The Burning!

Greetings campers!

Before summer camp horror became a full-blown genre, there was one film that leaned all the way into the chaos, the gore, and just the right amount of absurdity. Today, we’re talking about The Burning—a cult classic that helped define the “campy horror” vibe before it was even a label.

Released in the early ’80s and featuring early appearances from actors like Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter, this film gives us everything you’d expect: a revenge-driven killer, a group of unsuspecting camp counselors, and some seriously over-the-top practical effects. At the center of it all is Cropsey—a disfigured caretaker turned urban legend—who brings a whole new level of menace to the woods.

In this episode, we’re diving into what makes The Burning so iconic: the blend of genuine tension and borderline ridiculousness, the infamous raft scene, and the way it sits somewhere between genuinely disturbing and strangely fun.

So grab your flashlight, maybe don’t wander too far from the group… and let’s get into it.