The Socially Distanced Podcast was created by two pop culture-obsessed dads during COVID who decided to take their Facebook messenger conversations and turn them into a podcast. In 2022 they brought their friend, a pop culture-obsessed mom to the show, and things got even better!
It’s Spooky Szn, and Socially Distanced proudly presents its annual Halloween Episode. This All Hallows’ Week, we’re discussing the 25th Anniversary of the all-time cult classic, Donnie Darko.
Join Pop Break’s Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin, “The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia” Amanda Rivas, and Pop Break Podcast Director Alex Marcus as they time-travel back to 2001 and break down the film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Jenna Malone, and Mary McDonnell.
They discuss how they discovered the film, which initially bombed at the box office, and how it blew their collective minds. They reframe the argument to discuss how the film has aged and how much they relate to certain adult characters. They discuss the incredible soundtrack, which included Gary Jules’ cover of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World,” which went on to dominate the US and UK charts in 2004. They unravel the film’s time-travel conundrums and show their disdain for the potential sequels being discussed.
In the pre-game segment, Amanda and Bill talk about their Halloween traditions, like watching Disney’s Ichabod Crane, listening to scary music, and putting up their decorations in August. Alex, not a Halloween guy, discusses how 2026 has been a great year for film – especially horror.
