Episodes

  • “Supergirl” And The New DCU (With Patrick Willems)

    “Supergirl” And The New DCU (With Patrick Willems)
    Jul 2 2026
    This week we’re Gunn-ing for Supergirl, with filmmaker and video essayist Patrick Willems! Supergirl is the second feature film in the new DC cinematic universe, now helmed by Guardians of the Galaxy mastermind James Gunn. Gunn’s 2025 Superman breathed new life into one of the genre’s biggest icons, but Supergirl blew a raspberry at the box office, despite the good vibes surrounding the new DCU. Supergirl, directed by I, Tonya's Craig Gillespie, borrows liberally from Gunn’s style, but in imitating Gunn, it shows just how difficult it is to pull off his deft mix of humor, spectacle, and heart. Patrick walks us through the movie’s source material, the acclaimed comics miniseries Woman of Tomorrow, and how the film follows and diverges from that book’s True Grit-inspired journey, often to negative effect. We also get into Milly Alcock’s performance as Supergirl, the needle drops, Krypto and the Superhorse (!), and what this movie means for the future of the DCU. Next week, we’re all in on Minions (Babylon Version) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • “Stop! That! Train!”, “Leviticus”, and Pride At The Movies (With Colin Drucker)

    “Stop! That! Train!”, “Leviticus”, and Pride At The Movies (With Colin Drucker)
    Jun 25 2026
    It’s Pride Week on Critical Darlings, and we’re joined by the co-host of the Alright Mary podcast (and Best Supporting Actress expert) Colin Drucker to break down two new wide-release gay movies: RuPaul’s spoofy Stop! That! Train! and the Australian conversion therapy horror film Leviticus. First, we discuss the delightful Stop! That! Train!, its performances, cameos, and various controversies including lying drag queens (funny) and AI visual effects (depressing). We also get into RuPaul and her legacy as both an artist and screen presence, and the incredibly fickle nature of the RuPaul’s Drag Race fandom and how they have received the film. In any case, she fun! Then, in a season rife with indie horror, Leviticus stands out for its brazen story of two queer teens in an industrial Aussie backwater. The metaphor of the movie, where a supernatural monster stalks gay teens in the guise of the object of their most beloved, feels audacious when most movies and TV are scared to acknowledge gay sexual desire on screen. Other sidebars include: mozzarella sticks, drag queen hairstylists, and mom hair. Next week, she’s super, AND she’s a girl? It’s Supergirl! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • “Disclosure Day” And Ranking Spielberg’s Alien Movies (With Starlee Kine)

    “Disclosure Day” And Ranking Spielberg’s Alien Movies (With Starlee Kine)
    Jun 18 2026
    It’s Disclosure Week on Critical Darlings, with writer, podcaster, and E.T. super fan Starlee Kine! Almost five decades after Steven Spielberg reimagined aliens on screen with E.T. and Close Encounters, he’s delivered another story of extraterrestrial awe. The movie stars Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor. But the figure who looms largest over Disclosure Day is Spielberg himself. We discuss our relationships to Spielberg’s work, how Disclosure Day fits into his slate of alien films, and how the movie worked on us. Like audiences and critics, we’re split. Despite some production quibbles (take off that sweater, Emily!), Spielberg remains a master of the camera. Still, the movie’s optimism for humanity feels behind the times: or, maybe we’re just jaded? Why not both? Other topics include ghosts vs. aliens, Spielberg’s longing for the monoculture, E.T. in the wig, and finally, we do a ranking of Spielberg’s alien films. Next week, we’re celebrating Pride with two flavors of gay film: the goofy Stop That Train, and the spooky Leviticus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • “Masters of the Universe” And The IP Drought (With Mattie Lubchansky)

    “Masters of the Universe” And The IP Drought (With Mattie Lubchansky)
    Jun 11 2026
    By the power of Grayskull, we have cartoonist and co-host of the No Gods No Mayors podcast, Mattie Lubchansky, in studio to discuss Masters of the Universe! The movie is a test for Mattel, who are going all-in on IP management in the post-Barbie era but Masters has underperformed at the box office and with critics. Has the He-Man IP run out of gas? Did it ever have gas? What would a coherent He-Man movie even look like? Where’s Orko? On this episode, we try and figure it out. We discuss the movie’s patchwork approach to plot and character, its history in development hell, its mostly-winning cast including Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, and do a sidebar on Idris Elba’s history on the big screen. Finally, we wonder if this movie signals an approaching end to the toyetic IP boom of the last couple of decades, or if this is just a blip, with movies like Spider-Man and Doomsday on the horizon. Next week, we’ll be staring at the camera wistfully, eyes aglow with childlike wonder, to discuss Disclosure Day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • "Backrooms" And The Internet Horror Boom (With Ryan Broderick)

    "Backrooms" And The Internet Horror Boom (With Ryan Broderick)
    Jun 4 2026
    This week we’re joined by the very liminal Ryan Broderick, proprietor of the great Garbage Day newsletter and host of the podcast Panic World, to discuss A24’s hit, Backrooms! Based on a 4-Chan thread, creepypasta, and web series, the movie has captured young filmgoers and its young director, Kane Parsons, has captured Hollywood’s attention. Compared to last week’s subject, Obsession, Backrooms is a much more ambitious blend of effects-driven horror: juggling mid-life ennui, childhood trauma, and corporate conspiracy against an endless fluorescent yellow backdrop. It turns out, men would rather go to the backrooms than engage with therapy. We discuss what works about Backrooms, what doesn’t, and continue our conversation about YouTube directors making the jump to Hollywood. Finally, we discuss the feel-good story of so many new films finding footing in the industry, and what might be next for Parsons and other YouTube crossovers. Next week, we’re getting shirtless and toyetic, with The Masters of the Universe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • “Obsession” And Youtube Creators In Hollywood

    “Obsession” And Youtube Creators In Hollywood
    May 28 2026
    This week, it’s springtime for sad boys, with “Obsession!” a horror flick from Blumhouse and director Curry Barker. The movie has exceeded all expectations and is currently doing better than its opening weekend, largely thanks to great word-of-mouth. The movie tells a monkey’s paw story about a one-sided, obsessive relationship that’s taken to horrific, supernatural heights. It’s both fun and genuinely upsetting, thanks to two excellent lead performances and confident direction that makes the most of a very low budget. We also explore the history of YouTubers who’ve made it big in Hollywood (where Barker started his career) and why directors seem to transition into Hollywood more easily than other youtube talent. Plus, we give a quick rundown of Alison and Richard’s Cannes experiences to give you a sneak peek of what we’ll be discussing later this year. And we have a special guest appearance from Critical Darling’s straight boy correspondent, Griffin Newman, who’ll share his thoughts on the movie in a Straight Boy Corner segment. Next week, we’re all yellow, and exploring The Backrooms with a special guest, see you then. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Our Favorite Movies Of The Year So Far, And A Summer Blockbusters Preview

    Our Favorite Movies Of The Year So Far, And A Summer Blockbusters Preview
    May 21 2026
    Coucou les cheris! As Cannes is underway on the Riviera, we take a break from our usual movie-of-the-week format to look back at the year so far, and look forward to this summer. We count down our top 5 favorite movies of the year (that haven’t been covered on the show), including big studio movies and European arthouse fare. We’ll also take a temperature check on the summer blockbuster slate, from The Mandalorian & Grogu, Disclosure Day, Spider-Man, The Odyssey, and more. Finally, we’ll hear a transmission from Alison and Richard, live from Cannes, to discuss the festival so far. Your wish has been granted! Next week, we’re talking about Obsession, from director Curry Barker and Blumhouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • “The Sheep Detectives” And Amazon’s Box Office Bets (With Griffin Newman)

    “The Sheep Detectives” And Amazon’s Box Office Bets (With Griffin Newman)
    May 14 2026
    Wake up sheeple, it’s The Sheep Detectives! This week we’re joined by our very own executive sheepherder Griffin Newman to discuss the new cozy mystery for families. After the mysterious death of their shepherd, played by Hugh Jackman, his band of sheep team up to solve the mystery in a picturesque British countryside. Surprisingly, it’s very good! Knitting together themes of memory and grief, tied up in a wooly bow. We discuss the plot and characters, our histories with upsetting kid’s movies, the exceptional voice performance of Julia Louis-Dreyfus and more. We get into Amazon and MGM’s current play for the box office, fall down a He-Man rabbit hole, and also talk about some other cozy mysteries. Next week, we look back at the year so far, and look forward with a Summer movie preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 29 mins