At the corner of Melrose and midnight dreams, Slashback Video is alive again—flickering neon, warped VHS spines, a faint hum of TV static that feels like 1996. The horror-centric video store and immersive art gallery, located inside the brand-new Slasher World, opens its doors today only (October 10, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.) for a free one-day event presented by Pluto TV and Paramount+.
Owner Kiko Bailey, whose creative eye has turned nostalgia into an art form, calls it a “time capsule for horror lovers.” “When people come in,” Kiko told me during our interview, “they say they can see the passion in every corner. I want this to be everyone’s space—to come, enjoy, and escape for a while.”
A Partnership Born from Instagram
Inside, every inch of Slashback feels intentional—stacked with original VHS tapes, international editions, and rare poster art from Japan, Korea, and Thailand. “I’m part Japanese, so I really wanted to show that horror is universal,” Kiko said. “I love displaying Asian horror, Black horror, queer horror—everyone should feel represented. You might see Texas Chainsaw Massacre in Japanese or Candyman in Korean, and it’s so cool because people have never seen them like that before.”
This collaboration with Pluto TV and Paramount+ came together, fittingly, like a good horror twist—sudden, natural, and almost too perfect. “Someone from Pluto TV found us on Instagram,” Kiko laughed. “She just messaged me, came by, and loved it. From there, everything flowed—so easy, so right. Everyone’s been so kind. It just worked out.”
For one day only, the partnership gives locals a free pass into Slashback’s retro universe, where horror VHS art meets streaming accessibility. “Every movie you see on our shelves, you can also stream on Pluto TV or Paramount+ this month,” Kiko said. “You can’t take the tapes home, but you can take the stories with you.”
Horror, Community, and Core Memories
Kiko doesn’t sketch plans or mood boards. She builds from instinct. “I don’t research—I go with what I feel,” she said. “I see it in my head and then make it happen.” That intuition pays off. The layout feels like walking through a friend’s living room, if your friend had impeccable taste and an obsession with Scream. “I just love people coming to my place because they’re seeing me,” she said. “But this isn’t for me—it’s for everyone.”
The community aspect is what fuels Slashback’s blood-red heart. “Everyone I’ve met—my best friends, my favorite people—I met through this store,” Kiko said. “It’s about connection. You walk in, and suddenly you’re talking to someone who loves Hellraiser or Near Dark just like you do. That’s what it’s all about.”
And yes—Scream tops Kiko’s horror list, followed by Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hasu, 30 Days of Night, and Near Dark. “Depending on the mood,” she added, smiling.
Today’s Must-Visit Experience
For horror fans, Slashback Video isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a living museum of fandom and friendship, where film, culture, and memory collide. The event is free, the vibe is welcoming, and for one day, Los Angeles gets a little weirder—in the best possible way.
So grab a friend, snap a photo under the blood-red lights, and lose yourself in the shelves that remind you why you fell in love with horror in the first place.
Visit Slashback Video at Slasher World
📍 7660 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles
🕓 Friday, Oct. 10 | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Free Admission)
🎬 Presented by Pluto TV & Paramount+
🌐 www.pluto.tv | www.paramountplus.com
📲 Instagram: @slashbackvideo | @plutotv | @paramountplus
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Slasher World LA
