Episode 261: Heart Eyes Director Josh Ruben Returns with Jaws 3D (1983)

·57 min·5 clips

Director Josh Ruben returns to discuss his Valentine's Day slasher 'Hard Eyes' and the childhood film that terrified him.

The episode begins with hosts Terry and Mary Beth welcoming back director Josh Ruben, who previously appeared four years ago promoting 'Werewolves Within'. Josh discusses his new film 'Hard Eyes', a Valentine's Day slasher about a couples-killing maniac targeting two coworkers. He reveals the film's budget is well over $15 million, significantly higher than his previous work. Josh talks about the mask design for the villain, created by Tony Gardner, and mentions losing his original mask in a house fire. He shares the rapid production timeline, pitching on Valentine's Day 2024 and releasing the film within a year. The conversation covers his work on Dropout shows and a favorite skit with comedians Hannah Pilkus and Anna Garcia. Josh then discusses his role in 'Creep Tapes', acting opposite Mark Duplass, whom he credits as an inspiration. He praises Duplass for charitable donations to displaced families. The episode transitions to Josh's scarred-for-life film, 'Jaws 3D', which he saw as a child under age nine. He describes being terrified by scenes like a diver pinned against a gate by a shark and worrying about dolphins. The hosts and Josh explore the film's production history, including Richard Matheson's involvement and Dennis Quaid's admission of cocaine use during filming. They discuss other 'Jaws' sequels, with Josh expressing love for 'Jaws: The Revenge'. The episode ends with ratings for 'Jaws 3D': Terry gives three slow-moving sharks, Mary Beth gives three and a half, and Josh gives three.

As heard by us

Josh Rubin's horror memories move from werewolf hands and Hugh Grant to an affectionate defense of Jaws 3D.

Josh Rubin returns to Scarred for Life with Jaws 3D, with the conversation shaped by the gap between childhood scares and grown-up horror fandom.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a horror conversation that drifts from Hugh Grant chilling the room to Josh Rubin bringing Jaws 3D back into the light.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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