Poor Things (2023) Movie Discussion | Emma Stone, Yorgos Lanthimos & The Art of Sexual Liberation

This week on The Never Seen It Podcast, we’re discussing Poor Things (2023), the wonderfully strange, visually spectacular, and unconventional film from director Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Ramy Youssef.

We welcome back special guest Guy Rosfeld, technical producer of the Saturn Awards, as we take a deep dive into Bella Baxter's extraordinary journey of self-discovery after being brought back to life by the unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.

For this episode, we switch up ou...

What are the best and worst movies of 2026? We’re breaking down our favorite films, biggest disappointments, and everything in between in this special year-in-review episode of The Never Seen It Podcast!

With a slightly smaller panel this time around, Adrian and Alex (Filipino Grigio) compare their favorite and least favorite movies of the year, discussing everything from blockbuster franchises and sci-fi adventures to independent films and unconventional storytelling.

We kick things off with some of our biggest disappointments, including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which Adrian felt traded storytelling and emotional depth for flashy vi...

We’re diving headfirst into the strange, bloody, and deeply unconventional world of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the 2026 psychological horror film directed by Jane Schoenbrun and starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson. What initially looks like a throwback slasher movie quickly becomes something far more surreal, with layers of symbolism, disturbing imagery, and themes that leave us debating what we just watched.

The story follows Chris, an aspiring filmmaker tasked with revitalizing the fictional Camp Miasma horror franchise. Her search for the franchise’s reclusive original star, Billy, leads to an increasingly bizarre journey thro...

We’re diving into the world of killer puppets with a discussion of Puppet Master (1989), the cult horror classic that turned tiny, murderous creations into icons of direct-to-video horror. Joined by returning guest Sam, we revisit this bizarre supernatural slasher and ask whether its creepy puppets can carry a movie filled with questionable decisions, strange characters, and gloriously over-the-top horror moments.

We kick things off by discussing why Puppet Master deserves another look, especially for horror fans who grew up watching VHS-era genre movies. Sam shares why the film holds a special place in his childhood memories, wh...

What happens when a Ouija board unleashes a demon, a teenager starts experiencing terrifying premonitions, and a low-budget horror movie goes completely off the rails? We find out in our discussion of Don't Panic (1988), the obscure Mexican supernatural horror film directed by Rubén Galindo Jr.

This episode of The Never Seen It Podcast welcomes back our old friend Sam, reuniting with the crew for a spooky-season movie discussion packed with outrageous moments, questionable filmmaking choices, and plenty of laughs. Justin, aka GhostNerd88, picked this obscure horror gem and makes the case for why it deserves a p...

We finally take on Michael Mann's 1995 crime masterpiece Heat, a movie that brings together Al Pacino and Robert De Niro as two professionals on opposite sides of the law. We discuss Neil McCauley, Vincent Hanna and the obsessive cat-and-mouse relationship that drives the entire film.

We start with first impressions, including Arnold's experience watching Heat for the first time after mostly remembering its legendary gunfight. From there, we dig into why the movie feels like much more than a traditional action or heist movie. The discussion explores how Michael Mann combines crime, drama, character development and spectacular...

We discuss Roofman, the crime drama starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst and inspired by the real-life story of a former Army Ranger who robbed McDonald's restaurants and secretly lived inside a Toys R Us. We break down the movie's surprising mix of comedy, drama, romance, crime, and suspense, while asking why we find ourselves rooting for a criminal.

LONGER EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We’re talking about Roofman, the Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst crime drama inspired by the unbelievable true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army Ranger who turned to robbing McDonald's restaurants an...

We finally go back to 1985 for a deep dive into Back to the Future, Robert Zemeckis' beloved time-travel classic starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown.

For some of us, Back to the Future is a movie we've seen dozens of times. For others, this was a first-time watch. That gives us a chance to look at the movie from both sides: the nostalgia of growing up with Marty McFly and the DeLorean, and the experience of discovering a movie that has become so deeply embedded in pop culture that we've...

We finally watched the original The Fast and the Furious from 2001, and this one turned into a much bigger conversation than we expected.

For some of us, The Fast and the Furious was a nostalgic favorite that we grew up watching over and over. For others, it was a movie we had written off for years as a shallow car movie. But after finally watching it, we discovered there's a lot more to appreciate than just street racing, flashy cars, NOS and Vin Diesel delivering lines about family.

We break down the original Fast and...

What happens when a love of pop culture turns into a mission to give independent creators and underrepresented voices a bigger platform?

We sit down with Aaron Nabus, founder and president of FilAm Creator Con, a nonprofit convention dedicated to celebrating and empowering Filipino American creators. Aaron also co-hosts the Hall H Podcast, covering independent pop culture creators, comics, conventions, and the artists working behind the scenes.

We talk about Aaron's journey from launching Hall H as a blog focused on San Diego Comic-Con's Artist Alley and small press creators to turning it into a...

In this episode of the Never Seen It Podcast, we dive deep into Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the latest chapter in Tom Holland’s journey as Peter Parker.

We discuss why this version of Spider-Man feels more emotionally mature than ever, with Peter forced to navigate a world where the people closest to him no longer remember who he is. We explore the movie’s themes of loneliness, isolation, identity, and growing up, while also breaking down how Spider-Man: Brand New Day balances its emotional storytelling with big superhero action.

We also debate where Tom Holl...

What makes Blade Runner 2049 such a compelling sequel to one of science fiction’s most influential movies? We get together for a deep dive into Denis Villeneuve’s 2017 sci-fi epic, thirty years after the events of the original Blade Runner. We discuss whether 2049 works as a legacy sequel, how it expands the world of the original, and why its slow-burn approach works for some of us more than others.

We spend plenty of time talking about Ryan Gosling’s K, especially his journey of self-discovery and the possibility that he might be more than just another replicant. His im...

We’re talking about Project Hail Mary, the science fiction adventure based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, and we’re joined by sci-fi writer and VFX compositor Jordan Spaulding for a deep discussion about the movie, the book, and everything that makes this adaptation work.

At its heart, Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, a science teacher who wakes up alone aboard a spaceship light-years from Earth with no memory of how he got there. As his memories return, Grace discovers that humanity is facing an extinction-level threat and that he has been sent on an imposs...

What if you could erase someone you loved from your memory? Would you do it?

We dive deep into Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the 2004 sci-fi romance directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. Starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson, the film follows Joel Barish after discovering that Clementine has undergone a procedure to erase him from her memory. Heartbroken, Joel decides to do the same, only to realize while his memories are disappearing that he doesn't actually want to lose her.

We talk...

Join us as we dive into our complete San Diego Comic-Con 2026 recap and discuss everything that made this year's convention unforgettable. We share our favorite panels, celebrity sightings, Hall H experiences, cosplay, collectibles, after parties, and the incredible atmosphere that turns San Diego into the center of pop culture every summer.

We talk about why San Diego Comic-Con remains the gold standard for fan conventions, whether another city could ever replace it, and how the Gaslamp District, transportation, hotels, and community all contribute to the experience. Along the way, we share hilarious stories about navigating the convention...

Can love become the ultimate horror story?

This week on the Never Seen It Podcast, we break down Obsession (2026), the viral horror phenomenon from Curry Barker that's turning heads with its psychological terror, unforgettable performances, and surprisingly deep themes.

We debate one of the film's biggest questions: Who is the real villain? Is it Bear, Nikki, Ian, the mysterious One Wish Willow, or the toxic desires that drive every character? Along the way, we discuss how Obsession explores unhealthy relationships, consent, obsession versus genuine love, emotional dependency, and the dangers of trying to control another...

This week on the Never Seen It Podcast, we're joined by stand-up comedian Alan Strickland Williams (Conan, Adult Swim, Comics Unleashed) to dive into one of the greatest crime thrillers you've probably never seen: William Friedkin's To Live and Die in L.A. (1985).

We discuss how this stylish neo-noir helped shape modern action movies like Heat, Drive, and The Departed, while examining why it still feels fresh more than 40 years later. We explore Friedkin's fearless filmmaking style, the movie's gritty depiction of Los Angeles, and the practical stunt work that makes its famous freeway chase one of...

What does it take to get your independent short film selected for the San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival?

This week, we sit down with Mauricio Dzierwa, writer and director of Inner Child, and VFX artist Joshua Allen to discuss their ambitious independent short film ahead of its San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) screening. We explore how Inner Child evolved through more than twenty screenplay drafts into a genre-blending adventure that combines live action, Minecraft, LEGO animation, and cinematic visual effects.

We dive deep into the filmmaking process, including writing for visual effects, using Blender...

Is Backrooms the first truly great internet horror movie?

This week, we explore one of the year's most talked-about films, Backrooms (2026). We break down Kane Parsons' ambitious adaptation of the viral Backrooms phenomenon and discuss why this psychological horror film succeeds by focusing on memory, trauma, and identity rather than traditional jump scares.

We examine the film's use of liminal spaces, cosmic horror, and psychological decay, unpack Clark's descent into obsession, debate the film's mysterious ending, and share our biggest theories about what the Backrooms really are.

Along the way, we're joined by...

Can a movie still be satisfying if it never gives you the answers?

This week we discuss Broken Flowers (2005), director Jim Jarmusch's contemplative road movie starring Bill Murray as Don Johnston, a man who receives an anonymous letter claiming he has an adult son he never knew existed.

We break down why Jarmusch refuses to follow traditional Hollywood storytelling, the film's unforgettable ambiguous ending, and how every stop on Don's journey reveals another layer of his past. We also discuss Bill Murray's subtle performance, Jeffrey Wright's scene-stealing supporting role, the incredible ensemble cast, the film's...

This week on the Never Seen It Podcast, we take a deep dive into Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver (1976) as the legendary film celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, and Albert Brooks, Taxi Driver remains one of the defining films of the New Hollywood era. We explore how Travis Bickle's isolation, insomnia, and growing detachment from society transformed the character into one of cinema's most unforgettable antiheroes.

We discuss:

On this episode of the Never Seen It Podcast, we welcome filmmaker Kent Kay, Emmy-nominated storyteller Crystal Harrell, and musician and production crew member Kurt Schawacker to discuss their acclaimed short film, Name Tag.

What began as a deeply personal poem evolved into a moving cinematic exploration of identity, visibility, self-doubt, and the labels we carry throughout our lives. Crystal shares the real-life experiences that inspired the poem, while Kent reveals how he transformed those words into a visually striking short film that recently screened at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs) in Palm Springs.<...

This week on Never Seen It, we revisit Tim Burton's 1994 masterpiece Ed Wood, starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Patricia Arquette, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bill Murray, and an incredible ensemble cast. Often overshadowed by Burton favorites like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Batman, we discuss why Ed Wood may actually be one of the director's most heartfelt and accomplished films.

We explore the true story behind Ed Wood, the passionate filmmaker frequently labeled "the worst director of all time," and examine how Burton transforms what could have been a straightforward biopic into an inspiring story about creativity, perseverance, and...

This week on Never Seen It, we finally sink our teeth into Jennifer’s Body (2009) — the horror cult classic that went from misunderstood box office flop to one of the most beloved feminist horror movies of the modern era.

Joined once again by returning guest Jessica Kwazz, we explore how the film’s marketing completely failed the movie, why Megan Fox deserved far more credit for her performance, and how Diablo Cody’s screenplay cleverly balances horror, comedy, satire, and social commentary.

We discuss:

In this episode of Never Seen It, we strap into the Mach 5 and revisit the wildly ambitious 2008 live-action Speed Racer from The Wachowskis — a movie that bombed at the box office but has since become a genuine cult classic.

We discuss why the film struggled financially upon release despite its groundbreaking visual style, massive budget, and all-star cast including Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox. We also explore how the movie found a second life on DVD, streaming, and recent IMAX re-releases.

Throughout the discussion, we break down:

In this episode of the Never Seen It Podcast, we review and analyze Shelby Oaks — the highly anticipated indie horror movie directed by Chris Stuckmann and produced with support from Mike Flanagan.

We discuss how a former YouTube movie reviewer successfully crowdfunded one of the biggest horror Kickstarter campaigns ever, eventually landing backing from Neon. From there, we unpack whether Shelby Oaks lives up to the hype and how it compares to modern horror films like Talk to Me, The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, and Barbarian.

We spend a lot of time dissecting the mo...

In this episode of the Never Seen It podcast, we discuss Spring Breakers — the polarizing crime-drama fever dream directed by Harmony Korine. Going into the film, many of us expected a raunchy college comedy in the vein of early 2010s party movies. Instead, we found ourselves trapped inside a hypnotic, neon-lit art house experiment filled with crime, violence, sex, drugs, existential emptiness, and one of the strangest performances of James Franco’s career.

We talk about the film’s surreal atmosphere, repetitive dialogue, dreamlike editing, and music-video-inspired cinematography. We also debate whether the movie’s lack of structur...

In this episode, we dive deep into Backdraft (1991), the classic firefighter thriller directed by Ron Howard and starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro, and Donald Sutherland.

We explore how Backdraft blends action, mystery, and emotional storytelling through its central theme of brotherhood—both literal and symbolic. The film follows two feuding firefighter brothers navigating a legacy shaped by their father’s sacrifice, all while uncovering a dangerous arson conspiracy tied to political corruption.

We discuss how the film’s practical fire effects revolutionized the genre, with flames portrayed as a living, breathing antagonist. Unlike...

In this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we take on one of the wildest low-budget horror films out there: Llamageddon (2015). Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a killer llama from outer space terrorizing a group of unsuspecting partygoers.

We’re joined by special guest Mel, a film content creator and horror enthusiast, who brings her love of low-budget cinema and creature features to the discussion. Together, we unpack what makes movies like this टिक (or completely fall apart).

We talk about the film’s origins as what feels like a student project, its rumored mi...

In this episode, we break down Eyes Wide Shut, the final film from legendary director Stanley Kubrick. We explore how this psychological drama blends erotic tension, conspiracy, and philosophical themes into a deeply unsettling look at relationships and power.

We start by examining the film’s central conflict: what happens when emotional intimacy becomes more threatening than physical infidelity? As Dr. Bill Hartford, played by Tom Cruise, spirals after his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) admits to a sexual fantasy, we discuss how jealousy, insecurity, and ego drive the narrative forward.

From there, we dive into th...

In this episode, we sit down to discuss Rental Family, a deeply emotional and thought-provoking film that explores loneliness, identity, and the human need for connection. Through Brendan Fraser’s vulnerable performance as a struggling actor in Japan, the film introduces us to the world of “rental families”—a service where people hire others to play roles in their lives.

We unpack how the film uses this unique premise to examine real-world issues like mental health, grief, and emotional isolation. From the start, we’re struck by how universal the film feels—despite its specific cultural setting—highlighting t...

In this episode, we dive deep into JCVD and unpack the complicated legacy of Jean-Claude Van Damme as both an action icon and a serious actor. We ask the big question: is JCVD actually a great actor, or is he just wildly inconsistent?

We start by analyzing Van Damme’s performance, highlighting how he delivers genuinely powerful acting in select moments—particularly in emotionally vulnerable scenes—while struggling to maintain that same level throughout the film. As we discuss, there are flashes where he feels like a “legitimate actor,” followed by moments that feel flat or even amateurish...

In this episode, we welcome Guy Rosefelt—engineer, event producer, and longtime contributor to the worlds of film, television, and Comic-Con culture—for a wide-ranging and deeply entertaining conversation.

We kick things off by exploring Guy’s unique career path, from engineering and Air Force service to working behind the scenes in live entertainment production. His journey highlights how creative problem-solving and execution—not perfection—are often the real keys to success in both art and life. 

From there, we dive into his work with major events like the Saturn Awards and Palm Springs Comic Con, unpack...

In this special episode, we revisit the Academy Awards with a full Oscars recap and analysis, breaking down the biggest wins, shocking snubs, and ongoing debates shaping the film industry. We take a deep dive into the Best Picture race, comparing One Battle After Another and Sinners, and discuss why one film ultimately took home the top prize while the other may have captured audiences’ hearts.

We explore standout performances in the Best Actor and Actress categories, including the buzz around Michael B. Jordan’s win and Jesse Buckley’s powerful performance. Along the way, we highlight notabl...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Trainspotting, the 1990's grunge classic directed by Danny Boyle that redefined indie filmmaking in the 1990s. We explore how the film captures the gritty reality of heroin addiction, toxic friendships, and the nihilistic mindset of a generation rejecting traditional life paths.

We discuss standout performances, especially from Ewan McGregor as Mark Renton, and how his character’s journey reflects the push and pull between self-destruction and personal growth. From the film’s shocking and surreal imagery to its dark comedic moments, we analyze why Trainspotting still feels raw, dist...

In this special Oscars preview episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we sit down with Castle Rock Film Festival director and filmmaker Hunter Burns to break down the biggest contenders heading into the 2026 Academy Awards. From the major categories to the overlooked technical achievements, we dive deep into what films might dominate the night and which ones could surprise everyone.

We start by discussing one of the most historic changes to the Academy Awards this year: the introduction of the Best Casting category, a long-awaited recognition for casting directors and the ensembles that define a film...

In this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we discuss Marty Supreme, the 2025 period sports drama directed by Josh Safdie and set in the early 1950s. Marketed as an Oscar contender, the film follows Marty Mauser, a young man obsessed with becoming the world’s greatest ping pong champion. But beneath the sports movie surface, we found something deeper.

We explore whether Marty is truly an antihero in the vein of Walter White or Tony Soprano, or if he’s simply a product of generational trauma, hustle culture, and survival instincts. Is he narcissistic? Is he misu...

In this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we dive deep into Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest reboot of Marvel’s First Family, and ask the big question: Did Marvel finally get it right?

We explore how this new take stacks up against the previous Fantastic Four films—including the early 2000s version starring Jessica Alba and the 2015 reboot—and whether this 2025 iteration feels like a true fresh start for the MCU’s Phase 6.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards — Is he the right choice for Mister Fan...

In this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we dive into Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated 2025 adaptation of Frankenstein. We’re joined by Arnie, Amber, Alex (aka Filipino Grigio), Chris (MilkmanAmerica), and Donnie for a wild, funny, and surprisingly deep discussion about one of literature and cinema’s most iconic monsters.

We kick things off by talking about why this movie was chosen, how del Toro’s name alone carries massive expectations, and how genre films—especially gothic horror—are still treated unfairly by major awards shows. We break down the film’s long list of Oscar nomin...

In this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we dive headfirst into Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” one of the most talked-about films of the 2025–2026 awards season. With a stacked cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infinity, Regina Hall, Wood Harris, Tony Goldwyn, and Benicio Del Toro, this film has quickly become a lightning rod for controversy, praise, and heated debate.

We start with a spoiler-light overview of the premise:
After their extremist nemesis resurfaces 16 years later, a group of former revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their...