Brian and Charles

Something wondrous happens when you build a robot from a washing machine. “Brian and Charles,” the finale of The Next Reel’s Thinking Machines series, follows Brian (David Earl), a lonely Welsh inventor, and Charles Popescu (Chris Hayward), the AI companion Brian assembles—who promptly learns English from a dictionary and wants to see the world. Louise Brealey co-stars as Hazel.Pete and Andy dig into what makes Charles Popescu work—Hayward’s sightless performance, the voice design, and why the amateurishness is right. The docu-style drives debate: Andy finds it inconsistently applied; Pete says the gap between promise and absurdity is where the comedy lives. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in—The Next Reel on TruStory FM, when the movie ends, our conversation begins!🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube!🎬 Watch & DiscoverWatch the Film: Apple TV | Amazon | LetterboxdOriginal Short FilmOriginal Theatrical TrailerIf You Liked This Conversation, Try These from the Next Reel Family:The Next Reel—Thinking Machines Series—the full run leading here; see how Brian and Charles lands as a closer after everything that came beforeThe Next Reel—The Banshees of Inisherin—both films competed for Outstanding British Film at the same BAFTAs; see how the conversation comparesMovies We Like—Re-Recording Mixer Andy Nelson on Local Hero—another warmhearted British film rooted in a small community and a sense of placeMovies We Like—Costume Designer Alana Morshead on Never Let Me Go—Alex Garland wrote the screenplay; he directed Ex Machina earlier in this series, and this is where his AI themes find their quietest form🔓 The movie ends. The conversation goes further. Become a member.🎧 Members get this episode early and ad-free in their private feed—plus every show in The Next Reel family. Support The Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next ReelSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Audible