Reel Science

Reel Science is an Inverse series that reveals the real (and fake) science behind your favorite movies and TV.

Lais Borges/Inverse; Marvel; Getty
Health

New Netflix Thriller ‘Don’t Move’ Makes Drug-Induced Paralysis Look Scary. It's Actually Worse.

By Elana Spivack

The film gets a few things wrong about paralytic agents.

Reel Sceicne

Can We Talk to Whales? Star Trek Says Yes. Science Says Maybe

By Ryan Britt

The science of speaking to sea creatures is real-ish. But we’re not at the Star Trek level, yet.

Reel Science

Star Trek's Science Advisor Reveals How Starfleet Quietly Fixed Relativity

By Ryan Britt

It’s all about the warp bubbles.

No Spin Zone

5 Facts ‘Twisters’ Got Right About Tornadoes

By Doris Elín Urrutia

The latest meteorological blockbuster left these tornado experts impressed.

Science

Can You Stop A Tornado? Atmospheric Scientists Reveal the Truth About the Biggest Plot Point in ‘Twisters’

By Doris Elín Urrutia

Even if you could, doesn't mean you should.

Reel Science

Note To Hollywood: Nobody Faked The Moon Landing

By Ryan Britt

Is the new rom-com Fly Me To The Moon good fun or a new path to damaging conspiracy theories?

Reel Science

The Aliens from 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Most Closely Resemble This Shocking Animal

By Elana Spivack

Don’t worry, they don’t hunt humans.

What Spider-Man 2 Gets Right (and Wrong) About Bionic Limbs

By Tara Yarlagadda

As bionic prosthetics become more advanced, is there any cause for concern?

Reel Science

The Fundamental Aspect of Human Emotion that ‘Inside Out 2’ Gets Completely Wrong

By Anna Gibbs

Emotions don't appear out of nowhere when we enter puberty.

Reel Science

Is A Planet Alive? ‘Scavenger's Reign’ Unearths A Fringe Ecological Theory

By Anna Gibbs

The Gaia hypothesis doesn’t hold much water.