Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
@gavia.bsky.social
Film and TV critic. Co-host of the Overinvested movie podcast, co-editor of the Rec Center newsletter.
Bylines: TV Guide, Inverse, Vulture, Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, Empire, etc. she/her
Bylines: TV Guide, Inverse, Vulture, Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, Empire, etc. she/her
Pinned
Ep. 328: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein — OVERINVESTED
Sticking closer to Mary Shelley's novel than most other adaptations, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is the culmination of a lifelong dream. But does this movie measure up to GDT's past hits? Steffa...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
Out now on Overinvested: Our review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein!
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
she's right... the best way to make tarte tatin IS to do all the apples in a big skillet and then assemble the pie in a smaller skillet. smittenkitchen.com/2019/11/perf...
perfect apple tarte tatin
Together with my neighbor Susan Spungen, we’ve created what I hope will be the last apple tarte tatin recipe you’ll ever need, where the apples taste like they drank a cup of caramel an…
smittenkitchen.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
she's right... the best way to make tarte tatin IS to do all the apples in a big skillet and then assemble the pie in a smaller skillet. smittenkitchen.com/2019/11/perf...
ALSO Morgan and I are doing our annual book review podcast for patreon. 💕
the next two eps of Overinvested are going to be on PREDATOR: BADLANDS (very fun movie!!) and THE SHINING!
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
ALSO Morgan and I are doing our annual book review podcast for patreon. 💕
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Watch if you wish of course, but anyone watching should know about this background... as should fans of Wong's work in general.
The fact that the person accusing him of exploitation has a degenerative disease makes this whole story especially gruesome and upsetting. Truly repulsive behavior.
The fact that the person accusing him of exploitation has a degenerative disease makes this whole story especially gruesome and upsetting. Truly repulsive behavior.
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Watch if you wish of course, but anyone watching should know about this background... as should fans of Wong's work in general.
The fact that the person accusing him of exploitation has a degenerative disease makes this whole story especially gruesome and upsetting. Truly repulsive behavior.
The fact that the person accusing him of exploitation has a degenerative disease makes this whole story especially gruesome and upsetting. Truly repulsive behavior.
extremely grim report about Wong Kar-wai's treatment of a young writer on his new TV series. www.whatsonweibo.com/the-wong-kar...
The Wong Kar-wai Scandal Explained: The Dark Side of ‘Blossoms Shanghai’
Whenever reports surfaced about the harsh conditions on Wong Kar-wai’s sets, mainstream media and fans often brushed off his tyrannical habits as the quirks of a genius. This time, it feels different.
www.whatsonweibo.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 PM
extremely grim report about Wong Kar-wai's treatment of a young writer on his new TV series. www.whatsonweibo.com/the-wong-kar...
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
My aunt who famously can’t cook tried to make a pumpkin pie. She didn’t know what cloves were, so she put garlic cloves in it. Whole.
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
My aunt who famously can’t cook tried to make a pumpkin pie. She didn’t know what cloves were, so she put garlic cloves in it. Whole.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
We've got a great essay but from the great @gavia.bsky.social about how hagsploitation made a surprising comeback in horror this year www.inverse.com/entertainmen...
2025's Biggest Horror Trend Is A Regressive Step Backward
With two of the biggest horror movies of the year, the "hagsploitation" genre made a big comeback. But is it the one we wanted?
www.inverse.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
We've got a great essay but from the great @gavia.bsky.social about how hagsploitation made a surprising comeback in horror this year www.inverse.com/entertainmen...
back in the news
November 24, 2025 at 10:16 PM
back in the news
the next two eps of Overinvested are going to be on PREDATOR: BADLANDS (very fun movie!!) and THE SHINING!
November 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
the next two eps of Overinvested are going to be on PREDATOR: BADLANDS (very fun movie!!) and THE SHINING!
whenever i get bored and cut my hair off with kitchen scissors, there's always a moment about 48 hours in when i look at myself in the mirror and think, "my god, i've given myself The Beethoven again."
November 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM
whenever i get bored and cut my hair off with kitchen scissors, there's always a moment about 48 hours in when i look at myself in the mirror and think, "my god, i've given myself The Beethoven again."
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Out now on Overinvested: Our review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein!
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
Ep. 328: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein — OVERINVESTED
Sticking closer to Mary Shelley's novel than most other adaptations, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is the culmination of a lifelong dream. But does this movie measure up to GDT's past hits? Steffa...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Out now on Overinvested: Our review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein!
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
THAT WAS THE REAL MAYOR OF ALBUQUERQUE??
November 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
THAT WAS THE REAL MAYOR OF ALBUQUERQUE??
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Man, I love Pluribus. Absolutely buzzing with thoughts and questions after every ep.
In Pluribus, the unhappiest woman in the world is a romantasy author. @gavia.bsky.social discusses how the sexy pirates in Carol Sturka's Bloodsong of Wycaro shape her experiences with art and sexuality against an alien hivemind.
Pluribus and Romantasy: Art at the End of the World - Reactor
What is culture in an apocalypse like this one?
reactormag.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Man, I love Pluribus. Absolutely buzzing with thoughts and questions after every ep.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
Excellent episode! I recommend listening to Overinvested's prior episode on Frankenstein before the movie, and coming to this one after.
Out now on Overinvested: Our review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein!
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
Ep. 328: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein — OVERINVESTED
Sticking closer to Mary Shelley's novel than most other adaptations, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is the culmination of a lifelong dream. But does this movie measure up to GDT's past hits? Steffa...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Excellent episode! I recommend listening to Overinvested's prior episode on Frankenstein before the movie, and coming to this one after.
Man, I love Pluribus. Absolutely buzzing with thoughts and questions after every ep.
In Pluribus, the unhappiest woman in the world is a romantasy author. @gavia.bsky.social discusses how the sexy pirates in Carol Sturka's Bloodsong of Wycaro shape her experiences with art and sexuality against an alien hivemind.
Pluribus and Romantasy: Art at the End of the World - Reactor
What is culture in an apocalypse like this one?
reactormag.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Man, I love Pluribus. Absolutely buzzing with thoughts and questions after every ep.
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
very little brings me as much joy as explaining the plots of romance novels to my husband. no one is more earnestly appalled. "he made a BET to marry her? but that will hurt her feelings when she finds out!" yes beloved
November 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
very little brings me as much joy as explaining the plots of romance novels to my husband. no one is more earnestly appalled. "he made a BET to marry her? but that will hurt her feelings when she finds out!" yes beloved
the new stargate series should hire me as a feminist killjoy scifi worldbuilding consultant
November 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
the new stargate series should hire me as a feminist killjoy scifi worldbuilding consultant
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
if you missed me at thought bubble i have added my new zine to my online shop! 24 pages of writing about films including MAY DECEMBER, TÁR, QUEER &c – all with cute illustrations by moi! £4+pp! fwyl.bigcartel.com/product/wrap...
im going to be at @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social this weekend with @omipalonepress.bsky.social! I will have prints stickers and zines including this new one compiling some film writing with added illustrations! come say hi!
November 20, 2025 at 11:38 AM
if you missed me at thought bubble i have added my new zine to my online shop! 24 pages of writing about films including MAY DECEMBER, TÁR, QUEER &c – all with cute illustrations by moi! £4+pp! fwyl.bigcartel.com/product/wrap...
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
"There's clearly something political about it but nobody knows what it is". Truly we are living in the stupidest year!!!
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
"There's clearly something political about it but nobody knows what it is". Truly we are living in the stupidest year!!!
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
This is a really interesting article about a horrifying distortion of sign language happening in the UK, and which its creators are now trying to export to other countries and their sign languages
Learn actual sign languages from Deaf people, not from hearing people making their own weird versions!
Learn actual sign languages from Deaf people, not from hearing people making their own weird versions!
I will not fight with people on Threads about Makaton. I will not fight with people on Threads about Makaton. I will not thebaffler.com/outbursts/si...
Signed Away | Sara Nović
The hearing world continues to pillage and caricature the deaf community—most recently with the proprietary, sign-based system Makaton.
thebaffler.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
This is a really interesting article about a horrifying distortion of sign language happening in the UK, and which its creators are now trying to export to other countries and their sign languages
Learn actual sign languages from Deaf people, not from hearing people making their own weird versions!
Learn actual sign languages from Deaf people, not from hearing people making their own weird versions!
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
My favorite ever letter of recommendation is one Ficino wrote in the late 1500s, recommending a pupil for a secretary job with King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, in which he says the young man is “the reincarnation of Saint Thomas Aquinas.”
It’s letter-of-recommendation season again, when universities ask me to rate a 21 year old student’s ability to “see the big picture of life” while I eat leftover pasta in a Tupperware…
a man with a mustache says but why in yellow letters
ALT: a man with a mustache says but why in yellow letters
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
My favorite ever letter of recommendation is one Ficino wrote in the late 1500s, recommending a pupil for a secretary job with King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, in which he says the young man is “the reincarnation of Saint Thomas Aquinas.”
Reposted by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
I know a lot of people sincerely love this movie (including my co-host Steffan!), so I hope it's clear that I come from a place of respect and affection for GDT's career. But Frankenstein really did not work for me, especially when compared to Crimson Peak's success as a gothic drama.
November 19, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I know a lot of people sincerely love this movie (including my co-host Steffan!), so I hope it's clear that I come from a place of respect and affection for GDT's career. But Frankenstein really did not work for me, especially when compared to Crimson Peak's success as a gothic drama.
Out now on Overinvested: Our review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein!
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
Ep. 328: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein — OVERINVESTED
Sticking closer to Mary Shelley's novel than most other adaptations, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is the culmination of a lifelong dream. But does this movie measure up to GDT's past hits? Steffa...
www.overinvestedpodcast.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Out now on Overinvested: Our review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein!
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.
As someone who usually loves GDT's work, I found this one unexpectedly disappointing. Gorgeous props and costumes, paired with thin characterization and a narrative that simplifies the darkness of the novel.