Interview: Emily Curl Talks Pluto TV’s Double Feature Fridays, Horror Favorites and Bringing Back Movie Night

Remember when Friday nights meant grabbing some snacks, picking out a couple of movies, and settling in for the evening? Before streaming services gave us approximately a million options and somehow made choosing one movie feel like a full-time job? Well, Pluto TV is bringing back that nostalgic experience, and Entertainment Tonight correspondent Emily Curl is helping lead the charge.

In an interview with The TV Cave, Curl opened up about hosting Pluto TV's Double Feature Fridays, her favorite kinds of horror movies, the importance of highlighting independent filmmakers, and why sometimes the best movie night is one where somebody else has already made the decisions. And the best part? It's completely free. Because who doesn't love entertainment that doesn't come with another monthly subscription?

Bringing Back the Friday Night Movie Tradition

Pluto TV's Double Feature Fridays, created in partnership with Entertainment Tonight, pairs familiar Hollywood hits with independent films that fans might otherwise overlook. Each pairing follows a shared theme, giving audiences two connected viewing experiences without the headache of deciding what to watch.

For Curl, who joined Entertainment Tonight approximately seven months before our conversation, the collaboration brings together two things she loves: movies and Hollywood storytelling.

"We have 50 years, what we call our E.T. vault"

"We have 50 years, what we call our E.T. vault," Curl explained, describing the extensive collection of archival interviews, movie premieres, and behind-the-scenes footage available to the entertainment news program.

That material adds something special to each presentation. Rather than simply introducing two movies, Curl gets to share Hollywood history and previously recorded moments that offer additional context for the films. She also appreciates the simplicity of the experience, particularly when streaming has made endless scrolling practically its own genre of entertainment.

During our conversation, we agreed that there was something special about the old Blockbuster days, when picking out a movie was an event rather than an exhausting search through multiple apps. Curl admitted that she's experienced the same frustration, especially when finally finding something appealing only to discover that renting it costs another $20. With Pluto TV, that's one problem fans won't have to worry about.

Jennifer's Body, Indie Horror and Discovering Something New

One of Curl's favorite aspects of Double Feature Fridays is discovering independent films that complement bigger Hollywood productions. She pointed to the pairing of Jennifer's Body, one of her Halloween favorites, with Vampires of the Velvet Lounge, a horror comedy involving a group of vampires who use a dating app to target men.

While the films have their differences, the pairing introduces fans of one movie to another that shares some of its themes.

Curl also discussed how independent filmmakers are increasingly making an impact within the horror genre, especially creators emerging from YouTube, short films, and smaller-budget productions.

She mentioned projects such as Obsession and Backrooms while discussing the opportunities available to filmmakers who don't necessarily have major studio resources behind them. For Curl, introducing fans to these lesser-known projects is an important part of the experience. A smaller budget or unfamiliar title doesn't automatically mean a movie has less to offer.

And considering how many hidden gems get buried under streaming algorithms, giving those movies a little extra attention certainly isn't a bad thing.

Emily Curl Isn't Exactly a Jump-Scare Enthusiast

Of course, we couldn't discuss Halloween programming without getting into Curl's personal horror preferences.

And here's where we discovered we had something in common: neither of us is particularly eager to spend an entire movie jumping out of our seats.

Curl admitted that while she's developing a greater appreciation for horror, psychological thrillers are much more her speed.

"I love a psychological thriller," she shared, pointing to Widow's Bay as a series she particularly enjoyed this year.

She praised its writing and the way it mixed suspense with humor, something she believes we're seeing more frequently in the genre.

We also discussed Carrie, which Curl recently covered in connection with the upcoming television adaptation. While the original story certainly contains terrifying elements, we agreed that its psychological aspects make it especially compelling.

As for more traditional horror? Curl is working her way into the genre gradually. "But I'm tiptoeing in, if you will," she joked.

Honestly, there's something refreshing about someone hosting Halloween programming who doesn't pretend to be completely fearless. Some of us prefer suspense, a clever twist, and maybe keeping the lights on afterward.

Double Feature Fridays Isn't Ending With Halloween

Although October's programming has focused on horror and thrillers, Curl confirmed that Double Feature Fridays has plenty more planned beyond spooky season. As our conversation turned toward the upcoming holidays, she teased additional programming and expressed her enthusiasm for holiday films.

"We have some fun ones coming up because of course, we're in Halloween and spooky season now, but we're getting into holidays," Curl shared. The November lineup is expected to be announced on October 27, giving fans another reason to keep an eye on Pluto TV as the weekly movie experience continues.

The concept goes beyond simply revisiting familiar movies. It's about creating a weekly tradition, introducing audiences to something new, and making movie night feel like an occasion again. And in a world where streaming platforms keep multiplying, sometimes having two movies selected for you is exactly what you need.

How to Watch Pluto TV's Double Feature Fridays

A new Double Feature Fridays pairing premieres every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Pluto TV Spotlight, before joining the Double Feature Fridays collection on demand. The October lineup concludes Friday, October 30, with Scream (2022) paired with Sleepwalker.

The weekly programming will continue through the end of 2026, giving fans more opportunities to discover favorite films and hidden gems.And if Curl has her way, Friday nights might start looking a little more like they used to: a comfortable couch, your favorite snacks, and two movies ready to go.

Listen to our interview with Emily Curl below for more on her Pluto TV collaboration, horror favorites, and the return of Friday movie nights.