Mid-Month Media | May ‘26
The media we’ve been watching, reading, listening to, & loving this month
Alas … another month of Trump’s America .. but you know what will keep us going?? ART!
Lots of good movies, shows, and books for y’all to check out. PLUS: we’re trying out some new things with this issue:
new section headers
new cover art
a voiceover (above) that you can listen along to as you read or in lieu of reading this issue
Leave us feedback below what you think about those changes!!!!
Y’all made it clear you love our writing and newsletters so Mid-Month Media in print is here to stay!
Happy almost summer y’all!!! He may take away our rights, but he will have to pry an aperol spritz by the beach from my cold dead fingers xoxo
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (in theaters now)
Ashley: A lot of people had very high expectations for this movie - I did not. I loved it! I don’t think it’s going to win any Oscars but that’s ok! Sometimes my brain just wants joy from all the awful everything! Sure there were a couple of questionable parts and they all involved Andi’s Australian boyfriend but that’s ok! I laughed, I cried (mostly at the last shot), I temporarily could imagine a world in which art and fashion won over the billionaires. It’s not that deep and that’s ok.
Alexa:
Obsession (in theaters now)
Ashley: Full disclosure that I was offered free tickets to this for an early showing and I brought Steve despite knowing that he hates horror and really hates gory scenes. We were also in a movie theater full of horror fans and movie buffs so that really added to the atmosphere! I personally thought this was fun. Again, not going to win any Oscars but it’s reviewed very highly and I thought it was a fun twist on the whole 1 wish concept. I was genuinely so scared at one point that I scratched my eye while trying to hide my face and I thought it was super funny too. This would be a fun date night movie - just make sure you watch with someone else, I don’t think it would be as fun watching by yourself.
How to Make a Killing (On Demand)
Alexa: I feel like Glen Powell’s movies have been flops as of lately, but I actually kind of liked this one. Entertaining and a unique storyline. Kind of cheesy at parts but still a fun watch!
Incendies (On Demand)
Alexa: Ok this has been on my to watch list for years and I randomly decided to watch it last night. It’s be reveled as one of Denis Villeneuve’s best films with one of the most brutal twists in film making history and let’s just say … it delivered. You’d never guess the twist from a mile away and it’s definitely one of the most disturbing in any movie I’ve ever seen. Yet somehow, it’s handled with such tenderness. Definitely a must watch for anyone that loves Villeneuve’s movies.
Hacks (HBO Max)
Ashley: Every episode of this last season is pure perfection! I don’t want it to be over! The lesbian weekend in Monticito? Steve and I were laughing so hard we woke Penny up!
Off Campus (Prime Video)
Ashley: I’ve only watched two episodes of this so far but I am LOCKED IN! The music, the chemistry, the cheesiness - I love it all.
Beef S2 (Netflix)
Ashley: I am genuinely surprised more people aren’t talking about this show because it’s so good! Oscar Issac and Carey Mulligan are so fantastic in the show - I would say I typically love them in everything and they are so evil in this! Charles Melton is also a rising star! There are so many issues this show touches on whether it’s class divides, marriage, identity - but I particularly loved that while the first season centered on very aggressive behavior - this season was more passive aggressive conflict that we tend to see in the workplace. This season felt way more insidious to me.
Alexa: I’m only on episode 3 but I’ve been really loving it so far!! Oscar Isaac is so zaddy.
Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV+)
Ashley: Steve and I absolutely love this show and how is it possible that Jon Hamm keeps getting better as he ages?!? Did y’all see his interview with Amy Poehler? I had no idea that his parents died so young - I feel like it explains a lot in terms of how well he played Don Draper and Andy Cooper. Mostly I am relating so hard to Mel this season because we are both sweating our balls off while sleeping and wanting to murder everyone! Perimenopause is so fun! But seriously, is James Marsden ever bad in anything? Have y’all been loving this season too?
Top Chef: Carolinas (Bravo/Peacock)
Ashley: The only thing I’m going to say about this season is that Sieger never should have been allowed back and his attitude is horrendous and I’m so mad he is still on the show.
Alexa: I’ve loved this season cause it’s based in the Carolinas but man these chefs are inconsistent. I only want Anthony, Sherry, or Laurence to win!
Euphoria (HBO Max)
Ashley: I fear that I just haven’t given a shit about this show since the wedding. Anyone else feel like this season is so bad?
Alexa: I’m trying to hold onto this season, but the obsession Sam Levinson has with Sydney Sweeney has been so obvious the last couple of episodes that it’s turning me off.
The Other Bennett Sister (Britbox)
Ashley: Alexa and I got to watch the first two episodes of this recently and they were so good! Everyone was telling me that I have to read the books as well. If you love Pride and Prejudice but you’ve watched the Keira Knightly version too many times - this will be right up your alley.
Alexa: This show is so needed because it focuses on the people/characters that aren’t traditionally “the most beautiful” or wouldn’t be picked first as a leading character. It’s heart warming and gives the underdogs a stage for once!
Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV+)
Ashley: Okay I need to talk about Margo’s Got Money Troubles on Apple TV+ because I genuinely did not expect to love it this much. The premise sounds unhinged on paper. A college dropout gets pregnant by her married professor and starts an OnlyFans to pay her bills. But it works so beautifully because the writing respects Margo’s choices without romanticizing them or judging her for them. Elle Fanning is incredible in the lead role, fully committed in a way that makes you root for Margo even when she’s making questionable decisions, but honestly Michelle Pfeiffer as her Hooters-waitress-turned-Bloomingdale’s-manager mom almost steals the whole show. And Nick Offerman as the estranged ex-wrestler dad who swoops back in with surprisingly wise life advice? Perfect casting. The whole thing is warm and funny and occasionally gutting in the way that only good storytelling about women trying to figure it out can be.
The Testaments (Hulu)
Alexa: I’ve been obsessed with this new spinoff of Handmaids Tale. Chase Infiniti is phenomenal as Agnes and I feel like I can’t stop watching because the US is only one step away from being the same thing as Gilead.
