The Final Cut Returns for A New Season

Do you know what’s frightening about horror films in the U.S. and Canada? Horror films regularly account for about $1 billion in annual domestic ticket sales, or approximately 10% of the US and Canadian box office, making them a dependable and growing money-maker for Hollywood.

It, based on the creepy Stephen King novel, is the largest moneymaker in horror film history, raking in over $740 million since its release in 2017. These movies also attract a younger audience, who are more likely to buy from the ultra-expensive concession stand.

That cinematic popularity transfers to horror podcasts, especially exceptional shows such as The Final Cut.

Grace Cordell is the creator of REDRUM True Crime, which has amassed more than six million downloads. A trained storyteller for both stage and film, Grace has been obsessed with horror since the age of eight. With The Final Cut, she channels that lifelong passion into an unflinching look at the fear, gore, and genius of the genre.

Speaking on the new podcast Grace says: “The Final Cut is my love letter to horror — Saw felt like the perfect place to start, because it’s clever, brutal, and it completely changed the genre.”

In season two, regular host (and creator of REDRUM) Grace Cordell is joined by Truly Criminal’s Alice to conduct a terrifyingly thorough autopsy on the Paranormal Activity franchise. Throughout the season they’ll pick apart every jumpscare, every twist, and every jaw-dropping moment that has made it one of the most successful movie franchises in history.

Grace Cordell is the creator of REDRUM True Crime, which has amassed more than 6 million downloads. A trained storyteller for both stage and film, Grace has been obsessed with horror since the age of eight. With The Final Cut, she channels that lifelong passion into an unflinching look at the fear, gore, and genius of the genre.

Creator/Host Grace Cordell says: “Paranormal Activity redefined horror for me. There’s something thrilling about feeling like you’re watching something private — and experiencing that with a cinema full of people who feel every teeny spec of tension with you. This season, Alice and I are diving into how it did that, why the sequels never quite made the same bang, and just why we’re still SO obsessed with it all these years later.”

Alice, Season 2 Co-Host adds, “The early Paranormal Activity films really shaped my love of horror in my teens, and some of my most memorable cinema experiences were watching them. Revisiting the series now has been both nostalgic and surprisingly revealing; while I have such vivid memories of certain installments, it’s been just as exciting to rediscover the ones I’d either never seen or barely remembered, and getting to break them down with Grace has made the whole experience even more interesting and enjoyable.”

Liam Heffernan, Founder & CEO of Mercury, notes, “The Final Cut launched with a bang last year, so the pressure was really on for season two, but Grace and Alice are a force to be reckoned with. Somehow, they have made a podcast talking about Paranormal Activity even more enjoyable than watching the films. This show is going from strength to strength, and I already can’t wait for season 3!”

Mercury Podcast Network was born from the lived experience of its founder, Liam Heffernan. Like many independent podcasters, Liam began his journey recording shows from a home office in England. Over time, he produced podcasts for others, but his true passion remained with his own projects, the creative work that brought the most joy and personal growth.

The challenge, however, was one familiar to countless indie creators: while the shows were strong in content, they lacked the time, visibility, and strategy to grow into sustainable ventures. Promotion and monetization often felt out of reach.

Through years of navigating the ups and downs of podcasting, Liam noticed a striking gap in the industry. At one end sit the massive, celebrity-driven shows that dominate listener attention and advertising dollars. At the other, countless small podcasts struggle to find their footing. But in the middle exists a vibrant tier of talented, independent creators, shows too good to be overlooked, yet too small to attract traditional network support.

Mercury was designed to serve this overlooked community. Its ambition is clear: to build an ecosystem for independent podcasters to create, collaborate, grow, and earn. Mercury is a big network with an independent spirit, tearing down gatekeepers and giving a platform to the best indie shows. Unlike larger networks burdened by high costs, Mercury is built to grow sustainably, providing the right support without compromising independence.

Today, Mercury is home to a diverse slate of standout podcasts — from history and true crime to film, food, and storytelling. Shows include America: A History, Spooky Story Time, Ghastly Women, Verbal Diorama, Second Helpings, Bingewatch, People Who Read People, Douze Points, 5 Random Questions, Dad’s Bedtime Stories, OffScreen, If You Were in Charge, Sexonomic, You’ve Got Mail, and PastMaster.

Mercury’s mission is simple but ambitious: to level the playing field, empower indies, and make space for voices that deserve to be heard.

Check out The Final Cut. In today’s U.S., you can always escape the daily societal horror by retreating into the horror of movies. After all, Jigsaw, the villain and murderer in Saw, is far less scary than some of the people now running the U.S.