Kermode & Mayo’s Take

The Multifaceted Daveed Diggs tells Simon how his role as Marshall Zucker in the start studded ‘Extrapolations’ was deeply personal. Mark reviews South London rom- com ‘Rye Lane’ - starring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, ‘Pearl’ Ti West’s prequal to horror film ‘X’ which sees Mia Goth reprise her role as the title character, ‘80 for Brady’- which is a comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sal...

Transporting viewers to the idyllic, suburban world of Westview, New Jersey, but all is not how it seems. Despite her otherworldly powers, Wanda experiences grief and loss, just like the rest of us. Plus a deep dive into the strength of nostalgia, what the mysterious beekeepers mean, and how sometimes, destruction is the only thing that helps us heal. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Wandavis...

Andy Serkis tells Simon about playing his darkest role yet, and why he decided to take on the challenge. Mark reviews the new horror/slasher take on a child’s classic ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ which follows a bloodthirsty Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet as they terrorise their former friend Christopher Robin; ‘Champions’ - a heartwarming new comedy/drama starring Woody Harrelson about a former...

Advertising sells - and Don Draper knows how to sell it better than anyone: a product, the American dream, and even himself. We look at why the ad-men of the ‘60s were so terrified of therapy, how sex is power, and why faking who you are - is actually the hardest sell of all. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Mad Men to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! P...

Michael B. Jordan talks about his directorial debut – he discusses how he feels about Danielle Deadwyler missing out at the Oscars, and working with Jonathan Majors (who interrupted Jordan’s directing playing his music). Mark reviews new MUBI release ‘Close’ which follows two teenage boys whose friendship is thrown into disarray when their schoolmates point out their intimacy. New slashes/splatter...

Falling in love with a priest - whilst being deathly afraid of intimacy? What’s that about? Join us as we delve into the world of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag and find out why she is so intent on being quite so ‘naughty’. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 and 2 of Fleabag to avoid spoilers. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on...

Simon speaks to Hugh Jackman about how filming ‘The Son’ changed him as a parent, plus he talks about reprising his role as Wolverine! Mark reviews ‘Cocaine Bear’, a film about a 500-pound black bear who goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine. ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ starring Lily James and Shazad Latif, centering around an arranged marriage; ‘The Independent’...

Omar is only Barack Obama's favourite fictional character of all time. And perhaps ours too? We find out why we're on the side of the gun-toting, duster-coat wearing stick-up badass who robs drug dealers for a living. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Wire to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com If you have been...

Simon speaks to Hollywood royalty Michael Douglas about the return of Ant-Man - Michael recommends the best way to watch his new film... Mark reviews drama ‘Nostalgia’ about a man named Felice who returns to his hometown, Naples, after a 40-year absence; ‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’ - the feature adaptation of the animated short, Marcel (voiced by Jenny Slate) is a 1-inch-tall shell that lives...

The often enigmatic chess genius that is Beth Harmon - is the Queen of this week’s episode. Ben and Sasha explore why Beth feels so compelled to clean up after parties - and how her controlled prowess at the chessboard, becomes utter chaos away from it. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Quee...

We learn about the making of ‘Till’, and what Danielle thinks about the Awards. Mark reviews ‘Women Talking’ - a harrowing American drama about a religious isolated community starring Jessie Buckley, Rooney Mara and Claire Foy, ‘Epic Tails’ - which tells the story of a super smart mouse named Pattie and her feline friend Sam, who embark on an exciting adventure through ancient Greece. ‘Blue Jean’-...

Sliding on their gloves, and stepping into their Hazmat suits, Ben and Sasha distil one of TV’s most infamous characters: The mighty Heisenburg. On this week’s Shrink the Box we uncover why Walter White is often in his underpants, how he taps into his ‘shadow side’ and we explore if the ‘Revenge of the Nerd’ is really a thing. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Breaking Bad to avoid spoilers. D...

Telegraph critic Robbie Collin stands in for Simon this week as he’s unwell. Mark reviews ‘EO,’ Jerzy Skolimowski’s harrowing new film about a donkey that encounters happiness and sorrow along his journey through life, ‘Knock at the Cabin’ - M Night Shyamalan’s apocalyptic film – which tells the story of a same sex couple who are held hostage and asked to make an unthinkable choice, from the Shrek...

Unravelling the complex (and surprisingly endearing) layers of the OG mobster: Mr Tony Soprano, all roads lead to New Jersey on the first episode of Shrink the Box! We find out why talking to a therapist is a ‘whackable’ offence, how falling in love with your shrink is not THAT uncommon and why his mother, Livia Soprano could be the real villain of the show. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of T...

Ever wondered why Tony Soprano's therapist stuck with him? Simon and Mark chat with friend of the show, actor/comedian Ben Bailey Smith, and psychotherapist Sasha Bates about their new podcast ‘Shrink the Box’ where every week Sasha and Ben give listeners the chance to delve into the psyches of their favorite fictional film and tv characters.   Mark reviews Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical...

Cate Blanchett is the star of  ‘Tár’ and is tipped to win big at the awards this year; in this episode you’ll hear Cate talk to Simon about the impact the film has had on her. Mark reviews Damien Chazelle’s latest film ‘Babylon’ - set in the decedent and depraved world of 1920’s Hollywood, ‘Holy Spider’ a Persian-language crime thriller directed by Iranian director Ali Abbasi, ‘More than Ever’ -  ...

Would Empire of Light have happened if Olivia Colman hadn’t said yes to playing Hilary? Director and writer, Sam Mendes CBE, chats to Simon in this week’s episode as the pair unpack his latest release. Mark reviews psychological horror ‘Enys Men’, set in 1973 on an uninhabited island off the Cornish coast; Cate Blanchett’s new film ‘Tár’ - about the life of composer and conductor, Lydia Tár; ‘M3ga...

The daughter of Beatle Paul McCartney, Mary McCartney, joins Ben and Anna to give us a glimpse of what went down in the world-famous Abbey Road Studios. Anna reviews ‘Till’ - the heart-breaking film about the death of Emmett Till in 1960s America, the highly anticipated ‘A Man Called Otto’, the Disney Original documentary ‘If These Walls Could Sing’, and ‘Piggy’- a Spanish French indie thriller. T...

Mark and Simon take a look at the best bits of Kermode and Mayo’s Take this year including highlights from Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Goldblum, Charlotte Rampling – as well as the biggest reviews like Top Gun Maverick, Elvis and Everything Everywhere All At Once. PLUS Simon interviews TOM HANKS and MARIANA TREVINO about the upcoming  comedy-drama ‘A Man Called Otto’. They also reflect on those we have l...

Detective Benoit Blanc is back!! Simon sits down with Daniel Craig, and director Rian Johnson to chat all things ‘Glass Onion: A Knives out Mystery,’ the sequel to ‘Knives Out.’ (2019) Mark reviews ‘The Enforcer’- an American action thriller starring Antonio Banderas who must sacrifice everything to save a young girl from his femme fatale boss (Kate Bosworth), ‘The Pale Blue Eye’ - a gothic horror...

It took three years and cost 250 million dollars to make ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, and Mark has some strong feelings on the film... Mark also reviews animated Christmas movie ‘The Nutcracker and the Magic Flute’ - which follows Marie as she makes a wish and becomes the same size as her toy nutcracker, ‘The Unofficial Science of Home Alone’ - a one off Sky special with comedians James Acaster and...

What is it like to work with Tom Cruise? The legendary Hollywood producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, pays us a visit to tell all and to speak to Simon about the making of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. Mark reviews ‘Nocebo’ - a new mystery/psychological thriller starring Eva Green and Chai Fonacier, ‘Anonymous Club,’ a documentary that gives an intimate portrayal at the life of beloved singer Courtney Barnett, ‘Th...

Why eating nineteen bowls of noodles helped Gary Oldman get into character for Jackson Lamb – he joins Mark and Simon in the studio, fully in character for ‘Slow Horses season two’. Gary talks filming the new series, as well as the 25th anniversary of ‘Nil by Mouth.’ Mark reviews ‘White Noise’- an apocalyptic black comedy directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver and Don Che...

The monstrous Miss Trunchbull is played by Dame Emma Thompson in the new musical film ‘Matilda the Musical’ - Simon talks to Dame Emma about this extraordinary role, and how Emma’s comprehensive prosthetics started at 5am each day! Mark reviews ‘Bones and All’ - a romantic horror road film by Luca Guadagnino, starring Timothée Chalamet Taylor Russell and Mark Rylance, ‘She Said’ - a biographical d...

Simon speaks to actor Paul Mescal about his new film ‘Aftersun.’ Mark reviews black comedy horror film ‘The Menu,’ starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Holt, and Ralph Fiennes - about a young couple who visit a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant, but the chef has prepared some shocking surprises for his guests, ‘Armageddon Time’ - a personal coming of age story by James Gray - starring...