The Rewatchables: ‘Weird Science’ (With Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt)

Date: November 18, 2025
Podcast Network: The Ringer
Episode Summary by The Rewatchables Expert

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Rewatchables, Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt (with frequent contributions from Craig Horlbeck) dive deep into John Hughes’ 1985 cult classic Weird Science. The hosts revisit this wild teen fantasy film that embodies adolescent wish fulfillment, the unique (and often bizarre) spirit of mid-80s teen comedies, and the Hughesian knack for combining raunchy scenarios with heart.

They discuss the movie’s place within the landscape of 1980s teen films, its relationship to other Hughes projects, the film’s dated and problematic elements, the legacy of stars like Anthony Michael Hall and Kelly LeBrock, and why Weird Science still fascinates — and perplexes — 40 years later.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why ‘Weird Science’ Is a “Weird” Rewatchable

• Bill Simmons opens by framing Weird Science as the movie Kyle Brandt has most wanted to do on the podcast, calling it “bonkers” and representing “the weirdest” of John Hughes’ 80s movies.
• The hosts situate the film within a glut of mid-80s semi-deranged teen movies (Teen Wolf, Better Off Dead, Just One of the Guys, etc.), noting how filmmakers started pushing the boundaries of what a teen movie could be.
• Weird Science’s premise — two outcast boys create their ideal woman with a computer — is called out for its adolescent male fantasy but also its sheer 80s absurdity and sci-fi flavor.

"This movie is bonkers. ... It's also insane in 2025 to watch this. And yet, is this a movie that makes more sense in 1985 or 2025 to you?"
— Bill [03:03]

2. John Hughes’ Run and the “Heat Check”

• Hughes’ incredible 8-year writing/producing run (from Mr. Mom to Home Alone) is described as “limitless drug” levels of creative output.
• Kyle Brandt argues Weird Science feels like Hughes’ “heat check,” made after his more beloved but less overtly strange films – this movie’s quick, gonzo production directly followed The Breakfast Club.

"Did these guys take the limitless drug? Did they find it?"
— Bill [16:03]

"Weird Science to me feels heat checky for Hughes ... he does this movie right after Breakfast Club. ... I got our next movie: we're gonna make a woman and you're gonna be in it."
— Kyle [16:08]

3. 1980s American Teen Movie Zeitgeist

• The hosts note the recurring trope of the “magical woman arrives for a dorky guy,” with shout-outs to Splash, Mannequin, and Can't Buy Me Love.
• The emergence of tech as “magic” before audiences understood computers leads to thoughts on the movie as a proto-AI narrative, with winks at Alexa, Siri, and male loneliness — topics more relevant today than in 1985.

"In 1985, I would have believed that anything with computers ... you could make a version of Weird Science about AI."
— Bill [12:31]

4. Unapologetic Adolescent Male Fantasy: Harmless or Harmful?

• The film is dissected as a time capsule of “guys trying to get laid,” and the hosts reflect on how attitudes — towards women, consent, sexualizing tech, etc. — feel wildly outmoded.
• The lack of genuine sexual energy (or payoff) in the movie despite its premise is discussed and lightly mocked as implausible for real 15-year-old boys.

"These kids weren't nearly horny enough. What are they doing?"
— Bill [59:56]

5. Comparison to Contemporary Comedies

• The influence of Weird Science on films like Superbad is discussed:
  • Party scene structures
  • Two dweeby friends as the center
  • Surreal/plucky supporting characters
  • The journey being as much about friendship as about girls

"Jonah Hill’s character is very similar to the Anthony Michael Hall character. ... it's almost like it's his son."
— Bill [07:37]
"The movie ends almost the same way Superbad ends ... about their relationship as much as ... with the girls."
— Craig [07:45]

6. Anthony Michael Hall — Should Have Been a Bigger Star

• Hall’s run of iconic 80s roles is praised; the hosts discuss his tendency to be cast as “the dork” and his missed opportunities (Ferris Bueller, Full Metal Jacket), with theories on why his career didn’t reach even higher.

"The Sasha Jenkins Award for actor I can't believe didn't become a bigger star."
— Bill [21:07]

• Hall’s “sweetness” is contrasted with the “anger” of later comedians like Jonah Hill; suggestions that he carried many of his films, tolerating weaker co-stars.

7. Kelly LeBrock — The Perfect Woman in an Imperfect Movie

• LeBrock’s performance (her 2nd ever) is widely praised as legitimately great, imbuing Lisa with wit and charisma, and acting as the true engine/soul of the story.
• The pod covers her strange career trajectory (marriage to Steven Seagal, long career breaks) and how this part probably limited her other opportunities.

"In Weird Science, she plays Mary Poppins with breasts."
— Bill [28:39]

8. Bill Paxton’s Chet: The Ultimate Movie Big Brother

• Paxton’s “legendary” turn as Chet — the sadistic big brother — is called out as an all-time scene-stealer and possible reality TV proto-villain.

"Chet would be a Real World cast member ... redneck Puck with a shotgun."
— Kyle [36:59]

• The “Chad, Chet, Chaz” name axis is analyzed for its perennial association with unlikable, douchey guys.

9. The Most 1985 Things & “What’s Aged the Worst?”

• Most 1985:
  • Computer “hacking” scenes
  • Trunks full of Playboy magazines
  • Oingo Boingo’s title track
  • David Lee Roth/Music Video style
• What’s aged the worst:
  • The Lisa–Wyatt kiss (15-year-old actor!), extremely 80s gay slurs, Richard Pryor imitation scene, general sexual politics, gross-out humor.

"He was 15 and a half ... and she's like making out with him."
— Bill [61:32]

10. Rewatchable Scenes & Iconic Moments

• Top rewatchables (w/timestamps referencing their discussion, not film):
  • [31:00] Opening gym and credits, “theme song hit”
  • [32:39] Creating Lisa, “OK MF Award” moment
  • [34:26] The wild "candy bar scene" in the bar
  • [36:24] Drunk Gary, “No shit, shit” at the top of the stairs with Chet
  • [41:34] Chet turning into a toad
  • [41:10] Attempting to create a second girl, the failed “popularity” moment
  • [41:34] The final goodbye, party wrap-up

"This movie moves so fucking fast that they are already creating Lisa at the eight-minute mark."
— Kyle [33:08]

11. Apex Mountains and Legacy

• Is this an Apex Mountain movie for Anthony Michael Hall, Elon Mitchell Smith, Kelly LeBrock, and Bill Paxton’s “jerk older brother” role?
• Is it the best high school party scene in a teen movie? (Kyle votes yes.)

12. Best 80s Movie Theme Song with the Title in the Song: An On-Air Tournament

• The hosts debate if Weird Science is the best 80s movie with a custom theme song (“Weird Science”) versus Footloose, Ghostbusters, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Purple Rain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I can't explain to young people right now, if you were a young person in the 80s, how difficult it was to get even a basic image of a naked woman."
  — Kyle Brandt [33:45]
• "The real life version of this movie—they create this person and then it's just like, okay, are we going to switch? ... She's here to have sex with us."
  — Bill [60:14]
• "Lisa sucks. That's my take."
  — Kyle [74:36]
• "[Kelly LeBrock] plays Mary Poppins with breasts, which I thought was a good way to describe the character."
  — Bill [29:04]
• "Chad, Chet, Chaz — I’m just going to probably assume I’m not going to like you."
  — Bill [56:59]
• "It’s the party I wanted to go to when I was a little kid."
  — Kyle on the house party scene [84:39]
• "Did Gary ever have sex with Lisa? ... No. We don't even see him kissing her. Nothing."
  — Bill & Kyle [94:23]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Opening banter & why this episode (01:02–03:07)
• 80s movie landscape / John Hughes heat check (04:02–06:50)
• Hacker movie origins & AI prescience (10:01–14:38)
• Anthony Michael Hall—career analysis and missed roles (19:10–24:42)
• Kelly LeBrock deep dive (26:02–31:00)
• Most rewatchable scenes rundown (31:48–42:26)
• Most 1985 things & aged-the-worst details (44:32–54:07)
• Chet, Chad, Chaz, and cinematic big brothers (56:18–59:02)
• Most cinematic shots & iconic needle drops (55:35–56:07)
• Hughes’ universe, special effects, and Road Warrior sequence weirdness (66:19–68:51)
• Hottest takes (theme song bracket / Lisa critique)* (70:39–76:01)
• Casting what-ifs (76:01–77:33)
• Bill Paxton/Chet hall-of-fame assessment (81:41–82:11)
• Final verdicts, double features, and life lessons (99:00–101:36)
• Craig’s Gen Z perspective on the 80s (101:25–105:07)

Style, Tone, and Fun

The hosts maintain a highly conversational, nostalgic, and irreverent tone, riffing with the frankness of longtime friends who cherish (and skewer) the very “rewatchable” films they grew up with. There are plenty of affectionate jabs at the movie's more dated/absurd moments and recurring meta-threads about 80s adolescence, pop culture tropes, SNL, and missed opportunities across the cast’s careers.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Watched

This episode is both a loving time capsule and a caution that Weird Science makes for a “super fun watch—with some weird elements you have to factor in with the 80s." The film is dissected as a relic full of unfiltered adolescent male fantasy, imaginative but dated technology, heart, and Hughes-ian sentimentality.

You’ll come away thinking about the bizarre ethics of computer-generated dream women, the frequencies of 80s movie parties, and the missed potential of both Anthony Michael Hall and Kelly LeBrock. And you’ll know there is no higher 80s cinematic insult than having a big brother named Chet.

A Few More Memorable Quotes

• "We made a hot big sister. Gary would have been all over that in 30 seconds. Instead, it's like some sort of Obi Wan Kenobi adjacent sex robot..."
  — Kyle Brandt [59:02]
• "Naming your dream girl Lisa, with just no thought."
  — Craig [63:06]
• "When Chet turns into the piece of shit frog… I officially don't know what the fuck's going on."
  — Craig [103:30]

The Verdict

Is Weird Science a genuinely good movie? The hosts lovingly debate this, landing on its rewatchability thanks to a nostalgia-fueled, quotable script, unforgettable performances (especially Paxton and LeBrock), and a hilariously surreal vision of 1980s teen life — even if the premise and much of the content now feels outlandish. It's “in the running for the most 80s movie ever” ([101:25]) and a movie that’s endlessly weird, endearing, and worth revisiting, if just to marvel at how much youth, comedy, and American culture have changed.

Listener Recommendation:
If you’re curious about the peculiar magic (and cringe) of 1980s coming-of-age movies, or want to see John Hughes let loose, Weird Science is a wild ride — and this podcast delivers both deep cultural context and a loving, laugh-out-loud send-up.