Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
@mediaversityreviews.com
Founder & EIC, Mediaversity Reviews | TV & films graded on diversity | 🍅 critic | Sr. Director, Content at Common Sense Media (views her own) | 📍Seattle, WA
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Reintroducing myself and Mediaversity. Supporting emerging TV/film critics from underrepresented backgrounds since 2016, we grade TV and movies on inclusiveness. We're in this marathon for the long haul. Completely independent, consider donating ✌🏻 Either monthly: www.patreon.com/mediaversity...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Hot damn #28YearsLaterTheBoneTemple is the first great movie of 2026. Nia DaCosta doesn’t miss with a movie that’s bold, scary, intense, and bloody brilliant. Fiennes, O’Connell and Kellymen are perfect. Can’t wait to write about it.
January 13, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Hot damn #28YearsLaterTheBoneTemple is the first great movie of 2026. Nia DaCosta doesn’t miss with a movie that’s bold, scary, intense, and bloody brilliant. Fiennes, O’Connell and Kellymen are perfect. Can’t wait to write about it.
just paid $280 for my son's epi-pen. and every year we have to refresh those epi-pens, and he always needs spares (for school) so we have to buy multiples, all out of pocket. and that's *with* a healthcare plan as part of my FT job. i love the american healthc a re sy s t ee m
a person is holding an empty wallet in their hands and looking at it .
Alt: A person opens a wallet only to find it empty, except for one coin inside, looking pained
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:34 PM
just paid $280 for my son's epi-pen. and every year we have to refresh those epi-pens, and he always needs spares (for school) so we have to buy multiples, all out of pocket. and that's *with* a healthcare plan as part of my FT job. i love the american healthc a re sy s t ee m
NEW REVIEW — With #Moana getting its live-action remake this year, @clintworthing.bsky.social looks at Disney's last Polynesian foray: the $1 billion-grossing #LiloAndStitch. Did it improve or regress on inclusion compared to the 2002 original? www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Lilo & Stitch — Mediaversity Reviews
“The plot differs from the original Lilo & Stitch , and its new depiction of foster care in Native contexts has uncomfortable implications.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
NEW REVIEW — With #Moana getting its live-action remake this year, @clintworthing.bsky.social looks at Disney's last Polynesian foray: the $1 billion-grossing #LiloAndStitch. Did it improve or regress on inclusion compared to the 2002 original? www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
NEW REVIEW — #TheDutchman is out in theaters today, and while I wanted to like André Holland's latest thriller, this one didn't really do it for me. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
The Dutchman — Mediaversity Reviews
“Andre Gaines overworks The Dutchman, adding too much meta to the point of weighing it down.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:13 PM
NEW REVIEW — #TheDutchman is out in theaters today, and while I wanted to like André Holland's latest thriller, this one didn't really do it for me. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Hi, do you have something fun offline planned for today?
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Hi, do you have something fun offline planned for today?
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Katey Rich asked all her past Prestige Junkie podcast guests one simple question: What's the best thing that happened to Hollywood this year? For @theblcklst.bsky.social @franklinleonard.bsky.social, the triumph of 'Sinners' was an obvious choice prestigejunkieafterparty.substack.com/p/what-was-t...
January 2, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Katey Rich asked all her past Prestige Junkie podcast guests one simple question: What's the best thing that happened to Hollywood this year? For @theblcklst.bsky.social @franklinleonard.bsky.social, the triumph of 'Sinners' was an obvious choice prestigejunkieafterparty.substack.com/p/what-was-t...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
January 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
NEW REVIEW — Another year, another box office weekend! #TIFF film #TheMotherAndTheBear releases tomorrow, and it hits all my favorite beats: mother-daughter reconciliation, immigrant/generational culture clash, and more. Worth the price of admission. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
The Mother and the Bear — Mediaversity Reviews
“ The Mother and the Bear presents a powerful look at parenthood and celebrates personal growth at any age.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:31 AM
NEW REVIEW — Another year, another box office weekend! #TIFF film #TheMotherAndTheBear releases tomorrow, and it hits all my favorite beats: mother-daughter reconciliation, immigrant/generational culture clash, and more. Worth the price of admission. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
@mediaversityreviews.com is refreshingly clear about evaluating the diversity of TV & movies in its reviews.
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
NEW REVIEW — The dreary weather in Seattle is making me want to hide out in a movie theater this weekend. Richard Linklater's newest film #BlueMoon could fit the bill as a cozy diversion, but the sexism is 🙄 and the story ... 🥱 Might want to skip this one www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Blue Moon — Mediaversity Reviews
“No matter how sharply Margaret Qualley plays Blue Moon ’s blond bombshell, there’s no fixing a script that spends most of its time objectifying her.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
@mediaversityreviews.com is refreshingly clear about evaluating the diversity of TV & movies in its reviews.
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
NEW POST — Happy New Year's Eve! 🥳 Our Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2025 list is now out. It wasn't a particularly inclusive year for cinema, but the gems are there. Plus a weird amount of romcoms. We love love I guess ❤️ medium.com/cinemania/to...
Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2025
Graded on Gender, Race, LGBTQ, Disability, and more
medium.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
NEW POST — Happy New Year's Eve! 🥳 Our Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2025 list is now out. It wasn't a particularly inclusive year for cinema, but the gems are there. Plus a weird amount of romcoms. We love love I guess ❤️ medium.com/cinemania/to...
NEW REVIEW — Need an easy, cute, and inclusive romcom to watch as the year comes to a close? Hulu's #ANiceIndianBoy is a 2025 highlight. @ishmeetnagpal.bsky.social takes a look: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
A Nice Indian Boy — Mediaversity Reviews
“Familiar references and attention to detail make A Nice Indian Boy feel authentically Indian despite being set in the West.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
NEW REVIEW — Need an easy, cute, and inclusive romcom to watch as the year comes to a close? Hulu's #ANiceIndianBoy is a 2025 highlight. @ishmeetnagpal.bsky.social takes a look: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Or, you can buy my latest book, POPCORN DISABILITIES. Learn all about disability in film (spoiler, there's a lot that needs to change)!
amzn.to/44PGIVv
amzn.to/44PGIVv
Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies
Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies
amzn.to
December 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Or, you can buy my latest book, POPCORN DISABILITIES. Learn all about disability in film (spoiler, there's a lot that needs to change)!
amzn.to/44PGIVv
amzn.to/44PGIVv
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Got a little personal in today's post before I start dropping End of the Year lists tomorrow. I talked about getting a book out this year, the things I'm proud of, and how I still fear for culture writing in 2026.
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
A Look Back at 2025 (Good Riddance)
I'm ready to put this year completely in the past
thefilmmaven.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Got a little personal in today's post before I start dropping End of the Year lists tomorrow. I talked about getting a book out this year, the things I'm proud of, and how I still fear for culture writing in 2026.
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
One of the most difficult reviews I’ve had to write, but a piece I’m proud of.
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
NEW REVIEW — We're gearing up to the finish line! Looking across the year in movies, #OneBattleAfterAnother is one that's sure to keep coming up as we head into awards season. @supergavigator.bsky.social looks at how it fares on inclusion: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
One Battle After Another — Mediaversity Reviews
“ One Battle After Another tackles stereotypes but doesn’t give characters enough depth to subvert them.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
One of the most difficult reviews I’ve had to write, but a piece I’m proud of.
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
NEW REVIEW — We're gearing up to the finish line! Looking across the year in movies, #OneBattleAfterAnother is one that's sure to keep coming up as we head into awards season. @supergavigator.bsky.social looks at how it fares on inclusion: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
One Battle After Another — Mediaversity Reviews
“ One Battle After Another tackles stereotypes but doesn’t give characters enough depth to subvert them.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
NEW REVIEW — We're gearing up to the finish line! Looking across the year in movies, #OneBattleAfterAnother is one that's sure to keep coming up as we head into awards season. @supergavigator.bsky.social looks at how it fares on inclusion: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
December 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
HAMNET is one of my favourite films of the year and I'm so glad @mediaversityreviews.com asked me to review it. The cinematography, sound, and costume design are terrific, and the acting and direction perfection. The performance of Hamlet in the 3rd act might just be my favourite sequence this year.
NEW REVIEW — As we catch up on end-of-year coverage, @carriecnh12.bsky.social gives #Hamnet its flowers. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Hamnet — Mediaversity Reviews
“ Hamnet breathes life into an unknown woman.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:54 AM
HAMNET is one of my favourite films of the year and I'm so glad @mediaversityreviews.com asked me to review it. The cinematography, sound, and costume design are terrific, and the acting and direction perfection. The performance of Hamlet in the 3rd act might just be my favourite sequence this year.
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Almost Christmas stars Danny Glover. Robert wrote about it here: letterboxd.com/journal/blac...
Home for the Holidays: Sixteen Black Christmas films to add to your rotation this winter • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
From jolly rom-coms to chaotic family romps and religious gems, Robert Daniels celebrates sixteen Black Christmas films to add to your holiday rotation.
letterboxd.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Almost Christmas stars Danny Glover. Robert wrote about it here: letterboxd.com/journal/blac...
haven't watched a christmas movie all season yet that wasn't for work. thinking about making #JingBellHeist my one, unless anyone has better suggestions? if you're gonna watch ONE new xmas streamer tomorrow, which one is it?
December 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
haven't watched a christmas movie all season yet that wasn't for work. thinking about making #JingBellHeist my one, unless anyone has better suggestions? if you're gonna watch ONE new xmas streamer tomorrow, which one is it?
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
NEW REVIEW — As we catch up on end-of-year coverage, @carriecnh12.bsky.social gives #Hamnet its flowers. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Hamnet — Mediaversity Reviews
“ Hamnet breathes life into an unknown woman.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:34 PM
NEW REVIEW — As we catch up on end-of-year coverage, @carriecnh12.bsky.social gives #Hamnet its flowers. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Between #TrainDreams and #TheAbandons, Netflix has been giving this Pacific Northwest transplant some stuff to watch 👀
a close up of a woman 's face with the words i like it on the bottom
Alt: Gillian Anderson saying "I like it"
media.tenor.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Between #TrainDreams and #TheAbandons, Netflix has been giving this Pacific Northwest transplant some stuff to watch 👀
#Fallout Season 2 comes back on Prime tomorrow 👀🧟 Catch on with our review of the show's inclusiveness: www.mediaversityreviews.com/tv-reviews/2...
Fallout - Season 1 — Mediaversity Reviews
“ Fallout ’s heart is in the right place, but more work needs to be done for it to become the inclusive show it thinks it is.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
#Fallout Season 2 comes back on Prime tomorrow 👀🧟 Catch on with our review of the show's inclusiveness: www.mediaversityreviews.com/tv-reviews/2...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Getting into Wake Up Dead Man, the movie and the memo to Tarantino with @roxana-hadadi.bsky.social, @amuredda.bsky.social and @jacksonweaver.bsky.social .
youtu.be/AwKgZlorDjs?...
youtu.be/AwKgZlorDjs?...
Is Wake Up Dead Man the best Knives Out yet?
YouTube video by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Getting into Wake Up Dead Man, the movie and the memo to Tarantino with @roxana-hadadi.bsky.social, @amuredda.bsky.social and @jacksonweaver.bsky.social .
youtu.be/AwKgZlorDjs?...
youtu.be/AwKgZlorDjs?...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
I really wanted to like it 🥲
NEW REVIEW — Our writer @supergavigator.bsky.social gave #Wicked an A- but found #WickedForGood a disappointing follow-up. What changed? www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Wicked: For Good — Mediaversity Reviews
“ Wicked: For Good imparts an awful message about friendship.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I really wanted to like it 🥲