Mask Meta.
The first month of 2026 has flown by thanks to titles like Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex Machina (listen), Danny Boyle’s Infected return 28 Weeks Later (listen), and M. Night Shyamalan’s Split (listen). And that was before we closed out the month with underseen/under rated 1991 slasher, Popcorn.
In director Mark Herrier (or is it Bob Clark?)’s film, a group of College students stage a fundraiser at a derelict theater, showing three old horror movies to an enthusiastic crowd.
Unbeknownst to them, a killer is stalking the group, murdering members and taking their place with the help of life-like masks. It’s up to protagonist Maggie (Jill Schoelen) to decipher the clues, as well as her recurring nightmares, to find the culprit. Is it cultist Lanyard Gates (Mat Falls) or someone else, like concession attendant Cheryl (Kelly Jo Minter), disabled technician Bud (Malcolm Danare) or horror movie enthusiast Toby (Tom Villard)?
And – most importantly – will she survive long enough to hook up with her crush, Mark (Derek Rydall) now that he’s ditched his bitchy girlfriend Joy (Karen Lorre)?
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Episode 371: Popcorn (1991)
Come on down to the Dreamland Theater because we’re turning a trio of turkeys into a memorable moviegoing feast with director Mark Herrier’s 1991 slasher Popcorn.
Starring a bunch of horror royalty and featuring three movies-within-a-movie, this cult title is a fun slice of entertainment with some great mask FX!
Plus: queer actor Tom Villard, a himbo with head injuries, remake potential, and debate about whether the film is meta or not.
Cross out Popcorn!
Coming Up Next: We’re talking the messy Michael Crichton adaptation Sphere (1998)!
P.S. Subscribe to our Patreon for over 450 hours of Patreon content including this month’s new episodes on Hannibal S03 Episodes 1-2, Whistle, The Strangers: Chapter 3, Send Help, a brand new audio commentary on 10 Cloverfield Lane, and the return of our Requel Tier as we kick off episodic coverage of Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House (2018).
