Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
@gavia.bsky.social
Film and TV critic. Co-host of the Overinvested movie podcast, co-editor of the Rec Center newsletter.
Bylines: TV Guide, Inverse, Vulture, Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, Empire, etc. she/her
Bylines: TV Guide, Inverse, Vulture, Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, Empire, etc. she/her
Pinned
Ep. 331: Heated Rivalry — OVERINVESTED
Claire and Gavia share their thoughts on the hottest show of the moment, breaking down Heated Rivalry's pitch-perfect romantic structure, its subtly insightful depiction of hockey culture, the sizzlin...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
Out now on Overinvested, our long-awaited episode on HEATED RIVALRY, covering the show's brilliantly paced romantic storytelling, its depiction of hockey culture, and much more. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/202...
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
i'm not sure what the word is for when the man who runs the world's biggest bookstore shutters his paper's books coverage. but then again, it was never really about the books.
February 4, 2026 at 2:29 PM
i'm not sure what the word is for when the man who runs the world's biggest bookstore shutters his paper's books coverage. but then again, it was never really about the books.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Better late than never: Here's Overinvested's episode on the best films of 2025!
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
The Best Movies of 2025 — OVERINVESTED
Claire Biddles and Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reveal their respective top ten lists for the best new movies of 2025, including some major Oscar nominees (Sinners; One Battle After Another), several cool ind...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Better late than never: Here's Overinvested's episode on the best films of 2025!
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
it's here baby!!!!!! we only have one film that overlaps and it's at the exact same spot on our lists!!!! gavia includes a film so obscure you can't even log it on letterboxd!!!! I advocate for ROOFMAN!!!!! neither of us can predict what will be each others' number one film!!!! tune in!!!!
Better late than never: Here's Overinvested's episode on the best films of 2025!
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
The Best Movies of 2025 — OVERINVESTED
Claire Biddles and Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reveal their respective top ten lists for the best new movies of 2025, including some major Oscar nominees (Sinners; One Battle After Another), several cool ind...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:02 PM
it's here baby!!!!!! we only have one film that overlaps and it's at the exact same spot on our lists!!!! gavia includes a film so obscure you can't even log it on letterboxd!!!! I advocate for ROOFMAN!!!!! neither of us can predict what will be each others' number one film!!!! tune in!!!!
Better late than never: Here's Overinvested's episode on the best films of 2025!
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
The Best Movies of 2025 — OVERINVESTED
Claire Biddles and Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reveal their respective top ten lists for the best new movies of 2025, including some major Oscar nominees (Sinners; One Battle After Another), several cool ind...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Better late than never: Here's Overinvested's episode on the best films of 2025!
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
Claire and I reveal our respective Top 10 lists, including several Oscar contenders, plenty of queer cinema, and at least two titles you almost certainly haven't heard of. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/bes...
oh my god FINALLY finished editing our best films of 2025 podcast. AT LONG LAST.
February 2, 2026 at 10:07 PM
oh my god FINALLY finished editing our best films of 2025 podcast. AT LONG LAST.
ANOTHER one??
February 2, 2026 at 11:41 AM
ANOTHER one??
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
I just listened to this episode and it’s my favorite commentary on HR thus far (and I’ve listened to a lot of podcasts about the show!) Refreshing to hear people talk about it who GET IT and also understand its popularity
Out now on Overinvested, our long-awaited episode on HEATED RIVALRY, covering the show's brilliantly paced romantic storytelling, its depiction of hockey culture, and much more. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/202...
Ep. 331: Heated Rivalry — OVERINVESTED
Claire and Gavia share their thoughts on the hottest show of the moment, breaking down Heated Rivalry's pitch-perfect romantic structure, its subtly insightful depiction of hockey culture, the sizzlin...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I just listened to this episode and it’s my favorite commentary on HR thus far (and I’ve listened to a lot of podcasts about the show!) Refreshing to hear people talk about it who GET IT and also understand its popularity
more info here: www.britishicehockey.co.uk/post/opinion...
v curious to know whether this was a situation like one stubborn juror turning the tide in the jury room, because the team was apparently fine doing pride nights before he showed up.
v curious to know whether this was a situation like one stubborn juror turning the tide in the jury room, because the team was apparently fine doing pride nights before he showed up.
February 1, 2026 at 3:35 PM
more info here: www.britishicehockey.co.uk/post/opinion...
v curious to know whether this was a situation like one stubborn juror turning the tide in the jury room, because the team was apparently fine doing pride nights before he showed up.
v curious to know whether this was a situation like one stubborn juror turning the tide in the jury room, because the team was apparently fine doing pride nights before he showed up.
uh what the fuck www.npr.org/2026/01/31/n...
Milan protesters call for U.S. ICE agents to leave Italy as Winter Games approach
An ICE unit from the US Department of Homeland Security is playing a role providing security at the Winter Games. At past Olympics, their involvement would have been unremarkable. But after the viole...
www.npr.org
January 31, 2026 at 8:43 PM
uh what the fuck www.npr.org/2026/01/31/n...
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Catherine O'Hara is as much of a "good in absolutely everything, no matter how good the thing itself was" actor as Philip Seymour Hoffman.
January 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Catherine O'Hara is as much of a "good in absolutely everything, no matter how good the thing itself was" actor as Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Tonight I watched Prime Minister Mark Carney take the actual Heated Rivalry Canada fleece from Hudson Williams, slip it on and say: “This is true soft power.”
January 30, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Tonight I watched Prime Minister Mark Carney take the actual Heated Rivalry Canada fleece from Hudson Williams, slip it on and say: “This is true soft power.”
I can tell my brain is revving up into winter olympics mode because I'm having thought processes like googling hilary knight's height.
January 29, 2026 at 11:23 PM
I can tell my brain is revving up into winter olympics mode because I'm having thought processes like googling hilary knight's height.
completely forgot to mention it this year, but if you're nominating for the Hugo Awards, the Rec Center is eligible for best fanzine and Overinvested is eligible in the fancast category!
January 29, 2026 at 10:13 PM
completely forgot to mention it this year, but if you're nominating for the Hugo Awards, the Rec Center is eligible for best fanzine and Overinvested is eligible in the fancast category!
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
it's a gift that this sucks so bad. a filmmaker with clout put his name on this. thanks Mr Aronofsky for the advertisement that even the bleeding-edge, high-budget version of this tech is uncanny and hideous!
You don't have the be an avowed AI hater to be impressed without lifeless and unwatchable this is.
January 29, 2026 at 8:29 PM
it's a gift that this sucks so bad. a filmmaker with clout put his name on this. thanks Mr Aronofsky for the advertisement that even the bleeding-edge, high-budget version of this tech is uncanny and hideous!
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have the power to revive the print magazine industry, I just know it
January 28, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have the power to revive the print magazine industry, I just know it
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Out now on Overinvested, our long-awaited episode on HEATED RIVALRY, covering the show's brilliantly paced romantic storytelling, its depiction of hockey culture, and much more. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/202...
Ep. 331: Heated Rivalry — OVERINVESTED
Claire and Gavia share their thoughts on the hottest show of the moment, breaking down Heated Rivalry's pitch-perfect romantic structure, its subtly insightful depiction of hockey culture, the sizzlin...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Out now on Overinvested, our long-awaited episode on HEATED RIVALRY, covering the show's brilliantly paced romantic storytelling, its depiction of hockey culture, and much more. www.overinvestedpodcast.com/episodes/202...
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
A lot of really good analysis here as to why TV historically hasn't made shows like #HeatedRivaly. For Reasons (most of them dumb! frustrating!), TV continues to leave money on the table (aside from Hallmark etc). Not ideal! I hope the success of HR changes this however +
"The real question here isn’t why Heated Rivalry is a hit—it’s why this kind of romance series is so rare in the first place."
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The Success of Heated Rivalry Should Not Be a Surprise — Fansplaining
Romancelandia understands why the show is a hit. Why is it so hard for Hollywood to get the message?
www.fansplaining.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:44 PM
A lot of really good analysis here as to why TV historically hasn't made shows like #HeatedRivaly. For Reasons (most of them dumb! frustrating!), TV continues to leave money on the table (aside from Hallmark etc). Not ideal! I hope the success of HR changes this however +
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
As January comes to a close, The Rec Center approaches Femslash February, which I believe we've observed every year since the start. But despite putting out a call for F/F fic recs several weeks ago, we've received *checks notes* 3 submissions. 😵💫 C'mon, folks! Please send us your favorite F/F!
✨ The Rec Center Fic Submissions ✨
Please click the link to complete this form.
form.jotform.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:53 PM
As January comes to a close, The Rec Center approaches Femslash February, which I believe we've observed every year since the start. But despite putting out a call for F/F fic recs several weeks ago, we've received *checks notes* 3 submissions. 😵💫 C'mon, folks! Please send us your favorite F/F!
maybe this is the journalist in me talking, but I'd be calling this person in for an interview purely to ask about the oil
January 28, 2026 at 1:57 AM
maybe this is the journalist in me talking, but I'd be calling this person in for an interview purely to ask about the oil
sleep deprived for an incredibly stupid reason: i wrote the notes for our Bone Temple podcast right before going to bed last night, and resultingly woke up three hours early due to zombie nightmares
January 27, 2026 at 4:38 PM
sleep deprived for an incredibly stupid reason: i wrote the notes for our Bone Temple podcast right before going to bed last night, and resultingly woke up three hours early due to zombie nightmares
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Here it is: My thoughts on Heated Rivalry's fantastic adaptation of romance genre storytelling - and why this is such a bizarrely rare phenomenon on TV.
"The real question here isn’t why Heated Rivalry is a hit—it’s why this kind of romance series is so rare in the first place."
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The Success of Heated Rivalry Should Not Be a Surprise — Fansplaining
Romancelandia understands why the show is a hit. Why is it so hard for Hollywood to get the message?
www.fansplaining.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Here it is: My thoughts on Heated Rivalry's fantastic adaptation of romance genre storytelling - and why this is such a bizarrely rare phenomenon on TV.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
"The real question here isn’t why Heated Rivalry is a hit—it’s why this kind of romance series is so rare in the first place."
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The Success of Heated Rivalry Should Not Be a Surprise — Fansplaining
Romancelandia understands why the show is a hit. Why is it so hard for Hollywood to get the message?
www.fansplaining.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:17 PM
"The real question here isn’t why Heated Rivalry is a hit—it’s why this kind of romance series is so rare in the first place."
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
The great @gavia.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining with an incisive piece on Heated Rivalry, romance publishing, and the TV industry. Read or listen to an audio version:
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
highly endorse this episode on HR from one of my favorite podcasts.
it is a goddamn delight to have a deep dive from critics whose expertise sits at the intersection of genre romance, film and tv, professional hockey culture, *and* fandom culture!
it is a goddamn delight to have a deep dive from critics whose expertise sits at the intersection of genre romance, film and tv, professional hockey culture, *and* fandom culture!
January 26, 2026 at 6:08 PM
highly endorse this episode on HR from one of my favorite podcasts.
it is a goddamn delight to have a deep dive from critics whose expertise sits at the intersection of genre romance, film and tv, professional hockey culture, *and* fandom culture!
it is a goddamn delight to have a deep dive from critics whose expertise sits at the intersection of genre romance, film and tv, professional hockey culture, *and* fandom culture!
this will sound like I'm shitposting if ur not in the know, but this food narrative is a direct result of the Italian parmesan lobby targeting influencers and pro athletes, which will presumably ramp up during the Milan Olympics lol
January 26, 2026 at 11:47 PM
this will sound like I'm shitposting if ur not in the know, but this food narrative is a direct result of the Italian parmesan lobby targeting influencers and pro athletes, which will presumably ramp up during the Milan Olympics lol