The End of Oak Street and What’s Making Us Happy
Aug 14, 2026 · 22m
Summary
Hosts Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson are joined by critic Bidatri D. Chaudhry to review the new film *The End of Oak Street*, praising its blend of horror, comedy, and 80s nostalgia. The trio discusses the movie's engaging runtime, effective dinosaur effects, and tonal balance. In the "What's Making Us Happy" segment, they highlight the documentary *American Doctor*, the viral raccoon Jimothy, and a fan's successful attempt at calling a Phillies game.
Topics discussed
Schwab Teen Investor ad
Intro and The End of Oak Street premise
Stephen's review: Engrossing 80s throwback
Bidatri's take: Fun but tonal confusion
Horror elements and cinematography
Comparison to Jurassic Park and pacing
Metaphors, 80s setting, and analog comms
Critique of heavy-handed satire and humor
Starbuck the dog and cast performances
Ads: Dell, BetterHelp, Great Wolf, Poshmark
Happy: American Doctor documentary
Happy: Jimothy the raccoon
Happy: Lewis Kalb calls Phillies game
Outro and sponsor ads
Listen ad-free on Castria