Esther Zuckerman

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Esther Zuckerman is a freelance entertainment journalist and critic who specializes in writing about film and television. Her work appears in the New York Times, GQ, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Indiewire, and Time among others. She is the author of three previous books: A Field Guide to Internet Boyfriends: Meme-Worthy Crushes from A to Z (2021), Beyond the Best Dressed: Cultural History of the Most Glamorous, Radical, and Scandalous Oscar Fashion Hardcover (2022), and Falling in Love at the Movies: Rom-Coms from the Screwball Era to Today (2024). Esther was born and raised in Los Angeles but currently lives and writes in New York where she is also a member of the New York Film Critics Circle.

Latest articles by Esther Zuckerman

Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling wearing suits and walking through the halls of dior in the devil wears prada 2

Gird Your Loins: Aline Brosh McKenna Answers All of Your Questions About 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'

The screenwriter explains what it was like returning to Andy and Miranda after 20 years.

So…Are We All Afraid of Commitment Now?

This season’s most talked-about releases suggest saying “I do” might be the scariest plot twist of all.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 6 April 26
'Love Story' Wants to Explain Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Princess Diana Shows Why That’s Impossible.

The eighth episode of the FX series shows the limits of trying to dramatize iconic women.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 20 March 26
Motherhood Is Filled With Agony. So Are the Best Films of the Year

Filmmakers on the simmering maternal trauma that dominates this year's awards frontrunners.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 5 December 25

How Lorde, Taylor Swift, and 'The Crucible' Tell a Story of Teen Girl Angst in Broadway's 'John Proctor Is the Villain'

Playwright Kimberly Belflower breaks down the significance of the Tony-nominated show's killer needle drops.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 1 May 25
19 Costume Changes, 6 LED Screens, and Lucky Blue Smith Inspo: How Sarah Snook Transforms Over and Over on Broadway

In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' the actress plays over two dozen gender-bending characters; scenic and costume designer Marg Horwell shares how her looks come to life.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 14 March 25
Cinematographer Alice Brooks on Creating the Chromatic Spectacle of ‘Wicked’

The ‘Wicked’ director of photography had an extensive process for creating an Oz like movie audiences have never seen before.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 27 November 24

Tommy Dorfman’s Return to Acting Is Anything But Tragic

The actress makes her Broadway debut in 'Romeo + Juliet' playing two distinct characters, but for Dorfman, the roles are a manifestation of her own coming-of-age.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 25 October 24
There’s a New, Nicer Regina George on Broadway—But Is That Better?

She's definitely still a Mean Girl, but she's also not a one-dimensional "scum-sucking road whore" either.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 18 April 18
Is Jennifer Lawrence's New Movie an Over-the-Top Piece of Torture Porn?

Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, Red Sparrow presents sex as a grim business.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 16 February 18

Gloria Allred's Life Story Is Vital Viewing—Even If She Won't Admit It

MarieClaire.com speaks to the champion of women's rights about Bill Cosby's impending retrial, and making the decision to be fearless.

May We Present: 10 Glorious Minutes with Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson

The 2 Dope Queens stars talk their hilarious texts, raging vs "gently hanging out," and how to pronounce Marie Claire.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 2 February 18
Being an Eighth Grade Girl Sucks—and Sundance's Best Movie Knows It

Eighth Grade captures with excruciating and beautiful detail the pain of being a middle school girl.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 25 January 18
Maggie Gyllenhaal on the Complicated Nuances of Being Asked About #MeToo on the Red Carpet

She shouldn't have to answer for her co-stars.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 24 January 18

'The Greatest Showman' Is a Lovable Mess, but That Doesn't Redeem Its Faults

The movie is essentially about a charming white guy who used people who were "different" for his own financial gain.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 20 December 17
Let's Be Clear: 'The Last Jedi' Is Fantastic and Not Just Because Women Are the Leaders

Come for the Porgs, stay for just about everything else.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 12 December 17
Not Even Wonder Woman Can Save 'Justice League' from Itself

The movie isn't insidious. It's just dumb.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 15 November 17

That's It, Thor Shouldn't Be the Star of His Own Movies Anymore

Valkyrie should.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 31 October 17
'Battle of the Sexes' Will Make You Feel Marginally Better About Trump Winning the Election

Women have beaten chauvinistic men before, and they will again.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 29 September 17
If You Buy Tickets for 'I, Tonya' Expecting Nancy Kerrigan Drama, Sell Them

That's not what this movie is about.

By Esther Zuckerman Published 21 September 17