'Hocus Pocus 2' exhibits absurdity and problematic themes in its portrayal of witches.“this whole thing is dedicated to them because they're famous in the town.”
- Jay Dyer: The representation of demons and ghosts in 'Sentinel' is absurd.“it gets even stupider because we find out that it's not just about demons and ghosts.”
- Jay Dyer: The psychological aspects of the characters symbolize internal struggles and sin.“both Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson are different psychological aspects of the same person.”
via The Lighthouse- Jay Dyer: Nihilism is prevalent among the characters in 'Smile'.“the people that we see at the beginning in the mental ward, um, they're explicitly nihilistic”
- Jay Dyer: Jay suggests that 'The Devil's Candy' is genuinely creepy and memorable.“the devil's candy. That was a recent movie, which Jamie hasn't seen yet, which I thought was genuinely creepy.”
Subjects
26Jay critiques how "Hocus Pocus 2" presents witches and the narrative around them, suggesting it obscures genuine consequences for wicked actions.
Jay discusses 'Smile' as a contemporary horror film that uses unsettling audio to heighten fear, and he encourages viewers to be open to its psychological depth.
Jay argues that 'The Lighthouse' is a descent into madness that embodies the Promethean myth, where the protagonist faces eternal condemnation due to his sins, represented through interactions with Willem Dafoe's character, who symbolizes his conscience.
Jay discusses the character dynamics in 'The Wailing' and their consequences, suggesting one character was misleading.
Jay rebuts the common narrative that millions of witches were burned during the Salem trials, arguing it is exaggerated.
Jay presents the view that the island in 'The Lighthouse' symbolizes Hades, a place of eternal condemnation that reflects the protagonist's sins and guilt.
Jay critiques 'Sentinel' for its portrayal of cult and demonic themes, stating it devolves into absurdity and misses the potential it had initially.
Jay states that trauma can act as a conduit for demonic invasion in human lives, tying it into the themes of 'Smile'.
Jay talks about his speaking engagement at an event hosted by Courtney Turner, where he will present on the global elite.
Jay links the theme of demonic possession across various films, emphasizing the characters' failures to recognize or confront it.
Jay criticizes the new 'Hellraiser' movie for its themes and presentation, describing it as gruesome and blasphemous.
Jay acknowledges having discussed 'Hereditary' in previous episodes, stating it was off-putting and disturbing.