The Treatment
The Treatment is a podcast from KCRW that features in-depth conversations with influential creators in entertainment, fashion, sports, and the arts. Host Elvis Mitchell talks to tastemakers about the sources of their creative inspiration and their impact on popular culture. The show offers compelling insights into the minds of artists and innovators.
Episodes
The Treat: Destin Daniel Cretton
Director Destin Daniel Cretton’s summer blockbuster, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' takes on the Marvel Universe through the lens of family, lost and perhaps found. For his treat, Cretton recommends a book that connected him to a close relative just before he passed away.
The directors of ‘Mayday’ want its stars to surprise you
Longtime creative collaborators John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein like to play with audience expectations around what their films’ actors will bring to the table. Their partnership began with co-writing the screenplay for the audacious comedy 'Horrible Bosses' and progressed to co-directing the 2018 action comedy 'Game Night' and 2023’s 'Dungeons and Dragon
The Treat: Rhea Seehorn
After multiple Emmy nominations for her portrayal of attorney Kim Wexler on the drama 'Better Call Saul,' actress Rhea Seehorn finally took home the statue last month for her starring role in the Apple TV sci-fi series 'Pluribus.' For her treat, recorded in front of a live audience, Seehorn gives a shout out to something that has been a steadfast companion for decades.
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Coppola, Lucas and Spielberg are ‘The Last Kings of Hollywood’
Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg are the most influential directors of their generation with iconic films including 'The Godfather,' 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' and 'Jaws.' Their catalog runs deep.
Author Paul Fischer’s book 'The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema' tells
The Treat: Tim Robbins
Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins wants to be a lifelong student. He has demonstrated that through never repeating a role as actor, his ambitious films as director, and as the founder of the nonprofit theater troupe The Actors’ Gang. His treat is a learning experience as well. Robbins gives an appreciation of what he learned nature can provide with just a few ingredients.
Mahershala Ali on his most physical role yet
Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali knows how to say a lot through his characters, even those of few words. He has been rewarded for his soulful performances with two Best Supporting Actor Oscars for his roles in 'Moonlight' (2016) and 'The Green Book' (2018) and has been nominated for Emmys for roles in several series including Ramy and House of Cards.
His latest role i
The Treat: Adam Meeks
In the film 'Union County,' director Adam Meeks takes an unflinching and empathetic look at the opioid crisis in rural Ohio. Meeks and his star Will Poulter did a grassroots tour of independent theaters in that state around the film’s release. For his treat, Meeks makes an impassioned plea for independent cinema that doesn’t fly over the states between the coasts.
Dustin Lance Black wants everyone to find their people
Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black’s work often looks at real people struggling to find their place. He won the Oscar for the 2007 biopic 'Milk' starring Sean Penn as the openly gay activist and politician Harvey Milk. His other projects include the films 'Rustin and J. Edgar,' as well as the limited series 'Under The Banner of Heaven.' His newest project is the four-part d
The Treat: Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor
Writer and professor Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor has grappled with her father Richard Pryor’s legacy through her teaching and her recent book 'Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.' For her treat, she celebrates an early comedy special that demonstrated her father’s command of language and the stage.
Will Poulter and Adam Meeks lead with empathy in ‘Union County’
First time director Adam Meeks’ new film 'Union County' takes on addiction with empathy and hope. The film, which stars actor Will Poulter, who was also a producer on the project, looks at the opioid crisis in rural Ohio through a real-life rehabilitation program that has had promising results. Poulter plays a recovering addict going through the program alongside many no
The Treat: Sir Christopher Frayling
Sir Christopher Frayling is a film scholar who has written extensively about Italian director Sergio Leone, most notably in the biography Sergio Leone by Himself. For his treat, Frayling reveals the early so-called children’s films he watched that horrified and thrilled him.
Jeremy O. Harris and Pete Ohs on Casting Charlie XCX in ‘Erupcja’
Tony-nominated playwright Jeremy O. Harris and director Pete Ohs are frequent collaborators. Ohs worked on a documentary about Harris’ acclaimed and controversial Slave Play, and Harris starred in Ohs’ film The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick.
Their latest collaboration is the film Erupcja, starring pop star Charli XCX in a role far removed from her on-stage
The Treat: Edward Norton
Actor Edward Norton seemingly reinvents himself with every role he takes on, from his breakout roles as someone who is more than meets the eye in 'Primal Fear' and 'Fight Club' to his take on folk singer Pete Seeger in 'A Complete Unknown' to his most recent role as a sexually adventurous neighbor in 'The Invite.' For his treat, he recommends a jazz album recorded by a friend
Damien Hauser’s African Sci-Fi film captures the randomness of life
Filmmaker Damien Hauser didn’t shy away from challenging himself in his new movie 'Memory of Princess Mumbi.' The sci-fi mockumentary romance gave him multiple areas to make his mark as director, writer, and one of its stars. Hauser talks to Elvis about trying to capture the randomness and mundane moments of life in 'Mumbi,' why acting in and directing the film was partl
The Treat: Will Poulter
Actor Will Poulter is known for disappearing into his roles, whether as an exacting pastry chef in the series 'The Bear' or a recovering opioid addict from Ohio in his most recent film 'Union County.' For his treat, he shares what he learned about addiction and recovery from one of his co-stars and that film’s press tour.
Kent Jones keeps the beat
Kent Jones has worn many hats in the film world. He has written film criticism, collaborated with Martin Scorsese on several of his documentaries, and he served as director of the New York Film Festival. As a director, his work includes the documentary 'Hitchcock/Truffault' and his feature film debut 'Diane.'
His latest film is 'Late Fame,' starring Willem Dafoe an
The Treat: Julia Fox
Actress and author Julia Fox hasn’t shied away from addressing the painful parts of her life. Her 2023 memoir Down the Drain is an unflinching look at her struggles with drugs and mental illness. For her treat, she recommends another raw memoir from a friend who also dealt with addiction, which inspired her to be open about her own experience.
Tim Robbins doesn’t want to be an expert
Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins is always doing something new. He has appeared in acclaimed movies, including 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Mystic River,' for which he received the Academy Award. He has directed the films 'Cradle Will Rock,' 'Bob Roberts,' and 'Dead Man Walking,' which garnered him an Oscar nod for Best Director. He is the founder of the nonprofit theater tr
Rhea Seehorn on playing the silences in ‘Pluribus’
This episode of 'The Treatment' is sponsored by Apple TV.
Actress Rhea Seehorn’s dramatic range has been on display for years.
Her breakout role on 'Better Call Saul,' created by Vince Gilligan, earned her two Emmy nominations for her role as attorney Kim Wexler. Seehorn teamed up with Gilligan again for the Apple TV sci-fi series 'Pluribus.' Her perfor
The Treat: Jerrod Carmichael
Jerrod Carmichael’s confessional comedic work stands apart. In the last five years, he has created two ground-breaking works: the intimate and revealing 'Rothaniel' and the HBO documentary series 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,' which was not without controversy. For his treat, he recommends an acclaimed HBO series that he considers to be its own documentary.
Mary Beth Barone on her ‘Galaxy Brain’
Mary Beth Barone has been carving out her comedic persona for more than a decade. A seasoned stand up, she also co-hosts the comedy podcast Ride with Benito Skinner, and is featured in the Prime Video comedy Overcompensating, which Skinner created and stars in. Her newest comedy triumph is the Netflix special Galaxy Brain. Barone tells The Treatment why she enjoys bringing the
The Treat: Mario Van Peebles
Writer, director, and actor Mario Van Peebles is perhaps best known for his 1991 breakthrough film 'New Jack City,' which he directed and starred in. Since then he has frequently been on both sides of the camera, which has taken him all over the world. For his treat, he explains why travel has been life changing for him and what it has taught him about humanity.
Richard Pryor’s daughter grapples with the complexities of a notorious word
For historian and professor Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, wrestling with language is part of her job. However, she admits she was left speechless the day a student in one of her classes used the N-word. That moment was the impetus for her new book 'Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.'
Stordeur Pryor is the daughter of the late comedian, who oft
The Treat: Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele’s films tackle uncomfortable truths about race in this country through humor, horror and many homages to classic films. Peele won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2017 for his hit directorial debut, 'Get Out.' For his treat, he talks about the film whose technical wizardry and problematic take on race inspired his 2022 film 'Nope.'
Actress Mariska Hargitay gets personal in ‘My Mom Jayne’
Actress Mariska Hargitay has played Captain Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' for more than two decades keeping audiences rapt with her ability to balance her character’s vulnerability and strength through wrenching situations.
Her latest project, 'My Mom Jayne,' put her in the director’s chair for the first time as she delved into the complicated and t
The Treat: Richard Gadd
Emmy-winning actor and writer Richard Gadd purposely puts his characters under great tension. He wrote and starred in the 2024 Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer,' which won three Emmys, and most recently created and starred in the HBO series 'Half Man.' He’s up for another Emmy in September for his performance. For his treat, Gadd celebrates an iconic duo, who also often fou
Mario Van Peebles on using action to reveal character
For actor and director Mario Van Peebles, talent runs in the family. Mario, the son of the late director Melvin Van Peebles, is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking 1991 film 'New Jack City,' which he directed and starred in. He also wrote, directed and starred in the 2003 film 'Baadasssss!' playing his father during the making of his breakthrough film 'Sweet Sweetback&rs
The Treat: Chelsea Peretti
Chelsea Peretti’s work as a comedian and as an actress on shows such as 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' demonstrates how her gift for deadpan can highlight the humor in the material. In 2023, she directed her first film aptly titled 'First Time Female Director.' For her treat, she cites a 1957 absurdist play that got plenty of laughs in spite of its bleak story.
How Wes Anderson uses music to bring his films to life
Writer-director Wes Anderson has been talking film on The Treatment since his directorial debut, 1996’s 'Bottle Rocket.' Since then he has spoken with Elvis about making 'The Grand Budapest Hotel,' 'Asteroid City,' and his most recent project, 'The Phoenician Scheme.' His films are beloved for their visual aesthetics, but fans know the scores and soundtracks are just as
The Treat: Wes Anderson
Among other things, director Wes Anderson is famous for his particular aesthetic taste, which runs through his films such as 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' 'The Darjeeling Limited,' and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.' He is also known for the distinctive music scores and soundtracks that set the tone. That music will be celebrated in a three-concert event at the Hollywood Bowl on July 10
How Martin Scorsese Stays Curious
At 83-years-old, Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese’s excitement for creating moving images is as palpable as ever. This quality shines throughout actor/filmmaker Rebecca Miller’s new Apple TV+ documentary 'Mr. Scorsese' and she’s here to tell us all about her process, including the key to getting her subject to open up on camera.
Note: This episode aire
The Treat: Spike Feresten
Comedy writer Spike Feresten has written for some of the most influential shows of the ‘80s and ‘90s: 'SNL,' 'The Simpsons,' and 'Seinfeld.' His latest writing project was another collaboration with Jerry Seinfeld — the screenplay for the 2024 film 'Unfrosted.' For his treat, he cites a late night maverick who showed him that a career in the kind of comedy he
Edward Norton on the best date movie of the summer
Actor Edward Norton has been a favorite guest on The Treatment since his breakout performance in the 1996 thriller 'Primal Fear.' Since then he has steadily surprised audiences in films including 'American History X,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' and 'Fight Club.' He has four Oscar nominations, a Golden Globe win for 'Primal Fear,' and has also directed the films 'Keeping the Faith'
The Treat: David Siegel
Writer-director David Siegel has collaborated on films with Scott McGehee for more than three decades. Their most recent feature is 2025’s 'The Friend,' starring Naomi Watts with a very large and well behaved co-star. But for The Treat, Siegel goes solo. He celebrates a polarizing style of architecture recently featured in an epic film directed by a friend.
Richard Gadd on the duality in his work
Emmy-winning writer and actor Richard Gadd knows he puts his characters under great tension in his work. Gadd wrote and starred in the 2024 Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer,' which was inspired by experiences Gadd had as a stand up comic dealing with a stalker. That series garnered six Emmys, including for Gadd’s performance, and for Outstanding Limited Series. Gadd has fol
The Treat: Simon Helberg
Actor Simon Helberg is likely best known for his 12 seasons as the brilliant but awkward engineer on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory.' But he’s made quite the impression with his newest role as a tech genius who can’t connect with his family on the AMC dramedy 'The Audacity.' For Helberg’s treat, he cites a deceptively simple 1938 Pulitzer prize winning p
Geoff Bennett on 'The Golden Age' of Black TV
You may know journalist Geoff Bennett as co-anchor of the 'PBS Newshour,' or as a contributor to NPR and NBC. He is also the author of the new book 'Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ‘90s Sitcoms.' Bennett tells The Treatment why the '90s was a ‘golden age’ for Black TV, how the 'Cosby Show' spinoff 'A Different Worl
The Treat: Pete Ohs and Jeremy O. Harris
The new film Erupcja, which stars pop star Charli XCX and takes place in Poland, marks the third collaboration between director Pete Ohs and playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris. Their latest collaboration is another international venture. It’s a joint treat about a surprisingly moving Korean reality show and a stark and shocking piece of auto-fiction from a Japanese No
The 'Club Kid' is alright
Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut 'Club Kid' was one of the breakout hits of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film, which follows an aging party promoter as his life takes an unexpected turn, was snapped up for $17 million by A24 after a bidding war. Firstman stars in the film along with Diego Calva and Cara Delevingne. The trio spoke to Elvis last month at Cannes ab
The Treat: Tadashi Nakamura
Filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura’s newest film 'Third Act' follows his father, lauded director Robert A. Nakamura, as he looks back over his life and career while dealing with a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. For his treat, SoCal native Tadashi celebrates a documentary that looked at the birth of a local culture and did it with style.
RZA on the three things films should do
RZA may be the ultimate multi-hyphenate. He’s a founding member of the groundbreaking hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan and is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers ever. He’s also a versatile actor, having appeared in films including 'Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,' 'Coffee and Cigarettes,' and 'Minions: The Rise of Gru.' And he is a director of films incl
The Treat: Thierry Frémaux
The Cannes Film Festival recently wrapped up its 79th year celebrating films from around the world. Prior to the festival, its director Thierry Frémaux premiered his own film, 'Lumière le Cinéma!,' a look at the birth of cinema through the Lumière Brothers and their invention of the cinematograph. It’s now streaming on the Criterion Channel. F
How ‘Project Hail Mary’ captured the spectacle of space
Directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller got their start in animated TV as co-creators of the series 'Clone High.' Their partnership continued on the big screen with 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and '21 Jump Street.' Their latest is the adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling. Lord and Miller talk about why
The Treat: Cynthia Erivo
Grammy, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo continues to conquer stage and screen. She stepped back into Elphaba’s shoes (and cape and hat) in the blockbuster musical 'Wicked: For Good' last year. Now, she’s finishing up a run in a one-woman adaptation of 'Dracula' in London’s West End. For her treat, she celebrates Nina Simone’s ico
Jeremy O. Harris and Pete Ohs on casting Charli XCX in 'Erupcja'
Tony nominated playwright Jeremy O. Harris and director Pete Ohs are frequent collaborators. Ohs worked on a documentary about Harris’ acclaimed and controversial 'Slave Play' and Harris starred in Ohs’ film 'The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick.'
Their latest collaboration is the film 'Erupcja,' starring pop star Charli XCX in a role far removed from her on s
The Treat: India Donaldson
Director India Donaldson’s 2024 feature film debut 'Good One' is deceptively simple: a teenager, her father, and her father’s friend go camping in upstate New York. But the film goes into an unexpected direction, telling its story with tension and subtlety. For her treat, she cites a 2003 sculpture by the visual artist Shimabuku, whose simplicity evokes unabashed j
Simon Helberg on the absurdity of ‘The Audacity’
Actor Simon Helberg is no stranger to playing highly intelligent characters with a few social shortcomings. He’s best known for his comedic turn as the brilliant, but awkward engineer Howard Wolowitz on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory,' which ran for 12 seasons. He’s also appeared in films including 'Old School,' 'A Serious Man,' and 'Florence Foster Jenkins,'
The Treat: BenDavid Grabinski
Writer-director BenDavid Grabinski’s newest film, the crime caper 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice,' is in part an homage to the independent films of the ‘70s. For his treat, he pays tribute to a recent Broadway revival starring two performers known for going back in time and having a most excellent adventure.
Cannes Chief Thierry Frémaux on the origins of filmmaking in ‘Lumière, le Cinema!’
More than 125 years ago, brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière invented the cinematograph, a precursor to the movie camera. Their contributions to modern filmmaking are enshrined at the Institute Lumière in France.
As a scholar of film, Thierry Frémaux, director of the Institute Lumière and Cannes Film Festival, was drawn to telling the Lumi&egra
The Treat: Jeff Daniels
Actor Jeff Daniels has had a storied career in TV, film, and Broadway. He’s the winner of two Emmys for his roles in 'The Newsroom' and 'Godless,' has appeared in films as varied as 'Terms of Endearment,' 'Dumb and Dumber,' and 'The Martian,' and earned three Tony Award nominations for his work in the plays 'God of Carnage,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Blackbird.' To t
Rob Reiner on the legacy of ‘Spinal Tap’
The late and acclaimed director Rob Reiner created some of the most beloved films of the past four decades including 'Stand By Me,' 'When Harry Met Sally' and, of course, 'This is Spinal Tap.'
In the fall of 2025, Reiner joined The Treatment for an extensive conversation ahead of the release of what would be his final film: 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.'
'This
The Treat: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s collaboration has lasted decades, spawning projects including 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and their latest, the sci-fi dramedy 'Project Hail Mary.' The friendship that led to their creative partnership started in college, and their treat is the film that cemented that bond: an edgy 1971 Hal Ashby flick that brought
How Coppola, Lucas, and Spielberg shaped Hollywood
Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg are the most influential directors of their generation with iconic films including The Godfather, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Jaws. Their catalog runs deep.
Author Paul Fischer’s new book The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema te
The Treat: Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino
Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino are behind shows whose dialogue shares rhythms of both borscht belt humor and pop music. Those series include the beloved 'Gilmore Girls,' 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' and their most recent, the ballet dramedy 'Étoile.' For their treat, the Palladinos shout out an LA record store and a classic comedy sketch they return to again an
David Oyelowo on the dark reality of solitary confinement in ‘Newborn’
Actor David Oyelowo doesn’t shy away from taking on complex, groundbreaking characters, but the timing has to be right. He portrayed Martin Luther King, Jr. in 'Selma,' the first Black U.S. marshal in the series 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves,' and took on the role of Othello almost a decade ago on stage. His latest role is in the film 'Newborn,' which is about a man struggling to
The Treat: Guy Trebay
Style writer Guy Trebay has spent decades documenting the trends of culture, art and fashion for The New York Times. His 2024 memoir, Do Something: Coming of Age Amid the Glitter and Doom of ‘70s New York, tells of his early years in a troubled family and how he found refuge in the gritty beauty of New York City. For his treat, he explains why walking in a city (includin
Director BenDavid Grabinski on the retro sensibility of ‘Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice’
The title of writer-director BenDavid Grabinski’s comedy caper Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is a mouthful, but it’s no accident. The film stars Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, and Eiza González as a trio trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives. Grabinski says he wanted aspects of his movie to harken back to films such as 1976’s
The Treat: Kenneth Turan
In his decades as a film critic for the LA Times, Kenneth Turan’s reviews demonstrated his vast knowledge of cinema while never shying away from strong opinions. Turan’s latest book, 'Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation', details a partnership that was instrumental in creating the modern film industry. For his treat, Turan cites a 20th cent
Director Joseph Kosinski on the sound of ‘F1’
Director Joseph Kosinski has helmed two of the biggest blockbusters of the past five years — 2022’s 'Top Gun: Maverick' and last summer’s racing movie 'F1.' The latter stars Brad Pitt as a driver who comes out of retirement to team up with a younger driver (played by Damson Idris). At this year’s Academy Awards, 'F1' took home the Oscar for Best Sound D
The Treat: Maria Bamford
There’s a good chance that Maria Bamford is your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. Her one-of-a-kind comedy has lent itself to sold out tours, the tv series Lady Dynamite, and a best-selling memoir Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult. For her treat, she celebrates a book that espouses attaining corporate success while doing good by your employees.
‘Project Hail Mary’ directors on making outer space feel like home
Directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller got their start in animated tv as co-creators of the series 'Clone High.' Their partnership continued on the big screen with 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and '21 Jump Street.' Their latest is the adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling. Lord and Miller talk about why
The Treat: Ken Leung
In the HBO series 'Industry,' actor Ken Leung plays a deeply flawed boss at a high powered London investment bank. For his Treat, he celebrates A.A. Milne’s 1928 book The House at Pooh Corner. He says its moving final chapter speaks to the importance of not knowing what comes next but embracing the uncertainty with others.
Actress Erika Alexander on flexing her comedic muscles in ‘Reggie Dinkins’
Actress Erika Alexander became a household name when she starred as Maxine Shaw in the groundbreaking '90s sitcom 'Living Single.' After the show’s run ended, she continued to work in TV and film with roles in 'Get Out' and the 2023 Oscar-winning film 'American Fiction.' Now, she’s starring in the new NBC sitcom 'The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins' with co-stars T
The Treat: Matt Wolf
Filmmaker Matt Wolf’s recent HBO documentary 'Pee-wee as Himself' is a deep look at the late Paul Reubens, the man behind the character Pee-wee Herman. For his treat, Wolf celebrates the book 'Edie' by Jean Stein about the late 1960s icon Edie Sedgwick, who became the face of artist Andy Warhol’s Factory studio.
Director’s Cut: Guillermo del Toro on running toward the fear
Guillermo del Toro won his first Oscar for directing the 2017 film 'The Shape of Water.' His latest film, 'Frankenstein,' received nine total Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Elvis chatted with Del Toro for an extended interview taped live at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio. Del Toro discusses how experiences from his childhood h
The Treat: Wunmi Mosaku
Actress Wunmi Mosaku’s performances are often quiet and contemplative. Her role as the spiritual healer Annie in Sinners landed her a first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. For her treat, Wunmi reflects on the Alua Arthur book Briefly, Perfectly, Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End. She says the book about death has hel
Cynthia Erivo on conquering roles from Elphaba to Dracula
Elvis speaks with Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning actress Cynthia Erivo. She recently reprised her role as Elphaba in 'Wicked: For Good,' for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Erivo can now be seen on stage in London in the one-woman adaptation of 'Dracula.' She talks about playing characters with duality, how Elphaba grows in 'For Good' and the exciting challenge o
The Treat: Joel Edgerton
Actor and director Joel Edgerton often plays characters who question traditional notions of masculinity. His most recent role was as a soft-spoken logger at the turn of the 20th century in the film Train Dreams. The film is nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture. For his treat, Edgerton celebrates the Welsh musician Ren, who talks openly about his mental health stru
Wunmi Mosaku on how self-acceptance brought her to 'Sinners'
Actress Wunmi Mosaku’s performances often say so much in the pauses in dialogue from her work in Lovecraft Country to Loki, and the 2010 film I Am Slave. Mosaku’s latest role is Annie, a Hoodoo healer and the estranged wife of Smoke in Sinners. Her performance garnered her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, one of 16 nods for the film. Mosa
The Treat: Josh Safdie
Josh Safdie’s films often show the claustrophobic chaos of family life. His kinetic film Marty Supreme received nine Oscar nominations including Best Director and Best Picture. For his treat, he talks about a 1979 Oscar-winning film he used to navigate the chaos he was experiencing as a child.
Chloé Zhao on showing all the seasons of life in her work
In 2021, Chloé Zhao made history as the first woman of color to win the Best Director Oscar for her film Nomadland. Now, her latest film Hamnet is up for eight Oscar nominations including her second nod for Best Director. The film, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William Shakespeare and his
The Treat: Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro’s films often show the beauty even in their, at times, gothic horror. His latest is the Oscar nominated adaptation of Frankenstein, which is up for nine awards next month, including Best Picture. For del Toro’s treat, he celebrates the late director Ken Russell. Russell’s work often stoked controversy and was even censored, but as del Toro
Yorgos Lanthimos on not giving all the answers in 'Bugonia'
The films of Yorgos Lanthimos cannot be neatly summed up and often take the viewer in surprising and unexpected directions. He’s the mind behind The Lobster, Poor Things, The Favourite and his latest, Bugonia. The film, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, is up for four Oscars including Best Actress and Best Picture. Lanthimos tells Elvis why he enjoys working with no
The Treat: Joseph Kosinski
Director Joseph Kosinski’s films don’t exactly scream quiet solitude. He’s helmed the action packed Tron, Top Gun: Maverick and most recently, the Oscar nominated F1, starring Brad Pitt. However, his films’ protagonists often have to do battle with themselves in the end. For his treat, Kosinski goes back to a painting he discovered as a young man
Director Ryan Coogler on the meaning of home in his films
Sinners is now the most Oscar nominated film ever with 16 nods including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. In 2025, Ryan Coogler sat down with Elvis for an extended conversation about the film. Elvis and Coogler delve into the musical spark behind Sinners, why his characters often have a complicated relationship with home, and why he sees films as
The Treat: Darren Aronofsky
Oscar nominated director Darren Aronofsky doesn’t shy away from gritty realism. From the ugliness of drug addiction in 'Requiem for a Dream' to the frightening discipline of a ballerina in 'Black Swan' to his latest thriller, 'Caught Stealing' starring Austin Butler. The film takes place in the pre-gentrified New York City of the 1990s. For his treat, Aronofsky pays trib
Director Jafar Panahi on hope in his films
Elvis welcomes Iranian director Jafar Panahi, whose film It Was Just an Accident received two Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay. The film earned critical acclaim when it won the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. He talks about the obligations of a socially engaged filmmaker, letting the audience be the judge of his fi
Josh Safdie on the ambition of ‘Marty Supreme’
Elvis welcomes director Josh Safdie whose latest project is the ambitious Marty Supreme. The film stars newly minted Golden Globe winner Timothée Chalamet as the hustling, talented table tennis player Marty Mauser. Safdie talks about why he used ‘80s music in a film set in the ‘50s, Chalamet’s crazy year of playing Bob Dylan and the fictional — b
The Treat: Emily Blunt
Actress Emily Blunt’s career has taken her from working with iconic actors, including Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise to playing iconic characters, such as Mary Poppins. Her latest role has her going toe to toe against one of the biggest stars of the screen. She plays real life Dawn Staples in The Smashing Machine opposite Dwayne Johnson and was nominated for a Golden Globe
The Treat: Actor Dwayne Johnson
Actor Dwayne Johnson is crushing expectations with his latest role as an MMA fighter in 2025’s The Smashing Machine. He’s up for a Golden Globe for his raw portrayal of the real life Mark Kerr. For his treat, Johnson celebrates those closest to him and this new, exciting chapter in his career.
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