Dark Talk | Horror, Cult & Sci-Fi Podcast

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Join Dan, James, and Paul as they journey through the eerie mists of horror, exploring the darkest corners of the genre. darktalk.substack.com

  1. 2h ago

    The X-Files: Irresistible

    A grave robbing case triggers Scully’s PTSD. Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    The X-Files: Irresistible

  2. Sep 27

    Jason X (2002)

    MAIN EPISODE - The year is 2455 and Jason Voorhees has been frozen solid for nearly half a millennia. When a crew of students on a discovery mission recover his body and defrost him, space hijinks ensue! Join the Dark Talk crew as we take a look into the future and watch Jason do his thang in the tenth instalment of the franchise - it’s Jason X! Jason X was developed while Freddy vs. Jason remained stuck in development, with producer Sean S. Cunningham eager to keep the Friday the 13th franchise alive. Screenwriter Todd Farmer explored numerous ideas for a new sequel - including placing Jason in the Arctic, Los Angeles, and even on the NASCAR circuit - before pitching the now-infamous concept of sending the masked killer into space. The filmmakers deliberately set the story in the distant future so it wouldn’t conflict with the planned Freddy vs. Jason. Early concepts featured a sprawling futuristic city, but budget limitations led the production to scale the setting back to a single spaceship. The finished film became a blend of slasher horror and science fiction, drawing inspiration from Alien and Aliens, with Jason stalking a crew of soldiers through the corridors of a space vessel. Filming took place in Toronto during the spring of 2000. Although shot on 35mm film, Jason X became the first feature film to complete its post-production entirely in the digital realm, using high-definition transfers to create its visual effects. Despite receiving the largest budget in the franchise up to that point, several planned sets and effects sequences had to be rewritten or removed after costs exceeded expectations. The film also features a memorable cameo from David Cronenberg, who appears as Dr. Wimmer in the opening scenes. Cronenberg even rewrote his own dialogue, adding a small but notable contribution to the film beyond his on-screen appearance. In this episode we discuss: ● Jason X (2001) review and retrospective ● How Jason X fits into the Friday the 13th franchise ● The decision to send Jason into space ● Uber Jason and his iconic redesign ● The film’s blend of horror, sci-fi and comedy ● The best kills, including the legendary liquid nitrogen scene ● The cast, characters and performances ● Behind-the-scenes trivia and production history ● The film’s practical effects and CGI ● Why Jason X has become a cult favourite ● Comparisons with other Friday the 13th films and sci-fi horror ● Favourite scenes, standout moments and funniest lines ● What worked, what didn’t, and how the film has aged ● Final ratings and recommendations Let us know your memories and favourite moments from Jason X! And if you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving us a rating or review as it helps more horror fans find us! Dark Talk is the podcast where we explore horror, cult cinema, sci-fi and exploitation films through reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, film making discussions and movie history. The Cast: ● Lexa Doig as Rowan ● Kane Hodder as Jason Voorhees ● Lisa Ryder as KM-14 ● Peter Mensah as Sgt. Brodski If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: ● The Fog (1980): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/the-fog-1980 ● The Vanishing (1988): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/the-vanishing-1988 ● Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/friday-the-13th-the-final-chapter Listen to Dark Talk on: ● Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL ● Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast ● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with Dark Talk and support us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk #JasonX #JasonX2001 #FridayThe13th #FridayThe13thSeries #JasonVoorhees #UberJason #CrystalLake #Slasher #SlasherMovies #SciFiHorror #SpaceHorror #2000sHorror #HorrorMovies #HorrorCinema #CultHorror #CultCinema #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #HorrorPodcast #MovieReview #FilmAnalysis #MovieDiscussion #FilmTok #HorrorTok #MovieGeek #FilmLovers #PracticalEffects #HorrorCommunity #PodcastRecommendations #CultFilms Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    Jason X (2002)

  3. Sep 17

    Resident Evil (2002)

    Resident Evil (2002) | The Most Successful Video Game Adaptation Ever? | Dark Talk BONUS EPISODE - To celebrate the release of Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil reboot - and to shamelessly piggyback on all the searches - the Dark Talk crew revisit Resident Evil (2002), the action-horror film that launched one of cinema’s longest-running video game franchises. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson - the man behind such classics as Mortal Kombat and Event Horizon - this adaptation divided fans by creating an original story instead of faithfully adapting Capcom’s legendary survival horror games. The journey to bring Resident Evil to the big screen was far from straightforward. After Constantin Film acquired the live-action movie rights in 1997, the project went through several different versions before becoming the 2002 horror action film starring Milla Jovovich. Early attempts included scripts from writer Alan B. McElroy and a much-discussed adaptation from legendary horror filmmaker George A. Romero. Romero’s involvement remains one of the most fascinating “what if?” stories in video game movie history. After directing a commercial for Resident Evil 2 in 1998, Romero was approached to write and direct a feature adaptation. His screenplay stayed much closer to the original game, featuring Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as the leads, along with familiar characters including Barry Burton, Rebecca Chambers, Albert Wesker and Ada Wong. The story focused heavily on the Spencer Mansion, the Umbrella Corporation and the creatures from the game, including the iconic Tyrant. However, Romero’s version was ultimately rejected. Producers felt the script was extremely violent and expensive, with concerns that it would receive the restrictive NC-17 rating. Constantin Film also felt that adapting only the first game would feel outdated once later Resident Evil titles had been released. Romero reportedly wrote several drafts before the project moved in a different direction. After several abandoned versions, filmmaker Paul W. S. Anderson became attached to the project. Having previously directed the successful video game adaptation Mortal Kombat, Anderson saw the cinematic potential of Resident Evil and developed a new screenplay that would become the final film. Rather than directly adapting the games, Anderson created a new story set within the same universe. The film introduced Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, an original character who would become the central figure of the franchise - which although it moved away from the games’ original storyline, it became the foundation for one of the most successful video game movie franchises ever made. During this episode we discuss: ● Our history with the Resident Evil games and why the franchise became so iconic. ● Paul W. S. Anderson’s adaptation and why it split fans of the games. ● Milla Jovovich’s debut as Alice and the creation of an original protagonist. ● The Umbrella Corporation, The Hive and the Red Queen AI. ● The laser corridor, zombie dogs, Lickers and the film’s best action sequences. ● How the movie differs from the original Resident Evil games. ● The cast, performances and memorable characters. ● Behind-the-scenes trivia and production stories. ● The unforgettable nu-metal soundtrack featuring Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, Static-X and more. ● The legacy of the six-film Resident Evil series. ● Our hopes for Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil reboot. ● Final thoughts, ratings and whether the film still holds up today. Let us know your memories and favourite moments from Resident Evil! And if you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving us a rating or review as it helps more horror fans find us! Dark Talk is the podcast where we explore horror, cult cinema, sci-fi and exploitation films through reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, film making discussions and movie history. The Cast: ● Mila Jovovich as Alice ● Michelle Rodriguez as Raine ● Eric Mabius as Matt ● James Purefoy as Spence If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: ● The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue (1974): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/the-living-dead-at-manchester-morgue ● Disturbing Behaviour (1998): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/disturbing-behaviour-1998-029 ● Kill List (2011): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/kill-list-2011 Listen to Dark Talk on: ● Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL ● Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast ● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with Dark Talk and support us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk #ResidentEvil #ResidentEvilMovie #ResidentEvil2002 #ResidentEvilFilm #ResidentEvilReboot #ResidentEvil2026 #ZachCregger #ResidentEvilFans #Capcom #UmbrellaCorporation #AliceAbernathy #MillaJovovich #ZombieMovies #ZombieHorror #HorrorMovies #ActionHorror #VideoGameMovies #GameAdaptation #SurvivalHorror #CultCinema #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #HorrorPodcast #MovieReview #FilmAnalysis #MovieDiscussion #FilmTok #HorrorTok #MovieGeek #FilmLovers Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    Resident Evil (2002)

  4. Aug 30

    The X-Files: Aubrey

    When the bodies of two missing FBI agents are uncovered, Mulder and Scully travel to Aubrey, Missouri to investigate. Listen to us on: ● Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL?si=F7TeAGR6QhaC_NQvTuzeSQ ● Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast ● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Aug 23

    Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

    Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) | The Most Controversial Friday the 13th Movie? | Dark Talk MAIN EPISODE - After a lengthy break, Dark Talk returns to Crystal Lake for the ninth chapter in the Jason Voorhees saga: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993). In this episode, we dive into the most divisive entry in the Friday the 13th franchise, where Jason takes on a very different form and discovers that his only hope of returning to life may lie within his own bloodline. Released as the first Friday the 13th film after a major shift in the franchise’s direction, Jason Goes to Hell trades the familiar Camp Crystal Lake formula for body horror, supernatural mythology and a bizarre new chapter in Jason Voorhees’ story. Shaped by complicated franchise rights issues and a very different original plan. Producer Sean S. Cunningham initially wanted the film to set up a battle between Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, negotiations between Paramount Pictures and New Line Cinema over the rights to the character delayed that idea, which would eventually become Freddy vs. Jason in 2003. Because New Line Cinema gained the rights to Jason Voorhees but not the Friday the 13th title, the film was produced without the franchise name. This also meant certain characters from previous entries, including Tommy Jarvis, could not be used due to rights restrictions. Jason Goes to Hell was also the directorial debut of Adam Marcus, who was a longtime fan of the series. Marcus approached the film as a major reinvention of the series. One of his main ideas was removing Jason’s iconic hockey mask and changing the way the character functioned within the story. Instead of following the traditional slasher formula, the film introduced the idea that Jason’s evil could survive beyond his physical body, allowing him to take over other people and continue his killing spree. The film’s special effects were created by Al Magliochetti and KNB Effects Group, who handled the creature designs, gore effects, and the film’s more unusual visual elements. The new approach to Jason divided fans, but it made Jason Goes to Hell one of the most experimental entries in the franchise. During this episode we discuss: ● Our first impressions and memories of Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) ● Why this is one of the most divisive films in the Friday the 13th franchise ● Jason’s controversial body-swapping mythology and whether it works ● Jason himself appearing so little throughout the film ● The practical gore effects, creature effects and memorable kills ● Creighton Duke and why he became a fan-favourite character ● Adam Marcus’s direction and the franchise’s move to New Line Cinema ● Similarities to The Hidden, Shocker and other supernatural horror films ● The strange new lore surrounding the Voorhees bloodline ● Behind-the-scenes trivia, deleted ideas and production stories ● The iconic Freddy Krueger ending and how it set up Freddy vs. Jason ● Our favourite scenes, biggest surprises and funniest moments ● Final ratings and whether Jason Goes to Hell deserves a second chance Let us know your memories and favourite moments from Jason Goes to Hell! And if you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving us a rating or review as it helps more horror fans find us! Dark Talk is the podcast where we explore horror, cult cinema, sci-fi and exploitation films through reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, film making discussions and movie history. The Cast: ● Kane Hodder as Jason Voorhees ● John D. LeMay as Steven ● Kari Keegan as Jessica Kimble ● Steven Williams as Creighton Duke If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: ● Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/friday-the-13th-part-viii-jason-takes ● Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/friday-the-13th-part-vii-the-new ● Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/friday-the-13th-part-vi-jason-lives Listen to Dark Talk on: ● Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL ● Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast ● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with Dark Talk and support us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk #JasonGoesToHell #JasonGoesToHell1993 #FridayThe13th #FridayThe13thSeries #JasonVoorhees #CrystalLake #HorrorMovies #HorrorCinema #Slasher #SlasherMovies #90sHorror #CultHorror #CultCinema #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #HorrorPodcast #MovieReview #FilmAnalysis #MovieDiscussion #HorrorCommunity #PracticalEffects #HorrorFans #MovieGeek #FilmLovers #Cinema #FilmTok #HorrorTok #PodcastRecommendations #PodcastCommunity #CultFilms Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

  6. Aug 9

    Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) 女囚701号/さそり

    Female Prisoner Scorpion (1972) | The Japanese Cult Classic That Defined Pinky Violence | Dark Talk BONUS EPISODE - Danger Mark and Dan take a trip into Japanese exploitation cinema with Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972), the influential women-in-prison classic that launched a cult franchise and helped redefine the revenge genre. Produced by Toei Company, Female Prisoner Scorpion marked the directorial debut of Shunya Itō and adapted the manga by Tōru Shinohara. Starring Meiko Kaji as Nami Matsushima, the film follows a woman sentenced to one of Japan’s harshest prisons after her corrupt detective lover betrays her during a failed operation, setting her on a relentless path of revenge. The film quickly established itself as one of the defining entries in the women-in-prison genre while also earning a reputation as one of the greatest manga adaptations, revenge films, and art house exploitation movies ever made. Rather than relying solely on exploitation conventions, Itō brought a stylised approach that blended expressionistic lighting, theatrical staging, bold set design, and inventive camera work, giving the film a distinctive visual identity that still stands out today. Meiko Kaji’s performance as Nami Matsushima helped turn the character into one of Japanese cinema’s most iconic anti-heroines. The film’s success led to three sequels released between 1972 and 1973: Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41, Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable, and Female Prisoner Scorpion: 701’s Grudge Song. Outside Japan, Female Prisoner Scorpion is perhaps best known, alongside Lady Snowblood, as a major influence on Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Its blend of stylised violence, surreal imagery, and theatrical presentation has made it a lasting cult classic and one of the most influential Japanese exploitation films ever produced. During the episode we discuss: ● The story and themes of Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) ● Meiko Kaji’s iconic performance as Nami Matsushima ● How the film inspired Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill ● The origins of Japan’s Pinky Violence genre ● Shunya Ito’s unique visual style and direction ● Revenge, corruption and survival as the film’s central themes ● Standout scenes, cinematography and artistic choices ● Comparisons with Lady Snowblood and Sex and Fury ● Whether the film still holds up over 50 years later ● Our final thoughts and ratings Let us know your memories and favourite moments from Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion! And if you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving us a rating or review as it helps more horror fans find us! Dark Talk is the podcast where we explore horror, cult cinema, sci-fi and exploitation films through reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, film making discussions and movie history. The Cast: ● Meiki Kaji as Nami Matsushima aka #701 ● Rie Yokoyama as Katagiri ● Yoko Mihara as Yukiko ● Fumio Watanabe as The Warden If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: ● Serpent’s Path (1998): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/serpents-path-1998 ● Premonition (2004): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/premonition-2004 ● Versus (2000): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/versus Listen to Dark Talk on: ● Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL ● Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast ● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with Dark Talk and support us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk #FemalePrisoner701Scorpion #FemalePrisonerScorpion #Scorpion701 #MeikoKaji #JapaneseCinema #JapaneseFilm #PinkyViolence #ExploitationCinema #CultCinema #CultFilms #Grindhouse #RevengeFilm #PrisonMovies #70sCinema #70sFilms #AsianCinema #WorldCinema #ClassicCinema #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #CultFilm #MovieReview #FilmAnalysis #MovieDiscussion #FilmHistory #CinemaLovers #FilmTok #MovieGeek #PodcastRecommendations #FilmLovers Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) 女囚701号/さそり

  7. Aug 2

    The X-Files: Excelsis Dei

    When a nurse working at a retirement home claims to have been raped by a disembodied spirit, Scully and Mulder investigate. Listen to us on: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL?si=F7TeAGR6QhaC_NQvTuzeSQ * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast * Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with us: * BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Jul 19

    The Fly (1986)

    The Fly (1986) | David Cronenberg’s Body Horror Classic | Dark Talk BONUS EPISODE - This time on Dark Talk, we celebrate the fortieth anniversary of a sci-fi and body horror classic. This Oscar-winning movie transformed a 1958 B-movie into one of the greatest horror remakes ever made, blending heartbreaking tragedy with unforgettable practical effects. It’s David Cronenberg’s The Fly! In this episode, we discuss Jeff Goldblum’s iconic performance as Seth Brundle, Chris Walas’ groundbreaking practical effects, the film’s disturbing transformation scenes, the emotional relationship at the heart of the story, and the deeper themes of disease, mortality and identity. We also compare the remake to the original The Fly (1958), explore the film’s lasting influence on modern body horror, and ask whether The Fly still deserves its reputation as one of the greatest horror films ever made. David Cronenberg’s The Fly was developed as a reimagining of the 1958 science fiction horror film rather than a straightforward remake. Cronenberg chose to move away from the original film’s more traditional monster concept and instead focused on a slow genetic transformation, with scientist Seth Brundle gradually becoming a human-insect hybrid after a teleportation experiment goes wrong. The film’s transformation effects became one of its defining achievements. The creature design team studied medical reference material when creating Brundlefly’s appearance, aiming for something that looked like a disturbing fusion of human and insect features rather than a simple giant fly costume. Jeff Goldblum’s increasingly complex makeup effects could take almost five hours to apply during the later stages of the transformation. The film is often discussed as a metaphor for illness, ageing, and physical decline, with many viewers interpreting Seth’s transformation as reflecting fears surrounding disease during the era in which the film was released. Cronenberg’s body horror approach helped The Fly stand apart from typical 1980s horror films by combining science fiction, romance, and psychological drama. Director David Cronenberg even makes a brief appearance in the film as a doctor, a cameo inspired by a suggestion from Geena Davis. During this episode we discuss: ● Why The Fly (1986) remains one of the greatest horror remakes ever made. ● David Cronenberg’s unique approach to body horror and psychological horror. ● Jeff Goldblum’s unforgettable performance as Seth Brundle. ● Chris Walas’ Oscar-winning practical effects and creature design and the horrifying Brundlefly transformation and its lasting impact on horror cinema. ● The film’s themes of disease, identity, mortality and physical decay. ● How The Fly reflects the fears of the 1980s, including comparisons to the AIDS epidemic. ● Comparing Cronenberg’s remake with the original The Fly (1958). ● The influence of The Fly on modern body horror, including films like The Substance. ● Our dream recasts for Seth Brundle and how other actors might have approached the role. ● Behind-the-scenes trivia, production stories and fascinating casting choices. ● Why the practical effects still outperform many modern CGI-heavy horror films. ● Our favourite scenes, final ratings and whether The Fly still holds up nearly 40 years later. Let us know your memories and favourite moments from The Fly! And if you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving us a rating or review as it helps more horror fans find us! Dark Talk is the podcast where we explore horror, cult cinema, sci-fi and exploitation films through reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, film making discussions and movie history. The Cast: ● Jeff Goldblum as Dr Seth Brundle ● Geena Davis as Veronica If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: The Fog (1980): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/the-fog-1980 ● The Vanishing (1988): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/the-vanishing-1988 ● Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/friday-the-13th-the-final-chapter Listen to Dark Talk on: ● Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ibq02je03iX8fiOZFdDZL ● Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-talk/id1803645481 ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dark.Talk.Podcast ● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DarkTalkPod Get in touch with Dark Talk and support us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    The Fly (1986)
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Join Dan, James, and Paul as they journey through the eerie mists of horror, exploring the darkest corners of the genre. darktalk.substack.com

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