Beyond The Frame
The self improvement podcast for lovers of film and TV! Our favorite fictional movies and tv shows can teach us valuable life lessons. Join Ryan Vanderhei, Joe Parente, and Heidi Roodvoets weekly as they explore the newest and most popular movies and shows and how the lessons they teach us can be applied to our own lives.
Episodes
92 episodes
The Profound Perspective Shift Hiding in 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'
Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) is more than a Sally Field movie about an octopus — it's a quiet meditation on work, purpose, and the perspective shift that changes everything. In this episode of Beyond the Frame, we break down the film's bi...
'I Swear' And Seeing Someone As More Than Their Label
In this episode, we break down I Swear through the three people who changed John Davidson's life: Murray, the friend who didn't need an explanation; Dottie, the woman whose patience never flinched; and Tommy, the boss who saw a worker, not a di...
'The Drama' And Defining Unconditional Love
SPOILERS! In this episode we break down and discuss the 2026 film 'The Drama' directed by Rob Reiner, and starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, and more. We talk in depth about how the film analyzes a soon to be married couple who ind...
'Stand By Me' And Living In Someone Else's Shadow
SPOILERS! In this video we break down and discuss the 1986 film 'Stand By Me' based on the novel by Stephen King, directed by Rob Reiner, and starring River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O-Connell. We talk in depth about how th...
'Project Hail Mary' And The Definition of Bravery
SPOILERS! In this video we break down and discuss the 2026 sci-fi film ‘Project Hail Mary’ based on the novel by Andy Weir, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, and James Ortiz. We talk in dept...
'Hoppers' And The Importance of Awe
SPOILERS! In this film breakdown we do an analysis on the 2026 animated movie 'Hoppers' directed by Daniel Chong and starring characters voiced by Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Dave Franco, and many more. We focus our discussion on the...
'The Bride' And The Lengths We Go To For Love
SPOILERS! In this film breakdown we do an analysis on the 2026 fantasy movie 'The Bride' directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley, Annette Bening, and more. We focus our discussion on the big question that the m...
'Bugonia' And The Question Of Humanity's Survival
On this episode of beyond the frame hosts Ryan Vanderhei, Joe Parente, and Heidi Roodvoets break down and discuss the 2025 film 'Bugonia' directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film stars an incredible cast consisting of Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, A...
'Frankenstein' And The Definition Of A Monster
On today's episode of Beyond The Frame, hosts Heidi Roodvoets and Ryan Vanderhei breakdown and analyze the theme of defining a monster in the 2025 netflix film 'Frankenstein' directed by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Issac...
'Hamnet' And Nature's Magical Contradiction
SPOILERS! In this film breakdown we take a look at the 2025 dramatic tragedy film 'Hamnet' and how it beautifully presents nature's magical contradiction to us in a masterfully palpable way by the supremely talented Chloe Zhao led by her two le...
'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' And The Catharsis of Performance
In this episode we break down and discuss the 2025 indie film ‘If I Had Legs I'd Kick You’, the incredibly moving acting performance from Rose Byrne, and how watching someone say and do things that you feel you can't, is a very cathartic experi...
'28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' And The Power of Belief Systems
On this episode of beyond the frame, hosts Joe Parente and Ryan Vanderhei discuss the 2026 horror film '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' and how it teaches us about the importance, and sometimes danger, of belief systems in society.
'The Secret Agent' And The Many Layers Of Corruption
In this episode of Beyond the Frame, the hosts discuss the 2025 Brazillian entry for the academy awards: 'The Secret Agent'. They break down the unique techniques used by the director to bring this 70's story to life, and explore the theme of c...
'Jay Kelly' And the Risks of Self Reflection
The 2025 Netflix film Jay Kelly boasts a star-studded cast featuring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Riley Keough, and Billy Crudup, just to name a few. This powerhouse cast is quite fitting, as the film is about actors, specifically the charming...
'Sentimental Value" And What Makes a Great Work of Art
Join us as we discuss the 2025 Norwegian comedy drama 'Sentimental Value' starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning. This film is directed by Joachim Trier, whose previous film, The Worst Person...
'Die My Love' And Knowing When It's Time to Let Go
In this episode, we discuss the 2025 indie thriller 'Die My Love' starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. This film, directed by Lynne Ramsay, is based on the 2012 novel Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz, and it premiered at the 2025 Cann...
'It Was Just an Accident' And What it Means to Truly Confess
In this episode, we discuss the 2025 foreign language film 'It Was Just an Accident'. This film is directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi and was this year's Palme d'Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival. Panahi made this film in secret wit...
'Steve' And Giving When You're Already On Empty
In this episode we give our movie review of the 2025 hidden gem 'Steve' out now on Netflix. The film stars an extraordinary cast led by Cillian Murphy, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson. It is based on the 2023 novella written by aut...
'Tron: Ares' And The Weight of Legacy
In this episode, we discuss the 2025 Disney film Tron: Ares directed by Joachim Rønning (Bourne Identity) and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jeff Bridges. We break down the film's thematic message of legacy, and how it is both...
'The Lost Bus' And The Value Of Altruism In Society
In this episode, we discuss the 2025 Apple TV film The Lost Bus directed by Paul Greengrass (Bourne Identity) and starring Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, and Yul Vasquez. We break down the important thematic messaging in the movie of alt...
'The Smashing Machine' And What It Really Means To Have Someone's Back
In this episode of Beyond the Frame, hosts Joe, Ryan, and Heidi, discuss the 2025 A24 indie film 'The Smashing Machine' directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Ryan Bader. We give our honest reviews, re...
'The Master' And Wondering If It's Possible To Live Life Without One
A film analysis and movie breakdown of the 2012 film 'The Master'. In this episode we explore the question the master asks us: Is it possible to live life without a master? Paul Thomas Anderson's magnum opus is an extraordinary cinematic achiev...
One Battle After Another And Finding Out What Really Motivates You
In this episode we give our unfiltered movie review and movie reaction to the 2025 film One Battle After Another directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti, Benicio del Toro, and Teyana Taylor.&nb...
'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' And Why You Can't Protect Yourself From Life
A reaction and review of the 2025 romantic comedy movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey directed by Kogonada and starring Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Is this what happens when you try to re create La La Lan...