Shirley Li
@shirklesxp.bsky.social
The Atlantic staff writer. Zach Woods EGOT campaign manager. EW alum. sli@theatlantic.com
Pinned
Reposted by Shirley Li
In “Die My Love,” parenting is the least of a struggling new mother’s concerns, @shirklesxp.bsky.social writes:
Parenting Is the Least of Her Worries
In Die My Love, a struggling new mom loves her child—but can’t stand anyone else.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 AM
In “Die My Love,” parenting is the least of a struggling new mother’s concerns, @shirklesxp.bsky.social writes:
Reposted by Shirley Li
The alien-conspiracy-theory-filled “Bugonia” sounds like a sci-fi thriller. The film is much more interested in the human condition—and in having very long conversations about it. @shirklesxp.bsky.social writes: https://theatln.tc/yJApHaeC
November 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The alien-conspiracy-theory-filled “Bugonia” sounds like a sci-fi thriller. The film is much more interested in the human condition—and in having very long conversations about it. @shirklesxp.bsky.social writes: https://theatln.tc/yJApHaeC
Reposted by Shirley Li
Our 2026 Career Achievement Award recipient is Philip Kaufman
October 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Our 2026 Career Achievement Award recipient is Philip Kaufman
Reposted by Shirley Li
“The Mastermind,” about an art-museum robbery gone wrong, doesn’t try to be a heist movie—to its benefit, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
The Worst Art Thief in America
“The Mastermind” is far more successful as a character study than as a heist movie.
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
“The Mastermind,” about an art-museum robbery gone wrong, doesn’t try to be a heist movie—to its benefit, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shirley Li
“After the Hunt” is built on incendiary moments, but it saves the most pointed provocation for last—by flipping the entire film on its head. Shirley Li writes:
When One Word Changes an Entire Film
"After the Hunt" seems to reckon with cancel culture, before revealing where its true interest lies.
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
“After the Hunt” is built on incendiary moments, but it saves the most pointed provocation for last—by flipping the entire film on its head. Shirley Li writes:
Reposted by Shirley Li
Surveillance and propaganda reign supreme in the fictional world of “1984”—for which generations have found real-life parallels, again and again. The new film “Orwell: 2+2=5” argues that noting such similarities isn’t enough, writes Shirley Li:
It’s Not Enough to Read Orwell
A new film argues that, in an era of rising authoritarianism, audiences have become too numb to the speculative force of “1984.”
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Surveillance and propaganda reign supreme in the fictional world of “1984”—for which generations have found real-life parallels, again and again. The new film “Orwell: 2+2=5” argues that noting such similarities isn’t enough, writes Shirley Li:
Reposted by Shirley Li
as usual @adamserwer.bsky.social says it best: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Lower Than Cowards
The surrender of America’s elites
www.theatlantic.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
as usual @adamserwer.bsky.social says it best: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Shirley Li
This year’s film-festival circuit produced a rich array of movies: existential thrillers, whodunits, musicals, and more. @shirklesxp.bsky.social on the 14 standouts to add to your watch list this season:
The 14 Movies to Watch Out for This Fall
The most exciting films heading to theaters through the end of the year
bit.ly
September 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This year’s film-festival circuit produced a rich array of movies: existential thrillers, whodunits, musicals, and more. @shirklesxp.bsky.social on the 14 standouts to add to your watch list this season:
Reposted by Shirley Li
We strongly condemn the actions taken by Nexstar and Disney-ABC to pull JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! off the air.
September 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
We strongly condemn the actions taken by Nexstar and Disney-ABC to pull JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! off the air.
Hello! @sophiegilbert.bsky.social and I will be on Reddit later today to talk this weekend's Emmys, because as they say about TV, a little counterprogramming goes a long way. Who's "they"? Who knows, but that's a question you can ask us during our AMA! See you there at 3 pm EST!
September 11, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Hello! @sophiegilbert.bsky.social and I will be on Reddit later today to talk this weekend's Emmys, because as they say about TV, a little counterprogramming goes a long way. Who's "they"? Who knows, but that's a question you can ask us during our AMA! See you there at 3 pm EST!
Reposted by Shirley Li
Francis Ford Coppola’s epic box-office bomb, “Megalopolis,” fits the vague outlines of a future cult classic. But the director’s attempts to mythologize the movie reveal how difficult it is to actually build a devoted fan base, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
A Famed Director Tried to Build a Fan Base for His Movie. It Was Awkward.
Francis Ford Coppola’s recent road show for "Megalopolis" is an attempt to dictate its legacy—and a misunderstanding of how fandom works.
bit.ly
August 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Francis Ford Coppola’s epic box-office bomb, “Megalopolis,” fits the vague outlines of a future cult classic. But the director’s attempts to mythologize the movie reveal how difficult it is to actually build a devoted fan base, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shirley Li
As kids’ TV has become more sprawling, figuring out what’s actually enriching has become more daunting than ever. @shirklesxp.bsky.social reports on recent cuts to public-media funding, the growing pains of children’s entertainment—and where it’s headed: https://theatln.tc/pCD9t51V
August 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
As kids’ TV has become more sprawling, figuring out what’s actually enriching has become more daunting than ever. @shirklesxp.bsky.social reports on recent cuts to public-media funding, the growing pains of children’s entertainment—and where it’s headed: https://theatln.tc/pCD9t51V
Reposted by Shirley Li
The “Star Wars” story “Andor,” whose series finale aired last night, questioned the franchise’s good-and-evil dichotomy—and wasn’t afraid to blur the lines, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
‘Andor’ Was the Reawakening Star Wars Needed
The best “Star Wars” story in years challenged the classic good-and-evil dichotomy.
bit.ly
May 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The “Star Wars” story “Andor,” whose series finale aired last night, questioned the franchise’s good-and-evil dichotomy—and wasn’t afraid to blur the lines, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shirley Li
The film “Warfare,” now streaming, is a visceral reimagining of a harrowing day during the Iraq War—and in co-director Ray Mendoza’s life. “I don’t know what’s real and what’s not real sometimes,” the former Navy SEAL tells @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
The Catharsis in Re-Creating One of the Worst Days of Your Life
Making the film “Warfare” was an exercise in exposure therapy for the veterans whose memories it reconstructs.
bit.ly
May 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The film “Warfare,” now streaming, is a visceral reimagining of a harrowing day during the Iraq War—and in co-director Ray Mendoza’s life. “I don’t know what’s real and what’s not real sometimes,” the former Navy SEAL tells @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shirley Li
wrote about it: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
The Conversation That Moviegoers Don’t Need to Be Having
“Sinners” has made a splash at the box office, but analysts want to focus on the money it isn’t making.
www.theatlantic.com
April 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
wrote about it: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
Reposted by Shirley Li
*Terrific* piece by @skornhaber.bsky.social about how the language and metaphors of video games have become central in the world of highly-online, Trump-positive young-dude streamers ...
... and how it inflects their political thinking: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
... and how it inflects their political thinking: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
‘All We Wanted to Do Was Play Video Games’
Streamers such as Zack “Asmongold” Hoyt have more influence than ever. What are they really saying?
www.theatlantic.com
April 25, 2025 at 8:07 PM
*Terrific* piece by @skornhaber.bsky.social about how the language and metaphors of video games have become central in the world of highly-online, Trump-positive young-dude streamers ...
... and how it inflects their political thinking: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
... and how it inflects their political thinking: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
Reposted by Shirley Li
Gift links to the Signal leak pieces (second one is the transcripts):
1. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
2. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
1. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
2. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal
The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.
www.theatlantic.com
March 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Gift links to the Signal leak pieces (second one is the transcripts):
1. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
2. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
1. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
2. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Reposted by Shirley Li
The director Bong Joon Ho’s first film since “Parasite” is a big, weird, occasionally messy sci-fi romp. But even if it might feel familiar, “Mickey 17” is still unmistakably original, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Mickey 17 Is Sad, Strange—And So Much Fun
Bong Joon Ho’s first film after Parasite is another satire, this time with a delirious sci-fi veneer.
www.theatlantic.com
March 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The director Bong Joon Ho’s first film since “Parasite” is a big, weird, occasionally messy sci-fi romp. But even if it might feel familiar, “Mickey 17” is still unmistakably original, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shirley Li
@shirklesxp.bsky.social and @davidlsims.bsky.social are watching this year’s Oscars to see who will take home awards—and whether any lesser-known films snag an upset.
On Monday, they’ll answer all your questions about the awards show on Reddit. Ask them anything. www.reddit.com/r/movies/
On Monday, they’ll answer all your questions about the awards show on Reddit. Ask them anything. www.reddit.com/r/movies/
March 2, 2025 at 6:35 PM
@shirklesxp.bsky.social and @davidlsims.bsky.social are watching this year’s Oscars to see who will take home awards—and whether any lesser-known films snag an upset.
On Monday, they’ll answer all your questions about the awards show on Reddit. Ask them anything. www.reddit.com/r/movies/
On Monday, they’ll answer all your questions about the awards show on Reddit. Ask them anything. www.reddit.com/r/movies/
Reposted by Shirley Li
The Oscars host Conan O'Brien opened the evening by playing the unruly jester—to delightful effect, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Conan O’Brien Understood the Assignment
The Oscars host was silly and serious by turns—and delightfully in control of the evening.
www.theatlantic.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The Oscars host Conan O'Brien opened the evening by playing the unruly jester—to delightful effect, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Happy #Oscars Sunday! I wrote about this year's biggest snub: C̶h̶a̶l̶l̶e̶n̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ Johanne Sacreblu, for @theatlantic.com: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
The Rise of the Anti-Fan
Artists are transforming the pop culture they can’t stand into impressive original works of their own.
www.theatlantic.com
March 2, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Happy #Oscars Sunday! I wrote about this year's biggest snub: C̶h̶a̶l̶l̶e̶n̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ Johanne Sacreblu, for @theatlantic.com: www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...
Reposted by Shirley Li
“Hard Truths” finds humor in a bitter housewife’s perpetual grumpiness. But the film’s brilliance—overlooked by this year’s Oscars—lies in its astonishingly sensitive approach, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
A Woman Under the Influence—Of Anger
The new film Hard Truths is an astonishingly sensitive portrait of a perpetual grump.
www.theatlantic.com
January 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
“Hard Truths” finds humor in a bitter housewife’s perpetual grumpiness. But the film’s brilliance—overlooked by this year’s Oscars—lies in its astonishingly sensitive approach, writes @shirklesxp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shirley Li
A really lovely essay by @nancywalecki.bsky.social, who is a seventh-generation Californian. Worth reading: www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
‘I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This’
The Palisades Fire is destroying places that I’ve loved.
www.theatlantic.com
January 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A really lovely essay by @nancywalecki.bsky.social, who is a seventh-generation Californian. Worth reading: www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
Reposted by Shirley Li
Hey, Bluesky friends: I work on The Atlantic’s advice column “Dear James,” written by the inimitable James Parker. Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you? Are you beset by existential worries? James would love to hear from you: dearjames@theatlantic.com. Threading some examples...
Since the Election, I Fear Men
How do I get over this anxiety?
www.theatlantic.com
January 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Hey, Bluesky friends: I work on The Atlantic’s advice column “Dear James,” written by the inimitable James Parker. Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you? Are you beset by existential worries? James would love to hear from you: dearjames@theatlantic.com. Threading some examples...