In this episode, I take a solo look at Black Christmas from 1974, a film often cited as a precursor to the modern slasher but better understood as a study in atmosphere, ambiguity, and unease. Set during Christmas break at a sorority house, the film builds tension through obscene phone calls, off-screen violence, and the unsettling idea that the threat is already inside the home.

Rather than focusing on gore or body count, Black Christmas relies on restraint, long takes, silence, and point-of-view shots that deny the audience clarity or comfort. The killer remains unseen and unexplained, turning absence itself into a source of horror. I discuss how this creative choice separates the film from later slashers and why its refusal to provide answers is central to its impact.

The episode also explores themes beneath the surface, institutional failure, dismissal of women’s fears, and the collapse of perceived safety. I examine the film’s bleak ending, its influence on later horror, particularly Halloween, and why Black Christmas still feels unsettling more than fifty years after its release. This is a conversation about dread over spectacle and why ambiguity can be more disturbing than resolution.

Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at soyoulikehorror@gmail.com. We're open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.

In this episode of So, You Like Horror?, Guest hosts Maryland Phil and Chuckie O return to discuss Predator: Badlands and where it fits within the larger Predator franchise. They break down the film’s strengths and weaknesses, covering what works, what falls flat, and what stands out for better or worse. The conversation looks closely at how the PG-13 rating shapes the film’s tone, action, and tension, especially in comparison to earlier entries in the series.

They also examine how Predator: Badlands expands or reinterprets existing Predator lore and whether those choices strengthen the franchise or dilute its identity. They wrap up by ranking the film against other Predator installments and debating whether this entry justifies a direct sequel or should remain a standalone chapter.

Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at soyoulikehorror@gmail.com. We're open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.

In this episode of So, You Like Horror?, I’m joined by Maryland Phil as we take a closer look at David Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986), a film that remains one of the most significant examples of body horror and one of the most meaningful horror remakes.

We talk about how the story evolved from a 1957 short story and a 1958 film into Cronenberg’s version, which shifts the focus toward illness, identity, and the fear of watching the body decline. We explore how the film reflects anxieties of the 1980s, from Cold War tension to the parallels many viewers saw with the AIDS crisis, and how those themes shape the way Seth Brundle’s transformation is understood today.

We walk through the film’s structure, from the initial scientific breakthrough to the escalation of physical and emotional deterioration, and how the relationship between Seth and Veronica grounds the horror in something human rather than spectacle.

From its commentary on obsession and scientific overreach to its portrayal of identity loss and the strain disease places on relationships, The Fly continues to resonate. Toward the end of the episode, we dig into the film’s legacy, the influence it had on later body-horror works, and why it’s often regarded as one of the strongest remakes in the genre.

Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at soyoulikehorror@gmail.com. We're open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.