Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #9 “The Cabin in the Woods”

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #9 – “The Cabin in the Woods”
Date: October 23, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is part of Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes’ Halloween “Horror Hit List” countdown, focusing on their #9 pick: The Cabin in the Woods (2012). The hosts—and guest Eva Longoria—dive into what makes this film stand out within the genre, reflecting on its creative spins on horror tropes, its humor, casting, memorable moments, and who this film is and isn’t for.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Surprise of Chris Hemsworth & Casting

• Chris Hemsworth’s Early Role:

  • Eva Longoria is surprised Chris Hemsworth stars in the movie, having forgotten his part until the rewatch.
    • “Oh, my God. Chris Hemsworth is in this. I forgot.” (04:09, Eva Longoria)

• Other Notable Cast:

  • Jesse Williams, Kristen Connelly, Anna Hutchison, and especially Bradley Whitford receive praise.
    • “Bradley Whitford is so beautiful, so brilliant in this movie... You're laughing with him, but you also are hating him.” (08:08, Eva Longoria)

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2. A Title that Deliberately Misleads

• The hosts note the title’s simplicity and how it invites expectations—only for the film to shatter them.
  • “You know exactly what you’re gonna get. And because you get something different, even the title, this movie is brilliant.” (04:42, Ed Helms)

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3. Plot Breakdown & Meta Layers

• Basic Plot: College friends visit a remote cabin, only to stumble into horrors orchestrated by mysterious technicians as part of a ritual.

  • “All horror movie cliches are revealed to be part of an elaborate sacrifice ritual.” (05:45, Eva Longoria)

• The film’s meta qualities are celebrated.

  • “They want to lead you in a certain direction... it’s kind of like nothing you could ever have guessed.” (04:53, Eva Longoria)
  • “This is an astonishing meta feat, capable of being funny, strange and scary frequently all at the same time.” (09:10, Ed Helms, quoting critic)

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4. Box Office, Reception, and Critical Response

• Film made $70 million worldwide on a reported sub-$20 million budget (07:21).

• Rotten Tomatoes: 92% critics’ score, 74% audience.

  • “92%. It is that good. Now the audience score surprises me that it's lower...” (08:40, Eva Longoria)

• Hosts read and discuss both positive and negative reviews, noting how interpretation of the film's tone divides viewers.

  • “If you didn't recognize that [camp], then maybe that's why you didn't enjoy it as much. That this was all cleverly designed.” (13:01, Eva Longoria)

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5. Horror Clichés Turned on Their Head

• The film leans into and then subverts numerous horror clichés (e.g., “Don’t have sex if you want to survive”).

  • “They even open this film with a massive cliche in horror movies... But they did them so, so well.” (10:32, Eva Longoria)

• The opening welcomes the audience into a tone that is both knowing and playful.

  • “They set a tone in the movie at the very beginning that how could you be about to take this seriously?” (13:48, Ed Helms)

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6. Blending Genres: Horror, Comedy, Satire

• The film’s humor is highlighted, but not from overt jokes—rather from delivery, banter, and tone.
  • “It didn't feel like a comedy to me. Even though you were laughing.” (22:25, Ed Helms)
  • “You were in on it. Yes, I think that’s what it was.” (22:34, Eva Longoria)

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7. Who Is (and Isn’t) This Movie For?

• The hosts believe The Cabin in the Woods is for almost everyone, from horror fans to the horror-averse, due to its humor and creativity.
  • “Because I can't imagine, even if you love horror movies, you're gonna love this. And if you don’t love horror movies, I think you're gonna love this because it's almost poking fun at horror movies while being a horror movie.” (22:42, Eva Longoria)
• However, if you take horror too seriously, it might miss for you.
  • “Now, who is it not for? People who take it too seriously.” (23:16, Eva Longoria)

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8. Viewing Experience & Suggested Pairings

• For atmosphere, they suggest pairing the movie with classic cabin snacks such as s’mores, Irish coffee, and Moose Crunch popcorn.
  • “So I was thinking S’mores, some Irish coffee, maybe some Moose Crunch popcorn.” (24:13, Eva Longoria)

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9. The Film’s Enduring Appeal

• The hosts reiterate the film’s uniqueness and how it stands out, even to experienced horror fans.
  • “We have pretty much seen it all... But even though we know every move... This one threw us. And if you can have us guessing... that’s a good flick.” (14:31, Ed Helms)
  • “I love that I can laugh and also jump at the same time. Not many movies can pull that off.” (14:11, Eva Longoria)

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10. Tease for Next Episode

• The next film (#8) will, “change the way you feel about people smiling at you.” (25:50, Ed Helms)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the film's surprise factor:

  • “I would never in a million years... come up with it.” (05:07, Eva Longoria)

• On Bradley Whitford's performance:

  • “He is charming to the end.” (08:19, Ed Helms)
  • “His last everything. Line in the movie is amazing.” (08:23, Eva Longoria)

• Meta and genre analysis:

  • “It’s not just deliberately campy. It’s more than that.” (23:25, Eva Longoria)
  • “One of the most creative and thoroughly entertaining experiences the horror genre has given us in quite some time.” (11:02, Eva Longoria)

• On divisiveness:

  • “Mixed feelings about this one. It was a bit stupid, but also funny. Not enough nudity and deaths. Okay, okay, okay.” (12:32, Eva Longoria, reading review)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Chris Hemsworth surprise: 04:06–05:22
• Film overview & premise: 05:22–07:45
• Box office, cast, and direction: 07:21–08:40
• Critical and audience scores/discussion: 08:40–11:15
• Deep dive: cliché, meta, and audience reactions: 10:32–13:32
• Comedy and tone: 21:56–22:42
• Who it’s for & recommended snacks: 22:42–25:20
• Food pairing/conclusion/teases: 23:55–25:58

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Conclusion

This lively episode spotlights The Cabin in the Woods as a unique, clever, meta-horror experience that appeals to both genre fans and casual viewers. With its balance of horror and humor, smart subversions of cliché, and memorable performances—especially from Bradley Whitford—the film earns its spot in the top 10. The hosts urge listeners to embrace the ride and not take it “too seriously,” proposing a cozy themed movie night for the best experience.

Teaser: Next week’s horror hit promises to make you look at smiles very differently...

Transcript

[Eva Longoria]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Hey, audiobook lovers. I'm Kalpen.

[Ed Helms]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Ana Ortiz]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Greatest audiobooks from Audible, listen to earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today. Hello, America's sweetheart. Johnny Knoxville here. I want to tell you about my new true crime podcast, Crimeless Hillbilly Heist from Smartless Media, Campside Media and big money players. It's a wild tale about a gang of high functioning nitwits who somehow pulled off America's third largest cash heist.

[Ed Helms]

Kind of like Robin Hood, except for.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

The part where he steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

[Ed Helms]

I'm not that jerk.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

It's a damn near inspiring true story for anyone out there who's ever shot for the moon, then just totally muffed up the landing. They stole $17 million and had not.

[Ed Helms]

Bought a ticket to help him escape.

[Maggie Freeling]

So we're sitting like, oh God, what do we do?

[Ed Helms]

What do we do? That was dumb. People, do not follow my example.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Listen to Crimeless Hillbilly Heist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Ed Helms]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple PODC podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Narrator/Agent (Chinatown Sting Podcast)]

In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you naked.

[Eva Longoria]

5, 6 white people pushed me in the car. I'm going, what the hell?

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Basically your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it. She was very upset, crying. Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw the flash of light.

[Narrator/Agent (Chinatown Sting Podcast)]

Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

Sami Gente. It's Ana Ortiz. And I'm Markin Delicato. You might know us as Hild and Justin from Ugly Betty. Welcome to our new podcast, Viva Betty.

[Ed Helms]

Yay.

[Ana Ortiz]

We're rewatching the series from start to finish and talking to iconic guests like Betty herself, America Ferreira. There was this moment when the glasses went on, and it was like, this is our Betty. Listen to Viva Betty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ed Helms]

Hey there, folks. It is Thursday, October 23, and before he was saving the universe as an avenger, he was appearing in number nine on our horror hit list countdown. And with that welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. We have made it into the top 10. This is number nine, and I'm talking about Thor in particular. And if you're a fan of those movies, you're gonna see something a little different in this one.

[Eva Longoria]

You know what? I absolutely forgot that Chris Hemsworth was in this movie. It'd been a long time since I had seen it. We rewatched it because we loved it, and we knew it was gonna be on the list. High up on the list. And I was. I actually was a g. I was like, oh, my God. Chris Hemsworth is in this. I forgot. We are talking, of course, about the Cabin in the Woods. Number nine on our list isn't a perfect title.

[Ed Helms]

And it's perfect for a couple of reasons we'll get into. It's perfect because this is like when we go places and I see the name of a restaurant is just tacos and tequila. Right.

[Eva Longoria]

You know exactly what you're gonna get.

[Ed Helms]

So this one says Cabin in the woods, and you would think you know what you're gonna get. And because you get something different, even the title, this movie is brilliant.

[Eva Longoria]

It's so good. It. Yes. It's intentional. Every step of the way. They want to lead you in a certain direction. They want to make you question and wonder what's actually happening. And then it's kind of like nothing you could ever have guessed.

[Ed Helms]

Yes.

[Eva Longoria]

I would never in a million years.

[Ed Helms]

Can'T come up with it.

[Eva Longoria]

And there's even a surprise performance from one of our favorite actresses in this genre who shows up at the end. I mean, from start to finish, brilliant acting and just clever, clever, clever script writing.

[Ed Helms]

Yes. So this comes in at number nine on our list. This came out in 2012. I think I have 2021.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. 2012.

[Ed Helms]

2012. Hour and 35 minutes. Delicious. Already it is a rated R movie. Horror, mystery, and thriller is how it is described. And it has got more than one synopsis here, so you could take the first.

[Eva Longoria]

All right. A group of kids go to a remote cabin in the woods where their fate is unknowingly controlled by technicians as part of a worldwide conspiracy where all horror movie cliches are revealed to be part of an elaborate sacrifice ritual.

[Ed Helms]

Right. They. They tell a lot there.

[Eva Longoria]

See? And I didn't know that going into the movie. I'm glad that I didn't read a synopsis. So maybe we should have said spoiler alert, even if.

[Ed Helms]

No, no, no. This is one they.

[Eva Longoria]

This is from the beginning they.

[Ed Helms]

This is one they officially put out. But I'm surprised at even reading that. Still can't figure out. You still won't figure out what this movie is about.

[Eva Longoria]

No. It's so bizarre. I'd actually love to talk to the creative mind who came up with it. That's how strange it is.

[Ed Helms]

Another synopsis here. When five college friends arrive at a remote forest cabin for a little vacation, little did they expect the horrors that await them. One by one, the youths fall victim to backwoods zombies. But there is another factor at play. Two scientists are manipulating the ghoulish goings on. But even as the body count rises, there is yet more at work than meets the eye. That's a good one.

[Eva Longoria]

That's a good one, too. But again, when I watched this for the first time, I saw it once it started streaming, I didn't see it in the theaters. And I didn't really read the synopsis because the title got me the Cabin in the Woods. Hello. This is right up my alley. I actually watched this by myself and I remember being so taken aback what ended up happening. But it was so good. And the box office. Wow. I don't know how I missed this in the theaters.

[Ed Helms]

Yeah, it made $70 million worldwide. That's pretty good. I didn't find the production. There were some estimates out there under 20 million. But yeah, this was a movie that did well. Made $42 million domestically, but a total of 70 million worldwide. We mentioned Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams. A lot of people recognize. Which doctor show was it Jesse Williams was in?

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, I will never be able to.

[Bridger Weiniger]

Come up with that.

[Ed Helms]

I can't come up with that one. Kristen Connelly, Anna Hutchison. Two young ladies that play the leads who are fantastic. Is it, without a doubt, is Bradley Whitford, the star of this movie, he has to be.

[Eva Longoria]

I mean, he's among them. I mean, he's the most memorable. I didn't forget he was in the movie. Not that Chris Hemsworth is forgettable.

[Ed Helms]

Oh, yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

But Bradley Whitford is so beautiful, so brilliant in this movie. And he's so clever and just despicable at the same time. You, you, you, you're laughing with him, but you also are hating him.

[Ed Helms]

But it's charming to the end.

[Eva Longoria]

Yes, he is.

[Ed Helms]

He is charming even.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, his last everything.

[Ed Helms]

Yes.

[Eva Longoria]

Line in the movie is amazing.

[Ed Helms]

But yes, Bradley, wife. A lot of you all know that West Wing fame. He was also the Jordan Peele recently. Get out. Yes, he was in that. But he is brilliant in this movie. This one's directed by Drew Goddard. Look at this. Rotten Tomatoes score surprised me.

[Eva Longoria]

92%. It is that good. Now the audience score surprises me that it's lower at 74%. Because this was such an enjoyable film, maybe people felt shook, like they were annoyed that they were getting taken in too many different directions.

[Ed Helms]

You know, I think. And we're going to go through the critics here. I think a lot of critics found depth and meaning in a lot of the foolishness, but I think maybe a lot of people looking at this just saw foolishness, weren't trying to look for anything deeper.

[Eva Longoria]

Got it.

[Ed Helms]

And more of a meaning. Oh, this is such a good movie. The critic consensus here, Robes, says this movie is an astonishing meta feat, capable of being funny, strange and scary frequently all at the same time.

[Eva Longoria]

That's fair. Yes, that is totally fair. And here are some of the critic reviews to give you a taste of what the experts thought of this movie. The Cabin in the woods is smart, savage fun, written by fans for fans. That is so true. Playing on the cliches of the genre, the film avoids being a straight out spoof by building to a satisfying over the top climax.

[Ed Helms]

Good way to put it that it is not an over statement of any kind. The ending is just, you know, in.

[Eva Longoria]

A fireworks display when you get the finale and it's just like, holy moly. Yeah, that's this movie.

[Ed Helms]

And you know what's happening. You can't mistake what's happening. And you know this is going to be the end. It's so good. Also, another one here. Look, an instant classic. Endlessly clever and thrilling. Someone else saying the most maniacal monster movie ever created. Also saying another is perfectly enjoyable without ever quite feeling like there's anything at stake.

[Maggie Freeling]

Huh?

[Eva Longoria]

I hadn't considered that. Yeah, I wasn't. I knew people were going to die.

[Ed Helms]

You weren't that kind of invested. Right. I didn't feel like it took much of an emotional journey on this, but I just took a fun ride.

[Eva Longoria]

You know? I do. They even open this film with a massive cliche in horror movies. You know what, what should you never do if you don't want to die in a horror movie? You should never have sex. I'm just saying. I just started remembering all the fun cliches that they went after. But they did them so, so well. It was amazing. One of the most creative and thoroughly entertaining experiences the horror genre has given us in quite some time. That's a very true statement. And this one a surprisingly entertaining effort that works because it strikes a smart balance embracing as well as rejecting viewer expectations and knowledge of the horror genre.

[Ed Helms]

Yes, that's smart. One negative one here from. Again, this was 92% from the critics, so it was hard to find a lot of negative ones. With one mentioned here that the director may have intended his film as a post modern discourse on fear, free will and corporate religion, but instead he serves up a ridiculously campy hodgepodge of horror classics and nihilistic violence. I agree with it all and I appreciate it. Fine. Okay.

[Eva Longoria]

That that negative is still a positive in your corner.

[Bridger Weiniger]

All right.

[Eva Longoria]

I like that.

[Ed Helms]

It was ridiculously campy here.

[Eva Longoria]

Yes. And this is funny from the audience. Not your usual horror, that's for sure. Yes. Great movie. I expected something close to every other horror film I have seen. I was pleasantly surprised that this was like no other film I had ever seen. That is so true. It stays with you. You remember this one? It's a good watch. With someone that doesn't have a love for horror movies. It's silly enough to be fun and gory enough to be enjoyed by horror fans.

[Ed Helms]

That's a good line. That is it right there. There's something in there for everybody. Someone here. Well, I didn't love it that much saying kind of fun. Not really my kind of film. But it's good for what it is. Very creative and original. That's fair.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. Okay. I mean someone.

[Maggie Freeling]

Oh, wow.

[Eva Longoria]

I'm surprised you did find some of the negative ones. Mixed feelings about this one. It was a bit stupid, but also funny. Not enough nudity and deaths. Okay, okay, okay. I understand. I can see who wrote that right now.

[Ed Helms]

What, a high school junior?

[Eva Longoria]

Exactly. How did you know? And this one from an audience member. An interesting concept with very cheesy execution. It is definitely worth the watch, but it wouldn't Blow anyone away. That sounds so funny.

[Ed Helms]

Yeah. Some of those were fairly honest, not too mean.

[Eva Longoria]

They didn't realize that the film wasn't actually taking itself that seriously. Like it was intentionally campy, it was intentionally silly, it was intentionally over the top. If you didn't recognize that, then maybe that's why you didn't enjoy it as much. That this was all cleverly designed.

[Ed Helms]

Didn't you know from before the opening, the film name even was flashed on screen? There was some stuff happening, some action happening scene with Bradley Whitford and the guy he plays opposite the who I.

[Eva Longoria]

Know from every movie and I could never tell you his name.

[Ed Helms]

Yes. Their opening scene, their sequel makes you think you're about to watch a horror comedy. They are slapstick goofy. It's a bizarre.

[Eva Longoria]

What am I watching?

[Ed Helms]

They seem to be talking about something very serious, but in a casual way. Like you would talk about it if you worked at any office in the country. Bradley Whifford. They set a tone in the movie at the very beginning that how could you be about to take this seriously?

[Eva Longoria]

Exactly.

[Ed Helms]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

This it. This is what it is. Enjoy.

[Ed Helms]

Yes.

[Eva Longoria]

That's kind of what I felt like the beginning was.

[Ed Helms]

So why is this on the list for you and in the top 10, by the way?

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, because I. Because of what someone actually said. I've never seen another horror movie like this that is so enjoyable. I love that I can laugh and also jump at the same time. Not many movies can pull that off. The acting is incredible. I just. I love this movie.

[Ed Helms]

The Cabin stuff like we know what's going on, but it kind of stood alone in nailing the Cabin in the Wood genre. There's a mystery and kids start dying and what's happening and running for our lives, and it's dark and don't go in there. All that stuff was in there. And I appreciate it. But I think the movie, for us as horror fans, we have pretty much seen it all. We don't see that much that we find that necessarily original and that's fine. But even though we know every move, for the most part they're gonna make. This is gonna happen. That is gonna happen. This one threw us. And if you can have us guessing what's going on, the horror movie fans we are. That's a good flick.

[Eva Longoria]

I love that. Yes. So when we come back, we'll tell you who it's for, who it's not, for, what you should pair it with. And a hint for what is going to be our number eight on our Halloween horror hit list.

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[Maggie Freeling]

In the new podcast Hell in Heaven, two young Americans move to the Costa Rican jungle to start over. But one will end up dead, the other tried for murder. Not once people went wild, not twice, stunned, but three times. John and Anne Bender are rich and attractive and they're devoted to each other. They create a nature reserve and build a spectacular circular home high on the top of a hill. But little by little, they're drawn. Dream starts to crumble and our couple retreat from reality.

[Ed Helms]

They lose it. They actually lose it.

[Eva Longoria]

They sort of went nuts.

[Maggie Freeling]

Until one night everything spins out of control. Listen to Helen Heaven on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kyle McLaughlin]

Hey there. I'm Kyle McLaughlin. You might know me as that guy from Twin Peaks, Sex and the City, or just the Internet's dad. I have a new PODC called what Are We Even Doing? Where I embark on a noble quest to understand the brilliant chaos of youth culture.

[Eva Longoria]

Daddy's looking good.

[Kyle McLaughlin]

Each week I invite someone fascinating to join me. Actors, musicians, creatives, highly evolved digital life forms and we talk about what they love. Sometimes I'll drizzle honey in there too.

[Ed Helms]

If I'm feeling sexy in the morning.

[Kyle McLaughlin]

What keeps them going?

[Eva Longoria]

And you're maybe my biggest competition on social media.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Like when a kid says bra to.

[Kyle McLaughlin]

Me and how they're navigating this high speed roller coaster we call reality.

[Eva Longoria]

In Australia, you're looking out for snakes, spiders and boys, right?

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Hey, he's no Trey McDougal.

[Ana Ortiz]

Chill.

[Eva Longoria]

This is like the comment section of.

[Kyle McLaughlin]

My Instagram join me and my delightful guests every Thursday and let's get weird together in a good way. Listen to what are we even doing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

All I know is what I've been told and that to have truth is a whole lie.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

For almost a decade, the murder of an 18 year old girl from a small town in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved until a local homemaker, a journalist, and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Ed Helms]

I'm telling you, we know Quincy killed her.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

We know a story that law enforcement used to convict six people and that got the citizen investigator on national tv.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Through sheer persistence and nerve, this Kentucky housewife helped give justice to Jessica Curran.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

My name is Maggie Freeling. I'm a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist producer and I wouldn't be here if the truth were that easy to find.

[Ed Helms]

I did not know her and I.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Did not kill her or rape or.

[Ed Helms]

Burn or any of that other stuff.

[Bridger Weiniger]

That y' all said.

[Eva Longoria]

They literally made me say that I took a match and struck and threw it on her. They made me say that I poured gas on her.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

From Lava for good. This is Graves County, a show about just how far our legal system will go in order to find someone to blame.

[Ed Helms]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people and small towns.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

Listen to Graves county in the Bone Valley feed on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava For Good plus on Apple Podcast.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Foreign.

[Bridger Weiniger]

I'm Bridger Weiniger, embattled host of the podcast. I said no gifts from the exactly right network. I make myself perfectly clear to my guests. I forbid gifts of any kind. And yet every Thursday they barge in with atrociously wrapped trinkets and we have no choice but to discuss them. Take Zach woods, who classlessly stormed into the podcast while disregarding my only request when you came trotting into my backyard. And I don't want to assume, but I'm going to. It's a gift for me.

[Ed Helms]

That's right. Thank you for describing my walk as a trot.

[Bridger Weiniger]

I think of myself as a dressage horse, first and foremost as a gracious host. I try not to humiliate my guests, but sometimes I can't help it. Like when IO Adebury stopped by. What else are you doing with your time besides napping on the couch like a slob?

[Eva Longoria]

Okay, my mother is the angel investor to this podcast. I see.

[Bridger Weiniger]

This is what I endure. Wonderful guests, unspeakable rudeness. I said no Gifts. Drops every Thursday from the exactly Right network. Listen to I said no gifts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Eva Longoria]

Continuing our conversation about the cabin in the woods, our number nine on our Halloween horror hit list. We absolutely loved this movie because of its wit, its humor, its horror. It just combined the things we love to do the most. Get a little scared and have a lot of laughs. And this one was so clever in how they did it. It wasn't when it was silly. It was deliberate, so it wasn't. It wasn't upsetting to watch. It was actually cleverly designed.

[Ed Helms]

It was funny. I don't remember. Right. Like in the Blackening and some of whatever. I can't think of the other horror movie we just did. Comedy. Horror might have been ready or not or what. There's certain things that happen, and you know that that's a comedic line that was delivered all right. It's supposed to be funny. And they're making jokes. I don't find them making jokes necessarily in this movie. Even though there's so much that is funny, like the energy, the banter, the back and forth between Bradley Whitford.

[Eva Longoria]

It's amazing.

[Ed Helms]

They are amazing, and they're not. And just his mannerisms and. Right. It's not necessary. It didn't feel like a comedy to me. Even though you were laughing.

[Bridger Weiniger]

Fun.

[Eva Longoria]

You know what? You were in on it. Yes, I think that's what it was. They weren't trying to make you laugh. You were just in on it.

[Ed Helms]

There's a voyeuristic element to this.

[Eva Longoria]

You were with them and you were kind of appalled and laughing at the same time. I mean, I think that the whole time I was appalled by what they were saying, which was making it funny, because I was in on the conversation. So I. I think that's what it was. Anyway, so who it's for? We think it's for everybody. Because I can't imagine, even if you love horror movies, you're gonna love this. And if you don't love horror movies, I think you're gonna love this because it's almost poking fun at horror movies while being a horror movie.

[Ed Helms]

And if nothing else, Chris Hemsworth is in it. Take that.

[Eva Longoria]

There's that. There is that, too. That's a very good point. Now, who is it? Not for? People who take it too seriously. You have to recognize this movie. It's not just.

[Bridger Weiniger]

It's.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

I.

[Eva Longoria]

Cause I don't think it's fair to say it's deliberately campy. It's more than that. But I do think that, yes, the few people who you saw didn't like it and what they wrote, it certainly seems like they did take it a little too seriously.

[Ed Helms]

That's. That's where I would leave it. And you have to be in. Maybe if you're in a bad mood, maybe you should watch it and put you in a better mood. But you. You gotta be ready for a ride. Like, this is almost an event film to where, oh, my goodness, what's about to happen next. So, yeah, this is a good time.

[Eva Longoria]

Yes. And so I was going to suggest with food and drink pairing that. Because it is the cabin in the woods, why not go ahead and kind of create that feeling? So I was thinking S', mores, some Irish coffee, maybe some Moose Crunch popcorn.

[Ed Helms]

What.

[Eva Longoria]

That last I knew you were gonna ask. You could Google it. But I will tell you, I already did, so I could give you the exact definition.

[Ed Helms]

Wait, you.

[Eva Longoria]

I love Moose Crunch Popcorn.

[Ed Helms]

I've never heard of it.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, my God.

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

So good.

[Ed Helms]

Mouse, like the animal.

[Eva Longoria]

Moose Crunch Popcorn. Yes. It's like something you eat in a cabin.

[Ed Helms]

Well, it's not like Crunchy Munch a little bit.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, I know a little bit.

[Ed Helms]

We'll just call it Crunchy Munch. The toffee stuff with the peanuts in it.

[Eva Longoria]

But it comes in the box.

[Ed Helms]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

So decadent. Caramel corn mixed with peanuts, pretzels, and drizzled with milk chocolate and peanut butter.

[Ed Helms]

That's not. We called it.

[Bridger Weiniger]

What?

[Ed Helms]

Moose What?

[Eva Longoria]

It's Moose Crunch Popcorn. You kind of take Cracker Jacks and you, like, elevate it, but.

[Ed Helms]

So it's more than popcorn. It's not just popcorn.

[Eva Longoria]

No, it's more than popcorn.

[Ed Helms]

Are there equal parts of the other things?

[Eva Longoria]

I don't know. It's just. It's mostly popcorn.

[Ed Helms]

So it's dominated by the popcorn.

[Bridger Weiniger]

Yes.

[Ed Helms]

Okay. It's dominated by the popcorn.

[Eva Longoria]

Yes. So I was thinking that that would be fun in a whole cabin motif to watch this movie. And I will say it's funny. I have been caught a couple of times during the. Over the course of the years when it's been streaming.

[Ed Helms]

Man, that scares me.

[Eva Longoria]

I'll forget I'll for that this is that movie. And I'll say, oh, Cabin in the Woods. And just think it's another because there are so many, like Last House on the Left. There are certain movies that have a similar artwork on the graphic and have a similar title. And then I and I. Oh, it's that movie. I love it. So I always forget sometimes. So just go for the cabin theme. All right, our next movie, number eight on the list. Do you want to give yes, our listeners a tease?

[Ed Helms]

It will change the way you feel about people smiling at you. How about that?

[Eva Longoria]

I like that. This is a great film. We can't wait to share it with you. But thank you so much for listening to us. We will talk to you soon.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Johnny Knoxville here. Check out Crimeless Hillbilly Heist, my new true crime podcast from Smartless Media, Campside Media and big money players. It's the true story story of the almost perfect crime and the nimrods who almost pulled it off. It was kind of like the perfect storm in a sewer.

[Ed Helms]

That was dumb. Do not follow my example.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Listen to Crimeless Hillbilly Heist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Ed Helms]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people and small towns.

[Narrator/Reporter (Graves County Podcast)]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And to binge the entire season ad free, subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Narrator/Agent (Chinatown Sting Podcast)]

In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you name it.

[Eva Longoria]

Five, six, white, push me in the car, I'm going, what the hell?

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Basically, your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it. She was very upset, crying. Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw the flash of light.

[Narrator/Agent (Chinatown Sting Podcast)]

Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

[Eva Longoria]

I'm Eva Longoria. And I'm Maite Gomez Rajan. And this week on our podcast, Hungry for History, we talk oysters. Plus the Miami chief stops.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

If you are not an oyster lover.

[Ed Helms]

Don'T even talk to me.

[Eva Longoria]

Ancient Athenians used to scratch names onto oyster shells to vote politicians into exile. So our word ostracize is related to the word oyster.

[Ed Helms]

No way.

[Eva Longoria]

Bring back the Ostracon. Listen to Hungry for history on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

Sami Gente. It's Ana Ortiz. And I'm Markin Delicato. You might know us as Hilda and just Ugly Betty. Welcome to our new podcast, Be My Betty.

[Ed Helms]

Yay.

[Ana Ortiz]

We're rewatching the series from start to finish and talking to iconic guests like Betty herself, America Ferreira. There was this moment when the glasses went on and it was like, this is our Betty. Listen to Viva Betty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Eva Longoria]

This is an I Heart podcast.