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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes462Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Unspooled

Latest Episodes

Paul and Amy hit the gas with Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn’s hypnotic neo-noir that transformed a would-be studio action movie into one of the defining films of the 2010s. They trace the unlikely collaboration between Refn and Ryan Gosling, unpack the... more

Amy drops an emergency Unspooled episode to unpack Christopher Nolan’s epic take on The Odyssey, joined by USC classics professor Lucas Herrenroeder. Together they compare Homer’s original poem with Nolan’s bold reinterpretation, exploring everything... more

Paul and Amy set sail with An American Tail, Don Bluth’s sweeping animated tale of immigration, family, and hope. They trace Bluth’s break from Disney, debate the film's emotional impact, and celebrate how the film’s blend of darkness and optimism he... more

Paul and Amy revisit Superbad, the coming-of-age comedy that turned awkward adolescence into an instant classic. They trace the film’s origins from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s teenage years, celebrate the breakout performances of Jonah Hill, Micha... more

Key Facts

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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
The Big Picture
The Big PictureThe Ringer

Recent Guests

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)
Joanna Robinson
Podcaster and cultural critic for The Ringer, known for The Prestige TV Podcast and House of R
The Ringer
Episode: Josie and the Pussycats (with Joanna Robinson)
Rob Anderson
Internet personality, comedian, author of Gay Science
Independent/Self-promotions
Episode: The Baby-Sitters Club (with Rob Anderson)
Lauren Lapkus
Actor and comedian known for stage and screen work
Various (as introduced on the show)
Episode: Reel Confessions: Lauren Lapkus
Ed Helms
Actor and comedian, guest to discuss a topic on a future episode
The Daily Show, The Hangover
Episode: Summer Movie Preview 2026
Mike Mitchell
Podcast legend, actor and comedian, co-host of Doughboys
Doughboys, Napa Boys
Episode: Reel Confessions: Mike Mitchell
Chris Ryan
Podcasting legend, The Ringer, co‑host of The Watch and The Rewatchables
The Ringer
Episode: Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan

Hosts

Paul Scheer
Host and comedian; drives conversation and introduces segments; multiple roles in acting/writing.
Amy Nicholson
Film critic; LA Times Chief Film Critic; provides analysis and context.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 7.4k ratings
  • 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 States6 days 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 States18 days ago
  • It ruuuuuuuulezzz

    I have my own strong and informed opinions on movies. Often Amy and Paul find some of my favorite facts about a movie, and a lot of the time, I learn something new. Do I always agree with their takes? No, but Amy and Paul don’t always agree with each other. I’ve always liked both of them. And I often do agree too. But neither is an exact barometer of my taste. That’s 100% ok because I’m open to hearing different takes, and they have a fair perspective; they seem to share my philosophy of positiv... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    trwesterman
    United Statesa month ago
  • Think before you speak, Paul!

    I think these two make a charming pair of hosts, and Amy Nicholson is absolutely brilliant in her insights and analysis. But oh my God, I routinely have a breaking point where I shut this podcast off because of Paul Scheer. The amount of time it takes his brain to catch up to his mouth (not always, but often) is aggravating as a listener. Either this guy doesn't get enough sleep or he's simply a slower thinker than Amy, but it is incredibly difficult to hear her brilliant commentary, only to hav... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Travis in MN
    United Statesa month ago
  • Please fix Amy’s mic

    It’s been muffled for weeks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    StephC123
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

A few critics mention tonal disagreements on controversial takes.
Listeners praise strong host chemistry and insightful analysis.
Mixed feedback on Amy Nicholson's film history knowledge but overall appreciation for banter and critique.
Some listeners note ads can interrupt episodes and affect pacing.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Top Secret! (with Ed Helms)
Q: Why do you think Top Secret doesn't get the same love as Airplane! or Naked Gun?
Because it opened in the shadow of Ghostbusters and Gremlins, with marketing and release timing limiting its exposure, even though it pushed the joke density and spoof variety to new heights.
Reel Confessions: Lauren Lapkus
Q: Should actors read reviews?
Lauren says she reads reviews but finds they rarely change how she feels about a film, and negative reviews can sting even when she knows the work, so she tends to rely on her own perspective and the collaborative voice she brings to projects.
Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan
Q: What is your process for entering a movie with a clean slate?
He describes a mixed approach shaped by his long career in online media, trying to avoid preconceptions while acknowledging the promotional cycle's influence.
Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan
Q: Would you give up ever watching Heat again for $10,000?
No, Heat is priceless to him; he'd rather keep the movie than trade a lifetime of viewings, even with the risk of danger in LA.
Reel Confessions: Nicole Byer
Q: How do you feel about messy theaters?
Nicole emphasizes her responsibility at theaters and that she always picks up her trash.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unspooled

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

A lively, accessible film podcast where a comedian host and a veteran film critic dissect a wide range of movies, from classics to contemporary titles. Conversations blend thoughtful analysis with humorous banter, spotlighting iconic scenes, performances, and industry context. Across episodes, they explore themes like artistry versus commerce, gender and power dynamics in filmmaking, and how films age with culture. A standout feature is their willingness to tackle big ideas (surveillance, genre-blending, awards dynamics) while keeping the tone entertaining. Notable for strong host chemistry, candid opinions, and regular sponsor reads that integrate naturally into the discussion.

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How many listeners does Unspooled get?

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What are the audience demographics for Unspooled?

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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. The Big Picture

How many episodes of Unspooled are there?

Unspooled launched 8 years ago and published 462 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.

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What guests have appeared on Unspooled?

Recent guests on Unspooled include:

1. Lucas Herrenroeder
2. BenDavid Grabinski
3. Jorma Taccone
4. Joanna Robinson
5. Rob Anderson
6. Lauren Lapkus
7. Ed Helms
8. Mike Mitchell

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.

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