This week we step inside Haunt (2019), a Halloween-night nightmare where the haunted house is way more real than anyone bargained for. We’re also joined by friend of the show and horror author Stephanie Rose https://stephanierosewriter.com/ who helps us break down all the brutal scares and twisted fun this movie delivers.

Looking for something to do on Halloween, Harper and her friends stumble upon an extreme haunted attraction promising the most terrifying experience imaginable. The rules are simple: sign a waiver, follow the path, and survive the scares. But once inside, it quickly becomes clear that the masked performers running the attraction aren’t just acting… and the blood isn’t fake.

As the group moves deeper into the attraction’s twisted rooms and sadistic traps, the night turns into a brutal fight for survival against a group of killers who treat fear like an art form. With every corridor hiding another horrifying surprise, Harper must confront both the monsters in the haunt and the trauma she’s been running from.

We break down the film’s brutal set pieces, the creative masks and killers, and why this might be one of the most underrated modern Halloween horror movies. Of course, we also decide whether the opening kill earns the coveted Butcher Knife… or the dreaded Butter Knife. 🔪

Lock the doors, keep the lights on, and step carefully… because in this haunt, there’s no safe exit.

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n this episode, we head to our home state of Oregon to break down the chilling creature feature Antlers. Set in a bleak small town, the film follows a troubled teacher who begins to suspect that one of her students is hiding something far darker than anyone could imagine. As the mystery unfolds, local folklore and a terrifying presence collide in a story that blends slow-burn dread with brutal creature horror.

We talk about the eerie Pacific Northwest setting, the heavy atmosphere, and the film’s take on the Wendigo legend. From haunting visuals to the grim tone of the story, we dig into what works, what doesn’t, and whether the opening kill earns the coveted Butcher Knife or the dreaded Butter Knife.

Tune in for our full breakdown of this dark Oregon-set horror story and let us know if Antlers left you chilled… or just wanting more. 🦌🔪🎙️

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This week we’re heading into the swamp with 1972’s eco-horror cult classic Frogs 🐸 where the real terror isn’t just the croaking… it’s nature fighting back.

When a wealthy, fireworks-loving family gathers at their island estate to celebrate the Fourth of July, they quickly discover they’re not alone. What starts as a few creepy critters lurking in the grass turns into an all-out animal uprising. Frogs, snakes, birds, spiders oh my. Is it revenge? Is it karma? Or is it just rich people ignoring very obvious warning signs?

We break down the slow-burn swamp tension, the bizarre animal attacks, and whether these frogs are masterminds or just vibing while chaos unfolds. Plus, we decide if this opening kill earns the coveted Butcher Knife 🔪 or the dreaded Butter Knife 🧈 award.

Nature is patient. Nature is watching. And nature is apparently very, very annoyed.

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On this episode, we sink our teeth into Bram Stoker's Dracula, Francis Ford Coppola’s lavish, blood-soaked gothic romance that redefined vampire horror for the ‘90s.

We break down the haunting performances from Gary Oldman as the tragic, monstrous Count, Winona Ryder as Mina, and Anthony Hopkins chewing the scenery as Van Helsing. From practical effects and shadow play to operatic costumes and that unforgettable score, this is peak gothic excess.

Is this the most romantic Dracula adaptation ever put to screen? Does the love story elevate the horror or drain it? And how does it stack up against other versions of the Prince of Darkness?

Join us as we explore passion, damnation, and fountains of blood in one of the most visually stunning vampire films ever made. 🩸🦇

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OpeningKillPod

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It’s Friday the 13th, so you know we had to celebrate the right way. In this bonus episode, we head back to Camp Crystal Lake to cover Friday the 13th Part 2—the film that truly brings Jason into the spotlight. We break down the kills, the final girl, the sack-mask era of Jason, and whether this sequel earns the Butcher Knife or gets stuck with the Butter Knife. Grab your gear, watch out for the woods, and join us for this special Friday the 13th bonus episode.

This week on the show, we’re heading to the mines to talk about the slasher classic My Bloody Valentine. Pickaxes, heart-shaped candy boxes, and one of the grimiest small town settings in horror, this one has it all. We break down the kills, the atmosphere, and why Harry Warden still stands out among ’80s slashers.

Joining us is special guest Aaron from the A&B Horror Movies Podcast, a fantastic horror content creator, who brings great insight (and a few hot takes) as we dig into what makes this movie so memorable. As always, we also decide whether the opening kill earns the coveted Butcher Knife or the dreaded Butter Knife.

Grab your helmet, watch out in the tunnels, and press play!

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In this episode, we’re heading back to 1987 to cover Totally Killer. When a modern-day teen accidentally time-travels to the year her mom’s friends were being hunted by a masked slasher, she teams up with the younger version of her mother to stop the killer before history repeats itself. We talk about the mix of comedy and horror, the nostalgia for the late ’80s, the kills, and whether the movie balances its tone or leans too hard into the jokes. Strap in for time-travel, neon, and a masked maniac as we decide if Totally Killer lives up to its killer premise.

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This week, we’re dialing back to Woodsboro to break down the slasher that rewrote the rules: the original Scream. From that legendary opening phone call to Ghostface’s razor-sharp meta kills, we dig into why this movie still sets the standard for modern horror.

We’re joined by author Stephanie Rose (Hiding Lies and the upcoming novella Small Town Slasher), who brings killer insight into suspense, small-town terror, and what makes a slasher really work.

Fast, funny, and full of blood-splattered nostalgia—this episode proves one thing: in Scream, everyone’s a suspect. 📞🔪

Check out Stephanie Rose's work: https://stephanierosewriter.com/

Follow Opening Kill on our social media, to stay up to date on news and fun series we are doing.

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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/opening-kill/id1777172081

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OpeningKillPod

Email the show for questions comments or requests!

openingkillpod@gmail.com