Zachary Lee

Zachary Lee

Zachary Lee (he/him) is from Chicago's North Side and serves as managing editor at the Center for Public Justice. He's a culture writer who often writes about media, faith, technology and the environment. His writing can be found at RogerEbert.com, Time Out Chicago, Sojourners and Christianity Today. Follow him on X and Letterboxd. 

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Sky Yang in "Last Days," a dramatic retelling of the life of missionary John Allen Chau who was killed in 2018 while proselytizing the inhabitants of a North Sentinel Island tribe. (Sundance Institute/Tanasak "Top" Boonlam)

'Last Days' is a cautionary tale of evangelism — and screenwriting — gone wrong

By trying to be "all things to all people" — wanting to both affirm murdered missionary John Chau's humanity and criticize the cocktail of motivations that drove him — "Last Days" turns an interesting story tepid.

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya star in a scene from the movie "Dune: Part Two." (OSV News/Warner Bros./Niko Tavernise)

In 2024, cinema was all about prayer — whether or not we noticed

The films of 2024 have reminded us that, quite frankly, we all pray — whether or not we fold our hands, even if we may never utter the words "Amen" or have ever directly cried out to God.

Ralph Fiennes is pictured playing Cardinal Lawrence with Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes in a screengrab of behind the scenes footage for director Edward Berger's "Conclave." (NCR/YouTube/Focus Features)

Interview with Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and Edward Berger on making 'Conclave'

NCR spoke with "Conclave" director Edward Berger and actors Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini about accuracy in liturgical portrayals, the role of faith in the creative process, and thoughts about spiritual leadership.

Sophie Thatcher plays Sister Barnes in "Heretic." NCR spoke with Thatcher about the film. (A24 Press)

'Heretic' star Sophie Thatcher on religion, acting and 'otherness' within art

NCR spoke with actress Sophie Thatcher of the new movie "Heretic" about how her religious background influenced her approach to her character, the Mormon missionary Sister Barnes.

"Heretic" follows two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) as the visit the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), who begins questioning the religious beliefs of the women before subjecting them both to a claustrophobic roster of horrors that put to test the beliefs once so eagerly held. (A24 Press)

'Heretic' pairs psychological thrills with theological questions

"Heretic," starring Hugh Grant, is a cat-and-mouse thriller and theological procedural. Grant, actors Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, and writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods spoke to NCR about the film.

In the new film "Conclave," fictional cardinals (led by Ralph Fiennes, pictured) are tasked with selecting a new pope when the acting Holy Father suddenly dies. (Focus Features)

'Conclave' bridges pulpy thrills with spiritual commentary

In a time of deserved mistrust against religious institutions, "Conclave" makes a compelling and ecclesial call for a renewed spiritual stewardship characterized by humility, meekness and, curiously, doubt.

Maya Hawke portrays the Southern Gothic writer Flannery O'Connor in "Wildcat."

Flannery on film: An exclusive interview with Ethan Hawke, director of 'Wildcat'

When director Ethan Hawke set out to make a film about Catholic Southern Gothic writer Flannery O'Connor, he knew it would be more than a biopic; it would be about the role of faith in the artistic and creative process. 

'Love Lies Bleeding' examines the power and pain of affection

"Love Lies Bleeding" explores the violent power of affection, in particular the toll such passions place on our bodies. 

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