Sitting in the Dark

Written by: TruStory FM
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  • Summary

  • A podcast exploring horror in film across classics and subgenres with Kyle Olson, Tommy Metz, Ray DeLancey, Pete Wright, and more.
    © TruStory FM
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Episodes
  • First Frights

    First Frights
    Dec 27 2024

    What makes a single movie become a phenomenon? What is it about certain films—films that arrive in theaters, scare the daylights out of us, and then stay with us—that transforms them into franchises spanning decades? Why does one horror film birth sequels, spin-offs, reboots, and even TV shows, while others fade quietly into obscurity?

    Picture this: a young boy receives a doll for his birthday, only to discover it’s inhabited by the spirit of a serial killer. Elsewhere, a teenager falls asleep, only to find herself hunted by a burned man in a striped sweater who kills through dreams. And, in another corner of horror lore, a puzzle box opens the doors to a realm of sadistic creatures who blur the line between pleasure and pain. These, taken on their own, sound mostly ridiculous.

    Child’s Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Hellraiser. These three films became more than just singular stories—they evolved into worlds. Worlds filled with iconic characters like Chucky, Freddy Krueger, and Pinhead, names that transcend the genre to become part of pop culture itself. But how?

    Why do some horror films captivate us so deeply that we want to revisit their worlds, again and again? Why do we keep coming back to the dolls, the dream-demons, and the interdimensional sadists? Unforgettable villains? Unique and terrifying concepts? Marketing? Or is it something deeper—something they reflect about us, about our society, about our fears?

    Today, we’re going to explore this question by diving into these three legendary horror films as we take on First Frights this month on Sitting in the Dark with Pete Wright, Kynan Dias, Kyle Olson, and Tommy Metz III.

    • (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
    • (04:39) - First Frights
    • (08:05) - A Nightmare on Elm Street
    • (26:20) - Hellraiser
    • (46:59) - Child's Play
    • (01:06:28) - Coming Attractions: Sexy, Sexy Monsters!

    Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

    Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:

    • Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements
    • The Film Board
    • Movies We Like
    • The Next Reel Film Podcast

    Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

    Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

    • The Web
    • Letterboxd
    • Pete
    • Kyle
    • Tommy
    • Kynan

    What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

    • You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
    • Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
    • Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
    • Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
    • Or sign up for AUDIBLE.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Okay, BOOOOmer

    Okay, BOOOOmer
    Nov 29 2024
    Tommy, our intrepid host, plunges into the abyss of existential dread this week, dragging Kyle, Kynan, and Pete along for the harrowing ride. They grapple with three films that explore the unnerving realities behind the horrors of being an adult.First up, Vivarium. Imagine, if you will, the quintessential suburban nightmare. Cookie-cutter houses stretching into an unsettling infinity, a chirping, unsettling child not your own, and the slow, creeping realization that escape is an illusion. Is it a commentary on the soul-crushing monotony of modern life? A chilling parable of alien brood parasitism? Or perhaps, a darkly comedic reflection of parenthood itself?Next, they venture into the corporate jungle with The Belko Experiment. Eighty employees trapped in a high-rise, forced to participate in a gruesome game of kill-or-be-killed. The veneer of civility shatters, revealing the primal instincts simmering beneath the surface of workplace decorum. Is it social commentary disguised as a splatterfest? A Darwinian exploration of capitalism's dark underbelly? Or simply a guilty pleasure wallowing in ultraviolence?Finally, they confront the horrors of aging and mental decline in The Father. Anthony Hopkins delivers a masterful performance as a man losing his grip on reality, the film's disorienting structure mirroring his fragmented consciousness. This isn't your typical jump-scare horror; it's a slow burn of psychological terror, a visceral exploration of a fear that resonates with us all.Film SundriesWatch the movies discussed:Vivarium: Apple • Amazon • JustWatchThe Belko Experiment: Apple • Amazon • JustWatchThe Father: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark(04:53) - Vivarium(36:40) - The Belko Experiment(54:47) - The Father(01:04:27) - Father 1(01:04:36) - Father 2(01:04:59) - Father 4(01:05:19) - Father 7(01:05:33) - Father 8(01:05:49) - The Father(01:18:02) - There is no bow(01:19:45) - Coming Attractions Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdPeteKyleTommyKynanWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • The Most Dangerous Game

    The Most Dangerous Game
    Oct 25 2024
    Richard Connell's 1924 short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," continues to haunt and inspire filmmakers nearly a century later. Its chilling premise of a wealthy sportsman hunting humans for sport has resonated through decades of cinema, influencing countless horror and thriller narratives. Join Kyle and his subjects, Pete, Kynan, and Tommy, as they embark on a thrilling exploration of this enduring tale and its impact on modern film.This episode of "Sitting in the Dark" focuses on three distinct cinematic interpretations of the "man hunting man" theme, each offering a unique perspective on the source material. The discussion begins with "The Hunt" (2020), a big-budget action thriller starring Betty Gilpin and Hilary Swank. The hosts dissect the film's controversial reception, its exploration (or lack thereof) of class warfare and political commentary, and the effectiveness of its fast-paced, often brutal action sequences. They debate whether the film's slick Hollywood production enhances or detracts from its core message.Next, the group turns to "Get Duked!", a British horror-comedy that subverts expectations with its unique rhythm and youthful energy. The hosts praise the film's performances, its exploration of class dynamics, and its ability to make the vast Scottish Highlands feel terrifying. They also highlight the surprising subplot involving a local DJ and his unexpected audience.Finally, the discussion shifts to "Run Sweetheart Run," a film that tackles the horrors of being a woman in a world of toxic masculinity. The hosts commend the movie's refusal to be voyeuristic in its depiction of violence against women, while debating the effectiveness of its supernatural elements. They also explore the film's themes of privilege, survival, and the societal constraints faced by women.Throughout the conversation, Kyle and his co-hosts offer insightful analysis and personal reflections on the enduring appeal of the "hunting humans" narrative. They examine how these films tackle issues of class, gender, and power dynamics while delivering thrills and scares. The episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of how a nearly century-old story continues to shape and inspire modern horror cinema.Film SundriesRead The Most Dangerous Game by Richard ConnellWatch the movies discussed:The Hunt: Apple • Amazon • JustWatchGet Duked: Apple • Amazon • JustWatchRun Sweetheart Run: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark(04:02) - The Most Dangerous Game(08:37) - The Hunt(27:06) - Get Duked(41:55) - Run Sweetheart Run(01:11:33) - Coming Attractions Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdPeteKyleTommyKynanWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 13 mins

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