This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

ABC has officially ordered The Rookie spin-off, The Rookie: North, to a full series on the network.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

October 16, 2018

Advertisement

Showrunner

Alexi Hawley

Directors

Advertisement

Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro

Writers

Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Taking royal photos sounds fancy, but the British family decided to do it differently this time around. The Prince and Princess of Wales swapped the palace setting and upscale attire for a casual outdoor backdrop and everyday clothing. Kate Middleton‘s outfit was particularly chic, and as long as you have white pants and this striped sweater style, you can recreate the aesthetic all spring long.

To celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary, Prince William and Princess Kate gathered their crew for the most relaxed royal photoshoot we’ve seen in ages. Middleton kept things low-key, pairing a short-sleeve knit sweater style with crisp white pants. The formula is simple yet so incredibly luxe.

This Anrabess Short-Sleeve Sweater Top appears identical to Middleton’s blouse, featuring the same clean crew neckline, classic horizontal stripes and ribbed-knit fabric. The wool-blend material gives it a structured drape while the ribbed texture adds a high-end flair.

Related: Anne Hathaway‘s Old Money Tote Style Doubles as a Work Bag

Anne Hathaway leans into clean tailoring, neutral palettes and timeless outfit pieces, all telltale characteristics of old money. Her latest New York appearance nailed the aesthetic, and all it took was this bag style. The actress was spotted in the Financial District looking mega wealthy. She wore a cropped blazer with wide-leg jeans, accessorizing with […]

Advertisement

And if the thought of wearing wool in the springtime scares you, don’t worry! The breathable, lightweight feel and short-sleeve design make this cozy sweater ideal for the warm months. No clinging or overheating, just comfort and a sleek, flattering fit. Reviewers can attest! “It’s light enough to wear in the summer,” one shopper wrote. “Today was 85 degrees [Fahrenheit] and I was completely comfortable in it.”

Another Amazon fan said that it can “be accessorized nicely to look dressy or with jeans for a nice look.” They said the top is “flattering on all accounts,” and even admitted to buying four different styles.

Pair this knit blouse with the white jeans you already have, and you’ve cloned Middleton’s outfit. From brunches to in-office days, you’ll wear this duo through seasons and occasions without thinking twice. If you’ve been admiring their anniversary photo like Us, this is your sign to add a little royal style to your summer rotation. Your white jeans are waiting.

Get the Anrabess Short-Sleeve Sweater Top for $25 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Related: Kate Middleton‘s Baby Blue Blazer Is the Classiest Smart Casual Layer

Not only is Kate Middleton embracing pastels, but also the baby blue trend. Kate Middleton turned a royal visit into a fashion show, wearing a light blue blazer that was equally low-key and sophisticated. We’re copying the expensive look for only $42! During their 15th wedding anniversary, Prince William and Princess Kate stopped in at […]

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 18 seconds ago

Before she was the co-founder of The Honest Company, before Fantastic Four, and before she was Honey, Jessica Alba burst onto the scene as Max Guevera, the genetically enhanced former child soldier working with a band of underground hackers and mercenaries in a near-future dystopian Seattle. That’s the setting for James Cameron’s Dark Angel, 2000’s hottest and most expensive series.

No one could have guessed this would be Cameron’s follow-up to Titanic, but what was predicted even back then was that Fox would mishandle the show. That’s exactly what happened, and today, it’s nearly impossible to find a copy of Alba’s breakout hit. 

Dark Angel Changed Gears Between Seasons

In the year 2000, you could throw a rock and hit a female-led action series. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Xena: Warrior Princess, V.I.P., and The X-Files were still on the air. All of them were instant classics, but James Cameron gave Dark Angel an edge the others didn’t have. Max didn’t hesitate to throw a punch, and it turns out that violence was often the answer. During her underground war against Manticore, the evil government agency that messed with her DNA and raised her as a child soldier (think Marvel’s Weapon X), Max is willing to go to brutal lengths to accomplish her mission. 

The series starts with Max ignoring her mission and living life as a courier, right up until a journalist activist, Logan (played by the very young-looking future NCIS Agent DiNozzo, portrayed by Michael Weatherly), is injured on a mission she rejected and is now confined to a wheelchair. Max picks up the fight with Logan acting as her “man in the chair,” and a lot of the fun of the series comes from their interactions, though the “will they, won’t they?” gets tiring because yes, yes they will, and we all know it.

Even the standalone monster-of-the-week episodes tie into the larger mythology arc of bringing down Manticore. Dark Angel Season 1 is pulpy sci-fi fun with cheesy stunts, technobabble, and, after the multi-million dollar pilot, cheap special effects. Season 2 changes direction with the introduction of Alec (Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles, years before he got behind the wheel of a 1967 Chevy Impala), Max’s planned breeding partner, who instead becomes her co-worker as they burn down secret labs, liberate child soldiers, and deal with various mutants tied to a breeding cult.

Missing In Action For Decades

Dark Angel isn’t quite a cyberpunk series. The argument can be made for it since there are hackers, secret government programs, supersoldiers with animal DNA, and everyone hanging out at a bar/courier company. What it’s missing is the random neon lighting. 

Of course, when a sci-fi series becomes a hit, Fox has to mess with it somehow. The network argued that the series was routinely going over budget and put a hard cap on Dark Angel’s second season at $1.4 million. Two days after letting the cast and crew know that Season 3 was greenlit, Fox reversed course and canceled the show, citing low ratings as the reason. The switch from taking down Manticore to dealing with the mutant cult caused the show to lose viewers, and the move to Fox’s death slot on Friday nights from its previous Tuesday night placement didn’t help matters any. 

Why You Can’t Watch Dark Angel Today

As with many shows made before streaming was a possibility, Dark Angel’s music rights have kept it in limbo and off legal streaming in the United States for over two decades. The only way to watch it legally now is if you own the now-out-of-print DVD sets.

It’s a shame, as the series still has a fan following over 20 years later, and in a perfect world, Jessica Alba’s Max would be recognized alongside Cameron’s other leading ladies: Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley and Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Conner. 

Dwayne Johnson cracked several raunchy jokes about his pal Kevin Hart’s wife, Eniko Parrish, while Hart was just inches away from him.

On Sunday, May 10, Johnson, 54, was among the celebrities who took part in Netflix’s live The Roast of Kevin Hart special, poking fun at his Jumanji costar’s height and bedroom skills.

“I want to just take a moment to give a shout-out to all the ladies up here on this dais. You all look beautiful, magnificent, sexy,” the wrestler-turned-actor said before turning to Parrish, 41, who was sitting in the audience.

He then added, “You know who else looks sexy? Kevin’s wife, Eniko.”

Related: Tom Brady Calls Out Kevin Hart for Cheating on Wife Eniko Parrish

Tom Brady took a savage swipe at Kevin Hart — in the name of comedy. During Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart, which streamed live on the platform on Sunday, May 10, Brady, 48, appeared on stage to throw a brutal jab at Hart, 46. “All right, this won’t take long, because, as you guys […]

Hart, 46, appeared to bristle at Johnson’s remarks, exclaiming, “What the f***?” But the Smashing Machine actor said he was simply “giving her compliments.”

Johnson continued his routine, joking that Parrish “deserves an Academy Award for pretending she likes to f*** you.”

The actor then suggested that he and Parrish get together, “open up a bottle of tequila and, you know …” before exclaiming, “Stop squirming, Kevin!”

Fellow participant Chelsea Handler got in on the joke, telling Hart, “Don’t you think it’s time for Eniko to be with somebody that is bigger than her?”

Hart’s 5-foot-2 stature was also the butt of several jokes on Saturday night. Johnson quipped that he now understood why women love Hart. “He’s the same size and color as their favorite dildo, and the little motherf***er is twice as loud,” he said.

Johnson brought up Parrish again as he wrapped up his comedic roast, telling Hart, “I love you. … Just to prove it, just last week, I got a Kevin Hart tattoo on my c***. Yeah, life-size, too… Eniko, I’ll show you later. Kidding. She’s already seen it!”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“Why would you say that about my f***ing wife? I want to talk to you later,” Hart clapped back, to which Johnson responded, “But you’re the one who said, ‘Hey, listen, f***ing say anything you want!’”

Advertisement

Related: Kevin Hart and Eniko Parrish’s Blended Family Album

Blended brood! Kevin Hart was a two-time father when he married Eniko Parrish, and the couple went on to have children of their own. The model welcomed her husband’s children with his ex-wife, Torrei Hart — Heaven and Hendrix — with open arms when they wed in August 2016 in California. Kevin explained via Instagram […]

NFL legend Tom Brady also took a brutal shot at Hart during his own roast, addressing Hart’s infidelity in 2017 while his wife was pregnant. (Hart publicly apologized to Parrish in an Instagram video after cheating on her during a trip to Las Vegas.)

“All right, this won’t take long, because, as you guys know, I’m a busy man,” Brady joked. “But I do have a few words for you before I return to my affairs in Las Vegas. Oh, wait, I’m talking about affairs in Las Vegas. Was that off? Not supposed to talk about affairs in Vegas? I think I broke another rule. F*** it. I talked about it.”

Anok Yai is not staying silent after finding herself at the center of an embarrassing Met Gala rumor that quickly exploded online.

The supermodel publicly called out a report linking her to a wardrobe mishap involving urine and a ripped couture outfit.

As the controversy spread across social media, Yai fired back with fury while demanding proof and defending her reputation.

The controversy began after The Washington Post published a feature exploring the complicated realities of celebrities using the restroom while wearing elaborate Met Gala couture.

In the article, stylist Mickey Freeman described a chaotic bathroom situation involving one of his unnamed celebrity clients from the 2024 event.

According to Freeman, the woman arrived in a “stunning entrance in an elaborate couture sheer mesh jumpsuit, intricately embroidered and adorned with a stunning array of hand-stitched Swarovski crystals and pearls, covering her from neck to toe.”

Freeman explained that the client had been sewn into the outfit and later needed to tear part of it after getting caught up in the excitement of the evening and drinking alcohol.

The article then connected the story to Yai. Writer Maura Judkis noted, “Freeman declined to say who this celebrity was, but Detective Google shows that, in 2024, model Anok Yai wore an outfit that matches this description.”

That single sentence immediately triggered backlash online and pulled Yai into an awkward viral storm she said had nothing to do with her.

Anok Yai Demands Proof From Washington Post

Yai quickly addressed the claims on Instagram after seeing her name linked to the alleged Met Gala incident.

“I usually stay quiet and keep to myself,” the Sudanese-American model wrote. “But how dare you misalign my character and imply that I ripped my outfit and peed on myself during the Met Gala of 2024! Fact check next time! Are you crazy?!”

Her response immediately spread across social media, with fans rallying behind her frustration and criticizing the publication for attaching her name to the story without confirmation.

Yai did not stop there. In another post, she directly challenged The Washington Post to provide evidence supporting the implication.

“If you find any photos of my outfit ripped or urine dripping down my leg, send it to me,” she wrote per the Daily Mail while tagging the newspaper.

The model’s furious reaction only pushed the controversy further into the spotlight, especially because many fans believed she had every right to defend herself against the humiliating rumor.

Stylist Mickey Freeman Defends Anok Yai

As the backlash intensified, stylist Mickey Freeman stepped in to clarify the situation and defend Yai publicly.

“Nope! It was not Queen @anokyai,” Freeman wrote in an Instagram Story after seeing the speculation spiral.

He later doubled down while describing the entire situation as “a hilarious non-story” and insisting he “absolutely adore[s] Anok.”

Freeman also made it clear that Yai had never been connected to the original anecdote in any way.

“She was never part of the story, which is why I found it so absurd when I saw her name!” he explained.

In another follow-up statement, Freeman added, “Not to mention, I’ve never worked with @anokyai in any capacity.”

His clarification helped shut down much of the speculation surrounding the story, though many social media users continued criticizing how quickly Yai’s name became attached to the rumor.

Anok Yai Turned Heads At The 2026 Met Gala

Ironically, Yai’s most recent Met Gala appearance had already become one of the event’s most talked-about fashion moments before the controversy erupted.

The model attended the 2026 Met Gala in a dramatic custom Balenciaga creation inspired by Sicily’s famous weeping statues. Leaning heavily into the “fashion is art” theme, Yai transformed herself into what looked like a living sculpture.

Her black gown featured a tightly ruched bodice that hugged her figure before expanding into a dramatic mermaid silhouette with a sweeping train. The structured material gave the outfit an architectural appearance rather than a flowing one.

The most striking detail was the oversized hood framing her face, creating a haunting and almost divine presence as she walked the carpet.

Yai paired the look with long black opera gloves while bronze body makeup covered her skin from head to toe. The metallic finish gave her the appearance of a statue brought to life beneath the gala lights.

Her makeup added another theatrical layer. Smoky eyes, dark lips, and translucent tear-like droplets beneath her eyes created a haunting effect that quickly went viral online.

Anok Yai Continues Dominating Fashion Headlines

Long before the recent drama, Yai had already secured her place as one of fashion’s biggest modern stars.

Back in 2018, she made runway history after becoming the first Black model to open a Prada show since Naomi Campbell in 1997.

Since then, she has continued building a reputation for fearless fashion moments and commanding runway appearances.

The latest Met Gala controversy may have temporarily shifted attention away from her fashion achievements, but Yai’s response made one thing clear. She has no intention of allowing false rumors to define her image.

Instead, the model forcefully reclaimed the narrative herself, turning an embarrassing headline into another viral moment that kept the internet talking.

Roommates, it looks like G Herbo spent a cute coin on Taina Williams‘ Mother’s Day gift! But while she was cheesin’ over the sweet gesture, she and Herbo’s daughter, Emmy Love Wright, had the opposite reaction. After the internet reacted to the video of the moment with mixed reactions, Grandma Emily B stepped in to defend her granddaughter.

RELATED: Oop! Taina Williams Drops A Few Words For Those Criticizing Emmy Receiving A Chanel Bag For Christmas (VIDEO)

G Herbo Promises Daughter A Gift After Mother’s Day Meltdown

Sunday (May 10) was Mother’s Day and G Herbo spent the day with his fiancée Taina Williams, and their two kids, Essex and Emmy. While seated at a dining table, the rapper presented Taina with her gift, while he and their son recorded the interaction. Williams was smiling as she pulled out blue tissue paper out of a white gift bag, followed by a wrapped box. When she asked what the gift was, Essex jokingly said “Chanel,” which G Herbo quickly shut down. Ultimately, what she unveiled was a diamond necklace that was sparkling the second the light touched it!

After Mama Taina showed the necklace to Emmy, G Herbo panned the camera her way. The three-year-old, who turns four later this week, was sitting with her arms crossed and a pouty face. When asked, she said “no” to liking her mom’s gift.

“I don’t like it because I don’t got one,” Emmy told her dad, who was seemingly laughing behind the camera.

Immediately, G Herbo promised to get Emmy’s a matching necklace. Meanwhile, Taina Williams addressed the behavior, teasing Emmy as selfish and reminding her that it was Mother’s Day. G Herbo then went right back to offering to buy Emmy a similar neck piece, but in the background Taina warned him not to tell her that. When he explained that he planned to and didn’t want his baby feeling left out, Williams again said no. Herbo shared all the footage on Instagram Stories, captioning it, “Everything Gotta Come In 2s ATP,” and adding laughing and red heart emojis.

Emily B Defends Emmy’s Gift Reaction

In The Shade Room’s comment section, over 2,000 reactions to the video poured in. Amid them was one comment from Grandma Emily B. She seemed to find humor in the clip, warning the internet to take it easy on her granddaughter. Emily B also commented on her grandson being locked in on his mommy!

“🤣🤣 Not too much on my Emmy.. Essex recording is so cute.. ‘open your plesents,’ Emily B wrote in The Shade Room’s comment section. 

G Herbo and Taina Williams have not yet addressed what happened in the video and Emily B seemingly hasn’t shared any additional thoughts. Earlier in the day, on Instagram Stories, Taina Williams shared a photo of Emmy holding a small Chanel bag. At the dinner, Emmy had on a different Chanel purse, which she got as a Christmas present last year.

RELATED: Period, Sir! G Herbo Has Fans Geeking Over His Reaction To Taina Williams’ Tropical Birthday Photos (PHOTOS)

When people talk about Ridley Scott’s sci-fi legacy, Alien and Blade Runner are usually the first titles that come to mind. But one of his most ambitious, and perhaps most underrated, contributions to the genre didn’t come from a big blockbuster film. The TV series Raised by Wolves, created by Aaron Guzikowski and produced by Scott (who also directed the first two episodes), was a stunning blend of hard science fiction, bold storytelling, and hauntingly beautiful visuals.

And while Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 was a worthy successor to Scott’s original film, Raised by Wolves pushed even further, tackling deeper philosophical questions, bolder narrative risks, and offering an even more expansive vision of humanity’s bleak future. Though it was cancelled after just two seasons, Raised by Wolves remains one of the most complex and visually striking sci-fi TV series of recent years and, in many ways, surpasses Blade Runner 2049 as a modern genre masterpiece. Cancelled before it could reach the ending Guzikowski had planned, the series now feels less like an unfinished experiment and more like the Scott-backed sci-fi masterpiece most deserving of another chance.

‘Raised by Wolves’ Took Science Fiction to the Next Level

Like Blade Runner 2049, Raised by Wolves explores the boundaries of artificial life and the nature of belief. But where 2049 focused primarily on the interior lives of replicants striving to define themselves within a broken society, Raised by Wolves widens the lens. It examines the very act of creation and whether any being, human or machine, could create life without repeating the same destructive cycles that doomed humanity.

The series follows two androids, Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), sent to Kepler-22b to raise human children after Earth was decimated by religious war. Their mission is to build a new, secular society far from the highly damaged Earth, free from ideological conflict. But that plan unravels when a ship of survivors from the religious Mithraic order arrives on the planet, led by the charismatic and dangerous Caleb (Travis Fimmel). This collision between faith and reason became the show’s beating heart. Unlike 2049 or many sci-fi stories where faith is used as a metaphor, Raised by Wolves grapples directly with how warring religious beliefs can have deadly ramifications.

One of the most fascinating arcs is Mother’s duality between nurturing caregiver and terrifying weapon of war. It’s easily one of the most compelling journeys in modern sci-fi, grounding the show’s grand ideas in deeply human questions about motherhood, instinct, and control. This is also where creator Guzikowski and his writers take their boldest swings, and even when the show veers into surreal or unsettling territory, it is impossible to look away. As Mother wrestles with her programmed purpose, actual emotions, and life-altering power, Raised by Wolves asks a question that echoes throughout the series: Can a creator ever truly control what they create, or will life always evolve in unexpected and uncontrollable ways?

Compelling Performances Make ‘Raised By Wolves’ a Sci-Fi Standout

Visually, Raised by Wolves is a triumph of atmosphere and originality. While Blade Runner 2049 perfected the neon-drenched dystopia of Scott’s earlier vision, Raised by Wolves carves out something entirely new. The stark, alien landscape of Kepler-22b feels ancient and dangerous, yet strangely beautiful, like a place that never lets you get comfortable. Ridley Scott was so inspired by the scripts that he immediately began drawing storyboards. His signature touches, including the milky-white android “blood,” were seamlessly woven into the show’s eerie, minimalist design. But it isn’t the spectacle alone that makes the show unforgettable. The writing and performances give it depth, consistently grounding bold sci-fi concepts in emotional authenticity.

Amanda Collin delivers a stunning performance as Mother. Her unsettling, wide-eyed smile could be tender one moment and terrifying the next. Abubakar Salim’s Father brings warmth and levity, often lightening the mood with dry, well-timed “dad joke” humor. But in moments of fear or anger, he can shift just as quickly, becoming as lethal as his counterpart. Together, the two have undeniable chemistry as they walk the narrow line between human and machine. Their evolving relationship constantly mirrors the show’s larger questions about creation, control, and the blurry boundaries of parenthood and programming, making them the emotional core of the series.

Travis Fimmel’s Caleb adds another layer of complexity as a charismatic zealot whose passion is as dangerous as it is magnetic. Opposite him, Niamh Algar brings depth and nuance to Sue, a human doctor whose maternal instincts, though she isn’t biologically connected to her son, echo Mother’s own conflicted sense of parenthood. Their dynamic presents a fractured human counterpart to the androids, asking big thematic questions like what defines family, and whether compassion or ideology will ultimately prevail. What is also refreshing is that Raised by Wolves never chooses sides but, instead, explores how even the most righteous intentions can spiral toward ruin.

In a 2022 Collider interview, creator Guzikowski revealed that he had mapped out five seasons and knew exactly how the series would end. Hearing that only makes Raised by Wolves’ cancellation more frustrating, especially when the show was denied the opportunity to adjust and reach a proper conclusion. In today’s climate, where so many sci-fi and genre series are being cut short, it’s hard not to wonder what Raised by Wolves could have evolved into if it had been given the time and space its vision deserved.

Ridley Scott’s legacy may already be secure, but Raised by Wolves deserves to stand proudly alongside his greatest works. With its visionary writing, career-defining performances, and bold philosophical scope, it remains one of the most original sci-fi achievements of the past decade, and a show that still deserves a future. For all the attention Blade Runner still receives, Raised by Wolves is the Scott-backed sci-fi vision that feels most unfinished, daring, and in need of revival. HBO Max’s controversial decision to not only cancel the series but also remove it from the streaming platform added further insult. Now, with Warner Bros. once again reshuffling its content strategy, there is still hope that someone, somewhere, might at least restore the series to a platform where it can find the wider audience it deserves.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

2020 – 2022-00-00

Network

HBO Max

Advertisement

Showrunner

Aaron Guzikowski

Advertisement

Directors

Alex Gabassi, Luke Scott, Ernest R. Dickerson, Lukas Ettlin, Ridley Scott, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Sunu Gonera

Writers

Advertisement

Aaron Guzikowski

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 2 seconds ago

The original Anaconda is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies of the ‘90s. It’s not a good movie by any snake-like stretch of the imagination, but you don’t exactly watch this film for stellar writing or stunning cinematography. No, you watch it to see Jennifer Lopez looking pretty, Ice Cube cracking one-liners, and Jon Voight winking at the camera after getting barfed up by a giant anaconda. It’s pure, unadulterated schlock, whose magic could never truly be recaptured. That’s why the sequels (yes, there were several) were forgettable retreads of the first film’s creature feature formula.

Understandably, I was horrified when I heard there was going to be a new Anaconda starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd. How could these guys ever possibly top the original movie? By doing something completely different, of course! Anaconda (2025) is a hilariously meta remake of the first movie that involves middle-aged fanboys trying to remake the original film on a shoestring budget. The result is one of the only great remakes of the last two decades, and you can now stream its goofy goodness for yourself on Netflix.

Welcome To The Jungle

The premise of 2025’s Anaconda is that three childhood friends are dealing with a collective midlife crisis. Disappointed with their accomplishments (or lack thereof), they are energized by the bizarre news that one of them has somehow acquired the rights to the original Anaconda. They decide to reinvent their lives by remaking the film, but when they travel to the Amazon Rainforest, they encounter something far deadlier than a giant snake: a mysterious woman who may transform their film into a monster hit, or simply get all of them killed in the most gruesome possible way.

As you might imagine, the charismatic cast provides most of this Anaconda reboot’s charm. Paul Rudd, fresh from movies like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, returns to his roots as an affable, infectiously funny everyman. Meanwhile, Jack Black dials back the wackiness he brought to movies like Minecraft to embody a role most viewers will find all too relatable: an aging man who despairs that his success came at the expense of his childhood dreams. Steve Zahn, meanwhile, finds himself in the middle: one part straight man, one part wacky comic relief. He serves as the quirky anchor of this ambitiously audacious reboot.

A Delightfully Dumb Script

At the risk of glazing (as the kids might say) the film too hard, Anaconda is a shining example of how to do a reboot. Director and co-writer Tom Gormican wisely realized that a straight remake just wouldn’t cut it. While the original Anaconda stood out in the ‘90s as a B-movie throwback to ‘50s creature feature schlock, countless films (most of them SyFy originals) have tried to bite its style in subsequent decades. In a post-Sharknado world, the original 1997 Anaconda seems downright quaint. Instead of doing a throwback remake, the new film effectively weaponizes our nostalgia for the earlier movie into something new and refreshing.

The plot of the new Anaconda is fairly insubstantial, but that’s not really a bad thing. This is what I like to call a vibe movie; one that lets you turn your brain off and have fun with a cast that is clearly clicking with each other. Jack Black and Paul Rudd have amazing chemistry, and their easygoing rapport helps transform poor-on-paper jokes into unexpectedly hilarious onscreen bangers. In the best sense of the term, this dynamic duo helps deliver the kind of dumb fun that most modern movies are lacking. If you’re sick of elevated horror and cerebral comedies, you’ll love a throwback that feels like Dumb and Dumber meets Tremors.    

Not Exactly Oscar Bait

That’s the real secret of the new Anaconda: the salty/sweet combination of a wickedly smart meta concept and delightfully dumb execution. It’s arguably one of the smartest takes on a cinematic reboot (a reliably boring staple of modern Hollywood), but nobody involved is taking any of this too seriously. In that way, this reboot of a beloved ‘90s B-movie embraces the carefree ethos of that decade, encouraging us to engage with this film as lowbrow comedy rather than high art. In an age where other vintage comedy franchises like Ghostbusters are being reinvented as serious (and seriously lazy) nostalgia slop, it’s great to watch a reboot that just wants to make you laugh.

Are you a huge fan of the original Anaconda who wants to return for another rumble in the jungle? Do you like this killer cast, or maybe you just want to laugh like you haven’t in a very long time? Fortunately, you don’t need to head to the Amazon Rainforest to get your kicks. All you have to do is stream Anaconda on Netflix today. It’s the kind of movie you can enjoy as a self-contained, wonderfully irreverent throwback comedy. Alternatively, you can enjoy it as something much more serious: the unexpectedly brilliant future of the Hollywood remake. Judging from this, the ultimate hangout movie, that future is so bright you’ll need to wear shades!

Just, uh, be sure to take them off before you wink at the camera.