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Welcome to Not Actually Film Critics where not actual film critics critique actual films. Each week, join us as we talk about random stuff, watch movies together and review them. For every episode, we take turns picking movies that fit within a theme, which often leads us to some real hidden gems, or fun oldies that give us a blast from the past! Sometimes we will even release a sync-track of us watching the movie together, so you can sync it up to your viewing of the movie and feel like you're one of us! Follow along with our journey, and you might just discover a favorite film you've never seen before!
Also, if you have a great movie pick for one of our themes, or just want to reach out to us, feel free to email us at nafilmcritics@gmail.com
You can also support our podcast at https://www.patreon.com/nafc
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239 Episodes
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It’s the end of 2025, so naturally we’re settling scores. The gang kicks off revisiting what we somehow rated the highest this year and arguing whether those scores still hold up. From anime to TV, movies, and games, we run through our favorite 2025 recommendations—and a few picks that definitely say more about us than the media itself.We dive headfirst into a full spoiler discussion of the Plur1bus finale, breaking down what worked, what didn’t, and whether the ending actually earned its big swings.Izzy gives his take on the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, wrestling with nostalgia, shot-for-shot faithfulness, and the uncomfortable realization that it might actually work.Mox checks in with Another World, spotlighting a lesser-talked-about animated film out of Hong Kong and why it stood out visually and thematically.Gibbs unloads by suffering through—and reporting back on—a pile of truly awful Christmas movies, because someone had to do it, and it definitely wasn’t going to be Izzy.Finally, we close out 2025 by diving into a full review of Battle of the Sexes as part of the ongoing Emmaverse, unpacking its themes, performances, and whether it deserves its place in our ever-growing Emma Stone–adjacent cinematic journey.End-of-year chaos, Emmaverse commitments, strong opinions, questionable rankings, and absolutely no restraint. See you in 2026.Support us on Patreon!
Sorry for missing last week’s Bugonia episode—turns out it was 100% Gibbs’ fault. Recording mishap, lost files, the usual. So naturally, we’ve decided to title this episode Bugonia (2025) instead, even though the actual movie we’re reviewing is… Aloha (2015). Yes, that Aloha. And yes, it’s every bit the joke you remember.Before diving into cinematic regret, the crew gets into AI art in video games and Larian’s latest self-inflicted dumpster fire, followed by Gibbs recounting a near–Final Destination experience dodging children at a skating rink. Zea also drops in for a surprise visit, adding to the chaos.We do a quick, mercy-driven check-in on Bugonia (since we owe you one), then fully commit to diving into Aloha (2015)—a movie so bafflingly miscast and tone-deaf that it almost feels like performance art.Support us on Patreon!
This week on NAFC, the gang bounces across movies, games, and geopolitical absurdity like only they can. Mox kicks things off with his thoughts on Zootopia 2, while Izzy and Gibbs have fallen deep into Gloomhaven—cardboard suffering and tactical joy in equal measure.Izzy also compares Immortals Fenyx Rising to Breath of the Wild, confirming once again that Nintendo’s shadow looms over us all. Gibbs brings a shoutout to Unavowed, the indie gem punching far above its weight.Then things take a turn into global insanity: Saudi Arabia’s attempt to buy EA (because sure, why not), Iraqi “robots” that turned out to be… actual humans in suits, and an AI minister caught taking bribes—proving once more that dystopia isn’t coming, it’s already checking email.Finally, they dive into The Scarlet Letter (1995), a movie that took classic literature, tossed it in a wood chipper, and said “close enough.”Support us on Patreon!
This week on NAFC, the crew bounces between gaming, TV, and movie chaos before diving into the pastel-drenched world of Emma (2020).The gang opens with more talk about Plur1bus—because apparently it’s got its hooks in everyone now—followed by their thoughts on Stranger Things Season 5 and where the show might be headed. Mox shares his experience seeing the CS:GO finals live in Hong Kong, which somehow involved more screaming than a metal concert.Izzy brings a little local flavor with his review of the Hong Kong film Love Lies, and then the crew jumps into their review of Emma (2020): matchmaking, mischief, pastels, and perfect collars.Support us on Patreon!
This week on NAFC, the whole gang is here—including Zea! Gibbs opens the episode wrestling with whether he should start gambling (the answer is no, but also… maybe?). Izzy shares updates from his playthrough of Immortals Fenyx Rising, and both he and Gibbs recommend Plur1bus, their latest unexpected obsession.Gibbs also pitches his dream reboot of Disney’s Gargoyles, while Izzy vents about how Twisted Wonderland somehow became the latest anime disappointment in the endless catalog of Disney anime experiments.Finally, the crew dives into Frankenstein (2025)—a fresh spin on the classic monster tale and the centerpiece of this week’s discussion. With Zea back in the mix, expect chaos, debates, and a lot of side-eye.Support us on Patreon!
This week on NAFC, the crew kicks things off asking the truly important question: why do we say “smooth like butter”? No one knows, but that doesn’t stop them from overanalyzing it.
Gibbs has been on a horror bender with Carrie (the original) and Nightmare on Elm Street, while also checking out the game Absolum. Izzy’s been busy with Primitive War, Chitose Is in a Ramune Bottle, and the absurdly titled Tactical Breach Wizards. Meanwhile, Mox sharpens his skills in Dino Blade, because apparently dinosaurs and swords are all it takes to make a masterpiece.
Finally, the gang dives into The Blair Witch Project (1999)—the found footage horror classic that terrified a generation and made everyone afraid of camping forever. Minimal budget, maximum trauma.
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It’s Halloween on NAFC, and the crew’s dressed in existential dread instead of costumes. The gang kicks things off debating whether gaming in 4K is really worth it—or just another flex for people with too much disposable income.
Izzy’s been deep into Full Metal Furies and The Legend of Hei, while Mox takes a surprisingly wholesome detour with Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. Gibbs, meanwhile, crowns Scream (1996) the godfather of teen slashers before sharing one of the most uncomfortable dressing room encounters imaginable.
They also briefly revisit Weapons before speculating wildly about the mysterious upcoming film Him.
Finally, the crew dives into Men in Black (1997)—the ultimate mix of sci-fi, deadpan humor, and gooey practical effects. It’s nostalgic, it’s weird, and somehow, it still holds up better than most modern blockbusters.
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Izzy finally wraps up Apple’s The Studio, drops some quick takes on Weapons, Together, and The Boy and the Beast, and the crew spirals into another anime season full of familiar faces — One Punch Man is back, To Your Eternity refuses to die, and somehow “Adult GPT” is now a thing? Eventually, we get around to Demolition Man and ask the real question: did Stallone’s frozen cop future actually predict our world a little too well?
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It’s a gloomy bonus episode of NAFC with Izzy out this week, leaving Mox and Gibbs to spiral into a surprisingly downbeat mix of gaming and global nonsense.
They dig into their time with Hades 2, which is somehow both brutal and beautiful, then pivot to Final Fantasy Tactics remaster rumors—will it happen, or will Square just emotionally manipulate us for another decade?
Things take a sharp turn as they unpack the recent EA private purchase deal involving Saudi Arabia, followed by the awkward Bill Burr vs. Saudi Arabia situation that no one asked for but here we are.
Short on laughs, long on sighs—it's the most depressing bonus episode yet. ENJOY!
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Zea’s out sick this week, so the NAFC boys hold down the fort with all the usual chaos. Mox checks out the Chainsaw Man movie and gives his take on whether it lives up to the anime's bloody legacy.
Meanwhile, Izzy’s had enough of Alien Earth—he’s officially turning on the direction, and he’s got receipts.
The crew then dives into The Lobster (2015), a bleak, absurdist look at love, loneliness, and turning into sea creatures if you stay single too long. It’s weird, it’s dark, and it’s exactly the kind of movie NAFC was made for.
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This week on NAFC, Izzy’s late—but that doesn’t stop Gibbs and Mox from going deep. Gibbs kicks things off with a full-on rant about David Fincher’s The Game and why it might be the original gaslight simulator. Mox and Gibbs also continue their running obsession with Alien Earth, throwing around more speculation than science.
Once Izzy finally rolls in, he brings fresh takes on Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1—yes, it’s hype, yes, people cried, and yes, scalpers are still the worst.
The crew closes things out with their review of WarGames (1983), the Cold War classic that asks: what if a teenage hacker accidentally started World War III with a dial-up modem?
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It’s just the boys on NAFC this week, and things get weird fast.
The crew opens with some Alien Earth speculation, followed by a discussion of the Final Fantasy Tactics remake rumors and the source code drama that’s somehow both hilarious and deeply depressing. Izzy gives his thoughts on Ishura, while Mox talks about his recent rewatch of True Lies—still wild, still problematic, still awesome.
Then it’s time to dive into the main event: The Day of the Dolphin (1973), the movie that asked, “What if we trained dolphins to talk... and then turned them into assassins?” Somehow, that’s not even the weirdest part.
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We’re back! After a missed week—thanks to Gibbs and his ever-growing list of “totally legitimate” excuses—the NAFC crew returns to talk movies, games, and apocalyptic AI.
Mox is fired up over the looming release of Silksong, the most anticipated game of the decade that may or may not actually exist. Gibbs, meanwhile, went down a grim rabbit hole with Bone Tomahawk and lived to tell the tale.
The crew also checks in on the current state of the NAFC Fantasy Movie League and tries to figure out who’s in the lead and who’s just coasting on box office luck.
Then it’s time to dive into the main event: Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970). An AI gets turned on, takes control of the world, and—for some reason—everyone just… lets it happen? 70s tech paranoia in full force.
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This week on NAFC, Izzy kicks things off with his finest New Yorker impression and some definitely not sponsored thoughts on his recent cooking adventures with EveryPlate. Gochujang’s on the menu—and also maybe in the toilet. You’ve been warned.
K-Pop Demon Hunters is apparently getting a theatrical release (??), and none of us are emotionally prepared for that. Meanwhile, Mox finally gets to unload his full thoughts on Infinity Castle, and Gibbs somehow finds yet another War of the Worlds movie to love—because his taste in movies continues to be a mystery to us all.
Then it's time to dive into this week’s pick: Death to Smoochy (2002), where kids’ TV turns cutthroat, purple suits hide dark secrets, and Edward Norton gets way too into character.
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This week on NAFC, the gang is wondering—can you really treadmill off a Twinkie? Spoiler: it's a lot more walking than you want it to be. Calories in, calories out, and deep, deep denial.
Gibbs shares his thoughts on The Civil War on Drugs, and the crew weighs in on the rising heat around ChatGPT-5—because apparently, the internet is mad again. Gen Z’s also getting hit from all angles, and now they can't even afford video games. What happened to $40 being a complete game?
Finally, the team dives into their review of Kalifornia (1993), a sun-drenched, rain-soaked road trip into madness starring Brad Pitt before he became Brad Pitt™. Rednecks, murders, and way too much backlighting—just another day in America.
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With Zea and Gibbs out, NAFC gets a full-on weeb takeover as Izzy and Mox run the show. First up: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle hype is at an all-time high—tickets are sold out, scalpers are eating, and the duo speculates on how wild this arc might get. Is it Nezha 2 levels of cultural event? Maybe.
Izzy drops a rec for Milky Subway, a short that hits that nostalgic Red vs Blue energy from the golden age of internet content. Then it’s a full spoiler-filled dive into Takopi’s Original Sin—a dark, emotionally devastating series that leaves no one okay.
The conversation somehow swerves into ChatGPT-5, the state of tech, and what happened to being fiscally responsible? Why cancel Hogwarts Legacy when it’s literal free money?
And to end things on a threatening note: Gibbs isn’t even here, yet he might’ve cursed the crew with Ice-T in War of the Worlds. No body tell him! But pray for us.
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This week on NAFC, the crew kicks things off with a nostalgic deep dive into old-school DOS games—Test Drive, Doom, Wolfenstein, and other pixelated chaos from a simpler, more keyboard-smashing time.
Things take a sudden left turn as everyone starts wildly guessing who's on the Epstein list. It’s unhinged, it’s reckless, and it’s very on-brand.
Gibbs and Zea catch Happy Gilmore 2 (yes, that exists) and the visually wild Green Snake, while Gibbs also gives his take on A24’s Warfare. Izzy continues his anime crawl with Witch Watch and the ever-traumatizing Takopi’s Original Sin.
We also finally get Zea’s long-awaited score for Fermat’s Room, just moments before she straight-up falls asleep mid-recording.
Then it’s on to our first review for the new theme Against Type with One Hour Photo (2002)—Robin Williams gets creepy, and the gang is here for it.
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This week on NAFC, Windows 11 update... and still no one wants it. The crew shares their collective refusal while sidetracking into the mystery of Sister Hong (don’t worry, it’s as weird as it sounds).
Gibbs gives his thoughts on Solo Leveling and whether it lives up to the anime hype, while Mox returns from ACGHK 2025 with tales of merch, crowds, and cosplay chaos. He also reviews Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel’s latest attempt at relevance—does it stick the landing?
Meanwhile, Izzy’s one minor inconvenience away from actually killing a mockingbird.
They wrap it up with a review of Fermat’s Room (2007), where math becomes deadly and the tension’s tighter than Gibbs’ trust circle.
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This week on NAFC, Gibbs and Zea recount being the most confused guests at a party. Zea’s also on a mission to get into the cookout, comparing cookout culture across backgrounds and trying to earn her honorary plate.
K-Pop Demon Hunters rears its sparkly head again—this time via Zea and their daughter Ladybug, who’s firmly team sparkle-sword. The gang also checks in on the start of the new anime season: Takopi’s Original Sin is soul-crushing, Clevatess has potential, and City: The Animation is pure chaotic brilliance.
Izzy has a harrowing encounter with a dangling spider mid-thought, but powers through as the gang dives six feet deep into this week’s movie review: Buried (2010). Claustrophobia, dread, and way too much sand.
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Izzy’s back on NAFC, immediately griping about friends pestering him to watch K-Pop Demon Hunters. The gang takes a moment to define what exactly makes someone an edgelord—naturally leading to plenty of cringe-filled self-exposure.
Izzy rattles off his latest anime watchlist, including some of the Chinese shows everyone’s buzzing about. Gibbs, meanwhile, has been all over the place: watching Lilo & Stitch, The Rehearsal, wrapping up Squid Game, and catching the latest F1 chaos. Oh, and he’s weirdly hyped for an indie game called Shark Dentist.
Izzy also shares his thoughts on Ballerina, while Gibbs and Mox catch the absurd rom-com They Came Together, adding even more cringe fuel to the episode.
Finally, the crew dives into their review of Under the Shadow (2016), blending supernatural scares with their usual off-the-rails banter.
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