Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
@mediaversityreviews.com
Founder & EIC, Mediaversity Reviews | TV & films graded on diversity | 🍅 critic | Sr. Director, Content at Common Sense Media (views her own) | 📍Seattle, WA
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creating TV and film reviews scored on metrics of diversity
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Reintroducing myself and Mediaversity. Supporting emerging TV/film critics from underrepresented backgrounds since 2016, we grade TV and movies on inclusiveness. We're in this marathon for the long haul. Completely independent, consider donating ✌🏻 Either monthly: www.patreon.com/mediaversity...
#HIsForHawk comes out in theaters this weekend! Our writer @cairdiul.bsky.social compares the film's onscreen diversity with real life ... and finds it a bit lacking. Read more: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
H is for Hawk — Mediaversity Reviews
“ H is for Hawk irons out the most interesting complexities of Helen Macdonald’s lived experience.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:18 PM
#HIsForHawk comes out in theaters this weekend! Our writer @cairdiul.bsky.social compares the film's onscreen diversity with real life ... and finds it a bit lacking. Read more: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
For the night crowd
For MLK Day on @letterboxd.social I decided to do a list of essential Civil Rights and Black Liberation movies.
Freedom Now!: a starter pack of 24 films about the Civil Rights Movement and Black liberation • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Robert Daniels recommends 24 films that shed light on the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing fight for Black liberation in America.
boxd.it
January 20, 2026 at 5:50 AM
For the night crowd
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
The people of Minneapolis are going to be out there icing up sidewalks and streets like Macauley Culkin.
The ICE recruits who just arrived in Minneapolis from Alabama are in for a treat starting Saturday.
January 14, 2026 at 3:08 PM
The people of Minneapolis are going to be out there icing up sidewalks and streets like Macauley Culkin.
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
now wait just a second
January 16, 2026 at 3:24 AM
now wait just a second
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
ICE shot a Latino on the leg in Minneapolis today. It’s despicable. Being Latino is not a crime. The color of your skin is not a crime. Being in this country is not a crime. Our entire community is in complete & utter pain. Sending the family and our community a ton of love tonight.
January 15, 2026 at 5:25 AM
ICE shot a Latino on the leg in Minneapolis today. It’s despicable. Being Latino is not a crime. The color of your skin is not a crime. Being in this country is not a crime. Our entire community is in complete & utter pain. Sending the family and our community a ton of love tonight.
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Hot damn #28YearsLaterTheBoneTemple is the first great movie of 2026. Nia DaCosta doesn’t miss with a movie that’s bold, scary, intense, and bloody brilliant. Fiennes, O’Connell and Kellymen are perfect. Can’t wait to write about it.
January 13, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Hot damn #28YearsLaterTheBoneTemple is the first great movie of 2026. Nia DaCosta doesn’t miss with a movie that’s bold, scary, intense, and bloody brilliant. Fiennes, O’Connell and Kellymen are perfect. Can’t wait to write about it.
just paid $280 for my son's epi-pen. and every year we have to refresh those epi-pens, and he always needs spares (for school) so we have to buy multiples, all out of pocket. and that's *with* a healthcare plan as part of my FT job. i love the american healthc a re sy s t ee m
a person is holding an empty wallet in their hands and looking at it .
Alt: A person opens a wallet only to find it empty, except for one coin inside, looking pained
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:34 PM
just paid $280 for my son's epi-pen. and every year we have to refresh those epi-pens, and he always needs spares (for school) so we have to buy multiples, all out of pocket. and that's *with* a healthcare plan as part of my FT job. i love the american healthc a re sy s t ee m
NEW REVIEW — With #Moana getting its live-action remake this year, @clintworthing.bsky.social looks at Disney's last Polynesian foray: the $1 billion-grossing #LiloAndStitch. Did it improve or regress on inclusion compared to the 2002 original? www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Lilo & Stitch — Mediaversity Reviews
“The plot differs from the original Lilo & Stitch , and its new depiction of foster care in Native contexts has uncomfortable implications.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
NEW REVIEW — With #Moana getting its live-action remake this year, @clintworthing.bsky.social looks at Disney's last Polynesian foray: the $1 billion-grossing #LiloAndStitch. Did it improve or regress on inclusion compared to the 2002 original? www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
NEW REVIEW — #TheDutchman is out in theaters today, and while I wanted to like André Holland's latest thriller, this one didn't really do it for me. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
The Dutchman — Mediaversity Reviews
“Andre Gaines overworks The Dutchman, adding too much meta to the point of weighing it down.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:13 PM
NEW REVIEW — #TheDutchman is out in theaters today, and while I wanted to like André Holland's latest thriller, this one didn't really do it for me. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Hi, do you have something fun offline planned for today?
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Hi, do you have something fun offline planned for today?
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Katey Rich asked all her past Prestige Junkie podcast guests one simple question: What's the best thing that happened to Hollywood this year? For @theblcklst.bsky.social @franklinleonard.bsky.social, the triumph of 'Sinners' was an obvious choice prestigejunkieafterparty.substack.com/p/what-was-t...
January 2, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Katey Rich asked all her past Prestige Junkie podcast guests one simple question: What's the best thing that happened to Hollywood this year? For @theblcklst.bsky.social @franklinleonard.bsky.social, the triumph of 'Sinners' was an obvious choice prestigejunkieafterparty.substack.com/p/what-was-t...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
January 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
NEW REVIEW — Another year, another box office weekend! #TIFF film #TheMotherAndTheBear releases tomorrow, and it hits all my favorite beats: mother-daughter reconciliation, immigrant/generational culture clash, and more. Worth the price of admission. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
The Mother and the Bear — Mediaversity Reviews
“ The Mother and the Bear presents a powerful look at parenthood and celebrates personal growth at any age.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:31 AM
NEW REVIEW — Another year, another box office weekend! #TIFF film #TheMotherAndTheBear releases tomorrow, and it hits all my favorite beats: mother-daughter reconciliation, immigrant/generational culture clash, and more. Worth the price of admission. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
@mediaversityreviews.com is refreshingly clear about evaluating the diversity of TV & movies in its reviews.
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
NEW REVIEW — The dreary weather in Seattle is making me want to hide out in a movie theater this weekend. Richard Linklater's newest film #BlueMoon could fit the bill as a cozy diversion, but the sexism is 🙄 and the story ... 🥱 Might want to skip this one www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Blue Moon — Mediaversity Reviews
“No matter how sharply Margaret Qualley plays Blue Moon ’s blond bombshell, there’s no fixing a script that spends most of its time objectifying her.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
@mediaversityreviews.com is refreshingly clear about evaluating the diversity of TV & movies in its reviews.
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
(Bonus: was also one of the few outlets to pinpoint why I didn’t love Blue Moon as much as the critical consensus) 🧵
bsky.app/profile/medi...
NEW POST — Happy New Year's Eve! 🥳 Our Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2025 list is now out. It wasn't a particularly inclusive year for cinema, but the gems are there. Plus a weird amount of romcoms. We love love I guess ❤️ medium.com/cinemania/to...
Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2025
Graded on Gender, Race, LGBTQ, Disability, and more
medium.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
NEW POST — Happy New Year's Eve! 🥳 Our Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2025 list is now out. It wasn't a particularly inclusive year for cinema, but the gems are there. Plus a weird amount of romcoms. We love love I guess ❤️ medium.com/cinemania/to...
NEW REVIEW — Need an easy, cute, and inclusive romcom to watch as the year comes to a close? Hulu's #ANiceIndianBoy is a 2025 highlight. @ishmeetnagpal.bsky.social takes a look: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
A Nice Indian Boy — Mediaversity Reviews
“Familiar references and attention to detail make A Nice Indian Boy feel authentically Indian despite being set in the West.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
NEW REVIEW — Need an easy, cute, and inclusive romcom to watch as the year comes to a close? Hulu's #ANiceIndianBoy is a 2025 highlight. @ishmeetnagpal.bsky.social takes a look: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Or, you can buy my latest book, POPCORN DISABILITIES. Learn all about disability in film (spoiler, there's a lot that needs to change)!
amzn.to/44PGIVv
amzn.to/44PGIVv
Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies
Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies
amzn.to
December 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Or, you can buy my latest book, POPCORN DISABILITIES. Learn all about disability in film (spoiler, there's a lot that needs to change)!
amzn.to/44PGIVv
amzn.to/44PGIVv
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Got a little personal in today's post before I start dropping End of the Year lists tomorrow. I talked about getting a book out this year, the things I'm proud of, and how I still fear for culture writing in 2026.
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
A Look Back at 2025 (Good Riddance)
I'm ready to put this year completely in the past
thefilmmaven.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Got a little personal in today's post before I start dropping End of the Year lists tomorrow. I talked about getting a book out this year, the things I'm proud of, and how I still fear for culture writing in 2026.
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
thefilmmaven.com/2025-look-ba...
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
One of the most difficult reviews I’ve had to write, but a piece I’m proud of.
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
NEW REVIEW — We're gearing up to the finish line! Looking across the year in movies, #OneBattleAfterAnother is one that's sure to keep coming up as we head into awards season. @supergavigator.bsky.social looks at how it fares on inclusion: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
One Battle After Another — Mediaversity Reviews
“ One Battle After Another tackles stereotypes but doesn’t give characters enough depth to subvert them.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
One of the most difficult reviews I’ve had to write, but a piece I’m proud of.
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
Thanks to @mediaversityreviews.com for their guidance and terrific advice in putting this all together!
NEW REVIEW — We're gearing up to the finish line! Looking across the year in movies, #OneBattleAfterAnother is one that's sure to keep coming up as we head into awards season. @supergavigator.bsky.social looks at how it fares on inclusion: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
One Battle After Another — Mediaversity Reviews
“ One Battle After Another tackles stereotypes but doesn’t give characters enough depth to subvert them.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
NEW REVIEW — We're gearing up to the finish line! Looking across the year in movies, #OneBattleAfterAnother is one that's sure to keep coming up as we head into awards season. @supergavigator.bsky.social looks at how it fares on inclusion: www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
December 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
HAMNET is one of my favourite films of the year and I'm so glad @mediaversityreviews.com asked me to review it. The cinematography, sound, and costume design are terrific, and the acting and direction perfection. The performance of Hamlet in the 3rd act might just be my favourite sequence this year.
NEW REVIEW — As we catch up on end-of-year coverage, @carriecnh12.bsky.social gives #Hamnet its flowers. www.mediaversityreviews.com/film-reviews...
Hamnet — Mediaversity Reviews
“ Hamnet breathes life into an unknown woman.”
www.mediaversityreviews.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:54 AM
HAMNET is one of my favourite films of the year and I'm so glad @mediaversityreviews.com asked me to review it. The cinematography, sound, and costume design are terrific, and the acting and direction perfection. The performance of Hamlet in the 3rd act might just be my favourite sequence this year.
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
Almost Christmas stars Danny Glover. Robert wrote about it here: letterboxd.com/journal/blac...
Home for the Holidays: Sixteen Black Christmas films to add to your rotation this winter • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
From jolly rom-coms to chaotic family romps and religious gems, Robert Daniels celebrates sixteen Black Christmas films to add to your holiday rotation.
letterboxd.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Almost Christmas stars Danny Glover. Robert wrote about it here: letterboxd.com/journal/blac...
haven't watched a christmas movie all season yet that wasn't for work. thinking about making #JingBellHeist my one, unless anyone has better suggestions? if you're gonna watch ONE new xmas streamer tomorrow, which one is it?
December 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
haven't watched a christmas movie all season yet that wasn't for work. thinking about making #JingBellHeist my one, unless anyone has better suggestions? if you're gonna watch ONE new xmas streamer tomorrow, which one is it?
Reposted by Li Lai • Mediaversity Reviews
