Matt Monagle
@monagle.bsky.social
Freelance film critic. Co-founder of Certified Forgotten (www.certifiedforgotten.com), a writer-owned horror publication. Find my work at IGN, Polygon, Inverse, Dicebreaker, and more.
Pinned
'We Bury the Dead' Review: Apocalyptic Scale Minus the Stakes
'We Bury the Dead,' the latest film from 'These Final Hours' director Zak Hilditch, offers apocalyptic scale but little human connection.
certifiedforgotten.com
“Rather than distance us from the emotional stakes of the film, these floating viewpoints drive home the sheer scope of the tragedy.” I was so into what WE BURY THE DEAD was doing — until I wasn’t. Here’s my first review of the year for @certifiedforgot.bsky.social.
Dong was great. No notes there.
January 18, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Dong was great. No notes there.
My only quibble: could’ve done without, you know, but it is what it is.
January 18, 2026 at 6:44 PM
My only quibble: could’ve done without, you know, but it is what it is.
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE (2026): If 28 YEARS LATER was a mile wide and an inch deep — skimming across the surface of a hundred ideas — then this is the opposite. A character study with little interest in forming connective franchise tissue, as rich as it is narrow. Exquisite filmmaking.
January 18, 2026 at 6:43 PM
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE (2026): If 28 YEARS LATER was a mile wide and an inch deep — skimming across the surface of a hundred ideas — then this is the opposite. A character study with little interest in forming connective franchise tissue, as rich as it is narrow. Exquisite filmmaking.
Reposted by Matt Monagle
if someone punches your neighbor and you go to protect them, that does not make you a protester. that makes you someone who protects your neighbor.
January 18, 2026 at 4:43 PM
if someone punches your neighbor and you go to protect them, that does not make you a protester. that makes you someone who protects your neighbor.
Man, that DISCLOSURE DAY trailer is rough stuff.
January 18, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Man, that DISCLOSURE DAY trailer is rough stuff.
Now seated for 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE. I was pretty lukewarm on its predecessor, but I love @siddhantadlakha.bsky.social’s review, and I feel like it’s got a real chance living up to those expectations for me.
‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Review: Beauty & Misery Collide
Siddhant Adlakha explains how '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' follows up 2025's sequel in ways both gloomy and surprisingly intimate.
certifiedforgotten.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Now seated for 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE. I was pretty lukewarm on its predecessor, but I love @siddhantadlakha.bsky.social’s review, and I feel like it’s got a real chance living up to those expectations for me.
Wasn’t sure I’d get a chance to see Hoop live now that she lives in the UK. Delighted to see her in my FIRST year back on the East Coast.
January 18, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Wasn’t sure I’d get a chance to see Hoop live now that she lives in the UK. Delighted to see her in my FIRST year back on the East Coast.
Reposted by Matt Monagle
In the never ending pileup of atrocities it’ll probably get overlooked but Trump saying ‘we’ve got your back, go for it’ to the Iranian people & then immediately pivoting to planning his invasion of Greenland as the regime slaughtered thousands feels up there with the most callous things he’s done
January 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
In the never ending pileup of atrocities it’ll probably get overlooked but Trump saying ‘we’ve got your back, go for it’ to the Iranian people & then immediately pivoting to planning his invasion of Greenland as the regime slaughtered thousands feels up there with the most callous things he’s done
Reposted by Matt Monagle
...it's January 16th
January 18, 2026 at 2:28 AM
...it's January 16th
I may not believe in God anymore, but I have a lot of room in my heart for the people who practice the inclusive and selfless kind of faith I was taught growing up. Pieces like this keep me from despairing.
"Theology is never neutral; it can be used to bless bombers or fight imperialism. As in previous times, Christians are confronted with a choice." sojo.net/articles/opi...
The God They Preach at the Pentagon
It is time to call such characterizations of God what they are: not just bad theology, but the creation of an entirely different deity.
sojo.net
January 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
I may not believe in God anymore, but I have a lot of room in my heart for the people who practice the inclusive and selfless kind of faith I was taught growing up. Pieces like this keep me from despairing.
Reposted by Matt Monagle
Tyler’s Comic Book Cooldown is live from @powells.bsky.social tonight! Out of Alcatraz, Big Jim and the White Boy, and making historical fiction comics 🤌
Me and @davidfwalker.bsky.social are in the Pearl Room at Powell's City of Books (Portland, Or) to talk about making historical fiction comics!
Watch live in 15 minutes (7pm PT)! www.youtube.com/live/sF_oG6_...
#ArtPost #Comics
Watch live in 15 minutes (7pm PT)! www.youtube.com/live/sF_oG6_...
#ArtPost #Comics
CBCD - Live from Powell's City of Books!
YouTube video by Mr. Tyler Crook
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Tyler’s Comic Book Cooldown is live from @powells.bsky.social tonight! Out of Alcatraz, Big Jim and the White Boy, and making historical fiction comics 🤌
Hey, we're all just either taking turns piling onto posts or being incredulous about people piling onto posts. That's the sickness, baby.
January 16, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Hey, we're all just either taking turns piling onto posts or being incredulous about people piling onto posts. That's the sickness, baby.
Reposted by Matt Monagle
This week on the podcast, @ryanprows.bsky.social talks with @donatobomb.bsky.social and @monagle.bsky.social about NIGHT PATROL, his latest mashup of vampires and cops. He also shares his enduring appreciation for Amat Escalante's LOS BASTARDOS.
Podcast: Ryan Prows on 'Los Bastardos'
Writer-director Ryan Prows ('Night Patrol') joins the podcast to talk about vampire cops and Amat Escalante's 'Los Bastardos.'
certifiedforgotten.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:47 PM
This week on the podcast, @ryanprows.bsky.social talks with @donatobomb.bsky.social and @monagle.bsky.social about NIGHT PATROL, his latest mashup of vampires and cops. He also shares his enduring appreciation for Amat Escalante's LOS BASTARDOS.
Here's the lesson: write about what you like! Sometimes you get lucky!
January 16, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Here's the lesson: write about what you like! Sometimes you get lucky!
In June, I published a piece on ROOM SERVICE, James Tynion's crowdfunded short feature, because I like writing about shorts. Today, it was announced that ROOM SERVICE was being adapted to a feature. @certifiedforgot.bsky.social currently is the top result for 'room service tynion' on Google.
Short Cuts: 'Room Service' Brings Horror Comics to Life
James Tynion IV and PK Colinet join forces to write and direct 'Room Service,' a short film with a comic prequel.
certifiedforgotten.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:28 PM
In June, I published a piece on ROOM SERVICE, James Tynion's crowdfunded short feature, because I like writing about shorts. Today, it was announced that ROOM SERVICE was being adapted to a feature. @certifiedforgot.bsky.social currently is the top result for 'room service tynion' on Google.
Was curious, so here's a list of the towns I've driven to for a movie in the last month: Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, and Bryn Mawr. Also just purchased a membership to the Hiway Theater in Jenkintown. I'll drive 20-30 minutes for a movie without question. 30-45 minutes is where it gets iffy.
"You’re not going to get in the car and go to the next town to see a movie," says Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos
Ted Sarandos commits to 45-day theatrical windows, believes theaters are for city folk
Ted Sarandos commits to 45-day theatrical windows, believes theaters are for city folk
www.avclub.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Was curious, so here's a list of the towns I've driven to for a movie in the last month: Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, and Bryn Mawr. Also just purchased a membership to the Hiway Theater in Jenkintown. I'll drive 20-30 minutes for a movie without question. 30-45 minutes is where it gets iffy.
Reposted by Matt Monagle
living in a world where the only two jobs are “gambling” and “murder” isn’t nearly as cool as Cowboy Bebop made it out to be
January 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM
living in a world where the only two jobs are “gambling” and “murder” isn’t nearly as cool as Cowboy Bebop made it out to be
Reposted by Matt Monagle
Oh! Barnes & Noble has Arrow 50% off right now, so it's a great time to buy!
January 16, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Oh! Barnes & Noble has Arrow 50% off right now, so it's a great time to buy!
@weinbergs.bsky.social hey good news tho
Phillies To Re-Sign J.T. Realmuto
The Phils dabbled with shaking up the roster but it seems they're getting a lot of the old band back together.
www.mlbtraderumors.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:42 PM
@weinbergs.bsky.social hey good news tho
(That said, this was not a piece commissioned by Arrow Films for the Limited Edition. They secured permission from The Playlist to republish a piece I wrote in 2020, which you can read at the link below. So it's kind of a bit of stolen valor, but whatever.)
'Narc': Revisiting Joe Carnahan's Story About The Fallout Of Police Violence
In bringing a heavy dose of existential dread to the police procedural, Joe Carnahan's 'Narc' has proven itself a cop film that matters.
theplaylist.net
January 16, 2026 at 6:18 PM
(That said, this was not a piece commissioned by Arrow Films for the Limited Edition. They secured permission from The Playlist to republish a piece I wrote in 2020, which you can read at the link below. So it's kind of a bit of stolen valor, but whatever.)
Since Joe Carnahan has a new movie out this weekend (THE RIP), a friendly reminder that if you buy the Limited Edition Blu-ray of NARC from Arrow Films, you can enjoy an essay from me on the film's place in the history of police cinema.
Narc Limited Edition Blu-ray | Arrow Video
Shop Narc Limited Edition Blu-ray at Arrow Video. Free UK Delivery
www.arrowvideo.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Since Joe Carnahan has a new movie out this weekend (THE RIP), a friendly reminder that if you buy the Limited Edition Blu-ray of NARC from Arrow Films, you can enjoy an essay from me on the film's place in the history of police cinema.
Reposted by Matt Monagle
