Join me (Sherin), Julian, and guest hosts Erika Pereira Kim, Jasmine Jones, and fresh from riot-us.com, GQ, and The Warp, William Goodman, as we debate and delight in Pluribus, Wake Up Dead Man, and Is This Thing On?. Then pick a few favorites of the year, including Chainsaw Man and a juke joint full of Sinners, maybe even chainsaw sinners with rented families. But first, we remember a former Rioter and world-moving activist.
A Letter from Alice Wong
Our hearts ache that Alice Wong has transcended. Alice was one of the first Rioters. During her time on Geek Girl Riot, she made us laugh, reflect, and dream of more beautiful worlds. Meanwhile, in the real world, as a disability activist, she fought and loved to leave this place better than when she arrived. Here we share Alice’s final letter. May she become one with the stars.
Per Alice’s wishes, her friend Sandy Ho shared this message at the time of her passing:
—Alice Wong
Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I’m honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.
Pluribus
The Rioters return and dive headlong into Apple TV’s Pluribus—Vince Gilligan’s wild, brainy riff on the invasion genre stars Rhea Seehorn as a jaded romance novelist who might be humanity’s last hope against a hive-mind virus that infects the world with happiness (yep, you read that right). The crew unpacks the show’s slow-burn tension, Albuquerque weirdness, and Seehorn’s “emotional hot mess” of a heroine—plus, why this post-apocalyptic trip is the compulsive viewing you didn’t know you needed. Especially when our bitter savior must decide whether the freedom to be miserable is better than a compulsion to be “good.”
“Pluribus is everything I want in a sci-fi series: intense, imaginative, and excellently crafted on every level, but it’s the questions that keep you sat, wondering if Carol is more heroic or I Am Legend-ary.”
–Sherin Nicole, Geek Girl Riot
Wake Up Dead Man
Next, we unpack Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man, the latest Benoit Blanc whodunnit from Netflix, serving up gothic-yet-noir lighting and symbolism, Catholic guilt, and a cast so stacked they’re bursting out of the confessional: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
Is This Thing On? And Top Picks So Far
And finally, we get into Will Arnett’s stand-up heartbreak alongside Laura Dern, actor/director Bradley Cooper, and Andra Day in Is This Thing On? It’s a bittersweet, comedic journey through divorce, self-discovery, and the healing power of finding “your thing”. The hosts dish on Arnett’s raw, vulnerable performance and Cooper’s directorial magnetism—plus, why this film will have you rooting for second chances. Then we close out with our top picks of the year so far.
Press play for all the feelings and film geekery you crave!
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