Friday Night Frightfest

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re exploring the deadly consequences of youthful indiscretions and the relentless pursuit of past sins. We’ll be comparing the American slasher sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and the German horror flick Party Hard, Die Young (2018). I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) Directed by Danny Cannon, this sequel to the 1997 hit follows Julie James and her friends as they take a seemingly relaxing vacation to a remote island resort. However, their past actions come back to haunt them when the vengeful fisherman returns, picking them off one by one in a tropical paradise turned deadly trap. Party Hard, Die Young (2018) Directed by Dominik Hartl, this German slasher film takes the familiar “teens in peril” trope to a vibrant and chaotic Croatian music festival. What starts as a wild party under the sun turns gruesome when a masked killer begins targeting the young revelers, turning their hedonistic escape into a fight for survival. Join us as we dissect these two tales of youthful terror and relentless pursuit. We’ll discuss how each film utilizes its unique setting to amplify the horror, the effectiveness of their respective killers, and how they explore the themes of guilt, consequence, and the inescapable nature of the past. Get ready for sun, sand, and a whole lot of bloodshed! Spoilers start around 8:25.

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re revisiting the terrifying world of alien seduction and deadly offspring! We’ll be comparing the second and third installments in the Species franchise: Species II (1998) and Species III (2004). Species II (1998) Directed by Peter Medak, Species II picks up where the original left off. This time, the alien DNA has returned to Earth via a manned mission to Mars. When the astronaut infected with the alien pathogen begins a violent and rapid evolution, a new, even more dangerous alien threat emerges, focused on procreation and domination. Species III (2004) Directed by Brad Turner, Species III takes a slightly different approach. It focuses on Sara, the human/alien hybrid daughter of Eve (from the first two films). As Sara matures, she grapples with her alien instincts while scientists attempt to understand and control her unique biology. This installment explores themes of nature versus nurture and the potential for hybrid existence. Join us as we delve into the evolutionary horrors of the Species sequels. We’ll discuss how each film expands upon the original’s themes of alien biology and sexual predation, analyze their creature designs and special effects, and debate which sequel offers the more compelling and terrifying vision of alien infiltration. Spoilers start around 7:28.

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re diving into the late-stage slasher sequels, comparing two sixth entries that took their respective franchises in wildly different directions. We’re pitting Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) against A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991). Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) Directed by Tom McLoughlin, Jason Lives marks a significant shift for the Friday the 13th series. After a brief hiatus, Jason returns, but this time, he’s a resurrected, supernatural force of nature. This entry leans heavily into self-aware humor and action-oriented set pieces, giving us a more playful, albeit still violent, take on the iconic killer. A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) Directed by Rachel Talalay, Freddy’s Dead attempts to wrap up the Nightmare on Elm Street saga with a surreal and cartoonish finale. This film delves into Freddy’s origins, revealing his childhood and the source of his evil. It’s known for its over-the-top special effects, bizarre dream sequences, and a generally more comedic tone than previous entries. Join us as we dissect these two films, exploring how they attempted to revitalize their franchises, the impact of their tonal shifts, and whether they succeeded in delivering satisfying sequels. Spoilers start around 5:50

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, explore the world of quirky werewolf movies! We’ll be comparing the American film Werewolves Within (2021) and the French film Teddy (2020). Werewolves Within (2021) Directed by Josh Ruben, Werewolves Within is a horror-comedy based on the Ubisoft VR game of the same name. It follows a newly arrived forest ranger who finds himself trapped in a snowbound Vermont town with a group of eccentric residents, all of whom suspect each other of being a werewolf. The film is known for its witty dialogue, ensemble cast, and its blend of humor and suspense. Teddy (2020) Directed by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma, Teddy is a French horror-comedy-drama that follows a young man named Teddy, who is scratched by a mysterious creature in the woods. As he begins to experience strange physical and behavioral changes, Teddy must confront the possibility that he is turning into a werewolf. The film is known for its grounded approach to the werewolf mythos, its dark humor, and its exploration of themes like adolescence and identity. Join us as we discuss the unique charms and quirks of these two werewolf flicks. Spoilers start around 7:10

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re diving into the unsettling realm of technology gone awry, exploring the anxieties surrounding our increasingly digital world. We’ll be comparing the Polish film The Glitch (2019) and the Companion (2025). The Glitch (2019) Directed by Patricia Ryczko, The Glitch (Panacea) is a polish Sci-Fi, drama, thriller, that centers around Renata, an android, who lives a seemingly normal life. After a mysterious glitch occurs, her reality begins to unravel, and she is forced to face the truth of her nature. The film explores themes of identity, reality, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Companion (2025) Companion (2025) by Drew Handcock, is an science fiction horror film that explores themes of artificial intelligence and human connection. It considers the potential dangers of advanced technology and how it can blur the lines between human and machine. Spoilers start around 4:34