The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel

This week we’re joined by writer/director Edward Drake to talk about the making of Detective Knight: Redemption and his journey from Australia to directing feature films in Hollywood.
Edward shares what it was like stepping behind the camera for an action franchise entry, navigating indie filmmaking realities, and collaborating with major talent — all while carving out his own voice as a storyteller.
We get into everything, including:
🎬 Directing Detective Knight: Redemption and building tension within a contained action thriller
🎥 His path from Australia to directing music videos and breaking into feature filmmaking
💥 Transitioning from indie horror roots to larger-scale action projects
🎞️ Working with Bruce Willis across multiple films and what he learned from the experience
📝 Wearing both the writer and director hat — balancing story with production realities
🎬 His new documentary “The Ascent” is premiering at SXSW in March 2026
👉 SXSW Profile: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/contributors/2246390
🌍 The difference between narrative features and documentary storytelling
🎯 Advice for aspiring filmmakers trying to make the leap from shorts/music videos to features
Edward gives an honest look at modern indie filmmaking — the hustle, the pivots, and the lessons learned along the way.

🎬 Learn more about Edward Drake:
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4864836/
SXSW (“The Ascent”): https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/contributors/2246390
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 More episodes, interviews & sequel reviews: sequelsonly.com
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And come back next week as we continue our sequel coverage with more action, more deep dives, and more behind-the-scenes stories.

This week, The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel revisits Psycho IV: The Beginning, the made-for-TV prequel/sequel that dives back into the twisted psyche of Norman Bates — and we’re joined by horror sequel expert Chris Egan to help unpack it all.
Serving as both an origin story and a continuation, Psycho IV explores Norman’s traumatic past while connecting directly to the legacy of one of horror’s most iconic characters.
We dig into everything, including:
🔪 How the film humanizes Norman Bates while still embracing his darkness
📞 The late-night radio call-in framing device and why it works (and sometimes doesn’t)
🧠 Henry Thomas portraying young Norman and expanding the character’s tragic origins
🎭 Anthony Perkins’ return and the emotional weight he brings to the role
🏚️ Mother, trauma, and the psychological themes that drive the story
📺 Made-for-TV limitations vs. surprisingly strong storytelling choices
👨‍⚕️ Susan’s dad from Seinfeld showing up as the doctor (and stealing scenes)
🔥 CCH Pounder and Olivia Hussey absolutely crushing their roles
❤️ The surprising number of women who fall for Normie
🎬 Where Psycho IV fits within the franchise and whether it delivers a satisfying conclusion
Chris Egan brings deep sequel knowledge, horror passion, and sharp insights that make this conversation essential listening for franchise fans and horror completists alike.
🎥 Watch the full, unedited video review:
👉 sequelsonly.com/psycho4
🎬 Next Up: Detective Knight: Redemption 🔥
We also chatted with director Edward Drake, who shared his journey from Australia to directing music videos, moving into indie horror, and ultimately working with Bruce Willis across multiple films.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who still hears Mother’s voice.

Next week, we are discussing Psycho IV: The Beginning, and this week we’re talking with the film’s director, horror legend Mick Garris.
Before we break down Norman Bates’ origin story, we sit down with the man behind the camera to explore one of the most fascinating careers in genre filmmaking. From Amblin to Stephen King adaptations, from Star Wars to Spielberg, Mick’s Hollywood journey is packed with stories you truly can’t make up.
We get into everything, including:
🎬 His incredible journey from journalist to filmmaker and how persistence opened doors in Hollywood
🏢 Working at Amblin and the moment he impressed Steven Spielberg
🌌 His time working around the Star Wars universe — and operating R2-D2 on the Oscars red carpet
🕺 Appearing in Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video and being part of a cultural phenomenon
🧙 The surprising origins of Hocus Pocus and how the idea first came to life
🐱 Mark Hamill’s unforgettable cameo in Sleepwalkers
🔥 The realities of directing in Hollywood — studio pressures, creative battles, and protecting story
🔪 Directing Psycho IV and honoring one of horror’s most legendary legacies
🎥 One-line looks at the films that shaped his career: Sleepwalkers, The Stand, Critters 2, The Shining (miniseries), and more
Mick brings humor, humility, and decades of firsthand Hollywood experience, making this a must-listen for horror fans, film lovers, and anyone fascinated by how movies actually get made.
🎥 Watch the full, unedited interview:
sequelsonly.com/mickgarris
🎬 Your Homework:
Rewatch Psycho IV: The Beginning — pay attention to how it reframes Norman’s story and adds psychological depth to one of cinema’s most iconic characters.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who still hears violins every time they step into the shower.

This week, The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel dives headfirst into the glossy, twist-obsessed world of Wild Things 2 — the direct-to-video sequel that tries very hard to out-sleaze, out-twist, and out-confuse the original.
From soap-opera logic to sudden betrayals, Wild Things 2 is the kind of movie that makes you question everything… including whether the script was written in chronological order.
We break down all the madness, including:
🕵️‍♂️ The insurance agent who acts like he’s James Bond (and absolutely believes it)
🔀 The nonstop twists — double-crosses, triple-crosses, and “wait, what?” reveals
🤯 Scenes that completely fall apart once you know the ending
💄 The early-2000s vibes, glossy aesthetics, and straight-to-DVD energy
🐍 The impossible task of living up to the original Wild Things
🎭 Performances that range from surprisingly solid to gloriously unhinged
💰 Money, manipulation, and motivations that make less sense the longer you think about them
✨ And plenty more ridiculous sequel chaos that only the Wild Things franchise could deliver
Whether you love trashy thrillers or just enjoy watching movies that confidently make zero sense, this one is a blast to unpack.
🎥 Watch the full, unedited review:
sequelsonly.com/WildThings2
🎭 Next Up: Psycho IV 🔪🧠
And for it, we’re talking with legendary writer and director Mick Garris — the mind behind some of the most iconic horror and genre projects of the last few decades.
We’ll be diving into Psycho IV, exploring Norman Bates’ legacy, Hitchcock’s shadow, and how this sequel/prequel tried to reinvent a horror classic.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who still thinks they can predict a Wild Things ending.

This week, we’re diving into the steamy, twist-filled sequel Wild Things 2 (now streaming on Tubi) — and for it, we’re joined by casting director Michael Testa, the man behind the scenes helping shape countless careers and characters in Hollywood.
Casting directors rarely get the spotlight, but Michael’s stories prove just how much power, chaos, and instinct go into choosing the right actor for the right role.
We get into everything, including:
🎥 How Michael landed his very first gig thanks to an unexpected connection — his uncle, the Chief of Police
📺 His early casting credits, from small projects to bigger opportunities like Roswell and A Deadly Adoption
🌟 Casting Jennifer Lawrence on Cold Case before she became a global superstar
🔥 Fighting to get James Franco cast early in his career — before Hollywood fully caught on
🎭 What casting really looks like behind the scenes: pressure, politics, instincts, and gut feelings

Michael brings honesty, humor, and a rare insider perspective on Hollywood that you almost never hear - making this episode a must-listen for film fans, aspiring actors, and anyone obsessed with behind-the-scenes stories.

🎥 Michael's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0856443/

🎬 Your Homework:
Watch Wild Things 2 on Tubi — it’s packed with twists, ridiculous drama, and peak direct-to-video sequel energy. After hearing Michael’s stories, you’ll never look at casting the same way again.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who thinks casting directors “just pick actors.”