366 – Foe

What this episode covers

One of 2023’s most quickly forgotten buzzed titles just so happened to star some of the most heralded actors of their generation. Based on the hyped Iain Reid novel, Foe cast Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal as a married couple in the dystopian future whose lives are upended with a visit from Aaron Pierre as a corporate representative tasked to prepare the husband for being drafted to a space station. With promise that an artificial “substitute” to take his place at home, the film gets twisty but predictable, leaving critics to quickly dismiss the film. This episode, we talk about director Garth Davis’ first run of awards success with Lion and the diminishing returns that followed. We also discuss how Saoirse’s Oscar nominations tied to Best Picture nominees, Mescal’s Beatles future, and Pierre’s ascendancy. Topics also include the 2023 New York Film Festival, Amazon MGM, and Top of the Lake.