Episode 358: 'The Serpent's Skin' (2026)
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In this episode of Adventures in Movies, hosts Nathaniel Murin and Blake dive into a mix of heartfelt tributes, genre film news, and a critical review of the 2026 indie horror film *The Serpent's Skin*. The episode opens with a somber remembrance of Chuck Norris, celebrating his legacy as an action icon and cultural touchstone, while also reflecting on the broader landscape of 80s action cinema and the upcoming reboot of *Conan* with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The hosts then preview several upcoming films, including the highly anticipated *Super Mario Galaxy* movie, which they predict will be a massive box office hit, and a trio of March 27th releases—*The Mortuary Assistant*, *Forbidden Fruits*, and *They Will Kill You*—highlighting their cult appeal and genre flair. The centerpiece of the episode is a detailed, often scathing critique of *The Serpent's Skin*, a debut feature from 21-year-old Australian director Alice Maio Mackie. While acknowledging the film’s bold attempt to center a transgender protagonist without making it the central theme, the hosts condemn its weak writing, underdeveloped characters, confusing supernatural mechanics, and cringe-worthy dialogue. They ultimately conclude that the film, despite its ambition and flashes of 90s horror nostalgia, is a misfire due to inexperience and poor execution. The episode closes with a shift to the show’s new weekly format and a call for audience engagement through social media requests.
Chuck Norris' passing is honored as a cultural milestone, with his legacy in action cinema and pop culture celebrated.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to reprise Conan in a new film, reigniting excitement for the franchise.
The upcoming *Super Mario Galaxy* movie is expected to be a record-breaking, family-friendly blockbuster.
*The Serpent's Skin* is a flawed debut with strong intentions but poor execution, particularly in writing and character development.
The film’s attempt to normalize a transgender protagonist without making it central is praised in theory but undermined by lack of narrative integration.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Tribute to Chuck Norris & 80s Action Legacy
“Absolute legend. He was honestly doing great. It sounded like a sudden thing. So he just posted recently, like him boxing and stuff. So yeah, he will be missed, but he will live on forever in target t-shirt lore.”
Upcoming Blockbusters: Super Mario Galaxy & More
“This is going to be a humongous deal. I'm very curious to see if at all... how long it lasts, like if it has legs and stuff. But man, it sure seems like this is definitely the biggest thing of the year so far.”
The Serpent's Skin: A Critical Review
“You wiped the butthole of earth with the shit on it.”
The Director’s Potential & the Age Factor
Despite the film’s shortcomings, the hosts acknowledge Alice Maio Mackie’s potential as a filmmaker, noting her previous genre work and love for 90s horror. They suggest that with more experience, she could evolve into a strong voice in indie cinema, but *The Serpent's Skin* is too rough to recommend.
New Show Format & Audience Engagement
The hosts announce a shift to a weekly format, reducing episodes from two per week to one, while maintaining their signature depth. They invite listeners to submit movie requests via social media, emphasizing their open review policy and community-driven content.
“You wiped the butthole of earth with the shit on it.”
“Absolute legend. He was honestly doing great. It sounded like a sudden thing. So he just posted recently, like him boxing and stuff. So yeah, he will be missed, but he will live on forever in target t-shirt lore.”
“This is like a real big kind of disaster. We see a lot of these here on Adventures in Movies. Like you said, young naivete filmmaking I think is what we got here.”
Hosts
Nathaniel Murin
person
Blake
person
The Serpent's Skin
media
Chuck Norris
person
Alice Maio Mackie
person
Super Mario Galaxy
media
Arnold Schwarzenegger
person
Conan the Barbarian
media
Forbidden Fruits
media
Red Sonja
media
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