Michael Varrati
@michaelvarrati
Filmmaker/screenwriter of a bunch of indie horror flicks and some made-for-TV movies your mom likes. Co-host of Midnight Mass. Co-Founder of June Gloom Productions.
If you're at San Diego Comic-Con, catch me on a double feature of horror panels TONIGHT (Friday): - QUEER HORROR, 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Room 10 - FANGORIA: FIRST IN FRIGHT, 8:00PM - 9:00PM, Room 23ABC It'll be a ghastly good time! cc: @prismcomics.bsky.social and @fangoria.bsky.social
OH MY GOOOOOOOOOD!!! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating 1991's TROLL 2! We're joined by filmmaker Adam Deyoe and Horrifying Hot Sauce's D. Ryan Mowry to talk Nilbog, pissing on hospitality, green goo, and more! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
10 years ago today, we lost Bill "Chilly Billy" Cardille, one of the genre's most influential and foundational horror hosts. George Romero was a fan of Cardille's Pittsburgh-based CHILLER THEATER and subsequently cast him in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, only furthering an already impressive legacy.
Happy Birthday to my fellow candy corn enthusiast and dear friend, the mighty @horrorgirlprobs.bsky.social! Not only does this fright-forward dynamo make me feel like it's Halloween all year round, but she's got big Final Girl energy. Someone should put her in a movie. 😉🎂
As a Bill & Ted enthusiast and historian, I’m always surprised to discover that many folks are unaware that there were TWO television spin-offs…one live-action, one animated…both titled BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURES. They make for curious addendums to a radical legacy.
Hey ghouls! Attending #SDCC? Come find me! Not only am I hosting the Queer Horror panel, I'll also be appearing on the Fangoria and Troma panels...as well as doing some signings at the Prism Comics booth! Let's celebrate fabulous fright, reel independence, and all-around geekery together!
Who else could be both Merlin AND Damien? A versatile talent, Sam Neill's work impacted a wide range of cinema, from blockbusters like JURASSIC PARK to beloved cult fare like POSSESSION and IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS. Also a connoisseur of wine and lover of animals, he lived his passions. A true loss.
Chicago! We‘re closing out this leg of the SLEEPAWAY CAMP: THE MIDNIGHT MASS EXPERIENCE tour TONIGHT at the legendary @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social as part of MUBI FEST! Join Felissa Rose, @peacheschrist.com, and me for some hilarity, horror, and hijinks!!!
Monstrous hijinks! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating 1948's ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN! We're joined by comedian Rick Guzman and horror host Penny Dreadful to talk frightful fun, madcap monsters, & more! midnightmass.buzzsprout.com/1796691/epis...
At 100, there's no question that Mel Brooks is foundational. His films and comedy have quite literally shaped pop culture. Just as important, I feel, was his work producing films for artists like Lynch and Cronenberg. Championing those with visions different than his own to the benefit of us all.
Coming July 4th! I'm thrilled to share that 7 short films written and directed by yours truly are coming to BloodstreamTV as part of an exclusive collection that's debuting at the beginning of the month. Queer horror, one and all, this is the first time all of these titles have existed in one place!
Wig snatching drama! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating 1964's THE NAKED KISS! Joining the discussion is drag legend D'Arcy Drollinger and entertainment expert Jack Paterson to talk night girls, Sam Fuller, & more! midnightmass.buzzsprout.com/1796691/epis...
In light of Bruce Campbell's birthday, I do want to say that we all could be talking about THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY JR. way more.
From the vaults! Back in 2019, drawing inspiration from SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, sensational artist @ccimoroni.bsky.social created these illustrations of me centered around my show at the time, DEAD FOR FILTH. I recently stumbled across these again and they remain among my very favorite.
With regard to queer genre/cult filmmakers, we really ought to be discussing Paul Bartel more. His on-screen collaborations with Mary Woronov were consistently iconic, and his directorial efforts like EATING RAOUL, LUST IN THE DUST, PRIVATE PARTS, and DEATH RACE 2000 were absolutely trailblazing.
Paul Lynde's birthday during Pride month? More likely than you think! What a grand day for kitsch, camp, and deadpan delivery. Celebrate accordingly.
Gene Shalit was, of course, a prolific and razor-sharp film critic whose eccentricity made him a staple for several generations of cinema fans. I also think his self-effacing sense of humor was notable, including his participation in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS as a parody of himself: Gene Scallop. #RIP
Walk on the wild side! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating Warhol Superstar and queer trailblazer Holly Woodlawn! Joining the talk is author Jeff Copeland, who shares stories of his adventures w/ the icon herself. midnightmass.buzzsprout.com/1796691/epis...
Let us never forget that the Michael J. Fox poster for this campaign made him seem like he was about to host the wildest B-movie double feature Midwest cable access television had ever seen.
Revisited 1996’s KILLER CONDOM last evening by way of an event screening…and I was taken by what a surprisingly great watch it is for Pride. Populated with queer characters, the film uses shock value to tackle some still relevant issues. Not everything aged well, but it remains a goopy hoot.
As a queer filmmaker, it should come as no surprise that I take solace in films. This Pride...and always...I encourage you to look to cinema as part of your celebration. Queer films are powerful mechanisms of joy, affirmation, and resistance. The empowering impact of a story can be immeasurable.
...but will they be bold enough to include the events of THE BIRDS II: LAND'S END?
Dance-off! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating 1990's HOUSE PARTY! Joining the discussion are ASTRONOMY CLUB co-founder Shawtane Bowen and iconic writer/artist William O. Tyler to talk Kid 'n Play, Full Force, & more! midnightmass.buzzsprout.com/1796691/epis...
World Dracula Day is also a great occasion to bring up that...in my deep fandom of all things Dracula...I'll always be sad I didn't get to see the theatrical production featuring Daniel Day-Lewis as a bleach-blonde version of the Count and Peter Capaldi as Harker.
Remember the *other* Ghostbusters? I'm, of course, speaking of the cartoon that was spun-off from a 70s live-action sitcom...but NOT related to the more popular franchise everyone knows. There was a gorilla and a talking car...and a recurring villain named Prime Evil. It was a jam.
So much to love here! I'm excited for @darrenstein.bsky.social and his team as they bring JAWBREAKER: THE MUSICAL to the world! What's more, @brendohales.bsky.social designed the show's fabulous official poster! Congrats all around! deadline.com/2026/05/jawb...