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Skip Intro with Krista Smith is an award-winning show, bringing you dynamic conversations with the exceptional people behind your favorite films, series, specials, and documentaries on Netflix.

TV & Film
Film Interviews
Society & Culture
176
Ozark Season 4: What You Need To Know
In anticipation of Ozark's return to Netflix, Krista checks in with Netflix Queue's resident Ozark expert, Bill Keith, who catches us up on everything we need to know before tuning into season 4 (part 1) this Friday. Later on, Krista takes a look back at her previous Ozark conversations with Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner, and Tom Pelphrey.
61 min
177
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch joins the show to talk about his performance as Phil Burbank in Jane Campion's much anticipated film, The Power Of The Dog. Set in 1920's Montana, the film follows rancher Phil and his brother George (Jesse Plemons). When George brings home his new wife Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Phil responds to the pair with mocking cruelty, until the unexpected happens. In this interview, Cumberbatch reflects on the personal significance and excitement of meeting Campion for the first time, explains his deep fascination with his character Phil, and describes the intense physical preparation he went through to bring him to life.Cumberbatch also gives insight into Campion's directorial style, speaks frankly about the challenges of the two-month Covid lockdown that halted the film's production, and tells listeners why he's been feeling fearless lately.
38 min
178
More Like This: Maggie Gyllenhaal & Olivia Wilde
Welcome to the the 3rd and final episode of the Present Company mini-series,More Like This. Today, we're at the London Hotel in Los Angeles, where we'll hear from Maggie Gyllenhaal on her feature directorial debut, The Lost Daughter. This conversation will be led by actress and filmmaker Olivia Wilde, who made her own directorial debut back in 2019 with the beloved coming-of-age comedy, Booksmart.
32 min
179
More Like This: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Rob Marshall
Welcome to the 2nd episode of the Present Company mini-series, More Like This. Today, we’re at the School of Visual Arts Theater in New York City, about to hear from Lin-Manuel Miranda on his directorial debut, Tick, Tick...Boom. This conversation will be led by film and theater director, producer, and choreographer Rob Marshall, who has captured our hearts over the years with films such as Annie, Chicago, and Memories of a Geisha.
30 min
180
More Like This: Jane Campion & Kimberly Peirce
Welcome to the 1st episode of the Present Company mini-series, More Like This. Today, we're at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, about to hear from writer & director Jane Campion on how her breathtaking film, The Power of The Dog, came to life. This conversation will be led by filmmaker Kimberly Peirce, who made waves in 1999 with her groundbreaking debut feature film, Boys Don't Cry.
42 min
181
The Lost Daughter
Over the past few months, Krista sat down separately with Maggie Gyllenhaal and a few of the actors behind her feature directorial debut, The Lost Daughter. Today, she takes a deep dive into those conversations, to bring together the perspectives and experiences of the people who brought this film to life.
28 min
182
2021 Year In Review
In this episode, Krista takes a look back at some of her favorite Present Company moments of 2021.
8 min
183
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal joins the show to talk about her feature directorial debut, The Lost Daughter. Adapted from pseudonymous Italian novelist Elena Ferrante's book by the same name, The Lost Daughter follows Leda (Olivia Colman), a college professor vacationing in Greece who becomes obsessed with a young mother and daughter that she encounters at the beach. Over the course of Leda's trip, her proximity to the duo prompts memories from her own early days of motherhood, forcing Leda to confront her past. In this interview, Gyllenhaal explains why she was originally drawn to the story, what it was like to contact Ferrante, and how she brought Olivia Colman onto the project. Gyllenhaal also shares what it was like to direct her husband Peter Sarsgaard, explains the importance of creating a loving, supportive on-set environment, and reflects on why opening herself up to the idea of directing took so many years.
29 min
184
Adam McKay
Adam McKay joins the show to talk about his new disaster comedy, Don't Look Up. The film boasts a massive star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Rob Morgan, Timothée Chalamet, Cate Blanchett, Tyler Perry, and Ariana Grande.In this interview, McKay shares the unlikely initial source of inspiration for the project, details how he assembled his knockout cast, and discusses the essential role that improv played on set.McKay also describes how he got his start in comedy, reflects on the current state of the world, and gives an update on his daughter Pearl, who gained international fame at 2 years old after she starred in his and Will Ferrell's classic Funny or Die sketch, "The Landlord."
43 min
185
The Power Of The Dog
Over the past few months, Krista sat down separately with the cast of Jane Campion’s new film, The Power of the Dog. Today, she takes a deep dive into those conversations to bring together the perspectives and experiences of the actors behind this incredible project.
29 min
186
Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman joins the show to talk about her performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal's feature directorial debut, The Lost Daughter. Adapted from Elena Ferrante's novel by the same name, The Lost Daughter follows Leda (Olivia Colman), a college professor vacationing in Greece who becomes obsessed with a young mother and daughter who she encounters at the beach. Over the course of Leda's trip, her proximity to the duo prompts memories from her own early days of motherhood, forcing Leda to confront her past. In this interview, Colman explains why she was immediately drawn to the script, what it was like to be directed by Gyllenhaal, and how she collaborated with co-stars Dakota Johnson, Ed Harris, and Jessie Buckley. Colman also reflects on her humble journey from British theatre and TV comedy to international stardom, offers advice to young actors on how to stay grounded and grateful, and opens up about the anxiety caused by her dwindling anonymity.
33 min
187
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Kodi Smit-McPhee joins the show to talk about his performance as Peter Gordon in Jane Campion's much anticipated film, The Power Of The Dog. Set in 1920's Montana, the film follows rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his brother George (Jesse Plemons). When George brings home his new wife Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and her son Peter, Phil responds to the pair with mocking cruelty, until the unexpected happens. In this interview, Smit-McPhee describes his journey from the Australian movie scene to Hollywood, recounts his audition forThe Power Of The Dog, and details some of the unconventional acting techniques he and Campion utilized to bring Peter to life.Smit-McPhee also explains what it was like to work closely with his co-stars, touches on his love of philosophy, and opens up about some of the challenges he's had to navigate alongside his developing career.
31 min
188
Halle Berry
Halle Berry joins the show to talk about her directorial debut, Bruised. The film follows Jackie Justice (Halle Berry), a disgraced MMA fighter who returns to the cage to seek redemption after the son she had given up as a baby suddenly re-enters her life.In this interview, Berry describes her immediate fascination with the script, her journey to the director's chair, and how she re-worked the story (which originally followed a 20-something Irish Catholic white woman) to center on a middle-aged Black mother.Berry also describes the intense physical training she went through to prepare for the role, touches on the challenges of straddling her many responsibilities on set, and reflects on how she has learned to manage fear in both her personal life and over the course of her career.
43 min
189
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson joins the show to talk about his new action comedy, Red Notice. The film follows John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson), an FBI agent determined to bring down the two most wanted art thieves in the world (Ryan Reynolds & Gal Gadot).In this interview, Johnson talks about how the project got off the ground, what it was like filming with his long-time friend Ryan Reynolds, and the story behind his production company Seven Bucks Productions. Johnson also speaks openly about the fear and vulnerability he faced when transitioning from the world of WWE to Hollywood, describes how he finds peace in his daily routine, and offers a word of advice on how to cut through the chaos and focus on your goals.
29 min
190
Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield sits down to discuss his latest film tick, tick…BOOM!, in which he plays Jonathan Larson, the American playwright and composer who gave the world the musical phenomenon Rent. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda, and it’s also the first time audiences will see Garfield singing and dancing as he steps into the world of musical theater.The Academy Award nominee and Tony winner shares his intense preparation for the role, the urgency that lies at the heart of the story, and the importance of activist artists. He also reflects on the unique pressures faced by young actors today, the lessons he’s learned from directors like Mike Nichols and Martin Scorsese, and the gift in embracing challenges that at first feel impossible.
54 min
191
Rebecca Hall
Rebecca Hall joins the show to talk about her feature directorial debut, Passing. The film follows two Black women (Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga) who can “pass” as white but have chosen to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1920's New York City. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, both must contend with new threats to their carefully constructed realities.In this interview, Hall takes us back 13 years to when she first came across Nella Larson's 1929 novel, discusses how uncovering of her own family history forced her to grapple with the subject matter, and explains how she worked with Thompson and Negga to bring the two beautifully complex lead characters to life.Hall also speaks candidly about the challenges of getting the film off the ground, touches on the importance of shooting the film in black and white, and shares details about her experiences as a first time filmmaker.
41 min
192
Regina King
Regina King joins the show to talk about her performance as Trudy Smith in the epic Western, The Harder They Fall. The film follows Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), a young outlaw dead set on seeking revenge against his lifelong enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) and his infamous companions Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield). When Nat discovers Rufus has been released from prison, he rounds up an unlikely team to take down Rufus and his gang once and for all. In this interview, King shares how her initial skepticism of the project turned into intrigue, gives insight into her on-set dynamic with Elba and Stanfield, and describes the energetic environment director Jeymes Samuel was able to create on set despite the challenges of shooting mid-pandemic.King also reflects on motherhood, how love overpowers fear in her life, and speaks to the power of patience.
37 min
193
Jeymes Samuel
Jeymes Samuel joins the show to talk about his feature directorial debut, The Harder They Fall. The film follows Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), a young outlaw dead set on seeking revenge against his lifelong enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba). When Nat discovers Rufus has been released from prison, he rounds up an unlikely team to take down Rufus and his infamous gang once and for all. In this interview, Samuel talks about his lifelong fascination with the Western genre, the importance of deconstructing and revitalizing it through a modern lens, and how he used his own original music to carefully shape the characters and story we see on screen.Samuel also shares his singing talents, touches on working with producer Jay-Z, and talks candidly about his fear of the dark.
47 min
194
Dakota Johnson
Welcome back to another episode of Present Company On The Road! In this interview, Krista sits down with Dakota Johnson at the Telluride Film Festival to talk about her performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal's feature directorial debut, The Lost Daughter.Adapted from Elena Ferrante's novel by the same name, The Lost Daughter follows Leda (Olivia Colman), a college professor vacationing in Greece who becomes obsessed with a young mother named Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her daughter. Over the course of Leda's trip, her proximity to the duo prompts memories from her own early days of motherhood, forcing Leda to confront her past. In this interview, Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Our Friend) discusses why she was drawn to the role, her experience working with first-time director Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the isolating effects of shooting during COVID-19. Johnson also shares the motivation behind her production company TeaTime Pictures and hints at her own future directorial ambitions.
27 min
195
Kirsten Dunst
Welcome to the first episode of Present Company On The Road -- a brand new segment bringing you to some of the biggest film events in the country. In this episode, Krista sits down with Kirsten Dunst at the Telluride Film Festival.It's been nearly three decades since Kirsten Dunst first made a name for herself in Hollywood. She started modeling and appearing in commercials at just three years old -- a full eight years before her breakout role alongside Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire. Since then, she's brought us unforgettable performances in projects such as The Virgin Suicides, Melancholia, and Fargo. Now, Dunst has delivered yet another phenomenal performance as Rose in Jane Campion's new feature adaptation, The Power of the Dog. In this interview, she discusses what it was like to once again share the screen with her partner Jesse Plemons, how she prepares for a role, and how her long history of working with female directors impacted her as an artist. Dunst also touches on the fears she grapples with as a parent and imparts some wisdom onto the next generation of actors.
31 min
196
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal joins the show to talk about his latest film, The Guilty, in which he plays Joe Baylor, a 911 operator struggling to save one of his distressed callers. Gyllenhaal, who is also a producer on the film, discusses why he wanted to transpose the original Danish film into an American context, the importance of centering the film around systemic issues, and the challenges of shooting during COVID-19.Gyllenhaal also discusses the delicious culinary creations he's been whipping up during quarantine and touches on how he navigates his own fears in an artistic space.
33 min
197
Welcome to Season 3!
In this special mini episode of Present Company, Krista reflects on her recent trip to the Telluride Film Festival and gives listeners a sneak peak into this season's fantastic guest lineup.
8 min
198
Omar Sy
Omar Sy joins Present Company to discuss his hit series “Lupin.” The worldwide success of the show is the the second time in Sy’s career that he has starred in an entertainment phenomenon, the first being the French film “The Intouchables.” That film remains Frances’ biggest global hit, and Sy won the French equivalent of an Oscar, the César Award, for his performance.In this interview, Sy discusses why Lupin is such a captivating figure for his character to emulate, how the series illuminates issues of race and class, and what it feels like to fly the French flag with the success of the series. He also discusses his childhood in France, what it was like growing up as the middle child of eight, and why he decided to move to Los Angeles. Plus, he shares the surprising role the Kardashians played in helping him learn English.
45 min
199
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor joins the show to discuss his tour de force performance in “Halston,” the limited series in which he plays the take-no-prisoners designer who took New York by storm. He shares what first drew him to the role, how he prepared to capture the man and his craft, why he wanted to meet Liza Minnelli before playing Halston, and the scenes he found most challenging to play.McGregor also reflects on the arc of his career to date, the dynamic and distinct career choices he’s made along the way, and the fears he still faces when he tackles a new role.
45 min
200
Joey King
Joey King joins the show to discuss the third and final instalment of her global franchise hit “The Kissing Booth.” She reflects back on how the journey began, what it was like when the first film became a phenomenon, and how the trilogy has changed her life. King also talks about her trajectory from being a child actor to being nominated for an Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe for her extraordinary performance opposite Patricia Arquette in “The Act,” and her work as a producer. She also shares the pressures of social media, how she handles fear and self-doubt, and her advice for young creatives who might be struggling.
43 min