Thanks for visiting my page. I’m JA Kerswell—an author, subgenre critic, podcaster and founder of Hysteria Lives (possibly the longest-running website dedicated to the much-maligned slasher movie). I have contributed writing, criticism and commentaries to many genre releases by companies such as Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Films, Shout Factory, 88 Films, Imprint, Indicator, Celluloid Dreams, Treasured Films & more.
I started Hysteria Lives! in 1998 to pay tribute to the 80s films of my youth. I have always been looking to recapture the excitement I felt watching HALLOWEEN II (1981) on a friend’s hulking Betamax VCR back in 1982 when I was thirteen years old. Since then, my interests have expanded to the Italian Gialli, modern slashers and especially little-known international examples of the subgenre. I enjoy digging into the history of these movies and how they were received at the time of their release. There are currently over 600 reviews on Hysteria Lives! and counting …
I am also the author of the book Teenage Wasteland: The Slasher Movie Uncut (known in the USA as The Slasher Movie Book)—a love letter and history of the slasher movie from the early days of cinema through the subgenre’s Golden Age and up to the present day. The book has been updated once with new material and has received reprints on both sides of the Atlantic. My new book (tentatively titled) The Nanny Has a Knife!: The From Hell Psycho Movie (1987-1996) will be out in late 2026.
Since 2011, I have been a co-host on the popular The Hysteria Continues podcast—which again celebrates and critiques the slasher movie. We are still going strong and have clocked in over 300 episodes. Collectively, we have recorded over 70 commentaries for boutique and mainstream Bluray releases for classic slashers movies.
You can see a full list here.
I have recently completed my first solo commentary for the film SUPERSTITION (1982) (Imprint Films), and I regularly collaborate with Amanda Reyes, the editor and co-author of Are You in the House Alone? A TV Movie Compendium: 1964-1999—together, we have recorded commentaries for such titles as GHOST DANCE (1980) (Vinegar Syndrome), GIRLS NITE OUT (1982) (Arrow Films) and a Rondo Awards-nominated one for THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES (1980). I have also provided talking head commentary for genre documentaries, including for the German release of HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (1981) (Diabolique Films) and VIDEO NASTIES: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE 2 (Nucleus Film). Additionally, I have provided liner notes for several releases, including MURDER ROCK (Vinegar Syndrome), JASON GOES TO HELL and JASON X (both Arrow USA) and BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA (Celluloid Dreams).
I live in Spain with my partner, eight cats and one dog. In my spare time, I am a volunteer photographer at the local cat and dog shelter.
The Slasher Movie Book
"A gem ... a magnificent read." Fangoria
"Reading “The Slasher Movie Book” is like paging through a 1980s yearbook from a high school for maniacs." The New York Times
"Well-informed and humorous" SFX
"Horror aficionados will love this artful tribute." The Sacramento Bee
"... the definitive book on the slasher genre." Little White Lies
" ... insightful and enjoyable." Frightfest
"It's the best resource book slasher fans can get their bloody hands on." Retroslashers
Commentaries
"This is a great track. Well worth the listen." The Big Movie House on Imprint's release of SUPERSTITION with solo commentary
“… a worthwhile commentary by The Hysteria Continues dudes who seem to know everything there is to know about slashers.” Oddburt.com on the Arrow release of SATAN'S BLADE
“A commentary with the gang from The Hysteria Continues is a joy to listen to.” The Movie Waffler on Arrow's release of THE HILLS HAVE EYES PART II
"Both Kerswell and Reyes are gloriously affable and know their beans ... an absolutely fascinating commentary track, and is highly recommended." DVD Compare on Arrow's release of GIRLS NITE OUT
If you would like to contact me about my website and/or to explore commissions for commentaries, writing or anything else, please do get in touch!
Email: hysterialives@gmail.com
Find me on social media: Bluesky, YouTube and Facebook.
Help keep Hysteria Lives! online with a donation or subscription (in return, you'll get advance looks at any new reviews and exclusive content!). Find out more at KOFI.