Latest Posts
What “Nightcrawler” Taught Me About Work Ethic
In “Nightcrawler,” Lou Bloom’s pursuit of power leaves literal bodies in his wake. But his twisted sense of work ethic reveals one truth: success isn’t everything.
How “Palm Springs” Upends the Time Loop Trope
“Palm Springs” turns the time loop trope into a lesson for modern times.
When Fairyland Is Not for You: On Escapism, Fantasy, and Survival
For folklorist Jeana Jorgensen, portal fantasies helped her navigate one of the hardest semesters of her life. When fairyland rejects you, what happens next?
What Hannah Gadsby’s “Douglas” Teaches Us About the Art of the Essay
In “Douglas,” comedian Hannah Gadsby uses an essayistic technique as social commentary, opening the door to stand-up that feels both personal and grounding.
While the World Waits, “Jagged Little Pill” Becomes the Anthem of a Lost Generation
Released in 1995, the themes in “Jagged Little Pill” are just as relevant today.
Queer Monsters: The Importance of Monstrosity in Queer Storytelling
“In the Flesh” and “Black Sails” use the historical connection between queerness and monstrosity as the base to their stories on how the world creates its oppressed.
What We Learn from the McElroy Brothers, No Bummers, and “The Adventure Zone”
In “The Adventure Zone,” comedic trio the McElroy Brothers have created a space of inclusion, levity and “no bummers.”
Alex Garland’s Nightmare: What We Learn When Characters Go Through Hell
Writer Alex Garland forces characters to confront their own fears — with mixed results.
Weekly Roundup: What to Read Each Week in May
What to read in May — featuring Emma Straub, Genevieve Hudson, Andrew David MacDonald, and Gish Jen.
How “The Weirdness” Shaped My Expectations of the Weird
When do you reveal magic in a story? In Bushnell’s “The Weirdness,” magic is secondary to character.
