Next Best Picture Podcast

For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, and Daniel Howat join me to review and discuss the latest film in the "Toy Story" franchise from Disney Pixar, "Toy Story 5" starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, Kristen Schaal, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Greta Lee, Conan O'Brien, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, John Hopkins, Bad Bunny, Ernie Hudson & Alan Cumming. With Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton sitting in the director's chair for this fifth installment in the computer-animated franchise that changed cinema forever, and with many believing the franchise should've ended after "Toy Story 3," which capped off a perfect trilogy, fans are left wondering if there was reason to return to the world of everyone's favorite secretly living toys. Turns out the justification is technology and how it has impacted the toys' playtime with their owner, Bonnie. What did we think of it, especially after "Toy Story 4?" Please tune in to find out as we discuss the screenplay, its themes, the voice performances, animation, score, Taylor Swift's original song, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lord Of The Flies" is a television drama series based on the 1954 novel of the same name by William Golding. It is the first-ever television adaptation of the novel. It was developed and written by Emmy Award-winning writer Jack Thorne ("Adolescence"), directed by Marc Munden ("The Sympathizer") for BBC iPlayer and executive produced by Joel Wilson for BBC One in a co-production with Stan. The four-episode series was released in the UK in February, and then Sony Pictures Television confirmed Netflix had acquired the U.S. rights to the series, and it premiered on the streaming platform on May 4th, 2026, where it received positive reviews for its direction, cinematography, writing, and performances from its young cast of up-and-coming actors. Thorne, Munden, along with actors Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, and Ike Talbut were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Rose Of Nevada" is a 2025 British science fiction drama film written, edited, composed, and directed by Mark Jenkin. Starring George MacKay, Callum Turner, and Francis Magee, the film tells the story of a fishing vessel that was lost at sea 30 years ago and mysteriously reappears in the harbor of a fishing village. The film had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its 16mm cinematography, sound work, performances, and intellectual and haunting concept. Jenkin and MacKay were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in New York and Los Angeles theaters from 1-2 Special. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Lowdown" is an American crime comedy drama television series created by Sterlin Harjo for FX. It stars Ethan Hawke and Keith David. The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features a man "who knows too much" (loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman), citizen journalist Lee Raybon (played by Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa "truthstorian" whose obsession with the truth always lands him in trouble. It also stars Keith David, Kaniehtiio Horn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Macon Blair, Scott Shepherd, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Dale Dickey, Paul Sparks, Peter Dinklage, and more! The series received critical acclaim for Hawke's performance and was renewed for a second season. Hawke was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch in full on FX on Hulu and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Beef" is an American comedy-drama anthology television series created by Lee Sung Jin for Netflix. Season 1 starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong and went on to win eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and acting wins for Yeun and Wong. At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, it won in all three of its nominated categories, including Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. Season 2 stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as Joshua Martín and Lindsay Crane-Martín, and Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton as Ashley and Austin, two couples; after the poor latter two blackmail the rich former two with footage of a heated argument that would threaten their image, a similarly prolonged feud ensues. The second season premiered on April 16th, 2026, and received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and writing. Season 2 Director and Executive Producer Jake Schreier was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Death by Lightning" is an American historical drama miniseries created by Mike Makowsky and based on the 2011 book "Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard. It stars Michael Shannon as United States President James A. Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin, Charles J. Guiteau. The four-episode series premiered on Netflix on November 6th, 2025, and received widespread acclaim from critics, with particular praise for the performances, writing, and direction, and was named one of the best television programs of the year by the American Film Institute. Creator, Executive Producer, and Writer Mike Makowsky was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the miniseries, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Stranger Things" is an American television series created by the Duffer Brothers for Netflix. The fifth and final season was released in three volumes, including the finale, in November and December 2025. The show combines elements of horror, science fiction, mystery, coming-of-age, and drama. Set in the 1980s, the series centers on the residents of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, after a young girl with psychokinetic abilities named Eleven inadvertently creates a wormhole known as the Upside Down at a nearby secretive government research facility, connecting Earth to a hostile realm called the Abyss. The ensemble cast includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Matthew Modine, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Linda Hamilton, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Nell Fisher. The Duffer Brothers developed Stranger Things as a blend of investigative drama and supernatural horror, infused with childlike wonder and references to the popular culture of the 1980s. Several thematic and directorial elements were inspired by the works of Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, David Lynch, Stephen King, Wes Craven, H. P. Lovecraft, and FromSoftware.The show also drew inspiration from Cold War-era experiments and conspiracy theories involving secret government programs. The series has received positive reviews throughout its run, with praise for its characterization, atmosphere, acting, direction, writing, and homage to 1980s cinema, making it a touchstone of 1980s nostalgia. It has garnered many accolades and is widely regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Jamie Campbell Bower was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch in full on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Leviticus" is a 2026 Australian supernatural horror film written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, and stars Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, and Mia Wasikowska (who is also an executive producer on the film). It follows two gay teenagers who become tormented by a violent supernatural entity, summoned by their homophobic religious community, that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other. The film premiered in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews for its concept, performances, atmosphere, and nuance in crafting a queer horror film with emotional resonance. Chiarella was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on June 19th from NEON. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Death Of Robin Hood" is an American thriller film starring Hugh Jackman as Robin Hood in a dark adaptation of the 17th-century ballad "Robin Hood's Death." It is written and directed by Michael Sarnoski and also stars Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe. The film received generally positive reviews from critics for its grim atmosphere, craftsmanship, and Hugh Jackman's powerful performance. Sarnoski was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on June 19th from A24. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Boys" is an American satirical superhero streaming television series developed by Eric Kripke for Amazon Prime Video. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, it follows the eponymous team of vigilantes as they combat superpowered individuals, referred to as "Supes," who often abuse their powers for personal gain and work for a powerful company, Vought International, that ensures the general public views them as heroes. The story focuses on Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid), a young electronics clerk, and Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), a former SAS and CIA operative, who work together with the rest of the Boys against "The Seven," Vought's premier superhero team, led by the power-hungry Homelander (Antony Starr). The series also stars Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Jessie T. Usher, Chace Crawford, Laz Alonso, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell, Elisabeth Shue, Colby Minifie, Aya Cash, Claudia Doumit, Jensen Ackles, Cameron Crovetti, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Daveed Diggs. The fifth and final season premiered on April 8th and drew a mixed response from fans and critics, though the show has been an undisputed success, with a prequel series, "Vought Rising," set to premiere in 2027. Overall, the show was praised for its performances, particularly Antony Starr, visuals, satirical themes, and action sequences. The series has won four awards from 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2021, and has won seven Critics' Choice Super Awards and six Astra TV Awards. Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer Eric Kripke was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the hit series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Slow Horses" is a British spy thriller television series based on the Slough House novels by Mick Herron, and adapted for television by the English comedian and writer Will Smith. It follows an MI5 unit that consigns disgraced or failed agents, under the supervision of Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). It also stars Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on April 1st, 2022, to highly positive reviews. The first five series have adapted the novels "Slow Horses," "Dead Lions," "Real Tigers," "Spook Street," and "London Rules," respectively. Slow Horses has been renewed for a sixth and seventh series, based on the novels Joe Country and "Slough House" (series 6) and "Bad Actors" (series 7). The sixth series is set to premiere on September 16th, 2026. Members of the series's crew, including Cinematographer Danny Cohen, Editors Zsófia Tálas and Fiona Brands, Supervising Sound Editor Joe Beal, and Re-Recording Mixers Martin Jensen & Ben Tisdall, were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the fifth season of the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Apple TV. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Shrinking" is an American comedy-drama television series created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, starring Segel as a grieving therapist who decides to become drastically more involved in his patients' lives. Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley also have pivotal roles in the comedy series. The series premiered to positive reviews, with praise for its performances, writing, humor, and examination of grief. The recipient of six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, the third season is looking to increase that, and one way might be through Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, with Critics Choice Award Winner Michael Urie as Brian Lorenzo, Jimmy's (Segel) best friend, a lawyer. Urie was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Apple TV and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Diplomat" is an American political thriller television series created by Debora Cahn. First airing in 2023, it stars Keri Russell as a veteran US diplomat who is unexpectedly appointed as the ambassador to the United Kingdom amid an emerging international crisis. It has aired for three seasons, with a fourth one announced. The drama series has received critical acclaim for its writing, pacing, and performances, particularly those of Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, and Allison Janney (beginning in season 2). At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025, the series was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Russell has won an Actor Award and has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. The show has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of foreign policy and the often invisible work of diplomacy, as well as its character-driven storytelling that blends political intrigue with personal drama. Sewell was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen" is an American horror television miniseries created by Haley Z. Boston for Netflix. Boston serves as the series's showrunner and is also an executive producer along with the Duffer Brothers. It stars Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco as Rachel Harkin and Nicholas "Nicky" Cunningham, who are engaged to be married in less than a week at the Cunninghams' secluded home in the snowy woods of Upstate New York. As the wedding day approaches, increasingly chilling revelations of family lore test the couple's relationship. It was released in the spring of 2026, and it received positive reviews for Morrone's performance and Weronika Tofilska's direction of episodes 1, 2, 7, and 8. Ema Sasic spoke with Morrone, and Nadia Dalimonte spoke with Tofilska. Both were kind enough to spend some time talking with them about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Murderbot" is an American science fiction action comedy television series created by Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz for Apple TV. It is based on "All Systems Red," the first book of the series "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells. The series stars Alexander Skarsgård as the titular character, a media-obsessed private security construct (manufactured from cloned human tissue and mechanical parts), who must hide its newly acquired autonomy while completing dangerous assignments, and is simultaneously drawn to humans and appalled by their weakness. The first season premiered in May, 2025 and received positive reviews. In July 2025, the series was renewed for a second season. Star and Executive Producer Alexander Skarsgård, along with Writers/Directors/Executive Producers Chris & Paul Weitz, were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the show, which you can watch to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Apple TV and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 496, I am enjoying my first vacation in ten years, so you have Giovanni Lago hosting the night after the New York Knicks won their first NBA Championship in 53 years (sorry, man for making you do this) along with Ema Sasic, Josh Parham, Megan Lachinski, Will Mavity, and Aaron Danielle, as they discuss the end of the 2026 Tribeca Festival, along with the films they saw. They also discuss the recent announcement of this year's honorees for the 2026 Governors Awards. For this week's poll question, for the release of Disney Pixar's "Toy Story 5" this weekend, we're asking everyone: "Which Is Your Favorite Pixar Film?" and reveal the winner of last week's poll question tied to the release of Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day," "Which Is Your Favorite Steven Spielberg Sci-Fi Film?" We also share our reactions to the trailers for "The Social Reckoning," "Whalefall," "Heart Of The Beast," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Cody Dericks, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, and Brendan Hodges join me to review and discuss the latest film from the legendary Stephen Spielberg, "Disclosure Day," starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo & Wyatt Russell. Returning to live-action science fiction for the first time in over twenty years, Spielberg is no longer asking whether or not aliens exist, but rather how the world would react if they did. The result is a thrilling, emotional, and intellectually rich blockbuster, a rarity in today's cinematic landscape. Is it a reminder of what a great storyteller Spielberg is, or is it a well-intentioned misfire from a master filmmaker? Please tune in to find out as we discuss the screenplay, its themes, the performances, the craftsmanship, including John Williams's score, the visual effects and sound work, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Task" is an American crime drama television series created and written by Brad Ingelsby for HBO starring Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Silvia Dionicio, and Martha Plimpton. The first season premiered in September 2025, consisting of seven episodes, received positive reviews, and was renewed for a second season. It follows Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis (Ruffalo), who is put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies against stash houses run by outlaw motorcycle gangs. Creator, Executive Producer, and Writer Brad Ingelsby was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on HBO Max and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Given its phenomenal success across 18 seasons of television (not to mention numerous spin-offs and a global domination of international versions), it was only a matter of time before “RuPaul's Drag Race” leaped off the small screen and made its way into movie theaters. “Stop! That! Train!” is essentially a cinematic extension of the groundbreaking reality show, but with a fictionalized twist. Directed by Adam Shankman, the film stars the winner of “Drag Race's” All Stars Season 10, Ginger Minj, and frequent “Drag Race” competitor Jujubee as a pair of train attendants on the opulent Glamazonian Express. Their first journey on the luxury locomotive is interrupted by an approaching Stormaganza, which threatens to turn their maiden voyage into their last. The duo must find a way to save the train and all of its kooky passengers, but thankfully, they're not alone, as none other than President Judy Gagwell (RuPaul Charles) is ready to lend a manicured hand. Before “Stop! That! Train!” chugga-chuggas its way into theaters, Cody Dericks spoke with director Adam Shankman and leading ladies Ginger Minj and Jujubee about what inspired the film, what it was like going from television to film, and how, to drag queens, what might insult the average person can actually be a compliment. Be sure to also listen to my interviews with their co-stars Rachel Bloom & Latrice Royale, and Brooke Lynn Hytes, Marcia Marcia Marcia & Symone, and check out the film, now playing in theaters from Bleecker Street. Thank you and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mating Season" is an American adult animated romantic comedy television series created by "Big Mouth" and "Human Resources" co-creators Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett for Netflix, and produced by Titmouse, Inc. The series stars Kroll, Sabrina Jalees, Zach Woods, and June Diane Raphael as the lead characters, and follows four forest animals: Ray, Josh, Penelope, and Fawn as they go on wild adventures and discover love in their lives of sex and mating. It was released on May 22nd, 2026, to positive reviews from critics. Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, and Star Nick Kroll was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture With the upcoming releases of "Disclosure Day" and "Toy Story 5," there's no better time in our 2008 retrospective to revisit a science fiction Disney Pixar film that is regarded as one of the most beloved films of that year: "WALL-E," starring Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy & Sigourney Weaver. Written and directed by Andrew Stanton and co-written by Jim Reardon, this adorable and prescient story about a lonely robot who falls in love and embarks on an adventure across the galaxy to bring humanity back to Earth 700 years after they abandoned it has endured since its premiere to become a modern classic. Please tune in as Ema Sasic, Larry Fried, Lauren LaMagna, Ben Langford, Tom O'Brien, and I talk about the film's iconic first half, why the second half is much better than people give it credit for, the visuals, Thomas Newman's score, its awards season run, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Please check out our past reviews for "Frost/Nixon," "Doubt," "Changeling," and "Revolutionary Road." We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy our review! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Rooster" is an American comedy-drama series created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses and starring Steve Carell as well-tread and semi-dysfunctional author Greg Russo, who is working through his complicated relationship with his daughter Katie (Charly Clive). Set on the New England campus of Ludlow College, Katie, an art history instructor, is shown navigating campus life while separated from her husband (Phil Dunster), another professor at the fictional Ludlow, who has taken a graduate student as his new lover. The show also investigates academic and administrative waters. The series, which premiered earlier this spring, received positive reviews, with HBO renewing it for a second season. Dunster was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch HBO Max and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms" is an American fantasy drama television series created by Ira Parker and George R. R. Martin. A prequel to "Game of Thrones" (2011–2019), it is the third television series in Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" franchise and is an adaptation of the Tales of Dunk and Egg series of novellas, beginning with "The Hedge Knight." It stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall, the titular hedge knight, and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire, Aegon "Egg" Targaryen. The series premiered on January 18th, 2026, on HBO, with its first season consisting of six episodes, and received positive reviews for its performances, direction, writing, and craftsmanship, particularly for Episode 5, "In the Name of the Mother" directed by Owen Harris. Dexter Sol Ansell and Owen Harris were kind enough to speak with me about their work and experience on the drama series, while Ira Parker took some time to speak with Will Mavity, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on HBO Max. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Alice and Steve" is a British comedy television series from Clerkenwell Films. It was created by Sophie Goodhart (writer on "Sex Education") and is directed by Tom Kingsley. It tells the story of a two-and-a-half-decade-long friendship between Alice (Nicola Walker) and Steve (Jemaine Clement) that becomes strained when Steve starts dating Alice's daughter (Yali Topol Margalith). It premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on June 8th, following its Tribeca Festival premiere. Stars Jemaine Clement, Nicola Walker, and Yali Topol Margalith were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience on the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"SubwayTakes" (also "Subway Takes") is an internet talk show hosted by comedian and media personality Kareem Rahma. Similar to the "man on the street" style of video, the show features interviews by Rahma with civilians and celebrities on the New York City Subway, recorded with a microphone clipped to a MetroCard, in which the interviewees present and defend a unique or controversial opinion, called a "take." The YouTube show has over 994,000 subscribers and has become one of the most talked-about celebrity interview talk shows of the online era. Host Kareem Rahma was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on YouTube and/or listen to on Spotify. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture The 79th annual Tony Awards were held last night, and it was an incredible show with equally incredible winners, speeches, musical numbers, and other memorable moments, with Pink hosting. The big winners of the evening were "Schmigadoon!," "Ragtime," "Liberation," "Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman," and "The Lost Boys." How did Cody Dericks, Dan Bayer, and Lauren LaMagna do on their predictions? Please tune in to listen to them along with Ben Langford for the first time on the show as they discuss the highs and lows of last night's show in this season's final episode. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy it! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!" is a 2026 American two-part documentary film that explores the life and career of Mel Brooks. Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio direct the HBO documentary, and it features the final on-screen interviews with Rob Reiner and David Lynch. The documentary has received universal acclaim with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio were kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the documentary, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the documentary, which is available to stream on HBO Max. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 495, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Will Mavity, and Tom O'Brien, as we discuss what's been happening so far at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, along with the films we've seen. For this week's poll question, for the release of Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" this weekend, we're asking everyone: "Which Is Your Favorite Steven Spielberg Sci-Fi Film?" and reveal the winner of last week's poll question tied to the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, "Which Films From The 2026 Tribeca Festival Are You Most Looking Forward To?" We also share our reactions to the trailers for "The End Of Oak Street," "By Any Means," "How To Rob A Bank," "Fall 2: Deadpoint," "Onslaught," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Giovanni Lago, and Brendan Hodges join me to review and discuss "Masters Of The Universe" starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba. Directed by Travis Knight and based on the Mattel media franchise, it is the second live-action film adaptation after the 1987 film. After being in development for many years, this giant-sized IP has finally made its way to movie theater screens from Amazon MGM Studios, rather than streaming. But do audiences in 2026 still care about He-Man, Skeletor, Cringer, and many of the other iconic characters who are resurfacing in this reboot? Please tune in as we discuss the story, the performances, the visuals, action, comedy, Daniel Pemberton's score, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and by the power of Grayskull, enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Industry" is a financial thriller drama television series created by former investment bankers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, and co-produced by HBO in the United States and BBC Two in the United Kingdom. The show follows the personal and professional lives of a group of young graduates who join Pierpoint & Co, a prestigious investment bank in London; later series expand the narrative to encompass the wider UK financial sector and its governing bodies. It features an ensemble cast led by Myha'la, Marisa Abela, Ken Leung, Harry Lawtey, and David Jonsson, with additional leading roles played by Sagar Radia and Kit Harington in later seasons, respectively. The series has been praised throughout its run for its writing, performances, direction, and its accurate portrayal of the banking sector, with the third and fourth series in particular receiving widespread acclaim. It has been renewed for a fifth and final series. Series co-creators, writers, directors, and executive producers Mickey Down & Konrad Kay were kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the fourth season of the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to stream on HBO Max. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Carolina Caroline" is a 2025 American romantic crime thriller film directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier and written by William Thomas Dean IV, starring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Jon Gries, and Kyra Sedgwick. The film follows A young woman who joins a charming con man on the run, leaving a trail of crime and passion as they hustle through the Southeast in search of her estranged mother. It had its world premiere in the Centerpiece program of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its chemistry between its two leads, Rehmeier's look at the American deep South, and its fusion of the romance and crime genres, creating a "Bonnie and Clyde" story for a new era. Weaving, Gallner, and Rehmeier were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Magnolia Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture The 79th annual Tony Awards will be held on Sunday, June 7th, and for this latest episode of Next Best Theatre, Cody Dericks, Lauren LaMagna, and Dan Bayer come together to discuss, debate, and question their winner predictions in all categories for the big show this weekend. The ceremony will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and will be broadcast on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+. We'll be back with another episode this season to give you our reactions to the show and the winners. Thank you, and enjoy the show this Sunday! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Next Best Series Podcast returns as Alyssa Christian, Daniel Howat, and Amy Kim join me to discuss the latest series, shows, and awards season updates for all things television! On this latest (free) episode, we discuss the 2026 Gotham TV Award Winners, including "DTF St. Louis," "Pluribus," "The Testaments," "I Love LA," "Alien: Earth," and the series finales of "Euphoria," "Hacks," "The Boys," "Lord Of The Flies," and "Half Man." We also make a final for your consideration (FYC) push for this year's Emmy Awards for our favorite contenders, which we hope voters will consider when voting on the Emmy Award nominations from June 11th to 22nd. Please tune in as we go through who we believe are the current Emmy frontrunners as of today. Thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy this free episode and all the others still to come this Emmy Awards season. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Half Man" is a British six-part television drama created by multi-Emmy Award winner Richard Gadd ("Baby Reindeer") about Ruben (Stuart Campbell) and Niall (Mitchell Robertson), who grew up as brothers despite not being related by blood—one strong and fiercely loyal, the other quiet and gentle. Thirty years later, they reunite at Niall's (Jamie Bell) wedding, but Ruben (Gadd) seems uneasy and on edge; when a sudden act of violence erupts, it sends the story back through their shared past, revealing how their bond was shaped and how even the closest relationships can ultimately fall apart. It received positive reviews for its blistering writing, direction from Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, and the performances from the cast. It has been nominated for two Gotham TV Awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited or Anthology Series for Bell. Gadd and director Alexandra Brodski were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on HBO Max. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Tuner" is a 2025 crime thriller film directed by Daniel Roher and written by Roher and Robert Ramsey, starring Leo Woodall as a talented piano tuner whose meticulous piano-tuning skills lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down. Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno, and Dustin Hoffman also star. The film had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics for its performances, editing, and sound work. Woodall and editor Greg O'Bryant were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Black Bear Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 494, I am joined by Sara Clements, Larry Fried, Will Mavity, and Tom O'Brien, as we deliver our preview for the 2026 Tribeca Festival. We also touch on the recent box-office successes of "Backrooms" and "Obsession," and what they mean for Hollywood moving forward. For this week's poll question, for the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, we're asking everyone: “Which Films From The 2026 Tribeca Festival Are You Most Looking Forward To?” and reveal the winner of last week's poll question tied to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, "Which Of The 2026 Cannes Film Festival Award Winners Are You Most Looking Forward To Seeing?" We also share our reactions to the trailers for "In The Hand Of Dante," "I Am Frankelda," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Ema Sasic, Katie Johnson, Sara Clements, Alyssa Christian, and Brendan Hodges join me to review and discuss "Backrooms" starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett & Lukita Maxwell. Directed and co-scored by Kane Parsons (in his feature-length directorial debut at the young age of 20 years old) and written by Will Soodik, this A24 horror film is based on Parsons's web series of the same name, inspired by the "Backrooms" creepypasta. It has developed a massive following online, which we're seeing reflected in its overperforming box office, and has generated a ton of interest and conversation surrounding horror films in Hollywood today, the pipeline from YouTube creators to filmmakers, liminal horror spaces, Renate Reinsve's dominance over 2026, and more! What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss all of these points and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Pitt" is an American medical drama television series created by R. Scott Gemmill and executive-produced by John Wells and Noah Wyle. It stars Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Sepideh Moafi. Each season of the series follows emergency department staff as they work through the challenges of a single 12-hour shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, while navigating staff shortages, underfunding, and their own personal crises. Each episode, set in real time, covers approximately one hour of the work shift. The series has received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, direction, format, and realism. The medical community has also praised the series for its accuracy, realistic representation of healthcare workers, and portrayal of the stressors medical staff face in a post-pandemic world. The series has received several accolades, with the first season winning five awards at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, namely Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Casting, and acting wins for Wyle, LaNasa, and recurring guest star Shawn Hatosy. Additionally, it was listed among the 10 best television programs of 2025 by the American Film Institute and won Best Television Series – Drama at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. Ema Sasic spoke with Sepideh Moafi, and Daniel Howat spoke with series cinematographer Johanna Coelho. Both were kind enough to spend some time talking with them about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on HBO Max. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Power Ballad" is a 2026 musical comedy-drama film directed and co-written by John Carney, starring Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Havana Rose Liu, and Jack Reynor. The film tells the story of Rick Power (Rudd), a wedding singer, who meets washed-up former boy band singer Danny Wilson (Jonas) at a wedding one night and bonds over a jam session. After the jam session, Danny steals one of Rick's songs, and it becomes a number-one hit. This brings Danny back into the spotlight, leading Rick to seek revenge and recognition. The film had its world premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival and has received positive reviews for its two performances, Carney's direction, and, of course, the music. Carney was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Lionsgate and will expand to more theaters on June 5th. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture Our 2008 retrospective continues with "Revolutionary Road," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, and Kathy Bates. Directed by Winslet's real-life husband at the time, Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, and adapted by Justin Haythe from the award-winning novel by Richard Yates, this was considered a huge Oscar contender on paper before its release around Christmas time in 2008. Once it was released, it received mixed but still positive reviews, with most of the praise going to the acting of Winslet, DiCaprio, and Shannon, and eventually scored three Oscar nominations. Winslet, though, despite winning the Golden Globe and receiving BAFTA and SAG nominations, was Oscar-nominated for her other 2008 contender, "The Reader." How has the period domestic drama held up all these years later? Please tune in as Lauren LaMagna, Dan Bayer, Amy Kim, and I talk about the Mendes's direction, the story's themes, Roger Deakins's cinematography, Thomas Newman's score, the performance, its awards season run, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Please check out our past reviews for "Frost/Nixon," "Doubt," and "Changeling." We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy our review! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Abbott Elementary" is an American mockumentary sitcom television series created by Quinta Brunson for ABC. It stars Brunson as Janine Teagues, a perpetually optimistic second-grade teacher at the underfunded Abbott Elementary, a fictional, predominantly black public school in West Philadelphia. The ensemble cast includes Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory Eddie, at first a substitute for a recently fired first-grade teacher and later a full-time teacher, who quickly harbors a crush on Janine. He has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the show. Williams was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the fifth season of the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which airs on ABC and is available to stream now on Hulu and Disney+. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Pluribus" is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction television series created by Vince Gilligan for Apple TV. Set and filmed primarily in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows novelist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who finds herself isolated after an alien virus transforms the rest of humanity into a peaceful, content hive mind that nevertheless seeks to assimilate her and other immune individuals. The series has received acclaim from critics, with praise for Gilligan's writing and direction, Seehorn's performance, and the show's originality, tone, and stylistic influences. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards, with Seehorn winning Best Actress in a Drama Series in both ceremonies. Karolina Wydra was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is now available to stream on Apple TV. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pixar invited Next Best Picture to Disneyland for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at “Toy Story 5” ahead of its June 19th release. During our visit, we had the opportunity to spend time with the filmmakers behind the highly anticipated next chapter in one of Pixar's most beloved franchises. Joining us for these interviews are director Andrew Stanton, co-director Kenna Harris, producer Lindsey Collins, production designer Bob Pauley, and visual effects supervisor Thomas Jordan as they discuss returning to the world of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang while crafting a brand-new adventure for audiences old and new. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on June 19th from Disney Pixar. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Margo's Got Money Troubles" is an American comedy-drama television series created by David E. Kelley, based on the 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe. It stars Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear, Thaddea Graham, Michael Angarano, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. It tells the story of Margo Millet (Elle Fanning), the daughter of a Hooters waitress, Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and a former professional wrestler, Jinx (Nick Offerman). After becoming pregnant by her English professor (Michael Angarano), Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself, with the help of her estranged father, who tries to share his wisdom gleaned from his wrestling days. The series received positive reviews from critics and has been renewed for a second season. Michelle Pfeiffer and Greg Kinnear were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is now available to stream on Apple TV. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonjour NBP Film Community! For Episode 493, I am joined by Cody Dericks, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, and Aaron Isenstein, as we are back home from the 79th Cannes Film Festival, ready to deliver Part 2 of our experience, including this year's award winners. We're going to touch on films from the festival including "Fjord," "La Bola Negra," "Hope," "Minotaur," "The Man I Love," "Coward," "Moulin," "The Unknown," "Her Private Hell," "Bitter Christmas," "Iron Boy," "The Dreamed Adventure," "I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning," "A Man Of His Time," "Everytime," "The Samurai And The Prisoner," "The End Of It," "Ben'imana" "Another Day," "Victorian Psycho," "Diamond," and more! For this week's poll question, to tie into the festival's award winners, we're asking everyone: “Which Of The 2026 Cannes Film Festival Award Winners Are You Most Looking Forward To Seeing?” and reveal the winner of last week's poll question, "Which Films From The 2026 Cannes Film Festival Are You Most Looking Forward To?" We also share our reactions to the trailers for "Victorian Psycho," “The Rivals Of Amziah King,” "Wildwood," "Couture," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Ema Sasic, Josh Parham, and Giovanni Lago review and discuss "The Mandalorian And Grogu," starring Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, Jonny Coyne, Martin Scorsese, and Sigourney Weaver. Written and directed by Jon Favreau, and co-written by Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor,, the film is part of the "Star Wars" franchise and a continuation of the Disney+ television series "The Mandalorian" (2019–2023). In the film, set after the fall of the Galactic Empire, Djarin and his apprentice Grogu are enlisted by the New Republic to rescue Rotta the Hutt (White) in exchange for information on a target. This is the first time a "Star Wars" film has been in theaters since "The Rise Of Skywalker." What did the team think of it? Please tune in as they discuss the story, the craftsmanship, including Ludwig Göransson's score, the future of the franchise, and more in this SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture Our 2008 retrospective continues with Clint Eastwood's "Changeling," starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore, Michael Kelly, Jason Butler Harner, Gattlin Griffith & Eddie Alderson. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, the film was based on actual events, specifically the 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop murders in Mira Loma, California, and was written by J. Michael Straczynski. The film received positive reviews, and Angelina Jolie was nominated for Best Actress for her performance, along with two other craft nominations for the cinematography and art direction. What do we think of it all these years later? Tune in as Sara Clements, Dan Bayer, Alyssa Christian, and I talk about the Eastwood's direction, Jolie's performance, the cinematography, the score, its awards season run, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Please check out our past review for “Frost/Nixon” and "Doubt." We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy our review! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Love Story" is an American biographical romantic-drama anthology television series created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, D.V. DeVincentis, Kim Rosenstock, and Hines. The fifth installment in the "American Story" media franchise, it aired on FX and FX on Hulu in February-March earlier this year. The series, subtitled "John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette," charts the whirlwind courtship and marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. It received positive reviews for its performances from Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, respectively. Paul Anthony Kelly was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is now available to stream on Hulu. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonjour NBP Film Community! For Episode 492, I am joined by Cody Dericks and Nadia Dalimonte from our Airbnb in Cannes for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. This is not a typical episode of the NBP Podcast, as we're doing away with questions from the fans, the polls (although, last week's poll asking "Which Films From The 2026 Cannes Film Festival Are You Most Looking Forward To?" is still live) and any reactions to trailers this week's in favor of discussing the films we've been watching at the world's most prestigious film festival including, "All Of A Sudden," "Butterfly Jam," "Club Kid," "Colony," "Fatherland," "Gentle Monster," "Nagi Notes," "Paper Tiger," "Parallel Tales," "Sheep in the Box," "Tangles," "Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma," The Beloved," "The Electric Kiss," and more! We will be back next week with a more traditional episode for you all to listen to as we provide our recap for the second week of the festival! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. Until we meet again, au revoir! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Josh Parham, Giovanni Lago, Larry Fried, and Ben Langford join me to review and discuss Curry Barker's "Obsession" starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter. The story follows a young hopeless romantic who breaks the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush's heart. However, he soon discovers that some desires come at a dark and sinister price. The film had its world premiere in the Midnight Madness section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for Barker's script and direction, as well as Navarrette's unhinged performance. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss all of these points and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Wizard Of The Kremlin" is a 2025 English-language French political satire film directed by Olivier Assayas, who co-wrote the screenplay with Emmanuel Carrère. It is based on the 2022 novel by Giuliano da Empoli. It follows the fictional government official Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) during the final years of the Soviet Union and the turbulent early years of the Russian Federation, as a young Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) rises to power. It also stars Alicia Vikander, Will Keen, Tom Sturridge, and Jeffrey Wright. Dano and Assayas were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Vertical Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices