Science at the Movies

Abigail James and Freda Werdiger•shows.acast.com

Do you like science? Do you like movies? Well, have we got a combo for you!

Every two weeks join us, real life physicists Freda and Abi, while we break down the science behind some of the best and worst movie plots out there. We also get real about the depiction of scientists and their working environment in movies and lay it all on the table with our WTF moments.

We're not about debunking, we're here to show our appreciation to the art of movie magic but reserve the right to laugh and shout as well as applaud where deserved! Here comes the science...

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Last refreshed: July 1st, 2025 at 8:35 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Sunshine

This week we're talking about the 2007 Danny Boyle movie Sunshine! It may not have smashed the box office but it's a slow burn cult classic that's worth the watch. Abi gets into some trajectory info, Freda thinks it's all in his head, and buckle up for an Irish and Aussie in space! 'Anybody got some factor 50?' Some Articles for Reference: 10 Questions for Sunshines Scientific Advisor How will the universe end, and could anything survive? New physics in a nutshell, or Q-ball as a power plant Gre...

Aug 20, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Minisode: Armageddon & Deep Impact

Minisode 2/4 of our 90s Disaster Movies Miniseries! We're talking rocks in space with Armageddon and Deep Impact. Some links you might like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8dcU5ntebA&list=PLHVErl6aMFTOIlj-4quCsspZcXcFg2WGQ&index=9&app=desktop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Aug 13, 2020•30 min

Altered States

This week we're talking about the 1980 cult classic Altered States! Pseudoscience meets hallucinogenic drugs, need we say more!? Freda explains about cellular memory, Abi wants to be harpooned by a raging monk and somewhere in there is a caveman. Wait, did you just say L Ron Hubbard?!? Some articles for reference: https://www.wired.com/2009/10/hallucinations/ https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1468060/1/Mason_439379.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Aug 06, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Minisode: Twister

Welcome to our first Miniseries!!! Over the next four minisodes we're delving into the excitement that is 90s Disaster Movies! So let's talk flying cows, flying jeeps and badly written female characters! Oh there'll be a nod to some science, obvs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 30, 2020•17 min

Independence Day

This week we're talking about the 1996 wonder that is Independence Day! We gush over Goldblums charisma, Abi tries to explain who Brent Spiner is and Freda has a new segment! Oh and we talk about aliens, telepathy and computer viruses...science stuff! Just who is Weird Al Yankovic?! Some articles for reference: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/08/how-we-made-independence-day-roland-emmerich https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ0LBOPZoLI https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-...

Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Moon

This weeks movie is Moon (2009) directed by Duncan Jones, starring Sam Rockwell There was a massive downpour in Australia so there's some rain sound effects throughout! We talk about cloning and space mining, while glorifying the wonder that is Sam Rockwell. Freda opens a bottle of wine and gives Abi some insight into what to expect in the final days of a phd. The ptsd might explain the need for wine. Cloning, though? Some Articles for Reference: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadge...

Jul 09, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Spectral

In this episode we're talking about the 2016 Netflix movie 'Spectral'. Abi attempts to explain what Bose Einstein Condensate is, Freda explains why safety goggles are important around microwaves and we all establish that we had...fun. Why do they have boobs? Some articles for reference: https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2018-featured-story-archive/top-10-cia-myths.html https://science.howstuffworks.com/delta-force.htm https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/9/13902914/spectral...

Jun 25, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Annihilation

Annihilation is our first movie! In this episode, we talk about the queen that is Natalie Portman, exploding aliens, mesmerising synth music and our love for a movie monster! Freda coins the term 'sexy-science pillow talk' while Abi has a PPE concern in her WTF moment. But did we really get the refracting concept? Were our concerns about female science representation real or did our biases get in the way? It's a trick of the light! Some articles for reference: https://www.sciencefocus.com/scienc...

Jun 11, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Trailer

Science at the movies is a podcast that looks at the role of science in movies. Join us every two weeks as we chat about what we loved, hated and all the bits in between. First episode is coming next week and we'll be chatting about the 2018 Netflix movie Annihilation. Get the popcorn on! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 05, 2020•4 min•Ep. 1

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