Open Mic Night of the Living Dead – Details, episodes & analysis

This week we're taking a deep dive into The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) - a 77-minute slasher that's weirder and smarter than its reputation suggests, and honestly more fun than it has any right to be. Written by Rita Mae Brown as a feminist parody and shot as a straightforward exploitation film, the result is this fascinating hybrid that we genuinely cannot stop thinking about. We dig into what makes it tick - the girls' social world, the camera choices that keep quietly flipping your expectations, the drill (which is maybe the least subtle symbol in the history of cinema, and we love it for that), and the ways this movie centers female friendship and survival while still giving Roger Corman exactly what he paid for. Plus our original songs inspired by the film - our gimmick this week is Scene Swap, meaning we dropped this bloody sleepover into the present day. We are not sorry.

“The Slumber Party Massacre,” AFI Catalog, https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56875.

Brock, Peyton. “How ‘The Slumber Party Massacre’s Feminist Lens Subverted the Slasher.” Collider. 28 July 2021. https://collider.com/slumber-party-massacre-feminist-explained/.

00:00:00 Intro

00:07:56 Intro: Distribution & Reception

00:19:57 Let's Make a Movie: Filmmakers

00:28:12 Let's Make a Movie: Cast

00:35:24 Let's Make a Movie: Production

00:39:21 Vibe Check: Cinematography

00:44:03 Vibe Check: SFX

00:49:41 Vibe Check: Music & Sound Design

00:53:01 Story Time: Characters

01:02:53 Story Time: Murder/Mayhem

01:16:10 Story Time: Themes

01:30:25 Open Mic

01:42:25 Losing Light

In this encore episode, we dig into the fascinating history of horror movies at the Academy Awards. From early classics like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Phantom of the Opera to modern favorites like Get Out, Pan’s Labyrinth, and this year’s record-breaking Sinners, we explore which films from the genre have scored Oscar nods and wins. We discuss trends in how horror films are recognized - often in technical or “vibes” categories like makeup, sound, and visual effects - and share our surprise at some unexpected nominees and winners. Plus, we debut our original demo, Yet We Breathe, inspired by this year’s Oscar darling Sinners. Join us as we celebrate nearly a century of horror’s place in cinematic awards history! 

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:26 Horror at the Oscars

00:04:43 1930s-1940s

00:08:40 1960s 

00:11:28 1970s

00:22:09 1980s

00:25:29 1990s

00:29:56 2000s & 2010s

00:32:58 2020s

00:35:24 Yet We Breathe Demo

00:38:45 Outro

In this episode, we unveil our Top 25 Horror Movies of 2025! After a massive year of movie-watching, we each share our personal countdowns, debate our choices, and celebrate the films that left us stunned, terrified, and sometimes laughing. We discuss everything from fresh festival favorites to cult classics.

Listen as we take turns revealing our rankings, compare notes on what made each film unforgettable, and reflect on what it takes for a horror movie to truly stand out. We highlight honorable mentions and, in classic Open Mic Night style, cap it all off with our 60-minute songwriting challenge - crafting original songs inspired by two of our favorite randomly selected films. Whether you love deep dives, list debates, or just want new horror recs, join us for this joyous, opinionated, and musical love letter to a year of watching horror movies.

In this episode, we review the biggest and most notable horror movies released in 2025. Together, we discuss what we loved (and what didn’t quite work) in films like Wolf Man, Presence, Heart Eyes, The Monkey, Sinners, Weapons, 28 Years Later, M3GAN 2.0, and many more, highlighting the innovations and trends that defined the genre this year. We share our own reactions, ratings, and memorable viewing experiences, with a few unexpected scares along the way (which movie made Rachel yell out loud?). Plus, we talk about the films on our to-watch list and reflect on how the landscape of horror keeps evolving. As the year ends, we celebrate another fantastic year of horror movies and tease our upcoming Top 25 of 2025 list.

On this festive episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dive into our favorite Christmas horror movies, sharing the must-watches, underrated gems, and wild low-budget thrillers that have crept into our holiday traditions. From classics like Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night, to off-the-beaten-path picks like Christmas, Bloody Christmas, Rare Exports, The Advent Calendar, and Violent Night, we offer recommendations for every horror fan’s seasonal binge. We also touch on the evolution of holiday slashers, debate the role of gore in films like Terrifier 3, and celebrate the quirky and fun side of the genre. Plus, we cap things off with our original song, Naughty Christmas. Whether you’re wrapping presents or just looking to add some chills to your holiday cheer, we’ve got you covered!

This week, we plunge into the holiday horror classic Silent Night, Deadly Night. We dig deep into the film’s infamous controversy, its surprising box office rivalry with A Nightmare on Elm Street, and the cultural panic that erupted over a killer Santa Claus. We explore the movie’s themes of trauma, tradition, and the twisted impact of religious guilt, asking if Billy might be the most sympathetic slasher around. Along the way, we dissect the creative backgrounds of the director and writers, rate the brutality (and brilliance) of the special effects, and marvel at the oddly catchy original Christmas songs. Plus, we each perform original music inspired by the film—including a dark twist on Silent Night and a slasher-themed holiday radio single. Whether you love 80s horror, Christmas chaos, or just want to find out if you’ve been naughty or nice, you won’t want to miss this episode!

On this encore episode of Open Mic Night of the Living Dead, we dig into the crossover world of horror and family films, inspired by Black Christmas and its director Bob Clark, who also brought us A Christmas Story. We share our list of horror directors who made surprising ventures into kids and family movies, from Robert Rodriguez’s journey between From Dusk Till Dawn and Spy Kids, to Guillermo del Toro’s leap from Mimic to Trollhunters. Along the way, we discuss what draws imaginative minds to both horror and children’s storytelling, why the fantastical connects these genres, and share our personal stories as lifelong horror fans. Plus, don’t miss our original track inspired by Black Christmas: Terminal 55.

In this episode, we dive deep into the snowy suspense of Bob Clark's 1974 cult classic, Black Christmas. We revisit the film’s troubled release history, surprising critical reviews, and its gradual rise to horror royalty. We explore its Canadian roots, its connection to true crime, and the feminist undertones that set it apart from other slashers. We debate whether Jess, one of horror’s greatest final girls, actually survives, and rank our favorite characters and moments. Plus, we each share our original songs inspired by unforgettable scenes - Rachel’s Adeste Fideles and John’s Terminal 55. Join us as we celebrate the creepy coziness, groundbreaking cinematography, and chilling sound design of Black Christmas - a holiday horror that's anything but merry.

In this encore episode, we celebrate Friday the 13th and give thanks for another year of horror fandom! We swap stories about Thanksgiving favorites and dietary mishaps, and explore the surprisingly small (but memorable) world of Thanksgiving-themed horror movies, including cult gems like Thankskilling and Eli Roth's Thanksgiving. We also spotlight a wild lineup of iconic 1980 horror releases - including Prom Night, Terror Train, Cannibal Holocaust, and Motel Hell - discussing their impact and sharing our personal takes and memories. Plus, we debut an original music demo, get ready for the holiday slasher season, and reflect on the evolution of horror from the gritty '70s to the outrageous '80s.

In this episode, we dive into the bloody beginnings of one of horror’s most iconic franchises as we revisit Friday the 13th (1980). We unpack the film’s origins, its impact on the slasher genre, and the way it shifted horror toward teen audiences. Join us as we discuss the critical reception - both savage and praise-filled - Tom Savini’s savage kills, and the significance of the “final girl” trope. We deep-dive into the cast, the twist ending, and the role of Mrs. Voorhees. Plus, we share our thoughts on the cinematography, score, and all things campy and cult about this summertime nightmare. To top it off, we perform original songs inspired by inanimate objects from Friday the 13th. Get ready for a spirited, fun, and musical celebration of murder, mayhem, and Camp Crystal Lake!