The Epstein Files Have Become The Ultimate Disturbing Horror Movie. No Wonder We Can’t Look Away

In the last decade, I’ve occasionally written pieces that compared what’s happening in the world — specifically, in the Trump presidency — to something we’re used to seeing on the big screen. Eight months into his first term, I wrote a column entitled “Donald Trump’s Pop-Culture Presidency Enters Its Thriller Phase,” in which I argued […] Home Film Columns Feb 15, 2026 11:12am PT The Epstein Files Have Become The Ultimate Disturbing Horror Movie. No Wonder We Can’t Look Away By Owen Gleiberman Plus Icon Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic @OwenGleiberman Latest ‘Crime 101’ Review: Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo Lead a Tip-Top Cast in a Jewel-Heist Thriller More About Character Than Crime 4 days ago ‘GOAT’ Review: A Go-for-Your-Dream Fairy Tale With a Bold New Animated Look and a Brashly Winning Attitude 6 days ago ‘Dracula’ Review: Caleb Landry Jones Is a Stylishly Fey Dracula — Gary Oldman Redux — in Luc Besson’s Otherwise Wan Potboiler 1 week ago See All In Pictures via Getty Images In the last decade, I’ve occasionally written pieces that compared what’s happening in the world — specifically, in the Trump presidency — to something we’re used to seeing on the big screen. Eight months into his first term, I wrote a column entitled “Donald Trump’s Pop-Culture Presidency Enters Its Thriller Phase,” in which I argued that Trump was “acting like an unhinged president out of a movie,” and that his reckless threats against North Korea were designed to get a kind of cinematic rise out of us; it was saber-rattling as showbiz. Given how disastrous and threatening his second term has turned out to be (no mere cinematic posturing — a true descent into authoritarian terror and lawlessness), such comparisons may now seem trivial and beside the point. I certainly wouldn’t say there’s much about the Trump presidency today that “reminds me of a movie.” Related Stories ‘Maxima,’ Now Gearing Up for Season 2, Sold by Beta Film to 85 Territories Worldwide, Drops New Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)