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 | 32 | Founded | 5 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureFilm ReviewsTV & Film | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Come for the Les Miz karaoke takes, stay for The Invite. New York Magazine’s Emily Gould joins us to discuss Olivia Wilde’s sexy, awkward comedy of domestic manners starring herself, Seth Rogan, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz.
Set in an aspiration... more
Daddy, tie us to the mast, we’re off to see The Odyssey!
Christopher Nolan’s epic about a dad going out for cigarettes has vanquished all foes, critical, commercial, and discourse-able. To unpack it all, we’re joined by Vulture’s Fran Hoepfner.
Nol... more
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
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
Hosts
Reviews
- A dream
Truly. Dreamy!! New releases from this whole team and another pro-doer Ben?!
Apple Podcasts5Bornnmann
United Statesa month ago - Love
Love the insight and the knowledge! The hosts have great chemistry and a perfect, dry sense of humor.
Apple Podcasts5TheAverageUser5United Statesa month ago - Love it!
Richard is hilarious, Alison is brilliant. Super insightful about the industry and both hosts clearly love the art form. Strikes the perfect balance and is easily my favorite podcast about new movies. Subscribe to New York Mag!
Apple Podcasts5BaltimoreMaxUnited Statesa month ago - Exhausting woke bs
They lost me when they started ranting against JK Rowling for daring to defend women’s rights. In the same breath said it was ok for people to watch Michael despite allegations of pedophelia - gotta love the woke gymnastics.
Apple Podcasts1N seattleUnited Statesa month ago - 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
France2 months ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #13 | United States/TV & Film/Film Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #141 | United States/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #18 |  Canada/TV & Film/Film Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #21 |  United Kingdom/TV & Film/Film Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #147 | United Kingdom/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #161 | Canada/TV & Film |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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 5 months ago and published 32 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. Emily Gould
2. Fran Hoepfner
3. Ben Hosley
4. Patrick Willems
5. Colin Drucker
6. Starlee Kine
7. Mattie Lubchansky
8. Ryan Broderick
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.