Another month, another monster mash at The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs. June’s double feature took us from 1950s creature terror to modern wrestling horror, with Earth vs. the Spider (1958) and Dark Match (2024).

If you’re new to the party, The Last Drive-In airs monthly on the first Friday of the month on Shudder. With Joe Bob and Darcy presenting a curated horror double bill filled with trivia, interviews, and a heavy pour of genre love. The movie choices are sometimes classics, hidden gems, or curveballs, but always a blast with this crew.

Earth vs. the Spider’s Creature Feature Roots

Earth vs. the Spider

The night kicked off with Earth vs. the Spider, a B-movie relic from 1958 that delivers exactly what its title promises. Giant arachnid? Check. Screaming teens? Check. Dubious science? Absolutely. It’s pure atomic-age monster madness, and Joe Bob made sure to highlight its charming low-budget effects and the boom of creature features during the drive-in heyday.

What really stood out this time was Joe Bob’s deep dive into the history of drive-in theatres. Between spider attacks and stock footage, we got a nostalgic mini-doc on the golden age of roadside cinema. Darcy, of course, leaned into the theme with her retro-chic look and a fake spider that she insisted was “adorable.” Jury’s still out on that.

Dark Match Packs A Punch

Dark Match

Next up was Dark Match, a gritty 2024 horror-thriller set in the world of underground wrestling. The film stars Ayisha Issa, Steven Ogg, and wrestling legend Chris Jericho. It’s got cults, bloodshed, and a slow-burn tension that pays off in a brutal finale. It’s also one of the more recent releases to hit The Last Drive-In, making it an interesting contrast to the black-and-white first feature.

‘Dark Match’: Lowell Dean and star Ayisha Issa On Creating An Indy Wrestling Horror Film

Lowell Dean, the film’s director, was this week’s special guest and brought some fun behind-the-scenes insight. Still, it felt strange not having Jericho on, considering his long-standing love for The Last Drive-In and his starring role in the movie. Apparently there was some controversy regarding his last Jamboree appearance. Not sure if that’s what prevented him from being on; but it felt weird to have him relegated to a pre-filmed birthday greeting for Darcy.

Conclusion

This month’s pairing offered a fun bridge across horror generations: the cheesy but earnest thrills of the atomic era matched with the psychological grit of modern genre filmmaking. Joe Bob continues to blend education and entertainment, and the deep dive into drive-in history was a real treat. Even with a missing Jericho, the night still landed a solid body slam of horror fun.

The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs airs live on Shudder every first Friday of the month at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST. Missed it? Episodes are archived and uploaded by Sunday.

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