Never Seen It Podcast

What are the best and worst movies of 2026? We’re breaking down our favorite films, biggest disappointments, and everything in between in this special year-in-review episode of The Never Seen It Podcast!With a slightly smaller panel this time around, Adrian and Alex (Filipino Grigio) compare their favorite and least favorite movies of the year, discussing everything from blockbuster franchises and sci-fi adventures to independent films and unconventional storytelling.We kick things off with some of our biggest disappointments, including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which Adrian felt traded storytelling and emotional depth for flashy visuals and merchandise opportunities. We also discuss Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride, starring Christian Bale and Jesse Buckley, and why its interesting premise and stylish presentation didn't quite come together. Alex shares his disappointment with Masters of the Universe, questioning its creative decisions, reliance on Earth-based storytelling, and attempts to recreate the comedy of movies like Guardians of the Galaxy.But it's not all bad news!We get into some of our favorite movies of 2026, including Project Hail Mary, a science fiction adventure that delivers both spectacle and genuine emotional weight. We also discuss The Invite, Olivia Wilde's relationship-driven comedy starring Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz. Alex brings his own recommendations to the table with I Want Your Sex, Greg Araki's provocative comedy, and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.Along the way, we get into some bigger conversations about movies and the entertainment industry:Are major Hollywood studios becoming too afraid to take creative risks?Why are smaller filmmakers tackling more interesting stories about intimacy, sexuality, and relationships?Has dating and hookup culture changed for younger generations?Are people losing their willingness to socialize, take chances, and make real-life connections?Is Hollywood creating fewer memorable movie stars and character actors?Why is it becoming increasingly difficult for working actors to make a sustainable living?What can filmmakers learn from David Lynch about following their creative instincts, embracing weird ideas, and not being afraid to make something unconventional?We also talk about the staying power of David Lynch, including Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, Inland Empire, Blue Velvet, and The Straight Story. Could an entire David Lynch retrospective be in our future?Plus, Alex shares a little about his recent trip to Japan, including his growing interest in Japanese soft vinyl toys (Sofubi), kaiju collectibles, and the incredible vintage toy culture he discovered in Akihabara.It's a wide-ranging conversation about movies, filmmaking, Hollywood, pop culture, nostalgia, and what makes great art worth discussing.What were your favorite and least favorite movies of 2026? Let us know in the comments!

We’re diving headfirst into the strange, bloody, and deeply unconventional world of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the 2026 psychological horror film directed by Jane Schoenbrun and starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson. What initially looks like a throwback slasher movie quickly becomes something far more surreal, with layers of symbolism, disturbing imagery, and themes that leave us debating what we just watched.The story follows Chris, an aspiring filmmaker tasked with revitalizing the fictional Camp Miasma horror franchise. Her search for the franchise’s reclusive original star, Billy, leads to an increasingly bizarre journey through sexuality, identity, trauma, and the blurred boundaries between movies and reality.We discuss why Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma defies traditional horror movie expectations and how its movie-within-a-movie structure becomes central to its storytelling. We break down the mysterious Little Death, the recurring imagery of vents and geometric patterns, and the possibility that the film’s strange visual language represents voyeurism, repression, and the act of watching people perform for a camera.We also explore the film’s treatment of queer identity, sexual awakening, shame, and trauma. How does Billy’s relationship with Chris connect to the experiences buried beneath the fictional Camp Miasma franchise? Can horror movies offer comfort and a sense of belonging to people who feel like outsiders? And what does it mean when the stories we grew up watching become intertwined with our own identities?The conversation goes deeper into the movie’s surreal filmmaking style, including its David Lynch-esque atmosphere, hand-painted matte backgrounds, 35mm film texture, VHS aesthetics, and striking cinematography. We talk about the opening title sequence, the nostalgic music choices, and the wildly exaggerated slasher sequences that contrast with the film’s more intimate emotional moments.We also debate competing interpretations of the ending, including whether Chris’s journey is a psychological transformation, something more supernatural, or a story that exists on multiple levels of reality. Is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma ultimately a horror movie, a queer coming-of-age story, a meditation on the film industry, or an unconventional love story wrapped in grotesque imagery?Plus, we share our reactions to the film’s pacing, discuss the appeal of comfort horror movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Dawn of the Dead, and explain why this strange, divisive movie gave us so much to talk about.In this episode, we discuss:Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma movie review and spoiler discussionJane Schoenbrun’s surreal filmmaking style and psychological horrorHannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson’s performancesSlasher movie tropes, meta-horror, and fictional horror franchisesLittle Death and the symbolism of the mysterious killerQueer identity, sexual awakening, shame, and traumaVoyeurism, filmmaking, and the exploitation of performersNostalgia, VHS tapes, and the comfort of horror moviesDavid Lynch influences, dreamlike imagery, and visual storytellingHand-painted matte paintings, 35mm film, and cinematographyThe film’s music choices and exaggerated goreTheories about the ending and the relationship between movies and realityWarning: Spoilers ahead! We discuss major plot developments, interpretations of the film’s symbolism, and possible explanations for its ending.Join us as we try to make sense of one of the strangest horror movies of 2026. We may not agree on every interpretation, but that’s part of what makes this movie worth discussing.Subscribe to The Never Seen It Podcast for more movie reviews, horror discussions, film analysis, and conversations about the movies we can’t stop thinking about.

We’re diving into the world of killer puppets with a discussion of Puppet Master (1989), the cult horror classic that turned tiny, murderous creations into icons of direct-to-video horror. Joined by returning guest Sam, we revisit this bizarre supernatural slasher and ask whether its creepy puppets can carry a movie filled with questionable decisions, strange characters, and gloriously over-the-top horror moments.We kick things off by discussing why Puppet Master deserves another look, especially for horror fans who grew up watching VHS-era genre movies. Sam shares why the film holds a special place in his childhood memories, while we compare our first impressions of a movie that some of us had never seen before.From there, we get into the movie’s mysterious puppeteer, André Toulon, and the strange mythology surrounding his creations. Who is the real Puppet Master? How does the power to bring inanimate objects to life work? And what exactly is going on with Neil Gallagher, the life serum, and the movie’s increasingly bizarre ending? We debate the answers, examine the film’s mythology, and discuss how the sequels and prequels expand the franchise’s mythology, including its unexpected Nazi connections.Of course, the real stars of Puppet Master are the puppets themselves. We break down fan favorites like Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, and Leech Woman, debate which designs are the creepiest, and explore how their unique abilities make them memorable horror villains. We also discuss the practical effects, stop-motion animation, claymation, and clever live-action techniques that bring these miniature monsters to life.But how well does the rest of the movie hold up? We talk about the underdeveloped human characters, confusing psychic abilities, questionable character decisions, awkward horror tropes, and moments that leave us wondering how anyone in this movie manages to survive as long as they do. We also examine the film’s sleazy atmosphere, surprising gore, unsettling makeup effects, and the creative choices that give this low-budget horror movie its distinctive personality.Along the way, we explore the movie’s connections to other killer doll and killer puppet films, including Dolls and Trilogy of Terror. We also get into the influence of Italian genre cinema, the inspiration behind some of the puppet designs, and the kind of behind-the-scenes filmmaking ingenuity that makes practical effects horror so much fun to discuss.And because this is The Never Seen It Podcast, no horror movie discussion would be complete without a few ridiculous tangents. We investigate the logic of the puppets’ code of conduct, wonder who inherits the title of Puppet Master, and ask why the survivors seem remarkably casual about the murderous weekend they’ve just endured.Is Puppet Master an underrated cult horror classic, a gloriously weird product of the VHS era, or a movie whose puppets are far more interesting than its human characters? We break down the scares, the silliness, the practical effects, and the franchise lore to decide what makes this 1989 horror movie worth revisiting.In this episode, we discuss:Puppet Master (1989) and its legacy as a cult horror movieAndré Toulon, Neil Gallagher, and the mystery of the Puppet MasterBlade, Pinhead, Tunneler, and Leech WomanKiller puppets, supernatural horror, and the life serumThe franchise’s Nazi-related mythology and prequelsPractical effects, stop-motion animation, claymation, and makeup effectsThe movie’s gore, sleaze, camp, and direct-to-video atmosphereConfusing plot points, questionable decisions, and horror movie clichésConnections to Dolls, Trilogy of Terror, and other killer doll moviesWhy the puppets might be more compelling than the human castJoin us as we revisit a wonderfully strange chapter in horror history and decide whether Puppet Master still has the power to make us laugh, cringe, and look twice at the toys sitting on our shelves.

What happens when a Ouija board unleashes a demon, a teenager starts experiencing terrifying premonitions, and a low-budget horror movie goes completely off the rails? We find out in our discussion of Don't Panic (1988), the obscure Mexican supernatural horror film directed by Rubén Galindo Jr.This episode of The Never Seen It Podcast welcomes back our old friend Sam, reuniting with the crew for a spooky-season movie discussion packed with outrageous moments, questionable filmmaking choices, and plenty of laughs. Justin, aka GhostNerd88, picked this obscure horror gem and makes the case for why it deserves a place in the so-bad-it's-good hall of fame.We start with the movie's supernatural premise: Michael's 17th birthday party takes a terrifying turn when a Ouija board unleashes the demon Virgil. Soon, violent nightmares, strange premonitions, and a series of murders send the story spiraling into increasingly bizarre territory.From there, we dig into everything that makes Don't Panic such a memorable viewing experience. We discuss the hilariously awkward English dub, strange sound effects, questionable acting, confusing plot points, and a villain who looks like he wandered into the wrong horror franchise. We also examine Michael's unforgettable dinosaur pajamas, his questionable decisions, and the movie's unusual approach to supernatural visions and demonic possession.But it's not all bad news for this obscure 1980s horror movie. We give credit where it's due, particularly for the surprisingly effective television special effect and a memorable dagger kill. We also discuss the film's Freddy Krueger influences, its potential for a modern remake, and whether its central concept could work with better writing and contemporary horror filmmaking techniques.We also take a detour into other horror favorites, discussing Ouija board movies and supernatural horror recommendations, including Talk to Me and Ouija: Origin of Evil. Along the way, we share our personal horror favorites, debate what makes a cult classic, and explore why a movie can be technically terrible yet still deliver an incredibly entertaining experience.Does Don't Panic deserve its cult horror status? Should Hollywood revisit its premise? And how many bizarre dubbing choices, questionable performances, and inexplicable scenes can one movie deliver before it becomes essential viewing for fans of bad horror movies?We share our final thoughts, compare our reactions, and explain why this strange 1988 horror film gave us so much to talk about. If you love obscure horror movies, cult cinema, cheesy supernatural thrillers, and hilarious movie reviews, this episode is for you.In this episode, we discuss:Don't Panic (1988) and its supernatural horror premiseThe Ouija board, demonic possession, and psychic premonitionsThe movie's English dubbing, acting, sound design, and practical effectsThe bizarre dinosaur pajamas and unforgettable character momentsThe film's Freddy Krueger influences and potential for a remakeOther supernatural horror movies, including Talk to Me and Ouija: Origin of EvilWhat makes a cult classic and why some terrible movies are incredibly entertainingOur final ratings and recommendations for spooky-season viewingJoin us for another episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, where we watch the movies we've missed, share our honest opinions, and never run out of things to argue about.Visit neverseenitpodcast.com, follow us on social media, and let us know which obscure horror movies we should watch next!

We finally take on Michael Mann's 1995 crime masterpiece Heat, a movie that brings together Al Pacino and Robert De Niro as two professionals on opposite sides of the law. We discuss Neil McCauley, Vincent Hanna and the obsessive cat-and-mouse relationship that drives the entire film.We start with first impressions, including Arnold's experience watching Heat for the first time after mostly remembering its legendary gunfight. From there, we dig into why the movie feels like much more than a traditional action or heist movie. The discussion explores how Michael Mann combines crime, drama, character development and spectacular action into one sprawling Los Angeles epic.We break down some of the movie's most memorable sequences, including the opening heist, the tense surveillance sequence, the famous downtown Los Angeles bank shootout and the quiet but powerful diner conversation between Pacino and De Niro. We also discuss how Heat influenced movies like The Dark Knight and became a blueprint for video games such as Payday and Grand Theft Auto V.One of the biggest topics is the relationship between Vincent Hanna and Neil McCauley. We talk about how both men are incredibly skilled at their jobs but struggle with their personal relationships. Their conversation in the diner becomes the emotional heart of the movie, as two men on opposite sides of the law recognize just how much they have in common.We also unpack the movie's ending and that unforgettable moment when Vincent and Neil finally face each other at the airport. We discuss whether the final gesture represents respect, friendship, professional acknowledgment or something closer to a handshake after an incredibly intense game of chess.The conversation also gets into Al Pacino's larger-than-life performance, Robert De Niro's restrained approach to Neil McCauley, Val Kilmer's memorable work as Chris Shiherlis, the supporting cast, the movie's incredible cinematography and the grounded feeling of its action sequences.We even talk about how the film's emotional story elevates it beyond being simply a great heist movie. The characters' relationships, marriages, families, careers and personal sacrifices give Heat a dramatic weight that many action movies never achieve.Finally, we give our ratings and discuss whether Heat deserves its reputation as one of the greatest crime and heist movies ever made. Justin gives it 4/5, Arnold gives it 4.5/5, Alex gives it 4.5/5, while Adrian gives the film a full 5/5 on Letterboxd and considers it one of his favorite movies of all time.