026: Oscars Bitch-Fest 2026

About this episode

Tom and Azed discuss the impactful films nominated for the Oscars in 2026, highlighting their themes of rebellion and resistance.

The spate of films being considered for this year’s Oscars is among the best we’ve seen in a long time. With titles like The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, and One Battle After Another, it seems the Academy is finally catching up to the audience's desire for challenging, experimental, and—dare we say it—non-English fare. Perhaps this year, amidst the global anxiety, fear, and unpredictability, we are finally realizing art’s role in informing, enlightening, and fighting back against the darkness threatening to envelop the planet. What we see in this year’s nominations is a true recognition of cinema's power to throw light into that void. Whether it’s a film about Brazil in 1977 like The Secret Agent, or one that infiltrates resistance groups like the fictional French 75 in One Battle After Another, these stories center on rebellion, resistance, and heavy ethical considerations. Join Tom and Azed as they dissect this year’s Oscars and select their favored picks to win. Plus, Tom makes an impassioned plea for his personal favorite movie of the year: Melania.

People in this episode

Hosts: Tom, Azed

Topics covered

• Oscars
• film analysis
• cinema
• art and resistance
• global issues
• nominations

Keywords

• Oscars 2026
• film nominations
• cinema power
• experimental films
• art and ethics

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, One Battle After Another, Melania

Places: Brazil, France

More episodes of Out There in the Dark

• 029: Criminally Forgotten Movies-Chilly Scenes of Winter/The Seventh Victim · May 15, 2026 · 50 min
• 028: HOTEL MOVIES · April 11, 2026 · 1h 33m
• 027: Oscar's Wrap Up · March 31, 2026 · 28 min
• 025: MAVERICK JOHN CARPENTER · February 16, 2026 · 1h 27m
• 024: FRANKENSTEIN · December 9, 2025 · 53 min
• 023: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER · October 25, 2025 · 1h 11m