Episodes

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Film Annabelle (2014) Related Episodes 142: ...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Watch the Show Crystal Lake (2026) Related Episodes 027: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) 127: Friday the 13th Part III (1982) 167: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) 213: Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) 254: Fri...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Film Bride of Chucky (1998) Main Episode Chucky Creator Don Mancini on Why It Was...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie Carrie (2026) Related Episodes 154: Carrie (1976 vs. 2013) 159: Doctor Sl...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Film Resident Evil (2026) Related Episodes 242: Resident Evil (2002) 244: Barbar...

Send us Fan Mail 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 celebration is built around nostalgia, with themed programming every day of O...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie ⁠Buddy (2026) Main Episode ⁠Casper Kelly dives into the darkness of kids’ television with ‘Buddy’ ⁠The Black List Interview: Casper Kelly on BUDDY ⁠Child’s Play (2019) ⁠Th...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Support the show Thanks for listening to Hack or Slash! Want more from the show? Join us on Patreon for extended episodes, bonus reviews, B-sides, watchalongs, behind-the-scenes extras, and more ways to...

Send us Fan Mail 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 as the community learns how to play. Mentioned in the Episode Halloween (1978)...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Day 1 Gameplay Live Stream Halloween: The Game Related Episodes 179: Halloween Kills (2021) 242: Resident Evil (2002) 315: Silent Hill (2006) 325: Silent Hill:...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Day 1 Gameplay Live Stream Halloween: The Game Related Episodes 179: Halloween Kills (2021) 242: Resident Evil (2002) 315: Silent Hill (2006) 325: Silent Hill:...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Support the show Thanks for listening to Hack or Slash! Want more from the show? Join us on Patreon for extended episodes, bonus reviews,...

Send us Fan Mail 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 experiments with horror games and television coverage. Suppo...

Send us Fan Mail 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, we debate which versions best capture the icon, revisit the kills that de...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Support the show Thanks for listening to Hack or Slash! Want more from the show? Join us on Patreon for extend...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie Deep Blue Sea (1999) Related Episodes ⁠024: Scream (1996) ⁠097: Alien (1979) ⁠162: Jaws 2 (1978) ⁠222: Jaws 3-D (1983) ⁠279: Jaws: The Revenge (1987) ⁠416: Halloween H2...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Main Episode Best Summer Horror Movies Draft - YouTube Related Episodes ⁠Episode 453: Summerween Starter Pack ⁠Episode 401: I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) ⁠Episode 398: I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) ⁠Episode 390: Hon...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie ⁠Evil Dead Burn (2026) Related Episodes ⁠169: The Evil Dead (1981 vs. 2013) ⁠261: Evil Dead 2 (1987) ⁠266: Army of Darkness (1992) ⁠268: Evil Dead Rise (2023) Main Episode ⁠Lee Cronin’s The Mummy Inte...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Main Episode Gravity Falls: “Summerween” Spirit Halloween Summerween Summerween 2026: Alternate picks if you missed out on Spirit Halloween’s “Terrifier” drop Summerween Home Décor | Official LEGO® Shop Old (2021) Super 8 (2011) Addam...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie The Purge: Anarchy (2014)⁠ Related Episodes 096: The Purge (2013) 086: A Quiet Place (2018) 110: Ready or Not (2019)⁠ 343: A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) 438: 31 (2016) 447: Obs...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie Iron Lung (2026)⁠⁠ Related Episodes 299: Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) 242: Resident Evil (2002) 315: Silent Hill (200...

Send us Fan Mail This week we’re unpacking Backrooms (2026). We dissect its liminal-space atmosphere, debate its trauma-driven emotional core, and weigh how its nineties found-footage framing reshapes internet-born horror. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 33:04. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie Backrooms (2026)⁠ Related Episodes 447: Obsession (2025) 419: Cloverfield (2008) Main Episode Kane Parsons to Direct A24 Movie ‘The Backrooms’ Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Rein...

Send us Fan Mail This week we’re exploring Hokum (2026). We dissect the efficacy of its atmosphere, debate the quality of its layered plot, and weigh how Adam Scott’s performance shapes a compellingly abrasive horror lead. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 35:33. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie Hokum (2026)⁠ Related Episodes 448: Oddity (2024)⁠ 447: Obsession (2025)⁠ 437: Undertone (2026) 379: The Monkey (2025) 074: Krampus (2015) Main Episode The Scariest Ideas Win: A Con...

Send us Fan Mail This week we’re unpacking Oddity (2024). We assess its atmosphere, dissect the relationships between its characters, and weigh how Carolyn Bracken’s dual performance sharpens the film’s grief, tension, and dark humor. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 21:35. Mentioned in the Episode Watch the Movie Oddity (2024) Main Episode Interview with Damian McCarthy How Olin Lost His Eye Support the show Thanks for listening to Hack or Slash! Want more from the show? Jo...