James Balmont

James Balmont is a freelance arts and culture writer based in London, England. He specializes in international cinema, independent music, and, for Inverse, untold stories behind classic video games. Beyond Inverse, James' work has been commissioned by the BBC, The Guardian, i-D, and NME, among others. When not writing words, he writes and performs music with UK indie/electronic band Swim Deep.

Retrospective

Godzilla’s Most Infamous Foe Changed Pop Culture Forever

Let them fight.

ByJames Balmont
Retrospective

Days Before 'Jurassic Park' Hit Theaters, a Gory Roger Corman Movie Beat it to the Punch

No budget? No problem.

ByJames Balmont
Retrospective

25 Years Ago, a Classic Sci-Fi Franchise Unleashed Its Most Controversial Movie

This Japanese movie sparked controversy in the West. Then, it got a U.S. release.

ByJames Balmont
The Superhero Issue

How Mark Hamill helped make the trippiest sci-fi superhero movie of the ‘90s

Cyborg superheroes, evil aliens, and Luke Skywalker: why The Guyver still rules on its 30th anniversary.

ByJames Balmont
Video Games Issue 2021

The oral history of Banjo-Kazooie, the N64’s unlikeliest hit

The dream factory: Banjo-Kazooie creators relive Rare's golden age.

ByJames Balmont
The Inverse Interview

The French father of Hollywood sci-fi is still planning his masterpiece

Science fiction visionary Marc Caro on 'Alien,' 'Dune,' 'Metal Hurlant', and the 30th anniversary of his dystopian classic 'Delicatessen.'

ByJames Balmont
Resident Evil 25

"Clowns farting": The wild story behind Resident Evil's worst soundtrack

Here’s how Mamoru Samuragochi, the disgraced composer once known as Japan’s Beethoven, left his mark on the Resident Evil franchise.

ByJames Balmont
Gaming

Resident Evil 25: Voice actors reveal the wild stories behind the screams

Five actors behind the venerable survival horror series prove the behind-the-scenes stories are every bit as outlandish as those played out on-screen.

ByJames Balmont
Inverse Recommends

Japan's weirdest director is finally bringing his vision to America — with Nicolas Cage

If you thought you knew extreme, just wait until you meet Sion Sono.

ByJames Balmont
Inverse Codex

Everything we know about Alice in Borderland Season 2 on Netflix

Netflix's manga adaptation is a bonafide hit, so when will we get a second season?

ByJames Balmont and Mike Bloom
One Dead. 41 To Go.

“It felt like school.” The stars of Battle Royale reflect, 20 years later

Two contestants look back at the toils and triumphs of the controversial cult classic.

ByJames Balmont
Inverse Recommends

The most underrated dystopian movie ever is finally getting a U.S. release

Released in Japan in 1982, Burst City has never been more relevant.

ByJames Balmont
8-Bit Week

Sweet Home: The forgotten 1989 game that inspired the survival horror subgenre

Resident Evil makes frequent nods to this spooky classic.

ByJames Balmont
Behind the stunts

“We were never safe.” The cameramen of Jackass tell all

Hidden cameras, lots of poop, and Jackass 4.

ByJames Balmont