Sitting in the Dark – Détails, épisodes et analyse

You know that moment when the room doesn’t change, exactly… but you do? A joke lands a little sideways, a silence settles in, and your brain starts doing that ridiculous math where staying feels safer than leaving—even when every part of you is quietly screaming, “Go.” That’s the engine of this month’s Sitting in the Dark, as Pete Wright sits down with Tommy Metz III, Chelsea Stardust, and Kynan Dias to unpack “Overstayed”: three films built around the fear of the open door you don’t walk through.They start with Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation, a dinner party that weaponizes politeness, history, and that stubborn desire to not be the first person to say what everyone’s thinking. From there, they pivot to David Bruckner’s The Night House, where the trap isn’t social pressure—it’s grief, isolation, and a house that seems to rearrange itself into meaning when you’re not looking. And then there’s Damien McCarthy’s Caveat, a movie that takes the idea of being “stuck” and makes it aggressively literal, daring you to decide whether you’re watching realism… or a fable with teeth.Along the way, the conversation keeps circling one question: what is it in us that wants answers more than safety? It’s a theme that feels uncomfortably familiar—and the kind of horror that lingers because it doesn’t ask what you’d do in a haunted house. It asks what you’d do at a party, in a marriage, in a moment where the cost of being wrong feels higher than the cost of staying.Featured Films

• Tonight's Triple Feature:
  • 1 - Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd
  • 2 - Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd
  • 3 - Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd
• 📋 View Our List on Letterboxd

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (02:15) - The Concept
• (03:09) - The Invitation
• (29:23) - The Night House
• (48:49) - Caveat
• (01:07:49) - Coming Attractions

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• Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements
• The Film Board
• Movies We Like
• The Next Reel
• Sitting in the Dark

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• Movie Platforms: Letterboxd | Flickchart
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• Your Hosts: Chelsea | Kyle | Kynan | Pete | Tommy 

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• Originals: Source material from our episodes
• Special offers: Audible

This month, Sitting in the Dark smiles politely, locks the door, and then asks you to reconsider every coping mechanism you’ve ever trusted. Tommy Metz III is joined by filmmaker Chelsea Stardust and Pete Wright to excavate the uneasy trilogy formed by Smile, Smile 2, and the short-film patient zero, Laura Hasn’t Slept, all courtesy of writer-director Parker Finn—a man who looked at the concept of healing and said, “Yes, but what if absolutely not.”The conversation begins with Laura Hasn’t Slept, a short film so assured it feels like a résumé quietly slid across the table while maintaining unsettling eye contact. Therapy, dreams, and sleep deprivation collide in a space that should feel safe and instead feels like a trapdoor with a co-pay. The group wrestles with the idea that this story may not be a beginning at all, but a closed loop—what it looks like once the monster has already moved in and started redecorating.From there, the episode moves into Smile, a film that takes the metaphor of trauma and strips away subtlety. It’s tired of pretending this is going to end well. Broken promises pile up. Authority figures fail spectacularly. “Safe space” becomes an ironic term at best. The panel digs into the film’s clinical color palette, its fixation on mirrors, and its unrelenting thesis: awareness is not protection, healing is not guaranteed, and sometimes the best you can do is not make things worse for the next person.Then Smile 2 kicks the door off its hinges. By shifting the curse to a global pop star, the sequel swaps quiet dread for public spectacle without sacrificing cruelty. Addiction, celebrity, parasocial obsession, and relentless visibility all become accelerants, pushing the franchise into its most confident—and most punishing—form. Naomi Scott’s Skye Riley is surrounded by people at all times and still utterly alone, a neat trick the film performs while tightening the noose.Across all three entries, the episode circles the same bleak conclusion: these movies aren’t interested in defeating trauma. They’re interested in how efficiently it spreads, how convincingly it blends in, and how easily it convinces you that you’re doing just fine. Smile for the camera.🎬 Featured Films

• 🍿 Tonight's Triple Feature:
  • Laura Hasn’t Slept - Daily Motion | Letterboxd
  • Smile - Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd
  • Smile 2 - Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd
• 📋 View Our List on Letterboxd

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (01:31) - All Smiles
• (04:43) - Laura Hasn't Slept
• (12:21) - Looking Out the Window
• (14:17) - SMILE 1
• (26:37) - Smile 1
• (27:09) - Smile 2
• (27:55) - Smile 3
• (28:15) - Smile 4
• (28:29) - Smile 5
• (28:51) - Smile 6
• (29:03) - Smile 7
• (41:43) - SMILE 2
• (51:43) - Smile 8
• (52:13) - Smile 10
• (52:33) - Smile 11
• (58:29) - HS 1
• (58:47) - HS 2
• (59:15) - Smile Necklace
• (59:51) - Smile Mug
• (01:00:47) - Smile 12
• (01:01:25) - Smile 13

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• The Film Board
• Movies We Like
• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

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Welcome, you depraved ghouls and ghost enthusiasts, to another episode of Sitting in the Dark—the podcast where we ask the truly vital horror questions, like, “Is this house cursed by restless spirits, or is it just what happens when unresolved trauma and black mold get into a knife fight?” This week, host Tommy Metz III is joined by fellow ghost provocateurs Pete Wright, Kynan Dias, and Kyle Olson to dig into haunted house horror—though not just your average “the walls are bleeding, but let’s still stay the night” tales. No, we’re talking haunted spaces—as in, Session 9, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and The Others—three films that prove the scariest thing in any building isn’t the wallpaper peeling off the walls… it’s the emotional wreckage you brought with you.Tommy kicks things off with a haunted homage to asbestos removal (yes, really), leading a deep dive into Brad Anderson’s Session 9—the only film that will make you afraid of abandoned hospitals and David Caruso’s dramatic whisper-acting. Then it’s on to Mike Flanagan’s miraculous studio rescue, Ouija: Origin of Evil—the rare horror prequel that’s smarter than its brand deal, sharper than its title suggests, and way too good to be based on a board game. Finally, the gang closes the coffin lid on Alejandro Amenábar’s The Others, Nicole Kidman’s masterclass in weaponized repression, ghostly guilt, and why sunlight is overrated anyway.Along the way, expect critical mass levels of hot takes on ghost psychology, asbestos-based metaphors, PG-13 trauma horror, and why the real haunted house is sometimes the one you build inside your own mind. So pull the blackout curtains tight, polish your crucifixes, and maybe call your therapist—because tonight, we’re not just sitting in the dark. We are the dark.Film Sundries

• The List on Letterboxd
• Watch the movies discussed:
  • Session 9: Apple • Amazon • Letterboxd
  • Ouija: Origin of Evil: Apple • Amazon • Letterboxd
  • The Others: Apple • Amazon • Letterboxd

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (02:29) - Do you LOVE Ghost Stories
• (04:59) - Thinking about Haunted House Tales
• (11:25) - Session 9
• (19:17) - Mysterious Peanut Butter
• (21:01) - Session 9
• (30:40) - Ouija: Origin of Evil
• (50:13) - The Others

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• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

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For nearly a century, horror films have told us a story—one of terror, of survival, of the inevitable confrontation between innocence and brutality. But there’s one story, in particular, that has evolved in ways both subtle and seismic: the story of the Final Girl.It begins in the shadows, in the screams of Janet Leigh, in the wide, terror-stricken eyes of Jamie Lee Curtis. The Final Girl is the last one standing, the one who fights back, who outwits the killer, who survives. But survival is never just survival, is it? It’s transformation.It’s a reckoning. And it’s a mirror reflecting the anxieties of the era.In this episode of Sitting in the Dark, Kyle Olson takes us on a journey—a journey that moves from the early days of horror’s damsels-in-distress to the fierce, unrelenting heroines of the modern era. With Pete Wright, Tommy Metz III, and Kynan Dias by his side, the discussion turns to three films that redefine the trope for the 21st century: Prey (2022), Sweetheart (2019), and The Invisible Man (2020).What do these films tell us about the evolution of gender in horror? How does the Final Girl of today differ from her predecessors? And perhaps most intriguingly, why are these stories—stories written by men—resonating so deeply with audiences yearning for something different?From the jungles of Prey to the desolate island of Sweetheart to the omnipresent, unseen menace of The Invisible Man, this is an exploration of fear, of power, and of the ghosts that refuse to be ignored. Because in horror, as in life, survival is never just about making it to the end. It’s about what you become along the way.
Film Sundries

• Watch the movies discussed:
  • Sweetheart: Apple • Amazon • Letterboxd
  • The Invisible Man: Apple • Amazon • Letterboxd
  • Prey: Apple • Amazon • Letterboxd
• Her Body, Himself: Gender in the Slasher Film by Carol J. Clover

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (05:31) - Sweetheart
• (19:33) - Prey
• (40:49) - The Invisible Man
• (01:02:16) - Coming Attractions

Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:

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• Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements
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• Movies We Like
• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

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Welcome to Sitting in the Dark, the podcast that illuminates the shadowy corners of horror cinema. This month, your host, Kynan Dias, and a coven of his most insightful monster aficionados – Pete Wright, Kyle Olson, and Tommy Metz III – go under the sheets into a chillingly erotic realm: the intersection of horror and sex.Now, we're not talking about the gratuitous, the exploitative. No, this is a deeper dive, a plunge into the murky waters where fear and desire intertwine. Think of it as the uncanny valley of emotion – that unsettling space where repulsion and attraction collide.Our cinematic subjects? A trio of films that span decades and genres, each offering a unique perspective on this monstrous ménage à trois. First, we confront the hallucinatory, emotionally raw world of Andrzej Żuławski's Possession. Isabelle Adjani's Cannes-winning performance anchors this psychosexual nightmare, a film that pushes the boundaries of body horror and marital breakdown. Prepare for tentacles. Prepare for existential dread. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about love and divorce.Next, we shapeshift into Mike Nichols' Wolf, a film that explores the beast within. Jack Nicholson's transformation from corporate drone to lycanthrope becomes a metaphor for unleashed primal instincts.Finally, we sink our teeth into Karen Kusama's Jennifer's Body. This darkly comedic horror-satire tackles the complexities of female desire and monstrous appetites. Megan Fox, as the titular Jennifer, embodies the seductive power of the demonic feminine, a force that both allures and devours.Film Sundries

• Possession: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
• Wolf: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
• Jennifer’s Body: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (01:51) - Sexy, Sexy Monsters
• (05:51) - Possession
• (24:32) - Wolf
• (46:27) - Jennifer's Body
• (01:10:23) - Coming Attractions: Last Woman Standing

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• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

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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
• (02:35) - First Frights
• (06:01) - A Nightmare on Elm Street
• (24:16) - Hellraiser
• (44:55) - Child's Play
• (01:04:24) - Coming Attractions: Sexy, Sexy Monsters!

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• Sitting in the Dark

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• Special offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

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 Sundries

• Watch the movies discussed:
  • Vivarium: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • The Belko Experiment: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • The Father: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (02:49) - Vivarium
• (34:36) - The Belko Experiment
• (52:43) - The Father
• (01:02:23) - Father 1
• (01:02:32) - Father 2
• (01:02:55) - Father 4
• (01:03:15) - Father 7
• (01:03:29) - Father 8
• (01:03:45) - The Father
• (01:15:58) - There is no bow
• (01:17:41) - Coming Attractions

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• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

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• Main Site: Web
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• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | Pinterest
• Your Hosts: Kyle | Kynan | Pete | Tommy

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• Special offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

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 Sundries

• Read The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
• Watch the movies discussed:
  • The Hunt: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • Get Duked: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • Run Sweetheart Run: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (01:58) - The Most Dangerous Game
• (06:33) - The Hunt
• (25:02) - Get Duked
• (39:51) - Run Sweetheart Run
• (01:09:29) - Coming Attractions

Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:

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• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

Connect With Us:

• Main Site: Web
• Movie Platforms: Letterboxd | Flickchart
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | Pinterest
• Your Hosts: Kyle | Kynan | Pete | Tommy

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• Watch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussed
• Originals: Source material from our episodes
• Special offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

This week on Sitting in the Dark, the gang tackles the world of horror anthologies. Host Kynan Dias, along with panelists Pete Wright, Kyle Olson, and Tommy Metz III, dissect three iconic films: Creepshow, Tales from the Hood, and Trick ‘r Treat. Buckle up for a spirited discussion on jump scares, creature features, and the enduring legacy of Stephen King.The conversation kicks off with Creepshow, a film that embraces its comic book roots with vibrant colors and dynamic panel transitions. While the group praises the film's practical effects, particularly the unforgettable creature in "The Crate," they express some reservations about the pacing and Stephen King's acting chops.Next up is Rusty Cundieff's Tales from the Hood, a film that boldly tackles social issues like police brutality and the crack epidemic through a horror lens. The panelists commend the film's ambition and powerful messages, while acknowledging its technical shortcomings. The conversation delves into the effectiveness of horror as a vehicle for social commentary and the challenges of balancing scares with thought-provoking themes.Finally, the group wraps up with Michael Dougherty's Trick ‘r Treat, a film they praise for its intricate storytelling and clever use of practical effects. They marvel at the film's ability to seamlessly weave together seemingly disparate stories into a cohesive and satisfying whole. The episode concludes with a reflection on the enduring appeal of horror anthologies and their unique ability to deliver a smorgasbord of frights.
Film Sundries

• Watch the movies discussed:
  • Creepshow: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • Tales from the Hood: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • Trick ‘r Treat: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (02:07) - Opening Salvo
• (06:09) - Creepshow
• (35:29) - Tales from the Hood
• (59:29) - Life is No Anthology Movie: Support Sitting in the Dark!
• (01:01:35) - Trick 'r Treat
• (01:28:03) - Coming Attractions

Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:

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• Movies We Like
• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

Connect With Us:

• Main Site: Web
• Movie Platforms: Letterboxd | Flickchart
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | Pinterest
• Your Hosts: Kyle | Kynan | Pete | Tommy

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Listen, you know that feeling, right? That prickle on the back of your neck when the train rattles through a tunnel, the lights flicker, and for a second, you're utterly alone in the dark? That's where we're going. Deep into the heart of travel horror, where the familiar becomes unsettling, and the journey itself transforms into a terrifying ordeal.We're talking about those moments of vulnerability, stripped of our usual defenses, hurtling through the unknown. We'll dissect the classic, Horror Express, with its telepathic creature picking off passengers one by one. Is it a masterpiece? Debatable. But the raw terror of being trapped, the sheer audacity of a monster stealing your very essence – that's primal. And Christopher Lee? Always mesmerizing.Then, we'll crank up the tension with Joy Ride, a white-knuckle thriller that reminds you: the open road can be a cruel and unforgiving place. You'll feel the desperation, the paranoia tightening its grip as a seemingly harmless prank spirals into a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse. And that voice...that chilling, gravelly voice on the other end of the CB radio? Pure nightmare fuel.Finally, we'll take you to 30,000 feet with Blood Red Sky. Imagine: trapped in a metal tube, hurtling through the sky, and a mother's fierce love becomes the only thing standing between her child and a terrifying threat. It's a claustrophobic pressure cooker of a film, a reminder that sometimes, the most monstrous acts are driven by the most human of instincts.Throughout our journey, we'll unpack the anxieties that simmer beneath the surface of travel: the loss of control, the isolation, the fear of the unknown. We'll laugh, we'll shudder, we'll question our own sanity – because isn't that what makes horror so compelling? So, join us, won't you? But be warned: you might never look at a travel itinerary the same way again.
Film Sundries

• Watch the movies discussed:
  • Horror Express: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • Joy Ride: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch
  • Blood Red Sky: Apple • Netflix • JustWatch

• (00:00) - Welcome to Sitting in the Dark
• (09:11) - Horror Express
• (30:57) - Joy Ride
• (51:04) - Blood Red Sky
• (01:12:44) - Coming Attractions

Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:

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• The Next Reel Film Podcast
• Sitting in the Dark

Connect With Us:

• Main Site: Web
• Movie Platforms: Letterboxd | Flickchart
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | Pinterest
• Your Hosts: Kyle | Kynan | Pete | Tommy

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• Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & more
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