Kermode & Mayo's Take

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo are a British institution when it comes to film criticism. They spent years together on BBC Radio 5 Live before moving to this independent podcast format, and the chemistry they built over decades of working together is obvious from the first minute. Kermode is the critic, a man who will passionately defend horror films one week and tear apart a franchise blockbuster the next, often with an intensity that borders on theatrical. Mayo is the everyman host, asking the questions a regular moviegoer would ask and keeping Kermode's rants from going completely off the rails. Each episode reviews the week's new cinema releases with a mix of genuine insight and dry British humor. Kermode's reviews are detailed and specific; he talks about cinematography, score, performances, and direction in ways that feel accessible rather than academic. The show also covers streaming releases, physical media, and occasionally dips into TV. With 534 episodes under this incarnation (and years of BBC content before it), they've built up an enormous body of work. Some longtime fans feel the transition from live radio to podcast changed the energy, and the shift to occasional remote recording hasn't helped that criticism. But when they're both in the studio and fired up about a film, the show still crackles. A premium tier called Extra Takes offers ad-free episodes and Friday bonus content. If you want film reviews from someone who has genuinely seen everything and isn't afraid to have a strong opinion, Kermode delivers.