Halloween Unmasked

In our third and final episode, Quentin the video store clerk transforms into Quentin the big-shot filmmaker. It sounds like another L.A. fairy tale, but here's a fuller version of the story with 'Hollywood Shuffle' and 'Boogie Nights' as Quentin's inspiration and competition—including a fist pump from Dolph Lundgren and a phone call from Paul Thomas Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quentin Tarantino sees everything these days—even the occasional Marvel movie. But in 1973, the year everyone was flocking to see 'Enter the Dragon,' a 10-year-old Tarantino spent most of his time in Knoxville, Tennessee, wishing he could click his heels and go back home to California. By the time 'Valley Girl' opened, he was dialed into mass culture but not yet able to create it. Join us for Episode 2 as we follow Quentin through the '70s and into the '80s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the late ’60s, young Quentin Tarantino saw the surrealistic revenge thriller ‘Point Blank.’ This pioneering genre-buster shares Quentin's ambitions and anxieties, leading to connections that can be drawn straight to his directorial debut, ‘Reservoir Dogs.’ It also reminds him of the film he considers his own undiscovered classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing a special three-part podcast miniseries with the director himself that will explore his career, life, and movie obsessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The new sequel is out—and breaking box office records. Forty years later, what new ideas drive us to revisit Haddonfield? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who wears a mask and just won't die? The fans who've kept the franchise alive for 40 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every creature has a fear reflex. But only humans choose to freak ourselves out on purpose at scary movies. What's going on in our brains—and how did John Carpenter take advantage of our need to scream? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ultimate debate is here. Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Michael Myers. Which iconic slasher villain slays the competition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When 'Halloween' becomes a huge hit, copycat slasher flicks hope to score a quick buck—and make Siskel and Ebert furious. Meanwhile, Michael Myers trudges on through nine sequels of mixed quality. Keep pace as we run through every film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Lee Curtis was born to scream. As a baby, her mom got stabbed in Psycho. As an awkward teen, she said "Yes!" to the role that made her a second generation scream queen -- and "Hell no!" to the final girl fixation on Laurie Strode's virginity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A psychological profile of Michael Myers and the real-life murderers who inspired him. The boogeyman is real. But Dr. Loomis screwed up his treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did four friends make a slasher classic? By accident. Join Carpenter and Co. on their stumbling path to the 'Halloween' set, where these goofy kids inadvertently became horror legends. Credits: Halloween Unmasked is a co-production of The Ringer and Neon Hum Media, it was written and hosted by Amy Nicholson Our Producers are Jonathan Hirsch, Zach Mack and Greta Weber Production assistance from Kaya McMullen and Karan Nevatia Additional support and a special thanks to Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Juliet Litman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet young John Carpenter. Popular but strange, this intensely creative kid grows up surrounded by horrors that will inspire him to make 'Halloween'—and change film history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Halloween Unmasked’ is an eight-part podcast series from The Ringer celebrating the remarkable and terrifying phenomenon of America’s most revolutionary horror film, 'Halloween.' Hosted by film critic Amy Nicholson, the show dives deep into the ‘Halloween’ franchise, unpacking John Carpenter's accidental classic, Jamie Lee Curtis's legacy as the ultimate scream queen, and psychoanalyzing the film's iconic masked killer, Michael Myers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices