So here it is at last: the sequel, the fourth entry, the cinematic cousin twice removed — 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE (2026). Whereas its predecessor strutted into theaters and made off with a tidy profit, The Bone Temple stumbled in, tripped over its own shoelaces, and spilled popcorn everywhere. Whether it was secretly brilliant or just misunderstood, the numbers don’t lie: $58.5M earned on a $63M budget. In Hollywood terms, that’s the equivalent of showing up to a potluck with an empty casserole dish and hoping no one notices. A flop it was.

IMDB offers a plot description so brief it feels like it was written on a Post‑it: “As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal’s gang on the mainland, Dr. Kelson makes a discovery that could alter the world.” Short, sweet, and suspiciously vague — like the cinematic equivalent of someone whispering, “Trust me, it’ll make sense later,” while backing slowly into the shadows. But hey, sometimes mystery is part of the charm, or at least part of the marketing.

And was it actually a great film, despite audiences collectively deciding to stay home and alphabetize their spice racks instead? Well, it was directed by Nia DaCosta, working from a script by the ever‑brilliant Alex Garland, which is already a promising cocktail. Jack O’Connell throws himself into a gloriously unhinged role, only to be effortlessly overshadowed by Ralph Fiennes, who returns as the enigmatic doctor and proceeds to act like he’s in a much better movie — which, according to critics, he might have been. Your cohosts dive into this critically adored, commercially ignored entry in the franchise and share their thoughts, with all the enthusiasm of people who definitely did not skip it in theaters.

Sometimes a book-to-film adaptation tiptoes onto the big screen and politely asks for your attention — and then there’s THE HOUSEMAID, which in late 2025 kicked down the door, winked at the audience, and became a runaway hit. What began as a novel marketed squarely to women suddenly transformed into a blockbuster for, well, anyone over 18 with a taste for psychological chaos and Sydney Sweeney giving the camera that “I know something you don’t” stare. Amanda Seyfried joined the party, too, because why not make things even more deliciously unhinged.

IMDB sums it up with admirable restraint: Millie, a struggling young woman, becomes a live‑in maid for a wealthy couple, Nina and Andrew, and promptly finds herself in a mansion stuffed with secrets, manipulation, and psychological games. In other words, it’s less “dust the shelves” and more “try not to get emotionally vaporized by your employers.” The house itself practically deserves its own billing — every hallway feels like it’s whispering, “Turn back now,” but of course Millie does not.

Directed by Paul Feig — yes, the same Paul Feig who gave us Bridesmaids and apparently woke up one day and chose psychological warfare — and written for the screen by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the film also stars Brandon Sklenar as the male lead who may or may not be part of the problem (spoiler: he is). With a modest $35M budget and a swaggering $400M box‑office haul, the movie charmed critics, thrilled audiences, and probably made Freida McFadden, the author of the novel, do a very happy victory lap. Now your cohosts dive into the madness and share their thoughts, hopefully without getting pulled into any dangerous relationship dynamics themselves.

No one has ever accused Mel Gibson of being unable to play an action hero, and HUNTING SEASON (2025) seems determined to underline that point with a thick, permanent marker. This time around, he’s a quiet, off‑the‑grid dad living in a rural town where the most exciting thing should be the annual bake sale. But when his daughter stumbles upon a mysterious, half‑dead woman on their wooded property, the universe apparently decides it’s time to flip the “chaos” switch to ON.

IMDb sums it up with: “When a reclusive survivalist and his daughter rescue a mysterious, wounded woman from a river, they become entangled in a deadly web of violence and revenge, forcing them to confront a brutal criminal to survive.” In other words, it’s your classic tale of “I just wanted to be left alone, but fate delivered a plot twist to my doorstep,” complete with danger, vengeance, and the kind of criminal you definitely don’t invite to Thanksgiving.

Written by Adam Hampton and directed by RJ Collins, the film stars Gibson alongside Sofia Hublitz of OZARK fame and Shelly Hennig from UNFRIENDED. Despite a limited theatrical release, the movie has earned a warm reception from both critics and audiences—proof that sometimes all you need is a grizzled hero, a perilous forest, and a dash of revenge. Your cohosts at Dark Discussions Podcast dive into Gibson’s latest adventure and share their thoughts on this wilderness‑flavored thriller.