S6 E4: Theories That Change Everything About Alien Movies

S6 E4: Theories That Change Everything About Alien Movies

From That Would Be Rad by Woody Brown and Tyler Bence

March 16, 2026 · 1h 24m · Season 6 · Episode 4

About this episode

The episode explores bizarre fan theories about alien movies that challenge conventional interpretations.

What if some of the strangest moments in alien movies weren’t plot holes at all? This week, we dive into the weird world of alien movie fan theories - the kind of ideas that start off sounding ridiculous… and then slowly start to make a little too much sense. Because if you’ve watched enough sci-fi over the years, you’ve probably had that moment where something in a movie makes you pause. A strange detail. A character decision that feels a little off. A plot twist that raises more questions than it answers. And of course, the internet has spent years trying to explain those moments. Some of those theories are hilarious. Some are completely unhinged. But every once in a while you hear one that makes you rethink the entire movie. Why do alien ships always seem to have impenetrable shields in invasion movies like Independence Day ? Are the terrifying creatures in A Quiet Place actually the invasion… or just the first wave? Could E.T. really be a lost alien child… or is he something very different? And what if the real explanation behind the aliens’ weakness in Signs isn’t what the movie tells us at all? We also venture into much darker territory with a theory that suggests humanity…

People in this episode

Hosts: Woody Brown, Tyler Bence

Topics covered

  • alien movies
  • fan theories
  • sci-fi
  • plot twists
  • character decisions
  • hidden meanings

Keywords

  • alien movies
  • fan theories
  • sci-fi
  • plot holes
  • character decisions
  • hidden meanings
  • Independence Day
  • A Quiet Place
  • E.T.
  • Prometheus

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Independence Day, A Quiet Place, E.T., Signs, Prometheus, Men in Black

More episodes of That Would Be Rad

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the That Would Be Rad podcast page.