Horror Movies Everyone Says Are BAD That I Actually LOVE! Don't Tell Anyone

Overview

The video is a “spooky season” rant/defense marathon where the host, Chase, insists that several horror movies people commonly label as “bad” are actually great—as long as you watch them for fun instead of treating movies like homework.

He jokes about going incognito, clearing browser history, and “not letting Letterboxd know,” framing the whole list as a guilty-pleasure not ironic love letter.

Main setup / message

• Chase argues that “elevated” horror and artsy trauma metaphors (he calls out A24) aren’t what he always wants.
• Instead, he wants:
  • monsters
  • spectacle
  • haunted-house energy
  • plain entertainment
• That “it has to count for something” theme drives every pick.

Notable highlights (defended movies)

1. 13 Ghosts (Matthew Lillard)

• Praised as a haunted-house attraction disguised as a movie.
• Emphasizes practical effects, cool-designed ghosts with identities/backstories, and a giant glass-house/ghost-mechanism setup with spells.
• Lillard’s over-the-top performance is described as being at “137%,” which the host clearly loves.

2. Van Helsing

• Defends the movie’s over-the-top chaos as the point: Dracula + Universal monsters + action set pieces.
• Calls out ridiculous pleasures like early CGI, vampire babies, and Hugh Jackman going full monster-hunter spectacle.
• Richard Roxburgh “chewing scenery” is singled out as fun and appropriate.

3. The Wolfman (2010) — Director’s Cut only

• Strong defense: Chase only backs the director’s cut, claiming it restores gothic vibes and missing elements.
• Highlights fog/forest/manor tone, transformation, violence, and Rick Baker creature-work.
• Says it would be treated like a hidden gem if released today.

4. Renfield

• Calls it absurd on purpose and praises Nicholas Cage as Dracula.
• The comedy setup: Renfield attends a support group after realizing his centuries-long toxic relationship with Dracula.
• Chase laughs at how everything can be lighthearted instead of a “deep metaphor for grief.”

5. Krampus

• Pushes back on people calling it bad, praising it as Christmas-horror with a Spielberg / Joe Dante / Gremlins “Amblin” vibe.
• Monsters and practical effects are a big selling point (demonic toys, creepy elves, Krampus himself).
• Still framed as family/Christmas spirit themed beneath the horror spectacle.

6. Halloween H2O

• Defends it despite looking like Scream and having Dimension Films fingerprints.
• Praises Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Laurie Strode with established PTSD/paranoia.
• Notes it would’ve fit perfectly as the foundation for David Gordon Green’s later trilogy.
• Loves the fun cast and insists the hatred is exaggerated.

7. Hubie Halloween

• A full-hearted defense of its “Halloween comfort food” vibe.
• Focuses on the setting (Salem), orange-lit town decorations, costumes, parties, and general “October threw up on it” atmosphere.
• Calls it dumb (Sandler voice included) but says it’s sweet and heartfelt.

8. Friday the 13th (2009 remake)

• Defends it as more like a sequel to the early films than a true remake.
• Praises the first 15 minutes, Crystal Lake/campfire backstory/Jason origins, and the cast.
• Calls out kills, cinematography, and Jason’s “aggressive” depiction (Derek Mears).
• Says it largely restores the supernatural edge and just delivers a fun, trap-and-hunt woods story.

9. Freddy vs. Jason

• Leans into childhood fantasy logic: it’s “kids dream” territory—both icons finally fighting.
• Highlights the escalation (boiler rooms, lakes/drowning, over-the-top kills) and pure fun premise even if pacing varies.

10. The Fog (2005 remake) — “hill I’ll die on”

• Fiercely defends the remake against comparisons to John Carpenter’s original.
• Argues similarity exists and that the remake should be judged on its own merits.
• Praises the atmosphere: coastal town secrets, ghost sailors in revenge-fog, and Tom Welling / Maggie Grace / Selma Blair filling the roles well.
• Uses the “comparison is the thief of joy” idea, insisting it’s inherently creepy because you can’t see what’s coming.

Closing beat / call for engagement

• Chase restates the core thesis: movies don’t need to be perfect or “deep” to matter.
• He invites viewers to share an embarrassing horror pick they love that others don’t—without guilt and without calling it a “guilty pleasure.”
• The video wraps with thanks, Patreon and channel promos, plus the reminder: “Just don’t tell anybody.”

Jokes / recurring reactions

• Running comedic framing: “incognito mode,” “clear your browser history,” and “don’t let Letterboxd know.”
• Repeated insistence that the point is monsters + fun, not metaphor-heavy “homework.”
• Cage and Lillard are singled out for maximal performance/expressiveness.
• Multiple “it’s stupid but fun” defenses, especially for Renfield and Hubie Halloween.

Personalities in the video

• Chase (host of AV Pop Culture / the speaker defending the movies)
• No other distinct on-camera personalities are clearly present beyond the actors discussed (e.g., Matthew Lillard, Hugh Jackman, etc.).