‘Before Sunrise’ (feat. Megan Kearns of Spoilerpiece Theatre)

Franchise Detours

On this episode, we’re kicking off a mega-series on the Before trilogy, which quietly redefined what a franchise could be. Megan Kearns of Spoilerpiece Theatre joins us to unpack Richard Linklater’s 1995 romantic drama Before Sunrise, the film that launched one of cinema’s most intimate and epic love stories.
Before Sunrise captures a fleeting connection between two strangers, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), as they wander, talk, and fall in love over the course of a single night in Vienna. We’ll discuss how the film's naturalistic dialogue, romantic spontaneity, and subtle direction helped redefine modern love stories.
We’ll also dive into how Jesse and Céline’s dynamic continues to resonate with audiences decades later and what makes Before Sunrise such a timeless beginning to Linklater’s masterful trilogy. Whether you're new to the Before series or revisiting it with nostalgic eyes, this episode sets the tone for the cinematic journey ahead.
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