Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Emily St. James

Emily St. James

Former Critic at Large

    Latest articles by Emily St. James

    Culture
    7 reasons Hollywood doesn’t make romantic comedies anymore7 reasons Hollywood doesn’t make romantic comedies anymore
    Culture

    Crazy Rich Asians and Set It Up are helping revive the rom-com genre. Here’s why it died in the first place.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Affair’s latest, greatest episode holds a difficult irony at its coreThe Affair’s latest, greatest episode holds a difficult irony at its core
    Culture

    The Showtime drama hits a new level with a grim but beautiful hour. But the reason for the episode’s existence casts a pall.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    How to tell stories about evangelical Christians that neither mock nor glorify themHow to tell stories about evangelical Christians that neither mock nor glorify them
    Culture

    How director Desiree Akhavan worked to get Christian culture right for her new movie, The Miseducation of Cameron Post.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The man whose story inspired BlacKkKlansman, on the complicated reality of black copsThe man whose story inspired BlacKkKlansman, on the complicated reality of black cops
    Podcast
    Culture

    “That no man’s land that we live in, it’s a lonely existence, but it’s one that we’ve chosen.”

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    FX’s president has been dubbed “the mayor of television.” This interview will show you why.FX’s president has been dubbed “the mayor of television.” This interview will show you why.
    Podcast
    Culture

    “Each of us is caught in our own timeline. I was born in May of 1962, and I will die whenever I die, and I cannot move outside of that timeline.”

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    7 iconic Aretha Franklin musical moments from movies and TV7 iconic Aretha Franklin musical moments from movies and TV
    Culture

    Plus the one song that eclipsed them all.

    By Emily St. James, Constance Grady and 2 more
    Culture
    Stop calling teenagers millennialsStop calling teenagers millennials
    Culture

    “Millennial” has become a meaningless generational label. It’s time to find a new one for a whole new group of young people!

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Forget Best Popular Film. Here are 6 new categories the Oscars actually need.Forget Best Popular Film. Here are 6 new categories the Oscars actually need.
    Culture

    An Oscar for Best Stunt Coordination? For Best Casting? For Best Voice Performance? For Best Trailer?! Let’s make it happen!

    By Emily St. James, Genevieve Koski and 2 more
    Culture
    Why your favorite TV shows are off the air for so long between seasonsWhy your favorite TV shows are off the air for so long between seasons
    Culture

    There were 414 days between seasons of Better Call Saul, 486 between seasons of Atlanta, and 505 between seasons of Westworld.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Oscars’ new “popular film” category is a bad idea from a panicked organizationThe Oscars’ new “popular film” category is a bad idea from a panicked organization
    Culture

    There are many reasons the new category is concerning, but three in particular stand out.

    By Emily St. James