Kermode & Mayo’s Take

You’d think someone with two therapist parents would be golden. Why Otis is scared of sex. Plus what’s worse, having a parent who is strict or a smotherer? We look at what it’s like for the rest of the boys such as Eric, Adam and Jackson in the second of this two-parter on the hugely popular Netflix show. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SA...

The terror of wondering whether Tom Cruise has died. Writing the rulebook for shooting in a pandemic. The artistic mediocrity of AI. Even more Tom Cruise! This week’s episode sees Simon sit down for a chat with another iconic Simon, the brilliant Simon Pegg, who has once again strapped on his harness to join the Mission Impossible crew for its seventh stunt-filled, death-defying outing. Mark revie...

What it’s like being called a ‘cock-biter’ - how Maeve is misunderstood and underestimated. Plus revenge porn, toxic friendships and fears or fascination around sex. In this two parter: we look at the girls first and what they face growing up in this hugely popular Netflix show. We'd love to hear your comments and guest suggestions on the show. Email: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com If you have been af...

An emotional interview with Pixar director and voice over, Peter Sohn, about his latest film ‘Elemental’. During the interview Peter opens up to Simon about why this film is particularly close to his heart. Mark reviews the seventh film in the Mission Impossible franchise, ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ starring Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell and Rebecca Ferguson, plus a new heartfelt...

Emotional contagion in gang culture is not the only issue driving this week's client. Does compartmentalising ruthless work and being a caregiver have ill effects? We delve into how grief can drive reckless decision-making to become Top Boy. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samari...

‘Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a modern creative force’ who keeps Harrison Ford on his toes, according to director James Mangold, who has just directed the fifth film in the Indiana Jones franchise, ‘Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny’. Simon is remote from Denmark, so Mark takes the reins on this week’s interview, in which they discuss the genius of Phoebe Waller-Bridge and agree Toby Jones can do n...

The difference between personality types: Feeler or Dealer. Plus why Mitch is so desperate to be one of the crowd and Cam wants to stand outside of it. We explore two of our favourite characters in more detail. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://w...

Work experience with Kenneth Branagh. A guardian angel dance troupe. The Simon Mayo cameo that could have been. This week’s episode features an interview with Aisling Bea and Lara McDonnell, who star as the younger and older iterations of the lead character in ‘Greatest Days’, a jukebox musical featuring the hits of Take That. Mark reviews ‘No Hard Feelings’, Jennifer Lawrence’s new, R-rated, comi...

What does infidelity say about a marriage? How can honesty in the face of money laundering keep a family together, and what sort of mother is Wendy? We learn how a wholesome American mum holds her nerve (and maybe even thrives) against a cartel. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-sa...

Sibling disagreements on set. Making sense of the DC universe. The legend that is Michael Keaton. This week’s episode features an interview with director and producer brother-sister duo Andy and Barbara Muschietti about their contentious, new, time-bending superhero movie, ‘The Flash’. Mark reviews ‘Extraction 2’, the second instalment of the Russo Brothers’ Chris Hemsworth-helmed action franchise...

With special guest Kiell Smith-Bynoe who plays Mike in hit BBC comedy ‘Ghosts’. Ben and Sasha ask: is sharing your partner with a group of ghosts a metaphor for partnerships and what’s it like to act next to dead people? Plus, they take a look at why it's not just our upbringing that shapes us, but also the time we come from. Recorded Live at The Podcast Show in London. If you have been affected b...

Violin-offs. A fresh interpretation of Marie Antoinette. Simon Mayo, a fashionista? This week’s episode features an interview with actors Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Lucy Boynton about their new biographical period drama, 'Chevalier’. Mark reviews ‘Medusa Deluxe’, a murder mystery set in a high-stakes hairdressing competition; ‘Chevalier’, an upcoming biographical drama based on the true story of Blac...

What’s an anxious ruminator? What happens when self-blame is a way of life and how stationery can be lethal? We learn that there’s a little bit of George in all of us and how to keep it at bay. Our top ten George episodes (available on Netflix) Season 2, episode 4: The Phone Message Season 4, episode 10: The Contest Season 4, episode 15: The Shoes Season 5, episode 14: The Marine Biologist Season...

Simon interviews director Rob Savage about his latest release, 'The Boogeyman’. Mark reviews, ‘Reality’ -  which depicts the unauthorized release of government intelligence to the media about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.‘The Boogeyman’ - an upcoming American supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage about an entity that enters a family’s house and preys on their...

How anger can be a force for good, are we misusing the word ‘trigger’ and what happens when a birthday party turns into a domestic. We deep dive into the police sergeant’s life to see how she copes (or not). If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www....

In this special live version of the show from Union Chapel in Islington, Mark reviews, ‘Master Gardener’ - a film which follows a horticulturist devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate owned by a wealthy dowager; ‘Hypnotic’ which sees a detective investigating a mystery involving his missing daughter, and a secret government program; ‘The Gallows Pole’ – which recounts the true story...

Ben and Sasha break down how the Schitt’s Creek siblings are fuelled differently, the different flavours of wine, and why quality time with the ones who love us most, trumps all. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/ For UK help...

Mark reviews, ‘Fast X’ - Dom Toretto and his family are back again to confront the most lethal opponent that they've ever faced; ‘Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret’ - a film exploring eleven-year-old Margaret’s entry into life, friendship and adolescence; ‘Beau Is Afraid’ - sometimes the greatest adventures come from one’s darkest fears. From Ari Aster, director of Hereditary and Midsommar. We a...

Ben and Sasha ask why do some people behave like big babies (and why is it more obvious in wealthy people); why can trying to hold on to someone mean you actually push them away, and how can we learn to spot terrible mistakes heading in our direction? If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/cont...

Mark and Simon look ahead to what to look out for this summer! Mark reviews ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ – the sequel of four best friends who take their book club to Italy for the fun girls’ trip they never had; ‘Still: A Michael J Fox Movie’ - follows the life of beloved actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, exploring his personal and professional triumphs and travails with Parkinson’s Disease; ‘P...

Ben & Sash explore what makes a successful confidence trickster, and how Jimmy McGill is full of contradictions: criminal and yet kind. Plus, how it’s difficult not to slide back into old habits without the right support. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally...

Director of Hereditary and Midsommar, Ari Aster, joins Mark and Simon to discuss his new film ‘Beau is Afraid’. He explains how doing press isn’t his favourite part of the process, but divulges some of his feelings on the film with Mark and Simon. Mark reviews ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ –  where Marvel’s Cinematic Universe expands into the cosmos – and Peter Quill finds himself the object of...

Ben Bailey Smith and Sasha Bates delve into the Shrink the Box emails to answer questions, discuss new character suggestions and pick each other’s brains. This week: they muse on whether the Roy Family (Succession) could really do a group therapy session and Ben asks Sasha whether she ever dislikes her clients (and other tricky therapist conundrums). If you have been affected by any of the issues...

Penelope Wilton talks about the logistics of filming The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and what it was like working alongside Jim Broadbent. Following their Easter break, Mark reviews ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ - an upcoming British drama film directed by Hettie Macdonald about the lengths one man will go to, to see his dying friend; ‘Little Richard: I Am Everything’ which depict...

Ben and Sasha delve into the Shrink the Box emails to answer questions, discuss new character suggestions and pick each other’s brains. This week: they wonder whether analysing a fictional character means you are analysing the writer too. Plus what it would be like to have a werewolf on the couch. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS...