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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. Jul 5

    Serpent's Path (1998) 蛇の道

    BONUS EPISODE - This week on Dark Talk, Dan and Danger Mark take a look at Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s extremely low budget crime caper Serpent’s Path, a chilling Japanese psychological crime thriller that blends revenge, mystery and moral ambiguity into one of the director’s most underrated films. Starring Shō Aikawa and Teruyuki Kagawa, Serpent’s Path explores obsession, justice and the devastating consequences of vengeance through Kurosawa’s slow-burning, atmospheric style. In this episode, we discuss Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s distinctive approach to suspense, Shō Aikawa’s compelling performance, the film’s themes of revenge and guilt, its unsettling atmosphere, and how it compares to Kurosawa’s other acclaimed works such as Cure. We also explore the film’s influence on Japanese crime cinema, behind-the-scenes trivia, and whether Serpent’s Path deserves greater recognition as one of the finest Japanese thrillers of the 1990s. Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa and writer Hiroshi Takahashi were given a small budget to make two films, they quickly developed scripts based on the same central idea: a father seeking revenge. Takahashi wrote Serpent’s Path (1998), while Kurosawa, in collaboration with Yôichi Nishiyama, wrote Eyes of the Spider (1998). Kurosawa ultimately directed both films, creating a unique two-part project. The two movies were produced back-to-back over the course of just one month, using the same cast and crew, with Serpent’s Path serving as the first half and Eyes of the Spider completing the story. During this episode we discuss: ● Why Serpent’s Path (1998) is one of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s most underrated films. ● Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s unique approach to psychological suspense and slow-burn storytelling. ● Shō Aikawa’s performance and why he became a cult icon of Japanese crime cinema. ● The film’s exploration of revenge, justice, guilt and moral ambiguity. ● The mysterious relationship between Miyashita and Nijima. ● The film’s minimalist style, pacing and unsettling atmosphere. ● Comparing Serpent’s Path with Cure and Kurosawa’s other psychological thrillers. ● How the film reflects the darker side of human nature. ● Behind-the-scenes trivia and production history. ● Why Serpent’s Path remains a hidden gem of Japanese cinema. ● Our favourite scenes, standout moments and final thoughts. Let us know your memories and favourite moments from Serpent’s Path! 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, filmmaking discussions and movie history. Starring: ● Teruyuki Kigawa as Miyashita ● Show Aikawa as Nijima ● Yûrei Yanagi as Otsuki ● Shirō Shimomoto as Hiyama If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: ● Premonition (2004): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/premonition-2004 ● Battlefield Baseball (2003): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/battlefield-baseball-2003 ● Samurai Commando 1549 (2005): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/samurai-commando-mission-1549-2005 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: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk Support Dark Talk: ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk #SerpentsPath #SerpentsPath1998 #KiyoshiKurosawa #Kurosawa #JapaneseCinema #JapaneseFilm #AsianCinema #WorldCinema #CrimeThriller #PsychologicalThriller #NeoNoir #CultCinema #CultFilms #ArthouseCinema #JHorror #JapaneseThriller #FilmAnalysis #MovieReview #MovieDiscussion #CinemaLovers #FilmHistory #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #FilmTok #MovieGeek #FilmLovers #Cinephile #1990sCinema #CriterionCollection #PodcastRecommendations Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    Serpent's Path (1998) 蛇の道

  5. Jun 28

    The X-Files: Red Museum

    Mulder and Scully investigate when several teenagers go missing, only to re-emerge with the words “He Is One” written on them. Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Jun 17

    A Dark Song (2016)

    A Dark Song (2016) | One of the Greatest Occult Horror Films Ever Made? | Dark Talk DEALER’S CHOICE - On our last episode of Dealer’s Choice for this season, it is Dan’s turn in the chair and he has chosen a film that has resonated with him since he first saw it. It’s the last ever brand new DVD he ever purchased at full price - it’s magickal psychological two-hander A Dark Song! A Dark Song marked the feature directorial debut of Irish filmmaker Liam Gavin, who also wrote the screenplay. Released in 2016, the film takes a restrained approach to the occult, building its story around a lengthy ceremonial ritual rather than relying on traditional horror conventions. The film centres on two strangers who isolate themselves in a remote house to perform an elaborate months-long ritual, with Gavin drawing on real occult traditions to give the story an uncommon sense of authenticity. Instead of focusing on jump scares, the film explores themes of grief, guilt, faith, and redemption through its slow-burning supernatural narrative. Critics responded positively to the film’s atmosphere, performances, and original approach to occult horror. Catherine Walker and Steve Oram received particular praise for their central performances, while the cinematography by Cathal Watters and Ray Harman’s understated score were widely recognised for creating the film’s unsettling mood. Since its release, A Dark Song has developed a strong cult following and is now regarded as one of the standout independent folk and occult horror films of the 2010s, with many praising its commitment to realism and its distinctive take on ritual magic. During this episode we discuss: ● The real-life Abramelin Ritual and its role in the film ● Themes of grief, revenge, forgiveness and redemption ● Is A Dark Song supernatural or psychological horror? ● The film’s depiction of occult practices and ceremonial magic ● Character analysis of Solomon and Sophia’s relationship ● The morality and ethics of the ritual ● Symbolism and hidden meanings throughout the film ● Fan theories and interpretations of the ending, including discussion on whether Sophia was responsible for her son’s death ● The ambiguity surrounding the supernatural events ● Filming locations and the Welsh vs Irish setting ● Comparisons with Kill List, Martyrs and other occult horror films Let us know your memories and favourite moments from A Dark Song! 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: ● Catherine Walker as Sofia ● Steven Oram as Solomon If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes: ● Serpent’s Path (1997): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/serpents-path-1998 ● Kill List (2011): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/kill-list-2011 ● The Fog (1980): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/the-fog-1980 Listen to Dark Talk 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 Dark Talk and support us: ● BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dark-talk.uk ● Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/darktalk #ADarkSong #ADarkSongMovie #ADarkSong2016 #OccultHorror #FolkHorror #PsychologicalHorror #SupernaturalHorror #SlowBurnHorror #BritishHorror #IndieHorror #HorrorMovies #HorrorCinema #CultHorror #CultCinema #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #HorrorPodcast #MovieReview #FilmAnalysis #MovieDiscussion #FilmTok #HorrorTok #MovieGeek #FilmLovers #CinemaLovers #HiddenGems #IndependentFilm #OccultFilms #HorrorCommunity #PodcastRecommendations Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    A Dark Song (2016)

  7. Jun 3

    Disturbing Behaviour (1998)

    BONUS EPISODE - Paul and Dan take a look at what is essentially a glorified episode of The X-Files, which is often confused with The Faculty (by us). Join the crew as they take a trip to Cradle Bay, where something odd is going on with the local teenagers. Released in 1998, Disturbing Behavior is a teen science fiction psychological horror film directed by David Nutter, best known for his work on The X-Files. Starring James Marsden, Katie Holmes, and Nick Stahl, the film blends suburban paranoia, conspiracy thriller, and psychological horror into a story about conformity taken to terrifying extremes. After moving to the seemingly idyllic town of Cradle Bay, teenager Steve Clark begins to suspect that his fellow students are the products of a sinister behavioural modification programme. Disturbing Behavior began as a screenplay by Scott Rosenberg, which MGM acquired in 1997 before partnering with Beacon Communications on the production. James Marsden was cast alongside Katie Holmes and Nick Stahl, assembling a young ensemble at the height of the 1990s teen movie boom. Although the story unfolds in the fictional Washington town of Cradle Bay, principal photography took place in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, a location synonymous with genre productions of the era.Arriving during the post-Scream boom in teen horror and drawing inspiration from classics such as The Stepford Wives, Village of the Damned, and A Clockwork Orange, it explores the anxieties of adolescence through the lens of psychological manipulation and technological control. While the film divided critics on release, it has since earned a loyal cult following, with many fans believing its original vision was lost to extensive studio interference. In this episode of Dark Talk, we explore the film's troubled production, its ambitious themes and why some horror fans consider Disturbing Behavior an underrated cult classic deserving of a second look. Let us know your memories and favorite moments from Disturbing Behaviour! 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: * James Marsden as Steve / Clops * Katie Holmes as Rachel * Nick Stahl as Gavin If you enjoyed this episode of Dark Talk, why don’t you check out other episodes:● Premonition (2004): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/premonition-2004● Battlefield Baseball (2003): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/battlefield-baseball-2003● Samurai Commando 1549 (2005): https://darktalk.substack.com/p/samurai-commando-mission-1549-2005 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 ---This episode is for fans of late-1990s horror, psychological thrillers, and science fiction with a satirical edge. If you enjoy the work of David Nutter, The X-Files, The Faculty, The Stepford Wives, Village of the Damned, or films that explore paranoia, identity, and social conformity, there's plenty to discover here. It's also recommended for cult cinema enthusiasts, horror historians, film students, and anyone interested in how studio intervention can dramatically reshape a filmmaker's original vision.#DisturbingBehavior #DavidNutter #JamesMarsden #KatieHolmes #NickStahl #TeenHorror #PsychologicalHorror #ScienceFiction #CultCinema #TheXFiles #90sHorror #FilmPodcast #DarkTalk #MovieDiscussion #HorrorCommunity Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

    Disturbing Behaviour (1998)

  8. May 31

    The X-Files: Firewalker

    Scully’s first case back takes her and Mulder to a volcano research station. Get full access to Dark Talk at darktalk.substack.com/subscribe

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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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