Overinvested

Arriving after a long and scandalous delay at Warner Bros., the latest Looney Tunes movie is a satirical courtroom drama where a personal injury lawyer sues the Acme corporation on behalf of Wile E. Coyote, accusing Acme of selling faulty products. Playing with decades of Looney Tunes tradition, it combines cartoon comedy with an allegorical tale about corporate greed; a premise that coincidentally became very relevant to the film's convoluted release process, as discussed by Steffan and Gavia in this episode.

Claire and Gavia discuss their divided reactions to Jane Schoenbrun's acclaimed new horror dramedy Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, which stars Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder in a satirical deconstruction of a Friday the 13th-style slasher movie franchise. Among other topics, this episode digs into the film's use of vintage slasher tropes, its exploration of queer sexuality, and how it lines up with Schoenbrun's previous film I Saw the TV Glow.

Morgan and Gavia reunite to discuss Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, an ambitious cinematic endeavour that showcases Nolan's greatest strengths as a filmmaker - along with some of his recurring weaknesses. Among other topics, this episode covers the film's star-studded cast, its relationship with the original poem, and the way Nolan uses an ancient story to explore contemporary anxieties. Also, we dig into some of the surrounding discourse, including classicist Emily Wilson's controversial (and piercingly negative) review.

Claire and Gavia return to discuss the second half of AMC's The Vampire Lestat, delving into the show's wide array of abusive and complicated relationships, this season's increasingly ambitious departures from Anne Rice canon, the divisive nature of the finale, and much more.

Based on a popular creepypasta concept and directed by a 20-year-old filmmaker who started out on YouTube, Backrooms became a runaway hit this summer, helping to kickstart a new wave of film deals for YouTube directors. In this episode, Steffan and Gavia discuss director Kane Parsons' impressive grasp of physical space as a source of horror, the film's underwhelming script, the online origins of the Backrooms, and whether Hollywood studios will actually do anything interesting on their quest to find the next lucrative YouTube movie.

Claire and Gavia break down the first three episodes of The Vampire Lestat, discussing the show's drastic tonal shift, its elaborate narrative structure, its bold exploration of abusive relationships - and much, much more. Adapting the iconic novel by Anne Rice, this season focuses more on Lestat's music career than on his historical backstory, reaffirming Interview with the Vampire's place among the best TV dramas of the decade.

Steven Spielberg's sci-fi conspiracy thriller Disclosure Day continues his career-long fascination with extraterrestrial life. Starring Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor as two strangers being pursued by a shadowy military contractor, this film is a showcase for Spielberg's blockbuster expertise - although it also features some puzzling attitudes toward religion and conspiracy theories, culminating in a very divisive final act.

Claire and Gavia share their mixed feelings on Mother Mary, the stylish new psychological drama by David Lowery (The Green Knight). Exploring the tumultuous relationship between a Lady Gaga-esque pop star (Anne Hathaway) and her former costume designer (Michaela Coel), this genre-defying film incorporates elements of the supernatural into a story about creative collaboration and the destructive power of celebrity.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep return for this smash-hit sequel, pivoting to a surprisingly bleak story about the demise of journalism. Among other topics, our review covers: Emily Blunt’s hilarious performance, the film’s inability to engage with its darker themes, and its depiction of how the magazine industry has changed in the 20 years since the original Devil Wears Prada movie came out.

The latest Mummy movie is a gruesome horror story about demonic possession, marking a departure from the blockbuster style of recent Mummy franchise instalments. It's also a bit of a misfire, so we're using this opportunity to look back at the original 1932 Mummy film, its Ancient Egyptian background, and its overlap with other Pre-Code horror classics like Dracula and Frankenstein.

Claire and Gavia look back at the influential Japanese survival thriller Battle Royale, a violent dystopian tale about a class of teenagers who are forced to fight to the death by their authoritarian government. Often compared to The Hunger Games, this film has a fascinating (and controversial) backstory, with director Kinji Fukasaku drawing inspiration from his own traumatic experiences as a teenager during World War II.

Steffan and Gavia discuss one of the most influential sci-fi movies of all time: Ridley Scott's Alien. Spawning an iconic franchise and dozens of copycats, Alien is part monster movie, part dystopian thriller, starring Sigourney Weaver in her breakout role. Renowned for its genre-defining production design, this film established a "space trucker" aesthetic for its working-class spaceship setting - and introduced a uniquely grotesque antagonist in the form of H.R. Giger's xenomorph.

Ahead of the 2026 Oscars, Claire and Gavia review three Best Picture contenders featuring Oscar-nominated performances: 1950s sports drama Marty Supreme (starring Timothée Chalamet), Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent (starring Wagner Moura), and the dark comedy thriller Bugonia (Emma Stone's latest project with director Yorgos Lanthimos). Check out our Patreon soon for a more wide-ranging Oscars episode with Morgan and Gavia!

Steffan and Gavia share their praise for The Bone Temple, Nia DaCosta's deceptively hilarious sequel to 28 Years Later. With Ralph Fiennes and Alfie Williams reprising their roles, Jack O'Connell joins the cast as the sadistic cult leader Jimmy Crystal, offering a new angle on the franchise's dystopian setting. Among other topics, this episode covers the film's distinctive lead performances, its exploration of post-apocalyptic parenting, and its wild final-act musical sequence.

Claire and Gavia reveal their respective top ten lists for the best new movies released in 2025, including some major Oscar contenders (Sinners; One Battle After Another), several cool indie releases (The Shrouds; On Becoming A Guinea Fowl), plenty of queer cinema... and a record number of unexpected wildcard choices.

Claire and Gavia share their thoughts on the hottest show of the moment, breaking down Heated Rivalry's pitch-perfect romantic structure, its subtly insightful depiction of hockey culture, the sizzling chemistry between lead actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, and much more.

Claire and Gavia dig into Stanley Kubrick's iconic Stephen King adaptation The Shining, one of the most influential horror movies ever made. Starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and child actor Danny Lloyd, this film blends toxic family dynamics with supernatural horror, focusing on a young family who decide to spend the winter alone at a secluded mountain hotel. An ideal choice for midwinter viewing!

Steffan and Gavia share their enthusiastic review of Predator: Badlands, a standalone adventure story that casts a young Predator as the protagonist, teaming up with a perky android (Elle Fanning) to explore an alien planet. Among other topics, this episode covers the excellent casting of breakout star Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, the film's imaginative sci-fi worldbuilding, and director Dan Trachtenberg's genre-savvy approach to action.

Sticking closer to Mary Shelley's novel than most other adaptations, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is the culmination of a lifelong dream. His vision echoes the gothic maximalism of Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula, starring Jacob Elordi as a sympathetic interpretation of Frankenstein's Creature. But does this movie measure up to GDT's past hits? Steffan and Gavia have mixed feelings, delving into the film's characterization choices, production values, and relationship with the novel.

Claire and Gavia review some highlights from the 2025 London Film Festival, ranging from big upcoming releases (the new Knives Out movie Wake Up Dead Man) to awards contenders (Chloé Zhao's Hamnet) and exciting indie titles like Kelly Reichart's heist drama The Mastermind, and the queer BDSM romcom Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgard.

Steffan and Gavia review One Battle After Another, widely hailed as the best film of 2025. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this comedic thriller displays startlingly bold politics for a Hollywood studio release, telling a gripping story about leftist revolutionaries, racism, and the violence of American border control. Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti star as the central father/daughter duo, opposite Sean Penn as the villain.

Claire and Gavia share clashing opinions on Spike Lee's new crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington as a music mogul who faces financial ruin after his son is kidnapped and held to ransom. Remaking Akira Kurosawa's 1960s classic High and Low, it's a divisive new addition to Lee's filmography.

Claire and Gavia delve into David Cronenberg's fascinating erotic thriller Crash, starring James Spader as a man who develops a fetish for car crashes. Divisive and controversial when it first came out in 1996, it's now regarded as one of Cronenberg's greatest films, celebrated for its peculiar characters and unique brand of sexuality.

Steffan and Gavia review Netflix's animated smash-hit KPop Demon Hunters, a fantasy adventure about a demon-hunting KPop girlband. Praised for its brilliant original music and stylish animation, this movie offers a well-observed tribute to KPop and its fandom. But what does its supernatural allegory actually mean?

Steffan and Gavia discuss the first good Superman movie since the Christopher Reeve era, a charming action-comedy from 'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn. Leaning into zany comicbook lore and the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, this reboot makes some vague attempts at political commentary - but is mostly about resetting Hollywood's vision of Superman as a lovable American icon.

Steffan and Gavia review Danny Boyle's bold and thought-provoking post-apocalyptic thriller 28 Years Later, a loose sequel to the iconic horror movie 28 Days Later. Combining zombie thrills with folk horror and social commentary about British culture, the film is structured around a coming-of-age story about a boy named Spike, who grows up in a version of England overrun by zombies.

Claire and Gavia dig into the chaotic production process and artistic accomplishments of Werner Herzog's acclaimed 1982 historical drama Fitzcarraldo, accompanied by its fascinating making-of documentary Burden of Dreams. Set in turn-of-the-century Peru, Fitzcarraldo explores an ill-advised river voyage by an Irish businessman (Klaus Kinski), who seeks to build an opera house in the Amazon basin. Behind the scenes, life imitated art as Herzog's film shoot dragged on for years, endangering the lives of cast and crew, and raising questions about the ethics of asking others to suffer for your art.

Steffan and Gavia discuss Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, a dark comedy starring Benicio del Toro as a corrupt businessman who reconnects with his estranged daughter (Mia Threapleton) while embarking on an ambitious construction project. Among other topics, this episode covers Wes Anderson's trademark aesthetic, his relationship with absurdism, his casting choices, and this film's stylized historical setting.

Vampire fans Claire and Gavia discuss 2025's biggest horror movie, Sinners. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this historical drama explores the roots of blues music in 1930s Mississippi, starring Michael B. Jordan as a pair of identical twins who open a juke joint in their home town. Among other topics, this episode covers the film's meticulously researched historical storytelling, its imaginative use of music, and its unique vampire mythos.

Steffan and Gavia dig into the history and artistry of The Wicker Man (1973), starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. Among other topics, this episode explores the film's influence on the folk horror genre, its relationship with the neo-Pagan movement, and its underrated nature as a musical.

Claire and Gavia review William Friedkin's 1980 crime thriller Cruising, starring Al Pacino as a New York cop who goes undercover in local gay bars, searching for a serial killer who targets men in the leather community. Controversial at the time, this film has since become a cult classic, praised for its remarkable exploration of masculine identity and violence.

Steffan and Gavia review Mickey 17, the new sci-fi comedy from filmmaker Bong Joon Ho (Parasite). Robert Pattinson stars as a man who signs up for a years-long space voyage, agreeing to a grueling contract where his body can be killed and resurrected again and again. Echoing Bong’s work on films like Snowpiercer and Okja, this provides the basis for a bleak yet absurd anti-capitalist satire.

Ahead of the 2025 Oscars, Claire and Gavia discuss three of this year's Best Picture nominees: The critically acclaimed romantic dramedy Anora, the blockbuster musical Wicked, and the uniquely controversial Emilia Pérez, a film whose 13 Oscar nominations arrived alongside a wave of wholly justified backlash.

Steffan and Gavia discuss Brady Corbet’s acclaimed historical epic The Brutalist, which stars Adrien Brody as a Hungarian-Jewish architect who emigrates to America after surviving the Holocaust. Among other topics, this episode explores the film’s ambitious technical artistry, its morally complicated historical narrative, and its role as a successor to "American Dream" dramas like The Godfather and There Will Be Blood.

Claire and Gavia reveal their respective top 10 films of 2024, covering everything from A-list Oscar contenders to hidden gems and low-budget horror. This year's countdown includes new releases from 11 different countries (!), celebrating a truly exciting year in cinema.

Steffan and Gavia delve into their mixed feelings toward Robert Eggers’ acclaimed new Nosferatu remake. Among other topics, this episode covers Dracula’s impact on the gothic horror genre, Eggers’ very specific style of historical storytelling, and the complicated relationship between Nosferatu’s Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) and Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp).

Claire and Gavia discuss the uniquely influential 1989 romcom When Harry Met Sally, written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner. Kickstarting Meg Ryan's career as a romantic comedy icon, it follows the lives of two New Yorkers who become friends over a series of chance encounters.

Steffan and Gavia review the 2014 crime thriller The World of Kanako, directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Tetsuya Nakashima. Kōji Yakusho stars as a disgraced former cop, whose daughter Kanako goes missing. When his ex-wife asks him to find out what happened, he discovers that Kanako has been living a disturbing double life. A Patreon-supported episode requested by Overinvested subscriber Lockwood!

Claire and Gavia discuss Gus Van Sant’s iconic queer drama My Own Private Idaho (1991), loosely based on Shakespeare’s Henriad plays. River Phoenix stars as a hustler in Portland, Oregon, who sets off on a journey across America and then the world in search of his long-lost mother, accompanied by best friend and fellow hustler Keanu Reeves.

Claire and Gavia review The Substance, Coralie Fargeat's divisive new horror movie starring Demi Moore as a celebrity who takes a black market anti-aging drug with alarming Jekyll-and-Hyde results. Among other topics, we discuss the film's flawed feminist messaging, overlong runtime, and puzzlingly incoherent depiction of sexism in Hollywood.

Steffan and Gavia review (and recommend!) the critically acclaimed new sitcom English Teacher, created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, who you may know from The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo. Alvarez stars as a gay teacher working at a Texas high school, in a comedy that satirizes the chaos of American politics and the generational divide between elder millennials and Gen-Z.

Claire and Gavia review Zoe Kravitz's disappointingly flawed directorial debut, Blink Twice. Naomi Ackie stars as a waitress who gets invited on vacation by a controversial billionaire (Channing Tatum), joining a group of guests on his private island. Drawing comparisons to Promising Young Woman, this psychological thriller belongs to a recent trend of post-MeToo films tackling abusive power structures and sexual assault.

Steffan and Gavia review M. Night Shyamalan's wildly entertaining yet divisive escape thriller Trap, starring Josh Hartnett as a lovable dad who takes his teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a pop concert that turns into an elaborate manhunt for a serial killer.

Steffan and Gavia review the much-hyped horror movie Longlegs, starring Maika Monroe as an FBI agent investigating a serial killer (Nicolas Cage) who targets suburban families. Among other topics, this episode explores the film's unsettling atmosphere, its connection to Silence of the Lambs, its overlap with the Satanic Panic, and its dubious approach to dated serial killer tropes.

Opening with some spoiler-free thoughts on the show's brilliant lead performances and clever approach to adaptation, Claire and Gavia discuss season 2 of AMC's gothic drama Interview with the Vampire. Among other topics, this episode digs into IWTV's use of unreliable narrators, its thoughtful depiction of abuse and trauma, and its bold attitude to vampiric romance - along with glowing praise for the season's final episodes.

Claire and Gavia review the 1985 lesbian romance movie Desert Hearts, directed by Donna Deitch. Set in 1950s Nevada, this groundbreaking film follows a whirlwind relationship between a soon-to-be-divorced New York academic (Helen Shaver) and a devil-may-care casino worker (Patricia Charbonneau).

Steffan and Gavia review George Miller's ambitious and divisive Mad Max prequel Furiosa, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Among other topics, this episode delves into the film's rich mythological worldbuilding, the Mad Max franchise's unique cinematic legacy, and George Miller's rare talent for action and visual storytelling.

Claire and Gavia review the stylish 2011 action thriller Hanna, directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice). 16-year-old Saoirse Ronan stars as Hanna, a girl raised in the wilderness by her father, a former spy. Venturing out into mainstream society for the first time, Hanna must travel alone across Europe while evading a malevolent CIA agent played by Cate Blanchett.

Claire and Gavia discuss the sweatiest film phenomenon of 2024: Luca Guadagnino's tennis drama Challengers, starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor as three athletes embroiled in a love triangle. Among other topics, we cover the star power of the lead actors, the film's already-iconic music, and Guadagnino's distinctive way of depicting sexuality and relationships.

Gavia and Steffan review the Australian dramedy series Upright, starring comedian/songwriter Tim Minchin as a down-on-his luck musician who tries to drive across Australia with a piano, befriending a teenage runaway (Milly Alcock) along the way.

Claire and Gavia review the much-hyped queer thriller Love Lies Bleeding, starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brien. Plus, a multi-genre selection of highlights from this year's Glasgow Film Festival, including indie hits La Chimera and The Beast, and some excellent upcoming horror movies.

Claire and Gavia dig into the blockbuster event of the year, discussing Dune: Part Two's astonishing production design and incredible all-star cast, along with thornier topics like Dune's messy political worldbuilding and director Denis Villeneuve's adaptational changes to the original novel.

Claire and Gavia discuss Steven Spielberg's acclaimed 2021 adaptation of West Side Story, a musical about two young lovers caught in a turf war between rival gangs. Among other topics we delve into Spielberg's unique technical expertise, West Side Story's complicated political legacy, the lost art of movie-musical filmmaking... and Claire's passionate love for Mike Faist, who earned widespread praise for playing the charismatic gang leader Riff.

Gavia and Steffan review Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things, a bold sci-fi comedy starring Emma Stone as a woman created through a Frankenstein-like experiment. Nominated for eleven Oscars, Poor Things is critically acclaimed but divisive - particularly regarding its depiction of female sexuality.

Claire Biddles and Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reveal their top 10 lists for the best movies of 2023, running the gamut from indie hits like Return to Seoul and May December, to blockbusters like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - along with some true hidden gems!

Gavia and Steffan review the 2023 Doctor Who specials, discussing the return of David Tennant, Catherine Tate and showrunner Russell T. Davies, the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa as the wildly charismatic new Doctor, and various behind-the-scenes details involving the show's quasi-reboot status and new partnership with Disney.

Claire and Gav review the beloved 1992 figure skating romcom The Cutting Edge, directed by Paul Michael Glaser (The Running Man) and written by Tony Gilroy (Andor, The Bourne Identity). Harking back to the spiky banter of the 1930s screwball era, sparks fly when a spoiled figure skater and a macho hockey player form an unlikely creative partnership.

Gavia and Steffan review the new Hunger Games prequel movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Among other topics, they delve into its unexpected narrative structure, its political worldbuilding, its relationship to the other Hunger Games movies, and the complicated task of creating a successful prequel.

Claire and Gavia discuss Ira Sachs’ acclaimed new romantic drama Passages, starring Franz Rogowski and Ben Whishaw as a married couple who become embroiled in a love triangle with a young woman (Adele Exarchopoulos). We delve into the film's attitude to queer identity, its best-of-the-year costume design, and its thoughtfully choreographed sex scenes.

Gavia and Steffan delve into the iconic 1973 horror movie The Exorcist, discussing its chaotic creative process with director William Friedkin, its lasting impact on the horror genre, and its fantastic craftsmanship as an example of gritty New Hollywood cinema.

Claire and Gavia celebrate the magnificent Pre-Code classic Shanghai Express (1932), starring Marlene Dietrich and featuring Anna May Wong in her most iconic role. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, this atmospheric drama follows a group of international train passengers who are taken hostage during the Chinese Civil War.

Claire and Gavia delve into Oppenheimer, discussing the film's relationship with "great man" biopics, its divisive political narrative, its epic ensemble cast, and Christopher Nolan's underappreciated levels of corniness.

Morgan and Gavia discuss some of their favorite new books from the past calendar year, from Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, to hidden gems like All the Horses of Iceland by Sarah Tolmie (a historical fantasy novella) and The Disenchantment by Celia Bell(a tale of royal court intrigue in 17th century Paris.)

Gavia and Steffan review the latest (and possibly greatest) Mission Impossible movie, covering the franchise's unique place in Hollywood cinema, Tom Cruise's complicated star power, Hayley Atwell's incredible charisma, and how the film draws inspiration from vintage slapstick comedy.

Gavia is joined by guest-host Claire Biddles to discuss Michael Haneke’s 2001 erotic psychodrama The Piano Teacher, starring Isabelle as a Viennese piano teacher who embarks on a toxic sadomasochistic affair with one of her students. We delved into Huppert’s performance and career, the film’s costuming and music choices, the depiction of poorly-negotiated kink, and Haneke’s unique brand of intense drama.

Gavia is joined by guest-host Steffan Alun to discuss Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, an innovative animated feature that puts most live-action superhero films to shame. Among other topics, we covered the film's visual artistry, its self-aware take on the concept of canon, its flawed political storytelling, and its relationship to other Marvel adaptations.

Gavia is joined by guest-host Claire Biddles to discuss Luca Guadagnino’s beautiful romantic horror movie Bones and All (2022), about a pair of young cannibal drifters played by Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet. Among other topics, we covered the film's brilliant casting choices, its well-observed depiction of rural 1980s America, and Guadagnino's use of quasi-vampiric cannibalism as an allegory for outsider identity.

This week, Gavia is joined by guest-host Steffan Alun to discuss Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, an icon of blockbuster cinema. Among other topics, we covered the film's immaculate casting choices, its masterful special effects, Spielberg's skill for combining horror with heartwarming family drama, and Jurassic Park's place in the history of dinosaur cinema (including its own dubious sequels).

This week, Gavia is joined by guest-host Claire Biddles to discuss Stanley Kubrick’s acclaimed erotic psychodrama Eyes Wide Shut (1999), starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as Bill and Alice Hartford, a married couple in 1990s New York. After Alice reveals that she fantasized about having an affair, Bill embarks on a night of sexual experimentation. Topics include Tom and Nicole's marriage and divergent acting styles, the film's subversion of erotic thriller expectations, its depiction of gender roles in a straight marriage, and its fascinating legacy within Kubrick's career.

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This week, we discuss the influential 1966 Senegalese film "Black Girl," written and directed by Ousmane Sembene. The film follows a Senegalese young woman who works as a nanny for a white French family whose life turns into a nightmare when she accompanies them back to France and is forced to work as a maid. Topics include the film's overt postcolonial politics, its thoughtful deployment of production design and costumes, its reception in the west, and more.

This week, we turn our attention to the original movie adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's classic WWI novel, "All Quiet on the Western Front," directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Lew Ayres in his first major role. We compare Milestone's groundbreaking, early-sound era (1930)film to the remake currently nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, analyze the films' political intentions, praise Milestone's innovative filmmaking techniques, discuss the original film's complicated reception, and much more.

It's been a a few months since Todd Field's massively acclaimed film "TÁR" was released in America, but between its Oscar nominations — for Field, Cate Blanchett, Best Picture, and more — all the Lydia Tár memes, and the debates its ending continues to inspire, we figured there was no better time to discuss it than the present. Topics include the film's depiction of and engagement with classical music and the MeToo movement, sublime performances by Blanchett and supporting actor Nina Hoss, the film's wobbly ending and blinkered worldview, and more.

Just as January comes to a close, Team Overinvested brings you our Best Films of 2022. Though we're posting this episode a little later than usual, we're as excited as ever to share our favorite films of last year, and hopefully introduce you all to some titles you haven't heard of or gotten a chance to see yet. This year, our lists range from the big budget — "Top Gun: Maverick" — to the tiny indie — "Saint Omer" — and we've both included a documentary, too. Let us know what you think of our picks and what 2022 movies you loved!

We return to you after an unplanned break due to illness with a delayed episode on "Häxan," Benjamin Christiansen's groundbreaking 1922 docu-drama about the history of the persecution of witches (or "witches") — which also conveniently allowed him to depict sexually transgressive behavior that meant the film couldn't be shown in the United States for decades. Topics discussed include the film's push and pull between analysis and fetishism, its legacy as a cult object, Christiansen's experimental style, and more. We recorded this before Christmas so you'll hear a Christmas-y intro — so it goes! We'll be back soon with our episode on the Best Films of 2022. Thanks for listening.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit legal thriller "Michael Clayton," the 2007 Best Picture nominee written and directed by Tony Gilroy and starring George Clooney and Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton. They discuss the film's sharp characterization, its insightful commentary on corporate malfeasance, a career-best performance from George Clooney, and how the themes Gilroy explores here connect to his current work on "Andor."

This week, Gavia and Morgan sing the praises of "Andor," the new Star Wars television show masterminded by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna as future rebel martyr Cassian Andor. Topics include the show's stark tonal and stylistic divergence from other Star Wars shows on Disney+, its complex ideas about empire and rebellion, a superlative cast led by Luna, and much more.

Gavia and Morgan return from a covid-induced hiatus with a dispatch from this year's New York and London film festivals. Gavia reports on some buzzy titles including "Decision to Leave" and "Triangle of Sadness," and Morgan gives a rave to her one festival movie of the year, France's Oscar submission "Saint Omer."

This week, Gavia and Morgan have fun trying to figure out what the deal is, exactly, with Guy Ritchie's 2017 "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword," a would-be franchise starter that never got off the ground. Does Charlie Hunnum have what it takes to be a leading man? Has Jude Law ever turned in a bad performance? Why does this movie about Arthurian legend feature bare-knuckle boxing? And much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan break down Amazon's new "Lord of the Rings" adaptation, the TV show "The Rings of Power," which takes place thousands of years before Tolkien's novels. They analyze the show's relationship to Peter Jackson's films, discuss whether the show's efforts to diversify succeed, break out some deep Tolkien lore, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally get to talk about Jordan Peele's third film, the UFO spectacular "Nope." The film stars Daniel Kaluuya and Kiki Palmer as siblings who own a horse ranch... and discover there's a strange object lurking above their valley. Topics include Peele's increasingly ambitious career, this film's complex themes, dazzling performances from Palmer and Kaluuya, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit a modern classic, "Magic Mike XXL," starring Channing Tatum as the titular Mike, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer as his stripper pals, Jada Pinkett Smith as an old flame, and more. Topics discussed include the film's radically chill depiction of masculinity, Tatum's charismatic performance and career, and the forthcoming sequel, in production now.

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate the late James Caan by watching "Thief" (1981), Michael Mann's debut film, which features Caan's favorite of his own performances. In the film, he plays a skilled but small-time safecracker who gets involved with organized crime. Topics discussed this episode include Caan's life and career, Mann's influential style, this movie's delightfully realistic depiction of safecracking, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss "Persuasion" — no, not the recent Netflix adaptation, but ITV's 2007 version, starring Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as her estranged lover Wentworth. Topics include the film's relationship to Jane Austen's novel, its interpretation of Regency-era dress and hair, Sally Hawkins' tremendous performance, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan talk about the eighties cult classic "Road House," starring Patrick Swayze as the greatest bouncer in the world, who travels to a small Missouri town to whip a dive bar into shape. Topics discussed include the film's relationship to classic Hollywood westerns, Swayze's magnetic star presence, the film's boundless homoeroticism, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic musical "The Court Jester," starring Danny Kaye as a hapless circus performer forced to go undercover as a court jester as part of an elaborate seditious scheme. The film also stars a young Angela Lansbury, Basil Rathbone, and Glynis Johns. Topics include the film's connection to other medieval satires, the influence of vaudeville on Hollywood performance, Danny Kaye's motor-mouth, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the summer's biggest blockbuster: Tom Cruise's long-anticipated reprisal of his iconic role as Maverick in "Top Gun: Maverick." They break down how the sequel compares to the original, analyze how the practical stunts and effects contribute to the action, and salute the heroics of Cruise, certifiable maniac and Hollywood icon.

Gavia and Morgan return after a brief break with an episode on French horror classic "Diabolique," directed by H.G. Clouzot and starring Véra Clouzot and Simone Signoret as women who collaborate to murder their abuser. Topics discussed include the film's pioneering use of horror and thriller tropes and techniques, how its classical style compares to the French New Wave, the relationship between the two central female characters, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the delightful Pre-Code romantic comedy "Design for Living," directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Miriam Hopkins, Fredric March, and the incomparable Gary Cooper in a hopeless love triangle. Topics include the film's startling candid approach to sex, the contrasting star personas of its actors, and director Lubitsch's famous je-ne-sais-quoi.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Cheryl Dunye's nineties lesbian classic "The Watermelon Woman." A fictional film that incorporates elements of documentary, it stars Dunye as a character named Cheryl who, like the real Dunye, embarks on a project investigating Black women in Old Hollywood films. Topics include the movie's engagement with Old Hollywood, its depiction of a lesbian community, Dunye's approach to political filmmaking, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally review "The Batman," the latest film to reinvent the Dark Knight. Directed by Matt Reeves, the film stars Robert Pattinson as an isolated, emo Bruce Wayne, Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, and a full cast of character actors in the ensemble. Topics include Pattinson's performance, what this film brings to the Batman canon, gratuitous violence, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the virtues of Robert Eggers' latest historical reconstruction, "The Northman," which stars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, a prince who becomes obsessed with revenge after witnessing his uncle (Claes Bang) murder his father (Ethan Hawke). The film also features Nicole Kidman as his mother and Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Russian witch. Topics discussed in this episode include Eggers' obsessive commitment to historical accuracy, whether his humorless and violent take on the revenge plot offers anything new, an appreciation of Nicole Kidman, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the internet television sensation-du-jour, "Our Flag Means Death." This pirate comedy stars Rhys Darby as the "Gentleman Pirate" Stede Bonnet, a somewhat hapless newcomer to the scene who's living out his midlife crisis through piracy, and Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, the fearsome rogue who's tired of all that marauding... and gets a new lease on life when he meets Stede. Topics include the show's glorious central love story, its refreshingly unremarked-upon queer supporting cast, a stunningly good central performance by Waititi, and how it succeeds and fails in engaging with history.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic Star Trek film "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," a.k.a., The One With the Whales. After rescuing Spock in the previous film, the crew is now faced with the task of saving the world — which they can only do with the help of humpback whales, which takes them back in time to 1980s San Francisco. Topics include this movie's refreshingly chill vibes, Save the Whales, 1980s time travel films, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan tackle a horror classic: "Rosemary's Baby," which stars Mia Farrow as a dutiful wife unwittingly carrying the devil's child and John Cassavetes as her self-absorbed husband. Topics discussed in this episode include the film's long influence, its depiction of gaslighting by husbands and doctors, how to talk about a feminist classic directed by a sexual abuser, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into "Deep Water," the long-awaited new film from Adrian Lyne, the master of the erotic thriller. The film stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as an unhappily married couple whose chief occupations include breeding snails and having affairs, respectively. Topics under discussion in this episode include the film's tortured release, its shaky screenplay, and the pleasures of watching a film for grown-ups.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the French romantic comedy "Populaire," set in the 1950s in the world of competitive speed typing. Topics include the film's relationship to 1950s Hollywood rom-coms, the charms of its stars Romain Duris and Déborah François, and the real-life history of speed typing competitions.

In this week's episode, Gavia and Morgan pronounce "Fresh," the new cannibalism romance starring Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones, dead on arrival. Topics discussed include the director's lack of familiarity with the horror genre, the film's clueless approach to feminism, an incredibly racist Black best friend character, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate the centennial of F.W. Murnau's masterful adaptation of "Dracula," the 1922 film "Nosferatu." They discuss the collaborative nature of he project, its influence on later vampire films, its transgressive treatment of sex, and more. They also discuss the 2000 film "Shadow of the Vampire," a pulpy reinterpretation of history that stars John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe as the director and star of "Nosferatu."