Slate's Spoiler Specials

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s senior editor Allegra Frank is joined by Slate’s web editor Nitish Pahwa to spoil Old, the new thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan.  When a family takes a relaxing tropical vacation, they make a terrifying discovery. As the children play in the sand on a nearby secluded beach, their parents notice that in the span of just a few hours, their children have suddenly aged. It’s not long before the parents realize that they themselves are aging too! It’s a race against time as they attempt to escape the beach before it’s too late. But can they find a way out?    Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Allegra Frank is a senior editor at Slate.  Nitish Pahwa is a web editor at Slate and you can read his review here.  Learn mor

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s senior editor Allegra Frank is joined by Slate staff writer, Karen Han, to spoil Space Jam: A New Legacy, the long-awaited sequel to the original 1997 Space Jam starring Michael Jordan.  This time, LeBron James finds himself trapped in digital space by a rogue AI villain. In order to get back home and save everyone, LeBron must team up with the Looney Tunes gang to win the ultimate high-stakes basketball game and save the day.    Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Allegra Frank is a senior editor at Slate.  Karen Han is staff writer at Slate and you can read her review here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate staff writer, Karen Han, to spoil Black Widow, the new Marvel origin story for one of it’s Avengers, Black Widow.   Who was Black Widow before she became the beloved and troubled hero we’ve all come to know over the years?  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic and you can read her review here. Karen Han is staff writer at Slate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate staff writer Karen Han is joined by Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens to spoil Luca, the new animated film from Pixar.  Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, a young boy named Luca is experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: he is a sea monster from another world just below the water's surface. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Karen Han is staff writer at Slate. Dana Stevens is a movie critic at Slate and you can read her review here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by associate editor at Slate Marissa Martinelli and Slate’s new editorial intern Sofia Andrade to spoil In the Heights, the new film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s play of the same name.  Set in Washington Heights, New York, a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a magnetic bodega owner (Anthony Ramos) who dreams and sings about a better life. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts: Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic and you can read her review of the film here. Marissa Martinelli is Slate’s associate editor  Sofia Andrade is Slate’s editorial intern  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate staff writer, Dana Stevens, to spoil Cruella, the new Disney live-action origin story for one of it’s most infamous villains, Cruella de Vil.   Who was Cruella before she became the Cruella we all know and hate? This teen-friendly backstory holds the answers.  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.  Karen Han is staff writer at Slate and you can read her review here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Brow Beat nights and weekends editor Matthew Dessem is joined by Slate books and culture columnist Laura Miller to spoil Woman in the Window, the new Netflix thriller based on the book by A. J. Finn.   Agoraphobic Dr. Anna Fox (Amy Adams) witnesses something she shouldn't while keeping tabs on the Russell family, the seemingly picture perfect clan that lives across the way. What could possibly go wrong?  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Laura Miller is a books and culture columnist for Slate Matthew Dessem is Slate’s Brow Beat’s nights and weekends editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate staff writer Karen Han is joined by Slate Brow Beat's nights and weekends editor, Matthew Dessem, to spoil Mortal Kombat, the new action/fantasy movie based on the 1990’s video game. Hunted by the fearsome warrior Sub-Zero, MMA fighter Cole Young finds sanctuary at the temple of Lord Raiden. Training with experienced fighters Liu Kang, Kung Lao and the rogue mercenary Kano, Cole prepares to stand with Earth's greatest champions to take on the enemies from Outworld in a high-stakes battle for the universe. You can read Karen’s review here. You can read Matt’s review here. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Si

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s senior editor Allegra Frank is joined by Brow Beat nights and weekends editor at Slate, Matthew Dessem, to spoil Godzilla vs. Kong, the new action-packed sci-fi movie from director Adam Wingard.   Kong and his protectors go on a perilous journey to find his true home but soon find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla as he cuts a swath of destruction across the globe. But the initial confrontation between the two titans is only the beginning of the deeper mystery that lies within the center of the earth. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Allegra Frank is a Senior Editor at Slate. Matthew Dessem is Slate’s Brow Beat’s nights and weekends editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by New Yorker staff writer Rachel Syme to spoil Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, the new adventure-filled comedy by real life best friends and the writers who brought us Bridesmaids, Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo.  When lifelong best friends and roommates Barb (Annie Mumolo) and Star (Kristin Wiig) leave their Midwestern hometown for the first time ever, they embark on a vacation to Vista Del Mar, Florida. What starts out as a bit of harmless fun in the sun, quickly becomes the most unexpected, bizarre and even dangerous adventure of a lifetime for the pair. Will they ever be the same? Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows l

In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the comedy The Apartment (1960), directed by Billy Wilder.   Other titles mentioned in the episode: Sunset Boulevard (1950) Butterfield 8 (1960) Conversations with Wilder Some Like It Hot (1959) Ace in the Hole (1951) Stalag 17 (1953) The Lost Weekend (1945) Double Indemnity (1944) Ball of Fire (1941) Ninotchka (1939) Nobody’s Perfect Brief Encounter (1946) Fast Times on Ridgemont High (1982) Dragnet Bonanza Columbo The Crowd (1928) Gaslight (1944) Children of Paradise (1946) Ikiru (1956) When Harry Met Sally (1989) Frances Ha (2013) Manhattan (1979) Billy Wilder Tapes Eve’s Bayou (1997) Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood Wanda (1970) Alexandria…Why? (1979) The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Within Our Gates (1920) One From the Heart (1982) Email us at flashback@slate.com Production by Chau Tu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week Slate staff writer Karen Han is joined by Slate’s senior editor Sam Adams to spoil Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the new four hour artistic cut to its original counterpart. When Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to face a greater threat than ever before, they have to work quickly to recruit a team to stand against their new enemy. Can the world be saved by this unprecedented league of heroes? Or is it too late? Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosts Karen Han is a staff writer at Slate and you can read her review here. Sam Adams is

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s senior editor Allegra Frank is joined by Slate staff writer Rachelle Hampton to spoil Coming 2 America, the sequel to the 1988 hit comedy, Coming to America. Set in the royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York - where it all began. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosts Allegra Frank is Slate’s senior editor. Rachelle Hampton is a staff writer at Slate.   Learn more a

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate features editor Jeffrey Bloomer and New York Times correspondent Ruth Graham to spoil Saint Maud, the feature film debut from writer and director Rose Glass.  In this extremely eerie horror film, we meet Maud, (played by Morfydd Clark) a reclusive young nurse charged with the hospice care of Amanda, (Jennifer Ehle) a former dancer who has been diagnosed with cancer. At first, they find commonality in their religious beliefs. But will Maud’s newfound faith guide her and Amanda toward a path of healing? Or is something more sinister at play?  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s TV critic Willa Paskin is joined by Slate writer and podcast host Nichole Perkins to spoil Bridgerton, the new period drama series on Netflix, produced by Shonda Rhimes.  In this re-imagined adaptation of the romance novels by Julia Quinn, eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love. But the age-old question remains: will they? Or won’t they?  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosts Willa Paskin is a Slate TV critic. Nichole Perkins is the writer and host of Slate’s new podcast This is Good for You.  Learn more about your ad

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate staff writer Karen Han to spoil Promising Young Woman, the feature film debut from writer and director Emerald Fennell.  In this visually captivating world, we meet Cassie, (played by Carey Mulligan) a wickedly smart and tantalizingly cunning young woman, living a secret double life by night. But is she a hero? Or a morally corrupt villain?  Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosts Karen Han is staff writer at Slate. Dana Stevens is a movie critic at Slate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Karen Han is joined by Slate writer and editor Dan Kois to spoil Soul, the new animated film from Pixar. After landing himself in the realm of the “great beyond”, middle school band teacher Joe Gardner tries desperately to make it back to Earth in time for his Jazz gig. But his journey takes a turn when he tries to help a new friend find their passion. Will Joe make it back to Earth and get to his gig on time? Or is he doomed to remain in the great beyond forever?  You can read Dan Kois review here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosts: Karen Han is staff writ

Flashback is usually for Slate Plus members only. To listen to other episodes of the show, sign up for Slate Plus. In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the epic Lawrence of Arabia (1962), directed by David Lean. Other titles mentioned in the episode: Seven Pillars of Wisdom 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Saving Private Ryan (1998) Ben Hur (1959) The Ten Commandments (1956) Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Lord of the Rings trilogy Doctor Zhivago (1965) Brief Encounter (1946) Ryan’s Daughter (1970) Dedicated Maniac Passage to India (1984) The Elephant Man (1980) Out of Sight (1998) A Man for All Seasons (1966) Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) Birth of a Nation (1915) The Searchers (1956) Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) Citizen Kane (1941) Prometheus (2012) There Will Be Blood (2008) Funny Girl (1968) Macbeth Casablanca (1943) The Parent Trap (1998) On the next episode: Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday (2006). Comments or suggestions?

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Dana Stevens is joined by Slate’s Brow Beat’s nights and weekends editor Matthew Dessem to spoil Mank, the new film about the making of another film, Citizen Kane. Will Herman Mankiewicz, a troubled alcoholic (played by Gary Oldman), finish his script in time for his deadline? Will anyone like the film? And how does a California Governor's race fit into it all?   You can read Dana Stevens here. You can read Matthew Dessem’s review here. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosts Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic. Matthew Dessem is Slate’s Brow Beat’s night and

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Christina Cauterucci and June Thomas discuss Happiest Season, a charming new Christmas rom-com from writer-director Clea DuVall that premiered on Hulu on Nov. 25. Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie Davis) invites her girlfriend, Abby (Kristen Stewart) home for Christmas. Right before they arrive, Harper shares that the people in her hometown, or even in her family, don’t know that she’s gay. And since her father is running for mayor, the couple has to keep their relationship a secret. How will Abby navigate the holiday season while hiding her authentic self? What impact will the holiday weekend have on the lovebirds and their relationship? Read Christina Cauterucci’s review. You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slat