Review It Yourself Podcast

Typically, movie podcast hosts have an effusive quality about the media they’re covering. They are exuberant, excited, and ecstatic about the films they cover.

How about a movie review podcast that advertises itself as “The podcast with the Sigh?” That’s Review It Yourself. Film Reviews without the faff, with Sean from the North-East and Sarah from the South-West. If you’re wondering, faff is an informal British term meaning to fuss or waste time, and that sentiment blends perfectly with the show's quirky, unique tone.

The Review It Yourself podcast (often shortened to RIY) is a UK-based show hosted by Sean and Sarah that offers film and TV reviews, usually with a focus on being “eternally unimpressed,” featuring witty banter, deep dives into pop culture, and themed episodes, including special series like Defend It Yourself with guest podcasters.

In the show’s beginning, the co-hosts say, “We’re passionate, but you can expect honesty from us. We promise you a podcast where we review what we want, not what’s the flavor of the month. You won’t find us reacting through trivia or box office receipts.”

I love this beginning because the co-hosts set your expectations about the show. In addition, the show flies the U.K. culture flag proudly, asking listeners to prepare to listen with a cup of tea and some biscuits. I “North Americanized” their solid advice and got a cup of Tom Horton coffee and a blueberry muffin.

If you’re wondering where the “North and South” allusions come in, consider that just like many other nations, stark geographic differences prevail. Southern England usually refers to South East England, South West England, and in some definitions, The East of England, including Greater London. Northern England usually refers to North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and North West England, including Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

The co-hosts have a nice chemistry, blending a keen eye for excellent cinema, a cranky sense of humor, and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.

One of my favorite episodes is the September 13th, 2025, show where the co-hosts discuss the 1986 James Cameron film, Aliens. A returning guest, Paul, believes that this film is the finest in the franchise, while the co-hosts defend their belief that the first film, Alien in 1979, is the franchise’s shining star.

The co-hosts’ Defend It Yourself has the potential for animated discussion. One of my favorite shows in this series is the episode where a guest defends Rocky IV. Her devotion to “Rocky” is laudable, sometimes laughable, but entirely entertaining. Meanwhile, the co-hosts, not exposed to America’s propensity for violence glorification, challenge the tropes in the movie. It’s great fun!

These back-and-forths on film criticism are lively and fun. I also enjoy the choice of films to cover, picking movies that aren’t franchise tent poles or the highest-grossing films, but movies that have become cult classics or hidden gems, like Midnight Run, the Robert DeNiro/Charles Grodin 1988 flick.

Make no mistake, Review It Yourself is very British in tone, accent, and viewpoint. To me, that’s one attribute that makes the show so delightful. As a listener, you get a new perspective on movies that you are familiar with. The show is brilliantly indie in tone and execution, and I love that. Its lack of polish and brutal honesty is refreshing in a podcasting world where large podcast networks always offer shows that are unfiltered and controversial, when, in reality, they’re the same show recycled through the lens of profit projections.

If you’re an American or any non-British citizen, take a trip outside your comfort zone and listen to Review It Yourself. Don’t forget the tea and biscuits.