The Lorehounds

Welcome to the Lorehounds! We're David, John, and Elysia — proud independent podcasters who dig deep into the shows and movies you love. We go beyond recaps to explore the storytelling, the lore, the themes, and everything in between, bringing genuine passion and thoughtful analysis to every episode.

Right now we're breaking down The Vampire Lestat and House of the Dragon with Ted Lasso, The Bear, Ahsoka, and plenty more on the horizon.

The Lorehounds sit at the heart of a growing network of affiliated podcasts and a thriving Discord community where the conversation never stops. Find links to all of our shows, subscriber feeds, and community spaces at linktr.ee/thelorehounds.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

638 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes638

Newest first

April 17 · 1 hr 28 min
Maul: Shadow Lord - S01E03-04 - Whispers in the Unknown / Pride and Vengeance
David, Jean, and Bryan dive into the second week of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord with a discussion that also features comm links from Elysia covering her fresh takes, comics connections, and a lore report on the Pyke Syndicate. The conversation centers on Maul's mesmerizing tea ceremony with Devon, a scene the team calls one of the best in any Star Wars property, and the cat-and-mouse dynamic that follows as Maul tests Devon's resolve, her ability to learn, and her untapped power. The team also explores the Lawson and Two Boots partnership, the noir-inflected policing storyline, the stunning animation style, and the explosive cliffhanger that brings the Empire to Janix's doorstep. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: starwars@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 16 · 45 min
The Pitt - S02E14 - 8:00 P.M.
David and John recap the darkness before the light in the penultimate episode of Season 2 of The Pitt. View our Free Show Guide Online: https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guide Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 13 · 2 hr 7 min
Daredevil: Born Again S2-E1-4 – mid-season: Bullseye rising (MCUniverse)
Jean, Elysia, and Luke are back to argue the finer points on what makes one murderer worse than another, what a villain's selection of cages says about them, and which romances are likely to be DOA in this mid-season check-in discussing the first four episodes of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 – "The Northern Star," "Shoot the Moon," "The Scales & The Sword," and "Gloves Off." Last season's coverage: DD:BA S1 eps 1-2 DD:BA S1 ep 3 DD:BA S1 eps 4-7 DD:BA S1 eps 8-9 Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: mcu@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Luke's podcast ItCouldBeSaid Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 11 · 1 hr 50 min
The Drama (2026) – the wildest wedding of the year
Elysia is joined by Lisa to spill all the tea on everything that went down in Kristoffer Borgli's The Drama (2026). After giving their spoiler-free takes and general thoughts on the power of dark humor to unlock uncomfortable discussions, they talk about the film's opening sequence (00:21:14) without spoiling the twist, and then finally launch into a full-spoiler discussion of the rest of the film (00:37:40). Warning: This film (and thus this podcast episode) will not be for everyone. Heed the (spoiler-free, and then later spoiler-filled) content warnings within. Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Send your questions and feedback to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 10 · 1 hr 54 min
Hamlet (2025) – the Asian prince of London
David and Elysia dive into Shakespeare's Hamlet, opening with a discussion of the play itself and some of the most classic film and stage adaptations, not to mention the whole sub-genre of films loosely adapting and referencing the Bard's longest work. With that foundation laid, they turn their attention to the new adaptation starring Riz Ahmed, directed by Aneil Karia, that debuted at Telluride last year and is opening in theaters across North America today, April 10. How faithful is this new incarnation of the story, set in London's Asian community in the modern day? And what does and doesn't work when breaking down the source material to create what they call "the boldest adaptation to date"? Links discussed: "The Name of Action" short doc This American Life: "Act V" Bait TV series: trailer Hamlet adaptations discussed: Hamlet (1948) – Directed by Laurence Olivier, starring Laurence Olivier Hamlet (1990) – Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Mel Gibson Hamlet (1996) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh Hamlet (2009) – Directed by Gregory Doran, starring David Tennant Hamlet (2018) – Directed by Rhodri Huw and Robert Icke, starring Andrew Scott Hamlet (2024) – Directed by Sean Mathias, starring Ian McKellen Hamlet (2025) – Directed by Aneil Karia, starring Riz Ahmed Hamlet: National Theatre Live (2026) – Directed by Robert Hastie, starring Hiran Abeysekera Other films discussed: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) – Directed by Tom Stoppard The Lion King (1994) – Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff In the Bleak Midwinter (1995) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead (2009) – Directed by Jordan Galland Ophelia (2018) – Directed by Claire McCarthy The Northman (2022) – Directed by Robert Eggers Grand Theft Hamlet (2024) – Directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls King Hamlet (2025) – Directed by Elvira Lind Scarlet (2026) – Directed by Mamoru Hosoda Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Send your questions and feedback to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 8 · 1 hr 5 min
Maul: Shadow Lord - S01E01-02 - The Dark Revenge / Sinister Schemes
David, John, and Jean kick off their weekly coverage of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord with a discussion of the two-episode premiere. A quick note — we had some technical issues with our usual recording setup this week, so the audio quality isn't up to our normal standards, but the conversation is very much worth the listen. The team breaks down Maul's opening moves to reignite a syndicate war on Janix, the introduction of Devon Izara and her Jedi Master Daki in hiding, and Detective Brander Lawson's noir-tinged investigation into the chaos Maul is unleashing. The conversation explores the show's bold decision to center a villain as its protagonist, the striking animation style, and how these first two chapters establish the themes of revenge, power, and manipulation that will drive the season. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: starwars@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 6 · 1 hr 7 min
The Pitt - S02E13 - 7:00 P.M.
David and John discuss the unraveling of Robby, the humbling of Ogilvie, and shredder placement. View our Free Show Guide Online: https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guide Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 3 · 50 min
Maul: Shadow Lord - Season Preview
David is joined by Jon and Elysia for the season preview of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, the new animated series created by Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz. The conversation is structured in tiers, starting spoiler-free with release details and coverage plans before moving into light story and production context, and finally diving deep into Maul's full backstory and the crime syndicates of the Star Wars underworld. Elysia provides extensive lore context on Maul's journey from Dathomir through The Clone Wars to his post-Order 66 status, while the team discusses the show's potential as a character study exploring revenge, power, and the criminal underbelly of the galaxy. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: starwars@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 1 · 54 min
The Pitt - Inside the ER: A Nurse's Perspective w/SarahZ
David sits down with Sarah, a longtime Lorehounds listener and ICU nurse with over two decades of experience in trauma care at teaching hospitals. The conversation explores the authenticity of The Pitt's depiction of emergency medicine, why Ogilvy's first-day cockiness is more common than viewers might think, and how addiction storylines among healthcare professionals ring surprisingly true. Sarah explains the hierarchy of nursing roles, why teaching hospitals need far more than two attendings on duty, and how watching The Pitt provides an unexpected emotional outlet for feelings nurses must suppress during shifts. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds View our Free Show Guide Online https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guide Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
April 1 · 1 hr 53 min
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) – Hope-punk heavy metal
Elysia and Riley kneel at the alter of Ralph Fiennes' Iron Maiden, discuss why Jimmy Crystal is scarier than Sinners' vampire Remmick, and glean hope from this film's not-so-hidden messages of humanity, sacrifice, and teasings of radical forgiveness in the second film in the game-changing 28 Years Later zoombie trilogy. Previous coverage: 28 Days & Weeks Later (subscribers) & 28 Years Later (2025) Find Riley online: YouTube – Bluesky Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Send your questions and feedback to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 29 · 1 hr 28 min
The Pitt - S02E12 - 6:00 P.M.
David and John talk crime coverups and funding cuts in this episode of The Pitt. View our Free Show Guide Online: https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guide Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 27 · 59 min
One Piece (Netflix) - S02E01-03
John and Elysia set sail on the East Blue and recap One Piece Season 1 before the live action Season 2 premieres on March 10. They discuss the Hope-Punk of Luffy, the theme of found family, and the absurdity of the production. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: onepiece@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 25 · 1 hr 9 min
Dune Updates w/Dune Minute Podcast
Dune Storyverse Check-In w/Zach & John from Dune Minute Podcast David sits down with Zach and John from the Dune Minute Podcast for a wide-ranging check-in on the state of the Dune storyverse. The conversation covers Dune Minute's current coverage of the Sci-Fi Channel miniseries, the latest on Dune: Prophecy season two production, and their spoiler-filled first reactions to the Dune: Part Three teaser trailer — including speculation on the mysterious casket, Anya Taylor-Joy's casting as Alia, the Stoneburner, and whether Denis Villeneuve is pulling from Brian Herbert's expanded novels. Movies by Minutes: https://moviesbyminutes.com/ Find Dune Minute Podcast Apple Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theduneminute Bsky: @duneminute.com Email: duneminute@gmail.com Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: dune@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds View our Free Show Guide Online https://duneprophecy.notionlinker.com Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 24 · 1 hr 27 min
Gene Hackman Filmography - Into the West
David is joined by community members Lisa and Bryan to launch Into the West, a new show on The Lorehounds Network dedicated to celebrating the careers of filmmakers and actors who have passed on. In this inaugural episode, the trio explores the life and legacy of Gene Hackman, from his Depression-era roots and early breakthrough in Bonnie and Clyde through his defining role in the New Hollywood movement with The French Connection and The Conversation to later triumphs like Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Lisa and Bryan share personal memories of growing up with Hackman's films, discuss his reputation as a fiercely prepared and principled actor, and walk through an essential filmography spanning his remarkable 79-film career before each host picks a film for the community vote. Vote for which Hackman movie we will watch & review Poll closes on 17-Apr-26 at 12pm EDT: https://strawpoll.com/BDyNzq4m4yR Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: intothewest@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 22 · 1 hr 12 min
The Pitt - S02E11 - 5:00 P.M.
David analyzes an intense episode of the Pitt. John complains about Ogilvie. View our Free Show Guide Online: https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guide Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 19 · 1 hr 56 min
Oscars 2026 – Ceremony, Winners, & Best Picture rankings
David joins Elysia for their now traditional Oscars' season wrap! After talking through the highs and lows of the show itself, they share their own rankings of the Best Picture nominees, and discuss where some other high-profile awards-season snubs and other nominees would fit into that list. Ceremony reactions (00:01:43) Winner reactions (00:30:19) Best Picture rankings (01:00:26) – full spoilers, this section only Ranking recap & extra movies (01:38:40) – back to spoiler-free Links discussed: Conan O’Brien’s Aunt Gladys opening It’s a tie! Watch “The Singers” (Netflix) & ”Two People Exchanging Saliva” (YouTube) Doug Orleans’s Best Picture commentary Best Picture nominees: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein (our coverage), Hamnet (our coverage [subscribers]), Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another (our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3), Sentimental Value (our coverage [subscribers]), Sinners (our coverage), The Secret Agent, Train Dreams Other films discussed: No Other Choice, The Smashing Machine, Jay Kelly, Weapons (our coverage), If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, It Was Just an Accident, Sirāt, Project Hail Mary (2026, coverage soon), Hoppers (aka Jumpers [EU], 2026), 28 Years Later (our coverage), 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026, coverage next week) Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features Documentary Features Animated Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings (this episode) Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers) Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco) Additional awards coverage BAFTA shorts BAFTA features Independent Spirit Awards Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 17 · 1 hr 6 min
The Pitt - S02E10 - 4:00 P.M.
David and John talk mommy issues, grief, and god-complex surgeons. View our Free Show Guide Online: https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guide Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 14 · 2 hr 37 min
Oscars 2026 – Acting (Lead & Supporting) + Casting
Elysia wraps up the CinemaHounds pre-Oscars prep series with special guest Paulo from the Oscar's Death Race Podcast and a deep dive into the acting categories: Best Actress, Best Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress. Who's nominated, who should have been nominated, and who will win? And then they conclude with a look at this year's brand new category: Casting. What is it, why is it here, and who will take home the first statue? Join us on the Lorehounds Discord (see link.tree below) to discuss all this and more in the #awards-season channel – plus a live chat while the ceremony is airing! And send your hot takes about the ceremony to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com to be included in the wrap-up discussion! Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free. Check out the Oscars Death Race Podcast w/ Paulo! The nominees: Best Actress (00:16:37) Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare – Hamnet (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Rose Byrne as Linda – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (HBO Max, our coverage [subscribers]) Kate Hudson as Clare Lavinia – Song Sung Blue (Peacock) Renate Reinsve as Nora Borg – Sentimental Value(to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller – Bugonia (Peacock) Best Actor (01:05:52) Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser – Marty Supreme (to rent) Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart – Blue Moon (Netflix) Michael B. Jordan as Elijah "Smoke" Moore / Elias "Stack" Moore – Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) Wagner Moura as Armando Solimões / Marcelo Alves / Fernando Solimões – The Secret Agent (Hulu) Best Supporting Actor (01:40:53) Stellan Skarsgård as Gustav Borg – Sentimental Value (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Benicio del Toro as Sergio St. Carlos – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Sean Penn as Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim – Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) Jacob Elordi as the Creature – Frankenstein (Netflix, our coverage) Best Supporting Actress (01:58:26) Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Wunmi Mosaku as Annie – Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas as Agnes Borg Pettersen – Sentimental Value (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Elle Fanning as Rachel Kemp – Sentimental Value (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys – Weapons (HBO Max, our coverage) Best Casting (02:14:46) Francine Maisler – Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) Cassandra Kulukundis – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Nina Gold – Hamnet (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Jennifer Venditti – Marty Supreme (to rent) Gabriel Domingues – The Secret Agent (Hulu) Other performances discussed: Mikey Madison in Anora (2024, Oscar win, Hulu [US] / Skyshowtime [EU]) & The Social Reckoning (2026, releases Oct 9) Jessie Buckley in The Bride! (2026, in theaters), The Lost Daughter (2021, Oscar nom, Netflix), Wicked Little Letters (2024, Hulu / etc.), Men (2022, Prime / etc.), Dolittle (2020, Prime), Fargo S4 (TV, 2020, Hulu [US], Netflix [EU]), & Chernobyl (TV, 2019, HBO) Co-writer/editor Ronald Bronstein of Marty Supreme (to rent) – Rose Byrne in Bridesmaids (2011, Starz) & Insidious (2010, HBO Max) Kate Hudson in Almost Famous (2000, Oscar nom, HBO Max ) – the true Song Sung Blue story in Song Sung Blue (2008, doc, YouTube) Renate Reinsve in The Worst Person in the World (2021, Tubi / etc.); w/ Sebastian Stan in A Different Man (2024, HBO Max) & Fjord (2026, to premiere at Cannes); w/ Lily Rose Depp & Hoyeon in The Governesses (release TBD); & in Backrooms (2026, in theaters May 29) Emma Stone in Birdman (2015, Oscar nom, Hulu / Disney+), La La Land (2017, Oscar win, Prime [US] / Netflix [EU]), in Lanthimos films The Favourite (2019, Oscar nom, Disney+ [EU] / HBO [EU] / to rent) & Poor Things (2024, Oscar win, BP Oscar nom, Disney+ [EU] / to rent) Chase Infiniti in One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) – Amanda Seyfried & Lewis Pullman in The Testament of Ann Lee (to rent) – Cynthia Erivo & Ariane Grande in Wicked: For Good (to rent, our coverage) Adrien Brody in The Brutalist (2024, Oscar win, HBO Max [US] / Skyshowtime [EU]) & The Pianist (2002, Oscar win, Prime / etc.) Timothée Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name (2018, Oscar nom, HBO Max), A Complete Unknown (2024, Oscar nom & BP nom, Disney+), & Dune: Part Three (2026, in theaters Dec 18) – Tom Cruise in Digger (2026, in theaters Oct 2) Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic (1997, Disney+ / etc.), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013, Oscar nom, Paramount+ / etc.), The Aviator (2004, Oscar nom, Tubi / etc.), The Revenant (2015, Oscar win, Hulu / Disney+), Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019, Oscar nom, YouTube / etc.), Killers of the Flower Moon (2023, Apple TV), What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993, Oscar nom, Paramount+ / etc.), & Blood Diamond (2006, Oscar nom, Paramount+ [US] / Prime [EU]) Ethan Hawke in Training Day (2001, Oscar nom, Starz [US], Prime [EU]), Before Sunrise (1995, writing Oscar nom, Prime [EU] / to rent), Before Sunset (2004, writing Oscar nom, to rent), Boyhood (2014, Oscar nom, AMC+ / etc.) Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther & Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2018 & 2022, Disney+, our coverage) – Nicholas Cage in Adaptation (2002, Oscar nom, to rent) – Robert Aramayo as John Davidson in I Swear (2026, in theaters Apr 24 [US] / Netflix [UK]) Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here (2024, Oscar nom, Netflix [US] / Prime [NL]) – Fernanda Montenegro in Central Station (1998, Oscar nom, to rent) – Brazilian film The Blue Trail (to rent) – Wagner Moura in Narcos S1&2 (TV, 2015-2016, Netflix) & Civil War (2024, Prime, our coverage) Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams (Netflix) – Jesse Plemmons in Bugonia (Peacock) – Lee Byung-hun in No Other Choice (to rent) – Dylan O’Brien in Twinless (Hulu / to rent) – Ryo Yoshizawa in Kokuho (in theaters) – Jackson Yee in Resurrection (to rent, Elysia’s review) Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain (2024, Oscar win, Disney+) Stellan Skarsgård in Andor (TV, 2022 & 2025, Disney+) Benicio del Toro in Traffic (2000, Oscar nom, to rent) & 21 Grams (2003, Oscar nom, to rent) – Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995, Oscar nom, Tubi / etc.), Sweet & Lowdown (1999, Oscar nom, Tubi / etc.), I Am Sam (2001, Oscar nom, YouTube), Mystic River (2003, Oscar win, Netflix [EU] / to rent), Milk (2008, Oscar win, to rent) Delroy Lindo in Da 5 Bloods (2020, infamous snub, Netflix) Oscar Isaac in Frankenstein (Netflix, our coverage) – Jacob Elordi in Wuthering Heights (2026, in theaters) Adam Sandler in Jay Kelly (Netflix) – Miles Caton & Jack O’Connell in Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) – Paul Mescal in Hamnet (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez (2024, Oscar win, Netflix, our coverage) Amy Madigan in Twice in a Lifetime (1985, Oscar nom, to rent) Odessa A’zion in Marty Supreme (to rent) Lynn Stalmaster: the only Casting Director to have received an Academy Award to date, for 395 films, from the ‘70s/’80s Superman films through Weekend at Bernie’s and beyond Casting category shortlist (misses): Frankenstein, Sentimental Value, Sirāt, Weapons, Wicked: For Good Paulo’s favorite nominated film this year: Kokuho The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features Documentary Features Animated Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting (this episode) Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers) Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco) Additional awards coverage BAFTA shorts BAFTA features Independent Spirit Awards Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 13 · 2 hr 21 min
Oscars 2026 – Original & Adapted Screenplay + Best Director
Writer and photographer Katherine Oktober Matthews joins Elysia to discuss this year's writing and directing nominees for the 2026 Academy Awards. After they each unleash some of their hottest takes breaking down the three categories, they reconvene after the credits for a separate spoiler-filled discussion of eight of the nominees (01:47:05). Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free (until the separate post-credits spoiler section)! Links discussed: Katherine's writing and photography Elsewhere: A Personal Essay in Words and Photos The Emotion Mixer Oscars 2025: Live-Action Shorts & the Emotion Mixer (with Katherine) The Craft (1996) & The Craft: Legacy (2020) (with Katherine) Interview w/ Hamnet author – Not Just the Tudors podcast Subscriber bonuses: What is real witchcraft? (with Marilyn, and a Katherine double-Macbeth cameo) Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers) The nominees: Best Original Screenplay (00:10:37.453) Ryan Coogler – Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) Josh Safdie & Ronald Bronstein – Marty Supreme (to rent) Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt – Sentimental Value (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Jafar Panahi w/ Mehdi Mahmoudian, Shadmehr Rastin, & Nader Saïvar – It Was Just an Accident (Hulu) Robert Kaplow – Blue Moon (Netflix) Best Adapted Screenplay (00:45:19.607) Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) – based on: The novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon Chloé Zhao & Maggie O'Farrell – Hamnet (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) – based on: The novel Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein (Netflix, our coverage) – based on: The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar – Train Dreams (Netflix) – based on: The novella Train Dreams by Denis Johnson Will Tracy – Bugonia (Peacock) – based on: The film Save the Green Planet! (2003) by Jang Joon-hwan Best Director (01:25:21) Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Ryan Coogler – Sinners (HBO Max, our coverage) Chloé Zhao – Hamnet (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme (to rent) Other films mentioned: Fruitvale Station (2013, Starz), Creed (2015, to rent), Uncut Gems (2019, Netflix), The Smashing Machine (Prime), The Worst Person in the World (2021, Kanopy / Tubi / etc.), Me and Orson Welles (2008, Plex / to rent), Twinless (Hulu), No Other Choice (to rent), The Long Walk (Starz, to rent), Civil War (2024, Prime / Hulu, our coverage), Shakespeare in Love (1998, Paramount+ / etc.), Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein (1931 & 1935, YouTube, our coverage), Sing Sing (2024, Prime), CODA (2021 [BP winner], Apple), La Familie Bélier (2014, YouTube), Phantom Thread (2017, Mubi [NL] / to rent), Nonnas (Netflix); hive minds (TV): Star Trek: The Next Generation (Paramount+) & Pluribus (Apple) The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features Documentary Features Animated Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director (this episode) Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers) Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco) Additional awards coverage BAFTA shorts BAFTA features Independent Spirit Awards Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
March 12 · 2 hr 24 min
Oscars 2026 – Tech awards: Cinematography, VFX, Editing, & Sound
Assistant directing and lighting industry professional, and the host of the ContraZoom podcast, Dakota Arsenault joins Elysia to get into the technical details behind this year's Oscar nominees for Cinematography, Visual Effects, Film Editing, and Sound. They look at why a movie is nominated, what makes it special, and others they would have liked to see make the cut. Stick around after their conversation for updates (02:17:37) on these races! Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free. Links discussed: Explore the ContraZoom podcast and blog One Sentimental Bugonia After Another (audio, Elysia guests) Elysia's ContraZoom review of Resurrection Corridor Crew's Oscar VFX nominees review Inside Sinners' VFX Sirāt sound design (video) Cinematography nominees (00:05:01) Adolpho Veloso – Train Dreams – trailer (Netflix) Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Sinners – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage) Michael Bauman – One Battle After Another – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Darius Khondji – Marty Supreme – trailer (to rent) Dan Laustsen – Frankenstein – trailer (Netflix, our coverage) Other films mentioned: The French Connection (1971, Disney+ [EU] / to rent, our coverage [subscribers]), Sound of Falling (eventually Mubi), Ballad of a Small Player (Netflix), Resurrection (to rent), No Other Choice (to rent / Netflix [Korea] / later Hulu [US]), The Long Walk (Starz / to rent), Materialists (Netflix) Visual Effects nominees (00:51:46) Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett – Avatar: Fire and Ash – trailer (in theaters, eventually Disney+) Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean – Sinners – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage) Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen, Brandon K. McLaughlin – The Lost Bus – trailer (Apple TV) David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Chan, Neil Corbould – Jurassic World Rebirth – trailer (Netflix [US], Skyshowtime [NL]) Ryan Tudhope, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington, Keith Dawson – F1 – trailer (Apple TV) Other films mentioned: Tron: Ares (Disney+), The Creator (2023, Prime, our coverage), Monsters (2010, Prime / Tubi / etc.), The Electric State (Netflix), Superman (HBO Max, our coverage), Predator: Badlands (Disney+, our coverage), Thunderbolts* (Disney+, our coverage), The Fantastic 4: First Steps (Disney+, our coverage), Warfare (Prime), Mickey 17 (HBO Max) Film Editing nominees (01:29:57) Stephen Mirrione – F1 – trailer (Apple TV) Andy Jurgensen – One Battle After Another – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme – trailer (to rent) Michael P. Shawver – Sinners – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage) Olivier Bugge Coutté – Sentimental Value – trailer (to rent, our coverage [subscribers]) Other films mentioned: If I Had Legs I Would Kick You (HBO Max, our coverage [subscribers]), Better Man (2024, Prime / Paramount+), Black Bag (Prime [USA] / Skyshowtime [EU]), 28 Years Later (Netflix, our coverage), Good Boy (AMC+ / Shudder / etc.), Sore: A Wife from the Future (YouTube) Sound nominees (01:55:54) Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John – F1 – trailer (Apple TV) Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, Yasmina Praderas – Sirāt – trailer (to rent: Mar 24, later Hulu [US]) Chris Welcker, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker – Sinners – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage) José Antonio García, Christopher Scarabosio, Tony Villaflor – One Battle After Another – trailer (HBO Max, our coverage: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3) Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern – Frankenstein – trailer (Netflix, our coverage) Other films mentioned: Wicked: For Good (to rent, our coverage), Superman (HBO Max, our coverage), Predator: Badlands (Disney+, our coverage), Warfare (Prime) The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features Documentary Features Animated Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound (this episode) Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco) Additional awards coverage BAFTAs shorts BAFTAs features Independent Spirit Awards Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy