

The Extra Credits
Kelsi and Trey
The Extra Credits is hosted by two teachers searching for meaning in your favorite movies and shows. We cover new releases with movie drafts, ranking games, interviews, and more!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 9, 2024 • 20min
Ari Aster's 'Hereditary' with James Steck | Patreon #39
Kelsi and Trey are joined by friend James Steck to dive into Ari Aster’s Hereditary, a chilling exploration of family trauma, grief, and conditioned traits that has redefined modern psychological horror. They break down the story of the Graham family, led by Toni Collette’s unforgettable performance as Annie, whose descent begins with the mysterious death of her secretive mother. As supernatural forces begin to encroach on her family, Hereditary reveals the terrifying impact of generational trauma and the loss of control over one’s own fate. We discuss the three kings of contemporary horror with Aster, Jordan Peele, and Robert Eggers, as well as Aster’s masterful direction, the film’s unsettling atmosphere, and its layered commentary on family, legacy, and mental illness.
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Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 9, 2024 • 9min
Jordan Peele's 'Get Out' | Patreon #38
Kelsi and Trey deep dive Get Out, Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking horror debut that redefined the genre with its social commentary and eerie atmosphere. They explore the film’s narrative of Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black man navigating the hidden dangers within his white girlfriend’s family, uncovering a chilling secret that speaks to the insidious nature of neoliberal post-racial fantasies. With standout performances from Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Lil Rel Howery, Get Out merges suspense with a darkly funny satire, creating a horror experience that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. We discuss Peele’s direction and how his unique approach has cemented Get Out as a cultural artifact, sparking conversations about representation, the horror genre, and Peele's timeless metaphor the "Sunken Place."
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Oct 31, 2024 • 57min
'Conclave' is a Refreshing Throwback to Pulpy Political Thrillers!
Kelsi and Trey explore Edward Berger's 'Conclave,' the suspenseful novel adapted into a star-studded film featuring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Carlos Diehz, and Isabella Rossellini. Set in the atmospheric halls of the Vatican, the story follows the intense politics, spiritual introspection, and personal ambition of cardinals from around the world who convene to elect a new pope. Kelsi and Trey discuss the novel's transition to screen as a 90s like movie, the standout performances of its lead actors, and how Berger’s storytelling brings to life the high-stakes world of faith and power.
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Oct 22, 2024 • 48min
'The Line' with Director Ethan Berger
Trey speaks with Ethan Berger, the director of 'The Line,' to discuss his debut feature and the gritty, provocative exploration of fraternity culture that drives the film. Ethan talks about what inspired him to create a movie that serves as an antithesis to the more traditional, comedic depictions of fraternity life seen in popular culture. We dive deep into the lead character Tom (Alex Wolff), exploring the complexity of hypermasculinity and the toxic dynamics that fuel this exclusive culture. Ethan shares insights into the process of bringing these emotionally charged performances to life and explains how he balanced dark humor with the film's more intense, tragic elements. 'The Line' releases wide this week!
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Oct 8, 2024 • 30min
Todd Phillips' 'Joker' | Patreon #37
Kelsi and Trey discuss Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix's subversive detour in the comic book genre with 2019's 'Joker.' We explore the muddled ideas of the movie, the divisive conversation about the film's politics and execution, and, yeah, idk, we get into all the BS about Joker that you can expect. Enjoy!
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 17min
'Joker: Folie à Deux' Has the Last Laugh
Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix delivered a divisive detour in the superhero genre with 2019's 'Joker,' now returning with their more-meta, multi-genre sequel 'Joker: Folie à Deux.' In a both non-spoiler and spoiler conversation, Kelsi and Trey discuss the discourse around both Joker films, the intention vs reaction to these character studies, and whether or not Phillips totally concentrates his anti-superhero commentary.
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Sep 29, 2024 • 30min
Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' | Patreon #36
In anticipation for 'Gladiator II,' Kelsi and Trey explore Ridley Scott's epic 'Gladiator.' We discuss our relationship to Gladiator, its influence on pop culture, historical accuracy in movies, Russell Crowe vs. Joaquin Phoenix, and more!
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Sep 21, 2024 • 30min
Sean Baker's 'The Florida Project' | Patreon #35
Kelsi and Trey discuss one of the more recent instant-classic films, Sean Baker's 'The Florida Project.' This tragic coming-of-age journey is subversively beautiful, as we follow a young girl and her mother as a family stuck in hidden homelessness in their Florida motel; a sweaty-pastel twist on the Disney princess archetype with an angry message targeted at the fallacies of the "American Dream."
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
TikTok: The Extra Credits
Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Sep 11, 2024 • 30min
Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' | Patreon #34
Kelsi and Trey discuss Ridley Scott's final (?) installment in the Alien franchise with 'Alien: Covenant.' This movie expands on the human hubris throughline of 'Prometheus' and is led by the very-great Michael Fassbender as David and Walter. The rest of the cast and crew help deliver this multi-genre nightmare with one of the great gore set pieces of the past decade.
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Sep 8, 2024 • 30min
Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus' | Patreon #33
Kelsi and Trey explore one of the great 21st century sci-fi epics in Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus.' We discuss the divisive fandom of Prometheus and 'Alien: Covenant,' the recent reclaiming of Prometheus and Covenant due to the 'Alien: Romulus' financial success, how Scott's vision of a legacy prequel actually sets a blueprint for future franchises, the power of Michael Fassbender's theater kid performance as David, the parallel of corporate and religious zealotry between Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) and Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), and, of course, we explore the existential questions of life. Be prepared for a ~4 hour podcast with lots of heavy conversations and fun 'Alien' lore debates!
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
TikTok: The Extra Credits
Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com