Dark Night of the Podcast

Troy Escamilla, Roger Conners
  • 4.9 (69)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Avid horror fans and filmmakers (and noted homosexuals) Troy Escamilla and Roger "The Scream Queer" Conners have many opinions on film. Tune in weekly to hear these two discuss and dissect some of the horror genre's most iconic, overlooked, and often underrated films.

  1. Episode 185-Shredder (2003)

    2D AGO

    Episode 185-Shredder (2003)

    Troy and Roger carve into the frosty chaos of the 2003 snowbound slasher Shredder. Set at a remote ski resort with a dark local legend hanging over it, the film sends a group of bickering twenty-somethings straight into a blizzard of bad decisions and surprisingly mean-spirited kills. The guys unpack the early-2000s energy, the soap-opera-level relationship drama, and a twist reveal so convoluted it practically needs its own flowchart. They debate whether the movie is secretly fun or just aggressively confused, especially when it comes to pacing and character motivation. Between icy chase scenes and head-scratching logic, there is plenty to laugh about. It is snowy, slashy, and just self-serious enough to make the commentary even better.

    2h 16m
  2. Episode 184-Frozen (2010)

    JAN 30

    Episode 184-Frozen (2010)

    Join Troy and Roger on a ski lift as they discuss Frozen, a survival horror that turns a simple ski trip into a full blown nightmare. They talk through the film’s minimal setup, the escalating panic, and how quickly friendship is tested when the temperature drops and help is nowhere in sight. The guys dig into the characters’ choices, the film’s harsh realism, and the moments that are genuinely hard to watch. They also discuss how nature itself becomes the villain, with cold, height, and hunger doing most of the damage. Equal parts tense and bleak, Frozen sparks a conversation about survival, fear, and why maybe one last ski run was a bad idea.

    1h 33m
  3. Episode 183-Turistas (2006)

    JAN 13

    Episode 183-Turistas (2006)

    Troy and Roger dust off the backpacks and revisit the 2006 vacation-from-hell horror flick Turistas. What starts as a sun-soaked party movie quickly spirals into a sweaty nightmare full of bad decisions, questionable locals, and a vibe that’s doing some heavy lifting with xenophobia. The guys dig into the film’s chaotic tone shifts, paper-thin characters, and the way the marketing promised one kind of horror while delivering something very different. They break down the infamous organ-harvesting turn, debate whether the gore actually lands, and wonder why no one ever stops to ask better questions. Along the way, they talk final girls, missed opportunities, and an ending that somehow feels both rushed and exhausted. It’s a lively breakdown of a film that wants to scare you straight out of traveling abroad… and maybe straight into rebooking your flight home.

    1h 36m
  4. Episode 182-Silent Night Deadly Night III: Better Watch Out (1989)

    12/22/2025

    Episode 182-Silent Night Deadly Night III: Better Watch Out (1989)

    Happy Holidays indeed! Troy and Roger finally tackle Silent Night, Deadly Night 3, the sequel that somehow feels like it wandered in from a completely different movie franchise. They break down Ricky’s return, now mute, scarred, and communicating through intense staring, while the film leans hard into psychic visions, dream logic, and a whole lot of slow pacing. The guys have plenty to say about the baffling lack of gore, the wildly underused grandmother character, and a plot that never seems very concerned with urgency or holiday cheer. They also unpack Laura’s psychic connection to Ricky, which should be interesting but mostly just raises more questions than answers. From awkward deaths to an ending that feels less climactic than confusing, this one gives the hosts plenty to vent about. It’s a messy, strange entry in the franchise, and the guys have a lot of fun figuring out how it all went so wrong.

    1h 51m
  5. Episode 181-Kristy (2014)

    12/13/2025

    Episode 181-Kristy (2014)

    Troy and Roger hang out on an almost completely deserted college campus to talk about the 2014 home-invasion style thriller Kristy. They dig into the very bad idea of staying on campus over Thanksgiving break, the creepy strangers who show up uninvited, and how quickly a quiet holiday turns into a full-on survival situation. The guys chat about the film’s tense chase scenes, its not-so-subtle commentary on privilege, and the oddly modern horror of being targeted just for existing. They also track Justine’s transformation from stressed college student to resourceful final-girl-in-training. While the movie has a few pacing hiccups and some “why would you do that?” moments, it still delivers solid suspense and a surprisingly mean streak. If you enjoy lonely settings, masked weirdos, and Thanksgiving vibes gone very wrong, this one’s worth the discussion.

    1h 42m
  6. Episode 180-Splatter University (1984)

    12/05/2025

    Episode 180-Splatter University (1984)

    Troy and Roger escape the holiday madness by diving into the chaotic slasher antics of 1984's Splatter University. They laugh through the film’s awkward character relationships, uneven storytelling, and the way no one on campus seems remotely concerned that staff and students keep turning up murdered. They break down the mix of effective scares and unintentionally hilarious moments, all wrapped in pure 80s low-budget charm. Even with its many flaws, they agree the movie is bizarrely fun and exactly the kind of school experience they are glad they never had.

    1h 53m
  7. Episose 179-Return to Oz (1985)

    11/28/2025

    Episose 179-Return to Oz (1985)

    It’s the season of giving thanks! While Troy and Roger took the week off from recording to celebrate Thanksgiving, they didn’t want to leave you without an episode. So they dove into their extensive Patreon vault and pulled out the perfect title. With Wicked for Good dominating the box office, the guys are sharing their own journey to Oz as they discuss the dark, often terrifying 1985 sequel to The Wizard of Oz : Return to Oz. Follow Troy and Roger down the crumbling yellow brick road as they revisit this often-forgotten sequel. And to get access to over 100 exclusive Patreon episodes, subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/c/darknightofthepodcast

    1h 41m

  8. 11/17/2025

    Episode 178 – Mausoleum (1983)

    Troy and Roger crack open the gloriously unhinged 1983 horror oddity Mausoleum, where family curses, glowing green eyes, and an honestly staggering amount of on-screen breasts collide. They dive into the film’s spicy mix of demonic possession, over-the-top sexuality, and soap-opera-level relationship drama, all delivered with the kind of earnest camp only the ’80s could provide. Along the way, they marvel at the movie’s commitment to practical creature effects, especially the ones that seem to appear out of nowhere and vanish just as quickly. The guys also puzzle over the characters’ baffling decisions, the demon’s oddly specific powers, and the plot threads that never fully connect but somehow still entertain. It’s a spirited, sarcastic, and surprisingly affectionate breakdown of a film that proves sometimes the messiest horror is the most fun. Find out more at https://dark-night-of-the-podcast.pinecast.co

    1h 53m
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4.9
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About

Avid horror fans and filmmakers (and noted homosexuals) Troy Escamilla and Roger "The Scream Queer" Conners have many opinions on film. Tune in weekly to hear these two discuss and dissect some of the horror genre's most iconic, overlooked, and often underrated films.

Information

  • Creator
    Troy Escamilla, Roger Conners
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    208
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Troy Escamilla, Roger Conners
  • Show Website
    Dark Night of the Podcast

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