This week on Fred on Film I’m fresh off my 2nd EVER celeb interviews, chatting to stars Rachel McAdams & Dylan O’Brien, director Sam Raimi and producer Zainab Azizi, about their new black-comedy survival-gore oddity SEND HELP!

Then I review whether it’s funny/edgy enough (NO SPOILERS), whether we’re getting Evil Dead Sam Raimi or MCU Sam Raimi, and go on a deep dive into why I think Rachel McAdams is underrated.

Plus: First-look thoughts on The Beatles movie(s?) press pics, starring Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson and Joseph Quinn, and a quick laugh/cry at the newly announced Fast & Furious 11 title.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website https://fredasquith.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

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SEND HELP!

00:40 Send Help - Intro / Synopsis

02:33 Sam Raimi (director) & Zainab Azizi (producer) INTERVEW

07:15 Rachel McAdama & Dylan O’Brien (stars) INTERVIEW!

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SEND HELP Review (no spoilers)

12:19 Send Help REVIEW

12:33 Really enjoyed the opening set up of themes & tone

13:06 Sam Raimi is the OG of black comedy/horror

15:35 It’s lacking a sense of place. Was it shot in a studio?

18:13 Less than the sum of it’s parts?

19:03 A Post-MCU Sam Raimi rather than Evil dead Sam Raimi

20:14 Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/cWqFJ7

20:47 Graham Norton was in my screening

22:57 Rachel McAdams has a fascinatingly underrated filmography

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26:28 Beatles Biopic First Images Released! My Thoughts

33:28 Fast & Furious 11 HAHAHAHAH (mention The Beatles Doc)

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35:42 Coming up NEXT WEEK

On the new ep of Fred Asquith on Film I’ve got some Oscar Nom thoughts, questions and hot takes. Was Paul Mescal snubbed for Hamnet? Is Sinners in the driving seat? And how the fork did F1 get a nom?!

I then review PRIMATE, a new comedy-horror about a chimp going bananas (incredibly, was it cliche?). We’re also getting controversial because I watched The Godfather Part II for the first time, and I don’t think you’re gonna like my opinion. But thanks to your listener submissions of GOAT Movies You Love To Hate, I might be ok? Lastly we take a little spin through my 2008 movie journal, where I reviewed Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs on the SAME DAY.

P.S. I called The Traitors finalé WEEKS ago.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website https://fredasquith.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

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00:36 My Oscar Nominations HOT TAKEAWAYS (predictions coming soon)

01:02 Sinners - is it in the Best Picture Driving seat?

02:48 This makes the Netflix purchase of Warner Brothers even more depressing.

04:37 F1 got a Best Picture nomination??!?!

07:35 Chase Infiniti got snubbed, but I found out why

09:45 No nomination for The Rock

11:15 Paul Mescal’s iPhone face was NOT snubbed.

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12:28 Just so you know, I predicted The Traitors. Stick with me.

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13:41 PRIMATE Review (no spoilers)

14:50 The cast looked awkward at the premiere

15:34 I was willing to get on board with the cliche, but

17:30 It’s far funnier than it is scary, and that’s a problem

18:45 The plotting felt far too paint-by-numbers. No surprises.

20:01 It betrayed horror logic.

20:58 It isn’t entirely unsuccessful.

21:40 Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/cP5B7j

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22:47 My Godfather 2 crisis and YOUR most hated All-Time Classic Movies!!

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31:05 A new hilarious snippet from my Movie Journal (Pulp Fiction)

This week on FoF I breakdown how they could make The Traitors EVEN BETTER. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been loving this series, but it could be INCREDIBLE with these tweaks. Imagine if you actually wanted to watch the missions?!

Plus; I’m excited by Steven Knight’s (Peaky Blinders) new Bond script teaser, Hans Zimmer is scoring the new HBO Harry Potter series… or is he? And I breakdown some of your reactions to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

To finish off, I take you into the mind of 2008 Fred as we look at my then-list of top 100 movies, and leaf through my hilarious movie journal. And don’t miss the now-trademarked FoF disclaimer.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website https://fredasquith.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:38 How can we fix The Traitors? My 4 Step Plan.

07:07 New Bond Script Teaser from Steven Knight!

10:14 Hans Zimmer to score HBO’s Harry Potter…or is he?

14:09 Bone Temple REACTION has got me thinking… (SPOILERS!!!)

20:18 THE RIP Review (no spoilers) and why you should watch it regardless

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24:33 Fred’s Favourite Movies 2008 (Time Capsule!!!)

31:08 What I’ve learnt about movie criticism & subjectivity from looking back at this list

32:30 My 2008 Film Journal!!!!! (Hilarious 15 year old reviews)

44:49 THE FOF DISCLAIMER

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45:12 Please rate and review! + Next Week’s HUGE ANGENDA

This week on FoF I’m reviewing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (no spoilers) and explaining why it’s my favourite 28 movie yet. From Nia DaCosta out Danny Boyle-ing Danny Boyle and bringing back the human threat, to Ralph Fiennes absolutely stealing the show in a way that feels genuinely awards-worthy.

I also go on a (deeply necessary) rant about the latest Traitors chaos and my big prediction for potential finalist, before taking you on a mini tour of Dolby HQ in Soho where I got a proper Atmos/Vision education and started plotting a potential listener-invite Dolby day.

Plus: physical media regrets, my home cinema setup, showing my Darling Wife The Sixth Sense, and my obsession with those “how have I never heard of this?” movies that somehow exist in major actors’ filmographies.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website https://fredasquith.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

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28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE Review - no spoilers!!

00:47 You may already suspect my opinion on this movie…

02:36 This felt spiritually closer to 28 Days Later

04:15 Ralph Fiennes is a GOAT

06:23 Spike (Alife Williams) is more in the background, this is a good thing

07:38 Grisly, but fun, with depth if you want to look for it

08:56 I was gripped throughout, watch checks: zero

10:01 This is a good cinema movie, watch it with an audience

10:35 I love how each of these movies feels different to the other

13’11 Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/bZVqnV

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14:20 THE TRAITORS my observations, frustrations and predictions

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21:00 My Trip to Dolby HQ, what I learned, Tom Cruise and A POTENTIAL DOLBY / FOF GIVEAWAY!!

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30:25 Blu-ray, 4K & Physical Media Update

32:03 My Home Cinema Setup

33:10 THE SIXTH SENSE twist with my Darling Wife!!!!! https://boxd.it/cxKGYH

35:44 REMINISCENSE, Hugh Jackman, and hidden movies in Movie Star filmographies https://boxd.it/cxHUfl

39:27 MYSTIC RIVER and Adult Dramas That Your Parents watched https://boxd.it/cyY5tJ

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41:25 NEXT WEEK!

Welcome back to reality then, my little Christmas hams. On this week’s FoF:

I’m reviewing the finale of Stranger Things. You may know, I think Stranger Things is sheet, but did the finale win me over?

The Traitors has a new “Secret Traitor” twist, but is it ACTUALLY fun not knowing who a traitor is?

I’m sorting 2026 films into categories of “GO AWAY”, “CURIOUS” and “MOST ANTICIPATED”, looking at movies like “The Social Reckoning”, Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”, “Devil Wears Prada 2”, “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part 3”.

And to fight back against January’s bleakness I bought a load of Blu-Rays (HELLO 2009), so I’ll take you through them.

Oh, and I’m reviewing Hamnet, the one where Paul Mescal is Shakespeare, but did he pull it off? Have a watch and find out.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
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STRANGER THINGS FINALE https://boxd.it/cnLN9j
02:26 Overall thoughts and ranting about the 50 minute epilogue
09:12 The Cinema Release and My Prediction for Netflix Cinema Ownership
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14:06 New TRAITORS!! Successes & failures of the Secret Traitor concept
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BLU RAY HAUL
16:11 The Haul Begins
17:43 Thoughts on Extended & Directors Cuts (Nosferatu, Amadeus, LOTR)
22:30 Sunshine and how I used to lack Cinema Etiquette in my youth
24:42 My Darling Wife DOESN’T KNOW THE SIXTH SENSE TWIST????
27:49 Inception 4K, and why I’m not the biggest fan
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29:25 The Godfather REWATCH, and why it is indeed 5 stars https://boxd.it/cmIjMb
34:01 Marty Supreme REWATCH and why it is still 4 stars for me (SPOILERS!) https://boxd.it/cqayNr
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LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 MOVIES
38:28 Intro
39:15 These 2026 movies can GO AWAY
41:25 I’m CURIOUS about these 2026 movies
47:49 My MOST ANTICIPATED 2026 movies
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51:24 HAMNET REVIEW - not strictly spoilers here, but skip if you are gonna see the movie https://boxd.it/bmjVRP
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59:14 NEXT WEEK! Is a big one.

It’s Chrimbo limbo. Life is desolate. You’re busy flogging stuff to CeX, I get it. So this is a brief, uplifting pod where I’m reviewing one of my favourite films of recent months and basically crying my eyes out on the Pod. PLUS we’ll be running down movies you can watch after Christmas in the limbo and all the way till February. We’re talking New Years Movies, we’re talking Snowy Movies, we’re talking… well watch the forking pod and find out.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Agenda

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(01:20) The Best Crimbo Limbo Movies

(01:37) When Harry Met Sally

(02:18) The Holdovers still counts

(03:00) The Best January Movies (Criteria & List)

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(05:24) SONG SUNG BLUE Review (this is important) - no spoilers

(05:59) Set Up for this review

(06:38) I have been waiting SO LONG to hype this movie

(07:01) Worried they were sweeping the preview screening under the rug

(07:43) Synopsis

(07:56) So much was telling me this was about to be bad

(08:42) Muted reception for Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson

(10:36) I FEEL EMOTIONAL.

(11:56) If ONLY I love this movie, that’s ok

(12:37) This doesn’t PRESENT as a good movie. But stick with it.

(13:39) The lead performances and chemistry are sublime.

(14:26) This is a deeply optimistic, happy movie to spend time with.

(15:40) I am now a Neil Diamond jukebox

(17:04) Step by step this completely won me over until I was sobbing (I’m emotional again)

(18:55) You know when a movie has you by the b@lls

(19:17) One ESSENTIAL PIECE OF INFO before seeing this movie

(20:45) Summary & LETTERBOXD RATING https://boxd.it/bN9hJT

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(22:27) Coming up!

It's a late-Christmas surprise from Santa Fred! A bonus episode of FoF to warm your toes by the fire to.

In this episode, I start off with a rundown of some very exciting trailers, including my worries for Disclosure Day and my excitement for The Odyssey.

I then dive into THE FOFSCARS! Your definitive, alternative movie awards for 2025, including fun categories such as "Most Tears Shed", "Best Needle Drop", "Swing And A Miss", plus a few categories suggested by YOU the listener.

Stick around till the end where I run through my Top 10 Movies of 2025, with some surprises along the way.

As discussed in the group chat via @fredasquithonfilm, I have included some 2026 releases in my Top 10 to stay true to what I've seen this year, but kept the categories and deeper discussions to 2025 releases only.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website https://fredasquith.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Agenda
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TRAILER NEWS
01:25 DIGGER Trailer - new Tom Cruise movie is a COMEDY!
03:28 ANIMAL FARM Trailer - an abomination
04:09 AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Trailer - like going to a Dad Rock concert
07:22 DISCLOSURE DAY Trailer - some worries about new Spielberg UFO movie
13:10 THE ODYSSEY Prologue - I saw it!! And…
17:09 Never doubt Nolan.
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18:12 THE FOFSCARS!
18:45 Criteria of Eligibility
20:08 The 2 WORST Movies of 2025
22:20 The Trailer So Good It Made Me Go To The Cinema
23:39 SURPRISE of 2025
24:44 DISAPPOINTMENTS of 2025
27:52 The Biggest “Swing and a Hit” of 2025
29:06 The Biggest “Swing and a Miss” of 2025
31:00 Most Underrated Movie of 2025
32:13 The 2 Most Overrated Movies of 2025
34:24 The Best Ensemble Casting
35:27 My Favourite Performances of 2025
36:41 The ‘You Did All You Could’ Award for Best Performance in a Bad Movie
38:13 Best Needle Drop
39:17 Most Tears Shed
39:35 The Best Jump Scare
39:59 The Winners and Losers of 2025
41:06 The Lesson of 2025
42:11 Peak Era
42:58 Shot of 2025
43:47 The One That Doesn’t Feel Like a 2025 Movie
44:26 The Paycheck Award
45:00 Screening of 2025
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45:34 THE FOF TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2025 - set up & one that missed out
47:10 Number 10
47:37 Number 9
48:01 Number 8
48:19 Number 7
49:01 Number 6
49:32 Number 5
50:23 Number 4
50:57 Number 3
51:31 Number 2
52:19 Number 1 aka THE BEST MOVIE OF 2025
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54:43 A thank you to YOU.
55:59 A teaser…

This week on FoF it’s a quickfire pre-Christmas review episode of 3 movies that are all interesting for very different reasons; Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value (a cosy-but-devastating father/daughter story that I may need to rewatch), Josh Safdie’s manic Marty Supreme (think Anora meets Catch Me If You Can meets Whiplash), and the twisty, seggsy, slightly deranged popcorn thriller The Housemaid (fundamentally ball sheet, but…..)

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website https://fredasquith.com

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Agenda

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(00:50) SENTIMENTAL VALUE Review - no spoilers

(02:22) I will give this movie another chance.

(03:20) A hilarious amount of production companies

(04:10) A great opening sequence

(04:40) I’m not keen on movies about making movies

(05:18) Brilliant performances

(05:40) It felt a bit ponderous. But I need to double check.

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(06:43) MARTY SUPREME Review - no spoilers

(07:24) I worked out the perfect reference points for this movie.

(09:40) This feels closer to the Safdie Brother movies than Smashing Machine

(10:18) Timothee Chalamet becomes a man in Marty Supreme.

(11:26) This is enthralling and anxiety-inducing but not annoying or insidious

(12:39) It has a threatening edge

(13:18) Does it justify the runtime? (long)

(13:45) Surprisingly optimistic, made my mate cry

(14:14) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING! https://boxd.it/c0cLzx

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(14:46) THE HOUSEMAID Review - no spoilers

(15:12) I worked out the reference points for THIS movie too!!

(15:36) I had no idea what I was in for.

(16:00) It was bad and YET…I was loving it. Intentionally funny??

(18:00) Here’s why it works.

(18:35) This is a GREAT cinema movie. I love that.

(20:04) Keep expectations low and go have a good time.

(20:26) Make sure you see it on a busy weekend night! Context is everything.

(21:17) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING! https://boxd.it/bZVagJ

(21:33) THE FoF DISCLAIMER

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(21:44) Go eat something