Written by John Edward Betancourt CHUCKY -- "Murder at 1600" Episode 301 -- Pictured: (l-r) Devon Sawa as James Collins, Callum Vinson as Henry Collins, Chucky -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/SYFY)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘Chucky’. To revisit season two, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
It is definitely safe to say that the SYFY/USA Network horror series, Chucky, is different from other horror shows on the market. Simply because… it handles its business differently. After all, this is that rare television sequel, that has worked quickly to wrap up loose ends from the film franchise, all while offering up experimental plots that challenge these characters like never before and of course, it is eager to provide us… with unique stories that captivate from beginning to end. If anything, the unique structure, and design of this show is top of mind today, simply because… the season three premiere of Chucky made it clear that taking risks will be the name of the game this season, and that made ‘Murder at 1600’, quite the delightful tale. In large part because of its setting. Because dear ol’ Chucky, under the guise of the name, Joseph, was now an official member of the First Family. For President Collins’ son, Henry, kept Chucky close at the White House, and of course relied upon him for comfort. Which Chucky was happy to provide, simply because… he wanted to gain access to normally closed off areas of the White House, through innocent moments with Henry, and he was able to do so here. Because on several occasions he was left alone, in critical places. Such as the Oval Office, and that allowed for him to snoop about regarding whatever plan he had assembled in his twisted mind, and of course, he was able to stay out of mind when it came to the trouble he was brewing. Well… for as long as he could. Because eventually, the Secret Service kept getting way too close, and that led to the stuff we know and love. But more on that in a moment because what also made this story so experimental and unique, was the sheer fact that it made sure to not forget about prior heroes. Since we were able to catch up with Jake, Devon, and Lexy, and see how they were doing following the wild events of season two. And in a nutshell… they were not well. They struggled with that chaos and were doing their best to reconnect with others, and themselves, while lightly addressing their trauma and this is stuff… we just don’t see in horror enough. Wherein the characters deal with the genuine fallout of the horrors they have seen, and that was refreshing to find here, and it also was the perfect way to set the stage for the fight ahead. Since someone that was small and surly and well… evil… made sure to mock them over his potential protection behind the walls of the home of the President of these United States. All of which set the stage for a grand showdown this season, one that might be more difficult than our heroes know. Which really did bring forth a bold story, one that has us guessing as to what exactly Chucky wants and what kind of carnage he wants to impart, and of course… we’d be remiss to not point out that the horror elements here were simply top notch. Because we know what Chucky is, we know what kind of threat he poses and that made every scene where he was alone with someone, unsettling to say the least. Since we didn’t know if he was going to strike, and that made the moment when he did surprise the Secret Service… brutal and horrifying for certain. Because it was just so savage, just so raw. But that’s something this franchise delivers on time and time again and well, in the end, this was just a magnificent season premiere. One that really did set up a bold new story in the franchise, complete with a plan that will slowly reveal itself to us in the perfect manner. Plus, it had good scares, great tension and one incredibly gory scene involving a bullet to the brain and well, you simply cannot go wrong with any of that in a Chucky story. Plus, it was also great to see Devon Sawa in here again, because the man is a franchise staple through and through and well, all of these elements just leave us eager for more. Because we simply must know if our heroes can get to Chucky and save the day from whatever Chucky has planned. And of course, we simply must know what that plan is and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode, as difficult as can be. Until next time. Watch ‘Chucky’
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Written by Theron Reynolds CHUCKY -- “He Is Risen Indeed” Episode 206 -- Pictured in this screengrab: Chucky -- (Photo by: SYFY)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Season 2 of ‘Chucky’. To revisit Season 1, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
In 2021, Don Mancini, USA & Syfy brought us an unexpected follow-up to one of the most beloved horror franchises and characters in history, Chucky. The 1st season ended up being a bloody fun season of television that brought us some outrageously fun practical effects, gruesome deaths that only Chucky could give us, and it not only honored what came before but built anticipation for what could be coming next! It was an ambitious order as there’s a lot more care placed into the lore of Chucky compared to a number of other franchises out there, and even then, the show pulled out just the right stops to appease long term fans while still pulling in new ones. It also managed to tackle the tough task which understandably would come from transitioning an always R rated film property into something appropriate for TV. What can be shown on Cable TV has certainly changed since the original Child’s Play film, and even though it can’t have the exact same level of violence, gore, or language, Mancini has found creative ways to make sure that not only do Chucky and Tiffany not lose any of their bite, but they’re actually more vicious and crueler than ever before. It was nice not having to worry about a loss of intensity considering the large number of storylines juggled over season 1. Whether it was finally giving us Chucky’s backstory into what made him a killer in the 1st place, following Andy & Kyle in their quest to find and kill every Chucky they could track down, Tiffany Valentine in the body of Jennifer Tilly trying to figure out what to do with a Chucky-possessed Nica Pearce, or following “The Good Guy Trio” (as I call them) of Jake, Devon, and Lexy in Chucky’s hometown of Hackensack just trying to stay alive, season 1 gave viewers a multiple choice of what they could choose to enjoy! By the time the season ended, Kyle was presumed dead in an explosion, Andy had commandeered and driven off in a truck filled with Chuckys, Tiffany had amputated Nica’s limbs to protect herself from Chucky taking her over, and Chucky had murdered multiple people in Hackensack including friends and family of The Good Guy Trio leaving them broken and scattered amongst foster care just like Andy before them. Basically, any step forward any of our heroes were able to make over the season, Chucky and Tiffany were there to knock them 3 steps back, going into season 2 things were not looking great. Season 2 finds itself taking up a “Less is more” approach compared to the multiple storylines being followed in the 1st season. Rather than split time between 4 different perspectives, the 2nd season scales things down to two with the focus being split between The Good Guy Trio now residing at the School of the Incarnate Lord, and Tiffany Valentine who is still in possession of a Chucky possessed Nica Pearce, but now has to juggle the arrival of her children Glen & Glenda along with more of Jennifer Tilly’s friends. The first season worked well as a transition for long term fans, even if it wasn’t 100%, there was some much-needed closure provided for a number of long-term dangling plot lines, and for new fans it allowed them to settle into a new story and not have to worry tremendously that they didn’t have a full picture.  CHUCKY -- “Death on Denial” Episode 204 -- Pictured: (l-r) Joe Pantoliano as Himself, Meg Tilly as Herself, Lachlan Watson as Glenda, Tony Nappo as Jeeves -- (Photo by: Rafy/SYFY)
The Good Guy Trio truly gets to shine and not only gets fleshed out but are forced to deal with the fallout of season 1’s events. Jake and Devon’s relationship is strained and while Devon desperately looks for a way for them to reconnect, Jake’s obsession with Chucky not only leads him to a new friend that no one would ever expect but will put his relationship with Devon to the ultimate test. Lexy has lost her taste for popularity and fallen into a depression and is only able to cope by abusing her mom’s prescription drugs, she’ll make an unexpected new friend of her own which will force her to work through her problems if she’s going to help save her new family. With Jake and Lexy not dealing with the events of the previous season, well, it’s an interesting dynamic seeing Devon take on his pain and anger head on and acknowledge everything that’s happened, it puts him at direct odds with both Jake and Lexy who spend a good portion of the season ignoring the danger right in front of them. This results in one of the more fun pairings of Lexy & Devon on an investigation later in the season and we better get this pairing again in season 3!
Over in Tiffany’s world, our Majestic Murderess has discovered her apparent true feelings for Nica and is searching for a way to exorcise Chucky from Nica’s body all while under the nose of her kids Glen & Glenda (Lachlan Watson – Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). Glen and Glenda only have slight fading memories of their time in their doll body (back during the events of Seed of Chucky) and while they grew up truly believing themselves to be the children of Jennifer Tilly, are clearly aware that something’s off with their mother. The tone of the scenes with Tiffany, Nica, Glen, and Glenda over the season are a nice contrast with the scenes set at the School of the Incarnate Lord. While the scenes away from the school are still very much dark, they’re played more for laughs. This includes one of the best episodes of the show so far “Death on Denial”, written by Alex Delyle and Kim Garland that focuses on a Murder Mystery Party thrown together by Tiffany featuring Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano, Sutton Stracke, and Meg Tilly as houseguests. The various interactions between Tiffany (in Jennifer Tilly’s body), Nica-Chucky, Glen, Glenda, and Jennifer Tilly (in Tiffany’s doll body) bring some much-needed levity to the season to keep a good balance. The season is left off with a bit of a mixed bag depending on where your fandom falls, there’s some shocking kills, hilarious jokes, great turns from Devon Sawa and Bella Higginbotham in guest roles, and Brad Dourif gets to play Chucky a variety of different fun new ways! The Good Guy Trio experiences more loss and are left in a similar predicament to where they were at the end of season 1, Tiffany however finds herself in imminent danger as she’s got just as many enemies as Chucky now, and they’re all looking for her! While Season 2 boasts a more focused story for viewers, long term fans may have found themselves missing the abundance of easter eggs and nods, along with more focus on other legacy characters back in Season 1. It's likely that Season 3 continues to move further away from the ties of the past as it wisely seeks to set the franchise for more new viewers. Selfishly, I’ll always hope for more Andy & Kyle, but it would be nice if Detective Norris, DeSilva, or even Jade eventually showed up! Season 3 of Chucky premieres simultaneously on USA & SyFy, tonight, October 4th, with new episodes available on Peacock the next day. Watch ‘Chucky’
Written by John Edward Betancourt  All Photos of the Cast of Season Five of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’ Courtesy of Shudder. There are a great many reasons that fans cannot get enough of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula on Shudder. For some, it’s all about Drac and Swan. For they are horror icons that we cannot get enough of. For others, it’s the fact that drag is treated as art on this show and that provides the audience with incredible creations that take our breath away. For some viewers, it’s the sheer celebration of horror that this series provides. Since every single season we are treated to lessons about the genre, and introduced to subgenres we might not have known ever existed. But of the many specific reasons that we tune into this magnificent show, there is one that we all share in. In that, we love the competitors. Because they are dynamic artists that bring incredible outfits and characters to life, and they have powerful stories to tell about their lives and their relationship with horror. And while yes… there is often tea and drama to be served during this season because of the ultra-competitive nature of these artists… we are simply fascinated and captivated by all of them. If anything, the competitors of this show are top of mind today, courtesy of quite the important announcement from Shudder and the Boulet Brothers. For earlier, the cast roster for season five of this beloved show was released, and at last… we have an idea of who might be crowned as The World's Next Drag Supermonster and perhaps become a future Titan. And since you’re a huge fan of this show and want to know who will be shocking us on stage, here is the cast for season five of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, courtesy of Shudder and the Boulet Brothers.  THROB ZOMBIE Hometown: Boston, MA Pronouns: They/them Drag Style: Monster Drag King Official Bio: Throb Zombie is a horror obsessed Drag King fueled by all things spooky and creepy. With a punk rock aesthetic and a history in burlesque performance, they also love to consistently up the ante on their stage shows with a huge injection of sex appeal. Combining elements of both Drag Kings and Drag Queens, Throb promises to show us an unexpected side to the world of monster drag.  SATANNA Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Pronouns: She/her and They/them Drag Style: Drag Queen Official Bio: Satanna is here to raise some hell and show the world that she is as feisty and fiery as she is fierce and talented. Her three greatest strengths are her performance capabilities, her gorgeous make up and her ability to verbally destroy anyone! Her hot pink candy coated exterior betrays the bitchy devil dwelling on the inside. You’ve been warned.  ONYX ONDYX Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Pronouns: She/her Drag Style: Drag Queen Official Bio: Onyx Ondyx is the commodity of oddities and a self-described “freakshow showgirl” extraordinaire. Onyx is known for her terrifying and show stopping circus side show stunts that keep audiences in Philadelphia coming back for more. With a high pain tolerance and a penchant for stage stunts, Onyx hopes that her unique sideshow skillset will win her the crown.  ORKGOTIC Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina Pronouns: He/him Drag Style: Drag Artist Official Bio: Orkgotik is one of the diverse international competitors on the fifth season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula. Hailing from South America, he has come to the US for the first time to compete on the show and feature his truly unique and horrifying drag skills. He uses his experimental prosthetic work to create otherworldly nightmarish visions that celebrate despair, desire, and the darkness that lives in us all.  NIOHURU X Hometown: Tianjin, China Pronouns: She/her and They/them Drag Style: Drag Artist Official Bio: Niohuru is a recent transplant from China who has come to the US to pursue her professional dreams. She is a make-up artist and fashion entrepreneur who uses cutting edge technology to elevate her brand of twisted fashion and hardcore glam. Nio makes up for her lack of stage performance experience with huge amounts of enthusiasm and visionary drag looks.  JAY KAY Hometown: Brooklyn, NY. Pronouns: They/them Drag Style: Drag Artist Official Bio: Jay Kay is a noxious mix of camp, gender blending and a whole lot of punk rock personality. They are here to be louder, bigger and more annoying than any other competitor to ever grace the Boulet Brothers Dragula stage. They are “the most annoying person you ever met” and hopes that a big personality is enough to bring them to the finale, and ultimately, the title of “The Worlds Next Drag Supermonster”.  JARVIS HAMMER Hometown: Atlanta, GA Pronouns: He/Him Drag Style: Drag King Official Bio: Jarvis Hammer not only brings a stunning ghostly visual aesthetic to all of his drag looks but also delivers fabulous performances showcasing his signature comedic styling. With a background in stand-up comedy, they bring a fresh and funny element to the competition. Jarvis is death defyingly dashing, extremely dramatic and very dead.  FANTASIA ROYALE GAGA Hometown: Miami, FL Pronouns: She/her Drag Style: Drag Artist Official Bio: Fantasia is ready to take on the competition with her dangerous curves, her beautiful face, and her 20+ years of experience as an entertainer. As an iconic fixture in the Miami scene, Fantasia hopes to bury the other competitors with her professionalism, poise, and personality. The body has arrived honey!  CYNTHIA DOLL Hometown: Kansas City, MO Pronouns: She/ her Drag Style: Drag Queen Official Bio: Cynthia terrorizes Kansas City with her high energy performances, her personality and her horror inspired fashion sense. She wouldn’t be caught dead in anything but custom “coutorture” every time she takes the stage. Never “drama” but always “dramatic” Cynthia never starts trouble, but if someone has a problem with her, she promises to end it.  BLACKBERRI Hometown: Houston, TX Pronouns: She/her and he/him Drag Style: Drag Queen Official Bio: Blackberri is known as the bearded beauty of Texas! Her prowess as an MC and her performance abilities have earned her a lot of respect and a lot of success in the Houston scene. She brings a revolving door of talents to the competition including comedy, acting, performance and makeup skills. Blackberri is a jack of all trades and would be very foolish for anyone to underestimate.  ANNA PHYLACTIC
Hometown: Manchester, England. Pronouns: She/her, He/ him and They/them Drag Style: Drag Queen Official Bio: Another international drag artists to enter the competition, Anna brings her many years of experience as a valued member of “the family gorgeous” to the show. Her greatest strengths are her fabulous personality, her theatrical sensibility, and her deadly looks. Anna has a fearless fervor and is ready to throw herself at any challenge The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula puts before her in her pursuit for the title of “Dragula”. Written by Theron Reynolds CHUCKY -- Season:1 -- Pictured: Chucky -- (Photo by: Brendan Meadows/USA Network)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Season One of ‘Chucky’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
35 years ago, the movie Child’s Play premiered and the world was first introduced to Charles Lee Ray (better known as Chucky), a homicidal doll that’s not only grown to become a household name but has grossed over 200 million Dollars at the box office and has become synonymous with the Halloween season. After the direct to digital releases Curse of Chucky & Cult of Chucky gathered the highest critical reception since the original film, the TV show Chucky premiered in 2021 on USA & Syfy to continue the adventures of the killer doll. Still set in the same continuity of the films, in 2 seasons, Chucky, has not only managed to both honor and build on the story it’s established over the past 3 decades, it’s also been able to cut a new path in this world of legacy sequels, reboots, re-quels, and remakes, a not so easy task for one of the very few series that has kept it’s continuity since its inception. Chucky (Brad Dourif – Deadwood: The Movie, Halloween II) has always been a notable standout from his horror brethren like Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Michael Myers because of his human nature. Regardless of the fact that he’s not even 3 feet tall and in the body of a child’s toy, Chucky gets chances to interact with his potential victims in ways that these other famed monsters just don’t get to. The conversations, the jokes, the relationships, it keeps Chucky surprisingly grounded in a genre that routinely goes for something grander. To set the stage for the show, we last left our knee-high friend in 2017’s Cult of Chucky, where Chucky has found a way to splinter his soul and is no longer confined to a single body. Nica Pearce (Fiona Dourif – The Stand, The Purge) who had been sent to Harrogate Psychiatric Hospital due to the deaths of her family members at the hands of Chucky finds herself now possessed and in the company of Tiffany Valentine (Jennifer Tilly – 7 Days to Vegas, Family Guy) even after a rescue attempt from franchise hero Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent – South of Central, The Dark Military). Only a few weeks later, Season 1 of Chucky introduces us to 14-year-old Jake Wheeler (Zackary Arthur – Transparent, The 5th Wave), a young man living in Charles Lee Ray’s hometown of Hackensack New Jersey, who’s still having a hard time dealing with the death of his mother and secret crush on true crime podcaster Devon Evans (Björgvin Arnarson – PEN15, The Seventh Day). Bullied at school by his cousin Junior (Teo Briones – Ratched, Lethal Weapon) & his girlfriend Popularity Queen Lexy Cross (Alyvia Alyn Lind – Daybreak, Future Man) and at home where he lives with his grieving abusive alcoholic father Lucas (Devon Sawa – Hunter Hunter, Black Friday) he happens to come across a certain doll at a nearby yard sale which will soon upend his entire world. Chucky is back, and for the first time ever, he’s got a plan! All Chucky needs to do is convince Jake, or frankly any child he comes across in Hackensack to take a life and he’ll have all the power he needs to raise his army of Good Guy Dolls. It’s a sharp contrast from the earlier stories we got in the franchise as those mostly revolved around Chucky looking to transfer his soul into a different body, Chucky has grown used to living in the body of a doll and is content seeking revenge and reveling in evil above all else. This was a welcome development for the franchise as the previous films allowed Chucky to finally reach that long term goal, and there needed to be a better motivation to keep things going. Having Chucky return to his hometown and giving us flashbacks showing his growing depravity in his younger years fleshes the character out in a way that couldn’t have been expected back in 1988. Again, this is a character who is more human than a number of other horror icons, so at some point we needed the backstory so we can keep seeing him that way. His childhood obsession with blood and violent acts, the murder of his father (at the hands of another serial killer) before killing his own mother, his murder of a janitor at a foster home, we’re given enough information to work out why Chucky enjoys corrupting the youth he encounters, Chucky wants the kids of the world to grow up seeing red the same way he did. In a fun bit of casting, when we finally get to see Charles Lee Ray in flashbacks around the time of Child’s Play, he’s portrayed by Dourif’s own daughter and fellow franchise star Fiona! These flashbacks also show us how Chucky & Tiffany met, and that their disfunction and constant betrayal of each other goes back further than we thought (Tiffany was responsible for alerting the police to Chucky’s identity of The Lakeshore Strangler leading to his subsequent “death”). While Season 1 of Chucky brings a sense of intrigue that we got bits and pieces of from the last two films, it’s clear that moving to television has allowed franchise runner Don Mancini to truly take the time to flesh out these stories and give the characters a more well wounded presence. Even franchise favorites Andy Barclay and Kyle (Christine Elise – Body Snatchers, BH90210) get a chance to shine here, and while they may no longer be the direct focus of the series, Chucky certainly hasn’t forgotten them. The TV show firmly sets Chucky in a new path as similar to other horror franchises over the decades, it’s focused on a younger audience. Andy Barclay might be Chucky’s nemesis but across 7 films, he’s largely targeted adults, and unlike his horror brethren he hasn’t had any grand reason to go after kids. Having Chucky seek to both corrupt and kill a number of these kids (and their parents) has certainly endeared him more to a younger crowd, which I supposed means we’re doing what he wants. One last and certainly important point to mention that the show does well is make it clear that while Chucky may be a monster, even he has his limits. Whether it’s inhabiting the body of Nica or acknowledging his Genderfluid kid (Glen/Glenda), Chucky makes it clear that he hurts and kills based on the screws loose in his head. At one point Tiffany even mentions some of the things that Chucky has been doing in Nica’s body, which just adds another unexpected new layer to a character we all thought we figured out in the 90s. Not only is Chucky’s 1st season a fitting follow-up to a highly regarded long running franchise, but it very clearly demonstrates that a number of other popular horror franchises might have better success trying their luck on the smaller screen as well. A24 and Peacock are currently working on a Friday the 13th Prequel Series, and television rights are being shopped around for the Halloween series as we speak, TV is certainly no longer the limitation to Horror that it once was perceived as. Watch ‘Chucky’
Written by John Edward Betancourt  Key Art and All Character Posters for Season 2 of ‘Shining Vale’ Courtesy of STARZ. This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. One particular aspect of the hit STARZ series, Shining Vale, that we’ve touched upon often in our discussions of the show, is its deep ties to horror through homage. Because so many moments in this story have tipped their hats to the greats. King, Romero, Kubrick, the list just goes on and on, and those moments have brought nothing but smiles to our faces. Because who doesn’t love a subtle homage? Some of which are so well-hidden in this series, a few viewings of each episode are required, and well… the network is so deeply aware of how much we’ve enjoyed them, as is it its creative team, that both entitles decided to have a little fun before the show’s season two premiere date. For earlier, a bevy of character posters for season two were released out into the world, and well… these lean heavy into the homage aspect of the show. For they resemble some of the best horror posters out there and feature tributes to some of horror’s most iconic images. And well… since you’re here to see what offerings were brought forth from STARZ, we happen to have all those posters for you to enjoy, and some updated details on year two, as the countdown to season two of this magnificent horror-comedy, continues along. ‘STARZ has released nine character posters for the upcoming second season of its hit horror comedy, “Shining Vale,” which returns to haunt viewers' screens on the frightfully appropriate Friday, October 13th. “The fun of ‘Shining Vale’ is creating a world that exists at the nexus of character-based comedy and psychological horror. Our goal was to never slip into spoof, but rather to have our characters, and hopefully our audience, experience true terror, but in a very funny way” said Jeff Astrof, co-creator and executive producer. “Shining Vale,” stars Emmy Award® nominee Courteney Cox (“Friends,” “Cougar Town”), Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Greg Kinnear (As Good as It Gets, “The Kennedys”) and Academy Award® winner Mira Sorvino (“Hollywood,” “The Expecting”). In addition to Cox, Kinnear and Sorvino, “Shining Vale” also stars Gus Birney (“Dickinson”), Merrin Dungey (“Big Little Lies,” “The Resident”), and Dylan Gage (“PEN15”), and features Emmy Award® nominees Judith Light (“Poker Face”), Allison Tolman (“Gaslit,” “Why Women Kill”) and Sherilyn Fenn (“Twin Peaks”). “Shining Vale” season two is set to premiere on Friday, October 13th, at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and on LIONSGATE+ streaming platform in the U.K. and Ireland. On linear, it will debut on STARZ on Friday, October 13th, at 9PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on Fridays at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and will air weekly on the STARZ linear platform. “Shining Vale” is executive produced by Jeff Astrof (“Trial and Error”) from Other Shoe Productions, Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford (“Bad Sisters,” “Motherland”) from Merman, and Aaron Kaplan (“The Chi,” “The Neighborhood”) and Melanie Frankel from Kapital Entertainment. Courteney Cox also serves as a producer. The series is co-created by Astrof and Horgan. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Lionsgate Television in association with Other Shoe Productions, Merman and Kapital Entertainment. About “Shining Vale” Season one of “Shining Vale” introduced Pat and Terry Phelps, a dysfunctional family that tried to run from their problems by moving their kids into a Victorian mansion in small-town Connecticut. The only problem? It may be haunted. Once settled in, Pat encountered Rosemary, a demon who possessed her body and turned her life upside down. When the family steps in to “save” Pat, they commit her to a psychiatric hospital where she sees an old photo of a nurse who looks just like her demon Rosemary. Season two kicks off four months later, when Pat’s insurance runs out and she is released from the psychiatric hospital early. Pat returns home, determined to pick up the pieces of her broken family, but she quickly finds out her children don’t need her, Terry doesn’t remember her and to make matters worse, Pat’s new neighbor Ruth looks exactly like Rosemary. Meanwhile, the house starts to reveal the shocking secrets of its dark past. Every mother feels like they live in an insane asylum, but Pat may be right! “Shining Vale” Online Twitter: @ShiningVale | @STARZ Instagram: @ShiningValeSTARZ | @STARZ Facebook: @ShiningValeSTARZ | @STARZ Join the conversation with #ShiningVale and #STARZ’ Written by John Edward Betancourt Eili Harboe and Herman Tømmeraas as Mona and Robby in Kjersti Helen Rasmussen’s NIGHTMARE. Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release.
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Nightmare’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist.
One thing that we can all agree upon, is that humanity is fascinated with our dreams. Not in the metaphorical and inspirational sense. Such as going after a passion in our lives to make it a full-time vocation. No, we are genuinely fascinated with where our brains take us when we settle in for our evening slumber. Because our dreams… can be so wild in nature. For they range from pleasant and lovely and sometimes outright fun, to deeply terrifying. To the point where we awaken with a scream in our throat that must be released and with confusion in our minds. To the point where we need a minute to settle down and gather our bearings, and well… that range and their existence in general, truly does captivate us. Because aside from the physical need for dreams, since REM sleep, where dreams occur, helps to refresh us and keep our minds sharp… we simply don’t understand dreams. And we want to know… why they offer us such a wild range of moments, and well… if they mean something. Because our logical minds want to know if there is something our subconscious is trying to tell us with dreams and well… we simply don’t have the answers unfortunately. So, we do our best to interpret them and hope to find the meaning and purpose regarding them we crave, and one place that helps us do so, is storytelling. Because in the world of fiction we can safely explore such matters and perhaps work out our confusion in some capacity, and it just so happens that a fascinating new horror film on Shudder does just that in Nightmare. A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to a woman named Mona, who seemingly has it all. For she and her boyfriend Robby have just secured their first place together, and they’re surrounded by friends and love, and even when Mona loses her job, there’s nothing to fret about. For Robby makes enough to sustain them, giving her time to just… enjoy her day and work on her new place. And that is why, she is deeply unsettled by the nightmares that now plague her. Because they’re growing in intensity, and they feature unsettling moments that leave her confused and in an altered state when she wakes up. Which prompts her to seek out a sleep study to learn more about her nightmares and what she uncovers… terrifies her. For she may be victim to something sinister, something that found her within the realm of dreams and now IT, may stop at nothing to have what IT wants from her and now Mona must figure out the meaning of her dreams and what this entity desires before her nightmares become reality. 
Which at first glance, is a plot that seems to be grounded more so in the fight between good and evil. Since there is a demon from another dimension at play here that wants Mona to do its bidding, and she must fight it to save her soul. Which thankfully, offers up some solid horror moments for certain. The kind that are eerie and gothic and scary, thanks to shadows and a blurred line between reality and dreams in the story. But beneath those spooky moments in the dream world, are some fascinating concepts about dreams and what they could mean to us, and this film banks on theories that revolve around… the possibility that when we dream, we open ourselves up to so much more. That our minds reach out into the world and the NetherRealm and find spirits and souls that tell us stories that play out in our minds, or we tap into an evil that wants to be released. Which is… some meta thinking… but welcome… simply because, we don’t know what dreams entail.
But of course, that’s the kind of broad thinking that not all viewers are keen upon, which is why this film also toys with some real-world concepts and notions. In that yes, she’s battling sleep and a so-called demon, because she cannot handle the evils of the world. For her boyfriend is a bit cold in this story, and makes hard demands of her at times, the kind that push her to her limits and that in turn, allows for the story at times to ponder upon, whether or not the real nightmare, is life, and that the horrors we face and process and push down deep in the name of saving grace, are what really haunt our dreams. Which may make it seem as though this film is confused and doesn’t know what it wants to focus upon, but that simply isn’t the case. Instead, having commentary and outright postulation makes this a brave and bold feature. One that is eager to experiment with its story and offer up as many ideas about our dreams as possible, and well… both concepts work well here. In part because they leave the story up for interpretation and that is rare in this era of elevated horror and hyper focused horror, but welcome. Because it lets you, choose your own adventure and lets you decide whether Mona is trapped in a waking nightmare or is fighting off a great evil that would make Freddy Krueger proud, and that makes for one fascinating viewing experience. One that really does leave you with plenty to ponder upon and deeply unsettles you. Courtesy of those real-world horrors and what waits for Mona beyond in the dream world and well, this movie deserves a round of applause for doing something bold and refreshing and for doing its best… to answer some ancient questions about our dreams… and why they sometimes haunt us. Watch ‘Nightmare’ (2022)Written by John Edward Betancourt Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Episode 104 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘La Dame de Fer’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
If there is one word that properly describes the wildly popular Walking Dead character, Daryl Dixon… it would have to be… loyal. Because Daryl cares deeply for those that care for him, and their cause, and because of that, he will stand by those he loves through thick and thin, and staunchly defend them and the cause, and do what must be done to ensure both survive. Which is one of the big reasons he is such a fan favorite. Because we can relate to those aspects of his character, and it has of course… made him the savior on many occasions for the cause. Plus, we also love how the people he cares for, have kept him from going too far when his anger and desire to set things right consumes him. Because there is a real fire inside Daryl that could burn everything to the ground, and oddly enough, the balance that those who love him, ask him to maintain, is also what makes his loyalty his greatest weakness. Because he will cross lines to make sure people are safe and that can push him and the cause too far sometimes. Not to mention, failure to keep those he cares for safe, regardless of the circumstances, will weigh heavily upon him and prompt him to keep his distance from others emotionally and that can wound those he cares for. To the point where we’ve sometimes wondered, what would Daryl be like… if he didn’t have angels behind him to keep him grounded and keep him focused on the cause and what he would need to do to find balance if and when a truly rough situation comes into play. Because that could lead to the corruption of his soul and a chance to slip into a darkness that he’s always worked to keep at bay, and well… it turned out that last night’s episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, on AMC, served as the perfect moment to explore those concerns, after everyone caught their breath. For ‘La Dame de Fer’ caught up with Daryl immediately after he fell through the rooftops as he was working to escape Codron and his men, and after a short and strange dream while he floated unconscious in water, wherein he dreamt that Laurent was invincible to the dead’s hunger, Daryl came to and moved into the city. Unsure of what to do next since going back to the sanctuary was unwise. For Codron did indeed take over the place and interrogate everyone within its walls to uncover Daryl’s location and the location of Laurent. For Genet made sure to oversee his work, and she heard the rumors about what he might be and thought it best… that Laurent be found post haste. To quell any hopes and dreams in something more, to keep her agenda going and well, that meant Daryl had to find shelter, so as he could plan his next move. Which brought him back to Isabelle’s place, and shockingly, Isabelle. Wherein they both agreed that in this moment, all they could do, was collect Laurent, and make their way toward ‘The Nest’. The place where Laurent would grow into the New Messiah. But she knew not where he was, but Daryl most certainly did. For the Eiffel Tower captivated the young man once he learned about his mother spending time there, and so, this duo made their way to the tower post-haste, and that… allowed for a little zombie world building along the way. Since we once again saw Paris in its reanimated state, filled with living death and echoes of the past and oddly enough, there was even a George Romero shout out here as well. Since we could hear the cries of the dead over the breeze, faintly, and it just so happened, that one character in Day of the Dead, heard something similar in the opening sequence of that film. Which was a lovely shout out, one that was as terrifying as the original. Since it was just eerie to hear their cries in that manner. For it added a sense of danger and a sense of real sorrow. As though Paris herself was weeping over the many lost souls that now wandered her beautiful streets and could find no rest.  Adam Nagaitis and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi as Quinn and Laurent in Episode 104 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘La Dame de Fer’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)
But once they arrived at their destination, world building and homages and that break of sorts ended, and our exploration about what Daryl would become without an emotional safety net… began. For Laurent was surrounded by the dead when Daryl and Isabelle arrived, and as they worked to free him from their potential rotten clutch, Quinn’s boys showed up to retrieve him instead. Because Quinn knew that Genet was looking for the boy, and the American, and capturing the boy would easily bring Daryl to him and allow for riches untold, and a family reunion. Wherein he could raise his son in safety and get to know him. But the big question was… would Daryl step up and save the savior? Because he had no stakes in this. This was all a deal to get Laurent to Paris so he could figure out a way home. To his extended family, to a cause that was just and true.
Thankfully though… this twist, and Isabelle’s vulnerability and fragility, and the same of those who escaped the raid on the compound… gave Daryl pause and helped him to realize… that he was more than he thought. For Daryl has oft seen himself as a blunt tool, as less than his worth. Nothing more than a decent guy standing with the right people. But here, Isabelle’s worry, and the worry of others, alongside how they viewed him… helped Daryl to finally see how he is really viewed in this life, and what he truly is… a hero through and through. A good man in fact, one who can cross lines that others cannot so that the right thing can be done, and he doesn’t have to dedicate himself to a cause, just what’s right. He just needs to be the beacon of hope that people need in the moment, and with that in mind… Daryl didn’t need grounding or time… he just needed to believe in himself and act, and that led… to one fascinating end to this tale. Wherein, Daryl not only scared the living hell out of one of Quinn’s men to the point where he sang like a little songbird in the morning, but he was able to infiltrate the club, and teach Quinn quite the lesson in humility. With the perfect balance of restraint and fury, giving rise to the hero this world needs in the moment. One that can accomplish wonders where others cannot because of fear or debts owed. Which brought Laurent to freedom and quite literally sent him up the river with Daryl, and a handful of others. Simply because… Isabelle knew she had to stay behind in Paris. To keep Quinn quelled and to keep Codron and Genet from even remotely going near the man that played the hero and offered hope on this day. Hope for a better tomorrow, and hope for a happy ending for Daryl’s very soul. All of which made, for one of the finest Daryl Dixon’s stories to ever grace the franchise. Because this story… put the best of him on display. But most important of all, it allowed for him to embrace his potential and be the man we and so many have seen him as, a true hero through and through. And you can never go wrong with character growth and the other wonders this episode brought to bear. Such as the trademark action and terror this franchise is known for. Because the battle to save Laurent was top notch and the walking dead were once again downright terrifying here from beginning to end, and well… with only two episodes to go in season one, it should be interesting to see where this story takes us next. Now that a hero is genuinely born and a beloved aunt, has sacrificed everything in the name of the greater good and for a chance at a better tomorrow. Until next time. Watch ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’
Written by John Edward Betancourt This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the shows and movies being covered here wouldn’t exist. Truly, October is the most wonderful time of the year for horror fans. Simply because, this is it, this is go time, a whole month dedicated to the celebration of every creature that goes bump in the night, and well… for a horror fan what could be better? Especially when one considers that horror has never been more popular than it is right now. Because that means that horror programming during this time of year is at its absolute peak, and everywhere you turn, there’s something terrifying to enjoy on every network out there. But of course, while it is wonderful to flip on the ol’ television and find something spooky to watch, let’s be honest… there is only one streamer/network that is leading the charge with horror programming this Halloween season… Shudder. Because Shudder just understands horror fans and harbors many a horror fan behind the scenes in the programming department and well, in conjunction with its parent network family this year, AMC Networks, Shudder’s October programming lineup is nothing short of epic. Since FearFest is now spreading across the AMC Networks family, courtesy of Shudder’s vast library, and to top it all off… there are some amazing movies and shows coming to Shudder this October, and since you’re eager to plan your spooky viewing experience, here is that programming guide, courtesy of the finest horror streamer out there. V/H/S/85 V/H/S/85 Directed by David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, and Mike P. Nelson. Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release. Directed by David Bruckner, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, Scott Derrickson, Mike P. Nelson Streaming on Shudder October 6 (Available in US, CA, UKI, ANZ) Synopsis The next installment in the infamous found footage anthology franchise, V/H/S/85 is an ominous mixtape blending never before seen snuff footage with nightmarish newscasts and disturbing home video to create a surreal, analog mashup of the forgotten 80s. Starring Freddy Rodriguez, Dani Deetté, Justen Jones and Rolando Davila-Beltran. The Puppetman Brandon Christensen's THE PUPPETMAN. Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release. Directed by Brandon Christensen Streaming on Shudder October 13 (Available in US, CA, UKI, ANZ) Synopsis The Puppetman is a convicted killer on death row. He has always maintained his innocence saying it was an evil force controlling his body as he slaughtered his victims. Now Michal, the killer's daughter, begins to suspect that there may be some truth to her father’s claim when those around her begin to die in brutal ways. All hope rests on her shoulders to break The Puppetman's curse. Written and directed byBrandon Christensen and starring Michael Paré, Caryn Richman, Alyson Gorske. Night of the Hunted Camille Rowe as “Alice” in Franck Khalfoun’s NIGHT OF THE HUNTED. Photo Courtesy of Troy Harvey. A Shudder Release. Directed by Franck Khalfoun Streaming on Shudder October 20 (Available in US, CA, UKI, ANZ) Synopsis When an unsuspecting woman (Camille Rowe, No Limit) stops at a remote gas station in the dead of night, she’s made the plaything of a sociopathic sniper with a secret vendetta. To survive she must not only dodge his bullets and fight for her life, but also figure out who wants her dead and why… When Evil Lurks Demián Rugna’s WHEN EVIL LURKS. Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release. Directed by Demián Rugna Streaming on Shudder October 27 (Available in US, CA, UKI, ANZ) Synopsis Shudder’s first Spanish-language Original from Demián Rugna (Terrified) is a rural possession thriller revolving around timeless horror concepts and adding contemporary twists. Set in a remote village, two brothers find a demon-infected man just about to give birth to evil itself. After warning the neighbors in town, they decide to get rid of the man but merely succeed in helping him to deliver the inferno. Starring Ezequiel Rodríguez, Eduardo Salomón and Silvia Sabater. Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor A Pair of Clowns Haunt Carmichael Manor in ‘Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor’. Photo Courtesy of Shudder and Terror Films Releasing. A Shudder Release. Directed by Stephen Cognetti Streaming on Shudder October 30 (Available in US, CA, UKI, ANZ) Synopsis In 2021, a group of internet sleuths travel to the remote Carmichael Manor, deep in the woods of the Rockland County, NY, site of the infamous 1989 Carmichael family murders have gone unsolved to this day. What they discover are secrets that have been hidden away for decades and a terror that has been lurking in the shadows long before Hell House LLC. SHUDDER ORIGINAL SERIES & SPECIALSCreepshow - Shudder Original Series |
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