181: Madonna "Confessions II" and Charli XCX "Music, Fashion, Film" (2026)
Transatlantic Rebels
Transatlantic Rebels 10th Anniversary: Madonna’s Confessions II and Charli XCX’s Music, Fashion, Film On the Transatlantic Rebels podcast 10th anniversary episode, the hosts discuss two major 2026 albums: Madonna’s Confessions II and Charli XCX’s Music, Fashion, Film. They debate whether praise for Madonna is patronizing, comparing Confessions II to Confessions on a Dance Floor, noting the earlier album’s inescapable UK singles (“Hung Up,” “Sorry”) while Confessions II is framed as a cohesive, club-like concept album meant to be heard straight through; one host highlights its...
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180: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
Transatlantic Rebels
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review! The Transatlantic Rebels hosts, Jesal and Rochard, discuss Spider-Man: Brand New Day as the current biggest film in the world and praise it as the best Tom Holland Spider-Man, predicting it could reach $2 billion. They rank other top films (The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, Michael, Super Mario Galaxy) and note multiple billion-dollar releases, with Avengers Doomsday, Secret Wars, and Dune 3 ahead. In spoiler talk, they highlight the big reveals, signaling Marvel’s shift into the next Saga, and debate whether the movie's "villain" becomes the audience’s anchor...
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179: The Odyssey (2026)
Transatlantic Rebels
Transatlantic Rebels 10th Anniversary: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Debate Jesal and co-host Rochard celebrate the Transatlantic Rebels podcast’s 10th anniversary with three special episodes covering major 2026 releases, starting with films The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (with a later episode on Charli XCX and Madonna albums). They discuss Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, including how unfamiliarity with the source material and post-pandemic cultural fragmentation affect audience reception, and criticize online “monoculture” expectations and hostile film discourse....
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178: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
Transatlantic Rebels
Mandalorian & Grogu: Let Star Wars Be a Kids’ Adventure (Plus Marvel Parenting Moments) On the Transatlantic Rebels podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard debate the new film “Star Wars: Grogu,” a Mandalorian TV-to-film adventure. Rochard argues the movie delivers exactly what it promises—Mando and Grogu taking odd jobs across the galaxy—and says it recaptures the feeling of childhood Star Wars, praising Grogu’s extended range as a practical puppet and highlighting a standout Grogu-solo sequence with a “Dark Crystal” vibe. They note flaws, including uneven CGI (especially...
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177: Obsession (2026)
Transatlantic Rebels
Why ‘Obsession’ Became 2026’s Viral Horror Hit (and What Hollywood Will Get Wrong About It) On the Transatlantic Rebels podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss 2026’s viral low-budget horror sensation Obsession, noting its sold-out UK screenings and surprising success against major releases. They credit its popularity to horror’s reliability, the film’s layered themes—especially agency and a “monkey paw” dynamic where obsession is imposed—and, most of all, Inde Navarette’s standout, meme-fueled performance, while Michael Johnston is praised with less material. They...
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176: Materialists (2025)
Transatlantic Rebels
Materialists: A Deep Dive into Celine Song's New Film In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss Celine Song's second film, 'Materialists.' They explore how the movie defies the traditional rom-com label, presenting a romantic drama laden with complex themes of materialism, relationships, and societal expectations. The hosts compare it to Song's previous work, 'Past Lives,' and delve into the performances of main actors Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. They also touch upon Celine Song's background and directorial style, offering a...
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175: The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Transatlantic Rebels
The Transatlantic Rebels Podcast: Deep Dive into The Fantastic Four! In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard dive into the recent Marvel film 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.' They discuss the movie's self-contained nature, strong performances, and consistent tone. The conversation covers its box office success, the film's rehabilitation of the 'Fantastic Four' franchise in the mainstream, and detailed opinions on cast members such as Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. They also touch upon related Marvel movies like 'Thunderbolts,' the upcoming 'Spider-Man'...
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174: Superman (2025)
Transatlantic Rebels
Superman 2025: Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast Review In this episode of the Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss the latest reboot of the DC Universe, Superman 2025, directed and written by James Gunn. Released a few months ago, the film receives a mixed critique from the hosts, who appreciate its strong points, such as the casting of David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. They delve into the film's densely packed narrative, its many characters, and the overall direction and tone, comparing it to previous...
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173: Music in 2025
Transatlantic Rebels
Deep Dive into Little Simz, Hip-Hop Culture, and Glastonbury Politics! In this Transatlantic Rebels Podcast episode, we explore various dimensions of contemporary music and culture. The discussion starts with the reception of Little Simz's album and the reactions to her satirical single. We also delve into the controversies surrounding the Glastonbury Festival, addressing political stances and their impact on artists. The conversation transitions into an analysis of the current state of hip-hop, touching on the influence of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and the cyclical nature of...
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172: Marvel 2025 - Captain America 4, Thunderbolts, Ironheart...
Transatlantic Rebels
2025: Marvel Films & TV Shows, Sinners Movie Analysis, and the State of Cinema! In this Transatlantic Rebels Podcast episode, we dive into a comprehensive review of the MCU Films & TV shows watched this year, including 'Spider-Man: Neighborhood,' 'Daredevil,' 'Iron Heart,' and others. There's an in-depth discussion about mixed reactions to 'Ironheart' and critical commentary on 'Captain America: Brave New World' and 'Thunderbolts.' We also explore Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners,' its genre fusion, critical acclaim, and box office performance. Additionally, the episode delves...
info_outlineWhy ‘Obsession’ Became 2026’s Viral Horror Hit (and What Hollywood Will Get Wrong About It)
On the Transatlantic Rebels podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss 2026’s viral low-budget horror sensation Obsession, noting its sold-out UK screenings and surprising success against major releases. They credit its popularity to horror’s reliability, the film’s layered themes—especially agency and a “monkey paw” dynamic where obsession is imposed—and, most of all, Inde Navarette’s standout, meme-fueled performance, while Michael Johnston is praised with less material. They compare Obsession’s lightning-in-a-bottle breakout to Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, touch on how memes drove viewing, and briefly contrast it with Backrooms. The conversation also covers an art director pay/back-end dispute and cautions against Hollywood overgeneralizing anomalies, forcing copycat trends, or rushing into an “Obsession universe,” before closing with thoughts on actors’ post-breakout career choices.
00:00 Welcome and premise
00:26 First reactions
00:49 Why it went viral
01:59 Standout performances
02:35 Agency and themes
03:09 Online discourse
03:44 Layers for new viewers
04:49 Low budget zeitgeist
05:45 Memes and marketing
06:53 Backrooms comparison
08:18 Crew pay controversy
10:51 Hollywood copycat trap
13:20 Kill Bill Ripoff Rant
13:34 Hollywood Money Laundering Budgets
13:53 Obsession Praise And Breakout Star
14:22 Worried About Bad Career Choices
15:10 Anora And Oscar Bait Backlash
16:06 One Battle After Another Critique
17:49 India Navarretti Future Prospects
18:57 Charm Twitch And Letterboxd Picks
19:42 Mia Goth Comparisons Shut Down
20:12 Final Wish And Sign Off