Friday Night Frightfest

Happy early Halloween!! This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re stepping back in time and into your television screen to explore the scariest subgenre of horror: the fake live broadcast! We’re comparing two films that blur the lines between reality and terror: the American analog horror cult classic WNUF Halloween Special (2013) and the infamous, nation-terrifying British pseudo-documentary Ghostwatch (1992). WNUF Halloween Special (2013) Directed by Chris LaMartina, this film is presented as a salvaged VHS recording of a local TV station’s 1987 Halloween night special. A cynical reporter, Frank Stewart, takes a camera crew and a pair of paranormal investigators (a clear nod to Ed and Lorraine Warren) into the notoriously haunted Webber House for a live, televised séance. The film’s genius lies in its meticulously accurate recreation of late-80s local TV, complete with delightfully cheesy commercials and news breaks that build a deeply nostalgic and unsettling atmosphere before the ritual goes catastrophically wrong. Ghostwatch (1992) Written by Stephen Volk and broadcast “live” on BBC on Halloween night, 1992, Ghostwatch caused a national panic in the UK. Presented as a genuine BBC investigation into a haunted London council house, the film utilized popular, trusted presenters (like Michael Parkinson and Sarah Greene, playing themselves) and real-time camerawork to convince millions of viewers they were watching a true, terrifying paranormal event unfold. It is a masterpiece of deception, using the power of the medium itself to bring the demonic entity, “Pipes,” right into the viewers’ living rooms. Join us as we look at the art of the fake live broadcast. We’ll explore how Ghostwatch weaponized the audience’s trust in mainstream media and how WNUF achieved its scares through lo-fi nostalgia and world-building. If you enjoy horror that makes you question what you’re seeing on your screen, this is the episode for you! Spoilers start around 5:06

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re tackling a horrifying real-life case that has inspired decades of terror! We are bringing our extensive deep dive into the Conjuring Universe to a chilling conclusion by comparing the final main installment of the cinematic saga, The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025), with an older, made-for-TV movie based on the very same haunting: The Haunted (1991). The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Directed by Michael Chaves, The Conjuring: Last Rites is set to be the final chapter featuring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Based on the infamous Smurl haunting case from Pennsylvania, the film chronicles what is considered the Warrens’ final significant case, where a seemingly quiet family home becomes the epicenter of a relentless supernatural siege. This installment promises a blend of atmospheric horror, high-stakes investigation, and an emotional farewell to the iconic investigators. The Haunted (1991) Directed by Robert Mandel, The Haunted is a chilling made-for-television film that also dramatizes the Smurl family’s ordeal. This cult classic stars Sally Kirkland and Jeffrey DeMunn as the afflicted couple (Janet and Jack Smurl), with Stephen Markle and Diane Baker portraying the Warrens. Released decades before the Conjuring universe began, this film delivers a gritty, faith-driven, and often surprisingly graphic portrayal of the long-term, devastating effects of demonic infestation on a family. Join us as we analyze two radically different cinematic interpretations of the same real-life paranormal case. And with this episode, we officially conclude our comprehensive journey through the entire Conjuring Universe film series! Thank you for joining us for every demonic possession, haunted doll, and terrifying nun. Spoilers start around 5:26.

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re continuing our journey through the chilling Warrenverse, exploring instances where demonic influence takes center stage. We’ll be comparing The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), which delves into a real-life murder trial with a supernatural defense, against the direct demonic confrontation of The Nun II (2023). Get ready for legal scares and unholy terrors! The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) Directed by Michael Chaves, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It takes a darker and more grounded approach, inspired by the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed demonic possession as his defense for murder. Ed and Lorraine Warren investigate this unsettling case, uncovering a malevolent force that ties back to a hidden occult group. This installment explores the blurred lines between human culpability and supernatural influence. The Nun II (2023) Directed by Michael Chaves (again!), The Nun II serves as a direct sequel to the 2018 film, continuing the terrifying saga of the demonic nun Valak. Set in 1956 France, the film follows Sister Irene as she once again confronts the malevolent entity, which is now causing chaos and death in a seemingly ordinary boarding school. This chapter promises more direct supernatural horror and a deeper dive into Valak’s dark powers and origins. Join us as we dissect these two entries in the Conjuring Universe. How do these films further expand the Warrens’ documented cases and the mythology of the evil forces they faced? Tune in to explore the devil’s influence and the power of faith against darkness! Spoilers start around 5:15

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re diving into the more direct demonic confrontations within the Warrenverse! We’re pitting the terrifying origin story of a powerful demonic entity, The Nun (2018), against the chilling installment that brings multiple cursed artifacts to life, Annabelle Comes Home (2019). Get ready for intense scares and a closer look at the forces of evil Ed and Lorraine Warren battled! The Nun (2018) Directed by Corin Hardy, The Nun takes us back to 1952 Romania to explore the terrifying origins of the demonic nun Valak, who first terrorized Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring 2. When a priest with a haunted past and a novice on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate a nun’s suicide at a secluded abbey, they uncover a dark secret and confront a malevolent force in its purest form. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) Directed by Gary Dauberman, Annabelle Comes Home takes place after the Warrens bring the possessed Annabelle doll into their artifact room, believing her evil contained behind consecrated glass. However, on one fateful night, while the Warrens are away, Annabelle awakens the other malevolent spirits within the room, setting a terrifying night in motion for their young daughter Judy and her babysitters. This film unleashes a multitude of creepy artifacts and showcases the widespread danger they possess. Join us as we dissect the distinct brands of horror presented in The Nun and Annabelle Comes Home. Spoilers start around 5:05.

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.