The Rise of CliffsNotes Cinema
Oversimplified literary remakes miss the point of the works they are adapting.
Culture
Why Justin Bieber Played YouTube Onstage for Thousands of People
The pop star transformed the normal act of browsing your laptop into something interesting—and unsettling.
The New Age of Performance Anxiety
With the rise of screen culture, all the world has stage fright.
Where Did ‘Let Them’ Come From?
Years before Mel Robbins published her best-selling self-help book, a struggling writer posted a poem with a similar message.
You May Be Surprised by What Scares You
Fear may be a linchpin of horror, but as a recent anthology attests, the true bedrock of the genre is mood.
The Band That’s Been Charting America’s Burnout for Decades
Green Day is still attracting controversy, and listeners, with its blend of politics and punk.
The Director Who Was Never as Famous as His Movies
In the Heat of the Night. Moonstruck. Fiddler on the Roof. The late Norman Jewison’s films were wildly divergent—and unforgettable.
Why the Oscars Overlooked Greta Gerwig
The Barbie filmmaker isn’t the first to be snubbed for directing a crowd-pleaser.
The Youths Really Like Anyone but You
Gen Z audiences are turning the film into a word-of-mouth hit weeks after its opening.
Eight Books to Take With You on a Road Trip
In these titles, the open highway sparks a reaction between a character and the unknown.
When Writing About Your Children Is a Form of Betrayal
A new novel argues that telling one’s own story is necessary and meaningful, regardless of the consequences.
We Get It, He’s a Heartthrob
On last night’s SNL, Jacob Elordi’s attractiveness worked against him.
Pokémon, All Grown Up
Netflix’s new series captures the anxieties of early adulthood.
The Ridiculous Allure of Reacher
Why is Amazon’s show about Lee Child’s crime-busting former military policeman such a massive hit?