One thing that horror fans can agree upon, is that October 2022 has been very good to us. After all, the grand conclusion to Laurie Strode and the Shape’s long-running standoff arrived via Halloween Ends, plus… Shudder has simply been slaying it all month long. After all, we were just treated to Dario Argento’s brand-new feature on the network, and there’s a new V/H/S movie on the way this week and as if that wasn’t enough to bring us endless horror themed joy there’s one more treat coming our way. 
 
For Friday will bring forth the debut of another Joe Bob Briggs Halloween themed special, The Last Drive In: Joe Bob’s Haunted Halloween Hangout. Which of course means we are going to be treated to some epic horror films and Joe Bob’s incredible commentary and special brand of sass. All of which is the perfect Halloween treat, but as an added bonus, we learned today through a lovely promo released by Shudder… that Joe Bob will be joined by a very special guest during this event, Cassandra Peterson!
 
Yes, that’s right, the Mistress of the Dark herself will be on hand to add her own commentary to the movie marathon that awaits us, making this one of the most epic Halloween specials to ever the hit airwaves and to help build the anticipation for it… here’s that teaser trailer for the show, and a synopsis, courtesy of Shudder.
​
‘The Shudder Original special, The Last Drive-In: Joe Bob’s Haunted Halloween Hangout will premiere on Friday, October 21 with special guest, the legendary Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira. Joe Bob’s Haunted Halloween Hangout premieres live on the Shudder TV feed at 9pm ET/8c. Fans can also watch on demand on Shudder and within the Shudder offering in the AMC+ bundle on Sunday, October 23.
 
In what has become an annual tradition, join iconic horror host and foremost drive-in movie critic, Joe Bob Briggs as he returns with a special The Last Drive-In double feature just in time for Halloween. You’ll have to tune in to find out which spooky movies Joe Bob has selected, but you can count on something scary and perfect for the season.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Interview with the Vampire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
​Perhaps the best part of this show is watching Daniel call Louis out on his blatant denial. When they first did an interview in 1973, Louis was venomously spitting about Lestat being his inferior. Yet, here, now in 2022, Louis is singing his praises. They were lovers; soul mates destined to find one another, and nothing could stop their love. If only it was that simple. Sadly, Louis is not in the right state of mind to accept the truth. Daniel straight up calls Louis an abuse victim.
 
It goes over about as well as one would expect it to go over. Louis is as much victim as he is perpetrator. Louis’ abuse is just different. His control issues, superiority complex, all lend to his own need for power, one he happily pushes on Daniel. Daniel is as much a captive as Louis once was. The only difference is, Daniel isn’t in denial about it.

Louis, is a complex character. He views his relationship with Lestat as mutual. He refuses to acknowledge that he was stalked, hunted until he was vulnerable enough to be taken. Lestat is, in all sense of the word, a narcissist. Everything is about him, his pleasure, his wants, his needs. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise when Lestat’s eye wanders. Louis has decided he doesn’t want to kill and eat people. He adapts a “vegetarian” lifestyle. It’s unappealing to say the least, so Lestat does what’s best for him and him alone. If that involves satiating his own needs, then so be it. He sleeps with Louis’ Bar Singer.

​Of course, she means nothing. He just has different tastes sometimes. It’s fine for him to explore what brings him pleasure. And Louis? Louis can do the same thing. Lestat doesn’t mind. Except that he does. Lestat is a very possessive man. He isn’t going to share easy. Louis meets an old friend and has a fun night, and Lestat follows, watches, and even taunts Louis with it later. Quoting what Louis said about their relationship back to Louis. Their relationship is fraying as Louis fasts from human blood and struggles to keep his businesses afloat.

When sanctions are passed prohibiting black businesses from being on the street, they’ve been on… it’s the last straw. Louis snaps. He kills the board member who’s been a pain in his ass for years. He leaves a message, hanging him on the gate of his own house.  All hell breaks loose. There are riots in the street. Houses are torched, businesses burned. Louis comes to a head with Lestat, breaking things off. It won’t last. Louis and Lestat will be back together. Louis still can’t face the truth of Lestat’s abuse, after all, and Lestat has his fangs sunk deep into him.
 
Still, in the mayhem of 1917, with WWI happening, and the fires, Louis manages to save someone from a needless death. Claudia. A little girl left behind in a burning building. Saved by a Vampire who’s struggling to keep hold of his humanity. By now, Louis has lost everyone and everything. His businesses are burned. His family turned against him. His lover is too busy chasing his own pleasure to truly see the pain Louis is experiencing. But Claudia offers a hope. He died the day his brother was buried, maybe Claudia will be a new chance at life.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1119 of ‘The Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
It is definitely safe to say… that the eleventh and final season of The Walking Dead on AMC, has featured one bold storytelling decision after another. After all, we’ve never seen our heroes be broken and desperate enough to make some incredibly dubious and dangerous choices. Such as joining the fabric of the Commonwealth with properly knowing what they were getting into. Which led to their homes being seized by this empirical place in the name of progress. Netting our heroes their first major loss… ever really, and their desperation to be safe and fed has only led to more difficult and bold choices. Such as cutting a deal with Governor Pamela Milton to ensure their freedom and independence, and that is troublesome simply because… she’s not trustworthy in the slightest and seems like the type of person who would change the terms of a deal on a moment’s notice if it so suited her needs.
​
Which sadly, turned out to be the case. For the next episode of this storied saga, ‘Variant’, saw our heroes once again in a difficult place. Because just like that… our heroes were public enemy number one in the Commonwealth and were rounded up and interrogated for the sake of finding answers regarding the whereabouts of one Eugene Porter, so he could be ‘held accountable’ for his ‘involvement’ in the death of Sebastian Milton and well… this is as bold of a choice as it comes. Because once again, we’ve never seen our heroes in this kind of situation. Where they are helpless to fight back in the slightest and are forced to move under the cover of shadows to even have a conversation about their next moves and plans. But that is indeed what happened here and oddly enough… that allowed for some real terror to come into play.

Simply because… this allowed for us to really learn that Governor Pamela Milton has become dangerous at this point, largely due to the fact that her son is gone from this plane of existence and has instead been replaced by the rotten insult this world features. An unfortunate reality that motivated her to not only put her reanimated son into isolation and have him fed. But because it also brought forth the release of Lance Hornsby for reasons unknown, but let’s be honest… we all know those reasons are bad in nature and likely related to future plans in Pamela’s mind for her little empire. Throwing us shades of another Governor we’ve known, except this one has an army that obeys her orders regardless of concerns for her mental well-being and that makes her quite dangerous for certain… but for now at least… what she has planned will be sidelined for a bit.

For while Pamela was coping with death in one unhealthy manner… Eugene Porter was faced with quite the decision. In that, despite growing and trying his best over the past few years to be a bold man that can be seen as a hero, deep down… the fear that has controlled him for so long has remained within the core of his soul, and that fear was central to his journey here. Because he was in hiding again and ready to escape, despite the fact that the love of his life was in custody and ready to take the fall in his stead and well… that finally motivated Eugene to think differently and act selflessly. Because this time around, saving his own hide and just pushing forward wouldn’t be enough for his soul. He needed to do something noble and brave in this life and well… that pushed him to turn himself in. Which will please Pamela but forces Eugene to face a dark fate, one that might cost him his life. 

Which was indeed a brave thing for Eugene to do since it didn’t require guile and logic. It was just pure for a change, and it will indeed be interesting to see what comes out of this decision and whether or not Eugene will ever know freedom and peace again. But while all of those elements could have carried this episode no problem, this story wasn’t quite done with being bold. Because while all of this was going on in the Commonwealth, Aaron and Jerry, and Lydia and Elijah were on their way to Oceanside to check on their friends there and of course, encountered the dead and some injuries on the way. Which in turn prompted them to hole up for a bit on the grounds of a former Renaissance Faire to heal and breathe and that… at first made it appear we were going to be treated to some explorations on overcoming grief and loss. 
​
Since Lydia and Elijah’s budding relationship, and her guilt over feeling something for Elijah when she loved Henry so… led to some tender moments with Aaron who spoke to how she needed to not make the same mistakes as he did and embrace happiness and be open to love again, and well… that’s where this segment of the show took quite the turn. For while some slept and some kept watch, the unthinkable happened… in that the dead breached the walls and came forth en masse and while everyone managed to escape their rotten clutches and eventually put them all down, they made quite the horrifying discovery in the fight. One that the show and the franchise have hinted at for years. In that, there are indeed intelligent walkers out there, the kind that know how to use items nearby as weapons and can open doors and even fight back. 

Giving rise to the reality that a scientific aberration exists within the walker community and well… let’s be honest… there’s a fair chance we will see them again, since revealing one now could not be coincidence. But that aside, this was both terrifying and exhilarating to discover. Since it harkens back to the walkers that used tools in Atlanta back in season one, and it of course finally ties them, and the reveal at the end of World Beyond, together at last, and foreshadows Daryl’s Dixon’s future adventure. Adding to the mythos of this universe while at the same time, paying homage to George Romero’s living dead universe. Since his zombies could do similar things for certain, and while TWD’s walkers may not evolve akin to Romero’s, any variation in this manner works just fine and revitalizes the threat that the living dead pose. 

In the end, this was just… an amazing episode when all is said and done. Since it once again saw our heroes struggle with not being in control. Not to mention it featured a powerful sacrifice and a subtle reveal of the real villain of the end of this journey. For we now know that Pamela Milton is not at all the meek, status quo leader she’s pretended to be. She’s vicious and furious and it is only a matter of time before she snaps and unleashes her fury, and the fight that will come from that… will indeed determine if mankind is fit to rule this land of the dead and will inform us as to whether or not mankind is worth saving. And truly, it will be fascinating to hear the show’s thoughts on such matters and of course… see how all of this comes together as this long and winding journey, comes to a close after eleven wonderful seasons. Until next time.

​Scott's Review
What would you do to make a couple of extra dollars? I know there are times we need the money, but it is not usually the greatest feeling earning it. Taking a second job, no matter how nice it could be, you are still working your full forty hours at one location, then have to head off to another for another twenty plus. It does not seem like a lot of fun and all of your personal time goes down the drain, but hey, you did make a couple extra bucks, so you have accomplished what you wanted. Now the tricky part is to find time to go out and spend it.

A group of misfits that have been making internet movies showing them wreaking havoc around town have just gotten a new type of job offer. It seems simple enough as they look it over; break into a house and relieve it of a special VHS tape. There is nothing to it, so the group jumps at the opportunity and gets to the house as soon as possible. With the promise of a large payoff and more work, they will do anything to make it happen. When they get into the house however, they find it relatively empty and the owner dead in his recliner. Searching the house for the tape they need to take, every member is astonished to see the images coming out of the VCR when they pop in a tape and hit play.

As the tape starts to play, a strange story about a group that is out looking to make a voyeur movie comes to light. As one member of the group meets a young woman that really likes him, he is too slow and loses her to his good friend that that just looking for a little bit of love. But what they do not know is that she is looking for a little bit of love as well and goes straight for the heart, literally. A second tape is inserted and plays showing a young couple on their second honeymoon that are very much in love. When a fortune teller machine beckons the wife to come and get her future told, she finds out that an old love will be coming to her soon and instead of fighting it, she should embrace it, and she does.

As members of the gang keep searching the house for the tape they are looking for, each member finds themselves in front of the dead man’s television, watching something very strange. A third tape is inserted, and a story comes to life about a young woman that is taking her friends on a quick trip up to the lake for a great time. It turns out that she is hunting for someone that she blames for taking her youth away but needed bait. Another tape is watched that shows a great internet relationship as both parties are waiting to be with one another. But the young woman has a sorted past and thinks that it is catching up with her as strange sounds start going on around her apartment. Thinking that it is haunted, she is unsure what to do and implores her boyfriend to be her eyes as she goes ghost hunting, over the webcam. But what she does not know is that there is a more childish game afoot, one that will cause her great harm.

A fifth tape is played and takes a turn for the worse. As a group of friends are looking for a party on Halloween but seem to get turned around. Finding the desired house, or so they think, they are not able to find anyone around. The house is practically empty, but that does not deter the men from looking around. As lights seem to turn on and off on their own, doors open and close, and hands come out of a wall, they think it is the greatest haunted house ever and will make for a great party. As they continue to search the house, they hear voices coming from upstairs and go to investigate. What they see next, they believe is a prank and play along, but what they don’t know is that they have entered a realm that is darker than they will ever know.
​
What is the best way to sum up V/H/S? It is basically a compilation of short stories that have been tied into a plot line. Each tape that is watched brings a different scare to the screen and that makes it a unique viewing experience. Moving from one horror sub-genre to another, it is hard to pinpoint who would really be the target audience for it, unless you are a lover of all things horror. I liked the format of the movie, it was like reading a book of short stories, so you don’t get too invested in each one, but keeps you entranced to see what happens in the end. With good scares and some great stories hidden inside, I am still left wondering how all of the modern films and internet feeds were loaded on to an old school VHS tape, but that is my only question. Stay Scared.

​John's Review
Some things in this life just go perfect together. Ketchup and mustard, zombies and brains and when it comes to nostalgia, horror movies and VHS tapes. VHS, in my humble opinion, is one of the biggest reasons that horror films found their staying power during the 1980s and most of the 1990s. Because a simple trip to your video store would allow for any fan to enjoy a wealth of horror on a moment's notice.

So it only makes sense that someone decided to combine these two elements and the ever popular found footage sub-genre to create something that quite frankly I have never seen in horror before...the aptly titled V/H/S.

In this film, a group of vile thugs have received what they consider to be an easy task. They are to break into a house and swipe a VHS tape for their client. But this easy task quickly becomes a terrifying experience. For within the walls of the house they not only find a fresh corpse but a strange television setup complete with a vast collection of VHS tapes, full of disturbing images, and each time one of these tapes is viewed, something within the house seems to become more aware of their presence.  

I have to hand it to this movie for providing us with a truly fresh and original take on the found footage genre all while paying homage to the horror greats that came before it. Part Creepshow, part The Blair Witch Project, V/H/S is a unique little twist on the genre. In fact, we are given five tales of terror and the randomness of each one works quite well within the video cassette theme since we never quite know what we will get when the next tape gets popped in.  

Sadly, the stories are a mix of awesome and just...okay.  I don't want to say any of them are outright terrible, because they're not, they are just inconsistent in the scares.  Each one is special in its own right, but truthfully the first and last stories; 'Amateur Night' and '10/31/98' are the cream of the crop for this film. But regardless of the mediocre stories, this movie is worth a watch. For those of us who grew up on VHS horror it's a great throw back and the movie is flat out entertaining. There is no philosophy and commentary to be found here and that's okay, because there is nothing wrong with a little popcorn horror and V/H/S delivers in that department.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Dark Glasses’.
​
There are few things in the horror world that are more delightful than when a true legend that hasn’t been involved with the genre for a little while, returns to it and provides the fans with something new. In large part, because we get to see that legend working again in whatever capacity that made them a legend to begin with, and you can never go wrong with that, but also because… we know that whatever pulled them away from quiet time, was powerful and dark enough to require their attention. Which means we will get their very best and what’s wild… is that we are seeing these types of returns more and more in this modern era of filmmaking.
​
Which is likely related to the fact… that these fine legends have something to say, or this new era of freedom is affording them the chance to put a new spin on their work. Which is precisely what’s happening with John Carpenter right now, since he’s spent the last four years involved in some capacity with the new Halloween trilogy and he is not the only legend returning to the world of storytelling to offer something new to the masses. For Dario Argento, who has been quiet on the directing scene since 2012, finally found the right project to pay attention to. A film that explores something that he loves to ponder upon… the darkness of man, and that makes the Shudder Original, Dark Glasses, quite the compelling watch.

For this is indeed a story that just plunges us into the darkness of the world, wherein we meet a woman named Diana who is just doing her best to get by as a sex worker in life, which at times is no easy task when her clients opt to abuse their privileges with her. But her life becomes even more complex one dark night when a serial killer that has been stalking the streets and sex workers in general, sets his sights upon her. But Diana escapes the attack with her life and some losses. For the accident she’s involved in when he pops up, leaves her with two lives on her hands and the loss of her sight. Forcing her to learn to adjust to a new life… with new friends. Such as the kind woman that helps her learn how to function without sight, and the young boy this attack orphaned, and it is a wonderful thing they are around. For that monster in the shadows has unfinished business with her and strength in numbers might be the only way that Diana survives his obsession and blood lust.

Which is a plot that is… vintage Argento through and through and he of course, delivers. Since he leans on his extensive experience as a director and a master creator of tension to bring together a stunningly intense and uncomfortable feature. One that moves at a breakneck pace and leaves your heart racing and of course… features some of that trademark Argento gore. Which means we are treated to those visceral shots of the human body suffering from the ravages of rage here, complete with close ups that make one cringe and feature painful and torturous moments for those suffering from the carnage and well, those elements alone make this a delightful watch through and through because you can never go wrong with Argento’s greatest hits.
​
But what’s amazing is that this is a motion picture that goes far deeper than the usual psychological nightmare that Dario Argento likes to bring to the silver screen. For this is also a supremely angry film, one that more or less examines the horror of the marginalized adult man that has become such a threat to everyone’s safety in this modern era, alongside some commentary on the world’s current attitudes toward sex workers. Since they are oft frowned upon and chastised for just… making a living, and that is some powerful subtext to find in this film, and a bit of a surprise too, since Argento tends to stick to the shocking imagery and visceral darkness of humanity in his work. But it is definitely welcome here for certain.

If anything, all of these elements come together to make a complete and engaging horror film. One that doesn’t waste a single moment and offers up an emotional assault from beginning to end. All because you’re enjoying another horror thriller from the man that helped create the modern one, and it is just a true delight to be treated to something fresh and original from the maestro and to know that we can watch this over and over again as we please. For Dark Glasses is now available to stream on Shudder and we hope you give it a look. Simply because it is the master of Giallo, doing his thing on the silver screen, and that always leads to a great time.    

It is definitely safe to say, that the Shudder documentary series, Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror, has done a phenomenal job of opening our eyes to how horror is supremely representative. For not only is it origins steeped in the queer experience, but it also has helped for us to gain some perspective on what it is like to be an LGBTQIA+ individual in the world… without us being the wiser. Since those perspectives and thoughts have been beautifully woven into the subtext of classic horror stories. But while it has been powerful to learn of the genre’s queer origins and what queer individuals have dealt with throughout the years, one would think that such observations are really as far as this documentary can go.

After all, there’s really no way for a documentary series to really hammer home the emotions that come with those experiences or be able to truly give us a full understanding of what it feels like to be an LGBTQIA+ individual, right? Well as it turns out, a documentary most certainly can. For this week's episode taught us, that as the genre continued to evolve throughout history, the daring nature of the stories horror has told… put the emotions of queer individuals on display for us to discover in such a brilliant manner… that we can feel what queer people have felt throughout the years and really step into their shoes and understand how scary it can be to be queer and such feats were accomplished… in the simplest manner possible, believe it or not. 

Because a lot of the more modern horror stories, feature monsters and characters that we outright sympathize with because they are ostracized for who and what they are. Like the werewolf for instance, since on the surface, these creatures of the night were once everyday people who were transformed into these beings through means they simply could not control in the slightest. And of course, they are feared and ostracized for being something that did not involve choice and well… that’s how you experience what it is like to walk a mile in a queer individuals’ shoes. Because in the real world, the LGBTQIA+ community is viewed akin to werewolves and ostracized and they are often feared, because they are seen as monstrous.

Which is… a disgusting sentence to put down, but it is  the unfortunate truth and there are more films in horror’s history that explore such matters. Since the genre is rife with tales that speak to the outsider feelings that come with being out and how sometimes there seems to be no escape from the judgments or the fear or the belief that something is wrong with a queer individual. And all of that… allows for us the viewer… to finally get a true idea and understanding, of the fear that comes with being LGBTQIA+ and how hard a day can be when eyes are upon a person for just being who they are and this… this made for a powerful and eye-opening chapter in this journey, one that truly gives the viewer great pause.

Simply because for the first time ever… a documentary has cracked the code and truly immersed the audience in what others feel and experience, all while still educating us on how horror and the LGBTQIA+ community continue to go hand in hand throughout the course of horror’s history… since we learned so much about these ties in the science fiction fusion era of horror and well, all of those elements make this the show’s most powerful entry to date and this is one that will undoubtedly be examined in great detail for years to come. For creating empathy in a manner that few documentaries can, and it will be quite interesting to see what other impactful learning awaits us as this series comes to a close. Until next time.

One particular gimmick that horror fans really don’t buy into anymore, is the notion of ‘The Final Chapter’ or a true ending to a storied franchise. Simply because… horror franchises really don’t end. For someone eventually picks up the rights and opts to make a sequel, a la what’s happened often with George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead, or the monster that was supposed to die in that final chapter… does not. After all, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, was anything but since seven more films came after that one… including a remake/reboot and crossover event. Not to mention, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare was also supposed to the end all be all finale to the Nightmare on Elm Street saga, only to have Freddy return under the watchful eye of his creator in New Nightmare and he too got a remake and that aforementioned crossover flick with Jason Voorhees.
​
So, these days when anyone hears that the end is night for a particular horror icon, eyes are indeed rolled but curiosity is of course piqued. Because we can’t help but wonder what kind of ugly and satisfying moments the monster is going to go through in that ‘final’ story and that does indeed compel us to at least check it out, despite knowing deep down… there will be advertisements in a couple of years for a new one. But we’d be remiss to point out that despite sassing the finale, deep down we too want more. We want to see these monsters thrive and scare us and share in those moments with our friends and perhaps introduce these nightmares to a new generation. But all of this does leave one to wonder… since we crave more and since the genre is unwilling to let go of some of its iconic faces, will it ever be possible to actually end a modern horror story? Because that would indeed be a bold thing to do in this modern era of franchises and universes and believe it or not, David Gordon Green and his whip-smart Halloween team have actually managed to make that happen in Halloween Ends.

A feat that this film accomplishes by taking us on quite the unique ride. Wherein we pick up four years after the events of Halloween Kills and learn that Michael Myers has not been seen since that fateful night. He’s just vanished and left Haddonfield to its own devices and an era of peace. One so calm and wonderful that even Laurie Strode has come out of hiding and purchased a home and is doing her best to actually enjoy life at last with her granddaughter Allyson and for a time… it appears that life is indeed going to return to normal for this town and these heroes. But the arrival of a young and troubled man named Corey into their lives is going to change everything. For Corey is host to a lot of darkness, the kind that has caught the attention of Haddonfield’s greatest monster, who has in fact, been in hiding all along and he will need Corey’s help to return to the limelight on the one night that matters most to him. 

Which is a plot that doesn’t quite scream finale in the slightest and understandably so. After all, the thought of Michael Myers giving anyone agency around him, is unheard of and makes this movie seem more like a passing of the torch story, one where a new monster will take The Shape's place when the story ends. Not to mention, that bold twist in turn leads to several others. The kind that adds to the mythos of Michael Myers through and through and leaves the viewer with some questions about his origins and his abilities as a monster, and the social commentary here regarding evil and its outright origins in our modern world… only adds to the feeling that… this is just another wannabe finale. One that will give us something that makes us quite happy for the time being as plans are put in motion for the next chapter in the franchise.

But make no mistake about it, this is a new type of horror film altogether. One that actually doesn’t toy with the audience and gives us everything that it advertises and more. Which is… shocking to say the least, since we’ve never been given that. But this is an ending, this is a finale and how that plays out is both shocking and satisfying and it will indeed stay with you long after this movie has come to its end. Because this is something we’ve never seen before in horror and the best part is, the payoff is complimented nicely by one epic ride through and through. One full of quality scares and quality kills, the kind that will outright make you cringe and turn away, making this one of the most violent and bleak Halloween movies to date as well, but hey… if you’re going for broke and wrapping this up, why not go big? 
​
However, you’ve likely noticed at this point, we’ve said little detail wise regarding HOW Halloween Ends, ends, and/or if that torch is passed, and there is good reason for that. Because this is an ending that cannot be spoiled in the slightest, it needs to be experienced firsthand. In part because of its bold and satisfying nature but also because... there’s so much more to this movie than its powerhouse ending. For Jamie Lee Curtis reminds us all once again why she is an acting legend courtesy of a performance from the ages, and the rest of the cast holds their own as well and well, in the end, this is the perfect ending to the perfect nightmare. Granted, we’d be foolish to think that the franchise won’t live on in some capacity, after all… this is Michael Myers, we are talking about here and heaven knows his saga has five unique timelines to work with. Which means, that the door is open for a fresh iteration as always and perhaps that’s really the key to the future of horror and franchises such as this one.

Wherein writers and directors will be able to tell self-encapsulated stories that come to a proper conclusion so that other ideas and concepts can be worked with, giving rise to a dark and twisted MCU style of horror storytelling. Where fresh faces can take the mantle up of iconic characters and really take them in bold new directions, akin to what happened here. But while we wait to see how this film inspires the future of horror filmmaking, we can in the meantime… enjoy this one in the comfort of a theater or in the comfort of our own homes. For Halloween Ends is out in theaters now and is available to stream on Peacock and hopefully you give this one a look in either capacity. Simply because this really is a special and brave horror film, one that will be talked about heavily for ages on end.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers Episode Six of ‘The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
For the most part, themes in televisions shows, rarely come around full circle. Simply because the exploration in question is completed over the course of an hour, and there’s no need to dig any deeper. In fact, the closest shows ever get to revisiting, is instead expanding upon a new idea or angle that the writers’ room couldn’t explore the first time around. But every once in a while, you run into a series that manages to surprise and bring back explorations of old themes in a unique and dynamic manner, and that particular surprise just so happens to be top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Shudder’s The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time… did just that.
​
For ‘#36 - #24’ took the time to revisit and explore every single theme it has showcased this season once again, and with good reason. Because this particular episode was designed to provide the viewers with quite the powerful lesson in story and scare construction. In that, the best scares out there, do more than just make us jump or evoke a primal fear or trailblaze… they combine all the elements that the show has been exploring. That way, every single corner and facet of terror is properly explored and that of course, leads to some epic scares. The kind that qualifies as the genuinely scariest horror movie moments of all time, and thankfully, the episode broke this reality down in detail.

Take for instance, what it had to say about The Blair Witch Project. For this is a horror film that absolutely made use of the finest elements out there. After all, it’s a movie that was simple in nature and used imagination to help with the scares and it also preyed upon our primal fears through and through. Because who wouldn’t be terrified to be lost in the woods in the modern world? Not to mention, the thought of being chased and hunted by a supernatural entity is utterly terrifying, and combining those elements, alongside adding new ideas and new concepts into the mix via found footage and the viral marketing campaign of this movie, truly made for impactful scares that stay with us to this day.

However, as this is series is wont to do, it wants you to understand such matters from the source. Which is why Mike Flanagan’s time in this episode was of note. Because we were able to learn just how he took similar elements and blended them into The Haunting of Hill House, giving us a grand understanding of how those elements come together from a writer and a director’s perspective, and it was equally as amazing to learn how other stories helped to influence Mike as well. Since he spoke to how Lake Mungo features some moments that he wanted to take to a whole new level, using the very storytelling tools we just discussed. Which offered some amazing insight and new perspective on Hill House for certain.

As to what those exact moments of influence were, well as always, we simply won’t reveal that here. Because you need to experience that firsthand so you can bask in the wonder of some genius analysis and of course be reminded of and educated upon some supremely scary moments. Because what was present here from a selection standpoint was gold and epic in nature and well… just like that, we are now in the top twenty-five horror fans. And it will be interesting to see what incredible moments await us down the line and of course, it will be equally as amazing to kick back and learn what makes them so impactful from a series that offers so much. Until next time.

It is definitely safe to say that there is a massive buzz building for the upcoming Shudder series, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, and it makes sense as to why. In part because, the Boulet Brothers offer something for everyone with their incredible show. Since horror fans get gore and scares, and education when they tune in. While fans of fashion and costuming, and drag, are treated to incredible work and performances. Plus, if you want drama… the dynamic personalities of the contestants will help with that.
​
But what matters most, is that the Boulet Brothers just put together one hell of a show, one that you cannot look away from and Shudder is fully aware of the fact that we are all excited for it and are curious as to what this spin-off series will look like, and that is precisely why they gifted all the uglies of the world today, with a trailer for this show. So, we can finally have a taste of what will be another incredible competition from these wondrous minds and well, here is that trailer and some updated details on the series for all of you to enjoy (courtesy of Shudder), as we count down the days to premiere of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans.

‘“We are so thrilled to bring back some of our favorite stars from previous seasons of the show for this new series, and we can’t wait for everyone to see the shocking lengths we go to in order to find out who among them is the true Titan of Dragula! The alchemy of combining our favorite judges, challenges, themes, and cast members from previous seasons all in one titanic series is a dream come true for us. We can’t wait for viewers to be blown away by this new format and the incredible artistry our drag monsters have brought to the competition.” - Dracmorda Boulet + Swanthula Boulet 
 
The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans brings together some of the most popular drag icons from the show’s previous seasons competing in a grand championship of drag artistry and shocking physical challenges for a one hundred-thousand-dollar grand prize, the headlining spot on the upcoming world tour, and the first ever “Dragula Titans” crown and title.
 
Featuring a specially built “underworld” set and a brand new format, the series is packed with so many stunning twists and turns that contestants began to affectionately refer to the show as “Gagula” during filming. While The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans feels “elevated” compared to a regular season, fans will feel right at home watching the spinoff, which the Boulet Brothers consider to be “truly the most compelling content we’ve created to date.”     
 
The drag monsters set to return are Abhora, Astrud Aurelia, Erika Klash, Evah Destruction, HoSo Terra Toma, Kendra Onixxx, Koco Caine, Melissa Befierce, Victoria Elizabeth Black and Yovska. There will also be a rotating cast of guest judges from the show’s past and present, including horror icon Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Harvey Guillen (What We Do In The Shadows), Justin Simien (director of Disney’s upcoming Haunted Mansion film), David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad), pop metal princess Poppy, drag superstars Alaska and Katya, and horror royalty Joe Bob Briggs (The Last Drive-In), Bonnie Aarons (The Nun) and Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, Jakob’s Wife) to name a few, with surprise guests making unannounced appearances along the way.’

One of the hardest lessons we will ever learn in this life, is coming to understand what the world is really like. For as a teenager and a kid, we are taught that the world is a wonderful and warm place. Where good always prevails and justice is always served via karma or the system, and where our better angels guide the planet toward a better tomorrow. But once we reach adulthood and get out into the world, we come to learn that really is a lie. For it quickly becomes apparent to us that there is as much cruelty as there is good in the world and that this is a place where some people don’t give a damn about a better tomorrow… they just care about their own path and their own agency in this journey through life and will do what they must to get theirs. 
​
Not to mention, the justice we were promised doesn’t completely exist. Since sometimes bad people continue to do bad things to us and others without consequence or concern. And sometimes… the bad guys just plain win and there’s nothing we can do about it. All of which, shocks us to no end and forces us to think differently about our journey through life and how we can perhaps contribute to making the world the utopia we were told it was supposed to be, since it has that potential. After all, it sometimes resembles that for a brief moment, and that is impactful enough that we tend to ponder upon what it would take to bring that justice forth and end cruelty and we also sometimes wonder… what we would do if given the power to fix it all ourselves. If anything, all of those elements are top of mind today… simply because those themes are explored in the Shudder release, She Will.

A feat that this particular film accomplishes by taking us on a long and winding, and powerful journey with a former acting superstar, Veronica Ghent. Who just so happens to be working to heal from a double mastectomy when we catch up with her, here. In fact, she’s so eager to do that right, she’s hired a nurse/caregiver named Desi to accompany her to a private retreat buried deep in the Scottish Highlands so she can just heal and reflect… and reflect she does. On a life and career that saw success and sorrow and of course, she also ponders upon the unjust aspects of life that haunt her still since there are people who hurt her that still go about their day without a care or consequence, leaving her to wonder how she will ever deal with that pain. But soon she comes to discover, that there are properties here that make dreams and desires come true, and armed with that knowledge and that power… Veronica may finally heal in every way imaginable.

Which is a plot that truly explores every frustration we have about the world. Since it acknowledges how it doesn’t function as it should and how the darkness wins more than we’d like, and how that reality and the scars it creates, outright haunts us. But more importantly, it really does dive deep into the concept of what someone would do if given the tools to fix the injustices of the world and well, what Veronica does with that here… may surprise you. Because her decisions require a certain constitution, one that is both controversial and brave but that is the point of this film. In that, we really do like to believe that positivity and joy and kindness will always win the day, but for some folks and some elements of evil, a different and more unorthodox approach is required. One that we might not like to think about.
​
A revelation that at times, makes this a dark and angry film but understandably so when you look at Veronica’s plight and quite frankly, the commentary present here. For this is a motion picture that also ponders deeply upon how we treat women in the modern world, and how we often deny them agency in life when they cry out against the horrible things the world is okay with letting happen to women. Not to mention, it also leans hard into how women are more or less seen as worthless after a certain age, and how we cast them aside when they reach that point, and how wrong of a choice that is. Since everyone has value at any age, and this movie deserves props for pointing all of this out in a powerful manner and for exploring a grittier and more controversial side of how we might best clean up the world and its ills.

But by now, you’ve likely noticed that we haven't gone into great detail as to how exactly this movie explores those themes or how exactly it speaks to dealing with the injustices of the world and well… there’s good reason for that. Because this is a motion picture that needs to be savored and experienced. For it is at heart, an artful horror film, one that explores the horrors of the world and does so in a powerful and compelling manner that spoilers would ruin here. Not to mention, one also needs to experience the majesty of both Alice Krige (Veronica) and Malcolm McDowell’s (Eric Hathbourne) incredible performances firsthand since the two put on an acting clinic here to sell the story’s concepts and themes. But the good news is, you won’t have to wait long to see this majestic and haunting horror feature. For She Will is now available to stream on Shudder, and we certainly hope you give it a look. For it really is a poignant and powerful film.