Opening Kill

This week, we’re dialing back to Woodsboro to break down the slasher that rewrote the rules: the original Scream. From that legendary opening phone call to Ghostface’s razor-sharp meta kills, we dig into why this movie still sets the standard for modern horror. We’re joined by author Stephanie Rose (Hiding Lies and the upcoming novella Small Town Slasher), who brings killer insight into suspense,...

This week, we’re breaking down the Until Dawn movie adaptation, diving into how the snowy survival horror translates from screen to scares. 🏔️🔪 We’re joined by researcher Shay, who helps unpack the film’s themes, characters, and creature mythology as everything spirals into chaos over one very long night. From tense atmosphere and brutal kills to what works (and what doesn’t) in bringing Until Da...

🎉 Episode 50 – Barbarian 🎉 We made it to 50 episodes, and we’re celebrating the milestone by diving headfirst into one of the wildest horror rides in recent years: Barbarian. This week, we break down the movie that starts as an uncomfortable Airbnb nightmare and spirals into something way darker, weirder, and way more brutal than anyone expects. We talk spoiler-free vibes up top, then tear into...

Shay steps in this week to fill the co-host chair as Michael is out for personal reasons, and together we tackle one of the most iconic horror films of all time: The Exorcist. We break down the unsettling performances, the slow-burn dread, and the moments that forever changed the genre. From shocking imagery to questions of faith, fear, and possession, this episode digs into why The Exorcist still...

This week we ring in the new year with Bloody New Year (1987), a bizarre slice of late-’80s British horror that throws a group of teens onto a mysterious island where time itself seems completely broken. What starts as a simple New Year’s Eve party quickly spirals into chaos when they discover an abandoned hotel filled with deadly traps, unexplained hallucinations, and a sinister force determined...

Happy Holidays! This Christmas day we dive into the 2006 remake of Black Christmas, a holiday slasher that dials the gore all the way up and then stares directly into your soul—mostly through eyeballs. We break down Billy’s messy, mean-spirited backstory, the over-the-top kills, and the movie’s bizarre obsession with eye trauma, from sharp objects to lingering close-ups that refuse to look away. I...

This week we’re talking about Jack Frost (1997), the killer snowman horror-comedy that somehow became a cult classic… even though it really shouldn’t have. We break down the plot, the low-budget effects, and the nonstop bad jokes while trying to figure out who this movie was actually made for. From questionable acting to scenes that make you wonder how this ever got greenlit, Jack Frost left us co...

This week, we descend into the fog-soaked nightmare of Silent Hill, a movie we absolutely cannot stand. 😤 From the bizarre plot choices to the endless grayscale misery, we’re dragging ourselves through this one so you don’t have to. Join us as we break down the confusion, the creatures, the cult, and why this film tested every ounce of our patience. Expect rants, laughs, and maybe a few screams o...

This week on Opening Kill, we dive into one of the darkest modern horror films out there: SINISTER. 😈📽️ Join us as we follow true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt into the world of eerie home movies, shadowy corners, and the chilling presence of Bughuul. We break down the plot, the scares, and of course… that unforgettable opening kill. 😬🔪 Will Sinister take home the coveted Butcher Knife 🔪 for its...

This week on Opening Kill, we dive into the chaotic holiday horror-comedy Black Friday—because nothing says the season of giving like customers turning into monstrous rage-fueled creatures. We break down the mayhem inside the toy store, the over-the-top gore, and the surprisingly charming performances (yes, including Bruce Campbell being peak Bruce Campbell). We also take a look at the Opening Kil...

Episode 42: Ghost Ship (2002) ⚓👻 All aboard the Antonia Graza! This week we’re diving into the early-2000s supernatural cult classic Ghost Ship, famous for one of the most shocking opening scenes in horror history. We break down the plot, the grisly mysteries hiding below deck, and whether this haunted vessel still floats after all these years. Plus, we decide if the Opening Kill deserves the co...

This week we’re chopping our way into the swamp with Hatchet 🪓🌿 the gory love letter to classic slashers. And we’re not going in alone. We’re joined by Brian from the Killer Point of View Podcast 🎙️ to talk Victor Crowley, backwoods ghost stories, and why this movie feels like a haunted house that punches you right in the face 😬 We break down the characters, the practical effects, and of course...

This week on Opening Kill, we’re diving into the eerie, neon-drenched sci-fi horror Companion — the movie where grief gets a body count and technology gets way too personal. We’ll break down the plot, the vibes, and of course the killer design choices that make this one stand out in a sea of spooky future-shock nightmares. And you know the drill — before we get into the deep cuts, we start at the...

Episode 39: Halloween (1978) – Special Trick or Treat Edition 🎃🔪 It’s our favorite night of the year, and we’re celebrating in style with a special Halloween episode! This week, we’re diving into the one that started it all — John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978). Michael Myers returns to his hometown for a night of terror, and we’re breaking down everything from the haunting score to the ultimate F...

🎃 Episode 38: Trick ‘R Treat (2007) 🎃 This week, we’re diving into one of the ultimate Halloween anthologies — Trick ‘R Treat! From werewolves and vengeful kids to that adorable little pumpkin-headed enforcer, Sam, this movie packs every October vibe you could want. We break down each twisted tale, talk about how they all connect, and debate where Trick ‘R Treat ranks among modern Halloween clas...

🎢 This week on Opening Kill, the crew takes a wild ride through Hell Fest (2018) — the slasher that turns your favorite haunted attraction into a blood-soaked nightmare! We talk killer costumes, haunted house horror, and whether this theme park of terror lives up to its name. Plus, we’ve got video episodes all season long — so make sure to subscribe on YouTube to catch all the scares (and our fac...

We had some issues, but we now have the episode out again. This week on Opening Kill, things get a little groovy… and a little snotty. Michael is down for the count with a brutal cold, so Shay steps into the host chair and takes us back to the creepy cabin in the woods where it all began — Sam Raimi’s 1981 horror classic The Evil Dead. Armed with Book of the Dead trivia, behind-the-scenes chaos, a...

Season 2 Premiere Episode 35: The Houses October Built (2014) Season 2 is officially HERE — and we're kicking things off by diving headfirst into haunted hayrides, killer clowns, and extreme haunt horror! This week we're talking The Houses October Built (2014), a documentary-style found footage thrill ride that asks a terrifying question: how far would you go for a real scare? We follow a group of...

Thanks for staying hooked through Season 1 with us — what a killer ride! We're closing things out with the 2025 reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer. In this season finale, we dive into everything from the film's plot twists and fresh kills to the new cast of characters and how this version stacks up against the original. This is one, where the team didn't see eye to eye, so this is a lively...

In this episode of Opening Kill, we sink our fangs into Joel Schumacher's cult classic The Lost Boys. We kick things off with our usual plot breakdown — teenage rebellion, vampire biker gangs, and Santa Carla's finest mullets. Then, we get into the gnarly details of the film's iconic kills and makeup effects (yes, those glowing contacts were just as painful as they looked). We also shine a UV ligh...

In this thrilling episode of Opening Kill, we dive deep into the 1997 teen slasher classic I Know What You Did Last Summer! We're joined by the brilliant Stephanie Rose, author of Hiding Lies and the upcoming Small Town Slasher. Together, we break down the plot, explore all the juicy twists and turns, and revisit those unforgettable moments that made this film a staple of '90s horror. From slicker...

In this episode of Opening Kill, we're diving deep into one of the most iconic horror thrillers of all time — Jaws (1975). We break down the plot, explore the film's massive cultural impact, and, of course, spotlight one of the most legendary opening kills in cinematic history: Chrissie's midnight swim. From the haunting score to Spielberg's masterful suspense, we analyze how this seemingly simple...

In this episode of Opening Kill, Michael is back in the co-pilot seat as we dissect the highly anticipated return to deep space horror in Alien: Romulus. We're diving headfirst into the film's intense practical effects, stripped-down story, and—of course—the brutal, blood-slicked kills that harken back to the franchise's terrifying roots. Is Romulus a worthy successor to Alien and Aliens, or just...

In this episode of Opening Kill, Brian and Shay break down The Cabin in the Woods, the meta-horror film that flips every classic slasher trope on its head. They talk about the five archetypal teens lured to a remote cabin, the shadowy organization manipulating their fate, and the ancient gods demanding blood to keep the world from ending. From zombie redneck torture families to elevator-released m...

In this episode of Opening Kill, Brian is joined by horror aficionado Shay Astor to revisit the slasher that started it all — the original Friday the 13th (1980). Together, they dissect the film's iconic kills, twist ending, and lasting influence on the genre. From Mrs. Voorhees' chilling reveal to the birth of Camp Crystal Lake lore, Brian and Shay leave no machete unturned. Whether you're a die-...