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With his first two films, Kogonada created a style for himself that felt just right, telling stories that managed to be light, yet powerful. 2017’s Columbus and 2021’s After Yang were soulful and simple, but exquisitely crafted and emotionally wrecking. Even his video essays on different filmmakers like Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Stanley Kubrick, and many other filmmakers with distinct styles still managed to capture his own flourishes and talents.

But last year, Kogonada took a shot at something more mainstream with A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie. This romantic fantasy, which wasn’t written by him, felt like Kogonada trying to bring his specific style into a narrative that didn’t quite match his tone. The movie was a curious failure, and a film that felt like Kogonada trying to stretch himself and losing a bit of himself in the process.

Finding himself exhausted by the logistics of making a bigger film, Kogonada went to Hong Kong with a few friends after the opening of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, and in just three weeks, they made the film zi. Almost as though Kogonada was actively attempting to fight back against the last film he made, zi was made with an incredibly small team, shot spontaneously, and trying to build the story as they went along. The result is a film that feels like Kogonada attempting to get back to where he once was before A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, but with a movie that feels more like an experiment than anything else.

Kogonada’s Latest Is More Ephemeral Than Most of His Movies

Image via Sundance

Set in Hong Kong, we meet Zi (Michelle Mao), a woman who keeps having visions of her future self that she can’t escape. Zi is waiting for the result of a scan, and is struggling with the uncertainty of what’s going on when she meets L (played by Kogonada favorite, Haley Lu Richardson), who offers to help her. We also find that these two are being followed by Min (Jin Ha), who we discover had a decade-long relationship with L, and since he works at the neurology center Zi was observed at, it seems he knows more than he lets on about what’s going on in Zi’s head.

Kogonada’s films usually take their time, quiet pieces that feel impeccably structured and regimented, yet zi is decidedly bucking that trend. There’s an intentionally ephemeral quality to the story, as though all of this could be a dream, or it could all be a hazy reality. Because of that, it certainly owes plenty to Wong Kar-wai, who also frequently films without a clear idea of where the story is going. Unfortunately, that doesn’t entirely work as well here as it does with Wong Kar-wai, with a story that slides through your fingers just when it seems like you’ve found something to grasp onto.

Because of that, zi isn’t what you’d call a return to form for Kogonada, but rather, somewhat of a reset artistically for the writer-director-editor. Zi is a character presented as lost, confused in her life, and especially unsure about what she keeps seeing as her future self that keeps coming into her field of view. It’s hard not to see this as symbolic of what Kogonada must be feeling now as a filmmaker, uncertain of his future, unsure of where to go, but desperately searching for answers. It’s also a film that’s likely more intriguing for its meta-narrative than for the story that was obviously being made up on the spot as Kogonada’s team went.

‘zi’ Feels Like Kogonada Is Trying To Find His Love for Filmmaking Again

Image via Sundance

In a way, zi does feel like Kogonada falling in love with filmmaking again through this experimental process, and in doing so, he’s sticking with a small team of people he obviously trusts. His cast and crew are all producers on this project, and it does feel like an effort of love. Richardson is never better than when she’s in Kogonada’s camera, and she’s a burst of life in this story. Mao is decent as a character we can’t quite pin down and of which we don’t get many solid answers about, while Jin Ha as Min is best when he’s put alongside Richardson and reckoning with their recent relationship that fell apart — yet frustrating as a character who has answers that he refuses to share about what’s going on.

Kogonada also brought along his After Yang and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey cinematographer Benjamin Loeb, who makes Zi’s foggy world come to life in beautiful, confusing ways, while the soundtrack mostly relies on the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, who the film is dedicated to. As an aesthetic piece, zi is undoubtedly successful, and even when the story is hard to parse, it’s hard to not get wrapped up in the pleasing sights and sounds of what Kogonada is going for.

Related

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Kogonada’s 2022 film is brilliant a examination of living with modern technology.

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But again, zi is a film that is more of an experiment than a movie, and that’s what ultimately hurts it. We can feel the run-and-gun nature of this story in every scene, the unclear direction that’s obviously being made up on the spot, and the performances that don’t quite know what to play because they don’t know enough about their characters. zi almost comes off like a mood board for a potential Kogonada film more than a concrete Kogonada film. Every once in a while, zi seems like it’s moving forward to finding the structure it so desperately needs, close to latching onto some semblance of narrative that we can fully connect with, but it soon fades away like a passing vision. Like Zi, we watch the film searching for answers and clarity that never come.

Even though zi isn’t quite the powerhouse of independent cinema that films like Columbus and After Yang were, it does feel like the work that Kogonada needed to do in order to right his sails and figure out where to go next. zi is essentially a cinematic palette cleanser for the filmmaker, and while it’s interesting to watch him work through his issues after the failure of his last film, and hopefully, fall back in love with film, it’s just not entirely there. At the beginning of zi, the title character asks if she’ll be lost forever. With zi, Kogonada proves that he’s no longer lost, but he’s at least on the right track to finding where he needs to be.

zi premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

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Release Date

January 24, 2026

Runtime

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99 Minutes

Director

Kogonada

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Writers

Kogonada

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Producers

Kogonada, Michelle Mao, Jin Ha, Haley Lu Richardson, Christopher Radcliff, Benjamin Loeb

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Cast

• 
• 

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Pros & Cons

• Kogonada’s latest is an aesthetically pleasing experiment.
• The three main characters are intriguing, if a bit underwritten.

• This is also more experiment than movie.
• You can tell this story was made on the fly, rather than working with an actual script.

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Celebrities are speaking out after Savannah Guthrie and her siblings shared an emotional video about their missing mom, Nancy Guthrie.

“We want to thank all of you for the prayers for our beloved mom, Nancy,” Savannah, 54, tearfully began in a clip posted via Instagram on Wednesday, February 4. “We feel them and we continue to believe that she feels them too. Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light. … She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her and you’ll see.”

Savannah added that Nancy’s “health is fragile” before addressing reports that a ransom note has been received.

“As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk,” she said. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”

The Today show star added that her family “will not rest” until Nancy is found. “We speak to you every moment. And we pray without ceasing and we rejoice in advance that the day that we hold you in our arms again. We love you, mom,” she said.

Nancy, 84, was last seen on Saturday, January 31, before she was reported missing in Arizona. Authorities confirmed Nancy’s home is being treated as a crime scene but have insisted there are no potential suspects at this time.

“Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department noted in a statement on Wednesday. “While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation.”

Related: Everything to Know About the Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

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Questions still remain after Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news on Sunday, February 1, sharing a missing person report via X. Nancy was described as a “vulnerable adult” who was last seen “at her residence” within Arizona’s Catalina Foothills area on the […]

Scroll down to see how some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are rallying around Savannah and her family amid Nancy’s disappearance:

Jennifer Garner

“May God hold Nancy and her family in the palm of His hands,” Jennifer Garner wrote.

Valerie Bertinelli

“Please bring her home🙏🏻❤️,” Valerie Bertinelli added

Julie Chen Moonves

Julie Chen Moonves wrote that she hoped Nancy is “safe and unharmed,” adding, “Please Lord God, reveal what You know and deliver Nancy back home to her family and safety without harm or incident. Please guide investigators with Your wisdom and knowledge to find Nancy. Please use them as Your tools to bring her home safely. Until You bring Nancy back to her children and those who love her and will protect and care for her, please Lord Jesus place a hedge of protection around Nancy and allow her and her children to feel Your Light, Your presence and Your peace. I pray this all in the healing mighty name of Jesus. Amen and amen 🙏 ❤️🙏.”

Monica Lewinsky

“Oh sweet Savannah. We are all praying for her and you and your family. Sending love to Nancy. and hoping whoever has her has a rise of consciousness and brings her home to you. 🙏❤️,” Monica Lewinsky wrote.

Related: Savannah Guthrie and Husband Michael Feldman’s Relationship Timeline

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Savannah Guthrie and her husband, Michael Feldman, tied the knot in 2014 and have been going strong ever since. Guthrie met Feldman in October 2008 when she attended his 40th birthday party with a mutual friend after her separation from her first husband, Mark Orchard. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please […]

Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver reposted Savannah’s video via her own Instagram account, writing, “This story continues to be without any answers, but what is without a doubt is this family’s love for their mama. @savannahguthrie and her siblings describe her so beautifully, as being their center, their heart, their home. They desperately want her home. They need their mama.”

Shriver added, “Regardless of their age, their mama is their guiding light. So I’m praying for my friend, her family, and their mama, as I know so many others are. I believe in the power of prayer, the power of love, the power of friends. Sending love. ♥️.”

Gia Giudice

Teresa Giudice‘s daughter Gia wrote, “My prayers are with you and your family🙏 bring her home❤️.”

Ree Drummond

“Oh Savannah, our hearts and prayers are with you and your family, and especially your beautiful mom. ❤️🙏,” Ree Drummond commented.

Lindsey Vonn

Olympian Lindsey Vonn said she’s “praying for her and all of you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻.”

Related: Was Savannah Guthrie’s Mom’s Disappearance Targeted? Sheriff Weighs In

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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos doesn’t believe Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, was targeted before her disappearance. “I think everybody, rightfully so, understands that her daughter Savannah is a national figure out there at least within the news media, and that’s always a possibility,” Nanos exclusively shared with Us Weekly on Monday, February 2. “But […]

Jenna Dewan

“Praying for you and your family daily ❤️🙏🏻❤️🥺,” Jenna Dewan added.

Ellie Kemper

“We love you, Savannah, we are all praying for you and your dear mom ❤️❤️,” Ellie Kemper wrote.

Chloe Fineman

Saturday Night Live‘s Chloe Fineman wrote, “Sending you so much love ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💔💔💔💔💔💔.”

Sophia Bush

“I can’t fathom what you’re all going through,” wrote Sophia Bush. “Sending love to you and your family and prayers for her safe return 🙏.”

Allison Janney

Allison Janney told Savannah she’s “praying for your Mom to come home safely.”

Elizabeth Chambers

“Praying for your precious family and for Nancy 🙏❤️,” Elizabeth Chambers wrote.

Netflix has rarely had a month where it didn’t have an abundance of new shows to watch.

That’s not going to change in February, thanks to an assortment of shows borrowed from other networks.

All of Watch With Us‘ picks for the three new Netflix shows to watch in February 2026 originated on another network or streamer.

This month’s selections include a sitcom revival, a tense police procedural and a sci-fi series that was even more successful than Star Trek.

Related: New on Netflix in February 2026 — The Full List of Movies and TV Shows

Netflix is giving the best Valentine’s gift for its many, many subscribers — a library full of hit movies and TV shows to binge-watch. That library grows a bit bigger in February, when the streamer adds at least one must-see new movie and/or irresistible show practically every day. At the top of Watch With Us‘ […]

3. ‘Night Court’ (2023 – 2025)

IMDb rank: 5.8

The original Night Court was one of the fan-favorite sitcoms on NBC that could get away with almost any kind of joke thanks to the late Harry Anderson and the rest of the cast. For the recent revival series, Saturday Night Live veteran Melissa Rauch plays Abby Stone, the daughter of Anderson’s character, Judge Harry Stone.

Abby follows in her father’s footsteps by becoming a night court judge, and she convinces Harry’s friend, Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), to return to the court as a defense attorney, rather than resuming his role as the prosecutor on the first series. Dan’s grown a heart over the last three decades, and Larroquette does spectacular work bringing out his character’s humanity while retaining the wit that made him so much fun to watch in the ’80s.

Night Court is streaming on Netflix.

2. ‘Prodigal Son’ (2019 – 2021)

IMDb rank: 7.7

Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) never brought his father, Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen), to his school’s career day … and for good reason. As seen in Prodigal Son, Martin was a prolific serial killer until his son helped the police bring him to justice. Malcolm’s greatest fear is that he will turn out just like his father, and those feelings have sabotaged his personal and professional relationships.

In the present, Malcolm is coaxed into resuming his career as a criminal profiler, but he soon realizes that he needs his father’s insight to crack the case. Martin is only too happy to help his son, because this is his way of worming back inside Malcolm’s head so he can manipulate him for his own ends. This isn’t some heartwarming tale of reconciliation — it’s like living with Hannibal Lecter as your father.

Prodigal Son is streaming on Netflix.

1. ‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997 – 2007)

IMDb rank: 8.4

The Stargate movie didn’t make a big splash in theaters, but the franchise took hold on television and became the longest-running American sci-fi series to date. Stargate SG-1 started on Showtime and shifted to Syfy halfway through its run, which may be why it’s considerably darker in the earlier seasons. This series picks up after the movie, with Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) reuniting with archeologist Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) after he elected to remain behind on an alien world.

When an ancient threat to humanity arises, Jack and Daniel from the SG-1 team, with Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) and an alien warrior named Teal’c (Christopher Judge), explore the galaxy through the Stargate network and discover a way to defeat their common enemy before Earth itself is threatened. There are over 200 episodes, so this show will keep you busy for a long time.

Stargate SG-1 will stream on Netflix on February 15.

Despite the glamorous job title, most fashion editors are far from millionaires. This makes my line of work extra tricky. While I want to look stylish and rock high-end labels, sacrificing an entire paycheck on clothes isn’t the smartest move. That’s why I pay close attention to details like material. Rather than splurging on full cashmere, I’ve found that cashmere-blend pieces can be just as luxe. The right design gives off an expensive vibe while also saving me hundreds of dollars.

If you’re not ready to drop a ton of dough on one winter essential, I’ve gathered a few cashmere-blend sweaters and other knit staples that I think are worth adding to your wardrobe. These turtlenecks, crewnecks, cardigans and more are soft, warm and seem like they’re right off the runway. I promise, no one will ever know the difference — and I won’t tell if you don’t!

14 Cashmere-Blend Knits That Look and Feel Like Luxury

1. Everyday Ease: When you don’t have much time to get ready, you’ll be grateful for this oversized turtleneck. Made with 15% cashmere, the soft, slightly chunky pick feels like a warm blanket . . . and the cream option looks straight out of Meghan Markle‘s closet.

2. Classic Crew: A timeless cashmere-blend crewneck acts as the perfect base. Sure, the solid staple works well on its own, but it can also be layered over a button-down or under a blazer for a totally different vibe.

3. Polished Prep: Rather than paying big bucks for a designer quarter-zip top, save a few hundred by scooping up this cashmere-blend version. You’ll be surprised by how often it comes in handy, whether you’re wearing it with work trousers or throwing it over leggings post Pilates.

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Related: Bye, Polyester! 13 Soft, Elevated Knits to Replace Your Tired Sweaters

There’s a moment every winter when your sweaters start to feel…tired. The static, the pilling and the fabric that somehow never looks quite right. Suddenly, that once-cozy knit just isn’t cutting it anymore. That’s usually the cue to start craving pieces that feel a little more intentional, the kind of sweaters that drape better, wear […]

4. Pop of Color: You might think neutrals are the trick to looking expensive, but 2026 is all about colorful fashion. Trade your basic, neutral knit for a fuzzy purple alternative and watch how quickly it enhances your outfit and boosts your mood.

5. Spring-Ready: For me, navy striped designs signal warmer days ahead. It’s worth it to scoop up this wool-cashmere cardigan now, then work it into your wardrobe once spring arrives, giving your outfit a fun, nautical twist.

6. Rich Mom: There’s something extra luxurious about a cap-sleeved sweater. The eye-catching cut just feels different and fancy, spicing up the most basic of bottoms and helping you nail wealthy, Upper East Side elegance.

7. Wardrobe Staple: This cable-knit crewneck is one you’ll likely break out every winter. Aside from being cozy and warm, the textured design never feels dated, so it’s a worthy investment — even at half off!

8. Celebrity Inspired: If you tend to take fashion cues from the stars, add a red cardigan to your rotation. Not only will the bold shade add life to your outfits, but the piece is easy to throw on in a pinch. Just make sure your white tee is visible, and you’ve got yourself a paparazzi-worthy look.

9. Sleeveless Style: Cashmere is typically associated with the colder weather, but Quince’s blended tank is something you can work into your summer wardrobe, too. You’ll love how the added texture amps up simple bottoms when it’s too warm to layer.

10. Luxe Loungewear: No offense to my everyday sweats, but Intimissimi’s palazzo pants feel straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie. The soft, quality fabric will make weekends on the couch feel downright romantic, and no one will blame you if you choose to wear them multiple days in a row.

11. Very Versatile: If you’re searching for a black dress to wear to weddings, baby showers and date nights, Quince has you covered. This 5% cashmere midi looks as almost regal, thanks to the plisse pleats. At the same time, it has a simple yet chic appearance that can be styled with bold jewelry and heels or dressed down with white sneakers.

12. Quite the Charmer: While Nordstrom’s embellished knit is a tad pricier than other options on this list, it’s a small price to pay for a piece that seemingly does it all. It’s jewelry and clothing rolled into one, and while the top is warm enough for winter, you’ll still be reaching for it in the early days of spring.

13. A Little Extra: If you’ve had your fill of sweaters, grab yourself a chic poncho, which will instantly enhance your current knitwear collection, and can even be layered over a coat.

14. Secretly Warm: You won’t need to bundle up if you opt for a toasty tee. Uniqlo’s high-tech design converts body moisture into heat (cool), and since it’s made from 9% cashmere and 6% spandex, you’ll have no problem wearing this soft, stretchy find on repeat.

Related: These Fleece-Lined Tights ‘Really Smooth the Legs,‘ Per Shoppers

I love the ease of wearing skirts and dresses, but after weeks of below-zero temps in New York City, sheer tights and worn-out leggings are the last things I reach for, even when I’m running straight from a taxi to a restaurant door. Instead of completely phasing out some of my favorite pieces until the […]

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 4 seconds ago

If you’re of a sound mind and in good health, and everything is going great in your life, you probably won’t ever find yourself manipulated into joining a cult. Or, if you’re like Ansel Roth (Leland Orser) from 2014’s Faults, you’re so against the idea of cults separating families and ruining lives that you devote your own life to seeking out victims and reprogramming them so they can go back to the way things were before running away from home.

This is where things get messy, because what if you also owe a ton of money to your loan shark publisher at the same time a desperate family tracks you down so you can reunite them with their estranged daughter? You have no guarantees that you can help them, but you can probably get the cash you need, put on a good show, walk away relatively unscathed, and move on with your life. 

At least that’s what Ansel thinks will happen in Faults, but it’s only a matter of time before his reckless behavior catches up with him.

One Sad, Sad Man’s Disingenuous Redemption Arc

In Faults, Ansel Roth is living a very sad life, traveling from cheap hotel to cheap hotel, trying to push his new book. Though his first published work was a highly successful tome about deprogramming cult victims so they could go back to their old lives, his new book is simply a cash grab meant to recoup losses from his recent divorce and other life failings.

Though he has trouble selling his new book, he’s at least able to work out a free room and meal per hotel visit, and otherwise lives out of his car. It’s all really pathetic, but there’s also a sense of entitlement that makes the whole situation disproportionately funny, particularly when he argues over fraudulent meal vouchers and steals all the towels and remote batteries from whatever room he’s about to get kicked out of.

To make matters worse for Ansel, his manager, Terry (Jon Gries), not only severs ties with him because he’s not moving any units, but demands payment for past debts within a week, or else. He even sends one of his goons, Mick (Lance Reddick), to threaten him in person as Ansel travels the country on his increasingly pathetic book tour.

Desperate for cash, and considering the possibility that his entire career is a joke, Ansel is approached by Evelyn (Beth Grant) and Paul (Chris Ellis) about their daughter, Claire (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who ran away to become a member of Faults, an elusive cult that preys on the innocent. Ansel, in his infinite wisdom, agrees to help deprogram her for the exact amount of money he owes Terry so he can put all of his failures behind him and move on with his life.

The plan is simple at first. Ansel, with Evelyn and Paul’s permission, hires actors to stage Claire’s abduction. Staying at yet another seedy motel, Ansel gets to work with Claire, who doesn’t know her parents are staying in the adjoining room, waiting for her breakthrough. Matters are continually complicated by Claire’s resistance to treatment, along with Mick making surprise appearances to collect the rest of the money Ansel owes Terry.

A Masterclass In Manipulation

Faults takes a deep dive into the exact kind of cult level manipulation you’re familiar with if you’ve watched any documentaries on the subject, but subverts expectations every step of the way. Ansel knows all the methods used to deprogram someone and has had mixed results in the past. He believes he needs to break Claire’s spirit and rebuild her from the ground up so she can assimilate back into her family and put Faults behind her.

Claire, on the other hand, has her own ideas about how things should work. She’s incredibly stubborn, and her behavior, along with external forces beyond her control like Terry and Mick’s looming presence, pushes Ansel into increasingly compromising positions. Constant money runs and impromptu detours during deprogramming sessions leave him sleep deprived, slowly wearing away his resolve and, in many cases, giving Claire the upper hand.

What’s so enthralling about Faults is just how deeply everybody digs themselves in for their own selfish reasons. Ansel needs money. Claire doesn’t want to leave her cult. Her parents want everything to go back to the way it was, even if the way things were years ago no longer serve Claire, who is now an adult.

On some level, everybody is manipulating everybody else, and Faults makes you question who’s actually the real article. Half the fun is figuring out who’s pulling one over on who, and this feeling of distrust and animosity is pushed onto the audience in ways that make you never really want to root for anybody, while also hoping the right party gets what they’re looking for.

As of this writing, Faults is streaming for free on Tubi.

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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Cast

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  Mark Fischbach

  Speaker #2 (Voice)

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