Certified Forgotten

Uncertified: Obsession

Obsession fever is sweeping the nation. Look at what you've done, Curry Barker! On the podcast this week, we had to dive into what's the talk of Horrortown these days—and with good reason. Inde Navarrette is a powerhouse in Obsession, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Hit the episode to hear our thoughts on why Navarrette should be in awards conversations come the end of the year, and more observations.

About Obsession
After breaking the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush's heart (Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette), a hopeless romantic (Bear, played by Michael Johnston) finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

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About Certified Forgotten
Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: Affection

Last weekend, Curry Barker's Obsession was the talk of Horrorwood. But, it wasn't the only twisted relationship tale (nearly) new to audiences. BT Meza's Affection sticks Jessica Rothe in a horrible scenario of either amnesia or entrapment. It's horror by way of interpretation and perception: either a wife and mother has truly forgotten her family, or a woman is being gaslit into believing a life she never lived. The Matts have a heavy one on their hands to talk about this episode—but does the film earn its domestic thrills?

About Affection
Ellie Carter (Jessica Rothe) has never met the man who calls himself her husband, doesn't recognize the girl who calls her mother, and can't remember the life she is told is her own. Afflicted by violent seizures that reset her memory without warning, she is trapped in a cyclical nightmare, struggling to uncover the horrifying truth of her existence--before she forgets it all over again.

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About Certified Forgotten
Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Resident Evil: Damnation with BJ and Harmony Colangelo

Looks like we have a This Ends At Prom takeover! On a rare special episode, Matt Donato is joined by both BJ and Harmony Colangelo, with BJ serving as co-host and Harmony serving as guest. The film? Resident Evil: Damnation. Why? For SEO purposes, of course ... no, jk. Harmony makes bold statements, claiming that the second animated Resident Evil movie features some of the best franchise footage ever put on screen. That's what a true champion looks like.

About Resident Evil: Damnation
United States Special Agent Leon S. Kennedy (voiced by Matthew Mercer) sneaks into a small Eastern European country to verify rumors that Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) are being used in war. Immediately after his infiltration, the U.S. government orders him to leave. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the B.O.W.s.

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About Certified Forgotten
Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: Lee Cronin's The Mummy

In the Certified Forgotten podcast lore, there are constants. Donato is the horror-comedy gore guy. Mongle is the Irish folklore obsessive. Enter Lee Cronin's The Mummy. A stealth Evil Dead movie under the guise of mummified terrors, from the filmmaker behind The Hole in the Ground. You'd think, given the information above, you know which Matt is here to defend Cronin's latest, and who had a frustrating time. Welp, listen in to find out how wrong (or right) you are.

About Lee Cronin's The Mummy
The young daughter of a journalist (Jack Reynor as Charlie Cannon) disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare. Written and directed by Lee Cronin, also starring Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, Veronica Falcón, and more.

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About Certified Forgotten
Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: Faces of Death (2026)

Is there such a thing as an anti-slasher? If not, then Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei might have justed invented it. In this week's episode of Certified Forgotten, Matt Donato and Matthew Monagle team up to talk about Faces of Death, the remake-slash-reimagining (sorta) of the classic 1978 video nasty. Faces of Death draws inspiration from some of our great slashers, but does it get the job done itself? You'll have to listen to find out.

About Faces of Death
Barbie Ferreira and Dacre Montgomery star as a content moderator and a serial killer looking to grow a deadly following. Faces of Death is directed by Daniel Goldhaber and cowritten by Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei (Cam, How To Blow Up a Pipeline). The film also stars Josie Totah, Aaron Holliday, Jermaine Fowler, and Charlie XCX.

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About Certified Forgotten
Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: 5 Horror Movies You Might Have Missed In 2026

Here's the reality. We Matts—Monagle and I—are dorks. Worse, we're corporate day job dorks. We sit at desks sending emails, handling meetings, and going about quarterly business reviews ... which inspired this episode. We decided, since the first quarter of 2026 is behind us, to look back and do a little "review" of the output so far, but, most importantly, give you a recap of horror films you might have missed (that you shouldn't).

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About Certified Forgotten

Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: The Best Horror Films of SXSW 2026 w/ Molly Henery

The film festival life is not for everyone, especially when you cover as press. Luckily, here at Certified Forgotten, we have two individuals who push their bodies and sanity for the sake of screenings, reviews ... maybe a party or seven? This week, Matt Donato is joined by columnist Molly Henery to chat about their favorite horror films from 2026's SXSW slate. There were, my gosh, so many genre films on the schedule—listen in to find out which broke out and stole the event.

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About Certified Forgotten

Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

One of the best things about horror sequels? They’ll often surprise you if you let them. In this episode of Certified Forgotten, Matt Donato and Matthew Monagle sit down to discuss Ready or Not: Here I Come, sequel to 2019’s Ready or Not. With more bloodshed and a lot more bickering, the new movie certainly dials up the formula the second time out. But is it better than the original?

About Ready or Not: Here I Come

Samara Weaving returns as our favorite bad-luck bride and must survive the night against the richest families in the world. Ready or Not: Here I Come is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence) and stars Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Elijah Wood, and more.

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About Certified Forgotten

Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.certifiedforgotten.com.

Uncertified: Whistle

In the canon of Final Destination imitators, Whistle is a gift. Corin Hardy's ode to teen slashers is a nifty blend of "artifact horror" and young-adult perspectives. There are many films based on the inability to cheat Death, but writer Owen Egerton finds a unique twist to keep us hooked. It's a cozy late-night programmer that fits alongside other Shudder titles like Clown in a Cornfield, one that's respectful of its audience yet focused on easy-breezy genre entertainment. Hardy keeps it simple and aims to put a smile on horror fans' faces, which is just fine in our book.

The Cremator with Tori Potenza

Didn't ever think we'd cover a Criterion Collection release on Certified Forgotten, didja? That's what makes our podcast so special, and why we love these guest episodes. Journalist and Brooklyn Horror's own Tori Potenza returns with a 1960s Czechoslovak "dark comedy" that too succinctly predicted today's alt-right basement-bro uprising. Juraj Herz's "dark comedy" (emphasis on DARK), The Cremator, is a phenomenal look not only into the horrors of Nazi occupations, but also how easily these genocidal movements sway the most manipulatable, spineless schlubs. Promise the right person power, and they'll turn into a monster. Is it any coincidence we recorded this episode during Trump's most recent State of the Union?