In this episode of What’s Next, Pete and Hannah dive into two very different but equally ambitious films, offering sharp takes and strong recommendations.
🎬 A House of Dynamite
Kathryn Bigelow returns with a taut political thriller about an unknown nation launching a nuclear strike on the United States. The hosts praise the film for its urgency, emotional stakes, and ensemble cast (Rebecca Ferguson, Anthony Ramos, Tracy Letts, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris) — calling it “one of the year’s best.” They explore how Bigelow balances intimate character drama with high-stakes geopolitics, and discuss how the film's themes resonate in an era of escalating nuclear tension. Apple Podcasts+2SoapCentral+2
Pete and Hannah also talk about its release trajectory — debuting in cinemas, then heading to Netflix on October 24
⚡ Tron: Ares
Switching gears, the conversation turns to Tron: Ares, the next instalment in the Tron franchise. While the hosts acknowledge the film’s “dopey script,” they nonetheless celebrate its dazzling visuals, kinetic energy, and strong musical backbone (with a soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails).
They highlight Jared Leto’s lead turn as the sentient AI Program Ares, and speculations around how the digital world now invades reality — an inversion of classic Tron tropes.
Pete and Hannah debate whether Tron: Ares can transcend its narrative flaws on the strength of spectacle, and whether it offers a satisfying evolution for a franchise that’s long toyed with the boundary between tech and humanity.
