Shallow Hal and the Never-Ending Fat Joke
The romantic comedy premiered 20 years ago. Its cruelties refuse to age.
Film
Netflix’s Passing Is an Unusually Gentle Movie About a Brutal Subject
Rebecca Hall’s film about two Black women sharing a dangerous secret in 1920s America is as delicate as it is tense.
Actually, Kristen Stewart Has Always Been a Great Actor
Her lauded performance in Spencer has its roots in Twilight.
You Won’t Regret Rewatching The Ring
Almost 20 years ago, the modern horror classic offered an eerily prescient warning about viral media.
When Royal Life Is a Horror Film
Spencer puts a fresh spotlight on Princess Diana—but not for her historical or political significance.
A Movie That Reimagines What Sequels Are For
The Souvenir Part II is an art film told with the ambition of a big blockbuster.
When a Film’s Message Doesn’t Match Its Spectacle
Last Night in Soho imbues the swinging ’60s with psychological horror. But its social commentary is less distinctive.
Science Fiction’s Very Special Boys
Luke Skywalker, Paul Atreides, and what the new Dune finally got right.
The Blockbuster That Hollywood Was Afraid to Make
“The first audience member I wanted to please was myself,” the director Denis Villeneuve said of tackling his Dune adaptation.
The Most Poetic Marvel Film Yet
Chloé Zhao, the director of Eternals, prioritizes humanism over action. The result is a soulful, refreshing superhero tale.