Amy & T.J.’s Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #27 “The Rental”

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Date: October 5, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Episode Focus: A deep dive into The Rental (2020) as entry #27 on their Halloween “deep cuts” horror movie countdown.

Episode Overview

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes highlight The Rental—a 2020 horror-thriller and the directorial debut of Dave Franco—as their 27th pick in a list of underappreciated, atmospheric horror movies for the Halloween season. They offer a thoughtful discussion on the film’s premise, performances, and psychological edge, and explore why it stands out from typical horror fare. Both hosts inject personal anecdotes and practical advice for would-be viewers, aiming to balance entertainment with a bit of fun.

Key Discussion Points

1. Why The Rental Is a Deep Cut Horror Gem

• Pandemic-Era Release:

  • Amy notes, “This came out in 2020, so you might have missed it because... we were in the middle of a pandemic. It’s called the rental.” (03:16)
  • The film’s modest box office returns (just $1.6 million against a $3.5 million budget) stem from its release during widespread cinema closures.
    • “Who was going to the movie theaters in July of 2020?” (04:49)

• Layered, Elevated Horror:

  • It isn’t just a slasher: Amy describes it as, “a horror mystery thriller because it does have all of those components to it. It goes beyond. It’s a layered horror movie...” (03:33)
  • T.J.: “It is a great, great one… Too bad this was a victim of the pandemic, I think.” (03:39)

2. Cast, Crew, and Performances

• Star Cast:

  • Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Alison Brie, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Toby Huss.
    • Amy: “You know him, he’s Matthew from Downton Abbey… it’s such a departure from Downton Abbey that it’s so fun to watch him do what he does so well, which is act. But he’s also not, not hard on the eyes.” (04:01)
  • Directed by Dave Franco (his debut), starring his wife Alison Brie.
    • T.J.: “Alison Brie’s husband.” (04:44)

• Notable Performances:

  • T.J.: “This is a horror movie, you know, I know you ask, who is this for? If you love great acting, this, you could put these actors up against anybody, anywhere in any type of movie.” (03:39)
  • “Sometimes it’s hard to find great acting in a horror movie. They’re not known for that. This is great acting.” (12:47)

3. Plot & Themes

• Synopsis:

  • “The Rental is a horror thriller about two couples who rent a remote coastal house for a getaway. But their trip turns into a nightmare as they realize they’re being watched by a sinister presence. The film explores themes of infidelity and escalating distrust within the group, leading to a violent confrontation with a masked killer who has a history of booby trapping other Airbnb rentals. How good is that premise?” (05:19)

• Blending of Genres:

  • Amy: “For me, this went beyond a horror movie. This was also a movie that gets into relationships... It felt like a relationship drama set in the middle of a horror film.” (09:01)
  • T.J.: “If there was no horror around this movie and you were just watching four people go at it on a vacation, it would be a compelling drama.” (09:47)
  • Amy: “I cared just as much if the relationship was going to succeed as whether or not they were going to survive.” (10:19)
  • T.J.: “Don’t get it twisted. This is a horror movie.” (10:36)

4. Critical and Audience Reception

• Critical Consensus:
  • 73% on Rotten Tomatoes
    • “I actually think it should have been higher.” (06:15)
  • Fan Feedback:
    • Amy reads: “Thank you horror movie for avoiding all the tedious tropes... The killer bluntly dispatches the characters without toying with the audience. The only toying is that you’re trying to make sense of the plot. Renting you could be next. Very refreshing.” (07:42)
    • T.J.: “That’s a good review. Whoever wrote that they should hire that person.” (08:22)

5. Impact & Paranoia: Real-Life Resonance

• Movies Affecting Behavior:
  • T.J.: “You know, I can see the place... I was looking at, okay, is that really a smoke detector?... I absolutely have done that [checked for surveillance devices]. I’m not saying this movie is totally responsible, but it puts you in that mindset.” (08:35)
  • Amy connects The Rental’s fear to Jaws: “Movies I know and love have absolutely changed my behaviors in life, including me not liking to swim in the ocean after seeing Jaws... this is one you actually change your behavior.” (09:01)

6. Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Watch

• Ideal Viewers:

  • Looking for “an intellectual horror movie,” something “beyond typical jump scares,” and an “elevated experience.” (10:38)
  • Possibly for non-horror fans as well: “I think this movie is for people who might not be into horror movies.” (13:12)

• Not for...

  • Couples with trust issues or anyone currently staying in a rental:
    • Amy: “I don’t think that you should watch this movie with your significant other if you are having relationship issues or trust issues... I also don’t think it’s for someone who is currently staying in a rented home.” (17:11)
  • People wanting a traditional slasher:
    • T.J.: “This is not for folks who want to see a traditional horror movie, if you will, a traditional slasher, a traditional, even predictable type movie. This is not for [them].” (18:42)
  • Large groups:
    • T.J.: “I wouldn’t want to watch this with a group, because you have to listen, you have to study, and if you have too many people around… I think that’d be a problem for me.” (19:21)

7. Personal Anecdotes: Horror Blurring into Life

• Creepy Encounter in an Airbnb:
  • TJ: “We opened the drawer in our bedroom... one little piece of paper with a note written on it that simply said, ‘we’re watching you.’” (11:35)
  • Amy: “That was at Christmas... so there was nowhere to go. So we just had to hope that it was the smiley face made it a little less sinister...” (12:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It's such a departure from Downton Abbey that it's so fun to watch [Dan Stevens] do what he does so well, which is act. But he's also not, not hard on the eyes.”
  — Amy Robach (04:01)
• “Thank you horror movie for avoiding all the tedious tropes... No chase scenes. The killer bluntly dispatches the characters without toying with the audience. The only toying is that you’re trying to make sense of the plot. Renting, you could be next. Very refreshing.”
  — Fan/Amy reads (07:42)
• “Movies... have absolutely changed my behaviors in life, including me not liking to swim in the ocean after seeing Jaws. But… this is one you actually change your behavior.”
  — Amy Robach (09:01)
• “If there was no horror around this movie and you were just watching four people go at it on a vacation, it would be a compelling drama.”
  — T.J. Holmes (09:47)
• “I think that is the best nugget of advice from a critic you’re gonna get about a movie: ‘Hey, just a heads up, not about the gore, not about the violence, but on a personal level, this could shake and rattle your relationships.’”
  — T.J. Holmes (21:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Premise: 02:43 – 05:19
• Cast, Crew, and Dave Franco's Role: 04:01 – 05:07
• Plot Synopsis & Themes: 05:19 – 10:19
• Critical and Fan Reviews Read Aloud: 06:48 – 08:22
• Personal Experiences with Surveillance Paranoia: 08:35 – 09:41, 11:35 – 12:01
• Who Should & Shouldn't Watch: 17:11 – 19:41
• Wine, Food, and Ambience Pairings: 19:41 – 20:57
• Where to Watch: 22:12
• Preview/Hints for Next Episode: 22:43

Recommendations & Takeaway Advice

• Watch if:

  • You want a suspenseful, well-acted, and psychologically sharp horror movie.
  • You enjoy horror with rich character drama.
  • You’re intrigued by stories that could “actually happen” or make you rethink everyday behaviors.
  • You want a horror film that is less about gore or jump scares, more about paranoia and people.

• Skip if:

  • You’re currently vulnerable in your relationship.
  • You’re staying in a rented home and easily spooked.
  • You just want a traditional, mindless scare-fest.

Pairing Suggestions

• Amy’s pick: Popcorn and a chilled glass of Chardonnay—“because it’s buttery and full and it feels a little elegant... like a vacation drink at night.” (20:12)
• T.J.’s pick: Flank steak and a nice Malbec. (20:54)

Where to Watch

• The Rental is widely available to stream on Hulu, Disney+, and AMC+ (with subscriptions). (22:12)

Episode Mood & Tone

Conversational, slightly irreverent, and playful, Amy & T.J. keep it accessible for general audiences while providing seasoned horror fans with sharp analysis and recommendations. Personal stories add humor and a relatable touch.

Teaser for Tomorrow

Amy hints that the next film “involves mirrors” and warns: “Be careful what you see in the reflection.”

Episode in a sentence: An underseen horror-thriller with real-life resonance and strong performances, perfect for viewers who want suspense, character drama, and a vacation rental they’ll never forget.