The 10 Most Misused Stars in Hollywood and the Gnarly Magic of ‘Send Help’

Key Takeaways

A24 acquired Olivia Wilde’s film 'The Invite' for over $10 million after a Sundance bidding war.
Leaked photographs emerged from upcoming biopics about The Beatles, revealing casting details.
BAFTA nominations highlighted 'The Power of the Dog' with 14 nods, surpassing 'Belfast'.
Chris Pratt's film 'Mercy' was critically assessed by hosts as an 'evil and disastrous misfire'.
Sam Raimi’s 'Send Help' successfully used his signature style to explore complex moral themes.
The hosts discussed the careers of 'misused' Hollywood stars, citing Rachel McAdams and Kirsten Dunst.

A24 acquired Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' for over $10 million following its Sundance premiere.
The film, starring Seth Rogan, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz, is described as a film about a couple invited to a swinger party.
Olivia Wilde stated her desire for the film to be seen in theaters.
Amanda Dobbins expressed reservations about Wilde's previous directorial effort, 'Don't Worry Darling'.

Hosts described 'Mercy,' starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, as an 'evil and disastrous misfire.'
The film's premise involves a detective on trial for his wife's murder, with 90 minutes to prove innocence to an AI judge.
Criticism included the film's structure, aesthetics, and potential manipulative agenda to promote AI acceptance.
The execution, particularly the portrayal of a Black female cop and a floating jet ski motorcycle, was deemed problematic.

The hosts critiqued a plot point in 'Mercy' regarding a character's affair and a burner phone, questioning its practicality.
The film's use of surveillance footage to prove innocence and its message about AI's dual nature were found contradictory.
Specific criticisms included the poorly conceived mystery element and visual choices like a floating jet ski motorcycle.

The hosts discussed Chris Pratt's current career trajectory, contrasting his action-heavy roles with earlier comedic potential in 'Parks and Recreation'.
His voice roles in 'Garfield' and 'Super Mario' and live-action 'The Terminal List' were cited as examples of less interesting career choices.
The conversation also touched on Rebecca Ferguson's career, questioning choices that led to 'Mercy' and reflecting on actor pay.

Hosts praised Sam Raimi's 'Send Help,' noting his signature style and the return of long-time collaborators.
The film, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, explores morally complex themes with characters stranded after a plane crash.
McAdams's performance was highlighted for her portrayal of a character undergoing significant transformation.
The narrative structure effectively built suspense by repeatedly turning the tables.

The hosts used Rachel McAdams's performance in 'Send Help' as a segue to discuss Hollywood's most misused stars.
McAdams was praised for her charm, intelligence, and versatility in films like 'Game Night' and 'About Time'.
Her roles in 'Doctor Strange' films were noted as an underutilization of her talent.
The discussion introduced the concept of stars whose careers, despite good performances, don't meet their full potential.

Hosts debated if Angelina Jolie, despite her past major movie star status with hits like 'Wanted' and 'Salt', fits the 'misused star' category.
They acknowledged her ability to secure projects like her recent film 'Maria' and upcoming 'Anxious People', suggesting significant agency.
Jolie's filmography, including her Oscar win for 'Girl, Interrupted', was discussed regarding overall quality and box office success.

The discussion turned to Amy Adams, debating whether her recent film choices like 'Disenchanted' and 'Dear Evan Hansen' were artistically driven or misusing her talent.
Hosts also mentioned Jake Gyllenhaal, noting his last significant movie star role was in 'The Mule' in 2018.
Regina Hall was introduced as another potentially misused star, praised for performances beyond comedic roles, including 'One Battle After Another'.

Hosts discussed Chris Pine's diverse recent film choices, including his performance in 'Carousel' and franchise roles like Captain Kirk.
The discussion humorously recapped 'Princess Diaries 2', featuring Pine, and its romantic comedy tropes.
Kirsten Dunst was named the 'number one misused star', praised for recent work in 'The Power of the Dog' and 'Hidden Figures'.
Dunst's 'shade posting' about Timothy Chalamet regarding 'Wonka' and a rumored collaboration with Sofia Coppola were mentioned.