Born To Watch - A Movie Podcast

In this week’s episode of Born to Watch, the team dives deep into Escape from New York (1981), John Carpenter’s gritty, neon-lit vision of a crime-ridden future. With Kurt Russell cementing his status as an ‘80s action legend, this film delivers an unforgettable mix of tension, synth-driven suspense, and one of cinema’s most iconic antiheroes. It blends action, science fiction, and a bleak, dystopian aesthetic to create a story that has stood the test of time.

The crime rate has skyrocketed, chaos reigns, and the once-great city of New York has been transformed into a walled-off, maximum-security prison. In this dystopian nightmare, law and order have collapsed, and there are no guards—only the most ruthless criminals left to create their own lawless society. When Air Force One crash-lands in the middle of this urban war zone, only one man can retrieve the President: the legendary outlaw Snake Plissken.

But what makes Escape from New York such a beloved cult classic? Is it the film’s unique setting, where the ruins of Manhattan serve as a battleground for survival? Is it the stellar cast, including genre legends like Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Harry Dean Stanton, and Isaac Hayes? Or is it Kurt Russell’s now-legendary portrayal of Snake Plissken—the ultimate reluctant hero with an eye patch, a growl, and an attitude?

Join Whitey, Damo, and Gow as they break down the many reasons this movie still holds up more than 40 years later. They explore Carpenter’s signature style, from his moody, synth-heavy score to his knack for world-building on a modest budget. The team also debates whether this is Carpenter’s best film or if The Thing still reigns supreme as his crowning achievement. And, of course, they take time to question the sheer insanity of some of the movie’s biggest moments—like the physics of Snake’s impossible glider landing on the World Trade Center.

If you’re a fan of ‘80s action flicks, you’ll love the deep dive into Escape from New York. The guys discuss how Carpenter’s vision of a crime-infested future eerily reflects New York City's real-life state in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. They also touch on how the film’s gritty, DIY aesthetic influenced countless dystopian movies that followed, from Mad Max to The Dark Knight Rises.

And what’s a Born to Watch episode without a few tangents? Expect plenty of laughs as the team reminisces about the weirdest VHS collections they’ve ever encountered, shares their thoughts on whether Snake Plissken is Kurt Russell’s greatest character, and revisits the debate of which version of New York is more terrifying—this one or the gang-filled streets of The Warriors.

Plus, there’s the essential question: Would you survive inside this version of New York? The guys put themselves in Snake’s boots and ponder how they’d fare in this lawless wasteland. Spoiler alert: things don’t look good for them.

So, strap on your eye patch, light up a cigarette, and fire up the John Carpenter synth soundtrack because this is one episode of Born to Watch you don’t want to miss!

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