Matthew Strohl Author of Hard to Watch

Welcome to Following Films, where we dig into the stories behind the movies—and the people—who challenge the way we watch them. I’m your host, Chris Maynard.

Today, I’m joined by philosopher and film lover Matthew Strohl, author of the new book Hard to Watch, a passionate and thought-provoking call to expand the way we engage with cinema.

We’re living in a golden age of movie access—between streaming, physical media, repertory theaters, and more, there’s never been a better time to explore the full range of what cinema has to offer. And yet, most of us tend to stick with the familiar, the comfortable, the easily digestible.

In Hard to Watch, Matthew argues that we’re missing out by avoiding the so-called “difficult” films—the ones that challenge, provoke, confuse, or even frustrate us. From the rigorous minimalism of Jeanne Dielman to the body horror surrealism of Titane, Matthew makes the case that these films can be deeply rewarding—if we’re willing to meet them on their own terms.

Described as part film guide, part self-help book, Hard to Watch is both an enthusiastic celebration of cinematic ambition and a thoughtful roadmap for getting more out of the films that don’t come with easy answers.

Matthew Strohl is a professor of philosophy at the University of Montana, and his writing explores the intersection of aesthetics, art, and popular culture. He’s also the author of Why It’s OK to Love Bad Movies—so it’s safe to say his taste is both expansive and refreshingly open-minded.

In our conversation, we’ll talk about what it means to truly watch a film, why discomfort can be a gift, and how embracing the hard stuff can change the way we see not just cinema—but ourselves.

Let’s get into it.