Horror Movie Survival Guide

Rockula - “Are You the DJ?”

Are you ready to Rock? We do that and more this week as we discuss ROCKULA (1990). We meet a lovelorn vampire who has chased his beloved for hundreds of years as his fleeting window of opportunity opens one more time. Will he finally seal the deal and live eternally with his true love? 

We hope you enjoy our conversation about this beloved horror musical!

Support the show

Once Bitten - “I’m Not Wearing a Costume!”

It’s another great week for another teen vampire to fall in love in ONCE BITTEN (1985). A young Jim Carrey stars in this 80’s horror comedy as the target of an ancient vampire’s affection! It’s hard to say no when that vamp is the legendary beauty Lauren Hutton with Cleavon Little as her Renfield! 

We hope you enjoy chomping into this fresh vampy episode! 

Support the show

My Best Friend is a Vampire - “This Blood’s for You!”

We have another delightful 80’s teen horror flick this week - MY BEST FRIEND IS A VAMPIRE (1987). Directed by Jimmy Huston (Final Exam) and starring Robert Sean Leonard (Dead Poets Society). A lovesick high schooler gets turned into a vampire, which throws a wrench into his dating life!

This is a fun one! We even get a cameo from Kathy Bates early in her career.

We hope you enjoy biting into this fresh episode!

Support the show

My Mom's a Werewolf - "Wolverine Chic"

We are howling with laughter this week as we celebrate Mother's Day by discussing the 80's horror comedy MY MOM'S A WEREWOLF (1989). An under-appreciated house-wife ends up in the arms of a werewolf and must depend on her daughter to save her! This is a fun one filled with amazing character actors chewing the scenery!

We hope you enjoy this fresh episode - especially all the mothers out there! 

Support the show

M - “I Can’t Escape from Myself”

We discuss an early cinematic masterpiece from Fritz Lang this week - M (1931). Peter Lorre plays a serial killer who inspires multiple factions of the underworld of his city to conspire to capture him and apply their own brand of justice. 

The themes and story feel extremely timely - even though this film is nearly 100 years old!

We hope you enjoy this fresh conversation about this classic film! 

Support the show

Idle Hands - “You’re Kinky!”

Happy 4/20! We are celebrating one of our favorite herbs this week with a classic stoner horror comedy - IDLE HANDS (1999). Can an ancient prophecy be stopped by a modern priestess and a crew of bumbling fools as it’s about to be fulfilled? We sure do hope so! 

This film is stacked with a very 90’s cast! Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Jessica Alba, Vivica A. Fox and more! 

We hope you enjoy this freshly chopped episode! 

Support the show

Flatliners - "The Last Great Frontier"

A group of renegade medical students lets curiosity get the better of them in Joel Schumacher's 90's Thriller FLATLINERS (1990). Featuring an all star cast lead by Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon and Julia Roberts. 

One of their cohort (Sutherland) is obsessed with death & is curious about what's on the other side of life. They take turns Flatlining to get a glimpse at the afterlife!

We hope this fresh episode keeps you revived and feeling alive!

Support the show

HMSG Interview Lauren Cupp - “Longlegs”

This week we cover another Osgood Perkins flick with one of our friends Lauren Cupp! We discuss one of her favorite films of the last two years - LONGLEGS (2024). This kinds feels like a crime since Lauren is known as a SAW franchise superfan. Never fear when we cover the sequels she'll be back! 

More about our Guest! Lauren is a performer, personality, and jack of all trades in the SoCal horror community. She can be found in a myriad of places, most recently onstage in Sa...

Burying the Ex - "Twinkies Don't Expire"

We are back with another Joe Dante flick this week - BURYING THE EX (2014). Evelyn (Ashley Greene) and Max (Anton Yelchin) are opposites that eventually don't attract. Unfortunately, their love has been sealed by a magic pact from a Satanic genie that is intent on keeping them together forever & beyond. This horror rom-com is full of hijinks and some bitter sweet moments featuring the late Anton Yelchin.

This film also features a cameo from someone very special - our own Julia Marchese!

We hope...

The 'Burbs - "Neighbors from Hell"

It's our Podcast Producer Sierra's Birthday this week! We are celebrating by covering one of her Horror Comedy picks - THE 'BURBS (1989). Director, Joe Dante, helms this production with an all-star cast lead by Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern & Corey Feldman. This was a fun revisit to check out as the new TV series rolls out this year on Peacock.

We hope you enjoy this fresh episode!

Support the show

HMSG Interview Author Daniel Kraus - “Partially Devoured” 

We have a special bonus episode coming at ya!  A fresh conversation with author Daniel Kraus about his new book PARTIALLY DEVOURED.  The book takes a frame by frame look at one of our favorite films - George A. Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968)! 

We hope you grab a copy of Daniel’s new book & enjoy this conversation about how it all came together! 

More About Our Guest!

Daniel Kraus is a New York Times bestsel...

The New Kids - "You Hot Dog"

It’s Julia’s Birthday week and we are celebrating by discussing one of her favorite James Spader films THE NEW KIDS (1985). Spader leads a pack of town bullies to terrorize the new kids in town! 

Have you seen this 80’s horror cult classic? 

We hope you enjoy hearing all about the legend of DUTRA this week! And wish Julia a very Happy Birthday!

Support the show

HMSG Interview Chelsea Stardust - "Donnie Darko"

This week we cover the cult classic DONNIE DARKO (2001) with one of our best friends, Director/Producer Chelsea Stardust! A film that both Chelsea & Julia have seen an obsessive amount of times and Teri has only seen twice! 

We also discuss Chelsea’s incredible career and her new Horror Anthology GRIND (2026) that is premiering at the SXSW film festival this week -  that we all played a part in! 

We hope you enjoy this fun & fresh episode! 

More About Our Guest:

Didn't Die - In Theaters March 6th!

A podcaster tries to make sense of the world as they approach their 100th episode while the zombie apocalypse takes hold in DIDN'T DIE (2026). We have never related more to a film! A fresh riff on one of our favorite classic genres.

We hope you enjoy this mini-episode and check out the film this weekend in theaters!

More about the the film:

The Sundance Midnight feature film Didn’t Die, directed by Meera Menon, has been heralded by Variety as an...

Battle Royale - “I don't know what any of this means!”

This week we enter the ring with a perfect & timely dystopian thriller - BATTLE ROYALE (2000). As the economy craters and teen morale crumbles in this world - as high school class is offered up as entertainment for the masses. The teens must fight to the death till there is one student left standing to be crowned the winner. 

We hope you enjoy this freshly made episode!

Support the show

Sinners - “Free for a Few Hours”

It’s TIME! This week we finally discuss our favorite film from 2025, Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS! A cinematic triumph with double Michael B. Jordan and a truckload of accolades behind it. 

A vampire film containing layers of drama, deep thoughts and a dance number for the ages! Yes, please! 

We hope you enjoy biting into this fresh episode as much as we enjoyed making it! 

Support the show

Bitch Ass - “Are You Willing to Play?”

It’s 666 Night and young group of gang recruits are about to play deadly games that could result in deadly prizes with BITCH ASS (2022). A boy obsessed with games grows up to become a masked vigilante with a diabolical house of horrors! Featuring one of Tony Todd's last performances onscreen as he tees up the film playing a late night horror TV host!

We hope you enjoy playing with us this week!

Support the show

HMSG Interview Kristin L. Wallace - "Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island"

Zoinks! We got to chat with Comedian/Writer Kristin L. Wallace about the animated gateway horror masterpiece SCOOBY-DOO ON ZOMBIE ISLAND (1998). The gang is all grown up and reunites to look for proof of real monsters in the world for Daphne's TV show Coast to Coast! This entry breaks the mold of traditional Scooby gang adventures and features some legendary voice talent like Mark Hamill & Adreinne Barbeau!

Have you seen this one? 

We hope you enjoy jumping into the Mystery Machine w...

Blade - "I'm gonna be a Naughty Vampire God"

This week we bridge the world between night and day walkers with BLADE (1998). The OG superhero vampire slayer is the key to a villain's big plan for world domination. Can Blade stop their nefarious plans? An all-star cast lead by Wesley Snipes & Stephen Dorff take us on a journey through city streets, underground clubs & bloody raves! 

Have you seen this Vampire Classic? 

We hope you enjoy biting into this fresh episode! 

Support the show

The Mephisto Waltz - "Death is Corny"

An odd couple obsessed with defying death itself ingratiates themselves with a young music journalist & his wife for purely selfish reasons in THE MEPHISTO WALTZ (1971). Bargains with Satan will be made, but who's deals will be honored? Haunting performances by Alan Alda & Jacqueline Bisset are to die for! 

We hope you enjoy this freshly reincarnated episode!

Support the show

Black Roses - “Worship Your Master”

Are you ready to rock!?!? We dive deep into the Satanic Panic of the 1980’s with BLACK ROSES (1988). A rock band shows up to turn out a small town before they go on their world tour, but the locals may be in for much more than they bargained for! 

Have you seen this one?  

We hope you enjoy rocking out with this fresh episode!

Support the show

All Cheerleaders Die - "Most Dangerous Sport in America"

I said burrrr it's cold out here, I said there must be some corpses in the atmosphere! ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE (2013) is a dark comedy horror from one of our favorite directors Lucky McKee. A cautionary tale about wishes coming true and love beyond the grave! 

We hope you enjoy this fresh episode! And you can also resurrect our archival interview episode with director Lucky McKee to hear more gory details about his career!

Other Lucky Mckee Films we've covered for your listening p...

Midnight Kiss - "Never Forget Me"

It's a New Year & we have some new horrors in store - sealed with a MIDNIGHT KISS (2019. A group of friends have a New Year's Eve tradition that is threatened by a new member of the party. They play a cruel game that eventually turns deadly...

We hope you have a Happy 2026 & enjoy this fresh episode featuring some New Year's Horrors! 

Support the show

All My Friends are Dead - "An Epic Fail"

Are you looking for a killer New Year’s celebration this year? ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD (2020) is THAT party! Rock in the the new year with these friends as they they face their fears and meet their fates! 

We hope you have a Happy New Year and enjoy this fresh episode for the occasion! 

Support the show

All the Creatures Were Stirring - "Interesting Crowd"

🎄🎁 Happy & Merry to you! This week dig into the holiday anthology ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING (2018) written and directed by Rebekah & David Ian McKendry! 

We hope you enjoy this festive pick! 

Be sure to also check out our podcast archive interview with Rebekah McKendry where she discusses her career and some BTS about the making of this film! 

Support the show

HMSG Interview Sean Abley ~ Author of QUEER HORROR: A Film Guide! - "Horror High"

This week we got to chat with author & friend of the show SEAN ABLEY about his wonderful book QUEER HORROR: A Film Guide and more about his life, career and some of our favorite films! Of course he brought us a gem, neither Julia or Teri had watched, to cover for our show ~ HORROR HIGH (1974)! 

We hope you enjoy this fresh episode!

More about our guest: Sean Abley is an entertainment journalist, B-movie screenwriter, and a...

We got to chat with Director BEN WARHIT for another holiday Bonus Episode ~ celebrating the Crypt TV Premiere of JACK ATTACK (2025)!  Surfs Up for this Award-Winning comedy horror short explores the lengths one man will go to feed his sweet dog! Bonus - this film stars our Co-Host Teri Gamble as the lead Detective!

We hope you enjoy this conversation and TUNE IN to Watch Jack Attack on Crypt TV!

More about our Guest: Ben Warhit has produced and developed premium documentaries for over 12 years. In 2019, Ben w...

HMSG Interview Darren Stein - "Parents"

It was a real treat to chat with director Darren Stein about one of his favorite films - PARENTS (1989). This dark comedy, directed by Bob Balaban, explores the often toxic generational experiences a child can face when interacting with their family. A perfect film for the holiday season! 

More about our Guest: Darren is a director, screenwriter and film producer who grew up in the San Fernando Valley. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Darren co-wrote and directed his first feature fil...

We are getting into the holiday spirit - whether you like it or not ya filthy animals! We had a wonderful chat with film critic and author ALONSO DURLADE  to discuss his new book HAVE YOURSELF A MOVIE LITTLE CHRISTMAS and one of the featured films from his list BETTER WATCH OUT (2017).

More about our guest: Alonso Duralde is the Chief US Film Critic for The Film Verdict and co-host of the podcasts Linoleum Knife, Breakfast All Day, Maximum Film!, and Deck the Hallmark. His books include Hollywood Pride (TCM/Running Press), and Have Yourself a...

Torso - “They Were Only Dolls” 

Happy Giallo Days! We are celebrating with an OG Slasher - TORSO (1973). A  group of girls try to escape  to the countryside as a killer is on the loose in their city. Their villa on the top of a treacherous hill could prove to be their downfall…

We hope you enjoy getting all tied up with us in this fresh episode!

Support the show

Blood Quantum - "Don't Get Bit"

This week we dig into an Indigenous Horror feast BLOOD QUANTUM (2019), written and directed by the late Jeff Barnaby. As Biters multiply, a group of Indigenous folks on the Red Crow reserve appear to immune. Tensions run high as the Zombie Apocalypse worsens. How long can they save themselves while also being a refuge for the townies seeking asylum in their compound?

We hope you enjoy biting into this fresh episode! 

Support the show

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House - "This is How You Rot"

This week we continue our Osgood Perkins appreciation party to celebrate his new film KEEPER arriving this month. This week we discuss another one of his early films - I AM THE PRETTY THING THAT LIVES IN THE HOUSE (2016). 

A meditation on loss and an examination of corporeal experiences across the time and space continuum aka a haunted house tale ;-) 

We hope you enjoy digging into this fresh episode!

Check out the tr...

HMSG Interview Lotfy 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!

Support the show

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!

Support the show

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!

Support the show

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!

Support the show

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! 🎃 

Support the show