{"id":130,"date":"2025-11-05T17:10:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T17:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/?p=130"},"modified":"2026-05-14T23:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:03:29","slug":"podcast-235-trick-r-treat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/?p=130","title":{"rendered":"Podcast 235: Trick &#8216;r Treat"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"130\" class=\"elementor elementor-130\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c98f072 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7c98f072\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bc48e0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4bc48e0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/player-v2\/?share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=1&amp;fonts=Verdana&amp;skin=c73a3a&amp;btn-skin=1b1b1b&amp;multiple_size=515&amp;square_size=300&amp;order=episodic&amp;filter=all&amp;limit=100&amp;season=all&amp;tag=all&amp;font-color=auto&amp;i=xgzte-19b2ecb-pb\" width=\"800\" height=\"150\" scrolling=\"no\" data-name=\"pb-iframe-player\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p><p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"379\">Movie Title: <strong data-start=\"13\" data-end=\"31\">Trick \u2019r Treat<\/strong><br data-start=\"31\" data-end=\"34\" \/>Release Date: <strong data-start=\"48\" data-end=\"68\">December 9, 2007<\/strong> \u2014 festival premiere at Butt-Numb-A-Thon; <strong data-start=\"110\" data-end=\"129\">October 6, 2009<\/strong> \u2014 U.S. home video release<br data-start=\"155\" data-end=\"158\" \/>Runtime: <strong data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"181\">82 minutes<\/strong><br data-start=\"181\" data-end=\"184\" \/>Director: <strong data-start=\"194\" data-end=\"215\">Michael Dougherty<\/strong><br data-start=\"215\" data-end=\"218\" \/>Screenplay Written By: <strong data-start=\"241\" data-end=\"262\">Michael Dougherty<\/strong><br data-start=\"262\" data-end=\"265\" \/>Based On: <strong data-start=\"275\" data-end=\"351\">Inspired by Michael Dougherty\u2019s 1996 animated short <em data-start=\"329\" data-end=\"349\">Season\u2019s Greetings<\/em><\/strong><br data-start=\"351\" data-end=\"354\" \/>Is it a remake?: <strong data-start=\"371\" data-end=\"377\">No<\/strong><\/p><p data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"393\">Main Cast:<\/p><ul data-start=\"394\" data-end=\"762\"><li data-section-id=\"155jkr3\" data-start=\"394\" data-end=\"426\">Dylan Baker \u2014 Steven Wilkins<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1jgalye\" data-start=\"427\" data-end=\"453\">Rochelle Aytes \u2014 Maria<\/li><li data-section-id=\"18tld4m\" data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"490\">Quinn Lord \u2014 Sam \/ Peeping Tommy<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ytv42g\" data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"522\">Lauren Lee Smith \u2014 Danielle<\/li><li data-section-id=\"us1udk\" data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"548\">Moneca Delain \u2014 Janet<\/li><li data-section-id=\"otywf3\" data-start=\"549\" data-end=\"576\">Tahmoh Penikett \u2014 Henry<\/li><li data-section-id=\"14f64cm\" data-start=\"577\" data-end=\"602\">Brett Kelly \u2014 Charlie<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1gnrcdi\" data-start=\"603\" data-end=\"628\">Britt McKillip \u2014 Macy<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1xaxlcq\" data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"655\">Isabelle Deluce \u2014 Sara<\/li><li data-section-id=\"f5czv2\" data-start=\"656\" data-end=\"688\">Jean-Luc Bilodeau \u2014 Schrader<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1bwnkaw\" data-start=\"689\" data-end=\"713\">Anna Paquin \u2014 Laurie<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1wukccx\" data-start=\"714\" data-end=\"739\">Brian Cox \u2014 Mr. Kreeg<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1omw3m1\" data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"762\">Leslie Bibb \u2014 Emma<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"773\"><br \/>Budget:<\/p><ul data-start=\"774\" data-end=\"859\"><li data-section-id=\"215nq1\" data-start=\"774\" data-end=\"859\"><strong data-start=\"776\" data-end=\"791\">$12 million<\/strong> reported production budget.<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"874\"><br \/>Box Office:<\/p><ul data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1046\"><li data-section-id=\"1pntciq\" data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1046\"><strong data-start=\"877\" data-end=\"888\">$27,909<\/strong> reported gross, reflecting its very limited theatrical\/re-release footprint rather than a normal wide theatrical run.<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1048\" data-end=\"1057\"><br \/>Awards:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1234\"><li data-section-id=\"689205\" data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1126\"><strong data-start=\"1060\" data-end=\"1101\">2008 Screamfest Horror Film Festival:<\/strong> Audience Choice Award.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1o7eda3\" data-start=\"1127\" data-end=\"1234\"><strong data-start=\"1129\" data-end=\"1171\">2009 Toronto After Dark Film Festival:<\/strong> Silver Audience Award.<br \/><br \/><\/li><\/ul><hr data-start=\"1236\" data-end=\"1241\" \/><h2 data-section-id=\"1wbc45i\" data-start=\"1243\" data-end=\"1267\">Short Plot Summary:<\/h2><p data-start=\"1268\" data-end=\"1649\">On Halloween night in the fictional town of Warren Valley, Ohio, several interwoven horror stories unfold around people who break Halloween traditions. A mysterious trick-or-treater named Sam appears throughout the night, enforcing the holiday\u2019s rules. The film uses a nonlinear anthology structure, with the stories overlapping and revealing connections as the night progresses.<br \/><br \/><\/p><hr data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"1656\" \/><h2 data-section-id=\"1ee8qkh\" data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1674\">Key Quotes:<\/h2><ul data-start=\"1675\" data-end=\"1941\"><li data-section-id=\"1t68wxi\" data-start=\"1675\" data-end=\"1722\">\u201cAlways check your candy.\u201d \u2014 Steven Wilkins<\/li><li data-section-id=\"10gqvau\" data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1786\">\u201cNever blow out a jack-o\u2019-lantern before midnight.\u201d \u2014 Henry<\/li><li data-section-id=\"127oz7b\" data-start=\"1787\" data-end=\"1847\">\u201cCharlie, you need to learn the rules.\u201d \u2014 Steven Wilkins<\/li><li data-section-id=\"nyo2u5\" data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1941\">\u201cThis is the one night when the dead, and all sorts of other things, roam free.\u201d \u2014 Rhonda<br \/><br \/><\/li><\/ul><hr data-start=\"1943\" data-end=\"1948\" \/><h2 data-section-id=\"18oraok\" data-start=\"1950\" data-end=\"1961\">Trivia<\/h2><ul data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"7010\"><li data-section-id=\"1b8t81h\" data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"2577\"><h3 data-section-id=\"1eqwngs\" data-start=\"1965\" data-end=\"1980\">Director:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2577\"><li data-section-id=\"1yg5fs0\" data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2092\"><em data-start=\"1985\" data-end=\"2001\">Trick \u2019r Treat<\/em> was Michael Dougherty\u2019s feature directorial debut.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"kjy5es\" data-start=\"2095\" data-end=\"2201\">Dougherty had previously co-written <em data-start=\"2133\" data-end=\"2137\">X2<\/em> and <em data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2160\">Superman Returns<\/em>.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"17qyg2w\" data-start=\"2204\" data-end=\"2396\">Sam originated in Dougherty\u2019s 1996 NYU animated short <em data-start=\"2260\" data-end=\"2280\">Season\u2019s Greetings<\/em>, where the character was already presented as a Halloween trick-or-treater.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1k59d08\" data-start=\"2399\" data-end=\"2577\">Dougherty has described the film as exploring Halloween at different stages of life: childhood, young adulthood, adulthood, and old age.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"19qydpj\" data-start=\"2579\" data-end=\"3374\"><h3 data-section-id=\"wmef3n\" data-start=\"2581\" data-end=\"2602\">Cast \/ Casting:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"2605\" data-end=\"3374\"><li data-section-id=\"3zwdy3\" data-start=\"2605\" data-end=\"2814\">Quinn Lord played Sam for most of the performance; Dougherty said he wanted Sam to move like an actual child, though smaller stunt performers were used for some shots.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1f59x1j\" data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"3020\">Anna Paquin and Brian Cox had both appeared in <em data-start=\"2866\" data-end=\"2870\">X2<\/em>, which Dougherty co-wrote. Dougherty later said casting them became natural once Legendary bought the script.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"12bqnme\" data-start=\"3023\" data-end=\"3195\">Brian Cox\u2019s Mr. Kreeg segment gives the film its most direct \u201cmonster confrontation\u201d storyline, while most of the other stories hide their supernatural elements longer.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1ixgu9f\" data-start=\"3198\" data-end=\"3374\">Dylan Baker\u2019s Steven Wilkins plays against his school-principal respectability, turning a neighborhood authority figure into one of the film\u2019s darkest comic-horror reveals.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"15knyw\" data-start=\"3376\" data-end=\"3830\"><h3 data-section-id=\"1gep9xz\" data-start=\"3378\" data-end=\"3403\">Soundtrack \/ Score:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"3406\" data-end=\"3830\"><li data-section-id=\"3puptl\" data-start=\"3406\" data-end=\"3525\">The score was composed by <strong data-start=\"3434\" data-end=\"3451\">Douglas Pipes<\/strong>, who also scored <em data-start=\"3469\" data-end=\"3484\">Monster House<\/em>.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"33o3dk\" data-start=\"3528\" data-end=\"3643\">The official soundtrack\/score was released by WaterTower Music in 2009.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"jaac7g\" data-start=\"3646\" data-end=\"3830\">The score leans into gothic orchestral horror rather than a pop-heavy Halloween-party sound, supporting the film\u2019s comic-book\/folklore tone.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"1jmg0w6\" data-start=\"3832\" data-end=\"4349\"><h3 data-section-id=\"cp1zdt\" data-start=\"3834\" data-end=\"3849\">Location:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"3852\" data-end=\"4349\"><li data-section-id=\"1lwdn3e\" data-start=\"3852\" data-end=\"3962\">The story is set in the fictional town of <strong data-start=\"3896\" data-end=\"3919\">Warren Valley, Ohio<\/strong>.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1861qxa\" data-start=\"3965\" data-end=\"4145\">Filming took place in <strong data-start=\"3989\" data-end=\"4020\">Vancouver, British Columbia<\/strong>, with listed locations including Vancouver, Ladner\/Delta, and North Shore Studios.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1dy6b7l\" data-start=\"4148\" data-end=\"4349\">Dougherty, who is from Ohio, has said Ohio\u2019s \u201cnormal\u201d Midwestern surface makes it an appealing horror setting because it can hide darker elements underneath.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"1628a8q\" data-start=\"4351\" data-end=\"4775\"><h3 data-section-id=\"35qkxn\" data-start=\"4353\" data-end=\"4365\">Act 1:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"4368\" data-end=\"4775\"><li data-section-id=\"bcg4eu\" data-start=\"4368\" data-end=\"4510\">The film opens by establishing the \u201crules\u201d of Halloween, especially the danger of disrespecting jack-o\u2019-lanterns and Halloween traditions.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ben1r5\" data-start=\"4513\" data-end=\"4637\">The opening murder functions as a warning: this is a world where violating Halloween customs has immediate consequences.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"16lfsj8\" data-start=\"4640\" data-end=\"4775\">The nonlinear structure begins early, with characters and events crossing paths before the audience fully understands the timeline.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"wjrlhm\" data-start=\"4777\" data-end=\"5174\"><h3 data-section-id=\"35prh4\" data-start=\"4779\" data-end=\"4791\">Act 2:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"4794\" data-end=\"5174\"><li data-section-id=\"v07f4k\" data-start=\"4794\" data-end=\"4915\">The \u201cPrincipal\u201d story uses Halloween candy, neighborhood trust, and school authority as darkly comic horror material.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"affoop\" data-start=\"4918\" data-end=\"5064\">The \u201cSchool Bus Massacre\u201d segment introduces the town\u2019s buried urban legend and expands the film from neighborhood horror into local folklore.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1otvuvx\" data-start=\"5067\" data-end=\"5174\">Laurie\u2019s storyline initially plays like a vulnerable-virgin horror setup before reversing expectations.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"vnuwm6\" data-start=\"5176\" data-end=\"5558\"><h3 data-section-id=\"35s115\" data-start=\"5178\" data-end=\"5190\">Act 3:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"5193\" data-end=\"5558\"><li data-section-id=\"5daduk\" data-start=\"5193\" data-end=\"5328\">The Mr. Kreeg segment brings Sam into the foreground as an active enforcer of Halloween law rather than just a background observer.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"16p6i54\" data-start=\"5331\" data-end=\"5420\">The final reveals connect several stories and reframe earlier scenes from new angles.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"16w7ixt\" data-start=\"5423\" data-end=\"5558\">The ending reinforces the anthology\u2019s central rule: Halloween traditions are not decorative in this world; they are survival rules.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"7b4zfp\" data-start=\"5560\" data-end=\"6144\"><h3 data-section-id=\"5nezge\" data-start=\"5562\" data-end=\"5580\">Easter Eggs:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"5583\" data-end=\"6144\"><li data-section-id=\"1pvieed\" data-start=\"5583\" data-end=\"5762\">The film\u2019s comic-book-style opening and closing credits reflect Dougherty\u2019s stated interest in horror comics as part of the film\u2019s DNA.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1x15ofy\" data-start=\"5765\" data-end=\"5902\">Sam\u2019s name is commonly understood as a shortened nod to <strong data-start=\"5823\" data-end=\"5834\">Samhain<\/strong>, the ancient festival often associated with Halloween traditions.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ol5wjw\" data-start=\"5905\" data-end=\"6044\">The film\u2019s title uses the phrase \u201ctrick or treat,\u201d but with the middle word removed, emphasizing the threat beneath the holiday ritual.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"h452ht\" data-start=\"6047\" data-end=\"6144\">Sam\u2019s lollipop weapon and burlap mask became signature pieces of the character\u2019s iconography.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-section-id=\"1m7hpe9\" data-start=\"6146\" data-end=\"7010\"><h3 data-section-id=\"1g05wug\" data-start=\"6148\" data-end=\"6159\">Misc:<\/h3><ul data-start=\"6162\" data-end=\"7010\"><li data-section-id=\"uv0q0r\" data-start=\"6162\" data-end=\"6433\">The film was originally expected to receive a theatrical release but was delayed and ultimately sent to home video in 2009. Dougherty later said he was heartbroken when he learned it was going to home video instead of theaters.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"c9rsjd\" data-start=\"6436\" data-end=\"6604\">Despite the delayed release, the movie developed a strong cult following through DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, and seasonal screenings.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1x305bt\" data-start=\"6607\" data-end=\"6817\"><em data-start=\"6609\" data-end=\"6625\">Trick \u2019r Treat<\/em> received a wider theatrical rollout years later, with Nerdist describing its 2022 run as a long-awaited theatrical rollout after about fifteen years.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"9fn8rz\" data-start=\"6820\" data-end=\"7010\">A graphic novel adaptation was tied to the film\u2019s release history; planned 2007 comics were delayed and later released as a graphic novel in 2009.<br \/><br \/><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><hr data-start=\"7012\" data-end=\"7017\" \/><h2 data-section-id=\"r7dp72\" data-start=\"7019\" data-end=\"7038\">Sources Cited:<\/h2><ul data-start=\"7039\" data-end=\"7661\"><li data-section-id=\"1kg22b5\" data-start=\"7039\" data-end=\"7155\">IMDb: <em data-start=\"7047\" data-end=\"7063\">Trick \u2019r Treat<\/em> title, credits, technical data, and awards pages.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"geq6hm\" data-start=\"7156\" data-end=\"7290\">Wikipedia: <em data-start=\"7169\" data-end=\"7185\">Trick \u2019r Treat<\/em> production, release, plot, budget, gross, and awards overview.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ydbuo\" data-start=\"7291\" data-end=\"7391\">Box Office Mojo: <em data-start=\"7310\" data-end=\"7326\">Trick \u2019r Treat<\/em> box office\/title page.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"tjpxe\" data-start=\"7392\" data-end=\"7509\">Michael Dougherty official site: <em data-start=\"7427\" data-end=\"7447\">Season\u2019s Greetings<\/em> origin information.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1silh6f\" data-start=\"7510\" data-end=\"7661\">Additional Sources: Nerdist, Wired, Rotten Tomatoes, Apple Music, La-La Land Records, IMDb filming locations.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff Movie Title: Trick \u2019r TreatRelease Date: December 9, 2007 \u2014 festival premiere at Butt-Numb-A-Thon; October 6, 2009 \u2014 U.S. home video releaseRuntime: 82 minutesDirector: Michael DoughertyScreenplay Written By: Michael DoughertyBased On: Inspired by Michael Dougherty\u2019s 1996 animated short Season\u2019s GreetingsIs it a remake?: No Main Cast: Dylan Baker \u2014 Steven Wilkins Rochelle Aytes \u2014 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_angie_page":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=130"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1258,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130\/revisions\/1258"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3guysandaflick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}