Johnny Restall
banner
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Johnny Restall
@johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Writes and podcasts about films, usually cult thrillers and horror. Likes movies, music, reading, drawing. My work can be found at: https://linktr.ee/JohnnyRestall
Join me and @grumpyandrew.bsky.social as we pass each other the runes and invoke Jacques Tourneur's NIGHT OF THE DEMON (1957) for the series-finale episode of The Thriller Cabinet Podcast.

Available via Spotify, Apple, and here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
40 years ago today, William Friedkin's TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. was released in the USA - a thrilling but withering takedown of sociopathic machismo on both sides of the law.

If you'd like to read more, here's a piece I wrote on it a while back:

wearecult.rocks/fake-it-till...
November 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Next month on The Thriller Cabinet Podcast:

"It's in the trees! It's coming!"
October 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
If you'd like an even darker Holmes-Vs-Ripper tale, I highly recommend Michael Dibdin's book 'The Last Sherlock Holmes Story' too, if you can track it down...
October 26, 2025 at 10:03 AM
As Sherlock-Holmes-vs-Jack-The-Ripper film A STUDY IN TERROR (1965) was released 60 years ago this month, here's my piece for Rue Morgue comparing & contrasting it with Bob Clark's similarly-themed MURDER BY DECREE (1979):

rue-morgue.com/sherlock-hol...
October 26, 2025 at 9:54 AM
This month on The Thriller Cabinet, writer/critic Mario Dhingsa and myself take a trip to Amity Island for a dip in the water to discuss Steven Spielberg's mighty JAWS (1975).

Join us at your peril!

Available on Spotify, Apple, and here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
We take to the high seas on next month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast. I'm sure the resident marine life will take kindly to our excursion...

Coming Soon!
September 27, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Join @gemseddon.bsky.social and myself as we discuss Rob Reiner's MISERY (1990) on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast.

Bates & Caan, Stephen King, hobblings - it's all here just waiting for its Number One Fans...

Available on Spotify, Apple and here: thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I had the absolute privilege of joining @top100pod.bsky.social to discuss Carol Reed's glorious noir THE THIRD MAN (1949) this month.

It's hard to do full justice to such an immortal classic, but I gave it my best shot...

Available wherever you get your podcasts!
September 6, 2025 at 7:42 AM
So, did he get out of the cockadoodie car or not?

Find out next month on the next episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast.

Coming Soon...
August 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Join me and @fatscoleman.bsky.social on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet as we examine Michael Mann's MANHUNTER (1986) - the first screen adaptation of Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lecter novels, but far more than just that...

Find it on Spotify, Apple or here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I've written a piece for Fangoria celebrating 40 years of FRIGHT NIGHT (1985), particularly the character arc and glorious empathy of Roddy McDowall's Peter Vincent - a truly radical hero who seems more relevant than ever today.

www.fangoria.com/fright-night...
August 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Next month on The Thriller Cabinet podcast, we'll be trying to decide just who is hunting who...

Coming Soon!
July 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
This month on The Thriller Cabinet Podcast, I'm joined by @mrstevehunt.bsky.social to talk CAPE FEAR - comparing & contrasting J. Lee Thompson's 1962 original with Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake. Which will come out on top?

Listen via Spotify or Apple, or download here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
July 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Delighted to guest on @mrstevehunt.bsky.social's excellent Boxing Movie Podcast discussing the desolate beauty of FAT CITY (1972), starring Stacy Keach, Susan Tyrrell, Jeff Bridges and Candy Clark.

Have a listen here, or find it on Spotify etc.:
boxingmoviepodcast.alitu.com/episode/14a5...
July 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Next month on The Thriller Cabinet, we'll be meeting Sam and Max. They don't get on well in 1962 or in 1991. But which version is best? Looks like they'll just have to fight it out...

Coming Soon!
June 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
40 years ago today, R.E.M. released their third album: the strange, subdued, and endlessly rewarding 'Fables of the Reconstruction.'

Here's my article from a few years back celebrating the evasive, rich and utterly beguiling beauty of their first three albums:

wearecult.rocks/murmurations...
June 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This month on The Thriller Cabinet Podcast, join me and @theharvestmaid.bsky.social as we travel through time to explore the endless eerie enigmas of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK (1975).

Available through Spotify, Apple, or from Libsyn here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Next month on The Thriller Cabinet Podcast, we're taking a trip through time back to Valentine's Day in the year 1900, for a genteel school trip to the countryside.

What could possibly go wrong?

Coming Soon...
May 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
New door sign, courtesy of the fantastic @hiddenbritain.bsky.social.
(Sadly, it doesn't come with a complimentary supply of vintage synths and magnetic tape.)
May 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Join me and @jamesstoorie.bsky.social on the Thriller Cabinet Podcast as we discuss the dank, watery terrors of Henri-Georges Clouzot's classic film LES DIABOLIQUES (1955). You may never bathe again...

Available now via Spotify, Apple, or here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Next month on The Thriller Cabinet Podcast, we'll be finding out that bath time can be absolute...Murder!

Coming Soon...

#podcast #horror #thrillers #filmsky
April 28, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Time to wish a Happy 90th Birthday to THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN!

Originally premiering in the US on this day in 1935, it remains eerie, witty, subversive and beautiful to this day. Arguably not just a wonderful sequel but one of the very finest films you could hope to see.

"Friend...?"
April 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Fancy some Easter listening? Try THE THRILLER CABINET podcast...

We've risen again with a new episode on SECONDS, & there's an entire 1st series of in-depth film chat with expert guests for your listening pleasure too!

Available via Spotify, Apple or here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
April 18, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The Thriller Cabinet Podcast returns! For our 1st episode, we dissect John Frankenheimer's astonishing SECONDS (1966). Join me and @jezconolly.bsky.social as we talk identity, body horror & wild camerawork...

Available via Spotify & Apple, or download from Libsyn here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM