Greenlit hastily in the wake of Barbie’s immense success, an influx of gritty film adaptations based on childhood toys is furtively slinking towards our screens. From Daniel Kaluuya’s modern iteration of Barney the Dinosaur full of “millennial angst” to a horror comedy starring a Magic 8 Ball, there are reportedly 45 films currently in development at Mattel, the second largest toy company in the world.

The production of these films is the latest indicator of Hollywood’s lurch towards IP-driven

One uncharacteristically warm September afternoon, I found myself strolling through the National Portrait Gallery looking for an exhibition to wander through. Something about the promotional poster for ‘Yevonde: Life and Colour’ intrigued me; there was something so intentional, so vivid and expressive about the photograph. Almost overpowered by the oversized daisy in her hair, the model holds a mask before her whose painted makeup matches her own. The subject of her placid gaze is uncertain; sur

Armed with two missiles and a trident bearing the symbol of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, the Roman sea god, Neptune, rises out of a yellow ocean. He is poised to attack a ship overladen with skulls and missiles, resembling Russian Orthodox churches, with the name Moskva etched onto its side. The lurid water contrasts against a blue sky, forming the Ukrainian flag backdrop.

Whether it’s Theresa May’s piquant leopard-print heels, Jeremy Corbyn’s practical Harrington jacket or Hillary Clinton’s famous pantsuits, the style of politicians is a topic that frequents headlines and generates fervent discussion.

Mere months ago, the disparity between Rishi Sunak’s £450 Prada loafers and Liz Truss’ £4.50 Claire’s Accessories earrings fuelled furious debate. Despite their irrelevance to matters of policy, such garments appear at first glance as a thrilling insight into any p

Donning her iconic head of snake hair, Medusa’s prominence within the collective public imagination and her close ties to the hero Perseus establish her as a perpetually recognisable emblem of Greek mythology. The reception she has received across the centuries has resulted in a multitude of different Medusas, each adding another layer of nuances, contexts and individual interpretation to her multifaceted character.

Patriarchy’s historical longevity has had a discernible influence on how Medusa