Happy Horror TIMe!

In this news commentary, we talk about Obession director Curry Barker signing on to create a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Plus, we dive into the marketing for Scary Movie 6, an upcoming shark thriller, and the casting news for American Horror Story season 13. Watch the video for this commentary: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyHorrorTime

A true scream queen, Janus Blythe has appeared in numerous horror films, but none more celebrated than Wes Craven's “The Hills Have Eyes.” Tune in to hear all about playing Ruby (the only compassionate member of Papa Jupe's cannibal clan), what it was like working with three iconic horror directors — Craven, Brian De Palma on “Phantom of the Paradise,” and Tobe Hooper on “Eaten Alive” — and what she really thought of Ruby's ending in “The Hills Have Eyes Part II.” Check out Janus Blythe's online store at https://janusblythe.bigcartel.com/ And join her fan page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Blythdiva

From surviving Muffy St. John's prank in “April Fool's Day” to battling a vengeful trickster in “Leprechaun,” Ken Olandt has made his mark in the horror genre — alongside some popular leading ladies. Tune in to hear all about making these two memorable horror films, what it was like sharing the screen with both Amy Steel and Jennifer Aniston, and of course we had to ask about appearing as male stripper, Larry Kazamias, in 1987's “Summer School.”

In this news commentary, we discuss Melissa's Barrera's explosion Variety interview, the Kane Hodder casting news for Dexter: Resurrection season 2, the upcoming Blair Witch Project film, and the trailer for Evil Dead Burns. Plus, the sad news about Jonathan Tiersten. Watch the video for this commentary: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyHorrorTime

Damian McCarthy's 2024 horror film, “Oddity,” sent a chill down our spines, so we were eager to check out his latest: this time about a hotel whose honeymoon suite is said to be haunted by a witch. Tune in to hear our thoughts on “Hokum” — from the visuals and settings that scared us most, to the character arc of Adam Scott's Ohm, and some key insights from the Q&A we attended with the director and star.

One, two, Freddy's coming for you! We've already ranked the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise on Happy Horror Time with Tim in the driver's seat, but this time Matt shares his ultimate ranking of the series.Check out our youtube channel for all of our ranking videos and news commentary segments that haven't appeared in our audio feed.Happy Horror Time Youtube Channel - Please Subscribe! 

Over the last century, mummy movies have taken many different forms. But “Lee Cronin's The Mummy” pushes this classic tale into full-on body horror territory. Tune in as we break down this modern reimagining — from the most explicitly gory scenes, to the moments that gave us serious “The Exorcist” vibes, and how it channels the same brutal style Cronin brought to “Evil Dead Rise.”

In this news commentary, it's all about upcoming horror releases! Don Mancini is working on a new Chucky movie and he intends to bring the franchise back to its roots. Final Destination 7, a Weapons prequel, and a new Longlegs film are on the way. And a couple of interesting trailers have dropped! Watch the video for this commentary: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyHorrorTime

Growing up, “Faces of Death” (1978) was that taboo VHS tape everyone talked about — infamous for supposedly showing real deaths and executions. Though it was eventually revealed to be fake, the fascination with watching tragic events feels even more relevant today. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the new “Faces of Death” — from the strong performances by Barbie Ferreira and Dacre Montgomery, to the scenes that had our hearts pounding, and why this meta adaptation works so well as a modern slasher.

We're traveling back in time as Tim ranks his Top 5 Horror Movies of 1996! This year brought us some unforgettable entries in the genre we love most, but it wouldn't be a Happy Horror Time ranking by Tim Murdock without a couple of somewhat obscure but personal favorites. Check out our youtube channel for all of our ranking videos and news commentary segments that haven't appeared in our audio feed.Happy Horror Time Youtube Channel - Please Subscribe! 

Although she wasn't the final girl in this installment, Kerry Noonan played a character with final girl qualities as sweet and responsible camp counselor, Paula, in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.” Tune in to hear all about filming the sequel that revived Jason Voorhees, her thoughts on the film's more self-aware, comedic tone, and the additional made-for-tv horror movie she starred in with Louise Fletcher.

In this horror news commentary we discuss the latest Scream 8 news! We also talk about the new Faces of Death film that's getting good buzz and positive early reviews, plus we give details on two upcoming shark movies films - "Thrash" which is about to hit Netflix and "Deep Water" directed by Renny Harlin and set to release next month. Watch the video for this commentary to get the full experience:https://www.youtube.com/@HappyHorrorTime

Sisters being hunted by devil-worshipping rich people must be a popular trope right now, because just one week after “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” we got another action horror flick with a similar setup. Tune in to hear us break down “They Will Kill You” — from that early twist that (thankfully) wasn't spoiled in the trailers, to Zazie Beetz's bada$$ performance, and of course, the oddball way the Devil addresses everyone.

Coming off of April Fool's Day, Matt ranks his top 5 horror films about pranks gone wrong!And be sure to check out our youtube channel for all of our ranking videos and news commentary segments that haven't appeared in our audio feed. Happy Horror Time Youtube Channel - Please Subscribe! 

After surviving the sadistic, game-obsessed Le Domas family in the first film, Samara Weaving is back as Grace in “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.” But the girl can't catch a break, as now she has to hide from multiple devil-worshipping families alongside her sister. Tune in to hear us break down this highly-anticipated sequel — from the scenes that had us cracking up, to the ones that made us uncomfortable, and how cool it was seeing several ‘90s horror stars in the same flick.

To celebrate our 300th episode, we're shaking things up and discussing the horror film that most of our guests cite as having had the biggest impact on them — “The Exorcist.” Oh, and we're also doing the episode in costume!

Back in 2023, Kevin Williamson appeared on Happy Horror Time to discuss his extensive career in horror. Now he's back, coming off the success of “Scream 7,” for an in-depth, SPOILER-FILLED discussion about this record-breaking installment. Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes stories from many of the film's pivotal scenes, what aspects of the script he influenced and/or wrote, the additional Ghostface killers he wanted to bring back, where the franchise could go in the future, and so much more!

As Ted (aka, Teddy Bear) in “Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter,” Lawrence Monoson got to call Crispin Glover a “dead f*ck,” go skinny-dipping with a bunch of soon-to-be victims, and get his head slashed through a projector screen. Tune in to hear all about working on one of most popular sequels in this franchise, the method acting choice he made that didn't turn out so well, and additional stories about his heartfelt performances in “The Last American Virgin” and “Mask.”

We've unlocked our vault of bonus episodes to release one for all to enjoy! If you like what you hear, considering signing up to be a patron at Patreon.com/HappyHorrorTime and you'll get access to ALL our bonus content.“Dr. Giggles” is one of those movies that, if you haven't seen it, you've definitely heard of it. Who would have thought that a slasher film about a giggling psychopath who thinks he's a physician would leave such an impression? Tune in to hear us break down all the doctor-themed kills, the doctor-themed one-liners, and the characters who should have survived, but sadly met their brutal demise.

The latest installment in the Scream franchise marks the return of OG final girl, Sidney Prescott, and is directed and co-written by series creator, Kevin Williamson. Tune in as we're joined by Ryan Showers, host of the Scream with Ryan C. Showers podcast, to break down “Scream 7” — from that blazing opening scene, to the mother-daughter dynamic between Sidney & Tatum, to Gale's crowd-pleasing entrance, and our thoughts on that polarizing killer reveal.

Though widely recognized for his roles on TV shows like “Felicity” and “Scandal,” Scott Foley left an indelible mark on the “Scream” franchise as Roman Bridger — the only solo Ghostface killer — in “Scream 3.” Tune in to hear all about making the 3rd film in this popular slasher franchise, his thoughts on Roman's backstory and connection to Sidney, what it was like filming that final battle with Neve Campbell, and he even sheds new light on his character's return in “Scream 7.”*NOTE: We're releasing this episode 4 days ahead of schedule, so our next episode will be released on Monday, Mar. 2.

Famous for “The Evil Dead” trilogy and his wild blend of horror, comedy, and over-the-top gore, Sam Raimi unleashes that signature style on his latest survival horror flick, “Send Help.” Tune in to hear us break down the powerful performances by both Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, the constantly shifting power dynamic between them, and how each darker turn reshaped our view of Linda Liddle.

It's Friday the 13th, and the ol' computer says we'd be dead f*cks if we didn't release another special episode on this date!

A wave of slasher films swept through the late '90s and early '00s, and two of that era's most memorable entries were directed by Jamie Blanks. Tune in to hear all about the bold move Jamie made to break into the industry (and the slasher film he nearly directed), behind-the-scenes stories from making “Urban Legend” and “Valentine,” what it was like working with both star-studded casts, and a moving story about his friendship with the late Debra Hill.

Having portrayed Jill Tuck (the ex-wife of John Kramer, aka Jigsaw) in “Saw III,” “Saw IV,” “Saw V,” “Saw VI,” and “Saw 3D,” Betsy Russell has appeared in 5 of the 10 “Saw” films to date. Tune in to hear all about making these films and being a part of this pivotal horror franchise, what it was like working with Tobin Bell, and of course we had to ask all about Betsy's first horror movie — 1988's “Cheerleader Camp.”

Just 7 months after the release of “28 Years Later” comes a new installment in this post-apocalyptic horror series, with the reins being handed over to Director Nia DaCosta. Tune in to hear us break down “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” — from those sadistic Jimmy cult members, to that epic performance put on by Dr. Kelson, and what we hope to see in the next/final film after that surprise cameo.

Just 7 months after the release of “28 Years Later” comes a new installment in this post-apocalyptic horror series, with the reins being handed over to Director Nia DaCosta. Tune in to hear us break down “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” — from those sadistic Jimmy cult members, to that epic performance put on by Dr. Kelson, and what we hope to see in the next/final film after that surprise cameo.

The plot of “Primate” is simple — a family's pet chimpanzee (Ben) gets bit by a rabid mongoose, then goes apesh*t in their beautiful cliffside Hawaii home. No more Mr. Nice Chimp! Tune in as we break down all the characters we knew wouldn't survive, all the kills that shocked us the most, and the impressive use of practical effects that made Ben pretty terrifying.

Daisy Ridley (who we remembered as “that Star Wars girl”) stars in a new survival horror flick that gives viewers more than just zombies to sink (and grind) their teeth into. Tune in to hear us break down “We Bury the Dead” — from the many themes and layers represented by the undead, to the protagonist's sexy sidekick, and the biggest question of all — can zombies have human babies?

Best known for his terrifying performance as Pluto in “The Hills Have Eyes” (1977) and its sequel, Michael Berryman has worked with acclaimed filmmakers such as Wes Craven, John Hughes, and Rob Zombie throughout his long-running career. Tune in to hear all about how Michael was first discovered, stories from filming so many of his genre favorites, and a preview of his upcoming horror films.Check out Michael Berryman's book, “It's all good! A Michael Berryman memoir… in my own words,” at https://www.amazon.com/Its-all-good-Michael-Berryman-ebook/dp/B0BSQZHK32

To close out 2025, we're trying something new — an episode dedicated to looking back on all the horrific happiness of the past year. Tune in as we reflect on the most notable horror releases of 2025 (the hits and the misses), revisit some of our favorite interviews from the year, and talk about how Happy Horror Time grew and evolved throughout the year. Plus, a sneak peek at the horror films we're looking forward to most in 2026!

It's been 41 years since the original “Silent Night, Deadly Night” was released, so a remake was pretty much inevitable. But this installment takes quite a different approach to Santa's slay ride. Tune in to hear us break down the new “Silent Night, Deadly Night” — from the decision to put a voice in Billy's head, to giving him a girlfriend (and all the other subplots), and of course, whether it stacks up to the original.

As Billy in the original “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” Robert Brian Wilson dons the Santa suit, chases the naughty with an axe, and makes good on his promise to “punish” them. Tune in to hear all about playing the OG Killer Santa in this 1984 horror classic, how he felt about all the controversy back then (and when his feelings changed), and the story behind why he isn't in the remake that just hit theaters.

Kari Keegan isn't just one of the “Friday the 13th” final girls — her character, Jessica Kimble, is actually a direct descendant of Jason Voorhees. Talk about a terrifying family tree! Tune in to hear all about making “Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday,” what it was like filming that big climactic finale with Kane Hodder, and she sets the record straight on her supposed feud with Director Adam Marcus.

From an ill-fated cruise ship, to the streets and sewers of NYC, Jensen Daggett battled Jason Voorhees across many different settings as Rennie in “Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.” Tune in to hear all about filming everywhere from in the water to actual Times Square, the sequence with Jason that truly scared her, and how it feels being one of the final girls in this beloved franchise.

Osgood Perkins is back with a new folk horror tale that takes a dark look at relationships, sacrifice, and drooling creatures. Tune in to hear us break down “Keeper” — from Tatiana Maslany's effective performance, to whether the film's explanation/reveal worked, and of course, all that chocolate cake.Visit https://apostrophebooks.bigcartel.com/ to grab a copy of “Ripped to Shreds” (the graphic novel we mention at the beginning of this episode).

It's a tale as old as time… well, as old as 1818 at least, since that's when Mary Shelley's novel was first published. And after multiple film adaptations, Guillermo del Toro is now putting his stamp on this classic monster story. Tune in as we're joined by Philip Faiss, host of Netflix & Phil, to break down Netflix's “Frankenstein” — from the many different layers behind this narrative, to the ways del Toro changed the source material, and of course, how Jacob Elordi can be sexy even as The Creature.Check out Netflix & Phil on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@philoween_trends

After narrowly surviving the Abaddon Hotel in “Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire,” Elizabeth Vermilyea is back as Vanessa Shepherd in the latest installment of this indie horror franchise — “Hell House LLC: Lineage” (now streaming on Shudder). Tune in to hear all about making both “Hell House” movies, what it was like switching from found footage to the new film's traditional narrative format, and what Elizabeth would like to see explored if the series continues.

Dee Wallace has been starring in scary movies for the last 5 decades, solidifying her status as a true horror legend. Tune in to hear all about making some of her most popular genre hits like “The Hills Have Eyes,” “The Howling,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Cujo,” “Critters,” and “The Frighteners,” what it was like working with directors Wes Craven, Steven Spielberg, and Peter Jackson, and she even teases her multiple upcoming horror films.

It's been 4 years since Finney took on the Grabber with help from the dead via phone calls, and now we're back with a new setting, a new set of murders, and tons of dream sequences! Tune in to hear us break down “Black Phone 2” — from the way it shifted the focus to Finney's sister, to how it created its own set of rules for the dream world, and whether the more emotional scenes worked well or felt over-the-top.

James Jude Courtney has played Michael Myers (aka, The Shape) in more “Halloween” films than any other actor, having starred in all 3 of the recent Blumhouse films. Tune in to hear all about how he was cast and his approach to portraying this iconic horror villain, the endings that were filmed but never made it to screen, and how emotional it got working with Jamie Lee Curtis on that final battle in “Halloween Ends.”

After fans rejected the absence of Michael Myers in “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” Dwight Little came onboard to direct “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.” Tune in to hear all about making the film that brought back this horror villain, what it was like casting and working with franchise stars Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, and Donald Pleasence, his thoughts on “Halloween 5” and how he would have approached that sequel, and his work on additional horror films like “The Phantom of the Opera” (1989) and “Natty Knocks.”

Releasing this week, Andrew Grevas' new book on the “Halloween” franchise combines essays about the various eras and timelines with 25 cast and crew interviews across the 13 films. Tune in to hear all about writing “Horror in Haddonfield: The Untold Stories of Halloween,” the conflicting accounts he received from the various writers of “Halloween 4,” how Andrew's feelings toward the Rob Zombie films have evolved, and what he'd like to see from the franchise in the future.You can order “Horror in Haddonfield: The Untold Stories of Halloween” here:https://www.amazon.com/Horror-Haddonfield-Halloweens-Untold-Stories/dp/1959748300

There haven't been many sports-related horror films, but perhaps there should be considering the dangers professional athletes face both in and out of the game. “Him” brings a culty/supernatural twist to being the GOAT. Tune in to hear us break down all the aggro behavior, all the shirtless workout scenes, the strong performances by Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, and how well it delivered its message. Go sports!

In a special episode to kick off spooky season, we take a look back at the two film adaptations of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride — both the 2003 and 2023 releases. And what better guest to join us than Dina Spybey-Waters, who played the quirky yet compassionate maid, Emma, in “Haunted Mansion” 2003? Tune in to hear all about Dina's experience working on the first film, how the two movies differ (and what works in each), and what we'd like to see from any future “Haunted Mansion” installments.

Marketing for “The Conjuring: Last Rites” billed it as the end of the series… but considering it had the biggest global opening ever for a horror movie, this franchise will inevitably live on. Tune in to hear us break down all the scariest moments (one in particular that made Matt jump), whether its 135-minute running time was necessary, and how it compared, in our opinion, to the other Conjuring films.

It didn't take long for Ashley Cullins' new book on the “Scream” franchise to become a New York Times bestseller. Kevin Williamson even referred to it as “the definitive story of Scream.” Tune in for an in-depth discussion about writing “Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror,” the many interviews Ashley landed with various cast and crew members (plus surprising additions like John Carpenter and Meryl Streep), and the overall vibe surrounding the upcoming “Scream 7.”

If anyone deserves the title of “Scream Queen,” it's Linnea Quigley. Having starred in over 135 films (most of which are horror), she's got a résumé stacked with countless fan favorites. Tune in to hear all about filming that iconic deer antler impalement in “Silent Night, Deadly Night” (1984), dancing nude in a graveyard in “The Return of the Living Dead” (and what happened to its proposed 2025 sequel, “Trash's Revenge”), and of course, her famous lipstick scene in “Night of the Demons” (1988).

Remake, reimagining, reboot — all of these words could be used to describe the new “Witchboard,” which is VERY loosely based on a 1986 film of the same name and directed by Chuck Russell (Director of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”). Tune in to hear us break down all that witchy backstory, how it compared with the original film, and how “obsessed” the main character was with that pendulum board.

Zach Cregger, Writer/Director of 2022's “Barbarian,” is back with another insanely unique horror mystery… this time about a class full of kids disappearing into the night with arms outstretched. Tune in to hear us break down “Weapons” — from all the moments that creeped us out, to every twist we didn't see coming, and the character we can't stop raving about – Aunt Gladys!

Real-life married couple, Allison Brie and Dave Franco, star in “Together” — part supernatural flick, part body horror, with a side of co-dependency and a dash of insanity. Tune in to hear us break down all those intense scenes (and there were many), how committed the two leads were, that perfect song played at the end, and how the film is a metaphor for issues we've all experienced in relationships.