What Finally Brought R. Kelly Down
To convict the R&B singer, prosecutors focused on his network of enablers.
The Prestige TV Show That Didn’t Need to Be Made Into a Movie
The stakes were high for a Sopranos prequel. The Many Saints of Newark doesn’t measure up.
The Blurry Line Between Magical Realism and Magical Thinking
Sanjena Sathian on the thin border between the unreal and the real
The Missing Limousine
A short story
The Philosopher Who Took Happiness Seriously
In her writings, Simone de Beauvoir repeatedly returned to a childhood friendship that deeply influenced her views on freedom and human desire.
LuLaRich Reveals a Hole in the American Economy
The controversial cult brand LuLaRoe sold a powerful idea: that mothers could succeed as entrepreneurs while spending meaningful time with their kids.
The Best Indie Movies to Watch This Fall
A group of films that will prompt you to ask: “What did I just watch?”
The Redemption of a Televangelist
For decades, the mascara-laden Tammy Faye was relentlessly mocked. Maybe America got her wrong.
The Unorthodox Art of an Ultra-Orthodox Community
For a particular group of Jews, art is typically a form of decor, not commentary. But a new generation of artists is trying to make nonconformist pieces while remaining observant.
Let’s Make Sure Britney Is Able to Enjoy Her Freedom This Time
“I hope she does whatever she wants to do—even if that is going to the gas station without shoes on.”
When a Hit Musical Becomes a Bad Movie
Dear Evan Hansen was lauded on Broadway, but the film adaptation only emphasizes its flaws.
When a Happy Marriage Is Just an Act
HBO’s remake of a famous relationship drama seems to forget why viewers like to watch stories of romantic turmoil.
The Quietest Emmys Speech Was the Loudest
After winning her award, Michaela Coel delivered the rare message meant for those outside the glitzy room in which she stood.
Lil Nas X Isn’t a Fad. He’s the Future of Pop.
He understands better than almost anyone how to turn angst into a hit.
The Morning Show Has Become a Camp Masterpiece
Just embrace the chaos.
What Makes a Black Woman Real?
The problem with fixating on botched-plastic-surgery stories
The Dark Reality Behind ‘Cozy Mysteries’
The genre’s popularity can feel like a relic of a bygone era—but these books share DNA with today’s bloodier thrillers.
Gold Teeth Are Beautiful on Their Own Terms
Grills are more than adornment. They’re about Black agency.
Always the Gold Sandal
I’m a fashion designer. My muses are working-class Black women, like my mom and grandma.
Another Unpretentious, Melancholy Farewell From Clint Eastwood
In his new film, the 91-year-old actor-director gets back in the saddle.