History WebVideo / TheKillCount

-->-- '''James A. Janisse''', the opening to each episode

* ShownTheirWork: James often goes into the details of a film's production, giving trivia and shouting out members of the production who may be obscure or less discussed because they worked on areas with less publicity. He'll also bring attention to negative or problematic aspects of production and call them out, which also requires background research.

* TeaserOnlyCharacter: The long version of the Dead Meat intro has footage from ''Film/TheLostBoys''. To date, this film is the only one not yet covered on the Kill Count.

''The Kill Count'' is a web video series hosted primarily by James A. Janisse of the {{horror}} Website/YouTube channel WebVideo/DeadMeat, of which it has since become the flagship series since its creation in 2017. The series offers a humorous summary of horror/thriller films while counting down the kills that appear in the film.

''The Kill Count'' is a web video series hosted primarily by James A. Janisse of the {{horror}} Website/YouTube channel WebVideo/DeadMeat, of which it has since become the flagship series. The series offers a humorous summary of horror/thriller films while counting down the kills that appear in the film.

The series was created in 2017. While many of its episodes are hosted by James, guest hosts have been introduced during times when James takes a break from hosting, such as Chelsea Rebecca (James' wife and the host of the ''Podcast/DeadMeatPodcast'') and Zoran Gvojic (''Dead Meat'' editor of ''Lowcarbcomedy'' fame).

''The Kill Count'' is a web video series hosted primarily by James A. Janisse of ''WebVideo/DeadMeat'', though starting in 2022 some videos would be hosted by guest hosts, such as host of the ''Dead Meat Podcast'' and James' wife Chelsea Rebecca or ''Dead Meat'' editor Zoran Gvojic of ''Lowcarbcomedy'' fame. The series offers a humorous summary of horror/thriller movies while counting down the kills that appear in the movie.

While showing clips from the films and making snarky jokes, James lists whenever a character dies, timestamps their death in the movie's run time, and lists the cause of death. Even though the series focuses on deaths and gore effects, the host also offers his takes on the films as he tallies the numbers while giving behind-the-scenes facts.

* BlackDudeDiesFirst: James mentions in the ''Film/Scream2'' Kill Recount that in his years of counting deaths in horror movies, he found this trope is not as common as it's stereotyped to be.

** Upon noticing a poster for Music/DavidBowie's album ''Music/{{Tonight}}'' during the ''Film/ANightmareOnElmStreet2FreddysRevenge'' kill count, James snarks about ''Tonight'' being "a [[AudienceAlienatingEra bottom three]] Bowie album - bottom two if you don't count ''Music/TinMachineAlbum''".

-->'''Puppet James''': There are rules know\\

'''Zoran''': Yes, what must I know?\\

''The Kill Count'' is a web video series hosted primarily by James A. Janisse of ''WebVideo/DeadMeat'', though starting in 2022 some videos would be hosted by guest hosts, such as host of the ''Dead Meat Podcast'' and James' wife Chelsea Rebecca or ''Dead Meat'' editor Zoran Gvojic. The series offers a humorous summary of horror/thriller movies while counting down the kills that appear in the movie.

** Everything that James discovers in the "The Kill Count Gets Weird." video is this towards the upcoming [[FormulaBreakingEpisode formula-breaking episodes]]. He ends up finding [[VideoGame/MortalKombat2011 Mortal Kombat figurines]] outside the set, a [=PS1=] with a disk of ''VideoGame/SilentHill'' next to it, Zoran holding what looks like ''ComicBook/FreddyVsJasonVsAsh'' with distorted Music/IceNineKills playing, Chelsea wandering around [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc murmuring "it's punishment time" with a Monokuma plushie]] in hand, a playbill for ''Theatre/TheGuyWhoDidntLikeMusicals'', a computer showing [[Film/TheBlairWitchProject the missing posters of Heather, Josh and Mike]], a DVD of ''Film/{{Cronos}}'', and finally, he ends up [[WebVideo/DontHugMeImScared turning into a puppet]] at the end. The decorations on the set-dec also change from being based on ''Film/Terrifier2'' to being based on ''WebVideo/DontHugMeImScared'', all but stating that the latter one would be the first of the batch to be covered.

** Conversely, ''Film/ANightmareOnElmStreet5TheDreamChild'', ''Film/LeprechaunReturns'', ''Film/TheWitch'', ''Film/TheShining'', ''Film/BetterWatchOut'', ''[[Film/NeverHikeAlone Never Hike In The Snow]]'', ''Film/{{Society}}'', ''Film/{{Midsommar}}'', ''Film/Stitches2012'', ''Film/TheBlackPhone'' and ''[[WebVideo/CryptTV Mordeo]]'' Season 1, which have no Dull Machete awarded to any of the kills[[note]]While the latter does have a Dull Machete, it's not for any of the kills from the web series.[[/note]]. While one of the kills gets the Golden Chainsaw in each instance[[note]]all of them in ''Society'''s case[[/note]], James doesn't find any of the kills weak enough to award a Dull Machete and says all of the kills are really good, though in the case of ''Film/TheBlackPhone'', it was more James not wanting to penalise a child murder for being offscreen.

* EveryEpisodeEnding: Two awards are given out at the end of every count: "Golden Chainsaw" for the coolest kill, and "Dull Machete" for the lamest kill. Finally, the host ends with "I'm James A. Janisse, and this has been the Kill Count." Also, right after a short spiel at the end of each video where James thanks his Patreon supporters, the last line of every video is "Be good people.".

The "Kill Count Champion" record for highest number of kills in a single installment was previously acquired on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maStCalfei8 January 15th, 2021]] by ''Film/ZombielandDoubleTap'' with an estimated 376 deaths until it was ''thoroughly'' ousted on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IioxDqhRXI October 7th, 2022]] by ''Film/DudeBroPartyMassacre3'' with an estimated '''4295''' deaths. And then ''WebAnimation/EmesisBlue'' came along and '''fucking obliterated''' that record on [[https://youtu.be/15AHUZpNDMw?feature=shared October 27, 2023]] with a mind-boggling estimated '''''800,054''''' deaths.

The "Kill Count Champion" record for highest number of kills in a single installment was previously acquired on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maStCalfei8 January 15th, 2021]] by ''Film/ZombielandDoubleTap'' with an estimated 376 deaths until it was ''thoroughly'' ousted on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IioxDqhRXI October 7th, 2022]] by ''Film/DudeBroPartyMassacre3'' with an estimated '''4295''' deaths. And then ''WebAnimation/EmesisBlue'' came along and obliterated that red on [[https://youtu.be/15AHUZpNDMw?feature=shared October 27, 2023]] with a mind-boggling estimated '''''800,054''''' deaths.

The "Kill Count Champion" record for highest number of kills in a single installment was previously acquired on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maStCalfei8 January 15th, 2021]] by ''Film/ZombielandDoubleTap'' with an estimated 376 deaths until it was ''thoroughly'' ousted on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IioxDqhRXI October 7th, 2022]] by ''Film/DudeBroPartyMassacre3'' with an estimated '''4295''' deaths. And then ''WebAnimation/EmesisBlue'' came along and obliterated that red on [[https://youtu.be/15AHUZpNDMw?feature=shared October 27, 2023]] with a mind-boggling estimated '''800,054''' deaths.

The "Kill Count Champion" record for highest number of kills in a single installment was previously acquired on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maStCalfei8 January 15th, 2021]] by ''Film/ZombielandDoubleTap'' with an estimated 376 deaths until it was ''thoroughly'' ousted on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IioxDqhRXI October 7th, 2022]] by ''Film/DudeBroPartyMassacre3'' with an estimated '''''4295''''' deaths.

** Everything that James discovers in the "The Kill Count Gets Weird." video is this towards the upcoming [[FormulaBreakingEpisode formula-breaking episodes]]. He ends up finding [[VideoGame/MortalKombat2011 Mortal Kombat figurines]] outside the set, a [=PS1=] with a disk of ''VideoGame/SilentHill'' next to it, Zoran holding what looks like ''ComicBook/FreddyVsJasonVsAsh'' with distorted Music/IceNineKills playing, Chelsea wandering around [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc murmuring "it's punishment time" with a Monokuma plushie]] in hand, a playbill for ''Theatre/TheGuyWhoDidntLikeMusicals'', a computer showing [[Film/TheBlairWitchProject the missing posters of Heather, Josh and Mike]], a DVD of ''Film/{{Cronos}}'', and finally, he ends up [[WebVideo/DontHugMeImScared turning into a puppet]] at the end.

* FormulaBreakingEpisode: Thanks to the 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike, the kill count crew had to experiment with the formula to avoid going on hiatus. In addition to focusing only on indie flicks until the strike ends (avoiding movies from any big-name studios) they've decided to make video games, musicals, comic books, and even ''songs'' applicable for kill counts, with the list starting off with ''WebVideo/DontHugMeImScared'', a web series where nearly ALL the kills break the usual rules for the Kill Count. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that ''WebAnimation/EmesisBlue'' is along the line thanks to it too, an ''animated VideoGame/TeamFortress2 fan film''.

** In the ''Film/{{Critters}}'' Kill Counts, the Crites are listed in grey.OK.

* PantyShot: A couple crop up in the ''[[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc Danganronpa]] Kill Count. According to Chelsea, for all James knows the entire game is just upskirts of anime girls.

** In the ''Film/{{Critters}}'' Kill Counts, the Crites are listed in grey.

* {{Catchphrase}}: At the end of every episode, James signs off with one that isn't really related to his content but is nonetheless good advice.
-->'''James:''' Be good people!
** Some more that pop up in the Kill Counts:
---> "TITLE CARD!"\\
"Slow-ass motherfuckin' Jeff!" (for the ''[[Franchise/{{Saw}} SAW]]'' franchise)\\
"Little Shit" (for the ''Film/{{Leprechaun}}'' franchise)\\
"Go on and GIT!"\\
"Bastard Skellys"/ "Grow some skin you fucks!" (referring to whenever random bones/skeletons/human remains are found)\\
"A good boy" (whenever a dog appears)\\
"Saboteur!" (in an intense French accent)\\
"G-g-g-g-ghost!"\\
"SHPOOKAY!"\\
"Delicious drugs"\\
"'''Hmmmmmmm''' druuuugs. [[note]]This started out as a Simpsons' reference but he admits it has taken on a life of its own[[/note]]\\
"It's an '''ALL OUT (insert fight context here) FIGHT!!'''" ''[airhorn noises]'' (whenever a big fight is about to begin)\\
"That's nice/not nice." (in a condescending tone)\\
"Dinosawh!" (It's how he pronounces "dinosaur," in a reference to the first Jurassic Park; this naturally came up in the ''Jurassic Park'' and ''Tammy and the T-Rex'' kill counts quite a bit)\\
"[action]! That! Puppet!"\\
"-and that movie ''su~cked''!" ([[InsultToRocks after comparing a movie's bad moment to a movie he doesn't like]])\\
"BUSINESS!"\\
"[=WooOOOooah!=]" (in response to [[PaddleballShot especially obnoxious]] or [[SpecialEffectsFailure unconvincing]] 3D effects)

** James has edited in a tone to alert viewers with seizure issues when scenes with flashing lights that may cause seizures begin and end. ''Film/{{REC}}'' and ''Film/Quarantine2008'' have so many flashing lights that he couldn’t keep putting the tone in the videos, so he simply advised photosensitive viewers to skip them altogether.

* EarWorm: James notes how catchy the Banana Splits’ theme song is.

--> '''James''': Sign me up!
** He does it again in the ''Film/SeedOfChucky'' Kill Count when he mentions that Glen is “only one dilated pupil away” from looking just like David Bowie. He even goes as far as to call David “the sexiest man who has ever or will ever walk this earth”.

--> '''Candyman''': ''Be my victim...''
--> '''James''': [[PunctuatedForEmphasis Not. A. Problem. Man.]] You don't have to ask me twice!
--> '''Candyman''': ''Be. My victim...''
--> '''James''': Yup, no, I'm all down for it, dude! How could anyone say no to you?

-->'''James:''' I especially love that she wrote a movie with a predominantly female cast, and did so in a way that's truly feminist - just let women be people.
-->'''Brea Grant''': We write these really great roles for women, but they're always, like, up on these pedestals. But I wanted to see a woman... have a lot of flaws. And all of the female characters have a lot of flaws.

* FormulaBreakingEpisode: Thanks to the 2023 [=WGA/SAG-AFTRA=] strike, the kill count crew had to experiment with the formula to avoid going on hiatus. In addition to focusing only on indie flicks until the strike ends (avoiding movies from any big-name studios) they've decided to make video games, musicals, comic books, and even ''songs'' applicable for kill counts, with the list starting off with ''WebVideo/DontHugMeImScared'', a web series where nearly ALL the kills break the usual rules for the Kill Count. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that ''WebAnimation/EmesisBlue'' is along the line thanks to it too, an ''animated VideoGame/TeamFortress2 fan film''.

* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]]; after watching several Saw movies, James debated on whether or not Kramer still had good enough reasons for putting so many people through his death traps. James instead wondered if Kramer just had a crippling addiction to torturing people and used parts of his backstory to justify his killings and to pass on the blame to someone else.

** Before he gets to the numbers for ''Film/AliensVsPredatorRequiem'', James hears a jet overhead, and it initially appears that he's about to suffer the same fate as [[spoiler: [[NukeEm the last 42 deaths from the movie]]]]. Turns out it was just a Blue Angels show, which James goes to watch.

** While James usually has a rather neutral reaction to most of the bad movies that he watches, he seems to absolutely despise ''Film/Saw3D''. Best shown when he brings up the movie's most infamous scene, [[spoiler: Joyce burning to death]], during the ''Film/FinalDestination3'' kill count.
---> '''James''': [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck]] I hate that movie.
** He doesn’t really like finding piles of dead bodies in movies and having to count them as well, as evidenced by this line from his Kill Count for the Banana Splits Movie when Paige finds the rest of the adults dead in a heap.
---> '''James''': Aw, what the fuck? COME ON!

** Also, when James finally realizes he’s going to have to cover ''Thankskilling 3''.

** Similarly, ''Film/ZombielandDoubleTap'''s Kill Count was an ''absolute nightmare'' due to multiple mass killings in the dark. He asked the filmmakers, tried to use an [=AI=] program, just estimated, and then the editor just counted the best he could.
** For ''Film/Tremors7ShriekerIsland'', Zoran gave the Dull Machete to every kill save one, due to all being derivative offscreen deaths. And that one exception, [[spoiler: [[TheHeroDies Burt's death]] at the climax,]] doesn't get the Golden Chainsaw either, since Zoran felt its execution lacked the emotional impact the movie was aiming for.

--> '''James''': Be good people!

--> "TITLE CARD!"
--> "Slow-ass motherfuckin' Jeff!" (for the ''[[Franchise/{{Saw}} SAW]]'' franchise)
--> "Little Shit" (for the ''Film/{{Leprechaun}}'' franchise)
--> "Go on and GIT!"
--> "Bastard Skellys"/ "Grow some skin you fucks!" (referring to whenever random bones/skeletons/human remains are found)
--> "A good boy" (whenever a dog appears)
--> "Saboteur!" (in an intense French accent)
--> "G-g-g-g-ghost!"
--> "SHPOOKAY!"
--> "Delicious drugs"
--> "'''Hmmmmmmm''' druuuugs. [[note]]This started out as a Simpsons' reference but he admits it has taken on a life of its own[[/note]]
--> "It's an '''ALL OUT (insert fight context here) FIGHT!!'''" ''[airhorn noises]'' (whenever a big fight is about to begin)
--> "That's nice/not nice." (in a condescending tone)
--> "Dinosawh!" (It's how he pronounces "dinosaur," in a reference to the first Jurassic Park; this naturally came up in the ''Jurassic Park'' and ''Tammy and the T-Rex'' kill counts quite a bit)
--> "[action]! That! Puppet!"
--> "-and that movie ''su~cked''!" ([[InsultToRocks after comparing a movie's bad moment to a movie he doesn't like]])
--> "BUSINESS!"
--> "[=WooOOOooah!=]" (in response to [[PaddleballShot especially obnoxious]] or [[SpecialEffectsFailure unconvincing]] 3D effects)