Jan 10 2026

Selects: How Forgiveness Works

Selects 59 min 8 movies discussed
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For most of history, forgiveness fell under the domain of religion. But in the 1980s science started investigating it and found that forgiving someone is really, really good for you. Learn how anybody can be the better person in this classic, and really great, episode.

AI Summary

# Stuff You Should Know - Forgiveness Episode Summary

Josh and Chuck dive deep into the science, psychology, and evolution of forgiveness in this fascinating episode that starts with Don Henley lyrics and ends with some genuinely life-changing insights. They explore how forgiveness isn't just a nice moral concept but something hardwired into our biology and proven to have real health benefits, while also examining how it works hand-in-hand with revenge as two sides of the same evolutionary coin. Whether you're the type who forgives easily or someone who holds grudges, you'll come away understanding why letting go of anger might be the most powerful thing you can do for yourself.


Movies Discussed

Blue Ruin
Blue Ruin
2014 R 1h 30m
★ 6.8
"Like legitimately, kind of a smaller indie movie called Blue Ruin. — Mentioned as one of Chuck's favorite revenge movies." — Chuck
Death Becomes Her
Death Becomes Her
1992 PG-13 1h 44m
★ 6.8
"Have you ever seen Death Becomes Her? Yeah. — Mentioned as a revenge movie example." — Josh
Hoosiers
Hoosiers
1986 1h 54m
★ 7.0
"Hoosiers, one of the great sports redemption movies. — Cited as an example of a redemption story movie." — Chuck
I Saw the Devil
I Saw the Devil
2010 2h 24m
★ 7.8
"Have you ever seen I Saw the Devil? Yeah. — Referenced as an example of a revenge movie genre entry." — Josh
Magnolia
Magnolia
1999 3h 9m
★ 7.7
"you've got Magnolia and then the Fisher King are like the two legitimate contenders for movies about forgiveness. — Referenced as one of the few legitimate movies about forgiveness." — Josh
Oldboy
Oldboy
2003 2h 0m
★ 8.2
"Have you ever seen Old Boy? Yeah. — Listed as another example of a revenge movie." — Josh
She-Devil
She-Devil
1989 PG-13 1h 39m
★ 6.0
"Have you ever seen She Devil? Nope. — Referenced as a revenge movie with Roseanne Barr and Ed Begley Jr." — Josh
The Fisher King
The Fisher King
1991 R 2h 18m
★ 7.3
"you've got Magnolia and then the Fisher King are like the two legitimate contenders for movies about forgiveness. — Listed alongside Magnolia as a legitimate forgiveness movie." — Josh

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