Dark Night of the Podcast

Episode 148 – The Relic (1997)

Troy and Roger dive deep into the dark and suspenseful world of 1997's The Relic. Join the guys as they unravel the mysteries lurking in the iconic Chicago Field Museum, spotlight the jaw-dropping creature design, and explore the intense clash between science and superstition. From the chaos of a high-society gala turned deadly to the gripping character dynamics, Troy and Roger break down the film’s most unforgettable moments-inlcuding some unfortunate CGI-, its chilling and intense atmosphere, and what makes The Relic a standout in the monster movie genre.

Episode 147 – Beauty Queen Butcher (1991)

Grab your tiara and get cozy with Troy and Roger as they dive into 1991’s super obscure flick Beauty Queen Butcher, a campy mess that somehow manages to be endearing and tackle serious issues like body image and beauty standards. The guys discuss the film’s many flaws, from its agonizingly slow beauty pageant scene to its awkward character arcs — especially protagonist Phyllis’s transformation from outcast to vengeful killer. They also touch on the film’s dark humor, its surprisingly low body count, and the strange lack of violence. But let’s be real: this episode is all about Betty Prunish, a character that needs more recognition for being the icon that she is!  Beauty Queen Butcher may be offensive, absurd, and a little nostalgic, but one thing’s for sure — it certainly leaves an impression!

Episode 146 – Trick 'r Treat (2007)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Grab your bags because Troy and Roger are about the film them with lots of treats and they bite into the now required October viewing, 2007's Trick 'r Treat! Join the guys as they discuss all the things that make this a Halloween classic, including the iconic villain that is Sam!

Episode 145 – The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

Grab your scorebook and prepare for a wild ride as Troy and Roger dive into one of cinema's most unexpected sequels: Katt Shae’s totally ’90s gem, The Rage: Carrie 2. Join the guys as they navigate the intricacies of a mother-daughter relationship that’s about as developed as a high school group project, tackle the ultra-realistic world of high school slut-shaming, and raise an eyebrow at the disturbingly chill security at Antrum Mental Institution—seriously, do they even have a security guard?! Oh, and let’s not forget the shoehorned-in Sue Snell—because every sequel needs a cameo from the past, right?
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Episode 144 – The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)

Troy and Roger travel to exotic backroads of Texarkana to seek out the elusive Phantom killer in hopes of getting him to join them as they discuss the 2014 meta slasher The Town That Dreaded Sundown. Is it a remake? A sequel? A reimagining? Join the guys as they ponder this and discuss topics such as the stunning cinematography, a surprisingly poignant queer element, the mopey, but surprisingly endearing final girl, and the plausibility and logistics of that out of nowhere killer reveal.

Episode 143 – Eaten Alive (1976)

Troy and Roger take a daring plunge into the swampy chaos of Tobe Hooper's 1976 shocker, Eaten Alive!. Join the guys as they dissect the film, connecting the dots to Texas Chainsaw Massacre. They’ll explore the tangled character dynamics, the bewildering narrative that leaves you wondering if anyone knew what was going on, and the surprisingly perilous role of child characters (because nothing says horror like a kid in a dangerous situation!). They discuss the film’s portrayal of violence, its exploitation aspects, and the wig choices that make you question if the costume designer was playing a prank. Expect reflections on character motivations that are about as clear as murky swamp water and a deep dive into the film's legacy in the horror community. So, grab your favorite snack (and maybe a spare wig for good measure) as Roger and Troy chew on Eaten Alive—a film that's as entertaining as it is baffling!

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Episode 142 – Cruising (1980) with Sean Abley

Troy and Roger are joined by the extremely knowledgable and extremely queertastic Sean Abley, writer for Fangoria and author of the very recently released book QUEER HORROR: A FILM GUIDE. A_nd what better film for the trio to discuss this William Friedkin's 1980 ultra gay, extremely controversial serial killer film _Cruising. Join the guys as they explore the film’s gritty portrayal of the gay club scene, the impact of its violence, and its provocative themes. They dissect the film’s representation of the queer community, the tension between sensuality and fear, and the mixed reactions it sparked. T une in for a gripping discussion on the intersection of horror and queer culture, and what makes Cruising both unsettling and compelling.

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Episode 141 – Motel Hell (1980)

Roger and Troy don their favorite dominatrix outfits and rev up to review the 1980 cult classic Motel Hell. They dissect the film's bizarre charm, from Farmer Vincent's and Ida’s unsettling take on population control to Terry’s epic fail as a character. Join them as they laugh through the oddball editing, questionable character choices, and amusing zombie like sound effects. From awkward romantic twists to a chainsaw showdown, they wrap up with their thoughts on why this film is equal parts hilarious and head-scratching. Tune in for a fun ride through horror's quirkiest backroads!

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Houston Horror Film Fest 2024: "Pet Sematary" 35th Anniversary Reunion Panel

Troy and Roger has the pleasure of hosting the Pet Sematary 35th Anniversary Reunion Panel at the 2024 Houston Horror Film Festival The panel featured Dale Midkiff (Louis Creed), Denise Crosby (Rachel Creed) Miko Hughes (Gage Creed), Brad Greenquist (Victor Pascow) and Andrew Hubatsek (Zelda). If you're new to us and enjoy this, we hope that you'll check out some of our past regular episodes. Enjoy!

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Houston Horror Film Fest 2024: Scream Queens Panel

Troy and Roger has the pleasure of hosting the Scream Queens Panel at the 2024 Houston Horror Film Festival this past weekend. The panel featured Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Christine Elise (Child's Play 2) and Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp). If you're new to us and enjoy this, we hope that you'll check out some of our past regular episodes. Enjoy!

Find out more at http://www.darknightofthepodcast.com

Avid horror fans and filmmakers (and noted homosexuals) Troy Escamilla and Roger "The Scream Queer" Conners have many opinions on film. Tune in weekly to hear these two discuss and dissect some of the horror genre's most iconic, overlooked, and often underrated films.