The Bobby Bones Show – Movie Mike’s Movie Podcast

Episode: Top 10 Scariest Movies According to Science + Director of The Conjuring: Last Rites on Horror, Delusion and My Mom + Movie Review: Roofman + Trailer Park: The Running Man
Aired: October 25, 2025
Host: Movie Mike
Special Guest: Michael Shaws, director of The Conjuring: Last Rites

Episode Overview

This episode is a Halloween-season, horror-themed special. Movie Mike dives into the “Top 10 Scariest Movies According to Science” based on a scientific project measuring viewers’ heart rates. He then sits down for a lively, behind-the-scenes discussion with Michael Shaws, director of The Conjuring: Last Rites, exploring his journey as a filmmaker and the delicate balance between delusion and drive in creativity. Mike follows up with a spoiler-free review of Roofman starring Channing Tatum, analyzing its surprising heart and social themes. The episode closes with a Trailer Park segment on The Running Man remake and a reflection on Glen Powell’s rise.
Tone: Enthusiastic, personal, and accessible, blending fun with genuine insight.

The Top 10 Scariest Movies According to Science

[Starts at 04:23]

Methodology

• The "Science of Scare" project (2025) had test subjects wear heart monitors while watching various horror films.
• Rankings are based on overall average and peak BPM (beats per minute).

Movie Mike’s Philosophy on Horror

• Jump scares are less impactful; disturbing imagery and strong atmosphere linger longer.
• Great horror films have high “rewatchability” and unsettling staying power.
• “A true scary movie will still give you those scary feelings if you go back and rewatch it a lot.” [04:23]

Countdown Highlights

10. Talk To Me (2022)

• Avg. BPM: 79; Peak: 106; Score: 75
• Premise: Friends use a severed embalmed hand to speak with spirits, but risk being possessed.
• Mike’s spin: “It’s a fine line to walk. You’re essentially playing with fire... This movie was great. I love the directors behind it.” [05:00]
• Bonus plug for 2025’s Bring Her Back: “First movie in a long time to give me nightmares.” [05:50]

9. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

• Avg. BPM: 82; Peak: 96; Score: 76
• Courtroom drama meets possession. “This is one that kind of cemented my love for anybody being possessed in a movie... It’s just a powerful movie without the horror elements.” [06:36]

8 & 7. Smile (2022) & Smile 2

• Avg. BPM: 83 (both); Peaks: 114 / 110; Scores: 78/79
• Mike finds Smile 1 “only scary at the beginning and end,” but praises Smile 2 for better performances and action: “A great improvement from 1 to 2, which often in horror, you don’t get.” [08:35]
• Franchise potential: “I still think the best is yet to come. I’m all in for Smile 3… fantastic franchise.” [09:30]

6. Hereditary (2018)

• Avg. BPM: 82; Peak: 104; Score: 81
• Mike's hot take: “Hereditary is a little bit overrated... Toni Collette is an underrated actor... But… there’s not a whole lot drawing me back.” [10:05]

5. The Conjuring (2013)

• Avg. BPM: 84; Peak: 132; Score: 88
• “It rocked me for about a week. There’s one scene – that demon on top of the wardrobe – that is so vivid in my head... If there was one horror movie I could go back and experience for the first time… it would be The Conjuring.” [11:20]

4. Insidious (2010)

• Avg. BPM: 85; Peak: 133; Score: 90
• “One scene with the Red Demon… just that single frame of Patrick Wilson's face and the Red Demon behind him, I think is one of the best single frame moments in modern horror.” [12:35]

3. Skinamarink (2022)

• Avg. BPM: 84; Peak: 113; Score: 91
• “A novel horror movie… but if you just showed me this movie and didn’t tell me how critically acclaimed it was, I’d think, ‘what are you showing me?’” [13:45]

2. Host (2020)

• Avg. BPM: 88; Peak: 130; Score: 95
• “Host… was a perfect breeding ground for this movie” (referencing the pandemic). Mike prefers Unfriended for genuine scares but appreciates Host’s ingenuity. [14:40]
• “If you do it now… it’s not as novel. But back then, scary.” [15:00]

1. Sinister (2012)

• Avg. BPM: 86; Peak: 131; Score: 96
• “If you watch this movie in a completely dark room… it will truly scare you. No matter the level of horror fan you are... This movie feels so sinister and so unsettling.” [16:50]
• Mike admits he was late to praise: "I'm finally going to give it up for Sinister and believe it deserves to be in this number one spot." [17:40]

Interview: Michael Shaws, Director of The Conjuring: Last Rites

[Starts at 25:20]

On Pleasing Fans and Finding Honesty

• Mike asks if he considers fans’ expectations:
  “Do you have to make a movie knowing that, okay, I want to appease these fans, but I also want to make something that is honest to myself?” [25:24]
• Shaws: “You want to make something that has the broadest appeal... but ultimately you just want to make something that satisfies you... you’re the first audience member… That’s what keeps me honest.” [25:48]

Collaboration and Mentorship

• Directors/producers provide support; working with established talent is “great for guidance.”
• “The people who’ve directed movies are the most supportive… They know how hard it is to put together the movie... great collaborators.” [26:53]

Origin Story: Inspiration and Delusion in Filmmaking

• First Inspiration:
  “The movie that really… always sticks with me… is Jurassic Park… That wasn’t like, ‘oh, I think I could do that’... I just remember at the very end, Spielberg’s credit coming on... I want to do that.” [28:21]
• Early Support: Turned both divorced parents into camera donors, “I worked this. I was trying to get a better camera.” [29:15]
• On Delusion and Creativity:
  “There is a little bit of it. But the trick is trying to have a healthy balance. The delusion can be harmful... You need to be aware as you’re making things and listening to criticism.” [30:27]

Authenticity and Demons in The Conjuring

• Sourcing from real cases—“that imagery was so great.” [31:49]
• “You could make [demons] anything, but I kind of like just staying true to the core… you don’t want to break the mold too much.” [32:46]

Movie Review: Roofman (Channing Tatum)

[Starts at 36:59]

Overview & Themes

• Based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, ex-military who robbed 45 McDonald’s via the roof.
• “One of my favorite movies of the year… so endearing and so entertaining.” [36:59]
• Explores the system’s failure to support veterans after service:
  “If you give somebody all these tools… and then you don’t give them the tools to re-enter society… That’s what he was up against.” [39:00]

Channing Tatum’s Performance

• “So charismatic… Not a classically trained actor, went from dancer to model to now one of the biggest names in Hollywood... he oozes charisma and brings to life every character he portrays.” [41:30]
• “He doesn’t overact… his dialogue is very subtle and… I find that charming.” [43:25]
• Notes on career variety and improv influence from work with Jonah Hill ([41:30]–[44:20])

Critique & Final Thoughts

• On Setting: 2004 feels “vintage” – “It made me feel a little bit old… starting to feel that now.” [47:30]
• Core takeaways:
  • Need for better veteran support
  • Derek Cianfrance humanizes flawed characters
  • Channing Tatum’s range and innate charisma
• Rating: ★★★★☆ (“4 out of 5 Toys R Us”) [48:45]

Trailer Park: The Running Man Remake

[Starts at 52:36]

Film Details

• Starring Glen Powell, directed by Edgar Wright; remake of the 1987 classic.
• Premise: Dystopian competition show where desperate people compete in deadly games for money.
• “Very Hunger Games–esque, even though it predates the Hunger Games.” [53:00]

Social Commentary

• “Why are we still having to put ourselves into life-or-death situations… for basic human needs?” [54:25]
• “It puts the mirror on us, realizing we also enjoy watching things like this…” [55:40]

Glen Powell’s Star Power

• “I think this movie is going to determine how big of a movie star Glen Powell is going to be…” [52:41]
• Draws parallels to Tom Cruise: “He is right there on the cusp of if he has one or two big hits, he could be in everything for the next two years.” [60:00]
• Supporting cast includes Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It takes a lot for a movie to scare me these days... The only thing that can really unsettle me now is something really disturbing.” – Movie Mike [04:38]
• “If there was one horror movie I could go back and experience for the first time, just wipe my brain clean, it would be The Conjuring.” – Movie Mike [11:55]
• “There is some part of you that has to be a little bit delusional when you’re getting started... you need to convince yourself you can do it.” – Michael Shaws [30:27]
• “He oozes charisma and brings to life every character he portrays… you cannot learn that in any acting school.” – Movie Mike (on Channing Tatum) [41:33]
• “It’s weird to talk about a movie from 2004 as a period piece, but I pay attention to the songs…” – Movie Mike [47:30]
• “I think it... determines how big of a movie star Glen Powell is going to be.” – Movie Mike [52:41]
• “It all comes down to, is Glenn Powell somebody who makes people want to go spend their money and watch a movie like this in the theater?” – Movie Mike [59:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:23] – Introduction to the Science of Scare List
• [05:00] – Discussion of “Talk To Me” and Opening Comments on Horror
• [06:36] – “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” & Possession Films
• [08:35] – Smile Franchise Analysis
• [10:05] – Critique of “Hereditary”
• [11:20] – Praise for “The Conjuring”
• [12:35] – The Power of a Single Scary Frame: “Insidious”
• [13:45] – “Skinamarink” and Low-Budget Horror
• [14:40] – “Host” and Technology-Era Paranormal Horror
• [16:50] – “Sinister” at #1 and Its Lasting Impact
• [25:20] – Interview with Michael Shaws Starts
• [28:21] – Inspiration for Directing: Jurassic Park
• [30:27] – On the Role of Delusion in Filmmaking
• [36:59] – Roofman Review Begins
• [41:30] – Channing Tatum’s Charisma and Range
• [47:30] – Period Piece Observations about 2004
• [52:36] – Movie Mike’s Trailer Park: The Running Man
• [60:00] – Glen Powell Parallels Tom Cruise?

Conclusion & Listener Engagement

Mike wraps up by reflecting on the endurance of horror, the evolution of movie stardom, and the importance of supporting movies outside blockbuster IPs. He gives a listener shout-out, reminds fans to catch previous interviews (such as with Robert Englund), and encourages everyone to “go out and watch good movies.”

This episode delivers film analysis that’s sharp yet accessible, brimming with personal anecdotes, genre knowledge, and a passion for both the craft and culture of movies. It’s a must for horror fans, cinephiles, or anyone looking for genuine, conversational expertise—plus a few honest laughs.