Podcast
FROM THE CORONER’S OFFICE: Autopsy of a Horror Movie Examines ‘The Slumber Party Massacre'(1982)
Hey, folks! It’s Brucker from Autopsy of a Horror Movie. I wanted to highlight an interesting episode I recently released on The Slumber Party Massacre (1982). I had the pleasure of having Eli of BadCritic_ on to discuss and examine this early 80s exploitation-slasher film.
I selected this movie because it’s an interesting case study of the male gaze in slashers. For a film as sexually exploitative as this, you’d be surprised to find out that it was directed and written by women. Eli and I dove deep into the weeds of what Director Amy Holden Jones was trying to convey about violence against women, and how she expertly used the camera to highlight that visually. An excellent example was by framing the murder and disposal of a woman’s body in broad daylight as our principal cast walked past unaware and gleaming with enthusiasm for the weekend.
In the episode we also discussed Jones’s very own fascinating interpretation of the movie, “…a virgin’s fear of sex. Oh no, oh no, he is coming at me with that big thing. What is he going to do to me?”. While we both took the movie as a story about toxic masculinity and violence against women, we both struggled to pick up on the virginal fear of sex. Although, there is absolutely evidence of the fear of losing your innocence and of early death with the imagery of Russ Thorn taking the discarded Barbie doll and returning it to Trish with a blade piercing its torso.
Going into the episode, I was thinking this was a simple movie with little depth. But by the end of our conversation, I was convinced that this was indeed a horror-rich text. If you’d like to hear the full analysis and discussion of The Slumber Party Massacre, tune into Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Also, let us know on Twitter/Instagram if you agree with Jones’s interpretation of the film!
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In Episode 57 of The Horror Press Podcast, James-Michael, Brendan, and Eli (Bad Critic) talk about what they’ve been watching, what they are working on, and horror movie news.
Leave a comment on Apple or Spotify, and Brendan has promised to get a special tattoo.
Eli is very angry about men’s and women’s Olympic hockey game outcomes, and James-Michael is in love with his Dr. Squatch soaps! Eli gives her review of Sirât and encourages Brendan to go see Nirvana The Band The Show The Movie, while James-Michael has been enjoying Send Help and Predator Badlands.
Remembering Tom Noonan, Revisiting Silent Hill (2006) and More
Brendan mourns the passing of legendary character actor Tom Noonan, heaps praise upon 2006’s Silent Hill, and tries to get everyone on board with The Jester franchise! They digress into splatter punk books, and Brendan describes Jigglyspot while Eli endorses May Leitz’s book Fluids.
The group discusses the Scream 7 of it all, we have lots of feelings! The group is mixed on whether or not to be excited for In A Violent Nature 2, and Eli gets sidetracked over Blair Witch Project 2. Everyone disagrees over which of Jane Schoenbrun’s film is best, but regardless, they are excited to see Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma! They are apprehensive about A24’s upcoming Backrooms, The Mortuary Assistant is almost here, and Leprechaun (1992) is coming back to theaters.
More crazy news is discussed, including a potential Talk to Me release on Meta VR, a Terrifier 4 update, an Evil Dead update, and an Interview with the Vampire update!
Follow and Support Horror Press!
Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple | Spotify) and follow us on Patreon to support the show!
Horror Press is an independent media outlet run by horror fans for horror fans. Horror Press is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for our members to share their voices. We hope to facilitate open-minded conversations through all of the fresh and fun perspectives our contributors provide through reviews, articles, and more. Follow Horror Press on social media (FB | INSTA | TWITTER | BLUESKY)
In Episode 56 The Horror Press Podcast, Brendan, Eli (Bad Critic) and James-Michael talk about what they’ve been watching, what they are working on, and horror movie news.
Leave a comment on Apple or Spotify, and Brendan has promised to get a special tattoo.
The episode immediately goes off the rails because James-Michael is absent, and both Brendan and Eli are sick. Eli’s algorithm is absolutely fucked, and Brendan explains Adult Swim’s Yule Log lore. Eli is a big fan of the new indie film The Plague, and Brendan has been playing Enter The Gungeon on Steam Deck. They touch base on the popularity of Sydney Sweeney and The Housemaid (are we getting a sequel?). Brendan stumbled on 2003’s Silent Warnings, which was a surprisingly interesting alien deep cut.
They talk about the new Hellraiser videogame (exciting), Darren Aronofsky’s new AI show (gross), and the continued fallout of Stranger Things S5 (disappointing). There are two new Mummy films coming out, but we’re more hyped for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! Mike Flanagan is working on a new adaptation of Stephen King’s The Mist, but we are more excited for Ryan Coogler’s upcoming X-Files adaptation. In A Violent Nature 2 is coming out soon, but the Hungry Hungry Hippos film in development sounds way more fun. Markiplier’s Iron Lung is a massive financial success (congrats!), and Gore Verbinski is back with Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die after an almost 10 year hiatus (impressive!).
Follow and Support Horror Press!
Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple | Spotify) and follow us on Patreon to support the show!
Horror Press is an independent media outlet run by horror fans for horror fans. Horror Press is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for our members to share their voices. We hope to facilitate open-minded conversations through all of the fresh and fun perspectives our contributors provide through reviews, articles, and more. Follow Horror Press on social media (FB | INSTA | TWITTER | BLUESKY)
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