"Sinners" isn’t your usual go-to horror, from the way the first act starts you might even think it was a period piece showcasing the hardships of Black Americans. In his horror debut, Ryan Coogler confronts the harsh truths that marginalized communities faced in segregated America—masterfully mixing in elements of the supernatural—all the while underscoring the enduring human need to find joy even in the darkest of times.

As streaming platforms continue to dominate while box office profits plummet—the state of Indonesia's moviegoing experience signals an uncertain future.

Ellen Pompeo traded her scrubs in Grey’s Anatomy for a courtroom and a Pinterest-core suburban nightmare in Good American Family, Hulu’s latest attempt to turn real-life chaos into bingeable drama. Only this time, no one’s scrubbing in to save the day, not even close.

Whether it’s a New York-set riveting drama or a relational tug-of-war between two high schoolers that might as well have been your lab partner, Indonesian filmgoers love love. With films like Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? (2002), Heart (2006), Ayat-Ayat Cinta (2008) being synonymous with Indonesian cinema, there’s always a place for romance on the local big screen. Even after twenty-something years, more recent releases like Jatuh Cinta Seperti di Film-Film (2023) and The Architecture of Love (2024) continue to reinvent the wheels of the genre, proving that love—on- and off-screen—are timeless and endless.

Whether it’s a gripping tale of family curses or familiar ghastly folklore rehashed, horror films have kept and will always keep Indonesian filmgoers on the edge of their seats. But throughout the years, as the American horror landscape churns out different kinds of scares—from serial killer slashers to a phosphorescent green activator—Indonesia’s horrors remain synonymously linked to religion and spirituality. Dominated by antagonists like kuntilanak and sundel bolong, these urban-legends-turned-silver-screen-terrors are rooted in real-life horror stories of violence against women. It begs the question: what does Indonesian horror reveal about our society’s treatment of women?

Sara (2023) not only takes us back to the quiet village of the titular character, but also takes us back to the significance of motherhood and the quiet strength of those forced to live on the margins. The film explores how love endures even in absence, and how the journey of belonging is one that many nomads – estranged by identity, family, or society – carry quietly within them.

While some people are still clutching their pearls over “too much sex in cinema,“ Hollywood’s been busy restocking our screens with lace, longing stares, and tension so thick you need a knife to cut it. The result? A24’s film ”Babygirl,” boasting Harris Dickinson dancing shirtless to “Father Figure,” Nicole Kidman’s incredible range, and an exploration of power dynamics, social performance, and female sexual liberation.

Celebrating Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Black creators, artists, and stories that shape the pop culture zeitgeist—curated by #CRASHCurates. From seminal film studies classics to animated shorts and modern horror, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the rich fabrics that make up Black cinema through explorations of identity, relationships, and resistance.

#CRASHCurates our most anticipated cinematic releases of 2025! From boundary-pushing indies to bold mainstream releases, this year’s cinematic landscape is all about authentic storytelling, stacked with themes on daring social thrillers and nuanced takes on love, grief, and identity. (Let’s not focus on tokenism disguised as progress—looking at a certain Oscar’s nominee.)

Celebrating Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Black creators, artists, and stories that shape the pop culture zeitgeist—curated by #CRASHCurates. Representation can often be seen as an on-screen thing, but it actually begins behind the scenes. Whether it’s a comfort childhood show or a drama-filled romp, we’re highlighting voices and stories from Black women creators: actresses, directors, writers, and producers.