Kermode & Mayo’s Take

Edgar Wright, acclaimed director and screenwriter, shares insights on his adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man. Wright discusses the film's dystopian themes and its relevance in today's world. He reflects on his childhood admiration for King’s works and reveals how the story’s elements resonated with him. The conversation highlights the production nuances, including the casting of Glen Powell and the delicate balance between action and satire. Wright also shares anecdotes about seeking approval from King and ensuring Arnold Schwarzenegger's nod of approval.

Some exciting news — The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fortnightly LIVE show — a raucous, unfiltered lunchtime special with the Good Doctors, new features, and live chat so you can heckle, vote, and have your questions read out in real time. It’s a pretty special week for guests over here in Take town. We’re welcoming debut filmmaker Ronan Day-Lewis, and his dad who’s come with him and is apparently quite famous or something? Yes, that’s Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, star and co-writer of ‘Anemone’—the father-son co-created drama that has brought him out of retirement. Day-Lewis stars as reclusive and damaged former soldier Ray, who reconnects with his brother Jem (Sean Bean) after years in the wilderness. The pair unpack the film with Simon—including how a 16th Century manuscript partially inspired it, their family history in Ireland, and what it was like to write and shoot an intense father-son story as a real life father-son team. Mark reviews it too, along with three more big movies you can head down to the cinema to watch this weekend—code compliantly, obvs. First up, ‘Predator: Badlands’—the latest instalment in this very loooong running sci-fi action franchise which the classic villain turns hero and the hunter turns hunted. In calmer territory, we’ve got ‘The Choral’ too—a cosy drama about a Yorkshire village choir during WWI, led by controversial new conductor Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes). And finally, the new and long-awaited Lynne Ramsay film ‘Die My Love’—a dark family drama starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Reckon Mark’s going to be excited about this one... All the usual email excellence, bantz, rantz, and everything you’ve come to expect from a top Take too. AND Don’t miss our upcoming LIVE Christmas Extravaganza at London’s Prince Edward Theatre on 7th December. Tickets here: fane.co.uk/kermode-mayo Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free) Predator: Badlands Review: 11:33 BO10: 19:21 Daniel Day-Lewis & Ronan Day-Lewis Interview: 29:13 Anemone Review: 30:30 Laughter Lift: 57:21 The Choral Review: 1:02:41 Die My Love Review: 1:12:44 You can contact the show by emailing correspondence@kermodeandmayo.com or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo Please take our survey and help shape the future of our show: https://www.kermodeandmayo.com/survey EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts To advertise on this show contact: podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ruth Wilson, an award-winning actor known for her captivating performances, joins the discussion to delve into her role in the thrilling TV series Down Cemetery Road. She shares insights about her character, Sarah Trafford, and how the narrative intertwines mystery with humor. The conversation reveals Sarah's transformation from a bored housewife to a determined sleuth alongside Emma Thompson's character. They also explore the show's unique suburban noir style, balancing dark themes with absurdity, and Ruth hints at her exciting new projects.

This Week on the Show: Josh O’Connor, Kelly Reichardt & the Art of the Heist Fresh off the headlines of a real-life Louvre robbery, indie auteur Kelly Reichardt and breakout star Josh O’Connor join Simon to talk about their buzzy new film, The Mastermind—a stylish 70s-set art-heist drama that’s suddenly feeling very timely. O’Connor plays JB, a slacker dad whose low-stakes gallery theft spirals into something far more chaotic. Expect Nixon-era nostalgia, vintage fashion deep-dives, and awkward ovation etiquette. Plus, Josh spills on his upcoming Spielberg project—yes, that Spielberg. Mark Reviews: The Mastermind – Does Reichardt’s latest live up to the hype? Regretting You – A romantic drama with a title tailor-made for snark. Mark’s rant radar is fully activated. Sketch – A family film where kids’ drawings come to life. But does the magic hold up? Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere – Jeremy Allen White stars as The Boss in this hotly anticipated biopic. Does it rock or roll off the rails? Whether you're here for reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, or just want to know what’s worth your cinema ticket this week, we’ve got you covered. And some exciting news: The Take is now on Patreon! Find our page here: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo You can now become a Vanguardista—or join the new ranks of the Ultra Vanguardistas, on our Patreon page. Get a whole extra show with Take 2 every week, plus... Access to our new member-only Patreon chat rooms Polls & submissions — vote on the films we cover, send us questions to answer, and try your best (or worst) jokes for the Laughter Lift. Behind-the-scenes photos and videos you won’t find anywhere else. Video versions of ALL upcoming Take Two bonus episodes A new monthly newsletter called The Redactor’s Roundup And, most excitingly... A whole brand new fortnightly LIVE show from the Good Doctors – and the chance to message on the live chat during the show AND Don’t miss our upcoming LIVE Christmas Extravaganza at London’s Prince Edward Theatre on 7th December. Tickets here: fane.co.uk/kermode-mayo Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free) Regretting You Review: 10:51 Box Office Top Ten: 19:54 Josh O’Connor & Kelly Reichardt Interview: 33:31 The Mastermind Review: 48:15 Laughter Lift: 57:40 Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere Review: 1:01:04 Sketch Review: 01:15:57 You can contact the show by emailing correspondence@kermodeandmayo.com or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo Please take our survey and help shape the future of our show: https://www.kermodeandmayo.com/survey EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts To advertise on this show contact: podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russell Tovey, known for his dynamic roles on stage and screen, joins the conversation to discuss his performance in the gripping film 'Plain Clothes.' He delves into the character Andrew, examining the emotional entrapment faced by gay men in the 1997 setting. Tovey also highlights the significance of props and non-verbal acting in conveying authenticity. The discussion touches on themes of paranoia, shame, and the possibility of a sequel, showcasing Tovey's insightful perspectives on the film's production and socio-emotional dynamics.

This week, the hosts dive into the heartfelt drama 'I Swear', exploring the life of Tourette's activist John Davidson. They also tackle the emotional rollercoaster of 'Plainclothes', where an undercover cop grapples with his identity. Kathryn Bigelow and Rebecca Ferguson share insights on their film 'A House of Dynamite', discussing the urgent need for dialogue about nuclear weapons. Lastly, Mark critiques 'Tron: Ares', highlighting its lack of originality and emotional depth. Expect laughter and community cinema updates sprinkled throughout!

This week’s guest is Aimee Lou Wood, an acclaimed actor and writer known for her roles in *Sex Education* and *White Lotus*. She shares insights on co-writing and starring in the BBC rom-com *Film Club*, exploring themes of platonic love and nostalgic rom-coms. Aimee discusses her creative journey, from early writing to collaborating with Ralph Davies, along with challenges like licensing film clips. Plus, hear her thoughts on future solo projects and the inspirations behind her craft—it's a delightful dive into the magic of storytelling!

This week’s guest is Paul Thomas Anderson, an acclaimed film director and screenwriter known for his innovative storytelling. He shares insights about his new film, One Battle After Another, detailing his two-decade writing journey and its political relevance. Anderson delves into casting anecdotes, including his near-miss with Leonardo DiCaprio for Boogie Nights, and discusses the thrill of filming his first major car chase. His collaboration with composer Johnny Greenwood also features, highlighting the film's unique musical approach.

Vanguardistas have more fun—so if you don’t already subscribe to the podcast, join the Vanguard today via Apple Podcasts or extratakes.com for non-fruit-related devices. In return you’ll get a whole extra Take 2 alongside Take 1 every week, with bonus reviews, more viewing recommendations from the Good Doctors and whole bonus episodes just for you. And if you’re already a Vanguardista, we salute you.  Simon and Mark remember true movie legend Robert Redford, who passed away this week. We hear your favourite Redford films, memories of him as a style icon and more. Plus, the Good Doctors talk about meeting the great man himself on stage, and the surprising effect he had on their audience.  Paul Greengrass—legendary director of the Bourne movies, Captain Philips, United 93 and many more—is our guest this week. His latest movie is The Lost Bus—the gripping true story of a bus driver and schoolteacher’s attempt to evacuate 22 children from a vicious wildfire in Paradise, California, starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera. Greengrass tells Simon how he brought this real-life story to the screen, how he recreated the terror of a wildfire with practical effects, and loads more from the making of this white-knuckle ride. He's always a treat to hear from, so don’t miss it.   Mark reviews it too, plus two more shiny new releases for your eyeballs. First, ‘Steve’, starring the ever-excellent Cillian Murphy as the burnt out headteacher of a reform school struggling to keep it together. And from gritty to glossy, we’ve got A Big Bold beautiful Journey for you too—a rom com with a sprinkling of magic starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie as a could-be-couple taking a time travelling tour of their respective pasts.   Top correspondence from our top-drawer listeners as always—including for a new feature. We’re inviting you to send us your Shameless Plugs—whatever you’re working on right now in the world of all things film and film-adjacent—let us know what it is and how we can get involved. Emails and voice notes welcome!   And don’t forget you can now watch the full show on YouTube too!     Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):  Steve Review: 14:03  Box Office Top Ten: 21:33  Paul Greengrass Interview: 31:08  The Lost Bus Review: 47:21  Laughter Lift: 57:58  A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review: 01:00:26        You can contact the show by emailing correspondence@kermodeandmayo.com or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo  Please take our survey and help shape the future of our show: https://www.kermodeandmayo.com/survey   EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!  A Sony Music Entertainment production.      Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts    To advertise on this show contact: podcastadsales@sonymusic.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warren Ellis, renowned musician from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Dirty Three, joins the conversation. He shares insights about his animal sanctuary in Indonesia featured in the documentary 'Ellis Park'. The discussion dives into the nostalgic yet mixed feelings surrounding 'Spinal Tap II', along with witty critiques of new cinematic releases like 'The Long Walk'. The blend of music, wildlife conservation, and humor creates a captivating dialogue that reflects on creativity and societal impacts, making for a delightful listen.