Johnny Oleksinski

Johnny Oleksinski

About the Columnist

Johnny Oleksinski has been The Post’s entertainment critic, its leading voice on movies and theater, since 2018. He began at The Post as an entertainment reporter in 2015. Before moving to New York, he was a theater writer/editor at the Chicago Tribune and was chief theater critic of Newcity Chicago. He is a voting member of the New York Drama Critics Circle. Johnny majored in theater at Illinois State University. He lives in the East Village, and can be heard every Tuesday morning at 9:30 on WOR Radio.

The Archive

‘Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1’ review: Kevin Costner quit ‘Yellowstone’ for this?!

I cannot fathom committing another 540 minutes of my time to this bloated ego trip. 

NYC's East Village has gone back in time to the bad old days of 'Rent'

In 1996, "Rent" was a snapshot of a downtown neighborhood in the papers for all the wrong reasons. Now the East Village is right there again.

The biggest problem with 'House of the Dragon'? I can't remember anyone's name!

I never want to see another “ae” ever again.

Lindsay Lohan starts work on biggest major studio role in 14 years: 'Freaky Friday' sequel

Returning to Disney, which also produced her debut movie “The Parent Trap,” is a major step for the actress, who’s struggled with comebacks since her dramatic days as a gossip...

The heatwave is a reminder of NYC’s best activity: Staying inside

New York al fresco activities, by and large, are either unpleasant or combative. Often both.

'The Bikeriders' review: Austin Butler stars in a pretty-good 'Goodfellas' riff

Martin Scorsese’s crime classic doesn’t pass the torch so much as the new gang movie passes the time.

'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' review: The most fun you'll have at the theater this summer

The hottest show in town is… “Cats”? Nobody's said that since around 1984.

'Kinds of Kindness' review: Emma Stone stars in awful Oscar bait

About 15 minutes into the three-part, nearly-three-hour slog, I found myself whispering of Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons and Willem Dafoe: “Poor things...”

Donald Sutherland was part of one of Hollywood's most notorious controversies

The 1973 supernatural horror film "Don't Look Now" starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland, who died Thursday at age 88, included one of the most controversial sex sequences of all...

How NYC's massive Palace Theater was lifted into the air: 'An inch an hour'

The iconic Broadway venue that’s played host to such luminaries as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli and Bette Midler was dramatically lifted 30 feet.

A terrifying seizure, recording studio attempts and hope: Celine Dion’s new doc is harrowing

One of the rawest moments I’ve ever seen in a documentary about a living superstar comes near the end of “I Am: Celine Dion.”

Celine Dion moved to tears in rare NYC appearance: 'The biggest crowd I’ve had in a few years'

“I have so much gratitude to welcome all of you this evening,” the “My Heart Will Go On” singer began after a long standing ovation at the premiere of her...

Inside the Tony Awards after-parties: Angelina Jolie serves McDonald's, Billy Porter protests

“No more Carlyle! No more Carlyle!,” shouted Billy Porter. 

'Outsiders' knocks out 'Hell's Kitchen' at otherwise dull Tony Awards

They weren’t outsiders on Sunday night. In a neck-and-neck race, the fantastic new musical “The Outsiders” ultimately took home the coveted Best Musical trophy at the Tony Awards, honoring the...

Tony Awards 2024 predictions: 'Hell's Kitchen' or 'Outsiders' — which will win Best Musical?

It’s not just the humidity that has Midtown Manhattan sweating bullets -- it’s the Tony Awards.

Inside the Tonys' most legendarily debauched after-party: Fights, fires and passed-out-legends

If you thought Broadway was Hollywood’s classier cousin, you thought wrong.

'Deadliest Catch' star dead at 59 after ‘medical emergency’

Nick Mavar, a fisherman who was a deckhand on the reality TV show “Deadliest Catch,” died Thursday in Alaska.

‘Titanic’ musical review: Tragic tale is sweeping and thrilling — even without Jack and Rose

With a score as lush and transportive as this one, bigger is definitely better.

'Inside Out 2' review: Pixar sequel is nice, but not as good as the original

Without a doubt, families could not do better at the movies right now. It’s whipsmart, funny and chockablock with predictably clever touches.

Roger Federer on emotional new doc 'Twelve Final Days': 'I only cried six times'

“Sports people die twice,” says a voice in the new documentary “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” which premiered Monday night at the Tribeca Film Festival.