Tag: Fun premise

Spoiler-Free Review of “Hell Motel” on Shudder: Campy, Slasher Fun!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“I don’t feel good about this place…”

Hell Motel premiered on June 17th 2025 with the first two episodes available to stream now on Shudder or AMC+. The remaining episodes will air weekly. There will be eight episodes in total for the limited horror slasher series.

The series (from the creators of Slasher) stars Paula Brancati, Eric McCormack, Atticus Mitchell, Shaun Benson, and Genevieve DeGraves. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

A group of true crime obsessives are invited to the Cold River Motel thirty years after gruesome murders took place there, but they soon realize that they are also being targeted by a masked killer as they are hunted down one by one.

Here is the trailer:

Hell Motel has a fun premise with plenty of gory kills to be excited about, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Fun premise!

I loved the Slasher anthology series and Hell Motel already feels like it could be another extended season of that. I’m eagerly trying to figure out what twists will be thrown our way and it’s fun seeing some familiar faces from Slasher.

So far the series isn’t taking itself too seriously, which is working in its favor. I hope it continues to lean more on the camp side of things because that’s what I’m loving so far.

Images courtesy of Shudder

Gory kills.

If you’re a horror fan and looking for some over-the-top gory kills, you’ll get your fill here. I was impressed with them so far and I can’t wait to see more!

Sure, they’re a little silly at times, but I came into this one expecting to see some bloody gore and so far it’s delivering in that department!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Some pacing issues…

My only real con is that there seems to be a little bit too much fluff here between the kills. The episodes are on the longer side so I noticed this more than I normally would. I’m also having a difficult time connecting with some of the characters, but I’m hoping this will change as the episodes continue.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!

Hell Motel is off to a bloody good start!

If you’re a fan of Slasher, I highly recommend checking this one out. As long as you manage your expectations and don’t take things too seriously, you’ll have a blast.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hell Motel in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Killer Camp” on The CW: Reality TV Horror

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

A horror reality TV series that pays tribute to 80’s campy horror movies? Sign me up please! This show has an amazing premise, as a group of strangers arrive for a reality show called “Summer Camp,” quickly realizing that they are on an entirely different kind of show.

Killer Camp premiered on July 16th, but it was originally released back in 2019 on ITV. It features weekly episodes that will air on The CW.

Killer Camp seems like it could be filled with a lot of slasher and mystery fun, but it’s not easy pulling off a horror reality TV series without looking completely silly from time to time. Let’s not also forget that some people originally thought that contestants were actually being killed off on the series…

Either way, I was all for giving this show a chance and without any further delay, let’s dive right into it.

The Pros:

Killer Camp The Cw 1
Images courtesy of The CW

A worthy killer!

I think the best thing about this show is Camp Handyman Bruce! He plays the part very well and really has the creepy killer vibe down pat. Sure, it’s all pretend, but I have to say that I loved watching Handyman Bruce hunt down his victims. This is the kind of campy horror material I want to see on a show like this.

Super awesome premise.

I love that the reality series combines the idea of a survival game show with a murder mystery. It allows you to participate along with the contestants, as we get clues along the way. Do you think you have the killer figured out? Maybe, but I have a feeling a lot of twists will be thrown our way.

The Cons:

Killer Camp The CW 2
Images courtesy of The CW

Jarring host.

I expect a reality show like this to be silly and over-the-top and in order for you to enjoy it at all, you can’t take it seriously. However, part of the problem was that the host was so over-the-top that it became laugh out loud ridiculous. I understand that he is playing the part, but at one point he was screaming a campfire story at the top of his lungs, which just seemed unnecessary.

Not enough horror.

I went into this show expecting it to be different from other reality shows, but the show mostly centers around games that brought me back to my own school field day nightmares. There was really only a little bit of horror sprinkled in during the episode, which made it difficult for me to stick around to see who would be “killed off” next.

So am I in or out?

Killer Camp The CW 3
Images courtesy of The CW

I’m out on this one. 

I was really excited about this show, but it just fails to deliver. Maybe it will get better as the episodes continue, but I’m just not that invested in it. I realize that it is difficult to deliver an entertaining reality horror series, but I have seen it done well before. I’m thinking back to a show called “Scream Queens” that aired on VH1 and was hosted by Saw’s Shawnee Smith.

That being said, as long as you don’t take the show too seriously, you may enjoy it if you like reality competition shows and I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Killer Camp in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

Main promo smaller

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!