Once Upon a Franchise

Higher. Further. Faster. Manel and Ren swap places (not really) as they revisit The Marvels , Nia DaCosta’s cosmic team-up uniting Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan. From Iman Vellani’s star power and the inventive power-swap action to the singing planet Aladna, the Flerken evacuation, and that X-Men mid-credits tease, they break down what still works, why the editing and villain fal...

It’s time for one last ride. Manel and Ren dive into James Gunn’s emotional farewell to the MCU’s most dysfunctional family, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 . From Rocket’s devastating origin story and the despicable High Evolutionary to the incredible hallway one-take set piece, the practical production design, and a soundtrack with its own arc, they break down why this might be the most satisfyin...

Manel and Ren shrink down into the Quantum Realm for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania , the film that kicked off Phase Five and introduced Kang the Conqueror as the MCU’s next "Big Bad". Did this sci-fi swing change the sub-franchise for the better, or was it the moment the little guy got lost in the big picture? They dig into Jonathan Majors’ menacing performance and the messy art-versus-artist...

Manel and Ren dive beneath the waves for the most personal chapter of the MCU: B lack Panther: Wakanda Forever . Ryan Coogler’s sequel faced the impossible task of moving forward without Chadwick Boseman, and turned that grief into the very heart of its story. They break down Shuri’s journey through loss, Angela Bassett’s unforgettable Queen Ramonda, Tenoch Huerta’s Namor and the stunning underwat...

The God of Thunder is back for a fourth solo adventure, and this time, love is in the air... along with screaming goats, shadow monsters, and a very jealous axe! Join Manel and Ren as they dive into the divisive Thor: Love and Thunder , Taika Waititi's follow-up, featuring Natalie Portman's return and Christian Bale's chilling villain turn. Does the film's mix of cancer, grief, and...

This week, Manel and Ren fall into the dark side of the multiverse with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness . Sam Raimi brings gothic horror, relentless creativity, and a lot of blood to the MCU, with Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda at the center of it all. We break down the Illuminati massacre, the musical Strange vs. Strange fight, the terrifying siege of Kamar-Taj, and the messy connection to W...

Seven years later, Marvel is asking us to take our seats again with Avengers: Endgame Encore. The 2019 blockbuster returned to cinemas, featuring four new teasers for Avengers: Doomsday . In this special episode, Manel and Ren revisit the film that closed the Infinity Saga on the big screen and talk about what it's like to watch it again with a new bridge to what comes next. They also address...

Peter Parker's identity is exposed, Doctor Strange's spell goes wrong, and the multiverse comes knocking. Manel and Ren rewatch Spider-Man: No Way Home and ask whether it's the smartest use of fan service in the MCU. They break down the returning villains, Willem Dafoe's scene-stealing Goblin, the three-Peter chemistry, Aunt May's heartbreaking turn, and an ending that changes...

Seven thousand years of secrets, one impossible family, and the birth of a god that could end the world. This week, Manel and Ren dive into Chloé Zhao’s Eternals , Marvel’s most visually ambitious and structurally daring standalone entry. From the ancient Deviant wars to the shocking truth behind the Eternals’ silence during Earth’s darkest moments, is this an underrated installment, or does the M...

This week, Manel and Ren head from a San Francisco valet stand to a hidden mythical village to break down Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings — Marvel’s first Asian-led blockbuster and, quite possibly, one of its best-choreographed action films to date. We walk through Wenwu’s thousand-year reign, the tragic love story that briefly ended it, Shang-Chi and Xialing’s very different responses t...

Better late than never: this week, Manel and Ren finally give Natasha Romanoff her due with Black Widow . We dig into the fractured, fabricated family at the film's core, Florence Pugh's scene-stealing debut as Yelena, the most brutal hand-to-hand action the MCU had produced to that point, and why updating the Red Room for the modern world (kinda) works. Plus: personal ratings, hot takes o...

Peter Parker trades New York for a European class trip in Spider-Man: Far From Home — and finds Elementals, a mysterious hero named Mysterio, and the crushing weight of Tony Stark's legacy waiting for him instead. Manel and Ren dig into Jake Gyllenhaal's all-in performance, two of the best action sequences the wall-crawler has ever had, while also discussing the haphazard city-hopping and...

Manuel and Ren assemble for the culmination of a decade-long cinematic journey to unpack the massive spectacle that is Avengers: Endgame. They break down how Anthony and Joe Russo’s film balances the heartbreaking aftermath of Infinity War with an emotionally charged time-heist that honors eleven years of storytelling. From the tragic, beautifully earned character arcs of Iron Man and Captain Amer...

Did Captain Marvel stick the landing, or did it get lost in the 90s nostalgia? Manuel São Bento and Ren Vieira unpack Carol Danvers' origin story while discussing the film's thematic core, character arcs, and its overall place within the Infinity Saga.

Manel and Ren shrink down to dissect Marvel’s attempt at a superhero palate cleanser, Ant-Man and the Wasp . They break down whether this low-stakes adventure successfully provides a lighthearted breath of fresh air after the emotional devastation of Avengers: Infinity War , or if it ultimately settles for a formulaic, non-urgent narrative structure that functions more like an inconsequential fill...

Manel and Ren embark on a historic cosmic journey to dissect the massive cultural phenomenon that is Avengers: Infinity War (2018). They break down how Anthony and Joe Russo masterfully execute an unprecedented ensemble balancing act, turning a sprawling superhero crossover into an intense, planet-hopping war film where the antagonist takes center stage.

Manel and Ren journey to the hidden kingdom of Wakanda to discuss the cultural phenomenon that is Black Panther (2018). They break down why Ryan Coogler’s film remains a pivotal cornerstone of the MCU, balancing grand superhero spectacle with an intimate political drama about sovereignty and responsibility. From the breathtaking world-building and the sonic landscape of Ludwig Göransson’s score to...

In this episode, Manel and Ren dive into the neon-soaked, synth-driven "personality transplant" that is Thor: Ragnarok . They break down how director Taika Waititi stripped away the God of Thunder’s Shakespearean stiffness to reveal Chris Hemsworth’s comedic brilliance, while introducing the MCU's most captivating new addition, Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie. From the "buddy cop&quot...

Pack your bags for Queens because this week Manel and Ren are suiting up for the wall-crawler’s definitive solo debut in the MCU: Spider-Man: Homecoming ! They're diving deep into why Tom Holland’s awkward, hopeful energy makes him the ultimate Peter Parker, the brilliant "blue-collar" villainy of Michael Keaton’s Vulture, and the complex — often debated — mentorship dynamic with Tony Stark.

Join Manel and Ren as they explore the heart and the "hiccups" of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 . From the sophisticated thematic layering of the Gamora-Nebula fallout to the divisive MCU’s "humor problem", they’re breaking down why this messy, gorgeous sequel remains the emotional anchor of the cosmic franchise. "Daddy" issues, the brilliance of a narcissistic plane...

Join Manel and Ren as they open their minds to discuss Doctor Strange (2016), the MCU’s mind-bending foray into the mystical arts. They dive into Stephen Strange’s journey from arrogance to enlightenment, Benedict Cumberbatch’s seamless transformation into the Sorcerer Supreme, and the film's philosophical exploration of time and mortality. Jump in as they explore the stunning visual effects,...

Join Manel and Ren as they pick their sides to discuss Captain America: Civil War (2016), the high-stakes political thriller that fractured the Avengers. They explore the dense themes of accountability and vengeance, the masterclass introductions of Black Panther and Spider-Man, and why Zemo remains one of the franchise’s most effective villain. Jump in as they defend the film's grounded visua...

Join Manel and Ren as they shrink down to discuss Ant-Man (2015), the MCU’s refreshing palette cleanser. They dive into its unique heist-movie structure, the passing of the mantle from Hank Pym to Scott Lang, and Paul Rudd’s undeniable charm. Jump in as they explore why this smaller-scale story works so well, its creative visual effects, and how it proves that sometimes, less really is more.

Join Manel and Ren as they tackle Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), debating whether it’s a misunderstood deconstruction of heroism or a victim of its own ambition. They dive into Tony Stark’s god complex, the introduction of the Maximoffs and Vision, and the heavy themes of legacy vs. obsolescence. Jump in to discuss if this "darker" chapter is a top-tier sequel or just a bridge to the fu...

Join Manel and Ren as they analyze Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), discussing why James Gunn's film represents the peak of MCU humor and visual originality. They focus on the powerful central theme of redemption, exploring how a group of morally ambiguous outcasts find an unforgettable, imperfect family through shared trauma. Jump in to talk about the film's soundtrack and why its celebrat...