Dark Discussions Podcast

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE.

A family curse is all fun and games until it decides you’re next on the list, which is exactly the kind of cheery scenario DEATH NAME (2026) strolls into. The film leans into that unsettling “no escape” vibe—because apparently moving, praying, or Googling “how to break generational hexes” won’t help you here. Spells fizzle, geography is irrelevant, and denial only works until the curse taps you on the shoulder. It’s a rough setup, but a deliciously eerie one.According to IMDb, the story follows a young Korean American woman who innocently tries to learn more about her heritage—because what could possibly go wrong with a little cultural curiosity? Quite a lot, as it turns out. The deeper she digs, the more she stirs up a deadly family curse that really should’ve stayed in the attic with the dusty photo albums and that one aunt’s questionable kimchi recipe.Directed by the single-named and mysteriously stylish Réi, with a screenplay by Regina Kim, the film stars Amy Keum as Sophie Park, supported by Vana Kim, Kevin Woo, and Alice Bang. It’s a lineup that pairs nicely with Korean BBQ, kimchi, and a cold Cass beer—ideal snacks while your co-hosts dive into this new Tubi original and try not to wonder whether their families have been hiding any curses of their own.

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE.

Few horror novels have embedded themselves in the public imagination quite like Stephen King’s The Shining. A bestseller upon release and still one of King’s most recognizable works, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood came calling. What no one expected, however, was that the notoriously meticulous Stanley Kubrick would take the reins—and bring Jack Nicholson along for the ride. The result is a film that has since carved out its place in cinema history as one of the genre’s towering achievements.IMDB distills the premise succinctly: “A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter, where a sinister presence influences the father into violence. At the same time, his psychic son sees horrifying forebodings from both the past and the future.” It’s a simple setup, but Kubrick’s execution transformed it into a labyrinth of dread, symbolism, and psychological unraveling that continues to inspire analysis decades later.That enduring fascination was on full display recently when The Shining was pitted against fourteen other contenders in a listener poll on the Dark Discussions Podcast Facebook group. The film emerged victorious, earning the spotlight for the show’s milestone 700th episode. In celebration, the hosts revisit Kubrick’s icy masterpiece—its legacy, its mysteries, and its place not just in horror, but in the broader canon of American filmmaking.

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE.

Retro‑cinema may not be full‑blown faux‑grindhouse, but NIGHT OF THE REAPER (2025) absolutely revels in its throwback slasher DNA. This is a film where a masked killer doesn’t just stalk victims—he psychologically toys with them, records the whole ordeal, and then thoughtfully distributes his “content” to the town police chief and local high schoolers like some deranged community‑outreach program. It’s nostalgia, but with extra blood pressure.IMDb lays out the setup with admirable calm: “College student Deena visits home and is roped into babysitting. The local sheriff is mailed a piece of evidence and is led on a scavenger hunt to reveal the killer of another babysitter.” Translation: Deena’s weekend plans are about to go spectacularly sideways, and the sheriff is stuck playing the world’s least fun escape‑room challenge—one clue at a time, courtesy of a murderer with a flair for arts and crafts.Directed by Brandon Christensen and co‑written with Ryan Christensen, the film unleashes Jessica Clement, Ryan Robbins, Summer H. Howell, and a handful of other unlucky souls into the path of the Reaper’s escalating theatrics. As the slashing ramps up, survival becomes a group project no one signed up for. Your co‑hosts dive into this fresh slice of retro‑horror mayhem and share exactly what they make of its masked‑man antics.

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE.

Stranded on a speck of land barely big enough for your own shadow, you find yourself at a lonely lighthouse that seems to breathe with its own moods—sometimes brooding, sometimes whispering, sometimes downright unsettling. But what if the creaking beams and flickering lantern light aren’t the scariest things out there? What if something older, darker, and decidedly supernatural has been waiting in the mist all along? That’s the deliciously eerie setup of Amazon’s brand new 2026 release, BENEATH THE LIGHT, a film that turns isolation into an invitation for the uncanny.At the heart of the story is Jacob, who accepts a job at this remote lighthouse with the innocent hope of reconnecting with a childhood friend. Instead, he’s greeted by strange happenings that twist his sense of reality and tug at the frayed edges of his memory. As he navigates anxiety, half‑remembered truths, and the creeping sense that the island is watching him, he unexpectedly finds romance—and an even more unexpected connection with the lighthouse’s enigmatic owner. It’s part mystery, part psychological spiral, part tender human story, all wrapped in fog and flickering lantern glow.The film springs from the mind of writer‑director John Baumgartner, brought to life by a cast that includes Zach Tinker, John Pyper‑Ferguson, and Ana Nicolle Chavez. After charming and spooking its way through the festival circuit—earning glowing praise along the way—it was scooped up by Amazon as a Prime exclusive. Now your co‑hosts dive into this freshly released gem, ready to unravel its secrets, celebrate its surprises, and share exactly what they think lurks beneath the light.

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.

A found‑footage fever dream wrapped in a faux‑documentary bow, THE HEM (2025) drags viewers deep into the heart of Fort Worth, Texas—where the festivals are lively, the locals are chatty, and the abandoned churches apparently come with their own PR restrictions. What begins as a simple “talk to anyone with a pulse” documentary shoot quickly derails the moment the crew utters the wrong three words: haunted. collapsing. church. Suddenly, interviews dry up faster than a Texas creek in August, and the filmmakers find themselves chasing a story no one wants to touch.IMDb sums it up neatly: “A documentary crew investigates a haunted church on the verge of collapse with one condition: they must be out by dark.” Which, of course, is exactly the kind of condition that guarantees they will not be out by dark. The setup practically begs for shaky cameras, ominous whispers, and at least one moment where someone insists, confidently and incorrectly, that everything is fine.Written and directed by Tyler Russell and shot on location in Fort Worth, the film features Rani Alowairdi, Terri Merritt Bennett, Ryan Bijan, and a supporting cast who look convincingly terrified to be anywhere near that church. Now that it’s out on streaming, the question becomes whether this entry in the found‑footage canon brings anything fresh to the genre or simply adds another creepy church to the cinematic map. Your co‑hosts dive into the dust, dread, and documentary chaos to share their thoughts.

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.

With March 2026 already in full swing, the moment feels ripe—if just a touch belated—to cast our eyes toward the cinematic horizon and take stock of what the year promises. The landscape ahead is a sprawling mix of theatrical releases, video‑on‑demand debuts, and those ever‑reliable genre offerings destined to make their first appearance on disc. Looking back, 2025 proved to be an unexpectedly strong year for horror and genre cinema, delivering a surprising number of standout titles and a higher-than-usual concentration of hidden treasures. Yet even with that momentum, 2026 seems poised to outshine its predecessor, with a slate that feels unusually rich, varied, and ambitious. Add to that the return of several acclaimed genre‑leaning television series, and the year begins to look like a feast for fans of the strange, the suspenseful, and the supernatural.As always, Dark Discussions steps forward to survey the terrain with a blend of curiosity and enthusiasm. Our annual tradition continues: sifting through the release calendar, spotlighting the heavy hitters that will dominate conversations, and shining a light on the quieter, quirkier projects that might otherwise slip beneath the radar. The big studio tentpoles and prestige horror entries naturally demand attention, but part of the thrill lies in discovering the unexpected—the films with modest profiles that may, by December, be the ones we’re still talking about. Genre cinema has a long history of producing masterpieces from the margins, and this year’s lineup suggests that lightning may strike again.In the months ahead, we’ll be tracking everything from long‑anticipated sequels to bold original visions, from festival darlings to direct‑to‑disc curiosities that could turn out to be genuine revelations. Whether you’re drawn to atmospheric slow burns, creature features, psychological thrillers, or blood‑pumping action‑horror hybrids, 2026 appears ready to deliver something worth savoring. Dark Discussions invites you to join us as we explore what’s coming, what’s promising, and what might just become essential viewing by the time the year draws to a close.