The Treatment

Director India Donaldson’s 2024 feature film debut 'Good One' is deceptively simple: a teenager, her father, and her father’s friend go camping in upstate New York. But the film goes into an unexpected direction, telling its story with tension and subtlety. For her treat, she cites a 2003 sculpture by the visual artist Shimabuku, whose simplicity evokes unabashed joy.

Actor Simon Helberg is no stranger to playing highly intelligent characters with a few social shortcomings. He’s best known for his comedic turn as the brilliant, but awkward engineer Howard Wolowitz on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory,' which ran for 12 seasons. He’s also appeared in films including 'Old School,' 'A Serious Man,' and 'Florence Foster Jenkins,' for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.   His latest role is as Martin Phister in the AMC series 'The Audacity.' Phister is a tech genius who can’t connect with his own family. Helberg talks about getting into the psyche of someone highly intelligent and neurodivergent, why some tech titans believe they are actually saving the world, and he reveals what he thinks when he catches himself on 'The Big Bang Theory.'  

Writer-director BenDavid Grabinski’s newest film, the crime caper 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice,' is in part an homage to the independent films of the ‘70s. For his treat, he pays tribute to a recent Broadway revival starring two performers known for going back in time and having a most excellent adventure.

More than 125 years ago, brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière invented the cinematograph, a precursor to the movie camera. Their contributions to modern filmmaking are enshrined at the Institute Lumière in France.  As a scholar of film, Thierry Frémaux, director of the Institute Lumière and Cannes Film Festival, was drawn to telling the Lumière brothers’ story. His first film as director is 'Lumière, le Cinema!,' in which he narrates a series of shorts created by the Lumière brothers and explains the significance of their invention. Frémaux talks to Elvis about why he wanted to tell this story, why the Lumière brothers' invention of the cinematograph was so consequential, and how the films they created are still relevant today.

Actor Jeff Daniels has had a storied career in TV, film, and Broadway. He’s the winner of two Emmys for his roles in 'The Newsroom' and 'Godless,' has appeared in films as varied as 'Terms of Endearment,' 'Dumb and Dumber,' and 'The Martian,' and earned three Tony Award nominations for his work in the plays 'God of Carnage,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Blackbird.' To top it all off, he’s also an accomplished musician, with several folk and blues albums of original music. For his treat, he pays tribute to a live album recorded in 1970 by a musician on the precipice of mega-stardom.

The late and acclaimed director Rob Reiner created some of the most beloved films of the past four decades including 'Stand By Me,' 'When Harry Met Sally' and, of course, 'This is Spinal Tap.'  In the fall of 2025, Reiner joined The Treatment for an extensive conversation ahead of the release of what would be his final film: 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.'  'This is Spinal Tap' ushered in an era of mockumentaries starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer. They were masters of improv and accomplished musicians. Reiner spoke about the actors’ authentic musical talents, he revealed his character Marty DiBergi’s hilarious backstory, and he recounted the real life rockers who saw themselves in the fictional band.   This episode originally ran on September 13, 2025.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s collaboration has lasted decades, spawning projects including 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and their latest, the sci-fi dramedy 'Project Hail Mary.' The friendship that led to their creative partnership started in college, and their treat is the film that cemented that bond: an edgy 1971 Hal Ashby flick that brought new meaning to the term “May-December romance.”

Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg are the most influential directors of their generation with iconic films including The Godfather, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Jaws. Their catalog runs deep.     Author Paul Fischer’s new book The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema tells the story of how the directors became giants in filmmaking. In the book, Fischer describes each man’s brilliance and shortcomings, presenting a human story behind their abundant talent and prolific output. Fischer tells Elvis the story behind how Apocalypse Now came to Coppola, how a nearly fatal accident set Lucas on a path toward becoming a filmmaker, and how the idea of family informed each director’s approach to filmmaking.  

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino are behind shows whose dialogue shares rhythms of both borscht belt humor and pop music. Those series include the beloved 'Gilmore Girls,' 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' and their most recent, the ballet dramedy 'Étoile.' For their treat, the Palladinos shout out an LA record store and a classic comedy sketch they return to again and again.

Actor David Oyelowo doesn’t shy away from taking on complex, groundbreaking characters, but the timing has to be right. He portrayed Martin Luther King, Jr. in 'Selma,' the first Black U.S. marshal in the series 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves,' and took on the role of Othello almost a decade ago on stage. His latest role is in the film 'Newborn,' which is about a man struggling to reconnect with his family after years in solitary confinement. Oyelowo talks about what drew him to the project, the lack of general awareness around the impact of solitary confinement, and what made him finally say yes to playing Othello years ago.

Style writer Guy Trebay has spent decades documenting the trends of culture, art and fashion for The New York Times. His 2024 memoir, Do Something: Coming of Age Amid the Glitter and Doom of ‘70s New York, tells of his early years in a troubled family and how he found refuge in the gritty beauty of New York City. For his treat, he explains why walking in a city (including LA) is his happiest place.  

The title of writer-director BenDavid Grabinski’s comedy caper Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is a mouthful, but it’s no accident. The film stars Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, and Eiza González as a trio trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives. Grabinski says he wanted aspects of his movie to harken back to films such as 1976’s Mikey and Nicky and the 1969 comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Grabinski tells Elvis how these films inspired him, his unusual music choices for Mike & Nick, and why he’s dying for the Coen brothers to direct a horror movie.

 In his decades as a film critic for the LA Times, Kenneth Turan’s reviews demonstrated his vast knowledge of cinema while never shying away from strong opinions. Turan’s latest book, 'Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation', details a partnership that was instrumental in creating the modern film industry. For his treat, Turan cites a 20th century writer and critic whose genuine curiosity shone through in his work.  

Director Joseph Kosinski has helmed two of the biggest blockbusters of the past five years — 2022’s 'Top Gun: Maverick' and last summer’s racing movie 'F1.' The latter stars Brad Pitt as a driver who comes out of retirement to team up with a younger driver (played by Damson Idris). At this year’s Academy Awards, 'F1' took home the Oscar for Best Sound Design. Kosinski talks to Elvis about how his musical background finds its way into his films, how every member of a Formula One team is essential to the driver’s success, and how he wants to make the audience feel like they’re along for the ride.    This episode originally aired July 4, 2025.  

There’s a good chance that Maria Bamford is your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. Her one-of-a-kind comedy has lent itself to sold out tours, the tv series Lady Dynamite, and a best-selling memoir Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult. For her treat, she celebrates a book that espouses attaining corporate success while doing good by your employees.  

Directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller got their start in animated tv as co-creators of the series 'Clone High.' Their partnership continued on the big screen with 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and '21 Jump Street.' Their latest is the adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling. Lord and Miller talk about why this movie was the hardest project they've taken on, what the film has in common with 'The Lego Movie,' and why sometimes the most subversive thing they do in a project is have people get along.

In the HBO series 'Industry,' actor Ken Leung plays a deeply flawed boss at a high powered London investment bank. For his Treat, he celebrates A.A. Milne’s 1928 book The House at Pooh Corner. He says its moving final chapter speaks to the importance of not knowing what comes next but embracing the uncertainty with others.

Actress Erika Alexander became a household name when she starred as Maxine Shaw in the groundbreaking '90s sitcom 'Living Single.' After the show’s run ended, she continued to work in TV and film with roles in 'Get Out' and the 2023 Oscar-winning film 'American Fiction.' Now, she’s starring in the new NBC sitcom 'The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins' with co-stars Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe, and Bobby Moynihan. Alexander talks to Elvis about keeping up with the sitcom's fast paced comedy, her hilarious chemistry with Radcliffe and Morgan, and what it was like growing up in the Southwest.  

Filmmaker Matt Wolf’s recent HBO documentary 'Pee-wee as Himself' is a deep look at the late Paul Reubens, the man behind the character Pee-wee Herman. For his treat, Wolf celebrates the book 'Edie' by Jean Stein about the late 1960s icon Edie Sedgwick, who became the face of artist Andy Warhol’s Factory studio.  

Guillermo del Toro won his first Oscar for directing the 2017 film 'The Shape of Water.' His latest film, 'Frankenstein,' received nine total Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Elvis chatted with Del Toro for an extended interview taped live at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio. Del Toro discusses how experiences from his childhood have made their way into his films from 'Cronos' to 'Pan’s Labyrinth' and why he sees challenges in filmmaking as opportunities. Plus, Del Toro explains why we’re talking about film in the wrong way.

Actress Wunmi Mosaku’s performances are often quiet and contemplative. Her role as the spiritual healer Annie in Sinners landed her a first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. For her treat, Wunmi reflects on the Alua Arthur book Briefly, Perfectly, Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End. She says the book about death has helped her not sweat the small stuff in life.   Do you love listening to The Treatment? We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your feedback in this survey so we can make your listening experience better. Thank you!  

Elvis speaks with Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning actress Cynthia Erivo. She recently reprised her role as Elphaba in 'Wicked: For Good,' for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Erivo can now be seen on stage in London in the one-woman adaptation of 'Dracula.' She talks about playing characters with duality, how Elphaba grows in 'For Good' and the exciting challenge of playing 23 characters in 'Dracula.'  Do you love listening to The Treatment? We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your feedback in this survey so we can make your listening experience better. Thank you!  This episode originally aired January 9, 2026.   

Actor and director Joel Edgerton often plays characters who question traditional notions of masculinity. His most recent role was as a soft-spoken logger at the turn of the 20th century in the film Train Dreams. The film is nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture. For his treat, Edgerton celebrates the Welsh musician Ren, who talks openly about his mental health struggles in his music.

Actress Wunmi Mosaku’s performances often say so much in the pauses in dialogue from her work in Lovecraft Country to Loki, and the 2010 film I Am Slave. Mosaku’s latest role is Annie, a Hoodoo healer and the estranged wife of Smoke in Sinners. Her performance garnered her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, one of 16 nods for the film. Mosaku talks to Elvis about why she is attracted to characters who are seeking freedom, what self-affirmation has done for her, and how the moments before a character speaks are often the most revealing.

Josh Safdie’s films often show the claustrophobic chaos of family life. His kinetic film Marty Supreme received nine Oscar nominations including Best Director and Best Picture. For his treat, he talks about a 1979 Oscar-winning film he used to navigate the chaos he was experiencing as a child.

In 2021, Chloé Zhao made history as the first woman of color to win the Best Director Oscar for her film Nomadland. Now, her latest film Hamnet is up for eight Oscar nominations including her second nod for Best Director. The film, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they navigate the death of their child. Zhao spoke with Elvis at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where she was the recipient of the 2026 Trailblazer Award. Zhao talks about getting her start at Sundance, collaborating with Farrell on the screenplay, and how she uses her body in the writing process.    Do you love listening to The Treatment? We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your feedback in this survey so we can make your listening experience better. Thank you!  

Guillermo del Toro’s films often show the beauty even in their, at times, gothic horror. His latest is the Oscar nominated adaptation of Frankenstein, which is up for nine awards next month, including Best Picture. For del Toro’s treat, he celebrates the late director Ken Russell. Russell’s work often stoked controversy and was even censored, but as del Toro notes, it was also filled with dazzling beauty and craft.

The films of Yorgos Lanthimos cannot be neatly summed up and often take the viewer in surprising and unexpected directions. He’s the mind behind The Lobster, Poor Things, The Favourite and his latest, Bugonia. The film, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, is up for four Oscars including Best Actress and Best Picture. Lanthimos tells Elvis why he enjoys working with non-professional actors, how Emma Stone prepared for the layered role, and why he likes a film that doesn't give all the answers.   

Director Joseph Kosinski’s films don’t exactly scream quiet solitude. He’s helmed the action packed Tron, Top Gun: Maverick  and most recently, the Oscar nominated F1, starring Brad Pitt. However, his films’ protagonists often have to do battle with themselves in the end. For his treat, Kosinski goes back to a painting he discovered as a young man in New York that captured the loneliness of being a director.  

Sinners is now the most Oscar nominated film ever with 16 nods including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. In 2025, Ryan Coogler sat down with Elvis for an extended conversation about the film. Elvis and Coogler delve into the musical spark behind Sinners, why his characters often have a complicated relationship with home, and why he sees films as an exercise in contrast.

Elvis welcomes Iranian director Jafar Panahi, whose film It Was Just an Accident received two Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay. The film earned critical acclaim when it won the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. He talks about the obligations of a socially engaged filmmaker, letting the audience be the judge of his films' morality, and how he approaches casting.

Oscar nominated director Darren Aronofsky doesn’t shy away from gritty realism. From the ugliness of drug addiction in 'Requiem for a Dream' to the frightening discipline of a ballerina in 'Black Swan' to his latest thriller, 'Caught Stealing' starring Austin Butler. The film takes place in the pre-gentrified New York City of the 1990s. For his treat, Aronofsky pays tribute to another film that captured the dark side of the city as the backdrop for a bored guy’s never-ending night.  

Actress Emily Blunt’s career has taken her from working with iconic actors, including Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise to playing iconic characters, such as Mary Poppins. Her latest role has her going toe to toe against one of the biggest stars of the screen. She plays real life Dawn Staples in The Smashing Machine opposite Dwayne Johnson and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. For her treat, Blunt pays tribute to the inspiring (and mildly inappropriate films) that shaped her childhood.

Elvis welcomes director Josh Safdie whose latest project is the ambitious Marty Supreme. The film stars newly minted Golden Globe winner Timothée Chalamet as the hustling, talented table tennis player Marty Mauser. Safdie talks about why he used ‘80s music in a film set in the ‘50s, Chalamet’s crazy year of playing Bob Dylan and the fictional — but inspired by real life character — Marty Mauser back to back, and why he likes to keep the camera loose.

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes back Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning actress Cynthia Erivo. She’s hoping to add Golden Globe winner to that list this weekend as she’s up for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good. Erivo discusses playing characters with duality, how Elphaba matures in the Wicked sequel, and the quiet, powerful moments she loves most from the film.

 Actor Dwayne Johnson is crushing expectations with his latest role as an MMA fighter in 2025’s The Smashing Machine. He’s up for a Golden Globe for his raw portrayal of the real life Mark Kerr. For his treat, Johnson celebrates those closest to him and this new, exciting chapter in his career.  

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes back actor and director Joel Edgerton. He recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Netflix’s Train Dreams. He's also appearing in the psychological thriller The Plague, now in theaters. Edgerton discusses his character's physicality in Train Dreams, the strong female characters in the film, and why he is drawn to parts that explore the complexity of masculinity.

This week on The Treatment, Elvis talks with Golden Globe nominee Emily Blunt. She recently got a nod for her supporting role as Dawn Staples opposite Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine. Blunt talks about her joy working with Johnson on the film, the challenges of playing a real person, and the impact of working through her childhood stutter.

Actor Jason Isaacs has had a long, pigeon-hole proof career with meaty roles from the villainous Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films to Colonel Tavington in The Patriot. Isaacs’ role as a tormented father in season three of the HBO series The White Lotus earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a primetime Emmy nomination earlier this year. However, it’s an early role on stage that he cites as a highlight of his career and a very tough act to follow.

Kate Winslet’s directorial debut Goodbye June was written by her son, Joe Anders. The film centers on a multigenerational family as they say goodbye to the matriarch, June, who is dying of cancer. Elvis talks with Winslet about bringing her son's script to the screen, her cinematic inspirations, and the personal experiences that made their way into the film.

The late director Rob Reiner’s prolific talents spanned medium and genre. Reiner started out as an actor on Norman Lear’s classic sitcom All In the Family. He then made the transition to behind the camera with ease, directing comedic gems including This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride. He proved equally adept at drama with Stand by Me and Misery. For The Treat, Reiner paid tribute to a multi-talented inspiration whose influence stayed with him his whole life — his father, Carl. This reflection was recorded in September and is being released for the first time.  

Elvis talks with Oscar, Emmy, and Tony-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell whose latest work is on full display in Wicked: For Good. Tazewell talks about working with Cynthia Erivo in the Wicked films; the story behind Bernardo's suit in the Stephen Spielberg directed remake of West Side Story, and he talks about bringing the personal into his designs.

This week on The Treatment, Elvis speaks with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro about his film adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Del Toro talks about filming Oscar Isaac like he was a rock star, how Jacob Elordi stepped in quickly to take on the role of the monster, and why he sees the story as "catholic" in many ways.

Actor Greg Kinnear has starred in dozens of roles on film and TV from his breakout role in 1995’s Sabrina, to his Oscar nominated role in As Good as It Gets alongside Jack Nicholson, but he actually got his start in broadcasting. Kinnear hosted E!’s Talk Soup and the late-night talk show Later with Greg Kinnear. For his Treat, Kinnear pays tribute to the people who showed him the ropes for his first on-air gig.

This week on The Treatment, Elvis speaks with actor, producer and all-around Hollywood powerhouse Dwayne Johnson aka "The Rock.” Johnson stars in the new Benny Safdie film The Smashing Machine alongside Emily Blunt where he portrays real life MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson talks about going deep for the role, performing the role of "The Rock," and what he wants to tackle next in his career (hint: everything!).

Director Joshua Rofé’s unforgettable HBO documentary series The Mortician, about an unethical family-run funeral home, left its mark on audiences. For his treat, Rofé pays tribute to the underrated 1977 William Friedkin film, Sorcerer. Rofé recalls his first time watching it in a theater and breaks down why it’s possibly the best thriller of all time.

 Director Matt Shakman helmed one of the summer’s biggest hits — Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. But his earliest film inspiration was the 1949 Carol Reed noir The Third Man, starring Joseph Cotton and Orson Welles. Shakman cites the film’s post-war setting, storytelling, and great performances as having had a lasting impact on him. Plus, he reveals a surprising connection between the classic film and Fantastic Four.  

Elvis chats with actor, comedian, and musician Fred Armisen about his fun new album 100 Sound Effects.  From fake applause to champagne glass breaking, this album is stacked. Elvis and Fred talk about the absurd specificity of each track, which sound was surprisingly hard to capture, the evolution of sound effect albums, and their shared love of drumming.   

This week on The Treatment, Elvis speaks with writer-director Edgar Wright. His newest project is an adaptation of the 1982 Stephen King novel The Running Man, starring Glen Powell. They discuss the thrill of collaborating with King on the project, the prescience of the novel, and why it was important to make the protagonist an ordinary guy.  

 Although he’s been retired from the NFL for more than a decade, director and actor Nnamdi Asomugha still gets inspired by a team coming together under difficult circumstances. For his treat, he credits the 2001 miniseries Band of Brothers about paratroopers in World War II  with keeping him going while recuperating from a football injury.