Critical Darlings
Episodes
“Primetime” Takes A Seat (With Jessica Kiang)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Allison Wilmore discuss the film *Prime Time* with guest Jessica Kiang, analyzing its portrayal of the controversial reality show *To Catch a Predator*.
Bonus: The Festival Circuit Explained, And Our Fall Festival Trip Report
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer discuss the fall film festival circuit, explaining the hierarchy of Venice, Telluride, and Toronto and how these events influence the upcoming awards season.
"Resident Evil" Is How You Adapt A Video Game (With David Sims)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer discuss Zach Cregger’s *Resident Evil*, ranking it third among his recent horror films for its effective capture of gameplay mechanics rather than strict lore.
A Critical Darlings Mailbag
Hosts Richard Lawson and Allison Wilmore return from the Toronto Film Festival for a mailbag episode, addressing listener corrections regarding Tom Holland and John Bernthal’s film Pilgrimage.
“Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” And Video Store Nostalgia
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Rolman briefly dismiss Ridley Scott’s new film, The Dog Stars, as unremarkable before pivoting to their main topic:…
“Coyote Vs. Acme” And The Great Ketchup Rescue (With Connor Ratliff)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Allison Wilmore, joined by producer Ben Frisch and actor Connor Ratliffe, discuss *Coyote vs.
“Tony” Or, Bourdain Begins (With Jaya Saxena)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer welcome food writer Jaya Saxena to discuss the film *Tony*, a coming-of-age story about a young Anthony Bourdain in 1970s Provincetown.
“The End Of Oak Street” Is Dino-mite (With Matt Singer)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer welcome critic Matt Singer to discuss David Robert Mitchell’s *The End of Oak Street*.
“One Night Only” Is The Sex Purge (With Josh Gondelman)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer, joined by guest Josh Gundelman, review the romantic comedy *One Night Only*.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Enters The Money-Verse (with Griffin Newman)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer, joined by guests Griffin Newman and Ben Frisch, analyze the record-breaking box office success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
“The Invite” Or, Who’s Afraid Of Olivia Wilde? (With Emily Gould)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Allison Wilmer are joined by Emily Gould to discuss Olivia Wilde’s film *The Invite*.
“The Odyssey” And Christopher Nolan’s Sad Dad Triumph (With Fran Hoepfner)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Allison Wilmer, joined by Vulture’s Fran Huffner, discuss Christopher Nolan’s *Odyssey*.
“Moana” Is Between The Rock And A Hard Place (With Ben Hosley)
Hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Romer, joined by guest Ben Hosley, critique Disney’s live-action *Moana* remake.