Over the past few years, podcasts have become increasingly popular, especially true crime podcasts. These podcasts have gone from being a niche form of amateur internet broadcasting to a full-blown industry, thanks to their growing popularity.
Since the launch of Serial, podcasts that rely on suspenseful storytelling to draw in listeners have become increasingly popular. These shows often center around trying to uncover some crucial piece of evidence that could change the outcome of a case. Given the public's fascination with murder, it's no surprise that two aspiring filmmakers would see homicide as their ticket to fame and fortune. In The Murder Podcast, writer-director William Bagley tells the story of two stoners who get in over their heads when they start investigating a real-life murder case.
Chad Thadwick is experiencing a kind of stagnation in his life, even if he isn' Read more...
Over the past few years, podcasts have become increasingly popular, especially true crime podcasts. These podcasts have gone from being a niche form of amateur internet broadcasting to a full-blown industry, thanks to their growing popularity.
Since the launch of Serial, podcasts that rely on suspenseful storytelling to draw in listeners have become increasingly popular. These shows often center around trying to uncover some crucial piece of evidence that could change the outcome of a case. Given the public's fascination with murder, it's no surprise that two aspiring filmmakers would see homicide as their ticket to fame and fortune. In The Murder Podcast, writer-director William Bagley tells the story of two stoners who get in over their heads when they start investigating a real-life murder case.
Chad Thadwick is experiencing a kind of stagnation in his life, even if he isn't fully aware of it. He lives in his family home's basement with his sister Martha and her boyfriend Stephen, indulging in smoking weed and creating a podcast that reviews instant ramen meals high in sodium. His best friend, Eddie, is usually by his side.
Chad and Eddie are two friends who desperately want to become professional journalists. When a gruesome murder occurs in their small town and the police label it an accident, the two buddies see an opportunity to investigate and get the listenership they need to make their dreams come true.
The further they investigate, the stranger and more dangerous the story becomes.
It's a low-budget indie film, but director Bagley shows a lot of skill and style in his debut feature. Compared to most other films at this level, it's clear that Bagley knows how to create a professional-looking product.
His sense of humor is more goofy and lighthearted, like something you might see in a movie like Super Troopers. I always appreciate when someone can put a lot of effort into something silly and get a good laugh out of it. One scene where Stacheburn gets grossed out had me laughing hard.
The movie's enthusiastic cast does a great job with the film's slightly heightened reality, especially McDermott and Bucha's believable bromance and Burdick's delightfully no-nonsense Stacheburn.
Mariner gives an excellent performance as Martha, despite having limited screen time. Likewise, Emond does a great job as her smarmy boyfriend.
I have one minor complaint about The Murder Podcast - it is very clearly written from a male perspective and thus fails the Bechdel test.
There are only a few female characters in the film. The only one who has much to say is Martha, and she mainly provides Chad with a loving reality check.
It may not be fair to hold this film to the standards of diversity, but in today's climate, it feels like less of a product of the 2020s than of the Judd Apatow slacker bro comedy era of the mid-2000s/early-2010s.
Even though it's not a perfect movie, it's hard to be upset with something so winningly and knowingly silly.
If you're looking for something silly and possibly under the influence of Chad and Eddie's drug of choice, The Murder Podcast is an excellent option with many personalities.
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8.0
