Justin Hairston
@justinh94.bsky.social
The artist soon to be known as the artist formerly known as Justin Hairston || writing, sometimes: @bwdr.bsky.social / @electricliterature.com / @crimereads.bsky.social / @broadsoundmag.com
justin.hairston.substack.com
justin.hairston.substack.com
Pinned
It’s Brutal Out Here (Justin Hairston)
A24 If it feels impossible to write about a painting movie without using the obvious metaphorical palette, try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything …
broadsoundmag.com
Thrilled to be back in @broadsoundmag.com writing about a very American movie and how, well… BRUTALIST it is:
great piece on a great movie (and a good one)
I think @rianjohnson.bsky.social made WAKE UP DEAD MAN just for people like me (angry exvangelicals who still find value in Jesus’ teaching even though the Church is really bad at living those teachings out, bonus points if you like U2). Paired it with CONCLAVE in my latest column @bwdr.bsky.social
Double Features: Wake Up Dead Man and Conclave
Wake Up Dead Man and Conclave depict faith at work in a world that’s dark and growing darker. Both films hold faith up to the light and ask: In times like these, what are the faithful to do?
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:11 PM
great piece on a great movie (and a good one)
Reposted by Justin Hairston
Had fun editing this #NYFF63 roundup from @justinh94.bsky.social for @broadsoundmag.com. His writeup on "Sirāt" has me itching for a wide release date: broadsoundmag.com/2025/10/24/t...
Teardrops Like Rain and Raves in the Desert (Justin Hairston)
On the Whispers and Bangs of NYFF 63 Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value | Credit: Neon An interesting thing about attending a film festival: the context …
broadsoundmag.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Had fun editing this #NYFF63 roundup from @justinh94.bsky.social for @broadsoundmag.com. His writeup on "Sirāt" has me itching for a wide release date: broadsoundmag.com/2025/10/24/t...
Was honored to cover #NYFF63 for @broadsoundmag.com. A quieter fest than usual, maybe, but that wasn't a bad thing:
Teardrops Like Rain and Raves in the Desert (Justin Hairston)
On the Whispers and Bangs of NYFF 63 Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value | Credit: Neon An interesting thing about attending a film festival: the context …
broadsoundmag.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Was honored to cover #NYFF63 for @broadsoundmag.com. A quieter fest than usual, maybe, but that wasn't a bad thing:
Reposted by Justin Hairston
This week I got together with @justinh94.bsky.social and Danny Klain on the @broadsoundmag.com podcast to talk about ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER and Vineland.
iTunes podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dRA...
iTunes podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dRA...
The Broad Sound Book Club: One Battle After Another
Podcast Episode · The Broad Sound Podcast · 10/03/2025 · 1h 31m
podcasts.apple.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This week I got together with @justinh94.bsky.social and Danny Klain on the @broadsoundmag.com podcast to talk about ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER and Vineland.
iTunes podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dRA...
iTunes podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dRA...
Our Vineland read-a-long pod continues at a very Pynchonesque pace - stop, start, fast, slow - but we're back:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Broad Sound Book Club: Vineland (Chs. 6-8)
Podcast Episode · The Broad Sound Podcast · 09/16/2025 · 1h 13m
podcasts.apple.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Our Vineland read-a-long pod continues at a very Pynchonesque pace - stop, start, fast, slow - but we're back:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Justin Hairston
New today on the podcast feed: @justinh94.bsky.social and @ethanwarrenauthor.com talk through chapters 4 and 5 of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland! Search Broad Sound Podcast wherever you pod! www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
August 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
New today on the podcast feed: @justinh94.bsky.social and @ethanwarrenauthor.com talk through chapters 4 and 5 of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland! Search Broad Sound Podcast wherever you pod! www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
After a short delay, we’re back—with friends!
The sky is dark, because all the stars are on the Broad Sound Book Club this week—join @justinh94.bsky.social and @ethanwarren.bsky.social plus special guests @danklain.bsky.social and @dodgyboffin.com, to discuss Chapters 2 and 3 of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland! www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
July 22, 2025 at 4:43 AM
After a short delay, we’re back—with friends!
Reposted by Justin Hairston
Thrilled to be back in @broadsoundmag.com writing about a very American movie and how, well… BRUTALIST it is:
It’s Brutal Out Here (Justin Hairston)
A24 If it feels impossible to write about a painting movie without using the obvious metaphorical palette, try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything …
broadsoundmag.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Thrilled to be back in @broadsoundmag.com writing about a very American movie and how, well… BRUTALIST it is:
Thrilled to be back in @broadsoundmag.com writing about a very American movie and how, well… BRUTALIST it is:
It’s Brutal Out Here (Justin Hairston)
A24 If it feels impossible to write about a painting movie without using the obvious metaphorical palette, try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything …
broadsoundmag.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Thrilled to be back in @broadsoundmag.com writing about a very American movie and how, well… BRUTALIST it is:
Reposted by Justin Hairston
New today on the site:
"Try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything about its construction seems designed to earn the word monumental." - @justinh94.bsky.social
broadsoundmag.com/2025/07/03/i...
"Try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything about its construction seems designed to earn the word monumental." - @justinh94.bsky.social
broadsoundmag.com/2025/07/03/i...
It’s Brutal Out Here (Justin Hairston)
A24 If it feels impossible to write about a painting movie without using the obvious metaphorical palette, try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything …
broadsoundmag.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
New today on the site:
"Try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything about its construction seems designed to earn the word monumental." - @justinh94.bsky.social
broadsoundmag.com/2025/07/03/i...
"Try writing about The Brutalist without comparing it to its subject’s subject. Everything about its construction seems designed to earn the word monumental." - @justinh94.bsky.social
broadsoundmag.com/2025/07/03/i...
Reposted by Justin Hairston
if you don't mind my tendency to go on at length in big long paragraphs, this is really a very good interview
As ever, an interview with @themountaingoats.bsky.social that’s giving me the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.
The Broad Sound Interview: John Darnielle
Illustration by Vanessa McKee John Darnielle, singer-songwriter behind the Mountain Goats, took time out of his schedule in March 2025 to do the Broad Sound interview—a set list of 12 questions gen…
broadsoundmag.com
June 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
if you don't mind my tendency to go on at length in big long paragraphs, this is really a very good interview
Honored to be joining @ethanwarren.bsky.social to pod our way through Pynchon's VINELAND this summer in anticipation of PTA's (probable?) adaptation. Join us on the @broadsoundmag.com pod feed:
The Broad Sound Podcast
Broad Sound has three podcasts housed under the same feed: Eye of the Beholder (Tuesdays): Editor-in-Chief Ethan Warren invites Broad Sound contributors to pick works of art they define as perfect.…
broadsoundmag.com
June 21, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Honored to be joining @ethanwarren.bsky.social to pod our way through Pynchon's VINELAND this summer in anticipation of PTA's (probable?) adaptation. Join us on the @broadsoundmag.com pod feed:
Reposted by Justin Hairston
New today on the podcast feed: crack open a new season on the Broad Sound Book Club as @justinh94.bsky.social and @ethanwarren.bsky.social discuss Chapter 1 of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
June 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
New today on the podcast feed: crack open a new season on the Broad Sound Book Club as @justinh94.bsky.social and @ethanwarren.bsky.social discuss Chapter 1 of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
Reposted by Justin Hairston
Went back and re-read this interview from @justinh94.bsky.social last night after finally seeing Sing Sing, and it’s a really great read
We Can Still Find Light: An interview with the creators of 'Sing Sing'
The creators of 'Sing Sing'—Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley, and Monique Walton—on telling stories, hard-won optimism, and the necessity of art.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
June 14, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Went back and re-read this interview from @justinh94.bsky.social last night after finally seeing Sing Sing, and it’s a really great read
In its own way, what Nathan does on tonight’s Rehearsal finale is as daring and insane as anything Cruise and McQuarrie have ever attempted
May 26, 2025 at 3:53 AM
In its own way, what Nathan does on tonight’s Rehearsal finale is as daring and insane as anything Cruise and McQuarrie have ever attempted
Wrote about three of the best shows of the year (and time as form):
A Oner, I Wonder?
Continuity in Adolescence, The Studio, and The Pitt
open.substack.com
May 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Wrote about three of the best shows of the year (and time as form):
Had the pleasure of joining this workshop last fall and got so, so much out of it. Highly recommend!
The other is an 8-week, in-person workshop focusing specifically on the review as creative writing. Everybody gets workshopped, we talk about crafting reviews and the business of writing them, it’s a good time. Monday nights in Brooklyn, June 23 to August 11:
centerforfiction.org/group-worksh...
centerforfiction.org/group-worksh...
Expanding the World: The Review as Creative Writing with Alissa Wilkinson | The Center for Fiction
In Person | Learning to write a good review can open doors for any writer. Approach the review as a genre of creative writing, tackling craft questions through close reading of work by an array of cri...
centerforfiction.org
May 22, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Had the pleasure of joining this workshop last fall and got so, so much out of it. Highly recommend!
Reposted by Justin Hairston
I'd be shocked if there's a better album this year than the new Bon Iver record. Wrote about it here:
The Sound of Spring
On Bon Iver's light-filled new album
open.substack.com
April 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I'd be shocked if there's a better album this year than the new Bon Iver record. Wrote about it here:
Reposted by Justin Hairston
I love this more than i can possibly say:
“Why promote an album with a basketball game? ‘Well, the whole record is about steering to the sunlight or whatever, and being happy,’ he considers. “So that’s what we’re doing.’”
“Why promote an album with a basketball game? ‘Well, the whole record is about steering to the sunlight or whatever, and being happy,’ he considers. “So that’s what we’re doing.’”
Bon Iver Threw a Basketball Tournament To Launch ‘SABLE, fABLE’
The new Bon Iver album is about “steering to the sunlight,” so Justin Vernon traded the holocene for the hardwood and invited a few of his friends to an L.A. gym for an exhibition game this weekend. W...
www.gq.com
April 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I love this more than i can possibly say:
“Why promote an album with a basketball game? ‘Well, the whole record is about steering to the sunlight or whatever, and being happy,’ he considers. “So that’s what we’re doing.’”
“Why promote an album with a basketball game? ‘Well, the whole record is about steering to the sunlight or whatever, and being happy,’ he considers. “So that’s what we’re doing.’”
I'd be shocked if there's a better album this year than the new Bon Iver record. Wrote about it here:
The Sound of Spring
On Bon Iver's light-filled new album
open.substack.com
April 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I'd be shocked if there's a better album this year than the new Bon Iver record. Wrote about it here:
Had a blast and a half rambling on to @ethanwarren.bsky.social about a movie that rambles on, and on, and on -- and achieves an imperfect perfection in the process, I'd argue. And I did!
Today on the podcast feed: @justinh94.bsky.social attempts to sell a skeptical @ethanwarren.bsky.social on the perfection of Babylon. Does he make the sale? Listen to find out.
www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2389600/epis...
April 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Had a blast and a half rambling on to @ethanwarren.bsky.social about a movie that rambles on, and on, and on -- and achieves an imperfect perfection in the process, I'd argue. And I did!
Reposted by Justin Hairston
Out now for Patreon supporters: @justinh94.bsky.social defends the perfection of Babylon to a skeptical @ethanwarren.bsky.social on a new Eye of the Beholder www.patreon.com/posts/eye-of...
Eye of the Beholder: Babylon (2022) | Broad Sound
Get more from Broad Sound on Patreon
www.patreon.com
March 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Out now for Patreon supporters: @justinh94.bsky.social defends the perfection of Babylon to a skeptical @ethanwarren.bsky.social on a new Eye of the Beholder www.patreon.com/posts/eye-of...
Reposted by Justin Hairston
“There are far too many other Storror video styles to touch on here, but the breadth of content itself speaks to their understated, multifaceted ability as filmmakers.” - @justinh94.bsky.social broadsoundmag.com/2024/07/27/j...
Jumping for Joy (Justin Hairston)
In Brighton, East Sussex, a man stands at a rooftop’s edge. It’s not a long gap to the rooftop opposite, but it is three or four stories high. There’s also the fact that the man isn’t just trying t…
broadsoundmag.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:28 PM
“There are far too many other Storror video styles to touch on here, but the breadth of content itself speaks to their understated, multifaceted ability as filmmakers.” - @justinh94.bsky.social broadsoundmag.com/2024/07/27/j...