October Horror Challenge - Clayface (2026)

 

 Synopsis

Matt Hagen is an up and coming actor from Gotham who's life is destroyed when he sleeps with the wrong woman. When an experimental treatment seems like a miracle cure, Matt's trauma soon proves that it's actually a curse.

Review

I didn't know I need a DC body horror/psychological thriller, but I'm glad James Watkins (with writing from Mike Flanagan and Hosssein Amini) gave us one. The greatest strength of this film are the performances of Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie. I don't know that I've really seen either in anything else, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of their performances.

Tom Rhys Harries plans Matt Hagan. He's a vulnerable, handsome, and charismatic lead. Hagan is a truly likable lead. Yeah, his downfall might have been because of a moment of pride, but he's a good man that didn't deserve what happened to him. The characters trauma and fall are truly heartbreaking. His obsession with getting his life back is understandable. Even as the bodies start piling up, honestly you don't really judge him for what he does. Of course evil leads to more evils, so by the end Hagan has a broken his psyche.

Naomi Ackie's Dr Caitlyn Corr is the other big standout. Her nano-treatment is the catalyst for Hagen's transformation into Clayface. She's a dedicated scientist that created a treatment to change the world for the better. She's persuaded by Matt's tragic story and decides to help him. While comments are made about her bluntness, she's a charming character and her relationship with Matt grows. 

There are some nice nods to the great DC universe in the film. The two that really stuck out to me are in-universe movies. The first is One Bad Day and the second is No Man's Land. Both are iconic Batman stories. Coast City also appears, appearing to be the Hollywood of DC. 

As far as horror goes, in general this doesn't do too many new things. We've seen some twisted transformations in the past and this doesn't really tread new ground. There's some nice ick though. in particular the air place scene is pretty jarring. I know I downplayed the body horror, but this is the most frightening version of Clayface I've seen. The character's flesh is malleable clay right? Not in this movie. It's (nano-cell infused and cloned) flesh. Finally, the director definitely has visuals that homage the French classic Les Yeux Sans Visage.

I thoroughly enjoyed Clayface. I genuinely cared about the characters, the visuals were great, and the movie is a great stand alone tale.

In Your Game

These stats are for Matt as he appears in the film and not later on when he's a hulking villain.

Matt Hagan aka Clayface

Medium Humanoid, Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class 14             Initiative +2 (12)

Hit Points:  75 (10d8+30)

Speed 30 ft.

                    MOD SAVE                                     MOD SAVE  

STR  16        +3     +3                        INT 12          +1    +1

DEX  16       +3      +3                       WIS 12         +1    +1

CON  16       +3      +3                       CHA 18        +4    +7   

Skills Deception +7, Intimidation +7, Performance +7, Perception +4, Stealth +6

Vulnerabilities Lightning

Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage.

Immunities Poison, Poisoned

Senses Passive Perception +4

Language: English

CR 4 (XP 1,100; PB +3)

Traits

Regeneration. Clayface regains 5 Hit Points at the start of each of his turns. If Clayface takes Lightning damage, this trait doesn't function on Clayface's next turn. Clayface dies only he he starts his turn with 0 Hit Points and doesn't regenerate. 

Actions

Multiattack. Clayface can make two Slash attacks. 

Slash. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 10 ft. Hit: 8 (2d4+3) Slashing damage.

Unsettling Visage (Recharge 6). Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 15-foot Emanation originating from Clayface that can see him. 

Failure: The target has teh Frightened condition and repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.

Bonus Actions

Shape-Shift. Clayface shape-shifts into a Medium or Small Humanoid, or returns to his true form. His game statistics other than his size, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying is transformed with him.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 24
First Time Views: 15

Trick r Treat

Check out this fun Halloween piece from Axel Medellin.

October Horror Challenge - Five Nights At Freddy's 2 (2025)

 Synopsis

Dealing with the aftermath of the first film, Abby deals with the loss of her friends and Mike and Vanessa do their best to be normal. 

Review

As a casual FNAF fan, this one did a good job of explaining the character variations. For example, I just assumed Freddy and Toy Freddie were the same character. Personally I find the lore of these flicks fascinating and the Easter eggs and references to the game fun. I understand that not everyone will feel that way though. Like the first, there isn't a lot of blood in this one. Though there are a few deaths, the gore isn't really scene other a bit of blood. This was done to keep the flick PG-13, but honestly just because we don't see things, doesn't make the events less horrific. There's a fun meta aspect to the movie, given the town's obssession with Freddy's.

Once again, Piper Rubio, is fantastic. She is the real star of show. She's a young actress with a lot of talent. Josh Hutcherson's Mike is a great likable lead too. The lore for Elizabeth Lail's Vanessa deepens in this story and honestly, I feel Mike is completely justified in his distrust. Skeet Ulrich joins the cast as Henry, William Afton's partner. Speaking of William Afton, despite being killed at the end of the first film he appears in visions. in the sequel. Considering how sweet and whole he is IRL, Matthew Lillard makes a chilling villain. Speaking of villains, Megan Fox voices Toy Chica. 

Like the first, this isn't for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for the third. 

In Your Game

The Marrionette (Undead) 

Armor Class: 14

Hit Dice: 3
Move: 12, Fly 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Claw (d6) or Possession
Special: Immune to mind-affecting effects, Madness, Poisons, Being Sickened, Diseases, and Critical Hits, Wall Crawling

Bonuses: +3 to hit, +4 to Melee damage

Alignment: Evil

Morale: 10

Madness: NA
Terror: 12

HDE: 4

Possession: Target must make a Magic saving throw or be controlled by the Marionette. While possessing a body the Marionette can only take damage from psychic or holy sources. A body possessed in this way gains the ability to fly and wall crawl.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 23
First Time Views: 14

October Horror Challenge - Five Nights At Freddy's (2023)

 Synopsis

Struggling to keep custody of his little sister, Mike, takes a night time security job at a defunct pizza restaurant.

Review

Since I've plan on watching the sequel I figure I'd rewatch the first. You can check out my initial review here. Upon second viewing, I still think this is a good FNAF movie. As much as I traditionally hate jump scares in movies, the game is known for them and the movie needs them. 

In Your Game

Animatronic, Possessed Fazbear (Construct)

Armor Class: 10

Hit Dice: 4+3
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Bite (d6)
Special: Immune to mind-affecting effects, Madness, Poisons, Being Sickened, Diseases, and Critical Hits, Toughness +2, electricity stuns for d4 rounds

Bonuses: +2 to hit, +4 to Melee damage, +4 to Dancing,  +5 to Art & Music

Alignment: Neutral 

Morale: 10

Madness: NA
Terror: 11

HDE: 3

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 22
First Time Views: 13

October Horror Challenge - Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

 

 Synopsis

Ernest P. Worrell unwittingly unleashes evil troll on children of his unsuspecting town. With the help of a local hermit (played by Eartha Kitt) and his dog, Rimshot, he most stop the troll and save the kids

Review

This is my favorite Halloween flick. Yes I love it even more than I love Trick'r'Treat and Tales of Halloween. It's just such a good wholesome movie. I loved it as a kid and might love it even more as an adult. You can check out more of my thoughts on the film in this review.

In Your Game

Here are Trantor the Troll stats for SURVIVE THIS!!. If you want them for your Cinematic Unisystem game you'll find those here.

Trantor the Troll (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 14

Hit Dice: 30 HP (6 HD)

Move: 10

Actions: 1
Attack: Punch (d4) or by weapon

Special:  Toughness +4, Fearless, Curse, Regeneration, Voice Mimicry, Spells, A Mother's Love, The Heart of a Child 

Bonuses: +3 to Melee attacks

Alignment: Evil

Morale: 10

Madness: 2 (8)

Terror: 10
HDE: 4

Items: dirty troll clothes

Curse: Trantor can call upon dark powers to lay generational curses.

Dendrology: Trantor can use his action to make nearby trees and greenery grow and twist. He can even use it to grapple.

Regeneration: Trantor regains 1 hit points at the end of every turn even if reduced below 0 HP

Dollification 1/day: Duration: Instant Range: Touch - Child must make a Mental (or Magic in other ST games) saving throw or be transformed into a small wooden doll.

A Mother's Love: All trolls of Trantor's species take 2d6 points of damage when the come in contact with milk. This ignores his toughness.

The Heart of A Child: The only way to permanently defeat Trantor is to give him enough unconditional love (aka the heart of a child). It is possible for truly whole adults of Good alignment to give this.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 21
First Time Views: 13

October Horror Challenge - Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)

 

 Synopsis

Because of preconceived notions and misunderstandings two good natured rednecks face off with some college kids.

Review

This is one of my top five fav horror movies of all time. It's just such a charming story with a fun twist. You can read my thoughts on it here. The movie had a Korean remake in 2024 called Handsome Guys. I'm still trying to find a subtitled version, though if you want to watch a dubbed version it's currently on Tubi.

In Your Game

The antagonist, Chad, would an interesting foe to send up against a party of locals in a Bloody Appalachia game.

Chad (Humanoid)

Armor Class: 13

Hit Dice: 36 HP (4 HD) 

Move: 12

Actions: 2

Attack: Knife (d4-1)

Special:  allergic to Chamomile, outsmart (1/day), Toughness +3

Bonuses: +2 to Melee attacks, +3 damage to hillbillies, +2 to Initiative, +4 to Stealth

Alignment: Evil 

Morale: 10

Madness: 8 (12)

Terror: 8
HDE: 2

Items: Knife

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 20
First Time Views: 13

October Horror Challenge - Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon (2026)

 Synopsis

Ten years after the events of the first film Brodie is a single loser living with Giles (who survived having his arm ripped off in the first film). To win back Medina and pay his bills he uses pages from the Black Hymn to bring Zakk and Dion back as zombies. Of course nothing could go wrong with this plan...

Review

I was extremely excited for this movie and ended up thoroughly fucking disappointed. The first film had charm. The characters were high school outcast, but there hearts were in the right place. This film straight up commits character suicide on Brodie, Giles, and Dion. Brodie and Giles become the useless metal-head losers everyone. Instead of a hero, Brodie is an awful person who doesn't care how many innocents are killed via his dangerous (and stupid) plan. Giles is a clueless asshole that tortures his zombified best friend, which turns said zombie into the villain of the film. Ultimately all the people that judged our protagonists in the first flick were right.

Beyond the above mentioned character assassination, this film has a mean streak too. There's a definite anti-woke slant that wasn't as funny as the film tries to make it out to be. Also the one genuinely good, not traumatized character gets killed off to be the butt of a stupid joke. Speaking of mean, do you want to see an extended scene of dicks being cut-off or smashed? This movie has one. 

There are a few bright spots. Kimberly Crossman is still charming and funny as Medina. There's an extended meta gag about them not playing D&D because they couldn't afford the license to call it that. Also despite everything, the ending made me smile. 

Ultimately I'm just going to pretend like this movie doesn't exist. 

In Your Game

Vocavitique Rex Daemonia Virtutem Fortuna Hymnus Nigrum aka Summoning the King of Demons, A Black Hymn for Gaining Power and Fortune aka The Black Hymn

This demonic bit of sheet music, when played in full will summon Aeloth the Blind One, King of Demons. Use the Greater Demon stats from Dark Places & Demogorgons if he is summoned. While demonic, the Bruiser Human Adversary is appropriate for his eyeless demons. 

While playing the entire hymn is definitely a bad idea, if a metalhead were to get a hold of it, they could use it to bolster the power of their summoned demon (granting it Toughness +4).

Additionally the parts of the hymn can be used to create intelligent or semi-intelligent zombies.  

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 19
First Time Views: 13

October Horror Challenge - Deathgasm (2015)

Synopsis

When his mom gets committed for mental issues, outcast Brody is sent to live with his super religious aunt and uncle and their total douchebag son. He soon makes friends with a few D&D playing outcasts and another metalhead, Zakk, and forms a band, Deathgasm. The pair meet a reclusive musician who entrusts them with an ancient occult hymn being sought after by some rather nasty cultists. The teens unwittingly unleash Hell on Earth on Earth and have to fight their way through demonic hordes to make things right.

Review

This is one of my all time favorite flicks. The characters are lovable and the violence is brutal. You can check out my previous review of the flic here.

In Your Game

Vocavitique Rex Daemonia Virtutem Fortuna Hymnus Nigrum aka Summoning the King of Demons, A Black Hymn for Gaining Power and Fortune aka The Black Hymn

This demonic bit of sheet music, when played in full will summon Aeloth the Blind One, King of Demons. Use the Greater Demon stats from Dark Places & Demogorgons if he is summoned. While demonic, the Bruiser Human Adversary is appropriate for his eyeless demons. 

While playing the entire hymn is definitely a bad idea, if a metalhead were to get a hold of it, they could use it to bolster the power of their summoned demon (granting it Toughness +4). 

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 18
First Time Views: 12

October Horror Challenge - V/H/S Mixtape (2026)

Synopsis

In this horror anthology, Gwar shares series a series of cursed stories.

Review

Gwar is… - Like all entries in this series, there is a wraparound story for V/H/S Mixtape. This time around it’s am MTV-style music show with absurd and grotesque skits hosted by GWAR. These are probably the most hit or miss. If you like the Scumdogs, then you’ll love this. If not, man is it bizarre.

Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance –  A small group working on a documentary related to the revival of a puppet show find themselves being slaughter by the puppets. There are some wicked kills in this one and it’s probably the most stylish segment (and my second favorite). If the puppets look cool, it’s because they were created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop). Oh yeah, this one features horror icon,  Barbara Crampton.

Heartbeat –  In my opinion, this was probably the weakest short. A pair of YouTube urban explorers get trapped in an abandoned Soviet facility that was once used for sonic experiments. The idea behind this one is cool but I didn’t really care for the protagonists.

The Music of Mr. Sze – This is a reimagining of Lovecraft’s The Music of Erich Zann. A student named Howard finds a mysterious musician in his new home plays music that holds back an eldritch being (which looks a lot like a beholder). I love the style of this one and it was probably my favorite segment. The director Ernest Dickerson made of favorite horror flicks, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight.

Death Tone – Directed by RZA of the Wu Tang Clan this one is pretty twisted. To finish her masterpiece a sound engineer listens to her late father’s recordings. Her father was a famous producer and was possibly a serial killer. I love the ideas presented here. The protagonists plan reminded me of the Trickster, one of my favorite Dead by Daylight killers. This was another great short.

There are a few music interludes as well. “Another Cabin” is an animated stop-motion tale from Flying Lotus. The animation reminds me of the series, The PJ’s. The other music interlude called “Premature Burial.” It’s a music video directed by Tobias Forge of Ghost and centers around a women getting revenge.

This one didn't get the best reviews, but overall I really enjoyed it. Next year's volume will be SCP which presents some weird legal issue.

In Your Game

Lydia's Final Mix - Created from recordings of torture and mutilation and mutilation. This music is infused with dark energy. The first time anyone hears the music they gain a point of madness. Additionally, while the music is playing creatures of Evil alignment feel at peace and gain advantage on all saving throws.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 17
First Time Views: 12