The Rise of the Anti-Fan
Artists are transforming the pop culture they can’t stand into impressive original works of their own.
Shirley Li
Shirley Li is a staff writer at The Atlantic. She covers Hollywood and the shifting culture of the American entertainment industry. She was an editorial fellow at The Atlantic from 2014 to 2015. Before returning to the publication in 2019, Shirley worked as a staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, reporting on film and TV.
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Illustration by The Atlantic; Sources: Youtube; BFA / Alamy Stock Photo How to Lose an Oscar in 10 Days
The star of the year’s most nominated film torpedoed her chance to win the trophy—in audacious fashion.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty; Stephane Cardinale / Corbis / Getty. The New, Unsettling Truth at the Center of Yellowjackets
Its characters can never truly escape danger, in the past or present.
Kailey Schwerman / Paramount+ 10 Indie Films You Should Watch for in 2025
Conan O’Brien’s dramatic debut and a look back at To Catch a Predator rank among the standouts at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Courtesy of Sundance Institute; Neon Films/Rosamont; Luka Cyprian; A24; Lars Erlend Tubaas Øymo. This Movie Understands Difficult People
Hard Truths takes an astonishingly sensitive approach in telling the story of a bitter housewife.
Simon Mein / Thin Man Films Ltd / Bleecker Street September 5 Captures a Crisis Becoming Must-Watch TV
A harrowing moment transforms into a spectacle in this thrilling film.
Paramount Pictures The Film That Rips the Hollywood Comeback Narrative Apart
The Substance is one of several recent movies that scrutinize older female performers’ struggle to stay relevant.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: BFA / Alamy; Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection; Pablo Larraín / Netflix. Nikki Glaser Came Prepared
At the Golden Globes, the comedian put her roastmaster experience to good use—if you listened closely.
Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty The Agony of Indulging in Squid Game Again
The Netflix hit’s second season can’t quite break out of its own vicious cycle.
Juhan Noh / Netflix Chris Rock Knows How to Troll
This week’s Saturday Night Live highlighted the comedian’s talent for provocation.
Rosalind O’Connor / NBC
