NOC Week in Review #11: 9/12-18/2026

It was a packed week on the NOC — new Dark Matter on Apple TV, a Fast & Furious themed ride grand opening, a LAIKA set visit, and enough horror movies to last Lauren a lifetime. Let’s get into it.

First, I sat down with Dayo Okeniyi to talk through playing multiple versions of Leighton Vance in Dark Matter Season 2, the corrupting nature of unchecked power, and why this season’s villain might not be the villain at all. And I kept the Dark Matter recap train rolling with episode 4, pairing it with Pearl Jam’s ‘Won’t Tell.’

In a special NOC Conversation, Ainsley talked with Tony Weaver Jr. about why he chose manga over Marvel and DC to tell his stories about Black boyhood, masculinity, and representation.

Nikita was on hand for the opening of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift, covering the ride’s supercharged media day from early rides to the chain-cutting ceremony. She also caught up with Universal Creative VP Jon Corfino to talk through what it took to bring the attraction to life.

Michael reviewed Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, making the case that it stays true to the games without being a faithful adaptation. Speaking of horror films, Lauren wrapped up her summer of horror with first-time reactions to a handful of genre classics she’d somehow never seen.

Then Mike got a rare look inside LAIKA’s studio ahead of Wildwood’s release, talking to the artists, animators, and craftspeople bringing the stop-motion epic to life. He also spoke to stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Jacob Tremblay, as well as screenwriter Chris Butler, about what it took to give voice to the film’s characters.

And in case you missed it: the NFL season kicked off with Superman (David Corenswet) kneeling before Zod (Michael Shannon) in the first trailer for Mr. Irrelevant, Paramount’s football tearjerker about John Tuggle. In other sportsball news, Dominic and I had a chat about his new novel, JQK, and why sports is as important as all of our other fandoms.

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back next Friday with another Week in Review!

— Keith

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