Stephen Kearse

Contributing Writer

Stephen Kearse is a contributing writer for The Nation. He has contributed to The BafflerPitchfork, and The New York Times Magazine.

Vince Staples in The Vince Staples Show.

The Life and Times of a Niche Rapper The Life and Times of a Niche Rapper

Vince Staples’s self-titled Netflix show is a probing look at celebrity culture, Hollywood, and the pitfalls of being only kind of famous.

Feb 28, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

The Misguided Satire of “American Fiction”

The Misguided Satire of “American Fiction” The Misguided Satire of “American Fiction”

A buzzy film adaptation of Percival Everett’s Erasure, a novel about publishing’s racial politics, misreads what is truly ailing the book industry.

Dec 22, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

The Return of Noname

The Return of Noname The Return of Noname

In her new album, Sundial, the rapper melds her activism and artistry seamlessly.

Aug 17, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

Alison Mills Newman

The Strange Legacy of “Francisco,” a Novel of Black Bohemianism The Strange Legacy of “Francisco,” a Novel of Black Bohemianism

Over the years, Alison Mills Newman has become disillusioned with her work of experimental fiction. Its story is now caught between radical aesthetics and conservative politics.

Jul 12, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

A scene from Knock at the Cabin

M. Night Shyamalan’s Strange Renaissance M. Night Shyamalan’s Strange Renaissance

After watching his latest, Knock at the Cabin, one can't help but wonder: What is fueling his career revival?

Apr 5, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

The Melancholy Return of “Black Panther”

The Melancholy Return of “Black Panther” The Melancholy Return of “Black Panther”

After the death of Chadwick Boseman, the makers of the superhero movie had to reimagine the series. The result makes for a sobering and affecting sequel. 

Dec 8, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

Jordan Peele’s Extraterrestrial Americana

Jordan Peele’s Extraterrestrial Americana Jordan Peele’s Extraterrestrial Americana

Telling a tale of cowboys, aliens, and Hollywood, the director's third feature film, Nope, is his most successful cinematic spectacle to date.

Sep 6, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

The Immortal Influence of Greg Tate

The Immortal Influence of Greg Tate The Immortal Influence of Greg Tate

His writing will be a touchstone for generations of critics to come.

Feb 14, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety?

Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety? Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety?

At times myopic and contrarian, the latest entry in the series feels more like a copyright renewal than a narrative.

Feb 9, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness

Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness

In his recent special The Closer, and his response to critics of it, he outlines a strange version of identity politics where comedians are always the victims. 

Nov 9, 2021 / 2021 Year in Review / Stephen Kearse

x