A Colorado man will be spending the rest of his life in prison after he broke into a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor’s home when she was getting ready for bed and fatally stabbed her five times.

Ceasar Wilson was sentenced to serve 224 years in prison on Wednesday, May 6, for killing University of Colorado Colorado Springs Professor Haleh Abghari at her Colorado Springs home.

Prosecutors said during closing arguments of his February trial that Wilson, 54, snuck into Abghari’s home through her open garage on the night of August 7, 2024, with the intention to steal from her, according to The Gazette.

However, his plan changed when he found Abghari in her bathroom. Wilson stabbed the professor five times as she fought back, per the outlet.

It is not currently clear why he targeted Abghari.

After the killing, Wilson stole Abghari’s credit card and her car. He then went on a “shopping spree,” El Paso County Senior Deputy District Attorney Brien Cecil told the jury.

When police reported to the home, they found a bloody palm print on the bathroom counter and were able to link Wilson to the crime through DNA evidence found underneath Abghari’s fingernails.

Wilson was eventually arrested on August 23, 2024, after he stole another vehicle while trying to flee law enforcement. Prosecutors said that he injured a person while attempting to evade arrest, adding that authorities did not know at the time that he was suspected of killing Abghari.

Related: Man Told Son That He Stabbed ‘Cheating’ Wife, ‘Sat with Her’ as She Died

A man in Missouri has been arrested after police alleged he called his son to confess to stabbing his wife to death for “cheating,” and told him he “sat with her” as she bled out before fleeing their home. Malang Akbari has been charged with first-degree murder for killing his wife, Manhaz Akbari, according to […]

Seven months after his arrest, Wilson was charged in connection to Abghari’s murder. Following his trial, he was found guilty in February of second-degree murder, crime of violence sentence enhancers, aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft and identity theft.

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“The violence perpetrated by the defendant against Haleh Abghari, an innocent woman alone in her own home, deserved the harsh sentence issued today in court,” El Paso County DA Michael J. Allen said in a statement following Wilson’s sentencing hearing, per The Gazette.

Allen added that “Abghari’s death was a devastating loss for her family, the UCCS Community she helped shape for over a decade and the entire 4th Judicial District.”

“We are grateful to see a just outcome in this case, and to our partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for seeing this process through, from start to end,” he concluded.

It’s much of the same at the top of the U.S. Prime Video charts. Karl Urban‘s Billy Butcher, Jack Quaid‘s Hughie Campbell, Antony Starr‘s Homelander, and more continue to take the #1 spot, as Eric Kripke‘s The Boys Season 5 proves one of the best options on all streaming platforms. Superheroes remain the order of the day on Prime, as the animated series Invincible holds strong in the charts, despite the fourth season finale having debuted over three weeks ago. However, a new rival has finally fought its way into the battle for supremacy, and it makes up one of three Prime Video shows you need to binge this weekend.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Prime Video.

1

‘Citadel’ (2023–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 51% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Of course, the first and biggest recommendation for this weekend is Citadel, the pulse-pounding Prime Video favorite that has finally returned for a second mainline season, three years since the first. With that in mind, there is no better time to catch up on the entire series than now. Game of Thrones favorite Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas star as two spies who must fight in the midst of the downfall of a global spy agency.

Citadel hasn’t exactly been quiet these past few years. Although the main series has taken years to return, international spin-offs, such as Diana and Honey Bunny, have emerged instead. However, neither has quite reached the heights of the original. Chopra Jonas and Madden return for Season 2 alongside Stanley Tucci‘s Bernard for seven new episodes, all dropped at once on Wednesday, May 6.

2

‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 8.1/10

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Although it’s one of the most popular police procedurals on television, for those who have yet to watch Criminal Minds, its 18 seasons and counting could pose a daunting prospect to would-be viewers. Take this as your call to action, as you have the time to catch up on at least some of this iconic crime show before its return later this month.

Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) and his team of agents have faced an array of exciting, tense, and strange cases in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico across the years, with no episode of Criminal Minds proving dull. You can expect easy-to-watch procedural television that doesn’t sacrifice quality while achieving a huge quantity of episodes. Proof of the show’s popularity can be seen via the outcry of frustration when it was initially cancelled in 2019, leading to a fan demand-inspired revival in 2022.

3

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ (2022—2025)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.2/10

Late last month, it was confirmed that The Summer I Turned Pretty‘s feature-length next chapter had officially entered production. However, if it wasn’t for the popularity of the show’s third season last summer, perhaps the next installment wouldn’t exist at all. If you’re yet to experience this YA romance in all its twisting, endearing glory, why not dive headfirst into the best love triangle in modern television this weekend?

Belly Conklin’s (Lola Tung) love is caught between two brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalengo), as the ups, downs, and in-betweens of teenage romance are explored against the gorgeous backdrop of the fictional Cousins Beach. Based on the books by Jenny Han, this indulgent drama perfectly transitions like young love from sweet in its first season to tense in its third, as a trio of teens on the cusp of adulthood discovers who they are.

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2022 – 2025-00-00

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Prime Video

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Erica Dunton, Jesse Peretz, Jeff Chan

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  Lola Tung

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  Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin

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  Christopher Briney

  Conrad Fisher

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Taylor Friankie Paul is clapping back at Grant Ellis after he poked fun at her “felonies” in a recent social media post.

“Yes I’m FAR from a perfect princess bachelorette,” Paul, 31, wrote in an Instagram comment on Thursday, May 7. “Feel free to tell him I was also told I was one of the kindest leads they’ve had to both cast and crew ❤️that’s how.”

Paul’s response came one day after Ellis, 32, posted an Instagram video taking shots at her Bachelorette controversy.

“Let me get some felonies and become a Mormon so I can get cool with Bachelor Nation,” he wrote on Wednesday, May 6, while shaking his head and laughing. While he didn’t use Paul’s name, fans were quick to point out she was who he appeared to be referencing.

Ellis has since followed up with multiple Instagram videos also discussing Paul. On Friday, May 8, he alluded that his runner-up, Litia Garr, should have been the Bachelorette over Paul.

“2 back to back POC [people of color] woulda been the move,” Ellis captioned the clip.

Paul’s Bachelorette season has been rooted in controversy since the week leading up to its scheduled premiere. So much so that the season has yet to air.

News broke in March that Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen had allegedly been involved in a domestic dispute the month prior. Utah’s Draper City Police Department confirmed there was an open domestic violence investigation into the couple. By April, authorities confirmed that no charges would be filed.

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Related: Grant Ellis Says ABC Canceling ‘The Bachelorette’ Was ‘Morally’ Right

Former Bachelor Grant Ellis is weighing in on ABC’s shocking decision to cancel the new season of The Bachelorette three days before it was set to premiere. On Thursday, March 19, ABC announced that the upcoming 22nd season of the dating show, starring The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Taylor Frankie Paul, would not go […]

Amid the investigation, a video from 2023 resurfaced, showing Paul throwing a chair at Mortensen while her daughter Indy, now 8, stood nearby. (At the time, Taylor pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault over the incident in exchange for other criminal charges against her being dropped.)

After the video’s release, ABC announced it was pulling Paul’s season from the air.

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“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television told Us Weekly in March.

While the future of Paul’s season is currently unclear, a source told Us earlier this week that she’s “hopeful” it will see the light of day.

“She has been doing the work behind the scenes, taken accountability and is focused on moving forward in a more positive way,” the insider told Us. “The hope is that viewers would connect with that growth and see a different side of her, making this season feel like a true redemption moment rather than just a return to TV, but right now her priority is her family and her mental health.”

Whew, Roomies! Falynn Pina isn’t letting up on Simon Guobadia. She recently called him and Porsha Williams out for allegedly having an “inappropriate relationship” while she and Simon were still married, but now Simon has jumped in with claims of his own. And that’s not all — Falynn’s husband Jaylan Banks has also entered the chat. He seemingly popped off after Simon mentioned his and Falynn’s daughter in a message.

RELATED: Falynn Pina Blasts Porsha Williams & Simon Guobadia For Allegedly Having An Inappropriate Relationship While They Were Still Married (VIDEOS) 

Simon Guobadia Calls Out Falynn Pina For Allegedly Cheating With Jaylan Banks In 2021

Okay, so BOOM! If you’ve been out of the loop, let us put you on game. Simon Guobadia has seemingly fired back at Falynn Pina after she said she “always knew” something was going on between him and Porsha Williams during a recent interview. Now, Simon is pushing back on Falynn’s claims and saying she was actually the one cheating on him. Recently, Simon dropped what he called a “receipt of a cheating Ex-Wife,” which allegedly shows footage of Falynn arriving back at their house with Jaylan Banks in 2021. From there, Simon also accused Falynn and Jaylan of planning to start a family inside the home he says he was paying for.

“Meanwhile, you were both busy planning where to place a crib in a house I wasn’t even obligated to pay for under the divorce settlement—but did anyway, out of kindness for your unborn child #disrespectclowns,” Simon wrote.

Falynn Denies Cheating & Accuses Simon Of Being In Miami With Porsha In 2021

Falynn didn’t let Simon’s claims slide at all. She hopped on her Instagram Story to set the record straight and reminded him that he was actually with Porsha on Valentine’s Day. “Let me remind you — You left me on February 14th at 7am to drive to Miami to meet with Porsha and Shamea.” She also made it clear that her pop out with Jaylan in the video Simon shared happened after they had already separated. “YOU AND I WERE SEPARATED OF THE TIME OF THAT VIDEO OF JAYLAN.” 

Additionally, Falynn seemingly shared old text messages between her and Simon where he directly asks her about Jaylan. Then in another text thread, Falynn suggests that they should go their separate ways. A message allegedly from Simon showed him agreeing and saying he “doesn’t see a way to reconcile.”

Jaylan Banks Pops Off After Simon Mentions His & Falynn’s Daughter

Following Simon and Falynn’s online exchange, Jaylan didn’t hesitate to jump in and speak his mind. He went off on Simon in posts on his IG Story, calling him bitter and dragging his and Falynn’s daughter into the internet drama.

“The fact that you would even bring a child into your bitterness and internet drama says more about you than it will ever about anybody else.” Jaylan continued, “Real men handle issues with adults. Speaking on a little girl to make to a point is weak behavior, plain and simple.”

From there, Jaylan took shots at Simon for having several failed marriages. He told him to take accountability for his actions and recognize that he might be the reason his relationships keep falling apart.

“You’ve been married four times and still somehow convinced yourself everybody else is the problem. At some point, you gotta stop blaming every woman, every relationship, and every situation around you and realize the common denominator has been you the entire time.”

RELATED: Falynn Pina Threatens To Expose Receipts After Porsha Williams Addresses Betraying Their Friendship With Marriage To Simon Guobadia (VIDEO) 

If there’s any genre that lends itself perfectly to making some truly addictive television, it’s science fiction. These tales of space exploration, hyper-advanced technology, and dystopian societies have a certain something to them that, when done right, makes them impossible to look away from. The ten most addictive sci-fi shows of all time are so engrossing that they can easily hook any fan of the genre from start to finish.

Whether it’s a classic like Cowboy Bebop or a modern cult favorite like The Expanse, these shows are the epitome of “just one more episode!” television-watching. Whether it’s thanks to their hugely imaginative premises, their fascinating characters, their entertaining stories, or a mixture of all of those elements, these masterpieces lure you in and don’t let you go until the credits roll on the series finale.

10

‘The 100’ (2014–2020)

Image via The CW

Based on Kass Morgan‘s young adult novel series of the same title, The 100 is proof that, when they set their minds to it, The CW can make some genuinely masterful shows. Post-apocalyptic YA stories were all the rage back during the 2010s, and in riding that wave, The 100 has aged as one of the best among such kinds of shows. Even today, it’s still a must-see.

It’s the kind of sci-fi show that gets darker (and better) every season, and that’s a big part of how it’s able to so easily hook its viewers. The show keeps reinventing and recontextualizing itself with every passing episode, introducing new layers and higher stakes to its already-engrossing story while never losing a single bit of its commendable narrative momentum.

9

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

Image via Fox

After his tenure in a certain other hugely addictive sci-fi gem, J. J. Abrams co-created Fringe with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. What starts out as a more episodic spiritual successor of The X-Files and The Twilight Zone in its first season soon transforms into a more heavily serialized cult classic about fringe science and parallel universes.

Thanks to its fast-paced procedural format and its refreshing focus on its deeply compelling characters, Fringe is able to constantly deepen its mythology in ways that never fail to be surprising and engaging. This is what makes it one of the most rewatchable sci-fi shows ever, a masterpiece that keeps its character-driven narrative as its emotional heart while still spending more than enough time building up some delightful lore.

8

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

Image via ABC

Mystery box shows are a branch of the mystery genre composed of shows with vast, intricately complex narratives reliant on secrets and surprise reveals. Every time it provides an answer, a good mystery show knows how to bring up another two equally gripping questions. That’s the kind of show that Lost was. Divisive final season notwithstanding, there’s no denying the colossal pop culture phenomenon that this J. J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber creation was.

It’s one of those classic thriller shows that have aged remarkably well, a character-driven sci-fi mystery extravaganza with one of the most compelling ensembles in the modern history of television. Its answers are structured in such a way that they feel like they expand the unknown, not narrow it down, which feeds a level of curiosity in viewers that’s borderline impossible to resist.

7

‘The Expanse’ (2015–2022)

Image via SyFy

The Expanse is based on Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck‘s beloved series of novels of the same name, and it’s one of the best television adaptations of a series of sci-fi books that the world has ever seen. Hailed as one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi shows ever, it was canceled by SyFy after only three short-lived seasons, but picked back up by Amazon for another incredible three. Now, what we’re left with is one of the best six-season TV shows in history.

The Expanse has a rather slow-burning first season that’s mostly dedicated to world-building, but people patient enough to get through it will find themselves irreparably hooked by the time they get to season two. This is one of the most nearly-perfect sci-fi shows ever, leveraging a constantly evolving blend of genres to keep the audience craving the next episode.

6

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Severance can be argued to be this generation’s Lost, a gripping mystery box sci-fi show that everyone and their grandmother seems to be watching and talking about. After all, how could a show with such fascinating mysteries not be a massive topic of pop culture conversations? Indeed, Severance may well be one of the most perfect TV dramas of the last 15 years.

Even when the show isn’t deliberately building up an irresistible sense of suspense and character-driven tension—and most of the time, it is doing precisely that—, there’s at least a simmering feeling of dread underlying the whole thing. Through some highly visual storytelling and a fascinating ensemble of characters, Severance becomes one of the most gripping shows currently streaming. It may not have a conclusion yet, but it is nevertheless effortless in how it keeps you hooked throughout.

5

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Image via SyFy

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There are classic sci-fi shows from the 20th century that are borderline untouchable, and then there was 1978’s Battlestar Galactica. Though solid, it was in desperate need of an upgrade, and that’s where 2004’s version of the show comes in. One of the darkest, most mature, and most politically nuanced post-9/11 American shows, it’s one of those sci-fi shows that hold up surprisingly well.

Sure, Battlestar is very much a product of its time (at least thematically), reflecting the fears and anxieties of life in a post-9/11 world, but it’s still every bit as addictive today as it was back in its early days. The stakes are sky-high throughout the entirety of the series, and mixed with the highly complex narrative and the many mysteries that it builds up over the course of its run, the show cements itself as one of the most essential sci-fi series in history.

4

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

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There aren’t very many sci-fi shows whose every episode is a masterpiece. Netflix’s Dark is one of those precious few gems. It’s one of the most complex, layered, and mind-bending sci-fi TV shows in history, so it’s definitely not for those looking for a “turn your brain off for an hour” kind of fiction show. Furthermore, watching Dark never comes down to just an hour, because it’s the kind of series that forces you to keep clicking “next episode” until it’s too late and you have to go to bed.

It’s just that well-written and absolutely engrossing of a show. It’s philosophically complex, admirably taut, and surprisingly plot hole-free for a show that’s primarily about time travel and parallel universes. Watching it rewards intense attention, and it constantly forces you to rethink everything that has come before. It’s textbook addictive televisual storytelling.

3

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

Image via Sunrise

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Cowboy Bebop is one of the most important, influential, and groundbreaking anime series in history; one that’s widely credited with having helped popularize the medium in the Western world in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Part neo-noir, part space Western, it’s one of the best TV masterpieces of the last 30 years, a true must-see for anyone who enjoys science fiction—anime or otherwise.

Running for only 26 episodes, Cowboy Bebop is relatively easy to binge-watch over a single weekend. And boy, how tempting that prospect is. We’re talking about one of the most addictive anime series in history, one whose every element works in perfect conjunction with the others to hook the viewer: the delightful aesthetic, the fun music, the fast-paced structure, the cohesive emotional atmosphere… It all contributes to making this a show that’s impossible to stop watching.

2

‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)

Image via FOX

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Throughout history, many sci-fi shows have been canceled way too soon, perhaps chief among them being the cult classic Firefly. Created by Joss Whedon, this is the quintessential space Western, one whose avid cult following has remained steadfastly loyal over the course of the whopping 23 years since its untimely cancelation after only one season.

And through it all, Firefly has remained one of the most fun, original, and addictive genre TV shows in history. By establishing its clear and exquisitely entertaining character dynamics immediately, the show makes it a real treat to watch this ragtag spaceship crew interact with each other. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder, as proved by the fact that the scarcity of Firefly episodes in existence actually adds to how addictive it is.

1

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

Image via FOX

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Anyone even slightly familiar with the history of small-screen science fiction will agree that there was a “before The X-Files” and an “after The X-Files.” This “case-of-the-week”-type mystery show completely revolutionized both science fiction and American genre television as a whole. To date, it still remains one of the most groundbreaking and influential TV shows since the ’90s.

It’s one of those classic sci-fi shows that have aged remarkably well, one that owes a ton of its entertainment (and addictiveness) value to the off-the-charts chemistry between both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson and Mulder and Scully themselves. Their endlessly fun dynamic makes the episodic nature of The X-Files an irresistible delight from start to finish, and it makes the show’s slowly-growing mythology and lore all the more engaging.

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The X-Files

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Release Date

1993 – 2018-00-00

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Network

FOX

Directors

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Rob Bowman, David Nutter, R. W. Goodwin, Michael W. Watkins, Tony Wharmby, Daniel Sackheim, Michael Lange, Cliff Bole, David Duchovny, Jim Charleston, James Wong, Peter Markle, Rod Hardy, Thomas J. Wright, William A. Graham, Jerrold Freedman, Joe Napolitano, Kevin Hooks, Larry Shaw, Richard Compton, Tucker Gates, Allen Coulter, Barry K. Thomas, Brett Dowler

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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 26 seconds ago

The latest trailer for Christopher Nolan’s controversial The Odyssey was released on May 5, 2026, and revealed more of the director’s take on Homer’s epic. Like the other trailers and casting announcements, it drew equal parts controversy, criticism, and avid defenders.

This time, most of the action is focused on Ithaca, where Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus (Tom Holland) deal with the numerous suitors trying to assume the throne by marrying the queen. Robert Pattinson lurks and smarms as Antinous, trying to woo Penelope, while cutaway footage shows the tribulations of Odysseus (Matt Damon) against Calypso (Charlize Theron), the whirlpool Charybdis, armored giants, and the Trojan War.

Ancient Accuracy Versus Anachronistic Angst

There are a lot of new problems with this trailer that echo issues people already have with Nolan’s vision. Previous complaints include ahistorical armor from a later Grecian period, boats that look more Viking longboat than bireme, and a plethora of miscast characters, such as Jon Bernthal as Menelaus and Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.

One of the two main problems with the new trailer is Tom Holland. The actor who has been bringing Peter Parker to spectacular life in some of the rare good content from the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks like a lost child as Telemachus, and has been apparently directed to play the Greek hero that way. The parts of the trailer that aren’t Anne Hathaway angsting as Penelope feature Holland having plenty of angst of his own. Sure, Telemachus had some daddy issues, but Holland looks more like a kid looking for his mommy than a prince defending his father’s kingdom against overwhelming odds.

A large part of Holland’s failure in the new trailer is that the dialogue is extremely cringeworthy. At one point, Antonius actually says, “You’re pining for your daddy,” as though this is a CW teen drama and not a serious Homeric epic. “That world is gone!” Penelope cries with the appropriate amount of suffering and phony British accent.

The translation allegedly being used for the movie is based on the work of Emily Wilson, a feminist translator who felt that Homer’s epic didn’t have enough modern sensibilities. She simplified the poet’s gorgeous turns of phrase and literalized his abstract concepts, trying to take the focus away from the male point of view and focus on the women. Her translation has caused controversy among scholars. It is not confirmed that Nolan used this version to base his script on, but the quality of the dialogue is a poor rendition of modern Gen Z slang.

Follies In Formation

Another thing that stands out from this trailer is the battle scenes we are shown.

For one, Odysseus leads the Greeks in a very un-Grecian formation as he charges down a beach. The Greeks were known for their discipline and their deadly phalanx formation, not for charging into battle like a horde of barbarians. The scene looks more like a sword-and-board version of the opening of Saving Private Ryan than anything the Greeks would have actually done. That may sound like a nitpick, but the discipline of the Greek troops and their loyalty to their kings and to Greece is a huge theme of Homer’s duology.

The other is a ridiculous charge by a troupe of giants who are dressed in armor that looks like they salvaged it from the leftovers of a King Arthur movie than a Homerian epic. These silver-clad warriors look out of place and anachronistic in The Odyssey, another example of Nolan using spectacle and visual shorthand rather than something that actually reflects the source material.

Sure, the special effects look cool, with Charybdis a wide, gaping hole in the sea and the battle in Troy looking explosive. But so far, that’s the only thing The Odyssey has shown it has going for it. Between its snarky, modernized dialogue and its attempt to be a visual spectacle, the trailer looks more like Not Another Marvel Movie than it does a tribute to an important ancient epic.

While, I admit that I may be more sensitive to this vandalism of Homer because my family emigrated to America from Sparta, I can’t help but feeling affronted that my heritage as a Greek is being used by Nolan as a cynical Hollywood cash grab. This telling of Homer’s Trojan War sequel is looking more like a pageant of modernized filmmaking meant more to show that it, to paraphrase Ian Malcolm, could be done, regardless of if it should. Plus, the removal of the values Homer wrote about means that it is more like a presentist fanfiction than anything the Greeks may have written.

We will all find out when The Odyssey premiers in theaters on July 17, 2026.

Netflix had plenty of big shows break into the spotlight in 2025, but few did so as forcefully as The Hunting Wives. Netflix debuted all episodes of the psychological thriller at the end of July, and it took over streaming on its way to becoming one of the platform’s most popular binges of the summer. The show follows Sophie O’Neil (played by Brittany Snow), who moves to Deep East Texas and succumbs to the socialite charm of Margo (played by Malin Akerman), only to find herself in a web of obsession, seduction, and murder. Netflix renewed The Hunting Wives for Season 2, and production on the show’s sophomore outing has already wrapped.

One star from The Hunting Wives, who featured in a recurring role in Season 1, was Karen Rodriguez, who plays Deputy Wanda Salazar. Rodriguez has been bumped to a series regular in Season 2. During an upcoming episode of Collider Ladies’ Night with Perri Nemiroff to talk about The Hunting Wives and Spider-Noir, Rodriguez explained whether she saw this promotion coming, “No, it was totally a surprise, and I think it was totally the response and the fans saying, ‘We need the juxtaposition,’ We are watching the baddies, but we need that pillar of goodness to kind of give some danger, like somebody might catch them, you know?” she told Nemiroff. “I also think she’s just an aspirational character. She’s incredibly smart, and she’s so tenacious, and I think that we all want a friend like that, or we all want to believe we’re like that. I mean, definitely when I play her, I feel like a damn superhero. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt.”

Nemiroff also asked Rodriguez what, if anything, about her evolved role caught her by surprise, and she went deep into detail about Salazar’s role as the emotional pillar and a grounding force for the often highly outrageous series. She also spoke about how playing the character has helped teach Rodriguez to advocate for herself:

“It caught me by surprise at the ownership, because she is our main POV of that storyline, and I hadn’t had that experience, really. So, I have the privilege of, like, when I’m on set, she’s our main way in the cop world, right? She’s the emotional pillar of that storyline. And so having to kind of step into, like, ‘I’m not following the lead of somebody else,’ it’s like, ‘No, I’m the one that has to do that,’ and I never had that privilege to do it. So it was very much, again, like stepping into my power.

But I will say thank goodness for Salazar because the character makes it easy, because that is what she’s in constant conversation with. She’s like, ‘I’m the one that has to fix it,’ or ‘I’m the one that has the nose for it.’ So, yeah, stepping into my power. These are the things that they don’t teach you in actors’ school. They don’t talk about, like, there’s something about advocating for yourself, and just being a bad bitch on set.”

When Nemiroff moved forward and asked Rodriguez what challenged her as an actor about stepping into a large role, she told Collider, “What a wonderful question. Yes, I think just remaining open to her. This is a truthful answer.” She went on to explain that though Salazar has a sense of innocence, “her exterior is very hard, and she’s been through so much.” Rodriguez explained, “So that constant push and pull of not letting things in, but then still remaining so soft and gooey on the inside so that things can seep out, and then you couple that with my life and whatever I’m going through… Because I identify with her in that way. I just want to seal up. But she has an innocence that she has somehow fiercely protected, and I tapped into my own at having to be soft again. Oh gosh, I’m not gonna front, sometimes it was really tough.”

However, like all great actors, Karen Rodriguez is ready to meet these challenges head-on and overcome them. She admits that “no work is wasted,” and says, “There’s good work, and you can learn from it. That’s why you’re an actor, right? That’s why you do it. It does teach you about yourself.”

‘The Hunting Wives’ Season 2 Is Going To Exceed Your Wildest Expectations

The Hunting Wives was written and created for TV by Rebecca Cutter, who is also famous for her work writing episodes of Hightown, Gotham, and The Mentalist. Cutter produced one of the wildest seasons of TV of 2025 with The Hunting Wives, and Rodriguez tells Collider that fans can expect to see even more intensity from Season 2:

“I would say you don’t have to worry. You’re in good hands with Rebecca Cutter. There came a point where we were getting the episodes like a week before we shot, so we’re reading it, and literally, I mean, I have never seen cast and crew go to set and be like, ‘Did you read this episode?’ I mean, we were shook. And I told you, Season 1, when I read, I was like, ‘No!’ Season 2, I would have to put the script down and walk away. I’m like, You’ve got to be…” And also, being in conversation with the fans, I thought, ‘Oh, I’m so excited to hear what they’re going to think about that.’ I’m really excited.”

Plot details about The Hunting Wives Season 2 are being kept under wraps at this time. Additional cast members include Dermot Mulroney (Chicago Fire) as Jed, Chrissy Metz (This Is Us) as Starr, Jaime Ray Newman (Dopesick) as Callie, Katie Lowes (Scandal) as Jill, and Evan Jonigkeit (Sweetbitter) as Graham.

Check out the first season of The Hunting Wives on Netflix and stay tuned to Collider for Rodriguez’s full episode of Ladies Night.

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Release Date

July 21, 2025

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Julie Anne Robinson

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