Roommates, something unsettling went down in Baton Rouge this afternoon. And while details are still coming together, what started as a routine day quickly turned into a scene no one expected. Shoppers at a popular local spot suddenly found themselves caught in chaos, with authorities rushing in and families left searching for answers. Here’s what we know so far…

RELATED: Prayers Up! Ohio High School Student Fatally Shoots Herself In Front Of Classmates In Cafeteria

Louisiana Mall Shooting: Food Court Dispute Turns Violent, Leaving Multiple Injured

According to officials, a shooting broke out around 1:22 p.m. on Thursday at the Mall of Louisiana. Initially, it was reported that the incident left at least 10 people injured, including two in critical condition. However, NBC News now reports one person died from their injuries, while five people were injured.

Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse confirmed the incident was not random, but stemmed from an argument between two groups inside the mall’s food court that escalated into gunfire. “Unfortunately, there were some innocent people that were in the area that might have also caught some rounds,” Morse shared.

Heavy Police Response As Shoppers Flee Louisiana Mall Shooting In Panic

Additional details from the scene paint a clearer picture of just how chaotic things became in those moments. Around 1:40 p.m., dozens of police units surrounded the Mall of Louisiana as panicked shoppers rushed to exit, with some stopping to embrace loved ones while others recorded the aftermath on their phones. Witnesses described a heavy law enforcement presence, with ambulances and fire trucks stationed outside as officers urged people to avoid the area and redirected traffic.

Officials later reiterated that the shooting appears to have been targeted, and surveillance footage reportedly shows two groups arguing before shots were fired. Meanwhile, Mayor-President Sid Edwards vowed that those responsible would be caught, calling out the violence and assuring the community that authorities are actively working to bring the suspects into custody.

Victims Hospitalized As Officials Urge Public To Avoid Area

Emergency responders transported multiple victims to the hospital, while others arrived by private vehicles. Our Lady of the Lake Hospital issued a statement asking family members to report to the main entrance. This, while noting that the facility is on secured access, and requesting that visitors avoid coming unless necessary. Officials, including Mayor-President Sid Edwards and Governor Jeff Landry, set up a command post. And urged the public to stay away from the area as multiple agencies continue investigating.

NBC News adds that five suspects have been taken into custody.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Louisiana Mass Shooting Reportedly Leaves Eight Children Dead & Two Individuals Injured (VIDEO)

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

Whenever a psychological thriller starts with somebody sustaining a head injury, it’s either going to insult your intelligence or actually offer a great series of twists and turns. 2019’s Fractured occupies both lanes in the sense that you know you’re witnessing a very unreliable protagonist and that everything isn’t exactly what it seems. You don’t know what or who to believe because head injuries clearly have a negative impact on cognitive function, but also because people are acting weird and suspicious despite this. Or maybe you’re witnessing some combination of both; our protagonist is unreliable after getting severely concussed, but what he’s seeing could actually be real.

If you watch a disproportionate amount of psychological thrillers, you’ll probably clock what’s happening early on in Fractured, in the sense that you know there’s going to be a twist that blows the story wide open. As an avid fan of the genre myself, I went into this film expecting the usual beats and reveals, but was pleasantly surprised with where the narrative took me. By the end, the film lands in a safe, predictable place, but it successfully misdirects you multiple times on its way to an otherwise lackluster finale.

This’ll Certainly Get The Noggin Joggin’! 

Fractured’s setup introduces us to our protagonist Ray (Sam Worthington), his wife Joanne (Lily Rabe), and their daughter Peri (Lucy Capri). Ray and Joanne argue about their marriage on the way back from a Thanksgiving holiday at her parents’ place, and the drive is tense. They stop at a gas station to regroup, and that’s when all hell breaks loose. While cleaning up a spill in the back seat, Ray doesn’t notice that Peri wanders off to a construction site, where a vicious dog is ready to pounce on her. Once aware, Ray throws a rock at the dog to get it away from Peri, who’s standing at the edge of an exposed foundation pit. As Peri falls into the pit, Ray tries to save her but ends up falling himself.

When he regains consciousness, Ray learns that Peri is seriously injured, while Joanne, rightfully in a state of panic, pleads for him to do something. Clearly disoriented from the fall, and not to mention that he secretly picked up a couple of nips of brown liquor inside the gas station, Ray loads his family up in the car and hightails it to the hospital.

The hospital itself is the stuff of nightmares, but honestly not too far off from reality. After the excruciatingly long process of checking insurance and taking down information, Dr. Berthram (Stephen Tobolowsky) is finally able to see Peri, whose arm is fractured. Due to the nature of the fall, it’s advised that she get a CT scan to rule out any internal injuries. Ray falls asleep in the waiting room while Peri and Joanne are whisked away to the lower level. When Ray wakes up hours later, he’s horrified to find out that there’s no record of his family checking into the hospital with him.

Ray runs through the hospital trying to prove that his family is being held captive somewhere. Nobody believes him, meaning one of two things: he’s either hallucinating what happened to a degree, or the staff is gaslighting him so they can perform experiments on his wife and daughter. He speaks to the hospital psychiatrist, Dr. Jacobs (Adjoa Andoh), who tells him that he’s making things up, but when he breaks out and flags down two police officers, they’re willing to hear him out because his case is compelling enough for them to take him seriously.

As the investigation spirals, Ray becomes increasingly disoriented, but remains hellbent on uncovering the truth about this hospital. The problem is that he’s almost certain they’re trying to harvest his wife and daughter’s organs, and he’s racing against the clock to prevent that from happening.

The Ride Is Better Than The Destination

Like most psychological thrillers that appear exclusively on Netflix, Fractured is pretty standard fare. You’ve got the unreliable protagonist with a head injury and past substance abuse issues that make him patently unreliable. I knew right off the bat that what he’s experiencing isn’t necessarily the reality he’s living in. I’m not going to spoil the ending, but here’s an early first-act indicator that will tell you exactly what kind of experience you’re going to have with this movie.

After Ray and Peri fall into a pit and get seriously injured, he’s still the one who drives the car at breakneck speeds to the hospital. Joanne isn’t some damsel in distress and doesn’t say a thing about not being able to drive, yet Ray gets behind the wheel. In my mind, this is a sign that anything that happens post-accident is at least partially a figment of Ray’s imagination, because who in their right mind would let a man who just fell 20 feet onto a concrete slab drive a car?

Still, this minor yet significant plot point allows Fractured to have a lot of fun subverting audience expectations. By the time I got to the second act, I didn’t know what was up or down, and I’m normally pretty good at clocking these things. Every five minutes, I’d go from “these hospital folk are up to no good” to thinking, “Ray is out of his f****** mind, and this is all in his head.”

While it’s not one of the more memorable psychological thrillers I’ve seen, Fractured takes all of the usual tropes and flips them just enough to make it a worthwhile viewing experience. Every action and reaction, like who’s actually driving to the hospital, can be interpreted in more than one way, making you truly wonder what’s real and what’s not. The question is whether the film’s payoff is worth all the buildup, but that’s for you to decide.

Fractured is streaming on Netflix.

Whew, Roomies! Fans of ‘Mary Mary’ singers and sisters Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell are going off online. Folks are sharing mixed reactions to Erica’s wedding anniversary prep footage, saying the timing of her post wasn’t ideal since Tina is currently going through a divorce from her husband, Glendon Campbell.

RELATED: Issa Wrap! Glendon Campbell Files For Divorce From Mary Mary Star Tina Campbell After 20+ Years Of Marriage

Mixed Reactions Erupt Over Erica Campbell’s Wedding Anniversary Post Amid Tina Campbell’s Divorce

Recently, Erica Campbell dropped footage on Instagram showing her getting ready to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary with her husband, Warryn Campbell. The couple has been married since 2001 and will mark 25 years of marriage this year. Erica shared clips of her dress selection for the milestone and updated fans that she chose a Black designer to create her celebration dress. Once she posted the video, fans started weighing in, questioning the timing of the post, especially since her sister, Tina Campbell, is currently going through a divorce with her husband, Glendon Campbell.

To note, Erica did mention that her “sisters” helped her pick her designer.

Fans Are Divided Over Erica’s Wedding Anniversary Celebration Timing

After The Shade Room reshared Erica’s clip, fans slid into the comment section to share their thoughts. Some folks said she has every right to celebrate, even though her sister is going through a tough time; meanwhile, others called her post shady and inconsiderate.

Instagram user @misskekelatrice wrote, “I don’t know but I just feel like this was timed terribly…”

Instagram user @therealcourtneybee wrote, “Love Erica down!!! She should still be able to celebrate in the midst of her sisters storm y’all.” 

While Instagram user @modish_pe wrote, “Their anniversary is the SAME day/time YEARLY! She can’t help her sisters unfortunate situation! But, a 25TH ANNIVERSARY is major! Congrats to them! 🥳’

Then Instagram user @__lm4l wrote, “Idk … no matter what I’m going through I still would want my sister to have her moment and u would there to support sad and all 🤷🏽‍♀️💭🩵” 

Another Instagram user @_mia.bryant wrote, “This is petty petty. How ironic 😮😢😂” 

While another instagram user @danaedionne26 wrote, “So y’all really think this lady plan her vow renewal around her sister’s divorce?!?! I’m sure this was in the works, why should she change her plans…..f**k it, life goes on and she deserves her happiness!!!!” 

Then another Instagram user @daniieeb_ wrote, “If this isn’t SHADYYYYYYY🤣🤣🤣🤣you know damn well you see your sister going thru it and you do this🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️that’s family for yaaaaaa😑😑😑” 

Lastly, Instagram user @imperial.blissss wrote, “Plot twist her sister already knew and y’all doing the most . The end.” 

Details On Tina & Glendon Campbell’s Divorce

TMZ reported that Glendon Campbell filed for divorce from Tina on April 13 after over 20 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split. Reports also state that Glendon does not address custody arrangements for their two children; however, he has asked the court to set visitation and sort out support issues at a later date. As of right now, neither Tina nor Glendon has publicly addressed the filing.

RELATED: Aww! Judge Greg Mathis Reveals Heartwarming Birthday Gift From His Wife & Family For His 66th Birthday (PHOTO) 

Jennifer Lopez is reportedly rethinking her split from her ex-husband Ben Affleck after his recent gesture.

The singer and the actor have since settled their divorce, but were unable to sell off their expensive Beverly Hills property.

This drawn-out search for a buyer seemingly spurred Ben Affleck to gift Jennifer Lopez his share of the marital home, with sources now claiming the move has left a strong impression on the pop star.

Jennifer Lopez Is ‘Back To Hoping’ She And Ben Affleck Can Work Things Out After His Generous Act

The last may not have been heard on the love story between Lopez and Affleck, even though they’re no longer together. The pair tied the knot in a surprise Vegas wedding back in July 2022, after reuniting a few years earlier.

They went on to enjoy conjugal bliss until mid-2024, when rumors started flying around that their marriage had hit the rocks after going several months without being pictured together.

The “Hustlers” actress eventually filed for divorce in August that year, listing their date of separation as April 26, 2024. Their divorce was settled in January 2025, but their $60 million Beverly Hills property, which they bought to house their blended family, remained a point of contention as they were unable to get buyers for it.

Just recently, Affleck left his stake in the property to her, seeking a clean break and an end to whatever will join them. However, the move seemingly left an impression on Lopez, who’s now understood to be “hoping” they can work things out.

A source told Star Magazine she “can’t help but see it as proof he’s the good guy she fell in love with, and she’s back to hoping that somehow, they might be able to work it out.”

Ben Affleck Wants An End To It All After Drawn-Out Search For A Buyer

While Lopez is reportedly thinking there’s still hope for them to sort things out, Affleck wants everything to be done with.

Reports suggest he wasn’t trying to be charitable with the act, but just wanted to buy his way out of a tiresome situation.

“He feels like this will absolve him of the way he messed with her head [during their marriage]. But that’s typical of Ben — he’s trying to avoid drama and only creating more,” the insider noted to the magazine about Affleck’s latest move.

Ben Affleck Prefers A ‘Clean, Absolute Break’ From Jennifer Lopez

Meanwhile, a source who earlier spoke to Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop said the “Accoutant 2” actor wants to walk away and never have to deal with her anymore.

“This isn’t him giving anything,” an insider told the journalist. “This is him paying to be done. That house is the last tie, and he wants it gone, fast.”

“He’d pay anything at this point,” the source explained. “Because peace of mind is worth more than the money. Ben isn’t acting out of kindness, he’s making a smart decision for himself. He wants a clean, absolute break, and this is the quickest way to get there.”

Ben Affleck Isn’t Looking For Love After His Divorce

Since their divorce, both stars have been pictured making several appearances together, especially as their children remain close.

They’ve managed to maintain a cordial relationship after going through a rather peaceful split and asset division.

However, things may struggle to escalate beyond what they currently are, as a source told Star Magazine in February that Affleck is seemingly “immune to love” and is no longer seeking a long-term partnership.

“He’s not looking for a relationship,” the source said. “He does have room in his life for flings and no-strings hookups, and he meets them on elite dating apps or through friends.”

Instead, he’s focused on growing his business with pal Matt Damon and also taking care of his children, Violet, Fin, and Samuel, whom he shares with ex Jennifer Garner.

“He has enough on his plate with his job and children,” the source continued. “He has his eye on the real prize, not the next random hot actress that catches his eye.”

Sources Downplay Reports Linking Jennifer Lopez To Her Co-Star

Lopez has faced Romance rumors with her “Office Romance” co-star Brett Goldstein following their onscreen chemistry in the upcoming rom-com. Although they never confirmed it, a source said their relationship wasn’t “serious” and that she only saw it as a “rebound.”

The insider who spoke to In Touch Magazine added that the “Jenny From The Block” singer was having “fun with him” and only thought of him as a “genuinely lovely guy.”

“Right from the start, she saw him as a rebound,” they claimed.

The pair reportedly grew closer while filming the series and were linked after being pictured holding hands. The insider added that although the actor would have “liked their relationship to go further,” he allegedly didn’t “tick all the boxes” for her.

“She is someone who has a very clear vision for her life, she knows what it takes for a man to hold her interest long term, and she doesn’t want to set anyone up for failure,” they added.

The source went further to add that Lopez would reportedly want her next man to “match her ex on every level,” but as great as Goldstein is, “he doesn’t hit the mark.”

Bold and the Beautiful delivers Katie Logan Spencer‘s (Heather Tom) big fashion show debut for Logan coming up very soon. And it looks like something may go really, really wrong on her big day. Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) is going to stand beside his wife no matter what, but she might really need him to lean on soon.

So, we’re going to talk about Katie’s debut event and how it may go completely off the rails. She might wind up humiliated because of angry, vengeful Forresters. Let’s get into it!

Katie’s Big Logan Debut Kicks Off on Bold and the Beautiful

So, this week we’ve got the big Logan debut kicking off. We head into May sweeps. It begins today, which is Thursday, April 23rd. And we’ve already seen Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) trying several times to get Katie to back down and not use Eric Forrester‘s (John McCook) designs for her fashion show. Brooke and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) keep accusing Katie and Bill of stealing Eric’s designs. Now, I know a lot of fans don’t like this storyline, and a lot of people are very anti-Katie. This has been a very, you know, team Brooke versus team Katie sort of plot.

But legally, there was no stealing of any kind. They paid Eric to work for them after he insisted that he was going to be Katie’s lead designer. Like no discussion. Eric demanded to be hired. He wasn’t lured into it. And he was happy doing it until a couple of things happened. One, he realized he overextended himself and was just getting run down. And once Ridge decided to be decent to his dad, Eric had regrets. But Ridge really didn’t make a big move to reconcile until after he found out that Eric was working with Logan. So, none of that is Katie’s fault.

Eric made a commitment and I kind of agree with her that he should have honored it or handled it better instead of just ghosting her. But because Ridge and Brooke were being so over the top, I think that put Eric under more pressure and Ridge forcing Eric to retire is what set all of this in motion. We all know that. So, if Ridge and Brooke are looking to lay blame, I don’t know why they’re not looking a little more hard at themselves, but of course, they’re not going to.

Eric Left Katie High & Dry on B&B

So, in the end, Eric bailed on a job he was paid for, and Katie decided to move forward using the designs Eric made for her because they were basically too far down the road to unring the bell. Now, Katie briefly considered not using them, but Bill said, “No, the designs were bought and paid for. We’re going to use them.” I fully expect Brooke to do maybe another drive by at Logan to try to bully Katie one last time into canceling her fashion show. She’s not going to do it.

The big debut kicks off by the end of this week. I expect it carries over into next week, which is the first full week of May sweeps. An official B&B spoiler photo, I can’t show you for copyright reasons, has Katie glaring at somebody while at the fashion show. So, I’m wondering if Brooke and Ridge or maybe even Eric show up to make things difficult for Katie on her big day. So, let’s talk about how she might wind up humiliated, which is something Bill can’t spare her. You know, he can clap back, but he can’t really prevent it. And I think Katie’s launch has the potential to rip families apart.

Eric Might Collapse At The Show

So, first, I’m wondering if Eric shows up to see the final designs, how they came out of production. He may not be able to stay away. And if he bickers with Bill or Katie, Eric might get so upset that he has some sort of collapse. I mean, honestly, that would ruin Katie’s show if it looks like she and Bill worked her lead designer into a literal collapse on Bold and the Beautiful.

That’s what Brooke and Ridge already accused Katie of, and it could happen. But I think mostly because of the push and pull between the Logans and Forresters, more so than the work. If Eric went down at the show, that would not be a good look for Katie, especially when she’s just starting out.

Brooke May Try to Embarrass Katie on Bold

So, we could also see Brooke turning up at the debut to embarrass Katie in front of the media. Brooke may call Katie a thief in front of the fashion journalists and the influencers. Brooke may rant and say that Katie preyed on Eric and took advantage of him. You know, Brooke could say Eric never agreed that Katie could use the designs. And then Brooke could take it further and claim that Katie stole the Logan trademark out from under her even though legally Forrester can’t squat on a trademark they’re not using, which they weren’t. And on top of that, they let it lapse. So, there’s no legal defense there.

Brooke may keep going with other nasty accusations about Katie. She may even get mean. And Brooke may say Katie’s always been jealous of her and that Katie grew up in her shadow. And this launch is an attempt for Katie to get some petty revenge on Brooke.

However, if the journalists do their job and they ask if Eric was hired by Katie or start asking Brooke questions that she doesn’t want to lie directly to, that could take the whole wind out of her sails about stolen designs. Like for instance, if they ask Brooke how they lost the trademark and she has to admit they let it lapse because they weren’t using it. That’s not a good look, even if she wants to cry thievery. This whole thing could make Brooke herself look bad to the press like she’s the one who’s jealous.

Ridge May Target Bill on B&B

Now, another possible disaster is Ridge shows up and targets Bill to start something. We could see Ridge airing out years of dirty laundry between them. He may say that Bill’s done many bad things to Ridge and the rest of the Forrester family. You know, he could go wild and say Bill had Ridge thrown out of a helicopter trying to kill him. Truth. And he could talk about Bill trying to split up Brooke and Ridge many times. Also truth. That Bill repeatedly betrayed Katie by cheating. Also truth. And Ridge may claim Bill worked Eric into exhaustion and pushed an old man too hard, which is not a truth.

Basically, all the anti-Spencer trash talk that Ridge has been spewing, he could go and spew there. And yes, without a doubt, Bill has done awful things in the past, but Ridge doesn’t have clean hands. He’s a cheater. He’s a scoundrel. I would expect Brooke and Ridge to do their best though to make Katie and Bill look like predators.

RJ May Crash The Show on Bold and the Beautiful

Also, by the time the Logan fashion show kicks off, RJ Forrester (Joshua Hoffman) is going to know that Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) is back with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) and that he’s lost his shot with Electra. So, RJ may pitch a fit, demand again that Ridge fire Will and throw a full-on nepo baby tantrum.

I do expect Ridge and Brooke to shut RJ down and tell him, “Suck it up, Buttercup.” Ivy was the reason all of this happened, you know, and nobody except for maybe Ivy herself is going to get fired. And they may tell RJ, “Be professional. Show Will respect at work.” You know, not only is he a coworker, but he’s your family.

And that might send RJ into a full-on fit of rage. And he may go crash the Logan show and cause a scene. You know, I could see him lashing out at Will’s family just for petty payback. RJ hates Bill and he hates Will and even though Katie’s his aunt, RJ is such a giant creep. I could see him trying to ruin her launch.

Could Brooke and Ridge Get an Injunction?

And the last thing based on that photo of Katie glaring at somebody at the show, I wonder if Brooke and Ridge pull some kind of stunt like they get an injunction to shut down the fashion show while they litigate over who owns the designs. Legally, Bill and Katie do own them, but anybody can file a civil suit.

And you can often get an injunction even if it won’t hold up in court long term. It doesn’t take necessarily that much to get an injunction, just a good lawyer. But they might be able to claim that Eric didn’t authorize the use, and that’s enough to get an injunction just to ruin the launch.

Even if it won’t stick long term. That would really be humiliating for Katie. I think it’s highly unlikely that the Logan fashion show is going to go off without a hitch. Not if Brooke or Ridge have anything to say about it.

Over the last 26 years, audiences around the world have been treated to several films that show why science fiction has remained one of cinema’s most prolific, beloved, and successful genres throughout the art form’s history. However, only a handful of sci-fi masterpieces released throughout the 21st century are truly worthy of being considered perfect.

It’ll take someone admirably nitpicky to find any kind of significant flaw in these masterclasses of sci-fi filmmaking. It doesn’t matter whether they’re huge blockbusters or slow-burning arthouse gems, thought-provoking dramas or irresistibly funny comedies, family-friendly future classics or purely adult-oriented sci-fi. The fact of the matter is that these films are the closest that 21st-century science fiction has come to true perfection thus far.

10

‘Last and First Men’ (2020)

Image via Films Boutique

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The late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson remains best-known for his unforgettable music for movies like The Theory of Everything and Mandy. But right before his death, Jóhannsson stepped into the director’s chair to adapt Olaf Stapledon‘s 1930 sci-fi novel Last and First Men. Coming out two years after its director’s passing, it is an experimental effort of true passion and ambition.

Last and First Men is not a traditional sci-fi film. It’s composed entirely of Tilda Swinton narrating a story about humanity’s evolution across two billion years, while the camera shows otherworldly-looking monuments (which are actually WWII memorials in former Yugoslavia) in gorgeous black and white. Thematically complex and formally fascinating, it’s a surreal masterpiece that all fans of arthouse sci-fi should check out at least once in their lives.

9

‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ (2025)

Image via NEON

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Back in 2007, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarroll became instant cult figures thanks to the Canadian web series Nirvana the Band the Show. Ten years later, the world was treated to a full-on mockumentary series remake. And finally, last year, Matt and Jay returned in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, a pop culture phenomenon that instantly joined the ranks of the best Canadian movies ever made.

With a low budget, a guerrilla-style approach filled with man-on-the-street moments, and a faultless understanding of fair use laws, Johnson and McCarroll made a spoof of Back to the Future that still feels like one of the most creative and original sci-fi movies of the 21st century. Packed with moments bound to make anyone ask, “How the hell did they get away with that?” Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is a love letter to Toronto, comedy, science fiction, and the art of punk rock filmmaking.

8

‘The Prestige’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Some might point to Christopher Nolan‘s other 21st-century sci-fi efforts first, which only goes to show that, despite being massively acclaimed, The Prestige is somehow still one of its director’s most underappreciated works. For people who love thrillers packed with plot twists, this Victorian gem about the bitter rivalry between two illusionists is a must-see.

With its incredible cast, exceptional production values, and many brilliantly constructed twists, The Prestige is arguably Nolan’s most perfect sci-fi film of the century. It’s a riveting tale about the destructive power of obsession that many people read as a metaphor for the filmmaking process itself. No matter what it represents, The Prestige is undoubtedly an irresistibly fun and surprising film.

7

‘WALL·E’ (2008)

Pixar has produced its fair share of duds in the last few years, but once upon a time, the studio was behind an astonishing number of the best kids’ movies of the last 100 years. That most certainly includes WALL·E, a family-friendly masterpiece which proves that animation can be the perfect home for some of the most imaginative sci-fi stories imaginable in cinema.

Aside from being visually stunning, WALL·E is a beautiful tribute to old-school science fiction and to the romantic comedies of Hollywood’s silent age. Who could have predicted that a love story about two robots could possibly be so delightful? Thematically, it’s a poignant and thought-provoking gem that’s never unsubtle with its message. Funny, creative, with some beautiful music, and full of unforgettable moments of pure emotion, WALL·E has a heart of gold.

6

‘Children of Men’ (2006)

Image via Universal Pictures

Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón has made most of his genre work in Hollywood, and as far as sci-fi Cuarón goes, it doesn’t get any better than Children of Men. This dystopian masterpiece about a futuristic world where humanity has been ravaged by two decades of infertility is as gloomy as it is beautifully humanistic, and it’s one of the best character-driven sci-fi movies of all time.

Emmanuel Lubezki‘s jaw-dropping camerawork, the cast’s exceptional performances — Clive Owen is genuinely doing career-best work here — and the breathtaking third act, where Cuarón gets to show off his directing chops in their full splendor, are just some of the standouts in the film. There’s practically nothing not to love about Children of Men. Though it’s definitely light on the science fiction elements, fans of the genre should nevertheless consider it essential viewing.

5

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

After exactly three decades away from the franchise and from the action movie genre as a whole, George Miller returned to Max Rockatansky’s wasteland with Mad Max: Fury Road. Not only did this movie instantly prove to be the best installment in the series thus far, but it also became one of the best action movies of the last ’80 years, high-budget action filmmaking at its very best.

Fury Road is a relentless two hours of non-stop adrenaline and brutal action, with some of the most imaginative and delightfully over-the-top world-building of any sci-fi action film in recent memory. It’s technically impressive, it has great music and sound design, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron‘s performances are top-notch, and the number of badass action sequences is too large to count. For people who love their science fiction with a side of white-knuckle action, Fury Road should be right up their alley.

4

‘Arrival’ (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

By the time 2016 rolled in, Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve had already established himself as one of the strongest new voices in Hollywood. It was Arrival that furthered that reputation by also showing just how immensely talented he was at sci-fi filmmaking. Based on the 1998 novella Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, Arrival is one of the most unconventional—and one of the greatest—alien invasion movies in history.

It’s also one of the most perfect sci-fi movies of the 21st century, a beautifully artistic and meditatively-paced study of memories, language, and communication. Amy Adams‘ lead performance is perfect (and one of the biggest Oscar snubs of the 2010s), Villeneuve’s direction is perfect, Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score is perfect, and all the technical qualities of this modern sci-fi masterpiece are also without flaw.

3

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Image via A24

The Daniels‘ Everything Everywhere All at Once, winner of a whopping seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), kind of came out of nowhere. After all, who could have expected a martial arts sci-fi dramedy about family and aging, easily one of the most chaotic movies of all time, to be one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of the 2020s? That unpredictability only makes Everything Everywhere All at Once even more admirable.

The film is hilarious, but it’s also beautifully tender and emotional. It’s full of action-packed sequences of endless sci-fi creativity, but also full of quiet moments of character-building and emotional catharsis. It was made on a shockingly low budget, but it’s also one of the most visually stunning sci-fi action flicks of the decade. Basically, it’s one of the most exquisitely surprising genre movies of the last couple of decades, a truly special gem unlike any other.

2

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Who, if not Denis Villeneuve, could possibly deserve to be mentioned in a list of this nature not just once, but twice? After all, Dune: Part Two is a generational masterpiece that will surely still be remembered as one of the greatest sci-fi films of the 21st century, many decades from now. 2021’s Dune was solid enough, but it was Part Two that showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Denis Villeneuve was such a talented sci-fi director that he could parallel the imagination of Frank Herbert, author of the genre-defining book series that gave origin to this modern masterpiece.

Dune: Part Two is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, the kind of film that has something in it for everyone. Romance, excitement, suspense, action, and a hauntingly gorgeous Hans Zimmer score all populate Villeneuve’s Arrakis. Technically perfect, narratively perfect, thematically perfect, and perfect as a faithful yet creative adaptation of Herbert’s masterpiece, Dune: Part Two is one of the best sci-fi sequels of all time.

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‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)

Image via Focus Features

Charlie Kaufman, perhaps the greatest screenwriter working in Hollywood today, wrote several of the best screenplays of the 2000s. The best, however, allowed Michel Gondry to direct the best sci-fi film of the 21st century thus far: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It isn’t a space opera or an overly intricate depiction of a hyper-technological future. In Eternal Sunshine, science fiction is a tool that allows Kaufman and Gondry to explore questions of what romance and human connection mean in the modern world.

It may sound corny, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is every bit as realistic and raw as it is tender and beautifully romantic. People who prefer their sci-fi films to lean much heavier on both the science and the fiction will probably prefer to look elsewhere, but those who love to see a story that’s a deeply human, character-driven drama first and a sci-fi film second will undoubtedly be delighted (and heartbroken) by this gem. Poignant though it may be, however, the film is also one of the most movingly genuine romance dramas of the century, genre storytelling at its best.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 24 seconds ago

What do you think the most influential sci-fi film of the ‘90s was? You might be tempted to say The Phantom Menace, which continued a beloved franchise, or maybe The Matrix, which redefined the action/science fiction genre.

Where we’re standing, though, it doesn’t get much more influential than Stargate, which kicked off a sprawling franchise and is now streaming on free services like Roku. It’s also a franchise poised for a big comeback, with a new series currently in development at Amazon.

Stargate On Streaming

The plot of Stargate is a little wild if you’re streaming this classic for the first time. Basically, the military discovers a portal on Earth (the titular Stargate) that allows people to travel to a distant and very Egyptian-looking planet. Eventually, they discover an alien menace with surprising ties to Earth’s ancient history. Soon, our characters are in a fight for their lives that may ultimately determine the fate of two different worlds.

Stargate has a better cast than most sci-fi films, starting with Kurt Russell. It also stars James Spader, a film legend turned TV icon thanks to Boston Legal and The Blacklist. Meanwhile, the film’s chief villain is played by Jaye Davidson, who is best known for The Crying Game and has stopped acting in anything outside of shorts since 1994, the same year Stargate was released.

You don’t have to pay anything to watch Stargate when streaming it, but ‘90s audiences were happy to open up their wallets: against a budget of $55 million, this ambitious sci-fi film earned $196.6 million at the box office. It was originally envisioned as the first part of a trilogy of theatrical films, but those two planned sequels were, sadly, never made. However, the movie eventually spawned a hit TV spinoff (Stargate SG-1) that became a major sci-fi franchise, thanks to TV spinoffs like Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe, as well as direct-to-video films Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum.

Obviously, Stargate struck a chord with sci-fi lovers long before streaming was invented, but it failed to impress critics: on Rotten Tomatoes, Stargate has a critical score of 54 percent. Critics generally praised the film’s slick visuals and James Spader’s memorable performance, but they found the script and characterization lackluster. While critics mostly found the movie unimpressive, it has an audience score of 73 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting how much more general audiences enjoyed the film than critics did.

Why You Should Ignore Critics And Watch Stargate

That’s part of my answer to your inevitable question of why Stargate, a movie critics hated, is a film you should start streaming ASAP. The movie is beloved by sci-fi fans everywhere for many reasons, including its familiar tropes that add up to something that feels refreshingly new. Sure, there’s a sandy planet evocative of Dune and Star Wars and a stable wormhole akin to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but the actual storyline of this film is very different from its science fiction forebears.

Additionally, the critics were right about one thing: James Spader gives a really amazing performance. He is cast as a nerdy scientist thrown unexpectedly into a sci-fi adventure, and Spader himself seems remarkably out of place in this action-packed film. Such fish-out-of-water casting helps make his performance more believable, even as it gives fans of the actor a chance to see a side of Spader they’ve never seen before.

The Most Influential Sci-Fi Of The 1990s

Finally, Stargate is worth streaming because it’s arguably the most influential sci-fi film of the ‘90s, a decade that also brought us bangers like The Matrix. Sure, that mind-warping Keanu Reeves film became a franchise unto itself, but its output pales in comparison to Stargate, which ran for 354 episodes across three TV shows and multiple direct-to-video films, making it one of the longest-lasting sci-fi franchises in history.

Any given room full of nerds will have several passionate Stargate fans, and watching this first film will help you understand what made them fall in love with the franchise in the first place.

Will you find Stargate as compelling as I did, or would you rather blow yourself up than finish streaming this film? You won’t know until you use the gate–er, the TV–to check it out for yourself. Come for the ancient aliens and stay for the stylish premiere of one of sci-fi’s most enjoyable franchises.