Adam and Josh step into the uncanny world of eerie, empty spaces to ask whether 2026 is the year of liminal horror. First up: YouTube curiosity turned box office phenom Backrooms. Then, Exit 8, an inspired video game adaptation from Japan that’s equal parts Groundhog Day and The Shining. Plus, Massacre Theatre.

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

(Timecodes reflect the raw transcript audio tracks and may vary slightly with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:01:55)

Backrooms: (00:01:56-00:30:36)

Backrooms: Spoiler Talk (00:30:37-00:40:11)

Filmspotting Family (00:40:12-00:47:22)

Exit 8 (00:47:23-01:00:26)

Filmspotting Fest II / Poll (01:00:27-01:05:22)

Massacre Theatre (01:05:23-01:11:55)

Credits/Releases (01:11:56-01:15:44)

Links:

-Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026 https://www.filmspottingfest.com

-Movie Deathmatch Podcast: Close Encounters vs. E.T. https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes

Feedback:

-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠-Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.

Support:

Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com

Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

Follow:

-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/filmspotting

-Adam/Filmspotting:

Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

-Josh/LarsenOnFilm:

Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

Adam and Josh step into the uncanny world of eerie, empty spaces to ask whether 2026 is the year of liminal horror. First up: YouTube curiosity turned box office phenom Backrooms. Then, Exit 8, an inspired video game adaptation from Japan that&rsquo;s equal parts Groundhog Day and The Shining. Plus, Massacre Theatre.
This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. <a href="https://experience.regmovies.com/join-unlimited?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=filmspotting">Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.</a>
(Timecodes reflect the raw transcript audio tracks and may vary slightly with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:01:55)
Backrooms: (00:01:56-00:30:36)
Backrooms: Spoiler Talk (00:30:37-00:40:11)
Filmspotting Family (00:40:12-00:47:22)
Exit 8 (00:47:23-01:00:26)
Filmspotting Fest II / Poll (01:00:27-01:05:22)
Massacre Theatre (01:05:23-01:11:55)
Credits/Releases (01:11:56-01:15:44)
Links:
-Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026<a href="https://www.filmspottingfest.com/"> https://www.filmspottingfest.com</a>
-Movie Deathmatch Podcast: Close Encounters vs. E.T.<a href="https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes"> https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes</a>
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠-Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.<a href="https://filmspottingfamily.com/"> https://filmspottingfamily.com</a>
Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more.<a href="https://www.filmspotting.net/shop"> https://www.filmspotting.net/shop</a>⁠⁠⁠
Follow:
-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:
<a href="https://youtube.com/filmspotting">https://youtube.com/filmspotting</a>
-Adam/Filmspotting:
<a href="https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting/">Letterboxd</a> |<a href="https://instagram.com/filmspotting%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0"> Instagram</a> |<a href="https://facebook.com/filmspotting%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0"> Facebook</a> | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/filmspotting.bsky.social">Bluesky</a>
-Josh/LarsenOnFilm:
<a href="https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0">Letterboxd</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm/">Instagram</a> |<a href="https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm"> Facebook</a> | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social">Bluesky</a>

Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

New and classic movie reviews and top 5 lists.

Filmspotting

The insanity-inducing corridors of 2026 liminal horror.

Backrooms and Exit 8: Liminality vs. Narrativity | #1067

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/63f9baad-08d6-42e0-b478-b45f014fe0b5/transcript

From the manic, diaper-stealing chaos of the American Southwest, to the timeless charm of a classic fairy tale, Adam and Josh count down their Top 5 Films of 1987.

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.

From the manic, diaper-stealing chaos of the American Southwest, to the timeless charm of a classic fairy tale, Adam and Josh count down their Top 5 Films of 1987.
Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join <a href="https://filmspotting.supportingcast.fm/">the Filmspotting Famil</a>y⁠.

Top 5 Films of 1987 | Archive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8c316e8a-8e3a-4415-ba7a-b45d01351074/transcript

Matt and Jordan review Prime Video’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, a straight-to-streaming title they are branding "movie Toferky." For Rec Seg, the duo finds comfort in the Paramount Plus vaults, with Jordan revisiting the Tom Clancy masterpiece that started it all, and Matt countering with a series sequel featuring Harrison Ford's bookworm Boy Scout desk-jockey.

Then, a personalized recommendation request from listener Patrick sparks a highly volatile intra-pod war. While Jordan goes with a ‘70s screwball classic, Matt goes full "Muppet Radical" with his recommendation for a late-period Muppet movie over the Jim Henson-produced originals. 

Finally, Producer Sam hosts a trivia game called The Sum of All Jack Ryans, which ignites a flurry of deep pulls, culminating with a classic Jordan anecdote featuring Star Trek's Gates McFadden desperately trying to escape a cruise ship at the outbreak of the pandemic. (Ep. #174)

Intro, Jack Ryan: Ghost War Review (00:00:00–00:34:37)

Rec Seg! (00:34:38–00:52:31)

Personalized Recs (Theater Kids, Streisand, & Muppet Radicals) (00:52:32–01:10:44)

Game: The Sum of All Jack Ryans (01:10:45–01:32:36)

New to Streaming / Credits (01:32:37–01:43:14)

Show Notes

Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/

Matt's appearances on our sister podcast, The Next Picture Show, discussing Shogun Assassin and The Mandalorian and Grogu.

https://www.filmspotting.net/nextpictureshow

Check out Jordan's guest spot on Keith Phipps' sci-fi podcast The Laser Age discussing the killer-bunny classic Night of the Lepus

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-laser-age-285296395/

Pre-Order Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" (Coming October 6th): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/

Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspottingSVU.com

Follow Matt on Blue Sky: @mattsinger.bsky.social

Follow Jordan on Blue Sky: @jhoffman.bsky.social

Follow the Show: https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/ https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu

Follow the Show: https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/ https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu

Matt and Jordan review Prime Video&rsquo;s Tom Clancy&rsquo;s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, a straight-to-streaming title they are branding "movie Toferky." For Rec Seg, the duo finds comfort in the Paramount Plus vaults, with Jordan revisiting the Tom Clancy masterpiece that started it all, and Matt countering with a series sequel featuring Harrison Ford's bookworm Boy Scout desk-jockey.
Then, a personalized recommendation request from listener Patrick sparks a highly volatile intra-pod war. While Jordan goes with a &lsquo;70s screwball classic, Matt goes full "Muppet Radical" with his recommendation for a late-period Muppet movie over the Jim Henson-produced originals.&nbsp;
Finally, Producer Sam hosts a trivia game called The Sum of All Jack Ryans, which ignites a flurry of deep pulls, culminating with a classic Jordan anecdote featuring Star Trek's Gates McFadden desperately trying to escape a cruise ship at the outbreak of the pandemic. (Ep. #174)
Intro, Jack Ryan: Ghost War Review (00:00:00&ndash;00:34:37)
Rec Seg! (00:34:38&ndash;00:52:31)
Personalized Recs (Theater Kids, Streisand, &amp; Muppet Radicals) (00:52:32&ndash;01:10:44)
Game: The Sum of All Jack Ryans (01:10:45&ndash;01:32:36)
New to Streaming / Credits (01:32:37&ndash;01:43:14)
Show Notes
Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fletterboxd.com%2Fsamvanhallgren%2Flist%2Fnow-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu%2F"> https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/</a>
Matt's appearances on our sister podcast, The Next Picture Show, discussing Shogun Assassin and The Mandalorian and Grogu.
<a href="https://www.filmspotting.net/nextpictureshow">https://www.filmspotting.net/nextpictureshow</a>
Check out Jordan's guest spot on Keith Phipps' sci-fi podcast The Laser Age discussing the killer-bunny classic Night of the Lepus
<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-laser-age-285296395/">https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-laser-age-285296395/</a>
Pre-Order Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" (Coming October 6th):<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.penguinrandomhouse.com%2Fbooks%2F790241%2Ffunny-business-by-matt-singer%2F"> https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/</a>
Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspottingSVU.com
Follow Matt on Blue Sky: @mattsinger.bsky.social
Follow Jordan on Blue Sky: @jhoffman.bsky.social
Follow the Show:<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fsuperpulse%2F"> https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/</a><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFilmspottingSvu"> https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu</a>
Follow the Show:<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fsuperpulse%2F"> https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/</a><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFilmspottingSvu"> https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu</a>

Jack Ryan: Ghost War — A Simulacrum of Cinema | SVU

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/684bb718-58b4-4930-9c49-b45c01437544/transcript

In anticipation of Disclosure Day, Steven Spielberg’s two most beloved alien films face off in the inaugural Filmspotting Movie Death Match. Representing Close Encounters of the Third Kind is Dr. Margaret A. Weitekamp, Chair of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum. Making the case for E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial is longtime critic and author Jen Chaney. Host Chris Klimek presides.

Which film better captures Spielberg’s vision of alien contact — and his ideas about the nuclear family? Vote at ⁠moviedeathmatch.com⁠.

Movie Death Match is a new Filmspotting podcast that determines which one of a pair of linked movies — each championed by a passionate and highly credentialed advocate — shall be preserved in perpetuity, and which one shall be lost to history. Through opening statements, formal debate rounds, and closing arguments, a single cinematic judge renders an irreversible verdict. One movie survives. One is erased. Listeners may disagree — but there are no appeals.

Intro & Meeting the Advocates (00:00:00-00:04:40)

The Matchup (00:04:41-00:06:21)

Opening Statements (00:06:22-00:10:26)

Rd. 1: The Movies in Their Time (00:10:27-00:28:49)

Rd. 2: The Movies in Our Time (00:28:50-00:45:39)

Rd. 3: The Movies for All Time (00:45:40-01:01:57)

Closing Arguments & The Verdict (01:01:58-01:04:22)

Credits (01:04:23-01:08:40)

***

Follow Chris: Instagram | Bluesky | X

More From Margaret Weitekamp

-Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight

-Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America's First Women in Space Program

More From Jen Chaney

-On E.T. and Why the Spielberg Classic Endures

-As If! The Oral History of Clueless, As Told by Amy Heckerling, the Cast, and the Crew

-Instagram | Bluesky

In anticipation of Disclosure Day, Steven Spielberg&rsquo;s two most beloved alien films face off in the inaugural Filmspotting Movie Death Match. Representing Close Encounters of the Third Kind is Dr. Margaret A. Weitekamp, Chair of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum. Making the case for E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial is longtime critic and author Jen Chaney. Host Chris Klimek presides.
<p data-encore-id="text" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-fragment="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">Which film better captures Spielberg&rsquo;s vision of alien contact &mdash; and his ideas about the nuclear family? Vote at&nbsp;<a href="http://moviedeathmatch.com" data-encore-id="textLink" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true">⁠moviedeathmatch.com⁠</a>.
Movie Death Match is a new Filmspotting podcast that determines which one of a pair of linked movies &mdash; each championed by a passionate and highly credentialed advocate &mdash; shall be preserved in perpetuity, and which one shall be lost to history. Through opening statements, formal debate rounds, and closing arguments, a single cinematic judge renders an irreversible verdict. One movie survives. One is erased. Listeners may disagree &mdash; but there are no appeals.
Intro &amp; Meeting the Advocates (00:00:00-00:04:40)
The Matchup (00:04:41-00:06:21)
Opening Statements (00:06:22-00:10:26)
Rd. 1: The Movies in Their Time (00:10:27-00:28:49)
Rd. 2: The Movies in Our Time (00:28:50-00:45:39)
Rd. 3: The Movies for All Time (00:45:40-01:01:57)
Closing Arguments &amp; The Verdict (01:01:58-01:04:22)
Credits (01:04:23-01:08:40)
***
Follow Chris:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/snakeoilck">Instagram</a> |<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ctklimek.bsky.social/"> Bluesky</a> |<a href="https://x.com/ctklimek"> X</a>
More From Margaret Weitekamp
-<a href="https://www.smithsonianbooks.com/store/aviation-military-history/space-craze-americas-enduring-fascination-with-real-and-imagined-spaceflight/">Space Craze: America&rsquo;s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight</a>
-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Right-Stuff-Wrong-Sex-Experience/dp/0801883946">Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America's First Women in Space Program</a>
More From Jen Chaney
-<a href="https://wapo.st/4dby1Iv">On E.T. and Why the Spielberg Classic Endures</a>
-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/As-If-History-Clueless-Heckerling/dp/1476799083">As If! The Oral History of Clueless, As Told by Amy Heckerling, the Cast, and the Crew</a>
-<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenchaneytv/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jenchaney.bsky.social">Bluesky</a>

Close Encounters of the Third Kind vs. E.T. | Movie Death Match

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/955652a1-9c3c-4f64-955c-b459010e6f90/transcript

Backrooms and Exit 8: Liminality vs. Narrativity | #1067

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