Back in the day… Saturday Nights were quite the special affair for horror fans. Simply because that was when most local networks, offered up some kind of spooky themed programming. In some cases, they would just show a horror movie, or a horror show around midnight, such as a black and white classic like The Fly or Tales from the Darkside, while others… offered up hosted horror content. The kind where a local host would introduce a scary story and break it down for their viewers or offer commentary before breaking for a commercial and returning from one, and they added a special flair to the movie, the kind that Joe Bob Briggs keeps alive these days.
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But sadly, not every city had their own Bill ‘Chilly Billy’ Cardille or Svengoolie to entertain the masses when the sun went down, sometimes they had to rely on syndication to get their horror host fix and in my neck of the woods, the local midnight show carried Elvira’s Movie Macabre. A delightful horror show hosted by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (aka Cassandra Peterson) and week in and week out, she’d provide fans with delightfully spooky films both modern and classic and offer up her majestic commentary along the way. But while her show went off the air in 1986, her star power never faded. Allowing for her to become the star of her own horror feature and outright become a pop culture icon as well, and as we approach the 40th Anniversary of Elvira’s arrival on television, the horror streaming service Shudder has figured out the perfect way to celebrate this momentous occasions and her contributions to horror.

In that, she’s getting her own special on the network, one that will feature a four-film marathon and well, here are all the details on Elvira’s triumphant return to television (and a promo for the show) … courtesy of Shudder.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streamer for horror, thriller and the supernatural, welcomes the beloved Halloween queen of camp Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) for a one-night movie marathon event, Elvira’s 40th Anniversary, Very Scary, Very Special Special.  Joining Shudder’s annual “61 Days of Halloween” lineup, the special debuts Saturday, September 25 at 8pm ET in the US and Canada via the Shudder TV feed within the Shudder app and will also be released on demand to all Shudder platforms (US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand) and AMC+ beginning Monday, September 27. Similar to the cult classic, late-night television series Elvira’s Movie Macabre, which debuted in 1981, Elvira will lend her own blend of witty commentary to a horror movie lineup that includes Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, House on Haunted Hill, The City of the Dead and Messiah of Evil.
“It’s always tough turning 40, but what better way to mark the occasion than a one-night stand with Shudder, the spookiest of streamers? It’s going to be the ultimate Hallow-anniversa-ween bash, and you don’t want to miss it,” said Elvira.

“Elvira is a legend who’s been lighting up our screens and delighting fans for 40 years, and we’re honored to celebrate the ‘Queen of Halloween’s’ fantastic career milestone with her new ‘very special’ special, the perfect treat for Shudder members this Halloween season,” said Craig Engler, GM of Shudder.

Elvira’s 40th Anniversary, Very Scary, Very Special Special includes the following films:

Elvira, Mistress of The Dark (1988)
Upon arriving in a small town where she has inherited a rundown mansion, a famous horror hostess battles an evil uncle, and townspeople who want her burned at the stake.

House on Haunted Hill (1959)
William Castle's gimmick-laden horror thriller is a fairground fun house come to life. Vincent Price stars as a suave eccentric millionaire married to a beautiful and greedy gold digger. Together they are hosting a party in a sinister haunted house. Five guests are invited to spend the night and each will get $10,000--but only if they survive until morning. The doors are locked at midnight. Will you make it out alive?  

The City of the Dead (1960)
In this atmospheric classic, a professor (horror icon Christopher Lee) sends a student to Whitewood, Massachusetts, the site of 17th century witch burnings. Once there, she learns the satanic secrets that live on.

Messiah of Evil (1973)
A young woman goes searching for her missing artist father. Her journey takes her to a strange Californian seaside town governed by a mysterious undead cult. William Huyck & Gloria Katz's hypnotic, unsettling independent horror is a must-see gem.

So, as you can see, Elvira is returning to the small screen in style, with a show that suits her talents perfectly and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait to see her return to a style of show that she helped to take mainstream, when her 40th Anniversary celebration gets underway on September 25th, only on Shudder.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Death Drop Gorgeous’.
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The 1970s and 1980s, were a genuinely magical time for horror films. Because this is an era of filmmaking where writers and directors simply let loose storytelling wise and did whatever it took to produce their independent story and the end result was nothing short of iconic. For George A. Romero put the living dead on the map with Dawn of the Dead and Tobe Hooper and John Carpenter reinvented the slasher genre with their stunning films The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Halloween respectively, and Wes Craven and Larry Cohen worked to create some gritty and dynamic stories through their own unique style of guerilla filmmaking. But what’s truly amazing about this era, is that the carefree nature of these directors and their desire to really push the envelope… inspired others, such as writer/director John Waters, to do the same with other genres of cinema.

For he saw an opportunity to really create some gritty and unique stories, the kind that shocked the audience without the use of monsters and his stunning work also put the LGBTQ+ community into the mainstream. If anything, this truly was a golden age for cinema, one that has never been replicated, largely because the films that are influenced by the work of these revolutionary directors tend to build upon what was created. Which isn’t a bad thing in the slightest, since there is still plenty to explore when it comes to the powerful and far reaching concepts that all of these directors brought to the silver screen and it just so happens, that a trio of writers and directors recently stumbled upon a story idea that would allow for the world to celebrate John’s work and the work of those horror greats by combining their collective genius into one twisted slasher flick in Death Drop Gorgeous.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Dwayne, who is at a crossroads in his life. For the relationship he thought would change his life and put him in a comfortable place, outright fell to pieces. Which has motivated him to leave the memory of his boyfriend behind and return to Providence with his head hung low, since he must start over again. But thankfully, his longtime friend Brian has a room for him to rent and his former (and greasy) boss, Tony Two Fingers, is happy to hand Dwayne his old job back at Tony’s Drag Bar. Giving Dwayne hope that life will be stable for a bit, a hope that is quickly dashed by quite the unpleasant surprise. In that, someone is carefully stalking and killing patrons and performers at the bar and draining them of every ounce of their blood and now, it will be up to Dwayne to figure out who this person is and how to stop them, since their reign of terror has paralyzed everyone with utter fear.

Which is a plot that oozes homage and rightfully so. Because that really is a perfect blend of what John Waters explored about the human condition in his stories, combined with the best parts of the slasher genre and well, while it is wonderful to know that our trio of writers and directors (Michael J. Ahern, Christopher Dalpe and  Brandon Perras) were eager to tip their caps to the greats of that era, there is one big question that is immediately hanging over anyone curious about this particular film. In that, does this merging of different styles work and thankfully… it does. In fact, going this route is actually a stroke of genius. Because it allows for balance to take place, the kind where the horror elements are offset by some solid character development since we get to know Dwayne and Brian and everyone they hang with on an intimate level and going that route, vests the audience in this story, and these dynamic characters and seeing someone try and harm them is infuriating to say the least.
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Unfortunately though, they do indeed face harm, and goodness… are the horror elements here quite epic. Because this movie also does a wonderful job of offering up a grand mystery surrounding the killer and why on earth, they’re draining the blood of their victims and it is how they obtain said blood and kill that makes this aspect of the story so worth our while. Because the kills are inventive and unique and downright twisted at times, to the point where you will definitely cringe while watching them and the reveal as to why exactly our killer is so obsessed with the red liquid that sustains us all, is nothing short of epic. Simply because you don’t see it coming in the slightest, and that same shock is extended to the reveal of the killer and well, that’s all we will say on that part of the story because spoiling the ending would be a grave disservice to you.

Instead, we will simply point out that all the elements we’ve discussed, make Death Drop Gorgeous a worthwhile and engaging watch. In large part because of the nostalgia factor since so many of the visuals and the synth laden score, and the drag performers here, will transport you back to the exact moment you first saw a John Waters film or a horror film from one of the greats of the 70s and 80s. But also because… this movie does offer up some modern twists on these types of films. Plus, it features depth and commentary on the LGBTQ+ experience in modern America and well, if we’ve done enough to get you excited about this film, then this reviewer highly recommends you take a moment to visit your digital on demand provider of choice, and give this unique and refreshing motion picture a look.

​Over the years I have seen and heard some things that make me believe that there is something to ghost stories. You may ask if I am a believer in ghosts and doorways to the other side and the answer is yes. With that being said, I am not one that likes to play with the Ouija boards or say Bloody Mary three times in the mirror in the dead of night for fear of what could come out looking for revenge. While I like the thought of nice spirits surrounding me, I would hate to see what would happen if evil spirits were released around me, especially if they are upset that I disturbed them.
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Working on his video blog, Chris Shaw is trying to prove whether or not some rituals are true when trying to summon ghosts. Not being successful in his latest attempt, his brother David has been able to locate one that has not been tested yet called; ‘Beckoning the Butcher on the Dark Web.’ Thinking that this will be a good one to do with his friends, Chris is able to convince them to head out on a mini vacation to the middle of the country to see if it actually works. But what the group is about to find out is that this is no joke as the Butcher is looking for fresh souls and is ready to take them at a moment’s notice.

Arriving at an abandoned house in the middle of the country, Tara, Nicole, Brent, Lorraine and Chris are ready to see if anything is going to happen. After having a couple of drinks to loosen up, Chris has everything that the ritual says they need to summon the Butcher and is ready to begin. Having everyone sign a piece of paper and prick their fingers for a drop of blood, with the exception of Tara who refuses, the group gathers around a candle surrounded by a circle of salt and sage. With a Latin phrase being repeated numerous times, the group sits and waits in the dark house, hoping for a sign from the infamous Butcher and that he is ready to make himself known.

Hearing something in another room, Chris picks up his camera to go and take a look, but when he turns away the candle gets blown out and Brent goes missing. Searching the house only to find that Brent was playing a prank, Chris stumbles upon something of interest when he checks the tape from the room where the ritual was performed. Seeing everything on the floor being blown away when there was no wind, they might have actually awoken something that they don’t know how to deal with. Deciding to call it a night since there is nothing else going on and Lorraine is feeling ill, the group wakes up to a door slamming shut and they decide to investigate. Finding that their friend has gone missing, the group heads out to find her, only to discover that they are not allowed to leave the house until the Butcher is done with them all.

I must admit that this documentary type of horror movie turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. With all of the found footage, the experts were able to at least piece together where the events took place and come up with their own theories of what happened to the missing friends. Not finding anything in the house or any footage that showed where they were all taken, it is just a mystery that may never be solved, but it can be agreed that the Butcher has found his latest victims. The group interaction really is what kept me intrigued throughout the movie, since there was very little happening until the first possession took place and while you have to wait a bit until there is some haunting action, it is well worth it. With a couple of possessions, plenty of jokes, a couple of slamming doors, a creepy doll and a ghost that is afraid of candles, not a bad little movie to check out when you need something to give you goosebumps. Stay Scared

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1104 of ‘The Walking Dead’.
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Love affairs can be quite the uplifting experience. Because when we enter into one, our spirits are left soaring. After all, we’re in love and we’re enjoying all the benefits of adoration and passion and everything in between, and of course, the emotions we feel are so strong, that we truly believe that we can accomplish anything, especially with our love at our side. But while it is indeed wonderful to feel love surging through our veins and enjoy the euphoria that accompanies it, what we don’t like to talk about all that often… is the downside to the love affair. Because sadly, they never last, and having those joyous feeling robbed from us can potentially put one in a dark place.
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One where are suddenly at our lowest and unsure if we will ever find love in the slightest. Because more often than not, we genuinely believe that love affairs have introduced us to our soul mate and the feelings we enjoy are the direct result of that and the connection we share with this person. But the harsh reality about the love affair is that they designed to be fleeting by nature, for they are in fact... nothing more than a chemical explosion and the result of a powerful attraction and once we get to know the person in question and see the incompatibility between us or the chemistry wears off... we split and deal with that painful fallout. If anything, this darker side to the love affair is of note today, because it just so happened to serve as the focal theme of the next episode of The Walking Dead, and that made ‘Rendition’ one surprisingly original and engaging tale. 

For in this particular tale, we catch up with Daryl Dixon shortly after he and Dog escape the ambush with the Reapers and well, despite Daryl’s best efforts to escape their clutches, they keep finding him and eventually they appear to harm dearest Dog. An act that forces Daryl to stick around and try to find his four-legged bestie to gain closure of some form and that particular search leads to quite the stunning set of surprises for certain. In that, not only does he find Dog at last, but that sweet little pup is sitting next to someone that Daryl thought he would never see again… Leah. Yes, that’s right. Out here, in the middle of nowhere with the Reapers near, the woman that brought out the best in him through the healing power of a love affair is once again standing in front of him, making it seem as though this episode was about to take quite the positive turn.

But alas, it doesn’t take long for the viewer or Daryl to figure out, that the only reason Leah is here, is because she is in fact, a Reaper. A revelation that forces Daryl to reconcile that reality and the reality of his situation quickly, in order to save his hide and his friends and thanks to his quick thinking… he is able to do so. For Leah demands that her fellow Reapers capture him and bring him back to Meridian, and they do so under the guise that he is a loner and a rebel, one that abandoned the friends he spoke of in Alexandria to survive another day and that is a guise that Daryl keeps rolling when he realizes a friend from home is there… to try and keep everyone safe. And once he is securely behind bars and settled into this strange place, is when that examination of the darker side of the love affair gets underway.

Because Daryl in essence, is forced to realize the fact… that what he and Leah had… wasn’t real. Instead, it was powerful attraction and chemistry, forged out of sorrow and hard loneliness that brought them together for that brief period of time and because he let those emotions wash over him, because he needed a win in that moment, he sacrificed and compromised a personal standard. In that, he didn’t really get to know Leah in the slightest and had he done so… perhaps this scary reality could have come to fruition and spared him the worry and pain and strife he felt when she left. An epiphany that made it clear that knowing someone through and through is the real key to making a love affair become a love of a lifetime or to find us peace when it ends... and in the process, Daryl also came to realize that he was going to have to use that connection to his advantage if he wanted to make it out of this mess alive.
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For he truly was in the midst of something scary and awful. Because as Daryl sat back and observed and fed Leah what she needed emotionally, he came to discover that the Reapers were more than just a troupe of violent raiders. No instead, they were in fact, a group of zealots. One led by an enigmatic leader named Pope and their current existence and beliefs were forged from the end of the world. For before the world fell to living death, Leah and her friends were well-trained military mercenaries, and they were hired to help fight the dead when things got rough and unfortunately for them… they were caught up in the middle of Operation: Cobalt and, on that night, the Reapers were born. For they survived the onslaught of napalm and that led Pope to believe that God Himself had blessed them with a mission to survive and bring order to the world.

But while finding faith at the end of the world is nothing new in this universe or fiction, what makes it so significant… is that it has clearly driven Pope mad. To the point where he believes that any and all of his actions are related to the Lord’s word and that gives him the power to decide who lives and who dies during the apocalypse, and that he can bless and sanction who belongs to his group. As evidenced by the horrifying trial by fire that he put Daryl through… and by what he did to a member of his own outfit. For apparently, turning to avoid injury in the midst of combat is frowned upon and will lead to one being branded as a coward and a traitor to the Lord’s mission and the penalty for that is severe, since Pope tossed the offender into a raging fire to hammer home their need to abide by God’s plan and Pope’s machinations, and that also makes it clear that Daryl Dixon is surrounded by perhaps… the toughest situation he has faced to date. 

Because this time around, there’s no cavalry coming for Daryl, nor is there is going to be some organized resistance against the Reapers. It is just Daryl, and he will need to pull upon all his experience and his cunning and his smarts to outwit and outmaneuver these monsters to survive and see his friends/extended family once again and while we wait to see how he does that, we can revel in the wonder of one intense and incredible tale. One that genuinely reminded us of the importance of taking the time to get to know someone that has caught our eye and our emotions and of course, it also took the time to reinforce the dangers of religion when mixed with fear, as evidenced by Pope and his ‘holy transformation’ and well, now that this harrowing tale has come to a close… who knows where we go from here. Because this is uncharted territory for the group and that’s both scary and exciting and it will definitely motivate us to eagerly count down the minutes until next week’s entry, to see how the heroes of Alexandria defeat this powerful enemy. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Martyrs Lane’.
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There was a time when the ghost story held to some supremely specific structures. Wherein a particular location was indeed haunted by a spirit that needed help to be released from this plane of existence through justice. Or where something evil was trapped in a house and eager to harm the poor souls that wandered into its domain, and of course… it was up to the people we meet in the story to either provide that all-important justice or defeat the evil within the house once and for all; and these films held to those formulas for simple reasons. Because following those plot lines allowed for an easy and palatable examination of the ghost world to take place, one that believers and non-believers could enjoy, and it also allowed for filmmakers to explore the possibility that good, and evil were concepts that transcended humanity. 
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But as the years have rolled along, and we’ve come to understand the human mind and how our emotions work, the ghost story has evolved into so much more. For now, they more or less to speak to the fact that ghosts are real. For they genuinely exist in our minds and our hearts through the trauma of loss and grief, and they haunt us on a daily basis when our souls still ache for the person that we lost and that’s allowed for some powerful ghost stories to come to life. The kind that teaches us powerful lessons about the nature of grief and what’s fascinating… is that these stories follow a certain formula as well. One where the ghosts are always defeated in a healthy manner, which oddly makes these stories quite uplifting in the end, giving new life to the sub-genre but also doing a disservice to the audience at the same time. Because it is important to acknowledge, that not everyone battles their demons and they suffer because of it and thankfully, some filmmakers are starting to explore that aspect of the grieving process.

In fact, Shudder is now host to a film that offers up a bleak ghost story, one that genuinely takes the time to explore what happens when ghosts aren’t confronted in our minds and that makes Martyrs Lane one powerful film, one that is oddly devastating from the start… thanks to how it plunges us into this story. For when we catch up with our main character, a girl named Leah, we quickly come to realize she leads a fairly sorrowful life. For her family is clearly broken and she hasn’t a friend in the world, and she is simply trying to find some semblance of joy, and that finally appears in her life once she swipes a lock of hair from her mother’s treasured locket. For shortly after that, a young nameless girl with sullied angel wings appears at Leah’s window and begins to give her a great deal of clues. The kind that will eventually reveal a painful and powerful family secret, one mired in tragedy and endless grief and its exposure will change the dynamic of Leah’s family, for all time.

Which at first glance, appears to be a plot mired heavily in traditional ghost tropes. For having a spirit visit someone to reveal their story, implies that the spirit is in need of justice and rest and needs this pure heart to make that happen. But as the story continues along and we begin to see that Leah’s desire to uncover the clues that this spirit is giving her, creates strife and panic within the home… this story takes on a whole new light. One where it is obvious that her mother, Sarah, has not dealt with the harrowing incident that took place within this household years ago and that the grief that is hanging heavy in her soul… is beginning to suck the life out of her. Which allows for this movie to shift gears and offer up some age-old staples of horror; commentary, and lessons. The kind that makes it clear that the ghosts we carry in our hearts can in fact be quite dangerous… if we let them.
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Which means that in order to be free of the terror and of pain that they can cause us, we have to confront them and resolve their meaning to us and if not… then we run the risk of having them consume us. As to whether or not that happens in this story, well… we won’t spoil that there. Because this motion picture is a visceral journey that needs to be experienced by the viewer firsthand, and it is also a story features some solid horror elements within its framework as well. Because dealing with matters of death and the trauma that accompanies that, allows for visceral moments to take place in this tale, the kind that feel akin to waking nightmares, and that alone makes your skin crawl. But the scares are further enhanced in this tale, by the visiting spirit herself. Simply because the off-kilter nature in which she operates, leaves one uncomfortable with the moment, as does her overzealous desire to have the truth revealed. But there is a brilliant subtext to that particular aspect of her journey.

Because it is in fact, terrifying to face our demons and our pain, and placing that subtext within the ghost, adds more depth to an already cerebral story that quite frankly, you must see. Because this one really does offer a lot to horror fans out there. Since it really is the perfect blend of modern/elevated horror and the classic gothic ghost stories of yore. Especially when it comes to Leah’s home since it really resembles something straight out of Poe or Lovecraft’s work and to top it all off, there are some amazing performances to be found in this story as well. With special marks going to Kiera Thompson (Leah) and Denise Gough (Sarah) for bringing such emotional gravity to a story that would not be the same without their performances and well, in the end, swing by Shudder and give Martyrs Lane a look. Because you can never go wrong with a brilliant horror film that seamlessly blends together parts of the ghost story sub-genre and features some fascinating commentary. The kind that stays with you long after the story has ended.

There are plenty of mysteries out there and one of my favorites is whether or not Aliens are real. With so little proof out there, there are people dead set on believing that they do exist and have formed our history. But what if the Aliens were not really here to help us, but to rule us instead? You have to wonder with all of the sightings and reported abductions that have occurred over the years, are they looking to come back and help our society, or do they wish to just conquer us?
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On March 10th, 1997, four campers are heading out in their RV on a fishing trip that they will never forget. Making their way out to a spot from where they can hike to the local river, they are out of cell phone range and all alone. During their first night in the middle of nowhere, they are awakened by a strange booming sound in the distance, and they cannot identify what it is. Standing outside in the darkness, they witness what they believe are meteors falling from the sky. Catching it on camera, they have just seen something remarkable.

Continuing to be amazed by what they have seen, Roadie, John, Adam and Turner head out on their hike to the river the next day when they see someone lurking in the hills around them. Calling out to see who it is, they have the sneaking suspicion that someone is following them and while they try to make light of it, it sticks in the back of their minds for the rest of the day. Finding the river and catching some small fish to eat for dinner, the group sets up camp after the sun sets and start to hear things in the surrounding area. Not knowing what it could be, Roadie thinks he has seen a person looming in the area and the group tries to scare him away, but the disturbance shocks the group, and they head back to the RV for safety.

While making their hike back in the dark, the group sees that the RV’s lights are on. Rushing to see who is responsible, they see that the RV is ripped apart for no apparent reason. Getting it cleaned up enough to sleep in for the night, the group tries to rest, but start to hear the booming once again and this time it is followed by a something else stalking the outside of the vehicle. Yelling to get whatever it is outside to leave them alone, the group is hit with a blinding light and start to believe that they are being hunted by something not of this world. With the disturbances coming to an end for the night, the group awakes the next morning to see that Adam has gone missing and while they need to leave this terrifying location, they also need to find their friend. Making their way back down the dirt road, the group finds that they are not alone as something from the stars is hunting them and looking to make their trip one that they will never be able to talk about again.

As far as found footage movies go, this one really did it right. Using a documentary format with the father of a man who was killed by the government for holding onto the tapes, you believe that a real abduction has been caught on tape. I like how the group tries to stay together throughout and even tries to make light of what is happening to them throughout the story. With plenty of off-color humor, a cover up, strange lights in the sky and an alien force that will not be stopped, this has to be one of my favorite abduction movies as of late, not only because it reminds me of the scares I endured during The Blair Witch Project, but because so many people think it is the real thing. Stay Scared.

​Good news, uglies! We’ve got more treats to bring you in regard to season four of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula. In that, earlier today, Shudder and the Boulet Brothers, released an awesome video that allows for us to get to know the upcoming contests of this new season a little further. So, without further ado… here is that video and if you want to read up a little further on this year’s cast and learn more about their skillset, check out our cast announcement article right here and our thanks to Shudder and the Boulet Brothers for sharing this delightful video with the world!

Well zombie fans, we are in the middle of quite the wonderful time of year. Because not only is spooky season underway but plans are in motion for all of us to binge our favorite zombie films and shows and it just so happens that AMC is helping us out with this year’s celebration. For The Walking Dead is on the airwaves right now, the final season of The Walking Dead: World Beyond is drawing near and to top it all off… season seven of Fear the Walking Dead is right around the corner.

In fact, we are so close to the arrival of the Fear season premiere, that earlier today, AMC released new key art and a new trailer for season seven… along with a short synopsis of what we can expect from season seven and a casting announcement. So, without further ado, here is the trailer and those goodies… courtesy of AMC Networks.

‘AMC released today the trailer and key art for Fear the Walking Dead Season 7, which returns Sunday, October 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/8c on AMC with all episodes available one week early on AMC+, beginning October 10. AMC also announced that actress and director Aisha Tyler, who directed an episode of Fear the Walking Dead in Season 6, is set to appear in Season 7.

Teddy (John Glover) brought about his vision of "The End" when he detonated nuclear warheads across the Texas landscape, but it will be up to those who survived to decide what "The Beginning" will look like. And they'll have to do it in a world devoid of light and hope, where the outside air is just as deadly as the walkers they face. The survivors will find out who they really are and what they're really made of. Some will rise to the occasion, some will find new purpose, and some will redefine themselves -- even if it comes at a terrible cost to those they once considered family.

Fear the Walking Dead is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert and is produced by AMC Studios.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Slasher: Flesh & Blood’.
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Something that we are taught from a very young age, is to offer kindness to just about everyone we meet. For we genuinely don’t have a clue what kind of journey someone is upon and being kind to all, might be what makes or breaks the day for someone who is enduring a sour and uncomfortable journey. In fact, we believe so much in the power of good and everything it entails, that we eventually come to believe that good can conquer all and heal those in need of healing and well… that is an unfortunate belief for certain. Because while good intentions are indeed worthwhile in the moment, kindness cannot cure an individual of their ails. It can of course inspire them to be more, but they have to want to get to that point, and really, this particular lesson is top of mind today, simply because Christy was forced to learn it during this week’s episode of Slasher: Flesh & Blood.

For this emotionally ailing medic and now widow, came to discover some hard truths about her adopted daughter Aphra, and this journey of discovery got underway… when this quirky and strange girl… decided to venture out into the night on her own to see how Florence was doing. Which at first glance, made it seem as though perhaps we would finally see the kinder and gentler side of Aphra, one that spoke to her genuine purity and that her quirks were related to some kind of trauma or disorder. But the fact that she took the time to further punish Florence by cutting out her tongue… instead helped us to understand that this little lady had quite the dark side hiding within her after all, and that her strange behavior was related to a desire to indulge in that and well… after the Gentleman dispatched Florence and pushed Christy and her adopted daughter to run and hide in the shelter, is when that hard lesson came into play.

Because sadly, Christy was able to quickly assess that Aphra outright harmed Florence before she died and seeing the joy and panic that surged through Aphra over this, motivated mom to sedate her baby girl and take a little time to ponder upon the past and the kindness that she and Seamus showed Aphra when she first arrived. Which came in spades from the loving couple back then since they really did go above and beyond to give Aphra every chance to grow and thrive. But despite showering her in kindness and unrequited love, something always seemed a little off about her and her behavior on this night left Christy wondering if by chance all that love was for naught and sadly… she was right in that assumption. Because a quick look through Aphra’s phone revealed the truth about her and how the darkness she harbored was something she certainly did not want to let go of and sadly… that phone search brought about a horrible penalty.

In that, Aphra awoke while her mother was going through those unsettling pictures and disturbing videos and saw the disdain and disgust on Christy’s face and well, being exposed in that manner… ended any hope of redemption for Aphra and motivated her to just let go. Which in turn brought about a harrowing sequence, one where Aphra’s true evil was unleashed upon Christy, to the point where she even bit pieces of Christy off for pleasure before disappearing into the dawn to become best friends with the Gentleman and sadly… that aftermath of that horrific attack led to the end of Christy. Because despite making it back to the mansion, it was obvious that her wounds were fatal and it was only a matter of time before she would die in a horrible and painful manner, prompting Grace to honor her dying wish and give her a merciful end. 

But what matters more here, is that this episode really did do a fine job of hammering home its powerful lesson, since Aphra made it clear that no amount of love or understanding was ever going to heal her. It was only going to stave off the inevitable. Since this is who she is and this is who she wants to be and what’s terrifying is that now she’s out there with the Gentleman, who will undoubtedly nurture her darkest instincts in exchange for aiding him in bringing down the Galloway family and well, in the end… this is quite the bleak and devastating tale for certain. For now, only four of the family remain, and their prospects for survival most certainly seem grim, and it will be quite interesting to see how the final family members respond to the dire nature of their situation and if they will be able to learn the Gentleman’s true identity and why he’s chosen to bring them all great harm in the final two episodes of this brilliant story. Until next time.  

There was a time, when television fashion shows, never once spoke of who might be competing on their shows. Largely because there was only a niche audience following them, so it made more sense to simply unveil the cast roster during a season premiere and let the hard-core fans get to know the competitors through the course of the season. But now that these shows are becoming more popular and beloved by audiences everywhere, producers and networks are starting to unveil their cast of competitors ahead of time. In part to give everyone an idea of what the season might feature theme wise and what kind of personalities the viewers will encounter, to truly immerse fans in the overall experience. And this is now such commonplace and so important to fashion shows that even horror themed ones are getting in on this.

For earlier today, Shudder announced the cast of competitors for season four of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula and Holy Jason Voorhees, did this announcement reveal quite a bit about this highly anticipated new season of this beloved series. In that, we are going to be treated to one of the most diverse and talented casts to ever stand before the Boulet Brothers. In fact, it would appear as though their skills and ingenuity, will make for some hard calls for these iconic hosts. Since they’ll have to choose between greatness and excellence and well, it’s best we say no more and let you get to know these incredible contestants further. By way of images that showcase their work, and links to their socials, alongside information regarding pronouns and the season in question... all courtesy of Shudder, and this should help build plenty of anticipation and excitement for season four of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, which debuts on Shudder on October 19, 2021.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural, unveiled today the cast for season four of the hit drag competition series THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA, premiering exclusively on the horror streaming service on Tuesday, October 19 with new episodes to follow every Tuesday.

The new season of the groundbreaking Shudder Original series features ten diverse drag artists from around the world including the series’ first South Korean competitor, Hoso Terra Toma; a competitor from Mexico City, La Zavaleta; the first trans woman competing on a main season of the show, Bitter Betty; and an AFAB (Assigned Female At Birth) drag queen, Sigourney Beaver. In addition, Jade Jolie, known from RuPaul’s Drag Race joins season four as well as the winner of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Resurrection, Saint. Below is the full lineup of competitors vying for the $100,000 grand prize – the largest in show history.

Previously announced season four guest judges include Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical film series), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones), Misha Osherovich (Freaky), Queer country music icon Orville Peck, pop metal star Poppy, Ray Santiago (Ash vs. Evil Dead), Bob the Drag Queen (We're Here), with additional judges to be announced later.

Dubbed one of “the 19 best LGBTQ+ shows everyone needs to watch” by Cosmopolitan, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is written and produced by the Boulet Brothers with Executive Producer David Sigurani and director Nathan Noyes.’

​Astrud Aurelia (She / Her)
Astrud is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist drag artist who uses her music and punk rock fashion sense to produce incredible live musical shows. She’s bringing her musical talents, fierce attitude, and love of fantasy creatures to the competition which she hopes will help her claw her way to the crown. 

Bitter Betty (She / Her)
Bitter Betty is a self-identifying trans woman who brings twenty years of drag experience to the competition. She feels that trans drag artists are not allowed the same opportunities as cis drag performers and views the show as an opportunity to represent her community and bring home the crown. She draws inspiration by the colors and silhouettes of ‘80s cartoons and is bringing camp, experience and “trans energy” to the competition. 

Koco Caine (They / Them)
Koco infuses their drag with equal parts of seduction and horror and is bringing a strong dose of body positivity to the show. As a self-described “zombie stripper,” Koco feels they have what it takes to snatch the crown and to bring something to the competition that no other competitor in previous seasons has. As an underrepresented, black drag performer who performs alternative and horror drag, Koco feels it’s important for them to show up, represent their community and bring home the crown. 

HoSo Terra Tom (She / Her, They / Them)
Hoso is the first internationally based Korean artist to compete on the show. She considers herself to be a “drag yokai” and draws global inspiration from eastern myths.

Formelda Hyde (He / Him, They / Them)
Formelda Hyde identifies as a digital drag artist who has spent most of their time performing online and in digital drag shows as opposed to traditional live stages and clubs. A true horror fan at heart, Formelda describes his drag as the “true embodiment of fear” and through his drag “seeks to express the darkest elements of horror within our world”. Through his unique blend of artistry and unconventional materials, Formelda hopes to use his new platform to change the way drag has traditionally been seen. 

Jade Jolie (She / Her)
Jade Jolie considers herself a drag chameleon and while she’s already known as a previous competitor on RuPaul’s Drag Race, she hopes to show audiences that she can evolve and adapt to any drag medium. As a lover of all forms of drag, Jade enters the competition with a desire to prove to the world that her drag style doesn’t just fit in one category or box. While she feels people may be expecting a certain kind of drag from her, she warns them to expect the unexpected: “I’m bringing things people would never think I was capable of. Get ready.” 

Merrie Cherry (She / Her)
Merrie Cherry is a drag pioneer in the Brooklyn, NY, scene and is always the biggest personality in the room. With her mixture of camp, fashion and a unique sense of humor, she hopes to bring the strengths of a true entertainer to the competition. While never afraid to be the butt of a joke herself, she’s entering the competition not striving to be perfect but to keep the experience enjoyable. “At the end of the day it's about entertaining and that is what Merrie Cherry does. Oh, and I’m definitely bringing a little drama mama, because we are on a reality show and who doesn't love a little fun.”

Saint (He / Him, She / Her, They / Them)
Saint is the self-proclaimed “Runway Demon Queen of Season 4.” Her drag is fueled by imagination and nightmares “with a bit of fashion sprinkled on top,” and she proved her prowess as a true drag icon by winning The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Resurrection Halloween special in 2020. As this is her second time competing on the series, she feels her experience and growth as an artist have primed her perfectly to snatch the crown. 

​Sigourney Beaver (She / Her)
Sigourney Beaver is a self-described “hyper femme AFAB queen” or as she likes to put it “a female impersonator-impersonator.” Sigourney is a killer beauty queen who loves to hypnotize audiences with her piercing white eyes and sky-high hair. Coming from a burlesque background, Sigourney incorporates the art of the tease into all her drag performances. With several pageant titles under her belt, Sigourney is hoping to add “The World’s Next Drag Supermonster” to her already impressive resume.

​La Zavaleta (She / Her, They / Them)
La Zavaleta is a recent transplant to the Brooklyn, NY, drag scene hailing originally from her hometown of Mexico City, Mexico. She mixes sexy and scary in all of her drag looks and is known for being an incredible live performer who always sets the stage on fire. La Zavaleta is chasing the American dream and hopes to prove that putting time, effort and drive into her aspirations will allow her to manifest her destiny and bring home the crown.