"Companion," "Presence," "Perfect Days"

·1 hr 54 min·5 clips

Tim Grierson returns from his 34th Sundance, wondering if this is the festival's last year in Park City.

The episode opens with Tim Grierson reflecting on his recent trip to the Sundance Film Festival, his 34th attendance, and the speculation about the festival moving from Park City. He shares his favorite film from Sundance, a documentary called 'The Perfect Neighbor,' which uses police body cam footage to critique American society. The hosts then transition to reviewing new releases. First, they discuss 'Companion,' directed by Drew Hancock, starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid. The film follows a woman who discovers she is a companion robot, exploring themes of technology, control, and relationships. Grierson and Leitch compare it to films like 'Barbarian' and 'M3GAN,' praising the performances but noting its conventional plot. Next, they review 'Presence,' a Steven Soderbergh film about a family haunted by a ghost, shot entirely from the ghost's perspective. The hosts debate Soderbergh's recent work, with Leitch criticizing the film's half-baked story and Grierson appreciating its technical execution. Finally, they discuss 'Perfect Days,' directed by Wim Wenders, a quiet film about a Tokyo toilet cleaner finding beauty in routine. The hosts compare it to Jim Jarmusch's 'Paterson,' with Grierson finding it overly precious and Leitch appreciating its meditative quality. Throughout, the hosts banter about personal experiences, listener interactions, and film industry trends.

As heard by us

A measured conversation about Presence, subjective perspective, and the limits of a polished formal experiment.

Tim Gerson and Will Leach take up Steven Soderbergh's Presence through a calm back-and-forth on form, mood, and payoff. They are alert to the camera-driven conceit, especially the way the unseen point of view can feel like its own character without reducing the film to a trick.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a Sundance catch-up, a subjective-camera debate, and a frank argument over whether Presence adds up.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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