The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a cinematic masterpiece and a staple of the cinema of the 2000s. The movies are based on the seminal novels by J. R. R. Tolkien, who penned them as just a small part of his enormous fantasy legendarium, all centring around the world of Middle-earth. The films were a critical and box office success, breaking records, winning multiple Oscars, and bringing in a bunch of new fans to the IP.

Recently, a new film has been announced, The Hunt for Gollum, which is coming out soon and will be directed by Andy Serkis, who also reprises the title role. The movie will see some familiar faces return, and some new characters emerge, but unfortunately, not everyone can come back. This means a role had to be recast, though this isn’t the first time in The Lord of the Rings‘ history that it has happened. These are all the actors from The Lord of the Rings who have been recast.

Círdan the Shipwright

Image via Prime Video

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Círdan the Shipwright is an elf who resides in the port of Lindon on the westernmost coast of Middle-earth. He is often known as the Lord of the Grey Havens and is responsible for seeing ships off as they make for the shores of Aman, the Undying Lands. He lives a mostly peaceful lifestyle and isn’t talked about a lot in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He does, however, make brief background appearances in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King, though he has no speaking lines. ‘

This version of Círdan is played by Michael Elsworth, but his appearance is so small that if you blink, you’ll miss him. He has a much more significant role in the Amazon Prime TV series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This version of him is much more fleshed out and is played by Ben Daniels. Obviously, judging solely on performance, Daniels is the better of the two, mainly for the reason that he isn’t a background character and actually has dialogue in it.

Gil-galad

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Gil-galad is the last elf king of the Ñoldor, and was one of the leaders of the Last Alliance during the War of the Last Alliance. He led the massive assault on Mordor at the end of the Second Age, but was actually slain by Sauron himself during the final battle. It was quite an impactful moment in the history of Middle-earth, as it sent ripples throughout the elf kingdoms and shocked many to the core.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Gil-galad can be glimpsed very, very briefly during the opening sequence, although he has no dialogue and isn’t referred to by name. In the movie, he is played by Mark Ferguson, but he feels like more of an extra rather than a named role. His role in Amazon’s The Rings of Power is much more prominent. This time, he is played by Benjamin Walker, who is able to develop the character much more, rather than having him strictly as a background cameo.

Isildur

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Isildur was the young prince responsible for cutting the One Ring off of Sauron’s finger during the War of the Last Alliance, taking the Ring into his possession, thus beginning the Third Age of Middle-earth. However, as many already know, Isildur was corrupted by the power of the One Ring and was ambushed and killed by a band of orcs. The Ring fell into the swamps of the Gladden Fields, where it remained for 2,500 years, until it was found by Sméagol, and the rest is history.

Isildur makes his debut during the opening sequence of The Fellowship of the Ring, which depicts Sauron’s defeat. This version of the character is played by Harry Sinclair. His role is expanded upon more in The Rings of Power, in which Isildur is one of the primary characters. Here, he is played by Maxim Baldry as a younger version of the prince before he defeated Sauron. Sinclair did do a good job of playing the character, no matter how minor the role was. Baldry’s role is more fleshed out, though, since it has more screentime.

Elendil

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Elendil is Isildur’s father and the King of both Arnor and Gondor. He and his kin were Númenórean exiles who ruled over the two realms and eventually joined the War of the Last Alliance in an effort to combat the growing influence of Sauron. Elendil was killed by Sauron himself, just minutes before his own son cut the Ring off of Sauron’s fingers. In fact, Isildur did it using the remnants of his father’s broken sword.

In the opening sequence of The Fellowship of the Ring, Elendil is portrayed by Peter McKenzie, but he has no dialogue and doesn’t get much screentime before snuffing it. In The Rings of Power, Elendil has a much more prominent role and is portrayed by Lloyd Owen. Here, audiences get to know more about what kind of man Elendil was and what he stood for. Once again, the version present in The Rings of Power is younger, so the recasting makes sense.

Galadriel

Galadriel is an elf who watches over the forests of Lothlórien, making her first appearance in The Fellowship of the Ring. When the fellowship passes through her realm, she gives the companions several useful gifts to aid them on their journey, including elven cloaks, ropes, new weapons, and other magical tools. She is known for her ethereal beauty and voice, and actually narrates the opening sequence of the first film.

Though not mentioned in the book, Galadriel also makes an appearance in the first Hobbit film. In every live-action movie, she is played by Cate Blanchett, who really reflects Galadriel’s ethereal aura. However, Galadriel also appears in The Rings of Power, where she is more of a fighter and less of a wise and guiding figure. In the TV show, Morfydd Clark plays Galadriel in a more central role. Both bring their own spin to this iconic figure, but movie fans definitely tend to appreciate Blanchett’s take on the character more.

Elrond Úndomiel

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Elrond, also known as Elrond Half-Elven, was a prominent and ancient figure in Middle-earth, known for residing in the house of Rivendell, in the valley of Imladris, said to be the last homely house before the edge of the wild. He, too, is present in the opening sequence of The Fellowship of the Ring, but he does not die in the War of the Last Alliance. He also assists in forming the fellowship itself, and later reappears in The Return of the King, after the quest is complete and the companions go back to Rivendell to unwind.

Elrond also appears in The Hobbit movies. In both Peter Jackson trilogies, Elrond is played by Hugo Weaving, who was an absolutely perfect fit for the role. However, he also appears in The Rings of Power, but this time he is played by Robert Aramayo, and it isn’t just a case of a character being younger. The Rings of Power is not connected to Peter Jackson’s films and tries to establish its own universe, hence the recasting.

Bilbo Baggins

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Bilbo Baggins is the main star of The Hobbit trilogy, and is, as the name suggests, a hobbit. In this prequel trilogy, he is played by Martin Freeman, who brings an unforgettable performance to the character. Freeman brought so much life and personality to Bilbo that he’s easily one of the best parts of the trilogy, whether one likes the actual films or not. However, Freeman isn’t the first one to take on the role.

In the original The Lord of the Rings trilogy, an older Bilbo is played by Sir Ian Holm. Of course, it makes sense that the actors would be different, considering the two stories take place 60 years apart. However, in the opening sequence of The Fellowship of the Ring, a younger Bilbo is seen, too, also played by Holm. This quick moment actually depicts the moment Bilbo finds the One Ring in The Hobbit. Moreover, in the extended cut of An Unexpected Journey, a child version of Bilbo is briefly played by Oscar Strik. At the end of the day, though, both Freeman and Holm were perfectly cast and delivered memorable versions of the character.

Gandalf the Grey

Image via New Line Cinema

The original Gandalf the Grey was, and still is, played by the one and only Sir Ian McKellen. The grey wizard is known for his jolly but serious demeanour, his love of hobbit culture, and his surprising abilities in combat. Gandalf is present in both The Hobbit films and The Fellowship of the Ring, but becomes Gandalf the White (still played by McKellen) for the latter two films in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Sir Ian is indeed reprising his role in The Hunt for Gollum, but he does not take on the role for Amazon’s The Rings of Power. Gandalf makes a brief appearance at the end of Season 2, crashing down from the sky on a meteor, symbolizing Gandalf taking on physical form in Middle-earth (since he is a spirit called a Maia). This character, known as “the Stranger,” is played by Daniel Weyman and has been confirmed to be Gandalf, albeit a much younger version; several thousand years younger, in fact. Thus, it makes sense to have a younger actor play the role.

Aragorn II Elessar

Image via New Line Cinema

Aragorn made his debut in The Fellowship of the Ring, acting as a ranger from the North who aids Frodo Baggins on his quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn is of the Dúnedain, a race of humans gifted with exceptionally long life. He is actually 87 years old, but appears much younger. As many already know, he is also one of Isildur’s descendants and is destined to take the throne of Gondor once the War of the Ring is over.

In the films, he was played by Viggo Mortensen, who brought an unforgettable performance as the fantasy hero. But when The Hunt for Gollum‘s cast was announced, filmmakers hit the audience with some bad news: Mortensen would not be reprising his role, which makes sense, considering that Aragorn is going to be quite a bit younger in the new movie, and Mortensen is approaching 70. Granted, the movie made a great choice, casting Jamie Dornan as the new Aragorn. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the table, and while Mortensen left some very big shoes to fill, Dornan has proven himself as far more than just Christian Grey.

In Hulk Hogan‘s final interview before his death, the iconic wrestler details a vulnerable moment in his life after his divorce from Linda Hogan. Hulk reflected on the emotional toll it took and how he faced a deeply challenging period, offering insight into his personal struggles.

The interview is included in a four-part Netflix documentary focusing on Hulk’s life, including his past controversies, career-defining moments, and challenges behind the spotlight.

Hulk Hogan Considered Ending His Life

In “Hulk Hogan: Real American,” Hulk, real name Terry Gene Bollea, told the producers during the interview that he once contemplated ending his life shortly after his divorce from Linda, his wife of more than two decades. The wrestler said he drank, took pills, and was in a daze for a few days.

“The next thing I know, I’m sitting in front of my bathroom with a gun in my mouth and not knowing what I was doing,” Hulk shared. Hulk and Linda married in 1983 and had two children, Brooke and Nick. Their divorce was finalized in 2009.

“I hit rock bottom,” Hulk admitted, adding that he gave his ex-wife “everything” and was left “broke.” “I just didn’t want to ever talk to her again, be with her, I never wanted to see her again,” he said.

Hulk And Linda Hogan’s Relationship

Hulk and Linda met at a Los Angeles restaurant in the early ’80s and tied the knot in 1983. They welcomed daughter Brooke in 1988 and son Nick in 1990. While Hulk was already a household name, the rest of the family gained fame through their VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best,” which the patriarch said he agreed to in order to kickstart his children’s careers.

Linda filed for divorce from Hulk in 2007 following rumors of infidelity. According to reports, the wrestler was having an affair with one of her daughter’s best friends, Christiane Plante. She later addressed the rumors publicly, saying, “My relationship with Terry began at a time when Terry and Linda privately knew their marriage was ending.”

As reported by E! Online, Linda was awarded 70 percent of liquid assets, 40 percent ownership of her ex-husband’s companies, a $3 million property settlement, and several vehicles. “I gave Linda 70% of everything because I just didn’t want to ever talk to her again,” Hulk said in the documentary.

Hulk Hogan Resented His Ex-Wife’s Relationship With A Younger Man

Hulk also opened up about how he felt after learning that Linda was dating a younger man shortly after their divorce. “It was thrown in my face big time,” the wrestler said, adding that the person Linda was dating at that time, Charley Hill, went to school with his children. “She was bouncing around, flying all over with her boyfriend,” Hulk recalled.

Linda also participated in the Netflix documentary and shared that when she started dating Hill, he said he was 25 years old. She later found out that he was only 19, making her 29 years his senior. Admittedly, she said she deliberately flaunted her new relationship because she wanted Hulk to “know how it feels.” Linda and Hill got engaged, but they went their separate ways in 2012.

The Wrestler Was Married Three Times

Hulk was married to his third wife when he died. Following his divorce from Linda, Hulk entered a relationship with makeup artist Jennifer McDaniel. The two married in December 2010 and were together for more than a decade. In 2022, fans were confused when the wrestler posted photos on social media with another woman. Hulk clarified that he was dating someone new, and he and McDaniel divorced in October 2021.

The woman featured in the photos was yoga instructor Sky Daily. She and Hulk announced their engagement in July 2023 and were married a couple of months later. Hulk died of a heart attack in 2025 at 71 years old. In a tribute to her husband, Daily wrote on Instagram, “To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.”

Hulk Hogan Addressed Some Of His Controversies

Elsewhere in the documentary, Hulk talked about some of his past controversies, one of which was leaked audio of him saying a racial slur, which led to his firing from WWE. “I’m a person that got very mad about a personal situation. I used a word. Yeah, I regret it…” he said, admitting that he didn’t “man up” when the audio was released.

Another controversy was his comments about O.J. Simpson in a Rolling Stone interview, where he was quoted as saying, “I could have turned everything into a crime scene like O.J., cutting everybody’s throat… I totally understand O.J. I get it.” Hulk regretted doing the interview, saying that the reporter asked him about Simpson while they were sharing beers and had a “little buzz.”

“Hulk Hogan: Real American” is now available for streaming on Netflix.

It is the season of brutality and blood on the happiest streamer on earth, Disney+. While, at one point in Marvel history, blood and broken bones were only hinted at by the arrival of heroes like Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Daredevil (Charlie Cox), the landscape has changed significantly. The studios’ decision to produce R-rated and TV-MA content has helped boost the streaming platform’s viewership massively.

MCU’s first R-rated project, Deadpool and Wolverine, not only did well in cinemas but also has proven a popular choice on streaming. Similarly, Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 proved a hit for the studio as it didn’t shy away from brutal action sequences, narrative gut punches, and a blood-soaked Matt and Punisher (Jon Bernthal). Now, Born Again Season 2 is keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with new twists and turns in each episode and bringing back some familiar faces like Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter). Fans should be gearing up for another gory entry.

The countdown has begun for Jon Bernthal-led The Punisher: One Last Kill, MCU’s Special Presentation, which will take over our screens this May. While all other MCU characters have their power moves, Punisher moves in for a kill, and that makes him very special for fans. There hasn’t been a character like Frank Castle on our screens since the days of Netflix’s The Punisher series, where Bernthal made his debut. There was a contention among fans about the character getting Disney-fied when the news first broke about his MCU entry, but those were put to rest by Bernthal himself and later in Born Again season 1, where Punisher and Daredevil teamed up to take down Kingpin’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) anti-vigilante force. The sequence easily makes up for one of the best fight sequences in the MCU.

What to Expect From ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’?

More pain and blood. While the details about the new project are scarce, a trailer shows Frank haunted by the ghosts of his past. The gritty tone completely supports his trauma, and it’ll be interesting to see where his story moves next. Punisher returned to the MCU with Born Again, where he was briefly seen helping Matt and being caught by Kingpin. But the trailer sees him as a free man, which could be an indicator that the special takes place before Born Again Season 1. Also, the trailer promised a lot of blood, so fans need not worry about that aspect. The show is written by Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green, the latter of whom also directs.

The Punisher: One Last Kill arrives on Disney+ on May 12. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.

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Release Date

May 12, 2026

Director

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Reinaldo Marcus Green

Writers

Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ross Andru, Jon Bernthal, Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr.

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Cast

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  Frank Castle / The Punisher

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  Jason R. Moore

  Curtis Hoyle

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First Minister of Scotland John Swinney declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend a White House state banquet.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government told The Independent on Tuesday, April 21, that Swinney, 62, had “politely declined” a seat at the Tuesday, April 28, event as the timing clashed with his campaigning efforts ahead of May’s Holyrood elections in Scotland.

The outlet also reported that a “four-minute phone call” between Trump, 79, and Swinney took place on Monday, April 20, and “it is understood the invitation was the focus of the call.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish National Party also told the outlet, “As the First Minister has said previously, he will continue to engage with the president where it is in Scotland’s interest, but will be clear on the areas where he disagrees with actions of the U.S. administration such as on their actions in Iran.” (Swinney has served as Leader of the Scottish National Party since 2024 following a previous stint between 2000 and 2004.)

Related: King Charles III Invites Trump to U.K. for ‘Unprecedented’ State Visit

King Charles III has invited President Donald Trump to the U.K. for a “historic second state visit.” Donald Trump, 78, was presented with the invitation from the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on behalf of King Charles, 76, during a press conference at the White House on Thursday, February 27. Starmer, 62, told Trump that […]

The White House banquet dinner will include King Charles III and Queen Camilla in attendance, staged as part of Charles’ first visit to the U.S. since becoming king in 2022. Buckingham Palace confirmed in March that Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, were invited by Trump to visit the U.S.

Buckingham Palace said, per reporting by USA Today on Tuesday, that the trip “will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.”

As for Swinney, the Scottish politician visited Trump at the White House in September 2025 to “discuss a potential deal to exempt Scotch whiskey from U.S. import tariffs,” per reporting by BBC.

One week after the visit, Swinney attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle that honored Trump.

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Just two months prior, in July 2025, Trump had visited Scotland and publicly described Swinney as a “special guy” while formally opening the Trump International Scotland golf course in Aberdeenshire.

A report by Sky News at the time stated that Trump had asked Swinney to stand up and be recognized for his political contributions at the opening ceremony. “John Swinney is a terrific guy – and loves golf and loves the people of this country, and we really appreciate it,” Trump told on-site reporters before directing his praise directly to Swinney.

“You’re really a very special guy. Thank you very much for everything, John,” Trump said.

Folk horror has only recently been recognized as a distinct subgenre, even though some of its most famous works—including Witchfinder General, The Blood on Satan’s Claw, and The Wicker Man—came out in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Many folk horror movies focus on isolated communities that get swept up in dangerous superstitions, while others highlight the darkness in aspects of folk culture, such as music, stories, and rituals. Over the decades, what was once considered a British phenomenon has flourished into a worldwide fascination.

The 2020s, in particular, have seen an explosion of new folk horror movies. It’s hard to say exactly what inspired the trend, but the popularity of Ari Aster‘s Midsommar (2019) and rising interest in folklore seem to be contributing factors. The folk horror movies of the last few years have proven that the genre is more than just pagans and stone circles; from the glacial valleys of Iceland to the ancestral burial grounds of South Korea, the settings of modern folk horror are more diverse than ever.

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‘Keeper’ (2025)

Image via Neon

On a weekend getaway to celebrate their first anniversary, medical doctor Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) brings his painter girlfriend Liz (Tatiana Maslany) to his secluded, peaceful cabin in the woods, hoping for peace and relaxation. But, for Liz, an uneasiness seems to follow her everywhere in the house. Soon, she fears something supernatural is stalking her, leading her to suspect Malcolm may have alternative motives for bringing her to the cabin in the first place.

From Osgood Perkins, the wildly unique mind behind The Monkey and Longlegs, Keeper is his slow-burning 2025 mystery folk horror thriller that is booming with bizarre, unsettling terror. It keeps the audience constantly on edge, wondering just what is about to happen, what exactly is haunting the cabin, and just who Malcolm really is. It culminates in a shocking twist and horrifying third act that will have viewers questioning just what they really experienced. —Daniel Boyer

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‘Saloum’ (2021)

Image via Lacmé

Set during a coup in 2003, a group of African mercenaries and the man they’ve been hired to protect seek refuge in a remote region of Senegal. As they hide out at an isolated resort, they start to learn about the spiritual significance of the place as well as their leader’s painful history with the owner of the resort. Soon, a curse breaks free, and everyone at the resort must fight for their lives as they’re swarmed by spirits that kill by sound.

Saloum is a refreshing bit of folk horror that mostly plays as a fantasy adventure mixed with a scary crime thriller. The mythology and folklore related to the surroundings provide an interesting backdrop for a story that touches on the real-life horror of child soldiers in West Africa. The ancient terrors that plague the group throughout the film provide a poignant parallel to the trauma the main character still grapples with as an adult. The pacing of the film is a highlight; viewers are dropped into the action right away and are barely given time to breathe.

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‘Dark Harvest’ (2023)

Image via MGM

Every year, teenage boys in a small Midwest town must compete in the Run and kill a dangerous creature called Sawtooth Jack before it can reach the church in the center of town. The prize for winning the Run is a one-way ticket out of town, a prize so coveted that the boys would die for it–and many of them do. Most of Dark Harvest takes place on the night of the Run, but a portrait of the town starts to emerge as a place that’s bleak, stagnant, and full of secrets. The shadowy Harvesters Guild that oversees the town may be a bigger threat than Sawtooth Jack.

Critics might dismiss Dark Harvest as a teen version of The Purge films, and the film is held back by some hammy acting and a premise that’s hard to swallow. However, the depiction of the nameless town as an isolated, regressive place has some interesting things to say about the urban-rural divide, as well as generational warfare. The supernatural figure of Sawtooth Jack might push the film into fantasy territory, but the folk horror themes ground it in real concerns that make the characters’ predicament relatable.

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‘You Are Not My Mother’ (2021)

Image via Magnet Releasing 

In the Irish horror film You Are Not My Mother, Char is a teenage girl who is already facing plenty of problems well before her mother, Angela, goes missing. Angela clearly has depression, is unable to take care of herself and her daughter, but when she returns from her disappearance, something has changed. More than depressed, she seems possessed, and Char wonders if the person who came back might be something else altogether.

A significant number of horror stories deal with the theme of mental health, creating ambiguity about what is real and what is delusion. Where You Are Not My Mother takes a turn to folk horror is through the introduction of magic and the folklore of changelings. A changeling is a kind of fairy creature that has been sent to the real world as a replacement for someone who was taken. Often, the changeling takes the form of a child, but it can look like an adult as well. When Char suspects that her mother’s behavior might be related to the supernatural, she turns to magic for a possible solution.

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‘The Medium’ (2021)

The South Korean producer of The Medium, Na Hong-jin, directed the hit folk horror film The Wailing in 2016, so it’s no surprise that Na’s follow-up project showed a similar fascination with demon possession and shamanic rituals. The Medium is a mockumentary that takes place in Thailand and follows a local medium who claims to be inhabited by the spirit of a goddess. The spirit must be passed to the next person in line through an elaborate ritual, and the medium claims that her niece has been chosen to host the goddess. However, the plans to transfer the spirit go awry, and the family appears to be cursed for their failure.

The documentary format of the film is part of what makes it successful, conveying realism despite the supernatural occurrences. The Medium is also known for being quite scary; the things that happen to Mink, the niece, are brutal and terrifying. Another thing that makes the story frightening is the idea of inviting a spirit into one’s body. The character of the medium has faith that the spirit is a goddess, but there’s also a chance that she might be inviting in evil spirits that have managed to hide their true nature.

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‘Candyman’ (2021)

Image via Universal

A sequel to the 1992 slasher classic, director Nia DaCosta’s Candyman also serves as a reboot that brings the franchise into the modern era. In the original film, Candyman was a figure out of an urban legend who had once been a man named Daniel Robitaille, killed for being a Black man in a relationship with a white woman. The 2021 Candyman examines the way that the urban legend has evolved, with the story focusing on a different wronged man depending on the era. Like Robitaille, protagonist Anthony is an artist whose life is still affected by racism more than a hundred years later.

The film examines the effects of gentrification, as the Cabrini-Green public housing project, which served as the focal point for the original film, has been demolished to make way for luxury apartments. Folk horror is usually associated with rural spaces, but urban areas can also be a rich source of folklore and history. An urban legend, such as the one about Candyman, is tied to a specific place, and its impact can still be felt by the people who venture there. The past and present collide in ways that can be fascinating—and terrifying.

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‘Wrong Turn’ (2021)

Image via Constantin Film

Folk horror, with its suggestion that rural isolation can make people a bit twisted, is often in danger of falling into hicksploitation, a subgenre that mocks country folk as ignorant and dangerous. Earlier films in the Wrong Turn series focused on inbred cannibals living in the Appalachians, but the seventh installment, also known as Wrong Turn: The Foundation, offers an interesting twist that’s closer to Midsommar than The Hills Have Eyes. The movie follows a group of hikers on the Appalachian Trail that runs afoul of a remote community called the Foundation.

The Foundation has kept itself separate from society since before the Civil War, and they will do anything to protect their chosen way of life. Periodically, they accept and initiate new members to sustain the community. The film is surprisingly thoughtful in its presentation of the conflict between modernity and tradition as well as the culture clash between so-called civilization and barbarity. An early scene, in which the hikers treat a local man with cruel condescension, reveals that the movie will be flipping the script on the usual hicksploitation tropes—a promising beginning to a strong story.

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‘In the Earth’ (2021)

Image via Neon

Director Ben Wheatley (The Meg 2: The Trench) is practically a veteran of the folk horror genre, having made Kill List and A Field in England prior to 2021’s pandemic-themed In the Earth. Although the virus is only tangential to the plot, the social-distancing-induced isolation enhances the film’s sense of alienation. In the movie, a scientist and a park scout venture into a dangerous forest to look for a researcher who has disappeared. They find that both the researcher and her ex-husband have gone mad trying to communicate with an ancient woodland spirit.

Like Wheatley’s A Field in England, In the Earth is a surreal, psychedelic journey that will leave many viewers scratching their heads. However, the film’s eco-horror elements will resonate with viewers concerned about climate change. The message seems to be that there are some forces—whether natural or supernatural—that should be left alone. One character attempts to use science and technology to unravel the mysteries of the world, while another uses occult rituals. In the end, both approaches are shown to be misguided.

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‘Moloch’ (2022)

Image via XYZ Films

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In the Dutch horror-fantasy movie Moloch, Betriek and her young daughter move into her parents’ house after her husband dies. However, the place where Betriek grew up is unsettling rather than comforting. The house is on the edge of a peat bog where archaeologists have been digging up the bodies of several women who were apparently killed in a ritual sacrifice. Even worse, the women are all discovered to be Betriek’s ancestors.

Folk horror is often about the ways that cycles repeat themselves, especially the cycle of death and rebirth. This is why human sacrifice has become a reliable folk horror trope, with villagers spilling blood in exchange for a bountiful harvest. But sacrifice can also be a powerful symbol of generational trauma. The older generations perpetuate harmful practices that the younger generations try–and often fail–to reject. Betriek in Moloch finds herself caught up in this same terrifying cycle.

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‘She Will’ (2021)

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She Will is a fresh take on the witch subgenre that deserves much more attention than it’s gotten. In the film, Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige) is an aging film star who goes on a retreat in Scotland to recover from a mastectomy. Veronica and her nurse Desi, discover that the retreat is located in a region where countless women were once burned as witches, and the land is now contaminated by the ashes. Veronica and Desi both experience nightmares that connect their personal traumas with the historical persecution of women.

Krige gives a powerful performance as a woman marked by childhood abuse and grappling with her lost youth. She Will, at times, feels more like a drama than a horror movie, but the moody, Gothic atmosphere delivers enough dread to interest horror fans. The barren, wooded landscape is beautifully filmed to emphasize the way that places create a connection between the past and the present, which is an enduring theme in folk horror movies.

Many people may recognize the name Greta Gerwig as the brilliant mind behind the 2023 Barbie movie, or back in 2019, the beautiful Little Women adaptation, but before this, Gerwig actually made her name in the indie sphere as an actor. She’s a phenomenal director, but her acting roles are often overlooked, which is a surprise considering her notable contributions to the subgenre mumblecore, including the utterly raw and slice-of-life story of Frances Ha. Here, Gerwig would find her niche as the charming, awkward, and quirky everyday woman who is navigating the mundane realities of life, leading one of her most forgotten films in 2012, Lola Versus, alongside For All Mankind‘s Joel Kinnaman.

Greta Gerwig Roots Out the Messy Charm of Everyday Life in ‘Lola Versus’

In Lola Versus, Gerwig plays the titular character who just got dumped by her seemingly perfect boyfriend, Luke (Joel Kinnaman), three weeks before their wedding. In the devastating wake of their abrupt break-up, she attempts to reorganize her life through a myriad of casual flings while working on her dissertation. She goes through this limbo period with the support of her best friends, the zany Alice (Zoe Lister-Jones) and the ever-reliable Henry (Hamish Linklater), but like many romantic comedies, realizes that finding self-love via others may not be the best approach.

Like most of Gerwig’s characters, Lola is instinctively likable the moment you lay eyes on her, which is why the movie works. Her goofy smile, quiet wit, and fumbling interactions sum up her charm throughout the film, a regular woman you would meet in passing or identify with. As such, when Lola makes impulsive, questionable, and sometimes selfish decisions on her journey for autonomy and casual fun, it is difficult to judge her, and we find ourselves empathizing. Gerwig represents Lola in a way that can only be described as painfully human, filled with the messiness of acting out of a place of hurt and clouded by one’s own misery.

Sharing the screen is Kinnaman’s performance as the ex-fiancé who is a stand-in for the villain in every girl’s story — the guy who dumped her because he was confused and wanted to explore before committing — has the same slice-of-life nature as Gerwig’s performance. You want to hate Luke for it, but Kinnaman makes him just as messy and human as Lola. Kinnaman renders Luke sincere in his confusion, justified in his frustrations, and charming whenever the opportunity allows. What makes their run-ins refreshing is that they never indulge in too many clichés and have surprisingly grounded interactions of two exes trying to navigate the fallout. It creates the backbone of the film, allowing Lola’s main journey to make more of an impact.

‘Lola Versus’ Combines Slice-of-Life Relationship Drama With Comedy

That’s not to say the film is just jam-packed with poor decisions, as comedy and situational irony are littered around every corner of this truly millennial rendition of New York. From the “esoteric” artsy scene of aspiring theater majors to the sheer drama of bumping into your ex-boyfriend at your new boyfriend’s gig, there are relatable but hyperbolic versions of everyday encounters with humorous punchlines at the end. We also get a hilarious appearance from Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), who plays one of Lola’s rebounds with unnervingly wide eyes, an incubator, and rollerblades. It’s one of Lola’s strange decisions that earns a brilliant payoff — for the audience at least.

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Orbiting Lola’s storm is an equally charming and comedic cast, who provide refreshing takes on romantic comedy clichés. Alice is the supportive best friend who helps Lola break out of her shell while delivering comedic gems with a wry and sarcastic laugh. Meanwhile, Henry embodies the friend who may have been right for Lola all along, but by the end of the film, these two tropes get a subtle twist that feels more in line with the reality painted. But the standouts are the infrequent appearances of Lola’s parents, played charmingly by Debra Winger and Bill Pullman, who are people you’d dream of having in your corner as they approach her breakup with comfort and goofy wit.

Lola Versus doesn’t play out a story we haven’t seen before, but its cast gives the romantic comedy a normalcy that is rendered as fresh and comforting. With narrative beats that every millennial will recognize and Gerwig’s idiosyncratic performance as the driving force, it’s a film to cozy up to, especially if you’re a fan of the filmmaker. Before she ever hit big shots with high-grossing films, Gerwig appreciated the novelties of everyday adult life, capturing the beauty in the messiness all around us.

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Lola Versus

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Release Date

April 24, 2012

Runtime

87 minutes

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Director

Daryl Wein

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Karol G is continuing her partnership with Reebok. After announcing her working relationship with the sneaker company in January 2026, the Latin singer wore a pair of custom Reebok shoes on the Coachella mainstage in April of this year. While performing “El Barco” on her final night, Karol G hit the stage in what she calls her favorite design from the company—this time with an added twist.

Karol G Wore Custom Reebok Sneakers During Her Coachella Performance In April 2026

According to a press release sent to The Blast, Karol G, real name Carolina Giraldo Navarro, finished her Coachella set on April 19 in a custom pair of Reebok boots. The metallic silver pair of skyhigh sneakers is inspired by the brand’s Freestyle Hi, and features a Hi-Top silhouette that pays homage to the ’80s classic.

Karol G’s pair of Freestyle Hi’s was designed in collaboration with The Shoe Surgeon, a Los Angeles-based creative who puts his own spin on custom designs and has worked with NFL superstar Odell Beckham Jr., streamer IShowSpeed, and artist Nelly.

Watch Karol G’s performance here.

Karol G Signed With The Company Earlier This Year

Complex reported on Karol G’s partnership with the Boston-based shoewear company at the beginning of this year. In an interview, the singer got candid about what it means to work with a company she’s long admired.

“Wearing Reeboks became a huge thing when I was at school, especially this Classic version. Having a pair felt like everything. I remember dreaming about them, imagining how it would feel to finally wear them and show them off,” she said.

According to Karol G, her partnership with Reebok is about more than just shoes. “It’s about storytelling, culture, and evolution.” Continuing, Karol G said the deal is “rooted in style, movement, and music. I’m excited to have Reebok alongside me during some major moments in the year ahead.”

Why Karol G Has Such An Affinity For Freestyle His

Karol G’s Coachella sneakers reflect her love for the comapny’s original design. During her interview with Complex, the 35-year-old called the Freestyle His a “classic” shoe, highlighting that they can be paired with almost anything.

Additionally, Karol G said wearing the high tops brings back certain childhood memories. “I’ve been wearing them a lot lately, and it’s beautiful how many people come up to me and say that seeing those shoes brings back really special memories for them. That connection means a lot to me,” she said.

Karol G Isn’t The Only Big Name Working With Reebok … Just Ask Angel Reese

Reebok is making a calculated push to re-establish itself as a dominant competitor by partnering with high-profile personalities, including WNBA superstar Angel Reese.

Reebok began working with the company during her time in college, according to The Blast, and during her first year in the league, it was revealed she’d receive her own signature shoe.

“So many different shoe companies wanted to work with me. But I chose Reebok,” she said. “What was it about Reebok? One, they don’t have a women’s basketball player [as] a face. So I wanted to be that.”

Adding to it, Reese said having a sense of control over her brand was essential.

“And three, I like how they’re rebranding everything and they’re letting me be the creator behind everything I want to do. So I’m having my own shoe line coming out, merch with my name on it. … Y’all like what I wear, y’all like how I dress, y’all like my style. I wanted to incorporate that into Reebok,” she added.

Who Else Is Teaming Up With Reebok?

Reese isn’t the only athlete on Reebok’s roster. Weeks ago, the comapny announced its new deal with Arkansas Razorback basketball player Darius Acuff Jr. The baller’s historic deal makes his the first athlete to receieve his own signature shoe while in college and the first male baksetball player to have his own Reebok shoe since John Wall.

On April 15, Reebok also announced its partnership with the highly decorated, 6’7″ All-American and UCLA alum Lauren Betts. “… she is a dominant interior presence, poised to bring that same impact to the pro game,” a company spokesperson told The Blast.