/Film Weekly

On the February 4, 2026 episode of /Film Weekly, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by several people to talk about the latest movie and TV news, have a discussion about Sam Raimi’s Send Help, and talk about almost every single movie we saw at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
(~00:19) News
https://www.slashfilm.com/2089157/catherine-ohara-home-alone-schitts-creek-star-dead-obituary/
The Chain
HBO has given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order for THE CHAIN, a new limited series written and executive produced by Emmy®-winner Damon Lindelof (HBO’s “The Leftovers,” “Watchmen”). Lindelof will showrun, a position not held since HBO’s “Watchmen.” HBO has also signed a two-year overall deal with Lindelof which began in September 2025.
Based on the acclaimed New York Times bestselling book by Adrian McKinty of the same name, THE CHAIN is the first project under this deal with the Emmy®-nominated television studio Media Res (“The Morning Show,” “Pachinko”) serving as the co-studio. Details are under wraps, but Lindelof is said to be expanding the mythology of McKinty’s award-winning thriller.
Edgar Wright was going to turn this into a movie a few years ago: https://www.slashfilm.com/574844/the-chain-movie/
the “expanding the mythology” aspect is intriguing, because the premise of the book sounds pretty bonkers
The Chain tells the story of Rachel, who learns that her 11-year-old daughter has been kidnapped. The only way to get her back is to kidnap another child. Her daughter will be released only when that next victim’s parents kidnap another child. If Rachel doesn’t kidnap another child, or if that child’s parents don’t kidnap a child, her daughter will be murdered. She is now part of The Chain, a terrifying and meticulous chain letter-like kidnapping scheme that turns parents from victims into criminals. The book tells Rachel’s harrowing story as victim, survivor, abductor and criminal. What the masterminds behind The Chain know is that parents will do anything for their children. But what they don’t know is that in Rachel they have finally met their match, as she is smart and tough enough to have survived a bout with cancer and is determined to break The Chain while getting her daughter back.
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nancy-meyers-comedy-penelope-cruz-kieran-culkin-jude-law-release-date-2-1236649935/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2089145/final-fast-and-furious-movie-fast-forever-2028-release/
(~4:31)
https://www.slashfilm.com/2092175/disney-bob-iger-ceo-replacement-josh-damaro-meaning/
The Drama trailer

(~18:40) Send Help Review: Rachel McAdams Is Delightfully Unhinged In Sam Raimi's Bloody Horror Comedy

(~41:22) Sundance 2026

2026's First Truly Shocking Comedy Has Scenes You Have To See To Believe [Sundance 2026]

A24's New Horror Film Is Already The Scariest Movie Of 2026 [Sundance 2026]

The Moment Review: The Charli XCX Brat Phenomenon Gets A Bitterly Hilarious Mockumentary

Olivia Wilde's New Movie Is A Perfect Comeback After The Disastrous Don't Worry Darling [Sundance 2026]
All the other stuff you need to know:
You can find more about some of the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked in the show notes.
You can subscribe to /Film Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out patreon.com/popcultured to hear more from many of the folks you heard on this episode!
Send your feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and mailbag topics to us at [email protected]. Make sure to leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention your e-mail on the air.
Don’t forget to take a minute to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - that helps us out a lot. And tell your friends about the show!
Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

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On the January 28, 2026 episode of /Film Weekly, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by several people to talk about the latest movie and TV news, take a trip to Jacob’s Trailer Park, talk about the new Chris Pratt movie Mercy, and present some One Battle After Another interviews.
(~00:19) News
2026 Academy Award Nominations: Here's The Complete List Of Oscar Contenders
There’s going to be a Senate hearing in February about the Netflix/Warner Bros. deal. I’m curious to see if anything meaningful comes from that.
Brian Robbins, the former head of Paramount, is launching a new animation company called Big Shot.
https://deadline.com/2026/01/shrinking-season-4-renewal-apple-tv-1236698673/
Star Wars: Starfighter Won't Feature Any Legacy Characters (And That's A Good Thing)
Superman Director James Gunn Addresses Wonder Woman Rumors Regarding DC's Man Of Tomorrow
Marvel's Wonder Man Directly References A Controversial Best Picture Winner, And It's Perfect

(~02:25) Jacob’s Trailer Park
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters — Season 2 Official Teaser | Apple TV
Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord | Official Teaser Trailer | Streaming April 6 on Disney+
Masters of The Universe – Official Teaser Trailer
I LOVE BOOSTERS - Official Teaser Trailer - In Theaters May 22
Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 | Teaser Trailer
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Yoshi First Look
Lee Cronin's The Mummy | Official Teaser Trailer

(~20:18) Mercy Review: Not Even AI Could Generate A Movie As Dire As This Chris Pratt-Led Disaster
(~32:32) An Oral History Of One Battle After Another's Best Scene, From The People Who Helped Make It [Exclusive]
All the other stuff you need to know:
You can find more about some of the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked in the show notes.
You can subscribe to /Film Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out patreon.com/popcultured to hear more from many of the folks you heard on this episode!
Send your feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and mailbag topics to us at [email protected]. Make sure to leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention your e-mail on the air.
Don’t forget to take a minute to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - that helps us out a lot. And tell your friends about the show!
Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove
Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the January 21, 2026 episode of /Film Weekly, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by several people to talk about the latest movie and TV news, talk about the new Netflix cop thriller The Rip, present an interview with that film’s director, Joe Carnahan, and talk about 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
(~00:18) News
https://deadline.com/2026/01/netflix-ted-sarandos-theaters-future-warner-bro-1236691202/
https://deadline.com/2026/01/netflix-sony-pictures-deal-pay-1-1236684173/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2076263/prime-video-god-of-war-series-kratos-cast-ryan-hurst/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2076710/sophie-turner-lara-croft-tomb-raider-tv-series-first-look-photo/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2077047/george-rr-martin-may-kill-game-of-thrones-characters-tyrion-sansa/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2077007/george-rr-martin-house-of-the-dragon-problems-explained/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2076832/arya-stark-game-of-thrones-spin-off-hbo-axed-jon-snow-series/
https://deadline.com/2026/01/kenan-and-kel-meet-frankenstein-kenan-thompson-kel-mitchell-pic-1236690748/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2076324/disney-star-wars-galaxy-land-changes-original-trilogy-characters-failure/

(~9:10) John Wick poker set
(~11:34) The Rip spoiler-free discussion
(~18:01) The Rip spoilers
The Rip Review: Matt Damon And Ben Affleck Reunite For This Grim Netflix Movie
(~24:01) Joe Carnahan interview
The Rip Director Joe Carnahan On The State Of The Mid-Budget Action Film: 'If Everything's About Shareholders, You're Dead' [Exclusive]
(~53:54) 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Review: The Horror Series Goes In Exciting New Directions With A Gruesome Sequel
All the other stuff you need to know:
You can find more about some of the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked in the show notes.
You can subscribe to /Film Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out patreon.com/popcultured to hear more from many of the folks you heard on this episode!
Send your feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and mailbag topics to us at [email protected]. Make sure to leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention your e-mail on the air.
Don’t forget to take a minute to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - that helps us out a lot. And tell your friends about the show!
Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove
Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the January 14, 2026 episode of /Film Weekly, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by several people to talk about the latest movie and TV news, chat about Is This Thing On?, discuss Primal season 3 and present an interview with Genndy Tartakovsky, and present an interview with Sam Haft, one of the people behind the music of Hazbin Hotel.
(~00:18) News
The Lowdown season 2 is happening
https://deadline.com/2026/01/kate-winslet-season-2-mare-of-easttown-2027-1236676083/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2069300/sydney-sweeney-the-housemaid-sequel-problem-amanda-seyfried/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2069230/marvel-star-sebastian-stan-the-batman-2-casting/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2068963/star-wars-leadership-changes-kathleen-kennedy-lucasfilm-replacements-leak/
https://www.slashfilm.com/2069247/star-wars-changes-lucasfilm-new-leadership/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tangled-live-action-movie-teagan-croft-milo-manheim-1236466753/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sarah-catherine-hook-rapunzel-live-action-tangled-1236466566/
https://x.com/variety/status/2009394481951355269?s=46&t=QVh-HaPINJQ2CKe1XC0-7Q

(~10:37) Is This Thing On? Conversation
(~22:13) Primal season 3
(~33:03) Genndy Tartakovsky interview
(~48:51) Hazbin Hotel season 2
(~52:19) Sam Haft interview
All the other stuff you need to know:
You can find more about some of the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked in the show notes.
You can subscribe to /Film Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out patreon.com/popcultured to hear more from many of the folks you heard on this episode!
Send your feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and mailbag topics to us at [email protected]. Make sure to leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention your e-mail on the air.
Don’t forget to take a minute to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - that helps us out a lot. And tell your friends about the show!
Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove
Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the January 7, 2026 episode of /Film Weekly, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by several people to talk about their favorite movie moments of 2025.
(~00:15) Jacob Hall
(~10:52) Nina Starner
(~22:07) Brad Oman
(~32:22) Jeremy Mathai
(~44:57) Bill Bria
(~58:56) Ryan Scott
(~01:08:59) BJ Colangelo
(~01:17:57) Rafael Motamayor
(~01:28:57) Chris Evangelista
All the other stuff you need to know:
You can find more about some of the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked in the show notes.
You can subscribe to /Film Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out patreon.com/popcultured to hear more from many of the folks you heard on this episode!
Send your feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and mailbag topics to us at [email protected]. Make sure to leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention your e-mail on the air.
Don’t forget to take a minute to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - that helps us out a lot. And tell your friends about the show!
Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove
Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Liquid IV and use my code FILMWEEKLY for a great deal: https://www.liquid-iv.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy