Back to the Curse: Panic Fest 2025 Kicks Off with Paul Rudd, Michael Myers, and Midwest Nostalgia

Paul Rudd’s awkward debut in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers sets the tone for a night of horror nostalgia at Panic Fest.

There’s really only one way to dive into these daily Panic Fest recaps—and that’s by acknowledging the chaos that kicks off a fest weekend when you’re packing up, leaving your city, and heading to one that, once upon a time, you had mad love for… but something’s changed. Kansas City just ain’t what it used to be. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s the vibes. Either way, I rolled into town with bags, thoughts, and the lingering buzz of too many publicist emails.

Panic Fest Kansas City, Mo

I’m writing this (or technically rambling it out loud while hanging up shirts at 11:15pm in my Airbnb) because this time of year puts me on a very different rhythm. And honestly? It’s been working. The writing is moving. Submissions are wild. Music’s flowing in again. Momentum is real. But sometimes you don’t want to write—you want to talk it out and let someone else do the typing. So here we are.

Day One started the only way it could: with Michael Myers.

The Goat? Some think so!

That’s right. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, aka Halloween 6, got the 30th anniversary treatment at the fest, and damn… 1995 never felt so weirdly nostalgic. Now, I’ll be honest—I was off the Paul Rudd train after watching Death of a Unicorn. Not that I didn’t like the movie (you’ll get that review soon), but the shtick was wearing thin. I was getting strong Owen Wilson fatigue. But then Rudd popped up on The Daily Show and reminded me why people still love him. That banter with Jon Stewart? Chef’s kiss. Dude’s got layers.

So walking into Panic Fest and kicking things off with his first film, the infamous “Paul Stephen Rudd” debut, actually hit harder than expected. That performance—awkward, weird, but strangely endearing—worked in ways I wasn’t ready for. Had I not watched that Daily Show episode beforehand, I might’ve checked out. But hey, sometimes timing’s everything.

As for Curse of Michael Myers, my opinions haven’t changed much since I was 15 (or 16? Blockbuster age math is fuzzy). I rented it mostly to have an excuse to talk to this girl who worked there—shout out to the days when flirting meant pretending to care about movie plots. But here’s the thing: I liked Curse then, and I still kinda ride for it now. The Jamie Lloyd storyline? Criminally underused. They dropped the ball not following that thread further, especially considering how they aged her up with zero backstory between 5 and 6. It’s a whole character arc just sitting there, waiting to be explored. Honestly, it could’ve been the Sarah Connor Chronicles of the Halloween franchise. Danielle Harris has probably written the whole thing in her sleep by now.

And speaking of people showing love, it was great walking into the theater and instantly seeing familiar faces—John Is A Potter was there, the Black Mold fam still repping. Ran into Adam, Eric, and the rest of the Panic crew. Then Jill Gevargizian walked in and the vibes were officially locked in. Panic Fest always delivers, man. Always.

Also, yes—I’m tired.

Recorded The Final Cut at like 3 a.m., need to crank out Friday’s ep in a whisper so I don’t wake up my Airbnb neighbors. But we’re moving. We’re creating. We’re caffeinated.

Oh, and no—I didn’t stay for Hell of a Summer.

One of the best film festivals in the country Panic Fest continues the tradition of incredible programming.

Why? Because I already saw it, interviewed Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, and posted all that jazz on the site. But people seem to be vibing with it, so I’ll be asking around tomorrow to get some KC takes. Personally? Solid 3/5. A bunch of hilarious kids making a fun slasher about a generation they didn’t live through—but totally get. That Gen Z-meets-Gen X mash-up is working for them. Full review’s dropping soon, now that I can finally post it during the fest window.

So that’s Day One.

Highlights? Paul Rudd’s baby face. Jamie Lloyd slander. Seeing old friends. Ignoring sleep. Celebrating weird movies. That’s what Panic Fest is all about.

I’ll be back with more on Day Two. Still here for Day Three. Then it’s back to STL. In the meantime, stay loud in the comments, follow the madness on socials, and let us know what you’re watching, loving, or side-eyeing. This is HMU. This is Panic Fest. Let’s get weird.