WHAT WENT WRONG

Listen Now: American Hysteria - Movie Curses

October 10, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The episode is a preview crossover where hosts Chris and Lizzie of WHAT WENT WRONG discuss movie curses with Chelsey Weber-Smith, host of American Hysteria, which explores how fantastical thinking shapes culture. 
  • The hosts reveal a spectrum of belief regarding the paranormal, ranging from Lizzie's willingness to be easily convinced to Chris's strong skepticism rooted in humanist principles and a desire to rationalize patterns. 
  • The discussion begins with an analysis of *The Exorcist* (1973), noting its effectiveness as a drama exploring a crisis of faith, particularly resonating with adult viewers due to themes of parental helplessness, rather than just relying on jump scares. 

Segments

T-Mobile Home Internet Ad
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(00:00:01)
  • Key Takeaway: T-Mobile Home Internet is advertised for $35 a month with a five-year price guarantee.
  • Summary: T-Mobile is promoting its home internet service, highlighting a price point of $35 per month. This price includes a five-year guarantee, offering long-term rate stability. The advertisement also mentions requirements like autopay and having any voice line.
Episode Introduction and Guests
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(00:01:01)
  • Key Takeaway: WHAT WENT WRONG is previewing its crossover episode on movie curses with American Hysteria host.
  • Summary: The hosts of WHAT WENT WRONG introduce Chelsey Weber-Smith, host of American Hysteria, for a discussion on film curses. American Hysteria focuses on how fantastical thinking shapes culture, covering topics like moral panics, urban legends, and fringe beliefs. The preview promises an exploration of whether movie curses are real or driven by other factors.
Movie Curse Sales Pitch
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(00:01:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The concept of a movie curse functions as an effective marketing tool to heighten perceived reality and risk.
  • Summary: The idea that a movie set was haunted or cursed serves as a powerful sales pitch to suspend audience disbelief. This narrative suggests the film is so real it risks the people involved. Chelsey Weber-Smith notes this narrative tactic is compelling for selling horror content.
Hosts’ Paranormal Stances
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(00:04:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Lizzie is easily convinced by paranormal claims, while Chris identifies as a skeptic who rationalizes tragedy clusters through social and psychological forces.
  • Summary: Lizzie admits she is easily convinced by ghost stories but also easily convinced they are fake, enjoying the fun of the idea. Chris identifies as a skeptic and humanist, preferring to explain clustered tragedies through social conditions, marketing gimmicks, or pattern rationalization. Chelsey lands in the middle, leaning toward sociological explanations but acknowledging personal unexplained experiences.
Analyzing The Exorcist Curse
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(00:08:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The Exorcist (1973) is fundamentally a drama about a crisis of faith, with its horror deriving from parental helplessness and challenging established belief systems.
  • Summary: The discussion begins with The Exorcist, which Chris notes is not schlocky compared to later satanic panic films. The film’s terror is rooted in Father Karras’s crisis of faith and the upsetting reality of a child suffering, rather than relying on jump scares. It resonated culturally during the 1970s political and economic instability, reflecting a broader national crisis of faith.
Blue Apron Ad Read
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(00:12:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Blue Apron offers meal kits without a required weekly subscription, using code APRON20 for a discount.
  • Summary: Blue Apron is advertised as an option for receiving delicious meals without the commitment of a weekly subscription plan. Listeners can receive 20% off their first two orders by using the code APRON20. Terms and conditions apply, and further details are available at blueapron.com/slash terms.