Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
January 4, 2026 January 4, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Arts & Entertainment

JUKOFF / CC BY-NC 4.0 Sankar can’t help but feel fond for Wicked: For Good, despite some issues with the film. 

Turbulent translations from stage to screen: Wicked sequel pulls through

By ADITYA SANKAR | December 26, 2025

Wicked: For Good is far from perfect, and I would wager many will hold the first part much closer to their hearts. Nonetheless, it is made with clear heart and love for the story that shines through despite its stumbles, and it is worth the watch for longtime fans and those seeking to complete the first film’s journey.

HARALD KRICHEL / CC BY-SA 4.0 Nathan provides a nuanced take on del Toro’s film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein.

Reviving Frankenstein: Guillermo del Toro’s modern Prometheus

By UMA NATHAN | November 20, 2025

In a world that seems to have lost its creative spark, doomed to forever remake the same stories in an eternal cycle of references, Guillermo del Toro creates Frankenstein — one of the most adapted works of all time. With its gorgeous visuals, Frankenstein was a respectful take on Mary Shelley’s original 1818 novel. 

COURTESY OF MYRA SAEED Nguyen and Saeed outline their distinct experiences and varied takes on the Hopkins theater department’s recent performance.

Gross Indecency: everything but indecent

By KAYLEE NGUYEN and MYRA SAEED | November 18, 2025

From Nov. 6 to Nov. 9, the Hopkins theater program presented show-stopping performances of “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde.” Written by Moisés Kaufman and directed by Sean Elias, the show offered a unique look at the downfall of Wilde’s career and an introspective view on the role of the artist in society.

CINÉ ZOOMS 2 / CC BY 3.0 Die My Love, like the most complicated relationships, will pull you into unusual and ugly territory but offers a first-hand account of the suffocating and raw reality that emerges when you engulf yourself in another.

How Die My Love makes a desolate marriage surprisingly captivating

By RIVER PHAN | November 18, 2025

Another picture about a woman slowly losing her sanity in an unhappy relationship doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel of storytelling. But Lynne Ramsay's Die My Love executes a familiar trope with more depth; there’s more to linger on than the usual visceral feelings that arise from being in a frenzied, emotional coma. 

SYDNOR DUFFY / DESIGN & LAYOUT EDITOR Tune in to these Thanksgiving-appropriate media recommendations.

To watch and watch for: Week of Nov. 17

By ARTS EDITORS | November 17, 2025

Slowly but surely, we are inching our way closer to the end of the semester. These final few weeks come fast. During those precious days of rest leading up to and during fall recess, we encourage you to seize the time to relax and unwind with some of these hand-picked, timely media recommendations. 

NICOLAS PADOVANI / CC BY 2.0 Nguyen provides a convincing defense of The Weeknd in the wake of her disappointment with this year’s Grammy nominations.

Hurry Up Tomorrow: The Grammys are stuck in yesterday

By KAYLEE NGUYEN | November 17, 2025

Call me biased, but the worst snub this year for the Grammy nominations was The Weeknd – Abel Tesfaye. As Abel’s #1 fan (you’re talking to someone who is seriously considering getting a “Stargirl” tattoo), this year’s Grammy nominations were nothing short of criminal.

EVA RINALDI CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHER / CC BY-SA 2.0 The Life of a Showgirl is one of Taylor’s bravest reframings yet: proof that joy, camp and glamour can be just as revealing as melancholy whispers.

Why The Life of a Showgirl feels like Taylor Swift’s big, bold leap

By RUBEN DIAZ | November 11, 2025

On Oct. 3, the moment I got to press play on The Life of a Showgirl at midnight, I felt something completely electrifying: excitement, nerves and, above all, the certainty that I was about to witness a turning point in the music industry. This album is everything I wanted it to be, even if not everyone agrees.

SYDNOR DUFFY / DESIGN & LAYOUT EDITOR Check out FKA twigs’ upcoming album, “EUSEXUA Afterglow,” a continuation of this year’s “EUSEXUA.”

To watch and watch for: Week of Nov. 10

By ARTS EDITORS | November 10, 2025

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to another installment of To Watch and Watch For! The sky is starting to get dark by 6 p.m., and we get to show off our seasonal fashion instincts with the heavier layers and stylish coats of winter clothing. Enrich your winter experience with the following works of art.

SYDNOR DUFFY / DESIGN & LAYOUT EDITOR See Kim Kardashian, starring in the new TV series All's Fair. 

To watch and watch for: Week of Nov. 3

By ARTS EDITORS | November 4, 2025

This week, we grapple with Halloween hangover and the countdown to fall recess. In this liminal space on the calendar, days feel like weeks. However, have no fear — the Arts section is here with this week’s installment of To Watch and Watch For, our specially curated list to help you keep track of time while also whiling it away, beginning with these four personal recommendations.

MIKLÓS DÉRI / CC BY-SA 4.0 Sankar provides context for Krasznahorkai’s deserved win of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Apocalypses and awards: 2025’s Nobel Prize in Literature

By ADITYA SANKAR | October 29, 2025

As October creeps in each year, the world awaits with bated breath the names recognized by the Nobel Committee as those that have conferred “the greatest benefit to humankind.” This year, the coveted literary honor was awarded to the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai for his unique vision of the apocalypse.

DIMA666666789 / CC BY-NC 4.0 Hallett explains Star Wars fans’ discontent with Disney’s choice regarding the films. 

The Hunt for Ben Solo: a movie that could have been

By SAFFRON HALLETT | October 29, 2025

At the end of 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, evil had been vanquished, and a new day of the Disney+ TV series would fill the empty void to satisfy fans of the iconic series. That is, until interviews revealed a potential 10th episode of the saga, one that could have changed everything.

JOSHUA LONSTEIN / PHOTO EDITORKhalid earns Hopkins students’ love through his performance at 2025 Hoptoberfest. 

Summer in October: Khalid lights up Hoptoberfest

By KAYLEE NGUYEN | October 28, 2025

We had already seen Khalid in the summer at World Pride 2025, so the excitement that Hopkins finally had a somewhat mainstream artist for Hoptoberfest 2025 dwindled between us. Nevertheless, I donned my favorite pair of jeans and halter-top combo, and I giddily ran to the end of the line on Oct. 24.

KIRK STAUFFER / CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvey muses on her experience at the Lorde concert and the ownership of music shared between artist and fan.

Lorde Ultrasound world tour: finally found my green light

By KRISTEN ALVEY | October 27, 2025

Pop superstar Lorde has captured the hearts and minds of her over 30 million listeners on Spotify. Despite only having four studio albums spanning a nearly 20 year long career, Lorde has managed to sell out nearly every stadium on her recent Ultrasound World Tour, playing for adoring fans across the globe. 

SYDNOR DUFFY / DESIGN & LAYOUT EDITOR Watch "Poor Things" director Yorgos Lanthimos' film "Bugonia" out Oct 31.

To watch and watch for: Week of Oct. 26

By ARTS EDITORS | October 26, 2025

Why don't mummies take time off? They are afraid to unwind. Unlike mummies, I hope all of you find some time to unwind and indulge in a bit of escapism this Halloween. Sit tight and put on your spook-tacles because this week’s installment of To Watch and Watch For has you covered!

STEVE RHODES / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Nguyen captures the rise of Victoria’s Secret through their 2025 fashion show from past criticism.

Victoria’s Secret rediscovers its wings

By KAYLEE NGUYEN | October 25, 2025

The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show proved that reinvention doesn’t mean abandoning identity. For a brand that was once built of pure fantasy, this year’s show felt grounded in something real: power, presence and possibility.

SYDNOR DUFFY / DESIGN & LAYOUT EDITOR Indulge in college students’ favorite music artist cupcakKe’s most recent album, The BakKery.

To watch and watch for: Week of Oct. 19

By ARTS EDITORS | October 20, 2025

There are few things that can help you cope with going from New York trips with friends, outings to fall festivals and more, then returning back to campus to be greeted with more homework and exams. To make things at least a little easier, take these personal recommendations from this week’s installment of To Watch and Watch For.

RON RAFFETY / CC BY-SA 4.0 Phan reviews the latest Paul Thomas Anderson film One Battle After Another, loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland.

One Battle After Another isn’t the perfect Pynchonian movie, but it’s the exact picture of today’s America

By RIVER PHAN | October 18, 2025

Paul Thomas Anderson has an obsession with the past. His dynamic body of work is vast and varied in genre, but all of his films operate with a sort of disinterest in the modern world. One Battle After Another, however, is different from his other works; it’s today’s most relevant love story of a father and a daughter in the midst of eerily familiar political turmoil. 

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