Podcast Summary: "How Did This Get Made?" – Episode: Kraven the Hunter LIVE! w/ Jessica St. Clair
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Guest: Jessica St. Clair
1. Introduction and Episode Overview
In this episode of "How Did This Get Made?", the hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas delve into the critically panned film Kraven the Hunter. Joined by guest Jessica St. Clair, they dissect the movie's plot, characters, and overall execution, offering both humorous and critical insights into why the film has been labeled as one of the worst despite featuring notable actors like Russell Crowe and Aaron Taylor Johnson.
2. First Impressions and General Reception
Paul Scheer kicks off the discussion with an enthusiastic take on the movie:
Paul Scheer [08:36]: "I fucking loved it. I loved this movie."
Contrastingly, Jason Mantzoukas provides a more skeptical perspective:
Jason Mantzoukas [05:35]: "This movie is rotten to the core."
June Diane Raphael and Jessica St. Clair echo mixed feelings, highlighting both entertaining elements and significant flaws within the film.
3. Character Analysis
Kraven Kravinoff / Craven: Aaron Taylor Johnson's portrayal of Kraven is scrutinized extensively. The hosts discuss his transformation and the inconsistency in his character development.
Jason Mantzoukas [08:02]: "He is hairless and he is finding reasons to take off that shirt."
June Diane Raphael [12:17]: "This is Spider-Man's villain. Kraven the Hunter is a huge Spider-Man villain."
Calypso: Played by Jessica St. Clair, Calypso is analyzed for her limited presence and underdeveloped role in the movie.
June Diane Raphael [07:00]: "I knew I'd be tortured by a film. This one."
Laci Mosley [09:25]: "Because there is one female character in this movie."
The hosts emphasize the lack of substantial female characters, noting the impact on the movie's overall narrative and representation.
4. Plot and Storyline Critique
The movie's plot is a focal point of criticism. The hosts express confusion over the storyline's coherence and character motivations.
Paul Scheer [12:08]: "They can't reference Spider-Man in these movies. This is Sony's version of the Marvel World."
Jason Mantzoukas [15:02]: "The brother is so upset that Craven left him with his abusive dad. What do you think's going to happen to me?"
They highlight inconsistencies, such as the abrupt time jumps and the unclear relationship dynamics between Kraven and his family.
5. Visual and Production Elements
The hosts critique the movie's visual aspects, including costume design and special effects.
June Diane Raphael [32:14]: "It's your friend who hooked up with the guy who had the extra bathrobe."
Jason Mantzoukas [46:24]: "This is some weird dog shit backpack full of nonsense, scientific goo."
Particular attention is given to Kraven's physical appearance, such as his abs and hair, which the hosts find both distracting and underutilized in character development.
6. Themes and Subtext
Themes of obsession, legacy, and transformation are discussed, though the hosts feel the movie fails to effectively convey these ideas.
Laci Mosley [22:53]: "What his ideology is, what he lived."
Jason Mantzoukas [25:16]: "This is how you create monsters."
They argue that Kraven's descent into villainy is poorly executed, lacking emotional depth and clear motivation.
7. Comparisons to Other Movies and Comics
The episode draws parallels between Kraven the Hunter and other films within the superhero genre, particularly highlighting its shortcomings in comparison to more successful entries.
Paul Scheer [55:14]: "This character was supposed to be in Black Panther, a movie that would fit perfectly, but they told Ryan Coogler, yeah, you can't use him."
June Diane Raphael [84:37]: "But I thought, okay, we have a serum in this world that makes you a rhino. That doesn't make you a superhero."
These comparisons underscore the episode's critique of the film's failure to capitalize on established superhero tropes and character backgrounds.
8. Second Opinions and Audience Reviews
The hosts bring in fictional audience reviews to showcase the disparity between personal opinions and public reception.
Paul Scheer [76:11]: "Look, sometimes that price point is hard. So I apologize to all of you. I will say this."
Jason Mantzoukas [76:38]: "I feel like, you know, the backpack scene was comedy gold."
While some audience members praise the film, the hosts maintain a largely negative stance, emphasizing fundamental flaws that undermine its entertainment value.
9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Wrapping up the discussion, the hosts reiterate their mixed feelings about Kraven the Hunter, acknowledging moments of unintended humor and entertaining performances but ultimately deeming the film as flawed.
Paul Scheer [81:14]: "I loved it because it was so aggressively dumb on every level that I was like, oh, I don't have to, like, great. I get it."
June Diane Raphael [83:12]: "I have to say, like, as far as it goes now, again, didn't know it was a Marvel movie."
The episode concludes with the consensus that while Kraven the Hunter had potential, its execution fell short, leaving both the hosts and the audience with lingering questions and disappointments.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Paul Scheer [08:36]: "I fucking loved it. I loved this movie."
- Jason Mantzoukas [05:35]: "This movie is rotten to the core."
- June Diane Raphael [07:00]: "I knew I'd be tortured by a film. This one."
- Laci Mosley [09:25]: "Because there is one female character in this movie."
- Jason Mantzoukas [12:17]: "This is Spider-Man's villain. Kraven the Hunter is a huge Spider-Man villain."
- Paul Scheer [15:02]: "The brother is so upset that Craven left him with his abusive dad. What do you think's going to happen to me?"
- Jason Mantzoukas [46:24]: "This is some weird dog shit backpack full of nonsense, scientific goo."
- Laci Mosley [22:53]: "What his ideology is, what he lived."
- Jason Mantzoukas [25:16]: "This is how you create monsters."
Final Notes
This summary encapsulates the primary discussions and critiques presented in the episode, offering a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to it. The hosts employ humor and candid opinions to dissect Kraven the Hunter, providing listeners with both entertainment and critical analysis of the film's shortcomings.