Podcast
VHS Therapy
Hosted by Mary Meyst-Huset and Teddy Micklos · ENGLISH
VHS Therapy is an 80s & 90s movie podcast hosted by sisters Mary & Teddy, two millennial women revisiting the movies that shaped (and possibly scarred) our childhoods. From Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves to Heathers to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, we rewatch, roast, and relive the films that defined a generation. Expect pop-culture nostalgia, unfiltered sister banter, and the eternal question: Why were we allowed to watch this?
Tune in weekly for laughs, memories, and a little movie-lover therapy.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Kiss the Girls (1997): This Movie Hits VERY Different Now
Mar 1800:24:21Tap to summarizeThis week on VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit the 90s thriller Kiss the Girls (1997) starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd.What once felt like a gripping serial killer mystery now raises deeper questions about how violence—especially against women—has been portrayed as entertainment.The sisters break down the film through a modern lens, including Ashley Judd’s recent reflections on the role and whether movies like this still hold up today.💬 What We Talk AboutOur first memories watching Kiss the Girls (probably too young)The explosion of 90s serial killer moviesWhy audiences were—and still are—obsessed with true crimeAshley Judd’s performance and whether her character is empowering or exploitedMorgan Freeman’s role: lead investigator or background support?The twist ending—does it still work?The ethical line between storytelling and exploitationReal-world consequences of true crime obsessionDid Kiss the Girls scare you when you first saw it—or does it feel different now?Let us know on social or share this episode with a friend who grew up watching these movies with you.
Transcribe →The Mummy (1999): Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and Why This Adventure Classic Still Works
Mar 1100:28:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit the 1999 adventure blockbuster The Mummy and ask the big question: does it still hold up nearly 30 years later?Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, this desert adventure has everything—ancient curses, undead priests, terrifying scarabs, and one of the most entertaining action-romance pairings of the late 90s.Mary and Teddy discuss why the chemistry between Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan still makes the movie so watchable, how the film balances comedy, horror, and romance, and why the cast seems like they were having the time of their lives making it.They also revisit some memorable characters including Jonathan, the charming but chaotic brother, the dramatic villain Imhotep, and the opportunistic (and very relatable) Benny.Along the way, Mary and Teddy talk about:Why Rick O’Connell might be the ultimate late-90s action heroThe appeal of Evelyn as a “bumbling brainiac” who still has agencyWhether the movie’s CGI still holds up todayThe blend of action, comedy, horror, and romance that makes the film so rewatchableWhy the chemistry between the cast carries the movieThe episode also includes some behind-the-scenes trivia and a chaotic round of Smash or Pass: Mummy Edition.
Transcribe →Shining Through (1992): Forgotten WWII Romance or Razzie-Winning Disaster?
Feb 2500:31:15Tap to summarize🎬 This Week on VHS TherapyMary and Teddy revisit the 1992 World War II spy romance Shining Through, starring Melanie Griffith, Michael Douglas, and Liam Neeson.This early 90s drama follows Linda, a secretary-turned-spy who is sent behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany after falling in love with her boss — who just happens to be a spy.The question is:Was this sweeping wartime romance misunderstood… or was it truly a stinker?💥 In This Episode We Discuss:Is the spy plot even remotely plausible?Does the movie know whether it’s a romance or a war thriller?Melanie Griffith’s accent — bold choice or fatal flaw?The Razzie Awards sweep (Worst Picture, Worst Actress & more)Liam Neeson before he had “a very particular set of skills”🎥 Next WeekWe’re heading to 1999 with The Mummy — Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, adventure, chemistry, and a movie we actually remember fondly.If you enjoyed this episode of VHS Therapy:Follow & subscribeLeave a reviewShare with a fellow millennial who grew up on questionable VHS rentals
Transcribe →Starship Troopers (1997): Fascism, Propaganda & That Shower Scene
Feb 1800:32:55Tap to summarizeThis week on VHS Therapy, we pivoted. Instead of Shining Through, we revisited the 1997 sci-fi cult classic Starship Troopers — and let’s just say… this is NOT the movie we thought we were watching as teenagers.Directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on the novel by Robert Heinlein, Starship Troopers looks like a glossy 90s action movie about humans fighting alien bugs. But on rewatch? It’s something much sharper — a satire about militarism, propaganda, meritocracy, and media manipulation.Also… we may have let our kids watch it. Parenting fail.🧠 What We DiscussWhy so many people missed the satire when it first came outFascism and meritocracy in the FederationWar as entertainment and media spectacleThe infamous co-ed shower scene and why it still feels uncomfortable🎙️ Next EpisodeWe’re finally covering Shining Through next week. For real this time.If you enjoyed this episode:⭐ Leave a review📲 Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode📢 Share with your favorite 90s kid who definitely watched this too youngWould you like to know more?
Transcribe →The Dark Crystal (1982): Jim Henson’s Most Confusing—and Controversial—Fantasy
Feb 1100:30:12Tap to summarize🎬 Episode SummaryThis week on VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson’s ambitious and controversial fantasy that confused, unsettled, and possibly traumatized a generation of kids. Marketed as a family film in the early 80s, The Dark Crystal drops viewers into a fully realized fantasy world with no hand-holding, no human characters, and a heavy reliance on symbolism, puppetry, and atmosphere.🧠 What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy The Dark Crystal struggled to find its audience as a “family film”How puppetry changes the way we read emotion, performance, and storyJim Henson’s technical brilliance—and where it works better than the storyWhy modern audiences may resist movies that require patience and interpretationThe one scene that still absolutely works: the legendary puppet party⏭️ Up Next on VHS TherapyNext episode, we’re heading into very different territory with Shining Through, starring Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas—a movie we definitely watched growing up and are very curious to revisit.⭐ Support the PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode:Follow VHS Therapy wherever you listenLeave us a review—it really helps new listeners find the showJoin us each week as we revisit the movies we probably shouldn’t have seen as kids
Transcribe →When Harry Met Sally (1989): Romance, Timing, and the Problem with Harry
Jan 2800:27:50Tap to summarizeWhen Harry Met Sally (1989): Romance, Timing, and the Problem with HarryIn this episode of VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit the iconic 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron.On rewatch, this genre-defining rom-com hits a little differently. While the dialogue is still sharp and endlessly quotable, the dynamics between Harry and Sally raise some uncomfortable questions about emotional labor, double standards, and whether timing—not love—is the real villain of the story.We dig into why Harry’s cynicism is treated as charming, why Sally’s standards become a punchline, and whether the famous happy ending actually delivers the growth it promises.Why Billy Crystal’s Harry feels more exhausting than endearing on rewatchThe double standard between Harry’s neuroses and Sally’s boundariesWhether men and women can truly be platonic friends — especially once marriage enters the pictureHow timing quietly sabotages Harry and Sally at every stage of their relationshipA breakdown of the deli scene: empowerment, performance, or male fantasy?Why the rewritten ending may have elevated the film — even if it undermines its honestyThe surprisingly unquestioned whirlwind romance of Jess and MarieBehind-the-scenes trivia, including Rob Reiner’s real-life influence on the ending💾 Follow, Rate & RewindIf you enjoyed this episode:Follow VHS Therapy wherever you get your podcastsLeave a review — it helps more than you thinkJoin the conversation on social and tell us: romantic or red flag?Be kind, rewind. 🎞️
Transcribe →Point of No Return (1993): The Assassin Movie We Loved as Kids That Completely Falls Apart
Jan 2100:26:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of VHS Therapy, sisters Mary and Teddy revisit Point of No Return (1993), the American remake of La Femme Nikita, starring Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, Dermot Mulroney, Anne Bancroft, and Harvey Keitel.What they remembered as a slick, empowering assassin movie turns out to be something very different on rewatch.Why Point of No Return feels more like a story about control than empowermentBridget Fonda’s performance and whether she was miscastBob’s disturbing “creator” relationship with MaggieAmanda as mentor vs. groomer inside a corrupt systemVictor the cleaner as Maggie’s possible futureWe were excited to revisit this one—and it let us down. While there are interesting ideas buried in the film, Point of No Return ultimately fails to deliver on the empowerment it promises.🎧 Next Episode: When Harry Met Sally — we’re officially entering romantic comedy month.
Transcribe →The Last of the Mohicans (1992) - Romance, Soundtrack & 90s Movie Nostalgia
Jan 1400:38:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit The Last of the Mohicans (1992) — the sweeping historical epic directed by Michael Mann and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, and Wes Studi.We break down how the movie hits differently as adults, from its unforgettable soundtrack to its emotional love story and complex characters. We talk about Michael Mann’s intense dedication to authenticity, the film’s stunning cinematography, and why the score remains one of the most recognizable in movie history. We also dig into character motivations, especially Magua’s nuanced role as antagonist, and explore why this film feels more like a romance than a traditional war movie.Topics include:How The Last of the Mohicans compares to the original novelWhy the soundtrack is so iconic (and a little controversial)The female gaze, romance, and emotional storytellingPerformances that still stand out decades laterWhat we missed as kids — and what hits harder nowIf you grew up watching movies you maybe shouldn’t have, this one’s for you.🎬 Next episode: Point of No Return📼 Follow VHS Therapy for weekly nostalgia, movie rewatches, and millennial pop culture therapy.
Transcribe →Spaceballs (1987): Parody, Power, and Why This Movie Still Works
Dec 3100:33:02Tap to summarizeVHS Therapy – Season 1 FinaleIn this episode of VHS Therapy, sisters Mary and Teddy revisit Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs (1987), the iconic sci-fi parody that somehow managed to spoof Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, and 80s masculinity all at once.We talk about why Spaceballs still holds up, which jokes land (and which feel dated), and how Bill Pullman’s Lone Starr is a surprisingly subversive hero, especially compared to the swaggering male leads of the 1980s. From fourth-wall breaks to merchandising jokes that predicted the future, this movie is doing more than being silly… and we unpack why.⚠️ Content Warning: This episode is marked explicit and includes mild language and adult humor.What movies Spaceballs directly spoofs and referencesMapping the jokes: visual gags vs. meta humorIs Spaceballs racist or problematic by today’s standards?Mel Brooks’ comedy legacy and restraint (yes, restraint)Why this parody feels safer than many 80s comedies
Transcribe →Die Hard (1988): Alan Rickman, Bruce Willis, and a Very Questionable Office Party
Dec 2400:33:14Tap to summarizeSummaryMary and Teddy close out 2025 with gratitude, Spotify “awards” bragging rights, and the most unhinged seasonal debate of all: is Die Hard aChristmas movie? From Bruce Willis’ sweaty, progressively-filthier tank top to Alan Rickman’s scene-stealing villainy, they dig into what still works, what doesn’t (hi, Holly’s agency), and why this single-location action classic became the blueprint for decades of copycats. Plus: genuinely great trivia, including the wild Frank Sinatra connection you won’t believe.What You’ll HearThe “Die Hard is a Christmas movie” debate… and why it’s basically a personality test nowWhy John McClane felt like a new kind of action hero (and yes: “short king energy”)Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber: controlled, charismatic villainy—and how he steals the whole filmThe missed opportunity with Holly Gennaro: strong setup, frustrating payoffWhy the movie’s one-location constraint still makes it feel tight, creative, and rewatchable
Transcribe →