The NO NOTES Podcast
The NO NOTES Podcast features in-depth conversations with top filmmakers and actors, exploring their craft and experiences in the film industry. Hosted by Schmear, the show offers insights into the creative process behind notable films and performances.
Episodes
Ajon Singh on "Primetime"
𝗔𝗷𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵, the writer of 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, joins NO NOTES to talk 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬, 𝘚𝘦𝘹𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 and watching 𝘛𝘰 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 with his mom.He breaks down how a script nobody would read landed 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 and 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺. We get into the five-day rewrite that turned Rob from producer to star.Plus 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻's NO NOTES movie and what the show says about us today.
Patrick Radden Keefe
Patrick Radden Keefe joins NO NOTES to talk the one note he has on Michael Clayton and dedicate a movie to each of his books, from The Snakehead to London Falling.Plus: how he ended up playing himself in the Industry finale and the line he rewrote on set.We get into Michael Mann's Miami Vice, Anthony Bourdain's favorite Boston crime movie, and Lola Petticrew in Furious.And he tells me exac
John Wilson on "The History of Concrete"
John Wilson joins NO NOTES to discuss his new film The History of Concrete.He gives us his NO NOTES pick, reacts to becoming an adjective, and names his favorite How To episodes. We revisit the Avatar support group from How to Remember Your Dreams, his beef with James Cameron over 35mm, and what's been packing the house at Low Cinema.Plus how he gets invited into strangers' homes, how he&#
'Adults' Creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw
Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, the creators of 'Adults,' join NO NOTES during Season 2's release week.They give us their NO NOTES picks, then go around the house and pick one for every character. We get into Rebecca's lifetime ban from Madame Tussauds, courtesy of Wax Paul Now.Then the origin story — writing for Jimmy Fallon, the note from Nick Kroll that changed how they work, s
Steve Way Talks 'Furious'
Scene-stealing Steve Way joins NO NOTES to talk about 'Furious' and his character Alden.He gets into meeting Creator Liz Meriwether, the first table read with Emmy Rossum, playing opposite Lola Petticrew, plus what bits were improvised.We also go back to Ramy — meeting Ramy Youssef in fifth grade right after 9/11 and bonding as outcasts. We discuss able-bodied performers playing disabled c
John Early on 'Maddie's Secret'
John Early joins NO NOTES to talk about MADDIE'S SECRET, his directorial debut, in which he plays food-media dishwasher Maddie Ralph—a woman who goes viral and slowly comes apart. He gets into screening Showgirls for the cast to give everyone permission to reach; why Conner O'Malley is his favorite comedian alive; the sincere-in-a-silly-movie lesson he took from Wet Hot American Summer; an
'Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie' with Creators Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol
Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol join NO NOTES to talk about NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE—the comedy they made with barely a script, writing backwards from whatever actually happened when they took a camera into the streets of Toronto (yes, they really got up the CN Tower). They get into why they'd never leave Canada, a tribute to the late Catherine O'Hara, and some details about 'Tony,' Matt
'Leviticus' Director Adrian Chiarella
Adrian Chiarella joins Schmear to talk Leviticus, his debut queer horror feature out of Australia.We get into the origin of that biblical title and the sermon scene he cut, why he refused to cast 25-year-olds as teenagers, and how he found his two leads, Joe Bird and Stacey Clausen, including the dual role that meant building a horror entity from scratch. Adrian breaks down the films in the DNA of
Director Michael Sarnoski on 'The Death of Robin Hood'
Michael Sarnoski—director of Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One—sits down with No Notes to talk about The Death of Robin Hood, in theaters now.We get into the centuries-old ballad he first read as a ten-year-old, handed to him by a family friend after his father passed, and how that quiet, mortal ending of an "immortal" folk hero never let him go. Plus: casting Hugh Jackman as a Robin who we
'Widow's Bay' Director Hiro Murai
Hiro Murai sat down with us, and we still can't believe it.The director behind Atlanta, This Is America, Station Eleven, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and now Apple TV+'s Widow's Bay joins Schmear and Sena to get into all of it. We talk about the cozy-and-terrifying tone of Widow's Bay, working with Matthew Rhys and creator Katie Dippold, and why Hiro chases the feeling of "Is this ev
'Obsession' with Director Curry Barker
Curry Barker is the director of OBSESSION — the wickedly funny, deeply unsettling horror film that had us screaming with joy at South by Southwest. Sena and Gabriel sit down with him to talk wishes gone wrong, the comedy-to-horror pipeline, and the breakout performance from Inde Navarrette.Curry walks us through how a story about a couple obsessed with each other curdled into a meditation on mascu
Devon Bostick of MILE END KICKS
Mile End Kicks star Devon Bostick joins Schmear and Sena for a conversation about one of the most charming Canadian films of the year. Devon shares his NO NOTES perfect movie pick, gets into what it was like to return to the exact era he was filming Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and channel all of that into Archie and raves about co-star Barbie Ferreira and what made her such a special presence on set. Th
'Blue Heron' Director Sophy Romvari
BLUE HERON director Sophy Romvari joins Schmear to discuss her moving new film. They get into why a zoom lens beats a dolly on every setup, the story behind her late brother's real hand-drawn maps and what they mean to the film, and the time jump you won't see coming. Romvari also shares her NO NOTES perfect movie pick, reflects on Spielberg's A.I. as the first film she ever saw in a theater, weig
'Lord of the Flies' Director Marc Munden
Director Marc Munden on his hallucinatory new Netflix adaptation of Lord of the Flies—pulling the infrared filter off the camera and letting the jungle bleed pink. We get into casting with Nina Gold, five weeks of rehearsals, and why Lox Pratt (next up as Draco in HBO's Harry Potter) plays Jack like a spoiled rock star prince. Plus: directing the final episodes of The Sympathizer with Robert D
'Beef' Creator Lee Sung Jin & Star Charles Melton
BEEF Season 2 has arrived, and joining us is Star Charles Melton and Creator Lee Sung Jin. The two share their NO NOTES movies, discuss the ways in which S2 is different from S1, talk about Melton's starring role in MAY DECEMBER, and share NO NOTES movies for the season's new characters.All eight episodes of #beef Season 2 are on Netflix now
'BEEF' Breakout Seoyeon Jang!
Seoyeon Jang stole Season 2 of Beef, and we had to get her on.She joins Schmear and Sena to break down Eunice, the breakout character everyone's been screaming "justice for" online. We get into the now-legendary stretch scene (yes, that's really her, three months of stretching, only two takes), what director Lee Sung Jin told her about who Eunice really is, and whether anything between Eunice and
Industry S4 E8 - "Both, And" - Finale Explained!
(DISCLAIMER—This was recorded prior to S5 renewal announcement!!)Well, we've made it to the Industry S4 finale, and it feels so...bad?The Titans of Industry—Schmear, Sena Adjei, and Jesse Aaronson—parse a uniquely elegiac finale, which brought big wins and huge spiritual and moral losses for nearly all of Industry's characters. They break down a vitriolic exchange between Kit Harington'
INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS: Composer Nathan Micay
'Industry' composer Nathan Micay joins The Official Unofficial Industry Podcast!Nathan talks about scoring the series, what his workflow is like, how creators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down acquit themselves at nightclubs, and his thoughts on some famous past and present movie scores.WATCH ON YOUTUBEYouTube
Industry S4 E7 - "Points of Emphasis" with Composer Nathan Micay
'Industry' composer Nathan Micay joins The Official Unofficial Industry Podcast!Schmear, Sena Adjei, and Jesse Aaronson—The Titans of Industry—reunite to discuss the penultimate episode of the 4th season, "Points of Emphasis."Amongst many topics, the trio discuss Yasmin's manipulation of the media, the fallout of "Dear Henry," Whitney's puppeteering of Henry, po
INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Max Minghella - "Whitney"
Max Minghella—aka "Whitney Halbertstram"—joins the Official Unofficial 'Industry' Podcast!The trio chats with Minghella about when he first watched 'Industry,' if Whitney cares for Kit Harington's Henry, what his thoughts on the Ripley comparisons are, and more. They pitch Minghella their Whitney origin story ideas and give Whitney truth serum on some compelling topic
Industry S4 E6 - "Dear Henry" with Star Max Minghella
Max Minghella—aka "Whitney Halbertstram"—joins the Official Unofficial 'Industry' Podcast!'Industry' S4 E6 "Dear Henry" is our favorite episode of the season so far, so it's a HUGE privilege to sit with Minghella for a chat. Prior to that, the Titans of Industry—Schmear, Jesse Aaronson, and Sena Adjei—break down this thrilling, dizzying new episode, filled w
Industry S4 E5 - "Eyes Without a Face"
Industry S4 E5 "Eyes Without a Face" travels to Accra, Ghana for a thrilling episode of twists and turns. The Titans—Schmear, Sena Adjei, and Jesse Aaronson—reconvene to break down one of the series's most unique hours, discussing the spotlighting of Miriam Petche's "Sweetpea" and Toheeb Jimoh's "Kwabena" as the two characters chase a lead in Africa. The t
Industry S4 E4 - "1000 Yoots, One Marilyn"
YEESH! Is this the darkest episode of 'Industry' yet?The Titans—Schmear, Sena, and Jesse—parse Industry S4 E4, "1000 Yoots, One Marilyn."The trio dive into such topics as Muck's big moment, Rishi's plight, Hayley's heel turn, Dyker's quagmire, and Whitney's soul (or lack thereof). They wrap up by analyzing the worst drug sesh ever (44:20)—though the music was
Industry S4 E3 - "Habseligkeiten"
Guten Tag aus Österreich!Schmear, Sena, and Jesse—the Titans of Industry—take a trip to Austria to break down Industry S4 E3, "Habseligkeiten."Things get weird and steamy there for Yas and Henry Muck with some new friends. The trio breaks down the awkward visit, that key scene with Kiernan Shipka's Hayley, and what it all amounts to. Care to discuss some Weimar-era landscape painting?They also dis
Industry S4 E2 - "The Commander and the Grey Lady"
"Shine your shoes, boys."Schmear, Sena, and Jesse—The Titans of Industry—return to break down Industry S4 E2 "The Commander and the Grey Lady."They dive into Henry Muck's (Kit Harington) dark night of the soul, discussing ghostly Christmas themes and bold formal choices, and break down why this daring hour-long episode feels like a movie. Take a shot for each time they say
Industry S4 E1 - "PayPal of Bukkake"
For the run of our favorite series, Industry, the NO NOTES podcast is now "The Official Unofficial Industry Podcast."Schmear, Sena Adjei, and Jesse Aaronson, aka "The Titans of Industry," are back covering the brilliant HBO financial drama from Creators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down. For Episode 1, "The PayPal of Bukkake," they unpack new characters played by the likes o
100 - Top 10 of '25, Park Chan Wook!
The 100th episode, and a GREAT one too. Schmear and Sena count down their Top 10 favorite movies of 2025 before being joined by the director of 'No Other Choice,' Park Chan Wook and the film's star, Lee Byung Hun. Intro (00:00)Top 10 Countdown (8:07)Honorable Mentions (39:39)'No Other Choice' Director Park Chan Wook (44:50)'No Other Choice' Star Lee Byung Hun (49:46)-Ho
99 - “The Plague” Director Charlie Polinger
Charlie Polinger, director of the brilliant new adolescent psychological thriller 'The Plague,' joins the show. This debut is a blistering, anxiety-inducing look at hazing rituals between tweenage boys at a water polo camp in 2003. Polinger discusses his NO NOTES perfect movie, how both The Shining and Full Metal Jacket served as influences, talks his castmembers including Joel Edgerton an
98 - Director Abel Ferrara on new memoir 'Scene'
Abel Ferrara, director of such jaw-dropping classics as 'King of New York' and 'Bad Lieutenant,' sits down to discuss his brilliant, stormy career and his thoughts on filmmaking.We dive into his reaction to watching 'The Shining' for the first time, his friendship and collaborations with Willem Dafoe, how he wrangles such talented performers, and even his new role opposite
97 - Kleber Mendonça Filho on 'The Secret Agent'
Kleber Mendonça Filho, director of the new Neon film The Secret Agent, sits down and shares his NO NOTES perfect movie, working with star Wagner Moura, and the films that influenced The Secret Agent, before revisiting some of his most iconic Letterboxd reviews. Hosts: Gabriel Frieberg, Sena AdjeiGuests: Kleber Mendonça FilhoProducers: Pavlo Melnyk, Gabriel FriebergMusic: Justin FriedmanWATCH ON YO
96 - Fall TV & Film Recap
A spoiler-free sprint through fall’s biggest and best TV shows and movies. Schmear is back—joined by Jesse Aronson—and the two put seven minutes on the clock for a speed-round tour through the season’s standout titles.-TASK (7:36)-The Lowdown (14:18)-The Chair Company (20:51)-Nobody Wants This (27:10)-Pluribus (33:20)-One Battle After Another (41:20)-Bugonia (47:27)They close out with what they’re
95 - Laurent Bouzereau on 'Jaws,' Brian Raftery discusses "Mission Accomplished"
'Jaws' turns 50 and is back on IMAX screens this weekend!To celebrate, Schmear and Sena Adjei are joined by legendary documentarian Laurent Bouzereau for a deep dive into both 'Jaws' and his new documentary, 'Jaws @ 50' (4:22).They discuss Steven Spielberg’s PTSD while making the original film, whether Laurent sees any modern equivalents to Spielberg, his favorite scene in
94 - 'Lurker' Director Alex Russell and 'Alien: Earth' E1-3
Alex Russell, writer and director of the new psychological drama thriller 'Lurker,' joins the pod!First up, resident FX expert Teddy Kim stops by to vivisect Noah Hawley's 'Alien: Earth' (3:45). Teddy and Schmear discuss what's working and what's not through the first 3 episodes, assess the performances, and talk about how Episode 3, "Metamorphosis," was a ste
93 - 'Weapons' with Director Zach Cregger
Weapons writer and director Zach Cregger, as well as the film’s production designer Tom Hammock, join The SchmearCast!Before that, Schmear is joined by horror expert Rachel Lydia Barker to review Weapons. They start by discussing Zach Cregger’s earlier work, Barbarian, before diving into what works and what doesn’t in the new film, assessing the performances, and getting into spoiler territory abo
92 - 'Eddington' and 'Too Much'
Ari Aster's latest film, 'Eddington,' is pissing A LOT of people off.But on this episode, Schmear is joined by Karsten Runquist to discuss why they think this Joaquin Phoenix / Pedro Pascal neo-western is so brilliant. They talk about Ari Aster's career up to this point (14:52) and the brutal reception of 'Eddington' at Cannes (20:37) before diving into the movie's themes, what works, what doesn't
91 - 'Superman' Face-Off
It’s a bird, it’s a plane—it’s a...divisive new 'Superman' movie?Schmear is joined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) and Brock Engi (Movie Talk with Brock) to break down James Gunn’s much-anticipated 'Superman,' starring David Corenswet as the Big Blue Boy Scout. They share headline thoughts and discuss the meaning of the Superman character before debating what works and what doesn’t i
90 - Debating 'The Bear' Season 4
Seems like no one’s talking about Season 4 of 'The Bear.'Schmear is joined by Jesse Aaronson and Lauren Brodauf to unpack why that might be, while also sharing their big-picture thoughts on the season. Then they dive into a full episode-by-episode breakdown, including the Ayo Edebiri-led 'Worms' (33:17) and the big wedding moment in 'Bears,' (52:11) featuring a standout sce
89 - 'F1' with Iana Murray
Brad Pitt stars in ''F1'—loud, shiny, and fast—but is it a good movie? Schmear and writer/critic—and Formula One expert—Iana Murray rev up to debate Joseph Kosinski’s (Top Gun: Maverick) latest film. They discuss the impact and attraction of the sport before diving into the film, arguing about Brad Pitt’s star wattage, discussing supporting performances from Kerry Condon, Damson Idris,
88 - '28 Years Later'
The rage virus returns!Danny Boyle and Alex Garland re-team for ’28 Years Later,’ and Schmear hosts Marta Djordjevic (Rewind & Revive) in an in-depth conversation covering everything you need to know about the film. They first discuss zombie films (7:10) and their significance, then talk through the careers of Boyle and Garland (10:24) before analyzing both ’28 Days’ and ’28 Weeks Later’ (14:3
87 - ‘Materialists’ and ‘Stick’ with Creator Jason Keller
Schmear is rejoined by Alison Sivitz—aka Bald Ann Dowd—to dive into one of the most divisive movies of the year: 'Materialists,' the new Celine Song rom-com (or is it?) starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.They discuss the rom-com genre (3:38), break down what works and what doesn’t (9:48), and discuss the film’s strange and extreme reception (45:57). Schmear wraps by ask
86 - Moviegoing in 2025 with Ezgi Eren (11am Saturday)
Schmear is joined by Ezgi Eren, creator of the excellent 11am Saturday questionnaire, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of moviegoing in 2025. They trace the origins of her newsletter and unpack some of the best responses she’s received—favorite snacks, ideal showtimes—before diving into the electric energy currently powering theatrical culture.Together, they break down what’s working f
85 - 'The Phoenician Scheme,' 'Mountainhead,' 'Adults'
New Wes Anderson! Jesse Armstrong’s first project since Succession! And Gen Z’s answer to Girls?Schmear, Sena Adjei, and Jesse Aaronson dig into all of that. Up first, they discuss Wes Anderson’s latest, 'The Phoenician Scheme. ' (2:04) They start off talking about how and why Wes is such a lightning rod before diving into their favorite moments in the film and judging the performances of
84 - Cannes 2025 Recap and Rankings
Schmear is back from Cannes and ready to debrief. He watched 16 films — including Eddington, The Phoenician Scheme, and Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident — and breaks them down into four clear categories: plagues (3:26), politics (9:23), the personal (13:50), and the past (22:04).Then, it’s time for the definitive ranking: all 16 films, worst to best (29:47).Host: Gabriel FriebergProducer:
83 - 'Andor' Wrap-Up! S2 E10-12
It’s the wrap-up of 'Andor'—one of the most accomplished shows of the year and maybe the finest example of IP storytelling to date. Schmear is rejoined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) and Dan Monaghan (ReelTakes) to break down episodes 10, 11, and 12: how they function as a bridge to 'Rogue One,' whether they’re a slight comedown from the explosive highs of episodes 8 and 9, and why
82 - Cannes 2025 Preview
Schmear and Sena Adjei run down the most intriguing titles at Cannes 2025 ahead of their arrival, featuring 'Eddington', a new Western thriller from Ari Aster; directorial debuts from Harris Dickinson and Scarlett Johansson; Schmear’s dark horse Palme d’Or pick; and, of course, Spike Lee’s hotly anticipated re-team with Denzel Washington, 'Highest 2 Lowest'.Host: Gabriel FriebergGu
81 - 'Andor' S2 E7-9
'Andor' ascends to thrilling new heights with its latest batch of episodes. Schmear is joined by Dan Monaghan of Reel Takes to dive into Season 2, Episodes 7–9: they discuss the slow start and debate the odd inclusion of the force as a theme in episode 7 (08:25), unpack the chilling real-world political echoes in the masterfully tense episode 8 (21:27), and celebrate the pure excitement of episode
80 - 'The Last of Us' S2 E2-4, 'Thunderbolts*'
Schmear returns to the post-apocalyptic world of 'The Last of Us,' joined once again by Sena Adjei to break down episodes 2 through 4 of S2 (1:52). They unpack that massive E2 shocker, explore why episode 3 left them disappointed, and assess whether the show is back on track after a much-improved episode 4 packed with visceral set pieces and Jeffrey Wright's compelling new character.La
79 - 'Andor' S2 E4-6
Episodes 4–6 of 'Andor' S2 deliver masterfully thrilling television, pushing the Tony Gilroy-created series to soaring new heights.Schmear is joined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) and Dan Monaghan (Reel Takes) to break it all down: they unpack the fan reactions to the season’s first batch, dig into the Ghorman-centered arc, and spotlight the standout performances, shifting motivations, and
78 - 'Andor' S2 E1-3
The thrilling, deeply layered 'Andor' — arguably the best Star Wars byproduct — returns for a spectacular Season 2.Schmear is joined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) to break down what makes this Tony Gilroy-created series so exceptional (3:06). After touching on the show's development and its ties to 'Rogue One' (11:04) they dive into the first three episodes: “One Year Later,” (
77 - Ryan Coogler's Audacious 'Sinners'
Ryan Coogler’s 'Sinners' is one of the best, boldest movies of the year.Schmear and Sena Adjei dive in rapturously, starting with their big-picture impressions and in-theater experiences. They break down Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s creative partnership, the film’s development, and then go deep on the filmmaking, performances, standout scenes, and major themes.They wrap with thoughts on the fil
76 - 'The Last of Us' S2 E1, A24's 'Warfare'
'The Last of Us' is BACK...but is it any good?Schmear is joined by Sena Adjei to break down the Pedro Pascal-led series, reflecting on the highs and lows of Season 1 before diving into the S2 premiere, "Future Days." They talk about new cast members like Kaitlyn Dever and Catherine O’Hara, why Sena’s underwhelmed so far, and whether they’re emotionally in for the long haul.Then,
75 - 'The Pitt' Finale with Whitaker and Javadi (!) and 'The Studio' E3 and E4
'The Pitt,' which wrapped up last night, is one of the best shows of 2025, and joining the SchmearCast are two of its amazing stars, Gerran Howell (Dennis Whitaker) and Shabana Azeez (Victoria Javadi)!!First up, Jesse Aaronson returns to break down episodes 3 and 4 of 'The Studio.' Schmear and Jesse re-engineer their expectations for the sitcom before diving into "The Note&quo
74 - 'The White Lotus' Finale - S3 E8 - "Amor Fati"
'White Lotus' S3 comes to an explosive, divisive close.Schmear and Alison Sivitz (Bald Ann Dowd) reunite one last time to break down the action-packed 90-minute finale, “Amor Fati.” Schmear defends the episode overall before the two dive into the twists and turns. Alison makes a bold 180 on Saxon Ratliff, while Schmear praises the fateful, artful Lachlan scene. They unpack the climactic ending and
73 - 'The White Lotus' S3 E7 - "Killer Instincts"
In 'The White Lotus’s' penultimate episode, “Killer Instincts,” this roller coaster season barrels ahead with a sharp focus on the nature of violence.Schmear and Alison Sivitz return to break it all down (2:05)—Rick’s cockamamie Bangkok scheme (10:39), the ladies on the warpath (14:47), and the monastery misadventure (17:50). Schmear casts a wary eye on Mook, while Alison unpacks her compl
72 - Brilliant Hollywood Satire 'The Studio,' E1 & E2
New Seth Rogen Hollywood satire series 'The Studio' is one of the best and funniest shows of the year.Joining Schmear to help break it down is Jesse Aaronson. The two give their top-line thoughts (3:19), discuss some of the best and worst examples of the "Hollywood" subgenre on the small screen (10:17), then assess the incredibly hysterical, smart, and stylish first episode "
71 - 'The White Lotus' S3 E6 - "Denials"
Did “brotherly love” go a little too far in Thailand?Schmear and Alison Sivitz reunite to break down 'The White Lotus' S3 E6, “Denials.” They parse an awkward “next day” (11:03) for every character and debate the episode’s dream sequences. Schmear shares his own Thai Buddhist monastery experience (22:33) before unpacking how the Ratliffs are changed by their visit. After questioning whethe
70 - 'Severance' S2 E10 - "Cold Harbor"
An ambitious, imaginative, cinematic finale to 'Severance' Season 2, fitting for a show and a season defined by those very qualities. Schmear and Sean Byrne share their big-picture thoughts on the jam-packed, 76-minute episode "Cold Harbor," (2:54) covering Adam Scott’s remarkable performance (6:49), bizarre Lumon shenanigans (16:13), and the emotional journeys of each character.
69 - 'The White Lotus' S3 E5 - "Full-Moon Party"
We were promised fireworks in “Full-Moon Party,” but did the latest ‘White Lotus’ episode deliver?Schmear and Alison Sivitz fiercely debate the success (or lack thereof) of ‘The White Lotus’ S3 E5 (2:01). Schmear explains why he thinks the season feels “tired,” while Alison argues there's still some juice left. They break down the episode’s biggest moments, vent about Gaitok and Tim (16:24), u
68 - 'Severance' S2 E9, 'Black Bag'
Schmear and Sean Byrne break down ‘Severance’ S2 E9, "The After Hours" (2:16), discussing how it serves as a ramp-up to what should be a thrilling finale. They debate what worked and what didn’t within the episode, including tracking Milchick’s emotional journey, saying goodbye to Irving (22:49), and the brewing Innie vs. Outtie battle (37:46).Later, Isaac Feldberg, critic at RogerEbert.
67 - ‘Mickey 17,’ and ‘The White Lotus’ S3 E4 - “Hide or Seek”
Bong Joon Ho’s hotly anticipated follow-up to the Best Picture-winning ‘Parasite’ - ‘Mickey 17’ — is finally here.So how’s the movie?Schmear and Sena Adjei dig into the film landscape ‘Mickey 17’ arrives in (1:56), debate their favorite Bong Joon Ho movies (7:55), and talk about the allure of Robert Pattinson (13:26) before diving into the film’s merits and drawbacks (21:15). They break down Patti
BONUS - 2025 Oscar Winners on The SchmearCast (The Brutalist, Flow, Anora)
Revisiting conversations with three Oscar winners on this bonus episode of The SchmearCast.Lol Crawley, DP of ‘The Brutalist’ and winner of the Best Cinematography Oscar, discusses pulling off some of the film’s standout scenes, his working relationship with Brady Corbet, and what he thinks Laszlo Toth’s favorite movies might have been (3:42).Gints Zilbalodis, director, writer, animator, and compo
66 - 'Severance' S2 E8 - "Sweet Vitriol"
Finally catching up with Patricia Arquette's "Harmony Kobel" in this week’s 'Severance ' episode, S2 E8, “Sweet Vitriol.”Schmear and Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) discuss this unique bottle episode, how it recontextualizes aspects of the series, the efficacy of the storytelling, and debate if we’re set up for a thrilling end-of-season run or not.Host: Gabriel FriebergGuests: Sea
65 - Oscars 2025 Recap, 'The White Lotus' S3 E3!
Between the Oscars and 'White Lotus ' S3E3, last night was a BIG night.Sena Adjei returns to the show as he and Schmear break down the Oscars telecast (1:57)—debating Timmy vs. Adrien Brody, discussing 'Anora’s' big night (8:40), and Demi Moore getting “Substanced” by Mikey Madison (12:32). They wrap up by assessing the night’s miscellaneous winners and losers (30:59) and getting existential about
BONUS - That Final Scene x SchmearCast - Oscars 2025 Predictions
"Enjoy this special edition episode, a collaboration with the amazing "That Final Scene" podcast!" - Schmear------------------------------------------I've never been so unprepared for an Oscar season. This year's race feels like someone threw all the conventional wisdom into a blender, hit puree, and walked away laughing.So in this episode, we are joined by The Schmear Hunter’s Gabriel Frieberg—wh
64 - 'Severance' S2 E7 "Chikhai Bardo" with Director Jessica Lee Gagné!
'Severance' cinematographer and director of the masterful Season 2, Episode 7, "Chikhai Bardo," Jessica Lee Gagné joins The SchmearCast!First, Schmear and Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) break down this rich, dense, and emotionally devastating episode, starting with their big-picture impressions (2:44) before diving into the plot specifics. They discuss the beautiful, warm direction, Dichen Lachman’s p
63 - 'The White Lotus' S3 E2, Berlinale 2025 Recap Part 1
Checking back in on 'The White Lotus' to discuss S3 E2, “Special Treatments.”Schmear is rejoined by Alison Sivitz (Bald Ann Dowd). They open by discussing the reception to the first episode and their takeaways from a recent New Yorker profile on creator Mike White(2:15) before diving into the episode (10:45)—parsing the shifting relationship dynamics, the characters’ “wellness” sessions, a
Interviews - Matthew Rankin on 'Universal Language'
Schmear sits down with Matthew Rankin, the brilliant director of ‘Universal Language,’ Canada’s entry for Best International Feature and one of the year’s finest films. They discuss the film’s cozy yet expansive vision, its unique fusion of “Winnipeg and Tehran,” and why it feels so vital right now.Host: Gabriel FriebergGuests: Matthew RankinProducer: Samuel EromoMusic: Justin FriedmanWATCH ON YOU
62 - 'Severance' S2 E6 - "Attila"
Schmear and Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) break down 'Severance' S2 E6 “Attila,” one of the show’s moodier episodes.They discuss how the "innies" are growing up, Irving and Burt’s bizarre dinner scene (19:34), Mark and Helena’s equally odd rendezvous (28:15), and the meaning of the episode’s mysterious final moments (36:18).Host: Gabriel FriebergGuests: Sean ByrneProducer: Pavle GMu
61 - 'The White Lotus' S3 E1, Matthew Rankin on 'Universal Language'
‘The White Lotus,’ one of the juiciest and best shows on TV, is back.Schmear is joined by Alison Sivitz (Bald Ann Dowd) to break down the genius of Mike White and what makes this upstairs-downstairs series so irresistible (3:57). They dive into S3 E1 (16:18), unpacking this season’s chaotic characters—including the Ratliff family, Walton Goggins on the verge of snapping, and the “cougars”—before h
60 - 'Severance' S2 E5 "Trojan's Horse"
Schmear and Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) return to recap 'Severance' S2E5, "Trojan's Horse," a reset episode for the season.They start by discussing some of the criticisms the show is facing before diving into the episode—breaking down Mark's poor behavior, the perceived softening of Seth Milchick, Britt Lower's performance as Helly, and the lingering questions they wan
59 - 'Common Side Effects' with Creators Steve Hely and Joe Bennett, Winter Movies Round-Up
The creators of the brilliant new adult animated conspiracy thriller 'Common Side Effects'joinThe SchmearCast!First, Schmear is joined bySena Adjei and Nate Bishop to take stock of the winter’s middling film options, discussing 'One of Them Days' with Keke Palmer and SZA (3:28), the techno-thriller 'Companion' (12:10), and the slasher comedy 'Heart Eyes' (17:35).They then break down what makes 'Co
58 - 'Severance' S2 E4 - "Woe's Hollow"
‘Severance’ S2E4, “Woe’s Hollow,” will go down as one of the show’s wildest, most ambitious, and most cinematic episodes yet.Schmear andSean Byrne (Modern Mythos) break it all down, diving into their headline thoughts(2:08), the significance of Irv’s dream (25:09), the final standoff(31:50), and what it all means moving forward(39:45).Host: Gabriel FriebergGuests: Sean ByrneProducer: Pavlo MelnykM
57 - Sundance 2025, 'Severance' S2 E3
Schmear runs through his thoughts on some Sundance 2025 titles, including the buzzy A24 pick-up 'Sorry, Baby' and two revelatory documentaries on crime and justice in America (1:15).
Then, Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) returns to help break down 'Severance' S2E3, “Who’s Alive.” They discuss how the episode serves as an on-ramp for the rest of the season, what’s up with all the goats,
Interviews - Director RaMell Ross on 'Nickel Boys'
Director RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening) joins SchmearCast to discuss his bold, acclaimed new film 'Nickel Boys!'
Schmear sits down with Ross to discuss his filmmaking process, the “epic banal” in his work, the meaning of Terrence Malick’s 'The Tree of Life,' and his favorite NBA player to watch.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: RaMell Ross
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
56 - 'Nickel Boys' with Director RaMell Ross, and 'Severance' S2 E2
Director RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening) joins SchmearCast to discuss his bold, acclaimed new film Nickel Boys!
First up, Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) returns to break down Severance S2E2, “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig.” (2:19) He and Schmear unravel this incredible Outtie-centric episode and wrap up by dissecting some fascinating Reddit theories (31:36).
Nickel Boys is one of the best
55 - Severance S2 E1 and a Tribute to David Lynch
After a three-year wait, it’s finally time to clock in at Lumon Industries for 'Severance' Season 2.
Joining Schmear to break down the first episode of the new season is Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos). Together, they discuss what made Season 1 so successful (3:08) and how audience awareness has grown heading into the new season (15:18). From there, they dive into the Season 2 premiere, “Hello,
Interviews - 'The Brutalist' Cinematographer Lol Crawley
'The Brutalist' cinematographer Lol Crawley talks about pulling off some of the film’s standout scenes, his working relationship with Brady Corbet, and what he thinks Lazlo Toth’s favorite movies might’ve been.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Karsten Runquist, Lol Crawley
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
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Lette
54 - 'The Brutalist' with DP Lol Crawley
Unpacking 'The Brutalist,' one of the best, biggest, and most cinematic experiences of the year.
Filmmaker and critic Karsten Runquist returns to the show as he and Schmear dive into director Brady Corbet’s oeuvre and the development of ‘The Brutalist’ (1:54). They go in-depth on the film’s soaring first half (15:15), Adrien Brody’s performance, and the darker, stranger second half (34:04). They w
53 - 'Nosferatu,' 'Babygirl,' 'A Complete Unknown'
Kicking off 2025 discussing three exciting Christmas releases.
First, Schmear recounts his Golden Globes thoughts (1:30) before Sena Adjei returns to the show to discuss 'Nosferatu,' 'Babygirl,' and 'A Complete Unknown.'
They first enter dark 1830s Germany to explore Robert Eggers’ infernal new vampire film, 'Nosferatu,' (10:30) breaking down what works and what doesn’t in this Lily-Rose Depp-led
52 - The BEST Movies of 2024
'Challengers,' 'The Substance,' 'Anora' and more!
The BEST Movies of 2024.
We're back with another epic year-end countdown, featuring your guest call-ins and an eclectic mix of standout picks.
Sena Adjei joins Schmear to break down the highs and lows of the year in film (2:11), highlight many honorable mentions (10:49), and dive into their top 10 movies of 2024 (51:46).
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
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