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Justin Chang

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08:52

'Hoppers' is delightfully unhinged and a dam good time

Our film critic, Justin Chang, says the new animated film "Hoppers" is the strongest Pixar movie in years. It's a science-fiction comedy about a college student who wants to protect the local wildlife and stumbles on an extremely high-tech way to do it. The movie opens in theaters this week and features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm. Here is Justin's review.

Interview
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Due to the contractual nature of the Fresh Air Archive, segments must be at least 6 months old to be considered part of the archive. To listen to segments that aired within the last 6 months, please click the blue off-site button to visit the Fresh Air page on NPR.org.
08:48

An aspiring dancer. A wealthy benefactor. And 'Dreams' turned to nightmare

In the psychological drama "Dreams," Jessica Chastain plays a San Francisco philanthropist whose foundation supports a dance academy in Mexico City. The movie, which also stars the Mexican actor and ballet dancer Isaac Hernández, is the latest from the writer and director Michel Franco, who previously worked with Chastain in the 2024 film "Memory." "Dreams" opens in select theaters this week. And our film critic, Justin Chang, has this review.

Review
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Due to the contractual nature of the Fresh Air Archive, segments must be at least 6 months old to be considered part of the archive. To listen to segments that aired within the last 6 months, please click the blue off-site button to visit the Fresh Air page on NPR.org.
08:22

'Wuthering Heights' celebrates mad, passionate excess — but lacks real feeling

Emily Brontë's 1847 novel "Wuthering Heights" has been adapted for the screen numerous times. The latest version stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Brontë's ill-fated lovers, Catherine and Heathcliff, and opens in theaters this week. It was written and directed by Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind "Promising Young Woman" and "Saltburn." Our film critic, Justin Chang, has this review.

Review
Exclusively on
Due to the contractual nature of the Fresh Air Archive, segments must be at least 6 months old to be considered part of the archive. To listen to segments that aired within the last 6 months, please click the blue off-site button to visit the Fresh Air page on NPR.org.
08:09

'Pillion' is a wildly entertaining dark comedy about sex and power

Our film critic, Justin Chang, recommends the new romantic dramedy "Pillion," which opens in theaters this week. It stars Harry Melling as a mild-mannered young man who falls for the leader of a gay biker gang, played by Alexander Skarsgard. Their unconventional love story earned the film's writer and director, Harry Lighton, a screenplay prize last year at the Cannes Film Festival. Here is Justin's review.

Review
Exclusively on
Due to the contractual nature of the Fresh Air Archive, segments must be at least 6 months old to be considered part of the archive. To listen to segments that aired within the last 6 months, please click the blue off-site button to visit the Fresh Air page on NPR.org.
08:59

'Sound of Falling' is a labyrinthine tale that's well worth exploring

Sound of Falling weaves together the experiences of four generations of women living in the same rural stretch of northern Germany, and the secrets that have accumulated over that time.

Review
11:26

There's a 'Dead Man' in church in this snarky 'Knives Out' mystery

Our film critic, Justin Chang, recommends "Wake Up Dead Man," the latest film in the "Knives Out" murder mystery series. Like its predecessors, it's written and directed by Rian Johnson and stars Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc. In the new film, Josh O'Connor plays a Catholic priest who teams up with Blanc to solve a whodunnit in his parish. "Wake Up Dead Man" also features Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington and Glenn Close, and is streaming now on Netflix. Here is Justin's review.

Review
09:40

These 10 terrific movies emerged from a tumultuous year for the film industry

Film critic Justin Chang spent a lot of time this year watching movies at festivals and theaters and on his couch. He says that contrary to what popular opinion or gloomy box-office headlines may tell us, 2025 has been the strongest year for new movies in a long time. Here's Justin's list of the best films of the year.

Review
08:11

This new movie about Russia's independent journalists is harrowing, but not hopeless

Our film critic, Justin Chang, says the best documentary he's seen this year is a 5 1/2-hour film called "My Undesirable Friends: Part I - Last Air In Moscow." Filmed over several months in late 2021 and early 2022, it follows several independent journalists in Moscow as they deal with the fallout of Vladimir Putin's crackdown on reporters and Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine. "My Undesirable Friends" received a Gotham Award nomination for best documentary and is playing at select venues around the country.

Review
09:07

Forget 'Shakespeare in Love' — 'Hamnet' explores Shakespeare in grief

In the new drama "Hamnet," which opens in limited release next week, Paul Mescal plays William Shakespeare as a young playwright, husband and father in the years leading up to his writing of "Hamlet." The film, which also stars Jessie Buckley as Agnes, Shakespeare's wife, was adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel. It's the latest movie from Chloe Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of "Nomadland."

Review

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