Hack or Slash - A Horror Movie Review Podcast
Each week a panel of horror fans discuss horror movies past and present. We believe horror is for everyone, regardless of how familiar you are with the genre, or which flavor of fear you fancy most. We dissect new releases, compare originals to reboots, and tell you whether or not the movies are a hack (a waste of time) or a slash (totally killer - pun intended).
Episodes
This week we’re unpacking Annabelle (2014). We dissect the quality of its scares, reflect on its influences from other iconic horror films, and debate whether its characters give this Conjuring spinoff enough soul. In this episode's b-side, we investigate the Warrens’ accounts of the real Annabelle doll and consider a visit to her haunted museum. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 18:42.
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This week we’re unpacking Crystal Lake (2026), Episode 1: “Camp Crystal.” We examine Linda Cardellini’s portrayal of Pamela Voorhees, debate the circumstances surrounding Jason’s drowning, and dissect the premiere’s bloody turn into survival horror.
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027: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
This week we’re resurrecting Bride of Chucky (1998). We celebrate Jennifer Tilly’s Tiffany, dissect the film’s Bride of Frankenstein parallels, and marvel at its practical doll effects. In this episode's b-side, we debate horror’s most toxic relationships and where mutual dysfunction gives way to manipulation. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 25:09.
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This week we’re unpacking Carrie (2026), Episode 1: “First Period.” We dissect the premiere’s documentary-style framing, explore its reimagined mother-daughter dynamic, and examine how modern bullying amplifies Carrie’s humiliation. We also connect its Stephen King Easter eggs and consider where Flanagan might take the series next. This episode contains spoilers.
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This week we’re reviewing Resident Evil (2026). We examine how Zach Cregger recreates survival-horror gameplay, unpack Austin Abrams’ frantic everyman performance, and dissect the film’s practical creature effects and body horror. In this episode's b-side, we consider which games should be adapted to film next. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 35:17.
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We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a special bulletin from WHOS-13 Television.
Spooky Season has officially begun, and Kris and Chel are kicking off Hack or Slash’s 2026 31 Days of Horror celebration with a trip back to the glory days of Blockbuster runs, late-night horror movies, sleepovers, trick-or-treat candy, and the memories of being a baby horror fan.
This year’s month-long celebr...
This week we’re reviewing Buddy (2026). We dissect its collision of ’90s children’s television and graphic horror, explore Buddy’s need for love as a form of control, and praise Keegan-Michael Key’s emotional range. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 25:33.
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Main Episode
This week we’re building the ’90s Horror Kid Starter Pack. We revisit the movies that scared us too young, retrace the video-store rituals that shaped our tastes, and celebrate the books, television, games, and toys that made horror feel like a childhood lifestyle.
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This week we’re unpacking our first impressions of Halloween: The Game (2026). We examine how Haddonfield captures the atmosphere of the original film, dissect how playing Michael and the civilians reshapes the asymmetrical horror formula, and assess how Michael’s story expands the events of Halloween. We also weigh the game’s launch-week bugs, controversial closet mechanic, and long-term potential...
This week we’re previewing Halloween: The Game (2026). We unpack IllFonic’s approach to single-player and asymmetrical horror, explore how the game recreates Haddonfield and Michael Myers, and assess whether its customization and gameplay systems can give the experience lasting power.
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This week we’re previewing Spooky Season 2026. We revisit the horror memories that shaped us, preview the movies and franchises returning to our lineup, and unpack our plans for Halloween: The Game and Crystal Lake. We also spotlight our community’s 31 Days of Horror themes, and share the spooky-season reviews we’re anticipating most.
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This week we’re gathering for the Summerween Bondfire. We revisit standout moments from the season, celebrate the community shenanigans that fueled Camp Hack or Slash, and answer listener questions about horror crushes, movie-watching habits, and films we wish we could experience again for the first time. We also look ahead to spooky season, preview upcoming movies and franchise throwbacks, and tease our first...
This week we’re ranking every version of Jason Voorhees. We break down thirteen incarnations of Crystal Lake’s most infamous killer, scoring each on his look, presence, creativity, and brutality before combining our wildly different opinions into one definitive ranking. From Sackhead Jason and the original hockey mask to undead Jason, the feral 2009 reboot, and the chrome-plated absurdity of Uber Jason, ...
This week we’re ranking Summer Camp Slashers. We debate which killers deserve legendary status, defend unforgettable camp icons against modern challengers, and sort twelve slashers into four definitive tiers. In this episode’s b-side, we explore real-life adult summer camps, imagine a Hack or Slash meetup at Camp Crystal Lake, and tease future Summerween plans.
This week we’re diving into Deep Blue Sea (1999). We look back on its stacked cast, dissect its balance of creature-feature and ethical sci-fi horror, and debate how its shark approach holds up against the Jaws legacy. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 21:57.
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This week we’re drafting the best summer horror movies. We define the essential ingredients of summer horror, defend our selections across six themed categories, and assemble three competing twelve-film rosters.
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Best Summer Horror Movies Draft - YouTube
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Episode 453: Summerween Starter Pack
This week we’re firing up Evil Dead Burn (2026). We dissect its relentless practical gore, debate its tonal shift away from camp, and examine how it expands the franchise mythology. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 30:54.
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This week we’re building a Summerween starter pack. We define what makes a Summerween movie, recommend sweaty seasonal essentials across camps, beaches, and back roads, and map out ways to celebrate beyond the watchlist.
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Summerween 2026: Alternate picks if you missed out on Spirit Halloween’s “Terri...
This week we’re surviving The Purge: Anarchy (2014). We trace its leap from home invasion to citywide bloodshed, dissect its class-war commentary, and weigh how its action-thriller pivot reshapes the franchise. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 36:05.
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This week our patrons have chosen for us to step aboard Iron Lung (2026). We dissect Markiplier’s self-financed bottle-movie ambition, evaluate Simon’s claustrophobic survival arc, and debate whether the film’s slow-burn pacing sharpens or softens its cosmic horror. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 22:44.
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