Love Factually
Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel, two professors, analyze romantic comedies through the lens of relationship science. They discuss what popular films get right and wrong about romance, aiming to bring scientific rigor to the portrayal of love in movies.
Episodes
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Why do our first sexual experiences tend to be complicated? When is relationship initiation a slow and careful process? Do love and desire change as we age? Paul and Eli herald the arrival of summer with Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name, one of the most powerful coming-of-age films of the twenty-first century. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli
Casablanca (1942) with Laurie Santos
When are people inspired to make life-altering sacrifices? How can romantic partners bring out the best in each other? Why is choosing between two partners overwhelming? To answer these questions, Paul and Eli invite Happiness Lab host Dr. Laurie Santos with them to visit Casablanca, the 1942 classic honored by the American Film Institute as the single greatest love story in American cinema. For s
Before Midnight (2013)
How do fights get out of hand? What does intractable conflict look like? Why are truth and harmony sometimes at odds? Alarmed and distressed, Paul and Eli spend one last day with Jesse and Céline in Before Midnight, the third and final installment of Richard Linklater's unflinching and unparalleled "Before Trilogy." For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli
Mailbag: Matchmaking, Mate Value, and Marital Pessimism
Paul and Eli dip into the mailbag once more to answer your questions! Is it possible to build an effective matchmaking algorithm? Why might 12th grade girls have soured on marriage since the 90s? Did Richard Reeves channel Paul correctly on Modern Wisdom, or not?
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) with Paige Harden
How do relationships adapt when one partner changes? Are women penalized for being demanding leaders? When are we at risk for losing our moral compass? Paige Harden joins Paul and Eli as they upgrade their wardrobes in honor of The Devil Wears Prada, the 2006 showcase for a magnificently icy Meryl Streep. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Mus
Bonus Episode: Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) with the Multiamory Podcast
What is the most common type of nonmonogamous relationship? Do women face a choice between passionate men and dull men? Does "The Coolidge Effect" apply to humans? In this special crossover episode of the Multiamory podcast, Paul and Eli team up with Emily Matlack, Dedeker Winston, and Jase Lindgren to chat about Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the 2008 polyamory-adjacent (?) film starring the Oscar-win
The Wedding Singer (1998) with Vanessa Bohns
What do people do when they get cold feet? How do people handle the emotional carnage of breakup? Who's more eager to get married: men or women? Paul and Eli invite social psychologist Vanessa Bohns to bask in the 1985 aesthetic of The Wedding Singer and achieve new insights into the psychology of breaking off a wedding. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and
Ex Machina (2015)
Is trusting others dangerous? How do we decide who warrants our moral concern? When do we feel drawn to others who need our help? Paul and Eli sign nondisclosure agreements before immersing themselves in Ex Machina, Alex Garland's cerebral and electrifying AI dystopia from 2015. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker and Son
People We Meet on Vacation (2026)
Why do people with opposite personalities often get along? How do vacations affect us? Is it problematic to sacrifice for our partner? Paul and Eli debate the ethics of road-trip burritos and fictitious honeymoons while reviewing People We Meet on Vacation, the Netflix adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling novel. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli F
Fatal Attraction (1987) with Paige Harden
When do we want to see people punished? How do people feel about their own wrongdoing? What does stalking actually look like? In pursuit of answers, Paul and Eli invite clinical psychologist and behavioral geneticist Paige Harden to revisit Fatal Attraction with them, garnering disturbing insights at the intersection of love and violence. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by
Romeo + Juliet (1996) with Donovan Sherman
Should we wear rose-colored glasses? What happens when we feel like we're being pressured to marry someone? Why are words sometimes not enough? Paul and Eli—joined by Shakespearian scholar Donovan Sherman—take a psychedelic and operatic mystery tour through Romeo + Juliet, Baz Luhrmann's utterly gonzo adaptation of the timeless classic. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by P
Love & Basketball (2000)
Why is it important to understand a loved-one's identity? Which sorts of people are likely to hold grudges? Is having a "jacked-up" attitude worse if you're a woman? Paul and Eli contemplate Love & Basketball, Gina Prince-Bythewood's exploration of ambition, attachment, and gender at a time when the world sadly lacked the WNBA. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastw
Deep Dive: Evolutionary Mythbusting
Eli and Paul dial up the controversy as they discuss Paul's upcoming book, Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection. They pick apart two central concepts in evolutionary psychology: gender differences and mate value. Paul and Eli discuss how men and women don't actually differ in what they want in a partner, where gender differences in the sex drive appear larger vs. smaller, a
A Star Is Born (2018)
Why is it so important to feel needed? Do men struggle when their partner outshines them? How can personal growth destabilize a relationship? Paul and Eli dive off the deep end into the rich and melodramatic spectacle of the 2018 iteration of "A Star Is Born," featuring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
What happens when a narcissist decides she wants something? Why is it complicated when your best friend is also your ex? Why is it so important to keep alternatives at bay? Paul and Eli revisit Julia Roberts' unforgettable and unrivaled transformation into rom-com anti-hero in "My Best Friend's Wedding." For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Musi
The Holiday (2006)
Can a change of scenery help people find a partner? What is the nature of unrequited love? How do people react to sexual overtures from strangers? Paul and Eli savor impeccable kitchens and exquisite real estate in The Holiday, Nancy Meyers's 2006 starring vehicle for Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and
Deep Dive: The Compatibility Puzzle
In this special episode, Eli interviews Paul about his upcoming book, Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection. Part 1 of this series is devoted to complexities of romantic compatibility. They discuss how they began studying attraction in the first place, why online dating failed to live up to its potential, and why a relationship is what you make it. Plus: Why is it wise to ha
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Does giving to others makes us happy? Why is expressing vulnerability so powerful? How can we feel grateful for what we already have? In collaboration with the Pods Fight Poverty campaign, Paul and Eli fire up Frank Capra's immortal and inspiring It's a Wonderful Life (1946), the generosity-filled holiday classic. With Giving Tuesday right around the corner, we hope you'll consider donating to #Po
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
How do friend networks facilitate relationship formation? What happens to those networks when people fall in love? Are wedding guests just looking to hook up? Paul and Eli find answers lurking at both wedding altar and graveyard in the very British rom-com, Four Weddings and Funeral. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker an
Bonus Episode: Beaches (1988) with Nina Badzin and Rebekah Jacobs
Do opposites attract? When is intimacy scary? Can offering forgiveness inadvertently escalate conflict? In this special crossover episode of the Dear Nina: Conversations about Friends podcast, Paul and Eli chat with Nina Badzin and Rebekah Jacobs about Beaches, the Bette Midler musical showcase about lifelong friendships.
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
What happens when our self-esteem is tied to our looks? How can significant others make us feel confident? What is the nature of found families? Paul and Eli travel to the gorgeously trippy world of Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Hayao Miyazaki's anti-war fable about the power of love and hair dye. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by And
The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Are some people just late bloomers? Is asking questions a good dating strategy? What does it mean to be a good lover, anyway? Paul and Eli unpack The 40 Year-Old Virgin—the 2005 transgressive comedy from Judd Apatow—and reflect on how times (and they themselves) have changed in the intervening 20 years. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music
Bonus Episode: Paul and Eli on the Speaking of Psychology Podcast with Kim Mills
In this special crossover episode of the APA Speaking of Psychology podcast, Paul and Eli chat with Kim Mills about the helpful and harmful lessons we absorb from romantic films.
Ghost (1990)
How does it feel to lose a loved-one? Do we benefit from having a partner who speaks our love language? What's so sexy about creativity? Paul and Eli take a nostalgia trip back to Ghost (1990), the romance/murder mystery/revenge epic/moral fable/all-around sensation starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick a
Phantom Thread (2017)
How is romantic attachment similar to parent-child attachment? Can the fear of intimacy make someone controlling? What's the connection between relationships and food? Paul and Eli revisit Paul Thomas Anderson's majestic Phantom Thread (2017), the Best Picture nominee that served up one of cinema's most deliciously warped loved stories. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by P
Bonus Episode: First Anniversary Show!
Year one of Love Factually is in the books! Paul and Eli first review their favorite moments from the first year of the show, and then (at 42:20) they count down the Top Five most accurate movies they've covered to date.
Top Gun (1986) with Matt Rhodes
What assumptions lurk behind the man-approaches-woman default? Why is double-dating a good idea? Does the military take grief seriously? Paul and Eli invite the former naval aviator Matt Rhodes to discuss Top Gun, the 1986 blockbuster featuring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, and a sex scene unlike anything you've ever witnessed in a PG movie. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited b
The Lobster (2015) with Yuthika Girme
Is society prejudiced against single people? How does culture control our sexual behavior? Do we need to find a partner who shares a hyper-specific similarity? Paul and Eli invite Yuthika Girme—one of the world's foremost experts in the science of both romantic relationships and singlehood—to discuss The Lobster (2015), Yorgos Lanthimos's deadpan, absurdist, and deeply unsettling romantic satire.
Titanic (1997)
Are secret relationships especially alluring? How can we cultivate intimacy in a new relationship? What is the nature of heroism for men and women? Paul and Eli dive into Titanic – the 1997 epic that launched Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio to stardom – to learn whether hearts go on and on. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew
Moonstruck (1987)
Do men chase women because they fear death? Do partners in love drive each other crazy? How do people navigate breakups? Paul and Eli gradually unravel as they discuss the mayhem in Moonstruck, featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Cher and an unhinged performance by Nicolas Cage. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker a
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
How does marriage vary across economic systems? Do partners exchange beauty for status? Why do perceptions of a potential partner change over time? Paul and Eli pay homage to the one-and-only Jane Austen by revisiting the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finke
High Fidelity (2000)
Are mismatched couples doomed? Why is it essential to calibrate our expectations? What happens when we seek closure on past relationships? Paul and Eli revisit High Fidelity—the seminal text that proclaimed "What really matters is what you like" —and find themselves on a semi-traumatic trip down memory lane. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel.
Materialists (2025)
What happens when we treat dating like a business proposition? How important is height in determining a man's desirability? If love isn't "the math," then what is it? Paul and Eli race from Celine Song's Materialists to the recording booth, hoping to make sense of the modern dating landscape. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Is romantic love like an addiction? What is the nature of anti-gay prejudice? How do people come to understand their own sexual identity? Paul and Eli revisit "Brokeback Mountain" in preparation for its 20-year theatrical re-release, while marveling at some truly legendary performances. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker
Deep Dive: Grand Romantic Gestures
The first Love Factually Deep Dive! Grand romantic gestures pervade romance films. Are they effective? Are they sometimes unethical? Cornell professor Vanessa Bohns (You Have More Influence Than You Think) and bestselling author Dan Pink (The Power of Regret) join Paul and Eli for a freewheeling discussion that reaches some unexpected conclusions.
27 Dresses (2008)
What are the risks of being a people pleaser? Why do weddings fall apart? Why is it so important to be authentic in relationships? Paul and Eli try on "27 Dresses" (and decode some Elton John lyrics) in pursuit of some insights. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons Artwork by Katie Keil
Frozen (2013)
What's special about sibling relationships? How do people with different attachment styles cope with stress? Why is it risky to get engaged to somebody you met that day? The megahit Frozen—starring the inimitable Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel—flips the traditional Disney script and offers some answers. This is a clean episode - suitable for all ages! For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, a
Mailbag: Friends-first, Weddings, & Therapy
The first Love Factually mailbag episode! Eli and Paul answer your questions about friends-first relationships, wedding stress, and memory erasure. Plus, we reopen the debate: When do relationships benefit from therapy, and why? See the graph of friends-first relationships
Marriage Story (2019)
What happens when we view marriage in terms of winning and losing? How does divorce affect children? What are the consequences of taking a relationship for granted? Paul and Eli sift through the wreckage in Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach's lacerating, multiple-Oscar-nominated masterpiece starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Ea
Groundhog Day (1993)
Can interactions with strangers fulfill our need to belong? Does ironic detachment mask attachment insecurity? Should we try to change ourselves into somebody else's ideal partner? Paul and Eli immerse themselves, again and again, in Groundhog Day, the timeless philosophical redemption tale starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul E
BONUS episode: Paul and Eli on the Dateable Podcast with Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu
In this special crossover episode of the Dateable podcast, Paul and Eli chat with hosts Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu about how people should - and shouldn't - apply lessons from the movies to their dating lives.
Hitch (2005)
Is striving to avoid mistakes a good romantic strategy? Can couples who are mismatched on hotness get together? Does relationship success require that you be a desirable person? Paul and Eli dust off Hitch, the 2005 rom-com vehicle for Will Smith and Eva Mendes, in search of answers. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker an
Before Sunset (2004)
How does it feel to confront hard relationship choices? How can we truly listen to one another? What counts as infidelity? Paul and Eli unpack Before Sunset—the sequel to Before Sunrise—which features Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) unexpectedly reunited in Paris, confronting the past and changing the future. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick an
Barbie (2023)
How can people navigate the "friendzone"? Do men need romantic relationships more than women do? Does confusion about one's identity undermine relationships? Paul and Eli search for answers in the 2023 film Barbie, Greta Gerwig's feminist fantasia featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Frak
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Why is it so important to be able to celebrate with someone? Is parenting sexy? What are the challenges of being in a relationship when you don't know who you are? Paul and Eli search for answers in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, Cameron Crowe's endlessly quotable rom-com, featuring acclaimed performances from Renée Zellweger, Tom Cruise, and Cuba Gooding Jr. For show notes, click here. Hosted, prod
BONUS episode: Paul and Eli on The Happiness Lab Podcast with Laurie Santos
In this special crossover episode of The Happiness Lab podcast, Paul and Eli chat with Laurie Santos about lessons learned from fact-checking rom-coms.
Say Anything (1989) with Laurie Santos
What are the benefits of optimism? How do people transfer attachments from parents to romantic partners? What exactly counts as stalking? Paul and Eli team up with Laurie Santos (Yale professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast) to dive into the nice-guy manifesto Say Anything, starring (sigh) John Cusack and Ione Skye. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick
Pretty Woman (1990) with Katy Milkman
How does a transactional mindset undermine relationship well-being? What's the nature of stereotypes? How can we tie our hands to achieve our goals? Paul and Eli invite Katy Milkman (Wharton professor and host of the Choiceology podcast) to discuss Pretty Woman, a Cinderella tale featuring Julia Roberts in a star-making performance. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul
BONUS episode: Paul and Eli on the Sex and Psychology Podcast with Justin Lehmiller
In this special crossover episode of the Sex and Psychology podcast, Paul and Eli chat with Justin Lehmiller about how sex and relationships are depicted in movies.
Easy A (2010) with Justin Lehmiller
Does the double standard linger for men and women? What exactly is sex positivity? Do people make unfounded assumptions about self-esteem and casual sex? Paul and Eli join forces with Justin Lehmiller (host of the Sex and Psychology Podcast) to discuss Easy A, the teen comedy adaptation of Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) with Peter Sagal
What does jealousy do to a person? How are relationships interwoven with identity? What are the many forms of sex and sexual desire? Paul and Eli welcome in special guest Peter Sagal (host of NPR's Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!) to chat about Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley Kubrick's eternally fascinating swan song. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
What are the joys and miseries of singlehood? Is "playing hard to get" an effective dating strategy? Why does it feel so good to be adored "just as we are"? Paul and Eli revisit "Bridget Jones's Diary," the 2001 rom-com starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Colin Firth—which Vanity Fair recently ranked as the fourth best romantic comedy of all time. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced
The Notebook (2004)
How does family disapproval affect the course of love? Can volatile relationships flourish? Does love cure dementia? Paul and Eli consider these questions, and more, in their analysis of "The Notebook," the 2004 romantic melodrama starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling—and the winner of the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick
Love Factually Trailer
Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel are two professors who use psychological science to explain what your favorite romantic films get right -- and wrong -- about attraction and relationships.
Her (2013)
What does it mean to share your life with someone? How does sexual compatibility work? Can new relationships help us get over old ones? Paul and Eli consider these questions, and more, in their analysis of "Her," Spike Jonze's 2013 boy-meets-operating-system romance starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Fi
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
What are the consequences of believing in the idea of a soulmate? How do relationships develop from the first day to the last? How well does the reality in our heads match the reality in the world? Paul and Eli consider these questions, and more, in their analysis of (500) Days of Summer, the 2009 romantic comedy starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. For show notes, click here. Hosted
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
How does passionate love feel? What does it mean to pay attention to each other? Are there distinctive characteristics in the emergence of same-sex attraction? Paul and Eli consider these questions, and more, in their analysis of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, the gorgeous period drama depicting forbidden love in late-eighteenth-century France. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited
10 Things I Hate about You (1999)
Are some people un-date-able? What does attachment avoidance look like? How should we think about grand romantic gestures? Paul and Eli dissect 10 Things I Hate about You, the 90s attempt to modernize Shakespeare's eternally controversial "The Taming of the Shrew." For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons Artwork by
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
What is the absolute worst way to handle relationship conflict? Do we distort our own memories to make us feel better about our relationship? Are the reasons we're attracted to someone similar to the reasons we're attracted to someone else? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind submerges Paul and Eli in an ecstatic fever dream about these fascinating questions. For show notes, click here. Host
Before Sunrise (1995)
How quickly do attachment bonds start to form? What are the relationship consequences of believing that men and women are fundamentally different? How does self-disclosure cultivate feelings of intimacy? Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise takes Paul and Eli on a nostalgic joyride through these and other topics. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Fin
Challengers (2024)
How do people compete to win someone's affections? What are the less obvious reasons that people have sex? How do relationships and power intersect? Luca Guadagnino's Challengers provides ample opportunity for Paul and Eli to examine these and other sexy topics. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons Artwork by Kati
Clueless (1995)
Do people agree about who is attractive? What does it take to be a good matchmaker? Does similarity predict attraction? Paul and Eli discuss how well Clueless—the satirical 90's remake of Jane Austen's Emma—reflects the science of relationships. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons Artwork by Katie Keil
La La Land (2016)
How much insight do people have about their romantic preferences? What does effective support look like? Does career devotion require tradeoffs in our relationships? Paul and Eli discuss the science behind the acclaimed musical throwback: La La Land. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel. Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons Artwork by Katie Keil
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
How does the trajectory of a relationship unfold over time? What does a good apology look like? Can men and women actually be friends? Paul and Eli unpack the themes of the genre-redefining masterpiece: When Harry Met Sally. For show notes, click here. Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons Artwork by Katie Keil
Love Factually Trailer
Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel are two professors who use psychological science to explain what your favorite romantic films get right -- and wrong -- about attraction and relationships.
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