Oscars 2026: Sinners & One Battle After Another

January 30, 2026·1 hr 2 min·3 clips

Ryan Coogler negotiated something almost unheard of in Hollywood - he gets the rights to his film back in 25 years.

The episode opens with an extensive overview of Warner Brothers' corporate situation, including their $50 billion debt load and pending acquisition by Netflix for $83 billion, competing against a Paramount bid backed by Larry Ellison's personal guarantee. The hosts detail Warner Brothers' recent struggles with DC films and costly flops, contrasted with their 2025 rebound year dominated by successful releases including 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another.' They explain how Ryan Coogler's career evolved from indie darling with 'Fruitvale Station' to franchise success with 'Creed' and 'Black Panther,' leading to a bidding war for 'Sinners' that resulted in an unprecedented deal giving him copyright ownership after 25 years. The film itself is described as following two brothers who return to 1930s Mississippi to open a juke joint, only to attract an ancient Irish vampire named Remick. Lizzie praises the film extensively, highlighting Michael B. Jordan's dual performance, the attention to historical detail, exceptional sound design, and how Coogler uses the horror genre to explore Jim Crow-era racism. She argues the film succeeds on multiple levels as both entertainment and social commentary. Chris offers a more critical perspective, acknowledging the film's technical excellence and performances while arguing the screenplay feels disjointed and would work better as a miniseries. The discussion turns to Oscar politics, noting that 'Sinners' received a record 16 nominations but faces headwinds as a horror film (only 'Silence of the Lambs' has won Best Picture) and potential Academy bias against films about racism made by Black filmmakers. They contrast this with the Academy's recent broadening to include films like 'Moonlight' and 'Parasite.' The Golden Globes results are analyzed, where 'Sinners' won for score and a box office achievement award but lost major categories to 'One Battle After Another' and 'Hamnet.' The hosts conclude by briefly touching on Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another,' with both agreeing it doesn't reach the heights of his previous masterworks despite being well-crafted and entertaining.

As heard by us

A sharp Oscars conversation that uses Sinners to test what the Academy still rewards.

Chris Winterbauer and Lizzie Bassett use Sinners to frame Oscars season, moving from what the film does well to the Academy's long habit of rewarding race stories that feel safer or more externally framed.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

For when you want the Oscars race filtered through Sinners and a real argument.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from WHAT WENT WRONG