
The Playlist Podcast Network
Home to The Playlist Podcast Network and all its affiliated shows, including The Playlist Podcast, The Discourse, Be Reel, The Fourth Wall, and more. The Playlist is the obsessive's guide to contemporary cinema via film discussion, news, reviews, features, nostalgia, and more.
Latest episodes

Jan 18, 2024 • 23min
‘The Kitchen’: Daniel Kaluuya & Kane Robinson Talk The Dystopian Drama, Individualistic Society, ‘Spider-Verse’ & More [The Playlist Podcast]
Not many actors-turned-filmmakers will swing for the fences in such a big way with their directorial debuts as Daniel Kaluuya has done with “The Kitchen.” Instead of making some small indie drama, Kaluuya, alongside co-director Kibwe Tavares, decided to go with a full dystopian sci-fi drama. But you better believe this is a film filled with a ton of heart at its core. And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, Kaluuya, alongside lead actor Kane Robinson, stop by to talk about “The Kitchen.”

Jan 16, 2024 • 36min
Issa López Talks ‘True Detective: Night Country,’ The Crooked Carcosa Spiral, Horror Influences & More [Deep Focus Podcast]
In this episode of the Deep Focus podcast, Playlist Editor-in-Chief Rodrigo Perez talks to Mexican filmmaker Issa López, the writer and director of 'True Detective: Night Country,' the 4th season of HBO's acclaimed blockbuster crime series.
López is the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror 'Tigers Are Not Afraid,' and she certainly imbues this new 'Night Country' season with frightening chills, eerie spectral vibes, and haunting moods from the nether world.
In her 'True Detective,' Lopez doubles down on all the phantasmal, cryptic, and otherworldly elements of season one, arguing going far beyond whatever creator Nic Pizzaloto did with that inaugural season and yet still staying very true to the spirit of the show.
Academy Award-winner Jodie Foster stars alongside indie actor Kali Reis in a new shadowy mystery that centers on a missing group of scientists who suddenly vanish from their research facility, but also connects to a case of unsolved murders involving many indigenous women of the Alaskan region.
'True Detective' is truly back with the engrossing 'Night Country', and that's pretty much due to López, who is such a commanding cinematic and auteurial voice.

Jan 11, 2024 • 27min
‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’: Carla Gugino Talks Mike Flanagan's Horror Series, Her Career, & Her First Critics Choice Nomination [Bingeworthy Podcast]
In today’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast, host Mike DeAngelo falls for Netflix’s final Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House,” “Doctor Sleep”) collaboration, “The Fall of the House of Usher.” The series follows two wealthy and powerful Pharmaceutical magnates whose family dynasty begins to wash away as their heirs start to meet horrifying ends. The series can be streamed in its entirety on Netflix and stars Bruce Greenwood, Carla Gugino, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas, Rahul Kohli, Willa Fitzgerald, Zach Gilford and more.
READ MORE: 'The Fall Of The House Of Usher’ Review: Mike Flanagan’s Gothic ‘Succession’ Is A Horror Tale Of Pharma Greed & Sackler Family Retribution
Joining Bingeworthy to discuss the series is one of the stars, actress Carla Gugino (“The Haunting of Hill House," “Watchmen,” “Gerald’s Game"). During the chat, Gugino, a longtime collaborator with writer/director Mike Flanagan, described jumping on board the project almost instantly and talked about her career at length.

Jan 11, 2024 • 23min
Jake Johnson Talks ‘Self Reliance,’ Not Directing Again & Being Overshadowed By The Masterful Biff Wiff [The Playlist Podcast]
A lot of people only think of Jake Johnson as the comedic actor who has shown up in a number of big projects over the years. But before all of that, he got his start as a writer in New York City. It’s just his time as a writer got overshadowed by his growing acting career. But for “Self Reliance,” his new Hulu film arriving this week, Johnson is not only returning to writing, but he also directed the film, as well. And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, I spoke with Johnson about stepping behind the camera for "Self Reliance."

Dec 27, 2023 • 15min
‘Ferrari’: Michael Mann Discusses the Long Journey to His Latest Film, ‘Heat 2,’ Marvel Movies & More [The Discourse Podcast]
In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo gets in the driver’s seat to discuss “Ferrari” with director Michael Mann (“Heat,” “Collateral,” “Ali”). The film is based on the real-life of Enzo Ferrari, founder of Ferrari - the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, who is played by Adam Driver. It focuses on a very specific point in Enzo’s life in 1957 when the bankruptcy was looming over the company, and the always-composed Italian carmaker was also experiencing heightened drama in his life due to hidden secrets coming to light. All of this occurring while Ferrari bets it all on a must-win, 1000 mile race in Italy. The film also stars Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Patrick Dempsey, and more.
READ MORE: ‘Ferrari’: Adam Driver Says “F*ck You” After An Audience Member Calls Crash Scenes “Cheesy” At A Recent Screening
During the interview, director Michael Mann discussed the long road to getting “Ferrari” made - a journey that started all the way back in the ’90s and also discussed the possibility of "Heat 2," a sci-fi film he wants to make and admiring one franchise with the Marvel Studio system.

Dec 15, 2023 • 22min
'Monarch’: Kurt Russell & Wyatt Russell Discuss The MonsterVerse Series, Marvel, John Carpenter & More [Bingeworthy Podcast]
In today’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast host Mike DeAngelo dives back into the mystery of Apple TV+’s latest mystery series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.” The show follows multiple characters in different eras on a twist-filled journey to uncover the mysteries of the organization at the center of the Godzilla MonsterVerse films. The show stars Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, and many more.
READ MORE: ‘Monarch’: Director Matt Shakman Talks The MonsterVerse Series, Working With Marvel, ‘Star Trek 4’ & More [Bingeworthy Podcast]
Joining Bingeworthy to discuss the ten-episode series are its leads, Kurt and Wyatt Russell, the two actors (and father and son) who play the same central character in the story at different points in his life, Lt. Lee Shaw. So Wyatt plays the younger version of the lieutenant in the 1950s, and Russell plays the character as a much older man in the modern day. And it turns out it was this very unique concept that hooked the duo.

Nov 28, 2023 • 16min
'A Murder At The End Of The World': Harris Dickinson On His Mystery Series, 'The Iron Claw,' Marvel & More [Bingeworthy Podcast]
In today’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast host Mike DeAngelo attempts to find out whodunit in Hulu’s new series, “A Murder at the End of the World.” The series follows a young amateur sleuth (Emma Corrin) who is unexpectedly brought to Iceland and finds herself at the center of a dark, tense, winding murder mystery. The show also stars Clive Owen, Brit Marling, Harris Dickinson, Alice Braga, Raúl Esparza, and more.
LISTEN: ‘Monarch’: Director Matt Shakman Talks The MonsterVerse Series, Working With Marvel, ‘Star Trek 4’ & More [Bingeworthy Podcast]
Joining Bingeworthy to discuss the seven-episode series is one of its stars, Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness," “The King’s Man” “Where the Crawdads Sing"). During the chat, Dickinson talks about what led him to choose the murder mystery as his next project.

Nov 22, 2023 • 23min
Steve-O Talks Going "Crazier Than Ever" For His 'Bucket List' Comedy Special, The Future Of 'Jackass' & More [The Playlist Podcast]
Steve-O is getting older. However, he’s never been happier or healthier. And in his new comedy special, “Steve-O’s Bucket List,” viewers get to see all sides of the comedian. ‘Bucket List’ is a comedy experience like no other, as Steve-O tells his own personal love story with a series of insane stunts serving as a backdrop. And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, the “Jackass” star talks about his life, his recovery, and why now is the time to check all the things off of his own personal bucket list.

Nov 20, 2023 • 24min
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’: Director Matt Shakman On Helming The MonsterVerse Series, Working With Marvel Studios, ‘Star Trek 4’ & More [Bingeworthy Podcast]
In today’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast, host Mike DeAngelo uncovers the mystery of Apple TV+’s latest mystery series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.” The show follows multiple characters in different eras on a twist-filled journey to uncover the mysteries of the organization at the center of the Godzilla MonsterVerse films. The show stars Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, and more.
READ MORE: Matt Shakman Has Moved On From ‘Star Trek 4’ But Still Hopes Someone Makes It, Didn’t Read Tarantino’s Draft Of The Script
Joining Bingeworthy to discuss the ten-episode series is Director/Executive Producer Matt Shakman (“WandaVision," “Game of Thrones,” “The Great,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia"). During the chat, Shakman talks about his journey from small-time television director on things like “It Always Sunny in Philadelphia” to “Game of Thrones” and “WandaVision.”

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 1min
It's The End Of Marvel Studios As We Know It, But Is Everything Actually Just Fine? [The Playlist Podcast]
To say that this year has been rough for Marvel Studios is a bit of an understatement. The studio that was once thought to be invincible has shown that it has weaknesses and audiences are starting to take note. Look at the two most recent releases, “The Marvels” and “Loki” Season 2, for example. The former is the lowest grossing opening weekend in the history of the studio, and the latter seemingly shut the door on the main villain for the next several years, leaving the future uncertain. Thankfully, The Playlist Podcast is here to parse through those two recent releases and take into account all of 2023 to answer the question on everyone’s mind— Is Marvel Studios on the verge of irrelevance?