After the Frame Podcast

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.