Watch Masters of Horror

Masters of Horror is a horror anthology television series that aired on Showtime from 2005 to 2007. It featured thirteen episodes in its first season and another thirteen in the second season. Each episode was directed by a different renowned horror filmmaker, making it a veritable smorgasbord of scares.

One of the standout features of Masters of Horror was its cast, featuring many talented actors and actresses, including Holly Marie Combs, Bree Turner, Brian Benben, Cinthia Moura, Ethan Embry, Henry Thomas, Jessica Lowndes, Jonathan Tucker, Steven Weber, and many more. The show also featured guest appearances by other familiar faces, including George Wendt, Meat Loaf, and John Saxon.

Each episode of Masters of Horror was its own self-contained story, with its own unique setting, characters, and brand of terror. Some episodes were based on classic horror stories or franchises, while others were entirely original. The result was a series that offered a diverse array of terrifying tales, each one guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.

One of the most notable episodes of Masters of Horror was directed by John Carpenter, the mastermind behind such classics as Halloween and The Thing. His episode, titled "Cigarette Burns," was a chilling exploration of the power of film to induce madness and terror. It starred Norman Reedus as a man on a mission to find a rare and notorious film that has the power to drive viewers insane.

Another standout episode was "Homecoming," directed by Joe Dante. This episode was a biting satire of American politics, set against the backdrop of a zombie uprising. The episode starred Robert Picardo as a political advisor who must navigate a world overrun by the undead, all while trying to secure his candidate's victory in a hotly contested election.

Other notable episodes included "Dance of the Dead," directed by Tobe Hooper, which explored the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse; "The Fair Haired Child," directed by William Malone, which followed the haunting story of a kidnapped girl; and "Sick Girl," directed by Lucky McKee, which was a twisted love story between a bug scientist and her mysterious new girlfriend.

One of the most interesting things about Masters of Horror was the way it allowed filmmakers to explore their own unique visions of horror. Each episode was an opportunity for directors to push the boundaries of what had been done before, to experiment with new ideas and techniques, and to create something truly memorable.

The show was also notable for its willingness to embrace gore and violence, something that had been increasingly uncommon in mainstream horror at the time. While the series certainly had its share of jump scares and creepy atmospheres, it wasn't afraid to delve into much darker, bloodier territory.

In addition to its horror anthology format, Masters of Horror also had a framing device that tied all the episodes together. Each episode was introduced by a fictional horror director named Mick Garris, played by himself. Garris served as executive producer of the series, and his character helped give the show a sense of continuity and coherence despite its many different stories and styles.

Overall, Masters of Horror is a must-watch for any horror fan. With its all-star cast, talented roster of directors, and willingness to push boundaries, it's a series that deserves to be remembered as a true classic of the genre. Whether you're in the mood for psychological horror, supernatural scares, or anything in between, Masters of Horror has something for you.

Masters of Horror is a series that ran for 2 seasons (27 episodes) between October 28, 2005 and on Showtime