Slate's Spoiler Specials

In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the comedy The Apartment (1960), directed by Billy Wilder. Other titles mentioned in the episode:Sunset Boulevard (1950)Butterfield 8 (1960)Conversations with WilderSome Like It Hot (1959)Ace in the Hole (1951)Stalag 17 (1953)The Lost Weekend (1945)Double Indemnity (1944)Ball of Fire (1941)Ninotchka (1939)Nobody’s PerfectBrief Encounter (1946)Fast Times on Ridgemont High (1982)DragnetBonanzaColumboThe Crowd (1928)Gaslight (1944)Children of Paradise (1946)Ikiru (1956)When Harry Met Sally (1989)Frances Ha (2013)Manhattan (1979)Billy Wilder TapesEve’s Bayou (1997)Dietrich & von Sternberg in HollywoodWanda (1970)Alexandria…Why? (1979)The Silence of the Lambs (1991)Lawrence of Arabia (1962)Within Our Gates (1920)One From the Heart (1982)Email us at [email protected] by Chau Tu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week Slate staff writer Karen Han is joined by Slate’s senior editor Sam Adams to spoil Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the new four hour artistic cut to its original counterpart.When Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to face a greater threat than ever before, they have to work quickly to recruit a team to stand against their new enemy. Can the world be saved by this unprecedented league of heroes? Or is it too late?Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsKaren Han is a staff writer at Slate and you can read her review here.Sam Adams is Slate’s senior editor and you can read his review here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s senior editor Allegra Frank is joined by Slate staff writer Rachelle Hampton to spoil Coming 2 America, the sequel to the 1988 hit comedy, Coming to America.Set in the royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York - where it all began.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsAllegra Frank is Slate’s senior editor.Rachelle Hampton is a staff writer at Slate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate features editor Jeffrey Bloomer and New York Times correspondent Ruth Graham to spoil Saint Maud, the feature film debut from writer and director Rose Glass. In this extremely eerie horror film, we meet Maud, (played by Morfydd Clark) a reclusive young nurse charged with the hospice care of Amanda, (Jennifer Ehle) a former dancer who has been diagnosed with cancer. At first, they find commonality in their religious beliefs. But will Maud’s newfound faith guide her and Amanda toward a path of healing? Or is something more sinister at play? Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsDana Stevens is a movie critic at Slate.Jeffrey Bloomer is Slate’s features editor.Ruth Graham is a New York Times correspondent. You can read Jeffrey Bloomer’s review hereYou can reach Dana Stevens review here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s TV critic Willa Paskin is joined by Slate writer and podcast host Nichole Perkins to spoil Bridgerton, the new period drama series on Netflix, produced by Shonda Rhimes. In this re-imagined adaptation of the romance novels by Julia Quinn, eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love. But the age-old question remains: will they? Or won’t they? Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsWilla Paskin is a Slate TV critic.Nichole Perkins is the writer and host of Slate’s new podcast This is Good for You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate staff writer Karen Han to spoil Promising Young Woman, the feature film debut from writer and director Emerald Fennell. In this visually captivating world, we meet Cassie, (played by Carey Mulligan) a wickedly smart and tantalizingly cunning young woman, living a secret double life by night. But is she a hero? Or a morally corrupt villain? Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsKaren Han is staff writer at Slate.Dana Stevens is a movie critic at Slate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Karen Han is joined by Slate writer and editor Dan Kois to spoil Soul, the new animated film from Pixar. After landing himself in the realm of the “great beyond”, middle school band teacher Joe Gardner tries desperately to make it back to Earth in time for his Jazz gig. But his journey takes a turn when he tries to help a new friend find their passion. Will Joe make it back to Earth and get to his gig on time? Or is he doomed to remain in the great beyond forever? You can read Dan Kois review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Hosts:Karen Han is staff writer at Slate.Dan Kois is an editor and writer at Slate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flashback is usually for Slate Plus members only. To listen to other episodes of the show, sign up for Slate Plus.In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the epic Lawrence of Arabia (1962), directed by David Lean.Other titles mentioned in the episode:Seven Pillars of Wisdom2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Saving Private Ryan (1998)Ben Hur (1959)The Ten Commandments (1956)Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)The Lord of the Rings trilogyDoctor Zhivago (1965)Brief Encounter (1946)Ryan’s Daughter (1970)Dedicated ManiacPassage to India (1984)The Elephant Man (1980)Out of Sight (1998)A Man for All Seasons (1966)Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)Birth of a Nation (1915)The Searchers (1956)Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)Citizen Kane (1941)Prometheus (2012)There Will Be Blood (2008)Funny Girl (1968)MacbethCasablanca (1943)The Parent Trap (1998)On the next episode: Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday (2006).Comments or suggestions? Email us at [email protected] by Chau Tu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Dana Stevens is joined by Slate’s Brow Beat’s nights and weekends editor Matthew Dessem to spoil Mank, the new film about the making of another film, Citizen Kane. Will Herman Mankiewicz, a troubled alcoholic (played by Gary Oldman), finish his script in time for his deadline? Will anyone like the film? And how does a California Governor's race fit into it all? You can read Dana Stevens here.You can read Matthew Dessem’s review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsDana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.Matthew Dessem is Slate’s Brow Beat’s night and weekends editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Christina Cauterucci and June Thomas discuss Happiest Season, a charming new Christmas rom-com from writer-director Clea DuVall that premiered on Hulu on Nov. 25. Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie Davis) invites her girlfriend, Abby (Kristen Stewart) home for Christmas. Right before they arrive, Harper shares that the people in her hometown, or even in her family, don’t know that she’s gay. And since her father is running for mayor, the couple has to keep their relationship a secret. How will Abby navigate the holiday season while hiding her authentic self? What impact will the holiday weekend have on the lovebirds and their relationship?Read Christina Cauterucci’s review.You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Production by Jasmine Ellis. HostsChristina Cauterucci is a Slate staff writer and co-host of the Outward podcast. June Thomas is senior managing producer of the Slate Podcast network and co-host of the Working podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Sam Adams is joined by Slate’s new staff writer Karen Han to spoil Freaky, the new body-switching slasher film. Think Friday the 13th meets Freaky Friday. Will high school outcast, Millie (played by Kathryn Newton), find her way back into her own body? Or will she be stuck in the body of a 6’5 serial killer (played by Vince Vaughn) forever? You can read Karen Han’s review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsSam Adams is an editor for Slate’s culture blog Brow Beat.Karen Han is a Slate staff writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Dana Stevens is joined by Slate’s Sam Adams to spoil Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Sacha Baron Cohen’s long awaited sequel to Borat. Can Borat find his way through America to deliver a very special gift to Vice President Mike Pence? How will Borat navigate COVID 19 in a foreign country? Is Borat still funny when nothing shocks us anymore in the year 2020? You can hear Dana’s review on Culture Gabfest here.You can read Sam Adam’s review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Morgan Flannery. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.HostsDana Stevens is a Slate movie critic.Sam Adams is an editor for Slate’s culture blog Brow Beat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate staffers Sam Adams and Laura Miller spoil The Haunting of Bly Manor. An American governess (Victoria Pedretti) signs on two care for two orphaned children in a remote English mansion. But she finds the house is haunted by a malevolent presence, and the children may be as well. Sam Adams and Laura Miller break down Netflix’s followup to The Haunting of Hill House, which takes its inspiration from Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw and his other classic ghost stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Marissa Martinelli and Laura Miller spoil Enola Holmes. Enola, who likes to remind people that her name spelled backwards is ‘alone,’ wakes up to find her mother missing. While Enola is determined to investigate her mother’s disappearance, it’s up to Mycroft and Sherlock to figure out what to do with their little sister. Can Enola outwit her intelligent brothers and break free from the stuffy, proper future Mycroft sets out for her? Plus, Marissa and Laura delve into other, more transgressive, Holmes stories with female protagonists. You can read Laura Miller’s review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Sam Adams and Vox’s Film Critic Alissa Wilkinson spoil Tenet. Christopher Nolan’s time-bending thriller is visually spectacular yet incredibly confusing. The main character, played by John David Washington, simply referred to as the Protagonist is a CIA operative who becomes entangled with Tenet, a secret organization that’s fighting a future that’s actively attempting to destroy the world. The Protagonist suddenly finds himself in a world where things, and even people, can be inverted to travel backwards through time. Can the Protagonist save the world before it’s too late? How does Nolan incorporate palindromes within the movie’s structure? And what parallels can be drawn to Bill & Ted? Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Read Sam Adams’ review here. Read Alissa Wilkinson’s review here. Need more explanation? Check out Sam’s explainer here. Check out Alissa’s fascinating palindrome piece here. Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Dana Stevens and Matthew Dessem spoil I’m Thinking of Ending Things. Charlie Kaufman starts the film following a young couple, Lucy (Jessie Buckley) and Jake (Jesse Plemons) driving on a snowy evening to meet and have dinner with Jake’s parents. Lucy is already second guessing the trip since she doesn’t know if she wants to stay with Jake, who oddly seems to physically react when she thinks about breaking things off with him. Kaufman intersects their journey with the experiences of a janitor at a high school. Things start to get weird when the couple arrives at Jake’s childhood home. As the movie progresses, the characters become untethered from time and the film calls into question if Lucy and Jake even exist. And what does the janitor have to do with anything?Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Television Critic Willa Paskin is joined by Vulture Staff Writer Angelica Jade Bastién to spoil I May Destroy You. Michaela Coel is at the heart of this series. Besides writing and producing the show, she directed many episodes and plays the main character, Arabella Essiedu. Coel covers consent, rape, friendship, and empathy, in a complex, yet compelling, way that really humanizes Arabella. Arabella is a young writer and influencer working on her second book when her drink was drugged and raped while at a bar in London. The series follows her as she works through the aftermath of her assault. Does Arabella regain her full memories of her sexual assault? Will she be able to finish her book? Will she accept the help from another acquaintance who she believes to have raped her? How does she use fantasy to imagine a better resolution for herself than reality can give her? You can read Willa’s review here. You can read Angelica’s review here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Slate’s movie critic, is joined by Isaac Butler, writer, theater director, and co-host of Slate’s podcast Working, to spoil An American Pickle. Seth Rogen stars as Herschel Greenbaum, a man who wakes up after being preserved in pickle brine for a century, and Ben Greenbaum, Herschel’s only living descendant. Can Herschel adapt to the contemporary world? Will Ben and Herschel bond despite generational and value differences? How convincing is Seth Rogen as both of these men?You can read Marissa Martinelli’s interview with An American Pickle’s prop master here.You can read Matthew Dessem’s piece on pickle related catastrophes here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Willa Paskin, Slate’s television critic, and Sam Adams, a senior editor at Slate and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat, to spoil Palm Springs. At first, Palm Springs seems like a fun wedding rom-com until Nyles (Andy Samberg) is shot with a bow and arrow while fooling around in the desert with Sarah (Cristin Milioti). Injured, he crawls into a nearby cave and tells Sarah not to follow him. She ignores his warning and is pulled into his infinite time loop. Will she follow Nyles’ lead and make peace with the situation? Why is Nyles being hunted? Why is Sarah so desperate to find a way out? And what is with those dinosaurs? You can read Sam’s interview with the theoretical physicist who consulted on the movie here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Slate’s movie critic, is joined by Sam Adams, a senior editor at Slate and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat, and Tom Scocca, Slate's politics editor. They dive into Jon Stewart’s comedy starring Steve Carell as an out-of-touch political operative who decides that a former marine would make a great Democratic candidate for mayor in Deerlaken, Wisconsin. It creates a proxy battleground in rural Wisconsin as Carell’s Republican counterpart, played by Rose Byrne, ups the ante. Stewart practically perfected political commentary woven with jokes during his time on The Daily Show. But can he harness that same nuance as a director? And how does the movie’s big twist affect Stewart’s message about unchecked money in politics? You can read Sam Adams’ review here. You can read Tom Scocca’s piece on the twist here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. For a very special LIVE episode of Spoiler Specials, Slate’s Dana Stevens was joined by Sam Adams, Rachelle Hampton and Rebecca Onion to spoil the Hamilton movie that’s streaming on Disney+. They discuss how well the show has aged, historical inaccuracies, colorblind casting, and even the ending scene that doesn’t appear on the album. You can read Sam Adams’ dive into the ending here. You can hear more analysis from Dana Stevens here. You can even read Marissa Martinelli’s argument to not watch the film here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. A huge thank you to Faith Smith and Britt Pullie for producing the Slate Live event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Slate’s movie critic, is joined by Aisha Harris, writer and editor for The New York Times’ Opinion section to spoil Da 5 Bloods. Spike Lee’s newest film follows a group of Black Vietnam War veterans as they reunite years later. The group returns to Vietnam to find the remains of Stormin’ Norman, their commander who died during the war. While they are there, they try to retrieve a lost cache of CIA gold. At first the search seems easy–too easy. But soon familial tensions, lingering PTSD, and environmental hazards start complicating the mission. How many of the remaining Bloods will make it back out of the jungle?Plus: Dana and Aisha break down Spike Lee’s employment of numerous film techniques, including an innovative use of four different aspect ratios. You can read Sam Adams’ review here. You can read Matthew Dessem’s piece on the aspect ratios here.You can also read Matthew Dessem’s piece on the real story behind the landmine scene here. If you want to hear more analysis of Da 5 Bloods, listen to Slate’s Culture Gabfest here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. We have a very special episode this week! Sam Adams is joined by Laura Miller to discuss the new Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Suzanne Collins’ new novel explores President Snow’s origin and descent into one dimensional villainy seen in the Hunger Games trilogy. The story departs from the YA dystopian genre that Collins’ trilogy helped shape. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a more sophisticated, philosophical examination of human nature and the battle of nature versus nurture. How does Coriolanus Snow regain the power and money his family lost during the war? What is his role in the spectacularization of the Hunger Games? What can The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes teach readers about the realities of living in a surveillance state? You can read Laura Miller’s review here. You can also read Lara Miller’s explanation of the unusual names in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes here.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Sam Adams is joined by Willa Paskin and Rachelle Hampton to spoil The Lovebirds, a romantic comedy starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani. Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) are a couple on the brink of a break up when they find themselves caught up in a murder mystery. You can read Sam Adam’s review here.You can read Rachelle Hampton’s investigation into how ripped Kumail was during The Lovebirds here.You can read Cornelia Channing’s milkshake investigation here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Sam Adams, Matthew Dessem, and Daniel Schroeder spoil Hollywood. Ryan Murphy and co-creator Ian Brennan reimagine a more inclusive golden-age of filmmaking. While the first couple episodes of the Netflix series stay relatively grounded in reality, the series takes a sharp right turn into self-serving fantasy by simplifying the fight for equality and progress within Hollywood. You can read Sam Adam’s review here. You can read Matthew Dessem’s Fact Versus Fiction here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate podcast producer Daniel Schroeder and Slate staff writer Rachelle Hampton discuss Netflix’s new reality dating show: Too Hot to Handle. Ten attractive contestants are thrown together on an island to compete over a $100,000 prize. To win the money, they need to form bonds that are more than skin deep. The catch is they can’t have any sexual contact - even with themselves - for the remainder of “the retreat.” For every sexual encounter, the group loses money out of the prize pot. Can the sexy singles restrain themselves, even when workshops and drama challenges their resolve? You can read Rachelle Hampton’s review here.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Sam Adams is joined by Slate’s Television Critic Willa Paskin to spoil Netflix’s hit documentary series Tiger King. The hit series is an increasingly sordid tale of wild characters conning each other out of zoos. The show’s standout character is Joe Exotic, whose charisma and personality are made for reality television. He has a long time feud with Carole Baskin, who runs the nonprofit Big Cat Rescue and is actively trying to shut private zoos down. Will Carole succeed? What happens when Joe tries to hire someone to murder Carole? And when will anyone focus on the questionable conditions forced on the big cats?You can read Sam Adams’ review here and his story about the artists behind Joe Exotic’s music here. You can read Willa Paskin’s piece about Carole Baskin here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate staffers Marissa Martinelli, Daniel Schroeder, and Megan Kallstrom spoil Star Trek: Picard, which picks up years after Admiral Jean-Luc Picard has separated from Starfleet over ideological differences. The Star Trek legend has retreated into retirement on Earth when the daughter of an old friend—the android Data—shows up, leading Picard to amass a new crew to track down her sister before sinister forces beat him to it.You can read Marissa Martinelli’s review here.You can read Megan Kallstrom’s piece here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Podcast production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flashback is usually available only to Slate Plus members. Sign up now to listen to the archive and future episodes.In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the psychological drama What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), directed by Robert Aldrich.Other titles mentioned in the episode:Sunset Boulevard (1950), directed by Billy WilderLimelight (1952), directed by Charlie ChaplinAll About Eve (1950), directed by Joseph L. MankiewiczSinging in the Rain (1952), directed by Gene KellyGypsy (1962), directed by Mervin LeRoyMommie Dearest (1981), directed by Frank PerryFeud (2017), created by Ryan MurphyParachute Jumper (1933), directed by Alfred E. GreenSadie McKee (1934), directed by Clarence BrownPsycho (1960), directed by Alfred HitchcockWitness for the Prosecution (1957), directed by Billy WilderThe Magnificent Ambersons (1942), directed by Orson WellesHush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), directed by Robert AldrichWhat Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969), directed by Lee H. Katzin and Bernard GirardKiss Me Deadly (1955), directed by Robert AldrichThree Days of the Condor (1975), directed by Sydney PollackComments or suggestions? Email us at [email protected] by Chau Tu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate Senior Editor Sam Adams is joined by Slate Staff Writer Rebecca Onion to spoil Contagion, Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 pandemic movie. Not dissimilar to the coronavirus, the fictional virus, MEV-1, started off transferring from infected animals to humans. MEV-1 infected Gwyneth Paltrow’s character on a work trip. Then she traveled back to the Midwest, spreading the virus. Can the institutions in charge find a vaccine before the virus decimates society? You can read Rebecca Onion’s piece about the lessons to take from Contagion here.You can read Sam Adams’ interview with the screenwriter here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Podcast production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Forrest Wickman is joined by Sam Adams and Marissa Martinelli to discuss Onward. Ian and Barley Lightfoot are elf brothers in a modernized magical realm. On Ian’s birthday he receives a gift that will allow him and his older brother to bring back their father for a day. But the spell goes wrong and they are left with half a dad. Can Ian and Barley work together to find the Phoenix Gem and make their father whole before the day is over?You can read Sam Adams’ article about the movie’s “exclusively gay moment” here.Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Marissa Martinelli and Heather Schwedel discuss Emma. Though certainly not the first adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, director Autumn de Wilde’s film humanizes the familiar characters and departs at times from the source material to bring a certain freshness to this comedy. Will Emma’s meddling still result in matchmaking errors? How far does she have to go to right her wrongs? And what’s with the inopportune nosebleed?You can read Marissa Martinelli’s review here.Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens is joined by June Thomas and Dan Kois to discuss Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Marianne is hired to paint Héloïse’s wedding portrait. But Héloïse can’t know she’s being painted. As the two grow closer, will Marianne come clean? Will their feelings affect the painting that’s supposed to be sent to Héloïse’s potential husband? What happens when the job is finished?You can read Dana Stevens’ review here.You can read Matthew Dessem’s piece about the film’s music here.Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs (1991), directed by Jonathan Demme.Flashback is available in full only to Slate Plus members. Sign up now to listen to the rest of this episode and all the others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Sam Adams is joined by Benjamin Frisch, Rachelle Hampton and Daniel Schroeder to discuss The Witcher, Netflix’s popular new show about a monster hunter. This show isn’t the first adaptation from Andrzej Sapkowski’s work; video games based on The Witcher have been released starting in 2007. Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) is a monster hunter with supernatural powers. But, what exactly is a witcher? How will the Law of Surprise bring people together? Will Geralt ever find the girl in the forest who he is destined to find? And what kind of transformation comes at the cost of removing one’s womb? You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat.Benjamin Frisch is the producer of Slate's Culture Gabfest and the author of the graphic novel The Fun Family.Rachelle Hampton is a Slate editorial assistant.Daniel Schroeder is a Slate podcast producer and freelance writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Sam Adams and Marissa Martinelli discuss Cats, the movie adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, which was based on poems by T.S. Eliot. Many jokes have been made about Tom Hooper’s Cats, mostly stemming from the “digital fur technology.” After the premiere, Universal Pictures released an updated version with “some improved visual effects.” But the 1981 musical wasn’t free from criticism either - yet it was still a hit. Does the movie adaptation have more of a plot? Does the star-studded cast add to the many cat introductions? Which cat at the jellicle ball will be picked for another life? And what exactly does jellicle mean? You can read Marissa Martinelli’s review here. You can read Dana Stevens’ review here. You can read Violet Kim interview with Cats’ ‘feline movement expert’ here and read the investigation into how many times the Cats in Cats Say “Cats” here. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat.Marissa Martinelli is a Slate assistant editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens and Rachel Syme discuss Little Women. Arriving just in time for Christmas, Greta Gerwig plays with the March sisters’ timeline while staying true to Amy, Jo, Beth and Meg’s adventures. Will they find their own ways? Will Jo (Saoirse Ronan) end up with Laurie (Timothée Chalamet)? What comes of Jo’s writing? You can read Dana Stevens’ review here. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.Rachel Syme is a writer in Brooklyn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode of Outward, Bryan and a guest panel of multigenerational gay men devote a whole hour to The Inheritance, a seven-hour, two-part play by Matthew Lopez that won many awards for its recent run in London and is currently dominating discussions on Broadway. There will be spoilers!While it’s length, ambition, and engagement with the AIDS crisis have invited comparisons to Tony Kushner’s “gay fantasia on national themes” Angels in America, The Inheritance’s driving concern is a bit more personal: If gay men think of ourselves as a community spanning generations, what happens when a huge swath of that community is lost to plague, the survivors deeply traumatized, and younger cohorts must therefore come of age and figure out what it means to be gay in the wake of a tragedy that shapes everything around us? Borrowing a line from E.M. Forester’s Howard’s End, on which the play is based, The Inheritance desperately wants gay men to “connect” across age and loss — but is that kind of connection really possible? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens is joined by Forrest Wickman, Sam Adams and Marissa Martinelli to discuss Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Director J.J. Abrams seemed committed to fan service; even if it made the final episode of the Skywalker saga worthy of some eyerolls. Well, committed to fans - except those shipping Poe and Finn - despite the film touting the franchise's first same-sex kiss. With the final battle looming, will Rey discover who she really is? Will she be persuaded by Kylo Ren to join the dark side? Or will they join forces? And how does ‘forcetiming’ play into all of this? You can read Sam Adams’ review here. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.Forrest Wickman is Slate’s culture editor.Sam Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat.Marissa Martinelli is a Slate assistant editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Jeffrey Bloomer and Heather Schwedel discuss Uncut Gems. Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), owner of a small jewelry store in Manhattan, racked up a gambling debt while the rest of his life is collapsing. He’s trying to avoid creditors when his shop receives an illegal gem from Ethiopia. This rock, Ratner thinks, is his ticket out of debt. He temporarily trades Kevin Garnett, of the Boston Celtics, the rock for Garnett’s NBA Championship. Ratner pawns the ring to bet on the championship game. Will The Celtics win? Will Garnett get his ring back? Will Ratner finally get out of debt? You can read Dana Stevens’ review here. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Production by Rosemary Belson. HostsDana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.Jeffrey Bloomer is a Slate senior editor. He edits and writes for the human interest and culture sections.Heather Schwedel is a Slate staff writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens and Sam Adams discuss Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story. Charlie and Nicole have decided to end their marriage. Now they need to figure out how to get a divorce. Can they keep the proceedings civil or will it escalate to a fraught situation as divorce lawyers pit them against each other? Will Charlie have to uproot his life to maintain custody? What will happen to the kid? At the end of the divorce, will they even be able to remember why they fell in love in the first place? You can read Dana Stevens’ review here. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Production by Rosemary Belson. HostsDana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.Sam Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens and Forrest Wickman discuss Knives Out, the whodunnit from Rian Johnson. Renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey’s death following his 85th birthday party sparks a twisted hunt for the murderer. The suspects: his own family. Can celebrity detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) pin down Thrombey’s eccentric family intent on avoiding suspicion. What happens when they find out Harlan’s personal nurse, Marta, will receive his fortune? And what role does ICE have in a potential motive? You can read Dana Stevens’ review here. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Production by Rosemary Belson. HostsDana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.Forrest Wickman is Slate’s culture editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. Sam Adams and Marissa Martinelli spoil Frozen 2. Weird things keep happening in the kingdom of Arendelle resulting from a generations long standoff. Elsa and Anna figure out what is happening by retracing family history. Meanwhile, Elsa keeps hearing a call that may help her understand not only her powers, but the root of the fued. Can Elsa make it north on her own? Plus, a nihilistic Olaf, magic wardrobe changes and poor proposal planning. You can read Sam Adams’ review here.You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. HostsSam Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat.Marissa Martinelli is a Slate assistant editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Sam Adams and Matthew Dessem spoil Doctor Sleep. Dan Torrance is now an adult. But he’s still majorly affected by what happened in Overlook Hotel. He unites with a girl who has a strong shining, which makes them both a target of a cult looking to feed on their steam. Can Dan and Abra fend off Rose The Hat? And will another round with the ghosts at the Overlook Hotel make Dan a dull boy? You can read Sam Adams’ review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. HostsSam Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat.Matthew Dessem is Brow Beat’s nights and weekends editor and the author of a biography of screenwriter and director Clyde Bruckman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate staffers Marissa Martinelli, Inkoo Kang and Heather Schwedel spoil Last Christmas. Emilia Clarke’s character, Kate, is a walking disaster. She’s working as Santa’s elf when she meets Tom (Henry Golding), who tries to help her get back on her feet. He’s charming and handsome. And he has a good heart. Something they both share. But what’s Tom’s real motive? Why does Kate’s heart feel funky? And what does Brexit have to do with any of this?You can read Inkoo Kang’s review here.Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] production by Rosemary Belson. HostsMarissa Martinelli is a Slate assistant editor.Inkoo Kang is a staff writer in Slate’s culture department. She writes about movies, television, and more.Heather Schwedel is a Slate staff writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Forrest Wickman and Sam Adams discuss the sixth installment in the Terminator series, Terminator: Dark Fate. Despite the sequels in between, T6 picks up where Terminator 2: Judgment Day left off. Sarah Connor is back and joined in the fight against Terminators by a Rev-9, a technologically advanced human and, of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s terminator. But will James Cameron’s return be enough to revitalize this nostalgic franchise? Or are audiences ready to say “hasta la vista” to the Terminator? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Forrest Wickman, Sam Adams and Dan Kois discuss Jojo Rabbit. Taika Waitit’s Nazi spoof takes a comedic look at how people, even children, get caught up in movements fueled by hateful ideology. But does the comedic lens allow for sympathization? As a young member of Hitler Youth nearing the end of WWII, Jojo Betzler, invents an imaginary friend... Hitler. What happens when Jojo discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his family home? And how does Jojo navigate those challenging his ideology and the imminent fall of Nazi Germany? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. In this extra special bonus episode, J. Smith-Cameron, aka Queen Gerri herself, and the New York Times Magazine’s Taffy Brodesser-Akner join Felix and Emily to discuss which of her lines were actually improvised, how she reacted to the Roman/Gerri storyline, what kinds of storylines and scenes were cut from the season, and more insights and hilarious tidbits from the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Forrest Wickman and Inkoo Kang discuss Parasite. With Hitchcock-like quality, Bong Joon-ho plays with the audience in the upstairs / downstairs dive into economic inequality. The Kims, stuck on their low social rung jump at the opportunity to latch onto an affluent family. But how long can they keep the ruse up? What will they do to keep up the charade? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Willa Paskin and Sam Adams spoil El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. After a relatively successful series finale, will El Camino be just as satisfying for Breaking Bad fans? Picking up where the series ended, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) is free and trying to figure out his next move. But after everything can Jesse truly start over? You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.Email us at [email protected] Production by Rosemary Belson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.