CULTURE
The 17th Century painting that unlocks this mysterious image
National Gallery/ Trump/Vance Transition TeamFollowing the release of the US president-elect's official portrait, an expert reveals how scouring the pages…
Why David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is the greatest film of the 21st Century
Alamy(Credit: Alamy)It puzzled many viewers but delighted critics. We explain why the late, great David Lynch's Mulholland Drive topped BBC…
Our predictions for next week’s nominations
Serenity Strull/Paramount/A24/Neon(Credit: Serenity Strull/Paramount/A24/Neon)Ahead of next week's announcement, BBC Culture's film critics forecast the likely contenders – from a musical…
40 of the most exciting books to read in 2025
Gallery Books, Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Press(Credit: Gallery Books, Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Press)From the most anticipated literary debuts to…
Why influencers are facing a pushback
Serenity Strull/ BBC(Credit: Serenity Strull/ BBC)Rejecting the "haul" culture of excessive shopping and promoting conscious consuming, the de-influencer movement is…
25 films to look forward to in 2025
Disney(Credit: Disney)The coming year sees the return of Superman, Avatar and Bridget Jones, along with new films from Bong Joon-ho,…
The surprising depths of the Real Housewives franchise
Getty ImagesThese series about wealthy, middle-aged women dealing with personal dramas now span the globe. Here's why they have acquired…
How Vladimir Putin rose to power in Russia
Getty ImagesWhen Vladimir Putin took over as acting president of Russia on the last day of the 20th Century, the…
The 24 best books of 2024
Simon & Schuster/ Faber/ DoubledayFrom an intense tale of two brothers to a stunning Booker winner – the very best…
How 1980s horror The Woman in the Black terrified Britain
ITV/ Shutterstock(Credit: ITV/ Shutterstock)First airing on Christmas Eve 1989, the original TV adaptation of Susan Hill's creepy novel The Woman…