Horror Movie Survival Guide

HMSG Interview Lofty Nathan - “The Carpenter’s Son”

We got to chat with LOTFY NATHAN, the director of the new film THE CARPENTER’S SON (2025). This film features a stellar cast lead by Nic Cage and FKA Twigs!

We hope you enjoy our conversation and get a chance to check out this new take on an ancient tale!

Watch The Carpenter’s Son Trailer Here!

About our Guest: Egyptian born, London raised, British-American writer-director. Lotfy Nathan's first film, the documentary "12 O'Clock Boys", earned him the HBO Emerging A...

The Blackcoat's Daughter - "You Smell Pretty"

We are finally covering some of Osgood Perkins early work in celebration of his new film KEEPER coming out this month! This week we feel a chill in the air as we get into THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER (2015). 

This story of loss followed by more loss is a doozy! Just what this contemplative time of year calls for! 

We hope you enjoy digging into the depths of this fresh episode!

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The Toxic Avenger - "I Also Like to Scream"

The hero we need has arrived right on time! THE TOXIC AVENGER (2023) from Macon Blair & the folks at TROMA was one of our most highly anticipated films of the year and it did not disappoint.

Grounded performances from an all star cast combined with genuine punk rock spirit create an incendiary production.

We hope you enjoy this explosive new episode!

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HMSG Interview Sarah Nicklin - "The Monster Squad"

We have another great Spooky Season Treat! We got to chat with SARAH NICKLIN one of the stars of the new V/H/S HALLOWEEN (2025) horror anthology about her incredible career and a gateway horror classic THE MONSTER SQUAD (1987)!

We hope you enjoy this delightful conversation as much as we did! And be sure to Watch V/H/S Halloween! Streaming Now on Shudder & AMC+

Follow Sarah Nicklin Here!

Check out Sarah Nicklin’s IMDB Here!

Watch the V/H...

Trick or Treat - "Your Cage is Shaking Loose"

Our Halloween themed party ends with TRICK OR TREAT (1986). A cautionary tale about following your heroes to the pits of hell & the power of rock-n-roll. Starring Marc Price as a nerd who wants revenge with cameos from rock legends Ozzy Osbourne & Gene Simmons this one rocks hard!

We hope you have a very Happy Halloween & enjoy this fresh episode!

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Tales of Halloween - "Whoa Dude, Monster Up!"

More tricks & a whole bunch of treats await you in this spooky season anthology - TALES OF HALLOWEEN (2015). We discuss 10 titillating tales that take place on All Hallows' Eve. This film is jam-packed with cameos from horror royalty and nods to the genre we love! 

We hope you enjoy digging into this episode as much as you enjoyed trick-or-treating at the house that gave out full size candy bars!

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We are so excited to celebrate spooky season with our friends, Becky D'Anna & Jon Laubinger, as they launch their new show - DIRECTOR'S TAKE: A SONY PICTURES PODCAST! We got to chat with them about one of their favorite films of this last year, Steven Soderbergh's, PRESENCE (2024). 

Be sure to check out their New Podcast! 

Director’s Take brings today’s most acclaimed filmmakers into conversation with the films that shaped them. Each episode spotlights a director exploring a work they didn’t make—but deeply admire—revealing how these stories continue to inspire new...

Bad Apples - "Pumpkin Palooza"

We have another film set on Halloween night for your spooky season listening pleasure - BAD APPLES (2018)! 🍎 🍏 A couple moves to a new city after a tragic loss and get more than they bargained for in their new home. This film stars friends of the podcast Brea Grant & Graham Skipper in the leads! An extra treat for us, no tricks! 

We hope you enjoy carving into this fresh episode! 🎃 

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Night of the Demons - "All Alone in Wonderland"

It's officially Spooky Season and we are celebrating with movies set on Halloween ALL MONTH LONG! This week we tackle the cult classic NIGHT OF THE DEMONS (1988). A couple of girls want to throw an epic party at a haunted mansion, but some uninvited guests from the demon realm crash the fun! 

We hope you enjoy all the fresh spooky fun this week!

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The Monkey - “Everything is an Accident”

We conclude our Stephen King Birthday Month Celebration with a lot of laughs & tons of gore with Osgood Perkins adaptation of THE MONKEY (2024). This one was a treat - filled with delightful character performances and philosophical life lessons!

Have you seen this one? 

We hope you enjoy this episode & then go out dancing!

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Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

We got a sneak peak of the new documentary STRANGE JOURNEY: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025) - about the longest running cult classic just in time to celebrate it’s 50th Anniversary. 

We discuss our love for all things ROCKY HORROR & talk about how the film played pivotal roles in both of our lives. 

We hope you get a chance to see this beautiful film that Linus O’Brien lovingly made about his father’s work. 

We hope you enjoy our conversation and the t...

Oh my goodness! ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE! We got to chat with Director, Barnaby Roper and lead Star of the film Eddie Marsan about their fresh takes on the Brit Gangster thriller. 

We gave this film an all around 5 out of 5 Chainsaws! It is absolutely Fantasticgorical and we hope you get a chance to check it out now that it’s in theaters! 

Check out the Trailer Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK_FYtYDOmU&list=PPSV

Link to Watch HMSG - ALL THE DEVILS Interviews on YouTube: h...

Apt Pupil - "I Wanna Know"

We continue our Stephen King birthday party with a very challenging piece this week - APT PUPIL (1998). A young man's quest for historically accurate knowledge of a WW2 soldier's life and work in Nazi Germany consumes him and his subject alike as they jockey for power. 

We acknowledge this film is a tough watch, but we hope you enjoy our conversation about it. 

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The Mangler - "Payment in Full"

We continue our Stephen King celebration with THE MANGLER (1995). This doozy of a film was helmed by director of the OG Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Tobe Hooper and stars horror legend Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise) as another baddie ready to enter your nightmares! Unthinkable sacrifices are made by an industrial laundry magnate and the elite class to maintain power & control in a New England town.

We hope you enjoy hearing the story unfold in this fresh episode!

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Horror Movie Survival Guide hosts Teri Gamble & Julia Marchese sit down to talk to the writer & director of Rabbit Trap, Bryn Chainey. The film opened in theaters on September 12th. 

Bryn Chainey is a British filmmaker, folklorist and poet. Exploring the thorny edgeland of nature, technology and the unconscious, his influences include Nic Roeg, David Lynch, Ted Hughes, and Brian Froud. His work has best been described as mythic realism. In 2025 his debut feature film, Rabbit Trap, starring Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Bryn is also the co-founder and c...

Salem's Lot - "Running Away Makes it Worse"

We continue our celebration of all things Stephen King this week with the new SALEM'S LOT (2024). This classic vampire tale gives us a brave (and well informed hero) in Mark Petrie and so many other themes and tropes from the King-verse - kids on bikes, a small New England town and a store that seems way too fancy for the place! 

We hope you enjoy our visit to Salem's Lot! 

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Needful Things - "I'm Just One Lonely Guy"

We're celebrating Stephen King's birthday month with another round of King adaptations! Our festivities begin with a Faustian inspired tale starring the legendary actor, Max von Sydow, in NEEDFUL THINGS (1993). A mysterious man (von Sydow) sets up a curious little shop in a small New England town that quickly brings the locals to their knees. The town must wrestle with the weight of their individual desires versus the real needs of the community collective.

We hope you enjoy this bright & shiny new episode!

...

HMSG Interview Heather O. Petrocelli - "Chopper Chicks from Zombietown"

We got to finally chat with friend of the podcast Heather O. Petrocelli, author of QUEER FOR FEAR, about an under seen Troma Gem CHOPPER CHICKS IN ZOMBIETOWN (1989).

Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli -  is a film critic, writer, and researcher who works with transdisciplinary methods across film studies, queer theory, and public history. This academic foundation, combined with a life-long horror obsession and experience studying, programming, making, and marketing film, informs their debut book Queer for Fear: Horror Film and the Queer Spectator (2023).

Copycat - "He Wants to Dazzle Us"

This week we get into all the gory details of a serial killer's spree in COPYCAT (1995). A deathly cat and mouse game ensues as a manhunt for a clever killer is on in San Francisco. The chase is led by detectives (Holly Hunter & Dermot Mulroney) with an assist from a hotshot criminal psychologist (Sigourney Weaver).

We hope you enjoy digging into this fresh episode! 

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The Skeleton Key - "I Don't Believe"

This week we unlock the doors to some HooDoo Magic with THE SKELETON KEY (2005). A young woman, played perfectly by Kate Hudson, looking for her purpose in life, makes her way to an old plantation home to work as a caretaker. Is it too late for her to escape by the time she realizes that something is amiss?? 

Power house performances by late, great legendary actors Gena Rowlands & John Hurt anchor this southern gothic tale. 

We hope you enjoy unlocking this fresh episode!

...

Only Lovers Left Alive - " I Think the World has Enough Chaos"

Have you SUBSCRIBED to our YouTube channel yet...? We are thrilled to now be producing video episodes of your favorite podcast! This week we swoon over ancient vampires in Jim Jarmusch's Award-Winning film, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (2013). A meditation on loneliness at the end of the world through the lens of two vampires (Tilda Swinton & Tom Hiddleston) whose thirst threatens the lives of those they come in contact with & their better natures. 

We hope you enjoy sinking your teeth into this f...

Possession - "No One is Good or Bad"

We bring you a true delight this week! We have made the move to YouTube to show you Our faces for your viewing and listening pleasure - our Patreon still gets a first look! 

This week we discuss the Video Nasty cult hit POSSESSION (1981). A husband and wife are going through a vicious separation - but nothing is as it seems! As the marriage unravels, it becomes more clear that their entire family unit is likely being pulled by forces greater than just f...

Interview with Kris Collins, Celina Myers, & Jay Mayer - "House on Eden"

We got a sneak peak of the new film HOUSE ON EDEN (2025). We also got a chance to chat with the creative team that brought this "found footage" film to life! 

The team was led by  Kris Collins, a Canadian content creator, actor, and director (known to millions online as KallMeKris). Kris has captivated audiences with her ability to jump between laughter and chills—often within the same breath—earning her a devoted fanbase and industry recognition. Kris n...

Jack's Back - "We Caught Jack the Ripper"

James Spader and James Spader star in JACK'S BACK (1988), an 80's thriller written and directed by Rowdy Herrington (Road House). Spader dazzles in this film playing twin brothers tangled in a Jack the Ripper copy-cat murder spree on the 100th anniversary of the original crimes. 

We hope you ripping into this fresh episode!

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Scream for Help - "Don't You Worry, Christie!"

This week we tackle the criminally under seen 80's thriller, SCREAM FOR HELP (1984). This movie is jam-packed with twists, turns and scenery-chewing performances! The script was penned by one of our favorite horror legends - Tom Holland & directed by cult cinema auteur, Michael Winner. 

Does this movie have wild tonal shifts? Yes! 

Does it go harder than we thought it would? Yes! 

Does it feature character actors that could fit into the John Waters Universe? Yes!

We hope you hav...

The Brood - "The Shape of Rage"

We celebrate our 8 Year Anniversary here at HMSG with a Cronenberg classic - THE BROOD (1979). A film that neither Julia or Teri had seen - and by some miracle saw completely spoiler free! This one digs deep into the psychology of rage and loss and how it manifests in extreme ways in our lives. 

We hope you enjoy this wild ride!

Thank you to all our fans and especially our Patreon for your support over the years - we are so proud to have r...

MadS - "Contamination Achieved"

This week we discuss the one-take wonder MADS (2024)! A simple night out turns into a pulse-pounding, heart-racing adventure fueled by illicit substances and potentially something much more sinister!

An all around 5 from us - we recommend checking out this film on SHUDDER and then listening to this fresh spoiler-heavy episode!

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BIT - "Super Sexy Vampire Powers"

This week we are back with more Lesbian Vampires galore for our Pride 🌈 celebration with BIT (2019). Laurel, fresh out of high school, heads to the big city of Los Angeles to figure out who she is in the world. She makes fast friends with a group of queer vampires who are on a mission to exact vengeance on a world full of predatory men. 

We hope you enjoy this fun romp as much as we did! 

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Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary - "Eat & Be Eaten"

More sapphic longing glances and withering stares await in MARY, MARY, BLOODY MARY (1975). This is the story of a woman on the run who is always thirsty...for more blood! We think this might be the perfect double feature with one of our favorite films - George A. Romero's MARTIN (1978). 

We hope you enjoy devouring this fresh episode! 

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The Blood Spattered Bride - "Rapture of My Vast Death"

This week we go in on a stunning retelling of the Carmilla legend that has inspired a legion of Lesbian Vampire cinematic offerings - THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE (1973). Sumptuous & surprising imagery swirl with a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors in this masterpiece.

We hope you are enjoying this round of Sapphic goodness for Pride Season as much as we are!

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Baba Yaga - "Delights of Sapphic Love"

Happy Pride 🌈 We are kicking off Pride Season with sapphic delight, BABA YAGA (1973). A witch lures in a beautiful photographer with sensual spells! This film features some of the most scintillating & creative multimedia love-making scenes we've encountered on our show!

We hope you enjoy getting enraptured with us in this fresh episode!

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HMSG Interview Billy Hanson & Paul Inman - "Keys to the Kingdom"

“What if Stephen King’s Dollar Baby filmmakers had their own terrifying tales to tell?”

For decades, the Dollar Baby program gave filmmakers the rare chance to adapt King’s short stories for just $1. Now, for the first time, these masters of suspense and horror are unleashing their OWN ORIGINAL nightmares in one chilling collection.

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM — a fiction anthology of dark, twisted, and unforgettable stories from the creatives who walked the road paved by the King himse...

Glorious - "I Saved the Universe."

This week we commune with old Lovecraftian gods over a commode in GLORIOUS (2022). A project helmed by, friend of show, Rebekah McKendry, who we had the pleasure of speaking with about Giallo, Fangoria and more last year! 

Check out our interview with her here & then dig into this fresh episode!

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Strange Nature - "We're Saving Our Town"

This week we discuss Makeup/SFX expert James Ojala's feature film directorial debut STRANGE NATURE (2018). A climate disaster gets investigated by a disgraced pop-star in her hometown of Duluth. This climate catastrophe is more than meets the eye! 

Ojala is an SFX and Horror movie makeup whiz! So many beautiful creature designs in this production!

We hope you enjoy dipping into this fresh episode!

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The Vourdalak - "Thank You for the Broth."

This week we travel back in time to 18th Century Eastern Europe with THE VOURDALAK (2023). A marquis lost on his journey home looks for love in all the wrong places. A folk horror tale that lampoons the aristocratic culture from the King's court, while also questioning the misogyny and heteronormativity of the bourgeoisie in countryside.

A delightful suggestion from Mama Marchese! We hope you enjoy this fresh brothy episode!

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HMSG Interview Adam Cesare - "Clown in a Cornfield"

In anticipation of the new film adaptation of CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD (2025), we had the honor of chatting with fellow cinephile and author of the series Adam Cesare about his career and the new film hitting theatres this Friday, May 9th!

Go See Clown in a Cornfield TODAY! If you dare! 

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The Apology - "My Justice Fantasy"

This week we cover THE APOLOGY (2022) - written and directed by friend of the show Alison Locke! One mother's search for truth about her daughter leads to a tense and powerful confrontation on a dark and stormy night.

We hope you enjoy digging into this fresh episode!

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Get Away - "Death Comes before Art!

This week we take a much needed holiday with a loving family who are about to have a killer vacation in the GET AWAY (2024). This comedy is written by and starring Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Black Cab) along with a stellar cast of incredible characters.

Another great selection from our producer, Sierra!

We hope you enjoy biting into this fresh episode!

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The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - "Your Career - Your Master!"

This week we tackle the one-hundred year old classic THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925). A timeless tale about love, obsession and a genius forced to live on the fringes of society getting his revenge! This stunning film is anchored by a truly virtuosic performance from Lon Chaney as the titular phantom.

We hope you enjoy this episode featuring another great film selection from our producer Sierra Rein!

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Studio 666 - "Finish It & It Begins!"

This week we cover the Foo Fighters horror comedy, STUDIO 666 (2022). The band plays themselves literally and figuratively in this Faustian tale of a band chasing success and making a deal with the Devil to continue to succeed. 

The story is by Dave Grohl who was clearly inspired by his friend John Carpenter. This movie goes hard rockin' all the way from the beginning to the end!

We hope you enjoy shredding into this fresh episode!

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