THIS IS REVOLUTION ＞podcast

Jason watches some videos of modern day kids doing old school insane shit.

In Vivek Chibber's book "The Class Matrix," he defends old-school materialism. In response, William Clare Roberts has accused Chibber of pretending that class structure is the only kind of structure and economic compulsion is the only kind of compulsion. In his essay "Taking the Red Pill? William Clare Roberts vs. Vivek Chibber on the Class Matrix," Ben Burgis argues that the criticism falls flat. Ben and Stefan discuss.

Read Ben's essay: https://benburgis.substack.com/p/taking-the-red-pill-william-clare

Subscribe to the Substack: https://benburgis.substack.com/subscribe

Mean Djene shows up and watches the Gooneral and great vocal prowess of Guy Tang. Hilarity ensues. 

No Mac once again, so Jason opened up the phone lines..not as crazy as usual, but a good time. Enjoy. 

Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop

The fellas discuss Snoop and Nelly performing with Trump and then Jason plays some contemporary hip hop for the gang. Good times. 

Jason discusses the issues of middle age dating...while watching balloon pop shows!

GET SAM'S BOOK HERE: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/zer0-books/our-books/education-revolution

GET SAM'S MUSIC HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gki8FcEJt7k&list=OLAK5uy_kMXDvAQUwfYgZx8Mr_me2eG1-5n5MFKKk

Kuba translates. 

Listen to the "What the Hell is Grunge" playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40Y5GsXRaJzuJmz24BYAG8?si=Lf3hHZMuQFq1TpcNiVcPiA

Jason tells the story of what happened AFTER the on location Hollywood show at the Rainbow. Oh boy!

Jason explains why "Rio" by Duran Duran is yacht rock, and then we check out some balloon pop shows. Good times and big laughs! Enjoy. 

Jason plays a surprise for patrons..

Enjoy a whopping 12+ hours of some of the best shows TIR has done in its first 5 years. Here's to many more years to come! Thank you

Stefan discusses their recent article on the connections between the New York shooting, the HTS take over of Syria, and New New Labour, in the form of 'hate and passivity'.

Read Stefan's latest article here: https://shorturl.at/SJ3Ia

Well, the year is coming to an end, and let’s kick off our year-end fundraising extravaganza! I will be periodically posting some merch and patron links on the screen. I’m going full retard on the PBS ness of it all. 

As you all know, TIR is entirely listener-funded. We don’t take corporate money—yet. But hey, at this point, I am not above accepting some venture capitalist funds. If lizard man Peter Thiel wants to drop some change this way, I WILL TAKE IT! Seriously, though, we’re gearing up to celebrate five incredible years of bringing you top-tier shows spiced with the finest dick jokes in podcasting.

To finish the year strong, we’ve lined up an all-star roster of guest hosts. The Green and Red Podcast will be here to dig into the biggest environmental stories of the year. Champagne Sharks is making a triumphant return, and the Antifada crew will also be in the mix. So if you like your podcasts smart, sharp, and a little chaotic, now’s the time to help us grow—so big that maybe, just maybe, we too can be part of the Vanguard’s podcast drama wars.

In actual news, a suspect is now in custody for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The accused, Luigi Mangione, has become something of an antihero heartthrob online. There are memes, thirst traps, and even some wild right-wing takes—I saw one guy call him “a real-life Batman.” (Spoiler: that guy doesn’t know who Batman is.)

But, following the Robin Hood-like response across the political spectrum for Mangione there has been a backlash. Following the murder, a Florida woman named Brianna Boston used the same chilling words reportedly etched on the shell casings found at the scene of the crime—“Delay, Deny, Depose.” Boston was arrested for making terrorist threats after her claim was denied while she was on the phone with Blue Cross. Boston was just venting after having a claim denied and posed no threat, but will this be the move of these companies moving forward?

One thing this incident has done is reignited public outrage about the deadly inefficiency of the American healthcare system. Michael Moore was inspired to drop *Sicko* on YouTube for free, it feels like we’re in a moment worth examining.

So let’s talk about it. What does Luigi Mangione’s viral antihero status say about the state of the public’s frustration with corporate healthcare? Is this a sign that Americans are reaching a breaking point with the “profits over people” model? Or is this just another fleeting moment in the outrage cycle, destined to fizzle before it can spark meaningful reform?

Meanwhile, local news outlets are amplifying stories about families suffering under Medicaid cuts and unaffordable premiums. But can the spotlight on healthcare—even one as darkly sensational as this—actually push us closer to socialized medicine? And what does it say about the system that it takes extreme events, like the death of a CEO or the arrest of a desperate woman, to bring these issues to the fore?

Let’s dive in. And don’t forget to drop a Super Chat! Help us grow, so one day I can afford the kind of healthcare coverage these CEOs would deny me.

Jason laments about the current state of healthcare in the US, and then takes a deep dive into what it's like to live in a high crime area.

We take a look at some of the Jay-Z accusations and umm... Then we look back at some classic Richard Pryor stuff from his variety show! Enjoy

The term "hair metal" is often loaded with contradictory emotions. For some, it carries a pejorative tone, evoking images of overproduced, superficial music that prioritized style over substance. For others, it symbolizes a golden era of hedonism and carefree excess—a nostalgic portal to the cultural climate of the 1980s. Whether you're a Gen X'er reliving the glory years of 1981-1987 or a Gen Z'er discovering the era's flamboyant spectacle for the first time, hair metal offers an intriguing entry into a bygone cultural zeitgeist.

Hair metal is best understood as an amalgamation of diverse influences: the shock rock theatrics of Alice Cooper and KISS, the virtuosic intensity of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), and the pop hooks reminiscent of 70s classic rock. The genre's genesis can be traced to Los Angeles in the late 1970s and early 1980s, amid the decline of hardcore punk and new wave. Unlike the disaffected rebellion of punk or the cerebral stylings of new wave, hair metal embraced a more commercial, hedonistic ethos that resonated with suburban youth.

Van Halen’s meteoric rise in the late 70s, driven by Eddie Van Halen’s guitar innovation and David Lee Roth’s charismatic theatrics, laid much of the groundwork. Yet, it was Quiet Riot that first achieved mainstream success with 1983’s Metal Health, the first metal album to reach #1 on the Billboard charts. Their cover of Slade's “Cum on Feel the Noize” exemplified the blend of hard rock bombast and pop sensibility that defined the genre.

Simultaneously, Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz (1980) featuring Randy Rhoads, redefined what metal could be—dark and heavy, but also catchy and accessible. This formula of blending metal’s aggression with pop hooks became the template for hair metal’s commercial domination.

Unlike punk’s overt challenge to conservative politics, hair metal offered rebellion as a commodified spectacle. It was less about collective resistance to authority and more about personal indulgence. The Reagan and Thatcher years saw the rise of neoliberal individualism, and hair metal became the soundtrack to this ethos: drugs, sex, and flashy excess. Bands like Mötley Crüe, with albums such as Shout at the Devil (1983), exemplified this aesthetic, blending occult imagery with glam decadence.

However, by the late 80s, the genre began to cannibalize itself. Bands influenced by early hair metal—such as Poison—were producing sanitized versions of the form. By 1988, hair metal had become a bloated commercial enterprise. Simultaneously, the rise of bands like Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat, who rejected the cartoonish glam aesthetic, signaled a shift. Mötley Crüe’s 1987 album Girls, Girls, Girls symbolized this transition—gone were the lace and makeup, replaced by leather and a grittier image.

The genre’s decline was swift, for many hastened by the rise of grunge and alternative rock in the early 90s. While I don’t discount the raw authenticity of bands like Nirvana, and how it  stood in stark contrast to the excesses of hair metal; By 1987 most of the “hair metal” songs were pop music with distorted guitars. Def Leppard’s 1983 Pyromania was to be their “Thriller”. This was less an authentic genre, and more a media moniker, and everyone with a Marshall stack and hair spray wanted to use that moniker to get in the business.  By the early 90s, the genre was relegated to nostalgia tours and retro compilations, a relic of a pre-grunge world.

Why Didn’t California Vote To Raise the Minimum Wage?

In the recent November election, California voters surprisingly rejected Proposition 32, a measure aimed at increasing the statewide minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2025. This decision occurred despite prior legislative successes, such as the passage of a bill raising fast food workers' wages to $20 per hour. The rejection of Prop 32 reflects a broader trend in voter priorities, as economic concerns have overtaken issues like systemic racism, which dominated public discourse in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests in 2020. 

Polling data from the Associated Press at the time of the election indicated that a majority of Californians cited the economy as their primary concern, with worries about inflation and rising costs playing a significant role. Opponents of Prop 32, including the California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups, warned voters that such an increase could lead to higher prices and economic instability—a message that appears to have resonated widely.

Simultaneously, growing public frustration with corporate power and wealth inequality has fueled more radical critiques. The recent assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson prompted a flood of online commentary expressing disdain for the perceived exploitation by corporate elites. United Healthcare, in particular, has faced criticism for profiting at the expense of denying essential care. Despite widespread economic precarity—evidenced by the rising number of "ALICE" (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households—and persistent issues like housing insecurity, public responses suggest a declining collective empathy for the economically vulnerable. For example, San Francisco recently announced the closure of its only RV parking site for unhoused residents, underscoring this shift.

This growing tension highlights a paradox: while frustration with corporate greed is palpable, there is little evidence of a coordinated working-class movement capable of enacting systemic change. The rejection of Prop 32 raises critical questions about public attitudes toward economic justice, the influence of corporate lobbying, and the potential for a renewed push for labor rights and equity in the post-George Floyd era.

Jason and Ben open the show telling the Canada story then discuss the origins of hair metal. After that we all watch some vintage commercials from the late 90s 2000s. Oh man, the things people sold..boy o boy..

One of Us Is the Killer & Why Trump Isn’t a Fascist

Some weeks ago, we dropped the fourth issue of The Crisis Papers on TIR, a collection of essays addressing diverse topics, available for free to all patrons. In this latest issue, we examine the futility of online outrage, particularly directed at what I’ve termed political “opinionists.”

The inspiration for this paper came from a clip I posted of a rant on the phenomena of media “heel turns,” the overuse of the term “grift,” and the impotence of the online mob. The modern practice of “stan’ing” a celebrity or media figure has always unsettled me. While the term has declined in popularity, I don’t believe this signals a decrease in fandom. Rather, fandom has adapted, reflecting a broader trend of managed allegiance in our digital age.

In the article, we explore how the relationship between fandom and celebrity, particularly in leftist digital spaces, often substitutes symbolic gestures for substantive political action. Alan Moore, author of Watchmen, recently critiqued this shift, describing fandom as a “toxic” force, transforming admiration into fundamentalism and vendettas. Moore warns that this echo chamber, driven by strict orthodoxy, fosters ideological purges that many mistake for genuine activism—a digital gulag maintained by what could be called a cyber-Stalinist regime.

From the article: 

This strained relationship between fandom and celebrity, especially within left-leaning digital spaces, exemplifies the illusion of political participation in the absence of real structural change. As Alan Moore, the author of Watchmen, recently argued, "fandom has toxified the world.” In an interview with The Guardian Moore explains how fandom now manifests as a mechanism for obsessive control, often spilling over into vendettas against the creators they once admired. "We’ve reached a point where fandom has begun to resemble religious fundamentalism," Moore suggests, where adherence to a narrow orthodoxy defines the worth of creators and personalities alike. This environment creates an echo chamber where any slight deviation from a perceived leftist consensus is seen as ideological treason, worthy of condemnation and social media shaming—a ritual that many mistake for genuine political activism. The virtual gulag is the destination that the cyber Stalinist regime is campaigning for.

Beyond the article, which our guest helped edit, we’ll discuss his most recent piece in Damage magazine titled, “Is Trump Hitler or Just Woodrow Wilson?”. In the article our guest Ben Burgis lays out a coherent argument on why the fascist argument about Donald Trump obscures his actual goals with administration, and how the fascism framework in liberal circles is designed to engage true leftists away from the fight for redistribution of wealth, building a strong workers movement, into the war against Trump..whatever that may be.

Burgis writes:

First, hysteria serves no one. And it certainly doesn’t serve a long-term project like patiently rebuilding the workers’ movement and constituting the kind of Left that could actually contest for power in as deeply anti-socialist a country as the United States.

Second, the implicit logic of fascism analogies in intra-left discourse is nearly always to encourage leftists to put aside our battles with the neoliberal center over economic questions in favor of a procedural defense of democracy against what’s postulated as an urgent common threat. This amounts to telling socialists to endorse pretty much the same “build the broadest possible front around the most minimal possible basis of agreement” strategy that Democrats and Never Trump Republicans have been doggedly pursuing since Trump first came down the escalator in 2015. The abject failure of the Harris campaign to lean into an economically populist message is precisely what led to an unprecedented level of working-class support for the “fascist” Trump. Endlessly relitigating January 6th and constantly reminding voters of how sensible people across the political spectrum were supporting Harris (everyone, as she and her surrogates often said, “from Bernie Sanders to Dick Cheney”) simply didn’t move ordinary Americans. 

So join us today as we engage in what I think will be an interesting conversation. Please welcome my friend, editor and neighbor, Ben Burgis

Are the Bills For Real?

With a 10-2 record and a commanding 7-game win streak, the Buffalo Bills are poised to make a serious push in the 2024 NFL playoffs. Just weeks ago, they not only defeated the reigning powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs but followed up with a crushing victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football, all but ending the Niners’ postseason hopes. The Bills aren’t just winning—they’re dominating. Unlike the Chiefs, whose narrow victories have become almost mythical or conspiratorial, depending on if you’re a fan or not;  the Bills are leaving no doubt about their superiority on the field. Could this be the year Buffalo finally exorcises the ghosts of Super Bowl heartbreaks past?

Led by Josh Allen, these Bills may not be the offensive juggernaut of the early '90s—teams that remain the only in history to reach four consecutive Super Bowls—but they are efficient, resilient, and balanced. This current Bills team is as hard nosed and working class as their dedicated fans. The city’s hunger for the elusive championship that has slipped through their fingers too many times may be realized by this iteration of the team. Is 2024 the year that they finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy?

And while the NFL is heating up, the NCAA football landscape is once again centered on a familiar name: Alabama. Somehow, despite early doubts, the Crimson Tide have fought their way back into the College Football Playoff conversation. We’ll break down how they did it, what it means for the playoff picture, and whether Alabama is poised for another run at glory.

Let’s dive into the Bills’ Super Bowl hopes and the twists of the college football playoff race.

We interrogate Gen Z slang, then go back and listen to some old slang. So don't get Norvilled on your way to the champagne room!

A J.Myles rant. Enjoy!

The Chumash Rebellion

Welcome to a holiday episode of THIS IS REVOLUTION>podcast, where we dive into the myths and truths surrounding the most propagandized narratives of American history. Yes, Thanksgiving is upon us—a time that can range from warm gatherings with loved ones to fiery debates with relatives reveling in the "glorious" Trump victory over "that communist Kamala Harris." But as we carve the turkey, we often forget—or perhaps never truly knew—the histories that make up this holiday and its complex intersections with the lives of Native Americans.

Tonight, we take a sharp detour from the saccharine tales of "Pilgrims and Indians" with our esteemed guest, historian Joe Payne, who will unpack the story of the Chumash Rebellion of 1824. It was a powerful and successful uprising against the oppressive mission system in Alta California—a narrative systematically erased by colonialism's historical whitewashing. Prepare for revelations that will enrich—or weaponize—your Thanksgiving dinner debates.

Joe Payne will illuminate the Chumash not as the "savages" that racist missionaries painted them to be, but as a sophisticated and resilient people forced into colonial servitude by Spanish Franciscans. Through their heroic uprising, they defied their oppressors and reclaimed their autonomy, even if only briefly. Tonight’s episode promises an academic and gripping journey into this hidden history.

Please join us in welcoming Joe Payne to the podcast!

Alex gives us an update on Lenin, and then the goes off the rails!

Welcome to Beyond the Red Zone, where we break down the sports narratives shaping the week with a critical lens. Tonight, we look at three hot topics in sports, examining not just the performances but the systemic factors at play.

First up, the Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a historic start, becoming only the fourth team in NBA history to begin a season 15-0. However, their first loss of the season came in a tight battle against the reigning champion Boston Celtics, a team with a loaded roster and championship pedigree. While the Cavs have shown they can compete at the highest level, the question remains: do they have what it takes to challenge the Celtics for the Eastern Conference crown, or does their success reflect a league still adjusting to their rise?

In college football, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Traditional powerhouse Georgia has reclaimed its place in the top ranks, but intriguing contenders like SMU, BYU, and Colorado are keeping things unpredictable. These programs represent a refreshing challenge to the established order, but how sustainable is their success given the financial and recruiting advantages enjoyed by more traditional programs?

Finally, in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are floundering. The question isn’t just How bad are they but why are they so bad? Is the problem rooted in Dak Prescott’s inconsistency, questionable coaching decisions, or deeper systemic failures tied to ownership? Similar questions could be asked of the Raiders, another team with a storied history weighed down by ownership issues. Are these teams struggling due to their structural inefficiencies, or are we simply seeing the limitations of football’s oligarchic ownership model?

These topics promise an engaging conversation not just about sports but the deeper dynamics of power, money, and influence shaping the games we love. Let’s dive in!

Jason vents the spectacle that was the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson--the fight no one asked for!

Get the book, "Who Owns Democracy" here: https://a.co/d/5CG9bAF

Who Owns Democracy: The Real Deep State and the Struggle Over Caste and Class in America

In this episode, we examine the return of Donald Trump, now re-elected after his 2020 defeat, with his presidency poised as a mission of Charles Bronson like retribution. Campaigning on dismantling the so-called “deep state,” Trump has presented himself as a champion of the people, railing against a corrupt elite while being a member of that very elite. 

To unravel these contradictions, we delve into the concept of the "deep state" and explore its historical and structural implications. How does Trump’s rhetoric weaponize popular discontent while deflecting from the deeper systemic issues? And what does the "deep state" actually entail beyond the political buzzword it has become? 

Joining us today are professors Charles Derber and Yale Magrass, co-authors of the groundbreaking book, *Who Owns Democracy: The Real Deep State and the Struggle of Caste and Class in America*. The book explores the interplay of caste, class, and power in shaping America’s political and economic systems, revealing how the true deep state extends far beyond partisan politics

Get Matt's book here: https://a.co/d/6wjTY0c

Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop

Jason breaks down the faux outrage of text telling African Americans to report for Slavery after Trump's electoral victory. Then Jason along with the audience examine nuisance streamers; what is their end game? Lastly, we check out the hot new song by viral hip hop sensation, Lil Fuckhead, "Eatin' All tha Butt". Enjoy. 

Listen to the 1982 Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/04wj895QLuRqidJYCPIOaj?si=ynwWIGIxTC-eEoOkibegBA

In this episode, we dive into the pivotal year of 1982, a watershed moment that saw heavy music break away from the “dinosaur” rock of the '70s and launch into new, dynamic subgenres. This year gave birth to two powerful yet opposing forces in metal: the raw, uncompromising sound of thrash and the glammed-up spectacle of hair metal. We explore how both genres became symbolic of a larger cultural and economic shift, with thrash embodying an anti-establishment ethos while hair metal captured mainstream attention with its flashy, accessible style.

However, as capitalist production infiltrated these new genres, the revolutionary spirit that first defined them was soon diluted. Record labels and media, quick to capitalize on the trend, churned out copycats and polished away the edge, reducing genuine rebellion to commodified rebellion. This episode discusses how, despite the initial burst of creativity and defiance, the rapid commercialization of both thrash and hair metal ultimately diminished their potential for lasting cultural impact, leaving us to question: can music remain revolutionary within a capitalist framework?

Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop

As political attention pivots towards the potential return of Donald Trump, the deeper and more pervasive economic reality of bipartisan austerity persists for most working Americans. Our guest today, Clara Mattei, argues that austerity’s fundamental purpose is not merely economic constraint but an assault on labor itself, embedding a “capitalist realist” resignation into our collective consciousness. In her recent article for Jacobin Magazine, Mattei writes, “When the US state, like most states, increases military spending or rescues banks while simultaneously cutting spending on health care, education, transportation, public housing, or unemployment benefits, it structurally transfers resources from the working majority to the 1 percent of the population that subsists mainly off capital ownership (i.e., stock dividends, rents, and interest).” This reveals austerity as a project not of restraint, but rather a reallocation of resources “in favor of the economic and financial elite and to the detriment of the majority of the population.” As we navigate a landscape where many struggle to afford medical care, are forced to send children to overcrowded, underfunded schools, and endure bureaucracy’s inefficiencies, defense and corporate profits continue to soar. In light of the election results, will we see new tax breaks for the 1% thinly veiled as fiscal “belt-tightening” while the public funds genocidal wars? Can we the people understand how this all functions and begin to organize to push back? 

Well, I don’t have the answers to these questions, but maybe our guest today can help to get us on the right track, please welcome Clara Mattei!

"Before diving into the banter and, yes, the inevitable dick jokes, let’s start by acknowledging some of the frustration that many of you out there might be feeling right now. Whether you voted blue, opted for a third party, or abstained from voting altogether, it’s safe to say there's a lot to process.

Now, while tonight’s episode won’t delve into the ins and outs of political strategy or the latest electoral breakdowns, it’s worth reminding ourselves why shows like this one are more than just sports talk. In a field so dominated by right-wing narratives around labor—particularly in sports, where so many of us come for player stats and behind-the-scenes scoops—pushing back against anti-labor sentiments is essential.

Just on my way here to TJ, I caught a segment of the Colin Cowherd show, where he actually celebrated football’s ‘superiority’ because of the NFL players’ weak labor union. He touted the idea that a lack of labor power somehow keeps players from ‘ruining the game’ by asking for fair pay. Meanwhile, Boeing workers recently achieved a significant victory through a two-month strike, winning a higher pension match and better pay. As leftists, we see labor victories as essential, not greedy or selfish. True solidarity is realized through labor struggles, and it’s these hard-won gains that we ought to champion—not demonize.

Alright, with that necessary preamble out of the way, let me bring in my co-host Mac, and let the jokes begin!"

Welcome to the Champagne Room, a unique space where music and politics intertwine. In this episode, we explore the dynamics of creating the perfect club atmosphere, characterized by music and a selection of drinks that ranges from Bud Light to top-shelf scotch. The host reflects on the experience of hosting an early show, discussing the turnout and the challenges of scheduling guests.

We delve into the intricacies of identifying a 'whale' in the club scene, while also addressing the political landscape post-election. The conversation shifts to the cultural shifts in America, touching on issues like the public's reaction to elections, the influence of reality TV on perceptions, and the ongoing debates surrounding social issues.

The episode also critiques the portrayal of success and reality in media, drawing parallels between political figures and the entertainment industry. With engaging anecdotes and reflections, this episode provides a thought-provoking look at how culture and politics shape public perception and behavior.

Introduction: Horror Tropes and the Legacy of "Teens in the Woods"

Welcome back to *THIS IS REVOLUTION* where we never apologize for our taste! At TIR, we reject the concept of “guilty pleasures.” Whether it’s low-budget films, DIY music, or bootleg swap meet finds—we embrace it all. And if there’s one genre that pulls us in, it’s horror. Today, we're diving into perhaps the most enduring horror trope: the “teenagers camping in the woods” genre, a setup that begins with ordinary characters and quickly descends into terror and survival.

This genre arguably gained its iconic standing with the *Friday the 13th* franchise, where a vengeful, silent figure haunts unsuspecting teens for their “sins” or simply for being there. What began with an act of vengeance in the original *Friday the 13th* became something far darker—a formula that ultimately evolved into a chilling commentary on innocence, power, and punishment. With sequels piling up, Jason Voorhees’ motive shifts from vengeance to something closer to a ritualistic bloodlust, a reflection of the franchise's own bloodthirsty popularity. 

But what do these stories reveal about our society’s anxieties and about the "rules" that horror fans know all too well? Films like *The Cabin in the Woods* take this trope further, using it as a meta-commentary on the genre itself—introducing archetypal characters and scenarios as intentionally manipulated constructs, while weaving in a dark critique on our endless hunger for violence as entertainment. Today, we’re taking a closer look at these “teen slasher” tropes and what makes this genre so unforgettable. Let’s dissect the horror, the satire, and the complex politics of punishment and voyeurism that keep audiences coming back for more.

This exploration into horror classics and their archetypal characters isn’t just about scares—it’s about understanding our collective psyche. The “teens in the woods” trope reveals as much about our cultural anxieties and contradictions as it does about our cinematic tastes.