Few characters capture the essence of camp and horror quite like Elvira. With her signature style and irreverent humor, Cassandra Peterson’s sultry and sarcastic creation has reigned supreme as a perennial fan favorite. This beloved pop culture phenomenon even headlined two movies.

As spooky season winds down, Kai Yaniz joins Franchise Detours to discuss 1988’s Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and Elvira’s Haunted Hills from 2001. We’ll discuss how the character evolved from improv comedy into a global sensation, why Elvira’s first movie still packs such a punch, and how she represents a type of stardom that has all but vanished in today’s world.

While Elvira: Mistress of the Dark emerged as a cult classic—following Elvira as she inherits a dilapidated mansion in a conservative town—Elvira’s Haunted Hills is far more under-seen. But is this tribute to classic horror tropes set in the Carpathian Mountains worth digging up? Or should fans simply revisit Elvira’s film debut? Give our chat a listen to find out.