Five FrightFest Facts with cast and crew from ‘Mutilator 2’

As Pigeon Shrine FrightFest 2024 brings the horror community together once more, one film that promises to deliver both nostalgia and gore is Mutilator 2. Directed by Buddy Cooper, this long-awaited sequel to the 1984 cult classic The Mutilator arrives nearly four decades after the original shocked and thrilled audiences with its grisly kills and unapologetic approach to the slasher genre. The original film, also known as Fall Break, became a cult favorite among horror enthusiasts for its inventive deaths and the terrifying figure of Big Ed, a grief-crazed maniac with a penchant for nautical-themed weapons. Now, with Mutilator 2, the legacy continues as the story picks up in a modern setting, blending horror and humor while bringing back both original and new characters for another bloody round.

The significance of Mutilator 2’s premiere at FrightFest cannot be overstated. FrightFest has long been a champion of horror cinema, giving a platform to both new voices and beloved franchises. The screening of this long-awaited sequel at such a prestigious festival highlights not only the enduring appeal of the original film but also the excitement and anticipation surrounding its return. For fans who have waited nearly 40 years to see the story continue, Mutilator 2 promises to be a nostalgic and thrilling experience that will deliver all the gore, glee, and unexpected laughs they crave. In this exclusive interview, we catch up with three key players from the film: producer Ann Hale and actors Carl Grasso and Dan Grogan, who share their insights into the making of Mutilator 2, their love for the horror genre, and what it means to bring this slasher sequel to life.

Ann Hale, Carl Grasso and Dan Grogan

1. Tell us about your film

Carl Grasso: Mutilator Part 2 is about a film crew and cast remaking the original film with the original characters coming back into this film. My character is the producer of the remake and sort of a hero because he gets the film done, unfortunately, somebody’s picking off the cast and crew one by one, and my character Henry the producer has to deal with that.

Ann Hale: I would consider M2 a comedy horror. Like its 1984 predecessor, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I hope people can get some good laughs and enjoy some bloody kills (done with practical effects).

Dan Grogan: It’s a horror movie with a classic vibe leaning hard into comedy. I feel it’s a love letter to the fans of the original Mutilator movie and to horror movie enthusiasts in general.

2. How did you get into making movies?

Carl Grasso: I’m a huge horror movie and movie fan, so I love movies, and movies are my life. It started simply when I was in high school with a VHS camcorder in the ’90s, just doing rip-offs of films of the day—horror movies and action movies. Then I went to college and learned how to act with real acting instructors, doing Shakespeare and other theatrical plays. I also learned how to playwright and screenwrite, so I’ve been doing it close to 30 years. In 2014, I took my career seriously and joined backstage.com, did some music videos, extra work in TV shows, and short films. Now, I have a film being premiered at FrightFest called Mutilator Part 2, and another called Blackest Darkness on streaming platforms like TUBI, Fawsome, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

Ann Hale: I met Buddy back in 2015 at a Halloween party. We instantly became friends, which is easy to do with Buddy. A few years later, Buddy mentioned the idea of making another movie. We all (his friends) encouraged him to put together a sequel for The Mutilator, but he was interested in some scripts he had read from other people. There were a couple that were decent and one that was a shameless ripoff of the F13 remake, but none of them felt right. Slowly Buddy began to warm up to the idea of Mutilator 2. I helped consult on some kills and plot ideas over the next 2-3 years before COVID hit and delayed things awhile. Then Buddy asked if I would be a producer, which was a huge honor for me, so of course I agreed. From there, I helped with the script, casting, and producing the film. I’m so glad I did because I met some incredibly talented people, and we had a blast.

Dan Grogan: I have been acting since I was a child. I have a theater background and started getting into films later in life, but now I can’t imagine my life not being on set.

3. What film would you love to see screened at FrightFest and why?

Carl Grasso: Well, if we do make Mutilator Part 3, I would love that to be screened at the next FrightFest. But if we were to do a classic retro movie, I would say maybe either 1979’s Alien, Phantasm, or even The Omen. I’m a huge horror movie and movie fan, so I love movies, and movies are my life.

Ann Hale: In terms of current or upcoming films, I couldn’t say really, but I would’ve LOVED to have been there when American Mary was screened. Seeing that for the first time, with an audience, on the big screen was probably an amazing experience.

Dan Grogan: I would love to see anything that was created by small independent groups with low or no budget. These films have the most passion behind them, in my opinion.

4. If you could create your own award to give at FrightFest, what would it be and why?

Carl Grasso: The Creepiest Character Award. I’m not the matinee idol—you won’t see me in a commercial selling cereal or automobiles because I look like I’m about to take an ice pick to someone’s face. But I can definitely play a creep. I’m not a creep in real life—I donate to a lot of charities for children and Human Rights Watch—but I can definitely scare you or make you laugh.

Ann Hale: Since I mentioned Mutilator 2 is comedy horror, I think maybe Best Gag or Funniest Kill.

Dan Grogan: I would create an award for the fans. They’re the reason we do this and put so much into their love of horror films. I think they should get an award for that.

5. If your life were made into a horror film, what would it be called and who would play the starring role?

Carl Grasso: It would be called Boring Guy with High Blood Pressure. I would like Liev Schreiber to play me because I’m a big fan, and I bet he’d get an Oscar playing me.

Ann Hale: I don’t think my life is exciting enough to be a horror film, but we travel a lot and we live on a lake, so I’m sure the premise would involve one of those. We have like 40 ducks that hang out in our backyard and on our porch, so I like to joke they are like The Birds and will eventually kill me. Pair that with Parker Posey as me, because she plays dark, quirky, and mouthy better than anyone. Parker Posey vs killer ducks.

Dan Grogan: If my life were a horror movie, it would probably be called He Never Saw It Coming, and I would love for Tom Hardy to play me in it, but it would probably be Nicolas Cage.

Mutilator 2 made its International Premiere at FrightFest on Friday, 23 August, at 11:05 PM. With its blend of comedy, horror, and nostalgia, this slasher sequel is sure to be a hit with fans of the original and newcomers. Don’t miss your chance to see this gore-filled homage to classic horror at your next opportunity!