Friends at Dusk: A Christopher Nolan Filmography Podcast

We’re back with another episode in our “Matt Damon Just Wants to Go Home” series! This time, Damon is Spirit, a wild horse who’s trying to get back to his herd in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron. We found more Odyssey connections than you would think, and the animated film is a rarity these days: a restrained, 2-D/3-D hybrid that doesn’t talk down to kids.Cue up your favorite Bryan Adams song and join us as we continue on our road to The Odyssey.Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair Is a Modern-Day Odyssey [Vulture]Anne Hathaway Was ‘Fully in Character’ on ‘The Odyssey Set,’ Even When the Camera ‘Wouldn’t See Her for Three Days’: ‘You Never Stop Working’ [Variety]Are You Ready for the Adaptation Discourse Wars of 2026? [The Ringer]Spirit DVD Menu [YouTube]Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list [Google Doc]Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Surprise! It’s back-to-back releases as Jake and Marshall get in a holiday rush to record their reactions to the recently released official trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.Watch the latest trailer for The Odyssey [YouTube]Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

We’re back on book this week with a close look at Books 13–16 of The Odyssey, where Odysseus returns to Ithaca.But first: Jake and Marshall talk about the recently released IMAX prologue for Christopher Nolan’s film and take a deep dive through all the Empire magazine coverage and photos from The Odyssey set. Don’t miss it!Take a look at Empire magazine’s exclusive Odyssey covers hereBuy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Jesus Christ… it’s Jason Bourne.Our “Matt Damon Just Wants to Go Home” series continues with a movie that’s a lot more Nolan-esque than one would think at first glance.Join Jake and Marshall (and Jake’s dog, Pudge!) as they tie The Bourne Identity to Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey, and more. Just make sure the CIA isn’t listening.Take a look at Empire Magazine’s exclusive Odyssey covers hereExplore the Kimbell Art Museum’s Myth and Marble exhibit (featuring our boy Odysseus)Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgAlso check out Tom Shone’s The Greengrass Papers on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Jake and Marshall return to The Odyssey, and this section is a doozy. It’s full of the moments you probably remember from high school English class: Cyclops, the sirens, Land of the Dead, all that jazz. Join us as we discuss books 9–12, and tie it all back to Christpher Nolan.“Why ‘Interstellar’ has the most accurate black hole in Hollywood history” (NPR’s Short Wave)“‘The Odyssey’ Star Elliot Page Says It Was ‘Such a Joy’ Reuniting With Christopher Nolan” (Variety)Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

We’re back with more Matt Damon! Join us this week as we talk about stranded astronaut Mark Watney, who just wants to go home in The Martian. But first, he’s gonna have to science the shit out of this.Jake and Marshall explore how this movie fits into Damon’s “home” filmography and how it works when viewed through Christopher Nolan’s work. Grab those headphones, and help us bring Matt Damon home.In her translation of ‘The Odyssey,’ Emily Wilson aimed for ‘a crystalline clarity’ (NPR)Marshall’s hyperspecific Letterboxd list (Letterboxd)Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

At last.Join Jake and Marshall as they return to The Odyssey to talk about Books 5–8, where they finally meet Odysseus and begin discussing the many complications of the titular hero. They compare the two translations they’re reading/listening to, lash more Christopher Nolan connections to the proverbial mast, and chat about some filming updates for The Odyssey.Grab your preferred translation, and follow along.Nolan criticized for filming in occupied Western Sahara (Variety)Buy ⁠Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey⁠ on Bookshop.orgListen to ⁠Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey⁠ on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy ⁠Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey⁠ on Bookshop.orgListen to ⁠Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey⁠ on AudibleBuy ⁠The Nolan Variations⁠ on Bookshop.org⁠Episode-by-episode media list⁠ (Google Doc)Instagram: ⁠@friendsatduskpod⁠Marshall’s Letterboxd: ⁠@MDoig⁠Jake’s Letterboxd: ⁠@808jake_⁠Jake’s Substack: ⁠Jacob’s Letter

“I just wanted to go home!”Join Jake and Marshall as they introduce the “Matt Damon Just Wants To Go Home” scorecard, a series where they look at every time Matt Damon has played a character who is just trying to go home. (Surprisingly, it’s a lot.)First up: Kevin Smith’s irreverent and hilarious Dogma. Grab your blessed golf clubs and your Buddy Christ and join us as we discuss how this movie relates to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Speaking of, don’t miss our reactions to The Odyssey’s first teaser trailer, which is screening only in theaters now.See the new poster for The Odyssey here (Empire)Watch the new trailer for The Odyssey in a theater before Jurassic World RebirthRead "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century" here (The New York Times)Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

The journey begins. Jake and Marshall discuss Books 1–4 of Robert Fagles’ and Emily Wilson’s translations of The Odyssey, which translation they prefer so far, and initial thoughts on how Christopher Nolan may approach his adaptation. Plus, the return of the regular Nolan News and What Else Have You Been Watching? segments. Follow along with your preferred translation (or both).Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleRyan Coogler in the Criterion Closet (YouTube)Ryan Coogler discussing aspect ratios (YouTube)The boats for The Odyssey are in Scotland (Reddit)Sinners is highest-grossing live-action original movie since Inception (Reddit)The Odyssey to be filmed entirely in IMAX (The Hollywood Reporter)Stunt performer talks about Odyssey filming (ScreenRant)Buy ⁠The Nolan Variations⁠ on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Much like Odysseus… we have returned! [insert BWOOOMM noise here] Christopher Nolan has also returned and is currently filming his adaptation of The Odyssey.Season 2 of Friends at Dusk finds Jake and Marshall exploring all things Odyssey-related: Different translations! Film and TV adaptations! Matt Damon just trying to go home! Join us for all-new episodes of Nolan talk, coming soon.Buy Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Claire Danes narrate Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey on Audible (Only available on Audible)Buy Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on Bookshop.orgListen to Ian McKellen narrate Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey on AudibleBuy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.orgEpisode-by-episode media list (Google Doc)Instagram: @friendsatduskpodMarshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoigJake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Oppenheimer is an Academy Award-winning film! Christopher Nolan and co. took home seven Oscars on Sunday night, including Best Picture and Best Director, and Jake and Marshall are here to recap it all. Plus, we talk about what else we liked in the ceremony, and where we think Nolan will go next now that he has an Oscar. Buy a copy of Oppenheimer 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, or digital Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) List of actors nominated for multiple Academy Awards in the same year (Wikipedia) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Happy Oscars Sunday! Jake and Marshall are back with more in-depth predictions on how Oppenheimer will fare tonight, as well as some predictions on what should win, what they hope will win, and some memories from Oscars ceremonies past. Will Christopher Nolan finally win his own golden statue? Fill out those ballots and get ready for the red carpet, and we’ll see you after the Academy Awards to see how well our predictions held up. Buy Oppenheimer 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, or digital Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Download Letterboxd’s printable Oscar ballot (Letterboxd) IMAX In Conversation with Nolan and Villeneuve (YouTube) “No Director Has Weirder Rules on Set Than Christopher Nolan” (Collider) “J. Robert Oppenheimer Is Gonna Party His Ass Off at the Oscars” (McSweeney’s) “Cillian Murphy admits he was a mess after watching Interstellar” (Entertainment Weekly) 🏆 Oscars 2024 (Letterboxd list of predictions) The Letterboxd Oscars: 2024 Winners (Letterboxd list) Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

Today we’re joined by a very special guest. Tom Shone, the author of The Nolan Variations himself, talked to us for a bit to promote the upcoming paperback version of his book about the films of Christopher Nolan, now with a new chapter on Oppenheimer. We talked to Shone about writing that new chapter, Oppenheimer’s Oscars chances, what it was like working with Nolan, and more! Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org (Paperback coming this month!) Buy a copy of Oppenheimer 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, or digital Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

We’re back for another bonus episode! On Tuesday morning, Oppenheimer got 13 nominations for the 96th Academy Awards. Jake and Marshall are here to talk about their predictions for the film as well as some other general Oscars talk. We’ll be back soon once the ceremony is closer! See the full list of nominations here Buy a copy of Oppenheimer 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, or digital Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

We’re back! It’s a holiday miracle. On this episode, Jake and Marshall are talking all about the most anticipated physical media release of the year: Oppenheimer on 4K Blu-ray. The title quickly sold out at multiple outlets, but we each managed to get a copy so we could take a gander at all those sweet, sweet bonus features. Topics covered this episode include the importance of physical media (always), Spotify Wrapped stats from our listeners, and our favorite bonus features on the Blu-ray. (Audio quality note: Due to a recording issue there is a faint, intermittent echo on Marshall’s track.) Buy a copy of Oppenheimer 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, or digital Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) “Subtitles On” (Twenty Thousand Hertz) Meet the Press Q&A panelists: Nolan, author Kai Bird, physicist Kip Thorne, Los Alamos National Laboratory director and physicist Thomas Mason, and physicist Carlo Rovelli Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

The finale, the ending, the cut to black — whatever you call it, this is it! (For now.) In this wrapup episode, Jake and Marshall look back on their yearlong journey through Christopher Nolan’s films and influences. Topics include the newly published Oppenheimer script, alternate names for the podcast, what's next, and of course, the guys’ (latest) official Nolan rankings. Thank you so much for joining us, and we'll see you at the beginning, friends. Find where to watch all of Nolan’s filmography on JustWatch Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Bad behavior at ‘Barbenheimer’ reflects a worrying trend (The Washington Post) IndieWire’s Best Plot Twists of the 21st Century (Letterboxd) Christopher Nolan Defends Oppenheimer Sound, Refuses to Record ADR (Variety) Jake’s ranking of Disney theme park movies at Book & Film Globe Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Marshall’s Nolan rankings on Letterboxd Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Nolan rankings on Letterboxd Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter Chapters (00:00:00) Opening, news, and what we're watching (00:21:56) "Oppenheimer" script reading (00:32:08) Behind the scenes, and what's next (00:55:58) Final rankings (01:43:38) Wrap-up

One episode wasn’t enough. Now that Barbenheimer Fever has gripped the nation, Jake and Marshall discuss their theatrical experience seeing Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day in Austin, and delve deeper into the themes of Oppenheimer. Find tickets to see Oppenheimer in theaters now Find tickets to see Barbie in theaters now Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Read Bilge Ebiri’s interview with Christopher Nolan at Vulture Listen to Marc Maron interview Cillian Murphy on the WTF podcast Christopher Nolan: After Oppenheimer, no more films during strike action (via BBC) Happy Sad Confused interview with Christopher Nolan (YouTube) Here’s why the best IMAX movies still need a Palm Pilot to work (The Verge) Scientific American blog post about Hans Bethe interview Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

We did it! We made it to Oppenheimer. Here’s a quick episode on Jake and Marshall’s immediate thoughts about Christopher Nolan’s latest film, from the score to the editing to the performances and how well Nolan adapts Bird & Sherwin’s American Prometheus. More thoughts to come later! Find tickets to see Oppenheimer in theaters now Find tickets to see Barbie in theaters now Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

It’s almost time! This is our last episode until Oppenheimer premieres in wide release. As such, we prepared as much as we can by reading American Prometheus, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s exhaustive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer. We also watched The Day After Trinity, the 1981 documentary that chronicles the events of the Los Alamos test and acts as a kind of CliffsNotes on American Prometheus. So join us for this freewheeling episode, and get ready for July 21. Find where to watch The Day After Trinity on JustWatch Buy American Prometheus on Bookshop.org Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Kevin McCarthy interview clip with Nolan (TikTok) Barbenheimer fever: 20,000 double features booked, says AMC (Variety) Cillian Murphy encourages Barbenheimer double feature (Games Radar, via La Vanguardia) And again, along with Nolan (IGN) No CGI shots in Oppenheimer, says Nolan (Collider) Greta Gerwig’s Official Barbie Watchlist (Letterboxd) Christopher Nolan goes deep on ‘Oppenheimer’, his most ‘extreme’ film to date (Los Angeles Times; archive link) Behind ‘Oppenheimer,’ a Prizewinning Biography 25 Years in the Making (The New York Times; archive link) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Read Jake’s review of the Paramore show in Fort Worth here Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter

All we have for you is a word: Podcast. That’s right, it’s Tenet time. This week, Jake and Marshall take a look at Christopher Nolan’s most recent film to date, a Dudes Rock tale of time travel wrapped up in a James Bond plot. Also discussed: How Tenet’s release schedule changed the film industry as we know it, how Tenet acts as a bridge from Dunkirk to Oppenheimer, and how Tenet is the Most Nolan Film to ever exist — at least, that is, until Oppenheimer comes out next week. Find where to watch Tenet on JustWatch Buy The Nolan Variations on Bookshop.org Episode-by-episode media list (Google Doc) Author Kai Bird reacts to Oppenheimer (Variety) Nolan editorial on movie theaters, from March 2020 (Archived link, from the Washington Post original) Instagram: @friendsatduskpod Twitter: @friendsatdusk Marshall’s Letterboxd: @MDoig Jake’s Letterboxd: @808jake_ Jake’s Substack: Jacob’s Letter