This week, the Grue-Crew present two films from IFC Midnight. We start off the New Year with a tale of Hazing Horror and a yarn about a college girl out of her element. The first film this week is PLEDGE from directors Daniel Robbins, featuring a trio of college nerds looking to join a fraternity only to choose the worse option possible. The second film is RUST CREEK from director Jen McGowan, featuring a college girl lost in the Kentucky wilderness running from drug dealers with only a meth cook to aid her escape.  Doc Rotten and Vanessa Thompson from Horror News Radio along with Jeff Mohr from Decades of Horror: The Classic Era share their thoughts about this week's awesome collection of streaming horror films.

Gruesome Magazine Podcast - Episode 049
PLEDGE - RUST CREEK

Pledge

A group of college freshmen pledge an exclusive fraternity but soon realize there's more at stake than they could have ever imagined.

"Once you get into the meat of it - the hazing - and the things that take place after that, that’s where the tension really ramps up and the characters really stretch their legs, especially our three potential club members. We see some really strong acting from (Zack Weiner, Phillip Andre Botello, and Zachery Byrd) and some really strong character development." - Vanessa

"It’s really well made; it looked really good and I didn’t see a weak spot in the acting anywhere. … It’s a well-told story." - Jeff

"I really liked this film. I had a good time with it. … The environment that they find themselves in is presented in such a seductive way that they are all in until they realize that they shouldn’t be and it’s too late." - Doc

Director: Daniel Robbins
Cast: Zachery Byrd, Phillip Andre Botello, Aaron Dalla Villa

Release: OPENING IN THEATERS AND VOD ON JANUARY 11TH from IFC MIDNIGHT

Rust Creek

An overachieving college student gets lost on her way to a job interview. A wrong turn leaves her stranded deep in the Kentucky forest. The woman must defend herself against the harsh elements and a band of ruthless outlaws. She is forced into an uneasy alliance with a strange loner who has unknown intentions.

"I loved the Sawyer character because … (she) really shows her character and personality in small moments, in quiet moments. You see her strength and her perseverance and her willingness to do whatever it takes to survive and not give up." - Vanessa

"Micah Hauptman as Hollister just oozed sleaziness and immorality. He was the stereotypical backwoods, bad guy and he did it so well." - Jeff

"The director did a great job! I’m definitely looking forward to seeing whatever Jen McGowan (will put) out next because I think she has quite the eye and the knack for telling a story." - Doc

Director: Jen McGowan
Cast: Hermione Corfield, Micah Hauptman, Sean O'Bryan. Jay Paulson

Release: In Select Theaters & On Demand January 4th