Rephonic
Artwork for Unspooled
Tom Cruise
Comedy
Love
Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino
Feminism
Romantic Comedy
Winona Ryder
Film Criticism
The Wizard Of Oz
Nostalgia
Star Wars
Rob Reiner
Steven Spielberg
Tim Burton
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes477Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsTV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Unspooled

Latest Episodes

With a new Martin McDonagh film on the horizon, Amy and Paul revisit his darkly hilarious cult classic In Bruges. They explore how a movie about two hitmen hiding out in Belgium becomes a surprisingly profound meditation on guilt, forgiveness, moral ... more

Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? This week, Amy and Paul venture into the woods for Robert Eggers’ 2016 folk horror film The Witch. They explore the film’s painstaking historical accuracy, its unsettling atmosphere, and reveal why Black Phillip... more

Fast cars, big heists, and family. This week, Paul and Amy revisit Fast Five, the movie that transformed The Fast and the Furious from a street-racing franchise into an action blockbuster juggernaut.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pc... more

Paul and Amy get spirited away with Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved 2001 animated classic! They explore how this magical coming-of-age adventure tackles consumerism, identity, and the power of kindness. Plus, they discuss Miyazaki’s many retirements and why... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

How Did This Get Made?
How Did This Get Made?Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Blank Check with Griffin & David
Blank Check with Griffin & DavidBlank Check Productions
WHAT WENT WRONG
WHAT WENT WRONGSad Boom Media
With Gourley And Rust
With Gourley And RustMatt Gourley and Paul Rust
We Hate Movies
We Hate MoviesWHM Entertainment

Recent Guests

David Ehrlich
Head film critic of IndieWire
IndieWire
Episode: Hereditary (with David Ehrlich)
Ira Madison III
Cultural commentator and guest on the episode
TV writer, podcaster, author
Episode: Salt (with Ira Madison III)
Alan Sepinwall
Television and film critic invited to discuss the film and its themes
Episode: Almost Famous (with Alan Sepinwall)
Julie Klausner
Writer and comedian, host of How Was Your Week and Double Threat; creator/star of Difficult People
Difficult People, How Was Your Week
Episode: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (with Julie Klausner)
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

Hosts

Amy Nicholson
Film critic and former Los Angeles Times chief film critic
Paul Scheer
Actor, comedian, writer, and director

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 7.5k ratings
  • I got halfway through one episode and had to quit the entire podcast due to their god awful film critiques. It was the most surface level bullshit I have ever heard; the kind of stuff you would hear from a film 101 class.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    spookylilguy
    a month ago
  • So hot

    This show gets me horny for movies every time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    el blando
    Australia2 months ago
  • There is a right way and wrong way to say this word

    (Bio)graphical (pic)ture not (bi)ographical (opic)ture. It’s a nit pick but if you’re a film critic for a major publication your words are your business. I’m not a misogynist, it’s just my opinion Amy is occasionally a drag.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Young Podawan
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States3 months ago
  • Excellent

    Podcast Addict
    5
    S M
    3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the range of films discussed and sometimes wish episodes were longer or covered different titles.
Listeners praise the hosts' rapport, humor, and contrasting perspectives, while some find one or both hosts' delivery or opinions frustrating.
Frequent ad breaks and occasional audio-quality complaints are recurring production concerns.
Many enjoy learning production history, film details, and new interpretations, including on movies they already know well.
Some listeners feel the analysis can be shallow or factually mistaken, while others value its accessible introduction to film criticism.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Almost Famous (with Alan Sepinwall)
Q: Tell me in a sentence or two why you picked this film for today.
I chose Almost Famous because it's a deeply personal intersection of journalism, music, and coming-of-age storytelling, and it still sparks rich conversations about fame, access, and the ethics of criticism.
Salt (with Ira Madison III)
Q: Why did Salt become Angelina Jolie's breakout role, and how did the production shift influence the final film?
The discussion suggests Jolie's casting placed a strong, dynamic center on screen, replacing Tom Cruise and enabling a gritty, skillful action heroine; behind-the-scenes changes, including the Bond-like reimagining and stunts, shaped Salt into a standout 2010s action thriller.
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.

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?

Weekly conversations about films across eras and genres, from cult favorites and classics to contemporary releases. Amy Nicholson, a film critic, and Paul Scheer, an actor and comedian, revisit a featured movie through close scene analysis, performances, themes, production history, reception, and the cultural context around its making. Their discussions often weigh what still works, where a film falters, and how its meaning changes over time, with room for disagreement, humor, and personal stories. Interviews with critics, writers, and filmmakers add professional context and firsthand production insight. The mix of accessible film appreciation and critical debate suits movie fans who enjoy learning behind-the-scenes details and hearing dist... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Unspooled?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Unspooled. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Unspooled and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Unspooled get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Unspooled, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Unspooled?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Unspooled, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Unspooled have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Unspooled has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. We Hate Movies

How many episodes of Unspooled are there?

Unspooled launched 9 years ago and published 477 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 Unspooled?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Unspooled?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Unspooled from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Unspooled?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Unspooled. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Unspooled?

Recent guests on Unspooled include:

1. David Ehrlich
2. Ira Madison III
3. Alan Sepinwall
4. Julie Klausner
5. David Hughes
6. Josh Greenbaum
7. David Wain
8. Janine Garafalo

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days