Bridgerton author Julia Quinn is sending fans a warning message that the tears might be flowing before season 4 comes to a close.

“I can just say, get your tissues ready, because it’s rough,” Quinn exclusively told Us Weekly of the events that transpire in part 2 of the Netflix series. “When I visited the set, they were filming scenes and I saw a scene that was — at the same time incredibly joyful and just heart wrenching — so, yeah, you’re gonna need tissues for part 2.”

Eagle-eyed fans began speculating that there could be a major character death after a teaser for the second half of the season showed Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) dressed in all black attire — sparking rumors of a potential funeral. While it’s unclear whose death or funeral viewers might potentially see play out, fans have pointed to a couple characters as options.

Readers of Quinn’s book To Sir Phillip, With Love know that Eloise’s love story with Phillip (Chris Fulton) begins after Marina’s (Ruby Barker) untimely death. But it’s also possible that Francesca’s (Hannah Dodd) husband, John (Victor Alli), could end up dead as Quinn’s When He Was Wicked centers around the pair’s marriage — and the Bridgerton sibling’s journey to find love again with John’s cousin Michael. (The series notably introduced Masali Baduza’s character Michaela instead of Michael in the season 3 finale.)

Related: ‘Bridgerton’ Author Teases She Knows the ‘Next’ Leading Couples

Bridgerton author Julia Quinn has gotten insight into the upcoming seasons of the show — including which actors will take the lead. “I know who is scheduled next,” Quinn, 55, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, May 22, while discussing her upcoming judging duties for The Novelry’s “Next Big Story” writing contest. “It could always […]

“I just remember when they introduced John last season, and he was so awesome. I was just like, ‘Oh.’ Because in the books, you don’t get to know him as well as the show. And I was like, ‘You’re just making it so much worse,’” Quinn told Us regarding if and when John’s time comes. “He’s so wonderful.”

Aside from the potential onscreen death, fans have also weighed in on several moments from the first half of season 4 — which begins with Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) Cinderella-inspired meet-cute with maid Sophie (Yerin Ha). Despite Benedict’s social class preventing him from marrying Sophie, he begins to fall in love with her and ultimately asks her to be his mistress.

Quinn, meanwhile, wanted to make sure that viewers of the series — which takes place in the Regency era of England — were aware of how unusual it would be for someone of Benedict’s rank to ask for Sophie’s hand in marriage.

“It wasn’t so much a scene,” Quinn told Us when asked whether there was anything from the books that she wanted included in season 4. “It’s just saying, ‘You have to make sure that viewers understand how unprecedented it would be for him to offer her marriage.’”

Related: Biggest Differences Between ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 and Julia Quinn’s Book

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Season 4 of Bridgerton pulls inspiration from Julia Quinn‘s book An Offer From a Gentleman — but there were also a few major changes. The latest season of Bridgerton follows Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) love story with Sophie (Yerin Ha) from the third novel in Quinn’s series. As some fans know, Benedict’s world gets turned upside […]

“That’s something I just said, ‘You need to make sure they understand this, because it’s going to seem really awful,’” Quinn continued of Benedict’s offer to Sophie. “And so that’s why I’m always telling people, ‘Hey, the big deal is not that he does this, not that he asked her to be his mistress, because that’s what would happen.’”

Quinn noted that Benedict’s controversial question is a “huge part” of her third book, An Offer From a Gentleman.

“I mean, the characters do — I don’t know if I call them stupid things — but they don’t always make the right choice right away, or they don’t always make the bold choice right away, and they have to learn,” she explained to Us. “And again, I don’t want to have perfect people. I want them to grow and learn, and so that’s why they do some of the things they do.”

As fans await to find out how Benedict and Sophie’s love story plays out in part 2, Quinn is launching her JQ Editions to recommend similar historical romance novels.

“I get so many readers who want to know, like, ‘What do I read after Bridgerton?’ And, ‘I’m new to historical romance, and what should I read?’ And now I can be like, ‘This. This is what you should read. These are my very favorite books,’” she shared. “I do recommend books on social media. But this one it’s going to be six books a year to start out. So these are the top, these are the very, very best. This is me saying, ‘This is the one you should read and I’m mailing it to your house.’”

The famed author is also partnering with Spotify to promote the streamer’s first-of-its-kind Page Match, where readers can connect physical and e-books to audiobooks on Spotify with a single scan.

“My jaw dropped,” Quinn said of seeing the feature for the first time. “I know so many people who have one book that they read and one book that they listen to because they read in bed and they listen to things at the gym. And now, with the Page Match, you can go back and forth seamlessly. You can stay with one book, which I think is incredible for people like me, who don’t split their attention very well.”

Season 4 of Bridgerton part 1 can be streamed on Netflix now. The show returns for part 2 on Thursday, February 26. All of the Bridgerton audiobooks are available in Spotify Premium.

So, you work in an office job, and your employers don’t seem to value just how important you are, or, heck, you as a person. But then, you accompany them on a business trip, and just as they’re laughing it up at your expense, the plane begins to nose dive into the ocean. You and another survivor, one of your bosses, make it to a deserted island, where he attempts to establish that he is, in fact, your superior. But, you’re not in the office anymore, and in the battle for survival, only one of you can come out victorious, aka, alive.

What you just read is the plot for Sam Raimi‘s survival horror thriller Send Help, which features a clash of dynamics between the subservient worker and the predatory boss, to see who has the survival instincts to make it back to civilization alive. Right from the start, you can instantly tell this is a Sam Raimi movie. He has a distinct way of telling stories, a way that few directors can capture, and the high-stakes nature of the film won over critics, and has won over audiences. It’s actually shocking that Send Help was released in January, because it doesn’t feel like a traditional “January movie.” Nevertheless, Send Help is definitely a contender of being one of the best films of the year, with a lot of 2026 left to go. So, after you’ve seen the horror play out in this thrilling film, you must still be hungry for more thrillers to satisfy your appetite. Well, you’re in luck, as we have movies that will capture your heart the same way Rachel McAdams did.

1

‘Violent Ends’ (2025)

Image via IFC

If you were a big fan of the unabashed violence in Send Help, then this underrated 2025 thriller will certainly bring a smile to your face. Directed by John-Michael Powell, Violent Ends follows Lucas Frost (Billy Magnussen), a guy who really wants out of his family’s violent legacy to try to build a life for himself and his fiancée, Emma (Alexandra Shipp).

But, as the old saying goes, the streets have a long memory, and he is thrust back into this violent, criminal underworld to seek revenge after an armed robbery committed by one of his family members proves fatal. The violence in Violent Ends can be over-the-top at times, but it really does highlight how brutal drug life can be, and why Lucas was so desperate to escape it. It’s truly shocking that no one has talked about this independent film.

2

‘Phone Booth’ (2003)

Image via 20th Century Studios

So, back in the early 2000s, before the rise of the smartphone, the main way that people could make calls while they were in public was through the phone booth. For readers who may be too young to know what a phone booth was, it was a space where you went in, paid a quarter, and made your call. Most of the time, it was a harmless experience, but for Stuart Shepard (Colin Farrell), it became his personal hell.

2003’s Phone Booth is one of the most underrated thrillers of all-time, and it’s not even close. The movie follows Farrell as he’s held hostage by a sniper (Kiefer Sutherland), who forces him to reveal ugly truths about him to the public. Oh, and if he steps out of the phone booth, he gets shot. Every minute of the 81-minute runtime is filled with pulsating tension, and you wind up rooting for a guy who, honestly, you realistically wouldn’t be rooting for.

3

‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (1962)

Image via United Artists

We are living in strange times, indeed, but not even this crazy decade can match up to the wild and turbulent decade of the 1960s. It was a time of political upheaval, and it seemed like the entire world was on fire, which is why 1962 was the perfect year for United Artists to release The Manchurian Candidate.

Directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Frank Sinatra, the film follows Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), who becomes an unwitting assassin tasked with taking out the presidential nominee, which the communists hoped would lead to an overthrow of the U.S. government. There isn’t a moment that’s wasted in The Manchurian Candidate, as the film was the perfect blend of thriller and satire; and while the movie can be uncomfortable to watch at times, if you’re used to the violence in Send Help, The Manchurian Candidate should be a cakewalk for you.

4

‘Zodiac’ (2007)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Here’s a little history lesson. In the late 1960s, a man had the San Francisco Bay Area in a state of terror, as five people were killed by him in a span of two years. He would go by the name of the Zodiac Killer, who mailed cryptic letters to multiple Bay Area newspapers with detailed information on the police news, and threatened to unleash a reign of terror on the region if the newspapers didn’t print his letters. The scary part is, the Zodiac Killer was never truly caught.

This bizarre and scary time period was chronicled in several films, but the best and most well-known was David Fincher‘s Zodiac, released in 2007 to rave reviews from both critics and audiences. The film did a splendid job in recreating the terror that residents of the Bay Area were feeling at the time, and the notes sent to the newspapers by the Zodiac Killer were indeed creepy. Zodiac has since gained a huge cult following, and is considered one of the best thrillers of all-time.

5

‘Se7en’ (1995)

If you thought Send Help was a crazy thriller, then us millennials have a movie that will certainly send a chill down your spine. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, Se7en was a mind-trip that, to this day, those who saw it in the theater still can’t wrap our heads around.

The basic premise of Se7en is this: Freeman and Pitt play two detectives who are trying to stop a serial killer who commits murder based on the seven deadly sins. While Send Help did have some light-hearted comedic moments sprinkled in, you will be very hard-pressed to find that here. The atmosphere is dark and forbidding, and the ending is one of the best in movie history. And, if you’ve seen the movie, yes, we’re still wondering what was in the box.

6

‘Barbarian’ (2022)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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When I first saw the trailer for Barbarian, I didn’t know what to make of this movie. So, I decided to go into Barbarian completely blind, not looking into what the synopsis of the movie was about. It was a good idea, because if you think that Barbarian is what you think it is from just watching the trailer, I’m here to tell you, it will certainly catch you by surprise, in a good way.

For Barbarian, giving you a mini synopsis wouldn’t do the movie justice. This is a film that, if you haven’t seen it yet, you should definitely go in blind and watch how things unfold. I will say, that the first act of the film is a masterclass at setting up what is to come in Barbarian, and the whiplash you’ll get from the shift in tone is unforgettable.

7

‘Us’ (2019)

Image via Universal Pictures

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OK, so here’s a scenario for you: You go to a cabin, and one night, you see a family standing quietly and eerily in your driveway. You don’t know who these people are, or why they chose your driveway in the first place. Then, all of a sudden, the people attack you, and once you see them in the light, they unveil who they are: they’re you, except more terrifying.

Us, directed by Jordan Peele, is one of the best psychological horror films of all-time, right up there with Peele’s directorial debut Get Out. It was a movie that explored the darker side of the American experience. Us was kind of a strange movie, yes, but that’s the entire point. It wanted to get people talking, and it did. The ending to Us is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated plot twists in movie history. It was creepy, yet a satisfying way to end what was a great, mind-bending thriller.

8

‘The Fugitive’ (1993)

Image via Warner Bros.

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“I didn’t kill my wife!” I think we can all agree that this line, spoken by Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) in the acclaimed 1993 action thriller The Fugitive, is one of the pop culture staples of the 1990s. It was so simple, yet so powerful, and its inclusion in the promotional trailers for the Andrew Davis film did wonders for its marketing. The Fugitive is a manhunt thriller, in which Deputy Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) of the U.S. Marshals attempts to locate Dr. Kimble, who is wrongfully accused of killing his wife.

The Fugitive could have been a one-and-done movie with a simplistic plot, but the acting from Ford and Jones was so powerful, it transformed what could have been a moderately successful movie, into one of the best of the decade. We root for Kimble as he desperately tries to kill his name, while not having contempt for Deputy Gerard, who comes off as a man who’s just trying to do his job. If you love thrillers, The Fugitive is a must-watch.

9

‘Don’t Move’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

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Before he directed Send Help, Raimi served as a producer for a Netflix film that is similar in vibe, but is darker in tone. That move was 2024’s Don’t Move, starring Yellowstone alum Kelsey Asbille as a grieving mother who, after being kidnapped by a serial killer, is injected with a paralytic agent. From there, we spend most of the 92-minute runtime rooting for Asbille’s Iris to escape her captor and get help before the shot takes full effect and her body completely shuts down.

So, just by reading the quick synopsis of Don’t Move, you can already tell that this is a movie that goes to a darker place than Send Help did. This movie is a great example of how to create a high-concept hook, and with the tight pacing, and Asbille’s tremendous job in what must have been a very difficult performance, Don’t Move is a movie that will shock and thrill you for the entire runtime. In fact, before watching Send Help, we highly recommend you watch this film first.

10

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Image via Miramax Films

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You can’t be a fan of thrillers, and not be a fan of the 1994 classic Pulp Fiction. We know, it’s technically a black comedy crime film, but there were a lot of moments in this film that will certainly thrill you the same way Send Help does, and add an extra dose on top of it. As great as Quentin Tarantino is, and he’s certainly made a lot of great movies, Pulp Fiction is definitely his magnum opus.

The structure of Pulp Fiction is extremely unique, and one that only Tarantino could create; but to give you a general idea of what the film is about, Pulp Fiction centers on three interwoven storylines that come together to create a satisfying ending. The violence is graphic, the dialogue is quotable and peak cinema. When it comes to crime thrillers, you can’t get any better than Pulp Fiction.

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Pulp Fiction

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Release Date

September 10, 1994

Runtime

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154 minutes

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The self-proclaimed King of Five Nights of Freddy’s is now king of the box office. After a strong theatrical debut, breaking industry predictions and earning praise from audiences, Iron Lung continues to exceed expectations despite being self-funded and self-distributed. This horror sci-fi film marks the directorial debut of Mark Fischbach (aka Markiplier), which tells the story of a convict piloting a submersible in a post-apocalyptic universe.

Iron Lung currently sits at a Verified Hot audience score of 89% and a low critics’ score of 43% on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, Iron Lung grossed $21.5 million worldwide during its opening weekend, exceeding its reported $3 million budget. Since its release, Fischbach has hosted livestreams reacting to the movie’s box office results, to the point that he got emotional following its opening weekend. According to the YouTuber, he hopes his film will inspire other independent filmmakers, as Iron Lung was able to compete with Disney at the box office.

As of writing, Iron Lung has generated over $26 million worldwide, allowing the film to enter the Top 10 Highest-Grossing films of 2026, now sitting at #10. Fischbach hosted another livestream this week, where he praised Iron Lung becoming the “Number 1 movie in America.” He also announced that Iron Lung will be in theaters for another week and will be distributed in Southeast Asia.

What Is ‘Iron Lung’ About?

Iron Lung takes place in a distant future, where the universe has succumbed to an apocalyptic event called “The Quiet Rapture,” in which the stars and habitable planets have vanished, and survivors now reside in space stations. Fischbach stars in the film, playing Simon, a convict who’s selected to pilot a submersible called “The Iron Lung” on a moon that features an Ocean of Blood in hopes of finding resources. In exchange for his work, he will be granted his freedom. As he navigates this bloody sea, he discovers that he might not be alone in the ocean.

Fischback directed, wrote, starred in, and edited Iron Lung, and also features Caroline Rose Kaplan, Troy Baker (The Last of Us), Elsie Lovelock, Elle LaMont (Alita: Battle Angel), and Seán McLoughlin (Jacksepticeye). Originally, Iron Lung was supposed to have a limited theatrical run in 60 locations in North America. But after a strong fan campaign, in which people contacted their local movie chains to bring the movie to their region, Iron Lung is now available in over 4,000 locations across North America, Europe, and Oceania.

Iron Lung is now showing in theaters. Follow Collider to keep up to date with the latest updates.

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Release Date

January 30, 2026

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Runtime

127 Minutes

Director

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Mark Fischbach

Writers

Mark Fischbach

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Producers

Will Hyde, Amy Nelson, Jeff Guerrero

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  Mark Fischbach

  Speaker #2 (Voice)

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Fashion emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, Amazon is always dropping brand-new pieces for endless solutions to style dilemmas. Most recently, the e-tailer just released cozy short-sleeve blouses that fashionistas won’t hesitate to shop.

Starting at just $8, we found versatile options for every occasion (yes, even formal ones!). From slimming styles perfect for dressy occasions to unique prints that transport us to luxe resorts, these picks look expensive without compromising comfort. We even found wool-like picks that come in handy during chilly winter weather. These styles are brand-new, so be sure to add them to your cart before they blow up and ultimately sell out.

Casual-Chic Short-Sleeve Tops on Amazon

1. Our Favorite: Tired of traditional floral prints? This dainty knit sweater is adorned with a floral detail that elevates the otherwise plain top (and no, it’s not flashy!).

2. Runner Up: There’s nothing like the relief of locking down a style you can repurpose on a whim. Use this cap-sleeve top to build the outfit of your dreams. From rich-mom style to sporty-chic, you can create so many looks in this versatile pick.

3. Spring Dream: Do you find yourself daydreaming of sunny spring days? This short-sleeve blouse is a budget-friendly way to bring resort style to life without booking a flight. We love the boho-style detail along the neckline.

4. Elevated Option: When duty calls for a formal ensemble, you won’t regret styling this sleek top. You’ll feel like the ultimate rich-mom, no matter if belly bloat strikes.

5. Fabulous Flare: We can’t count all the ways we love this short-sleeve blouse. Along with a loose-fitting design and a striped print, this eye-catching blouse features a crochet fringe sleeve detail.

Related: Amazon Dropped 4,000+ New Arrivals: 17 Blouses That Feel On-Trend

When Amazon drops more than 4,000 new arrivals in one sweep, that’s a fashion writer’s cue to start digging. After doing this for years, I’ve learned to treat it like a treasure hunt — scrolling past the basics to spot the pieces that actually hint at what’s coming next. This batch delivered in a big […]

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6. Every Day Pick: With soft fabric and a subtle V-neckline, you’ll wear this casual-chic blouse with jeans, trousers and everything in between.

7. Workout Ready: If you’re gearing up for outdoor workouts, make sure you keep this stretchy top in rotation. Along with moisture-wicking fabric that helps keep you dry, it also features UPF 50+ sun protection.

8. Deal Alert: Ready to stand out? This short-sleeve T-shirt features an animal-print sleeve, adding an edgy touch. Even better? It’s on sale for half off.

9. Cozy Comfort: Speaking of discounted picks, no one would believe you snagged this ultra-soft sweater marked down for $8.

10. C-Suite Chic: Get ready to live out your CEO dreams. This silky blouse fits seamlessly underneath blazers and work-ready cardigans. The satin-like fabric adds a luxe touch that looks super-expensive.

11. Festive Find: Still looking for festive Valentine’s Day pieces? This short-sleeve number comes in a dreamy pink shade with decorative red, pink and white hearts. If you’re a Prime Member, it’ll arrive ahead of the holiday.

12. Trending Pattern: Bring the viral polka dot trend to life in this silky blouse. A crisp collar and button-down detail add an elevated touch.

13. Dreamy Print: The abstract design on this short-sleeve blouse adds a fabulous touch. If you’re a fan of more laid-back prints, it comes in 17 shades for plenty of variety.

14. Flouncy Sleeves: Tired of tight details constricting your movement? This short-sleeve blouse features a slit detail on the sleeve that allows for free movement.

15. Airy Flair: With breathable fabric and a puff-sleeve design, you’ll feel comfortable transitioning this colorful blouse into the warmer months.

16. Last but Not Least: If you prefer styles that fall below the waist, this loose-fitting T-shirt is the way to go. Soft and roomy, it skims over curves without looking bulky.

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Related: Amazon’s New Release Section Is Filled With Luxe Sweaters for Under $25

The glitz and glam of the holidays have come and gone. With the New Year in full swing, there’s no better time to highlight your favorite features in flattering blouses. There’s no need to spend a ton on budget-bending designs. Amazon’s new release section is the perfect place to kick off your quest. The e-tailer’s […]

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

Most serial killer movies land firmly in the R rated category so they can see a wide theatrical release and score big with horror fans at the box office. 1986’s Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, on the other hand, was deemed so extreme when it made its early rounds through the festival circuit that it was slapped with an X rating by the MPAA despite its positive reception. While several versions of the film have circulated over the years in an effort to secure an R rating, the unrated cut is currently streaming for free on Tubi, and it’s easy to see why the censors were all over this one.

By today’s standards, the violence in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer feels surprisingly restrained on a practical level. There are still a handful of brutally effective sequences in the second and third acts that will make your skin crawl, but it’s not necessarily the gore that risks putting you off. Much of the violence plays out like crime scene photographs taken after the fact rather than staged acts of carnage. That said, those images alone are more than enough to make you want to wash your eyeballs out with Listerine.

Based loosely on the life of real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, who famously claimed responsibility for hundreds of murders, and his associate Ottis Toole, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer leans into its depravity with a level of casual confidence that’s far more unsettling than stylized cinematic violence. It’s not the crimes themselves that are most disturbing here, but the people committing them as if it were just another day at work.

Simple Story, Complex Characters

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer wastes no time introducing its three principal characters. We first meet Henry (Michael Rooker) as he drifts from town to town, picking up hitchhikers and stopping at diners. These mundane routines are punctuated by shock cuts of the bodies he leaves behind, but we never actually see him commit the murders themselves. This approach tells you everything you need to know about Henry. He’s completely unassuming, and the contrast between his outward normalcy and the devastation he causes makes it clear how easily he blends in with society.

Meanwhile, Otis (Tom Towles), Henry’s former prison mate and current roommate, is returning from the airport with his sister Becky (Tracy Arnold), who will be staying with them for the time being. When Becky presses Henry about his past, he’s forthcoming about murdering his abusive mother, the crime that landed him in prison. Becky doesn’t immediately see Henry as a bad person because she comes from an abusive household herself and understands how desperate circumstances can push people to extreme behavior that they later regret.

As Becky searches for work and tries to get back on her feet with plans to eventually return home, Otis and Henry embark on an increasingly brutal crime spree that steadily escalates. It begins with Henry killing the call girls he and Otis are seeing, but takes a darker turn after they rob a fence and steal his video equipment. Otis quickly develops a sick fascination with filming their crimes and watching the footage back when they return home.

During this stretch, Henry lays out his philosophy for staying ahead of the law, explaining the importance of constantly changing his MO and staying on the move. As the body count rises, Otis’s lack of impulse control begins to clash with Henry’s colder, more methodical approach. Otis is reckless in a way that somehow makes Henry look almost reasonable by comparison, and that growing tension eventually puts the two men at odds.

A Total Punisher In The Best Kind Of Way

Visually and thematically, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is far from an easy watch. As a character study, it remains one of director John McNaughton’s most punishing and effective efforts because it refuses to pull its punches. The violence is disturbing on its own, but what lingers far longer is the sheer indifference behind it. Henry can be polite, patient, and accommodating with Becky, only to turn into a monster without warning.

That duality is the film’s most unsettling quality. One moment he’s helping Becky clean up after dinner. The next, he’s stepping out to murder a call girl with the same emotional investment you’d put into a late night gas station run for cigarettes. The lack of distinction between those two worlds is what makes the film so difficult to shake.

Boasting an 89 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a certified fresh outing that grapples with subject matter that’s rotten to its core. Whether you can handle it is entirely up to you, but if you’re willing to find out, the unrated version is currently streaming for free on Tubi as of this writing.

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 42 seconds ago

Arguably, the strongest female character in Star Trek: The Next Generation was Dr. Beverly Crusher. Not only was she the Chief Medical Officer, but she had the same rank as Commander Riker, the Enterprise’s swaggering first officer. Given the character’s rank, it would have been perfectly plausible for her to hop in the captain’s chair and take command on a relatively regular basis. However, Dr. Crusher actor Gates McFadden recently revealed why this didn’t happen: Star Trek’s producers kept her out of the captain’s chair to make the arrival of Voyager’s Captain Janeway feel more special. 

This information comes to us courtesy of Fan Expo Portland, where McFadden got very candid about her time on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She explained that the producers “knew they were going to have a female captain fairly early on.” Finishing her thoughts, she noted that “while I was put sometimes in the captain’s chair, since I had the same rank as [Will Riker], they were careful about how much they wanted to do that, because they were saving that for when Voyager happened.”

The Doctor Is In (The Chair)

The most notable example of Dr. Crusher being put in command happened during the two-part episode, “Descent.” To help search for Commander Data, Picard inexplicably sends himself, his bridge crew, and half the ship to canvas an unknown alien planet, leaving Dr. Crusher in command of the Enterprise. Her command skills are really put to the test, though, when she has to figure out how to defeat a new type of Borg vessel, which (not unlike the old vessels) is more powerful than her ship in every way.

Using a combination of scientific know-how and more than a little plot armor, Dr. Crusher takes the Enterprise into the planet’s sun. After that, she uses the ship’s phasers to trigger a solar eruption that completely destroys the Borg vessel. After seeing the good doctor kicking butt and taking names in the captain’s chair, it’s understandable that fans wanted to see more of Crusher in command.

No Future In Command

According to Gates McFadden, this didn’t happen very much because producers were busy developing Voyager. The timing of that show’s development generally matches McFadden’s account; Dr. Crusher led the Enterprise to victory over the Borg at the beginning of The Next Generation’s seventh season, which is exactly when the powers that be began working on Voyager. Because the producers knew the spinoff would have a female captain, they wanted to make Captain Janeway’s appearance special, effectively downplaying Dr. Crusher’s capabilities at commanding a starship.

Why was it so important for Voyager to have a female captain, though? While Deep Space Nine had proven to be a very successful TNG spinoff, Paramount wanted to create yet another Star Trek television show. Deciding that the new show would take place on a starship (hey, you can only do the space station gimmick once!), the producers faced a unique problem: how to make a new Star Trek show with this familiar setting that didn’t just feel like a lazy copy of The Next Generation. 

Star Trek Leans In (At Dr. Crusher’s Expense)

Part of what would ultimately make Voyager unique was its setting: namely, in the largely uncharted Delta Quadrant that the Borg call home. The crew would also be a mixture of Starfleet and Maquis personnel, which would provide (on paper, anyway) the potential for more character conflict than we ever saw on The Next Generation. Mostly, though, what set Voyager apart was that it was led by a female captain, a first for a franchise whose first show infamously claimed that women couldn’t become Starfleet officers.

Sadly, the production of Voyager kept Dr. Crusher sidelined from possible command duties. This is doubly painful because her character was often written very poorly, and she went from drunkenly throwing herself at Picard in Season 1 to boning down with a ghost in Season 7. She was also written out of Season 2 altogether by Maurice Hurley, the worst showrunner The Next Generation ever had.

Gates McFadden ultimately got the last laugh, though: Picard brought her character back for its third and final season, and both Dr. Crusher and her son became pivotal parts of the entire plot. This was arguably an even beefier revival of her vintage character than Kate Mulgrew got by voicing Captain Janeway in Prodigy. Furthermore, Picard even made Crusher an admiral and the new Head of Starfleet Medical, finally giving the dancing doctor her due after more than 35 years of writers holding her back! 

They say there’s someone out there for everyone. That sentiment rings grossly and carnally true in Grace Glowicki’s sophomore feature-length production Dead Lover. Straight from the graveyard and onto your screen, today Collider is excited to exclusively debut the first look at the helmer and scribe’s newest project, which also sees her step into the starring role. Blending horror with comedy and using German expressionist cinema as its north star, the grotesque project follows a kooky beyond-the-grave love story and darkly depicts the lengths we’re all willing to go to in order to find and hold onto that special someone.

Known only as Gravedigger (Glowicki), the very first seconds of the trailer set the tone and mission of the main character behind Dead Lover. Stinking of the rot of the corpses that she buries, Gravedigger longs for someone to take her as their own. Eventually, her wishful thinking ends up paying off when a man known as Lover (Ben Petrie) shows her that there are other folks out there who are just actually into that deadly stink. Quickly becoming enamored with one another, the pair feels they’ve finally found their match, but soon, tragedy strikes and Lover is killed in a boating accident. With only the severed finger of her beau left, Gravedigger goes to grotesque lengths to hold onto the love that she’s unwilling to lose.

Dead Lover is far from the first time that Glowicki and Petrie have worked alongside one another, with the pair first joining forces for Petrie’s Sundance Film Festival entry, Her Friend Adam. In the time since then, the duo have starred in four feature films together, including Glowicki’s SXSW-debuting title, Tito. Most recently, ahead of their work in Glowicki’s new darkly comedic, neon-drenched, and brutal film, the two actors worked alongside folks like Jason Isaacs and Kate Dickie in Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli’s thriller, Honey Bunch.

Who Else Is Behind ‘Dead Lover’?

In addition to starring opposite one another, Petrie and Glowicki worked behind-the-scenes in multiple roles to bring Dead Lover to vibrant life. For starters, they co-penned the script and additionally served as producers alongside Yona Strauss. Filling out the lineup of executive producers are Rhianon Jones, Tristan Scott-Behrends, Matthew Miller, Lexi Tannenholtz and Olivia Niuewland. Allowing Dead Lover to jump off the screen, grab on and not let go is the title’s director of photography, Rhayne Vermette, who previously found success through her debut feature, Ste. Anne, which celebrated its premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival followed by additional screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival.

Check out the exclusive first look at the trailer for Dead Lover above.

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Release Date

January 24, 2025

Runtime

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82 minutes

Director

Grace Glowicki

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Writers

Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie

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Producers

Ben Petrie, Yona Strauss, Tristan Scott-Behrends, Rhianon Jones

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  Grace Glowicki

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Roommates, Melinda French Gates is speaking out as some jaw-dropping documents once again put Bill Gates in the spotlight. The latest revelations, connected to Jeffrey Epstein, hint at private and personal allegations that are raising eyebrows across the internet. While details are still emerging, Melinda is opening up about how the new documents have affected her personally and what questions remain unanswered.

RELATED: Aht! Aht! Russell Wilson Clears The Air After Allegedly Being Named In Newly Released Jeffrey Epstein Files

Shocking Emails Allegedly Link Bill Gates To STI Claims

In a new interview on NPR’s ‘Wild Card’ podcast, Melinda Gates opened up about the latest batch of private communications connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In emails, Epstein claimed that Bill Gates approached him seeking help with personal encounters and medication related to an STI from “sex with Russian girls.” The documents, which include millions of pages of Epstein’s personal emails, allege that Bill Gates sought medication to treat an STI and even tried to secretly give it to Melinda.

One email from Epstein details his frustration over having to delete emails “regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda.” A spokesperson for Bill Gates has dismissed the allegations as “absolutely absurd and completely false,” calling the emails a reflection of Epstein’s attempts to entrap and defame powerful figures.

Melinda Gates Speaks Out, Filled With Pain Over Claims

French Gates explained that reading the released documents filled her with “unbelievable sadness,” reminding her of the struggles she faced during her marriage.

“I’m able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, my God, how did that happen to those girls?” she said.

Melinda also revealed that reading the documents brings back “very, very painful times” from her marriage. She added that while she has moved on personally, she hopes the women affected by Epstein’s crimes see justice.

TSR Comment Section Can’t With This Gates Drama

As soon as the news broke, folks ran straight to TSR’s Instagram comment section and were absolutely shook. Some said they believe the claims because “she said a whole lot even though she said very little,” while others celebrated that Melinda got out of that marriage. Meanwhile, a few commenters joked about running to unplug all their Microsoft products just in case it’s true.

One Instagram user @aivanelli commented, “I cannot fathom that pain 💔”

This Instagram user @lets.get.ready.to.stumble said, “Takes a strong person to turn her own pain into empathy & compassion for younger victims 💗”

And, Instagram user @hope_esq wrote, “She said so much without saying it“

Meanwhile, Instagram user @coach_ag3 added, “We hear you sis! We believe you sis and we understand you sis! She has overly explained this world to outsiders“

While Instagram user @womanownednetwork shared, “😢😢😢😢 I can only imagine what she has endured and how it impacting her emotionally. 🙏🏼”

Lastly, Instagram user @tsyagirldannieb said, “Melinda be thanking God every day you got out of it alive and well!! The things women go thru❤️”

RELATED: Bill Gates Reportedly Gave Melinda Gates Almost $2 Billion In Stocks The Same Day She Filed For Divorce