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
    If nothing else, FX’s new drama Trust should kick off the Brendan Fraser renaissanceIf nothing else, FX’s new drama Trust should kick off the Brendan Fraser renaissance
    Culture

    The miniseries retells the J. Paul Getty III kidnapping story told just months ago in the movie All the Money in the World.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Ready Player One is a truly awful book. I’m really looking forward to the movie.Ready Player One is a truly awful book. I’m really looking forward to the movie.
    Culture

    Some bad books can become good movies (and vice versa). Let’s talk about why.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Obama speechwriter David Litt on the jokes the president can and can’t tellObama speechwriter David Litt on the jokes the president can and can’t tell
    Podcast
    Culture

    “The most important thing about the president telling any joke is it’s the president telling a joke. That’s where the comedy comes from.”

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Love in the time of late capitalism: how Superstore revived will-they/won’t-they romanceLove in the time of late capitalism: how Superstore revived will-they/won’t-they romance
    Culture

    The NBC series handles thwarted romance and workplace drudgery better than any sitcom on TV.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Love, Simon gives gay teens a romantic hero of their own. It’s not great, but it’s enough.Love, Simon gives gay teens a romantic hero of their own. It’s not great, but it’s enough.
    Culture

    The most remarkable thing about this movie is just how unremarkable it is.

    By Emily St. James
    Climate
    Bill Nye believes that science can make America great againBill Nye believes that science can make America great again
    Podcast
    Climate

    “It really is, for me, unpatriotic to deny science,” says the host of Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    How I learned to stop worrying and love This Is UsHow I learned to stop worrying and love This Is Us
    Culture

    Why NBC’s hit series works for the masses (but turns off some TV critics): a working theory.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Summer movie season is over. Welcome to summer movie year.Summer movie season is over. Welcome to summer movie year.
    Culture

    It doesn’t matter what month it is. There’s a new “summer movie” opening.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time values feelings more than narrative. That’s to its credit.Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time values feelings more than narrative. That’s to its credit.
    Culture

    This movie doesn’t wear its heart on its sleeve. It wears its heart as a shirt.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The creators of Comedy Central’s Corporate dissect the failures of corporate lifeThe creators of Comedy Central’s Corporate dissect the failures of corporate life
    Podcast
    Culture

    “Robots are going to take over our jobs because that’s what corporations want. They want the work, without the personality.”

    By Emily St. James