The slasher sub-genre was revitalized in 1996 with Wes Craven’s “Scream,” ushering in a whole new era of self-aware slasher films steeped in irony. By the early 2000s though, the genre was on life support yet again. Today, we’re taking a look back at some of the last of the WB-approved era of slasher films with two campy horror flicks that come so, so close to satirizing the genre as “Scream” did in the late 90s.
First up, it’s the return of podcast MVP Brittany Murphy in the 2000 cult favorite “Cherry Falls,” wherein the virginal teenagers in a tight-knit community are being preyed upon by a serial killer. After that, we’re jumping to 2001 for the holiday themed revenge thriller “Valentine,” starring another podcast favorite, Denise Richards, as well as the first podcast appearance by our beloved “Angel” himself: David Boreanaz.
Film critic, writer, and co-host of the Bad Romance Podcast, Jourdain Searles, joins us to discuss the compromised production of “Cherry Falls,” the legacy of Brittany Murphy, David Boreanaz’s brief film career, and how Jay Mohr was ever a thing.
“Cherry Falls” and “Valentine” are both available to rent or buy through Shout! Factory, while “Valentine” is also streaming on Tubi!
