Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2026 A24 sci-fi psychological horror, Backrooms.

We also discuss my week of rehearsing with my choir and seeing an amateur dramatic production of On The Town. TATU solos, dance breaks, and the struggles of standalone films relying on YouTube lore.

00:00 Introduction to Solo Movie Dates

00:46 Natalie's Week

08:47 Backrooms gut reaction

22:38 What are the Backrooms?

29:20 Clarke & Pirate Clarke

41:14 Mary's story

51:10 Missing Pieces of the movie

Directed by Kane Parsons and written by Will Soodik, Backrooms is a tense, liminal 2026 psychological horror thriller that expands a viral internet phenomenon into a feature-length descent into madness. The film follows Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a struggling furniture store owner and failed architect who discovers an invisible portal in his basement leading to an unsettling, endless maze of fluorescent-lit, yellow rooms. When Clark vanishes into the dimension, his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), investigates his disappearance, only to find herself trapped alongside him in a twisted reality populated by distorted, mimicking entities—including the towering, grotesque "Pirate Clark" (Robert Bobroczkyi). Produced by A24 and Chernin Entertainment, this indie box-office juggernaut relies on slow-burn psychological dread and massive practical sets, making it a must-watch for fans of creepypasta lore, atmospheric existential terror, and surreal horror cinema.

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Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2024 Netflix romance-drama, It Ends With Us.

We also discuss choir band rehearsal and singing fun pop songs. Taylor Swift getting dragged into production drama , Ryan Reynolds rewriting scenes, and the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni onset feud situation.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates
• 00:42 – Natalie's Week
• 03:13 – Solo Movie Date | It Ends With Us
• 07:46 – It Ends With Us Recap
• 26:00 – Lily Bloom as a character
• 34:20 – Lily & Atlas
• 38:02 – Lily & Ryle
• 46:13 – Lily's wardrobe
• 49:54 – Wrap Up

Directed by Justin Baldoni and written by Christy Hall, It Ends With Us is a 2024 romance-drama adapted from Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel that explores the complicated realities of generational trauma and domestic abuse. The film follows Lily Bloom—played by Blake Lively—a woman who moves to Boston to open a unique flower shop and embark on a new chapter after her father's passing. She quickly falls into a whirlwind romance with a charming neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) ; however, as Ryle's behavior turns dangerously volatile, Lily's past comes rushing back when her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), unexpectedly reenters her life. Produced by Columbia Pictures and Wayfarer Studios, this emotional narrative handles heavy themes surrounding the cyclical nature of abuse and the immense strength required to break it, making it a must-watch for fans of intense book-to-screen adaptations and complex, character-driven dramas.

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Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

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Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2026 horror-thriller, Obsession.

We also discuss my week of bulk choir rehearsals and a busy weekend trip to the Wimbledon Art Fair.

00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates

00:33 – Natalie's Week

03:54 – Solo Movie Date: Obsession

10:14 – Obsession: First Impressions

13:16 – Movie recap

28:54 – Does Bear actually like Nikki?

35:37 – Is Nikki in the sunken place?

43:37 – Why do women pick the bear - but not this one?

53:19 – My crazy gf!

58:33 – No cats were eaten in the making of this movie!

01:02:32 – Final Thoughts

Obsession

After breaking the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush's heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

Writer/Director: Curry Barker

Stars: Michael Johnston Inde Navarrette Cooper Tomlinson

Links

Fouad Hammoud Artwork

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Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

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We are talking about Prime’s brand-new hockey romance adaptation: Off Campus Season 1. Having just binged the series (and spent the last two weeks rereading Elle Kennedy’s beloved books), Natalie has thoughts. From the jaw-droppingly gorgeous cast to the agonizing lack of actual on-screen chemistry, we are breaking down why this adaptation feels less like a passionate romance and a bit more like a passionless, hockey-heavy dead fish.

We’re breaking down the good, the bad, the bizarre product placement, and why we desperately need for shows to stop spoon-feeding us crumbs. Grab your apple headphones, and let's get into it!

00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates Podcast

01:25 – Off Campus Solo TV Date

04:13 – Recap of Off-Campus Season One

12:23 – Book Changes and Adaptation Discussion

29:32 – Analysis of Garrett and Hannah's Relationship Arc

53:30 – Allie & Dean in Season 1

01:00:04 – Misc Items (The Heated Rivalry comparison, Logan love tirangle, egregious product placement, and final rating!)

Join us every week for another Solo Movie Date!

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2006 20th Century Studios comedy-drama, The Devil Wears Prada.

We also discuss my week of seeing Rosalia live and singing "What Dreams Are Made Of" at choir. The Off-Campus series release, and the potential for a TikTok blow-up.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates
• 00:46 – Natalie's Week
• 07:44 – Our Pop Culture debrief
• 10:35 – Solo Movie Date | The Devil Wears Prada
• 12:44 – The Devil Wears Prada Recap

Directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada is an iconic 2006 cinematic staple that explores the cutthroat intersection of high fashion and personal ambition. The film follows Andy Sachs—played by Anne Hathaway—a bright-eyed journalism graduate who finds herself as the junior assistant to the formidable, legendary editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep). Featuring an ensemble cast including Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, the story tracks Andy's transformation from a fashion skeptic into a high-fashion "clacker" as she navigates the impossible demands of Runway magazine. Originally based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, this film remains a definitive exploration of "paying your dues" and the sacrifices required to reach the top of an elitist industry, making it a must-watch for fans of sharp dialogue, mid-2000s aesthetics, and powerhouse performances.

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

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Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2026 Theatrical Release Fashion-Drama, The Devil Wears Prada 2.

We also discuss my week of musical theater rehearsals and singing Lady Gaga with my choir. The 2026 Met Gala, Beyoncé’s skeleton gown, and the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal settlement drama.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates
• 01:23 – Natalie's Week
• 02:27 – Our Pop Culture debrief
• 07:55 – Solo Movie Date | The Devil Wears Prada 2
• 10:52 – The Devil Wears Prada 2 Recap

Directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada 2 revisits the high-stakes world of fashion two decades after the original. The film follows Andy Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway), now an esteemed but recently unemployed journalist, who is pulled back into the orbit of Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) as Runway magazine struggles to survive the era of AI and digital virality. Caught between a corporate takeover by a ruthless tech mogul (played by BJ Novak) and a vengeful master plan by former colleague Emily Charlton (played by Emily Blunt), Andy must navigate a shifting industry where the "Ice Queen" has softened and the stakes have moved from couture to clicks. Featuring an ensemble cast including Stanley Tucci and Justin Theroux, and produced by Disney, the film showcases a sophisticated "coastal grandma" aesthetic and sleek power suiting while grappling with the death of traditional media. It is a must-watch for nostalgia-seekers and fans of industry-focused dramas who want to see the original trio back on screen.

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

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Welcome back to another episode of Solo Movie Dates! This week, Natalie is pulling back the curtain on one of the most talked-about ever. We’re trading the cinema seat for the umpire’s chair as we deep dive into the sweat, strategy, and psychosexual tension of the 2024 sports-drama, Challengers.

Before we hit the court, we’re catching up on a whirlwind week of travel and trends. Natalie recaps her recent Parisian getaway, sharing the highlights of eating and drinking her way through the City of Light and the seamless experience of whisking away on the Eurostar.

We also tackle a packed pop culture debrief, including:

• The London Marathon: Heartwarming highlights and the energy of the city.
• Off-Campus: Our first impressions of the highly anticipated trailer.
• Bravo Breakdown: Dissecting the latest drama between Amanda Batula and West Wilson on Summer House.

Directed by the visionary Luca Guadagnino and penned by Justin Kuritzkes, Challengers is far more than just a tennis movie—it’s a high-octane exploration of power dynamics and the blurred lines between professional ambition and romantic obsession.

Inspired by the high-stakes officiating of the 2018 US Open and the grit of Andre Agassi’s memoir, Open, the film masterfully navigates a 13-year love triangle. We break down the performances of Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor, who underwent months of physical transformation to portray this volatile trio. From the pulsing techno score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to the avant-garde cinematography and Jonathan Anderson’s sleek costume design, we’re analyzing why this film is a visceral, stylish masterpiece.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates
• 00:55 – Natalie's Week: Paris Eats, Drinks, and the Eurostar
• 03:04 – Pop Culture Debrief: London Marathon, Off-Campus, & Summer House
• 24:41 – Solo Movie Date: A Deep Dive into Challengers
• 33:50 – Full Movie Recap & Final Thoughts

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2026 Netflix comedy, Roommates. Natalie's week consisted of eating cardamom buns in London and watching the Manchester Marathon. Coachella Weekend Two highlights, the new Euphoria record-low ratings, and seeing Oh Mary again.

00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates

01:18 – Natalie's Week

04:56 – Pop Culture debrief

09:28 – Solo Movie Date | Roommates

11:41 – Roommates Recap

Directed by Chandler Lavac and written by the SNL duo Jimmy Fowley and Sierra O'Sullivan, Roommates is a 2026 coming-of-age comedy produced by Happy Madison Productions that explores the obsessive and often confusing nature of female friendship in a collegiate setting. The film stars Sadie Sandler as the socially thirsty valedictorian Devon and Chloe East as the "cool-girl" Celeste, whose relationship begins at a quirky pre-university ropes course before spiraling into a chaotic mess of shared dorm life. Featuring a supporting cast that includes Nick Kroll, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Sherman as a metal-working Dean of Students, the story follows the duo through frat parties, explosive Thanksgiving dinners, and a "cosplay as poor" reveal that culminates in a literal dorm fire. Filmed across New Jersey campuses, this Netflix original attempts to capture the "ride or die" intensity of freshman year, making it a must-watch for fans of SNL-style character comedy and those who enjoy dissecting the messy dynamics of toxic besties

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

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Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2026 Netflix slapstick gore-horror, Thrash.

We also discuss my week of choir rehearsals and marathon watching. Coachella 2026, Euphoria's return, and the Laufey "Mad Woman" music video featuring Hudson Williams.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates
• 00:13 – Natalie's Week
• 04:29 – Our Pop Culture debrief
• 13:22 – Solo Movie Date | Thrash
• 18:13 – Thrash Recap

Directed by Tommy Wirkola, Thrash (originally titled Beneath the Storm or Shiver) is a visceral 2026 survival horror that brings "slapstick gore" to a coastal disaster setting. Filmed in Melbourne, Australia, the film follows an ensemble cast—including Whitney Peake, Phoebe Dynevor, and Djimon Hounsou—fighting to survive a catastrophic category six storm surge in South Carolina that unleashes predatory bull sharks into flooded urban streets. As the water levels rise within a reinforced-glass foster home and a trapped Mini Cooper, the survivors must navigate claustrophobic terror and unlikely "water births" while fending off the "hyenas of the ocean." Blending high-stakes tension with Wirkola’s signature dark humor, this Netflix original is a must-watch for fans of creature features and stylized, high-concept survival thrillers.

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

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Welcome back to Solo Movie Dates, this week Natalie deep dives into the 2026 A24 drama, The Drama.

We also discuss my week of Easter brunching at Mildred's and finishing the Heated Rivalry book. The Summer House breakup drama , Connor Storrie's viral Verizon ad , and the trailer for Olivia Wilde’s new film The Invite.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Solo Movie Dates
• 01:23 – Natalie's Week
• 07:46 – Our Pop Culture debrief
• 18:22 – Solo Movie Date | The Drama
• 19:22 – The Drama Recap

Directed and written by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama is a tense and provocative 2026 exploration of secrets and social performance. The film stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as Emma and Charlie, a couple whose upcoming wedding is thrown into a tailspin following a shocking dinner-table confession. Supported by Alana Haim and Mamoudou Athie as the couple's best friends. With a haunting, flute-heavy score by Daniel Pemberton this A24 production serves as a biting "morality barometer" , making it a must-watch for fans of character-driven psychodramas and those who love a "juicy discussion" about whether people can truly change.

Join the Community: Come and join us on Patreon on Instagram to talk more about films, pop culture and all things Solo Movie Dates

Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.