Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs

Clare Coombe

A podcast in association with BeingSociety.com, in which Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva explore the politics, ethics, and societal visions of dystopian tv, film, and literature.

  1. 12 avr.

    Bugonia

    In episode 44 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare and Masha are delving into the recent Yorgos Lanthimos film, Bugonia. In this more than usually complex and surprising dystopian narrative, we consider the depiction of vulnerable young white male characters both as victims and villains, and the role played by conspiracy theory and internet rabbit-holes. In particular, we challenge our views of the academy and mainstream research when faced with a story in which the conspiracy theorist is proved right. We look at corporate responsibility and the power of pharmaceutical companies, including medical testing, opioid addiction, and the role of consent in trials and treatments. We compare the ethics of actions by the rich and powerful with those of the disenfranchised individual, and ask who is the real villain of this story. Clare gives a short speech on bees, and we discuss bugonia and CCD as allegories for humanity and/or the planet. We also look at the bar set for humanity's redemption and whether the species' annihilation can be justified, along with whether a higher intelligence and/or colonial power has the right to decide Earth's future. We make a number of specific references to other material in this episode, as follows. Louis Theroux's Inside the Manosphere documentary Drama series Adolescence Barbara Kingsolver's novel Demon Copperhead* Donna Zuckerberg's book Not All Dead White Men* *affiliate link If you enjoy this episode, please do remember to rate or review us. You can contact us with your thoughts via our website, where you can also find links to all our social media.

    1 h 11 min

  2. 1 mars

    One Battle After Another

    In Episode 43 (and not 42 as Clare so confidently announces in the first minute!) of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, we're discussing 2025 Paul Thomas Anderson film, One Battle After Another. As well as examining the success of using dark comedy and satire to present themes of authoritarianism and revolution, particularly through the caricaturing of both the right and the left, we contextualize the politics of the film within the current rise of fascism in the United States. We consider the presentation of failed violent revolution and the suffering of the individual in the face of perpetuating institutions. We look at the way in which rebellion can be undermined both by the weaknesses of individuals and the indistinctness of messaging or abundant bureaucracy. We are particularly interested in the burden of a fight placed on the shoulders of the next generation. We critique the way in which the film was depicted either as a call to violence, by the right, or a celebration of left-wing protest, by the left. Rather, we conclude that, despite the film's sympathy for those who confront authoritarianism and champion liberty, it does so in the spirit of challenge, adopting the extreme representation of each end of the political spectrum by the other as a means both to provide comedy and provoke serious political thought.  In this episode we specifically quote from the following interviews and articles: https://www.theringer.com/2025/09/29/movies/one-battle-after-another-movie-themes-explained-analysis  https://ew.com/teyana-taylor-defends-one-battle-after-another-perfidia-scene-that-hit-hard-11905646 https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/teyana-taylor-golden-globes-breakout-year If you enjoy this episode, please check out our Instagram, Bluesky, or Substack. You can also donate or buy merch on our website.

    1 h

  3. 8 févr.

    Wall-E

    In episode 42 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare and Masha go back to an animated classic, the 2008 Disney Pixar film Wall-E. As well as exploring how the central ecological message of the film has fared in light of 2026 consumerism, we talk about the roles of advertising, corporate power, and human apathy have contributed to the state of the world in the era of late-stage capitalism. We also discuss how an 18-year-old film foresaw the rise in screen-addiction, increased automation, the loss of expertise, and the reliance on vs the potential threat of AI. In the episode, we refer to ways to better inform ourselves with respect to waste production. Among other sources, we suggest checking out: https://www.earthday.org/how-our-trash-impacts-the-environment/.  If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate and review us. You can get in touch via Instagram, Bluesky, or Substack.

    1 h 14 min

  4. 18 janv.

    A House of Dynamite

    It's 2026 and the world is as dystopian as ever, so we're back from our brief hibernation with a brand new episode looking at recent film from director Katherine Bigelow and writer Noah Oppenheim, A House of Dynamite. In this episode, Clare and Masha consider attitudes to nuclear arms in the post-Cold War era. We engage with the literature on the film's relationship to real life protocols in the face of a nuclear attack on the US. We consider in particular the personalities depicted in the film, and how each strategic leader and individual involved in the response to a missile heading for Chicago reacts and advocates for a different next step, while also dealing with their own particular concerns for family and friends. In particular, we compare these characters to those in power in real life in 2026, especially in light of recent international actions from the US under Donald Trump. We drew widely on recent literature from experts in atomic weaponry and US politics, and cite the following in particular: Kathryn Bigelow's House of Dynamite Is Wake-Up Call on Nuclear Weapons A House of Dynamite: The Netflix movie is terrifying. Is it realistic? A house of mistakes: what Kathryn Bigelow’s 'A House of Dynamite' gets radically right—and dangerously wrong—about nuclear war What we should be talking about after watching Bigelow's 'A House of Dynamite' nuclear thriller - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists The “House of Dynamite” sequel you didn’t know you needed - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Cover Story: Kathryn Bigelow And Her Cast On Why ‘A House Of Dynamite’ Should Disarm The World Trump executive orders 2025: Why creating a U.S. version of Iron Dome makes no damn sense. Here's what experts say 'A House of Dynamite' gets wrong (and right) about nuclear war If you have your own thoughts about A House of Dynamite or nuclear disarmament, we'd love to hear from you. You can find us on Instagram, Bluesky, or Substack, or via our website, where you can also find links to our KoFi account or support us by buying our merch.

    1 h 3 min

  5. 09/11/2025

    Flow (Our 40th Episode!)

    In this milestone 40th episode, Clare and Masha are discussing the visually-stunning Oscar-winner of 2024, Flow. Despite this animation having no dialogue and minimal explicit narrative, we follow the travels of the Cat and their rag-tag bag of animal companions to see what they might tell us about survival, the climate crisis, found-family, and mutual support between very different characters. We consider the way in which collaboration and community benefit everyone. We situate the mythical circumstances of the film within a real-life crisis of rising sea-levels and extreme weather phenomena, from both our usual anthropocentric standpoint and the impact on flora and fauna. We follow the Cat's arc, as they become more resourceful and courageous, and learn the benefit of having others in their lives. We look at the Capybara as a symbol of generosity and the Lemur as representative of consumerism. We explore the Dog's journey away from the group-think of the Dog Pack, considering the true nature of friendship. And we pick at the strands of spiritual and religious narrative that seem to underpin the depiction of the Secretary Bird.  Flow is far from being allegorical and even defies some metaphorical interpretation. If you have your own ideas as to how we might learn from this film, please let us know your thoughts via our website and social media, and don't forget to rate and review if you enjoy this episode!

    1 h 8 min

  6. 26/10/2025

    Arcadia

    In Episode 39 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare and Masha delve into the supposedly-fair society of Arcadia, the Dutch-Belgian series from Walter Presents. Our discussion looks at the flaws with the score-based system of citizenship in the show, and how it reflects ideas around meritocracy, with reference to Michael Sandel's The Tyranny of Merit. We also look at the way in which subconscious bias plays into opportunity, and talk about some of the ideas in Boys Don't Try by Matt Pinkett and Mark Roberts. We consider what happens when a society ties worth into a cost-benefit analysis for the state, with particular reference to the treatment of the disabled and those who rely on the safety net of a benefits system. We also discuss how societal systems and constraints may not always apply to those with privilege. We compare the current treatment of immigrants and asylum-seekers in the UK with the systems of exile in place in Arcadia. We also look at the depiction of neurodiversity and disability in the show, in comparison with the treatment of vulnerable people in British society.   If you enjoy this episode, please don't forget to rate and review. You can find us on social media @dystopianfictioncurrentaffairs, including signing up to our newsletter on Substack. Please be aware that our book references may include affiliate links.

    1 h

  7. 28/09/2025

    The Pod Generation

    This episode we are exploring the world of The Pod Generation, a 2023 film about artificial wombs. CW: this episode includes discussion of death-in-pregnancy and suicide. Inspired by the discussion surrounding the ultimately-fake news reports that a Chinese company had developed a robot with a uterus, we look at the pros and cons of such a technology, the benefits that it might bring women and people with uteruses, as well as those who cannot conceive naturally, and the challenges that make the womb-pod science fiction for the time being. We also consider the societal impact of a two-tier maternity system and the dangers of handing power over pregnancies to corporations. We look at how the film suggests gestation in a pod might effect the involvement of both parents, particularly fathers, in the process of pregnancy, and how this might change attitudes to the provision of childcare. We explore some of the other elements of the world of The Pod Generation, not least the commodification of the natural world. We look at the benefits and dangers posed by replacing human therapists with AI, reflecting on recent issues in the news. And we discuss a future without state-regulated education. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate and review it. You can contact us with your own thoughts via our social media or on our website.

    1 h 12 min

  8. 07/09/2025

    Fahrenheit 451

    In episode 37 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare and Masha are delving into the 1953 novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. We start looking at censorship and book-banning, including the worrying spread of pressure-groups from the US to the UK. We consider Bradbury's presentation of books as symbols for free-thinking and intellectual rigour, and its link with the theme of happiness at the cost of liberty in 20th C dystopian novels, in particular Huxley's Brave New World.  We explore the value of challenging media, and the nature of media consumption. Masha gives an overview of the latest research into the impact of screen-time and social media, and how it contributes to diminishing concentration, anxiety, and limitation to broad-mindedness. In particular, we look at the importance of third-spaces and human relationship, especially communities for free-thinking and debate, and the way in which conversation like those we have on the podcasts can create better thinking and work against apathy. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate and review. You can join in the conversation via Instagram, Bluesky, Substack, or through our website.   *These notes contain affiliate links. Buying books using these links supports us and your local bookshop.

    59 min
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A podcast in association with BeingSociety.com, in which Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva explore the politics, ethics, and societal visions of dystopian tv, film, and literature.

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