Back Story
Our column on arts and culture distinguishes the back story from the foreground; the ephemera from what matters, and might last
Culture
Why the left gains nothing from pop stars’ support
Artists are entitled to share their views. Doing so is not always noble or wise
Culture
How to hear a Hollywood star sing, for free
Rachel Zegler’s streetside “Evita” reveals a lot about fame and London
Culture
Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the age of the genius
The perils of bowing to those anointed as special
Culture
As “Jaws” turns 50, who is the blockbuster’s real hero?
Steven Spielberg’s saga of man v shark is not the film you remember
Culture
“American Dirt”, and how commerce beats cancel culture
The author of a controversial smash-hit novel is back
Culture
Anna Politkovskaya knew that tyranny respects no borders
A timely tribute to a martyred critic of the Kremlin
Culture
The morals of “Sinners”, a fantasia of vampires and the blues
Ryan Coogler’s hit film is a riff on the uses and abuses of genre
Culture
An old, leisurely way to watch television drama is back in vogue
On binge-watching v stinge-watching
Culture
“G20”, a rollicking new film, evokes an old ideal of America
It is outlandish in more ways than intended
Culture
Why “Adolescence” has become a global smash hit
Viewers encounter new dangers—and old ones—alongside its characters
Culture
At 100 “The Great Gatsby” is as urgent as ever, old sport
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s immortal novel, America’s graft and glory are entwined
Culture
Surreal “Severance” brilliantly captures the reality of office life
Which is the real you—your “innie” or your “outie”?