Entertainment
10 Most Anxiety-Inducing Romance Movies, Ranked
Romance films are often nice, and romantic comedies in particular tend to be rather gentle, not to mention prime candidates if you’re looking for a good comfort movie. Something like When Harry Met Sally is a very pleasant and almost impossible-to-dislike film, and then even iconic romantic movies that are a little more bittersweet, like Casablanca, couldn’t really be called heavy or anxiety-inducing.
So, the following movies ultimately stand out, within the whole romance genre. Admittedly, many of these are romantic thrillers, or function as psychological dramas on top of being romance films, but if romance is a prominent genre in a given film, then said film can qualify for appearing here. If you’re sort of sick of pleasant and/or sentimental films about love, for whatever reason, then maybe these anxiety-inducing romance movies will be more up your alley.
10
‘Love’ (2015)
Gaspar Noé isn’t really in the business of making nice movies, to put it very, very mildly. The most approachable thing he’s made is probably Vortex (2021), which doesn’t have anything by way of graphic violence or intense sexual content (the stuff Noé is especially infamous for), but it is a grueling and psychologically harrowing watch, since it’s about two old people struggling to get by because of worsening health issues.
Love is just very uneasy throughout, and the opposite of a good date night movie.
Yes, that’s as “pleasant” as things get with Gaspar Noé, and so his movie called Love isn’t very lovely, or in any way easy to watch. It’s about a couple who shake up their sex lives by inviting in a third participant, so to speak, and then things get complicated and intense for a whole bunch of reasons. Love is just very uneasy throughout, and the opposite of a good date night movie, even if it is technically well within the bounds of the romance genre.
9
‘The Piano Teacher’ (2001)
It’s a Michael Haneke movie, so of course it’s going to be despairing. He’s a bit like Gaspar Noé in the sense that even when a film of his doesn’t have extreme content, it’s still extremely distressing (see Amour, which, like Noé’s Vortex, is also a difficult movie about aging). The Piano Teacher is one of Haneke’s best-known films, and it’s kind of a romance? Barely. It’s more of a psychological drama.
It does involve a piano teacher struggling with various things after a younger man starts trying to instigate a romantic relationship with her, so in that sense, it’s broadly about love and longing, but without being very romantic. The Piano Teacher is all very unpleasant and harrowing in its exploration of a troubled mind, and while it’s not non-stop with showing extreme stuff, it does pepper in a good deal of imagery that’s ultimately hard to shake.
8
‘Miracle Mile’ (1988)
If After Hours had a bit less of a Kafkaesque feel, and involved all of society falling apart rather than just the life of one very unlucky man, then it would probably look and feel a little like Miracle Mile. Both movies came out in the 1980s, and are darkly comedic, not to mention fast-paced, all the while having premises that involve first dates – or at least an attempt at a first date – going quite wrong.
With Miracle Mile, society is breaking down in rapid succession because nuclear war is imminent, so everyone has to grapple with the fact that they might all be about to die, and the two main characters still want to do something with each other for their potential last night on Earth. It’s so many different genres at once, and veers off in various wild directions tonally speaking, but all in a way that’s pretty admirable, even if the film’s kind of a mess at the same time.
7
‘The Lovers on the Bridge’ (1991)
The Lovers on the Bridge is about two downtrodden and troubled people who both find themselves living on the streets, particularly on and around the bridge referred to in the title: the Pont Neuf in Paris. One of them is struggling with addiction, and the other is feeling despondent after a break-up and a health condition that’s making her gradually lose her vision.
It’s all very miserable, by design, and The Lovers on the Bridge also has some confronting imagery and occasional violent situations that drive home a further feeling of angst on top of all the difficulties the characters are already grappling with. It feels a bit like descending into some emotionally taxing territory you can’t ever really climb out of, so calling the film a difficult watch would be a huge understatement. It’s very good, though, for what that’s worth, as contradictory as that could sound.
6
‘Bitter Moon’ (1992)
Erotic thrillers were all the rage for a little while there, say, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, mostly in the sense that a few got genuine mainstream attention and became unlikely blockbusters, in terms of box office revenue. Bitter Moon came out around this time, and it had a premise that largely revolved around a man on a cruise ship becoming obsessed with the wife of another man on board that same ship.
Lots of Bitter Moon is made up of flashbacks leading up to the cruise, and then inevitable drama during it. The whole thing is uneasy and oftentimes suspenseful, and while Bitter Moon is too flawed to be a genuinely great movie, it does have its moments for sure, and is intense/bold enough, for the most part, to be worthy of inclusion here.
5
‘The Drama’ (2026)
Easily the most recent movie here, The Drama does already feel like it could be something of an infamous all-timer, as far as anxiety-inducing romance films are concerned. Part of that has to do with the fact that for the first few scenes, or maybe even the first act, it feels quite sappy and by-the-numbers, as a surprisingly not too quirky rom-com, but that’s all to ensure you’re caught off guard by what the movie’s really about.
It’s revealed early on, but the specifics lie within spoiler territory (the trailer doesn’t elaborate), so what can be said is that a soon-to-be-married couple find new stress in the lead-up to their wedding, when a secret from one of their pasts is revealed. The Drama explores some very dark thematic territory while also being quite funny at times, and then proves capable of building an incredible amount of tension (especially in its second half) for something that isn’t a thriller.
4
‘Badlands’ (1973)
Badlands is an arthouse film, but not too unapproachable or obscure compared to most movies that can be classified as such. It’s about a couple in love who go on the run after the young man in the relationship murders the father of the young woman, and then while they’re on the run from the law, he ends up committing a few more murders.
It’s a film that proves quite startling with its violence, even if that violence isn’t particularly graphic… more so that it just comes out of nowhere at certain times, and also ends up being treated quite casually by the person doing the murders. Badlands might sound a bit strange, being a road movie, a gritty crime film, and also something about young (and potentially naïve) love, but it works really well, and still feels unlike pretty much anything else out there.
3
‘Happy Together’ (1997)
There are just two main characters, really, at the center of Happy Together: a pair of men who find their relationship heading toward ruin, so they try to reinvigorate things by traveling to Argentina together. The change of scenery doesn’t help as much as they’d planned, because various issues keep popping up, and the film pretty frequently explores the pair clashing and arguing in increasingly intense ways.
So, safe to say, that title is kind of ironic. And Happy Together works as more of a break-up film than a romance one in the traditional sense, which is something you could also say about Chungking Express (like Happy Together, that one was directed by Wong Kar-wai), but Chungking Express was a good deal more bittersweet, and not as intense. Happy Together does offer some catharsis, and it’s not, like, 100% miserable, but the downbeat sections of the film do hit incredibly hard, all the while feeling remarkably raw.
2
‘Punch-Drunk Love’ (2002)
You get a pretty simple story told over a relatively brisk 90-ish minutes in Punch-Drunk Love, but there is complexity here that comes about because of how good a character study it is, and also because it’s quite adventurous in terms of tone and genre(s). It’s sort of a romantic comedy, but a psychological drama/thriller at the same time… kind of? It’s hard to explain and define, but you get a similar feeling watching it as you get from The Drama.
Punch-Drunk Love also houses what’s probably Adam Sandler’s second-best performance, topped only by what he did in the also anxiety-inducing 2019 film, Uncut Gems. Punch-Drunk Love is funny at times, borderline-disturbing at other points, and then ultimately surprisingly romantic, too, standing alongside One Battle After Another as a film that shows how, when Paul Thomas Anderson wants to tackle a bunch of genres at once, he can do so pretty darn well.
1
‘Scenes from a Marriage’ (1974)
You can sort of compare Scenes from a Marriage to the more recent Marriage Story, owing to both of the movies having titles that share a word, and also the fact that both movies are ultimately about divorce. Marriage Story is only listed as a drama on most sites, though, while Scenes from a Marriage gets both the “drama” and “romance” labels on Letterboxd, so that’s why it’s here instead of Marriage Story.
Maybe that’s because Scenes from a Marriage has a little more to do with preventing the relationship from ending, at least early on, building toward a sense that it has to end, while Marriage Story lets you know it’s about divorce right from the start. Anyway, the point is that Scenes from a Marriage is incredibly anxiety-inducing, just because it really feels like watching a series of real-life arguments, one after the other, for almost three hours (and much longer if you watch the miniseries version, which came out one year earlier and is probably therefore the definitive cut).
Scenes From a Marriage
- Release Date
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September 15, 1974
- Runtime
-
169 minutes
- Director
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Ingmar Bergman
- Writers
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Ingmar Bergman
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Aww, Roomies! Mariah Carey just popped out with a family moment that has folks doing a double take—and it’s not hard to see why. The singer shared a glimpse into her holiday vibes, and let’s just say time is really flying.
RELATED: So Obsessed! Mariah Carey’s Most Viral Moments That Still Have Fans Gagging (VIDEOS)
Mariah Carey Shares Sweet Easter Pic As Kids Steal Spotlight
On Sunday, April 5, Mariah Carey took to Instagram to post a sweet Easter photo with her twins, Moroccan and Monroe, captioning it, “Happy Easter!” In the photo, the trio posed in front of an Easter Bunny, with both kids holding plush bunnies as they stood beside their iconic mom. Monroe was giving full personality—throwing up a peace sign with her tongue out, while Moroccan kept it cool, looking just like his dad Nick Cannon. Mariah stunned in a pink dress paired with a sparkly sweater, but it was Moroccan who really had folks laughing in the comments, writing, “Yall I AM tall, I had to do the splits to take this photo.”
Fans Are Living For The Pic, But Clocking That Bunny
Fans ran straight to TSR’s Instagram comment section and were celebrating right along with them. Some pointed out that Monroe is basically Mariah when she first hit the music scene, while others were just spreading love and wishing the family a happy Easter. And of course, a few couldn’t help but ask the real question—who’s actually inside that bunny suit?
One Instagram user @chesteralbuero commented, “cuties 😍🐣”
This Instagram user @kevinlanesmusic shared, “Happy Easter Queen! ILY! 🙏🏾😘”
And, Instagram user @ohhjocelyn added, “Lmao mother I know you forced them to take this pic and they had no choice 😂😂😍😍”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @punkoutlaw wrote, “Happy Easter Mariah, Roc & Roe! 🐰✝️❤️”
While Instagram user @kbyrd2 shared, “Roe roe giving debut-Riah“
Finally, Instagram user @jacksongzmjb.thecollector joked, “Who is the mysterious rabbit? 🤣🤣🤣🤣”
Celebs Tap In With Easter Messages & Moments
The Easter love wasn’t just limited to Mariah and her family—countless celebritiess who celebrate the holiday also showed up on social media with heartfelt messages. Kamala Harris shared photos alongside her husband, plus a sweet snap hugging two younger girls who appeared to be family, while Quavo gave global vibes, posting up in Brazil in front of the massive Christ the Redeemer statue with his arms wide open.
Dawn Staley kept it simple but powerful on X with “HE IS RISEN!”, and Chloe Bailey blessed her followers with a video of herself singing a gospel song along with a “Happy Easter” message. The Obamas also joined in, sharing a throwback church photo with a message to their supporters, while Mýa posted a clip of herself in the studio recording a gospel track—and Angel Reese echoed the sentiment on X with her own “HE IS RISEN.”
RELATED: Supermarket Slay! Mariah Carey Has Fans Cuttin’ UP With Reactions After Taking Over The Grocery Store (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Widely recognized for her lead role in the billion-dollar Fifty Shades film series, Dakota Johnson‘s career has come a long way since then. The Texas-born actress was most recently seen in the 2025 romantic dramedy Materialists alongside Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. Directed by Celine Song, the film was both a critical and commercial success, marking one of Johnson’s most notable projects to date.
While audiences may easily recognize her from these high-profile titles, she delivered one of her strongest performances in a lesser-known gem that hit theaters just two years ago. Daddio sees Johnson take on a far more intimate and restrained role, carrying much of the film’s emotional weight through a quiet, dialogue-driven story. The drama film is a perfect alternative for fans of Before Sunrise, the first installment in the Before trilogy, and the 1995 romantic drama starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
Released in theaters on June 28, 2024, Daddio has found a new streaming home not long after Netflix restricted access for some users. Starting April 26, 2026, the compelling drama will be available to watch on Hulu, offering an unfiltered look at the slow unraveling of two strangers’ lives over the course of a single night. Also starring Sean Penn, the Oscar-winning actor was initially suggested by Johnson, who personally sent him the script before filming began, and as expected, he delivered a standout performance. Daddio boasts a Certified Fresh 75% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive 89% audience score.
Collider Acrostic — The Collider Movie Quiz!
Can you answer these movie questions, wherein each correct response begins with a successive letter of the word “Collider”?
What’s Next for Dakota Johnson?
Following the success of Materialists, Johnson will next be seen in Verity, a Colleen Hoover adaptation directed by Michael Showalter and written by Nick Antosca. The psychological thriller is set for release by Amazon MGM on October 2, 2026, over a year after production wrapped in April 2025. Johnson stars as Lowen Ashleigh, a writer contacted by Jeremy Crawford to complete his wife’s (bestselling author Verity Crawford) book series, as she is unable to finish it following a mysterious accident. Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett also star.
Daddio streams on Hulu this month. Stay tuned to Collider for more news.
- Release Date
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June 27, 2024
- Runtime
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100 minutes
- Director
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Christy Hall
- Writers
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Christy Hall
- Producers
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Christy Hall, Dakota Johnson, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Terry Dougas, Ro Donnelly
Gabrielle Union is mourning the loss of her father, Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr., who has died at the age of 81 following a battle with dementia. The 53-year-old actress announced the devastating news in an emotional social media tribute, remembering her dad as a “perfectly imperfect man and father” who brought joy to everyone around him.
Gabrielle Union Shares Heartbreaking Final Days Of Her Father
“Yesterday morning, my Dad, Sylvester ‘Cully’ Union Jr., passed away,” she wrote. “No matter how much you think you know about dementia, nothing prepares you for the painfully slow disappearing of your loved one.”
In her post, Union offered a raw look at how the disease gradually took hold, describing the heartbreaking progression she witnessed. “First it’s repeating words or forgetting little things here or there, then BOOM, he can’t swallow or walk,” she shared. “The them that you know gets smaller and smaller.”
She went on to describe holding onto hope for even the smallest signs of recognition. “You hold out hope for sustained eye contact or a smile; even a hand squeeze can make you feel like they could come back to you ‘normal’ at any second,” she added. “It’s brutal… but it wasn’t who he was.”
Union Honors Dad As ‘Life Of Every Party’
Despite his battle, Union made it clear that her father’s legacy is defined by love, connection, and unforgettable energy. “He never met a stranger, just friends he hadn’t met yet,” she wrote, describing him as someone who made it his mission to care for others.
A lifelong Nebraska fan, he instilled in her values of teamwork, hard work, and compassion, always reminding her to look out for others first. Union also reflected on his vibrant personality, calling him “ALWAYS the life of EVERY party,” and noting his love for music, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
Gabrielle Union Calls Sisters ‘Heroes’ In Emotional Tribute
The actress expressed deep gratitude to those who cared for her father in his final years, including medical staff and family members. “My sisters who stepped up are heroes,” she wrote. “I love you both beyond words.”
Union also acknowledged the complex emotions that come with loss after prolonged illness. “It’s bewildering to feel relief that the pain has ended, but profound heartbreak at the finality of his time,” she shared.
Dwyane Wade Honors Union’s Dad In Tribute
As she reflected on her father’s passing, Union also reached out to others going through similar grief. “I know I’m not the first or last Daddy’s girl to go through this,” she wrote. “I’m sending love and healing to anyone suffering the loss of a parent.”
She ended her tribute with a heartfelt message, inviting those who knew her father to share their memories. La La Anthony wrote, “I’m so sorry Gab. Sending u all the love and prayers. Thinking of u. Love you so much,” while Viola Davis shared a deeply personal message, adding, “I can honestly say that I know the road… It challenges and cements everything you know about love… A beautiful tribute to an obviously great man.”
Others reflected on the impact Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr. had on their lives. Larry Sims commented, “Dad’s warm smile & gentle soul will forever stay with me,” while Jason Bolden recalled personal memories, highlighting the lasting impression he left behind.
Even brands and close friends joined in, with Essence sharing heartfelt memories and inside jokes, writing, “Joy in abundance. We love you Pops. Sending heartfelt hugs and condolences to the entire family.”
Union’s husband, Dwyane Wade, also honored her father by sharing the tribute video on his own social media. “Thank you for all the memories pops [red heart emoji] you,” he wrote, echoing the family’s grief and appreciation for the life Sylvester lived.
Gabrielle Union Previously Opened Up About Father’s Dementia Journey
Gabrielle Union had been candid for years about her father’s battle with dementia, often sharing emotional updates as his condition progressed.
In 2023, she revealed that Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr. had been placed in memory care, describing the transition as incredibly difficult for their family. “This process has been extremely hard on our family, with a few really painful chapters,” she wrote in a birthday tribute that November.
Still, there were moments of light amid the hardship. Union recalled a particularly emotional celebration in which her father seemed to briefly return to himself. “Watching my party-loving, Crown-drinking, smart-a-s Dad return in full form for a few hours… it was the best gift we could’ve all received,” she shared.
Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright is preparing to welcome a new little wizard into her family.
“Two babies on my lap 🐣,” Wright, 35, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, April 5, sharing a new photo of Elio, 2, resting his head on her bare belly to announce her pregnancy. “Our second little earthling [is] joining us this autumn!!”
Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the OG Harry Potter films, received a flurry of supportive messages from her former costars.
“Ahhh congratulations Bonnie!!! 🥰💞,” Evanna Lynch wrote via Instagram comment.
Rupert Grint and more Harry Potter stars are all grown up with kids of their own. News broke in April 2020 that Grint and his partner, Georgia Groome, were expecting their first baby. Us Weekly confirmed one month later that Groome gave birth. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email […]
Wright and her husband, Andrew Lococo, previously welcomed Elio in September 2023.
“Say hello to Elio Ocean Wright Lococo, [he was] born at home on Tuesday 19th September,” Wright wrote via Instagram at the time, announcing her son’s birth. “We’re all healthy and happy. Andrew and I are so in love with our sun! So grateful for our birth team that have held our hands throughout and made the journey so joyous and expanding.”
She added, “Birth is the wildest experience! … During these healing postpartum days we’ve been visited by some angels thank you @meaghan_snider_ @motherbees and @themilkywaymamas 🕊️ and thank you @ccmeyer for your incredibly informative course I took in the early weeks of pregnancy. Birth workers are amazing!”
Wright further thanked Lococo, whom she married in 2022, for his unwavering support, calling him her “rock throughout birth.”
“I squeezed onto you so tight and you never wavered,” she concluded. “Elio has the most tender loving papa.”
Bonnie Wright and her son, Elio. Courtesy of Bonnie Wright/ Instagram
As Elio has grown up, Wright has enjoyed teaching him about her and Lococo’s passions.
“These days have been spent getting closer to the land, watching Elio and Andrew sift compost and play in the garden,” Wright gushed via Instagram in January. “Getting lost in books at the library, working on new Hello Earthling projects, building trains and puzzles with Elio [and] watching him grow into this determined, chatty, funny and busy little boy who always has time to stop for a kiss and a cuddle.”
While Elio has found a knack for the outdoors, Wright also hopes that her son will eventually explore the Harry Potter wizarding world.
“I mean, I can’t force it on him, but I’m definitely gonna positively encourage reading it,” the actress exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2024. “I hope to read it to him … but I definitely will make sure we read the books before we watch the movies. Could be like reading a book, [then] watching a movie. But I’m definitely gonna make sure we go through the books. I also remember growing up with the audiobooks, so maybe the audiobooks would be nice.”
Entertainment
Chris Pratt says he always played the 'douche' early in career: 'The guy you don't want to end up with the girl'
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“I dined out on ‘dickhead boyfriend’ for a long time.”
Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton’s eldest son, 12-year-old Prince George, is growing up before the world’s very eyes.
William, 43, and Kate, 44, brought George and his two siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, to the annual Easter Mattins service at St George’s Chapel on Sunday, April 4. Kate and Charlotte twinned in beige coatdresses, while William and his sons opted for navy suits.
As for George, he showed off his impressive stature as his height nearly rivaled mom Kate’s on Sunday.
George, as William and Kate’s eldest child, is currently second in the line of succession behind his father. William’s dad, King Charles III, assumed the throne in 2022 after the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He’s just a tween now, but one day, Prince George will become King of England. And preparing the future monarch 11, for the throne is “a hard job” for his dad and mum Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton. The couple is “gradually” introducing things into George’s life, royal author Robert Jobson told Us Weekly […]
George has recently started taking on more royal duties in preparation for his eventual ascension, beginning with serving as a pageboy during Charles’ coronation. He later made his debut appearance at the Festival of Remembrance in November 2025, helping to prepare for his future reign.
“It’s an interesting question, and it’s a big question, that one,” William said of George assuming the throne on an October 2025 episode of The Reluctant Traveller. “Because there’s lots of things to think about with that, but obviously, I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do, a world and a job that actually does impact people’s lives for the better.”
He added, “I hope we don’t go back to some of the practices in the past that [Prince] Harry [my brother] and I had to grow up in, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure we don’t regress in that situation.”
Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton with their three kids on Easter Sunday 2026. Ben Montgomery/Getty Images
William and Harry, 41, are the two sons of Charles, 77, and late ex-wife Princess Diana. The brothers, however, have been estranged since 2020 after Harry moved to California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children. (Harry and Meghan, 44, stepped down from their duties as senior working royals prior to moving and amid an onslaught of racist media attention.)
“When it’s to do with family and things like that, then that’s where I start getting a bit overwhelmed, as I think most people would,” William acknowledged to host Eugene Levy. “It’s more personal, it’s more about feeling, it’s more about upsetting the rhythm.”
Prince William and Princess Kate welcomed Prince George in July 2013, and the little one has been stealing hearts ever since. Fatherhood was “quite a change” for the Duke of Cambridge, he said during a royal event three years after George’s arrival. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please […]
As for George, he is likely aware that he will be the future king of England.
“Barring any accidents or health issues, George will not be king for some years,” royal historian Marlene Koenig exclusively told Us Weekly in August 2025, speculating that George is already “undoubtedly aware” of his future. “George may be a 12-year-old schoolboy who loves sports, but he is most certainly aware of his future.”
One of the most rewatchable World War II movies is about to leave its most accessible streaming home, which means that you might want to check it out again soon. The movie was released theatrically in 2014, and has only grown in popularity since then. Not that it was a flop, but certain films become comfort viewing for their target audience over time, regardless of how comforting they might actually be. For instance, horror movies tend to do well on PVOD and streaming; the more harrowing the better. The same is true of World War II-era films and shows. There’s no other explanation for the sustained success of HBO’s Band of Brothers, and the recent performance of Nuremberg, starring Russell Crowe.
But the 2014 movie was a different beast altogether. Not only did it tell an affecting story of brotherhood under the most terrifying circumstances, but it also presented an unusually dour depiction of warfare in a mainstream movie. The film was written and directed by David Ayer; it starred Brad Pitt, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal, Shia LaBeouf, and Logan Lerman as members of a tank crew sent behind enemy lines. In recent months, fellow tank movies such as the German-language The Tank and the Hindi-language epic Ikkis have both done very well on Prime Video.
A Collider Movie Quiz Designed to Boost Your Ego!
Everyone deserves a perfect score now and then, so today’s challenge is designed to be easy-peasy. You’ll go 8-for-8 and feel great about it!
Here’s How Long You Have Left To Watch the World War II Movie on Netflix
The movie in question, of course, is Fury. It grossed more than $210 million worldwide against a reported budget of $80 million. Fury also received mostly positive reviews and is now sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Overall, Fury is a well-acted, suitably raw depiction of the horrors of war that offers visceral battle scenes but doesn’t quite live up to its larger ambitions.” Ayer went on to direct the DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad, whose critical failure sent him to director jail for a number of years. He bounced back with two Jason Statham vehicles — The Beekeeper and A Working Man — and is now collaborating with Pitt again on a survival thriller. Fury is available on Netflix, but will be removed from the platform on May 1. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2014
- Runtime
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135 Minutes
Sci-fi is usually associated with spectacle: spaceships, alien worlds, futuristic technology. However, the genre’s most enduring stories go deeper than just those trappings. Indeed, they turn inward and touch on rich themes, using the unfamiliar to illuminate the deeply human, all while serving up compelling characters who hold our attention.
The science fiction movies on this list all boast intriguing heroes or antagonists, and the characters’ decisions provide most of the narrative momentum. Often, these fascinating figures are confronted with something they cannot quite comprehend, forced to reckon not just with aliens or machines, but with themselves. In the process, they craft thought-provoking arcs that leave you pondering and perhaps a little changed.
10
‘Under the Skin’ (2013)
“I am not myself.” Jonathan Glazer‘s Under the Skin is one of the most philosophical and identity-focused sci-fi movies of the last quarter-century. In it, an alien entity disguised as a human woman (Scarlett Johansson) roams Scotland, seducing and capturing men for an unknown purpose. As she continues her work, something begins to shift within her, a growing awareness that complicates her role as predator.
Johansson’s performance is hauntingly detached, gradually evolving into something more uncertain and vulnerable. For example, her early interactions are transactional and controlled. Later encounters, especially with the disfigured man (Adam Pearson), reveal hesitation and something like empathy. There isn’t much plot in the traditional sense. Instead, we get lingering close-ups, abstract imagery (the black void, the dissolving bodies), and observational sequences of everyday human life. All these elements externalize the alien’s inner state. Ultimately, Under the Skin very much refuses to explain itself, allowing its ambiguous meaning to emerge through feeling.
9
‘Ex Machina’ (2014)
“Isn’t it strange to create something that hates you?” Ex Machina follows a young programmer, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), who is invited to administer a Turing test to Ava (Alicia Vikander), an advanced AI created by the reclusive tech genius Nathan (Oscar Isaac). However, Caleb soon begins to question the nature of Ava’s consciousness… and Nathan’s intentions. Alex Garland builds this premise into a psychological pressure-cooker, relying on little more than conversation.
The dialogue is precise and layered, exploring themes of consciousness, control, and manipulation. The setting is minimal, the cast small, yet the stakes feel immense. Every plot development emerges directly from the characters’ desires and traits, whether that’s Caleb’s loneliness and idealism, Nathan’s ego and tendency to underestimate people, or Ava’s hidden strategizing. The performances are strong across the board, doing a lot to flesh out the characters and give them interesting dimensions they might have lacked simply on the page.
8
‘Her’ (2013)
“The heart’s not like a box that gets filled up. It expands in size the more you love.” Joaquin Phoenix delivers a brilliant performance in Her as Theodore, a lonely writer who develops a romantic relationship with an advanced operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Their connection deepens way beyond that of owner and machine, challenging his understanding of love and intimacy. The tale that follows is disarmingly intimate, a major break with most sci-fi movies of its time.
Rather than being about killer robots or a mecha apocalypse, Her is all about emotions and psychology, love, and loneliness. It’s one of the most prescient films ever made about modern isolation and humanity’s relationship with technology. The aesthetics complement this approach perfectly. Spike Jonze creates a future that is soft, warm, and accessible, not that far off from our own, allowing the focus to remain on Theodore’s internal journey.
7
‘Gattaca’ (1997)
“There is no gene for the human spirit.” Gattaca follows Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), a man born without genetic enhancement in a society that values perfection. Determined to pursue his dream of space travel, he assumes the identity of a genetically superior individual, risking everything to pass as something he is not. Although that premise draws heavily on hard sci-fi, it becomes the jumping-off point for a deeply human story about ambition and identity.
Unlike many dystopian films, Gattaca is not about overthrowing the system: there is no revolution, no mass uprising, no attempt to dismantle the genetic hierarchy. Rather, the story is intensely personal, and Vincent’s inner defiance drives the whole plot, refusing his assigned limitations and the authority of genetic destiny — he refuses to see himself as inferior. Through him, the film engages smartly with questions around gene-editing, inequality, and discrimination, and the technologies it depicts are rapidly advancing in the real world.
6
‘District 9’ (2009)
“You are all sick!” District 9 was one of the most thematically rich and creative sci-fis of the 2000s. It bucked genre convention by depicting its aliens as extraterrestrial refugees confined to a slum in Johannesburg, where they are exploited and marginalized by humans. When bureaucrat Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is exposed to alien biotechnology, he begins to undergo a transformation that forces him to see the world differently.
Wikus begins as an unremarkable, even unlikable figure, but his transformation, both physical and emotional, becomes the heart of the narrative. At first, he is bureaucratic, eager to please, and even casually racist, but his priorities rapidly shift once his metamorphosis begins. In this sense, the protagonist’s journey mirrors the film’s broader societal critique. It helps that Copley delivers such a charming, entertaining performance in the role. Finally, on the aesthetic side, the documentary-style presentation adds a perfect touch of realism, making the world feel immediate and lived-in.
5
‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)
“Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders.” This quirky gem was directed by Michel Gondry, one of the masters of offbeat cinema. Here, he strikes the perfect balance between strange and accessible. Jim Carrey plays Joel, who discovers that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has undergone a procedure to erase all memories of their relationship. In response, he chooses to do the same, only to change his mind as the memories begin to disappear.
Gondry uses this speculative setup as a tool for emotional excavation; the sci-fi elements never overshadow the human ones. As Joel relives moments from his relationship, the film moves fluidly through time and space, mirroring the fragmented nature of memory itself. It becomes a blunt, vulnerable study of a relationship. It’s all believably messy: moments of joy blur with moments of pain, trivial details take on emotional weight, and regrets surface too late.
4
‘Solaris’ (1972)
“We don’t want other worlds. We want mirrors.” Solaris is another reflective, psychological sci-fi masterpiece, this time from legendary Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky. A psychologist named Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) is sent to a space station orbiting a mysterious planet that appears to manifest physical embodiments of the crew’s memories. There, Kelvin confronts a version of his deceased wife (Natalya Bondarchuk), forcing him to grapple with guilt, grief, and even the nature of reality.
In this regard, the planet itself is less a setting than a catalyst, forcing characters to deal with unresolved emotions. It’s a clever inversion, replacing the genre’s usual focus on exploration, discovery, and external conflict with an inner reckoning defined by distorted memories and resurfacing trauma. The dialogue is philosophical, too, often reflecting on the limits of human understanding and the desire for connection. In the end, Solaris is science fiction as a mechanism for introspection.
3
‘Arrival’ (2016)
“If you could see your whole life from start to finish, would you change things?” While it lacks the grandeur of Dune, Arrival is Denis Villeneuve‘s deeper project when it comes to theme and psychology. Amy Adams carries most of it single-handedly as linguist Louise Banks, who is recruited to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors who have arrived on Earth. She slowly, painstakingly begins to understand their language, at the same time experiencing time in a fundamentally different way, altering her perception of life itself. In the process, a first-contact story turns into an exploration of language, time, and choice.
The movie has a lot to say about loss and acceptance, in particular. The emotional core is Louise’s relationship with her daughter. Cleverly, what initially appears to be backstory is eventually revealed to be something else entirely. As a result, Arrival‘s central question isn’t “Why are the aliens here?” but “Would you choose love if you knew it would end in loss?”
2
‘Children of Men’ (2006)
“Even if they discover the cure for infertility, it doesn’t mean the world will be saved.” In Children of Men, a disillusioned man named Theo (Clive Owen) is tasked with protecting a miraculously pregnant woman (Clare-Hope Ashitey) in a world where humanity has become infertile. Bereft of a future, society is collapsing into nihilism and violence, and the characters’ journey becomes a fragile thread of hope.
Theo himself mirrors this dystopia: at the start, he’s an empty person who has lost everything. In other words, Theo does not begin as a hero — he’s reluctant, self-interested, emotionally detached, and cynical. The real narrative is his slow re-engagement with the world, moving from indifference to responsibility, from survival to sacrifice. The film’s long takes and immersive cinematography place the viewer directly inside the action, but it is the character development that lingers. Theo begins as a passive observer and gradually becomes someone willing to act, driven by the possibility of renewal.
1
‘Alien’ (1979)
“In space no one can hear you scream.” The crew of a commercial spaceship responds to a distress signal, only to encounter a deadly extraterrestrial organism that begins to hunt them one by one. While it may seem odd at first to call Alien a character-driven movie, since so much of its power stems from creature design and masterful horror storytelling, a big part of why the film is iconic is thanks to the character of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). She’s a fantastic protagonist: resourceful and tough as nails, but also real and empathetic and anchored by unyielding principles.
Ripley’s not superhuman, but she does have a remarkable ability to adapt and keep her wits about her under pressure. Her fierceness makes her a match for even a monster as formidable as the xenomorph. The movie may start as an ensemble piece, driven by a collection of colorful and contrasting personalities, but it gradually centers on Ripley. In short, she’s one of the genre’s greatest heroes.
Entertainment
Larry David Said He Would Never Write Another Finale, Then He Did The Funniest Thing Ever
By TeeJay Small
| Published
If you grew up in the 1990s or early 2000s, you almost certainly spent your fair share of evenings tuned into the comedy stylings of Seinfeld. The series, which boasted some of the highest ratings of all time, drew in a staggering number of fans.
The much-anticipated finale was reportedly watched by over 76 million people live, with millions more catching it via reruns and streaming deals. Series co-creator Larry David even returned to pen the final two-part episode, after leaving the show several years earlier. Unfortunately, the Seinfeld finale failed to impress audiences, with many critics calling it the worst sitcom finale of its day.
Larry David Vows Never To Write Another Series Finale
For years, Larry David maintained that he would never write another TV finale again. In fact, he nearly ended his next hit show Curb Your Enthusiasm without telling anybody at all. After airing eight seasons without any major interruptions, news of a Curb season nine simply didn’t materialize for years, leaving many fans and critics to wonder if the show had stealthily been cancelled behind the scenes. Over three years later, David sat down with The Guardian. When asked if he would bring Curb Your Enthusiasm back for more episodes, he proclaimed “I guess, right now, the odds would be against it, probably six to one.”
Larry David continued to explain that the fan reaction to the Seinfeld finale rubbed him the wrong way, and left him unsure about giving Curb a definitive conclusion. He argued “I wouldn’t say I’m mad about it, but it taught me a lesson that if I ever did another show, I wasn’t going to wrap it up.” After suffering through six years of silence about the future of Curb, fans were shocked when season nine finally arrived, in 2017. From there, the show resumed its usual schedule, as though the six year break never happened. Then, in 2023, Larry shocked the world by formally announcing that season 12 would be the show’s last.
The Infamous Seinfeld Finale
Just in case you’re not familiar with the Seinfeld conclusion, let’s run through a few brief bullet points. The finale centers on the main characters as they are drawn into a Kafkaesque criminal trial during an out-of-state trip. Numerous one-off side characters from the series appear and take the witness stand, creating a sort of clip show of the gang’s worst moments. After fruitlessly defending themselves as pillars of moral justice, they are thrown into jail, where they continue to pour over the minutia of everyday life as the camera pans away one last time.
If any of that sounds strikingly familiar to you, it may be because that is exactly how Larry David chose to end Curb Your Enthusiasm 26 years later. Right at the beginning of Curb season 12, Larry travels out of state, and violates a Dickensian law, resulting in him facing a criminal trial. As the season progressed weekly, fans took to social media to muse about how funny it would be if the finale acted as an exact retread of the much hated Seinfeld conclusion. Week after week it became clear that that was exactly what was going on, leaving fans unsure about the artistic choice.
Larry David Repeats The Seinfeld Finale
Season 12, episode 10 “No Lessons Learned” aired on April 7, 2024, and practically served as an exact remake of Seinfeld’s “The Finale.” Obviously, there were a few key differences, like Larry getting off after a juror broke his sequester, but nearly all of the broad strokes served as a giant middle finger to critics. During a visit to PaleyFest shortly after the Curb finale aired, Larry was asked about his decision to end the show, alongside Jerry Seinfeld and executive producer Jeff Schaffer.
Per People, Schaffer stated “it was a joke 26 years in the making. It’s neat that you can stick around long enough to do that.” Larry David didn’t mince words, however, and humorously offered one simple message to his detractors. “F— you!” He shouted. “You didn’t like the first one? F— you!” So if there is a lesson to be learned from the narrative of “No Lessons Learned,” it’s that sometimes, the funniest thing you can do is double down.
Crown Royal is stepping into the outdoors in a major way. For the first time ever, the whisky brand has teamed up with Realtree to launch a limited-edition camo capsule collection, reimagining its signature purple bag with Realtree’s instantly recognizable APX camouflage pattern. The collaboration marks a big moment for Crown Royal, transforming one of its most iconic brand elements into something entirely new while still staying true to its roots.
Rob Rausch Brings Outdoorsy Vibe To Crown Royal Camo Collection
Leading the campaign is Alabama native Rob Rausch, whose laid-back personality and love for the outdoors made him a natural fit for the partnership. “This partnership brings together the things I care about most, like being in nature, spending time with my people and enjoying great whisky,” Rausch said.
He added that the collection reflects his everyday lifestyle, noting he often uses the cooler while hanging out outdoors, filling it with ice and enjoying Crown & Lemonades with friends.
The limited-edition drop includes a mix of wearable and functional items designed for both whisky lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The collection features a reimagined Crown Royal Camo Bag, a collectible twist on the brand’s iconic purple pouch now updated with Realtree APX.
It also includes a camo hoodie and t-shirt, offering everyday comfort with an outdoors-inspired edge, along with a camo baseball cap designed for easy, casual wear. Rounding out the collection is the Crown Royal x Realtree Cooler, a 45-quart essential built for tailgates, road trips, and time spent outdoors.
Rob Rausch is already playing favorites when it comes to the limited-edition drop. When asked which item he’ll be reaching for the most, Rausch didn’t hesitate. “Probably the hoodie,” he told Parade. “I wear a hoodie basically every single day, whether it’s just to the gym, or in my house. I love a good hoodie.”
Crown Royal Gives Back With Donation To Purple Heart Foundation
Beyond the aesthetics, the collaboration also gives back. Crown Royal is donating $20,000 to the Purple Heart Foundation, with additional proceeds from the collection supporting the organization’s Critical Assistance Grants program. The philanthropic element aligns with Crown Royal’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and giving back to the community.
Crown Royal Aims For ‘Authentic’ Feel With Realtree Partnership
According to Crown Royal, the partnership was designed to feel authentic, not just another brand collab. “We always hear stories about what people do with their Crown Royal bags,” Hadley Schafer, Vice President at Diageo, said. “It was important that we made something with the right partners that would be cool and collectible.”
Realtree’s Tyler Jordan echoed that sentiment, noting the collaboration blends heritage, craftsmanship, and style in a way that resonates with both audiences.
Rob Rausch Turns ‘Traitors’ Win Into New Crown Royal Collab
Rausch’s latest collaboration arrives on the heels of a major career moment that proved plenty of people wrong. The Alabama native was initially underestimated as the first “Love Island USA” alum to enter the castle on “The Traitors,” but he ultimately came out on top, winning Season 4 as the last remaining traitor and taking home the $220,800 prize.
Looking ahead, he’s already thinking about how to use his winnings. “I grew up with cows, chickens, guineas, pigs, goats, peacocks, ducks, [and] turkeys,” he previously shared. “We had everything. So probably whenever I settle down, I’m home more, I’ll probably get more of that stuff.”
Rob Rausch Reflects On Humble Roots Amid New Crown Royal Collab
While celebrating Crown Royal’s partnership with Realtree, the reality star opened up about how the campaign mirrors his upbringing. “It’s a lot like my childhood,” he shared. “It’s a lot like how I grew up, but it’s a little nicer here.”
Rausch recalled growing up on a farm in Alabama in a three-bedroom trailer with his parents and siblings, brother Adam and sisters Bella and Lily, describing a childhood that was as close-knit as it was crowded. “We grew up very close, literally and metaphorically,” he said. “I was always sharing a room… we’d kind of rotate. I’d stay with Adam for a while, then Bella, then Lily.”
He added that while he got along with all his siblings, their personalities sometimes clashed—especially with his more structured sister. “Me and Lily rarely shared a room because we are very much opposites,” he explained. “She’s very type-A, organized. I’m not at all.”
The Crown Royal Camo Capsule Collection is available now online while supplies last, giving fans a chance to snag the limited-edition pieces before they’re gone.
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