Skip to Content
Podcasts

Podcast: Meagan Navarro on ‘Burning Bright’

Burning Bright

Lions Gate Entertainment

In July, 2019, The Matts invited Bloody Disgusting writer Meagan Navarro for the third-ever episode of Certified Forgotten. Back then, the duo was convinced it would be too difficult for their guests to come up with recommendations that met their RottenTomatoes criteria, so they "helpfully" suggested High Moon, a 2019 werewolf movie from director Josh Ridgway. The movie wasn't great, but they figured they could make it up to Meagan at a later date. Now, a year later, she has called in her favor with Burning Bright.

Become a Free Member on Patreon to Receive Our Weekly Newsletter

In this episode of Certified Forgotten, Meagan returns to discuss Burning Bring, a 2010 creature feature from director Carlos Brooks. Seemingly ripped from a Hallmark Channel slush pile, Burning Bright follows a young college girl and her autistic brother as they attempt to escape their home in the middle of a hurricane. The only catch? Their evil stepfather - played by the ever-reliable Garret Dillahunt - may have locked them indoors with a man-eating tiger.

Burning Bright might have succumbed to its low-budget and campy premise. But with a standout leading performance by Briana Evigan and an impressive emphasis on practical effects, Burning Bright is truly the exception that proves the rule.

Meagan joins The Matts for a discussion about the future of streaming festivals center on the then-upcoming Chattanooga Film Festival. They then discuss why a lack of B-roll - and a surplus of Dillahunt - is the perfect formula for any low-budget creature feature.

The Burning Bright episode of Certified Forgotten is now available to stream on SpotifyApple Podcasts, or the podcast platform of your choice.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media! Word of mouth is everything for independent publications likes ours.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Certified Forgotten

‘Faces of Death’ Review: Shudder’s Meta-Sequel Is Weaponized by Apathy

Daniel Goldhaber and Issa Mazzei's 'Faces of Death' strikes an uncertain chord, but there's no denying its power.

April 9, 2026

Turning a Savage Subgenre Silly with ‘The Eternal Evil of Asia’

In this edition of Hopping Mad, Rob Hunter explores 'The Eternal Evil of Asia,' a Cat III shocker that delivers more fun than cruelty.

April 8, 2026

‘Exit 8’ Review: Meet Your New Favorite Liminal Space

Genki Kawamura's 'Exit 8' is more a thought exercise than an emotional journey, but that's enough to maintain our interest.

April 7, 2026

We’re Already Living in the ‘Land of the Dead’

Christine Makepeace revisits George Romero's 'Land of the Dead' and explains why the end of the world is no reason to play dead.

April 3, 2026

‘Hunting Matthew Nichols’ Review: A Solid Exercise in Docu-Horror

Markian Tarasiuk's 'Hunting Matthew Nichols' looks for inspiration in true crime documentaries - and it mostly works.

March 31, 2026

‘The Cremator’ Is a Meditation on Extremist Indoctrination

Tori Potenza explains why Juraj Herz's 'The Cremator' remains, sadly, as relevant today as it was a half-century ago.

March 23, 2026
See all posts