

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

24 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 2h 6min
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Deep Dive
Mal and Jo travel across the multiverse to Earth-828 to break down the latest entry in the MCU, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’! They dive deep into each character, discuss the visuals and the story, and break down what it all means going forward.
(00:00) Intro(08:18) Opening Snapshot(18:05) Box Office(23:58) State of the MCU(28:21) How We Got Here(48:49) Reed Richards(01:22:02) Sue Storm(01:31:43) Ben Grimm(01:39:06) Johnny Storm(01:41:15) Silver Surfer(01:49:57) Galactus(01:53:24) Franklin Richards(01:55:21) Stinger
Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna RobinsonProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and Jonathan FriasSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 46min
Our Top 5 Moments from San Diego Comic-Con 2025
Join Mal and Jo as they share their top highlights from San Diego Comic-Con 2025! They discuss the thrilling moments from the ‘Alien Earth’ panel, featuring a nod to Buffy. Emotional reactions and exciting teasers are unveiled at the ‘Interview with the Vampire’ panel. The joy of meeting fans and engaging with cosplayers adds to the vibrant atmosphere. Tune in for reflections on adaptations, camaraderie, and the magic of fandom, packed into their unforgettable adventure at the convention!

5 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 2h 43min
'Inception' Turns 15 | Hot Nolan Summer
The hosts dive deep into the 15th anniversary of Christopher Nolan's 'Inception,' celebrating its intricate storytelling and emotional depth. They humorously debate the film's baffling accents and iconic set pieces while exploring complex character dynamics. Key themes of love and existential philosophy are analyzed, along with personal anecdotes related to dreaming. They dissect memorable moments, including the most satisfying twist and the hardest-hitting lines, leaving listeners nostalgic for this cinematic masterpiece.

Jul 13, 2025 • 2h 19min
The ‘Superman’ Deep Dive
In this engaging discussion, Van Lathan, a media personality known for his sharp cultural insights, and Sean Fennessey, a film critic with deep industry ties, dive into the new vision for Superman under James Gunn. They explore David Corenswet's portrayal of Superman, the complexities of Lex Luthor's character, and the film's thematic depth. The duo reflects on Superman's heritage and emotional struggles while connecting the iconic hero to modern societal issues. Their chemistry and expertise make for a lively analysis filled with intriguing insights!

18 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 2h 51min
'Back to the Future' Turns 40, and Our Top Time-Travel Moments
Celebrating 40 years of a beloved classic, the hosts dive into the cultural impact of the franchise and the casting saga involving Marty McFly, from Eric Stoltz to Michael J. Fox. They reflect on memorable quotes, fashion choices, and the film's unique blend of humor and emotional depth. Listeners are treated to a discussion on the most iconic time travel moments in cinema, with plenty of nostalgia thrown in. Plus, they tackle quirky character dynamics and even cheeky themes related to the movie's legacy!

10 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 50min
'Squid Game' Season 3, Episodes 4-6 Reactions
The hosts break down the thrilling final three episodes of 'Squid Game' Season 3, dissecting the climactic final game and an unexpected cameo. They debate on which character's death was the most impactful and whether the CGI baby was a step too far. The conversation flows into entertaining ideas for new games in an American adaptation, mixing humor with nostalgia. Character complexities are explored, particularly Myung-gi's emotional journey, highlighting the depth and moral ambiguities present in the series.

Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 47min
'Squid Game' Season 3, Episodes 1-3 Reactions
Dive into the thrilling chaos of 'Squid Game' Season 3 as the hosts dissect the emotional weight and complex character dynamics of the first three episodes. Highlights include their favorite characters and the most shocking deaths, paired with a critique of the VIP portrayal and missed social commentaries. They also explore moral choices faced by players, revealing the intricate relationship between guilt and vengeance. Plus, a sneak peek reaction to the 'Project Hail Mary' trailer adds an extra layer of excitement!

17 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 2h 18min
‘Stranger Things’ Season 1 Revisited
Dive back into Hawkins, Indiana, as the hosts reminisce about their first experiences with 'Stranger Things' Season 1. They dish out superlatives, from the most important friendship to the scariest moments. Expect laughs while they highlight the show's clever use of '80s nostalgia and memorable music. Insights into character dynamics, emotional depth, and the impact of visual storytelling make this rewatch a delightful trip. And don't miss their take on fan-favorite moments and theories that could shape the future!

Jun 25, 2025 • 2h 25min
‘28 Years Later’ and Our Zombie Survival Team
Dive into a lively discussion about '28 Years Later' and what makes this film tick. The hosts analyze its box office success and tease future franchise developments. They hilariously rank 'fuckable' zombies and share insights on emotional family dynamics in post-apocalyptic narratives. There's a playful exercise assembling an ultimate zombie survival team. Listen as they explore the intersection of horror and romance in zombie lore, and reflect on how these stories mirror real-life challenges.

Jun 19, 2025 • 2h 39min
Our 10 Favorite Speeches of the Century (So Far)
Dive into a curated countdown of the century's most powerful speeches across sci-fi and fantasy! Discover emotional confrontations from 'Game of Thrones' and introspective moments in 'The Dark Knight.' The hosts grapple with nostalgia and personal connections, analyzing how these words of wisdom resonate with audiences. They examine Captain America’s moral dilemmas, Mr. Echo’s reflections on life, and the weighty themes of identity in 'Dune.' Expect a mix of humor and heartfelt insights that showcase the enduring impact of impactful rhetoric.


