Best Russ Capasso Podcasts (2026)

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2025 Book Swap: Annihilation / Parable of the Sower 44:01

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3h ago44:01

44:01

That's a wrap on 2025! In this episode, Russ and Tim close out the year with a book swap discussion of Annihilation (Jeff VanderMeer) and Parable of the Sower (Octavia E. Butler), exploring themes, writing styles, and why these haunting stories feel especially resonant today. Happy New Year!By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

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Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011) 2:14:30

3h ago2:14:30

2:14:30

Some say 2025 was a Saw trap. Some say Glee: The 3D Concert Movie was a Saw trap. Join the boys as they make convincing connections and sing their way out of 2025 with Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011), starring Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Kevin McHale, Heather Elizabeth Morris, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Ma…

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Glee: The 3D Concert Movie: Trailer Trash 29:27

2d ago29:27

29:27

It's that time of year here at ITMT. Layoff time! Just kidding, it's ITMT Holiday Special time. The time of year when the fellas watch a generally liked movie that they'll probably hate. Fan picked (Thanks Alex!), the boys will be singing along to the trailer for Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011), starring Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Lea Michele, …

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Black Christmas (2006) 1:24:03

9d ago1:24:03

1:24:03

Nothing says holiday spirit like the teen slasher remake that nobody asked for! That's why Russ and Jared are unwrapping Black Christmas (2006), starring Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Lacey Chabert, Kristen Cloke, Andrea Martin, Oliver Hudson, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, Karin Konoval, and Robert Mann. Stay tuned for a ve…

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Rediscovering The Path 32:29

9d ago32:29

32:29

A reflective journey about finding your way back to the page after doubt, distraction, or burnout. This episode Russ and Tim talk about what it means to rediscover the path of writing, how creativity drifts and returns, and why the act of writing itself can feel like coming home again.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

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Black Christmas: Trailer Trash 38:57

16d ago38:57

38:57

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with some old fashioned holiday gore? The guys are talking about the trailer for the twice-remade Black Christmas (2006), starring Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Lacey Chabert, Kristen Cloke, Andrea Martin, Oliver Hudson, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, Karin Konoval, and Robert M…

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Love is in the Air (2023) 1:26:50

1M ago1:26:50

1:26:50

Ooooo wee, what's that smell? Is that... love? You know that's right! Russ and Jared are back to take a big whiff of Love is in the Air (2023), starring Delta Goodrem, Joshua Sasse, Roy Billing, Steph Tisdell, Simon Brook McLachlan, Hugh Parker, Daniela Pizzirani, and Mia Grunwald. Listen in for some quality (right?) accent work and stay tuned next…

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Not Worth The Paper It's Written On 36:01

23d ago36:01

36:01

Who wrote "Not Worth The Paper It's Written On?" Was it film producer Samuel Goldwyn or an Irish Politician who coined this famous idiom? In this episode, Russ and Tim delve into the past to uncover the origins of this well-known phrase and how it went "viral" in the late 1800s, becoming what it is today.…

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Love is in the Air: Trailer Trash 32:06

1M ago32:06

32:06

The ITMT team is super thankful this holiday week for all you listeners, and a nice short movie to watch! Russ and Jared are talking about the trailer for Love is in the Air (2023), starring Delta Goodrem, Joshua Sasse, Roy Billing, Steph Tisdell, Simon Brook McLachlan, Hugh Parker, Daniela Pizzirani, and Mia Grunwald. Stay tuned for the full episo…

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Season of the Witch (2011) 2:04:22

1M ago2:04:22

2:04:22

Holy bait and switch, Batman! (Like invoking the name of the caped crusader in an episode description that has nothing to do with that) Russ and Jared are back in the Cage zone for Season of the Witch (2011), starring Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Stephen Campbell Moore, Stephen Graham, Ulrich Thomsen, Claire Foy, Robert Sheehan, and Christopher Lee. …

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Facts In Fiction 33:38

1M ago33:38

33:38

How factual should fiction be? What level of real-world detail is necessary for a story, its plot, and characters to feel authentic? In this episode, Russ and Tim explore the role of facts in fiction, reflect on their own manuscripts, and debate when facts enhance a story and when they get in the way of good storytelling.…

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Season of the Witch: Trailer Trash 32:32

1M ago32:32

32:32

Have you been craving a supernatural battle between Ghost Rider and Hellboy to see who can stop the fires of Hell from overtaking the planet? You're unlikely to find it here! Instead, Russ and Jared are talking about the trailer for Season of the Witch (2011), starring Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Stephen Campbell Moore, Stephen Graham, Ulrich Thomse…

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Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) 1:20:14

2M ago1:20:14

1:20:14

Ah, fragile childhood memories. Autumn is a time for reflection, and what better way to reflect than by destroying said memories! Russ and Jared are talking about Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023), starring Nikolai Leon, Maria Taylor, Natasha Rose Mills, Amber Doig-Thorne, Danielle Ronald, Natasha Tosini, Paula Coiz, Craig David Dowsett, and …

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Foreshadowing 43:16

2M ago43:16

43:16

Foreshadowing is another tool in the writer's toolkit that can enhance a reader's story experience. Early hints that can pay off later to build suspense, tension, and make that climax that much better. This episode, Russ and Tim get into what foreshadowing is, what it isn't, and how they used it in their stories. As a bonus, they work through what …

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Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey: Trailer Trash 47:46

2M ago47:46

47:46

Happy Hallo-week, y'all! Russ and Jared are keeping the spooky train rolling with a Trailer Trash for Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023), starring Nikolai Leon, Maria Taylor, Natasha Rose Mills, Amber Doig-Thorne, Danielle Ronald, Natasha Tosini, Paula Coiz, Craig David Dowsett, and Chris Cordell. Stay tuned for the full episode next week!…

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Saw V (2008) 2:20:05

2M ago2:20:05

2:20:05

It's a trap! Not Star Wars unfortunately, Russ and Jared are trapped in another crappy Saw movie. The guys are solving crimes with Saw V (2008), starring Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, Julie Benz, Meagan Good, Mark Rolston, Carlo Rota, Greg Bryk, Laura Gordon. Stay tuned for an all new Trailer Trash next week!…

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Writing the Climax 35:00

2M ago35:00

35:00

It's what the entire story has been building toward. The climax! The promise set at the beginning of your story comes to a breaking point, all is revealed, and your characters' flaws are resolved (maybe). In this episode, Russ and Tim chat about getting to the climax of a story, what it is, and how it should satisfy your readers.…

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Saw V: Trailer Trash 24:10

3M ago24:10

24:10

Do you want to play a game? That's pretty much what we write every year when we're doing Saw movies, and this one's no different! Russ and Jared are back on the Jigsaw train and watching the trailer for Saw V (2008), starring Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, Julie Benz, Meagan Good, Mark Rolston, Carlo Rota, Greg Bryk, L…

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Gods of Egypt (2016) 1:43:33

3M ago1:43:33

1:43:33

By Russ Capasso and Jared DeLuca

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Gods of Egypt: Trailer Trash 31:44

3M ago31:44

31:44

Looking for an action-packed blockbuster with a plot full of twists, turns, and unexpected heartfelt moments? Look somewhere else! Russ and Jared are watching the trailer for Gods of Egypt (2016), starring Brenton Thwaites, Courtney Eaton, Gerard Butler, Elodie Yung, Bryan Brown, Chadwick Boseman, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Check out the full episo…

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Audiobooks 37:37

3M ago37:37

37:37

With their popularity increasing year after year Audiobooks are a massive business. Making it a must have in your distribution arsenal as an author. Using Russ' recently launched audiobook for HOST as an example. Russ and Tim discuss the production, distribution, and goals of having an audiobook and why people love them.…

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War of the Worlds (2025) 2:25:10

3M ago2:25:10

2:25:10

You know what ITMT listeners have been clamoring for? More longer episodes! At least, that's what Russ and Jared are hoping... this one's a doozy, but also maybe their finest work in a while! The guys are making Russ work hard editing War of the Worlds (2025), starring the aforementioned Cube, Eva Longoria, Iman Benson, Henry Hunter Hall, Devon Bos…

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War of the Worlds: Trailer Trash 37:32

3M ago37:32

37:32

Russ and Jared spend a lot of time in front of their laptops, but not as much time as Ice Cube seems to be in this trailer! The guys are talking about the new (nobody asked for) version of War of the Worlds (2025), starring the aforementioned Cube, Eva Longoria, Iman Benson, Henry Hunter Hall, Devon Bostick, Andrea Savage, Clark Gregg, and Michael …

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Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) 1:12:33

4M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

The hills are alive with the sound of music and bone saws! Russ and Jared are singing through the schlock that is Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), starring Anthony Head, Paul Sorvino, Alexa PenaVega, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley, Kevin 'ohGr' Ogilvie, Terrance Zdunich, and Sarah Power. The guys definitely won't repo your organs, but t…

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REPLAY - Story Beats Act III 23:33

4M ago23:33

23:33

Wrapping up our replay series on Story Beats from 2023 with Act III. It all comes down to this...Act III. Our heroes have been removed from their normal world, thrust into a chaotic Act II world, been through the ringer, hit the bottom of the barrel, now it's time for them to shine (or maybe not?) and finish their journey. Join Russ and Tim as they…

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Repo! The Genetic Opera: Trailer Trash 35:58

4M ago35:58

35:58

How many years have y'all been saying "the guys really need to do a musical"? None years is the correct answer, but the guys are doing it anyway! Russ and Jared are talking about the trailer for Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), starring Anthony Head, Paul Sorvino, Alexa PenaVega, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley, Kevin 'ohGr' Ogilvie, Ter…

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Hot Seat (2022) 1:27:35

4M ago1:27:35

1:27:35

Russ and Jared are back and strapped to a metaphorical bomb chair as they try to dismantle Hot Seat (2022), starring Kevin Dillon, Mel Gibson, Shannen Doherty, Michael Welch, Eddie Steeples, Kate Katzman, Lydia Hull, and Anna Harr. The guys have a lot of laughs with this one, you'll be exploding with good times! And stay tuned for an all new Traile…

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REPLAY - Story Beats Act II 23:03

4M ago23:03

23:03

Continuing the Story Beats replays from 2023. Doing their best to avoid strong act II vibes, Russ and Tim continue their deep dive into Save the Cat! Writes A Novel story beats with Act II.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

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Hot Seat: Trailer Trash 34:23

4M ago34:23

34:23

What's that smell? Can you smell that smell? Did you look under your chair? Oh, it's not you, it's Russ and Jared talking about the trailer for Hot Seat (2022), starring Kevin Dillon, Mel Gibson, Shannen Doherty, Michael Welch, Eddie Steeples, Kate Katzman, Lydia Hull, and Anna Harr. Now with less AI Fan Service and more real fans! You're going to …

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Ouija (2014) 1:16:54

5M ago1:16:54

1:16:54

Never a bad time for a spooky time! That's what Russ and Jared always say... well, at least once... well, right now. If you thought they were going to leave you hanging with just a Trailer Trash for this one, you thought wrong. And why would you think that? The guys are doing the whole dang thing for Ouija (2014), starring Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, D…

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REPLAY - Story Beats Act I 32:31

5M ago32:31

32:31

Diving into the Writer Syndrome archive we're revisiting our Story Beats episodes from 2023. Using Save the Cat! Writes A Novel as a jumping off point, Russ and Tim do a deep dive into the Act I story beats, and reference how this methodology was useful in crafting their own works.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

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Ouija: Trailer Trash 33:19

5M ago33:19

33:19

Russ and Jared are back from the Dream World (check out The Last Witch Hunter) and communicating with the dead again. Those guys have sure been all over the metaphysical plane lately! This time they're talking ghosts and ghouls with Ouija (2014), starring Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff, Bianca A. Santos, Douglas Smith, Shelley Hennig, Sierr…

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REPLAY - Story Archetypes 18:21

5M ago18:21

18:21

A replay of an episode recorded in 2023. Story archetypes are a great starting point for building your narrative. In this episode Russ and Tim discuss the seven core story archetypes that can be found in most fiction, how they can be used to create engaging novels, and how they used (or didn't use) them for their own projects.…

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The Last Witch Hunter (2015) 1:15:48

5M ago1:15:48

1:15:48

If you think a Fast & Furious movie mixed with a fever dream Dungeons & Dragons game with Dame Judi Dench and Vin Diesel sounds like a good idea... you're beyond saving. For the rest of us, join Russ and Jared as they talk about this dumpster fire, The Last Witch Hunter (2015), starring Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, R…

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The Last Witch Hunter: Trailer Trash 36:31

5M ago36:31

36:31

How many witches does a witch hunter hunt if a witch hunter does hunt witches? Russ and Jared are no mathmologists, but the answer is obviously not enough! The guys are talking The Last Witch Hunter (2015), starring Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Rena Owen, Julie Engelbrecht, Isaach De Bankolé, and Michael Caine. Stay …

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Uglies (2024) 1:18:16

5M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

Might not be the prettiest episode the guys have done, but who are they trying to impress? You, dear listener, they're always trying to impress you. Russ and Jared are back with the full breakdown of Uglies (2024), starring Joey King, Laverne Cox, Brianne Tju, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Charmin Lee, Jay DeVon Johnson, and Jan Luis Castellanos. Sta…

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The Third Draft & Beyond 36:22

5M ago36:22

36:22

If you've survived the second draft, congrats! But you still have quite a way to go on your journey, which brings us to the third draft and beyond. Refining sentence structure and word choice, incorporating beta reader feedback, eliminating crunch words and phrases, the drafts where the polish happens. In this episode, Russ and Tim reflect on their…

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Uglies: Trailer Trash 35:22

6M ago35:22

35:22

Who are you calling ugly trash? Oh, not Russ and Jared? It's just the title of the episode, you say? I wrote it, you say? Well... awkward... The guys are back with the Trailer Trash for Uglies (2024), starring best-friend-of-the-pod, Joey King, as well as Laverne Cox, Brianne Tju, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Charmin Lee, Jay DeVon Johnson, and Jan …

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The Second Draft 36:21

6M ago36:21

36:21

So you've completed a first draft of your manuscript. Now what? The real work begins. Writing is re-writing and the second draft is a heavy lift of fixing those major character and plot issues that creep in during that first vomit draft. This episode Russ and Tim talk about the trials and tribulations of the second draft and how important it is whe…

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Night Swim (2024) 1:23:15

6M ago1:23:15

1:23:15

You'll never believe it... but the guys actually did get lost in the deep end, and time traveled back to hang with Marco Polo on the Silk Road last week... Pretty wild stuff, I'm sure it'll come up in a future episode. Anyway... Russ and Jared are back on track! They've bargained with the water and have returned to you relatively unscathed, and onl…

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Night Swim: Trailer Trash 26:25

6M ago26:25

26:25

Russ and Jared are 🎶 going on a night swim 🎶 this week! ITMT now with 100% more singing than usual! The guys are diving into the deep end for Night Swim (2024) starring Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle, Gavin Warren, Jodi Long, Nancy Lenehan, Eddie Martinez, and Elijah J. Roberts. Stay tuned for the full episode next week!…

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The First Draft 39:36

6M ago39:36

39:36

The first draft, often called the "vomit draft," is one of the most important parts of the writing process. Once you type "the end," you can truly begin. In this episode, Russ and Tim revisit their first drafts and discuss the improvements they've made for their upcoming projects.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

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Kinda Pregnant (2025) 58:07

7M ago58:07

58:07

Russ and Jared are back with the Labor Pains remake that no one asked for! It's time for Kinda Pregnant (2025), starring Amy Schumer, Will Forte, Jillian Bell, Brianne Howey, Urzila Carlson, Lizze Broadway, Chris Geere, and Damon Wayans Jr. There are so few redeeming qualities to this movie that it's kinda hard to believe that Netflix greenlit it, …

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Kinda Pregnant: Trailer Trash 37:14

7M ago37:14

37:14

It's not that Lindsay Lohan movie we already covered (Labor Pains, go check it out)... just almost exactly the same plot, now with even less humor or entertainment value! You guessed it, the guys are talking about the trailer for Kinda Pregnant (2025), starring Amy Schumer, Will Forte, Jillian Bell, Brianne Howey, Urzila Carlson, Lizze Broadway, Ch…

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The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword 29:05

7M ago29:05

29:05

The battle is on! Pens vs swords! In this episode, we explore the variations of the classic idiom "the pen is mightier than the sword." We discuss its fascinating history, discover who made it what it is today, and why pens shouldn't turn into laser swords.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

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Geostorm (2017) 1:29:48

7M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Can you believe how many times they're going to say the title in this movie? It's time for Geostorm (2017)! Starring Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Alexandra Maria Lara, Daniel Wu, Andy Garcia, Ed Harris, Adepero Oduye, Amr Waked, Eugenio Derbez, and Talitha Eliana Bateman. The guys have a lot of fun with this cheesy disaster flick, an…

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Geostorm: Trailer Trash 25:20

7M ago25:20

25:20

It's not that other podcast, but Russ and Jared are finally covering cult-favorite, Geostorm (2017), starring Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Alexandra Maria Lara, Daniel Wu, Andy Garcia, Ed Harris, Adepero Oduye, Amr Waked, Eugenio Derbez, and Talitha Eliana Bateman! The guys are already having fun with the trailer, and stay tuned for …

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Research Methods 59:10

7M ago59:10

59:10

Research is a key part of the writing process. Without proper research, building credible worlds, intriguing plots, and relatable characters is impossible. But how much is too much? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss how their research methods have evolved from their first manuscripts to their new ones.…

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Persuasion (2022) 1:20:16

8M ago1:20:16

1:20:16

Russ and Jared are here to persuade you to give this episode a shot! If you're already here, you might as well listen (and set ITMT to auto-download, subscribe, etc.). The guys are diving deep into Persuasion (2022), starring Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Richard E. Grant, Henry Golding, Ben Bailey Smith, Yolanda Kettle, Nia Towle, Nikki Amuka-Bird…

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Persuasion: Trailer Trash 26:39

8M ago26:39

26:39

If romance is your bag, Russ and Jared have you covered! The guys are talking about a movie based on one of the most classic romance novels by Jane Austen. Except the movie sucks. You guessed it! It's the Trailer Trash for Persuasion (2022), starring Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Richard E. Grant, Henry Golding, Ben Bailey Smith, Yolanda Kettle, Ni…