Dark Night of the Podcast

Troy and Roger visit Hollow Gate (1988), an obscure, direct to video Halloween slasher that somehow manages to feel like it has absolutely no Halloween spirit. The guys tear into its disjointed storytelling, painfully simplistic script, underdeveloped killer, and characters who make decisions that seem to change depending on what the plot needs. There are some bright spots, including a surprisingly effective kill, a field sequence that turns genuinely nasty, and a couple of moments that look far better than this ultra low budget production probably has any right to. But between the endless chase interruptions, Mark’s wildly inconsistent motives, and a final girl victory that feels more accidental than earned, the movie struggles to find an identity of its own. Is Hollow Gate worth tracking down, or should this obscure 80s slasher stay buried? Listen now for the guys' verdict!

Troy and Roger dive into the gritty Canadian exploitation thriller Siege (1983), also known as Self Defense, where a police strike in Halifax leaves a neighborhood vulnerable to a violent group of vigilantes. After the group targets a gay bar, a handful of residents find themselves fighting for their lives in a desperate battle that is as much about prejudice and authority as it is about survival. The guys break down the film’s brutal violence, memorable characters, resourceful traps, and low budget filmmaking that makes everything feel uncomfortably real. They also discuss the film’s LGBTQ+ representation, its social commentary, and why its themes of hate, community, and resistance remain relevant today. It’s a grim, intense, and surprisingly thought-provoking slice of 80s Canadian horror that deserves more attention.

Troy and Roger dive into the wonderfully strange 1986 horror comedy Killer Party. What starts as an 80s college party movie filled with music, partying, pranks, and questionable decisions slowly takes a much darker turn as the horror finally kicks in. The guys break down the movie’s bizarre structure, memorable characters, uneven pacing, and the way it seems to spend most of its running time figuring out exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. They also talk about the surprisingly dark ending, the moments when the horror actually works, and the strange mix of comedy, music, and slasher mayhem that makes Killer Party such an unusual entry in 80s horror. Is it a hidden gem, a frustrating mess, or somehow both? Roger and Troy dig into what works, what definitely does not, and why this weird little party movie is still worth talking about nearly 40 years later.

After a few months away, Troy and Roger are finally back with a movie that is somehow the perfect way to return: Nurse 3D (2013). The guys dive into this gloriously over the top horror flick, where Paz de la Huerta turns up the camp, the kills get increasingly ridiculous, and pretty much nothing is allowed to be subtle. They talk about the bizarre plot, the questionable decisions made by just about everyone involved, and the film’s unapologetic blend of sex, blood, and exploitation. Along the way, they try to figure out exactly what Nurse 3D is trying to be and whether all of its insanity actually works. After a few months away, Roger and Troy couldn't have picked a more chaotic movie to get back into the swing of things.

Troy and Roger brave the hurricane party from Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), where the drinks are flowing, the friendships are hanging by a thread, and absolutely nobody seems equipped to handle a crisis. The guys dig into the film's mix of horror and satire, its cast of privileged twenty-somethings, and the paranoia that takes over once the body count starts rising. Along the way, they debate whether the movie's social commentary is clever or just trying a little too hard, and discover they don't exactly see eye to eye on where the film succeeds. They also break down the standout performances, the surprisingly funny moments, and an ending that definitely sparked some conversation. Whether you're a fan of the film or still wondering what all the hype was about, there's plenty to unpack in this one.