How “Palm Springs” Upends the Time Loop Trope
“Palm Springs” turns the time loop trope into a lesson for modern times.
Tag: essay
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.
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.
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.
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.
How “Hustlers” and “Parasite” Illuminate the Modern Scam Economy
“Hustlers” and “Parasite” illustrate that scamming is increasingly our tragicomic reality.
How “Critical Role” Uses Role Play to Explore the Burden of Grief
Critical Role managed to weave character deaths that were not only impactful, but some of the most emotionally charged moments of character development in their series.
The Wrangler 