Thumb War

The Upside Down closes for good — and it gets weird on the way out. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason and Rachel review Stranger Things Episodes 5–8, aka the series finale. We dig into what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why a finale that’s often frustrating still manages to land emotionally. From baffling monster choices and zero-stakes action to genuinely touching character farewells, this is a deep dive into an ending that’s messy, modern, nostalgic, and oddly effective. Spoilers throughout. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Thumb War, we take on Christy (2025), the true-story boxing biopic chronicling the rise — and near-destruction — of trailblazing fighter Christy Martin. Sydney Sweeney delivers a ferocious performance in a film that doesn’t flinch from the realities of domestic abuse, control, and isolation, while still honouring Christy’s resilience and legacy. A tough watch. A necessary one. Big thumbs up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we finally get around to tackling Bugonia (2025), Yorgos Lanthimos’ strange, funny, disturbing sci-fi thriller about conspiracy thinking, corporate power, and what happens when the paranoia might actually be right. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver two of the best performances of the year in a movie that demands to be seen before it’s discussed. Go in blind. Then come back and argue with us. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re revisiting Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) — the Star Wars movie everyone shrugged at… and maybe shouldn’t have. JD, Rachel and Jeshua break down why Ron Howard’s takeover actually works, why Alden Ehrenreich nails a younger Han Solo, and why Donald Glover’s Lando deserves his own cinematic future. From pure fan service to sharp dialogue and surprisingly great casting, Solo feels better now than it did on release. Was this movie a victim of Star Wars fatigue? Or did audiences just miss the point? Spoiler alert: we’re firmly on Team Solo. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We start with a sad goodbye to Cosmo — a very good, very food-motivated boy — and somehow end up talking about frat houses at sunrise, parental panic spirals, and why Quentin Tarantino absolutely deserves to catch a few strays. Along the way: Saying goodbye to a beloved dog (and why doing it at home mattered) Why tracking apps are a gateway to full-blown anxiety Actors we know are “good” but still don’t like Dubai chocolate discourse (yes, again) This is the kind of episode that only works off-feed — looser, longer, more honest, and way more chaotic. If you’ve ever wondered what Thumb War sounds like before we tighten things up for public consumption… this is it. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.