Every week, Kristopher Pollard from Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee’s Dori Zori talk about movies — because that’s what you do when you’re Cinebuds.
The Milwaukee Film Festival goes to a lot of trouble filling two whole weeks with tons of movies for us to see. So the least we can do is dedicate two podcast episodes to the big event before it wraps up April 30.
Just like we did in part one, we invited Milwaukee Film programming director Kerstin Larson to join the podcast and provide her wonderful perspective to the final seven days of the 2026 festival. With her help, Dori and Kpolly plucked another diverse selection of films from the schedule so you can find something spooky (Hokum), something kooky (Maddie’s Secret) or something dairy (The Big Cheese).
All of their picks for week two of the festival are below, but of course you should get the full experience by hitting that “Listen” button at the top of the page. And for more on the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival, head over to the event’s home on the web.
Milwaukee Film Festival 2026: week two picks
Hokum
April 22, 25
Oriental Theatre
When novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, he is consumed by tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past. An homage to The Shining with an Irish lilt, Damien McCarthy's follow up to Oddity cements him as a fresh new voice in the horror landscape.
Obsession
April 23 | 9 p.m.
Oriental Theatre
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. "A simple, well-trodden concept transforms into a shocking and unsettling descent into abject horror in Barker’s capable hands, ensuring that his latest is destined to become horror’s latest, well, obsession." (Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting)
The Big Cheese
April 24, 26, 29
Oriental & Downer Theatres
In the high-pressure world of international cheesemongering, Adam Moskowitz aims to send the first American to claim the top prize at the Mondial du Fromage competition in France. While the European model for this “sommelier of cheese” profession eclipses its stateside counterpart in societal support, Moskowitz — and his alter-ego, Mr. Moo — believe scrappy American ingenuity can take the wheel. Sara Joe Wolansky’s supremely witty and entertaining directorial debut is an instant artisanal classic.
Erupcja
April 25 | 7 p.m.
Downer Theatre
While on vacation in Poland, Bethany (Charli XCX) breaks away from a romantic itinerary planned by her doting boyfriend Rob (Will Madden), fearing that a marriage proposal is imminent. Reuniting instead with an old friend, Nel (Lena Góra), the two women rekindle a uniquely combustible and volcanic chemistry over the course of a few days in a chaste but burning tryst predicated on sapphic synchronicity and a mutual penchant for poetry.
I Want Your Sex
April 24, 25
Oriental & Downer Theatres
When fresh-faced Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) lands a job with artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), his fantasies come true as she taps him to become her sexual muse. Elliot finds himself out of his depth as Erika takes him on a journey into a world of sex, obsession, power, betrayal and murder. Director Gregg Araki captured the voice of a generation in the ’90s, and he's using it to beg Gen Z to change their puritanical ways.
Cinebuds Live: Labyrinth
April 26 | 3:30 p.m.
Oriental Theatre
Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee are bringing the Cinebuds back to celebrate the 40th anniversary of fantasy classic Labyrinth! Check out the beautiful 4K restoration, and then enjoy a post-screening recording of everyone's favorite movie podcast. Whether you’re coming to bask in the nostalgia from your youth or bringing the children in your life to experience the magic themselves, this is a screening that’s not to be missed.
The Blue Trail
April 27 | 4:30 p.m.
Oriental Theatre
To maximize economic productivity, the government orders the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies. Tereza, 77, refuses and instead embarks on a journey through the Amazon that will change her destiny forever. Winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, the latest from director Gabriel Mascaro (Divine Love, MFF2019) is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to take flight.
Late Fame
April 23, 28
Downer & Oriental Theatres
In Kent Jones' marvelously witty second feature, a once-upon-a-time New York poet (Willem Dafoe) gets an ego boost when he is welcomed into the world of an emerging literary salon but must reckon with the authenticity of his newfound circle of twentysomething admirers. "The classic theatricality of its characters juxtaposed with the modern world gives Late Fame the feeling of a eulogy for an artistic world that young idealists desperately want to revive." (Jourdain Searles, RogerEbert.com)
Maddie's Secret
April 25, 29
Oriental & Downer Theatres
Maddie’s Secret is the year's smartest comedy-melodrama featuring alternative millennial comedians John Early, Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer and Conner O'Malley. Early stars as Maddie, a charming food influencer whose online rise collides with a hidden struggle with bulimia. Blending sharp satire of social media culture with genuine emotional depth, this festival gem is a heartfelt combination of the filmmaking energies of John Waters and Todd Haynes.
Power Ballad
April 30 | 7:30 p.m.
Oriental Theatre
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), Power Ballad is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship and the price of ambition.
