The Treat: Darren Aronofsky

Oscar nominated director Darren Aronofsky doesn’t shy away from gritty realism. From the ugliness of drug addiction in 'Requiem for a Dream' to the frightening discipline of a ballerina in 'Black Swan' to his latest thriller, 'Caught Stealing' starring Austin Butler. The film takes place in the pre-gentrified New York City of the 1990s. For his treat, Aronofsky pays tribute to another film that captured the dark side of the city as the backdrop for a bored guy’s never-ending night.  

Elvis welcomes Iranian director Jafar Panahi, whose film It Was Just an Accident received two Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay. The film earned critical acclaim when it won the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. He talks about the obligations of a socially engaged filmmaker, letting the audience be the judge of his films' morality, and how he approaches casting.

Actress Emily Blunt’s career has taken her from working with iconic actors, including Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise to playing iconic characters, such as Mary Poppins. Her latest role has her going toe to toe against one of the biggest stars of the screen. She plays real life Dawn Staples in The Smashing Machine opposite Dwayne Johnson and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. For her treat, Blunt pays tribute to the inspiring (and mildly inappropriate films) that shaped her childhood.

Elvis welcomes director Josh Safdie whose latest project is the ambitious Marty Supreme. The film stars newly minted Golden Globe winner Timothée Chalamet as the hustling, talented table tennis player Marty Mauser. Safdie talks about why he used ‘80s music in a film set in the ‘50s, Chalamet’s crazy year of playing Bob Dylan and the fictional — but inspired by real life character — Marty Mauser back to back, and why he likes to keep the camera loose.

 Actor Dwayne Johnson is crushing expectations with his latest role as an MMA fighter in 2025’s The Smashing Machine. He’s up for a Golden Globe for his raw portrayal of the real life Mark Kerr. For his treat, Johnson celebrates those closest to him and this new, exciting chapter in his career.  

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes back Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning actress Cynthia Erivo. She’s hoping to add Golden Globe winner to that list this weekend as she’s up for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good. Erivo discusses playing characters with duality, how Elphaba matures in the Wicked sequel, and the quiet, powerful moments she loves most from the film.

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes back actor and director Joel Edgerton. He recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Netflix’s Train Dreams. He's also appearing in the psychological thriller The Plague, now in theaters. Edgerton discusses his character's physicality in Train Dreams, the strong female characters in the film, and why he is drawn to parts that explore the complexity of masculinity.

Actor Jason Isaacs has had a long, pigeon-hole proof career with meaty roles from the villainous Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films to Colonel Tavington in The Patriot. Isaacs’ role as a tormented father in season three of the HBO series The White Lotus earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a primetime Emmy nomination earlier this year. However, it’s an early role on stage that he cites as a highlight of his career and a very tough act to follow.

This week on The Treatment, Elvis talks with Golden Globe nominee Emily Blunt. She recently got a nod for her supporting role as Dawn Staples opposite Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine. Blunt talks about her joy working with Johnson on the film, the challenges of playing a real person, and the impact of working through her childhood stutter.

Kate Winslet’s directorial debut Goodbye June was written by her son, Joe Anders. The film centers on a multigenerational family as they say goodbye to the matriarch, June, who is dying of cancer. Elvis talks with Winslet about bringing her son's script to the screen, her cinematic inspirations, and the personal experiences that made their way into the film.