Literally! With Rob Lowe Eli Roth: Urban Legends
Aug 21, 2025
Eli Roth, a renowned horror film director known for hits like Hostel and Cabin Fever, dives into the chilling world of urban legends from the 70s and 80s. He discusses his time working with Quentin Tarantino and shares wild stories from his college days as a cyber sex operator. They also explore the societal fears reflected in films like 'Night of the Living Dead' and the lasting impact of celebrities who shaped their youth. Get ready for a mix of nostalgia, horror insights, and a touch of humor!
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Satanic Panic Origin Story
- Eli Roth recounts the 1988 Jefferson Township murder and its role in sparking the satanic panic.
- He explains how a 14-year-old altar boy's journals and weird local history fueled a community moral panic.
Kids Blamed For Cultural Fear
- Roth recalls kids wearing heavy metal shirts and being labeled dangerous during the Satanic Panic.
- He remembers community fear that music and movies were gateways to violence or Satanism.
VHS And Cable Enabled Hidden Media Culture
- Roth links the rise of home video and cable to kids' access to violent media and parental inattention.
- He suggests that VHS stores and latchkey childhoods created parallel private viewing cultures that alarmed adults.
