Ep. 110: Scream 2 ➡
Episode 109: Michael Cooney’s Jack Frost (1997)
Rotten Tomato Score: 16%
A serial killer collides with a chemical spill, reforms as a wisecracking snowman, and turns a quiet town into a slushy crime scene. That’s the outrageous hook behind Jack Frost (1997), a holiday horror curiosity that splits our panel right down the middle. We dig into what makes camp work—resourceful effects, punchy pacing, and knowingly silly kills—and where this movie fumbles, from cotton-ball snow and wobbly camera setups to a bathtub sequence that crosses a line and derails the fun.
We start with expectations and tone. If you press play for so-bad-it’s-good energy, you’ll find moments worth cheering: the fast, grisly chemical dissolve; the axe handle lodged down a throat; and the anti-freeze solution that leads to a memorable final toss. The slowed-down Christmas carols add a smart, eerie vibe without shouting. But the editing and continuity strain the illusion, and the script leans on puns that yo-yo between grin and groan. We unpack how budget constraints can breed creative kills while also spotlighting choices that feel lazy rather than playful.
Then we ask the tougher question: when does camp turn cruel? The infamous bathroom death reframes earlier innuendo as something mean-spirited, and we call out why that matters. Horror can provoke; good satire can bite. But shock without purpose breaks the pact with the audience. By comparing Jack Frost to small-town terror done right—Gremlins for mischievous chaos, The Blob for mounting dread—we map the line between joyous mayhem and tasteless spectacle.
If you’re building a holiday horror marathon, we’ll help you decide where this one fits. Come for the laughs, stay for the craft breakdown, and hear why our ratings range from “never again” to “party watch with drinks.” Enjoy the ride, then tell us: camp classic or coal in the stocking? Subscribe, share with a horror-loving friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.
Sinister Sips
Dirty Snowman
From: Planning Inspired
Recipe:
2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
2 oz Baileys Cream
1 cup Hot Chocolate
Whipped Cream
To your favorite cocktail glass, add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Pour Baileys over ice cream
Pour hot chocolate over ice cream and Baileys
Top with whipped cream, and sprinkless
Plot Summary:
After an accident that left murderer Jack Frost dead in genetic material, the vengeful killer returns as a murderous snowman to exact his revenge on the man who sent him to be executed. (Taken from IMDb)
Watchability Scale
Sam liked it the least and gave it a 1. Mike went a bit higher and gave it a 2. Chad was far more entertained by the film and gave it a 4. We placed the film at 2.5 on the Watchability Scale.
Links
Movie Trivia (TV Tropes)