Interview by Paul Salfen
In the world of indie horror-comedy, where blood splatters meet belly laughs, few films dare to swing as wildly as The Weedhacker Massacre. This gleefully absurd slasher follows a hapless cast and crew who unwittingly set up shop on the site of long-ago gruesome murders—only for the masked killer to make a deadly comeback. Co-created by horror veterans Ray Spivey and Allen Danziger (the latter iconic for his role in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre), the film stars David Treviño (Rent Free, Storage Locker), Molly Sakonchick (Storage Locker), Bobbie Grace (Fear the Walking Dead, Velocity Girl), Sean Reyna, and Parrish Randall (Circus of the Dead, The Goldilocks). Danziger himself features as the hilariously named Sheriff Danzinshoos. Written and produced by Spivey, executive produced by Danziger, and directed by Jody Stelzig, this unrated romp clocks in at a tight 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 36 seconds of pure, unfiltered mayhem.
I recently caught up with Spivey and Danziger to chat about the film’s chaotic creation, its ties to horror history, and why it’s generating buzz among fans who crave their scares with a side of satire. From rain-soaked shoots to riffing on Spike Lee, their stories prove that making movies like this is as unpredictable as the killer’s next swing.
A Bloody Good Time: The Joy of Horror-Comedy Chaos
Right out of the gate, both filmmakers couldn’t contain their excitement about finally unleashing The Weedhacker Massacre on audiences. “Exciting beyond belief,” Spivey enthused, while Danziger added, “It’s blowing my mind how much fun people are having with this movie and the laughs that they’re getting.” The film’s blend of gore and giggles isn’t accidental—it’s the result of meticulous joke-testing and a cast that clicked from day one. Spivey explained the secret sauce: “We constantly had to rework some of the jokes, but I think the main thing is we had such a good cast and we just played to their natural abilities. You kind of gravitate to the characters, and that’s what makes the humor work.”
Danziger, no stranger to cult classics, highlighted how the film’s simplicity sets it apart in a genre where horror-comedies often fizzle. “Simpler than most horror comedies you’ll see,” Spivey agreed, noting the challenge of pleasing both laugh-seekers and gorehounds. It’s a tough balance, but one they nailed by leaning into the absurdity—like a killer wielding a modified weed whacker.
Set Stories: Rain, Riffs, and Red Seas Parting
Indie filmmaking is rarely glamorous, and The Weedhacker Massacre was no exception. Danziger recalled a standout moment: his opening monologue, where he riffed on being “bamboozled” in a nod to Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. “Ray bringing me in at the beginning helps tie things together,” he said. For Spivey, the highlight—and biggest headache—was the climactic fight scene. “We had gotten rained out a number of days, so we’re really behind. We’re shooting our biggest scene at 2:00 in the morning with 15 stunt people. Everybody’s tired, but we got through it.” Director Stelzig’s choreography shone through, turning exhaustion into on-screen energy.
These tales evoked echoes of Danziger’s infamous experience on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. “That was no walk in the park,” he laughed. “It was like Africa hot, filming in that van with no AC.” Shooting in July with real animal props in 100-degree heat? Brutal. Yet, it’s that grit that bonds the two films—proving horror legends are forged in sweat and perseverance.
Safety was another wild card on set. Spivey shared a hair-raising anecdote about the killer’s prop: “When we first had the weed hacker, it was gas-powered with metal blades. Sean Reyna, who plays Poker Face, is 6’5″ and 292 pounds. He puts on the mask, and people were parting the Red Sea to get away!” They switched to safer versions, but the thrill (and terror) lingered.
Hail Marys and Horror Wisdom: Advice from the Pros
We dove into “Hail Mary” moments—those high-stakes leaps that paid off. For Spivey, it was his debut film Writer’s Block: “Getting enough guts and money to make my very first film. Had no idea what I was doing, but we got through it.” Danziger’s? Saying yes to director Tobe Hooper for Eggshells, which led to Chain Saw. “I didn’t study acting. I wasn’t a thespian by any means. But my answer: ‘Yeah, I’ll do it.'”
Their advice for aspiring filmmakers? Persevere through the chaos. “You just got to persevere because whatever can go wrong will go wrong,” Spivey said, emphasizing budget woes and on-set surprises. Danziger stressed belief: “Don’t let anybody dissuade you. And Ray’s equanimity, his calmness, made a big difference.” In a nod to the Coen brothers, Spivey shared a pro tip: Hire crew on Thursday so you can fire and replace over the weekend if needed.
What keeps them grounded? Family for Danziger—”I try to get my family first”—and trust for Spivey, who was thrilled to headline with his co-creator. “I just really wanted it to turn out well for him.”
Soundtracks, Sequels, and a Renaissance
One unexpected gem? The music, courtesy of The Voice runner-up Britton Buchanan, a horror buff who nailed the vibe. “He wrote ‘The Ballad of Weedhacker’ and ‘Hammer to the Head’—it could be a number one hit,” Danziger raved. The film also features cameos tying into broader horror lore, like Sean Hayes from Cannibal Comedian.
Danziger’s in a career renaissance, appearing in docs like My Dinner with Leatherface (honoring Gunnar Hansen) and Chain Reactions, which explores Chain Saw‘s global impact. “Who would have thought a movie like this?” he mused, recalling its 1974 porno theater debut.
As for the future? A sequel tease at the end has fans buzzing. “It’s all going to count on the fans,” Spivey said. “Allen’s got a million ideas.”
The Weedhacker Massacre is a riotous reminder that horror doesn’t always have to be serious—sometimes, it’s best served with a wink and a whack. Catch it now and join the cult of fans laughing through the bloodshed. Thanks to Ray and Allen for the killer chat—here’s to more massacres ahead!
