Welcome to another peek behind the scenes of Horror Heals, where Kendall and I dive deep into the wonderfully twisted world of horror—and remind you that yes, blood-soaked masks and things that go bump in the night can actually be good for your mental health, and, our guest Jak from @HorrorShowArt brought some seriously spine-tingling inspiration to the table. Trust me, horror fans, this episode was loaded with everything we love: ‘80s horror, Evil Dead, VHS nostalgia, and more than a few Michael Myers masks.
If you’re not familiar with all these pop culture icons, let’s go on a bloody little tour of how they fit into the Horror Heals world.
The King of Halloween: Michael Myers
First up, our beloved Michael Myers. He’s that tall, silent type with the blank white mask and an unsettling habit of showing up where he’s not invited—kinda like your ex but with way more stabby intent. In the original Halloween movie (1978), Michael’s mask was famously created by Tommy Lee Wallace, who, in a stroke of genius, transformed a Captain Kirk mask into the faceless terror we know today.
Jak, our guest, shared how he watched a video of Wallace making the mask and thought, “I gotta do this!” So he went on his own Michael Myers mask-making journey. For horror artists like Jak, masks aren’t just costumes; they’re therapy. When he’s crafting those gory details and splattering on the fake blood, he’s putting anxieties and fears into a tangible form—and sometimes, that’s all we need to get through the day.
Evil Dead and Ash Williams: The Chainsaw Arm of Healing
Now, let’s talk about Evil Dead and its iconic hero, Ash Williams. Imagine this: you’re in a cabin in the woods, and evil spirits are possessing your friends. What do you do? If you’re Ash, you strap on a chainsaw for a hand and get to work. Evil Dead is horror at its finest—equal parts gory, hilarious, and yes, oddly therapeutic.
Ash Williams (played by the incredible Bruce Campbell) is more than a horror icon; he’s the ultimate “final guy” who proves that, no matter how bad things get, you can always find a way to fight back. And Jak is a huge Ash fan. Honestly, what’s not to love? Ash is resourceful, sarcastic, and somehow keeps his sanity intact amid utter madness—something we can all relate to on a Monday morning, am I right?
The Slasher Film That Got… Very Gay: Nightmare on Elm Street 2
Moving into the dream realm, Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) gave us Freddy Krueger, a burnt-faced nightmare with a serious vendetta and some fashionably creepy knife gloves. Nightmare on Elm Street 2 (1985) took the franchise in a fascinating direction, unintentionally bringing strong LGBTQ+ themes into the horror mainstream. It’s become a cult favorite, particularly for fans who identify with feeling like an outsider, much like Freddy’s protagonist Jesse.
In our episode, we dove into this shift in horror history, touching on how Nightmare on Elm Street 2 resonated with queer fans who saw a bit of themselves in Jesse’s journey. There’s a powerful message here: horror can be a safe space to explore identities, fears, and yes, the parts of ourselves we might not be ready to face.
Jennifer’s Body: The Film That Screamed Queer Culture Before We Were Ready
Speaking of queer horror, let’s give a shoutout to Jennifer’s Body (2009). Megan Fox plays a high schooler who becomes a demon-possessed, boy-eating monster, but the heart of the story lies in her intense (and totally complex) relationship with her best friend, played by Amanda Seyfried. Sure, there’s gore and biting one-liners, but Jennifer’s Body resonates because it explores themes of love, identity, and the constraints society puts on us.
Jak shared how watching Jennifer’s Body with fresh eyes revealed so much more depth than his initial viewing. Sometimes horror grows with you, and that’s part of its magic.
Slashers, Gore, and the Power of Blood
We can’t talk about horror without mentioning blood, right? Jak, Kendall, and I had a good laugh over Jak’s obsession with splattering every mask he makes with a little extra blood. It’s his signature. Blood in horror has always represented both life and death; it’s the ultimate horror symbol, especially when applied with, shall we say, creative excess.
From Saw to Friday the 13th, Jak explained how blood on a mask or prop helps him work through fears, traumas, and anxieties. There’s something about seeing that life force in such an exaggerated form that just… clears the mind. (Just don’t try this at home, folks.)
The Soap Opera Twist: Supernatural Coronation Street
Now, this one’s for the Brits and those who can’t get enough of British television. Coronation Street is the longest-running British soap opera, but Jak and Kendall cooked up a horror twist: imagine if Coronation Street were haunted by ghosts! If we’re going to heal through horror, maybe it’s time our favorite soaps start mixing in some horror vibes, right?
Why Horror is Healing
At the end of the day, Horror Heals exists because horror isn’t just about scares—it’s about processing emotions and finding power in the shadows. Jak’s journey from the stage to horror art shows us that sometimes, to heal, you just need a Michael Myers mask, a gallon of fake blood, and a cabin in the woods (just, you know, without the evil spirits).
So, if you haven’t listened to the episode yet, grab your headphones, your Halloween candy, and maybe a horror movie buddy, and tune in! Remember, “Is horror good for our mental wellness? Of corpse it is.”
