The Atlantic's Week in Culture

Don’t Miss

Speechless Is Breaking New Ground on Television—David M. Perry explores how ABC’s new comedy is a rare show for putting a character with disabilities at the center of its narrative.

Film

The Magnificent Seven Is Anything But—Christopher Orr laments Antoine Fuqua’s less-than-impressive remake of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece.

Storks Is a Kids’ Movie That Is Not for Kids—Megan Garber reviews the animated children’s film that, in the end, is really about parenthood.

The Exorcist and the Lost Art of Catholic Storytelling—Nick Ripatrazone traces the deeper religious themes that dominated the original 1971 novel and film.

Television

The 2016 Emmy Awards Point to TV’s Power—Spencer Kornhaber rounds up the winners and losers from a night that shone light on an industry taking its influence seriously.

Did the Emmys Offer Redemption to Marcia Clark?—Megan Garber examines how Sarah Paulson’s win for her role in The People v. O.J. may have been a cathartic moment for the woman she portrayed.

The Good Place Finds Laughs in the Afterlife—David Sims revels in the humorous and philosophical depths of the new comedy starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson.

This Is Us Is Must-Weep TV—Megan Garber wells up at NBC’s newest tear-jerking drama.

Seth Meyers Proves He’s the Anti-Fallon—David Sims celebrates the Late Night host’s segment ripping into Trump’s false birther claims.

Michelle Obama Gave an SNL-Worthy Performance on The Late Show—Megan Garber praises the First Lady’s stellar comedic-acting skills during a sketch with Stephen Colbert.

Designated Survivor Realizes America’s Greatest Nightmare—David Sims reviews the premiere of ABC’s bleak new White House thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland.

It Would Take the Old MacGyver to Save the New MacGyver—Megan Garber examines where the CBS reboot of the long-running action show falls short.

Transparent’s Third Season Is a Powerful Plea for Compassion—Spencer Kornhaber unpacks the spiritual questions surrounding the Pfefferman family as the Amazon show returns.

Pitch Is a Baseball Drama With Only One Real Twist—David Sims takes a swing at Fox’s new drama, which follows an underdog pitcher who becomes the first woman to play in the Major League.

Music

Will Rock and Roll Save Lady Gaga?—Spencer Kornhaber discusses the singer’s chaotic new music video for “Perfect Illusion,” off her highly anticipated upcoming album.

Spotify Is Trying to Become the Music Platform of Modern Dating—Spencer Kornhaber unpacks what the streaming service’s recently announced partnership with Tinder could mean.

Media

How ‘Brangelina’ Gave a Couple Its Mystique—Spencer Kornhaber talks to the communications scholar Vanessa Díaz about the media coverage of the Jolie-Pitt divorce and the power of celebrity portmanteaus.

The Tabloids Know Who to Blame for the Jolie-Pitt Divorce—Megan Garber reveals popular media’s regressive notions of women and marriage in the wake of Brangelina’s split.

Hillary Clinton Goes Full Deadpan on Between Two Ferns—David Sims celebrates the presidential candidate’s funny and strange appearance on Zach Galifianakis’s satirical chat show.

Books

Emily Dickinson’s Mysterious ‘You’—Joe Fassler talks to the novelist Emma Donoghue about her literary influences and the power of ambiguous imagery, as part of The Atlantic’s ongoing “By Heart” series.

The Best Female Characters Come From Books—Meg Miller examines how complex women protagonists in movies are often adapted from works of literature.

Art

How a Museum Reckons With Black Pain—Vann R. Newkirk II dives into the heart of the Smithsonian’s triumphant and crushing new memorial of African American history and culture.