Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they gush about the incredible year that 2025 was... for movies, at least! From honorable mentions to top ten lists (that somehow manage to be closer to top 14), Zoey and Heather's epic yap session is chock full of recommendations, reflections on 'the good shit', and just a few hot takes. 

Film (& TV) Discussed: Bugonia, One Battle After Another, All Her Fault, Frankenstein, Weapons, No Other Choice, The Running Man, Oh Hi, Life of Chuck, Hedda, I Love LA, Too Much, Foundation Season 3, Die My Love, Sorry Baby, Sentimental Value, The Secrets We Bury, Hamnet, How to Train Your Dragon, Bring Her Back, Sinners. Just to name a few!

Thank you to everyone who listened to Last to Leave Season 4! 2025 was a very special year for the show and we couldn't be more grateful to our listeners, guests, and team. We are now on our hiatus between seasons, but check back later this year for announcements about season 5. 

Until then, see you film nerds!

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they are whisked away to a small New England town to explore the backdrops of one of the best indie films of 2025, Sorry, Baby. They're joined by the film's intrepid Production Designer, Caity Birmingham, whose process over product approach to creative problem solving on set was integral to creating the world of the film.

Sorry, Baby follows Agnes' stumbling path towards healing after a bad thing happened to them in grad school. Told through a series of vignettes across a four-year time span, the film offers meditations on trauma, participation in patriarchal systems, the importance of connection, and how one good sandwich can turn things around.

From scouting locations that made the 'oner' sequence logistically possible to papering a small cottage with the texture of occupants past & present, Caity's keen eye for detail and commitment to creating 360 degree spaces on set brought so much life to Eva Victor's debut feature film. 

You can follow Caity Birmingham on instagram at @playcait. Her website is caitybirmingham.com.

This episode is the finale of the fourth season of the show. Thank you to everyone who has listened this year! Don't fret though, film nerds! We will be back in the new year with a bonus episode all about our favorite movies of 2025. Until then... Happy Holidays, Film Nerds!

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they dive into the visual storytelling of makeup—or the intentional absence of it. Today, they’re joined by Sharon Tabb, the Makeup Department Head behind The Lowdown. Together, they explore the power of collaboration and how Sharon works closely with directors, actors, and fellow artists to create distinct, lived-in looks for each character, from purposeful eyeliner choices to the smallest details you might not notice.

Sharon also breaks down the art (and science) of creating realistic bruising, particularly for Ethan Hawke’s character, who takes more than a few hits over the course of the series. The conversation also touches on her incredible work on Reservation Dogs and what it means to shape stories through makeup in a way that feels honest, grounded, and deeply human.

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather and Zoey, as they dive into the world of documentaries with filmmaker and creator Elly Schmidt-Hopper. We first connected with Elly on TikTok after seeing her video about the current state of documentary filmmaking—and just how difficult it is to secure distribution, let alone funding.

From there, we dig into some of our favorite docs, ranging from No Other Land (2024) and The Gleaners and I (2000) to Roadrunner (2021), Beauty Is Embarrassing (2012), and more. Talking with Elly was a reminder of how special it is to connect with creatives who care this deeply... the whole conversation felt electric.

You can keep up with Elly on Instagram @schmidthopper and her website Spellbound Films! 

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they take an exclusive look at the queer indie film, Clocked, with the help of the Writer & Director, Noah Salzman.

Clocked tells the story of Adolpho, a boxer in Miami who embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads them to reckoning with their trans identity and finding acceptance in the drag community. Noah describes this film as a look at a character who is in between families, misunderstood by their blood relations and on the precipice of finding a new family in the queer community. In this episode, Zoey & Heather delve into the making of Clocked and unpack the thoughtful choices behind this impactful, timely film.

You can keep up with Noah Salzman on his instagram @noahsalz_. 

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they dive into the visual poetry of A24’s Opus. Cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw takes us behind the lens — from capturing shots in the freezing cold to crafting color stories that speak louder than dialogue. He opens up about the artistry behind Opus and how his journey from growing up in Boston to shaping cinematic worlds continues to fuel his creative fire.

You can keep up with Tommy Maddox-Upshaw on his instagram @themaddoxdp

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they get the inside scoop on the making of the sci-fi thriller Companion (2025) and the intricacies of the work of the film's First Assistant Director, Siena Brown. In this episode, Zoey & Heather try not to fangirl too hard while Siena recounts her philosophy on running a successful set, collaborating with the director & crew, and pivoting when the plan inevitably goes sideways. 

You can keep up with Siena Brown on her instagram @siena.browntown

At the top of the episode, Zoey & Heather discuss the ICE raids in their home city of Chicago. If you are looking for resources to help, you can start here:

https://www.icirr.org/resources

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they step into the world of production management with Joanna Osborn as their guide. With years of experience balancing the demands of high-level productions and the realities of motherhood, Joanna has become both a steady hand on set and a passionate advocate for working moms in the UK film industry. In this episode, Zoey & Heather learn all about Joanna’s time managing the intricate moving parts of Black Doves while also championing systemic change to make production more accessible for parents in film.

You can keep up with Joanna Osborn on instagram @jkozborn.

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they embark on a sonic journey through the land of Music Supervision with Jillian Ennis as their guide. With an early love for pairing stories & meaningful music, Jillian was destined for a career in the music side of filmmaking and brings a reverence & thoughtfulness to each project. In this episode, Zoey & Heather learn all about Jillian's collaboration with Anna Kendrick on Woman of the Hour & Ti West on MaXXXine in order to procure the perfect soundtracks for both films. 

You can keep up with Jillian Ennis on instagram at @strangepeoplemusic or on her website: strange-people-music.com

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram

Join hosts Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson as they explore the art of still photography on set with their guest, Elise Lockwood. From her early days as a ballerina to capturing cinematic moments behind the lens, Elise brings a unique eye, boundless enthusiasm, and genuine care to every project she touches.

You can follow Elise on Instagram here: @eliselockwoodphoto

A big thank you to Lee Walls (@Unapologetical.lee on Instagram and @Lee_FinalVer on Twitter) for our amazing Logo, M.L. Abbott for our theme song and Cody Schlabaugh for our cover photo (website).

A special thanks to Breanna Benedict for being our incredible Social Media Coordinator (website)!

We launched a companion newsletter to the podcast called First to Arrive! Subscribe here: lasttoleave.substack.com

You can keep up with all things Last to Leave here:

@LastToLeavePodcast on Instagram & @LastToLeavePodcast on TikTok

Become parasocial friends with us:
@Zoey_Nicole on Instagram

@TheHAbbott on Instagram