Slasher films have been around since the 1960’s.  PSYCHO (1960) some consider the first.  Then the Italian Giallo films by Mario Bava and others appeared.  Then BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974) appeared.  Then HALLOWEEN (1978).  Then FRIDAY THE 13^{TH (1980)}.  And so it goes.  With the rejuvenation of the slasher back with SCREAM (1996), many tried to profit on it with copycats.  But others tried to do something new … different with this subgenre of horror.  This brings us to 2021 and the recently released horror film INITIATION (2021).

During pledge week at Whiton University, all the local sororities and fraternities let loose.   Parties are everywhere and drunken debauchery ensues.  When one pretty co-ed is found unconscious with a top athlete and his friends, rumors appear that sexual escapades occurred.  But others think sexual assault happened.  When a student is found murdered, people begin to panic.  Not surprisingly, a link to the possible assault seems likely.

John Berardo directs his feature film debut.  Also co-written by him, the film stars Lindsay LaVanchy, as well as Froy Gutierrez, Isabella Gomez, and Lochlyn Munro.  Getting fairly good reviews by critics, your co-hosts decide to take a look at this interesting film. Later in the podcast they get to interview the director himself.

Interview with director/screenwriter John Berardo at 2:08:00.