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.
