The HR Hypothesis is a fringe theory amongst a subset of modern screamologists and scary movie historians that there is a demonic order operating within the horror entertainment industry.
The theory posits that 'HR' could stand for 'Hellfire Ritualists.' Evidence is scant to say the least, but the rumor mill is working over time. Circumstantial evidence including rampant fires, missing persons, and mysterious half burned documents do seem recurrent in the historical record, although an "orchestrated demonic conspiracy to overthrow humanity" is to this day largely unsubstantiated.
Supporting “Evidence”
• The Manorcreep Clause (1940-59), a fine-print line in early contracts stating:
“All fires and bloodletting must be approved by HR.”
• Eyewitness reports (widely dismissed) of robed figures seen holding clipboards during production delays.
• A partially burned employee handbook recovered from the 1959 Manorcreep fire, which includes sections on “Soul Forfeiture Policy,” “Ritual Compliance Hours,” and “End-of-Life Exit Interviews.”
• A 1947 Shiver Studios interoffice memo referencing the Hellfire Rit...(redacted) Committee and its mandate to “process the remains of the noncompliant.”
Reputed Signs of HR Activity
• Mandatory “team-building” seances
• Gift certificates to local goat farms
• Robed figures requiring all-hands attendance at “Quarterly Reaping”
• Masquerade masks issued instead of lanyards
• Sudden unexplained budget reallocation to “the fireproofing department”
• Reports of faint chanting in the walls — always on Fridays
• Corporate pizza parties followed by mysterious poisoning deaths
NOTABLY ABSENT: THE NECRO BROTHERS
No confirmed evidence of an HR department at Necro Brothers Entertainment has led to wild theories:
• The Necro Brothers had pre-existing pacts (speculation)
• The Necro Brothers were actually not brothers
• The studio lot operated outside linear time
• HR was was afraid... of them
Current Controversy
While mainstream historians dismiss the HR Hypothesis as a convenient urban legend to explain the suspicious fires, missing persons, and goat requisition forms, many genre scholars insist there’s more to this “Hellfire Ritualist” theory than meets the eye.
“We’re not saying HR was a demonic cult…
…but we’re not saying they weren’t either.”
— Dr. Marla Ghest, Scream Unreels Advisory Council
