Redacted News

Episode: "DARK FORCES are Destroying Hollywood, and it's never coming back"

Host: Clayton Morris (Redacted.inc)
Guest: Ricky Borba (Director/Author, Ricky Borba Films)
Date: December 31, 2025

Overview

This episode of Redacted News, hosted by Clayton Morris, features a candid and provocative conversation with director and author Ricky Borba. The central theme is the perceived moral and cultural decline of Hollywood, described as being driven by "dark forces." The episode explores Borba’s personal journey of leaving Hollywood, the spiritual and cultural factors leading to a national conservative resurgence, and the rise of family-focused media. Throughout, the hosts emphasize a spiritual battle for the soul of America, contrasting their experiences in California with a newfound optimism in Tennessee.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Decline and Exposure of Hollywood’s “Dark Forces” (01:29–05:19)

• Clayton introduces the concept that Hollywood is being “destroyed in real time” by the exposure of allegedly corrupt and, in their view, even “satanic” influences controlling the industry.
• Noted migration of actors and directors leaving Hollywood, seeking to distance themselves from these forces.
• Quote:
  “The dark forces that have been running that city for many decades are finally being exposed.”
  — Clayton (01:29)

2. From California to Tennessee: Ricky Borba’s Escape (05:26–07:11)

• Borba describes his upbringing in California, initial foray into Hollywood, and eventually choosing to relocate to Tennessee after “praying about it”—seeing it as divine guidance.
• Sharp contrast drawn between the “corrupt, demonic, awful state like California” and the patriotic community spirit found in Tennessee.
• Quote:
  “Immediately upon arrival in Tennessee... I saw the vast differences in how a state is run properly like Tennessee and how a corrupt, demonic, awful state like California is run—it was clear as night and day to me.”
  — Ricky Borba (06:25)

3. America’s Cultural Shift and the 2024 “Red Wave” (02:11–04:56, 08:36–15:32)

• Discussion of a perceived spiritual and political resurgence: the Republican and evangelical mobilization in the 2024 election cycle.
• Media narratives described as consistently deceptive; emphasis on “speaking truth” and combatting fear.
• Quote:
  “Voting has spiritual outcomes... this is spiritual. It’s light versus darkness.”
  — Ricky Borba (03:24)
• The hosts and Borba see the election not just as politics, but a cultural and moral reset—attributed to divine intervention (paralleling “parting of the Red Sea”).

4. The Making of “The Response” Documentary (05:38–11:00)

• Borba outlines his motivation for creating the documentary—to chronicle how conservatives and evangelicals reclaimed influence and “responded” to the state of the nation and Hollywood.
• The project is framed as both personal and missional, emphasizing open expression of faith and values after moving out of California.

5. Media’s Narrative vs. On-the-Ground Reality (11:00–15:32)

• Discussion of mainstream media creating false impressions about elections and national sentiment.
• Polymarket.com cited as being more accurate in predicting election outcomes than mainstream outlets.
• Quote:
  “All the mainstream media grifters and all of these other liars... were totally blown away by it.”
  — Clayton (11:35)
• Encouragement: “Stop being afraid to use your voice.” (14:37)

6. Hollywood’s “Demonic” Agenda and Disturbing Anecdotes (16:09–23:58)

• Borba shares shocking personal experiences casting for family-oriented films:
  • Tells a story of a famous actor (now deceased) wanting to make a pastor character a pedophile, highlighting normalized depravity in the industry.
    Quote:
    “I would like to make this character a pedophile. So let’s write some scenes in. He was dead serious...”
    — Ricky Borba (17:41)
• Additional revelations of concerning behavior among Hollywood elites, including disturbing statements made publicly by actors (notably, naming Ian McDiarmid from Star Wars in a live panel recounting being attracted to a 14-year-old).

7. Hollywood’s Influence on Global Culture (15:32–19:26)

• Hollywood as the global image of America, pushing non-traditional values worldwide.
• Discussion of “trends” among celebrities (esp. pushing trans issues, breakdown of family norms).
• Expressed desire to make content as a “corrective” to the current cultural direction.

8. The Economics and Exodus from Hollywood (28:50–31:37)

• Studios are fleeing California's regulatory and economic environment, relocating shoots to places like Tennessee, Georgia, or even Ireland due to lower costs and friendlier policies.
• “Hollywood is a shell of its former self.”

9. The Rise of Family and Faith-Centric Films & Pushback (26:50–32:06)

• Films, both faith-based and secular family fare (animated "Jesus" stories, Zootopia 2, etc.), are finding huge audiences and financial success.
• Traditional values are marketable, with even analysts like Ted Baehr noting family movies’ enduring profitability.
• Skepticism remains about Hollywood’s sincerity, with concerns about studios making family movies “disingenuously.”

10. Child Exploitation, Trafficking, and the Sound of Freedom (23:19–34:53)

• Covers the film “The Sound of Freedom” and its struggle to get released—the hosts argue this is due to Hollywood and elite interests being threatened by its subject matter (child sex trafficking).
• Quote:
  “That film made so much money... you walked out of that film wrecked, and wrecked in the best possible way.”
  — Ricky Borba (33:44)
• Details struggles for faith/family filmmakers to secure funding and distribution, with established Hollywood structures stacked against such projects.

11. Video Games: The New Culture War Front (38:17–46:49)

• Parallel drawn between Hollywood and the gaming industry in terms of “woke” agenda infiltration.
• Nostalgic for earlier eras of games focused on storytelling rather than agenda.
• Noted pushback from consumers—financial failure of ideologically-heavy games, layoffs in “woke” studios, and Japan’s outright rejection of Western agendas.
• Quote:
  “People are saying we don’t want to play your... so we’re just not going to buy it.”
  — Clayton (46:31)

12. Will Hollywood Ever Return to Wholesomeness? (47:55–48:59)

• Host and guest both express skepticism that Hollywood will course-correct, citing entrenched interests and California’s decline.
• Hope remains with new media hubs in Tennessee, Georgia, overseas, and the rise of independent, values-centered creators.

Notable Quotes & Moments (Timestamps in MM:SS format)

• “The dark forces that have been running that city for many decades are finally being exposed.” — Clayton (01:29)
• “California wasn’t a coup de grace. It was death by a thousand paper cuts... what does California offer, especially for someone like me in the film industry?” — Ricky (05:41)
• “Voting has spiritual outcomes. Yes. Regarding your children and your children’s children.” — Ricky (03:40)
• “He says, I would like to make this character a pedophile. So let’s write some scenes in. He was dead serious, Clayton.” — Ricky (17:41)
• “My dream was to do something in the Star Wars universe… [but] he just kind of grabbed me by the shoulders… and explained to me in no uncertain terms what Disney was doing with children… heartbreaking.” — Ricky (19:51)
• “Go watch the original [Star Wars] trilogy and who the main bad guy is… the emperor. That’s who it was. It was Ian McDiarmid.” — Ricky (25:47)
• “You want to make a biopic about Howard Hughes, good luck if you want that to be nominated for Best Picture if you don’t shoehorn some trans character in there.” — Ricky (46:49)
• “There are good people working in Hollywood, working in California who want this, who are fighting very, very hard for this… I hope they’re able to make a headway.” — Ricky (48:59)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 05:19 – Introduction to Guest (Ricky Borba)
• 16:09 – Behind-the-scenes story: shocking request from A-list actor
• 23:19 – Hollywood pedophilia, child exploitation, and Star Wars anecdote
• 28:50 – Studios leaving California in droves; economic realities
• 33:44 – “Sound of Freedom” and exposing trafficking
• 38:17 – Gaming industry: culture clash and consumer revolt
• 46:49 – Hollywood’s Best Picture inclusion requirements/DEI mandates
• 47:55 – The future of Hollywood: is there hope?
• 49:31 – Look ahead to the 2026 election and closing thoughts

Tone & Language

Throughout the episode, the tone is passionate, direct, and often urgent—at times evangelical in nature, with a strong undercurrent of spiritual and political struggle. Both host and guest invoke Christian imagery, culture war language, and a sense of mission. Sentiments are framed as defending children, families, and constitutional roots, versus “demonic” and “corrupt” elites.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode provides a deep dive into the anxieties and motivations of contemporary conservatives in media, focusing on Hollywood’s perceived moral decline and the corresponding rise of faith- and family-based alternatives. Packed with personal stories, provocative allegations, and calls to action, it offers a window into why many creators are fleeing established media centers, the struggles faced by independent filmmakers, and the broader narrative of a country in cultural and political flux. If you want to understand the worldview and energy driving this end of the culture war, this episode is a must-listen.