Q&A: Samantha Hale on Mixing Screams and Laughs in “Horror Nerd” — A Love Letter to the Genre That Raised Her:
Comedian and lifelong horror devotee Samantha Hale is proving that blood and belly laughs go hand in hand with her new comedy special, Samantha Hale: Horror Nerd. A self-described “final girl with a microphone,” Hale blends razor-sharp wit and deep-cut horror references into a set that’s equal parts spooky as it is laugh-out-loud funny. In the conversation below, she talks about earning her horror cred in front of skeptical fans, why body horror secretly makes the best comedy, and how Horror Nerd became both a celebration and a heartfelt tribute to the genre that’s been her lifelong comfort zone.
Find out where to stream Samantha Hale: Horror Nerd here.
Horror fans are passionate. Have you ever had someone approach you after a show to debate one of your takes—like full-on horror nerd showdown?
They, or we I should say, sure are! The first showdown that comes to mind actually just happened a few weeks ago. I was introducing a screening of Halloween at this beautiful old silent movie theater, The Old Town Music Hall in Los Angeles, and the audience perhaps didn’t realize there would be a comedian doing a set as the introduction. I had all this great Michael Myers material, and was so excited about it, but it almost felt like they didn’t believe I was a legit horror fan, and they challenged me. I usually do a bit of crowd work and ask people what their favorite films are, and I usually get the more popular franchises yelled out, or somewhat mainstream titles. I definitely think this crowd was testing me by offering up all deep cuts, like Chopping Mall, Cannibal Holocaust, and Maniac. They were trying to stump me for sure. I think I made the mistake of dressing up too nicely because it is such a beautiful venue, and I was honored to be performing in it. I should have worn all my Halloween gear, then they may have accepted me as one of their own! I had to work for it, but I think I scored some points when I lifted up my sleeve to reveal a Michael Myers tattoo on my arm.
Every horror fan has a movie that wasn’t meant to be funny but totally is. What’s your favorite so-bad-it’s-good horror gem to riff on?
Jack Frost! Was it supposed to be so bad it was brilliant? To clarify, I love the serial killer snowman 1996 film, not the 1998 Michael Keaton film. I adore Michael Keaton, but I am going to stick with the pissed off iceman. Was Leprechaun supposed to be funny? I can’t get enough of Warwick Davis in that. I actually laughed out loud a few times during Together. I thought it was going to be mostly horrific body horror, but the commentary on codependency was so well done that it was actually a really funny (in a good way) film.
Horror Nerd is such a love letter to the genre. When you set out to create it, were you thinking more about entertaining horror fans or helping non-horror audiences “get” why we love this stuff so much?
Oh wow, thank you so much for saying so! What a beautiful way to describe it. That’s exactly what we were going for. We wanted to celebrate the genre, and also my personal connection to it. We actually did eleven drafts of the material before shooting. We wanted to have the best balance of deep enough cuts for the legit horror fans, and also enough mainstream references so that everyone can have fun watching it, and maybe even decide to watch the films I referenced that they had never seen after. But yeah we definitely wanted to show why I love the genre so much, and how it actually became a comfort zone for me. I think, in fact I know, that so many people also have a special connection to it. I knew that the devoted horror fans would relate pretty easily, but I am certainly hoping my enthusiasm for the genre will infect (like a total zombie) less horror inclined audiences to join us.
If you could pick one horror icon—living or dead—to open for you at a live Horror Nerd show, who would it be and why?
I have to go with Kane Hodder! He is one of the funniest, and most genuine people I know. A few years ago I was introduced to him by my friend David Bertolino, founder of SpookyWorld, and I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with him a few times now, and he has me rolling every time. Actually, the story I tell about Doug Bradley challenging me to write jokes about him is entirely true, and I actually ran them by Kane before going back over to Doug to deliver them to him. When I first told Kane I ran a horror themed standup comedy show, he asked if he could come and surprise the comics by scaring them, and I of course said YES PLEASE. We still have to make that happen! Getting to tell him in person that I mention him in the special was a really….special moment. It certainly means a lot to me, and I think it meant something to him as well.
Hot take, I know you are a Scream fan. The Scream 7 trailer just dropped, what do you think based on the trailer?
First thought is “Yes, Neve is back!” Second thought is “Awww, Sidney named her daughter Tatum.” Next thought is “They are back in Stu’s house? Count me in.” I’m all about the nostalgia. I will see it as soon as it comes out for sure. And I have to say, having Jamie Kennedy on my show was a huge Horror Nerd highlight!
The horror genre constantly reinvents itself. From slashers to elevated horror to found footage— what kind of horror do you think lends itself best to comedy?
I mentioned it earlier when referencing Together, but I gotta say body horror. Sometimes it’s so over the top gross and uncomfortable that you have no choice but to laugh in horror, and then eventually it just becomes funny. I definitely panic laughed during Tusk. A lot. And I literally laugh out loud when I see even the cover of The Human Centipede, because it’s so gross. The grand finale of The Substance was so brilliant and terrifying and over the top and sad at the same time, that I was half laughing and half covering my eyes at the same time. Also…Demi should have won everything for being as brilliant as she was.
You’ve performed Horror Nerd live for several years now. Has audience reaction changed over time as horror itself evolves?
I would say the comics that perform with me on the live shows are evolving along with the show for sure. The roster of performers I have is growing, and their willingness to take risks on stage is certainly growing! I’ve had comics perform sets as both killers and final girls, and way more. One girl even performed as a possessed television. They are also diving deeper into various genres and watching films some of them have never seen before as they are writing new material. But there is definitely a following of the show that has been so supportive, that I am continually trying to impress them and keep them wanting more. We fully decorate the stage to reflect the movies we are talking about as well to give the crowd a more theatrical experience, and overall I think they are along for the journey with us! The show gets weirder and weirder, and I mean that as a compliment for sure.
Your podcast, Horror Nerds Comedy Podcast, feels like a playground for horror geeks and comedians alike. What’s been your favorite guest moment or behind-the-scenes story so far?
Definitely a great way to describe it. It’s perfect that you use the word playground, because all of us involved on the podcast are like big nerdy kids at heart, who are all bonded over a nostalgic and current love of horror. I think we all geeked out pretty hard when we had Christopher Young on the show, the brilliant composer who gave us the scores to Hellraiser and Sinister, and one two of my all time favorite films, The Gift (with Cate Blanchett) and Deliver Us From Evil. He is an absolute delight of a human, and has turned into a friend. He is currently in London where they just performed his iconic music at The Royal Albert Hall. That is absolutely epic.
If you could parody or rewrite the ending of any horror film in your act, which one would it be— and what’s your comedic twist?
I think I might let the shark from Jaws 4: The Revenge actually get his revenge! I mean it’s the only shark I know that roars like a tiger. I mean he just wants to avenge his father, mother, sister and nephew from the previous films. Poor guy. Cut him a break, he’s a family man! I think the comedic twist would be he and Michael Caine swim off into the sunset.
You’ve turned visiting horror movie filming locations into part of your creative process. Which spot gave you the biggest chills—or the biggest laughs?
Yeah, I am so incredibly lucky to live in LA and have access to the most iconic locations in all of horror! I literally have a piece of the Tommy Doyle babysitter house from Halloween, and I had Nick Castle sign it. I was doing the H45 Convention bus tour (with my podcast cohost Anthony Landry and Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills) and when we pulled up, they were gutting the house. There was a huge construction trash bin full of planks from the house, and we were all like, hey it’s fair game! I got chills of joy from that one. The biggest laugh I gave myself was probably in front of The People Under the Stairs house, because I kept making fun of myself for being old and weird enough to love that movie so much.
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DeathStalker’s Actress Singer-Songwriter Nina Bergman Releases Song “Walking Alone”: “In writer-director Steven Kostanski’s ‘Deathstalker‘ fantasy film, executive produced by Slash (Guns N’ Roses) starring Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, The Matrix Reloaded) as the titular warrior, actress and singer-songwriter Nina Bergman (Hell Hath No Fury, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Cold Meat) joined the cast in the role of Grendul, a confident, tough leader of the Abraxeon Thieves Guild who has a history with Deathstalker (Bernhardt), the barbarian who becomes cursed by a magical talisman that draws him into conflict with a malevolent wizard and a clan of monstrous assassins.
In addition to having a role in ‘Deathstalker,’ Nina Bergman wrote and performed the end-credit song “Walking Alone,” featuring multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and music producer Jay Ruston. Jay Ruston has been recording, producing, and mixing powerful, world-class records since 1997. He produced Nina Bergman’s band, Letters From The Fire, and their acclaimed remake of “Love Song” by The Cure. His extensive discography includes artists such as Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther, Coheed and Cambria, Diana Ross, Fall Out Boy, and many more—cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile and sought-after producers in the industry. Jonah Nimoy is a multi-instrumentalist and member of the legendary California punk rock band The Offspring. He joined the group as a touring musician in 2019 and became an official member in 2023. The son of filmmaker Adam Nimoy and grandson of the late Leonard Nimoy—beloved worldwide as Spock from Star Trek—Jonah continues his family’s creative legacy through his dynamic musicianship and stage presence.
“Walking Alone” is part of a three-track single, with the title track featuring Emmy and BAFTA award–winning composer Bear McCreary and Slash. It was digitally released by Sparks & Shadows Records on October 10, 2025, the date of the ‘Deathstalker’ film’s theatrical release. In addition, she’ll have a music video come out when the film is released digitally on November 11, 2025.
Listen on your favorite streamer now: https://sparksandshadows.ffm.
The new ‘Deathstalker’ film is a reboot of the beloved 1983 sword-and-sorcery romp, and includes cast Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, and Nicholas Rice. Actor/comedian Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille, The Goldbergs) voices Doodad, a benevolent wizard joining Deathstalker on his journey.
On being part of the ‘Deathstalker’ film, Nina relays, “Being part of Steven Kostanski’s imagination in a Roger Corman remake of Deathstalker is pretty epic for any actor! Creating a character like Grendul in that universe is another dream checked off my vision board. I’ve always loved fantasy and creature-driven worlds, and stepping into one like this has been a blast. Plus, getting to play opposite Daniel Bernhard? It doesn’t get much better than that!”
Regarding the new song in the end credits, Nina states, “I’m a creator at heart, so I’m always making something new. After finishing ‘Deathstalker,’ I was so inspired by the world, the characters, and especially Deathstalker himself. He’s this epic figure, hardened by survival, who has shut out human connection—yet deep down, there’s still a spark of his humanity. Playing Grendul, who shares a complicated past with him, made me wonder: What really happened between them?
That question inspired the words and melodies that became “Walking Alone.” After talking with director Steven Kostanski about his vision for a song, I teamed up with my longtime friend and producer Jay Ruston, and we brought in Jonah Nimoy from The Offspring. The creative fire was instant! I even wove in some of Steven’s own lines from the script, since he wrote it, and shaped it into a late-’90s/early-2000s homage—exactly what he requested.
Steven and the team loved it so much that we shot a music video for it, and I cannot wait for people to see it. With Steven’s imagination, I know it’s going to be something truly epic.”
Nina Bergman is a Danish-born singer, songwriter, and touring musician whose career bridges music, film, and performance.
A lifelong vocalist, she studied musical theatre at NYU and trained in opera with The Magic Circle Opera Company before breaking into New York’s live music scene.
Legendary musician Paul Anka discovered and managed her, securing a six-album deal with Warner Bros. Records under Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo. Nina went on touring and fronting the rock band Letters from the Fire.
She gained national attention on the reality series’ Battle Ground Earth’ with Ludacris and Tommy Lee, touring America for three months. Later, she appeared on ‘Hollywood Wives,’ which chronicled her journey toward her record deal. She also served as the Grammy Trophy Girl for five years, representing music’s biggest night.
As a recording artist, Nina has written and performed songs for numerous films, including ‘Catacombs’ (Lionsgate), ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera,’ ‘Sharknado,’ ‘Black Limousine,’ and ‘All About Her.’ She has also performed live at major national events like the World Series and the NCAA College Football.
The “Walking Alone” music video will debut alongside the ‘Deathstalker’ film’s digital release.”
Nina Bergman is on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.