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A has gone full slasher.

And with an actual vengeance.

Fans have the shows creatorsRoberto Aguirre-Sacasaand Lindsay Calhoon to thank for this horror-forward HBO iteration.

The horror references in ‘PLL: Original Sin’ run the gamut. Photo by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max

Were huge horror movie fans, Aguirre-Sacasa tells Bustle.

The result is a series that references the greats of the genre.

Film means the world to Tabby.

Bailee Madison and Chandler Kinney as Imogen and Tabby in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.

When Tabbys not busy helping her friends, shes spewing film references left and right.

Here are all thehorror moviereferences inPLL: Original Sinso far.

Original Sinfor us really opened the door to this being a multigenerational horror story, Calhoon tells us.

Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, Zaria, Malia Pyles in Pretty Little Liars Original Si…

We loved embracing this as multigenerational horror but in a grounded, character-driven way.

If it feels familiar, thats because its inspired byJamie Lee Curtis iconic role in the 1978 slasher filmHalloween.

(Curtis is reprising her rolefor the third time in October 2022 forHalloween Ends.)

Mallory Bechtel in Pretty Little Liars Original Sin Episode 1 on HBO Max

Calhoon says its one of the creators favorite scenes in the pilot.

I love any homage to John Carpenter, Calhoon tells us.

Aguirre-Sacasa adds, The first version of that scene was eight minutes long.

Now its down to like 16 seconds.

Calhoon confirms, adding, It was an aria aboutThe Scarlet Letter.

You heard it here first.

So while its not exactlyhorror,it could pass as a messed-up thriller.

In the pilot, the class is discussing the book when Imogen first sees A.

And in Episode 3, Imogen finds the book in the memorial for Angela, alluding to its significance.

Plus, the whole idea of a scarlet A?

Thats definitely a Hawthorne-inspired way of guilting someone.

(And for hardcorePLLfans, its also an Easter Egg.

The original Liars also run into the novel throughout the original series.)

While its technically not horror, the novel-turned-film is a romp through the depths of hell.

So, its still spooky.

Episode 3 features anotherInfernoquote.

Us&Get Out

Jordan Peeles works get massive shoutouts in the first two episodes ofOriginal Sin.

Tabby quickly retorts, Yeah, but is it better than the shower scene inPsycho?

Not to mentionDressed To Killsexualizes all the killers victims before theyre slashed to death with a straight razor.

She could be referring to the scene withAnne Hechein Gus Van Sants remake orJanet LeighinAlfred Hitchcocks 60s classic.

Hes interrupted when Tabby spots A watching them.

Just as Wes is about to go down to confront the masked man (why?!

), Tabby makes a movie reference that stops him in his tracks.

At least Wes, whos also a horror movie buff, got the reference and drove off.

Midsommar & Hereditary

In that same car ride, Tabby and Wes talk about director Ari Aster.

While Wes isnt a fan of the young director, Tabby defends his works.

Dont hate on Ari Aster.Midsommaris flawed butHereditaryis a masterpiece, she tells Wes.

The Amityville Horror&Poltergeist

Tabby tends to spew out horror references whenever, wherever.

Oh, and she tends to do it in pairs.

Of course, Tabby made references to ghastly classics the 1979 haunted house novel-turned-filmThe Amityville Horrorand the 1982 filmPoltergeist.

She even said the moment was giving seriousPoltergeistvibes.

It makes sense thatCarriemade its way toOriginal Sin, especially since Aguirre-Sacasa wrote the 2017 revival starring Moretz.

Speaking about her co-creator, Calhoon reveals, Roberto is a hugeCarriefan andCarriewriter himself.

The one directly framing her bed is a poster ofSuspiria, Dario Argentos 1977 dance horror film.

This article was originally published onJuly 28, 2022