This week on The Film Jury, we put the 1986 cult classic Critters on trial. Furry aliens, bounty hunters with questionable disguises, and small town chaos are all entered into evidence as jurors James, Kat, and Meagan revisit the horror comedy that helped define a generation of VHS rentals.

Does Critters hold up as a clever genre mashup, or is it pure nostalgia fueled chaos? We examine the film's creature effects, tone, scares, humor, and overall execution, then debate whether it deserves cult status or a cinematic conviction.

After careful deliberation, all three jurors return the same verdict. Not guilty.
Critters walks free, claws and all.

Tune in for sharp analysis, fun arguments, and a verdict that might surprise you if you have not revisited this one in years.

In this episode of The Film Jury Podcast, jurors James, Heidi, and Kat put the cult horror-comedy Feast (2005) on trial and unanimously deliver a Not Guilty verdict.

Directed by John Gulager and produced through Project Greenlight with backing from Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Wes Craven, Feast is a chaotic, blood-soaked monster movie that gleefully breaks horror rules. Set almost entirely inside a remote desert bar, the film traps a group of strangers as they fight for survival against relentless and grotesque creatures with no interest in playing fair.

The jury breaks down the film's bold tonal swings between horror and comedy, its unapologetic gore, and its meta approach to character archetypes and on-screen "rules." They also discuss Gulager's fast-paced, aggressive directing style and how the film embraces shock value as part of its identity rather than a gimmick.

The episode dives into performances from Balthazar Getty, Navi Rawat, Krista Allen, Henry Rollins, and Judah Friedlander, along with memorable cameos that helped cement Feast as a cult favorite. From creature design to editing choices and audience expectations, the jury examines why this scrappy, no-holds-barred horror film still resonates with genre fans nearly two decades later.

Is Feast crude, chaotic, and excessive? Absolutely. And according to the Film Jury, that is exactly why it works.

Verdict: Not Guilty.

Welcome to The Film Jury, where your jurors of cinema—James, Kat & Heidi—deliver verdicts on some of the most fascinating films in genre history. In this episode, we drop into the claustrophobic, terrifying world of The Descent (2005).

Directed by Neil Marshall and starring Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, MyAnna Buring, Nora Jane Noone, and Sadie Frost, The Descent redefined modern horror with its blend of psychological dread and raw, subterranean terror.

All three jurors returned not guilty verdicts, but that only scratches the surface of our conversation. We dig deep into:

• Directing choices that keep tension unrelenting
• Cinematography and how darkness becomes a character
• Sound design & score that messes with your nerves
• Hidden Easter eggs you probably missed
• Character arcs, feminist horror elements, and more

Whether you're a longtime fan or hearing about this horror classic for the first time, this breakdown has something for every cinephile.

Hit play and step back into the cave—if you dare.

Join James, Meagan, and Kat as we serve on the jury for Silent Night Deadly Night 2025 and deliver a unanimous Not Guilty verdict with pure enthusiasm! This episode is your ultimate holiday horror movie review, diving deep into the latest slasher film reboot, its shocking twists, and the performances that make it unforgettable.

In this episode, we cover:

• Plot Breakdown: The 2025 Silent Night Deadly Night reboot revisits the cult classic story of Billy Chapman, played by Rohan Campbell, a haunted killer-Santa driven by trauma and dark impulses. We explore how his relationship with Pamela Sims (Ruby Modine) adds emotional depth to the film's Christmas horror chaos.

• Cast and Characters: Detailed discussion on Rohan Campbell's portrayal of Billy, Ruby Modine's standout turn as Pamela, and the supporting cast who bring both terror and heart to this modern slasher.

• Themes and Tone: From psychological depth to bloody holiday thrills, we analyze how director Mike P. Nelson blends holiday horror, slasher suspense, and dark satire to elevate this reboot.

• Production and Release Insights: Filmed in the snowy landscapes of Manitoba, Canada, and premiered at Fantastic Fest before its U.S. release, this Silent Night Deadly Night 2025 review highlights why fans and critics are talking.

• Spoiler Discussion & Verdict: Spoilers included! We explain why this installment earns our enthusiastic Not Guilty verdict, covering practical effects, plot twists, and emotional beats that make this a must-watch for Christmas slasher fans.

Whether you're a fan of horror podcasts, holiday horror movies, slasher film reboots, or just love spirited discussions about cult classics, this episode is for you. Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms for your Silent Night Deadly Night 2025 review, complete with laughs, gore, and plenty of holiday cheer.

As our Holiday Horror series continues, The Film Jury turns its attention to one of the most controversial slashers of the 1980s. This week, James, Kat, and Meagan review Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), the infamous Christmas slasher directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr. and written by Michael Hickey.

Starring Robert Brian Wilson, Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, and Linnea Quigley, the film follows a traumatized young man who dons a Santa suit and embarks on a murderous rampage fueled by childhood trauma, religious guilt, and a deeply confused moral message.

In this episode, the Jury pulls no punches.

We break down:
• The film's troubled production and cultural backlash
• Its reliance on shock value over storytelling
• Weak performances and inconsistent tone
• Problematic themes and exploitative execution
• Why controversy does not equal quality
• How the film became notorious despite its flaws

The Verdict:
James — Guilty
Kat — Guilty
Meagan — Guilty

FINAL JUDGMENT: Unanimous Guilty Verdict

While Silent Night, Deadly Night has earned cult infamy and a place in horror history, the Film Jury finds it fundamentally broken in execution, intent, and impact. Sometimes a movie is remembered not because it's good, but because it's loud.

Listen now as we continue our December deep dive into holiday horror, separating seasonal classics from cinematic coal.

This week, The Film Jury dives into the 1974 horror classic Black Christmas, the original slasher that helped define the genre long before Halloween or Friday the 13th. Directed by Bob Clark and written by A. Roy Moore, this cult favorite blends holiday cheer with chilling suspense, a creeping sense of dread, and some of the most iconic early slasher techniques in cinematic history.

Starring Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon, the film follows a group of sorority sisters who begin receiving terrifying phone calls and threats during the Christmas holiday. As tension mounts and murders escalate, no one is safe — and the line between safety and horror disappears.

In this episode, the Jury discusses:

• How Black Christmas influenced the modern slasher genre

• The performances of Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, and the ensemble cast

• Bob Clark's use of suspense, framing, and sound design to create terror

• The film's lasting legacy in holiday horror and cult cinema

• Why this classic still resonates with audiences decades later

NEW RANKING SYSTEM — Full Acquittal

• James — Not Guilty

• Kristina — Not Guilty

• Heidi — Not Guilty

The Film Jury delivers a unanimous verdict: Black Christmas (1974) remains a chilling, masterful classic that continues to haunt holiday horror fans.

Tune in for our full discussion, and see why this seminal slasher still holds up as a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.

The Film Jury is back with a festive blood-soaked verdict as James, Kristina, and Heidi take on the cult favorite Anna and the Apocalypse (2017), the wildly inventive Christmas zombie musical directed by John McPhail and written by Alan McDonald and the late Ryan McHenry.

Starring Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire, Christopher Leveaux, Ben Wiggins, Marli Siu, and Mark Benton, this genre-blending film mashes up holiday cheer, high-school drama, infectious musical numbers, and a full-scale zombie outbreak—and somehow makes it all work.

In this episode, the Jury breaks down:
– Why the film's musical sequences elevate the horror-comedy format
– How the cast brings surprising emotional weight to the chaos
– The movie's mix of camp, heart, and genuine apocalypse stakes
– What makes this one of the most unique holiday horror films in years
– Whether the film deserves its growing cult status

The Verdict:
James — Not Guilty
Kristina — Not Guilty
Heidi — Not Guilty

FINAL JUDGMENT: Full Acquittal 🎬

If you love horror-comedy, zombie movies, offbeat musicals, or alternative Christmas films, this episode delivers a full breakdown of why Anna and the Apocalypse continues to stand out in the genre.

Listen now and let The Film Jury decide your holiday watchlist.

The Losers' Club returns to Derry—older, traumatized, and still bound by a childhood nightmare they hoped they'd escaped. This week on Film Jury, we dive deep into IT Chapter II (2019), directed by Andy Muschietti and based on Stephen King's legendary novel.

Stacked with an impressive adult cast including James McAvoy (Bill), Jessica Chastain (Beverly), Bill Hader (Richie), Isaiah Mustafa (Mike), Jay Ryan (Ben), James Ransone (Eddie), and Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the film attempts to blend cosmic horror, emotional closure, and surreal creature spectacle into one massive final chapter.

But did it succeed?

James comes in with a brutal 1/5 gavels, citing pacing issues, tonal imbalance, and an overreliance on CGI.
Kristina lands at 3/5 gavels, praising the performances—especially Hader—and some standout emotional moments.
Heidi gives it 2/5 gavels, feeling the story couldn't quite support its nearly 3-hour runtime.

We break down:
• How the film adapts (and alters) the book's ending
• The missed opportunities in character arcs
• Whether Pennywise is still scary the second time around
• The strengths of the cast vs. the weakness of the structure
• The themes of trauma, memory, and returning home
• And why this sequel divided audiences and critics alike

Epic, messy, heartfelt, bizarre—IT Chapter II is a lot.
And this week, The Jury has opinions.
Tune in, listen to the verdict, and see where you stand.