Culture

The Cost of Perfection

Modern women were told they could become stars by turning the camera onto their home life. But at what price?

SNL Has Entered the Chat

In last night’s cold open, the show brought a new twist to an old satirical tradition.

Relatable Mom

A short story

The Pitt Has Revolutionized the Medical Drama

The smash-hit hospital show has brought the beloved genre back into the real world.

The Drink Americans Can’t Quit

Soda is still here—just with new cans and new slogans.

The Chinese Communist Party’s Ultimate Taboo

Fang Fang’s newly translated novel uncovers the brutal, buried history of land reform in China.

The Best American Poetry of the 21st Century (So Far)

The 25 most consequential collections from the past 25 years

A Much-Needed Course Correction for Marvel

The new Daredevil series explores the humanity of its superhero.

An Iranian American Rom-Com That Breaks the Mold

Mariam Rahmani’s debut novel is both charmingly familiar and totally unpredictable.

Dear James: Is This Sexless Marriage Over?

My best friend’s husband refuses to touch her.

The Lesson Snow White Should Teach Disney

The studio’s latest live-action remake shows hints of courage—but only hints.

A Country Imperfectly Pulling Itself Together

Wildcat Dome’s characters can’t escape the calamities that marked their lives—and their country’s history.

Comedy’s Most Erudite Buffoon

Conan O’Brien has built a comedy career on committing to his own, dissonant bit.

The Severance Twist I Can’t Forgive

The Season 2 finale emphasized the show’s most philosophical queries, but one element was hard to swallow.

A Rapper for the Ketamine Era

Playboi Carti sounds like he isn’t saying much. But there’s a story to his music.

The Supply Closet That Film Geeks Love

A trip to the Criterion Closet is a dream for directors, actors, and their cinephile fans.

Searching for the Democratic Bully

Andrew Cuomo is resurgent, and Rahm Emanuel is considering a presidential run. Are these the tough guys Democrats need?

How to Make an Instantly Forgettable, Very Expensive Movie

The Russo brothers’ Avengers films took hold of popular culture, but the directors have yet to repeat that kind of success.

What Impossibly Wealthy Women Do for Love and Fulfillment

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, embraces old-fashioned domesticity on her new lifestyle series.

Dear James: I Miss Being on Dating Apps

I’ve hit the relationship jackpot. But now I have romance FOMO.