Best Rob Macfarlane Podcasts (2025)

1
Dark City (1998): The Movie That Could Have Been 'The Matrix' 59:43

1h ago59:43

59:43

Ben and Rob wake up in ‘Dark City’, the dark sci-fi fantasy from Alex Proyas, director of ‘The Crow’. Released a year before ‘The Matrix’, ‘Dark City’ tells the story of John Murdock (Rufus Sewell), a man who has lost his memory in a city that never sees the sun where memory and time itself are the playthings of a race of alien beings known only as…

1
Critters (1986): The Fentanyl Furbies Terrifying A Small Farm Town 58:24

3d ago58:24

58:24

Ben and Rob discover ‘Critters’, the 1986 horror comedy from practical FX masterminds The Chiodo Brothers. When intergalactic creatures escape space jail, a small Kansas farmhouse must now deal with the critter menace with only alien futurecops to help them. Released in the wake of ‘Gremlins’ but written long before, ‘Critters’ made good at the box…

1
Conclave (2024): A Man Died To Bring You This Episode 1:01:39

10d ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Ben and Rob elect ‘Conclave’ for this week’s episode! Directed by Edward Berger and shockingly well timed, ‘Conclave’ follows the story of Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) as he is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events; selecting a new Pope to be the head of the Catholic church. Not content with making over five …

1
The Last Starfighter (1984): The Most Important Film Of The Century!? 1:04:47

18d ago1:04:47

1:04:47

Ben and Rob defeat ‘The Last Starfighter’; 1984’s discount Star Wars; directed by none other than Michael Myers himself, Nick Castle. Alex Rogan, an expert video game player, lives in a trailer park and has no promising future. One day he discovers his favourite video game wants to recruit him as a starfighter pilot. This film has massive nostalgia…

1
Tammy & The T-Rex (1994): The Incredible B-Movie That Tyrannosaurus Wrecked Romance For The Rest Of Time 1:07:48

24d ago1:07:48

1:07:48

DINO-MITE! (get it? Because... T-Rex) Ben & Rob delve into B-movie royalty with Stewart Raffill’s 1994 Trash Masterpiece (Trashterpiece?) Tammy & The T-Rex! Starring Denise Richards and Paul Walker in their first feature film roles, this deliciously over-the-top campy triumph of 90’s cinema is the most Ben film EVER… but does Rob buy into it? Join …

1
The Island Of Dr Moreau (1996): The Most Beautifully Insane Film You've Never Seen 1:00:15

1M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Ben and Rob wash up on ‘The Island Of Dr Moreau’, the 1996 commercial and critical flop starring Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis, and Fairuza Balk. This film is an absolute fever dream involving cloning, body horror and nonsense plotting; only overshadowed by the drama happening behind the scenes. Marlon Brando improvised what lines he was…

1
Trap (2024): Is This Stupid, Stupid, Stupid Film Actually Genius? 58:58

1M ago58:58

58:58

Ben and Rob spring ‘Trap’; M Night Shyamalan’s 2024 thinly veiled advert for his daughters music career. Starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue and Saleka Night Shyamalan ‘Trap’ tells the nonsensical story of a serial killer and his oblivious teenage daughter attending a concert that is in fact, and you’re not gonna see this one coming, a trap. But…

1
The Princess Bride (1987): Why Is This Film Still Loved So Many Years After It's Initial Failure At The Box Office?! 58:56

2M ago58:56

58:56

Ben and Rob dive in to the inconceivably good ‘Princess Bride’, Rob Reiner’s classic 1987 fantasy comedy starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn and André the Giant. Buttercup is madly in love with farm boy Westley; unfortunately, things take a turn in their lives when Westley goes out in …

1
Point Break (1991): The Conclusion To Our Crazy Swayze Theory! Part 3/3 1:01:10

2M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Ben and Rob conclude the Swayze Trilogy with ‘Point Break’, Kathryn Bigelow’s perfect blockbuster from the golden days of 1991. Starring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves and Gary Busey, ‘Point Break’ tells the tale of Johnny Utah and Bohdi as their dangerous cat and mouse relationship as cop and robber takes a radical turn. But why is Bohdi’s past neve…

1
Road House (1989): Brilliant Bouncer Battles Billionaire-Backed Bar Brawlers. Crazy Swayze Theory Part 2/3 58:01

2M ago58:01

58:01

Ben and Rob spinkick the wheels of ‘Roadhouse’, the B-Movie made for AAA money all the way back in 1989. Starring Patrick Swayze as a legendary bouncer hired to restore order at a notorious bar and ending up the target of the ruthless crime boss who controls the town. But having never seen it before, can famously cynical Rob find anything to enjoy …

1
Dirty Dancing (1987): This Film Ran So 'Avatar' Could Walk. Crazy Swayze Theory Part 1/3 56:47

2M ago56:47

56:47

Ben and Rob have hungry eyes for ‘Dirty Dancing’, the 1987 smash hit that lifted Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey into superstardom and defined summer camp for generations. Produced on a tiny budget and absolutely destroying the box office, ‘Dirty Dancing’ went on to be enjoyed for decades and to this day counts millions among it’s fanbase. But hav…

1
Nosferatu (2024): A Villain As Romance Star?! So Hot Right Now! 56:45

3M ago56:45

56:45

Ben and Rob summon ‘Nosferatu’; Robert Eggers’ 2024 smash hit remake of the 1922 classic vampire story. In the 1830s, estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued…

1
Heretic (2024): A Romance Star As The Villain? So Hot Right Now! 54:53

3M ago54:53

54:53

Ben and Rob knock on ‘Heretic’s door and spread the good word about Hugh Grant’s masterful villain turn of 2024. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, ‘Heretic’ was another A24 success story making over sixty million dollars from a budget of just ten. Starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, ‘Heretic’ tells the story of tw…

1
Blink Twice (2024): A Romance Star As The Villain? So Hot Right Now! 1:01:23

3M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Ben and Rob ‘Blink Twice’ as they cover Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut starring Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Christian Slater, Haley Joel Osment, Kyle MacLachlan and Geena Davis. When tech billionaire Slater King invites cocktail waitress Frida to his private island, wild nights blend into sun-soaked days. But when strange things start to happen, …

1
The Killer (2023): The Last We'll See Of Our David Fincher Series.... For Now! 1:00:49

3M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

SOCIALS Ben and Rob hire ‘The Killer’ to finish off their series covering every David Fincher movie EVER! Starring Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton and Charles Parnell, ‘The Killer’ was released and funded by Netflix as part of the directors ongoing deal with the streaming platform, and follows an assassin dealing with the fallout of a job gone wr…

1
Mank (2020): The Greatest David Fincher Film You Probably Haven't Seen 55:39

3M ago55:39

55:39

Ben and Rob meet ‘Mank’; David Fincher’s first movie project for Netflix. Starring Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Charles Dance, this film is rarely mentioned in conversations about Fincher’s greatest films. Yet our hosts, approaching it with sheer dread, make the case that this is Fincher’s most slept-on masterpiece. Gorgeous visuals, masterful …

1
Citizen Kane (1941): NOT The Greatest Film Of All Time?! Hear Us Out... 57:50

4M ago57:50

57:50

Ben & Rob ask ‘Citizen Kane’ if he has anything relevant to say to us in the year 2025, or whether it’s time to throw this Rosebud on the fire of progress. Released in 1941, ‘Citizen Kane’ is widely regarded by a certain type of film fan as ‘The Greatest Movie Of All Time’; pioneering cinematic and storytelling techniques still in use today. Its di…

1
Gone Girl (2014): Is Amy Dunne The Better Person In This Marriage? 1:02:29

4M ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Ben and Rob return to hunt for 'Gone Girl', David Fincher's 2014 murder marriage mystery masterpiece starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. Released in 2014 to critical acclaim for both it's central performances and Fincher's trademark detail driven direction, 'Gone Girl' is a film about toxic marriage and psychopaths for the ages. But which of ou…

1
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011): David Fincher's Best Failure? 57:07

5M ago57:07

57:07

Ben and Rob get back on the Fincher Train and dive into his 2011 remake of ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’. Designed by Sony as their franchise of the decade, ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ starred Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Stellan Skarsgard and Christopher Plummer never received a sequel. But what can this failure teach us about dealing with…

1
A Different Man (2024): The Movie Everyone Should Be Talking About 1:02:05

5M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

Ben and Rob meet ‘A Different Man’, the new film from Aaron Schimberg starring Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson and Renate Reinsve. An aspiring actor undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance but his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare as he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost. Released by A24, t…

1
The Social Network (2010): Does This Bio Still Bite In The Digital Depression Age? 56:17

5M ago56:17

56:17

Ben and Rob poke ‘The Social Network’, David Fincher’s 2010 telling of the founding of Facebook during Mark Zuckerberg’s time at Harvard. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake, ‘The Social Network’ won three of the eight Academy Awards it was nominated for, with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ incredible soundtrack beating …

1
Gladiator II (2024): We Watched Ridley Scott's Latest Epic So You Don't Have To! 57:11

6M ago57:11

57:11

Ben and Rob armour up for the latest Ridley Scott universe to be plundered for more cash ‘Gladiator II’! Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Neilsen and Pedro Pascal, ‘Gladiator II’ follows grown up Lucius as he walks far too closely in the footsteps of the original masterpiece. Twenty three years after the release of the Russell Crowe …

1
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): The Best AND The Worst Love Story Ever Told?! 1:01:05

6M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Ben and Rob experience the ultimate in anti-aging and witness one of the most tragic, heart wrenching love stories ever told. Bookended in odd, seemingly problematic age differences, THAT’S RIGHT! David Fincher’s 2008 Sci-Fi? Romantic? Period drama? … All three? The Curious Case of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinto…

1
Gladiator (2000): Russell Crowe Sucks Toes & Ridley Scott Hits The Spot 1:01:30

6M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Ben and Rob travel back to ancient Rome to help conquer Germania with our favourite Spaniard, Maximus in Ridley Scott’s 2000 sword and sandal EPIC, Gladiator! Starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen, this emotionally charged story of loss, heartache and ultimately revenge gives us a harrowing look at the brutality of Maximus’ gla…

1
Zodiac (2007): The Most Painfully Personal Film In David Fincher's Filmography? 57:01

6M ago57:01

57:01

Ben and Rob unmask ‘Zodiac’, David Fincher’s tale of the hunt for the self-proclaimed “Zodiac Killer”, responsible for a spate of grisly murders across California from the late sixties through to the early seventies. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr, Fincher’s ‘Zodiac’ is a long, uncompromising film beloved by critics but…

1
No Movie This Week - We Need To Talk... 55:05

7M ago55:05

55:05

We've gotta take a break from the usual weekly format to have a much needed clearing of the air between each other, a word with ourselves and some news for you, our dearest regular listeners. New listener? We love that you're here, but maybe circle back to this one after checking out one of the many excellent films in our catalogue. We wanna sit wi…

1
Panic Room (2002): The Secrets of David Fincher's Most Ignored Movie Masterpiece 1:03:33

7M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Ben and Rob lock themselves into ‘Panic Room’, David Fincher’s box-office sensation starring Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker and Jared Leto. Mother and daughter duo Meg and Sarah are forced to hide in a panic room in their house when intruders break in; unfortunately for them, the intruders want something that is hidden inside the ro…

1
Joker 2 - Folie A Deux (2019): Is It REALLY That Bad? We Watched It So You Don't Have To! 58:26

7M ago58:26

58:26

Ben and Rob examine ‘Joker 2: Folie A Deux’ so you don’t have to! Billed as the biggest film event of the year, ‘Joker 2’ will go down in history as one of the all time box-office bombs, reviewing lower than ‘Madame Web’ and left with no route to recouping its massive budget. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga and Brendan Gleeson with Todd Phillip…

1
Fight Club (1999): Why David Fincher's 1999 Masterpiece Is MORE Relevant Today 1:02:45

7M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Ben and Rob break the first rule of ‘Fight Club’ and talk about why this David Fincher masterpiece is more controversial today than audiences found it on its 1999 release. Starring Brad Pitt, Ed Norton Helena Bonham Carter, ‘Fight Club’ follows an unnamed Narrator as his friendship with a charismatic soap salesman devolves from underground fight cl…

1
Joker (2019): How A Well Placed Billboard Helped Create Cinema History 1:06:53

8M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Ben and Rob get what they deserve for ‘Joker’, Todd Phillips’ 2019 character study smuggled into box-office history under a supervillains cape. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert DeNiro, Zazie Beetz and Frances Conroy, ‘Joker’ tells the story of mentally unwell and financially destitute Arthur Fleck and his journey to become a stand-up comedian; a jo…

1
The Game (1997): David Fincher Helping Us Root For The Little Bit Sad Billionaire... 1:06:27

8M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Ben & Rob lose touch with reality as they play ‘The Game’, David Fincher’s 1997 mystery thriller straring Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger and James Rebhorn. When merchant banker Nicolas receives a voucher for a game from his brother Conrad, he ends up fighting to keep control of his life and mind as the birthday present from hell has…

1
Inseminoid (1981): The Alien Franchise Without Subtext, Budget Or Talent. But With Special Guests! 1:08:00

8M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

Ben & Rob Netflix & chill with the hosts of the Ctrl Alt Critique podcast for ‘Inseminoid’, Britain’s 1981 answer to the age old question: “Can you make Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic ‘Alien’ but with a fraction of the budget, talent and schedule?” Well obviously not, but we’ve got Adam, Amber and Bailey from Ctrl Alt Critique in to help us dissect …

1
Se7en (1995): What's In The Box? Our Series Covering EVERY David Fincher Movie EVER! 1:02:50

8M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Ben & Rob open the box to find ‘Se7en’, their first episode covering EVERY David Fincher movie EVER!!! Following the disastrous results of his directorial debut, Fincher would have to wait three years before winning a second opportunity to make a full length feature. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker, shot by Darius Khondji and starring Morgan Freeman…

1
The Crow (2024): We Watched This So You Don't Ever Have To. 1:02:50

8M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Ben & Rob point and laugh at ‘The Crow’, Hollywood’s latest insult to its own history as it constantly ruins everything good in this world. It may star Bill Skarsgard and FKA Twigs as Eric Draven and Shelly but the similarities end there - classic villain Top Dollar is gone, and now Eric fights demons with soundcloud raps. It’s also been a critical…

1
The Crow (1994): Despite The Tragedy Of Brandon Lee's Death, This Film Is Still Perfect 1:06:53

9M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Ben & Rob dig up the original 1994 Alex Proyas directed goth classic ‘The Crow’. When Eric Draven and his fiancee are brutally murdered, he mysteriously returns from the dead with the help of a crow as it begins to guide him to his killers. This film represents the peak of 90s goth culture, with an astonishing soundtrack and acting performances to …

1
The Last Podcast (2024): Don't Worry, It's Actually The Name Of The Film! 22:46

9M ago22:46

22:46

Ben & Rob drop a surprise mini episode mid-week to discuss the new film by legendary filmmaker Dean Alioto, all in support of their interview with the man himself! That’s right, we got the man who made ‘The Mcpherson Tape’ to sit with us and talk all things aliens, filmmaking and fear as he shares with us his latest feature ‘The Last Podcast’. Prem…

1
Alien Romulus (2024): Fede Álvarez Takes A Swing At Another Beloved Franchise But Does He Connect? 1:01:25

9M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

Ben & Rob conclude their Alien saga with Fede Álvarez’ latest franchise entry ‘Alien Romulus’! The film has been out for less than 48 hours and these boys have managed multiple re-watches and STILL recorded, edited and released a full one hour show for release weekend! Set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), Fede’s latest crime ag…

1
Maxxxine: Maxine Minx Vs. The Night Stalker Vs. Hollywood Vs. ... The Church? 1:07:22

9M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Ben and Rob stalk the streets of Ti West’s ‘Maxxxine’, the thrilling conclusion to his horror trilogy that started with ‘X’ and possibly peaked with ‘Pearl’. With an incredible cast that includes Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon, ‘Maxxxine’ follows adult f…

1
Alien Resurrection (1997): Does This Film Deserve The Hate It Gets...? 1:04:40

9M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

Ben and Rob smash the vat of ‘Alien Resurrection’ as they birth the latest episode of their series covering every ‘Alien’ movie ever! Released in 1997, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, written by Joss Whedon, and starring Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder, ‘Alien Resurrection’ was a critical and commercial failure, but still represents a significant…

1
Pearl (2022): Mia Goth and Ti West Go Back To The Past And Tell Us Our Terrifying Future 59:30

10M ago59:30

59:30

Ben and Rob travel back in time to 1918 with the second instalment of Ti West’s X trilogy ‘Pearl’. The origin story of the villain from ‘X’, Pearl lets us in on her young adult life and sparks a debate on whether violence is inherent by nature or nurtured within her by the nightmare that was 1918 America. We get a vivid insight into how Pearl LOVES…

1
Alien 3 (1992): A Misunderstood Masterpiece Or A Violently Awful Cash Grab? Definitely... 1:07:00

10M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Ben and Rob leap into the fire of controversy with ‘Alien 3’, the debut feature film of legendary director David Fincher and widely considered a staggeringly disappointing film both critically and commercially. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Charles Dance and Lance Henriksen, ‘Alien 3’ follows Ellen Ripley after her Sulaco escape pod crashes on a plane…

1
Podcast Host, Founder of Rob Has A Podcast and Survivor Legend - Rob Cesternino 1:19:15

10M ago1:19:15

1:19:15

In this episode I’m joined by the king of reality TV podcasting and founder behind Rob Has A Podcast - Rob Cesternino. Rob may have first drawn attention for his memorable appearance on Survivor Amazon as a wisecracking self-deprecating 24 year old back in 2003 but in the last 15 years, he’s emerged as one of the most influential voices in reality …

1
X (2022): Ti West's Love Letter To Seventies Horror and Pornography Has Shocking Depth! 1:03:20

10M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

Ben and Rob get steamy with ‘X’, Ti West’s first movie in his trilogy of period piece horrors starring Mia Goth. With the all-star cast rounded out by Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Owen Campbell, Stephen Ure, and Scott Mescudi, ‘X’ paints the screen red when an adult movie crew rent the airBnB from hell from a couple of rural farme…

1
Aliens (1989): The Single Greatest Sci-Fi Sequel Of All Time Covered By Obsessed Idiots 59:17

10M ago59:17

59:17

Ben and Rob revisit LV246 for the seconds of their full Alien franchise series, this week tackling the sci-fi classic ‘Aliens’. Directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Beihn, Paul Reiser, Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen, ‘Aliens’ is often cited as the ultimate sci fi action film of the nineteen-eighties and for setting the …

1
Head of Unscripted Production, BBC Studios Australia - Arianna Gusi 45:57

11M ago45:57

45:57

In this episode I sit down with Arianna Gusi, Head of Unscripted Production at BBC Studios Australia. We unpack her impressive career journey, from her early years learning the ropes and climbing the ranks of the industry in the UK, to leading production on TV’s biggest shows back in Australia including The Voice, The Bachelor, Dancing with the Sta…

1
Pacific Rim: Guillermo Del Toro Shows Michael Bay How To Kaiju 54:49

11M ago54:49

54:49

Ben and Rob drift together and pilot ‘Pacific Rim’, Guillermo Del Toro’s homage to all things kaiju and gundam. When kaiju invade Earth through a hole in reality, it’s up to a plucky team of humans to pilot giant mecha suit Jaegers in order to cancel the apocalypse. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Robert Kazinsky, M…

1
Alien (1979): The Single Greatest Horror SciFi Of All Time Covered By Obsessed Idiots 1:05:21

11M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

Ben & Rob get sticky with Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece ‘Alien’, starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto. When the overworked and underpaid crew of the USS Nostromo dock on a derelict planet, what they find on the surface might just be the deadliest organism in existe…

1
Senior Story Producer and Former Nickelodeon Star - Mounya Wise 41:57

11M ago41:57

41:57

In this episode, I chat to Senior Story Producer and former Nickelodeon star Mounya Wise. Mounya spent a decade lighting up UK screens as a kids TV presenter but since moving to Australia, she’s made her mark behind the scenes, producing shows like Masterchef, Dessert Masters, Australian Survivor and The Block. From interviewing Hollywood A-listers…

1
Godzilla Minus One (2023): Japan Reclaims It's Crown As King Of The Monsters 1:00:29

11M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Ben & Rob watch ‘Godzilla Minus One’ wipe out our tissue box for ALL the reasons; 2023’s Japanese Toho franchise entry became a global sensation, winning the Oscar for Best Visual Effects and making over $100million at the box office. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki and starring Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe and Yuki Yamada, ‘Godzilla: Minus One’ te…

1
Abigail (2024): Fresh New Blood In The Genre or Cold To The Touch? 1:09:00

11M ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Ben & Rob take a bite of ‘Abigail’, the 2024 horror comedy from the directors of ‘Ready or Not’ Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. When six criminals kidnap a young vampire, they swiftly become child’s prey rather than child predators. Starring Alisha Weir as the titular character alongside Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will C…

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