The Filmcast Ep. 895 - Digger
Oct 6, 2026
The discussion ranges from the exploitative makeover world of The Swan to the mythic music of Hadestown and the glorious chaos of The Play That Goes Wrong. Reviews tackle Idiots, Lanterns, and Brothers before turning to Digger, an extravagant climate satire featuring Tom Cruise, theatrical excess, elite power, artistic catharsis, and a divisive vision of societal collapse.
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Lanterns’ Mystery Undercuts Its Best Relationship
- David Chen criticized Lanterns for replacing earned reveals with exposition and twists that arrive without adequate setup.
- He especially praised the leads’ chemistry while arguing that the series’ mystery structure overwhelmed its strongest relationship.
Brothers Confuses Self-Parody With Self-Congratulation
- Brothers promised a relaxed hangout with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson playing exaggerated versions of themselves.
- Jeff Cannata found the show bland because it exaggerates their flaws while insisting they remain the coolest people in every room.
Reality TV Cannot Improve People While Exploiting Them
- The Swan illustrates how reality television’s promise of self-improvement conflicts with its dependence on exploitation.
- Contestants endured extensive plastic surgery, isolation, no phones, and no reflective surfaces before facing an unplanned beauty pageant.