Hooptober has become a fixture of horror geeks worldwide via the Letterboxd platform. An annual horror movie challenge ushering in the Spooky Season, we find Hooptober in a milestone 10th year. To celebrate this accomplishment, I spoke to the founder, Cinemonster, before beginning my own quest to complete the movie watch-and-review challenge. You can find my reviews here.
J.M. Brandt: There are countless movie challenges out there on Letterboxd. What is it about Hooptober that you think resonates with horror fans?
Cinemonster: I don’t dictate 31 specific films. It allows some breathing room, especially if you’re creative enough to whittle it down to the low-to-mid-20s. That gives you a chance to slot in some things that you want to see, which makes the whole thing seem less like homework.
I try to be topical and have a little fun with it, too. Looking at the free platforms to see if they match up with most of what I want to do makes it a bit more accessible, I think. Tubi is a blessing.
JB: What has been your favorite criteria you’ve given out in a Hooptober list? Why?
CM: Anything that is driven by the news or circumstances of that year, I like. Spotlighting a person or group of people is important to me. We tend to coalesce around the familiar as a default, so it is nice to see people get outside of that. I am a firm believer generally that the more context that you have to put anything in begets more meaningful and enriching experiences.
As far as genre-driven categories: Flying things that kill you, crazy animals, reptile rampage. There is a pattern there. A film where the men and women of the church are having a bad day, was fun.
JB: What has been your favorite horror film of 2023?
CM: Probably Infinity Pool, but I’m still catching up on some things.
JB: You often choose to pay tribute to genre legends that’ve passed on during the year. Who has been your most bittersweet tribute that you were thankful to expose people to?
CM: I really think that it is Tobe. He passed before year 4. I want people to know that he is not just the Chainsaw guy, or only made 2 or 3 films worth watching.
Carpenter and Craven get applauded, as they should, and until more recently, George right below that. Tobe, for the most part, was the last head on my generation’s Mt. Rushmore. He suffers, as George has, from very few opportunities and success from the ’90s on, but he was fantastic at so many things. I’d say, unscientifically, that he has the fewest advocates of the four.
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As many movies that I have seen people find and love since I started this, when someone tells me they love a Tobe film, I smile a little bigger.
JB: What is the most underrated country for horror films, in your opinion? Can you point us in the direction of a few films to check out from there?
CM: I’d say Mexico. Recent films and filmmakers have pulled some attention that way, but Mexican horror goes back a ways and has a rich history. Trampa Infernal, Ladrones De Tumbas, Más Negro Que La Noche, El Fantasma Del Convento, and La Bruja are a good start. I’m not going to list things from the last few years that most people know. Vinegar Syndrome has done a good job of putting out some titles.
JB: Your criteria often include some version of “Watch the worst-rated ____.” Do you see value in exposing people to an objectively bad movie, or is it more to see what you can get away with? What’s the worst movie you’ve watched through the challenge?
CM: I have done it a couple of times but that isn’t actually the case. The rating that they use to select the film is the average Letterboxd rating so it is popular public opinion. Frequently, popular opinion doesn’t have much value or doesn’t hold up. There is a lot of gold in them thar hills.
Muck [for the worst], easily.
JB: What film that your criteria points to are you most excited for people to watch this year?
CM: Anything Ken Russell and a general push towards Dracula. Asylum is another film I hoped that people would watch. There are two criteria that can push people that way.
JB: What is your biggest horror blind spot in terms of subgenre?
CM: Found footage or straight torture. With a few exceptions, not my thing.
JB: Are horror movies still capable of scaring you beyond just a well-timed jump/bus? What’s the last movie that you were genuinely scared by?
CM: Night Owl made me feel dirty. German Chainsaw Massacre was unsettling. Real life is much scarier. Jesus Camp, probably.
JB: What horror movies would people be most shocked you haven’t seen yet?
CM: Cure, Funny Games, Paranormal Activity, May, Day of the Beast.
JB: What horror movie/character do you wish would receive a sequel or be turned into a franchise?
CM: I’d like to see someone take another run at Pumpkinhead, and it would be nice to see Grace Jones be a vampire again.
We’re still waiting for a Killer Klowns. I’d like to see them show up at different times in history. I know it’s a bit of an It backstory bite, but it would be fun.
JB: Do you have any movie-watching rituals to get in the mood?
CM: Not really. All I need is time.
JB: You were able to partner this year with Screambox for a special free trial code. What other tie-ins or promotions would you like to see Hooptober join up with?
CM: This is the 2nd year that the wonderful people at Screambox have been a partner. People can use the code ‘hooptober’ for a free month. The Screambox folks are great and their programming keeps getting better and better.
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I did a Hooptober pop-up theater event last year. I have some local vendors and I’d like to grow that and partner with whoever loves horror films and likes to have fun. The plan is to make the pop-up space permanent, and do double features every other week.
JB: You’re a big baseball fan who’s gone from Texas to Pittsburgh. Who’s your team?
CM: Toronto Blue Jays. I got to see them play the Pirates last season.
JB: What does it mean to you for Hooptober to be entering its 10th year?
CM: I’m pretty speechless. Not just the duration, but moreso the breadth of participation.
I never thought that I’d still be doing this and that so many people from all parts of the world would be interested.
JB: Anything else you’d like to plug?
CM: This January will be the third year of MannVanuary. It is an Anthony Mann & Melvin Van Peebles-inspired challenge that focuses on Westerns, noir, and Black Cinema.
JB: Any other messages or thoughts you’d like to pass on?
CM: Stay scared, and don’t be an asshole.
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