Leah Schnelbach
@leahschnelbach.bsky.social
writer, mostly. intellectual junk drawer at reactor mag. they!
I wrote this essay about The Great Pumpkin roughly a billion years ago, but it's still one of my favorites. 🎃
reactormag.com/celebrating-...
reactormag.com/celebrating-...
Celebrating Sincerity with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - Reactor
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown first aired on October 27th, 1966, meeting CBS’s demand for another Peanuts holiday-themed special that could run annually, like the previous year’s A Charlie Bro...
reactormag.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I wrote this essay about The Great Pumpkin roughly a billion years ago, but it's still one of my favorites. 🎃
reactormag.com/celebrating-...
reactormag.com/celebrating-...
For those of you who feel left out of Spooky Season every year, I've done my best to find quality documentaries about horror movies that are not, in themselves, horrific, and probably won't scare you.
Probably.
Probably.
Look, not everybody wants to be terrified out of their mind every Halloween. Some of us want a calm, cool, collected documentary about the people that do. @leahschnelbach.bsky.social recommends 10 horror documentaries!
reactormag.com/celebrate-sp...
reactormag.com/celebrate-sp...
Celebrate Spooky Season Without the Jumpscares in Ten Horror Documentaries - Reactor
These in-depth documentaries will give you the movie trivia and references you'll need to get through Halloween...
reactormag.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
For those of you who feel left out of Spooky Season every year, I've done my best to find quality documentaries about horror movies that are not, in themselves, horrific, and probably won't scare you.
Probably.
Probably.
It's possible that I spent too much time on this essay about the Superhero Industrial Complex's attempt to cope with the terrible realities of 2025—but this piece is my favorite thing I've written this year.
reactormag.com/what-can-sup...
reactormag.com/what-can-sup...
What Can Superheroes Do in the Face of Entropy? - Reactor
Three recent superhero movies respond to disorder, uncertainty, and other existential threats...
reactormag.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
It's possible that I spent too much time on this essay about the Superhero Industrial Complex's attempt to cope with the terrible realities of 2025—but this piece is my favorite thing I've written this year.
reactormag.com/what-can-sup...
reactormag.com/what-can-sup...
Reposted by Leah Schnelbach
Congratulations to Vajra Chandrasekera (@vajra.me), recipient of the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for Rakesfall!
Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
October 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Congratulations to Vajra Chandrasekera (@vajra.me), recipient of the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for Rakesfall!
Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
Be warned/enticed: I spend half of this review going off about The Black Phone 2's deeply weird theological implications.
"The Shining-meets-A Nightmare on Elm Street-meets-The More Emotional Moments Of Doctor Sleep"; even when The Black Phone 2's plot dials out, strong performances and genuine scares pick right back up 📞
reactormag.com/movie-review...
reactormag.com/movie-review...
The Black Phone 2 Creates Genuine Scares Despite Some Static on the Line - Reactor
Excellent acting and atmosphere elevates some shaky worldbuilding.
reactormag.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Be warned/enticed: I spend half of this review going off about The Black Phone 2's deeply weird theological implications.
I loved Good Boy! (Both the movie, and the Good Boy himself.)
In order to serve your moviegoing needs, I have written a review that works its way from “no spoilers at all” to “but does the dog die???” to “oops all spoilers!”, because I want every dog-and-horror-loving one of you to see it.
In order to serve your moviegoing needs, I have written a review that works its way from “no spoilers at all” to “but does the dog die???” to “oops all spoilers!”, because I want every dog-and-horror-loving one of you to see it.
Good Boy's genuine scares, dedication to the bit, and open heart make it an dog-gone good movie 🐶
reactormag.com/good-boy-hor...
reactormag.com/good-boy-hor...
Good Boy: Great Horror, Even Better Dog - Reactor
An excellent, heartwrenching new horror film rises above its gimmick.
reactormag.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I loved Good Boy! (Both the movie, and the Good Boy himself.)
In order to serve your moviegoing needs, I have written a review that works its way from “no spoilers at all” to “but does the dog die???” to “oops all spoilers!”, because I want every dog-and-horror-loving one of you to see it.
In order to serve your moviegoing needs, I have written a review that works its way from “no spoilers at all” to “but does the dog die???” to “oops all spoilers!”, because I want every dog-and-horror-loving one of you to see it.
You know what's great?
Getting to publish an essay as insightful and heartening as this exploration of Serenity, the information economy, and sustainable change from @thenerdypriest.bsky.social.
reactormag.com/serenity-and...
Getting to publish an essay as insightful and heartening as this exploration of Serenity, the information economy, and sustainable change from @thenerdypriest.bsky.social.
reactormag.com/serenity-and...
Serenity and the Myth of "Getting Out the Signal" - Reactor
We want to believe that knowledge will change the world for the better, but it's not always that simple.
reactormag.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
You know what's great?
Getting to publish an essay as insightful and heartening as this exploration of Serenity, the information economy, and sustainable change from @thenerdypriest.bsky.social.
reactormag.com/serenity-and...
Getting to publish an essay as insightful and heartening as this exploration of Serenity, the information economy, and sustainable change from @thenerdypriest.bsky.social.
reactormag.com/serenity-and...
I can't say it was always fun to review a choppy show about a near-future capitalist hellscape—but I CAN say that I would die for a certain eyeball alien.
OPTIPUS 4-EVA.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the finale of Alien: Earth!
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
OPTIPUS 4-EVA.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the finale of Alien: Earth!
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
The Lost Boys Find Themselves in Alien: Earth’s Tense Finale - Reactor
“Don’t say ‘It’s complicated’—that’s what powerless people say to make doing nothing OK.”
reactormag.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I can't say it was always fun to review a choppy show about a near-future capitalist hellscape—but I CAN say that I would die for a certain eyeball alien.
OPTIPUS 4-EVA.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the finale of Alien: Earth!
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
OPTIPUS 4-EVA.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the finale of Alien: Earth!
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
Reposted by Leah Schnelbach
Neo Sora's fervent, anti-fascist dystopian film Happyend is finally out in the US, and @leahschnelbach.bsky.social recommends seeing it while you can:
#HappyEnd
reactormag.com/movie-review...
#HappyEnd
reactormag.com/movie-review...
A Teenage Dystopia With a Dash of Hope: Neo Sora's Happyend - Reactor
A confident feature debut from a promising director.
reactormag.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Neo Sora's fervent, anti-fascist dystopian film Happyend is finally out in the US, and @leahschnelbach.bsky.social recommends seeing it while you can:
#HappyEnd
reactormag.com/movie-review...
#HappyEnd
reactormag.com/movie-review...
Locked room! Crime-solving priest! Andrew Scott as a mystery author who's involved somehow!
This is all my favorite things in one movie!
This is all my favorite things in one movie!
The morning’s bright the sky is blue and we have a teaser trailer! WAKE UP DEAD MAN the new Benoit Blanc mystery, in theaters Thanksgiving and on Netflix 12/12
September 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Locked room! Crime-solving priest! Andrew Scott as a mystery author who's involved somehow!
This is all my favorite things in one movie!
This is all my favorite things in one movie!
Speaking as both a former janitor and a current film critic, Macon Blair's update on The Toxic Avenger is a delightful time at the movies.
reactormag.com/movie-review...
reactormag.com/movie-review...
The Toxic Avenger Is the Hero We Need Right Now - Reactor
Toxie is back to mop up all of society's ills.
reactormag.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Speaking as both a former janitor and a current film critic, Macon Blair's update on The Toxic Avenger is a delightful time at the movies.
reactormag.com/movie-review...
reactormag.com/movie-review...
Reposted by Leah Schnelbach
watched the first episode of Alien: Earth and couldn't believe when this literally happened
August 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
watched the first episode of Alien: Earth and couldn't believe when this literally happened
I'm writing weekly reviews of Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth for @reactorsff.bsky.social, and I don't know what mystical elixir was added to horror creators' water this year, but once again I find myself saying: holy shit!
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
Alien: Earth Mixes Peter Pan and Xenomorphs to Extraordinary Effect - Reactor
Noah Hawley's new show is a thrilling addition to the Alien series.
reactormag.com
August 13, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I'm writing weekly reviews of Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth for @reactorsff.bsky.social, and I don't know what mystical elixir was added to horror creators' water this year, but once again I find myself saying: holy shit!
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
reactormag.com/tv-review-al...
I Can't Shake Weapons - Reactor
I love it when a movie decides to be about everything.
reactormag.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Holy SHIT I love Weapons. I love the structure, the humor, the gore, Alden Ehrenreich's mustache, every single second of Benedict Wong, the gallons of vodka, the use of George Harrison, all of it.
I've summed up my love in as non-spoiler a manner as possible.
reactormag.com/movie-review...
I've summed up my love in as non-spoiler a manner as possible.
reactormag.com/movie-review...
Weapons Lives Up to the Hype, Then Laughs at the Hype and Transcends It - Reactor
Once again, horror is the best way to talk about most of society's ills.
reactormag.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Holy SHIT I love Weapons. I love the structure, the humor, the gore, Alden Ehrenreich's mustache, every single second of Benedict Wong, the gallons of vodka, the use of George Harrison, all of it.
I've summed up my love in as non-spoiler a manner as possible.
reactormag.com/movie-review...
I've summed up my love in as non-spoiler a manner as possible.
reactormag.com/movie-review...
The more I think about Murderbot the more I find to love, and I express my love through essays.
reactormag.com/the-joys-of-...
reactormag.com/the-joys-of-...
Premium Quality Entertainment: The Joys of Murderbot and Sanctuary Moon - Reactor
You can only find Murderbot by looking for what it loves.
reactormag.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The more I think about Murderbot the more I find to love, and I express my love through essays.
reactormag.com/the-joys-of-...
reactormag.com/the-joys-of-...
Murderbot has been a bright spot in this thresher of a year—and the more I’ve thought about it, the more a certain prickly augmented human has stolen my heart.
Who wants to join me for a few thousand words on Dr. Gurathin and the horrors of capitalism?
reactormag.com/i-didnt-expe...
Who wants to join me for a few thousand words on Dr. Gurathin and the horrors of capitalism?
reactormag.com/i-didnt-expe...
I Didn't Expect Dr. Gurathin To Be My Favorite Part of Murderbot - Reactor
I'd offer Dr. Gurathin a hug but he'd HATE that
reactormag.com
July 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Murderbot has been a bright spot in this thresher of a year—and the more I’ve thought about it, the more a certain prickly augmented human has stolen my heart.
Who wants to join me for a few thousand words on Dr. Gurathin and the horrors of capitalism?
reactormag.com/i-didnt-expe...
Who wants to join me for a few thousand words on Dr. Gurathin and the horrors of capitalism?
reactormag.com/i-didnt-expe...
Reposted by Leah Schnelbach
Superman is an action movie, a comedy, and also a horror movie, because a journalist types a massive exposé straight into the CMS and hits publish while on some kind of janky spaceship mobile hotspot
July 11, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Superman is an action movie, a comedy, and also a horror movie, because a journalist types a massive exposé straight into the CMS and hits publish while on some kind of janky spaceship mobile hotspot
Reposted by Leah Schnelbach
wow wow wow
I'm not going to Seattle in person, but I was idly perusing through the programme and this appears to be the only review/crit focussed panel. I... just wow. Seriously?
July 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
wow wow wow
I watch a lot of horror, and given my love of all things Irish, you can imagine my delight at finding a rich vein of terrifying films from the Emerald Isle.
I rounded up 15 of my faves, with tentacle monsters, vampires, FOLK DARKNESS, and religious trauma galore: reactormag.com/15-irish-hor...
I rounded up 15 of my faves, with tentacle monsters, vampires, FOLK DARKNESS, and religious trauma galore: reactormag.com/15-irish-hor...
15 Irish Horror Movies To Chill Your Summer - Reactor
Yes, there's folk horror, but there's so much more.
reactormag.com
June 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I watch a lot of horror, and given my love of all things Irish, you can imagine my delight at finding a rich vein of terrifying films from the Emerald Isle.
I rounded up 15 of my faves, with tentacle monsters, vampires, FOLK DARKNESS, and religious trauma galore: reactormag.com/15-irish-hor...
I rounded up 15 of my faves, with tentacle monsters, vampires, FOLK DARKNESS, and religious trauma galore: reactormag.com/15-irish-hor...
What world are we in that I've spent more time thinking about the latest sequel to 28 Days Later than the new Wes Anderson movie???
(Which I also loved, but Wes doesn't have full frontal quasi-zombie nudity in his. You win this round, Danny Boyle.)
reactormag.com/28-years-lat...
(Which I also loved, but Wes doesn't have full frontal quasi-zombie nudity in his. You win this round, Danny Boyle.)
reactormag.com/28-years-lat...
28 Years Later Is a Weird and Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Adventure - Reactor
This movie is probably not what you were expecting. In a very good way.
reactormag.com
June 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
What world are we in that I've spent more time thinking about the latest sequel to 28 Days Later than the new Wes Anderson movie???
(Which I also loved, but Wes doesn't have full frontal quasi-zombie nudity in his. You win this round, Danny Boyle.)
reactormag.com/28-years-lat...
(Which I also loved, but Wes doesn't have full frontal quasi-zombie nudity in his. You win this round, Danny Boyle.)
reactormag.com/28-years-lat...
Reposted by Leah Schnelbach
Thanks so much again to Leah for working with me on this--including working in Pope Francis' death when it occurred midway through the process
Absolute joy to work with Zack Budryk (@gonebabygone.bsky.social) on this dive into the dark theological heart of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock.
There may come a day when I tire of Complicated Catholicism Feelings, but it is not this day.
reactormag.com/an-anti-hero...
There may come a day when I tire of Complicated Catholicism Feelings, but it is not this day.
reactormag.com/an-anti-hero...
An Anti-Hero Predicts the Future in Graham Greene's Classic Brighton Rock - Reactor
Heaven was a word—Hell was something he could trust.
reactormag.com
June 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Thanks so much again to Leah for working with me on this--including working in Pope Francis' death when it occurred midway through the process
Absolute joy to work with Zack Budryk (@gonebabygone.bsky.social) on this dive into the dark theological heart of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock.
There may come a day when I tire of Complicated Catholicism Feelings, but it is not this day.
reactormag.com/an-anti-hero...
There may come a day when I tire of Complicated Catholicism Feelings, but it is not this day.
reactormag.com/an-anti-hero...
An Anti-Hero Predicts the Future in Graham Greene's Classic Brighton Rock - Reactor
Heaven was a word—Hell was something he could trust.
reactormag.com
June 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Absolute joy to work with Zack Budryk (@gonebabygone.bsky.social) on this dive into the dark theological heart of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock.
There may come a day when I tire of Complicated Catholicism Feelings, but it is not this day.
reactormag.com/an-anti-hero...
There may come a day when I tire of Complicated Catholicism Feelings, but it is not this day.
reactormag.com/an-anti-hero...
I didn’t expect a folk horror with a title like All You Need Is Death to be one of the most life-affirming experiences I’ve had this year—but I loved spending a few thousand words trying to write about why.
reactormag.com/all-you-need...
reactormag.com/all-you-need...
All You Need Is Death and the Art of Cutting Through Corporate Storytelling - Reactor
Paul Duane's recent film puts the "folk" in folk horror
reactormag.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I didn’t expect a folk horror with a title like All You Need Is Death to be one of the most life-affirming experiences I’ve had this year—but I loved spending a few thousand words trying to write about why.
reactormag.com/all-you-need...
reactormag.com/all-you-need...