House of R
The Ringer
Welcome to ‘House of R,’ where Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson explore your favorite fictional universes with their signature Deep Dives into everything from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to Marvel, and beyond. Whether they’re parsing mythology, story themes, and character arcs or tracing influences across decades of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Jo and Mal will be here weekly with Deep Dives into new nerd culture releases, nostalgic revisitations of their favorite tales in fandom, Tropes Course examinations, Hall of Fame inductions, Hype Meters, drafts, mailbags, watch lists, top moments countdowns, recommendations, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 3, 2025 • 3h 21min
'Stranger Things' Season 5, Episodes 3-4 Deep Dive
Dive into the Upside Down as the hosts dissect the thrilling twists of the latest season of a beloved series. They explore everything from timeline inconsistencies and foreshadowing to the emotional arcs of friendship and self-acceptance. Expect insights on iconic film influences, character dynamics, and imaginative visuals. The discussion highlights moral ambiguity in villainy and celebrates the return of fan-favorite characters. Plus, they tackle unresolved fan theories and ponder potential redemption journeys.
Nov 27, 2025 • 2h 53min
'Stranger Things' Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2 Deep Dive
Dive deep into the latest adventures in the Upside Down! The hosts dissect Will's mysterious abduction and the implications of Eleven's enhanced powers. They debate the darker dynamics between Dustin and Steve after Eddie's loss while highlighting Mike's heartfelt D&D lesson with Holly. Expect a suspenseful analysis of crucial character moments, including Hopper and Joyce's parental struggles and Holly's shocking kidnapping. The conversation teases out intricate mythology and burgeoning tensions as they prepare for the ultimate showdown!
Nov 22, 2025 • 1h 54min
‘Wicked: For Good’ Deep Dive
Dive into the colorful world of Oz as the hosts unpack the much-anticipated sequel, exploring everything from emotional friendships to strange CGI dilemmas. They hilariously ponder the logistics of intimacy with a scarecrow and evaluate new musical numbers. Tune in for their thoughts on Glinda's ambitious arc and the moral complexities surrounding characters like Elphaba and Nessa Rose. With insights on awards prospects and the film's ties to the original Wizard of Oz, this discussion is a magical blend of humor and analysis.
13 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 53min
‘Dunkirk’ Revisited With Chris Ryan | Chris-p Nolan Fall
Film commentator Chris Ryan joins the discussion with Joanna and Mallory to dive deep into Dunkirk. He shares his emotional first reactions and insights into its unique narrative structure. The trio explores the minimal dialogue and visual storytelling, highlighting the characters' moral complexity. They also celebrate standout performances, especially Tom Hardy's, and debate the film's Oscars context. With rapid-fire superlatives and a deep dive into Nolan's techniques, they dissect why this film deserves meticulous analysis.
Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 29min
‘Frankenstein’ and ‘The Running Man’
Dive into the cinematic world as the hosts discuss the latest adaptations of 'Frankenstein' and 'The Running Man.' They analyze the horniest moments in Guillermo del Toro's films, celebrating creative visuals and character complexity. The conversation also shifts to Edgar Wright's action sequences, highlighting his unique style and ranking the best. Expect insights on casting decisions, emotional stakes, and a humorous take on some transgressive themes that make these films captivating.
Nov 11, 2025 • 2h 46min
‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Revisited (Part 2)
Join hosts as they dive into the thrilling conclusion of Season 4, reflecting on iconic moments like Max's emotional sequence and Brenner's chilling speech. They dish out superlatives, discuss romantic arcs, and weigh in on the hilarious highlights from the season. Speculation for Season 5 is rampant, with theories on the hive mind and character fates. Listener theories and memorable quotes spark lively discussions, all while celebrating the nostalgic 80s references that make the show a fan favorite.
Nov 7, 2025 • 3h 4min
Our 10 Favorite Musical Moments of the Century (So Far)
Join the lively discussion as hosts dive into their top musical moments of the century! From the emotional impact of Miguel's heartfelt performance in Coco to the nostalgic duets of Stranger Things, each pick celebrates storytelling through song. Discover the poignant beauty of Kevin and Nora's dance in The Leftovers and the unforgettable energy of Podrick's Jenny Song in Game of Thrones. Their insights on how music enhances narratives will leave you reflecting on your own favorites!
Nov 5, 2025 • 2h 38min
‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Revisited (Part 1)
Mal and Jo dive deep into the chilling world of Season 4, analyzing its darker themes and the emergence of Vecna as the ultimate villain. They share their reaction to the Season 5 trailer while highlighting Eddie Munson's standout character arc. Emotional moments like Lucas and Max's rekindling and Will and Mike's vulnerability take center stage. The duo also cringes through the series' scariest scenes and funniest moments, all while celebrating nostalgic 80s references that add to the charm. Hold onto your Walkmans for this fun ride!
Oct 28, 2025 • 2h 46min
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Season 2 Rewatch (Part 2)
The hosts dive into the unforgettable moments of Season 2 of a beloved vampire series! They highlight favorite episodes, from heart-wrenching narratives to unexpected humor. The transformation of Angelus is examined, alongside iconic character dynamics. You'll hear about outrageous fashion choices and memorable guest performances. They also touch on deeper themes like forgiveness and emotional struggles between parents and children. Plus, listen for laughs at low-budget effects and standout quotes that define the essence of this cult classic.
Oct 23, 2025 • 2h 29min
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Season 2 Rewatch (Part 1)
The hosts dive into the first half of Season 2, revealing their favorite episodes and discussing the show's iconic venues. They analyze the dynamic between Giles and Jenny, and the emotional twists of Buffy and Angel's relationship. Spike and Drusilla's impactful introduction dominates the conversation, while the episode's thematic richness is celebrated. Expect funny moments and a nostalgic look at the challenges of high school life. Their engaging commentary mixes humor with deeper social explorations, making for a captivating discussion!
