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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe Thursday, April 24, 2025, New York Times crossword is a 15-by-15 puzzle by Kathleen Duncan, edited by Will Shortz. Its theme, GENRE BENDING, is built from five genre phrases that turn around corners in the grid. The answer key and complete grid are available in the XWord Info archive.
Puzzle details
- Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Constructor: Kathleen Duncan; XWord Info identifies it as her debut puzzle
- Editor: Will Shortz
- Grid: 15 rows by 15 columns, with 42 blocks
- Archive number: 27,561, as presented by XWord Info
These details and the numbered clue-and-answer lists appear in the XWord Info archive.
What is the theme of the April 24 crossword?
The revealer is GENRE BENDING, the answer to 51-Down, clued “Mixing thematic elements and tropes … or a feature of this puzzle?” Five genre-related entries bend at corners in the grid. As Crossword Fiend’s notation shows, the letters that make the turns—F, N, O, M, and P—spell GENRE BENDING.
| Entry | Clue reference | Theme turn |
|---|---|---|
| DARK FANTASY | 1-Across: “Interview With the Vampire” and “Prince of Thorns” | DARK /F/ ANTASY |
| MOCKUMENTARY | 6-Across: “Borat” and “This Is Spinal Tap” | MOCKUME /N/ TARY |
| COMING OF AGE | 35-Across: “Lady Bird” and “Stand By Me” | COMING /O/ F AGE |
| COZY MYSTERY | 24-Down: “The Thursday Murder Club” and “A Killer Sundae” | COZY /M/ YSTERY |
| PERIOD PIECE | 46-Down: “Downton Abbey” and “Shogun” | PERIOD /P/ IECE |
The slash notation identifies the letter at each bend; it is not part of the answer spelling. The theme entries and this interpretation are documented by Crossword Fiend’s April 24 review.
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How to use the full answer key
The archive page lists numbered Across and Down clues separately and displays the completed grid. Match both the number and direction before checking an answer: a clue numbered 24-Across is a different entry from 24-Down. The six theme references above are examples, not a replacement for the complete archive key.
XWord Info is the reference for this puzzle’s full clue list and grid. How2shout’s page has conflicting date labeling—it refers to April 23 in one passage despite its April 24 headline—so it is not a reliable source for identifying this puzzle or reproducing its complete key.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Playing the puzzle and checking answers
The New York Times Help Center describes the crossword as a daily puzzle of intersecting Across and Down entries. It says weekday difficulty rises from Monday through Saturday, and that the daily crossword appears in the print edition Monday through Saturday. Digital play is available to Games, All Access, and Home Delivery subscribers under the Help Center’s current guidance; access policies may change.
The Help Center also notes that check and reveal tools are available in digital play and that using them resets a streak. See the New York Times Crossword Help Center for current access and play details.
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