Spoilerpiece Theatre

Welcome to the final Spoilerpiece of 2025! We take turns talking about our favorite films of the year. Dave (3:02), Megan (19:35), and Evan (39:30) each have a couple surprising choices sprinkled in. We hope you had a great year, and we'll see you in 2026. Don't forget to check out our Patreon! This week we talk about the 1979 Robert Altman sci-fi flick QUINTET, starring Paul Newman.

This week everyone saw everything, so we start off with Park Chan-Wook's latest, the darkly comic thriller NO OTHER CHOICE (2:51), in which a 25-year veteran of a paper company is laid off and after a series of poor interviews, can't find another job. So he does the next logical thing: He decides to murder everyone in his field who may be more qualified than he is. Yikes! We all had our problems with this (it ain't THE HANDMAIDEN), but we did find things to like. But it seems we're outliers; NO OTHER CHOICE is getting critical raves but we all found it lukewarm for one reason or another. We follw up with Bradley Cooper's latest directorial effort, IS THIS THING ON? (28:44) Alex (Will Arnett, who's dynamite and also co-wrote the script) starts doing stand-up while sorting through the ditritus of his marriage. Tess (Laura Dern, who's dynamite) returns to her first (professional) love, and...things happen! (Sorry. It's 3 a.m.) Two of us really enjoyed this, and one of us did not. Over on Patreon, we talk about

This week Megan, Evan, and Dave all saw all the movies on the list. Hot shit! We start with INFLUENCERS (1:37) (the aptly-titled sequel to INFLUENCER), and everyone is on board with the killin', though Evan and Dave don't love its pacing. We all agree that Cassandra Naud is dynamite in the lead, and Megan and Dave even feel sympathy for her murderous character (weird!). Then there's DUST BUNNY (24:28), a fantasy-horror about a young girl who thinks there's a monster under her bed that has eaten her family, so she hires her intriguing neighbor Mads Mikkelsen (playing a hitman) to off the monster. One of us hated this, two of us loved it. And we all like Sigourney Weaver and her gun shoes. Finally, there's WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (44:14), the latest in Rian Johnson's whodunit series. We're divided on this one again (two pro, one suuuuper con), but we all love Josh O'Connor's and Glenn Close's performances. Over on Patreon, we watch and yap about the 1946 noir BLACK ANGEL.

Evan is back! We're happy to have him. First up is Megan's solo turn on HAMNET (2:19), director Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel (with a screenplay by Zhao and O'Farrell), a historical drama about Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare's marriage following the tragic death of their 11-year-old son. Then Evan, Megan, and Dave talk about Paul Thomas Anderson's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (15:16), but Dave is called away mid-conversation by a child in need (one of his, not some rando who wandered in from the hinterlands). Evan and Megan pick up the conversation and then discuss writer-director Jafar Panahi's latest, the nakedly anti-authoritarian thriller IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (42:09), which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and is France's submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Academy Awards. Over on Patreon, we talk about our poll winner, the 2013 summer movie THE WAY WAY BACK.

This week, Megan watches REBUILDING (2:30), writer-director Max Walker-Silverman's follow-up to A LOVE SONG (which Megan loves), about a cowboy putting his life back together after a fire destroys his home and land, and the homes of many people in his community. Then Megan and Dave discuss THE SECRET AGENT (22:14), a Brazilian film by Kleber Mendonça Filho about political violence and corruption that's receiving accolade after accolade this year. (Wagner Moura won Best Actor at Cannes, for one.) Over on Patreon, we cover Kelly Reichardt's 2010 film MEEK'S CUTOFF.

Megan fills Dave in on WICKED: FOR GOOD (4:07), the conclusion of the film adapation of the Broadway musical which is an adaptation of the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Verdict: Megan liked it, but didn't love it the way she loves WICKED (click here for a reminder). Then Dave and Megan talk about TRAIN DREAMS (20:34), director and co-screenwriter Clint Bentley's adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella. With gorgeous cinematography, a quietly deft screenplay, and a beautiful central performance from Joel Edgerton, Megan and Dave both see TRAIN DREAMS ending up on their year-end best-of lists. Over on Patreon, we watch the 2015 psychological horror film THE INVITATION, directed by Karyn Kusama and starring Logan Marshall-Green and Tammy Blanchard.

The Megan-Dave dynamic duo returns with two new movies, Edgar Wright's THE RUNNING MAN (2:15) and Richard Linklater's NOUVELLE VAGUE (25:41). Dave didn't see THE RUNNING MAN but he was able to fill Megan in on the difference between Stephen King's novel and the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film. But how did Megan like Wright's version? Eh...she didn't love it. (But she did love Colman Domingo, so there's that.) As for NOUVELLE VAGUE, Megan and Dave return to the age-old question: Who is this movie for? Aside from a Linklater fan or someone steeped in French New Wave cinema, does anyone really want to see a cutesy black and white take on the making of Jean-Luc Godard's BREATHLESS? Over on Patreon, we discuss the 1991 romantic drama MISSISSIPPI MASALA, which was directed by New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's mother, Mira Nair.

Dave and Megan are a duo again this week, and they get down to it on PREDATOR: BADLANDS (3:29), the latest, and, in their estimation, largely successful attempt to prolong the life of the PREDATOR franchise. P:B is kind of silly and even cute in places, but the dynamic duo are largely here for it. (Megan is super here for it!) Then they get into DIE, MY LOVE (28:34), director and co-writer Lynne Ramsay's latest. Featuring strong performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, Megan and Dave dive deep to dissect just what's going on in this movie. And they also try to figure out just what's going on in this movie, in which Lawrence plays a young mother seemingly falling apart at the seams - but there's a lot of imagery in here that's dreamlike, and...eh, you tell us: What happened? (Dave here: Pretty sure Megan followed this picture better than I did.) Over on Patreon, we talk about Clint Eastwood's 1973 revenge western HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER.

Evan is off this week so Megan and Dave dig into BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER (2:17) and HEDDA (22:31). Dave only got through 40 minutes of BOFSP because he hated it, and Megan takes the reins. Then they both discuss HEDDA, Nia DaCosta's latest as writer-director, which Megan loooooooooooved and Dave...didn't. Over on Patreon, the October poll winner is Wes Craven's 1981 film DEADLY BLESSING, and it is a HOOT.

Dave is back this week but, bum that he is, didn't get a chance to watch either film this week. So that leaves Megan flying solo on FRANKENSTEIN (3:00), writer-director Guillermo del Toro's take on Mary Shelley's classic novel. Short version: Megan loooooooved it and particularly enjoyed that this version portrays Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) as a complete bastard, and it gives the Creature (Jacob Elordi) a humanity and depth that other versions don't. Then Evan joins Megan for THE MASTERMIND (17:04), writer-director Kelly Reichardt's latest, about an art heist gone wrong - largely because its planner (or mastermind, ha) is a terrible planner. Over on Patreon, Dave, Megan, and Evan talk about the 1977 film LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR in honor of the late Diane Keaton.

Megan and Evan hold down the fort again this week, while Dave's on vacation. Megan kicks things off with a review of CHAIN REACTIONS (2:25), Alexandre O. Philippe's insightful documentary about THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, which takes an intriguing approach: it examines the film's impact on five artists — Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama — exploring how it shaped their art and psyche from childhood trauma. Megan is a big fan and highly recommends it. Next, both of us discuss Bryan Bertino's disappointing psychological horror film Vicious (20:55), starring Dakota Fanning and Kathryn Hunter. The movie, which is streaming on Paramount+, follows a woman (Fanning) who must fight for her life after receiving a mysterious box from a late-night visitor (Hunter). It features murky visuals, plot, and ideas that failed to capture our attention. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Rob Reiner's 1990 horror film MISERY, starring James Caan and Kat

Dave is off this week, so Megan and Evan are coming at you as a duo! Megan starts by reviewing Mary Bronstein's absorbing psychological drama IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU (1:56), starring Rose Byrne as the world's most put-upon mother sinking under the weight of many simultaneous crises. Next, Evan reviews the Colin Hanks' delightful, moving documentary JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME (16:19), which chronicles the life of the late comedian John Candy through deep interviews with friends and family, home video footage, and clips from his most memorable performances. Lastly, Evan and Megan join forces to discuss the surprisingly effective Paul Greengrass Apple TV+ disaster film THE LOST BUS (34:19), which stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera. Its harrowing plot is based on the true story chronicled in Lizzie Johnson's book "Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire." And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss Dan Gilroy's neo-noir thriller NIGHTCRAWLER, starring Jake Gyllenhaal.   

This week, we (Dave, Evan, and Megan) discuss documentary ARE WE GOOD? (2:34), which follows comedian Marc Maron (and directed by Steven Feinartz) as he prepares for his comedy special, podcasts, and deals with grief after the death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. We all like Maron, who's a captivating subject, and appreciate his discussion of grief. But we had issues with the chaotic editing and didn't really learn anything new about him. Then we all talk about GOOD BOY (28:22), Ben Leonburg's unique supernatural horror film told from a dog's point of view. Indy the dog accompanies his human companion to a remote house in the woods that happens to be haunted. But only Indy seems to see the danger. It's a great film that's emotional and well made, especially the sound design, cinematography, and Indy's charismatic performance. And over on our Patreon bonus episode, we cover John Carpenter's supernatural horror film, THE FOG, starring Adrienne Barbeau and Jamie Lee Curtis, for its 45th anniversary!

This week, Evan and Megan discuss ELEANOR THE GREAT (3:14), Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut starring June Squibb as a 94-year-old Jewish woman who's grieving, tells a lie that spirals beyond her control, and befriends a college student (Erin Kellyman). The great performances anchor the film. Then we all (Dave, Evan, and Megan) talk about DEAD OF WINTER (24:21), Brian Kirk's action thriller starring Emma Thompson as a woman travelling solo in the woods who discovers a kidnapped teen and must contend with the kidnappers. We had divergent opinions on the film, but we all agree Judy Greer is fantastic as a desperate and ruthless villain. And on our Patreon bonus episode, we converse about the Robert Redford movie poll winner: the 1992 comedy-caper SNEAKERS!

You know, if you're gonna call your movie A BIG, BOLD, BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY (2:42), your movie better big, bold, and motherfucking beautiful. So is Kogonada's latest big? Bold? Beautiful? Megan and Dave let you know! Does it stand up to COLUMBUS and AFTER YANG? Then Evan joins in for a discussion of NIGHT OF THE REAPER (30:20), a slasher set in the '80s with a twist. Does it work? Does it make one of us angry? And is there a great exploding head gag? Over on Patreon, we watched the 2025 comedy-thriller BORDERLINE.

We have three movies on the show this week, starting with THE LONG WALK (2:59), which Megan saw. It's violent. It has a dose of scatology. It has a different ending from the Stephen King/Richard Bachman book. Judy Greer is great in it. But did Megan like it? Then Megan and Evan talk HIGHEST 2 LOWEST (17:26), the latest Spike Lee joint, starring Denzel Washington. Then Dave joins Megan and Evan for OR SOMETHING (39:12), a short walking-and-talking drama with comedic elements that we all had different reactions to. Over on Patreon, we talk about CLEARCUT, starring the late Graham Greene.

Evan is off this week, so Megan regales Dave with a tale so strange, we thought we'd never hear it on Spoilerpiece: Jai Courtey is excellent in DANGEROUS ANIMALS (2:31). Who knew? He's a serial killer who loves sharks! Then they caught up with Darren Aronofsky's CAUGHT STEALING (7:30), which is not the movie either Megan or Dave signed up for (it's Aronofsky; they should have known), but they really enjoyed it nonetheless. They round things out with Jay Duplass's THE BALTIMORONS (29:26), which they hated until they loved. Over on Patreon, we celebrate Terence Stamp by watching LINK (1986).

This week Megan and Evan took in director Rachel Abigail Holder's romantic drama LOVE, BROOKLYN (2:00), starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie, and DeWanda Wise. Short version: They liked it, with Megan revisiting it after seeing it at Sundance earlier this year. Next, Dave joins them for A LITTLE PRAYER (28:09), a quiet and understated Southern family drama from writer-director Angus MacLachlan, starring David Strathairn, Jane Lavy, and Celia Weston. Two of the three of us thought it was really well done, and one of us had hoped to like it more than they did. Such is life. Over on Patreon, we talk about Robert Altman's M*A*S*H, which turns 55 this year.

This week we all watched the Chris Columbis-directed THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB (working title: Olds Detect), a comedy-drama about four friends (Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie), residents of an assisted living facility, who solve cold cases. That is, until a very real and current case lands in their laps when the facility's co-owners end up dead just as they plan to tear up the facility and force the residents out. We had mixed reactions to this one, but at least two Spoilerpiecers liked it more than the third (guess how that shakes out?). Then there's LURKER, writer-director Alex Russell's fresh take on celebrity culture and the depths to we which we mere mortals will sink to find it and stay in it. There's a powerful performance by Théodore Pellerin as an amoral creep clinging to an up and coming pop star played by Archie Madekwe. We had different reactions to this one, too, coming out, again, two to one in favor. And over on Patreon, we watched the 1958 melodrama THE LONG, HOT

Evan is off this week, so Megan and Dave are joined by The Lady Wan of ScreenRun. They talk about the ghost story WENT UP THE HILL (5:03), starring Vicky Krieps and Dacre Montgomery, about a widow mourning her wife's recent death, and the wife's long-lost son who arrives for the funeral. Is this ghost benevolent or not so benevolent? Then they talk about NIGHT ALWAYS COMES (35:08), a new Netflix thriller starring Vanessa Kirby as Lynette, a woman trying to purchase her mother's home so she and her mother and brother don't end up homeless, and all the terrible crap that happens as Lynette becomes more desperate to find the down payment. (Jennifer Jason Lee is the mother. The bad mother.) We all had strong opinions about this one. Over on Patreon, we talk about Wes Craven's 1977 film THE HILLS HAVE EYES.