Dana Stevens and Stephen Metcalf discuss the new film mother! with Slate's Jack Hamilton, Ken Burns Vietnam documentary series with Willa Paskin, and the art of theme park caricatures with producer Benjamin Frisch. 

It's pledge season! Join Slate Plus today as part of the Slate Plus promo drive! Sign up at Slate.com/cultureplus.

The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by the Platinum Card from American Express. There’s a world of experiences waiting to open up with the Platinum Card. Backed by the services and security of American Express. 

And by Care.com. Care.com is the largest digital marketplace for care for everyone in the family—find nannies, sitters, housekeepers, dog walkers, and more. To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership— visit Care.com/CULTURE when you subscribe. 

And by Casper, an online retailer of premium mattresses. Get 50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to Casper.com/Culture and using the promo code Culture.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices