Corporate Thrillers on the Criterion Channel

In this episode of All of It on WNYC, host Alison Stewart explores the corporate thriller genre—a cinematic staple from the late 1980s to early 2000s defined by themes of money, power, sex, and moral ambiguity. With the Criterion Channel’s April series spotlighting 10 such films, guest Clyde Folley, a video editor and curator, discusses iconic entries like Wall Street, The Firm, Disclosure, and The Devil’s Advocate. Folley highlights how Wall Street’s 1987 release coincided with real-world financial turmoil, including the Black Monday crash and insider trading scandals, making its 'Greed is Good' speech both prophetic and culturally resonant. He praises the genre’s high-stakes drama, stylish visuals, and the magnetic performances of stars like Michael Douglas and Tom Cruise. Listeners call in with their favorites, including The International, Playtime (a humorous, non-thriller outlier), and Dark Waters, which brings real-world corporate accountability to the screen. The episode reflects on how these films mirror shifting societal anxieties around capitalism, gender dynamics, and institutional corruption. Folley emphasizes the enduring appeal of corporate thrillers as both entertainment and cultural time capsules. He notes how films like Disclosure, adapted from a Michael Crichton novel, captured the sexual politics of the 1990s with boldness and irony, while The Devil’s Advocate stands out for Al Pacino’s legendary, unhinged performance as Satan. Despite some films being dated or controversial, the genre remains compelling for its narrative intensity and visual flair. The episode closes with a gentle plug for The Slowdown, a daily poetry podcast that encourages mindful reflection. Overall, the conversation celebrates the genre’s legacy while inviting listeners to reconsider what makes a 'thriller'—even when it’s set in a boardroom or a law firm.