Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair

We don’t often feature voice performances on this podcast, but there’s a reason why we made an exception for Lupita Nyong’o, who does exceptional work at the center of the critically acclaimed animated feature The Wild Robot. For this week’s interview, Nyong’o reflects on how far she’s come from her Oscar win a decade ago and how she stays discerning in Hollywood amid so many industry shifts. Plus, Nyong’o plays Proust Questionnaire Roulette, revealing her fictional hero and what she considers the most overrated virtue.

Rebecca, Richard and David reveal their top ten picks for Best Picture to each other and defend their choices. Plus, a recap of TIFF awards and acquisitions.Remember to draft your team for Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League by October 3 here, and don’t forget to add “Vanity Flair” on your entry form to join our league. 

Perhaps the most patient man in Hollywood, Richard Linklater talks to Rebecca about the 23-year journey of making Hitman. “I'm not afraid to sit with something and just wait until the time is right,” says Linklater, who has also filmed two more movies that both took more than a decade to make.

This week, Sebastian Stan joins the show to discuss his anticipated fall films A Different Man and The Apprentice, which together mark the most exciting moment for his career thus far. The Emmy nominee discusses the elaborate make-up jobs required for both films, his struggles in getting to star in projects of this caliber, and why he believes his Donald Trump movie is worth seeing—even though (or perhaps especially because) he's heard all kinds of arguments to the contrary.

It's the day after the Emmys, and Richard, David, and Rebecca are here to break down all of the highs and lows from TV's biggest night. The hosts discuss the thrilling surprise win for Hacks as best comedy (as well as why The Bear lost), the impressive showings from newcomers Shōgun and Baby Reindeer, and why Dan and Eugene Levy's amiable hosting performance couldn't make up for a lackluster program.Remember to draft your team for Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League by October 3 here, and don’t forget to add “Vanity Flair” on your entry form to join our league. 

David, Richard, and special guest Hillary Busis call in from Toronto in the midst of a very busy festival, where the Oscar race is rapidly taking shape. Along with Rebecca, they discuss some of the best films to premiere in Canada this past weekend, including Hard Truths and The Wild Robot, and ponder what’s best positioned to win the festival’s audience award—a crucial Oscar harbinger.

The director of the hit franchise talks to Rebecca about the first two films, which he calls “the biggest technical challenge of my life," and his plans for the future.

Back from the Venice and Telluride film festivals, Rebecca, Richard and David discuss all the movies they've seen so far and some of their favorite encounters. 

The His Three Daughters star has been thinking about a lot lately — her volatile past, her industry’s perilous state, loneliness, and hitting the red carpet with “one of those metal faces and a little beady red eye.” All that on top Oscar buzz, her new Hollywood chapter, and wanting a “third boob.” Allow her to connect the dots. Plus, a new segment called Proust Questionnaire Roulette. 

As the acclaimed Apple TV series returns for a second season, we revisit Rebecca’s interview with show creator Soo Hugh. The pair discuss the emotional pitch process, international shoots, and Asian representation in Hollywood.

Richard, David and Rebecca discuss the newly-announced Telluride lineup and offer some pro tips for making the most of film festivals. For this month's final Director Discussion, the hosts discuss Pedro Almodovar, whose upcoming film The Room Next Door premieres at Venice next week.

The breakthrough actor joins Rebecca to chat about performing alongside Coleman Domingo, how embracing theater and vulnerability changed his life, and what’s next in his acting career. 

David, Rebecca, and Richard weigh in on the news that Dan and Eugene Levy will host the Emmys, while looking back at the best and worst hosts from years past. Plus, they analyze three tight races as Emmy voting wraps up, and for the ongoing Directors Discussion, take a closer look at Pablo Larraín's filmography and upcoming film Maria.

The Emmy-nominated actor, who played a closeted state department employee in the decade-spanning series Fellow Travelers, tells Rebecca that he's given up the quest for a perfect take: “I'm actually kind of hoping to fall on my face.”

The beloved mockumentary series is up for nine Emmy awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, but that’s nothing new. In fact the show and its cast have been nominated for and won Emmy awards in top categories every season since its debut. In this bonus episode, we revisit Rebecca’s interview with the show’s creator and star, Quinta Brunson. They spoke in July 2022, just after she’d heard about the flurry of nominations for Abbott Elementary's first season.