In this episode of The Screening Lounge, we dive deep into Stranger Things and the series finale. This is part 2 of the final season, unpacking the emotional payoff, character arcs, and biggest moments fans can’t stop talking about.

Major spoilers ahead — this episode assumes you’ve watched the full series.

We discuss:

• Why the finale focused on emotional resolution over spectacle
• Will’s coming out scene and how it disarms Vecna’s power
• Jamie Campbell Bower’s chilling performance as Henry / Vecna
• Max’s growth, fear, and the meaning behind Vecna’s weaknesses
• Joyce, Karen, and the moms as the season’s true heroes
• Dustin, Steve, Eddie’s legacy, and that unforgettable graduation speech
• Eleven’s final choice, the ending scene, and what it really means
• The significance of Prince, David Bowie, and the finale soundtrack
• Open questions: Is Vecna truly gone? Is Eleven?

Whether you loved the finale or felt conflicted, this conversation breaks down what worked, what mattered, and why Stranger Things ended exactly the way it needed to.. or did it end all at?

Missed part 1? You can find that episode here.

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2025 gave us some of the strongest movies and TV of the decade. Christy & Danielle break down the standouts, the films that surprised us, the performances we can’t stop talking about, and the TV shows everyone streamed this year.

Top Movie Picks of 2025
• Sinners — Folklore horror, culture, mob ties, and a killer musical moment.
• One Battle After Another — DiCaprio, Sean Penn, extremist groups, and a gripping father–daughter mystery.
• Bugonia — Sharp writing, conspiracies, and a perspective-bending story.
• Wicked for Good — Darker tone, emotional stakes, Characters at their peak.
• Weapons — Missing teens, shifting POVs, and an unforgettable supporting cast.
• Hamnet — Shakespeare, grief, love, nature, and stunning visuals.

Best TV Shows of 2025
• The Pit — A real-time ER nightmare you cannot look away from.
• Pluribus (Apple TV+) — A shared-mind utopia with 12 immune outliers.
• The Bear — Still one of TV’s sharpest, most emotional dramas.

From horror to prestige drama to award contenders, this episode covers the must-watch films and series that defined the year.

Love movie podcasts, reviews, and insider film news? Follow: The Screening Lounge on your favorite podcast app.

Join the conversation on Instagram @thescreeninglounge for weekly updates, recommendations, and more behind-the-scenes buzz.

This week, Christy and Danielle dive into Ella McCay and Avatar: Fire and Ash, two films that could not be more different in tone, scope, or execution.

First up: Ella McCay, James L. Brooks’ long-awaited return.
A stacked cast, a messy political backdrop, and a whole lot of subplots. Christy breaks down why the film never quite comes together, what worked, what dragged, and why even Jamie Lee Curtis couldn't save the story.

Then it's off to Pandora for Avatar: Fire and Ash. A visual powerhouse with James Cameron’s signature world-building, massive action, and breathtaking detail.
Christy and Danielle unpack the familiar story beats, the new Ash People, the layered villains, the themes of grief, connection, and colonization, and whether this chapter reinvents the franchise or deepens it.

Whether you’re into political dramedies, big-budget sci-fi, or just want to know what’s worth your time, this episode has you covered.

From the The Screening Lounge team: Merry Christmas!

Love movie podcasts, reviews, and insider film news? Follow: The Screening Lounge on your favorite podcast app.

Join the conversation on Instagram @thescreeninglounge for weekly updates, recommendations, and more behind-the-scenes buzz.