Backrooms (2026)

Backrooms (2026)

On this episode, Ian & McKenzie get into the many questions raised by the new film, Backrooms (2026), from YouTube prodigy Kane Parsons. First, they chat a little bit about the current state of the U.S. box office, how its a great time to be a cinema goer, and maybe not such a great time to be a Disney executive (01:55). Then, they get into the interesting mood and aesthetics of Backrooms (2026) as well as the severely flawed execution of it's inadequate script (20:49). ---- Visit our website to keep up with us and read our blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://abovethelinepod.com/]. Follow the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/abovethelinepod.bsky.social], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/abovethelinefilmpod/], and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@abovethelinefilmpod]. Follow Ian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/watchamooovie/]. Follow McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/mckenziewilkes/]. Listen to our other podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Criterion Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/criterionconnection] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://solo.to/austindangerpod] Send your letters and voicemails to info@abovethelinepod.com ---- Above the Line is a film podcast about contemporary cinema & film culture. Hosted & produced by Ian & McKenzie Edited by McKenzie Mixed by Ian Social media by McKenzie Music by Lydia Simmons.

The Sheep Detectives (2026)

Above The Line has been on hiatus for quiet a long time, but the long awaited return is here! Ian & McKenzie highlight some stuff they've seen lately (some good stuff and a few less-than-good things). Then, they have a brief conversation about the swings and risks of David Lowery's latest and how they (mostly) pay off. And finally, we get into a shared recent favorite of ours: the very very charming film, The Sheep Detectives. ---- Visit our website to keep up with us and read our blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://abovethelinepod.com/]. Follow the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/abovethelinepod.bsky.social], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/abovethelinefilmpod/], and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@abovethelinefilmpod]. Follow Ian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/watchamooovie/]. Follow McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/mckenziewilkes/]. Listen to our other podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Criterion Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/criterionconnection] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://solo.to/austindangerpod] Send your letters and voicemails to info@abovethelinepod.com ---- Above the Line is a film podcast about contemporary cinema & film culture. Hosted & produced by Ian & McKenzie Edited & mixed by McKenzie Artwork by Ian Social media by McKenzie Music by Lydia Simmons.

RECAP: The 98th Academy Awards

The awards season is finally over! Join us as we discuss the 98th Academy Awards. We chat about everything from Conan's hosting job to the winners and even an incredibly odd Burger King ad campaign that played throughout the evening. We share our reactions to some history making moments, what made us cry, and even who we thought rocked their outfit the best! It's time to say goodbye to the cinema of 2025! ---- Visit our website to keep up with us and read our blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://abovethelinepod.com/]. Follow the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/abovethelinepod.bsky.social], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/abovethelinefilmpod/], and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@abovethelinefilmpod]. Follow Ian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/watchamooovie/]. Follow McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/mckenziewilkes/]. Listen to our other podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Criterion Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/criterionconnection] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://solo.to/austindangerpod] Send your letters and voicemails to info@abovethelinepod.com ---- Above the Line is a film podcast about contemporary cinema & film culture. Hosted & produced by Ian & McKenzie Edited & mixed by Ian Social media & artwork by McKenzie Music by Lydia Simmons.

The Bride! (2026)

On this episode we get into the admirable ambition that is Maggie Gyllenhaal's new take on the mythos of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Then, we discuss the 10 films we are most looking forward to seeing this coming year. ---- Visit our website to keep up with us and read our blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://abovethelinepod.com/]. Follow the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/abovethelinepod.bsky.social], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/abovethelinefilmpod/], and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@abovethelinefilmpod]. Follow Ian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/watchamooovie/]. Follow McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/mckenziewilkes/]. Listen to our other podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Criterion Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/criterionconnection] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://solo.to/austindangerpod] Send your letters and voicemails to info@abovethelinepod.com ---- Above the Line is a film podcast about contemporary cinema & film culture. Hosted & produced by Ian & McKenzie Edited & mixed by Ian Social media & artwork by McKenzie Music by Lydia Simmons.

Final Predictions for The 98th Academy Awards

On this episode (recorded on 3/7/2026), we discuss what we think should win and will win at the 98th Academy Awards. Additionally, we discuss some of our personal favorites from this year in all the categories. Listen as we get into the close competition between two Warner Bros films, possible upsets in the acting categories, and what the new casting category could mean for Best Picture. ---- Visit our website to keep up with us and read our blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://abovethelinepod.com/]. Follow the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/abovethelinepod.bsky.social], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/abovethelinefilmpod/], and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@abovethelinefilmpod]. Follow Ian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/watchamooovie/]. Follow McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://letterboxd.com/mckenziewilkes/]. Listen to our other podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Criterion Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/criterionconnection] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://solo.to/austindangerpod] Send your letters and voicemails to info@abovethelinepod.com ---- Above the Line is a film podcast about contemporary cinema & film culture. Hosted & produced by Ian & McKenzie Edited & mixed by Ian Social media & artwork by McKenzie Music by Lydia Simmons.