Umnia El-Neil

Watchlists

Creators that will make you smarter in 2026

Editor's Note: This is a soft-pilot test of "Offline Algorithm", a new (separate) newsletter we're putting together at OBSCURAE to keep you updated and informed without the doomscroll. It may be a teensy bit more overtly political than you're used to us

Preview

Analogue is in, so here's some offline inspo

From London-based book clubs to my friend's novel, I think we're all gonna benefit from a little analogue-ing of our lives in 2026. Here are some suggestions to get you started...

Opinion

Charli XCX and the hierarchy of chasing cool

In a recent Substack post, Charli muses on cool as a protective mechanism around an artist's control and integrity, cultural miscommunication and facsimile, ubiquity and the concept of passionate creation. I want to propose that something deeper is at play.

To all the new Aficionados!

We saved you a seat...

Opinion

UMNIA's Ins and Outs for 2026, culturally speaking.

It's shaping up to be a very cool, and very offline, year for a lot of people. My two cents, should you be interested, are enclosed.

Opinion

Elon Musk froze culture and we must unfreeze it.

The reason for forever sequels, Billboard Chart freeze, nostalgia pop, COVID Denial and the rising price of RAM is all the same -- and we cannot let it continue if we want to survive.

Deep Dive

we actually can retire Euphoria.

Gen-Z, Purity Politics, Sydney Sweeney, Creepy Old Men™, Embarrassing Boyfriends, The Epstein Files, Olivia Nuzzi, Generational Infighting, Eddington, abuse, and Sex on Screen. Also Nick Fuentes.

Film

Move over Eddington, "Wake Up Dead Man" is the defining political satire of 2025

Analysing faith as it manifests within America, Johnson once again used the masterful and time-tested device of the whodunnit to try and comment on why "we're all so divided".

Film

🔒The Case for Depression as a Villain (Full Video)

The extended version of our new Video Essay for Paid Aficionados!

Film

Stranger Things, Thunderbolts, and The Case for Depression as a Villain (Video Essay)

In this Video Essay filmed earlier this year, Nor García Grau explores how Depression has become a brilliant, and relatable, foil in popular media in 2025.

Film

Man Strives For Greatness, but there are Consequences™: How to break the Toxic Ambition loop on Film

Can anyone imagine greatness without the same old consequences?

Film

And now, a mini LFF Roundup

Some rapid fire reviews for films I was less enthused by...