Hell Motel: All you need to know About the Blood-Soaked Horror Anthology from the Creators of Slasher

The blood-soaked trailer for Hell Motel has finally dropped—and it’s as chilling, twisted, and meta as horror fans could’ve hoped for. Quick flashes of masked killers, claustrophobic hallways, and screams echoing through the Cold River Motel promise carnage wrapped in a psychological nightmare. 

With horror vets Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter at the helm, and Eric McCormack teasing a character as despicable as Slasher’s Basil Garvey, this series is clearly not pulling any punches. What makes Hell Motel stand out isn’t just the gore—it’s the self-aware, spine-tingling dive into horror fandom itself. This is a show about horror lovers for horror lovers, dissecting obsession while turning up the brutality.

Add in an eerie score, fast-cut kills, and a twisted sense of humor, and you’ve got a show that’s both a tribute and a warning. Curious about the story, the cast, and when you can check in to the Cold River Motel? We've gathered every sinister detail so far—from casting news to killer first looks—and we’re keeping this page updated with the freshest info. Buckle up, horror fiends: Hell Motel isn’t just a series, it’s an experience you’ll want to survive.

Release date & Where to Watch

Hell Motel, the eight-episode limited series will premiere with a two-episode launch on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, on both Shudder and AMC+. New episodes will roll out weekly every Tuesday. Prior to its U.S. debut, the series will air in Canada on Hollywood Suite starting Friday, June 13, 2025.

What is the plot of Hell Motel (2025) Series?

Hell Motel is set at the infamous Cold River Motel, now renovated and reopening decades after a notorious 1980s Satanic mass murder. Ten true crime enthusiasts are invited for the exclusive opening weekend, drawn by the dark legacy of the unsolved killings. 

But what starts as a thrill-seeking getaway quickly spirals into a nightmare as a masked killer begins picking off the guests, each death more brutal than the last. The line between fandom and real fear blurs, turning a morbid fascination into a desperate fight for survival.

The show dives deep into the psychology of horror obsession, offering a blood-soaked mirror for viewers who crave true crime and slasher lore. With gruesome kills escalating in intensity, Hell Motel raises the stakes beyond its historical horrors, aiming to unsettle even the most seasoned genre fans. 

The creators lean into self-awareness, crafting a chilling meta-commentary on our cultural fixation with real-life terror and the entertainment it inspires.

“When Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter reached out to tell me they had crafted another irredeemable a-hole for me, my response was, ‘where do I sign?’. If you loved hating Basil Garvey, prepare to feel an instant disdain for Hemmingway,” said Eric McCormack (via AMC Networks), who delivered a memorable performance in Slasher: Ripper.

The creators added, “With Hell Motel we take a good look in the mirror as both horror fans and horror creators, delving into the allure of a genre of storytelling as old as drama itself. But as any horror fan who’s ever uttered ‘Bloody Mary’ three times into a mirror knows, you’ve got to be careful what you wish for…”

Who’s Starring in Hell Motel?

• Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Departure) as Hemmingway: A chef with a wickedly sinister flair.
• Paula Brancati as Paige: A former scream queen actress looking to revive a career that has seemingly left her behind.
• Shaun Benson as Crow: A new-age medium with an apparent connection to the massacre’s victims.
• Atticus Mitchell as Blake: A true crime writer and himself a survivor of a mass killing.
• Emmanuel Kabongo as Kawayan: A talented artist with a dark focus on murder.
• Jim Watson as Andy: A bookish academic at the forefront of contemporary true crime studies.
• Genevieve DeGraves as Adriana: A hybristophilic flight attendant with several notorious serial killer notches on her bedpost. 
• Icesis Couture as Magenta: A stylish real estate agent
• Brynn Godenir as Ruby: The motel’s new owner
• Michelle Nolden as Portia: The motel’s new owner
• Gray Powell as Floyd
• Roshahn Dhoré

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Is There a Trailer for Hell Motel?

The trailer for Hell Motel throws us straight into the heart of Cold River Motel’s eerie reopening, where ten true crime superfans gather to relive the site of a gruesome satanic mass murder. What begins as a darkly thrilling fan experience spirals into pure terror when a masked killer begins stalking the guests. Blood-splattered hallways, flickering motel lights, and frantic screams paint a chilling picture of what’s to come.

The dialogue adds a sharp layer of dread to the visuals. A haunting welcome kicks things off with, “Welcome, everyone. Each one of you is a VIP.” Another voice declares, “We deliver total access to the most famous murder site in history,” just as panic spreads. 

As paranoia mounts, someone asks, “Do you think the original murderer has come back?” followed by the chilling observation, “We all have a killer hiding within us.” These lines suggest that the horror isn’t just external—it might already live inside each guest.

With fast cuts, eerie sound design, and a deep psychological undertone, the trailer teases a slasher story that’s more than just blood and bodies. Hell Motel looks set to explore the fine line between fandom and fear, serving up a meta-horror ride that questions why we’re so drawn to darkness in the first place.

Episode Schedule

• Season 1 Episode 1: Blood Bath (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 2: Night Orchid (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 3: Mirror Moves (Tuesday, June 24, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 4: Devil in the Details (Tuesday, July 1, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 5: Jailbait (Tuesday, July 8, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 6: Guts and Glory (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 7: Cat and Mouse (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 8: Grand Guignol (Tuesday, July 29, 2025)

Behind the Scenes

Hell Motel is a chilling eight-episode horror anthology series from Slasher creators Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter. A Shudder Original, the series is developed and produced by Shaftesbury in association with Hollywood Suite, with funding support from the Bell Fund. AMC Networks holds the distribution rights.

Directed by Adam MacDonald, Hell Motel brings together an impressive team of executive producers, including Martin, Carpenter (also the showrunner), Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, and Thomas P. Vitale. The series marks a major addition to Shudder’s 10th-anniversary slate.