This message comes from critics at large.

Culture moves fast.

Opinions move faster.

Critics at large from the New Yorker takes a smarter look at the books, films, and ideas everyone's debating.

Thoughtful, witty conversations every Thursday, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Safe to say Marvel's new series, Wonder is not what most Marvel fans are expecting, and that's a good thing.

There are superpowers, but not really, because its core sensibility is buddy comedy.

Yaya Abdul Matine II plays a down-on-his-luck actor trying to make it in Hollywood.

Ben Kingsley plays his new friend with a dark past.

It's all an excuse to make what turns out to be a hangout show about life in Tinsletown.

I'm Glenn Weldon, and today we're talking about Wonder Man on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

On NPR's Wildcard podcast, Melinda French Gates on seeing her ex-husband Bill Gates's name in the latest Epstein files.

For me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right?

Because brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage.

Watch or listen to that wildcard conversation on the NPR app or on YouTube at NPR Wildcard.

Joining me today is film and culture critic Kate Young. Hey, Kate.

Hello.

Hello. Also with us is New York Times food reporter and author of the best-selling

cookbook Indian-ish, Priya Krishna. Hey, Breya.

Hey, let's get to it. In Wonder Man, Yaya Abdul Mateen II, is Simon, an actor who overprepairs and overthinks so much that he's underemployed. When he was a kid, he loved a cheesy 80s superhero movie called Wonder Man.

So when he gets a chance to audition for its modern reboot, he does everything he can to nail it.

He gets some help from Ben Kingsley, playing washed-up actor Trevor Slattery, who the six of you who

...