Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism 1: SINNERS
Aug 29, 2025
Kim Ho, a professional screenwriter known for *The Newsreader* and *NCIS Sydney*, dives into the TOMBS cycle (Transgression, Omens, Manifestation, Banishment, Slumber) and its transformative storytelling potential. The discussion reveals how focusing on antagonistic forces can enhance narrative depth, especially in the context of Ryan Coogler’s *Sinners*. The conversation explores dual horrors—from supernatural vampires to systemic racism—and illustrates how different characters perceive threats at varying stages, ultimately reshaping the protagonist's journey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
TOMBS As A Generative Antagonist Framework
- The TOMBS cycle (Transgression, Omens, Manifestation, Banishment, Slumber) is a generative framework for escalating antagonism.
- It maps antagonist escalation separately from protagonist arcs to fuel middle-act development.
Reinventing A Useful Cycle
- Kim Ho recounts spending two years on a horror show that followed TOMBS-like progression beat for beat.
- They regretted reinventing the wheel instead of using the published cycle.
RPG Tools Generate Story Beats
- TOMBS provides concrete beats for horror's middle acts, where writers often flounder.
- It repurposes RPG escalation tools to generate story rather than just polish structure.
