The Big Picture Podcast Summary

Episode Title: The 1990s Horror Movie Canon and ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer.’ Plus: The ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Revolution
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Hosts: Sean Fennessey & Amanda Dobbins
Guest: Andy Greenwald

1. Box Office Performance and the Superhero Genre

Sean and Amanda kick off the episode by discussing the recent release of the "Fantastic Four" movie. They express their disappointment with its quality despite its respectable box office numbers.

Sean Fennessey [01:28]: "The movie made $118 million on 4,125 screens here in North America. It made $100 million internationally, roughly the same as Superman."

Amanda adds that while superhero movies still hold significance in the industry, their dominance is waning.

Amanda Dobbin [02:14]: "Right. But it's not the most important part of the business."

They delve into the shifting landscape of superhero films, noting declining interest in key markets like China and Europe. This trend suggests a plateau in the genre's financial growth.

Sean Fennessey [02:49]: "China could care less about superhero movies now. They just don't go."

The hosts contemplate what genres or movie types might fill the void left by the diminishing superhero craze, hinting at a rise in demon hunter narratives and other supernatural themes.

Amanda Dobbin [03:05]: "We're not going to get another Avengers Endgame that any business school case study could have told you that."

2. "KPop Demon Hunters" – Netflix's Animated Sensation

Bringing in Andy Greenwald from The Watch, the trio transitions to discussing Netflix's animated release, "KPop Demon Hunters." They highlight its unexpected success and broad viewership.

Sean Fennessey [07:39]: "KPop Demon Hunters is one of the biggest movies of the summer. It's probably been seen by more people than any of the summer blockbusters that we've covered on the show."

Andy points out the movie's unique performance metrics, noting significant week-over-week growth in viewership—a first for Netflix.

Andy Greenwald [07:56]: "This was the first ever Netflix movie to week over week grow."

Sean and Amanda share their personal experiences watching the film with their children, emphasizing its appeal to younger audiences through its vibrant animation and catchy K-pop soundtrack. They commend the movie's ability to blend cultural elements with supernatural themes seamlessly.

Sean Fennessey [08:20]: "This movie to me was real AI generated slop... And yet I found this movie to be very enjoyable."

Amanda appreciates how the film introduces non-experts to K-pop culture, making it accessible while maintaining authenticity.

Amanda Dobbin [26:28]: "It does a good job. I think of both feeling very specific to that world while also throwing those of us who don't know anything a bone here and there."

3. "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (2025) – A Critical Legacy Sequel

The conversation shifts to the 2025 sequel of the iconic "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Sean provides an overview of the film, stressing its status as a legacy sequel aiming to revive 90s teen slasher vibes.

Sean Fennessey [39:05]: "This movie is a legacyquel reboot of, I would argue, the second most significant teen slasher in the 1990s."

Amanda vehemently criticizes the sequel for its disrespect towards both the original audience and contemporary viewers. She highlights its poor storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and ineffective use of beloved actors from the original film.

Amanda Dobbin [44:15]: "I thought this was disrespectful to its audience. I was angry. I thought this was disrespectful to the 90s and to those of us who remember the 90s and also to the young people of today who deserve better in their storytelling."

Sean echoes these sentiments, pointing out numerous plot holes and the misguided attempt to make characters overly relatable, which undermines the slasher genre's core premise of inevitable peril.

Sean Fennessey [50:02]: "This movie wants us to love its characters and not get excited to watch these people get killed. That's the whole point of the movie."

The hosts dissect specific shortcomings, such as the protagonists' incompetence in handling a vehicular accident and the convoluted dream sequences featuring original cast members like Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Amanda Dobbin [58:26]: "It's such a big mistake. So the kids are too likable, and most of them don't die. And the ways in which they do is, as you said, not very dramatic or very scary."

4. The 1990s Horror Movie Canon

Sean and Amanda reflect on defining horror films from the 90s, debating what qualifies as canonical within the genre. They discuss influential films like "Scream," "The Blair Witch Project," and others that shaped the decade's horror landscape.

Sean Fennessey [75:00]: "Scream was totemic, an amazing... defining horror movies."

They acknowledge the evolution of horror during the 90s, noting a blend of classic monster films and innovative storytelling that introduced new subgenres and reinvigorated interest in horror.

Amanda reminisces about the cast and cultural impact of films like "Scream" and "The Blair Witch Project," emphasizing their lasting influence on both the genre and pop culture.

Amanda Dobbin [75:29]: "It's number one on this list, I would say."

Sean concurs, highlighting "Scream" as a film that not only entertained but also educated audiences on film mechanics and genre tropes through its meta-commentary.

Sean Fennessey [75:30]: "It's a movie that actually still holds up... taught a lot of people, myself included, how to watch movies."

They debate the inclusion of psychological thrillers and found footage films within the horror canon, ultimately deciding to focus on traditional slasher and supernatural films for their list.

5. Additional Highlights and Future Discussions

Towards the episode's end, the hosts briefly touch upon other notable horror films from the 90s and recent years, such as "Event Horizon," "Funny Games," and "Candyman." They also tease future podcast topics, including summer comedies and potential canon-building exercises.

Sean Fennessey [89:12]: "My top 10 is as Scream, Wes Craven's New Nightmare, The Blair Witch Project, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Ring, In the Mouth of Madness, Candyman, Event Horizon, The Exorcist 3, and Funny Games, the German version."

They express enthusiasm for upcoming projects and potential guest appearances, ensuring listeners remain engaged with future episodes.

Sean Fennessey [89:22]: "Thanks to our producer Jack Sanders for his work on this episode. Later this week, we're breaking down a pair of summer comedies..."

Notable Quotes

• Sean Fennessey [02:14]: "But it's not the most important part of the business."
• Andy Greenwald [07:56]: "This was the first ever Netflix movie to week over week grow."
• Amanda Dobbin [44:15]: "I thought this was disrespectful to its audience."
• Sean Fennessey [50:02]: "This movie wants us to love its characters and not get excited to watch these people get killed."
• Sean Fennessey [75:00]: "Scream was totemic, an amazing... defining horror movies."

This episode of The Big Picture offers a deep dive into the 1990s horror landscape, critiques contemporary legacy sequels, and explores emerging trends in animation and genre blending. Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, alongside guest Andy Greenwald, provide insightful analyses that both honor classic horror while critically evaluating its modern iterations.