TV
‘Hell Motel’ Dropped One of the Best Episodes of TV This Season
Caution: This article contains major spoilers for Hell Motel.
I love slashers, TV, and audacity. Which is why the sixth episode of Shudder’s new anthology series, Hell Motel, has been living rent-free in my mind for days. The episode “Guts and Glory” is a standout in what has been a bloody and addictive season of television. For most shows, this episode slot would have been a cool-down moment, allowing the audience to catch its breath and emotionally prepare for the remaining two episodes. However, Hell Motel put a boot in our windshield and offered us a side of slasher to complement our main slasher. It serves as a gory reminder that series co-creators Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter are unafraid to push their symphony of carnage to new heights.
A Frat House Massacre Sets the Stage
“Guts and Glory” opens in the middle of a frat house massacre. This place, where young men do questionable deeds while assuming they have their whole lives ahead of them, is awash in red light. The visual danger cues are underscored by pure horror. The expected sounds of parties and laughter are instead cries of terror and screams as someone on a mission is cutting through young people. We see Blake (Atticus Mitchell) and his friend running from a masked assailant, who is not the cloaked killer we come to Hell Motel for every week. It is also impossible to ignore that this killer is purposeful in his moves, which makes him more terrifying.
Our first impression of the murderer is watching him calmly terrorize the frat house. He makes his way through the chaos and stomps on Blake’s phone before carrying on with his business. He kicks in a door and commits some unseen act of violence on someone(s), who thought they found safety. However, it is the intentionality on display as he sticks a knife through Blake’s friend’s foot that signals this is about to be a moment. A gruesome scene on its own right that is underscored by the knife he then plants in this guy’s back. This victim cries out for Blake, not knowing the worst is yet to come. Our killer then uses a knife to carve a jagged smile into the still screaming mouth of this college kid as Blake runs off.
A Personal Vendetta Fuels the Carnage
This is when it became apparent that this killing spree was personal. It was also a very vicious warning shot that Hell Motel was about to do something wild. The series was about to bench this season’s killer(s) long enough to give us a glimpse into possibly one of the best slasher movies we will never see.
The episode, penned by series co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner Ian Carpenter, had the difficult task of adding depth to a character that most of us had written off. We all have thoughts about frat boys, which is why the frat house killer’s motivations made sense. However, Hell Motel has spent the better part of the season feeding its audience breadcrumbs that this kid and his unchecked trauma might become a problem. So, this episode’s juxtaposition of these two make-or-break moments in this character’s life is interesting.
We see the flashbacks of this previous night of terror slam into his present-day situation, where he is holding the other four survivors of Cold River Motel at gunpoint. His trauma has finally won in the present day. The thought of being made a victim (again) after scamming his way into a hero’s narrative has caused him to snap.
A Slasher Within a Slasher: The BOGO Horror Experience
Hell Motel’s audience knew this week would see Blake die. We assumed we would see what went down during that fateful evening to crown him the series’ resident final boy. However, arguably very few fans could have guessed that Blake would be at the center of the best episode of an already stellar season. The show’s penchant for using flashbacks to give audiences bonus upsetting kills in addition to the small cast in the present day is cranked up this episode. The habit becomes a vehicle to deliver an unexpected slasher within our weekly slasher. Like a bloody BOGO deal that no horror fan can pass up, or a holiday meal with extra trays of your favorite side dishes, it enabled us to overindulge.
The frat house murders are a free-for-all because they are not bound by the rules of episodic TV. This killer has to make his impact now or never, and he does. From the very beginning, we are captivated by this angry menace. Whether it’s the kill I refer to as “The Cop Fountain” or watching him kick in the windshield of a cop car, the audience knows this person is on a mission. It is hunting season, and Blake is the target. It is impossible to watch our guest killer in action and not wonder what Blake and the boys did to trigger this reign of terror. This is in huge part because director Adam MacDonald and the stunt guy(s) give us that story. We see in the performer’s physicality that this is personal.
A Killer’s Motive Rooted in Revenge
As a lover of slashers, I have seen countless killers just doing things and moving without a real purpose. Yet, in this delightfully unhinged episode, our murderer’s movements telegraph that this is no random spree. He is locked in, causing ghouls like me to tune all the way in. This makes it easier to lean into the carnage and wonder if you are silently rooting for him. So, we are not surprised when he finally peels his mask off to reveal that he is a college kid bullied to his breaking point.
We actually feel a little justified when he confirms this whole night was triggered by Blake’s callous actions. Cullen (Augustus Oicle) is here because Blake and his cronies took their hazing way too far. He explains how they ruined his life and alludes to various forms of abuse he has suffered. Hurt people, kill people on this fateful night.
After Cullen finally forces Blake to remember him, he gives him the chance to own up to what he has done. He can swap places with the girl he claims to love, Farah (Rojan Molanian), allowing her to live as he reaps what he has sown. However, he runs and leaves her to pay the price just as he did with his friend, who bit it on the stairs at the top of the episode. Blake makes his way downstairs as Farah calls out to him before catching the business end of a knife. He is greeted by police officers who see a wounded kid and begin to paint the narrative that this coward is a hero.
Challenging the Frat Boy Archetype
I always feel a little sad for actors like Mitchell who pull the frat types we all involuntarily discount. A role we all love to hate and immediately dismiss because, like Cullen, most of us have baggage with these dudebros. Hell Motel never allowed us to forget his trauma or how he is different from the other people invited to this present-day deadly weekend. While we tried to write him off as similar characters we disregard in the slasher subgenre, they kept dropping hints we should not.
Like most characters in this world, Blake is not a good person and will answer for his crimes. In fact, he meets a particularly grisly death in the present day. As he bleeds out from a knife wound in the cold weather, our series regular slasher appears with a snowblower. Blake, being too weak to run from what he is owed this time, is forced to meet his fate head-on. As Baphomet drives through him, it’s a symbolic gesture of our side quest killer handing the wheel back to our main murderer.
A Memorable Conclusion to a Standout Episode
Hell Motel leaves the audience with a shot of the remaining pieces of the final boy. Of all the somber endings we have seen this season, this one stands out. It is a fairly iconic way to end a nearly perfect 42-minute episode of television. From start to finish, this was an event that showcased why so many of us were happy to see the Slasher team reassemble for a new show. Fans have watched this team kill beloved horror icons, slaughter beloved TV actors, and produce wicked kills before. So, many of us showed up to this murderous motel knowing they set a high bar for themselves and wondering how they were going to meet it.
While Hell Motel has met (and at times surpassed) the gleefully glorious kills we expect from this team, “Guts and Glory” feels like they have truly moved into this anthology. They decorated it in bodies, blood, and an eagerness to remind their fans to never get too comfortable. This episode sees the entire team excelling in their respective lanes to craft a gripping and gory gem. By the time the credits rolled, I found myself no longer wanting a second season, but actually needing it. I have to know how they will raise the bar for themselves yet again, if that is even possible. I have no idea what to expect from the remaining two episodes of this season. However, I know they have their work cut out for them following one of the best episodes of TV we have gotten in 2025.
Now that we are heading into the last season of Stranger Things, it is hard to not remember the good times. Much like any goodbye, it feels too soon and is giving us a case of the nostalgia glasses. We all know that not all seasons were created equally. Yet, the wildly popular series managed to keep enough of us invested these last 10 years. It is an undeniable pop culture sensation that will not be forgotten anytime soon. It is also honestly one of the few shows that makes it hard to break up with Netflix. So, I decided to look back and highlight the best parts of each season. Grab a “Justice for Barb” t-shirt and take this walk down memory lane with me.
Our Favorite Moments From Stranger Things
Season 1: Eleven
Season one of Stranger Things brought us many memorable moments that reshaped pop culture. Joyce Byers’ (Winona Ryder) makeshift Ouija board on the wall, used to communicate with her missing son, was a major one. However, this was also the only season that allowed Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) to be a badass. Which is why she is the best part of Stranger Things’ first season. Watching her showcase her powers as she sought out waffles was a mood. A relatable queen if there was one, right? From using her telekinetic powers to stop annoying diner fans to flipping vans chasing after her and the crew, this season set Eleven up to be a powerful badass. That is even before we get into her mind tricks, which we still have some questions about. Sadly, subsequent seasons have yet to follow through on the promise this one gave us. I could write a whole series about how Eleven is a reservoir of untapped potential in the next three seasons.
Season 2: Steve and Dustin
I think Max (Sadie Sink) is one of the best additions to the show, and I felt Bob (Sean Astin) deserved a better arc. However, only one arc warms my cold little heart when I think about this second season. Few things bring as much joy to Stranger Things fans as the unshakable bond between Steve and Dustin. Season 2 is where this unlikely duo found each other, and that is why they are the best part of this season for me. Steve (Joe Keery) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) bring out the best in each other. Interestingly enough, the actors seem to have also found themselves formidable scene partners. Whether Dustin is bringing Steve up to speed or Steve is giving Dustin tips on how to handle girls, these two stole our hearts at multiple points this season. My personal favorite is when Steve steps in to save Lucas from Billy the Racist, and Dustin cheers him on (while he has the upper hand). Dare I say, this relationship has become the heart of the show.
Season 3: Robin Coming Out to Steve
This season of Stranger Things introduced quite a few new characters to kill, like all the other seasons. However, Robin (Maya Hawke) seemed cooler than most, and we were silently rooting for her to make it. While her easy dynamic with Steve made us worry that she would become another part of the Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan saga, we had nothing to worry about. When Steve professed his feelings to Robin, she surprised us all and came out. This led to Steve surprising us by picking up a more age-appropriate best friend in what is one of the sweetest moments of the show. Aside from becoming Steve’s platonic girlfriend, Robin also went on to become the first openly gay character in the ridiculously large main cast. So, while this season isn’t my favorite, I’m very grateful it brought us this scene and this pairing.
Season 4: Eddie Munson Meets Erica Sinclair
Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) is probably part of everyone’s favorite moments from the fourth season of Stranger Things. While many people will probably cite his cafeteria entrance, his moment in the woods with Chrissy (Grace Van Dien), or the infamous “Chrissy, wake up,” those aren’t my favorite moments. Because this show taught us that Quinn is a scene thief, and he turned this season’s throwaway character into a pop culture moment, there is plenty to choose from. However, my nerdy ass’s favorite scene is when my two favorites faced off in Dungeons & Dragons.
Resident scene thief Erica (Priah Ferguson) finally found someone who could keep up with her when she showed up to this game. Watching her and Eddie match wits before getting down to an epic game of DnD that spawned numerous fan theories about how Eddie could come back for season 5 is priceless. He forced Dustin and Steve’s duo to become a trio, played Metallica’s Master of Puppets in The Upsidedown, and broke our hearts with his death. However, I choose to remember him alive and becoming begrudgingly impressed with the little girl who takes no prisoners. I would have watched them play this game for hours and lived my best nerdy life.
We’re Looking Forward to Season 5 of Stranger Things
So, those are my fondest memories from each season of Stranger Things. Feel free to let us know your favorite moments and your predictions for the fifth and final season on social media!
The first four episodes of Stranger Things: Season 5 hit Netflix on Wednesday, November 26. Let us know if you plan to watch as they air. Or if you are going to wait until the end of the year to binge the whole season.
In 2014, Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice created magic with their mumblegore-adjacent found footage epic Creep. Three years later, this dreamy duo brought us the second installment of their creepy killer. Seven years would pass until Josef (Mark Duplass) would creep back into our daily lives with six truly terrifying episodes of The Creep Tapes. It would only be a short time until a second season of The Creep Tapes was announced…and even less time for a third season! The best experience I had at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival was seeing the first three episodes of The Creep Tapes Season 2.
The Creep Tapes Season 2 Creeps Back Into the Spotlight
The Creep Tapes Season 1 was fairly straightforward throughout. It was a fantastic season (that I loved), but the majority of it was more of the same. Josef finds a victim (through various means), plays nice (and weird), goes after victim, and death. The season finale, “Mom (and Albert)”, was the first time we really got some (what seems to be) true background into Josef. From personal conversations, that episode was hit or miss. (I loved it, the dude hung dong!)
Upon hearing the news of Seasons 2 and 3, I was left wondering, will we get more background, OR will it just dive into Josef’s maniacal madness? While the first three episodes of Season 2 don’t do much to give us too much information about Josef’s background, it does up the ante considerably. Season 2 makes clear that Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have grandiose ideas that they’re only scratching the surface of.
The Creep Tapes: S2 E1 “Joseph”
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but what happens when the imitation is just… wrong? Josef finds himself in the sights of Joseph (David Dastmalchian), who is looking for a videographer to film a video for his unborn son, as Joseph has been diagnosed with cancer. Sound familiar?
How can someone possibly replicate the insane scenario Josef concocted in Creep? It can’t just be a coincidence—and it’s not. We come to learn that Josef has been doing something with his tapes (and films) that allows Joseph to view his work. Unfortunately for Joseph, the wrong man answered his ad.
This piece of information is crucial for understanding who (and what) Josef is. At points, he seems mentally ill, misguided, a man who just gets too damn lucky sometimes. The information gleaned reveals a much more careless, while still sophisticated, man who believes he’s creating art (of sorts). What’s the purpose of creating chaos in the modern age of technology if you can’t share it with other degenerates?
The “flip of the script” in Season 2 Episode 1 “Joseph” is a heart-racing 20-ish minutes of anticipation. I didn’t separate my butt from the edge of my seat until the credits rolled. But it’s with the casting of Joseph that the true magic of the Season 2 premiere excels. Who else can outmaniac a maniac? Of course, it has to be David Dastmalchian.
The Creep Tapes: S2 E2 “Mark”
Mark (Robert Longstreet) wakes up in a concrete room, his leg chained to the ground. A TV sits atop a table. An empty tub sits across the room. Someone lies still underneath a blanket, with a chain coming out of the bottom. And Josef accompanies Mark, leg chains and all. What could go wrong?
One of the most interesting things about Josef as a character is his ability to showcase his flaws, something that is extremely apparent in Season 2, Episodes 2 and 3. Nearly everything that can go wrong for Josef goes wrong. The reason it goes wrong is because of a simple oversight on Josef’s part. And it’s kind of heartening to see. Nearly every time we see Josef in action, he has a general grasp of his overall plan. He knows, more or less, how his targets will react, and his incredible improv skills allow him to course correct when necessary.
“Mark” just goes off the rails in ways Josef could never imagine.
Season 2, Episode 2 is Duplass and Brice’s nod at the Saw franchise. And, if anything other than a few laughs, solidifies the intense planning and expertise that goes into a John Kramer game. One simple oversight can cause a highly crafted plan to fall apart at the seams. To boot, “Mark” is one of the funniest pieces of horror media I have ever seen. It begs the question, what if an absolute dufus was put in a Saw film?
And don’t worry, bloodhounds, there’s gore aplenty!
The Creep Tapes: S2 E3 “Wes”
Wes (Diego Josef) finds himself taking a job to help Josef film a house-flipping show’s pilot episode. But night descends, and Wes realizes that they’re in the middle of nowhere. Wes’s attempted escape from Josef leads to an unfortunate run-in with law enforcement. Oh boy, how will he get out of this one?!
Even the greatest of franchises will bottom out at some point. Much of what we’ve seen Josef do involves a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. HOW is there not at least a Reddit thread about filmmakers/videographers who have gone missing after answering Craigslist ads? There is no way a 20/20 wouldn’t have been made about these killings if they were real. I mean, just look at how many tapes we see in the opening. Josef is talented at what he does, but everyone slips up eventually.
“Wes” brought me to a point where I was unable to suspend my disbelief. When AMERICAN police see someone moving a potentially dead body and don’t immediately cuff and detain them, you’re asking a bit too much. The crux of this episode revolves around a repeated word: “professionalism.” I get that it’s supposed to shine a light on how unprofessional the police are in this scenario, but it’s a step too far.
What I will say is that it’s a fun angle to take. We’re watching this killer that we’ve seen commit nearly 10 murders, and there are more we haven’t, interact face to face with the police. How will he get out of this sticky situation? I just don’t believe the way it is handled is grounded in a reality that would ever make sense. The chemistry between Wes and Josef, though, is some of the best in the entire franchise. They play off of each other incredibly well, and it makes you wish “Wes” were a feature-length film character instead of an episode character.
A Bold New Chapter for The Creep Tapes
Overall, the first three episodes of The Creep Tapes Season 2 were an overall blast. Even with the issues I had throughout “Wes”, I was entertained the entire time. “Joseph” and “Mark” are contenders for the best episodes of the entire series (and maybe even best entries in the entire franchise). I love seeing Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice spreading their wings to take Josef in different directions. They find ways to keep the product feeling original while still paying direct homage to horror properties beloved by the masses. If these are the first three episodes of Season 2, I think we’re in for a real treat with the final three.
The Creep Tapes Season 2 premieres November 14 on Shudder and AMC+.
‘Ready or Not’ and the Cathartic Cigarette of a Relatable Final Girl
‘Carrie’ Review: A Look At Two Adaptations
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in January 2026
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in January 2026
‘The Taking of Deborah Logan’ Review: An Overlooked Gem
‘Dry January’ Review: The Perfect Short Film for a Long Month
‘Lair of the White Worm’ Review: A Cult Folk Horror Classic
‘Snakes on a Plane’: A First-Time Watch Review
The Horror Press Podcast: Episode 53 ‘Disclosure Day’ and AI
‘The Snake Woman’ Review: Politics and Schlock in British Horror
‘The People Under the Stairs’ Review: A Brilliantly Bizarre Horror Classic
Slappy Was the Blueprint: How the Dummy from Goosebumps Became A Horror Icon
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ and The Story of William Afton Explained
Glen and Glenda: Don Mancini’s Reverence for Queerness in ‘Seed of Chucky’ (2004)
‘Truth or Dare’: Who Did it Best?
V/H/S Franchise Ranked, Best to Worst
Everything You Need to Know About Jason Voorhees
The 11 Most Disturbing Horror Movies Ever, According to an Actual Horror Fan
[REVIEW] ‘Cherry Falls’ (1999) Brittany Murphy Shines in This Cult Classic Slasher
