The Meaning Of The Movie
What is this movie actually about? What did it mean to the filmmakers and audiences when it was released? Has the meaning changed over time? Welcome to... The Meaning Of The Movie: A Podcast About What Matters Most. ” This is a place to wrestle over the big and small questions about a film. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? What is really happening in The Shining? Is Titanic the highest-budget Hallmark love story of all time or a powerful take on a historic tragedy? Podcast hosts Rob Stennett and Andrew Harmon wrestle through what matters most in a movie. We‘re here to answer, ”What does it all mean?”
Episodes

5 days ago
5 days ago
Harmony gets a standalone episode, and we’re not sure it works. In fact, we think Sweet Virtol has some serious problems that are worth unpacking. Does this detour add depth to the story, or does it stall the momentum? We break down the episode's themes, execution, and what it means for the series as a whole.
Join us as we debate: Is this the weakest episode of Severance so far? Let’s talk about it.

Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
In this episode of Attila, we dive into Chikhai Bardo and ask the big question—could this be the greatest episode of Severance? We break down what makes this episode so different, from its haunting revelations to the emotional depth of Mark and Gemma’s backstory. As the lines between past and present, love and loss blur, we explore how this chapter reshapes everything we thought we knew. Let’s get into it.

Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
"In this episode of Attila, we break down the romantic entanglements of Irv, Helly, Mark, and Dylan. From Irv and Burt’s tender connection to Helly’s struggle for autonomy, Mark’s lingering grief, and Dylan’s surprising moment of intimacy, we explore how love manifests in the fractured world of Lumon. What do these relationships reveal about identity, choice, and resistance? Let’s dive in."

Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Episode 5: Severance – Trojan Horse
In this episode of The Meaning of the Movie, we break down Severance Episode 5, Trojan Horse. We explore the complicated love triangle between Mark, Helly, and a certain someone from the outside world, as well as Irving’s fate and what his interaction with Burt might mean. We also analyze Milchick’s unexpected performance review—what does it reveal about the culture at Lumon? And of course, we can’t ignore the paper clips. Finally, we discuss the thrill (and potential pitfalls) of diving too deep into the show’s many mysteries.

Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
In this episode of "The Meaning of the Movie," we delve into the intricacies of television storytelling as we continue to cover SEVERANCE.First, we explore the concept of the "bottle episode," examining its role in character development and narrative focus. We then analyze the enduring "will-they-won't-they" romantic dynamics that have captivated audiences throughout TV history. And we turn our attention to "Woe's Hollow," discussing why this installment stands out as the series' most ambitious yet. Join us as we unpack these themes and their impact on modern television.

Saturday Feb 01, 2025
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
In this episode, we dive deep into Severance Season 2, Episode 3—unpacking the high stakes, the surprising character who resonated with us most, and the profound shift in structure from Season 1 to Season 2. Join Rob Stennett and Andrew Harmon as we break it all down.

Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Saturday Jan 25, 2025
In this episode of Meaning Of The Movie, we dive deep into Severance Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig (S2 E2) unpacking the latest mysteries and hidden meanings. We explore Dylan's surprising emotional arc, the ever-enigmatic Cobel, and Mark's tense return to Lumon. Plus, we analyze the symbolism behind the pineapples (yes, really) and tackle the question everyone's asking—why is it so dark in the outie world?
Tune in as we dissect every eerie detail and theory from this mind-bending episode!

Saturday Jan 18, 2025
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
The Meaning of the Movie is kicking off a special mini-series. We're heading into the office and to the thought-provoking world of Severance! We're starting with Season 2, Episode 1: "Hello, Ms. Cobel", unpacking the intriguing developments and questions posed as the new season begins.
Don't miss our deep dive into the dissection of workplace identity, personal autonomy, and the mysteries of Lumon Industries. Stay tuned as we analyze every twist and turn of this incredible series!

Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
In this episode of The Meaning of the Movie, we dive into the classic chess drama Searching for Bobby Fischer. What drives the characters' motivations? Who's truly the hero? And what is this movie actually about at its core? Join us as we debate the film’s deeper themes, analyze the tension between competition and humanity, and uncover why it continues to resonate decades later. Whether you're a chess aficionado or a film lover, there’s something here for you.

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Is The Muppet Christmas Carol the best version of A Christmas Carol ever made? In this episode, we dive into why this 1992 classic captures the heart and spirit of Charles Dickens's timeless tale like no other.
We explore:
What makes The Muppet Christmas Carol so enduring and beloved.
Why Michael Caine's Scrooge is an all-time great.
The magic of blending heartfelt storytelling with Muppet awesomeness.
Plus, Rob delivers his official ranking of the best Muppet characters of all time—you won’t want to miss it!
Pull up a chair (and maybe a cup of mulled cider), because we’re about to celebrate one of the most joyful and surprisingly profound Christmas movies ever made.
🎧 Listen now and let us know: Is this your favorite Christmas Carol adaptation?

MOTM Podcast Hosts
Rob Stennett, Andrew Harmon, and John Bolin have worked together on films, ad campaigns, and A LOT of stage productions.
We debate movies a lot.
We're taking the debate out of the backstage and onto the main stage. What makes a movie meaningful? Is there a least meaningful part of the movie?
Did we love it or hate it? You're invited into the journey.