The Next Best Picture Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 476 - The 2026 Oscar Nominations, BAFTA & WGA Nomination Predictions, "Masters Of The Universe" & "Tuner" Trailers Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

For Episode 476, Ema Sasic, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, Megan Lachinski, and Alyssa Christian join me to discuss the 2026 Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards after they were unable to do so for our live reaction video to the nominations. It's been a few days since the initial announcement, and already we're looking at potential shifts in momentum, who got in vs. who was left off, and what will happen with BAFTA and WGA nominations this week? For last week's poll, for the Oscar nominations we asked, "Which Film Do You Think Will Be The Next Best Picture Oscar Winner?" And for this week's poll, with the announcement of the Oscar nominations, we're asking, "Which Oscar Nomination For The 98th Academy Awards Made You The Happiest?" We also give our reactions to the trailers for "Masters Of The Universe" and "Tuner," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. Daniel Howat, Cody Dericks, and I are still in Sundance and will be back next week with a recap of the festival as this year's awards season continues. Enjoy!

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"The Testament Of Ann Lee" Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer join me to discuss the latest film from Mona Fasvold, "The Testament Of Ann Lee," starring Amanda Seyfried, Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson & Christopher Abbott. Co-written with her partner in work and in life, Brady Corbet, and following up the monumental success of last year's "The Brutalist," the duo is back with another $10 million indie film, this time about the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century that, unfortunately, never quite caught on after its world premiere at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, resulting in zero Oscar nominations. This recording was done before that announcement, and there's plenty to discuss besides the film's awards season run, including Amanda Seyfried's career-best performance, the jaw-dropping cinematography, production, and costume design, the ungodly score and songs by Daniel Blumberg (inspired by real-life Shaker hymns), Fastvold's singular direction, and more! Please tune in as we discuss these elements, the writing, and yes, our Oscar hopes for it before the Lord God tooketh away, in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Praise be!

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Interviews With "Dead Man's Wire" Cast & Filmmakers Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

"Dead Man's Wire" is an American crime thriller film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Austin Kolodney, about the 1977 hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis and Richard Hall. It stars Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis, alongside an ensemble cast including Dacre Montgomery as Hall, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino. The film premiered out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its performances, direction, and writing. Skarsgård, Montgomery, Elwes, Van Sant and Kolodney were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Row K Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Episode 475 - Our Final Oscar Nomination Predictions For The 98th Academy Awards & The "EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert" Trailer Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

For Episode 475, Nadia Dalimonte, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, Daniel Howat, and Tom O'Brien join me for the year's biggest and most exciting episode to endlessly discuss what we think will be nominated for the 98th Academy Awards. Yes, it's our famous, comprehensive, epic annual final Oscar nomination predictions episode! We recommend you listen to this mammoth-sized episode in three parts: the Shorts categories (4:13), the Below the line categories (1:15:43), and the Above the line categories (3:29:29). There are no fan questions this week and only one trailer discussion for Baz Luhrmann's "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert." For last week's poll, for the release of "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," we asked, "Which Is Your Favorite Ralph Fiennes Performance?" And for this week's poll, for the upcoming Oscar nominations, we ask, "Which Film Do You Think Will Be The Next Best Picture Oscar Winner?" Thank you all for listening (no matter what the runtime says), supporting (our Patreon keeps so much of this operation running and could always use your help), and subscribing (every person matters for an independent outlet such as our's). You are the lifeblood that allows us to do what we do, and we cannot thank you enough. Enjoy the nominations this week. Daniel Howat, Cody Dericks, and I will be in Sundance when they drop, but we'll keep you updated with more to come as this year's awards season rolls on. Enjoy!

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"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, and Giovanni Lago join me to discuss the latest in the "28 Days" franchise, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," starring Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman & Chi Lewis-Parry. Directed this time by Nia DaCosta with another screenplay in the franchise by Alex Garland (And Danny Boyle serving as a Producer), this is a direct sequel to last year's "28 Years Later,"continuing the stories of Spike and Dr. Ian Kelson in a post-apocalyptic world infected by the rage virus. There is a lot of gore and humanity to be found in this one, with plenty of shocks and surprises. But what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the performances, writing, themes, direction, makeup effects, the needle drops, its awards season potential, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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Interviews With "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" Director Nia DaCosta & Star Jack O'Connell Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is a 2026 post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. It was shot back-to-back with its predecessor, "28 Years Later," and is the fourth installment in the "28 Days Later" film series. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry. Much like "28 Years Later," the film has received acclaim from critics, with praise for Fiennes' and O'Connell's performances, Garland's writing, and DaCosta's direction, with some believing it to be superior to its predecessor. DaCosta and O'Connell were both kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sony Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interviews With "F1" Editor, Visual Effects Supervisor & The Sound Team Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

"F1" (marketed as "F1: The Movie") is an American sports drama film starring Brad Pitt as Formula One (F1) racing driver Sonny Hayes, who returns after a 30-year absence to save his former teammate's underdog team, APXGP, from collapse. The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer with a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, following their previous collaboration on "Top Gun: Maverick." The film received positive reviews from critics, became the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2025, and grossed $631.5 million worldwide against a $200–300 million budget. As of 2025, the film is also the highest-grossing auto racing film of all time, the highest-grossing film by Apple Studios, and the highest-grossing film of Pitt's career. The Next Best Picture team was lucky enough to spend some time speaking with various members of the production over the last couple of weeks, including editor Stephen Mirrione, the sound team, which consists of Supervising sound editors Al Nelson and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Re-recording mixers Gary Rizzo, and Juan Peralta, Production sound mixer Gareth John, and Visual Effects Supervisor Ryan Tudhope. You can listen to the interviews below, and be sure to check out the film, now available to stream on Apple TV and up for your consideration in all eligible categories for the 98th Academy Awards. Thank you and enjoy!

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Interview With "Sound Of Falling" Filmmaker Mascha Schilinski Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

"Sound Of Falling" is a German drama film co-written and directed by Mascha Schilinski. Starring Hanna Heckt, Lena Urzendowsky, Laeni Geiseler, Susanne Wuest, Luise Heyer, and Lea Drinda, it follows four generations of girls connected by a farm in the Altmark region of Germany. The film premiered in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It has been selected as the German entry for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, making the Oscar shortlist for that category, as well as for Best Cinematography by Fabian Gamper. Mascha Schilinski was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from MUBI and is up for your consideration for the 98th Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interviews With "Sirāt" Sound Designer Laia Casanovas & Composer Kanding Ray Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

"Sirāt" is the new film from filmmaker Óliver Laxe, starring Sergi López as a father in search of his missing daughter, along with his son and a group of ravers in the deserts of southern Morocco. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Score. It was also selected as the Spanish submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, making the shortlist alongside Best Casting, Cinematography, Original Score, and Sound. Sound Designer Laia Casanovas and Composer Kangding Ray were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from NEON and is up for your consideration for the 98th Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "The Ugly Stepsister" Hair & Makeup Team Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

"The Ugly Stepsister" is a 2025 satirical black comedy, body horror film written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt in her directorial debut. Drawing on the fairy tale "Cinderella," it retells a twisted tale of Elvira, who competes with her beautiful stepsister in a bloody battle for beauty. The film had its world premiere as the opening film of the Midnight section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and has been shortlisted for Best Makeup & Hairstyling at the 98th Academy Awards. Hair & Makeup Designer Anne Catherine Sauerberg and Prosthetic Makeup Effects Designer Thomas Foldberg were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Shudder from Independent Film Company. Thank you, and enjoy!

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