The Every Movie Ever! Podcast
Join hosts Ben Groves & Rob Macfarlane for a weekly mental health check in disguised as a movie podcast. Weekly episodes released every Sunday have the boys talking everything from Hollywood blockbusters to indie darlings and all manner of highs and lows in-between!
Episodes
Destination Moon (1950): Your Favourite Movie's Favourite Movie
Ben, Rob and Amber blast off with ‘Destination Moon’, the 1950 science fiction landmark that helped launch an entire decade of space age cinema. Directed by Irving Pichel, produced by George Pal and developed with legendary sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein, Destination Moon stars John Archer, Warner Anderson, Tom Powers and Dick Wesson as the crew of the first privately funded mission to the Moon.
Backrooms (2026): From Unclogging A Drain To Petting A Bee
Ben and Rob noclip into ‘The Backrooms’, Kane Parsons’ 2026 A24 horror debut that transforms the viral internet creepypasta and his Kane Pixels YouTube series into a feature length nightmare. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass, ‘The Backrooms’ follows a struggling furniture store owner who discovers an impossible doorway beneath his shop, and the therapist who follows him i
Them! (1954): Sci Fi Trilogy Part 2 - The Birth Of The Big Bug Invasion
Ben and Rob get stepped on this week by 1954's Them!, the black-and-white creature feature that took Cold War nuclear dread and gave it nine feet of legs, mandibles, and a taste for sugar.Starring Edmund Gwenn (yes, Santa Claus himself) as the entomologist explaining that mankind has opened a door it can't close, alongside James Whitmore and a pre-Gunsmoke James Arness, Them! follows a colony of N
The Odyssey (2026): The First Film In History To Succesfully Get Matt Damon Home In 100% IMAX
Ben and Rob are joined this week by a very special third mast, guest host Amber Poppit for an episode covering Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, the $250 million, 100% IMAX 70mm adaptation of Homer's original road trip gone wrong epic.Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca who spends a decade failing to simply go home, alongside Tom Holland as his son Telemachus and Anne Hathaway as lo
Attack Of The 50ft. Woman (1958): The Throwaway Cash Grab Side-Hustle B-Movie That Is Still Revelant Nearly 70 Years Later!
Ben and Rob shrink themselves down to size this week to tackle a woman who did the opposite: 1958's Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, the black-and-white B-movie that proved you don't need a budget, you just need a giant papier-mâché hand and a grudge.Starring Allison Hayes as Nancy Archer, a wealthy heiress who has a close encounter, gets a lot bigger, and decides it's finally time to deal with her ch
Spiderman 3 (2007): With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility AKA The Franchise Killer
Ben and Rob shoot their webs all over 2007 to dissect the $258 million fever dream that is Sam Raimi's Spider Man 3, the movie that had four villains, a jazz club, an emo dance number, and somehow still wasn't the strangest thing Sam Raimi did that decade.We trace the making of this notoriously overstuffed threequel, from studio pressure to cramming in Venom, to Topher Grace's freakish, some may s
Snakes On A Plane (2006): The Best Thing To Come Out Of WWII... AKA Snakes Together Long
Ben and Rob fly first class back to 2006 to federally investigate a $33 million B-movie that somehow became one of the most anticipated films of the internet age, before a single trailer even dropped. This episode traces how Snakes on a Plane went from a modest 1992 spec script to a title so absurdly perfect that Samuel L. Jackson signed on for the name alone.We dig into the film's tangled decade-
Spiderman 2 (2004): Why Is This The Stickiest Superhero Movie?
Ben and Rob swing into ‘Spider-Man 2’, Sam Raimi’s beloved 2004 superhero sequel that transformed a comic book blockbuster into one of the most emotionally enduring films of its genre. Starring Tobey Maguire, Alfred Molina, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons, Spider-Man 2 follows Peter Parker as he struggles to balance responsibility, romance and heroism, while facing th
They Live (1988): CONSUME, OBEY, CONSUME, OBEY, CONSUME, OBEY
Ben and Rob intercept the frequency in John Carpenter's They Live (1988), starring Roddy Piper as a man with nothing, Keith David as a man with just enough left to lose, and an entire ruling class of skull-faced aliens doing their most convincing work in business suits. What begins as the story of how a six-page pulp story from 1963, written by a man almost nobody has heard of, adapted into a comi
Spiderman (2002): Don't Come In Aunt May...
Ben and Rob sling their way back to 2002 and into the webbed world of Spider-Man, Sam Raimi's blockbuster that somehow managed to turn decades of comic book history, a nervous Tobey Maguire, and a maniacally committed Willem Dafoe into one of the defining superhero movies of the modern era. Along the way they untangle the long and surprisingly complicated journey that brought Marvel's most famous
Sunlight (2024): It's A Mentally Able Episode
Ben and Rob disappear into the monkey suit and hit the dusty New Mexico road with Sunlight (2024), the feature directing debut of Nina Conti, co-written with and co-starring Shenoah Allen, with Bill Wise and Melissa Chambers rounding out the cast. What begins as a tale built around a familiar prop from Conti's ventriloquism act slowly unfolds into something far more layered; a conversation about a
The Lawnmower Man (1992): What In The Omnipotent Cyber God Just Happened?
Ben and Rob strap themselves into the feedback loop and jack all the way in to The Lawnmower Man, directed by Brett Leonard and starring Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Fahey, Jenny Wright, and Mark Bringelson. What begins as a deceptively simple fable about a gentle simpleton turbocharged into a god by virtual reality and experimental drugs slowly mutates into something far weirder; a conversation about the
The Surfer (2024): A Short, Sharp Shock Of Violence On The Shore
Ben and Rob dive headfirst into the churning, sun bleached chaos of The Surfer, directed by Lorcan Finnegan and starring Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon, Finn Little, and Nick Warnock. What begins as a straightforward tale of a man trying to reclaim his boyhood beach slowly mutates into something far stranger; a conversation about exploitation cinema, Australian genre filmmaking, territorial masculin
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2012): Smarter Than All Of Us...?
Ben and Rob conclude their journey through Panem with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two, directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Donald Sutherland. What begins as one final YA franchise finale slowly mutates into something far stranger; a conversation about propaga
Flight Of The Navigator (1986): The Nostalgic Family Classic Or Wildly Misunderstood Masterpiece?
Ben and Rob step back into the summer of 1986 with Flight of the Navigator, a film that has spent forty years being wildly underestimated. Warm, strange, and quietly melancholy beneath its adventure film surface, it tells the story of a boy who falls into a ravine and wakes up in a world that moved on without him… but is it the misunderstood masterpiece its most devoted fans insist it is? Or has o
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014): Hear Us Out... We Fixed It.
Ben and Rob return to Panem with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014), the instalment that divides fans and demands a verdict. Directed by Francis Lawrence, this chapter strips away the spectacle and doubles down on the psychology. But does that make it a bold creative swing, or a franchise stumbling under the weight of its own ambitions?Two visions of the same film. Ben and Rob don't just d
Die My Love (2025): Katniss And Edward Sitting In A Tree... They're Awful To Each Other And The Marriage Breaks Down In Unimaginable And Horrific Ways
Ben and Rob plunge into the feverish, unraveling psyche at the heart of Die My Love, a film that blurs the boundaries between passion, isolation, and psychological fracture. Set against a raw, untamed landscape that feels as volatile as its characters, the story captures a relationship pushed to its emotional limits, but what exactly is Die My Love? A romance? A descent into madness? Or something
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013): The Middle Not Middle One
Ben and Rob step back into the arena with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), the sequel that proves it’s anything but a middle movie. Directed by Francis Lawrence, this chapter doesn’t just continue the story, it sharpens it. But what is it that makes Catching Fire feel so complete, so essential, rather than just a bridge between beginnings and endings?They dig into the making of drama, from
The Platform (2019): AKA The Hungry Games
Ben and Rob descend into the stark, vertical nightmare of The Platform (2019), the Spanish sci-fi thriller from director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia that turns a simple premise into a brutal, unforgettable allegory. Set within a mysterious tower where food and morality cascade from the top down, the film strips human behavior to its rawest form. But how did this claustrophobic concept become such a sha
The Hunger Games (2012): Is This Just A Bad Battle Royale Clone?
Ben and Rob step into the fractured districts of Panem with The Hunger Games, the 2012 phenomenon that turned a brutal dystopian novel into a cultural lightning strike. Directed by Gary Ross and led by a breakout performance from Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the film walks a tightrope between blockbuster spectacle and unsettling social commentary, but how did it all come together?Who is
Amélie (2001): How Small Acts Of Kindness Can Change The World OR... The Unofficial Matrix Spin Off?
Ben and Rob wander into the whimsical streets of Montmartre and a carefully constructed fantasy with Amélie, the 2001 French sensation directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Starring Audrey Tautou in her star making role, alongside Mathieu Kassovitz and a kaleidoscope of unforgettable side characters, Amélie blends romance, surrealism, and meticulous visual storytelling into a film that feels as handmade
Matilda (1996): The Heartwarming Family Favourite Or The Greatest Government Psy Op/Unpunished Crime Ever Recorded In Cinematic History?!
Ben and Rob return to childhood (and possibly psychological warfare) with Matilda, the 1996 family classic directed by and starring Danny DeVito. Featuring Mara Wilson, Pam Ferris, Embeth Davidtz and DeVito himself, Matilda blends Roald Dahl’s dark whimsy with a surprisingly chaotic energy, serving up a story of genius, neglect, and just a hint of revenge.Do our hosts have wildly different reactio
Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012): We Miss This Already
Ben and Rob bring the saga to a close with ‘The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2’, the 2012 fantasy finale that ended one of the most talked about franchises in modern cinema. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning and Anna Kendrick, Breaking Dawn Part 2 delivers the final chapter of vampires, werewolves and eternal love, while wr
The Bride (2026): Dead On Arrival Or Destined For Acclaimed Ressurection?
Ben and Rob head back into the Frankenstein mythos to tackle The Bride! (2026), the bold, chaotic, and very Maggie Gyllenhaal take on one of horror’s most famous monsters. Before diving into the film’s wild ideas, the pair rewind to ask the obvious question: what exactly is this movie trying to be? A gothic romance? A feminist monster movie? A gangster road film set in 1930s Chicago? Somehow, it’s
Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011): The One With Wedding Bells, Broken Beds And Grumpy Psychic Wolves... And Imprinting On Babies?
Ben and Rob head back to Forks to crack open Breaking Dawn – Part 1, the strangest chapter in the Twilight saga. Before getting into the chaos, they rewind to ask the obvious question: what is this film actually trying to be? The pair unpack the cultural moment surrounding its release, what critics made of it at the time, and why a movie that feels like it has three completely different acts someh
Frankenstein (2025): How Del Toro's Latest Masterpiece Got Stitched Together
Ben and Rob crack open the lab and fire up the lightning rods for their trip into Frankenstein, the long-gestating passion project from Guillermo del Toro, and things get stitched together fast. Before they even get near the operating table, the pair dig back to the source, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, unpacking the Creature’s original, deeply human motivation and how often adaptations miss the t
The Twilight Saga Eclipse (2010): The Soft Reboot The Franchise Needed Or Complete Reframe Of The Entire Twilight Universe?
Ben and Rob head back to Forks for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the third (and somehow most openly unhinged) entry in the glittery supernatural mega-franchise. The one where the love triangle becomes a war movie, the subtext becomes text, and everyone suddenly starts giving speeches like they’re in a fantasy epic instead of a rainy teen melodrama. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Tayl
Rain Man (1988): Autism Icon or Reductive Hatecrime? (Feat. Amber From Ctrl Alt Critique Podcast)
Ben and Rob hit the road with Rain Man (1988), and this week they’re graciously joined by dear friend, Amber of the Ctrl Alt Critique podcast to unpack one of the most celebrated (and complicated) Best Picture winners of the late ’80s. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, the film follows a fast-talking yuppie who discovers he has an estranged autistic brother with extraordinary abilities, then
The Twilight Saga New Moon (2009): Where The HELL Have You Been, Loca?!
Ben and Rob return to Forks for The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), the moodier, louder, and somehow even more emotionally chaotic sequel that turned a teen vampire romance into a full-blown blockbuster franchise. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner (now with significantly more screen time and significantly fewer shirts), New Moon finds Bella Swan reeling from heartbreak,
Sinners (2025): Does This Deserve To Be The Most Nominated Film In History?!
Ben and Rob dive into Sinners, the intense, genre-blurring drama that’s become one of the most talked about films of the year and, remarkably, the most Oscar-nominated movie in history.Often mistaken for a vampire story but driven more by themes of guilt, faith, and morality than horror, Sinners uses its haunting atmosphere and tightly unified style to tell a story that feels uncannily contemporar
Twilight (2008): The Worst Best B-Movie Of All Time?!
Ben and Rob sink their teeth into the endlessly debated phenomenon of Twilight (2008), the moody supernatural romance that launched a franchise, a thousand memes, and an entire generation of Team Edward vs. Team Jacob discourse. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, Twilight follows an awkward new girl who moves to a rainy town, falls for a mysterious classmate, and quickl
Short Circuit (1986): Johnny 5 is ALIVE!
Ben and Rob plug into the charming chaos of Short Circuit (1986), the beloved sci-fi comedy about a military robot who accidentally gains self-awareness and discovers the joys and dangers of being alive. Starring Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens and the unforgettable Johnny Five, Short Circuit follows a runaway robot as he escapes government capture and learns about humanity through p
The Life Of Chuck (2024): What Makes This The Most Inspiring Movie Of The Year?
Ben and Rob chart the final moments of ‘Life Of Chuck’, Mike Flanagan’s Stephen King adaptation that has quickly become one of the most talked about life affirming films of the year. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Jacob Tremblay and Mia Sara, Life Of Chuck tells the story of an ordinary man whose existence unfolds backwards through collapsing
Buffalo '66 (1998): A Most Uncomfortable Love Story
Ben and Rob abduct ‘Buffalo 66’, Vincent Gallo’s 1998 cult drama that sits uncomfortably between love story, character study and anti movie. Starring Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey Rourke and Anjelica Huston, Buffalo 66 follows a deeply broken man staging a fake relationship to impress his parents, while quietly becoming one of the strangest and most divisive romantic films of
The Very Best Films Of 2025
Ben and Rob take stock of cinema with their best films of 2025 episode; a sprawling, argumentative and occasionally unhinged reflection on a year that refused to be tidy. From blockbuster expectations to quiet character pieces, franchise sequels to left field surprises, this episode circles titles like Weapons, Sinners, Sisu 2, Bugonia, Good Boy, A Real Pain and Superman, alongside many more films
This Is Spinal Tap (1984): The Birth of the Mockumentary and Why We Care
Ben and Rob turn it up to eleven with ‘This Is Spinal Tap’, Rob Reiner’s 1984 mockumentary that permanently rewired comedy, metal, and how musicians see themselves. Starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, This Is Spinal Tap follows England’s loudest and least self aware heavy metal band as they tour America, argue about amps, lose drummers at an alarming rate and accidentally
Frankie Freako (2024): Why Weird Movies Still Matter
Ben and Rob phone ‘Frankie Freako’, the latest low budget creature feature from Steven Kostanski that completes an unofficial trilogy of modern cult chaos. Made with rubber puppets, absurd creature designs and pure genre conviction, Frankie Freako leans hard into the legacy of VHS era monsters, late night cable movies and franchises like Ghoulies, while proving once again that small budgets and bi
The Wizard Of Oz (1939): Wicked History and the Dark Side of Oz
Ben and Rob meet ‘The Wizard Of Oz’, the 1939 fantasy musical that became one of the most recognisable films in cinema history. Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and Margaret Hamilton, The Wizard Of Oz tells the magically bizarre story of a girl whisked away from Kansas into a land where witches rule, monkeys fly and nothing is quite what it seems.What are the
Psycho Goreman(2020): Steve Kostanski, Blood, Chaos and Childhood Friends
Ben and Rob unleash the chaos of ‘Psycho Goreman’, the cult cosmic comedy from director Steven Kostanski that blends Saturday morning cartoon energy with head-splitting intergalactic violence. Starring Nita Josee Hanna, Owen Myre, Matthew Ninaber, Adam Brooks, Alexis Kara Hancey and a whole army of rubber-suited nightmares, Psycho Goreman tells the story of two kids who accidentally awaken an anci
Master & Commander (2003): The Far Side Of The World, Near Side Of Genius
Ben and Rob dive deep into Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World, directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany, and, of course, Russell Crowe (with even more Russell Crowe to come). They unpack why this film grabbed them so powerfully on first watch, why politics usually stay off the table for them, the incredible making-of craft behind the production, and the biz
The Void (2016): Grief, Gods & Goop (Not you, Gwyneth...)
Ben and Rob enter The Void (2016), the cosmic horror fever dream from director Steven Kostanski and the Astron 6 collective. We talk about who Steven Kostanski really is, how he went from practical effects legend to full blown cult horror auteur, and why The Void became one of the most impressive low budget horror triumphs of the 2010s.We break down how grief and trauma bond every character in The
The Truman Show (1998): Reality, Delusion & Us
This week, Ben and Rob step into the perfectly staged world of The Truman Show (1998), Peter Weir’s masterful satire starring Jim Carrey at his nuanced best. From the meticulously constructed Seahaven to the hidden puppeteering of Truman’s life, this film gets the lads asking one big question: how much attention is the right amount for you?The lads explore how Peter Weir, yet again, finds greatnes
Godzilla (1998): Yet Another American Crime Upon Japanese Culture
This week, Ben and Rob dive headfirst into the radioactive rubble of Roland Emmerich’s Godzilla (1998); the overblown, rain-soaked, fish-filled blockbuster that nearly killed the King of the Monsters. Starring Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, and Hank Azaria, this was Hollywood’s first crack at bringing ‘Godzilla’ to the West… and oh boy, did it go through development hell.We talk stor
Dead Poets Society (1989): Peter Weir, Conflict, Collaboration & The Cost of Dreams
This week, Ben and Rob stand on their desks (metaphorically) to take on Dead Poets Society (1989), Peter Weir’s quietly devastating classic starring Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Josh Charles. It’s the story of young men learning to think for themselves and one teacher’s battle to keep their dreams alive in a world built to crush them.But as always, the lads don’t quite see
Groundhog Day (1993): Time Loops, Second Chances & Secret Witches
This week, Ben and Rob get stuck on Groundhog Day (1993), Harold Ramis’s timeless classic starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. What started as a quirky rom-com has become one of the most beloved and philosophically rich films ever made; the blueprint for every time-loop story that followed.How did Groundhog Day even come to be? Why are time-loop movies so endlessly satisfying?
Caught Stealing (2025): Nostalgia, Regret & Austin Butler at the Crossroads
This week, Ben and Rob get Caught Stealing (2025), Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller comedy that feels like a lost ’90s gem dusted off for the modern screen. Starring Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, and Matt Smith, Caught Stealing reintroduces us to exaggerated neon-light New York, hustle, danger, and characters who carry regret like a heavy coat.Why does Caught Stealing feel like the director’s first
Anaconda (1997): Snakes, Sweat & Surprising Subtext in the Jungle
This week, Ben and Rob slither into Anaconda (1997), the gloriously over-the-top creature feature starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Eric Stoltz, and Owen Wilson. What should’ve been a throwaway B-movie about a giant snake somehow became one of the most iconic (and endlessly rewatchable) jungle horrors of the ’90s.Why does Anaconda work so well as a B-movie? Was the legendary animatron
Knives Out (2019): How Rian Johnson Lied To Us (And Why We Loved It)
This week, Ben and Rob sink their teeth into Knives Out (2019), Rian Johnson’s razor-sharp murder mystery starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, and Toni Collette. A modern riff on Agatha Christie, Knives Out blends old-school detective tropes with wickedly funny satire and a cast firing on all cylinders.But who is Rian Johnson, really? Wh
The Fanatic (2019): Fred Durst, John Travolta & The Cult Classic You Didn’t Ask For
This week, Ben and Rob slam right into The Fanatic (2019), the bizarre thriller directed by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst and starring John Travolta and Devon Sawa. It’s a fever dream of celebrity obsession, questionable choices, and Nu-Metal energy that has us all asking: why was this film even made?What on earth were Travolta and Sawa thinking? Is The Fanatic based on a true story, or just Fre
Troll 2 (1990): Goblins, Growth & The Worst Movie Ever Made
This week, Ben and Rob chew their way through Troll 2 (1990), the infamous “worst movie of all time” that somehow became one of the great cult classics. Directed by Claudio Fragasso and billed as Italian horror, Troll 2 is a feast of wooden acting, baffling dialogue, and vegetarian goblins that has been confusing and delighting audiences for decades.Why is this film actually like this? What strang
The Toxic Avenger (1984): How Cult Cinema Took Over The World
Ben and Rob dive into The Toxic Avenger (1984), the gloriously trashy horror-comedy that turned an ordinary nerdy janitor into a mop-wielding mutant hero. Created by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, The Toxic Avenger is the ultimate mix of DIY guts, anarchic satire, and midnight-movie magic; the kind of cult classic that’s still shocking and oddly sweet nearly four decades later. Trace the Toxic Av
Event Horizon (1997): Gothic Sci-Fi Space-Hell Never Felt So Good
Ben and Rob board the Event Horizon this week, diving into Paul W.S. Anderson’s genre-bending science fiction horror that flopped hard at the box office; only to rise like a cosmic demon into cult classic territory. Featuring powerhouse performances from Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill, Event Horizon remixes haunted‑house tropes, cosmic dread, and cyber‑Gothic design into a spaceship of nightmare
Together (2025): Why We Couldn't Tear Our Eyes Off The Screen
This week, Ben and Rob dive into Together (2025), a tangled, self-aware horror-drama that asks big questions about love, identity, and whether two people can ever really exist as individuals or if they’re doomed to dissolve into one another. It’s part relationship study, part metatextual puzzle, and part… something else entirely.Is Together a sensitive exploration of codependency, or a two-hour th
War Of The Worlds (2025): It's So Much Worse Than You Think
This week, Ben and Rob suffer through War of the Worlds (2025), a baffling “screen life” style disaster starring Ice Cube and directed by Rich Lee. It’s a modern retelling of the classic H.G. Wells War Of The Worlds; except instead of tension, thrills, or coherence, we get glitchy video calls, insane leaps of logic, and a lead performance that suggests Ice Cube might secretly be a sociopath.Is War
Black Bear (2020): Aubrey Plaza And The Chambe(a)r of Secrets
Ben and Rob head deep into the woods with Black Bear (2020), Lawrence Michael Levine’s tense, layered meta-drama starring Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott, and Sarah Gadon. It’s part relationship breakdown, part filmmaking fever dream and maybe part psychological horror told in a way that proves three might actually be the magic number.What does the black bear itself really symbolise? How does the
Warfare (2025): This Is Not A War Film, Let Us Tell You Why
Ben and Rob lock and load for Warfare (2025), the haunting, hyper-realistic war film co-directed by Alex Garland and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza. Known for cerebral sci-fi like Ex Machina and Annihilation, Alex Garland shifts gears into combat territory—while quietly stepping back to share authorship in a way that feels as radical as the film itself.Who is Ray Mendoza, and why did Alex Garland ha
Titane (2021): What Is This Insane Movie Actually About?!
Ben and Rob strap in for Titane (2021), the brutal, brilliant body horror from writer-director Julia Ducournau. Following her breakout debut Raw, Ducournau returns with Titane, a genre-defying mix of horror, surrealism, and melodrama that left one host completely wrecked—in the best way, the other in the worst. Is Titane about love, loneliness, or absolutely nothing at all? What happens when your
Civil War (2024): What Does The Most Timely Film Alex Garland Has Ever Made Really Mean?
Ben and Rob head to the frontlines with Alex Garland’s Civil War (2024), the film that he intended to be his last in the directors chair. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Nick Offerman, Civil War isn’t your typical dystopian epic. Instead, Alex Garland delivers a chilling, ground-level road movie where journalists race through a divided America to document its collapse. But
Raw (2016): Why Shouldn't We Call This A Feminist Horror?!
Ben and Rob bite into Raw (2016), the feature debut of writer-director Julia Ducournau. This French body horror classic follows Justine, a lifelong vegetarian who develops a craving for human flesh during her first year at veterinary school. With visceral imagery, unflinching performances, and gallons of fake blood, Raw made Ducournau one of the most talked-about voices in horror cinema—and proved
Men (2022): The Secret Meanings Behind Alex Garland's Strangest Film To Date
Ben and Rob summon ‘Men’ (2022), written and directed by visionary director Alex Garland. This surreal, unsettling folk horror stars Jessie Buckley as a grieving woman plagued by a series of near-identical men—all played by Rory Kinnear—in a remote English village. As Alex Garland leaves behind the structured sci-fi of Ex Machina and Annihilation, ‘Men’ marks a bold turn into dream logic, emotiona
The Assessment (2025): Why This Is The Best Debut Film Of The Year
Ben and Rob take the test this week with The Assessment (2024), a stark, unsettling sci-fi drama that might just be the strongest directorial debut we’ve seen in years. With Elizabeth Olsen delivering what could be one of the best performances of the year, The Assessment throws us into a chilling future where personal worth is measured, judged, and quantified by the state—and failing the test mean
Annihilation (2018): Breakdowns, Biology and Bears That Scream With Anguish
Ben and Rob welcome Annihilation, Alex Garland’s 2018 cosmic horror that proved too complex for the box office despite critical adoration. Starring Natalie Portman as a biologist on a grief-fuelled mission into a zone where DNA scrambles and metaphors get literal, Annihilation is part horror, part elegy, and part existential crisis. Alex Garland’s adaptation of the novel is somehow even bleaker th
Love & Mercy (2025): Is This The Best Music Biopic Ever Made?
Ben and Rob wade into the beautiful mind of Brian Wilson’s mind waters with ‘Love & Mercy’ the biopic that, much like the man, is split right in two. With Paul Dano as the young Brian Wilson crafting Pet Sounds and battling hallucinations, and John Cusack as the older Brian Wilson trapped under the thumb of a manipulative therapist, ‘Love & Mercy’ captures the genius of Brian Wilson, the d
Ex Machina (2017): A Film That's About Everything Except AI
Ben and Rob test ‘Ex Machina’, Alex Garland’s sleek, sterile sci-fi thriller where tech anxiety gets seductive and sinister. Domhnall Gleeson plays Caleb, a wide-eyed coder sent to play assistant to Oscar Isaac’s Natan, a tech genius channeling Elon Musk if he ever got off the bad stuff; but the star of ‘Ex Machina’ is Ava—Alicia Vikander’s uncanny AI creation who may or may not be running her own
Funny Games (2007): The Film So EVIL They Made It Twice!
Ben and Rob play ‘Funny Games’, Michael Haneke’s brutal shot-for-shot 2007 remake of his original home invasion masterpiece from ten years prior. Starring Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Tim Roth and Brady Corbet, ‘Funny Games’ is a hauntingly cold movie about not only the holiday from hell, but of horror movies and why we watch them.But why did director Michael Haneke choose to remake almost exactly t
DREDD (2012): The Best Film You Probably Haven't Seen
Ben and Rob feel “DREDD”, the 2013 Pete Travis directed adaptation of 2000AD’s megastar character Judge Dredd, starring Karl Urban, Lena Headey and Olivia Thirlby. Written by Alex Garland (director of ‘Ex Machina’, ‘Civil War’, ‘Warfare’), ‘DREDD’ struggled to make back its budget, despite good reviews and praise for its accuracy to the source material. But why did ‘DREDD’ flop so hard at the box
Death Of A Unicorn (2025): Paul Rudd Hits a Unicorn But Can Capitalism Hit Back?
Ben and Rob autopsy ‘Death Of A Unicorn’, A24’s latest horror comedy starring Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Richard E Grant and Will Poulter. ‘Death Of A Unicorn’ tells the tale of a father-daughter duo who hit a mythical beast with their car and somehow end up in a biotech conspiracy full of blood, mythology and not-so-subtle satire. Is this film a takedown of late-stage capitalism or just a weird fle
Dark City (1998): The Movie That Could Have Been 'The Matrix'
Ben and Rob wake up in ‘Dark City’, the dark sci-fi fantasy from Alex Proyas, director of ‘The Crow’. Released a year before ‘The Matrix’, ‘Dark City’ tells the story of John Murdock (Rufus Sewell), a man who has lost his memory in a city that never sees the sun where memory and time itself are the playthings of a race of alien beings known only as The Strangers. ‘Dark City’ was a critical success
Critters (1986): The Fentanyl Furbies Terrifying A Small Farm Town
Ben and Rob discover ‘Critters’, the 1986 horror comedy from practical FX masterminds The Chiodo Brothers. When intergalactic creatures escape space jail, a small Kansas farmhouse must now deal with the critter menace with only alien futurecops to help them. Released in the wake of ‘Gremlins’ but written long before, ‘Critters’ made good at the box office and has become cult favourite horror comed
Conclave (2024): A Man Died To Bring You This Episode
Ben and Rob elect ‘Conclave’ for this week’s episode! Directed by Edward Berger and shockingly well timed, ‘Conclave’ follows the story of Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) as he is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events; selecting a new Pope to be the head of the Catholic church. Not content with making over five times its budget, ‘Conclave’ also won the Oscar Be
The Last Starfighter (1984): The Most Important Film Of The Century!?
Ben and Rob defeat ‘The Last Starfighter’; 1984’s discount Star Wars; directed by none other than Michael Myers himself, Nick Castle. Alex Rogan, an expert video game player, lives in a trailer park and has no promising future. One day he discovers his favourite video game wants to recruit him as a starfighter pilot.This film has massive nostalgia vibes for Rob, but has Ben ever seen this masterpi
Tammy & The T-Rex (1994): The Incredible B-Movie That Tyrannosaurus Wrecked Romance For The Rest Of Time
DINO-MITE! (get it? Because... T-Rex) Ben & Rob delve into B-movie royalty with Stewart Raffill’s 1994 Trash Masterpiece (Trashterpiece?) Tammy & The T-Rex! Starring Denise Richards and Paul Walker in their first feature film roles, this deliciously over-the-top campy triumph of 90’s cinema is the most Ben film EVER… but does Rob buy into it? Join the boys as they answer everything you’ve
The Island Of Dr Moreau (1996): The Most Beautifully Insane Film You've Never Seen
Ben and Rob wash up on ‘The Island Of Dr Moreau’, the 1996 commercial and critical flop starring Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis, and Fairuza Balk. This film is an absolute fever dream involving cloning, body horror and nonsense plotting; only overshadowed by the drama happening behind the scenes. Marlon Brando improvised what lines he wasn’t fed via earpiece, Val Kilmer was a walking men
Trap (2024): Is This Stupid, Stupid, Stupid Film Actually Genius?
Ben and Rob spring ‘Trap’; M Night Shyamalan’s 2024 thinly veiled advert for his daughters music career. Starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue and Saleka Night Shyamalan ‘Trap’ tells the nonsensical story of a serial killer and his oblivious teenage daughter attending a concert that is in fact, and you’re not gonna see this one coming, a trap.But why does this film exist? Where is M Night Shyamal
The Princess Bride (1987): Why Is This Film Still Loved So Many Years After It's Initial Failure At The Box Office?!
Ben and Rob dive in to the inconceivably good ‘Princess Bride’, Rob Reiner’s classic 1987 fantasy comedy starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn and André the Giant. Buttercup is madly in love with farm boy Westley; unfortunately, things take a turn in their lives when Westley goes out in search of employment and gets attacked by a pirate
Point Break (1991): The Conclusion To Our Crazy Swayze Theory! Part 3/3
Ben and Rob conclude the Swayze Trilogy with ‘Point Break’, Kathryn Bigelow’s perfect blockbuster from the golden days of 1991. Starring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves and Gary Busey, ‘Point Break’ tells the tale of Johnny Utah and Bohdi as their dangerous cat and mouse relationship as cop and robber takes a radical turn. But why is Bohdi’s past never discussed? How is he so physically capable and i
Road House (1989): Brilliant Bouncer Battles Billionaire-Backed Bar Brawlers. Crazy Swayze Theory Part 2/3
Ben and Rob spinkick the wheels of ‘Roadhouse’, the B-Movie made for AAA money all the way back in 1989. Starring Patrick Swayze as a legendary bouncer hired to restore order at a notorious bar and ending up the target of the ruthless crime boss who controls the town.But having never seen it before, can famously cynical Rob find anything to enjoy in this camp tale of love and violence? Why was thi
Dirty Dancing (1987): This Film Ran So 'Avatar' Could Walk. Crazy Swayze Theory Part 1/3
Ben and Rob have hungry eyes for ‘Dirty Dancing’, the 1987 smash hit that lifted Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey into superstardom and defined summer camp for generations. Produced on a tiny budget and absolutely destroying the box office, ‘Dirty Dancing’ went on to be enjoyed for decades and to this day counts millions among it’s fanbase.But having never seen it before, can famously cynical Rob
Nosferatu (2024): A Villain As Romance Star?! So Hot Right Now!
Ben and Rob summon ‘Nosferatu’; Robert Eggers’ 2024 smash hit remake of the 1922 classic vampire story. In the 1830s, estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dr
Heretic (2024): A Romance Star As The Villain? So Hot Right Now!
Ben and Rob knock on ‘Heretic’s door and spread the good word about Hugh Grant’s masterful villain turn of 2024. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, ‘Heretic’ was another A24 success story making over sixty million dollars from a budget of just ten. Starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, ‘Heretic’ tells the story of two Mormon missionaries who knock on the wrong door
Recommended
My IELTS Classroom Podcast
BBC Newsround
Global News Podcast
Esme's Country Life
Pod Save The King
Psychology, Actually
Pride and Prejudice (version 6, dramatic reading)
Ancient Lives with Mary Beard
English Made Simple
Learn UK English By Podcast
The Healing Childhood Trauma Podcast
Stick to Football
