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Reality shows and horror Two things that rarely go well together. Sure, there are a variety of cooking shows that feature one-off Halloween-themed episodes showcasing spooky baked goods to the delight of a gang of esteemed judges. I’m not talking about that.
What I am proposing is a series that blends challenge-focused sensibilities Survivor With the palpable horror of The Blair Witch Project. Well, good news: I’ve found an offer that perfectly matches that.
I’m talking about ditherThe first ever competition series to Guts & Glory (which premiered October 14 and airs new episodes every Tuesday on Shudder and AMC Plus), the creator/host is Greg Nicotero, a special effects makeup artist, television producer and film director.
This is a series that plays according to familiar reality show rules where contestants compete against each other to complete tasks and solve puzzles, all with the goal of outdoing everyone else and being the last one standing. And it does all of this in the imagined reality of a horror movie. Each episode explores a different horror trope and subgenre, upping the ante as it progresses, with a host of unsettling challenges.
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Greg Nicotero hosts Guts & Glory on Shudder and AMC Plus.
Nicotero’s film credits span a wide range, from Evil Dead II to Aliens. Then there’s AMC’s The Walking Dead, which has orchestrated a zombie apocalypse on television for more than a decade. And now he’s making his mark on reality TV.
Although I am not one to watch such shows, his participation piqued my curiosity. I decided to show the episodes (advanced screenings were sent for this season), and as soon as the credits rolled on the pilot, I was blown away.
First and foremost, we’re introduced to a group of contestants who, after a while, feel like the kinds of playable characters you’d find in a survival horror video game. I’m not sure if it was on purpose, but the cast brought a strange air to the proceedings, making everything feel a little untidy.
When people started dying, I really leaned in.
Guts & Glory is now streaming on Shudder and AMC Plus.
Yes, people die in Guts & Glory, and these narrative details make things seem unpredictable. For this reason, the risks remain high.
There’s also a definite undercurrent of mystery that fuels this series. It’s there at the beginning, as we’re introduced to our band of heroes, as they each ditch their phone and board a covered bus to an undisclosed location that’s eventually revealed to be the middle of an Alabama swamp.
Even at this point in the first episode, no one knows what they’re doing or why they’re there. This is a strong choice, considering that in most of the reality competition show’s opening episodes, the host appears and explains the rules of the road. None of that happens here.
After a simple and not scary challenge, an exciting incident occurs that turns the contestants’ reality upside down. With competitors and crew in panic, the set fills up and they leave, heading straight into an even bloodier and more horrific scenario.
This, the group began to realize, was the show they had signed up for. Nicotero eventually reveals himself as the mastermind behind this terrorist challenge and fills the role well. It’s like the horror equivalent of Jeff Probst.
Greg Nicotero hosts Guts & Glory on Shudder and AMC Plus.
Every challenge happily veers into bloody territory. When the possibility of anyone dying is presented in the series, the show takes on an unexpected nature, drawing the contestants deeper into this immersive horror experience.
Shudder sent out a strict spoiler list that prevents me from describing the collection of guts in the show. But I can assure you that Guts & Glory doesn’t make any effort. There’s no found footage horror, but there are elements in the narrative that harken back to the fan-favorite subgenre.
Guts & Glory is innovative and fun. It’s a fun show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Will they continue the series next year? I have no idea, but I’m optimistic. Shudder has a bloody little gem on its hands, and I’m ready for more.