What is Weapons Actually Aiming At?

The horror film Weapons receives scrutiny over whether its twisty narrative lands and what its intended target actually is. Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest reunites the director with Denzel Washington and intentionally riffs on an Akira Kurosawa classic. The "Performative Male" trend across TikTok, style pages, and costume contests is evaluated for links to gendered anxiety versus online spectacle. A Slate Plus bonus episode contains a spoiler-filled examination of Weapons's finale. Production credits list Benjamin Frisch and Daniel Hirsch, and endorsements highlight Bobo Stenson, Cannonball's episode with Taffy Brodesser-Akner, and the US Open broadcast options.

On this week's show, Dana, Julia, and Steve are joined by special fourth guest host: Wesley Morris of the New York Times. The foursome wield their sharpest critical tools for a discussion of the horror hit Weapon s. Whether the twisty thrill ride hits its intended target- and what exactly is said target- is up for debate.

Next, they take up the latest Spike Lee joint Highest 2 Lowest which reunites the legendary director with Denzel Washington and riffs on an Akira Kurosawa classic. Finally, they examine the "Performative Male" trend popping up in TikTok, style sections, and costume contests around the globe. Is it an embodiment of real gendered anxiety or internet nonsense?

In an exclusive Slate Plus bonus episode, the panel gets into all the shocks and surprises of Weapons's finale in a spoiler-filled conversation. Email us your thoughts at [e-mail]. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Endorsements Steve: Music by the jazz pianist Bobo Stenson, specifically his album Serenity. Julia: Wesley Morris's stellar new culture podcast Cannonball, specifically the episode with Taffy Brodesser-Akner about And Just Like That. Wesley: Watching the great New York sporting event the US Open. If you can't make it to Flushing Meadows, you can watch on ESPN or stream on Fubo, and shop the enviable merch at the US Open Store.

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