Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return to the franchise they helped define with 28 Years Later . A bold, emotional, and politically charged vision of our past, present, and future. We break down the film’s story, style, themes of myth-making, isolationism, nationalism, and standout performances from Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, an…

This full episode is free for a limited time on our Patreon! Sign up as a free member using the link in the episode description below. In this Patreon episode, we dive deep into the 28 Days Later franchise—breaking down its lo-fi horror legacy, Danny Boyle’s kinetic filmmaking, the breakout performances from Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris, and Al…

This is a free sample from our conversation on William Wyler's Ben-Hur (1959), the epic that helped shape George Lucas’s cinematic imagination and paved the way for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. We talk about Ben-Hur's blend of myth, spectacle, and spirituality, how its structure mirrors the Skywalker saga, and why Judah Ben-Hur walks so Anakin Sk…

FULL FREE EPISODE ON PATREON – In this special sample episode, we dive into Mission: Impossible (1996), the film that launched Tom Cruise’s iconic run as Ethan Hunt. We break down Brian De Palma’s stylish direction, that legendary langley heist, and the beginning of one of cinema’s greatest action franchises. This is a full deep dive into the spy t…

Today we dive into Celine Song’s Materialists, a glossy, thematically ambitious romcom that left us more intrigued than moved. Following the quiet power of Past Lives, Song pivots hard...playing with genre conventions to critique romance as transaction, intimacy as performance, and dating as capitalist spectacle. We talk about how the film tries to…

Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is the sleek, stylish spy thriller that basically invented the modern action movie and laid the blueprint for the Mission: Impossible / James Bond franchises. We break down its iconic set pieces, paranoid energy, and why Cary Grant running from a crop duster still rips. This is a 5-minute sample from our full #…

In our episode on Jerry Maguire, we dive into Tom Cruise and Cameron Crowe’s genre-blending masterpiece as both a rom-com and sports drama that dissects the emotional and professional crash out of a self-interested man. Alongside this, we break down the broader arc of Cruise’s career—from 1980s heartthrob to 1990s dramatic powerhouse to post-2000s …

Kelsi and Trey review Wes Anderson's newest film The Phoenician Scheme and also trace the five distinct eras of Anderson’s career. Anderson’s latest pastel-laced genre experiment is part espionage caper, part theological road movie, and part anti-capitalist fever dream. We break down how this film fits into the “post-Grand Budapest” phase of his wo…

This is a 5-minute sample of our full podcast episode on Billy Wilder’s The Apartment — a film that somehow blends mid-century office politics, romantic dysfunction, and existential comedy into one perfect holiday movie. To hear the full conversation and unlock over 200 hours of movie deep dives, including more classics, new releases, and filmmaker…

Kelsi and Trey react to Tom Cruise's final MI film in 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' plus we rank all eight Mission: Impossible films, from De Palma’s paranoid thriller to McQuarrie’s AI-fighting epics, and trace how the franchise evolved from emotional espionage to Cruise-as-messiah spectacle. We dive deep into each entry’s themes, se…

Somehow Star Wars Returned! Trey and James Steck dive deep into our personal history with Star Wars—how it shaped our childhoods, our friendships, and how Andor Seasons 1 and 2 reignited our passion. We reflect on the highs, lows, and evolution of the franchise across movies, TV shows, games, and why Tony Gilroy’s Andor redefined what Star Wars cou…

In this special Extra Credits+ episode, we're joined by guests Kira and James to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. Together, we dive deep into Nolan’s career arc, unpacking how Interstellar stands out as his most spiritual and vulnerable film. Along the way, the group breaks down iconic performances by Matthew M…

In this critical deep dive, we explore Sinners, the bold, genre-blending vampire-western-horror-musical from director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan. We unpack its ambitious themes of assimilation, artistic legacy, cultural survival, and spiritual freedom—all wrapped inside a chaotic IMAX-sized spectacle. From standout newcomer Miles Caton…

Trey reviews Ryan Coogler’s Sinners: a $100-million genre-bending vampire western horror musical set in 1930s Mississippi. It’s Coogler’s boldest, weirdest, and most ambitious film to date, blending myth, legacy, identity, and the cost of assimilation into a chaotic cinematic experiment. Trey unpacks the film’s anti-genre intentions, its Faustian t…

Kelsi and Trey count down and critically discuss our picks for the 30 best movies of 2024—an unpredictable, wildly entertaining, and emotionally resonant year for cinema. From studio epics like Dune: Part Two and Furiosa, to international gems like La Chimera and I’m Still Here, to genre-benders like Challengers, The Substance, and Red Rooms, we br…

On the 30th anniversary of David Fincher’s Se7en, we take a deep dive into the legacy of one of the most unsettling and influential thrillers of modern cinema. We explore the film’s impact on the serial killer genre, Fincher’s signature style and career-defining choices, and how Se7en critiques the very systems—and audiences—that consume stories of…

For Toy Story's 30th anniversary, we’re diving deep into the film and studio that changed animation forever—but also how Pixar itself evolved from a revolutionary indie disruptor into a corporate franchise machine. We’ll explore Pixar’s early era, where its films tackled bold political and existential themes—from A Bug’s Life's working-class rebell…

Today we dive into the world of Bong Joon Ho—exploring his career, his major themes, and ranking his most iconic works. We then deep dive Parasite, his genre-shifting, class-conflict masterpiece. We discuss how he shapes architecture into allegory, comedy into tragedy, and mobility into myth. Parasite might be the smartest movie of the 21st century…

Kelsi and Trey dive deep into the history of Batman on screen, ranking every live-action portrayal of the Dark Knight and debating what each version got right (or horribly wrong). And then we get to our major conversation on Matt Reeves’ The Batman and Robert Pattinson’s fragile, gothic detective take on the character. We’ll break down the noir-inf…

Kelsi and Trey dive into Steven Soderbergh’s thrilling 2025 double feature, Black Bag and Presence—two wildly different films that both explore trust, surveillance, and relationships. Black Bag is a sexy, razor-sharp spy thriller where Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett play elite MI6 agents—and longtime spouses—caught in a web of secrets, betra…

Kelsi and Trey dive into Mickey 17, Bong Joon-ho’s most ambitious but messiest film yet—a sci-fi satire packed with class commentary, genre chaos, and existential dread, but also plagued by tonal inconsistency, underdeveloped themes, and what maybe feels like studio interference. We break down the good (Robert Pattinson’s delightfully weird dual pe…

Kelsi and Trey dive deep into the biggest moments of the 2025 Oscars—starting with Anora’s massive night, where Sean Baker dominated with his four wins. We break down why No Other Land’s Best Documentary Feature win was one of the most politically powerful moments of the night along with I’m Still Here. We also discuss the Mikey Madison vs. Demi Mo…

Happy 50 Patreon episodes! Kelsi and Trey explore Ryan Coogler's Creed as both a continuation and reclamation of the Rocky franchise, centering Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed in a narrative that reclaims Philly, the Creed name, and boxing from the Rocky IP. We discuss Coogler's masterful balancing act of making an exciting sports drama, while als…

Kelsi and Trey finish their Steven Soderbergh and Julia Roberts series off with one of the great heist/comedies of the 21st century in Ocean's Eleven. We discuss Soderbergh's incredibly style, the ensemble, recasting ideas for a future sequel/reboot, and the three leads in George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. ⁠⁠The Extra Credits YouTube Chann…

Kelsi and Trey discuss their 30 most anticipated films of 2025! From franchises like Jurassic World: Rebirth, Superman, and The Fantastic Four to auteur-driven projects from Paul Thomas Anderson, Ari Aster, Bong Joon-ho, and Luca Guadagnino, this year has the ultimate crossover of movie fandom. The Extra Credits YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Kelsi and Trey break down the careers of Steven Soderbergh and Julia Roberts, ranking their highs, lows, and surprising pivots before diving deep into Erin Brockovich—one of the great human dramas, one of the great investigative stories, and one of the best blockbusters about helping people (hot people help people!). ⁠⁠The Extra Credits YouTube Cha…

Kelsi and Trey discuss the latest updates for the main feed, YouTube, and Patreon. But then, Trey explains his confusion over the Luka Doncic trade--attempting to compare the insanity of this move to something like Timothée Chalamet being replaced in Dune right before Part Three drops...enjoy! ⁠⁠The Extra Credits YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Kelsi and Trey are joined by special guest James Steck to revisit the haunting world of Robert Eggers. They kick off with a quick conversation about Eggers’ recent retelling of Nosferatu, exploring its somewhat-successful reimagination of the classic vampire tale. We then dive deep into The Lighthouse, unpacking its gripping chamber thriller/horror…

Kelsi and Trey explore the career of Barry Jenkins starting with a reaction to Mufasa: The Lion King. We then transition to the masterful career of Jenkins, whose groundbreaking work in Moonlight redefined modern queer cinema. From the intimate, poetic storytelling of Chiron’s life to Jenkins’ profound ability to capture the defense mechanism and p…

Kelsi and Trey dive deep into Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey. This hypnotic, surreal adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ unfinished novel explores longing, loneliness, and identity through bold visual storytelling and complex characters. Set in a dreamlike 1950s Mexico City, the film blends stunning performances, im…

Kelsi and Trey dive into Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, a sprawling, visually stunning epic that explores the intersection of art, legacy, and the immigrant experience. We unpack its breathtaking opening sequence, the haunting score by Daniel Blumberg, and its ambitious narrative following László Tóth (Adrien Brody), a Holocaust survivor and archite…

Kelsi and Trey react to the Golden Globes awards show, the speeches, the production, and how outside of a few authetnic speeches (Demi Moore, Sebastian Stan, etc.) it really felt like more of a fun-awkward celebrity hangout. Then we discuss Luca Guadagnino's newest feature 'Queer' starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey (which may be Trey's favorite…

Kelsi and Trey dive into the coming of age world of Little Women, comparing Gillian Armstrong’s beloved 1994 adaptation with Greta Gerwig’s 2019 reimagining. We unpack how each version interprets Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, from Armstrong’s heartfelt, linear approach that leans into nostalgia and emotional honesty to Gerwig’s two-timeline st…

Kelsi and Trey dive deep into the recent rise of Timothée Chalamet, examining his recent work in 2024, including his transformative performance in A Complete Unknown. Chalamet completely immerses himself into his version of Bob Dylan, but the direction of James Mangold holds him back from ever fully capturing the political anger of this enigmatic a…

Kelsi and Trey dive deep into Robert Eggers' highly anticipated Nosferatu remake. While Eggers' signature atmospheric style is on full display, we explore whether the film’s haunting visuals and slow-burn tension are enough to overcome its often uninteresting narrative. We debate whether its a brilliant reimagining of a classic, or if the film leav…

Kelsi and Trey dive into the chaotic world of Training Day, the 2001 crime thriller that earned Denzel Washington his only Best Actor Academy Award. They explore Washington's portrayal of Detective Alonzo Harris, a cartoonish villain elevated by Washington's charisma and command. We also explore Washington's career, highlighting his versatility acr…

Kelsi and Trey explore the world of one of our favorite romantic comedies Notting Hill. This 1999 rom-com gem pairs the awkward charm of Hugh Grant with one-and-only Julia Roberts. We discuss their careers, the rom-com king Richard Curtis, and the meta commentary that Trey thinks makes Notting Hill one of the most interesting Hollywood cultural art…

Kelsi and Trey dive into We Live in Time, a conventional romantic drama starring the incredible Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. We unpack the film’s exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time, and discuss how it uses the formulaic genre to its advantage. We talk about the chemistry of Pugh and Garfield, analyze the film’s narrative flaws…

VIDEO DROPS TOMORROW. Kelsi and Trey deep dive into The Substance, a maximalist allegory that satirizes the media's obsession with women's bodies. With Demi Moore delivering a brilliant meta-performance, the film navigates the dark undercurrents of media exploitation and the commodification of women. We unpack the movie’s subversive use of the male…

Kelsi and Trey explore Charlotte Wells' stunning debut film, Aftersun. Through heartfelt analysis and thoughtful discussion, we explore the film’s mediative portrayal of memory and loss, examining the nuanced performances of Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, the layers of emotional depth in the screenplay, and the themes of familial bonds, identity st…

Kelsi and Trey dive deep into the 1968 classic Rosemary’s Baby, a landmark in horror cinema and cultural commentary. We explore the film’s themes of gaslighting, autonomy, and betrayal, unpacking how it critiques societal control over women’s bodies. From Mia Farrow's haunting portrayal of Rosemary to the chilling dynamics of the Castevets and Guy'…

Kelsi and Trey are joined by The Ringer's Sean Fennessey of The Big Picture podcast to dive into the career of Ridley Scott, one of cinema’s most prolific and visionary directors. With Gladiator II releasing wide this week, we revisit Scott’s genre-defining works—Alien, Blade Runner, Prometheus, among others—and explore his ability to transform blo…

Kelsi and Trey discuss Sean Baker’s Anora, a tonally ambitious American tragedy with a thinly written lead character study--a near-masterpiece thanks to Baker's direction and Mikey Madison's star performance. We unpack Baker’s raw, unflinching portrayal of life on the margins, his signature empathy, and how Anora compares to his earlier works like …

Kelsi and Trey dive into Gladiator II with a non-spoiler review of Ridley Scott’s epic return to ancient Rome (00:00-11:44). They discuss how this ambitious sequel stacks up against the iconic original, specifically examining Scott's vision at 87 years old and how his signature style evolves with the film’s massive scale and complex characters. Fro…

Kelsi and Trey are joined by friend James Steck to dive into Ari Aster’s Hereditary, a chilling exploration of family trauma, grief, and conditioned traits that has redefined modern psychological horror. They break down the story of the Graham family, led by Toni Collette’s unforgettable performance as Annie, whose descent begins with the mysteriou…

Kelsi and Trey deep dive Get Out, Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking horror debut that redefined the genre with its social commentary and eerie atmosphere. They explore the film’s narrative of Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black man navigating the hidden dangers within his white girlfriend’s family, uncovering a chilling secret that speaks to the insi…

Kelsi and Trey explore Edward Berger's 'Conclave,' the suspenseful novel adapted into a star-studded film featuring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Carlos Diehz, and Isabella Rossellini. Set in the atmospheric halls of the Vatican, the story follows the intense politics, spiritual introspection, and personal ambition of cardinals from around the worl…

Trey speaks with Ethan Berger, the director of 'The Line,' to discuss his debut feature and the gritty, provocative exploration of fraternity culture that drives the film. Ethan talks about what inspired him to create a movie that serves as an antithesis to the more traditional, comedic depictions of fraternity life seen in popular culture. We dive…

Kelsi and Trey discuss Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix's subversive detour in the comic book genre with 2019's 'Joker.' We explore the muddled ideas of the movie, the divisive conversation about the film's politics and execution, and, yeah, idk, we get into all the BS about Joker that you can expect. Enjoy! Become a member of The Extra Credits+ o…

Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix delivered a divisive detour in the superhero genre with 2019's 'Joker,' now returning with their more-meta, multi-genre sequel 'Joker: Folie à Deux.' In a both non-spoiler and spoiler conversation, Kelsi and Trey discuss the discourse around both Joker films, the intention vs reaction to these character studies, an…