Friday Night Frightfest

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re venturing further into the terrifying tapestry of the Warrenverse! We’re comparing the chilling sequel that took the Warrens across the pond, The Conjuring 2 (2016), with the masterful origin story that finally revealed the true horrors behind the infamous doll, Annabelle: Creation (2017). Prepare for more demonic encounters and the unsettling secrets of the haunted! The Conjuring 2 (2016) Directed once again by the maestro of modern horror, James Wan, The Conjuring 2 sees Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to Enfield, England, to investigate the case of the Hodgson family, who are being tormented by a powerful supernatural entity. This film ups the ante with even more elaborate and terrifying set pieces, memorable demonic designs (hello, Nun!), and a deeply emotional core as the Warrens face their own personal demons alongside the haunting. Annabelle: Creation (2017) Directed by David F. Sandberg, Annabelle: Creation serves as a brilliant prequel to the original Annabelle, finally unveiling the disturbing story of how the cursed doll came to be. Set years before the events of Annabelle, the film follows a dollmaker and his wife who welcome several orphaned girls into their secluded home, unknowingly unleashing the malevolent spirit that will inhabit the infamous doll. This entry is praised for its suspenseful atmosphere, genuinely creepy scares, and its clever weaving into the wider Conjuring Universe. Join us as we dissect the escalating terror of The Conjuring 2 and the chilling revelations of Annabelle: Creation. We’ll discuss how these films expand the mythology of the Warrenverse, the effectiveness of their respective scares, and how they contribute to the overall sense of dread that permeates this incredibly successful horror franchise. Get ready to delve deeper into the darkness and uncover the origins of pure evil! Spoilers start around 5:40.

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re stepping into the chilling world of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famous paranormal investigators! We’re kicking off our exploration of the “Conjuring Universe” by comparing the foundation of it all, The Conjuring (2013), with the origin story of its most sinister artifact, Annabelle (2014). Get ready for demonic entities, creepy dolls, and a whole lot of scares! The Conjuring (2013) Directed by James Wan, The Conjuring introduces us to Ed and Lorraine Warren as they are called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their secluded farmhouse. Based on a supposedly true story, this film masterfully builds suspense with its atmospheric tension, unsettling sound design, and truly frightening supernatural encounters. It established the tone and style that would define the entire cinematic universe. Annabelle (2014) Directed by John R. Leonetti, Annabelle serves as a prequel to The Conjuring, delving into the horrifying origins of the creepy doll that briefly haunted the Warrens’ artifact room. The film follows a young couple who bring the vintage doll into their home, unknowingly attracting a malevolent entity that latches onto it. This spin-off focuses on more direct demonic possession and the terrifying consequences of inviting evil into your life. Join us as we explore the storytelling of these two pivotal films in the “Conjuring Universe.” We’ll discuss how The Conjuring laid the groundwork for the franchise’s success, the effectiveness of Annabelle‘s terrifying doll, and how these films established the recurring themes of faith and the battle against pure evil. Whether you’re a seasoned Warrenverse veteran or a curious newcomer, this episode is your guide to the beginning of the haunting! Spoilers start around 5:54.

Our 6th annual year in review episode covers he highs and lows from the last year-ish. Lots of spoilers here and for the first time we are agreed on a lot of the films!! Check it out and let us know what you think!

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re bringing our epic Final Destination marathon to an end! After dissecting the first four films, we’re now tackling what was thought to be the franchise’s conclusive chapter, Final Destination 5 (2011), and the highly anticipated return, Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025). Get ready for more death-defying escapes and incredibly intricate demises! Final Destination 5 (2011) Directed by Steven Quale, Final Destination 5 revitalized the franchise with its ingenious premise and breathtaking opening sequence involving a collapsing suspension bridge. This installment cleverly plays with the established lore by introducing a grim new twist: if a survivor takes the life of someone who was not meant to die in Death’s design, they can claim that person’s remaining lifespan. This added a desperate, moral dilemma to the usual frantic escapes, culminating in a shocking reveal that ties directly back to the original film. Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, Final Destination: Bloodlines marks the long-awaited return of the franchise. This film takes a fresh approach by focusing on a new family, whose matriarch had a premonition in 1968 that averted a deadly structural collapse, saving many lives. Now, decades later, Death is coming for her descendants, and they must figure out how to break a bloodline curse that has been passed down through generations. This entry promises to shake up the established formula with a multi-generational storyline and delve deeper into the lore of Death’s intricate plan. Join us as we discuss how Final Destination 5 brought a renewed sense of terror and cleverness to the series, and then dive into all the exciting details and potential new directions offered by Final Destination: Bloodlines. Spoilers start around 3:00.

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, the carnage continues! Following our deep dive into the origins of Death’s design, we’re plunging headfirst into the next two installments of the iconic franchise: Final Destination 3 (2006) and The Final Destination (2009). Get ready for more elaborate demises and desperate struggles against an unstoppable force! Final Destination 3 (2006) Directed once again by James Wong, Final Destination 3 kicks off with a terrifying roller coaster derailment. High school student Wendy Christensen experiences a vivid premonition and saves several classmates, only to find herself and the survivors targeted by Death’s relentless pursuit. This installment notably uses photographs taken at the scene of the premonition to hint at how each character will meet their grisly end, adding a new layer to the mystery and dread. The Final Destination (2009) Directed by David R. Ellis (returning from FD2), The Final Destination (often referred to as Final Destination 4 due to its release order) brings the franchise into the 3D era. This time, a vision of a horrific racetrack crash saves a group of spectators from certain doom. As always, Death is close behind, dispatching the survivors in increasingly gruesome and often darkly humorous ways. This film aimed for spectacle, leveraging the 3D technology for maximum visceral impact. Join us as we analyze how these two films expanded the franchise’s signature style. We’ll discuss the creativity (or lack thereof) of the death sequences and the evolving “rules” of Death’s plan. Tune in to relive the terror and question if anyone can truly outrun Death! Spoilers start around 5:13