For the epic wrap-up of our journey through true crime films, Sarah finally threw Dan a bone, or rather, “an entire skeleton” by programming The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). We’re diving into the depraved depths of films about stockbrokers to see if director Martin Scorsese created a satirical masterpiece, or just a three-hour recruitment video for “absolute wankers”

Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio’s increasingly insane performance as Jordan Belfort alongside Jonah Hill’s over the shoulder jumper wearing Donnie to Margot Robbie’s “walking red flag” energy, we’re getting under the hood on this one. We explore some of the development process of the production – including the ironic fact that Red Granite Productions was mired in its own controversy around the funding of the Wolf of Wall Street. It is a Jonah Hill we are prepared to stand on as we shout about Martin Scorsese movies, pill-induced chaos, and record-breaking vulgarity.

What to expect from this episode:

• Sarah challenges the depiction of success, debating whether financial wealth is the only motivating factor shown.
• We examine the magical formula of Scorsese’s pacing and his long-term collaboration with editor, Thelma Schoonmaker.
• Discussion about intention and responsibility around filmmaking.
• Tallying of the 579 profanities in the Wolf of Wall Street and speculating which ones belong on the list.
• A look at the “vitamin” dust that sent a lead performer to the hospital after too much inhaling.
• Sarah shares her confusion over why men are fascinated by tattoos of lions and clocks.
• Dan reveals the theme for season 14, which begins 9th

That's a wrap on Sarah's season of true crime movies, but have no fear, for we shall returneth. Put 9th February in your calendar for the start of season 14! A brand new season with a brand new theme chosen by Dan and announced at the end of this episode.

If you would like to find out the full lineup for the next season, sign up to Patreon as a FREE member to see the schedule when it drops, in a few weeks. If you have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-12 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023-2026.

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.

Or come find us on social media:

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It’s time to cut to the chase as we dive into episode seven of Sarah’s true crime movies season! This week on Shoot the Hostage, we are venturing back into the world of Korean cinema with the 2008 breakout hit, The Chaser. Sarah is continuing her trend of making Dan watch the best serial killer movies he’s never heard of, though Dan is still recovering from his time in Morocco and feeling like a bit of a “soulless husk”.

We’re breaking down the feature film debut of Na Hong-jin (The Wailing) which stars Kim Yoon-seok as Joong-ho, an ex-cop turned pimp who is trying to find “his missing girls”. Inspired by the real-life case of the “Raincoat Killer”, we also follow the Seoul Police force as they Mr Magoo their way through the investigation while young women are preyed upon by Ji Young-min (Ha Jung-woo).

What to expect from the episode:

• Sarah explains why this film is a pivotal entry in modern Korean cinema.
• We discuss director Na Hong-jin’s knack for making incredibly dark feature films.
• A look into the grim real-life crimes of the South Korean “Raincoat killer”
• Sarah defends the character progression of the protagonist.
• We analyse the “Keystone Cops” energy of the fictionalised police force.
• Dan wonders why there weren’t more “Banderas-style” guitar-case rocket launchers.

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 13? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-12 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.

Or come find us on social media:

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Welcome back to the sixth instalment of our true crime movies season, this week Sarah forces Dan to endure Ridley Scott's divisive 2021 biopic, House of Gucci, a film that Sarah has deemed “both true and a crime in many senses of the word”.

At two hours and 37 minutes, this is a girthy film that needed to be dramatically shorter, but somehow still rushes through key character developments. We unpack the strange tonal choice that borders on parody, debating whether the master filmmaker intended to lean into a theatrical comedia dell'arte style or simply didn't know what perspective he was trying to achieve.

We delve into the central performances: Lady Gaga’s committed portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani, which humanized the character even as she spirals; Adam Driver’s subtle work as Maurizio Gucci; and the bizarre prosthetics and "Super Mario Brother" accent delivered by Jared Leto, which we agree feels less like acting and more like a hate crime. Plus, we celebrate Al Pacino’s relatively subtle performance and the unexpected appearance of Jeremy Irons and Salma Hayek as the psychic.

Here’s what to expect in this episode:

• We attempt to justify the film’s baffling 2 hour and 37 minute run time.
• A serious discussion about the merits of Ridley Scott as a filmmaker.
• We unpack Lady Gaga's commitment to staying in her Italian accent for nine months.
• Dan explores the subtle visual bookend using Maurizio on a bicycle at the start and end of the movie.
• We question why Jared Leto's Paolo Gucci felt like he was starring in a completely different film.
• The confusion over the film's muted and washed-out colour grading.
• Our critique on the abrupt character reversals.

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 13? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-12 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube