Chiller Theatre October 2026

This past Halloween weekend, October 30–November 1, 2026, marked the latest edition of Chiller Theatre. It also marked the first edition since the passing of the legendary convention's founder and producer, Kevin Clement, who passed away on July 18, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. A friend of mine who was deeply loved by so many in the horror community, Kevin's presence was felt and honored throughout the event. As for myself and my friends, we attended on Halloween Saturday and had another epic and unforgettable time.

One of the things I've always appreciated about Chiller Theatre is that the celebrity encounters can become so much more than the usual convention interactions. While many conventions are understandably more structured, with brief exchanges at autograph tables, Chiller has always seemed to offer opportunities for more personal conversations. Sometimes, you walk away with more than just an autograph or photograph; you leave with a genuinely memorable interaction.

And, the guest list this time around was massive and had so many incredible celebrities spanning TV, pop culture, and, of course, horror. I got to meet a couple of them, including all of the ones that were my top priorities of mine. The first of them was the lovely Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, of movies like Demons 2, Opera and Mother of Tears. She was incredible in person! As, she talked to my friend Alan and I for nice chunk of time. Telling us how she was born in New York City, but moved to Italy when she was very little. She then asked if I was Italian, and when I told her I was, she said she could tell just by looking at me. I took that as a huge compliment, and it made me feel proud of my heritage. She then asked Alan and me if we spoke Italian. Alan answered that he did, while I replied, "Un po'" (a little).

I told her that I was also part Peruvian from my mom's side. And, she said that she would love to go to Peru, as it looks like such a beautiful country. I told her that it was and that she should go. We also talked about how in Italy horror movies are much more respected, as she told us that there genre films get premieres unlike the way they are looked down here. She used her latest horror flick Astrid's Saints (2024) which she told us that legendary horror expert Tim Lucas raved about. I told her that I greatly look up to Lucas and would now have to see it! In short, she was amazing in person. 

From there, I went over to meet the beautiful Bijou Phillips (Hostel 2). She was probably the celebrity I was most looking forward to meeting. She was fairly quiet, beyond exchanging greetings, but had a bubbly personality and was all smiles as I met her and snapped a photo together.

While I didn't get a picture with her, I did get to meet Elizabeth Shepherd, who had legendary roles in films like The Tomb of Ligeia (in which she costarred with the great Vincent Price) and Damien: Omen II (the latter of which she signed on my Scream Factory Blu-ray). I told her how much I loved her performances in both movies. I also mentioned that I had taken a college class on film doubles, which focused on Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca. She seemed genuinely flattered that one of her films had been studied in a college film class. She was wonderfully pleasant and humble in person. You can find a pic of the autograph a couple of paragraphs down in this writeup. 

Up next was the gorgeous Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns). She greeted me with a big smile as I approached her. Admittedly, I was a little starstruck meeting her, but she was incredibly down to earth despite being such a recognizable name. In fact, I noticed that just before my turn, a guy had taken a picture with her, after which she invited his wife to come over and get one as well. As if that wasn't proof enough of how sweet she was, after I finished taking my picture with her, she waved over my friend Alan, who had snapped the photo, and offered him a picture with her at no extra charge! I assume she had done the same for the couple before me. That's an incredibly thoughtful and rare gesture to see at conventions, especially from someone with her stature. She was absolutely wonderful in person!  

The final celebrity I went up to meet was the beautiful Helene Udy (My Bloody Valentine, 1981). We actually talked for a good chunk of time, as she was incredibly friendly in person. I asked her if she had fun making My Bloody Valentine, and she told me that she absolutely did. I then asked if she was Canadian, and she explained that although she was born in the United States, she moved to Canada as a child and can actually vote in both countries. She then asked if I was Canadian. I told her I wasn't, but that I had been planning to visit Canada this year. Unfortunately, things didn't work out, and I had to cancel my plans.

She then asked, if I didn't mind telling her, what had happened. I explained that I had known a girl from Ottawa, but things between us had ended, forcing me to cancel the trip. She expressed her sympathy but encouraged me to visit Montreal anyway, telling me how beautiful it was, and that I would love it. She also suggested I talk to her My Bloody Valentine co-star Rob Stein, who was sitting right next to her.

Rob chimed in and asked what had happened. When I explained the situation, he jokingly exclaimed, "Oh, those Canadian girls!" I laughed, and replied that they were beautiful. He then told me about a beautiful area near where Quebec and Ottawa meet. Afterwards, he asked who had ended things, her or me. When I told him she had, he once again joked, "Oh, those Canadian girls!" I responded, "Yes, they sure are heartbreakers!" "But don't tell her that!" while pointing over at Udy. He agreed that I should still make the trip to Montreal.

It was all in good fun, and honestly, the two of them made me laugh and smile about something that had actually broken my heart. Both were absolutely incredible, even if Helene was the only one I ended up getting a picture with and having sign my Scream Factory 4K of the aforementioned horror classic.

I actually had a few fun and unexpected interactions with people throughout the day, all thanks to my battle jacket! The first was with a dealer who complimented it and asked if I had sewn the patches on myself. I explained that I hadn't, and that a family friend and my aunt had done the work. He then asked if I had any tattoos. I told him I didn't, although I'm a big admirer of tattoo art. He joked that this was almost better because I could always switch out patches if I got tired of them, something I obviously couldn't do with a tattoo! We also agreed that tattoos have come a long way from the olden days, particularly in terms of the artistry and creativity behind them.

The other interaction was even more surprising, as it came from figure skating legend Nancy Kerrigan! As I passed by, she complimented my patches and asked if I had sewn them on myself. I gave her the same explanation, telling her that a family friend and my aunt had done the work. She said they looked great, and I have to admit, I was pretty flattered to receive that compliment from someone of her stature!

What made this encounter especially nice was that I hadn't even approached Nancy for an autograph. I was simply passing by when she took the time to compliment my jacket and strike up a conversation. Having grown up watching the Olympics with my family, I've always enjoyed figure skating, but I never expected to have such a sweet and down-to-earth interaction with a legend of the sport. It definitely made me appreciate her even more, and I walked away with a new reason to be a fan!

I even received another compliment later that evening from our waitress at the diner where we stopped for dinner. As it turned out, she was a fellow horror fan and had done her own makeup, complete with cuts and scars. Clearly, my battle jacket was making quite an impression that day!

Along the way, a couple of things caught my eye, including a life-size, animatronic Robbie the Robot from the sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet (left). It lit up and moved, making for a really cool display! I also spotted some awesome cosplay of Amanda wearing the reverse bear trap from Saw (below). There were a few other fun cosplays that caught my attention, but those came a little later at the party.

See one of the things that has always set Chiller Theatre apart from many other horror conventions is its appreciation for classic horror and science fiction. While plenty of conventions cater to younger generations and more contemporary pop culture, Chiller has always maintained a special place for the older classics and the generations of fans who grew up with them. That's something I particularly appreciate, as it makes the convention feel welcoming to a broad range of genre enthusiasts, not just those drawn to what's currently popular.

But, the memory of Kevin was by far the most prominent and noticeable aspect of the convention. And that's exactly how it should be. He was Mr. Chiller, after all, and this convention wouldn't exist without him. In fact, many of the other East Coast horror conventions were influenced by Chiller itself, and I saw several of them acknowledge his passing.

Here at the show, there were limited-edition collectibles honoring Kevin, including a drinking glass, T-shirt, and an exclusive cover of the horror magazine Screem. All of these sold out quickly, but I was fortunate enough to get a copy of the magazine. I was later told by the dealer selling it that this was now officially the rarest issue in the publication's history. He even mentioned that I could potentially take it to eBay and sell it for $200. I told him I wouldn't do that, especially since he was a friend. He replied that Kevin was his friend, too, and that he understood, but that it was certainly an option for anyone who wanted to take advantage of it.

There was also a cardboard standee of Kevin on display (though not for sale), depicting him playing guitar. This was likely taken from one of the many times he performed with the Dead Elvi during the nighttime party. My friends and I made sure to get a picture with it.

As I mentioned, that issue of Screem was the only thing I purchased at the convention itself (not counting the beer at the bar). As is always the case when purchasing an issue of the magazine, it came with a free, randomly selected movie. This time around, I scored a brand-new 4K copy of Kriminal (1966), directed by Cannibal Ferox filmmaker Umberto Lenzi.

I finally watched it last night, and while it's a bit uneven at times, I found it to be an enjoyable crime adventure. It's a really good-looking and colorful film, featuring a great villain in its titular character and clearly influenced by the James Bond movies of the era. It should definitely appeal to fans of movies like Mario Bava's Danger: Diabolik. While I think that film is superior, Kriminal is still well worth a watch.

The three autographs I got at the show, all signed on discs I already owned, were (clockwise from the top):

• Elizabeth Shepherd – Damien: The Omen II

• Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni – Demons 2

• Helene Udy – My Bloody Valentine

Helene also had a funny little surprise for me when signing my 4K. She told me she had signed it with a scream. When I looked at it afterward, I realized she'd actually written "AAAAAAAAHHH!" 😂

After a nice dinner at an amazing little place nearby called Paul's Family Diner (which I totally recommend to anyone attending the convention if it continues to be held at the Dolce Parsippany), we headed back to the hotel for the party. And, of course, we had a fucking amazing time!

Admittedly, this year hasn't been an easy one for me, between the aforementioned heartbreak (ironically, I met her at this very party during last year's Chiller, which was held at a different hotel) and several other crappy things I've had to deal with. So, a fun night at my favorite convention, surrounded by my friends and extended horror family, was exactly what I needed. I didn't go full cosplay mode, but it being Halloween made me decide to wear my Peacemaker helmet at the party. 

As I mentioned earlier, there were plenty of other cool cosplays on display, including one group that recreated The Human Centipede, with a woman at the front and two female mannequins behind her, recreating the infamous ass-to-mouth arrangement! It was so fucking cool and outrageous! I really hope they won a prize, although we unfortunately missed the costume contest.

The two couples I got pictures with really stood out to me. First up were Roger Rabbit and Jessica Rabbit, who were probably my favorite couple I've seen portray the iconic animated duo in ages. They were also a lot of fun! The woman even asked for a third take while cracking a joke about a threesome, which had all of us laughing.

The other couple spoke directly to my metalhead heart, as both were sporting the iconic Man with the Iron Mask from Quiet Riot! Their accompanying outfits also followed the Quiet Riot theme. So cool and metal as fuck!

Of course, as always, there was some great live music being performed. The best part was that we could finally enjoy the music while hanging out and having drinks at the bar, rather than having to go into a separate room like we did at the previous hotel, which admittedly had pretty bad acoustics. At this location, however, everything sounded great, making the entire party atmosphere feel that much livelier and more enjoyable.

As is tradition, The Dead Elvi performed, with the Kevin cutout I mentioned earlier placed onstage while they played. It was a fitting tribute to the man who helped make these gatherings possible.

@master_gio007 This past Halloween Saturday night at the Chiller Theatre party, as the Dead Elvi play. #halloween #chillertheatre #horror #party #deadelvi ♬ original sound - Giovanni Deldio

However, my favorite band of the night was the cover act Lady Evil. Taking their name from the classic Dio-era Black Sabbath track, they performed classics from Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio, and, of course, Dio-fronted Black Sabbath. Tackling Dio's vocals is no small feat, but their singer, Lisa Schilling, does an incredible job paying tribute to one of the greatest singers in all of metal.

We left around this point, having had an absolutely amazing time. And, we're already looking forward to the April edition of my favorite convention!

Read More

Horror Crush: Linda Cardellini

Thanks to a recent and hotly talked about streaming series, we have a new Horror Crush inductee. One whose connection to the genre started earlier than you may have realized: the gorgeous Linda Cardellini!

Linda Cardellini was born on June 25, 1975, in Redwood City, California. The youngest of four children, she is the daughter of Wayne David Cardellini, a businessman, and Lorraine Hernan, a homemaker. Her ancestry includes Italian, Irish, German, and Scottish roots, and she grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Her first public performance came at the age of ten, when she sang in a school play. She continued participating in school productions and taking drama classes, setting the stage for a career in acting. After graduating from Saint Francis High School in Mountain View in 1993, Cardellini moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in film and television.

In 1994, she appeared as a contestant on The Price Is Right and won a fireplace. She subsequently earned a degree in theatre arts from Loyola Marymount University's College of Communication and Fine Arts in 1997. In 2007, the university recognized her as a Distinguished Alumna.

In 1998, Cardellini appeared in her first horror movie, Strangeland. Written by and starring heavy metal rocker and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, the film features Snider as its antagonist, the psychotic Captain Howdy. Howdy uses the internet to lure and kidnap teenagers, holding and torturing them in his basement.

The villain's name actually comes from the Twisted Sister song "Horror-Teria (The Beginning) – A) Captain Howdy B) Street Justice," from the band's megahit album Stay Hungry. The song tells the story of an evil child killer who escapes the justice system, only to be immolated by an angry mob.

Directed by John Pieplow, Strangeland is very much a product of its time, reflecting 1990s anxieties surrounding the still-burgeoning internet, chat rooms, and the subculture of piercings and tattoos. Steeped in an alternative-metal aesthetic and featuring an awesome soundtrack, the film taps into the paranoia many parents felt about the dangers lurking online. As a result, some of its specific fears feel dated today, even if online predators remain a legitimate concern and continue to exploit people in different ways.

However, Strangeland also has a nasty edge. Its graphic violence, bodily violation, and torture predate the torture-porn cycle of the 2000s by several years. Snider delivers a solid performance as Captain Howdy, convincingly portraying a cruel and deeply disturbed individual.

As a metalhead and horror fan, I've always been quite fond of this flick and have long been a supporter of it. It's a shame that Strangeland has become overlooked and forgotten by some horror fans over the years. I was also immediately smitten with Cardellini as Genevieve Gage, the young woman who becomes one of Howdy's victims. She even gets a particularly nasty scene in which her lips are sewn shut, an image that was also used in the movie's poster art (above left). And that's how I became a fan of hers!

Arguably Cardellini's most famous role was as Velma in the two Scooby-Doo movies released in 2002 and 2004. I was well past the intended age group for these films, and while I wouldn't exactly classify them as horror, I can see how they could serve as a gateway into the genre for younger audiences. One thing we can all agree on, though: she single-handedly made Velma hot!

But, her genre connections extend well beyond live action movies. She has much voice work including the horror inspired video game Lollipop Chainsaw (2012) and the animated series Creature Commandos (2021). |

In 2019, Cardellini finally returned to live-action horror with The Curse of La Llorona. Produced by James Wan, the film has the dubious distinction of being shoehorned into The Conjuring universe, despite feeling more like a forgotten, unofficial side entry than an integral part of the franchise. Cardellini plays Anna Tate-Garcia, a recently widowed caseworker who investigates the apparent neglect of the two children of her client, Patricia Alvarez (played by the lovely Patricia Velásquez of the first two The Mummy movies).

The movie was a huge box-office hit, but it was panned by many critics. It's easy to see why. Despite the presence of Cardellini and Velásquez, there's little to recommend here. They and the rest of the cast deliver good performances, and there are a few well-executed moments. But, the film is otherwise thoroughly forgettable and generic. The aforementioned shoehorning into The Conjuring universe and a groan-inducing ending do it no favors.

Cardellini has appeared in her fair share of television series, including a 2003 episode of The Twilight Zone titled "The Path," in which she played Ali Warner. However, it's her role in the 2026 series Camp Crystal Lake that's cementing her status in the horror genre.

Conceived as a prequel to the original Friday the 13t and, by extension, its sequels, the series retcons the drowning of Jason Voorhees, placing the event in the early 1970s. The story focuses on his mother, Pamela Voorhees (Cardellini), and her life following the loss of her beloved son. Developed by Brad Caleb Kane and streaming on Peacock, the series greatly expands Pamela's character and explores the origins of Jason.

The show has been garnering strong reviews, including from mainstream critics, who haven't always been as forgiving of this franchise as genre fans. While some fans have complained that the series explains "too much," the majority have been singing its praises. It's also been pulling in impressive viewership numbers for Peacock, making it a major hit for the streaming service.

And to those fans bitching and moaning, remember that this is a franchise with a long, convoluted history and a timeline that's never been particularly consistent. We're talking about a series that brought Jason back to life like Frankenstein's monster, had him fight a psychic girl, killed him via toxic waste (which apparently runs through the sewers of NYC! Who knew?), and eventually had someone chow down on his heart so he could start possessing people Hidden-style via a worm demon. Oh, and he went into outer fucking space!

Personally, I think the explanations of Jason and his mother's past work really well with the mythology and are a welcome addition. The series is strongly written and acted, with plenty of Easter eggs for fans and some really cool twists. The final two episodes rank among the finest in recent horror television. Hopefully, we'll get a second season.

Cardellini is excellent as Mama Voorhees. She manages to be both sympathetic and menacing, making us care about her and feel for her. As a result, we find ourselves on her side for at least a portion of the series, if not most of it. She brings complexity and a grounded quality to the proceedings.

And on top of all that, who would've thought we'd be having the hots for Jason's mama?

While Cardellini has had her share of genre work since early in her career, it's her role as Pamela Voorhees that will undoubtedly cement her place in horror history. And, in turn, it's made me happy to finally have the chance to add her to Horror Crushes!

Read More

Horror Crush: Tamara Glynn

It's Spooky Season, so it's the perfect time to add another actress from the Halloween franchise to Horror Crushes. This time around, it's the beautiful Tamara Glynn!

Tamara Glynn was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on December 6, 1968. She began pursuing acting as a teenager after being discovered by a talent agency. Her screen debut came in 1987 with an appearance on the television series Rags to Riches. Two years later, she entered the horror genre as Laura in the Freddy's Nightmares episode "Love Stinks," adding a Freddy Krueger-related production to her growing list of genre credits.

While I undoubtedly saw her episode of Freddy's Nightmares, the role that introduced Tamara Glynn to me was Samantha Thomas in Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989). Having grown up watching the franchise, I was dying to see what happened after the previous film's cliffhanger. At just 13, I needed someone to take me, and my late Aunt Berta kindly obliged, despite not being a horror fan herself. It became the first R-rated movie I saw in a theater, giving this admittedly messy sequel a special place in my heart.

Despite its annoying characters, questionable humor, and terrible jump scares, the movie has its strengths, including some wonderfully mean-spirited moments, bloody kills, and terrific performances from Danielle Harris and Donald Pleasence. But for me, Glynn was one of its most likable new additions. Samantha even gets a sexy love scene before Michael Myers cuts her life short with a spectacularly gruesome scythe kill. I immediately developed a huge childhood crush on Glynn, and she's remained one of my favorite ladies in the franchise ever since.

Glynn continued acting until 1991, with one return in 2001, all in non-horror roles. She eventually stepped away from acting to focus on her family, but would find herself returning to the genre in an unexpected way. As with other genre actors, social media played a big role in that comeback. On Facebook, she connected with horror writer and historian Justin Beahm, who encouraged her to join a Halloween fan page and share an update with fans. She didn't think fans would still care so much about her character, Samantha Thomas, but she was pleasantly surprised by their enthusiastic response.

That reconnection opened an unexpected new door in her career within the genre. This included appearing at conventions, taking roles in independent horror films, and supporting emerging filmmakers. In fact, in 2013, she co-founded the Hot Springs Horror Film Festival in Arkansas with Bill Volland, helping independent filmmakers learn, network, and promote their work.

In the years since her return, Glynn has built up an impressive résumé of indie and low-budget horror movies. These include titles like The Dark Offerings (2021), 10/31: Part 3 (2022), and Ouija: A New Beginning (2025), among others. Her filmography spans multiple subgenres, from supernatural horror and anthologies to more extreme fare.

Falling on the more extreme end of the slasher spectrum is the one film I know from her post-Halloween 5 horror career: Terrifier 2. The second blood-soaked entry in the ultra-gory series created by writer, director, and makeup FX artist Damien Leone, featuring his signature creation, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), is a personal favorite of mine. Glynn has a fun little cameo as the Costume Shop Mom.

Glynn's role in Halloween 5 made her a fan favorite, and that alone would have been enough to earn her a place in horror history. But, then you add her modern contributions to the genre, including an extensive résumé of roles in independent horror films. The result is a unique story and career within the genre, making me very proud to have her included in Horror Crushes!

Read More

Horror Crush: Inde Navarrette

In the early days of this website, I tried to give you guys even more horror write-ups than usual during "Spooky Season". As time went on, though, I didn't quite keep up with that tradition. Since I've been back to writing here, I've felt so reinvigorated that bringing it back just felt natural.

So let's do just that—while adding THE it girl of the moment to Horror Crushes: Inde Navarrette!|

Born Danielle Fabiola Navarrette on March 3, 2001, in Tucson, Arizona, Inde is the daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Mexican descent and an Australian hairstylist. Because of her father's military service, the family relocated frequently. In fact, by the time she was fifteen, Inde had attended a whopping eleven different schools.

After her parents separated, she primarily lived in Visalia, California, where she attended Mt. Whitney High School. She later moved to Los Angeles, attending Redondo Union High School.

So where did the name "Inde" come from? Her mother gave her the nickname because of her independent nature, and it eventually became the name she went by professionally. Inde also credits her family with helping spark her interest in acting. She got her love of horror from her father's side of the family, who introduced her to horror movies as a kid, while her mother's side gave her an appreciation for the other side of cinema—watching the Academy Awards together.

Considering where her career is heading, I'd say both sides of the family had a pretty good influence on her.

Navarrette's first role came in 2019 with the Snapchat original sitcom Denton's Death Date. However, I first became aware of her thanks to her role as Sarah Cortez in Superman & Lois. Her combination of beauty and natural acting chops on the superhero drama made me an instant fan. So, you can imagine how excited I was when I heard she would be starring in this year's massive horror hit Obsession.

As such, this induction isn't just because everybody has suddenly discovered how gorgeous Inde Navarrette is. It's because she delivered one of the standout horror performances of 2026 in Obsession.

Obsession is a 2025 supernatural horror movie written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. It tells the tale of Bear (Michael Johnston), who has a crush on his beautiful friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette). But instead of, you know, doing the right thing and simply telling her how he feels, he makes a wish using a store-bought magical item called a Wish Willow. It doesn't take long for him to learn a lesson we've been taught ever since The Monkey's Paw: Be careful what you wish for! Nikki's newfound "love" for him quickly escalates into a dangerous obsession.

First premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, the movie was subsequently picked up for distribution by Focus Features. It received a wide release on May 15, 2026, and became a massive critical and box-office hit. And, it's easy to see why! It explores complex themes of obsession and control, delivering its horror in a smart and merciless fashion. Creepily shot, with an ending that delivers one final gut punch, it's without a shadow of a doubt my favorite movie of the year so far.

The film is propelled by great performances from the entire cast, but most especially Navarrette. She delivers a breakout performance that's both deep and complex, helping to make this lovely beauty absolutely terrifying. Thanks to this performance, she very quickly became the "it" girl of the moment.

Since the movie's release, I don't think a day has gone by without seeing a meme or post praising her acting, celebrating her beauty, talking about how cool she is (she's a gamer and a fan of bands like Paramore and Nickelback), speculating about her role as Rogue in the upcoming X-Men movie—the first installment in the MCU—or some combination of the above.

I mean, we have an absolute megastar on the rise, which is always exciting to catch here on Horror Crushes. The difference? Her trajectory might be the biggest one we've caught right at its inception.

Inde Navarrette's performance in a movie that's shaping up to be regarded as a modern horror favorite, if not a classic in its own right, made writing this post an easy decision. Add in her current trajectory in Hollywood, and I feel overjoyed to welcome her to the ranks of Horror Crushes!

Read More