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

‘Camp’ Review: Avalon Fast’s Horror Feature Explores the Other Side of Trauma

Writer-director Avalon Fast explores what happens when a broken soul heals wrong in their fantastical summer horror film 'Camp.'

June 22, 2026

‘Pitfall’ Review: Even a Bad Outdoors Slasher Still Has Its Moments

James Kondelik's 'Pitfall' is a bit too rough around the edges to hit the mark, but it still knows how to play the redneck hits.

June 21, 2026

‘Misper’ Review: Harry Sherriff’s Debut Is a Beautiful Ghost Story for the Living

Harry Sherriff's 'Misper' may only be horror-adjacent, but it deserves to be celebrated as a tender examination of what follows trauma.

June 20, 2026

‘The Mid-Night Driver’ Review: The Right Mix of Nostalgia and Horror

Alex Cherney's 'The Mid-Night Driver' feels lifted from the pages of classic horror anthologies like 'Tales from the Crypt.'

June 20, 2026

‘Sender’ Review: Britt Lower Anchors a Relatably Mundane Nightmare

Russell Goldman's 'Sender' may be overwrought at times, but Britt Lower and the rest of the cast anchor this relatably mundane nightmare.

June 16, 2026

Podcast: ‘Backrooms’ Gets Uncertified

Certified Forgotten hosts Matt Donato and Matthew Monagle sit down to discuss Kane Parsons's 'Backrooms,' his breakout debut horror feature.

June 15, 2026
See all posts