Horror Movie Survival Guide

BIT - "Super Sexy Vampire Powers"This week we are back with more Lesbian Vampires galore for our Pride

Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary - "Eat & Be Eaten"More sapphic longing glances and withering stares await in MARY, MARY, BLOODY MARY (1975). This is the story of a woman on the run who is always thirsty...for more blood! We think this might be the perfect double feature with one of our favorite films - George A. Romero's MARTIN (1978). We hope you enjoy devouring this fresh episode! Support the show

The Blood Spattered Bride - "Rapture of My Vast Death"This week we go in on a stunning retelling of the Carmilla legend that has inspired a legion of Lesbian Vampire cinematic offerings - THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE (1973). Sumptuous & surprising imagery swirl with a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors in this masterpiece.We hope you are enjoying this round of Sapphic goodness for Pride Season as much as we are!Support the show

Baba Yaga - "Delights of Sapphic Love"Happy Pride

HMSG Interview Billy Hanson & Paul Inman - "Keys to the Kingdom"“What if Stephen King's Dollar Baby filmmakers had their own terrifying tales to tell?”For decades, the Dollar Baby program gave filmmakers the rare chance to adapt King's short stories for just $1. Now, for the first time, these masters of suspense and horror are unleashing their OWN ORIGINAL nightmares in one chilling collection.KEYS TO THE KINGDOM — a fiction anthology of dark, twisted, and unforgettable stories from the creatives who walked the road paved by the King himself.This incredible project is being helmed by BILLY HANSON & PAUL INMAN! And will include a story by our very own JULIA MARCHESE from Horror Movie Survival Guide! We got to chat with the writers about their stories, King-Con & of course Stephen King! You can help get this book to Pre-Ordering your copy TODAY on Inkshares! Support the show

Glorious - "I Saved the Universe."This week we commune with old Lovecraftian gods over a commode in GLORIOUS (2022). A project helmed by, friend of show, Rebekah McKendry, who we had the pleasure of speaking with about Giallo, Fangoria and more last year! Check out our interview with her here & then dig into this fresh episode!Support the show

Strange Nature - "We're Saving Our Town"This week we discuss Makeup/SFX expert James Ojala's feature film directorial debut STRANGE NATURE (2018). A climate disaster gets investigated by a disgraced pop-star in her hometown of Duluth. This climate catastrophe is more than meets the eye! Ojala is an SFX and Horror movie makeup whiz! So many beautiful creature designs in this production!We hope you enjoy dipping into this fresh episode!Support the show

The Vourdalak - "Thank You for the Broth."This week we travel back in time to 18th Century Eastern Europe with THE VOURDALAK (2023). A marquis lost on his journey home looks for love in all the wrong places. A folk horror tale that lampoons the aristocratic culture from the King's court, while also questioning the misogyny and heteronormativity of the bourgeoisie in countryside.A delightful suggestion from Mama Marchese! We hope you enjoy this fresh brothy episode!Support the show

HMSG Interview Adam Cesare - "Clown in a Cornfield"In anticipation of the new film adaptation of CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD (2025), we had the honor of chatting with fellow cinephile and author of the series Adam Cesare about his career and the new film hitting theatres this Friday, May 9th!Go See Clown in a Cornfield TODAY! If you dare! Support the show

The Apology - "My Justice Fantasy"This week we cover THE APOLOGY (2022) - written and directed by friend of the show Alison Locke! One mother's search for truth about her daughter leads to a tense and powerful confrontation on a dark and stormy night.We hope you enjoy digging into this fresh episode!Support the show

Get Away - "Death Comes before Art!This week we take a much needed holiday with a loving family who are about to have a killer vacation in the GET AWAY (2024). This comedy is written by and starring Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Black Cab) along with a stellar cast of incredible characters.Another great selection from our producer, Sierra!We hope you enjoy biting into this fresh episode!Support the show

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - "Your Career - Your Master!"This week we tackle the one-hundred year old classic THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925). A timeless tale about love, obsession and a genius forced to live on the fringes of society getting his revenge! This stunning film is anchored by a truly virtuosic performance from Lon Chaney as the titular phantom.We hope you enjoy this episode featuring another great film selection from our producer Sierra Rein!Support the show

Studio 666 - "Finish It & It Begins!"This week we cover the Foo Fighters horror comedy, STUDIO 666 (2022). The band plays themselves literally and figuratively in this Faustian tale of a band chasing success and making a deal with the Devil to continue to succeed. The story is by Dave Grohl who was clearly inspired by his friend John Carpenter. This movie goes hard rockin' all the way from the beginning to the end!We hope you enjoy shredding into this fresh episode!Support the show

Nosferatu - "Awake, but in a Dream."This week we give the people what they want! A jam-packed episode that goes all in on the new Robert Eggers NOSFERATU (2024). A recommendation from our incredible producer Sierra Rein we all had a blast with this one. We hope you enjoy listening to this fresh episode crazy style! Support the show

HMSG Interview Phil Nobile Jr. - "Trampa Infernal" This week we had the honor of chatting with PHIL NOBILE JR. the Editor-in-Chief of FANGORIA magazine! He brought the heat with his film selection TRAMPA INFERNAL (1989) aka Hell's Trap! A fun 80's slasher romp with some fun twists and turns. Phil is an Emmy-winning documentary producer, and the executive producer of the acclaimed documentary feature Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. His writing on the Dark Shadows TV series, the James Bond franchise, and the films of David Cronenberg have been published in books and other publications around the world. We hope you enjoy this fresh episode!Support the show

HMSG Interview Jack Bennett - "Brain Damage!"This week we chat about the Frank Henenlotter film, BRAIN DAMAGE (1988) with JACK BENNETT - fabulous filmmaker and friend of the show! We bonded with Bennett over his love for weird and wonderful things and the delightful practical effects used in this cult classic. Jack Bennett started his career as a DIY writer-director in Southwest Virginia, alternating self-produced narrative films with work as a for-hire cameraman and editor. After his horror movie CAPRICE played the international film festival circuit in 2010, Jack relocated to Los Angeles and has built a body of work across a variety of genres. His recent directing credits include the horror shorts GOOD NIGHT, EVERYONE'S A CRITIC and A GOOD SCREAM, the concert films MR. BUNGLE: THE NIGHT THEY CAME HOME and ANTHRAX XL, the feature-length NEVER SURRENDER: A GALAXY QUEST DOCUMENTARY, music videos for Brian Posehn's comedy/metal record GRANDPA METAL and a documentary tribute to the life and legend of music icon Meat Loaf.  Bennett has produced and conducted on-camera interviews with such luminaries as Sigourney Weaver, Keanu Reeves, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Lloyd, John Carpenter, Rob Zombie, Slash and Academy Award-winning Breaking Bad/Rain Man producer Mark Johnson, among others, and contributed to convention panels as moderator and guest at Comic Con, FanX, Monsterpalooza, Days of the Dead and Rock & Shock. We hope you enjoy this fresh jam-packed episode! Support the show

Leprechaun - "I Want Me Gold!"Top o' the mornin' to ya! It's St. Patrick's Day ☘️ and we've got a fresh episode full of gold for you and your favorite little LEPRECHAUN (1993) played lovingly by Warwick Davis! Will there be bad Irish accents? Will there be LA Gear shoes? Will there be confusion about basic plot points? YESSSSS to all!Support the show

Häxan - "Witchcraft with Thunder!"This week we tackle a classic horror film that gives us a comprehensive history of witchcraft through the ages - HÄXAN (1922). Equal parts documentary, historical reenactment and social commentary on the modern era...that feels still eerily relevant 100 years later. We highly recommend this wonderful film!We hope you enjoy diving into the history of witchcraft with us this week!Support the show

Lake Mungo - "Death Takes Everything, Eventually"This week we cover LAKE MUNGO (2008) a recommendation from the lovely BJ Coangelo, and a favorite of Mike Flanagan. A haunting tale with so many twists and turns told through true crime mockumentary format. A dizzying amount of reveals will keep you enthralled from beginning to end!We hope you enjoy diving into this week's episode!Support the show

US - "I Don't Feel Like Myself"This week we tackle Jordan Peele's follow up to Get Out - US (2019)!  This film offers a searing look at American imperialism and the parasitic nature of our Culture. Asking the questions - What are we actually tethered to? And what are the costs for the lives we lead?We hope you enjoy digging into this fresh episode! Support the show

Abby - "My Soul is a Witness"This week we go back in time to the groovy 70's with a good girl who goes bad in ABBY (1974). An Exorcism with Blacula's William Marshall as the priest/shaman/hero! Abby is an upstanding member of her community until a trickster demon is unleashed from another realm to wreak havoc on her and her family.We hope you enjoy this recommendation from our friends at BLERDY MASSACRE!Support the show

Exhuma - "It's the Vilest Plot!"So excited to spend more time in Korea with this week's selection EXHUMA (2024)!  A family curse that may goes deeper than the group of country shaman can dig. A great double feature with last week's selection The Wailing (2016). This film that was highly recommended to us by the lovely Toby Poser matriarch of the Adams Filmmaking Family (Hellbender, The Deeper You Dig, Hell Hole, Where the Devil Roams).We love getting fresh suggestions from you & hope you enjoy this brand new episode!Support the show

The Wailing - "He's Not Human"Happy Lunar New Year!

The First Purge - "Are You Angry?"This week we cover a film that recently entered back into the TOP 10 streaming charts in America...THE FIRST PURGE (2018). This franchise continues to be relevant and timely as the issues it tackles - poverty, racism and access to the "American Dream" - continue to persist.We hope you enjoy releasing your rage with us in this fresh episode!Support the show

Crimson Peak - "Rotting & Sinking"This week we are celebrating our 400th Episode of Horror Movie Survival Guide by dissecting a bloody beautiful gothic romance - CRIMSON PEAK (2015) directed by the legendary Guillermo Del Toro! Vibrantly stunning costumes, sumptuous cinematography coupled with scenery chewing performances by Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston make this a real feast for the senses!We are filled with gratitude and thanks for our listeners! We hope we can continue to expand and grow exponentially over the next 400 episodes! Support the show

Late Night with the Devil - "Dreamer, here! Awake!"A 1970's talk show on a Halloween night featuring mediums, psychics, mentalists and skeptics... oh my! LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (2023)  starring genre favorite David Dastmalchian has it all! A fun premise of a bygone ratings war that culminates in a disaster for TV host, Jack Dorsey (Dastmalchiam) as he attempts to save his show from the cultural phenomenon that is Johnny Carson.We hope you enjoy this late night treat!Support the show

The Phantom Carriage - "The Torment of Remorse"Happy New Year! A cinematic classic about a man on a mission to torment the world vs. a woman from a mission who wants to save it - THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE (1921). Tempting fate, a man regales his chums with a story about who will carry the mantle of the reaper of souls into the New Year. Will he be given the opportunity to atone for his sins or will he be tormented by his remorse for all of eternity..?A perfectly grim story to kick off 2025! Support the show

Angel Heart - "I Don't Like Messy Accounts" For the end of the year we are tying up our loose ends with De Niro, Rourke & Bonet in ANGEL HEART (1987). A Faustian tale that goes all the way to hell and back. A film that was extremely controversial when it came out - Bonet had to exit the "wholesome" sitcom she had starred on prior.Beautiful cinematography, stunning locales and De Niro doing his best impression of Marty Scorsese - what more could you want to ring in the New Year!?Wishing you and yours a Happy 2025!Support the show

Terrifier 3 - "It's a Terrifier Christmas!"One of our favorite clowns is back just in time to give us a December to remember - TERRIFIER 3 (2024). You better watch out, you better not cry Santa Art is coming to town! A send up of so many holiday classics with Art the Clown's distinct twisted humor dripping all over it! As with all the films in the franchise this is not for the faint of heart!We hope you enjoy this fresh episode and wish a Happy and Merry to you all!Support the show

It's a Wonderful Knife - "I Know What You Did Last Christmas"The holidays continue to slay this season with IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE (2023). When the Northern Lights are set ablaze at the same time as wishes are made the town of Angel Falls experiences some seismic changes! Will our heroes find their true north stars? Will they end the murderous Angel killing spree? And most importantly...will they find true love?We hope you enjoy sitting by the fire and getting cozy with this fresh holiday episode!Support the show

Santa Claws - "Would You Go Back to Zoology?"Celebrate the holidays by shaking these packages and opening up this fresh HMSG episode with SANTA CLAWS (1996). A super fan takes his affections to far for Raven, a gorgeous Slasher Scream Queen (played perfectly by Debbie Rochon) in this 90's campy slasher brought to you by John A. Russo (Night of the Living Dead)! This movie has everything we want for the holidays - plenty of T & A and prolonged sequences at sexy photo shoots...Santa Baby indeed. Wishing you all the jollies for this holiday season!  Support the show

There's a Zombie Outside - HMSG Interview Michael VarratiSuch an honor to chat with our friend & HMSG Champion, Michael Varrati, about his brand new film THERE'S A ZOMBIE OUTSIDE (2024). Following in the footsteps of Pittsburgh's finest - the Maestro, George A. Romero - Varrati has crafted a zombie feature with a distinct social message that speaks to the lovers of modern independent genre cinema!We hope you let this episode inside your hearts and minds!Michael Varrati is a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and host known for an array of multi-genre work across film and television. Some of his credits include the award-winning workplace thriller The Office is Mine, techno-horror Unusual Attachment, and a number of TV and movie projects for networks like Netflix, Lifetime, Disney Channel, Hallmark, France's M6, and more, with such titles as Christmas With You (A Netflix Top 10 movie in 63 countries), Christmas in Vermont, and The Wrong Stepmother (which was voted by Yahoo news as one "The 18 Best Lifetime movies of All Time"). More recent projects include writing/directing the recent feature film There's a Zombie Outside, as well as work on The Boulet Brothers' Halfway to Halloween Special, Shudder's Behind the Monsters, holiday horror anthology film Deathcember, the thrillers My Acting Coach Nightmare and A Nurse to Die For, multiple seasons of The Boulet Brothers Dragula, and work three years running on the prestigious Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (Writer- 2022, Writer/Director- 2023, 2024). Varrati was the creator and host of Dead for Filth, a podcast devoted to the intersection of queer identity and the horror genre, and most recently, Varrati has created and co-hosts a popular podcast all about cult cinema called Midnight Mass with his frequent collaborator, drag icon Peaches Christ. Varrati frequently speaks at events like San Diego Comic Con International and his work has been covered by such publications as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, MTV News, Out, and more.Support the show

HMSG Interview Rebekah Mckendry - "Four Flies on Grey Velvet"This week we had the privilege of interviewing the wonderful Rebekah McKendry and got to discuss a Giallo film that neither Julia or Teri had seen before - natch!FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET (1971).Rebekah McKendry is an award-winning director and writer. Her horror feature GLORIOUS (2022)(starring JK Simmons) premiered at Fantasia Film Festival and after receiving top honors from critics was certified as “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. Rebekah began her film career working for Fangoria Entertainment and went on to become Editor-in-Chief for Blumhouse Productions, as well as writing for media companies like Shudder, Universal, AMP, AMC,  and more. Rebekah has a PhD in the Horror Genre and is a Professor in the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She is also an award-winning podcaster currently hosting Fangoria's Colors of the Dark Podcast. We hope you enjoy our deep dive into horror cinema and our shared love of the Giallo style!Support the show

Talk to Me - "I Let You In"This week we are talking to the hand and maybe summoning nefarious spirits from the other side with TALK TO ME (2022). A simple device with a huge impact - a party game that seems more like a drug draws in some teens into a deadly game that connects them to the spirit world.This surprising directorial feature debut from Australian influencer brothers, Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou, packs a real punch!We hope you enjoy this fresh episode no matter where your spirit resides!Support the show

Slash/Back - "Hunting is Patience"This week we discuss another wonderful project created by and starring Indigenous Talent - SLASH/BACK (2022). Writer/Director Nyla Innuksuk beautifully combines Indigenous lore with some of our favorite sci-fi horror tropes! Very reminiscent of The Thing and Annihilation, but with a kid friendly vibe! This is a good one for the whole family to dig into!We hope you enjoy this fresh episode!Support the show

Prey - "You Think I'm Not a Threat" A Predator story set back in time, focused on an Indigenous tribe as the fight for land and safety intensifies a warrior comes into their own in PREY (2022). A fresh perspective on the classic Predator series this weekend installment packs a great punch. A stellar performance from Amber Midthunder leads the charge. This is a great double feature with Predator 2 - you can listen to us discuss it with Tarik Davis in one of our archival episodes!We hope you enjoy this week's fresh episode!Support the show

All Hallows' Eve - "That was Sick"This week we tackle the film that launched a true work of ART - ALL HALLOWS' EVE (2013). A fun anthology where Art, the Clown is intertwined throughout some frightful Halloween tales! You can see the genesis of Damien Leone's craft and the seeds that were planted to bring us the ultimate TERRIFIER series later!We hope you enjoy this fresh episode this Halloween Week! Support the show

Final Destination - "Death's Sadistic Design"The turn of the century was full of worry about Y2K computer viruses and Death's Sadistic Design in FINAL DESTINATION (2000). A disaster horror flick that launched a robust franchise and so many wonderfully scary ways to end up unalived! Devon Sawa & Ali Larter lead the charge along with some fun appearances from Tony Todd (Candyman), Daniel Roebuck (Terrifier 3), and so many more!Be safe and keep a lookout as you dig into this fresh episode! Support the show

When Evil Lurks - "It's Everywhere"To celebrate spooky season we have been tackling some of our most requested and highly recommended films! WHEN EVIL LURKS (2023) came highly recommended to us from friend of the podcast, photographer extraordinaire, Patrick McPheron. Patrick is responsible for some of our favorite photos used for our show, HORROR X, our collaboration with the George A. Romero foundation.A tale of love, loss and possession set in the countryside of Argentina - this one is a doozy! This film is extremely haunting and shook us to our core.We hope you enjoy every bit of this fresh and tasty episode!Support the show

HMSG Interview Anastasia & Richard Elfman! "Bloody BridgetSo excited to interview the ICONIC, Bon VIVANT, Horror COUPLE - ANASTASIA & RICHARD ELFMAN about their careers & their new film BLOODY BRIDGET (2023). Anastasia is a stage and screen actress, director, dancer,choreographer and burlesque artist. Richard is a director, writer, producer, percussionist  and the founder of the musical/theatrical group "Mystic Knights Of the Oingo Boingo"  - the group that was later known as  "Oingo Boingo" (one of Julia's favorite bands of ALLL TIME)!Both powerful multi- hyphenates whose  love of barbecues, vampires, theatrics and the devil were bound to come together in art and love! They create live music and burlesque pre-shows before their film screenings in selected cities, enlisting local talent to perform with them and Richard's band - Mambo Diabolico. Their shows dazzle & delight while whipping audiences into the proper state of madness and delirium.Richard and Anastasia live under the iconic Hollywood sign where they host an underground music/wine/performance salon, "The Barbecue Bacchanals." Richard is an acclaimed grill-master and cooks for their events as well as for cast and crews. Richard is also writing and developing animation projects when not doing everything the hell else!We hope you all enjoy this fresh grilled episode with the wonderful Anastasia & Richard ELFMAN!Support the show

IT - "I am Eater of Worlds"Well - this is IT (1990). We finish our Stephen King Birthday Party with a big one - the 1990 TV - Mini- Series version of IT starring the legendary Tim Curry as Pennywise. Of course you can count on Julia for all the nitty gritty details from her favorite book vs this adaptation! We hope you enjoy digging into this fresh mega episode! Support the show

Mr. Harrigan's Phone - "Call Me if you Need Anything" We continue our Stephen King Birthday party month with MR. HARRIGAN'S PHONE (2022). A story about the technology and power grounded in an unlikely friendship between a boy and billionaire. A cautionary tale about the "smartphone" era and what the costs might really be for wielding such power. We hope you enjoy listening to this fresh episode! Support the show

1408 - "A Fragmented Loop of Unease & Despair"We continue our Stephen King Birthday Party with one of his most iconic Short Stories - 1408 (2007). A story that started off as a writing exercise that has gone on to be so much more! A cynical writer (John Cusack) is lured into the clutches of one very evil hotel room. We love seeing Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson paired up in Stephan King adaptations -like this film and CELL (2016)!We hope you enjoy this fresh episode - if you dare!!Support the show

Graveyard Shift - "The Place is Infested"Our Stephen King birthday celebration continues with GRAVEYARD SHIFT. Dealing with a toxic work environment is for the RATS! A cotton mill is infested ...with something sinister. Can the new "college boy" in town make a difference in the battle against infestation?We hope you enjoy our freshly dropped episode!Support the show

1922 - "Life is Rarely Fair"We are tackling Stephen King content all month in honor of the King's birthday! We kick off our Stephen King Birthday Party in the middle of a cornfield with 1922 (2017). A farmer who is more in love with his land than his wife. A cautionary tale about pride and consequences for our actions. The ghosts of our pasts will always find a way to haunt us!We hope you enjoy listening to this fresh as a glass of lemonade on a front porch in a summertime episode! Support the Show.

Stopmotion - "Morticians Wax"This week we travel down the uncanny valley of puppetry with STOPMOTION (2023). We follow a young aspiring animator who is trying tooth and nail to make her own way beyond her legendary mother's shadow. How far is too far to go for one's artistic vision?A literal feast for the eyes - we hope you enjoy digging into this fresh episode!Support the Show.

Witchboard - "Progressive Entrapment"We conclude our trip back in time to 1986 with a film starring one of Teri's favorite video vixen's Tawny Kitaen - WITCHBOARD (1986). A group of frenemies get together and summon what they think is the ghost of a child...but it could be something much more sinister!We hope you enjoy summoning up spirits with us this week!Support the Show.

The Hitcher - "I Want You to Stop Me"This week we continue down the 1986 horror highway with THE HITCHER (1986). A chase film driven by Rutger Hauer  pouring on all the gas with an explosive performance! A young - post OUTSIDERS - performance from C. Thomas Howell as the kid about to see too much, too fast & about to get furious!We hope you enjoy going down the highway with us listening to this fresh episode!Support the Show.

HMSG Interview Heidi Honeycutt - "I Spit on Your Celluloid" NEW BOOK!This week dive deep into the history of women in horror with Heidi Honeycutt as she launches her new book I SPIT ON YOUR CELLULOID! Heidi Honeycutt is an American journalist, author, actress, filmmaker, film programmer, and co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Etheria Film Night, a film festival that champions women directors, editors, producers, and screenwriters of horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, thriller, and dark comedy movies. She established the festival in 2014 alongside Stacy Pippi Hammon and serves as its Director of Programming. Etheria has also been an anthology series! As a journalist, Honeycutt has written for such magazines as Fangoria, Bloody Disgusting and Famous Monsters of Filmland.In 2007, Honeycutt wrote, produced, and starred in the short film Wretched, which she also co-directed with Leslie Delano.We hope you enjoy this episode and go out and grab a copy of Heidi's book I SPIT ON YOUR CELLULOID today!Support the Show.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - "I Guess I Got Carried Away."1986 was quite a year for some intense thrillers - this week we discuss one of the most iconic ripped from the headlines stories with HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1986). Haunting performances by everyone in this film - especially Michael Rooker who gives us all the chills as Henry!We hope you enjoy letting your imaginations fill in the blanks with us!Support the Show.

Manhunter - "It's just you & me now, sport!"This week we tackle another film from 1986 that is our cinematic introduction to Hannibal Lecter -  MANHUHNTER (1986). A film that plays with light and color to highlight the push and pull of a man that takes one more job when he's already called it quits. What could go wrong...? Michael Mann directs his muse William Petersen in this tense crime drama with standout performances from Kim Greist, Brian Cox, Tom Noonan & Joan Allen. Support the Show.