The inevitability of SubwayTakes, and the Chinese indie film that became a surprise box office hit

SubwayTakes, the YouTube talk show featuring people sharing their hot takes while riding the New York City subway, is not only all over your algorithm, it’s also up for an Emmy this year. Critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Jay Smooth join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the popularity of SubwayTakes, and what it says about our viewing habits in 2026.

Plus, a new indie film out of mainland China is set to take the world by storm. 'Dear You' is a family drama about a young man from China who travels to Thailand to find his grandfather, and uncovers a family secret he never expected. Film critic Rachel Ho joins host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to review the Teochew-language film and talk about its surprise success at the box office.