MUBI Podcast

After THE MATRIX and V FOR VENDETTA, the Wachowskis were ready to turn from darkness, into the bright, bright candy-colored light. The result was SPEED RACER, an eyepopping postmodern explosion that honored the gravity-defying spirit of old-school anime… and which audiences couldn’t quite figure out.Host Rico Gagliano talks with the SPEED RACER star Roger Allam (THE THICK OF IT), legendary special effects artist John Gaeta (THE MATRIX), and more about how the movie was made, why it tanked, and why a growing army of acolytes start their days by watching its final action sequence. The latest season of The MUBI Podcast – BOX OFFICE POISON — dives into six visionary films... that were also notorious flops. Inspired by the new book of the same name by Tim Robey, film critic for The Telegraph, every episode is a wild ride through a great movie's rise, and fall, and rise.THE FALL is now streaming on MUBI globally. Subscribe to receive a copy of Notebook Issue 6 at mubi.com/magazine.To watch some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country.MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators.

Tim Robey, a film critic for The Telegraph and author of 'Box Office Poison,' dives into Charlie Kaufman's intrepid directorial debut, 'Synecdoche, New York.' He shares insights on how the film, initially a flop, has grown into a celebrated classic. The discussion explores Kaufman's unique storytelling style, the emotional complexities within the film, and the hurdles he faced in production. Robey reflects on the impact of this poignant narrative on the indie film landscape and how it speaks to the struggles of neurotic artists.

In 1994, indie darlings the Coen Brothers went for the big time with a playful pastiche of classic Hollywood movies that pulled out every visual and comedic stop… and still crashed and burned at the box office. Host Rico Gagliano tells the story of the soaring Coens movie that paved the way for the flatlands of FARGO. Guests include HUDSUCKER’s legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins (BLADE RUNNER 2049), acclaimed film podcaster Karina Longworth (YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS), and more.The latest season of The MUBI Podcast – BOX OFFICE POISON — dives into six visionary films... that were also notorious flops. Inspired by the new book of the same name by Tim Robey, film critic for The Telegraph, every episode is a wild ride through a great movie's rise, and fall, and rise.This holiday season, to gift the world's best movies visit mubi.com/gifts. To stream some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country. MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators.

It’s hard to imagine Katharine Hepburn as anything but a Hollywood icon. But in 1935, director George Cukor’s dreamy, gender-fluid comedy SYLVIA SCARLETT derailed her career for years. Host Rico Gagliano tells the story of a movie with sexual politics way ahead of its time — and which paid for it dearly at the box office. Guests include movie star and Hepburn devotee Rebecca Hall (THE PRESTIGE), film scholar Elyce Rae Helford (WHAT PRICE HOLLYWOOD), and arts writer Lesley Chow (YOU’RE HISTORY).The latest season of The MUBI Podcast – BOX OFFICE POISON — dives into six visionary films... that were also notorious flops. Inspired by the new book of the same name by Tim Robey, film critic for The Telegraph, every episode is a wild ride through a great movie's rise, and fall, and rise.QUEER comes to cinemas in Mexico on December 12, in the UK, Ireland & Canada on December 13, and to Germany on January 2.To stream some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country. MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators.

James Cromwell, known for his role as Farmer Hoggett in the beloved Babe films and his recent work in HBO's Succession, joins the discussion to explore the striking tonal shift in Babe: Pig in the City. The conversation dives into the unexpected darker themes of the sequel, reflecting George Miller's creative risks and his background as a doctor. Cromwell shares behind-the-scenes insights on training over 700 animals for the film, and the challenges faced while appealing to both children and adults in a story filled with emotional depth.

In the mid-’70s, legendary director William Friedkin — fresh off THE EXORCIST — helicoptered into South America with tens of millions of dollars… and emerged with malaria and a bleak, thrilling masterpiece called SORCERER. The only problem was the competition: A little movie called STAR WARS.Host Rico Gagliano tells the story of how SORCERER crashed and burned at the box office — with help from the film’s screenwriter Walon Green (THE WILD BUNCH), Oscar-winning producer Mark Johnson (THE HOLDOVERS), and more.The latest season of The MUBI Podcast – BOX OFFICE POISON — dives into six visionary films... that were also notorious flops. Inspired by the new book of the same name by Tim Robey, film critic for The Telegraph, every episode is a wild ride through a great movie's rise, and fall, and rise. BIRD is now showing in theaters across the US, UK, Canada and Ireland. Visit mubi.com/bird for showtimes and tickets. COW is streaming on MUBI in many countries. You can also check out our special episode with Andrea Arnold about the film - listen here. To stream some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country.Check out the latest MUBI Podcast Expanded piece - an exclusive preface to Tim Robey's book, Box Office Poison, which inspired this season. Read the article here.MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators.

Join Mary Beth McAndrews, editor-in-chief of Dread Central, as she unpacks the eerie world of 'Skinamarink.' This conversation reveals how childhood nightmares inspired the film's chilling narrative and taps into shared fears of isolation. Discover the movie's rise from festival gem to viral sensation, propelled by social media and unexpected leaks. McAndrews also examines the analog horror trend on platforms like YouTube, highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and dread, especially in a post-pandemic era.

Join film critic Anna Bogutskaya, Nobuhiko Obayashi's daughter Chigumi, and Yale professor Aaron Giroux as they delve into the cult classic 'House.' Discover how childhood fears shaped its surreal horror and its unique marketing aimed at kids. The guests discuss the evolution of Japanese cinema and the film's anti-war themes. They also explore the film's haunting elements, revealing a playful yet profound rejection of cinematic norms. This insightful conversation uncovers the magic behind a beloved masterpiece.

The most famous haunted house in America is a large Dutch Colonial family home that became a bestseller, super-successful horror movie and a franchise that has spawned over 60 movies (and counting). And it’s all based…on a con. Together with horror critic Jenn Addams, FANGORIA editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr. and Bloody Disgusting critic Joe Lipsett, who is possibly the only person in the world to have watched all the Amityville films, guest host Anna tracks how one haunted house movie became a modern folk story.Season 6, titled Haunted Homes, explores how haunted house movies have mirrored our relationship with our homes. Each episode visits a horror movie that changed the way we imagine a haunted house, from the crumbling Gothic mansions to white picket fences, what it says about the people who live in the houses and what scares them the most.  Guest written and hosted by Anna Bogutskaya. Find her book on horror films and feelings, FEEDING THE MONSTER, online and in all good bookshops. You can also listen to her horror film history podcast The Final Girls and subscribe to her movie newsletter Admit One.To watch some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country.Read all of Joe’s Amityville IP reviews HERE. MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators.

After a bad experience in Hollywood, Guillermo del Toro had lost his spark. He got it back with a story of a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, a script he wrote when he was still a student. Together with the film’s producer Rosa Bosch, BFI’s Creative Director and author of THE FABER BOOK OF MEXICAN CINEMA Jason Wood and co-host of the Filmspotting podcast Josh Larsen, guest host Anna Bogutskaya finds out how THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE gave Guillermo his horror groove back. Season 6, titled Haunted Homes, explores how haunted house movies have mirrored our relationship with our homes. Each episode visits a horror movie that changed the way we imagine a haunted house, from the crumbling Gothic mansions to white picket fences, what it says about the people who live in the houses and what scares them the most.  Guest written and hosted by Anna Bogutskaya. Find her book on horror films and feelings, FEEDING THE MONSTER, online and in all good bookshops. You can also listen to her horror film history podcast The Final Girls and subscribe to her movie newsletter Admit One.A Woman’s Bite: Female Vampires collection is now streaming on MUBI. To watch some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country.MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators.