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
    Better Call Saul’s terrible, casual cruelty is thrown into stark relief in “Chicanery”Better Call Saul’s terrible, casual cruelty is thrown into stark relief in “Chicanery”
    Culture

    The episode displays just how effortless the series makes creating great television look.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    I Love Dick’s creators on why “a great story, well told, works faster than a petition”I Love Dick’s creators on why “a great story, well told, works faster than a petition”
    Culture

    The new Amazon series tackles the messy intersection of the personal, the political, and the sexual.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    TV is better than ever — yet we talk endlessly about the same tiny handful of showsTV is better than ever — yet we talk endlessly about the same tiny handful of shows
    Culture

    What makes Game of Thrones or Westworld more deserving of attention than a more obscure show?

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Chris Parnell’s biggest SNL regrets: “I wasn’t braver. … I wasn’t more confident.”Chris Parnell’s biggest SNL regrets: “I wasn’t braver. … I wasn’t more confident.”
    Podcast
    Culture

    On our podcast, the actor discusses his showbiz strategy: “People want to work with people that are easy to work with.”

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Handmaid’s Tale tries to add a little romance, with mixed resultsThe Handmaid’s Tale tries to add a little romance, with mixed results
    Culture

    Why is Nick so dull when everybody else on the show is so compelling?

    By Emily St. James and Constance Grady
    Culture
    The Americans’ latest episode has a big twist up its sleeve — it’s heartwarmingThe Americans’ latest episode has a big twist up its sleeve — it’s heartwarming
    Culture

    This is The Americans blissing out on family togetherness.

    By Emily St. James, Jen Trolio and 1 more
    Summer movies 2017
    How can movie theaters compete with your living room? By building a better living room.How can movie theaters compete with your living room? By building a better living room.
    Summer movies 2017

    From 4DX, which turns movies into theme park rides, to other approaches, theaters try to head off Netflix at the pass.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Leftovers heads to Australia in search of answersThe Leftovers heads to Australia in search of answers
    Culture

    It turns out to be a terrible idea.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    NBC’s Great News is a very funny show — once it gets to episode 3NBC’s Great News is a very funny show — once it gets to episode 3
    Culture

    Why are comedy pilots so hard to make? This new sitcom from the 30 Rock folks may offer some clues.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Netflix’s Sense8 is complete nonsense, but deeply lovableNetflix’s Sense8 is complete nonsense, but deeply lovable
    Culture

    The sci-fi series will never be for everyone, but season 2 is completely sincere and delightful

    By Emily St. James