Hold on to your popcorn, folks, because this week's screen scene is PACKED! From animated musicals set in Hell to alien conspiracy thrillers, and even Kim Kardashian playing with puppies (yes, you read that right!), there's something for everyone. I'm Nora, your guide through the ever-expanding universe of TV and movies, and this is your exclusive peek into BuzzFeed's Screen Time newsletter, where we deliver all the must-know news, recommendations, and behind-the-scenes scoop straight to your inbox. If you're craving a weekly dose of entertainment insights, subscribe here (https://www.buzzfeed.com/newsletters/screen-time)!
Let's dive into what's making waves this week:
First up: Hazbin Hotel (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/arts/television/hazbin-hotel-amazon.html) – Prepare for earworms! Seriously, the music is THAT good.
Hazbin Hotel (https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/hazbin-hotel-character-quiz) is, in my humble opinion, one of the most creative and captivating animated series out there today. Conceived by the brilliant Vivienne Medrano, it started as a pilot on YouTube (https://youtu.be/Zlmswo0S0e0?si=R17UauHiIFRKaMgN) and has since exploded into a full-blown phenomenon. The story centers around Charlie Morningstar (voiced by Erika Henningsen), the princess of Hell, who's determined to find a way to redeem sinners and grant them access to Heaven. Her solution? The "Hazbin Hotel," a rehabilitation center where denizens of the underworld can work on their flaws, especially as Heaven is threatening to 'cleanse' the overpopulated Hell. And this is the part most people miss... Hazbin Hotel isn't just a clever concept; it's a full-blown musical! The voice cast is a stunning array of talent, particularly from the Broadway world.
We're talking about Broadway and acting heavyweights like Henningsen, Alex Brightman, Christian Borle, Stephanie Beatriz, Kimiko Glenn, Jessica Vosk, Lilli Cooper, and Jeremy Jordan, all lending their incredible voices to some of the most addictive songs I've heard in ages. If you're skeptical, I challenge you to listen to "Gravity" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1C1MFv7CKU) from Season 2 – it's been on repeat for me for days!
Next: Bugonia (https://cooking.nytimes.com/article/emma-stone-jesse-plemons-bugonia-spaghetti) – Get ready for an acting showdown between Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons!
Dare I say, Bugonia might be my favorite Yorgos Lanthimos creation yet. The film follows Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis), two cousins consumed by conspiracy theories, who decide to kidnap a powerful CEO named (Emma Stone) after convincing themselves that she's an alien with a mission to destroy Earth. This is Lanthimos's wonderfully bizarre take on the alien invasion trope, and I absolutely devoured it. Plemons is operating at peak performance (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/movies/jesse-plemons-bugonia-hunger-games.html), delivering a performance so believable that you find yourself questioning reality right alongside Teddy.
But here's where it gets controversial... Stone gets to showcase her comedic chops in a way we haven't seen as much in her previous collaborations with Lanthimos. Seeing her play the comedic foil to Plemons' intensity was a delight. I sincerely hope that Lanthimos, Stone, and Plemons continue to make movies together forever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxgj7rdG_YE) because I'll be first in line every time. And if you have the chance, experience this one in a theater – the communal experience of a Lanthimos film is truly something special.
Finally: Frankenstein – Guillermo del Toro returns to his Gothic roots!
Guillermo del Toro, the undisputed master of fairy tales and dark fantasy, is back with his adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein. The movie tells the story of Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a scientist obsessed with creating life, and his creation, the Creature (Jacob Elordi). Unsurprisingly, del Toro fully embraces the Gothic atmosphere, evoking memories of Crimson Peak (2015), another del Toro film that I adored.
Frankenstein is a visual masterpiece, and that's a big part of why I loved it. While the acting is solid – Elordi's performance as the Creature is a standout for me – it's del Toro's visual storytelling that elevates this film to another level. It’s actually the biggest crime (https://x.com/quisma88/status/1985098187850608854) Frankenstein isn’t playing in more theaters because it screams, “See me on the biggest screen possible.” If you end up watching it on Netflix, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, especially if you're a del Toro enthusiast, but I believe some of the magic is lost outside of a movie theater setting.
And now for something completely different… I never thought I’d say this, but Kim Kardashian played with puppies while answering questions! That's right, Kim and her All’s Fair co-stars – Sarah Paulson, Teyana Taylor, and Naomi Watts – participated in our Puppy Interview (https://www.buzzfeed.com/josephlongo/alls-fair-cast-kim-kardashian-sarah-paulson-puppy-interview), and the result was pure, unadulterated chaos. While coherent answers were scarce, Sarah did recreate her iconic "HE'S ESCAPING" meme (https://x.com/PopBase/status/1841364019661181276) with the puppies, so I'm calling it a win.
The cast discussed their dream All’s Fair additions, childhood celebrity crushes, and much more. Is the show itself any good? Well, the reactions to it are priceless (https://x.com/rkktweets/status/1985891336005042353). And, to top it all off, this Puppy Interview may have inadvertently landed me on an episode of The Kardashians next season! You can watch Kim, Sarah, Teyana, and Naomi’s full Puppy Interview by clicking below:
View this video on YouTube (https://youtube.com/watch?v=vBGJUkYHEfo)
Moving on, Dancing With the Stars saw Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov's elimination, leaving us with the quarterfinals. As always, here are some of the best reactions to this week’s episode:
But the biggest news of the week? Jennifer Lawrence revealed on Las Culturistas (https://youtu.be/B6q3jTr73Fc?si=mMhlsGbKKaOcKm9L) that she and Emma Stone are producing a Miss Piggy movie, penned by the Tony Award-winning Cole Escola of Oh, Mary! fame. The internet, as expected, went wild:
And finally, a question for you: Which Disney animated movie do you think is underrated?
I recently revisited The Emperor's New Groove (https://letterboxd.com/noradominick/film/the-emperors-new-groove/) after years, and I'm convinced it's one of Disney's funniest and most brilliant films that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. I honestly enjoyed it even more as an adult, probably because so many jokes flew over my head as a kid. Plus, Eartha Kitt as Yzma is quite possibly the most inspired voice casting decision of all time. The jokes are rapid-fire, and the movie deserves far more appreciation.
That's all for this week's Screen Time! Join me every week for more TV and movie recommendations, celebrity encounters, and behind-the-scenes insights!
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Now, tell me: What are YOUR thoughts on Hazbin Hotel's portrayal of Hell? Is Bugonia too weird, or just weird enough? And are you excited for a Miss Piggy movie? Let's discuss!
