The Ghost of Spinach Past: Why Popeye the Slayer Man Means So Much to Me

by Justine Norton-Kertson

When I first heard about Popeye the Slayer Man, I was immediately intrigued and little choked up. A horror take on Popeye? My childhood memories of the spinach-chomping sailor were filled with laughter, corny jokes, and adventures alongside Olive Oyl, Wimpy, and that asshole Bluto. As a horror lover, it isn’t hard to imagine that character stalking through an abandoned spinach canning factory, trading his pipe and squinty grin for something much darker. As I watched the bloody, gritty trailer, I realized this wasn’t just a novelty—this was something that hit me right in the feels.

Growing up, my dad and I bonded over Popeye. Whether it was the classic cartoons or the 1980 Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall movie (an underrated gem, if you ask me), Popeye represented comfort, family, and a shared love of storytelling. When my dad passed away from brain cancer five years ago, it felt like those carefree memories were forever tinged with sadness.

So when a grittier, horror-tinged version of Popeye came along, I couldn’t help but feel an unexpected surge of excitement. This film isn’t just a twisted reimagining of an iconic character; it’s also a reminder of how stories evolve and remain relevant across generations. It’s Popeye—my dad’s Popeye and mine—taken to a whole new level.

Why Popeye the Slayer Man Stands Out

Unlike the countless remakes and reboots that rely on CGI and nostalgia bait, Popeye the Slayer Man promises something refreshingly raw and creative. Producer Jeff Miller emphasized the use of practical effects over CGI, which already sets it apart in a world dominated by over-polished visuals. There’s a grimy authenticity to what I saw in the trailer, and it’s the perfect approach for a movie that turns an old-school character into a modern horror icon.

Plus, the story itself—about friends exploring an abandoned spinach canning factory to uncover the legend of a murderous “Sailor Man”—feels like the perfect blend of eerie urban legend and slasher thrills. It takes Popeye’s roots as a tough, scrappy sailor and pushes them to terrifying extremes. It’s as if he’s guarding the ghosts of simpler times, ensuring that no one forgets the power of his spinach-fueled strength.

This movie feels like more than just entertainment—it’s a strange, almost poetic way of reconnecting with my dad. The Popeye we loved was a hero who always stood up for what was right and fought back against the bully. And even in this dark reimagining, there’s something about that spirit lingering in the character. He’s still powerful, still larger than life, just in a way that reflects the horrors of our modern world.

I can’t wait to see Jason Stephens bring Harry Boxely (the movie’s screenwriter)’s version of Popeye to life. It’s also exciting that Popeye the Slayer Man was filmed in New York State, with the special effects supervised by R.J. Young. Practical effects are a dying art, and at Nerd Horror we’re thrilled to see them making a bloody comeback here.

As someone who loves horror and has a deep, nostalgic connection to Popeye, this movie feels like it was tailor-made for me. It’s a bold and bizarre celebration of a character who’s meant so much to me and my family, reimagined in a way that feels fresh and thrilling.

So to Popeye the Slayer Man, I say, “Well, blow me down!” Bring on the scares, the gore, and the ghost of spinach past—I’m ready for it all.