The Scarecrow Video Psychotronic Challenge

31 days • October • 2025

“Once I even called him… airhead.”

Psychotronic:

-adjective

Denoting or relating to a genre of films that typically have a science fiction, horror, or fantasy theme and were made on a low budget.

-Oxford English Dictionary

'We staff don’t necessarily subscribe to the low budget part of that definition since movies like Jurassic World: Rebirth and Predator: Badlands are not exactly low budget affairs but are well within the above mentioned sub-genres. That being said, we do like an underdog more often than not and when you're challenging the mean you might as well have a lot of fun pushing yourself to new lows.

The basic guidelines are:

• Watch at least 1 movie per day during the month of October in whatever order suits you.

• Must fall within the psychotronic definition.

• Have fun and get weird.

• If you see something, say something! Post your watches on social media and make sure to tag them with #SCVpsychochallenge. @scarecrowvideo (Letterboxd, Bluesky) @scarecrow.video.official (instagram) and @scarecrow.video (TikTok)

Now for the watch list:

1. INTRODUCING…: A well-known actor’s first movie. Bonus points if it has an “introducing” credit.

2. FANGS FOR WATCHING: Charm your senses with an anguine flick.

3. SIMIAN CINEMA: Grab a six-pack of bananas and watch a primate film. Something appeeling.

4. MYTHICAL CREATURES: Though they are hard to capture, you must see one in this feature

5. SHRIEKS & SQUEALS: This one’s gotta have that sound that makes the hairs on your neck stand up and sends shivers down your spine.

6. SQUEAKY REELS: [whispers] This one came out in 1925. Shhhhh!

7. NOW THAT’S BRASS: Skewer the end of week one with a thrust of metal - be it precious or, better yet, base.

8. HOLY WEDNESDAY: ...And on the 8th day the Physical Media God watches a Christploitation flick.

9. MASTER OF DISASTER: Watch any Irwin Allen offering.

10. ESTIMATION…DECIMATION: Today’s forecast is mushroom cloudy with a 100% chance of radiation.

11. DYSTOPIAN FUTURE: Polite society just ain’t what it used to be.

12. MOROSE CODE: Nestle into your favorite dark place to view a Gothic horror piece.

13. HOLLYWOODLAND BACK: Made by an indigenous filmmaker or has featured indigenous cast members.

14. “SHUT THE FACE UP”: Watch a TV edit of an R rated movie, you fairy godmother.

15. GOES WITHOUT SAYING: Feast your eyes on something with little to no dialogue at all.

16. SEQUELAR SUBTITULAR: You know how sequels sometimes have clever subtitles? Like House II: The Second Story…

17. THE WATCHENING: Today’s film title should end with an -ing.

18. VIDEO STORE DAY: This is the big one. Watch something physically rented or bought from an actual video store. If you live in a place that is unfortunate enough not to have one of these archival treasures then watch a movie with a video store scene in it at least. #vivaphysicalmedia

19. THE ABANDONED PLACE: This spooky classic trope that must inhabit tonight’s viewing.

20. DANCE DANCE DEVOLUTION: Today’s viewing soiree must some kind of mutant, freak, or genetic mishappening.

21. TWINNERS CIRCLE: Scientists rejoice! Human cloning has been achieved.

22. WRECK TANGLE: Rubberneck a car crash scene.

23. SURVIVORS?: If anything walks away from a plane crash, the chances of it being healthy are pretty slim.

24. IN YOUR DREAMS: Heavy on the dream sequence, Jack.

25. ELECTRIC SLIP’n’SLIDE: Wriggle your way through a sloppy/goopy good time flick.

26. THAR SHE GLOWS: There be a light house in this plot.

27. TRANCING AND HYPNOTISM: Gold watches ain’t just for retirement.

28. THIS IS JEOPARDY: Ken says you must solve the clues to survive the predicament.

29. “OCCULT”URAL CENTER: This one’s gotta have a supernatural hotspot in it.

30. DEVIL’S NIGHT: Mischief, mayhem or pranks - oh my!

31. I REMEMBER HALLOWEEN: This night, anything goes.

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