Jo and Amelie dig into DIE’CED: Reloaded, the blood-soaked, synth-drenched slasher from writer/director Jeremy Rudd. With 1987 Seattle vibes, practical gore effects, and a killer clown with a motive, the film channels the best of classic horror without falling into “just a list of kills” territory.

Along the way, Jo shares highlights from his interview with Rudd, behind-the-scenes details on bringing Benny the Clown to life, and why this indie debut feels like a lost VHS gem.

Then the duo swaps stories from Gen Con 2025 — from being mowed down in Tower of Gaxx to killing replicants in Blade Runner, decapitating snake priests in Mörk Borg, dodging slow-moving convention crowds, and hunting for the perfect hotel. Expect sarcasm, survival tips, and a few public service announcements for Lyft.

🎥 DIE’CED: Reloaded hits theaters August 8 and VOD August 12.
🎧 Hear Jo’s full interview with Jeremy Rudd (click on our linktree for more info!)
📍 More episodes: https://linktr.ee/EmptyHell

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Key Moments:

• 00:01 – IE’CED: Reloaded intro… and immediate Gen Con derailment
• 01:22 – Killing replicants in Blade Runner (and paying the price)
• 01:55 – Mörk Borg mischief: rope, head puppets, and snake temples
• 02:13 – Favorite games at Gen Con — and charity carnage in Tower of Gaxx
• 06:16 – Con crowd control, stroller bans, and scooter survival tips
• 12:02 – The economics (and expense) of 72,000 gamers in Indianapolis
• 16:33 – Interview with Jeremy Rudd on making DIE’CED: Reloaded
• 18:03 – The plot: Benny the Clown’s bloody return to 1987 Seattle
• 20:21 – Nailing the 80s aesthetic without modern distractions
• 22:01 – Why Benny isn’t just “Art the Clown 2.0”
• 27:49 – Strong writing and directing from a single creative vision
• 28:43 – Practical effects, tight runtime, and an EPIC vibe
• 33:14 – Extended logline read: the full VHS-back-cover treatment
• 37:50 – A horror fan’s date-night recommendation
• 39:48 – Jo’s almost-Pulitzer news and him realizing he said STRIKE instead of EPIC the entire review! Watch him die inside as he realizes he botched all hopes that Epic will ever pick up his book for a movie.