Director Dean Alioto arrived on the film scene with The McPherson Tape. The film, which sees a family accidentally capture a first encounter with extra-terrestrials, is viewed by many as one of the very first examples of the found footage film. Released in 1989, The McPherson Tape was almost a decade earlier than The Blair Witch Project. The intervening years have seen Alioto continue to play in the horror sandbox with his latest offering, The Last Podcast, arriving at this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest.
Although Alioto got his directing break in found footage, he has moved into different storytelling styles through his career; The Last Podcast has a more traditional camera format. On paper this is a story that could perhaps lend itself to either found-footage or screen life, but the decision to shelf both of these formats is the right one. The Last Podcast follows the journey of podcaster Charlie Bailey (Eric Tabach) as he determines to achieve ultimate success, no matter the cost. The driven podcaster or influencer has become the horror genre’s protagonist of choice recently, but Charlie is different to many of the others.
Films such as Deadstream and Dashcam have placed disgraced or controversial personalities in front of the screen and encouraged the audience to enjoy their suffering. Charlie however, is somewhat of the antithesis to them. He isn’t inherently mean, but does lean on sarcasm in an attempt to lure a captive audience. He hosts a podcast called Paranormalcy and is struggling to make a name for himself amidst the sea of millions of other creatives. Charlie’s podcast aims to debunk the supernatural, but his presenting methods stirs up issues with girlfriend, Brie (Kaikane), and still isn’t enough to get him the attention he craves. Then, after visiting Duncan (Gabriel Rush), a professor with proof that the supernatural is a lie, everything changes. Charlie finds a new hook to his podcast and sees the listeners flood in. It is everything he ever hoped for, but comes at a cost…
Stories about the driven and ambitious coming unstuck are always fascinating to watch. The point of difference in The Last Podcast however, is that the viewer never disconnects from Charlie. Many films push their lead character into irredeemable territory, but in keeping Charlie close to the viewer, Alioto creates a more emotional story. The Last Podcast also keeps its tone slightly lighter than some of its counterparts. An easy comparison would be An American Werewolf in London. There is darkness within Alioto’s movie, but like John Landis’ film, it also has a twisted sense of humour. This decision presents a welcome respite from horrors that go heavy on the doom and gloom.
Eric Tabach does incredible work as Charlie, layering him with little flourishes that create enough depth that he feels real. Having a history with the online world, and the never-ending need to create content and build up a following, makes him the perfect vessel for Charlie. Tabach has lived elements of Charlie’s story and that experience sells the character to the audience. As the lead, Charlie is almost perpetually onscreen and Tabach deftly manages to shoulder the pressure. Alongside his mouth a minute Charlie is his foil, Duncan. As Duncan, Gabriel Rush is the opposite of Charlie. He is insular and effectively mute, his performance calling for him to use his body to convey his emotion. Luckily Rush has a history of a dancer and is therefore used to this method of working. Together the pair are electric and follow in the footsteps of the odd couple pairing from Lisa Frankenstein.
The Last Podcast expertly juggles the light and the dark, thus creating a story that reflects real-life. The podcaster angle, although nothing new, is handled in a different way. Rather than cheering for Charlie’s destruction, the viewer is willing him to get his act together and succeed. This investment in Charlie is paramount, and thanks to thoughtful performance from Tabach, the most important aspect of The Last Podcast works. This comedy horror thriller proves that Dean Alioto continues to be a filmmaker worth investing in, and with The Last Podcast’s fun mid credits section, this might not be the last we’ve seen of this world.
The Last Podcast
Summary
Although unafraid to get dark when required, The Last Podcast is a lighter take on horror, with echoes of both An American Werewolf in London and Lisa Frankenstein.
The Last Podcast was reviewed at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest 2024.
