Rephonic
Artwork for Unspooled
Comedy
Tom Cruise
Love
Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino
Feminism
Romantic Comedy
Winona Ryder
The Wizard Of Oz
Nostalgia
Star Wars
Film Criticism
Rob Reiner
Tim Burton
Steven Spielberg
Academy Awards
Disney
Bullying
John Hughes
Spinal Tap

Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes469Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Unspooled

Latest Episodes

Paul and Amy look back at the wild summer of 2026, a blockbuster season that brought audiences back to theaters and delivered one of the most lucrative summers in over a decade. From The Invite and Jackass Forever to The Odyssey, Minions and Monsters... more

Paul and Amy embrace an ambitious failure with Hudson Hawk, the gloriously strange Bruce Willis passion project that went from bar-napkin idea to legendary box-office flop. They dig into the movie’s chaotic production with journalist David Hughes to ... more

Paul and Amy sink their teeth into Interview with the Vampire, the movie project that spent nearly two decades trying to make it to the screen. They trace Anne Rice’s fiercely specific vision, unpack the unexpected pairing of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise... more

Director, screenwriter, and producer Josh Greenbaum enters the Reel Confessions booth to spill his movie hot takes (and a few opinions that might get him kicked out of the theater).

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https:... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

David Hughes
Film journalist, author of Tales from Development Hell, The Complete Kubrick, The Complete Lynch, The Unmaking of Hudson Hawk
Episode: Hudson Hawk (with David Hughes)
Josh Greenbaum
Filmmaker behind The Short Game, Becoming Bond, Barb and Star, Vista Del Mar, Spaceballs 2 (announced)
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Reel Confessions: Josh Greenbaum
David Wain
Filmmaker and comedian known for Stella, The State, Wet Hot American Summer, etc.
David Wain (Filmmaker)
Episode: Reel Confessions: David Wain
Janine Garafalo
Actress in Wet Hot American Summer
Wet Hot American Summer cast
Episode: Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
Gloria Lake
Screen star
Wet Hot American Summer interview segment
Episode: Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
John Stewart
Former MTV host, referenced via clip
MTV era
Episode: Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
Lucas Herrenroeder
Associate professor in classics at USC
University of Southern California
Episode: The Odyssey (with Lucas Matthew Herchenroeder)
BenDavid Grabinski
Writer/Director (Happily, Scott Pilgrim Take Off collaborator)
Independent/Film Creator
Episode: The Muppet Movie (with BenDavid Grabinski)
Jorma Taccone
Member of the Lonely Island, director of MacGruber and Over Your Dead Body
Lonely Island / feature filmmaker
Episode: Die Hard 2 (with Jorma Taccone)

Hosts

Paul Scheer
Actor, comedian; hosts Unspooled; affiliations include Unspooled podcast and Realm/The Ringer network references.
Amy Nicholson
Film critic; co-host; affiliated with Los Angeles Times and Unspooled; known for chief film critic role.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 7.5k ratings
  • ambitious with good pics but reach exceeds grasp

    another show i listened to a lot while starting to become a big movie nerd, that really started turning me off when i realized how shallow it actually is… i remember so clearly where i was driving when amy said david fincher directed black swan and i nearly lost my mind. may be a good intro for some and the hosts occasionally have interesting takes, but à la blank check there’s not much that you couldn’t learn from a quick skim of wikipedia. likewise the general vibe is pleasant enough but too o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RUNNINGOUTOFSHRIMP
    United States21 days ago
  • Excellent

    Podcast Addict
    5
    S M
    a month ago
  • Crazy timing of Drive Episode

    I’ve been a fan for years and listened religiously. The timing of this episode is crazy. The announcement of Kavinsky passing was yesterday and today I see this in my feed. RIP Kavinsky!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Enduro Dude
    United Statesa month ago
  • The Odyssey

    I’m not enrolled in USC or interested in hearing one of their antiquities professors stumble his way through a podcast about film !

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    lovepods25
    United States2 months ago
  • More episodes without Amy, please!

    Amy is so performative and it’s insufferable. The most recent episode without her the Muppets Movies was easily the best episode ever of this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dustin5422
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback often notes episodes feel informative and entertaining even when opinions diverge.
Listeners praise the hosts' fair, well-researched perspectives and the engaging host dynamic.
Criticism tends to focus on ad length or pacing but not on the core analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hudson Hawk (with David Hughes)
Q: Why Hudson Hawk, a movie that is a punchline, and why do a deep autopsy on it?
David Hughes explains that the project presented a rare case where so many drafts, tonal experiments, and conflicting visions created a unique alchemy; he wanted to piece together the truth from multiple perspectives to understand how such a wildly ambitious film could go so off track yet still be fascinating.
Reel Confessions: Josh Greenbaum
Q: What was your process in finding the right balance between comedy and heart in your documentaries?
Greenbaum explains that building trust with subjects is essential, giving space for authentic moments and sometimes rearranging scenes in the edit to preserve emotional resonance while keeping humor intact.
Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
Q: Why does Wet Hot American Summer feel timeless in its humor?
Because it builds real, heartfelt connections among a large cast while following absurd, rules-driven parody that still respects the characters, which keeps the jokes grounded and emotionally resonant.
Reel Confessions: David Wain
Q: If you could make one quote disappear, one line people quote back to you, would there be one you would remove?
He suggests that there isn't a line he would outright remove, but acknowledges some lines from Role Models haven't aged well and that context sometimes helps them land today.
Reel Confessions: David Wain
Q: Did you ever, have you ever made out in a movie, and if so, what was the first movie that you made out in?
Wain confirms he has on-screen kissing in various projects, with personal context about early experiences and how such scenes felt at the time.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Unspooled

What is Unspooled about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, cinephile-friendly conversation that blends deep analysis with playful banter. Hosts discuss a wide range of films—from cult classics to contemporary releases—often bringing in expert guests to unpack production, performance, and cultural impact while also sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and personal theater experiences. The show frequently ties discussions to broader industry trends, branding moments, and audience reception, resulting in discussions that are academically informed yet accessible to general movie fans. A notable strength is the host dynamic: fast-paced, humor-forward, and willing to challenge conventional takes, which keeps even familiar titles feeling fresh. The format's confessional and cross-promotional segme... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unspooled?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unspooled:

1. How Did This Get Made?
2. Blank Check with Griffin & David
3. WHAT WENT WRONG
4. With Gourley And Rust
5. The Big Picture

How many episodes of Unspooled are there?

Unspooled launched 8 years ago and published 469 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Unspooled?

Recent guests on Unspooled include:

1. David Hughes
2. Josh Greenbaum
3. David Wain
4. Janine Garafalo
5. Gloria Lake
6. John Stewart
7. Lucas Herrenroeder
8. BenDavid Grabinski

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