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Aja Romano

Aja Romano

Former Senior Culture Writer

    Latest articles by Aja Romano

    Culture
    Netflix’s Haunting of Bly Manor: The ending, explainedNetflix’s Haunting of Bly Manor: The ending, explained
    Culture

    The ending is a touching grace note for the series.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor is a calm, loving study in how to exorcise your ghostsNetflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor is a calm, loving study in how to exorcise your ghosts
    Culture

    It’s less haunting — and less haunted — than Hill House, but still a captivating saga of families, grief, and love.

    By Aja Romano
    A history of “wokeness”
    Culture

    Stay woke: How a Black activist watchword got co-opted in the culture war.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Netflix’s American Murder is mesmerizing even if you’re already familiar with the Watts murdersNetflix’s American Murder is mesmerizing even if you’re already familiar with the Watts murders
    Culture

    The gripping new documentary is a harrowing portrait of a family prior to its own annihilation.

    By Aja Romano
    The best alternative streaming services, from anime to arthouse
    Culture

    Crunchyroll or Funimation? Acorn TV or BritBox? The Criterion Channel or Mubi? Go beyond Netflix and Hulu with our guide to niche streaming platforms.

    By Aja Romano and Alissa Wilkinson
    Criminal Justice
    What we know about a deadly shooting in Rochester, New YorkWhat we know about a deadly shooting in Rochester, New York
    Criminal Justice

    Two people are dead and 16 injured after a shooting at a party. No suspects have been taken into custody.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    How Cuties, a French movie on Netflix, became part of America’s culture warHow Cuties, a French movie on Netflix, became part of America’s culture war
    Culture

    A movie critiquing the sexualization of young girls is accused of doing the thing it criticizes. Here’s how the controversy started — and why it matters.

    By Aja Romano and Alissa Wilkinson
    Beyond Mulan: The queerest films in the Disney canon
    Culture

    Disney films have always resonated with queer and trans audiences. Here are the gayest films in the canon.

    By Aja Romano, Alex Abad-Santos and 1 more
    Culture
    Disney’s new Mulan: Pack up, go home, you’re throughDisney’s new Mulan: Pack up, go home, you’re through
    Culture

    The Mulan remake jettisons everything great about Disney’s animated classic and delivers nothing new.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    One Good Thing: The cosmic horror of everyday life, captured in one manga anthologyOne Good Thing: The cosmic horror of everyday life, captured in one manga anthology
    Culture

    Junji Ito’s horror has been thoroughly memed — but his new anthology, Venus in the Blind Spot, is still terrifying.

    By Aja Romano