Screen Time

Is Eddington supposed to be enjoyable? Because Josh and Jered have different answers.
This week on Screen Time Film, we're discussing Eddington (2025), written and directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.
Set during the early months of the pandemic, Eddington follows a small-town sheriff and mayor whose growing conflict sends their community spiraling into political tension, conspiracies, and violence.
Josh understands the film's intentions but finds its characters and escalating chaos difficult to enjoy. Jered appreciates the unsettling experience, particularly how the movie captures the uncertainty and social division of 2020.
We discuss the performances, cinematography, pacing, and the increasingly bizarre events of the story. We also explore the film's commentary on manipulation, social media, and the surprising relevance of its data center subplot.
Does Eddington successfully capture the absurdity of modern society? Or does its uncomfortable approach work against it?
SPOILER WARNING:
This episode contains full spoilers for Eddington, including the ending and major character deaths.
WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION:
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QUESTIONS & LISTENER FEEDBACK:
feedback@screentimepod.com
Follow Screen Time on your favorite podcast app for more TV and movie discussions.
SUPPORTED BY CONNECT FILMS:
Stories with Purpose.
https://connectfilms.com
FOLLOW THE SHOW:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screen_time_pod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@screen_time_pod
HOSTS:
Jered Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jeredyoungbar/
Josh Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jyoungbar/
TIMESTAMPS / SEGMENTS:
(00:00) Cold Open & Introductions
(01:28) Eddington: Cast, Crew & Budget
(03:24) First Reactions: Josh vs. Jered
(08:46) 2020 Time Capsule & Data Centers
(11:23) Eddington Story Breakdown
(13:27) Sheriff Joe vs. Mayor Ted
(15:25) The Mayoral Campaign
(18:06) Conspiracies & Austin Butler
(22:00) The Political Feud Escalates
(25:15) The Turn to Violence
(27:56) The Masked Attackers
(30:39) A Viral Hero Is Made
(32:39) The Data Center Ending
(35:07) Sponsor: Connect Films
(35:51) Cinematography & Visual Style
(39:42) Unusual Camera Movements
(41:22) Editing & Pacing
(43:22) Music & Score
(45:11) Eddington's Bigger Message
(47:40) Media Manipulation
(49:50) Final Thoughts
(51:30) Wrap-Up & Next Film
NEXT EPISODE:
Drive-Away Dolls!

Two strong episodes. One finale left. And we're still not sure how Lanterns is going to pull everything together.
Josh and Jered return from vacation to break down Lanterns Season 1, Episodes 6 and 7, "Bad Optics" and "The Jordan Boys Legacy."
SPOILER WARNING: Full Lanterns spoilers through Episode 7.
Hal Jordan's fate is finally becoming clearer, but the mystery surrounding his death is far from solved. We discuss Guy Gardner's return, Hal's backup copy, John Stewart's investigation, Sinestro's surprising appearance, and the family history that reveals another side of Hal.
Both episodes deliver strong character moments, but with so many unanswered questions, can the season finale possibly bring everything together?
In What We've Been Watching, Josh discusses Clean Hands, the film inspired by the true story behind Brooke's House, as well as The Runner, Solo Leveling Season 2, and Chad Powers Season 2. Jered shares his thoughts on the Golden Axeanimated series and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
We finish with our favorite media of the week: Dune: Awakening and the classic The Princess Bride.
Who do you think killed Hal Jordan? And what needs to happen for the finale to deliver?
We'd love to hear your theories!
WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION:
[ADD DIRECT YOUTUBE EPISODE LINK]
QUESTIONS & LISTENER FEEDBACK:
feedback@screentimepod.com
Follow Screen Time on your favorite podcast app for more TV and movie discussions.
SUPPORTED BY CONNECT FILMS:
Stories with Purpose.
https://connectfilms.com
FOLLOW THE SHOW:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screen_time_pod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@screen_time_pod
HOSTS:
Jered Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jeredyoungbar/
Josh Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jyoungbar/
TIMESTAMPS / SEGMENTS:
(00:00) Cold Open & Introductions
(01:47) Lanterns Episodes 6 & 7 Review
(04:46) Episode 6: Bad Optics
(07:33) Is Hal Jordan Really Dead?
(10:34) Guy Gardner Returns
(13:24) Hal's Funeral & the Backup Copy
(15:20) Episode 7: The Jordan Boys Legacy
(21:24) Portal to Another World
(23:15) Hal's Family History
(27:02) Sinestro's Return
(28:56) Who Killed Hal Jordan?
(30:52) Finale Predictions & Theories
(38:08) Sponsor: Connect Films
(39:25) What We've Been Watching: Clean Hands
(48:46) Golden Axe Animated Series
(51:10) The Runner Review
(57:17) Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
(01:02:29) Solo Leveling Season 2
(01:03:44) Chad Powers Season 2
(01:07:18) Best of the Week: Dune Awakening
(01:08:21) Revisiting The Princess Bride
(01:10:56) Wrap-Up & Next Episode
NEXT EPISODE:
The Lanterns Season 1 Finale!

Hal keeps giving us reasons not to trust him. We still think he knows more than he’s saying.

Josh and Jered discuss Lanterns Season 1, Episode 5, “Lights Out,” as Hal and John’s partnership turns into a confrontation. Josh thinks Hal may still have a plan that changes how we see him. Jered agrees something is being held back—but that doesn’t necessarily make Hal the good guy.

We explore Zoe’s influence, the possibility of another Manhunter, and whether John’s decision about the ring makes him more worthy of its power.

Then a listener questions last episode’s pressure-plate scene, we share our Emmys reactions, and Jered revisits Lawrence of Arabia through his love of Dune. Josh discusses One Night Only, finally watching Solo Leveling Season 1 after Lucas’s recommendation, and the Ryan Reynolds film May Day.

In Off Script, it’s God Emperor of Dune and Josh’s Zelda nostalgia before we choose our favorite things we watched or read this week.

Is Hal hiding a bigger plan—or are we giving him too much credit? Send us your theories.

SPOILER WARNING:
Includes Lanterns spoilers through Season 1, Episode 5, and Solo Leveling Season 1 plot details. We also discuss story elements from One Night Only and May Day.

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION:
[ADD THIS EPISODE’S DIRECT YOUTUBE LINK]

QUESTIONS & LISTENER FEEDBACK:
feedback@screentimepod.com

Follow Screen Time on your podcast app for more TV and movie discussions. Next episode: Lanterns Season 1, Episode 6.

SUPPORTED BY CONNECT FILMS:
Stories with Purpose.
https://connectfilms.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screen_time_pod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@screen_time_pod

HOSTS:
Jered Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jeredyoungbar/
Josh Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jyoungbar/

TIMESTAMPS / SEGMENTS:
(00:00) Cold Open & Introductions
(01:40) Lanterns Episode 5 Review
(04:09) Hal Leaves John Behind
(05:32) Zoe’s Help Comes With a Price
(14:16) Could There Be Another Manhunter?
(15:30) Will’s Decoy & the Compound Attack
(21:52) Hal vs. John
(25:46) What Is Hal Still Hiding?
(27:15) Zoe’s Fate: Why the Smile?
(31:06) John’s Choice & the Cost of Power
(33:05) Predictions: What Happens Next?
(35:56) Lanterns Wrap-Up & Sponsor: Connect Films
(37:36) Listener Feedback
(39:57) Emmy Awards Discussion
(43:58) What We’ve Been Watching
(44:19) Lawrence of Arabia & Dune
(49:18) One Night Only Review
(54:24) Josh Finally Watches Solo Leveling
(01:05:48) May Day Review
(01:12:49) Off Script: God Emperor of Dune
(01:15:37) Ocarina of Time & Zelda Nostalgia
(01:19:03) This Week’s Picks & Wrap-Up

The Screen Time crew discusses the film Beau Is Afraid by Ari Aster.
Send questions and feedback to ⁠feedback@screentimepod.com⁠

Hal and John are starting to trust each other. We’re not so sure about the Guardians.

Josh and Jered break down Lanterns Season 1, Episode 4, “The Weenie,” from Sinestro’s warning and the Manhunter clues to Hal and John’s growing respect for each other. Jered revisits his Manhunter theory, while Josh questions whether the Guardians want the best Green Lantern—or simply someone easier to control.

Then a listener’s defense of Game of Thrones’ final season gets us debating what went wrong. We also compare notes on The Gentlemen Season 2, The Whisper Man, Outer Banks’ final season, Silo Season 3, and The Last Sunrise. In Off Script, we talk about seeing Jerry Seinfeld live before choosing the best thing we watched this week.

Are we right to distrust the Guardians? Send us your theories and join the conversation.

SPOILER WARNING:
Includes spoilers for Lanterns through Season 1, Episode 4, The Gentlemen Season 2 premiere, Outer Banks’ final season and ending, and major Silo spoilers through the Season 3 finale.

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION:
[ADD THIS EPISODE’S DIRECT YOUTUBE LINK]

QUESTIONS & LISTENER FEEDBACK:
feedback@screentimepod.com

Follow Screen Time on your podcast app for more TV and movie discussions. Next episode: Lanterns Season 1, Episode 5.

SUPPORTED BY CONNECT FILMS:
Stories with Purpose.
https://connectfilms.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screen_time_pod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@screen_time_pod

HOSTS:
Jered Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jeredyoungbar/
Josh Youngbar: https://www.instagram.com/jyoungbar/

TIMESTAMPS / SEGMENTS:
(00:00) Cold Open & Introductions
(01:38) Lanterns Episode 4 Review
(04:59) Sinestro & the Fight Over the Ring
(11:01) John’s Creativity & the Break-In
(14:48) William’s Power Play
(17:59) Zoe & the Manhunter Clues
(22:23) Hal and John: Trust & That Ending
(24:54) Predictions
(28:04) Are the Guardians the Real Villains?
(30:31) Sponsor: Connect Films
(31:21) Listener Feedback
(32:12) The Game of Thrones Ending Debate
(37:13) What We’ve Been Watching
(38:19) The Gentlemen Season 2
(42:30) The Whisper Man: Cast vs. Script
(45:31) Outer Banks Finale (Spoilers)
(48:23) Silo Season 3 Finale (Spoilers)
(01:01:30) Does Hard Sci-Fi Need Space?
(01:02:59) The Last Sunrise Review
(01:06:51) Off Script: Jerry Seinfeld Live
(01:10:00) Best Thing We Watched This Week
(01:10:45) Wrap-Up & Next Episode