Film Exploder

In this episode, Taylor and Barry take on the 2015 film Circle. With 50 strangers trapped in a room and forced to make life-or-death decisions, they dig into the mind games and moral dilemmas that unfold. As they break down the characters’ choices and strategies, you’ll find yourself wondering what you’d do in the same situation. Whether you've watched Circle or are just curious about its twists, this episode will get you thinking. Watch out for Spoilers.

Further reading from Barry and Taylor

Circle movie explained - This Is Barry

Circle movie analysis - Taylor Holmes

In this episode, Taylor and Barry delve into Alex Garland's Civil War, set in a present-day America torn apart by internal conflict. The film unfolds from the perspective of journalists documenting the chaos, highlighting the harsh reality that there are no winners in war. Join Taylor and Barry as they bring clarity to the film's complex narrative and themes, drawing on insights from Garland to explore the human cost of civil strife. As always, watch out for spoilers!

https://taylorholmes.com/

In this episode, Taylor and Barry dive into the haunting plot of Personal Shopper. They analyze the journey of Maureen, a personal shopper in Paris who is also a medium, as she attempts to contact her deceased twin brother. Join them as they unravel the eerie and suspenseful narrative, exploring the film's themes of grief, identity, and the supernatural, while discussing the twists and turns that make this movie an awesome psychological thriller. As always, watch out for spoilers.

In this episode, Taylor and Barry go head-to-head in recommending supernatural movies, but with a twist — they can't agree on what counts as "supernatural". Join them as they debate and defend their film picks, challenging each other's definitions and discussing the most eerie and thought-provoking aspects of their choices. You don't have to worry about any film spoilers in this one!

For film analysis and discussions check out:

https://www.thisisbarry.com/

https://taylorholmes.com/

In this episode, Taylor and Barry explore the intricate plot of "Decision to Leave," examining the enigmatic relationship between detective Hae-jun and the mysterious Seo-rae. Join them as they delve into the film's rich narrative, uncovering themes of obsession, guilt, and the blurred lines between duty and desire, while piecing together the puzzle of this gripping "romantic" thriller. As always, beware of spoilers!

In this episode, Taylor and Barry explode Alex Garland's Ex Machina, analyzing the twisted dynamics between Caleb, Nathan, and the AI, Ava. Join them as they explore the moral ambiguities, power struggles, and the chilling implications of creating conscious machines as they unravel the intricate layers of deception and manipulation. As always, beware of spoilers.

Further reading from Barry and Taylor

Ex Machina explained by This Is Barry

Taylor Holmes's explanation and review of Ex Machina

In this episode of Film Exploder, hosts Taylor and Barry take a deep analytical dive into the 2022 dark comedy-thriller, The Menu, that offers a deliciously twisted narrative which blends culinary artistry with psychological tension. Join the duo as they dissect the film’s intricate plot, exploring the underlying themes of obsession, class struggle, and the price of artistic perfection. As always, watch out for spoilers.

Further reading from Barry and Taylor

The Menu explained by This Is Barry

The Menu analysis by Taylor Holmes

In this episode Taylor and Barry explode the movie It Comes At Night and all of its chaos to arrive at what possibly might have happened. Join them as they thoroughly explore the plot and its characters, untangling the complex narrative. As always, watch out for spoilers.

Join Taylor and Barry as they explode and analyze the movie Her. While they assumed this was an easy episode, the movie walkthrough proves just the opposite as they find themselves talking through endless threads of possibilities, philosophies and theories before they take on that ending. As always, beware of spoilers.

Further reading from Barry and Taylor

Analysis of Her by This Is Barry

Join Taylor and Barry as the two take a deep dive into The Zone Of Interest, a film about Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig building a dream life for their family adjacent to the Auschwitz concentration camp. As the duo explode the movie, they go into the book and therefore the history of the world to talk about all the cyclic atrocities that humans commit on their species endlessly.