Hunt for the Wilderpeople challenges the idea that you must love yourself before you can be loved. Through Ricky, Hec, and Bella, the film shows how being loved, exactly as we are, can teach us we’re worthy of love long before we believe it ourselves. Sometimes love reaches us first.

A reflection on The Apartment (1960), holiday films, and the emotional reality of surviving suicidal thoughts — and the quiet hope that can follow even our darkest moments.

Elliott’s journey in My Old Ass offers a realistic look at what it means to be confident in who we are while still being open to change. Through self-discovery and heartfelt awkwardness, the film shows how growth can feel brave, messy, and completely attainable.

A surprising coming-of-age film leads me into a conversation about inner child work, creativity, and the wisdom our younger selves still hold. My Old Ass reminded me that sometimes the bravest, clearest voice in the room is our young, dumb selves.

Life isn’t a movie—but sometimes we try to make it one. Inspired by Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s “The End of the Movie,” I reflect on chaos, meaning, and the stories we create for ourselves along the way.

November is Native American Heritage Month, and I’m reflecting on Prey (2022)—a fresh take on the Predator franchise featuring a Comanche heroine and her brother, Taabe. Beyond the alien hunt, Prey offers a powerful look at sibling love, rivalry, and the tension between being seen and being outshined