#31in31 – “Crystal Lake” (miniseries 2026)

Posted on October 16, 2026 by Denise


“I love you.”

Story: Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Jason. He wasn’t a very good swimmer, and his mom got really mad about that. Like emotionally and mentally. Wanna know what happened immediately after Jason’s death (and learn more about how he came to be)? BOOM.

Scares: The usual “when is [character] getting slaughtered” stuff.
Splat Factor: This is a Friday the 13th joint. So, yes. Creatively, and wetly.

Subgenre: Based On The Movie Miniseries
Year Released: 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Based on the Friday the 13th franchise, but especially the original 1980 film and it’s Part 2 sequel.

Trick or Treat?: This one’s for all my Peacock streaming folks, and my Voorhees fans. Here, have a list of my thoughts. You’re welcome?

  • The entire cast is amazing, and put 110% into their performances.
  • Linda Cardellini threads the line between crazy, maternal love, and grief. It’s fascinating to watch.
  • As Chief Lee and his sister Briana, William Catlett and Devin Kessler have hilariously believable sibling chemistry. But what I really want is a 21st century Night Stalker series that follows Briana as she investigates crimes.
  • Whoever styled Hamish Linklater’s fuck-ass wigs should be arrested for assault. And if that’s his actual hair? That stylist should be told that rubber cement is not an acceptable substitute for mousse.
  • Costuming obviously had a blast with the late 50s to early 70s fashions. I’m still drooling over a particular red/gold/green gown Pam wears in a flashback.
  • The kills are amazing. The details of exactly what just got given some fresh air are disgustingly vivid. Hooray for no ratings board for cable miniseries!
  • Having “Crazy Ralph” be a vet suffering from PTSD living in the woods away from everybody is a nice way to show why he’s cracked up, and how Jason keeps his outfits fresh. (Spoiler: wash-line thievery)
  • Jason’s origin story feels silly, because it doesn’t seem to know if the vibe is supposed to be Don’t Worry Darling or Rosemary’s Baby.
  • I kinda love the hippies subplot; it not only adds to the ultimate kill count, but adds to the whole “how did Pamela not get busted years ago” thing.
  • The series ends with the main storyline wrapped up nicely, but it could pave the way for a second season if the producers pushed. They shouldn’t though.
  • Chronologically? Think of Crystal Lake as a lead-up to and redo of the original film, then jump to Part 2. That canoe scene from the 1980 film would not work with this new story.

Would I recommend Crystal Lake? If you’re a Friday the 13th dilettante who wouldn’t mind an alternate origin of the main killers, go for it. This is sure to piss off a slew of fans who’ll pick up on all the in-universe “errors”. But as a franchise that has sent our boy to space, and had him battle Freddy? I’m a bit more forgiving. Especially with so much obvious love for Jason and his mom that’s shown in every episode.

Score: 3.5 out of 5 pumpkins.

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#31in31 – “Harbinger”

Posted on October 15, 2026 by Denise

“Tell me, Julia – just how brave are you?”

Story: Five years after Julia’s husband slaughtered six women – and tried to add her to the list – a supernatural reality show presenter asks her to return to the house where it happened. All that’s left is some blood, a few pieces of furniture, and a fortune teller machine. I’m sure the seven people – the crew plus Julia – playing the game won’t have any consequences at all.

Scares: Actually some fun thrills.
Splat Factor: A few bits of blood. Most kills happen during cutaways, though the opening scene shows a nice bit of FX as Julia gets, well, opened.

Subgenre: Possession Slashers
Year Released: 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original.

Trick or Treat?: I should be slagging off this film for it’s low budget and iffy acting from some of the cast. But Harbinger was a fun watch, simply because it’s obvious there was a lot of love for the genre here. Think Chucky, but with the fun house fortune teller machine from Big.

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#31in31 – “Director’s Cut” (2024)

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Denise

“For what it’s worth? I really love this song.”

Story: The Band Suicide Disease vanished in 2024. They had a show at the Stone Pony lined up. Plus, Avenge Sevenfold and Panic! At the Disco wanted them to open for them. Not too shabby.  But lead singer Jay wants to do a music video, even though they’re broke. So when a guy called Mr. Director says he’ll shoot a video for them, for free? Why not grab the girlfriends, and head out to the middle of nowhere on desperation alone?

Scares: None. Just some spooky vibes.
Splat Factor:  A decent amount of blood, bruises, and some cool burn FX.

Subgenre: Satanic-ish (Heavy On The Ish) Slashers
Year Released: 2024
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original. But you’ll have flashbacks to earlier condemned building horrors.

Trick or Treat?: Cut has a cool premise, a talented lead villain, and a game cast. But it squanders it all with lazy plotting and shallow script writing.

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#31in31 – “Rites of Spring”

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Denise

“Nobody’s gonna get hurt, right?”

Story: In 2008, a group of kidnappers and a two BFFs find themselves on the run from a strange creature, and the guy who makes sure the creature is fed. I’m sure they’ll be okay.

Scares: Only if you’re a light touch with gore.
Splat Factor: Decapitations, blood, and some other gnarly kills.

Subgenre: Wannabe Modern Grindhouse
Year Released: 2011
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original-ish. Tries to go for the vibe of 70s exploitation and 80s slashers, but is too boring to accomplish it.

Trick or Treat?: Spring has everything. A kidnapping plot from Abigail. A weird farm cult from Wicker Man. BFFs from The Last House on the Left. And a slasher killer right out of the 80s playbook. Now typically I’m cool with that; clichés can be fun. But not this time.

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#31in31 – “This is Not a Test” (2026)

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Denise



“RUN!”

Story: 12/12/1998, and teenager Sloane is about to unalive herself in the bathtub. But a strange loud noise startled her, and boom. Welcome to the zombie apocalypse! But can Sloane and a handful of her friends survive? And will Sloane want to?

Scares: Of the jump variety.
Splat Factor:  Lots of blood and bloody goop.

Subgenre: Teen Zombie Horrors
Year Released: Festival circuit 2025, wide release 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Based on the book of the same name by Courtney Summers.

Trick or Treat?: Test takes a good idea, and fumbles it with disjointed editing, and a tedious plot. It’s one of those films that could have been much more than just fine, but couldn’t seem to find it’s stride.

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#31in31 – “The Guest”

Posted on October 11, 2026 by Denise



“I’m a friend of the family.”

Story: the Petersons are grieving the loss of their oldest son Caleb, who died in Afghanistan. When David, a man who says he knew Caleb, arrives on their doorstep, why not invite him to stay a while? Siblings Anna and Luke are suspicious, yet glad to have the protective guy around. Then David gets a little too protective. And things really get deadly for anyone who’s in the family’s way. Or maybe just anybody, period.

Scares: Creeping dread as we learn about David.
Splat Factor:  Relatively mild for a murderous super soldier story.

Subgenre: Super Soldier Scares
Year Released: 2014
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original.

Trick or Treat?: Touted as an “action adventure”, this chilling tale is not only incredibly creepy, but it’s set around Halloween. That makes it tailor made for October. Guest is one of those films that’s perfect for group viewing; suspenseful enough for the season, but with it’s lean toward action? Horror averse folks can join in on the shudders. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t ask much of you beyond simply tuning in. And sometimes, that’s nice.

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#31in31 – “Do Not Enter”

Posted on October 10, 2026 by Denise

“What could go wrong?” [#BlessTheirHearts]

Story: Ricky, Diane, Cora and Vern are a group of friends who love crawling; discovering unknown urban areas. And documenting it for social media, of course. They don’t even great numbers, though. So when Diane suggests breaking into the old Paragon Hotel, a site that has been abandoned since the 80s because spooky. I’m sure they’ll be fine.

Scares: A few jumps, but nothing interesting.
Splat Factor: Rather dry deaths. Most of the blood shown looks black, thanks to the dark environment.

Subgenre: Good Book, Meh Film
Year Released: 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Based on the Stoker Award nominated book “Creepers”, by David Morrell. Yep, the guy that wrote “First Blood”, bringing Rambo into the world.

Trick or Treat?: Enter isn’t bad, it isn’t good, it simply exists. You can actually feel the time slipping by you as this hollow “horror” plays out. Not a bad film to put on when you’re looking for background while you’re doing something else. Watching this with total focus will have you noticing the dragging plot and middling performances. But hey, the black guy lives! That’s pretty sweet.

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#31in31 – “Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House”

Posted on October 9, 2026 by Denise

“… every horror movie has a monster.”

Story: A look at extreme haunt McKamey Manor, it’s owner/ringleader Russ McKamey, and how incredibly fucked up they both are.

Scares: Actual footage of visitors to the haunt getting straight up tortured is scarier than any fictional horror movie I’ve seen this year.
Splat Factor:  Clips of bloody noses, faces and bodies. After-the-haunt bruised bodies.

Subgenre: Truly Scary Documentaries
Year Released: 2023
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: About the infamous extreme haunted house/haunt McKamey Manor.

Trick or Treat?: In most extreme haunts, there are safe words that can be used to end the experience. Not here. House shows how people’s search for an adrenaline rush through extreme haunts can get much more than they expected. Here, that’s a very bad thing.

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#31in31 – “There’s Nothing Outside!”

Posted on October 8, 2026 by Denise



“I should investigate. FAT CHANCE!”

Story: It’s finally summer break! A group of friends head out to a great house in the woods, owned by one of Our Gang’s friends. It’s got everything: lots of bedrooms, a great kitchen, a pond out back…and a killer prowling around. What’s that sound? *ribbit*

Scares: If you’re a lightweight, sure. This is mostly schlocky fun that winks at the audience.
Splat Factor:  Low budget “blood”, a decapitation in wide-shot, and some pretty cool flesh melting FX.

Subgenre: Troma-tastic Films
Year Released: 1991
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original. In fact, this is one of the first meta-horror comedies.

Trick or Treat?: Troma produced. Zero budget. Twenty year old Rolfe Kanefsky’s first film. If these things aren’t getting you salivating? Perhaps this one’s not for you. But for everybody else, it’s a sincere ode to horror tropes and clichés.

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#31in31 – “Send Help”

Posted on October 7, 2026 by Denise

“We’re not in the office anymore, Bradley.”

Story: Linda is the oddball of the office. Incredibly talented, incredibly quirky, and incredibly into survivalism. So when a work trip becomes a forced island retreat? Who’s the power broker now?

Scares: More survival comedy than horror.
Splat Factor: Sam Raimi? The Evil Dead guy? Oh indeed.

Subgenre: Survivor Horror With Laughs
Year Released: 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original.

Trick or Treat?: Sam Raimi helming a island survival gross out film? I couldn’t stay away. Help starts out feeling like it’s going to be a satisfying morality play that shows the bad boss getting his comeuppance. But it ends up a messy tale that doesn’t seem to know what it wants to say.

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