This week on After the Frame, we head back to the vibrant city of Zootopia — breaking down why Zootopia 2 works as a thoughtful, funny, and visually stunning sequel that respects the original while confidently expanding its world. From the gorgeous animation to the heartwarming story and smart restraint with nostalgia, there’s a lot Disney gets right this time around.
Along the way, we take a brief detour into Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 — a sequel that takes the opposite approach, doubling down on fan service and lore at the expense of accessibility and storytelling. It’s a quick comparison that highlights how different franchises handle sequels, audiences, and expectations.
Join us as we unpack a sequel done right, a sequel gone off the rails, and what both say about how studios choose to serve their audiences.
The Knives Out franchise is back — and somehow still finding new ways to surprise. Wake Up Dead Man delivers a fresh vibe, a clever mystery, and one of the strongest ensembles the series has seen yet. It’s funny, thoughtful, unpredictable, and proof that this franchise still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
In this episode of After the Frame, we break down what worked and what didn’t: the sharp writing, the genre subversion, the standout performances (especially Josh O’Connor), and why Daniel Craig continues to feel perfectly at home as Benoit Blanc. We also dive into the film’s unexpected thematic depth and how it manages to weave religion into a murder mystery without losing its edge.
Join us as we unpack one of the most satisfying whodunits in recent years — clever, confident, and endlessly entertaining.
Sony’s animation hot streak continues with KPop Demon Hunters — a movie that fully embraces its wild premise and runs with it. Vibrant animation, fun characters, and just the right level of chaos make this one an easy crowd-pleaser and a film that sticks with you more than you might expect.
In this episode of After the Frame, we break down what worked and what didn’t: the slick animation style, the confident tone, the surprisingly strong story, and why this blend of action, humor, and music clicks so well. We also talk about the film’s franchise potential and why Sony’s willingness to take big creative swings is paying off in animation right now.
Join us as we unpack one of 2025’s most entertaining animated releases — colorful, chaotic, and packed with personality.
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone team up once again for Bugonia, delivering another dose of beautifully strange filmmaking — intense, darkly funny, and unmistakably their style. It’s gripping, it’s bold, and it’s filled with standout performances… even if a few ideas simmer a little too long.
In this episode of After the Frame, we break down what worked and what didn’t: the magnetic performances, Lanthimos’ bizarre humor, the unsettling world-building, and the moments where the themes feel more overcooked than sharp. We dive into why the film still stands out as one of 2025’s most distinctive releases, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of their previous collaborations.
Join us as we explore a movie that’s mesmerizing, offbeat, and undeniably Lanthimos — a cinematic feast with just a bit too much on the plate.
Edgar Wright takes a big swing with The Running Man — a frantic, stylish reimagining loaded with spectacle, satire, and one of Glen Powell’s most magnetic performances yet. It doesn’t stick every landing, but the ride getting there? An absolute blast.
In this episode of After the Frame, we break down what worked and what didn’t: Wright’s hyper-kinetic direction, the action-comedy rhythm, the world-building, and the way the third act hits a few bumps on the way out. We dig into why the movie still succeeds despite its stumbles and why Powell feels like a full-blown movie star in this role.
Join us as we unpack a remake that actually feels fresh — fast on its feet, fun as hell, and just messy enough to keep the conversation interesting.
Osgood Perkins has a gift for eerie, beautifully crafted horror — the kind that settles under your skin and stays there. Keeper continues that visual tradition, but this time the story doesn’t quite follow through. The atmosphere is rich, the mood is chilling… but the narrative never truly wakes up.
In this episode of After the Frame, we break down what worked and what didn’t: the haunting cinematography, the suffocating tension, and the signature Perkins style — contrasted against a plot that stalls before it ever begins. We dig into the thin character work, the missing emotional core, and why even the best horror tone can’t carry a film without a story behind it.
Join us as we explore a movie that looks the part but can’t sustain its own dread — a reminder that sometimes, atmosphere alone isn’t enough.
The first Wicked movie surprised everyone - vibrant, emotional, and full of heart. Its sequel, Wicked: For Good, arrives with big expectations, powerhouse leads, and a story that’s trying to juggle a lot at once. Some of it lands. Some of it… melts on contact.
In this episode of After the Frame, we dive into what worked and what didn’t: the stellar performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the lush world-building, the musical highs, and the places where the storytelling buckles under its own weight. We unpack the pacing issues, the overstuffed plot, the adaptation constraints, and what ultimately keeps this chapter from soaring like its predecessor.
Join us as we break down the spectacle, the emotion, and the growing pains of a sequel that shines in moments but struggles to fully find its voice.
After a hauntingly effective first film, The Black Phone 2 tries to dial back into the same terror - but this time, the connection’s a little fuzzy.
This week on After the Frame, we dig into what worked and what didn’t: the eerie visuals, the attempts to expand the lore, and the tension that just doesn’t quite ring through. We’ll talk pacing, stakes, character focus, and why even the best horror concepts can lose their edge when they overstay their welcome.
Join us as we break down where this sequel gets static - and whether the call was worth answering at all.
What happens when ambition turns into obsession? HIM had the makings of a bold psychological thriller — stunning visuals, an intriguing setup, and a premise dripping with potential. But somewhere between concept and execution, it all falls apart.
In this episode of After the Frame, we break down what worked and what didn’t: the gorgeous cinematography, flashes of strong performances, and the haunting concept buried under messy storytelling and hollow execution. We’ll talk marketing misfires, tone confusion, and why even the best ideas can unravel when the vision isn’t clear.
Join us as we peel back the layers of HIM — a movie that looks the part, but can’t quite find its soul.
Nearly five decades later, Jaws still looms large as one of the most important movies ever made. In this episode, we look back at the film that terrified beachgoers, introduced one of the greatest scores in cinema, and redefined what a blockbuster could be. From Brody, Quint, and Hooper’s unforgettable showdown to the cultural impact that still ripples today, we dig into why Jaws remains a perfect piece of filmmaking.
We’re switching things up this week — instead of reviewing a new release, we’re ranking the entire DC Extended Universe. From the Snyder epics to the infamous misfires, we go film by film and debate what worked, what didn’t, and which DC moments actually deserve to be remembered.
In this episode, we dig into Honey Don’t! — a film that has moments of sharp writing and a couple standout performances, but struggles to balance its tone and stick the landing. We talk about the noir vibes Margaret Qualley brings to her role, the jumble of intersecting storylines, and why the ending feels more rushed than rewarding.
We’re doing something a little different this week — instead of reviewing a single movie, we’re ranking the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the top-tier classics to the ones we’d rather forget, we break down where every film lands, what surprised us the most, and which Marvel moments still hold up today. Whether you’re Team Infinity War or still defending Thor: The Dark World, this one’s for you.
This week we’re talking about Weapons, Zach Cregger’s follow-up to Barbarian. A small town is shaken by a shocking disappearance, and the mystery unfolds through shifting perspectives — each more unsettling than the last. We dive into how the film blends creeping dread, sharp bursts of violence, and unexpected humor, and why its unpredictable storytelling kept us guessing right up to the end.
This week we’re talking about Together — a film that throws romance, dark humor, and some of the stickiest body horror we’ve seen into one wild ride. From Alison Brie and Dave Franco’s intense performances to a story that digs into what it feels like when a relationship turns suffocating, we break down why this one had us cringing and laughing at the same time.
This week we dive into Marvel’s first real shot at a Fantastic Four movie that works. We talk through the ’60s setting, the family dinner, Silver Surfer’s warning, Galactus showing up, and that final tease at the end. There’s a lot to like here – great casting, a cool vibe, some amazing music – but also plenty that left us wanting more. It’s a fun ride that just doesn’t slow down long enough to hit those great moments we were hoping for.
In this episode, we dive into the latest chapter of the I Know What You Did Last Summer series — and, honestly, it’s not what we expected. We talk through the messy choices, the creative (but kinda silly) kills, the awkward Gen Z humor, and the wild reveal of who’s really behind the hook. Is it scary? Is it even trying to be? We’ve got thoughts — and a few laughs — about this one.
In this episode, we talk all things Superman (2025) — from its explosive action and standout performances to the moments that had us grinning like kids again. We cover everything: clunky first act, incredible visuals, Krypto stealing scenes, and why this version of Superman just feels right. It’s messy, it’s fun, and it might be exactly what the DC Universe needed to get back on track.
This week we’re talking all about Jurassic World Rebirth — the newest chapter in the iconic dinosaur saga. We walk through the movie’s biggest moments, from creepy lab experiments and mutant dinos to jungle chases and a not-so-epic finale. Does this reboot bring the franchise roaring back, or is it just another forgettable entry? We’ve got thoughts, plenty of them — and some ideas on how they could’ve made it way better.