Open Mic Night of the Living Dead

In this episode, we look back at the last 25 years of horror cinema and reveal our favorite film from each year, starting with 2001 and going all the way through 2025. We share personal stories, debate what makes a horror film stand out, and discuss how our tastes have evolved as we've dug deeper into the genre. From cult classics like Frailty and High Tension to recent shockers like Talk to Me an...

In this episode, we unveil our Top 25 Horror Movies of 2025! After a massive year of movie-watching, we each share our personal countdowns, debate our choices, and celebrate the films that left us stunned, terrified, and sometimes laughing. We discuss everything from fresh festival favorites to cult classics. Listen as we take turns revealing our rankings, compare notes on what made each film unfo...

In this episode, we review the biggest and most notable horror movies released in 2025. Together, we discuss what we loved (and what didn’t quite work) in films like Wolf Man, Presence, Heart Eyes, The Monkey, Sinners, Weapons, 28 Years Later, M3GAN 2.0, and many more, highlighting the innovations and trends that defined the genre this year. We share our own reactions, ratings, and memorable viewi...

On this festive episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dive into our favorite Christmas horror movies, sharing the must-watches, underrated gems, and wild low-budget thrillers that have crept into our holiday traditions. From classics like Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night, to off-the-beaten-path picks like Christmas, Bloody Christmas, Rare Exports, The Advent Calendar, and...

This week, we plunge into the holiday horror classic Silent Night, Deadly Night. We dig deep into the film’s infamous controversy, its surprising box office rivalry with A Nightmare on Elm Street, and the cultural panic that erupted over a killer Santa Claus. We explore the movie’s themes of trauma, tradition, and the twisted impact of religious guilt, asking if Billy might be the most sympathetic...

On this encore episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dig into the crossover world of horror and family films, inspired by Black Christmas and its director Bob Clark, who also brought us A Christmas Story. We share our list of horror directors who made surprising ventures into kids and family movies, from Robert Rodriguez’s journey between From Dusk Till Dawn and Spy Kids, to Guillermo d...

In this episode, we dive deep into the snowy suspense of Bob Clark's 1974 cult classic, Black Christmas. We revisit the film’s troubled release history, surprising critical reviews, and its gradual rise to horror royalty. We explore its Canadian roots, its connection to true crime, and the feminist undertones that set it apart from other slashers. We debate whether Jess, one of horror’s greatest f...

In this encore episode, we celebrate Friday the 13th and give thanks for another year of horror fandom! We swap stories about Thanksgiving favorites and dietary mishaps, and explore the surprisingly small (but memorable) world of Thanksgiving-themed horror movies, including cult gems like Thankskilling and Eli Roth's Thanksgiving. We also spotlight a wild lineup of iconic 1980 horror releases - in...

In this episode, we dive into the bloody beginnings of one of horror’s most iconic franchises as we revisit Friday the 13th (1980). We unpack the film’s origins, its impact on the slasher genre, and the way it shifted horror toward teen audiences. Join us as we discuss the critical reception - both savage and praise-filled - Tom Savini’s savage kills, and the significance of the “final girl” trope...

In this encore episode, we explore the emotional depths of grief in horror films - starting with The Descent and branching out to titles like Talk to Me, Bring Her Back, Hereditary, Midsommar, The Babadook, and The Ritual. We weigh how these movies use discomfort, atmosphere, and sometimes brutal realism to highlight the human experience of loss. We also reflect on the concept of “elevated horror”...

This week, we descend into the shadows to unpack the 2005 horror classic The Descent. We explore its unique reception history - including how real-life events shaped its release - and dive deep into themes of grief, trauma, friendship, and betrayal. We discuss the film’s all-female cast, claustrophobic atmosphere, groundbreaking special effects, and why it stands out in horror history. Plus, we sh...

In this special encore episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we’re celebrating both Halloween and our 10th wedding anniversary - yes, we actually tied the knot in costume on Halloween! We dive into the spirit of the season by sharing and ranking our top five favorite Halloween horror movies, from classic slashers to cult oddities. Expect passionate debates about Terrifier 2, the misunderst...

In this special Halloween episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dive deep into John Carpenter’s iconic 1978 film, Halloween. We discuss its colossal influence on the slasher genre, share our personal connections and ratings, and explore the film’s atmosphere, themes, and characters - from Laurie Strode’s final girl legacy to Michael Myers’ enigmatic evil. Alongside the history and impac...

In this encore episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dive deeper into John Carpenter's classic, The Thing. We reflect on the creative process behind our original music, share the studio recording of Rachel's song Who Are We, and challenge each other with a playful thought experiment: if we were each assigned to a research station in Antarctica, what five horror movies and three luxury i...

In this episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dive deep into John Carpenter’s iconic 1982 horror masterpiece, The Thing. We share our first viewing experiences, discuss the film’s troubled original reception, and explore its journey from box office flop to beloved cult classic. From the paranoia-fueled plot and unforgettable special effects to the ambiguous ending, we break down why The...

In this encore episode, we dive into the world of Fright Night, comparing the beloved original with its 2011 remake - dissecting the casting, charm, and cinematography that made (or broke) the films. We share our personal recommendations for recent horror and genre watches like Edge of Tomorrow, Presence, and Final Destination: Bloodlines, highlighting what stood out and what fizzled. Plus, we cha...

In this episode, we sink our teeth into the 1985 horror-comedy classic Fright Night, directed by Tom Holland. We share our first impressions and personal ratings, dive deep into the making of the film, and explore why it remains a must-see for fans of both horror and comedy. We discuss the cast’s contributions, the iconic special effects, the film’s place in the vampire genre, and the unique blend...

In this encore episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we revisit our love of all things undead with a special zombie movie draft! We each take turns picking our top zombie flicks from a list inspired by Rotten Tomatoes fan scores - everything from classics like Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead to modern gems like Train to Busan and The Girl with All the Gifts. Along the way, we...

In this episode, we dive into 1968’s genre-defining classic Night of the Living Dead. We explore our personal histories with the film, discuss its low-budget but innovative production, and break down the unforgettable cast and themes - from societal chaos and race to those iconic flesh-eating ghouls. We debate whether it deserves top billing on our horror rating scale, analyze its gritty cinematog...

In this encore after show episode, we revisit The Evil Dead and reflect on why it continues to captivate us after all these years. We chat about the layers we uncover with each rewatch, and then take a creative detour - brainstorming tongue-in-cheek horror-themed ad reads inspired by Scream, The Exorcist, and The Evil Dead itself (ever wondered where Ash gets his chainsaw serviced?). As a treat, w...

*Content Warning*: Discussion about the portrayal of sexual violence and assault in this film and others beginning at 56:35. In this episode, we dive into Sam Raimi’s cult classic, The Evil Dead (1981). We revisit the cabin in the woods, break down the film’s bloody history, and share our own first experiences watching Ash battle Deadites. We explore the indie production’s wild behind-the-scenes s...

In this episode, we dive into our post-show thoughts on The Exorcist and share new horror movie recommendations you won't want to miss. We reflect on the connections between possession and mental illness, unearth some fun Exorcist-adjacent films like Beyond the Door, and revisit favorites such as Final Destination, Oculus, and Pumpkinhead. We also explore how context and nostalgia color our horror...

On this episode, we dive into William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist. We dig into the film’s chilling origins, its groundbreaking practical effects, and the themes of faith, mental illness, and parents pushed to their breaking point. We break down our favorite characters - yes, we both loved Father Karras - and swap personal stories about our first times watching the film (from tiny...

In this encore episode, we dive deep into the world of Scream, discussing the legacy and future of this iconic horror franchise. We chat about the upcoming Scream 7, sharing behind-the-scenes updates, casting news (including the return of Neve Campbell and some surprising additions), and our hopes and fears for where the story will go. We also explore the challenges and thrills of sequels in horro...

In this episode, we dive deep into the iconic horror film Scream. We share our personal experiences with the movie, break down its influence on the genre, and talk about what makes it such a game-changer for horror fans and newbies alike. From memorable characters to meta-commentary, practical effects, and its unforgettable opening scene, we discuss why Scream hits so hard for us and how it redefi...