Mel Campbell

Mel Campbell is a freelance cultural critic and university lecturer who writes on film, TV, literature and media, with particular interests in history, costume, screen adaptations and futurism. Her first book was the nonfiction investigation Out of Shape: Debunking Myths about Fashion and Fit (2013), and she has co-written two romantic comedy novels with Anthony Morris: The Hot Guy (2017) and Nailed It (2019).

Mel Campbell's Latest Articles

Himesh Patel as Jeevan and Matilda Lawson as Kirsten in Station Eleven
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TV Review: 'Station Eleven' champions human creativity and care

This post-apocalyptic drama series on Stan avoids the cliches of the genre. Reviewer Mel Campbell finds it fresh and inspiring.

Cast members of Love Me on Binge.
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TV Review: 'Love Me' offers lush, cosmopolitan escapism

The new Binge drama explores love at many stages. It shows Melbourne at its glossy best and treats mature characters…

Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths in Total Control season 2
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TV Review: Total Control S2 brings real anger to political drama

Even stronger in its second second season, the ABC's 'Total Control' is a complex and satisfying political thriller, says Mel…

Cast of Preppers, ABC TV
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TV Review: Preppers is a raucous satire

Nakkiah Lui and Gabriel Dowrick's ABC comedy series is fully committed to its satirical targets, and it made Mel Campbell…

Ewan Leslie and Eve Hewson in The Luminaries
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TV Review: The Luminaries is a knowing tale of love and fortune

Eleanor Catton's TV adaptation of her own New Zealand literary prize-winner is sparkling and cleverly crafted.

the cast of fires
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TV Review: ‘Fires’ reignites the humanity behind the devastating Black Summer bushfires

ABC iview's new six-part anthology series Fires is vividly real, writes Mel Campbell.

Nicole Kidman in Nine Perfect Strangers
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TV Review: 'Nine Perfect Strangers' gets lost in tasteful catharsis

Filmed in lush Byron Bay, this star-stuffed mystery is an acting masterclass. If only it would embrace its weirdness, says…

Anna Torv in The Newsreader
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Review: The Newsreader on ABC TV is sophisticated and enjoyable

The ABC's new drama set in an 80s newsroom intelligently captures the pressure and intimacy of workplace relationships.

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TV Review: The Moth Effect makes fun of hypocrisy

Amazon Prime's new sketch comedy series features an A-list cast and some sharp yet silly social satire. Mel Campbell samples…

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