Wuthering Heights Reaches Wuthering Lows

By Shawn Quek / February 17, 2026

Emerald Fennel’s Wuthering Heights sacrifices the emotional depth and poignant commentary of Brontë’s original, offering a lackluster pornographic rendition of the gothic classic.

Storyteller Patti Smith Takes Another Crack at Horses

By Ciara Balanzá / January 30, 2026

Returning to her hometown during the Horses 50th anniversary tour, Smith slips into the role of a storyteller.

Chicago Rings in the New Year with a Historic Countdown, Fireworks, and a Hometown Legend

By Gabby Mansilla / January 16, 2026

As part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, bundled up crowds braved subfreezing temperatures along the Chicago River to witness the Central time zone countdown to 2026.

Chicago-Based Band Real Friends Brings High-Energy Set to Milestone Tour

By Gabby Mansilla / January 14, 2026

An emotionally immersive performance at the Salt Shed built on vulnerability, movement, and connection.

The Band Camino Brings Their NeverAlways Era to Chicago

By Gabby Mansilla / January 9, 2026

The night was packed with heartfelt songs, cascading confetti, and a crowd beaming with joy.

Courtney Lund O’Neil Tells Stories that Go Beyond a Serial Killer

By Emma Beazley / January 8, 2026

In Postmortem, Courtney Lund O’Neil centers the voices of people impacted by the John Wayne Gacy murders.

Popelka Leads CSO in Brahms, Strauss, and Aucoin

By Alkis Karmpaliotis / January 8, 2026

Guest conductor Petr Popelka leads the CSO in an ambitious program featuring Brahms, Strauss, and an Aucoin world premiere

Serve, Smash, Scheme, Repeat

By Shawn Quek / December 23, 2025

In Marty Supreme, director Josh Safdie uses ping-pong as the engine for a ferocious, funny meditation on ambition and obsession.

Inside the World of Bike Routes

By Gabby Mansilla / December 23, 2025

During a stop in Chicago, David Osterhout reflected on songwriting, the evolution of Bike Routes, and what comes next.

Eternal Storm of the Clouded Mind

By Shawn Quek / November 26, 2025

David Freyne’s Eternity is a laughter-inducing, tear-jerking romantic comedy carried by perfect writing and imperfect characters.

Taxidermy and Explosions: Scav Documents the 2025 Competition

By Isaac Crane / November 20, 2025

A new documentary on Nebula directed by Adam Chase tells the story of the most recent Scavenger Hunt in all its strangeness.

The Department of Pedagogical Failure

By Shawn Quek / October 14, 2025

Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt is a character study that explores the dark power dynamics underpinning academic life.