I know people who have watched the Matrix films more times than they can count. Perhaps it’s because they love the story of the hero, and they revel in what Neo manages to overcome. Perhaps it’s because the films are complex and they spot something new every time. Me? …

Marvel has finally produced a film solely dedicated to the story of Black Widow, and it’s fantastic. The protagonist, Natasha, shows complexity, stoicism, fearlessness, and efficiency that don’t disappoint. As we go deeper into Natasha’s world, we learn that she was taken into the KGB as a child and trained…

This month we were going to offer you an article on the iconic Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones, the 20th ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and its first officially recognised queen. She is a very interesting character: ruthless, ambitious, wilful, cold, cunning; willing to betray anyone who stands in…

Imagine being a semi-immortal Amazon warrior demigoddess. The crown princess of Themyscira. Daughter of Queen Hippolyta and Zeus. That’s a lot of wonder. Imagine also that, with that external authority, comes tenacity and a never-say-die attitude; fearlessness and focus; and a naivety that keeps you constantly engaged with the world…

Sometimes when we feel passion for something in life, we can misunderstand our purpose. But when we misunderstand our purpose, we risk misunderstanding our own lives. This is what happens to Soul’s Joe Gardner, a 46-year-old middle school band teacher and piano player. Even though he’s a jovial, larger-than-life character…

No one could have predicted the heroine who would make her way into our hearts in 2020: A wide-eyed redhead with a gap in her teeth and a reliance on alcohol and drugs. She also happened to be a chess genius. Beth Harmon is the name on everyone’s lips, as…

Half-human, half-Betazoid, Deanna Troi is one of the under-rated, under-estimated characters aboard Starfleet Starships USS Enterprise-D and USS Enterprise-E. While she serves under the command of Jean-Luc Picard, she also sometimes sits alongside him, aiding with political negotiations and first contact with new alien races. So why is she under-estimated…

Children are terrified of her, and adults feel their own kind of fear as she removes her mask to reveal her hideous face. The Grand High Witch, created by Roald Dahl in his book The Witches, is an interesting kind of baddie, because some would say she doesn’t grow, or…

We love a dark hero. Mysterious and intriguing, they allow us to live vicariously through them, wondering what it’s like on the outskirts of society. But actually being that dark hero is a different story. The Mandalorian is proof that life as a tough and resourceful warrior isn’t as exciting…