Fear and Beer

In the past 2 weeks we have missed a lot! Speculation Map 2.0 from Horror Night Nightmares, a Spooky Empire HHN Panel, HHN34 Preview Merch and so much more! We also spent 2 days at Epic Universe AND hosted our 5 Year Anniversary/100 Days Until HHN Trivia event! Why waste any more time? Let's dive in!

We're keeping the "Halfway to Halloween" vibes going strong for this month's Shudder Sundays with a look at The Houses October Built! Now streaming on Shudder is the original 2011 version of The Houses October Built — and we had to check it out to see how it stacks up against the more well-known 2014 release. What we discovered is a creepy, documentary-style film that blurs the line between fact and fiction, leaving you wondering... "This can't be real... can it?"

To fill in hopefully some of the last "quiet" weeks before we get the ball actually rolling on Halloween Horror Nights this year we figured a little AMA would be a fun way to talk about stuff YOU want us to talk about!

For the month of May we are going to be celebrating the season of "Halfway to Halloween"! What better way to get into the "Halloween" season than Halloween itself!  Ten years after his original massacre, the invalid Michael Myers awakens on Halloween Eve and returns to Haddonfield to kill his seven-year-old niece Jamie. Can Dr. Loomis stop him? Where does this Halloween iteration land in your franchise ranking?

After a mini break we are back with the whole gang! This week we're going to discuss all the recent and not so recent rumors we've seen/heard about Halloween Horror Nights 34.   What seems to be sticking? Are some rumors dead at this point? Is there anything new? (Yes, yes there is!)   Grab a cold one and let's dive in!

To round out of month of April's category of "Best New Shudder Movies" we dive into the 2024 Crime Thriller Dead Mail! An ominous help note finds its way to a 1980s post office, connecting a dead letter investigator Jasper to a kidnapped keyboard technician. As he investigates further, Jasper meets Trent, a strange yet unassuming man who has taken up residence at the men's home where Jasper lives. When Trent unexpectedly shows up at Jasper's office, it becomes clear he has a vested interest in the note, and will stop at nothing to retrieve it....

He has risen! (and by he, we mean a new Speculation Map) That's right! Thanks to the folks over at Horror Night Nightmares we have received an updated and slightly altered Speculation Map for the upcoming season. What are some of the biggest changes? Tune in to find out!

This April, we're diving into some of the freshest and freakiest new titles that just dropped on Shudder! Up next is The Rule of Jenny Penn! A 2024 New Zealand psychological horror film based on Owen Marshall's short story of the same name.  Directed by James Ashcroft and starring John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush! Confined to a secluded rest home and trapped within his stroke-ridden body, a former Judge must stop an elderly psychopath who employs a child's puppet to abuse the home's residents with deadly consequences. Did you find the horror in Jenny Pen? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

Since things have been pretty quiet on the rumor front lately—especially with barely any new house whispers and absolutely zero Scare Zone buzz—we figured it's the perfect time to ask: what do we want to see this year at HHN? Are there certain vibes or aesthetics that feel overdue for a comeback? Maybe a specific theme, era, or atmosphere that hasn't gotten the spotlight in a while?  Let's start manifesting some ideas while we wait for the rumors to start rolling in.

This April, we're diving deep into the shadows to spotlight the freshest—and most fear-inducing—new arrivals haunting Shudder. Next up: Shadow of God When an elite exorcist takes matters into his own hands, performing an unauthorized ritual on his own father, he expects to confront a demon. But what he encounters is something far more mysterious—and far more terrifying. As the lines between good and evil blur, he begins to suspect the entity he's battling might not be infernal at all... but divine. Shadow of God poses a chilling question: What happens when holiness becomes horror?

This April, we're spotlighting the freshest and most fear-inducing new arrivals to Shudder — and kicking things off with a bloody bang. First up: Bloody Axe Wound, a twisted coming-of-age slasher that's equal parts gory and gripping. Starring Sari Arambulo, Molly Brown, Billy Burke, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the film follows Abbie Bladecut (Arambulo), a teenager grappling with the terrifying legacy of her blood-soaked lineage. As the daughter of infamous serial killer Roger Bladecut, Abbie's journey to self-discovery is anything but ordinary. Haunted by her past and stalked by a copycat killer with a vendetta, Abbie must confront the darkness that runs through her veins — and decide whether she's destined to follow in her father's footsteps or forge a different path. Bloody Axe Wound blends slasher nostalgia with sharp modern edge, making it a standout entry in Shudder's April lineup. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the must-watch horror dropping this month.

Due to some technical difficulties, our original Round Table Crossover episode has vanished into the digital void. But there's no way we could miss out on discussing Horror Night Nightmares' very first Speculation Map of the season!   We will do our best to CONJURE “The Lost Episode”, but in the mean time join us as we all three of us dive into these symbols, put our thinking caps on, SCREAM at each other and dissect this map more then ART THE CLOWN. What will the FALLOUT be?

For the final week of Jamie's Picks, we're diving into the B-grade horror sci-fi classic—Mosquito! After a brutal massacre by giant, human-sized mosquitoes, a group of survivors must band together to fight off the relentless swarm and make it out alive. Have you seen this one? What are your thoughts?

Welcome to Week 3 of Jamie's Picks! This time, we're diving deep into the neon-drenched, mind-bending world of Enter The Void.

We've crafted our own HHN events, drafted ideas, and designed original Houses and Scare Zones—but can AI do it better? This week, we put ChatGPT to the test, asking it to create the ultimate Halloween Horror Nights event, complete with 10 Houses, 5 Scare Zones, and an original Icon. What did it come up with? And is it actually any good? Let's break it down and find out!

March is Jamie's Picks! For Week 2, we're diving back into the eerie world of Damien McCarthy. After covering Oddity and falling in love with his chilling style, we had to check out more of his work—and that led us to Caveat! Starring Johnny French and Leila Sykes, this psychological horror follows a drifter with partial memory loss who takes a job caring for a disturbed woman in a secluded island house. Sounds simple, right? Think again. Tune in as we break down Caveat and explore what makes McCarthy's films so uniquely unsettling!

March Madness is back—but with a terrifying twist! Forget NCAA basketball; we're bringing our own bracket challenge to the table! This year, we're pitting some of our favorite recent Scare Zones against each other to determine which one would make the ultimate haunted house. Will the neon-soaked chaos of Anarch-Cade reign supreme? Or will Jungle of Doom emerge as the underdog Cinderella story of the tournament? Tune in as we debate, defend, and decide the winner!

March is Jamie's Month!

After reviewing the past few Halloween Horror Nights events, we noticed a recurring trend—sequels! Almost every year, we've seen follow-ups to previous houses, expanding on their stories and scares.   With that in mind, here's our list of the most likely sequels we could see at this year's Halloween Horror Nights!

While we eagerly await speculation, rumors, or even some official announcements for this year's Halloween Horror Nights, we decided to put together our own HHN Wish Lists!   From dream IPs to must-have food items and immersive theming, we're letting our imaginations run wild.   But we're not doing this alone!   This week, we're joined by our friend and Orlando theme park expert, Xandra! She's bringing her insider knowledge and spooky-season expertise to the table as we craft our ultimate HHN lineup.   Make sure to follow her on Instagram @xandra.ventures to stay up to date with all her theme park travels and tips!

For the final week of "Nick's Picks", we're diving into the 2024 wrestling meets horror mash up Dark Match! Dark Match is a 2024 Canadian slasher film written and directed by Lowell Dean, starring Ayisha Issa, Steven Ogg, Sara Canning, and Chris Jericho. The film is about a small wrestling company that takes a gig in a town where things are not what they seem.

We finally have OFFICIAL news! Just not for Halloween Horror Nights—yet. Instead, Universal has officially announced the opening date for its newest haunt experience: Horror Unleashed! This four-house horror attraction will be located in Area 51, Las Vegas! Join us as we break down all the details, including ticket info and house reveals!

This week on Nick's Picks, we're diving into the brand-new body horror thriller, Grafted!

For the month of February, we're keeping the "Nick's Picks" train rolling—this time with another Nic... Nic Cage, that is! In Week 2, we're diving into Mandy! This mind-bending, blood-soaked acid trip follows Red Miller (Cage), a vengeful lumberjack on a rampage against cult leader Jeremiah Sand (Roache) and his twisted followers after they take away the love of his life, Mandy Bloom (Riseborough).   Have you experienced this Bloodbath Acid Trip? Is it peak Nic Cage insanity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The latest rumor suggests we might finally see a Fallout house at Halloween Horror Nights! ☢️ But how would it work? Would it be based on the games or the upcoming TV show? What's the difference?  We're breaking it all down on this week's episode—mutants, vaults, and all! Tune in and let's talk wasteland horror!

This February, Nick is taking the lead with what we're calling “Nick's Picks!”   To kick things off, we're heading back into the Hell House LLC franchise with the sequel to the cult favorite—Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel. Eight years after the hotel's infamous grand opening, an investigative journalist is convinced there's still crucial evidence hidden within its abandoned walls. Determined to uncover the truth, she assembles a team to break in and finally shed light on the mystery.   What do you think of the Hell House LLC franchise? Did the sequel live up to the original's hype? Let us know in the comments!

This week, we're joined by Ryan from For The Love of Theme Parks! The four of us dive into the world of Halloween Horror Nights, pitching which original houses and icons deserve their own movies—plus, our dream casting choices. What HHN originals would you want to see on the big screen? Who would you cast as the Icons? Did we miss any must-haves? Let us know! Be sure to check out Ryan and For The Love of Theme Parks at the links below—give him a follow and show some love! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ForTheLoveOfThemeParksVlogs Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofthemeparks/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fortheloveofthemeparks?lang=en

This January, we're taking one last look back at 2024 by spotlighting some of the best horror content from Shudder! For our final movie of January, we're diving into "Oddity!" "Oddity" is a 2024 Irish horror film written and directed by Damian McCarthy. The story centers on a blind medium and curio shopkeeper who is still grieving the death of her twin sister a year earlier. Her life takes a chilling turn when a wooden mannequin from her collection becomes a key piece in her quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's murder. What are your thoughts on "Oddity"? Did it live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more horror movie reviews and breakdowns.

  This week, we dive into the latest buzz surrounding Halloween Horror Nights 34! The Wyatt Sicks rumor has been floating around for a few weeks, but now it's time to really sink our teeth into it. Plus, we finally have the official dates for this year's HHN. There's a lot to unpack already this early in January!

This January, we're taking one last look back at 2024 by spotlighting some of the best horror content from Shudder! For our third movie of January we are sitting down and talking In A Violent Nature! The 2024 Canadian slasher written and directed by Chris Nash. Starring Ry Barrett, Andrea Pavlovic, and Lauren-Marie Taylor, this unique horror film has been described as an “ambient slasher” for its eerie, atmospheric approach to terror. The story follows a mute killer who is accidentally resurrected in the Ontario wilderness by a group of unsuspecting teenagers. What follows is a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, as the killer stalks and murders his victims. What sets this film apart is its unique perspective—much of the action unfolds through the eyes of the killer himself, adding a chilling twist to the classic slasher formula. What are your thoughts on In A Violent Nature? Did it live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more horror movie reviews and breakdowns.

Back by popular demand, we're excited to bring you our Halloween Horror Nights 34 Guess Map! (Just to clarify, this is NOT a Speculation Map.) These IPs and Originals are purely our guesses, but hey—last year, we nailed two of them in January! How many will we get right this year? Only time will tell—see you in August!

This January, we're taking one last look back at 2024 by spotlighting some of the best horror content from Shudder! In Week 2, we're diving into V/H/S/Beyond!   This 2024 found footage horror anthology, produced by Bloody Disgusting, is the seventh installment in the V/H/S franchise. Featuring five chilling segments tied together by a sixth frame narrative, this film boasts an impressive lineup of creators, including Jay Cheel, Jordan Downey, Virat Pal, Justin Martinez, Christian and Justin Long, and Kate Siegel.   Premiering at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2024, and debuting on Shudder as a Shudder Original on October 4, 2024, V/H/S/Beyond continues the franchise's legacy of innovative horror. Plus, a sequel, V/H/S/8, is already set for release in 2025! What did you think of V/H/S/Beyond?   Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more horror deep dives and discussions!

We now have 10 codenames for this year's Halloween Horror Nights event, but what do they mean—and why are they all named after flowers? In previous years, these codenames have sometimes hinted at connections to the properties or themes of the haunted houses. Will that trend continue this year? Only time will tell, but let's dive in and see if we can crack the codes!

For January, we're taking one final look back at 2024 and highlighting some of the best horror offerings from Shudder! To kick things off, we're diving into the supernatural smash hit, Late Night With The Devil! Written, directed, and edited by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, this chilling film stars David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, and Ingrid Torelli. Blending "found footage" and documentary-style filmmaking, the story unfolds during a Halloween 1977 late-night talk show. In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, the host invites an allegedly possessed girl onto the show—with terrifying consequences. What did you think about Late Night With The Devil? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to like and subscribe for more horror deep dives!

What an incredible way to kick off the new year—new speculations and rumors are already rolling in!   After a brief holiday break, we're back with not just one, but two juicy rumors from HHN Insider Legacy. And that's not all—Horror Night Nightmares has dropped their first Speculation Map of the season, and two intriguing codenames from building permits have entered the mix as well.   There's so much to unpack, so let's dive right in!

Nick and Jamie are back for the final Shudder Sundays of December, wrapping up our month-long Holiday Horror Marathon in style!

Continuing our Holiday Horror trend for the month we are exploring a British Slasher where NO Santa is safe!   Don't Open Till Christmas is a 1984 British slasher film directed by Edmund Purdom, and starring Purdom, Alan Lake, Belinda Mayne, and Gerry Sundquist. Written by Derek Ford and Alan Birkinshaw, the film follows a mysterious killer murdering Santa Claus impersonators in London during Christmastime.

This week we welcome on a very special guest! Marc Kleinhenz who is one of the Creators/Writers behind "Horrors Untold"   Horrors Untold is a first-of-its-kind book that is part nonfiction, part fiction, and part game. Roughly 40% of the experience is a guide to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights; another 40% is an original, creepy story; and the remaining 20% is a series of puzzles and riddles.   For being apart of the FAB Fam YOU can receive 20% off your purchase of this thrilling take home adventure by using the code "Beer20"   Horrors Untold CREDITS CREATIVE TEAM Marc N. Kleinhenz Dan Hatfield AUTHORS Marc N. Kleinhenz Xandra Hardigree SOCIAL MEDIA Katie Brittle STORY CONSULTING Jamie Nash BOOK DESIGN AND FORMATTING Maggie Ryel ILLUSTRATIONS Elena Maria Sanchez PUZZLE DESIGN Mairi Nolan Rebecca Kirby SPECIAL THANKS Seth Kubersky Hunter Fagan

Join us every Sunday as we discuss a movie from our favorite streaming service "Shudder"! You can listen along on your favorite Podcast app or watch along on YouTube! For the month of December we are focussing on Holiday Horror! First up is All the Creatures Were Stirring which is a 2018 American Christmas horror comedy anthology film written and directed by Rebekah and David Ian McKendry. The film was released on digital, video on demand and DVD on December 4, 2018, and on Blu-ray on January 8, 2019.

We know, we know. HHN just wrapped, but you have to start some where! The wheels started turning months ago for us and now it is time to drop our thoughts.   Let's take a look ahead at some of the movies that come out this year and see if maybe, just maybe we can nail down some guesses again this year.

We hope you all dressed for the occasion because we are rolling out the red blood soaked carpet for Halloween Horror Nights 33 and handing out a whole bunch of hardware!   Who is taking home the ever so coveted Broken Toilet Award? Who could possibly win this year's Swing and a Miss Award? There's only one way to find out and that's by listening to this year's show!   You may all be seated now as we begin to take the stage...

The mega episode you have been waiting for is finally here! We discus the wins and loses of HHN33, why did this year feel off and of course of rankings of Scare Zones and Houses!   Strap in this is a long one!

With the final week of HHN33 upon us let's dive into some of the details we learned on this year's 6 House Unmasking the Horror Tour!   These tours are filled to the brim with little tidbits of information and we want you to know about just a select few that we learned so you can appreciate these houses a little deeper for your potential last runs!

We are more then halfway through Halloween Horror Nights 33 so let's take a look back to last year and see where this event stacks up in recent history. As of now does it stack up? Are the Scare Zones of the same caliber? Which had the better IPs?   Let's find out!

Now a month into the event what are some things you would change? Are there aspects of the event you think may have dropped the ball?   This week we are going to go through all 5 Scare Zones and all 10 Houses and give you some of our thoughts on what could have been done differently to raise the bar that much more!

We are now 3 weeks into HHN33! We've had house runs, some trips through the zones and more food/drink than we can remember!   Let's go back and revisit our Hype Lists and see what has gone up or down now that we've spent enough time in the fog!

We made it! HHN33 Opening Weekend is in the books! We got a lot accomplished and we have a lot to talk about so let's stop wasting time and get right into it!

We made it! Today is the final day of our One Week Until HHN Podathon and that means we will see you in the fog in just a few short hours! But in the meantime let's get to the most hyped episode of the week and that is of course our Hype List! What house are we most excited about? What about scare zones? We got all of you covered! Thank you so much for listening along with us all week. It truly means a lot to us and we hope we made this week go as fast as we could for you!

Hungry for another episode? Or are you hungry for all this great food? Let's dive into the offerings for this year's event! What is in our Top 5 most anticipated snacks?

Haven't been able to make it a live trivia event? Well let us bring it to you! We have so many amazing voices in this episode helping us out!    Each guest will present a category and 5 questions.    To play along grab a piece of paper and pen. After each question, simply hit pause, answer and resume the episode!    Each question is worth 1 point!    Let us know below how well you did!   If you are listening along each day with the Podathon, screenshot the episode, post it to your story at tag us! We'd love to see who listens every day !