I have to admit… I’m genuinely embarrassed that I’d never seen Wax Mask (1997) until now — even though I call myself a huge Italian horror fan!

In this episode of The Cadaver Lab, I finally dive into the wild, forgotten 1997 Italian horror film co-written by Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento. What was supposed to be Fulci’s comeback became something even more special after his passing, with special-effects legend Sergio Stivaletti stepping in to direct.

From the brutal opening murder with a razor-sharp metal claw to the insanely lifelike (and terrifying) wax figures, this late-90s Gothic gem is packed with gorgeous production design, practical gore that still holds up, and that perfect Italian horror atmosphere.

I also break down the fascinating true story: the long-time rivalry between Fulci and Argento, how Argento tried to give Fulci one last film, and why this movie feels like a love letter to classic wax-museum horrors like House of Wax.

Available to stream on Tubi right now, or grab the killer Severin 4K Blu-ray (loaded with commentaries, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage — 100% worth it).
Have YOU seen Wax Mask? Is it a hidden gem or did I overhype it? Drop your thoughts below!

Like if you want more obscure Italian horror deep dives!
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In the gritty underbelly of 1980s Hollywood, a vicious gang called the Scars crosses the wrong girl. After brutally assaulting Brenda’s deaf-mute little sister Heather and murdering her best friend in cold blood, these punks unleash a storm they never saw coming. Join Mike Cadaver as he discusses the really bizarre and confusing tone of this movie… I mean, how are we supposed to FEEL about this one?

Links as promised in the video:

Savage Streets Interview
AFI Information
Q&A with Johnny Venocur, Sal Landi, and Scott Mayer Los Angeles 2016
John Farnham – Justice for One

Euro Horror Madness: The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman (1971)

Welcome back to The Cadaver Lab, where classic horror gets put on the slab and examined under flickering lights.

This episode dives into the blood-soaked world of 1971’s The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman — one of the most infamous entries in Spanish horror cinema. Starring cult legend Paul Naschy as the doomed wolfman Waldemar Daninsky, this film throws classic monster mythology into a feverish Euro-horror blender, mixing gothic atmosphere, surreal storytelling, and grindhouse excess. We’ll explore how the film fits into Naschy’s long-running Wolfman saga, why it became a fan favorite, and how it reflects the wild, anything-goes era of early ’70s European horror.

Along the way, we’ll also break down Paul Naschy’s legacy — from his obsession with Universal monsters to his role in putting Spanish horror on the international cult map. Love it or loathe it, this is monster cinema at its strangest and most fascinating.

If you’re into classic horror, Euro horror, werewolves, vampires, and cult cinema, you’re in the right lab.

Strap in for one of the most unhinged rides in Hong Kong horror history as we dissect the Shaw Brothers’ infamous black magic nightmare, Seeding of a Ghost (1983)!
What starts as a sleazy tale of infidelity and bad luck—a taxi driver accidentally runs over a sorcerer, gets cursed, and watches his wife’s life spiral into betrayal, SA, and brutal murder—quickly explodes into absolute insanity.

We break down the wild shifts from softcore soap opera to SA-revenge thriller to full-on occult gorefest, the jaw-dropping practical effects that still shock today, and why this retroactively banned gem is a must-watch for fans of extreme Asian horror like Boxer’s Omen. Warning: Heavy on nudity, brutality, and batshit moments that will leave you questioning everything!

If you love your horror twisted, gory, and utterly unpredictable, this episode is for you. Grab your exorcism tools and join us in The Cadaver Lab!

Building on The Cadaver Lab’s Christmas Horror Movie Extravaganza Part 1, here we continue to give you a Christmas Horror Movie treat for every day in December leading up to the most wonderful day of the year. We continue to deliver the best in Christmas Horror as well as give you some Honorable Mentions.

Disclaimer: Viewer discretion advised – If you’re following this list daily, The Cadaver Lab will not be held liable for any shocking moments or heart-stopping frights you may experience.

Welcome to The Cadaver Lab’s Christmas Horror Movie Extravaganza, where we’re serving up a veritable advent calendar of Creepy Christmas Classics that you should be watching every day! This video is broken up into 2 parts. This first part guides you through the first part of December. Not only does your host, Mike Cadaver, let you know what to watch, but he lists the spots where you can watch it.

Disclaimer: Viewer discretion advised – these picks may cause coal in your stocking… and screams in your living room.

Dive into the grainy, goosebump-inducing world of The WNUF Halloween Special with host Mike Cadaver on this spine-tingling episode of The Cadaver Lab! Join Mike as he uncovers the 2013 found-footage gem that masquerades as a lost 1987 VHS broadcast—complete with kitschy local commercials, cheesy costumes, and a live haunted house investigation that blurs the line between fake and freakishly real. From exorcists and Ouija board demons to retro ads for strip clubs and candy-buyback dentists, Mike breaks down the lo-fi magic, era-perfect production tricks, and why this throwback is your next Halloween obsession.
Whether you’re a VHS hoarder or just love 80s nostalgia with a demonic twist, this deep dive will have you questioning every old tape in your attic. Hit play, dim the lights, and let’s get spooky!

This episode of The Cadaver Lab is a strange one. I’ve been asked to appear on a panel at this year’s Fan X in Salt Lake City. The panel is all about the two legendary British Film Studios Hammer and Amicus. I decided to kill two birds with one stone and make a video about the same stuff I’ll be researching this week! Enjoy!

Ladies and gentlemen, you’re in for a treat today! John Brennan of John Brennan and the Bigfeet is here in the Cadaver Lab! Join us as we talk about horror movies, The Last Drive In… even lizard shit! Come and get it!

Enter the Bizarre world of the… WHAT?

In 1973, Sergio Martino’s Torso was released on the public! The trailer promises that the viewer will be taken into the world of the Psycho Sexual mind. Um… What is that? Find out by watching this episode of The Cadaver Lab!