On this episode of beyond the frame hosts Ryan Vanderhei, Joe Parente, and Heidi Roodvoets break down and discuss the 2025 film 'Bugonia' directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film stars an incredible cast consisting of Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Aidan Delbis, and more. We focus our discussion on the big question that the movie raises: Are we worth saving? You be the judge. 

On today's episode of Beyond The Frame, hosts Heidi Roodvoets and Ryan Vanderhei breakdown and analyze the theme of defining a monster in the 2025 netflix film 'Frankenstein' directed by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Issac, Mia Goth, and more. 

SPOILERS! In this film breakdown we take a look at the 2025 dramatic tragedy film 'Hamnet' and how it beautifully presents nature's magical contradiction to us in a masterfully palpable way by the supremely talented Chloe Zhao led by her two lead actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. 

In this episode we break down and discuss the 2025 indie film ‘If I Had Legs I'd Kick You’, the incredibly moving acting performance from Rose Byrne, and how watching someone say and do things that you feel you can't, is a very cathartic experience, which in this film, had to do with motherhood.

On this episode of beyond the frame, hosts Joe Parente and Ryan Vanderhei discuss the 2026 horror film '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' and how it teaches us about the importance, and sometimes danger, of belief systems in society. 

In this episode of Beyond the Frame, the hosts discuss the 2025 Brazillian entry for the academy awards: 'The Secret Agent'. They break down the unique techniques used by the director to bring this 70's story to life, and explore the theme of corruption and how it is handled in the film. 

The 2025 Netflix film Jay Kelly boasts a star-studded cast featuring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Riley Keough, and Billy Crudup, just to name a few. This powerhouse cast is quite fitting, as the film is about actors, specifically the charming and flawed Jay Kelly, played by George Clooney. Ryan and Joe praise the acting and heartfelt humor of the film, ending the episode discussing the art of acting and the challenges of being self-reflective when you may not like the you staring back.

Join us as we discuss the 2025 Norwegian comedy drama 'Sentimental Value' starring  Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning. This film is directed by Joachim Trier, whose previous film, The Worst Person in the World, was nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature at the 94th Academy Awards. Joe and Ryan gush about this film and why it is their favorite film of 2025. We round out the episode by discussing the oh-so-meaty topic of what makes a great work of art.

In this episode, we discuss the 2025 indie thriller 'Die My Love' starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. This film, directed by Lynne Ramsay, is based on the 2012 novel Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz, and it premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Ryan shares the three reasons why he believes leading lady Jennifer Lawrence is getting so much Oscar buzz for her portrayal of Grace, a young mother battling postpartum depression with very little help from her distant husband Jackson, played by Robert Pattinson. Die My Love also stars LaKeith Stanfield and screen legends Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte. We round out our episode by discussing the theme of knowing when it's time to let go and hearing a personal story related to this theme from our very own Joe Parente.

In this episode, we discuss the 2025 foreign language film 'It Was Just an Accident'. This film is directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi and was this year's Palme d'Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival. Panahi made this film in secret without authorization from the Iranian government. Some of the film's content is based on his own experiences and those of his fellow inmates he met while imprisoned in Evin Prison in Tehran. We round out our discussion by breaking down the penultimate scene of the film and discussing the theme of what it means to make a real, heartfelt confession.