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Valerie Ettenhofer

Valerie Ettenhofer is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer, TV-lover, and mac and cheese enthusiast. As a Senior Contributor at Film School Rejects, she covers television through regular reviews and her recurring column, Episodes. She is also a voting member of the Critics Choice Association's television and documentary branches. Twitter: @aandeandval (She/her)
The Dropout

‘The Dropout’ is a Weirdly Compelling Character Study

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

Amanda Seyfried’s studied performance anchors this Hulu limited series about doomed biotech company Theranos.

Better Things Season 5 Pamela Adlon

The Final Season of ‘Better Things’ is a Tender, Magic-Filled Goodbye

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

As Pamela Adlon’s FX comedy series comes to a close, it remains an engaging, indelible look at the magic of everyday life.
Sharp Objects Amy Adams

How ‘Sharp Objects’ Ended with a Perfect Dose of Poison

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

Prestige mystery series don’t get much darker than ‘Sharp Objects,’ and ‘Sharp Objects’ doesn’t get much better than its sickening finale.
Severance Review Appletv

‘Severance’ is an Ominous and Ingenious Workplace Thriller

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

The excellent Apple TV+ series follows employees of a shady corporation who sever the connection between their work and home lives.
Inventing Anna

‘Inventing Anna’ is a Grating True Story That Runs Too Long

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

Julia Garner can’t save this overlong Netflix drama about real-life scammer Anna Delvey.
2nd Chance Documentary

Bulletproof Vest Doc ‘2nd Chance’ Tells A Wild Tale Without Focus

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

A Sundance documentary about the inventor of the bulletproof vest tells a compelling story that wanders in all the wrong directions.

Pam and Tommy

‘Pam & Tommy’ is as Humanizing as It is Entertaining

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

Hulu’s series about the celebrity sex tape scandal that rocked the ’90s mostly forgoes salaciousness in favor of empathy for the couple at its core.
Golden Girls Sick And Tired

What the ‘Golden Girls’ Chronic Illness Episode Means to Me

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

Dorothy’s traumatic and frustrating journey through the medical system hits close to home for people who live with chronic illnesses, like our TV critic Valerie Ettenhofer.
Fresh Sundance Sebastian Stan

‘Fresh’ is a Shocking Trojan Horse That Commits to the Bit

By Valerie Ettenhofer 

It may not work as social commentary horror, but Mimi Cave’s feature debut is still an over-the-top delight for anyone willing to roll with its surprisingly dark punches.