What started as three friends chatting about movies has grown into a podcast bringing local cinema fans together in Penrith, while also attracting listeners from around the world.
Movies In A Nutshell, hosted by Marc Farquhar, Darren Horne and Paul Day, helps listeners decide to watch or rewatch movies.
Each episode is prepared for those who have and have not seen the movie in question.
First comes a spoiler-free breakdown which includes style, tone and other movie comparisons for those who haven’t seen the movie before moving on to reveal the moments and details which may have missed by those who have seen the movie.
The weekly podcast offers a concise, listener-first approach to film discussion, designed for everyone from casual moviegoers to dedicated film fans.
Launched in January 2025, the podcast’s growth has been entirely organic. In under six months, Movies In A Nutshell reached the Apple Podcasts UK Top 200 for Film & TV, while also building a loyal local following who regularly join the hosts at their Cinema Social events at The Alhambra Cinema in Penrith.
A big part of the show’s appeal is the chemistry between its three hosts.
Marc, the ‘everyman’ movie fan and main anchor; Darren, a former filmmaker-turned film lecturer who dives into themes and philosophy; and Paul, a proudly self-confessed movie nerd armed with trivia and behind-the-scenes facts.
Every episode is split into a spoiler-free section for those deciding whether a film is worth their time, followed by a deeper discussion for those who who have seen the movie but want to get more from from it.
“There’s no aimless rambling, just a clear mission to help listeners save time and make smarter movie choices,” said a spokesman for the group.
With a growing fan base both locally and internationally, the trio now have their sights set on recording a live podcast in front of an audience in the future.
To build towards that goal, they actively encourage listener involvement through regular Listener Choice episodes, organised cinema trips, and a weekly segment called The Lobby, where listeners send in questions, stories, and answers to the Question of the Week.
Marc said: “The first time we went to the cinema it was just the three of us.
“After we talked about it on the podcast and shared it on our socials, people started asking if they could join us for the next one and it’s grown into what we now call our Cinema Social.
“In an age where so much happens online, we feel anything that brings people back into the cinema and back together, is worth celebrating.”
The podcast is available via www.moviesinanutshell.com or via Spotify and Apple.
