Welcome to another FANtastic episode of ThemeAntics (we had to do it)! Bradston and Devonte’ jump back into the superhero genre as they highlight key themes and moments from the recent theatrical release of Fantastic Four: The First Steps. 

The guys also discuss what worked about the movie and its style of storytelling. With comic book characters and multiversal shenanigans galore, the Antics was again full of exciting alternate story possibilities!

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

Have Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan cemented their status as this era’s paramount director + leading actor duo? Bradston and Devonte’ believe so! 

The guys recently watched another one of 2025’s most impactful movies and unpack the multitude of themes and highlights within the unique story. In a story dense with both lore and new ideas, Antics was loaded with plenty of alternate story potential as always!

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

K-Pop! Demon Hunters! Music! Couch! Masterpiece!

Bradston and Devonte’ were recently blown away by the vibrant, electric film, “K-Pop Demon Hunters”; A movie about a trio of K-Pop stars who battle demons (literally and figuratively) as chosen Hunters. 

The ThemeAntics band breaks down the movie's references to Korean folklore, the power of music in storytelling, and their favorite themes used throughout the story. With the movie's creative world-building and character development, there was an abundance of  prequel/sequel/spinoff antics for the guys to uncover!

WARNING: The soundtrack for "K-Pop Demon Hunters" is irresistible and extremely catchy. Side effects include random musical ad libs and attempted singing, both of which are present in this episode. HUNTRIX DON'T MISS!

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Time will tell if that is the case for recent scientific news of a mysterious bacterium discovered on the Chinese space station, Tiangong.

In this episode, Bradston and Devonte’ give their thoughts on the news and what sci-fi themes it reminds them of. The ‘Antics’ discussion is one you don’t want to miss as the guys craft a sprawling, increasingly dense spin on this story that re-imagines the nature of extraterrestrial life… and how humans could engage it.

Chinese Space Station Bacterium Article: https://farmingdale-observer.com/2025/05/26/an-unknown-bacteria-on-earth-has-developed-in-the-chinese-space-station-astronauts-are-facing-a-situation-straight-out-of-a-science-fiction-movie/

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

Bradston and Devonte’ get around to discussing a show both have been eager to discuss: 3 Body Problem (Netflix version) based on the novel series by Liu Cixin. The guys navigate this sprawling story with plenty of intrigue and mystery and unpack how the show makes good use of multiple sci-fi themes we are all familiar with.

This is one of the most thought-provoking stories discussed on the podcast and the audience will have as much fun listening to it as the guys did talking about it!6

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

Mystery is one of the oldest themes in storytelling. For ages, people have been drawn into tales of murder, theft, and countless other crimes. The hook to the story is almost always the same: Whodunit?

In this episode, Bradston and Devonte’ grab their magnifying glasses and notepad to solve the mystery of how these stories enrapture our curiosity and leave a lasting impact …. with bloody footprints.

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Welcome to ThemeAntics

(00:00:48) - Introducing the Theme

(00:03:50) - Knives Out

(00:12:30) - The Forgotten Room

(00:22:55) - The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

(00:31:50) - Resonance 

(00:43:05) - Antics

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

Waves the height of buildings, winds lighting boats and other vehicles, earthquakes that rip entire cities apart, waterspouts spitting out great white sharks (!). All the carnage we have seen in disaster movies can frighten us, make us in awe of nature’s raw power, and sometimes (uncomfortably) laugh.

Bradston and Devonte’ pack their storm chasing gear and venture into the world of fictional and real world disaster stories. Other than the destruction, what do these movies tell us about ourselves and our relationship with nature? What brings out our indomitable nature in the unyielding face of catastrophe? Hear their thoughts and fun ideas for new stories in this mind-blowing episode (pun intended)! 

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

In this episode, Devonte’ and Bradston take on a lesser known Robert De Niro/Martin Scorsese movie: The King of Comedy. 

This classic invokes interesting questions about reality, fantasy, ambition, and delusion. The guys examine how the movie incorporates these themes and how they would do it differently!

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Welcome to ThemeAntics

(00:00:48) - Discussing the Story and Theme of ‘The King of Comedy’

(00:59:35) - Storying Differently with ‘The King of Comedy’

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

Throw on your thinking caps and jump into a wild (and slightly confusing) ride with Devonte’ and Bradston as they recap the time travel adventure Predestination (2014)! 

Watching this movie is highly recommended to fully appreciate the discussion. Devonte’ and Bradston also share ideas on how the movie could have told its mind-bending story differently.

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Welcome to ThemeAntics

(00:00:48) - Discussing the story of Predestination

(00:48:00) - Storying Differently with Predestination

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast

We all have movies we keep rewatching, books we enjoy picking back up, reliable TV shows we rewind, and other stories we can't get enough of! 

Bradston and Devonte’ share some of their favorite fiction works they often return to. They also discuss why their interest in familiar stories persists over time.

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Welcome to ThemeAntics

(00:00:48) - Introducing the Theme

(00:05:40) - Burn Notice

(00:16:00) - The Office (US version)

(00:26:45) - Toy Story (1995) 

(00:36:00) - Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood

(00:45:25) - Antics/ Diving Deeper into why we return to stories

Website: https://themeanticspodcast.podbean.com/

Email: [email protected]

Blog: https://medium.com/@themeanticspodcast

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ThemeAnticsPodcast