AuthorKelli Marchman McNeely
14,834 stories
Interviews
Every year, there are more than 4,000 murders in the US. Without the help of Death Investigators, many would go unsolved. Oxygen is highlighting that fact by going deep inside investigations with the new docuseries “The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher.” Who is Barbara Butcher? Butcher is one of the leading death investigators in the country. With over 20 years of experience solving homicides and even aiding in tragedies like 9/11 and the 2004 tsunami, Butcher has made it her mission to get justice for victims and help bring closure to their families. “The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher” will bring true crime fans 10 episodes filled with crimes, clues, and interviews with original law enforcement officials involved in tough-to-solve cases. The first episode takes viewers into a chilling crime where five family members are found brutally murdered in multiple locations. Butcher teams up with detectives to solve this perplexing case before another family member is killed. Watch our interview
Continue reading →
Interviews
One indie film you should put on your watch list is the supernatural horror film Traumatika. Luckily, you don’t have to wait long. The film is set to hit theaters this September, bringing with it a fresh take on possession. Not only did I have the pleasure of talking with Traumatika’s star, Rebekah Kennedy, but I also spoke with the film’s director, Pierre Tsigaridis, who co-wrote the film with Maxime Rançon. The two previously teamed up for the film Two Witches. Trigaridis walked us through details of the film, its demons, special effects, and more. We also had the opportunity to discuss inspirations and why indie horror is so important. Watch the interview below and head to theaters on September 12, 2025, and see the horrors, chills, and thrills that this possession film has to offer.
Continue reading →
Interviews
If we’re talking about VFX Master, Alec Gillis stands out for his talent, creativity, and the sheer number of outstanding films and series he’s worked on. Many are iconic for their standing in horror and sci-fi. Gillis, who has won two Oscars and has worked on films like The Predator and Alien franchises, including Alien: Resurrection. He created the monsters we love to fear, from Graboids in the Tremors franchise, giant bugs in Starship Troopers, Godzilla and Kong, dinosaurs in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Smile, to the strange in The X-Files.” The special effects master got his start in 1980 with Roger Corman’s sci-fi film, Battle Beyond the Stars. Now, Gillis will host an episode of Shout TV’s “Double Take” on April 5 to celebrate Corman’s birthday and legacy. And there couldn’t be anyone better to host it. In our recent interview, Gillis described Corman as an “idol” of his and talked at length about Corman’s talent and influence.
Continue reading →
Interviews
When it comes to documenting the history of horror, most people point at a picture of John Carpenter and call it a day. But Donna Davies and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas are here to remind you that while the men mostly get the spotlight, women have been busy building the genre you love. Together, Davies and Nicholas are the powerhouse duo behind the 1000 Women in Horror documentary, and their partnership is essentially the “prestige horror” version of a supergroup, out to shine a light on the women behind the screams. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the two amazing creators for an interview about 1000 Women in Horror. Their shared passion for giving women in the genre the recognition they deserve is something I can truly respect. I also happened to give the doc a glowing review. The Director: Donna Davies (The Visionary) If you’ve ever gone down a late-night rabbit hole watching horror documentaries, you’ve likely seen Davies’
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsReviews
Forget the “video game movie” curse; The Mortuary Assistant is a bone-chilling triumph that stands entirely on its own two feet. Starring Willa Holland (Arrow) as Rebecca Owens, the film follows a newly certified mortician whose “overtime shift” quickly devolves into a grueling battle for her soul. What Makes It Work The film expertly balances the stomach-churning procedural work of embalming with a spiraling demonic nightmare. Alongside a mysterious mentor played by Paul Sparks (Boardwalk Empire), Rebecca is forced to confront both ancient evils and her own buried traumas. And boy, does she have a lot of them. Thanks to a full-scale, practical River Fields Mortuary set, the film drips with realism, like you c The skin effects are hauntingly accurate. The way the flesh moves during surgical scenes is so visceral. I’ve seen a lot of flesh wounds in horror films and in real life, and the bodies, skin, and organs. The Mortuary Assistant (especially in the opening scene)
Continue reading →
MoviesReviews
Forget the “video game movie” curse; The Mortuary Assistant is a bone-chilling triumph that stands entirely on its own two feet. Starring Willa Holland (Arrow) as Rebecca Owens, the film follows a newly certified mortician whose “overtime shift” quickly devolves into a grueling battle for her soul. What Makes It Work The film expertly balances the stomach-churning procedural work of embalming with a spiraling demonic nightmare. Alongside a mysterious mentor played by Paul Sparks (Boardwalk Empire), Rebecca is forced to confront both ancient evils and her own buried traumas. And boy, does she have a lot of them. Thanks to a full-scale, practical River Fields Mortuary set, the film drips with realism, like you can almost smell the rot and bloat of the bodies through the screen. The skin effects are hauntingly accurate. The way the flesh moves during surgical scenes is so visceral. I’ve seen a lot of flesh wounds in horror films and in real life, and the
Continue reading →
From the Crypt
Ruh-roh—the Mystery Machine just got a serious upgrade! Mckenna Grace is officially trading her Ghostbusters proton pack for Daphne Blake’s iconic purple ensemble. Netflix just confirmed she’ll be starring in their upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo series, and honestly, the casting is so perfect it’s almost scary. If you’ve been following McKenna’s career, you know this is a total full-circle moment. She actually voiced “Young Daphne” in the 2020 animated film Scoob! and was supposed to return for the sequel before it was shelved. Now, she’s finally getting her live-action revenge. Summer Camp & Supernatural Murder Forget the “guy in a rubber mask” vibes. This 8-episode series is a “modern reimagining” that feels a bit more like “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” or “Riverdale.” The story kicks off during the gang’s final summer at camp, where a mystery unfolds. Shaggy and Daphne stumble upon a lost Great Dane puppy (aka a very tiny Scooby) who may have witnessed an actual supernatural murder. They
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsTrailers
After making everyone in 2023 collectively vow to never look at a cheese grater the same way again, Evil Dead Rise director Lee Cronin is back to ruin a different set of childhood memories. Having turned a $147 million profit on demonic family trauma, Cronin has been handed the keys to the tomb. His latest project, The Mummy, is officially haunting theaters now—and if you’re expecting a charming rogue in a linen shirt or a CGI Brendan Fraser, you’re looking in the wrong sarcophagus. Unwrapping the New Nightmare Revealed in late 2024 as a complete reimagining of the classic monster, Cronin’s take promises to be “unlike any Mummy movie you’ve ever laid eyeballs on.” Given his track record, those eyeballs will likely be lucky to stay in their sockets. “I’m digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening,” Cronin teased. Translation: prepare for a lot of dirt, very little sleep, and zero slapstick. The Cast
Continue reading →
From the Crypt
If you’re like me and were a fan of the SyFy channel’s series “The Magicians,” you already know the name, Olivia Taylor Dudley. She’s back in a new neon-drenched sci-fi horror film, Touch Me, about two friends and an alien that’s a little kinky and out to take over the world.
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsTrailers
After haunting theaters over the weekend alongside Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, the footage is officially online and ready to ruin your sleep schedule. Even better? New Line and Warner Bros. have decided we’ve been well-behaved enough to get the film two weeks early. Originally slated for late July, the sixth installment will now open in theaters on July 10, 2026. The Teaser: Short, Sweet, and Gory The “teaser” tag isn’t a joke—it’s a sprint. The clip centers on a relentless, unbroken shot of a young woman trying to navigate a house that has clearly failed its most recent health inspection. Between the Deadite infestation and the literal rain of mangled corpses, it’s exactly the kind of “family reunion” that requires a chainsaw to survive. What’s the Story? If you thought your last Thanksgiving was awkward, the official synopsis for Evil Dead Burn has you beat: After the loss of her husband, a grieving widow seeks refuge at her in-laws’ secluded
Continue reading →
More from Kelli Marchman McNeely
Interviews
Every year, there are more than 4,000 murders in the US. Without the help of Death Investigators, many would go unsolved. Oxygen is highlighting that fact by going deep inside investigations with the new docuseries “The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher.” Who is Barbara Butcher? Butcher is one of the leading death investigators in the country. With over 20 years of experience solving homicides and even aiding in tragedies like 9/11 and the 2004 tsunami, Butcher has made it her mission to get justice for victims and help bring closure to their families. “The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher” will bring true crime fans 10 episodes filled with crimes, clues, and interviews with original law enforcement officials involved in tough-to-solve cases. The first episode takes viewers into a chilling crime where five family members are found brutally murdered in multiple locations. Butcher teams up with detectives to solve this perplexing case before another family member is killed. Watch our interview
Continue reading →
Interviews
One indie film you should put on your watch list is the supernatural horror film Traumatika. Luckily, you don’t have to wait long. The film is set to hit theaters this September, bringing with it a fresh take on possession. Not only did I have the pleasure of talking with Traumatika’s star, Rebekah Kennedy, but I also spoke with the film’s director, Pierre Tsigaridis, who co-wrote the film with Maxime Rançon. The two previously teamed up for the film Two Witches. Trigaridis walked us through details of the film, its demons, special effects, and more. We also had the opportunity to discuss inspirations and why indie horror is so important. Watch the interview below and head to theaters on September 12, 2025, and see the horrors, chills, and thrills that this possession film has to offer.
Continue reading →
Interviews
If we’re talking about VFX Master, Alec Gillis stands out for his talent, creativity, and the sheer number of outstanding films and series he’s worked on. Many are iconic for their standing in horror and sci-fi. Gillis, who has won two Oscars and has worked on films like The Predator and Alien franchises, including Alien: Resurrection. He created the monsters we love to fear, from Graboids in the Tremors franchise, giant bugs in Starship Troopers, Godzilla and Kong, dinosaurs in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Smile, to the strange in The X-Files.” The special effects master got his start in 1980 with Roger Corman’s sci-fi film, Battle Beyond the Stars. Now, Gillis will host an episode of Shout TV’s “Double Take” on April 5 to celebrate Corman’s birthday and legacy. And there couldn’t be anyone better to host it. In our recent interview, Gillis described Corman as an “idol” of his and talked at length about Corman’s talent and influence.
Continue reading →
Interviews
When it comes to documenting the history of horror, most people point at a picture of John Carpenter and call it a day. But Donna Davies and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas are here to remind you that while the men mostly get the spotlight, women have been busy building the genre you love. Together, Davies and Nicholas are the powerhouse duo behind the 1000 Women in Horror documentary, and their partnership is essentially the “prestige horror” version of a supergroup, out to shine a light on the women behind the screams. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the two amazing creators for an interview about 1000 Women in Horror. Their shared passion for giving women in the genre the recognition they deserve is something I can truly respect. I also happened to give the doc a glowing review. The Director: Donna Davies (The Visionary) If you’ve ever gone down a late-night rabbit hole watching horror documentaries, you’ve likely seen Davies’
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsReviews
Forget the “video game movie” curse; The Mortuary Assistant is a bone-chilling triumph that stands entirely on its own two feet. Starring Willa Holland (Arrow) as Rebecca Owens, the film follows a newly certified mortician whose “overtime shift” quickly devolves into a grueling battle for her soul. What Makes It Work The film expertly balances the stomach-churning procedural work of embalming with a spiraling demonic nightmare. Alongside a mysterious mentor played by Paul Sparks (Boardwalk Empire), Rebecca is forced to confront both ancient evils and her own buried traumas. And boy, does she have a lot of them. Thanks to a full-scale, practical River Fields Mortuary set, the film drips with realism, like you c The skin effects are hauntingly accurate. The way the flesh moves during surgical scenes is so visceral. I’ve seen a lot of flesh wounds in horror films and in real life, and the bodies, skin, and organs. The Mortuary Assistant (especially in the opening scene)
Continue reading →
MoviesReviews
Forget the “video game movie” curse; The Mortuary Assistant is a bone-chilling triumph that stands entirely on its own two feet. Starring Willa Holland (Arrow) as Rebecca Owens, the film follows a newly certified mortician whose “overtime shift” quickly devolves into a grueling battle for her soul. What Makes It Work The film expertly balances the stomach-churning procedural work of embalming with a spiraling demonic nightmare. Alongside a mysterious mentor played by Paul Sparks (Boardwalk Empire), Rebecca is forced to confront both ancient evils and her own buried traumas. And boy, does she have a lot of them. Thanks to a full-scale, practical River Fields Mortuary set, the film drips with realism, like you can almost smell the rot and bloat of the bodies through the screen. The skin effects are hauntingly accurate. The way the flesh moves during surgical scenes is so visceral. I’ve seen a lot of flesh wounds in horror films and in real life, and the
Continue reading →
From the Crypt
Ruh-roh—the Mystery Machine just got a serious upgrade! Mckenna Grace is officially trading her Ghostbusters proton pack for Daphne Blake’s iconic purple ensemble. Netflix just confirmed she’ll be starring in their upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo series, and honestly, the casting is so perfect it’s almost scary. If you’ve been following McKenna’s career, you know this is a total full-circle moment. She actually voiced “Young Daphne” in the 2020 animated film Scoob! and was supposed to return for the sequel before it was shelved. Now, she’s finally getting her live-action revenge. Summer Camp & Supernatural Murder Forget the “guy in a rubber mask” vibes. This 8-episode series is a “modern reimagining” that feels a bit more like “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” or “Riverdale.” The story kicks off during the gang’s final summer at camp, where a mystery unfolds. Shaggy and Daphne stumble upon a lost Great Dane puppy (aka a very tiny Scooby) who may have witnessed an actual supernatural murder. They
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsTrailers
After making everyone in 2023 collectively vow to never look at a cheese grater the same way again, Evil Dead Rise director Lee Cronin is back to ruin a different set of childhood memories. Having turned a $147 million profit on demonic family trauma, Cronin has been handed the keys to the tomb. His latest project, The Mummy, is officially haunting theaters now—and if you’re expecting a charming rogue in a linen shirt or a CGI Brendan Fraser, you’re looking in the wrong sarcophagus. Unwrapping the New Nightmare Revealed in late 2024 as a complete reimagining of the classic monster, Cronin’s take promises to be “unlike any Mummy movie you’ve ever laid eyeballs on.” Given his track record, those eyeballs will likely be lucky to stay in their sockets. “I’m digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening,” Cronin teased. Translation: prepare for a lot of dirt, very little sleep, and zero slapstick. The Cast
Continue reading →
From the Crypt
If you’re like me and were a fan of the SyFy channel’s series “The Magicians,” you already know the name, Olivia Taylor Dudley. She’s back in a new neon-drenched sci-fi horror film, Touch Me, about two friends and an alien that’s a little kinky and out to take over the world.
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsTrailers
After haunting theaters over the weekend alongside Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, the footage is officially online and ready to ruin your sleep schedule. Even better? New Line and Warner Bros. have decided we’ve been well-behaved enough to get the film two weeks early. Originally slated for late July, the sixth installment will now open in theaters on July 10, 2026. The Teaser: Short, Sweet, and Gory The “teaser” tag isn’t a joke—it’s a sprint. The clip centers on a relentless, unbroken shot of a young woman trying to navigate a house that has clearly failed its most recent health inspection. Between the Deadite infestation and the literal rain of mangled corpses, it’s exactly the kind of “family reunion” that requires a chainsaw to survive. What’s the Story? If you thought your last Thanksgiving was awkward, the official synopsis for Evil Dead Burn has you beat: After the loss of her husband, a grieving widow seeks refuge at her in-laws’ secluded
Continue reading →
