Oct. 5, 2025

Amy & T.J.’s Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #27 “The Rental”

Amy & T.J.’s Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #27 “The Rental”

Coming in at number 27, 2020s “The Rental.” Each day in the month of October we will count you down to Halloween with our favorite, not-so-obvious guaranteed horror hits! We’ll tell you why each one made the list, what the critics say, who should watch it and who should NOT and what food/drink/atmosphere to pair it with each night…. And of course, where you can watch it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:00:07
Speaker 1: Hey there, folks, it is Sunday, October fifth, and do we have a movie for you? And after you see this one, I assure you the next Airbnb you rent, you will scan the place for cameras before you go to bed at nights. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ's countdown to the best Halloween horror movies you might not know about. It's our Halloween hit list. We love and recommend every single one of these movies. Number twenty seven on our list. Robes is one that every chance you get, I hear you recommending to somebody.

00:00:41
Speaker 2: It's so good.

00:00:42
Speaker 3: So this came out in twenty twenty, so you might have missed it because yeah, we are in the middle of a pandemic. It's called The Rental. It's an hour and twenty eight minutes right in that sweet spot.

00:00:53
Speaker 2: We love it so much.

00:00:54
Speaker 3: It's rated R and it's listed as a horror mystery thriller because it does have all of those components too. It goes beyond. It's a layered horror movie and it.

00:01:04
Speaker 1: Is a great, great one. This is this is too bad. This was a victim of the pandemic. I think so was it not. This movie could have been so much because it has done so well. This is a horror movie, you know. I know you asked who is this for? If you love great acting, this you could put these actors up against anybody anywhere in any type of movie.

00:01:25
Speaker 3: I completely agree. We're talking about beloved actors. Whose name you names, you know, whose faces you know. This movie stars Dan Stevens.

00:01:35
Speaker 2: You know him.

00:01:36
Speaker 3: He's Matthew from Downton Abbey. You ladies out there, you know him well. It's so fun to watch him. He's been in a couple other movies where he plays someone who is deviant, or he's in a horror movie. It's such a departure from Downton Abbey that it's so fun to watch him do what he does so well, which is act, but he's also not hard on the eyes. Dan Stevens is in it. Alison Brie what a phenomenal act DRIs Sheila Vann, Jeremy Allen White, Toby huss And it's directed by a very well known name as well, Dave Franco, James Franco's brother, but this was his husband.

00:02:10
Speaker 1: Yeah, what's they have? The new one that I.

00:02:13
Speaker 3: Do not haven't seen and it has body horror, and it's about two people who like become connected in one.

00:02:18
Speaker 2: We haven't watched that together together, I think mikey what it's called.

00:02:21
Speaker 3: But this was Dave Franco's directorial debut, and it was very well reviewed, even though it didn't do well at the box office, because who was going to the movie theaters in July of twenty twenty.

00:02:32
Speaker 1: Jeremy Allen White, I don't watch the show, but that's you Ole's guy, the Bear. He is the one who stars and the Bear as the chef on that show, right and this he looks a little different, little younger in this, but again excellent.

00:02:44
Speaker 3: These are acclaimed actors. So here's the synopsis for you again. The movie is called The Rental. The Rental is a horror thriller about two couples who rent a remote coastal house for a getaway, but their trip turns into a nightmare as they realize they're being watched by.

00:03:00
Speaker 2: A sinister presence.

00:03:01
Speaker 3: The film explores themes of infidelity and escalating distrust within the group, leading to a violent confrontation with a masked killer who has a history of booby trapping other Airbnb rentals.

00:03:14
Speaker 2: How good is that premise?

00:03:17
Speaker 1: This is all This movie's almost perfect for a horror movie fan. It's almost perfect. You want good acting, but you want cabin in the woods of some kind of a thing, a getaway, couples, dynamic in the in the group that makes it causes a little tension as well, and then you don't know where the threats come from and you're trapped. This is a perfect movie for us.

00:03:40
Speaker 2: It's so true.

00:03:40
Speaker 3: It got seventy three percent on Rotten Tomatoes. I actually think it should have been higher.

00:03:44
Speaker 1: That's oh yeah, I'm a little surprised by that.

00:03:45
Speaker 3: The budget was three point five million, and sadly because it had to be released when it was, I wonder why they couldn't hold it.

00:03:51
Speaker 1: But July twenty twenty, Wow, tough.

00:03:53
Speaker 3: Wow, it only made one point six million at the box office because again, July twenty fourth, twenty twenty was its release d and it went almost straight to video on demand at that point. It had a limited release. I don't even know who was going to the theaters at that point, so it really they kind of knew they had a good movie, but it just wasn't allowed to make the money it should have.

00:04:12
Speaker 1: That sucks for him. This was his debut. I know that had to feel bad, but he's gotten very good credit and kudos for his directing.

00:04:20
Speaker 3: Absolutely, and it was so well done. So the critics consensus is this some tricky genre juggling makes The Rental a bit of a fixer upper, but effective chills and a solid cast make this a fine destination for horror fans. I thought that was kind of tepid, like kind of bland. I think it deserved a better review. So I went to go look at the top critic at Rotten Tomatoes, and I thought this was a much better way to describe it. Well, they have their top critics, the critics who are well reviewed and have had plenty of publications. So their top critic on this one said this, and I preferred this. With a sharp story that delightfully remixes all too familiar slasher elements, anchored by four come spelling performances, The Rental is a strong debut from Dave Franco that makes for satisfying summer viewing. I think so too, But then when you go in to read what the fans thought, they are just like we are loved the movie. One of the recent audience reviews said, this thank you horror movie for avoiding all the tedious tropes. The endless sneaking, creaking supposed suspense of drawn out cliches, no hiding culprits lurking with time bomb music as potential victims go blithely about their business. No hide and slash and weird industrial and other abandoned settings, no chase scenes. The killer bluntly dispatches the characters without toying with the audience. The only toying is that you're trying to make sense of the plot. Renting you could be next very refreshing.

00:05:47
Speaker 1: That's a good review. Who ever wrote that they should hire that person.

00:05:49
Speaker 2: I loved I love that.

00:05:51
Speaker 3: And one of the other ones said, this is a fresh horror movie about renting houses from strangers that will make you think twice about your next weekend getaway.

00:06:00
Speaker 1: I've I can see the place we were, but I can't remember where we were. I can see the bedroom of an airbnb reminted, and I was looking above the bed I was looking at Okay, is that is that really a smoke detector? I checked places I've done that before, especially in bathrooms, and I absolutely have done that I'm not saying this movie is totally responsible, but it puts you in that mindset.

00:06:25
Speaker 3: Yes, I think some of the many horror movies that I know in love have absolutely changed my behaviors in life, including me not liking to swim in the ocean after seeing Jaws. But yes, I think really good horror movies and still enough fear in you. And when you know some of these movies likely scenarios could possibly happen, this is one you actually change your behavior.

00:06:45
Speaker 2: So why this made our list?

00:06:47
Speaker 3: For me? This went beyond a horror movie. This was also a movie that gets into relationships. As the synopsis at Infidelity Distrust. I think it felt like a relationship drama set in the middle of a horror film, So you were almost getting two stories in one and you didn't know which one to care more about or to pay more attention to it. There was never a dull moment, and it kept me guessing the entire time.

00:07:11
Speaker 1: It was kind of beautifully shot. There were a lot of scenes in the scenery there as actually nice. But to your is your point there that what was the thing why you like this one so much? We see so many horror movies that they tried to establish in some way a storyline, but it's kind of a throwaway. It's kind of weak, not that big of a deal. I don't care if that person lives or dies. You get so if there was no horror around this movie and you were just watching four people go at it on a vacation, it would be a compelling drama.

00:07:43
Speaker 2: Yeah, and I was.

00:07:44
Speaker 3: I cared just as much if the relationship was going to succeed as whether or not they were going to survive. Like I was invested in the drama of the interpersonal relationships as much as I was the killer who was on the loose.

00:08:01
Speaker 1: But please, don't get it twisted. This is a horror movie.

00:08:03
Speaker 2: Oh, it's absolutely a horror movie.

00:08:05
Speaker 3: I just thought it was so brilliantly told, the story, the acting, the script.

00:08:09
Speaker 2: I loved it. So who is the Rental four?

00:08:13
Speaker 3: If you're looking for an intellectual horror movie, I think if you want an elevated experience beyond typical jump scares, because you wouldn't describe this movie as fun necessarily. But it's intense and it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it feels deeply personal because how many of us rent airbnbs or verbos. You and I, babe, we get airbnbs all the time. That's kind of what we do now versus even hotels. But it absolutely makes you wonder every time since I've seen this movie, who could possibly be watching?

00:08:48
Speaker 1: Where was the place we were? And they had the note in the drawer?

00:08:52
Speaker 2: Oh my goodness.

00:08:53
Speaker 1: Yes, yeah, that's not funny.

00:08:55
Speaker 3: That was a Christmas that was last Christmas. We rented a Christmas home to be there with.

00:08:59
Speaker 1: The girl, and it's said we opened the drawer in our bedroom, the dresser drawer, top drawer. Nothing in there but one little piece of paper with a note written on it that simply said we're watching you, yes, and had a smiley face on it or something. And I showed you and I showed the girl there. What is happening out? That was a mean joke.

00:09:24
Speaker 2: That's very mean.

00:09:24
Speaker 1: I hope it was a.

00:09:25
Speaker 2: Joke, and if it wasn't, I guess we'll never know.

00:09:29
Speaker 3: We were fine, we survived, but that isn't really a fun thing to see. As soon as you get into a hotel room or an airbnb, you like to unpack your back.

00:09:37
Speaker 2: So we found that note.

00:09:38
Speaker 3: You found that note almost immediately on like Christmas Eve, so there was nowhere to go, so we just had to hope that it was the smiley face made it a little less sinister.

00:09:50
Speaker 2: But sometimes smiley faces are just as scary.

00:09:53
Speaker 3: Yeah, would you agree that that's who this is for?

00:09:57
Speaker 2: Who would want to watch this? Who should check it out?

00:10:00
Speaker 1: I think there are times we get in moods where I say, Babe, I just need to see some kids running through the woods from a guy in a mask with an act.

00:10:10
Speaker 2: You've actually said that exact thing to me.

00:10:12
Speaker 1: Yes, there are those times in those moods. It's not that if you're seeking that type of movie. This isn't a slow movie at all. But this thing is a spying, tingling experience. And again, I can't say it enough. The performances are so good, and you know what, to be honest, sometimes it's hard to find great acting in a horror movie. They're not known for that. This is great acting.

00:10:37
Speaker 3: I agree, And you know what, I think this movie is for people who might not be into horror movies. I think if you aren't necessarily a big time horror fan, you might still like this because there's still so much to offer from the script and from the plot that you know, hopefully you'll be okay with some of the scares that do ensue and the horror that does actually descend.

00:10:58
Speaker 2: Upon you when you see what's happening.

00:11:00
Speaker 3: But I think you could all you could be someone who doesn't love horror movies and still love into this week.

00:11:05
Speaker 1: Yes, you should offer it to somebody. And I'm always big on like, who should you? This is the only the first one on the list so far. I think that I would say, Okay, you can watch those on your own if you want to. I am very much horror movie should be an experienced you should have someone, but this is one that I want to check those on out on your own.

00:11:21
Speaker 3: Guy.

00:11:21
Speaker 2: Yeah, all right, Okay.

00:11:22
Speaker 3: Coming back after the break, we're gonna tell you who this movie is not for, and we get very specific about this what you should pair with it, where you can watch it, and a tease ahead to tomorrow's movie. Welcome back to our deep cuts. See I'll say it if you won't, Babe Amy and TJ's countdown to the best Halloween horror movies.

00:11:49
Speaker 2: You might not know.

00:11:51
Speaker 3: It's our Halloween hit list and we are at number twenty seven and it's called the rental and.

00:11:58
Speaker 2: It is so good. So I told you what it's about.

00:12:01
Speaker 3: We told you who this movie is probably for. But I think it's just as important on this movie to tell you who it's not for. I don't think that you should watch this movie with your significant other if you are having relationship issues or trust issues. I really think it could get a little uncomfortable and hit a little too close to home and create a conversation you might not want to have.

00:12:20
Speaker 2: That's the truth.

00:12:22
Speaker 3: I also think that if you're in a party mood, this is a deeper, more chilling movie to get you thinking about how vulnerable we are when we stay in someone else's home, a stranger's home. And I also don't think it's for someone who is currently staying in a rented home. So if you're in an Airbnb or a Verbo and think it might be funny to watch this movie, as long as you have a good sense of humor and don't freak out too much, I guess you could do it, but I wouldn't recommend because I think you'd end up feeling a little paranoid.

00:12:50
Speaker 1: Uh, you know what you say that. But if we were in an airba, this is exactly a movie you'd want to watch.

00:12:56
Speaker 3: I'm a glutton for ponish. Yes, I would absolutely seek this out when.

00:12:59
Speaker 1: I'm I'm pretty sure you have suggested this.

00:13:02
Speaker 3: When I know that I'm about to go snorkeling the next day, I'll go watch a short movie.

00:13:07
Speaker 2: Yes, I like to do that to myself. But I'm weird like that. I would say most people probably wouldn't prefer that. I'm just different I and again mine was.

00:13:15
Speaker 1: This is not for folks who want to see a traditional horror movie, if you will, a traditional slash or a traditional even predictable type movie. This is not for I'm trying to remember just how gruesome it got.

00:13:33
Speaker 3: I mean, it's not gory, but it's it's definitely, like you said, a horror movie. I mean, there are deaths, there are murders, and they are good. When I say good, I mean well done.

00:13:44
Speaker 1: We get it.

00:13:44
Speaker 3: We're not rooting for death, but kind of in a horror movie. It's the one time you.

00:13:47
Speaker 1: Can you're talking to fellow horror movie fans. We get it. You don't have to follow that.

00:13:50
Speaker 3: I felt like I needed to, I don't know, explain that, or at least qualify that.

00:13:54
Speaker 1: After you said that the death was good. Yeah, I could see out of context that would bother some people. I don't I don't know if this you know what, I wouldn't want to watch this with a group because you have to listen, you have to study, and if you have too many people around and too many people want to chime in, and they would, they would. I think that'd be a problem for me.

00:14:13
Speaker 2: Okay, I get that. So what would you parrot with?

00:14:15
Speaker 3: What's the ambiance, what's the food, what's the drink? What do you think goes with this setting?

00:14:19
Speaker 1: Of the movies we've had so far, this is the first one I would say, knock yourself out, have a full meal, go ahead, make a fine, fine dinner, have a fine wine. Finish in the first forty five minutes to an hour of the movie. But it gives you. I think you're focused and it's intense and you're listening and you're learning, and it doesn't get violent just yet that early on. This is one I don't even think this is a popcorn movie.

00:14:44
Speaker 3: See I was gonna say, I think it's a classic popcorn movie because it's like that, you settle in, you got your popcorn.

00:14:49
Speaker 2: I also so I got specific. I think this movie speaks to a chilled.

00:14:54
Speaker 3: Glass of chardonnay, like it's like one of those nice because it's and full, and it feels a little elegant. And I know the setting and the scene. It's a very nice airbnb that they're staying out along the coast. It just it feels like a like a really nice vacation drink at night, like maybe a chilly night.

00:15:14
Speaker 2: There's a hot tub scene.

00:15:15
Speaker 3: I remember I just imagined having a glass of chardonnay in my hand when I watched this movie.

00:15:20
Speaker 1: I'm seeing flank steak and a nice mailback.

00:15:26
Speaker 3: Okay, I don't think we're that far. I think we're shardenay and popcorn. You're a malbeck and a flank steak. I think we could actually maybe even switch off. I'll have some of your steak, you can have some of my popcorn.

00:15:36
Speaker 1: Will are we?

00:15:38
Speaker 3: By the way, I also said that I thought you could watch this one alone, and again, I think if you're watching with someone else, make sure there's no skeletons in the room where you feel like. This is bringing up some stuff I didn't want to talk about. So I just feel like maybe it's best just to make sure you know who you're watching the movie with if you have company with you.

00:15:55
Speaker 2: But it's so actually it's wonderful to watch this one on your own.

00:15:58
Speaker 1: You know of the episodes we've done so or I think you just gave evidence of why we're taking this so seriously. I think that is the best nugget of advice from a critic you're gonna get about a movie, to say, hey, just a heads up. Not about the gore, not about the violence, but on a personal level, this could shake and rattle your relationship, right if you're not solid, because there's so much distrust among the couples and they're sowing these doubts and they just feel like, ooh, if I was on shaky ground with someone, this would not be the movie I would want to see with them.

00:16:36
Speaker 2: I don't want to talk about that, don't want to broach that subject. Let's move on.

00:16:40
Speaker 1: So that's very good advice. I'm seriously, that is like very useful advice.

00:16:44
Speaker 2: I think so too. All right, well, I'm glad you enjoyed that. So here's where you can watch it.

00:16:48
Speaker 3: This one is actually widely available if you have Hulu, Disney Plus, AMC, Plus it all comes with your subscription. So this is something we highly suggest you watched tonight, especially if you're on your own this evening. All right, Tomorrow we have another fun movie that I am willing to bet most of you have not seen. It was not well reviewed, but we loved it, and I guess we can give you this hint. Tomorrow's movie involves mirrors. Be careful what you see in the reflection. And with that, thank you for listening to our wonderful series. We're having so much fun doing it. We hope you have loved listening to it because you got the rest of October for a new horror movie to watch each and every day.

00:17:34
Speaker 2: I made me Robock alongside TJ. Holmes.

00:17:36
Speaker 3: Have a great, great evening, everyone,