Shows
Just The ThingDracula vs. The ThingIn the brand new series of Just The Thing, writers Joel Jessup and Chris Regan will be pitting the terrifying, shape-shifting alien from John Carpenter’s The Thing against iconic monsters and movie characters from cinema history. Each episode explores a new hypothetical horror showdown—debating lore, abilities, weaknesses, and who’s most likely to survive.We’re kicking things off with perhaps the most famous monster of all time, Count Dracula. We painstakingly reviewed every movie iteration of the legendary vampire and decided only one could possibly take on our favourite Antarctic nightmare. Yes, it's obviously Gerard B...2025-06-241h 09
Just The ThingConclaveIn the last of our bonus episodes before we get stuck into a whole new season, Joel and Chris imagine what happens when a shape-shifting alien crashes the most secretive election in the world. That’s right—we’re putting The Thing into Conclave, the tense political thriller about the inner workings of a Vatican papal election.As Ralph Fiennes navigates political intrigue and whispered secrets in the Sistine Chapel, we ask: what if one of the cardinals wasn’t just hiding a scandal—but a parasitic alien alter-ego? Join us for theological musings, ecclesiastical paranoia, a...2025-05-131h 03
Just The ThingThe Invitation (2015)In this bonus episode of Just The Thing, Joel Jessup and Chris Regan dive deep into Karyn Kusama’s slow-burn psychological horror The Invitation. Join us for a lively chat about super fun subjects like grief, cults, and social discomfort. We ask the question, when would you leave the death cult party? And does the film’s quiet dread and social awkwardness make it more terrifying than The Thing itself?We also explore what happens when John Carpenter’s The Thing crashes the dinner party, comparing thematic overlaps and wondering whether Logan Marshall-Green’s Will is a low-key...2025-04-221h 07
Just The ThingBatman Returns with Matt O'Dwyer and Peter ReganIn the Just The Thing 2024 Christmas Special, Joel and Chris are joined by Matt O'Dwyer and Peter Regan as they attempt to unwrap Tim Burton's Batman Returns and imagine what might happen if the shapeshifting creature from John Carpenter's The Thing crashed Gotham's most chaotic Christmas party.Join us as we revisit this wildly dark "kids' movie" from the '90s, marvel at Danny DeVito's grotesque and tragic Penguin, and applaud Michelle Pfeiffer's iconic transformation into Catwoman. We also explore how Batman himself gets overshadowed in his own movie by the film's incredible villains. Did we mention...2024-12-181h 22
Just The ThingSlipstream with Geraint D'Arcy (and special guest Paul Reynolds)Joel and Chris are joined by Geraint D'Arcy, Associate Professor and Head of Media at UEA, where the three originally met as students in the late 90s. Geraint was also the star of Chris and Joel's short film, Bad Day, often referenced on the podcast. Together, they try to understand the 1989 sci-fi film, Slipstream, starring Bob Peck, Mark Hamill and Bill Paxton. Slipstream was a prestigious and much-hyped project, from the producer of Star Wars, Gary Kurtz, and the director of Tron, Steven Lisberger. With so much talent behind and in front of the camera, why is the film...2024-10-151h 16
Just The ThingThe Devils with John JessupIt's a Just The Thing first as Joel and Chris finally welcome a guest who actually worked on the film they're talking about: John Jessup, Joel's father!For most of his life John has been an award-winning advertising creative, but when he was younger he worked at the legendary Pinewood Studios and has lots of fascinating stories to tell! And then we put The Thing in The Devils!If you like hearing exclusive insights into Ken Russell, Oliver Reed and Derek Jarman, plus many others, this is the episode for you!Sign up...2024-10-011h 04Just The ThingSouthland TalesJoel and Chris try to decipher Richard Kelly's 2006 puzzle of a film the only way they know how... by adding the creature from The Thing. Will the addition of a shapeshifting, parasitic alien help to make sense of this sprawling, apocalyptic satire? Listen to the episode to find out, just be warned you will be subjected to some ex-film student bitterness along the way.Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on social media https://linktr.ee/justthethingpod Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio2024-09-171h 05Just The ThingStar Wars: Episode VIII - The Last JediJoel and Chris take on the totally not controversial and not at all divisive Star Wars entry, The Last Jedi. Directed by Rian Johnson, they discuss how this film went from critics' darling to most-hated movie of the century, and consider why that might have happened (answer: misogyny).Then they put everything right by adding The Thing to the plot.Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on social media https://linktr.ee/justthethingpod Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio2024-09-031h 10Just The ThingThe Blair Witch Project with Kit WhitfieldJoel and Chris are delighted to be joined by author and folk horror enthusiast Kit Whitfield to put The Thing into the 1999 found footage movie, The Blair Witch Project.Overrated? Underrated? Just about accurately rated? Our extensive discussion covers the film's creation and aftermath, as well as its impact on horror films and the rise and fall of fake found footage. Also...the plot?We also discuss folk horror and the crossover between folk stories and urban legends. And whether aliens are the modern faeries. And also puppets, low budgets and the real world impact of fake...2024-08-201h 20Just The ThingHaunted MansionSeason 4 of Just The Thing begins, and Joel and Chris try to fix the 2023 Haunted Mansion by putting John Carpenter's The Thing into it!The Haunted Mansion is a well-loved theme park ride, but why is it so difficult to turn into a movie? The answer may shock you! Or seem blindingly obvious. We talk about haunted houses, ghost logic, and how best to use a Danny DeVito in your film. PLUS: Chris questions the ability of a very famous well-regarded actor and then Joel pitches the worst sitcom idea ever.Please subscribe to our show a...2024-08-061h 12Just The ThingSeason 4 PrologueA quick catch-up episode to let you know that Just The Thing will be returning for Season 4 on Tuesday 6th August.Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on social media https://linktr.ee/justthethingpod Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio2024-07-2703 minJust The ThingEscape From L.A.Chris and Joel wrap up their Kurt Russell season by putting The Thing into Escape from L.A.They started in New York and they're ending in La La Land! (Not the musical.) Is this the last good John Carpenter film, or was that the one before this? And can they now provide the definitive take on Kurt Russell's career?Chris has a new way to analyse film quality based on background actors. Joel recounts his time in Mega City One. And we reveal Snake Plissken's actual name! I mean you could google it yourself...2024-05-011h 20Just The ThingFast & Furious 7 with Ross BoyaskJoel and Chris are joined by filmmaker Ross Boyask (I Am Vengeance: Retaliation) to help put The Thing into the Fast and Furious universe.Why did they come in at number 7? Family. And because it's the first one Kurt Russell is in! But they dip into the whole franchise and come to some amazing, baffling conclusions!Joel compares the franchise to My Little Pony. Chris explains why he forced all his friends to see a film he was pretending to love and ended up loving it anyway. Ross questions Deckard Shaw's healthcare related decisions. And can Ch...2024-04-031h 14Just The ThingTombstoneJoel and Chris continue their Kurt Russell season by putting the creature from John Carpenter's The Thing into the 1993 western, Tombstone!Is this a revisionist or reconstructionist Western? Why does it have such an amazing cast list? Who has the only fake moustache in the movie? Two of those questions will be answered! Joel tries to grow a moustache live on air, Chris suffers from Billy Zane Anticipation Syndrome, and they have a lot of trouble getting The Thing into the film but manage to discuss an almost forgotten Daniel Craig classic...AND there's a quiz! ...2024-03-131h 07Just The ThingOverboard with Andrea ReganJoel and Chris have brought the brilliant Andrea Regan back to discuss the other film that Kurt Russell said every boat owner has on VHS: Overboard! And put The Thing into it.Cult misstep? Weird classic? Problematic flop? We throw this film into the water of discussion and see if it ends up with amnesia and will look after our kids.Joel loves Dr Norman Korman. Chris never believes fake movie photos. And Andrea analyses why this was once one of her favourite films!Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com...2024-02-271h 06Just The ThingCaptain RonJoel and Chris are back and it's time to talk about one of the two films that Kurt Russell said every boat owner has on VHS: Captain Ron! And put The Thing into it.Cult classic? Weird misstep? Secret early version of Fight Club? We dive deep into the film and maybe don't come back up for air.Joel has a new name for the Horror genre you're going to love. Chris finds the first 5 minutes of the film more personally upsetting than most of the horror we've watched. And do you want to know how this f...2024-02-061h 01Just The ThingThe Christmas Chronicles with Alex Jessep and Matt O'DwyerJoel and Chris invite regular guests Alex and Matt to their 2023 Christmas special, and because it's Kurt Russell season they're all going to watch The Christmas Chronicles and put The Thing in there!Joel realises Die Hard and Home Alone are the same, Chris reveals what heartwarming Christmas musical gave him nightmares, Alex has kindly done some actual research, and Matt is astonished that a famously loud and bearded actor has never played Santa onscreen.PLUS: A special guest performs the instant classic music quiz SONG CARPENTER!2023-12-1251 minJust The ThingDeath Proof with Alex and KatyJoel and Chris are joined by Quentin Tarantino buffs Alex and Katy to discuss how to put The Thing into Death Proof, Tarantino's grimily ironic grindhouse tribute. Joel pitches his UK version of Grindhouse, 'National Film Theatre'. Chris discusses his uncertainty about the film's foot footage. Alex likes Kurt Russell's unlikeability. And Katy reveals a secret about Stuntman Mike that many may have missed!Also our stupidest quiz ever. And that's saying something.Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on social media https://lin...2023-11-211h 04Just The ThingBig Trouble in Little China with Peter Regan Joel and Chris are joined by author Peter Regan to discuss Big Trouble in Little China! ...and put The Thing into it.For our 25th episode we look at the third part of the Russell/Carpenter collaboration pentagon. Is this film now underrated, overrated or correctly rated? What is its connection to The Golden Child? And do you really need to know Jack Burton's backstory?Chris and Peter also talk about their scriptwriting, and connection to the Dad From Twilight, and Joel talks about The Raccoons for some reason.Check out Pete's book, The...2023-11-071h 09Just The ThingDark Blue with Dan from Shoot the HostageJoel and Chris are thrilled to be joined by Dan from the brilliant movie podcast Shoot the Hostage to discuss Dark Blue, an underseen, possibly underrated corrupt cop drama starring Kurt Russell. Then they put The Thing into it. Obviously!With a script by James Ellroy and David Ayer and directed by Ron Shelton, will this film be LA Confidential meets Training Day, or Suicide Squad meets Hollywood Homicide?Joel thinks Scott Speedman's character is a momo, Chris thinks Ron Shelton is a very nice man, and Dan thinks David Ayer needs some career advice.2023-10-171h 13Just The ThingTango & Cash with Matt O'DwyerJoel and Chris are joined by Matt O'Dwyer as they try to understand the ridiculous intensity of 1989's Tango & Cash! And then put The Thing into it. Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone wisecrack their way through the ultimate distillation of 1980s Buddy Cop nonsense. Parody? Sincere? Genuinely gritty cop drama? Probably not the last one.Chris drops one of the few names he has to drop and genuinely impresses Matt. Joel has a wicky wicky wild comparison to offer. And Matt loves Brion James' bizarre cockney accent, primarily because he loves Brion James.PLUS: An incredible q...2023-10-031h 10Just The ThingExecutive DecisionHow has it taken Chris and Joel this long to tackle a Steven Seagal film? Of course, 1996's Executive Decision is really more of a Kurt Russell film, but there's plenty of Seagal talk to be had in this episode, just before they add The Thing to it in the best way possible!Seriously, how many podcasts cover Executive Decision? Give this a listen!Joel finds the not-so-secret connection between this film, Suicide Squad and Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Chris somehow confuses the movie for a different one he hasn't actually seen. And they both find that Jo...2023-09-191h 05Just The ThingElvis (1979)Joel and Chris examine the first John Carpenter/Kurt Russell collaboration: the 1979 Elvis biopic!We discuss the controversies and ask the big questions: Did Elvis fake the moon landing? Did his mum die from being given a novelty Christmas decoration? And did Elvis get magical singing powers from his twin? Also we put the Thing in it. This episode also features our weirdest, and yet best quiz so far! Don't miss it! And don't let Commissioner Gordon hit you with oranges wrapped in a towel.Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus e...2023-09-051h 09Just The ThingEscape From New YorkChris and Joel start Season 3's Kurt Russell odyssey by discussing Escape From New York! And then putting The Thing into it.A cult classic, and the first non-Thing John Carpenter film they've covered, featuring Russell's star-making performance as Snake Plissken, not to forget Van Cleef, Borgnine, Pleasence, and Mr. Harry Dean Stanton!Joel goes highbrow with some Greek mythology, Chris adores Romero (the character, not the director), and they're both fascinated by the cultural significance of 'Chock Full o' Nuts'. (Chris also likes Romero the director.)Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonu...2023-08-221h 13Just The ThingMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part OneJoel and Chris discuss Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One! SPOILER WARNING as in this bonus episode before the next season we do our own stunts, and by stunts we mean talking about this surprisingly strange film. Want to see how it connects to spaghetti westerns, John Wick, Grant Morrison, JJ Abrams ... and The Thing? Then listen!Joel explains why he thinks Ant-Man 3 was written by Dan Brown. Chris finally understands Ethan Hunt and he's not happy. (Chris, not Ethan). And we reveal that the entire Mission Impossible film franchise is a secret sequel to a...2023-08-081h 37Just The Thing1982 Season Wrap UpJoel and Chris celebrate their one-year podcast anniversary with a discussion on all they've learned from the movies of 1982!Do we deliver an incisive definitive answer as to why The Thing flopped in that year? Maybe? Do we take a look at the 1982 films we watched and also somehow end up talking about the 2001 film Swordfish? Yes! Chris remembers the time he was living in a horror film, Joel gets carried away with some cinema based roleplay, and they announce the subject of their next series!Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes p...2023-05-2359 minJust The ThingTronJoel and Chris discuss Steven Lisberger's ground-breaking sci-fi epic Tron, and then try to put the creature from John Carpenter's The Thing into it.Cult masterpiece or weird experiment? Or both? And did they cast Dan Shor because he was easy to lift? Joel confesses his lamest prank ever, Chris reveals their surprising Tron connection, and they plan 'Dogville: Tron Version'.Please subscribe, rate, and tell a stranger on the street about this show. END OF LINESign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on so...2023-04-251h 01Just The ThingChan is MissingGet ready for a Just The Thing like you've never heard before, as Joel and Chris discuss Wayne Wang's documentary-style indie detective film Chan is Missing, and then try to put John Carpenter's The Thing into it!Joel and Chris get very personal about their own experiences together at university making guerilla films! They discuss Chris' Dad's obsessive videotaping! They accidentally insult a lot of different high profile directors! This is a good one, folks.Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on social media ht...2023-03-281h 07Just The ThingBlade Runner with Alex Jessep and Matt O'DwyerJoel and Chris are joined by film analysts Alex Jessep and Matt O'Dwyer to discuss 1982's Blade Runner and put a Thing in there!The Thing. John Carpenter's The Thing.Alex and Matt are two of Joel's oldest friends, so who better to discuss Blade Runner, the ultimate film about friendship? Chris loves Harrison Ford's goofy persona, Joel realises it's not the ultimate film about friendship, Alex thinks Gaff is the worst detective and Matt wonders if you can replicate a replicant? A replireplicant?Sign up to our Patreon for monthly b...2023-03-141h 09Just The Thing48 Hrs. with Ross BoyaskJoel and Chris are joined by filmmaker and podcaster Ross Boyask to discuss 48 Hrs and put The Thing into it!We not only tackle Eddie Murphy's star-making action comedy but get Ross' insight into previous episodes and get ever closer to understanding why The Thing might flop in 1982!Joel controversially comes out against Director's Cuts and then almost immediately recants, Chris reads some Gross diaries, and Ross wonders what the noise of two pigeons being knocked together sounds like.Please check out Ross' podcast!Ross and Phil Talk Movies podcastAnd these...2023-02-281h 01Just The ThingFirst Blood1982 season continues as Joel and Chris put John Carpenter's The Thing into First Blood! It's the second part of our Stallone mini-mini-series as we look at the surprisingly low-key first Rambo film and ask the question: masculinity?Chris is terrified by Australia, Joel does much less Stallone impressions than last time, and we start to put together our pitch for a 'The Thing' cinematic universe. Thingiverse?Sign up to our Patreon for monthly bonus episodes patreon.com/JustTheThingPodcast Find us on social media https://linktr.ee/justthethingpod Music by Karl Casey @ W...2023-02-141h 06