The Greatest (Bad) Movie of 2024 — Intentionally Blank Ep. 256

Brandon Sanderson
Brandon SandersonApr 29, 2026

Why It Matters

Madame Web’s failure illustrates the high cost of rushed post‑production and weak storytelling in franchise cinema, reminding studios that technical polish and solid scripts are essential for audience retention.

Key Takeaways

  • Madame Web is a notoriously bad 2024 superhero film.
  • Dakota Johnson delivers a uniquely hostile, self‑aware performance.
  • Extensive ADR mismatches expose the movie’s rushed post‑production.
  • Supporting teenage characters are reduced to shallow stereotypes.
  • Podcast hosts contrast this flop with the praised 'Wake Up Dead Man'.

Summary

The Intentionally Blank episode 256 pits two recent releases against each other: the critically panned superhero film Madame Web and the surprisingly strong thriller Wake Up Dead Man. The hosts use the contrast to explore why some movies flop spectacularly while others exceed expectations, dedicating most of the discussion to Madame Web’s shortcomings. They pinpoint a weak script, over‑reliance on clichés, and a cast of teenage characters written as flat stereotypes. Dakota Johnson’s performance stands out as deliberately hostile, almost critiquing the film from within, while the rest of the cast appears phoned‑in. A striking technical flaw is the rampant ADR, with roughly half the dialogue mismatched to the actors’ lips, revealing a chaotic post‑production process. Memorable remarks include Johnson’s line, “I don’t even know what’s going on, man,” delivered with authentic disdain, and the hosts noting that “the ADR was about ninety percent mismatched.” They also cite the film’s absurd plot choices, such as teenage girls dancing on a diner table while being hunted, underscoring the screenplay’s lack of coherence. The discussion underscores how poor post‑production and lazy writing can turn a big‑budget superhero movie into a cult‑class bad film, while highlighting that even a disastrous release can generate conversation and analysis among audiences and creators alike.

Original Description

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells review one of the best films from 2025, and definitely don't get distracted reviewing delicious garbage from 2024.
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