The Hallo-Rewind

Halloween might be over, but on The Hallo-Rewind, spooky season never dies. Jacob Davison and Ryan Cultrera are joined by the show’s own “social media Renfield,” Frank Gillen, for a spirited deep dive into the 2006 cult favorite Monster House.

The trio unwraps this haunted CGI time capsule, from its Amblin-style thrills and surprisingly heartfelt scares to its slight controversy and emotional core. They discuss how Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab’s script snuck mature humor into a kids’ film, why the motion-capture weirdness actually adds to its charm, and how Douglas Pipes’ score cements it as a modern Halloween classic.

Along the way, they celebrate horror icons Robert Englund and John Carpenter, debate the best and worst Halloween candy, and reflect on the rare magic of “horror for kids.” So hide your pee bottles, bribe the babysitter, and avoid the cranky neighbors, cause it’s time to step in to Monster House!

00:00:56 – General Chat and the Halloween Questionnaire

00:26:34 – Monster House

Find Frank on instagram at @8armedspidey and @hallorewind

This week on The Hallo-Rewind, hosts Ryan and Jacob celebrate Devil’s Night with a special “Oops, All Hosts” edition! No guests this time, just the guys swapping stories from their jam-packed Halloween season and sharing what made October 2025 one to remember.

From spooky screenings to haunted houses, Ryan and Jacob trade tales of their favorite seasonal discoveries, including Jacob’s pick of Harvest Brood, a shot-on-video Halloween mockumentary that delivers genuine chills, and Ryan’s first-time viewing of the British cult classic Ghostwatch, a film that blurred the line between horror and hoax.

The duo dive into the chaos of Halloween in Los Angeles, from Beyond Fest marathons and Argento Q&As to Robert Englund’s long-awaited Hollywood star ceremony, plus a few detours to Salem and Sleepy Hollow for some autumnal atmosphere. They also break down the year’s best costumes, their go-to Halloween night movie traditions, and even hatch some mischievous plans for Devil’s Night itself.

So light your jack-o’-lantern, grab a mug of cider, and join Ryan and Jacob for a cozy, chaotic wrap-up of spooky season.

Happy Halloween from The Hallo-Rewind!

Harvest Brood – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCNO55DTyY8

“Spoot!” This week on The Hallo-Rewind, Ryan and Jacob are joined by the wildly talented Kelly Turnbull: artist, writer, and storyboard artist whose work has helped shape some of the most beloved animated shows of our time. Together, they take a nostalgic plunge into one of Nickelodeon’s strangest and most underrated Halloween specials: The Angry Beavers episode, “The Day the World Got Really Screwed Up.”

For those who remember it, this wasn’t your average Halloween cartoon. It was weird, meta, and downright spooky, with B-movie monsters, alien invasions, and an appearance by the legendary Oxnard Montalvo. Kelly joins the conversation to break down what makes this special such a cult favorite among animation fans, and why it stands apart as one of the boldest, funniest, and most bizarre holiday episodes Nickelodeon ever aired.

Along the way, the trio dive into the animation techniques and storytelling trends of late-’90s Nicktoons, the lost art of Halloween TV specials, and how shows like The Angry Beavers snuck surreal, horror-inspired storytelling into kid-friendly packages. They also swap stories about their favorite spooky cartoons, talk about the balance between satire and scares, and celebrate the unique mix of chaos and creativity that defined the golden age of Nickelodeon. But beyond nostalgia, Kelly also pulls back the curtain on how cartoons like this get made, sharing behind-the-scenes insights into the animation process, and how creative teams balance network notes, budget constraints, and pure artistic chaos to bring episodes like this to life.

So grab some cahn-dy, throw on your crawling spleen costume, and get ready to revisit a Halloween classic that truly lived up to its title, The Day the World Got Really Screwed Up!

Find Kelly at https://thepunchlineismachismo.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/coelasquid/?hl=en

00:00:55:10 – Kelly’s Career and the Halloween Questionnaire

00:35:50:14 – Angry Beavers

This week, we’re heading straight into the nightmare realm! Hosts Ryan Cultrera and Jacob are joined by artist and writer Moss Lawton, creator of the comic Hellaween, for a deep dive into one of the strangest, scariest, and stylish animated Halloween episodes ever made: Invader Zim: Halloween Spectacular of Spooky Doom!

Ryan, Jacob, and Moss unpack this unforgettable Nickelodeon fever dream, from its unsettling art direction and heavy metal color palette to the way it channeled true childhood anxiety through a darkly comic lens. Moss shares how Invader Zim helped shape their own creative sensibilities, blending absurd humor and horror in a way that continues to influence their work today.

So grab some taquitos and let’s get weird as we revisit Invader Zim’s descent into Halloween madness, a nightmarish love letter to the strange kids who grew up loving the spooky side of Saturday mornings.

Happy October and welcome back to The Hallo-Rewind! The jack-o’-lanterns are lit, the air is crisp, and Season Two kicks off with a very special guest: filmmaker Chris LaMartina, creator of the cult favorite WNUF Halloween Special, its follow-up Out There Halloween Mega Tape, and the brand-new Trick or Treat with Reid Richmond.

Hosts Ryan Cultrera and Jacob Davison dive into Chris’s DIY filmmaking journey, exploring how he nails the look and feel of authentic VHS-era horror, the hidden inspirations behind his cult classics, and the process of expanding the WNUF universe with new characters. They also touch on Chris’s influences, favorite monsters, and the spooky nostalgia that fuels his work.

Plus, in true Hallo-Rewind fashion, Chris fields some Halloween-themed questions, everything from favorite candies to behind-the-scenes stories that nearly ended in disaster (but thankfully didn’t land anyone in jail).

If you love retro horror vibes, cult cinema, or just want to soak in some October atmosphere, this episode is the perfect way to start the spooky season.

In this special episode of The Hallo-Rewind, host Ryan Cultrera hits the red carpet to take our signature Halloween Questionnaire on the road! Throughout Season 1, we’ve asked our guests about their favorite Halloween costumes, candy, monsters, and nostalgic traditions. Now, we’re flipping the format and featuring rapid-fire answers straight from the stars.

Recorded live at Halloween Horror Nights and the Hold Your Breath film premiere, this episode includes spooky and hilarious moments with guests like Sarah Paulson, The Grimm Life Collective, John Murdy (creative director of Horror Nights), Frankie Grande, the cast and crew of Syfy’s Chucky series, and many more. Plus, appearances from up-and-comers like Nikki Hahn, Mason Thames, Amiah Miller, Elena Jane Roberts, and a return from friend of the show Natasha Ofili.

Special shout-out to horror legends Bill Moseley and Jason Reitman for lending their voices to our intro!

So grab your candy bucket and come join us on the red carpet for one last celebration of October favorites before Season 1 wraps up. Happy Summerween, and stay spooky!

00:00:00:00 – Special Intro by Bill Moseley and Jason Reitman

00:01:03:07 – Episode Intro

00:02:18:13 – Nikki Hahn (Peacock’s Hysteria)

00:03:11:21 – Nick Antosca (Chucky, Hannibal, Antlers)

00:04:38:23 – Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story, Ratched, American Crime Story)

00:05:42:22 – Jacob Chase (Come Play, The Girl in the Woods)

00:07:11:01 – Mason Thames (How To Train Your Dragon, The Black Phone)

00:07:23:23 – John Murdy (Creative Director of Halloween Horror Nights)

00:11:35:14 – Frankie Grande (Singer, Dancer, Influencer)

00:12:05:07 – Amiah Miller (Hold Your Breath, War for the Planet of the Apes)

00:12:29:07 – Zackary Arthur (Chucky, Mom and Dad)

00:14:39:11 – Axelle Carolyn (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Bly Manor, Midnight Club)

00:16:16:09 – Alona Jane Roberts (Hold Your Breath)

00:16:34:14 – Natasha Ofili (Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Coldplay’s Feelslikeimfallinginlove)

00:17:37:02 – The Cast of Peacock’s Hysteria

00:18:43:09 – The Grimm Life Collective

“This is indeed a disturbing universe.” On this episode of The Hallo-Rewind, hosts Ryan Cultrera and Jacob Davison are joined by podcaster and gore hound Amy Drolet for a delightfully chaotic conversation that dives deep into the Simpsons classic, Treehouse of Horror V. From demented school cafeterias to time-traveling toasters, it’s a trip through one of the show’s darkest and most beloved Halloween specials.

Amy—our first guest to finally choose a Treehouse of Horror episode—brings fresh insight, big laughs, and a healthy dose of 90s kid nostalgia to the table. Together, the trio recalls Halloween memories, ranks questionable candy, and ponders life’s big questions—like what your Treehouse of Horror name would be, or whether Smarties would taste better if they came out of someone’s neck.

Along the way, they detour into Ray Bradbury adaptations, what horror properties deserve the “treehouse treatment”, Simpsons trivia, and the art of carving a watermelon for Summerween (with a few lobotomies, lizard tongues, and killer theater kid moments thrown in for good measure). So grab a Butterfinger, cue up your VHS, and get ready to anger 90’s congressmen as we celebrate the spooky brilliance of The Simpsons.

Amy Drolet (gutterbutterfly) is a writer, horror fanatic, and co-host on the Everything Is Scary Podcast. Amy is also a frequent player on Deadeight Horror Trivia.

00:00:57:05 – Halloween Questionnaire and general chat

00:20:39:03 -Treehouse of Horror V

Content Warning: discussion of simulated dis”member”ment

You had us at “Judd Hirsch as Dracula”. On this episode, hosts Jacob Davison and Ryan Cultrera are joined by special guest Angel Melanson—digital editor of Fangoria, horror journalist, and co-host of the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. Together, they revisit the criminally underrated 1979 TV special The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (also known as The Night Dracula Saved the World), featuring disco-dancing monsters, a witch riding over the moon, and of course, a teeny tiny bat. Angel makes the case for why this retro oddity deserves a spot on your annual Halloween watchlist, and they break down the joyful weirdness that makes it so unforgettable.

Angel also shares her journey from horror fan to digital editor of Fangoria, her love for candy corn, and what it was like co-hosting the Chainsaw Awards alongside David Dastmalchian. In addition, Angel, Ryan, and Jacob reflect on Halloween 2024, swapping spooky memories, haunt stories, and costume highlights to help reignite those October vibes and carry that Halloween energy straight through summertime. Just don’t ask Ryan to do a haunted house with taser monsters ever again.

00:00:00 – Podcast Intro

01:52:05 – Halloween questionnaire, Fangoria chat, and haunted house recaps with Angel

30:52:12 -The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (AKA The Night Dracula Saved the World)

Find Angel at https://www.fangoria.com/ and on social media at @horrorgirlprobs

It’s part two of our Halfway to Halloween celebration, as The Hallo-Rewind welcomes artist and ghost tour guide Audra Cohen, the creative force behind the show’s iconic logo. Together, they dissect Michael Dougherty’s Trick ’r Treat, exploring why it’s the ultimate Halloween movie, how its interwoven stories still reveal new details on every rewatch, and the cult status it’s earned over the years.

Audra shares their love for horror fan art and the influences that shape their work—from growing up on spooky stories and haunted attractions to a deep affection for the Saw franchise. We chat about how Jigsaw has a special place in their horror heart, their artistic process, and how horror inspires the way they create.

The trio also discusses dream horror crossovers, how Trick ’r Treat cleverly breaks slasher “rules,” and how Sam’s candy-powered bloodlust make him Halloween’s most adorable enforcer. And of course, we tackle the real questions—like how would Sam feel about trunk or treat? (Spoiler: probably not great.)

So leave those jack o’ lanterns lit, check your candy, and join us for a deep dive into this seasonal favorite.

00:00:56:17 – Intro and Halloween questionaire

00:13:49:11 – Trick ‘r Treat

00:55:26:14 – Discussion of Audra’s work

Find Audra and their work at https://linktr.ee/itsaaudraw and https://www.instagram.com/itsaaudraw/

It’s Halfway to Halloween, and we are thrilled to be joined by our special guest, multi-hyphenate creative Natasha Ofili (director, actor, writer, advocate) for a spirited conversation that blends Halloween nostalgia with the joys of creating art.

Joined by her ASL interpreter Gabriel Gomez, Natasha shares her deep-rooted love of Halloween, from bold costume choices (including a scary clown at a church party) to the way the holiday gives people space to express their most fearless, authentic selves. She also comes to the defense of the most divisive Halloween candy of all—yes, candy corn.

As part of our Half-O-Ween celebration, Natasha selects Halloween H20 (1998) as the featured film, sparking a conversation about late-’90s slashers, Laurie Strode’s evolution, and the comfort of horror nostalgia.

But the episode isn’t all sugar and scares. Natasha opens up about her groundbreaking work as the first deaf Black playable character in the Spider-Man video game series, her upcoming feature based on her acclaimed short The Multi, and her visionary partnership with Coldplay, where she helped create globally accessible live performances through ASL storytelling. It’s a game-changing collaboration that’s shifting how major artists think about inclusion on the world stage.

As we count down to October, this episode is a heartfelt celebration of Halloween not just as a holiday, but as a powerful space for identity, creativity, and connection.

00:57:16 – Intro and Halloween Questionaire

14:24:29 – Discussion on Natasha’s Career

32:14:08 – Halloween H20