Fred Asquith On Film – Details, episodes & analysis

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 unpack the whole saga of how I nearly ended up on Sky News to talk Wicked, why I basically “Prince Andrew-ed” the opportunity, and what it actually says about FoF quietly creeping up in the film world (yes, even CNN have been sniffing around).

From there we tumble into Christmas ad season as I crown the undisputed winner, lay into Coca-Cola’s uncanny AI truck nightmare, side-eye Tesco’s melancholic effort, and ask whether the Christmas advert conveyor belt has completely ruined Chrimbo.

Then it’s my definitive ranking of 19 actual Christmas movies (no “Christmas-adjacent” cheats allowed) from Krampus at the bottom to You-Know-Exactly-Who at Number 1, complete with YOUR AUDIENCE RANKING as done in our Broadcast Channel (via fredasquith.com) Expect plenty of disagreements and some distinctly average impressions.

Finally, I rattle through reviews of Train Dreams, Blue Moon and new Netflix release Jay Kelly, from lonely loggers and ghost-story vibes to Ethan Hawke monologuing for his life and why Billy Crudup’s “shrimp cocktail” bit might be one of the scenes of the year.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS

(01:49) The FoF Disclaimer
(02:06) I should’ve been on Sky News. Why wasn’t I on Sky News?
(08:55) My thoughts on All The UK Christmas Adverts
(09:30) The FoF Best Christmas Ad 2025 is Waitrose
(10:00) The FoF WORST Christmas Ad 2025 is the Coca Cola AI monstrosity
(11:42) The other one that is terrible is the sad Tesco ad

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(12:10) THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME
(12:50) What movies DON’T COUNT
(14:26) My Top 19 Christmas movies
(14:45) Number 19 - Krampus
(15:06) Number 18 - Surviving Christmas
(15:25) Number 17 - Four Christmases
(15:47) Number 16 - Christmas With The Kranks
(16:20) Number 15 - The Holiday (Darling’s favourite, it annoys me)
(17:08) Number 14 - Miracle on 34th Street (1993)
(18:04) Number 13 - The Grinch (I love this Jim Carrey story of the movie more than the movie)
(19:20) Number 12 - Nativity! (and why it’s technically bad but spiritually good)
(20:27) Number 11 - National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (and how it pioneered a sub genre)
(21:32) Number 10 - Klaus (basically a perfect movie)
(22:21) Number 9 - The Muppets Christmas Carol (including some 7/10 impressions)
(24:54) Number 8 - The Polar Express (and the most magical time watching it with my nephew)
(26:16) Number 7 - It’s A Wonderful Life (and why I barely remember the second half)
(27:45) Number 6 - Elf (headphone warning)
(28:15) Number 5 - The Santa Clause (underrated)
(29:41) Number 4 - Die Hard (yes its a christmas movie)
(29:58) Number 3 - Home Alone (and why it works)
(30:43) Number 2 - The Holdovers (an instant classic)
(32:13) Number 1 is…….. (you guessed it)
(33:50) How does my ranking compare to YOUR FoF Community vote?

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(36:22) Train Dreams REVIEW - out now on Netflix
(43:01) Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/bTlxLf

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(43:25) Blue Moon REVIEW - out now in cinemas
(49:39) Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/bPz1xx

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(50:40) Jay Kelly REVIEW - out on Netflix 5th Dec
(56:33) Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/bmjGFJ

SPOILERS!! This week on FoF I have my biggest rant yet in tackling the fallout and backlash to my negative review of Wicked: For Good - it's been intense to say the least and I’ve got A LOT of thoughts. I reflect on what’s fair in film criticism, whether seeing the musical is required context, and why the plot is nonsensical and MORE in the timestamps below. Plus, I praise Tom Cruise for his honorary Oscar, marvel at James Cameron's Jurassic Park near-hit, and express my theory connecting Jim Carrey to Eddie Murphy’s career arc in “Being Eddie”.

Please note, this rant has MAJOR SPOILERS of the plot of this movie, so if you've never seen the musical and want to see the movie I advise you listen after your screening.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Agenda
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WICKED RANT - This is in response to my original review, which you can hear in the previous episode on this feed or on any platform via my website HERE.

Letterboxd Review HERE.

(01:25) The fallout from “WICKED: FOR GOOD” has been mental 
(02:30) A perspective of someone who hasn’t seen the musical IS valid 
(04:08) This is a MOVIE. It deserves to be critiqued as a movie. 
(06:18) But I DO sympathise with what Wicked musical fans are enduring here 
(07:38) You don’t have to ALWAYS be ENTIRELY informed on EVERYTHING 
(10:55) Movie criticism - ALL of it - is subjective. My new disclaimer. 
(11:44) This is an issue on modern film discourse 
(12:04) Seek out reviews by critics who have your perspective on the genre or material 
(12:43) Post Wicked Double-Bills, the tide turned… 
(15:23) Something isn’t 5 stars for being accurately adapted 
(17:47) A dark tone doesn’t mean it has to be boring 
(20:55) Clarification on the songs “not being good enough” 
(21:48) If you love the musical and know the songs, that DOES make a difference, I accept that 
(23:09) Plot issues I’ve been mulling over 
(24:14) My observation on the desert surrounding Oz 
(25:40) Tie-ins with the Wizard of Oz feel SO underbaked 
(27:17) There’s an excuse for every plot hole due to the nature of the source IP 
(28:00) The ending completely refutes the message of the first part 
(29:56) THIS annoyed me more than ANYTHING 
(31:42) I’m not saying these questions AREN’T answered necessarily 
(31:56) I didn’t HATE the movie even though I sound like it 
(33:02) Finishing with our new disclaimer and a positive message
Wicked: For Good Letterboxd Review HERE.
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(33:45) On a happy note - “SONG SUNG BLUE”! Coming soon 
(34:40) Tom Cruise’s Honorary Oscar - what a speech! 
(38:02) James Cameron almost directed “JURASSIC PARK”?!?!?!?! 
(39:24) James Cameron directing a a Billie Eilish show movie in 3D????!!?!? 
(40:12) Does the movie star still exist? “MARTY SUPREME” is a HUGE litmus test 
(44:33) “BAKE OFF” does Peep Show! 
(44:45) “BEING EDDIE” - Drawing parallels between Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy  - LETTERBOXD REVIEW HERE
(47:28) Who was the Ed Sheeran doc for?  
(47:53) Knives Out 3 review poll  
(48:42) I think - generally - I’m skipping Stranger Things S5  
(49:15) Coming up NEXT WEEK! And finishing with our new disclaimer

SPOILERS!! This week I give you insight into my attendance at the WICKED: FOR GOOD Premiere, before diving into a full, frank and honest review on the movie.

Please note, this review has MAJOR SPOILERS of the plot of this movie, so if you've never seen the musical I advise you listen after your screening. 

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS
Wicked PREMIERE Review
(00:55) The Biggest Most Chaotic Premiere Yet
(05:18) Premieres are not conducive for content creation
(07:05) Weird popcorn and a weird vibe
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WICKED: FOR GOOD Review - SPOILERS!!!!
(08:20) My relationship to the first movie and the musical
(09:45) There’s a BUT coming…
(10:24) I came into this screening with the absolute best intentions
(11:04) If I didn’t know better I’d think this story was made up a few months ago - BIG SPOILERS
(15:04) Where are the bangers?
(16:25) I accept if you’ve seen the musical you’d be more ready for this
(17:13) But I was in a room of Wicked superfans…
(19:25) Midway toilet trip with my Darling Wife
(19:55) I understand what Wicked fans may say to this criticism
(20:52) There is no clear story arc here like the first half
(22:08) Where is the FUN?
(23:06) I understand these criticisms are largely the faults of the Musical
(24:25) A message to the superfans
(25:20) The 5 Star Reviews will come, and then go
(25:37) LETTERBOXD RATING 
(27:30) What do YOU think?
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(28:06) Coming up next week
(29:05) When should I review Knives Out 3?

This week on FoF I give the full rundown of my Traitors Castle experience with Tiktok (and why I was a terrible Traitor). I also then explain why Nick was such a terrible Celebrity Faithful, as well as discuss why Squid Game The Challenge S2 isn't working for me. 

We then rundown the Best Pre-Christmas Movies to watch in November and get in the spirit, before finishing off with reviews of "Anemone" and "Predator: Badlands".

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS

(01:52) Was I a Good Traitor? My Traitors Castle Experience!
(06:15) My Biggest Irritation with the Celebrity Traitors Finale
(10:34) Celebrity Gameshow Prize Pot Culture Is Icky
(13:15) Best Suggestion for a Future Faithful
(13:49) "Squid Game: The Challenge" S2 Isn’t As Good – Here’s Why
(15:46) I Am Boycotting the MJ Movie
(17:25) The Best Pre-Christmas Movies (and Ones That Don’t Count)
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(21:05) "Anemone" Review (Daniel Day-Lewis Comeback)
(22:33) Premise
(23:55) Northern Accents & Northern Stories in Film
(23:28) A Slow Mood Piece
(24:08) Why Daniel Day-Lewis Is the Greatest of His Generation
(27:59) A Brilliant Film School Movie
(28:56) Summary & Letterboxd Rating
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(29:55) "Predator: Badlands" Review
(31:15) Surprisingly Well-Versed in Predator Lore
(32:45) A Valid Move for the IP
(34:27) Great Opening
(35:30) Technically Strong and Made with Love
(36:11) BUT… a Fundamental Issue
(38:22) Losing the Grounding of the Original (and "Prey")
(39:35) Star Wars Meets Shrek?
(40:52) A Step Too Far for the Franchise
(42:25) From a Predator/AVP Apologist
(42:55) Summary & Letterboxd Rating
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(43:15) Ranking the Predator Movies
(45:55) Alien vs Predator Franchise

This week on FoF I’m telling you why Squid Game: The Challenge is better than it's parent series, and "Titanic" is the greatest major movie accomplishment of our lifetime. But not before revealing 2 HUGE invites I got this week for FoF related events you will be hearing far more about. I'm also reviewing the new Jennifer Lawrence movie "Die My Love", which is a Stealth Horror movie let me tell you (no spoilers for that one), including a new addition into the list of annoying things someone can do in a cinema near you. 

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Intro ft. Pxssy Palace
(01:13) Squid Game: The Challenge is BACK. Here’s why it’s better than the full series.
(04:11) I was also nearly ON the first Challenge series. ANNOYING
(06:44) I’m going to The Traitors Castle with TikTok!!!!!!
(09:52) I’ve been invited to the Wicked: For Good PREMIERE!!!!
(15:05) Rewatched Titanic and it's SO GOOD (LETTERBOXD)
(18:27) One (of many) reasons why Titanic is so good
(22:24) Why I’m missing Bruce Springsteen, Black Phone 2 and Now You 3 Me.
(25:43) Predator: Badlands review coming next week
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(26:42) Die My Love REVIEW - no spoilers
(28:55) Synopsis / Set up
(30:15) 4:3 Square Format doesn’t feel as much of a CHOICE anymore
(31:17) Striking imagery and style from Lynne Ramsey
(33:33) This is Jennifer Lawrence at FULL J-Law
(34:53) The movie needs a trigger warning
(36:50) Most annoying guy in my cinema
(37:53) MILD SPOILERS - The premise wears thin towards the end
(39:05) Summary & LETTERBOXD RATING 
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(39:33) Next week is a big one!!!!!

This week on FoF I’m under two blankets, spiralling into a myriad of rants, and reviewing two brand new films: the tense, lo-fi "Bugonia" (no spoilers) and the sweaty, twitchy "Ballad of a Small Player" (spoilers!).

Elsewhere: I talk Celebrity Traitors, why I pulled down a reel, and how Stranger Things has somehow invented cinema! WOW! I also make a public plea for an "Aftermath" poster at Stratford station.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) TikTok/Insta @fredasquithonfilm - THANKS FOR 15k!
(00:05) I started, then regretted, advertising on other podcasts 
(01:28) I WANT THE AFTERMATH POSTER AT STRATFORD 
(03:26) Spotify listeners 
(04:58) I am obsessed with Mark from Celebrity Traitors 
(05:40) I took my Traitors Reel down 
(06:44) Potential future guests on Celebrity Traitors 
(08:49) Stranger Things Invents Movies! OMG! 
(14:52) I’m under two blankets right now 
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(15:54) "BUGONIA" REVIEW – no spoilers 
(16:58) Plot line 
(17:20) The lo-fi premise really works and reminded me of my favourite book 
(19:04) An Accessible Yorgos Lanthimos movie 
(22:01) No redeemable / appealing characters but that’s ok, unlike "Eddington" 
(22:49) Rating + Letterboxd Review 
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(23:59) "BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER" REVIEW – spoilers!!! 
(25:20) There’s a lot of tension and sweating 
(26:03) Colin Farrell’s bad accent was forgivable 
(26:50) Gambling Addiction depictions 
(27:56) It’s a lean and fun story 
(28:36) Questioning my Letterboxd Rating…  
(29:24) It feels a bit inconsequential  
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(30:27) Coming soon!  
(31:17) "Wicked: For Good" INCOMING  

This week on FoF: we discuss more of your suggestions for Imperfect but 10/10 movies, I also run through the 6 times in my life I've felt genuinely scared by a movie or scene, starting with my first sleepless night at 6 years old. We have a run through of my recent TV viewing including a protracted RANT about why I'm disappointed by the Celebrity Traitors series. I also review the new Kathryn Bigelow political thriller "A House of Dynamite" starring Rebecca Ferguson, coming soon to Netflix.

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) TikTok/Insta @fredasquithonfilm - THANKS FOR 15k!
(01:37) More of your Imperfect 10/10s!
(08:40) The ULTIMATE Imperfect 10/10 to shut down the whole discussion
(10:15) Let’s think of the next discussion! - DM me @fredasquithonfilm on Instagram!
(10:31) Why I don’t really engage with Halloween
(11:30) Unfortunately I won’t catch Black Phone 2 in cinemas
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(12:31) The 6 Times I’ve Been Most Scared By A Movie
(13:40) The Witches 1990
(15:48) Martyrs 2008
(17:43) The Blair Witch Project - spoilers!
(18:57) The Sixth Sense
(19:41) Silence of the Lambs inc. Buffalo Bill impressions
(20:58) Suspiria 2018
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(25:02) TV Update starting with John Candy: I Like Me (on Prime)
(26:40) Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV)
(28:14) Celebrity Traitors RANT (BBC)
(34:13) The Perfect Neighbour (Netflix) was amazingly candid
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(37:26) "A House of Dynamite" review - SPOILERS!
(37:58) Has Rebecca Ferguson market-corrected Jessica Chastain?
(38:48) The Premise
(40:06) I have to review this with SPOILERS
(40:30) The first 30 minutes of control room thriller GOT ME
(41:37) But then…
(45:39) Idris Elba’s US accent is nowhere near as good as everyone claims
(47:35) So much potential
(48:25) Summary & LETTERBOXD RATING
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(49:15) Send me the next discussion question!
(49:36) Coming up next week…

This week on FoF: a play-by-play of how I was invited, denied and then finally admitted onto the BFI London Film Festival Red Carpet. PLUS, I tell a hilarious anecdote about Chloe Zhao leading me and Steven Spielberg in some group meditation, I also review "Frankenstein" and "After The Hunt", which are wildly related movie titles now I think about it. Also - a shoutout for more of YOUR Imperfect 10/10s - DM me @fredasquithonfilm on Instagram!

Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.

TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) TikTok/Insta @fredasquithonfilm - THANKS FOR 10k!
(01:10) Imperfect 10/10s - your initial submissions!
(06:03) Some thoughts on Diane Keaton’s passing
(07:30) More Imperfect 10/10s
(09:50) I watched loads of movies in my teens that I couldn’t digest
(12:06) The London Film Festival has been a bit exhausting?!?! Haha
(15:40) A hopefully humorous LFF anecdote
(17:36) Spielberg, Zhao, and the weird LFF Hamnet introduction
(22:44) My LFF Red Carpet experience!!!!! inc. getting denied by security hahahaha
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(32:10) After The Hunt REVIEW - spoilers throughout!!!
(33:44) Synopsis & Themes discussed
(34:53) I am a Luca Guadagnino lover, possibly more than most
(38:09) Great moments of allegory
(39:25) Progressive in its exploration, but not it’s conclusion
(41:59) It’s got a Fincher / Social Network aesthetic
(43:09) Summary & LETTERBOXD RATING
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(43:57) Frankenstein REVIEW - spoilers throughout!!!
(45:00) In the shadow of Nosferatu
(46:55) Guillermo didn’t strike his Pan’s Labyrinth balance here
(49:01) The length, structure and pacing is an issue
(52:05) Summary & LETTERBOXD RATING
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(52:45) Next week...