Critical Darlings
Blank Check ProductionsWelcome to Critical Darlings: a podcast about the movies everyone is talking about, one new release after another. Every week, critics Richard Lawson and Alison Willmore cover the latest film driving the conversation—from big summer blockbusters to festival favorites, buzzy streamers, and major awards contenders. New episodes every Thursday. We’re a Blank Check Production! To catch up on our first... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 30 | Founded | 4 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | TV & FilmFilm ReviewsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
You’re welcome…again! This week we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel of Disney’s “live-action” remakes, with Moana.
As noted on last week’s episode, Producer Ben Frisch is out on a Minions-related leave of absence, so we’re joined by Producer ... more
The Minions are back with a film designed to pander…to us! On this episode, three Minions neophytes try to make sense of Minions And Monsters, where the round yellow ones land in 1920s Hollywood. among Chaplin, Keaton, and all of Gen Alpha’s favorite... more
This week we’re Gunn-ing for Supergirl, with filmmaker and video essayist Patrick Willems!
Supergirl is the second feature film in the new DC cinematic universe, now helmed by Guardians of the Galaxy mastermind James Gunn. Gunn’s 2025 Superman brea... more
It’s Pride Week on Critical Darlings, and we’re joined by the co-host of the Alright Mary podcast (and Best Supporting Actress expert) Colin Drucker to break down two new wide-release gay movies: RuPaul’s spoofy Stop! That! Train! and the Australian ... more
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Reviews
- Incredible podcast but….
I’m writing this with real affection, because I would not go to the trouble otherwise. I have been a Blankie for around a decade, a Patreon supporter since day one, and I am genuinely loving Critical Darlings. Richard Lawson and Alison Willmore are such strong critics, and the show has quickly become something I look forward to.
That said, I wanted to offer one piece of feedback. At times, Richard’s rhythm on the show leans heavily into sharp, snappy, acidic asides, sometimes several in a row. ... more
Apple Podcasts4erick_pessoa
Francea month ago - Backrooms
Backrooms episode sounds like someone who thinks they know more about the film than the filmmaker himself.😂 Gotta be the least charitable review I’ve heard. They basically were saying “what if the backrooms was a whole different movie”.🤷♂️
Apple Podcasts1dame4324
United Statesa month ago - My new fave movie podcast
This one has it all: great criticism, some box office stuff, Internet discourse, behind the scenes news, fab guests. Hosts are smart and fun. I love it.
Apple Podcasts5JessicaNE1227United Statesa month ago - Like the podcast
Please don’t interrupt Alison Willmore when she’s speaking. It’s very rude and annoying. I want to hear what the one woman has to say.
Apple Podcasts4MFcreepUnited Statesa month ago - 👍👍👍👍👍
🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶
Apple Podcasts5JmckinnyUnited States2 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #6 | United States/TV & Film/Film Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #62 | United States/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #4 |  Canada/TV & Film/Film Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #12 |  United Kingdom/TV & Film/Film Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #43 | Canada/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #51 | United Kingdom/TV & Film |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Darlings
What is Critical Darlings about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Critically minded film conversation that combines sharp analysis with industry context, often featuring hosts Richard Lawson and Alison Willmore alongside rotating guests from production, criticism, and media. Episodes balance immediate takeaways on new releases with larger questions about aesthetics, industry dynamics, and festival-driven storytelling, including Oscar-season reflections and debates about representation, marketing, and platform strategies. Notable strengths include a seamless host dynamic, deep dives into production decisions, and guest voices that bring insider perspectives on studios, campaigns, and distribution. This show is likely to appeal to cinephiles who want thoughtful, opinionated discourse that ties film art to i... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Critical Darlings?
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How many listeners does Critical Darlings get?
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What are the audience demographics for Critical Darlings?
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How many subscribers and views does Critical Darlings have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Critical Darlings?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Critical Darlings:
1. Blank Check with Griffin & David
2. This Had Oscar Buzz
3. Prestige Junkie
4. Fighting In The War Room: A Movies And Pop Culture Podcast
5. The Big Picture
How many episodes of Critical Darlings are there?
Critical Darlings launched 4 months ago and published 30 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Critical Darlings?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Critical Darlings?
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What guests have appeared on Critical Darlings?
Recent guests on Critical Darlings include:
1. Patrick Willems
2. Colin Drucker
3. Starlee Kine
4. Mattie Lubchansky
5. Ryan Broderick
6. Lindsey Webber
7. Bobby Finger
8. Danielle Hewitt
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.