Entertainment
Scarlett Johansson’s Extremely R-Rated Thriller Will Drag You Through The Abyss
By Robert Scucci
| Published
If you’ve ever heard somebody talking about entering a fugue state and have no idea what the hell they’re talking about, you should point them to 2013’s Under the Skin. In it, Scarlett Johansson is a sort of traveling serial killer who abducts unsuspecting men in her van, brings them into a jet-black, liquid hellscape, and then does the unthinkable with their bodies. The entire plot plays like a fugue state in the sense that we’re witnessing an unnamed protagonist drive around endlessly, losing track of long stretches of time, coming to terms with the horrific acts she commits, and continuing on her journey once she gathers herself.
I watch, read, and listen to a lot of true crime, and while Under the Skin leans heavily on sci-fi, there are parallels that are hard to ignore. If you’ve read anything about Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes, you know that he’d have to get blackout drunk before getting to the slicing and dicing because somewhere deep down, he was ashamed of what he was doing. Canadian serial killer Robert “Willie” Pickton, who was suspected of murdering 49 women but only charged with 21 and convicted of six, stalked his victims by driving his truck around Vancouver, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
The Female And Her Crimes
Known only as the Female, Scarlett Johansson is a woman of few words in Under the Skin. She spends her time driving around, luring men into her van under false pretenses. Sometimes she acts like she’s looking for directions, and sometimes she plays the good samaritan card, offering men rides to their destinations. Those who take the bait end up being seduced by the Female into an endless, murky black void of unknown origin. There, these men get submerged in the muck and their bodies collapse in on themselves. Naked, afraid, and in some form of suspended animation, the men disintegrate, and then the Female moves on to her next target.
The entire film operates on these interactions, and there’s not much else to the plot. Watching the Female go from place to place forces you into the fugue state being depicted, as there’s no real way to clock the timeline or how long she’s been operating like this. Between the stylish, mysterious abyss scenes and the scenes set in the real world, it’s impossible to tell if this has been going on for days, weeks, or months. What we do know is that somewhere along the way, the Female starts to feel empathy, which leads to her undoing.
Clear Themes, Muddled Motives
While Under the Skin’s ending is very open-ended and vague, and also one of the most wtf moments I’ve seen in a minute, its themes were not lost on me. Continuing with the serial killer analogy, one thing that’s made crystal clear is just how differently men and women experience the world. In most cases, women are rightfully guarded when walking alone at night because they’re on heightened watch for predators. Statistically, they’re more at risk of being abducted. Men, on the other hand, have no qualms getting out of the cold and into a stranger’s van, which in the film is the worst possible thing they can do because it means certain death.
This role reversal, compounded by the fact that all of this abducting pretty much happens out in the open, exposes just how vulnerable we can be if we put too much faith in a perfect stranger. Conversely, the Female’s moments of empathy almost make her sympathetic, which is dangerous because she’s demonstrated time and time again what horrific acts she’s capable of.
Until the third-act reveal (again, wtf) the dark void scenes remind me of the fantasy worlds that serial killers are known to have, like Jeffrey Dahmer’s “Infinity Land.” And like with Dahmer, we’re never really informed of the Female’s motives. She clearly has some sort of insatiable urge to kill, and she takes her victims to this mysterious place that’s either a real alternate dimension or a manifestation of her subconscious, but outside of that, we’re left in the dark as to why she acts the way she does.
Under the Skin is a total vibe piece like 2010’s Beyond the Black Rainbow. It doesn’t tell a story in the traditional sense, but rather thrusts a visceral experience onto the viewer so they can feel just as uncomfortable as the people being depicted on screen. It’s a heavy watch, but beyond cool to look at when things get existential. Just know that you’ll probably remember life before viewing this film and life after it, because it’s a very intense watch.
As of this writing, Under the Skin is streaming for free on Tubi.
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When Mikayla Matthews took to social media to share a health update, it didn’t take long for fans to drop into the comments to say what’s on their minds. No one is sugar coating it and many are literally begging her to consider moving out of Utah for her own wellbeing.
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star has been vocal about her ongoing health struggles in the hopes of helping others and answering questions fans have.
Matthews hasn’t shied away from sharing her health struggles with fans on social media. She recently shared a new update that has viewers in the comment section sharing their thoughts about her moving out of Utah.
After returning to Utah after three weeks in California and five days in Costa Rica, Matthews shared a health update.
“I was just terrified of coming back to Utah. I had lived a month away and like, oh, this is what it feels like to feel a little more normal and not have these flares be on the forefront of my mind 24/7,” she said while sitting in her car. “And within two days of coming home, as you can tell, my hands flared up really bad, my neck flared up really bad. I’m truly sitting here feeling like I’m here in Utah in this environment. I am just surviving with chronic illness.”
Outside of Utah, Mikayla Matthews Said She’s ‘Living With Chronic Illness’
Matthews continued her video by explaining that when she wasn’t in Utah, her “life was still going on” and her illness wasn’t “at the forefront” of her mind.
“I’ve had to say no to doing fun events coming up,” she continued. “Hate going, doing interviews on the carpet, taking pictures, and that’s out there for everyone to see.”
She brought up the comments she sees online about her appearance, and how she does have a lot of support backing her, but “unfortunately I’m the only one who can heal myself and there’s not much people can do.”
She also talked about the pain she deals with and how it stops her in her tracks.
‘Your House Is Making You Sick’
Matthews said that a lot of people have told her that it’s her house making her ill, and that “it’s so much easier said than done” when people say “get out of your house.”
“I wanna go to Switzerland and do a detox retreat,” she said. “I wanna go to Costa Rica and just get my skin in a better place. But so many things that are going through my head like it’s not easy to just up and sell my house and buy a new house. And what if I’m still having these issues in another home?”
The reality star said the struggle of “chronic illness and a skin condition” has “stripped” her of time with her kids that she “will never get back.”
“I’m trying to listen to my intuition the best that I can,” she continued. “And I know I’m not healing in this environment right now.”
Viewers Share Their Thoughts On Mikayla Matthews Leaving Utah
Matthews video quickly captured tons of attention with more than 1.2 million views on TikTok in less than a day. Many fans dropped into the comment section to share their thoughts and well wishes, with a common theme of getting out of Utah.
“Your body is literally SCREAMING for you to make the move,” one person wrote. Another said, “Time to get outta Utah babe! You will do phenomenal once you leave.” Another viewer shared, “If your trauma happened in Utah, your body is letting you know that it’s not safe in that environment. I know moving isn’t easy but I recommend nervous system regulation work and somatic healing.”
A few viewers could relate to some of the issues Matthews is dealing with in Utah.
“Utah has toxic algae that is becoming airborne due to the great salt lake drying up. It has caused more issues for me to be in Utah than I have EVER had. I’ve lived in multiple places,” one person said. Another added, “Utah is a different kind of dry. We visited and the entire time I was swollen, dry and puffy. I’m from CA.” Another person shared, “My daughter had the same issues at her apartment in Utah. It’s mold.”
More Fans Shared Thoughts On Instagram
While there were many comments on TikTok telling Matthews maybe it’s time to leave Utah for good, there were also similar comments on Instagram.
“It’s your nervous system. You have to heal your nervous system and you can’t when you are surrounded by chaos,” one person wrote in the comments of Matthews’ Instagram post. Another said, “Baby get outta there! Give yourself a chance. From one autoimmune girlie to another. We can’t fully heal where we became sick.”
One commenter shared a reminder for Matthews as she navigates this rough time, “You are doing the best you can right now mama, give yourself grace, I can’t imagine having the chronic illness to actually show up like this as a reminder, and you feeling like is your fault, please remind yourself you are doing everything in your power right now! And that is Enough!”
After nearly two years on the run, authorities in Georgia have arrested a fugitive who was found inside of an air conditioner vent.
The Grady County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a statement that Kayla McKenzie was arrested in Moultrie, Georgia, on Monday, April 20.
McKenzie was on the run for nearly two years after she received an outstanding felony bench warrant, according to the sheriff’s office.
A bench warrant is “an order from a judge that allows law enforcement to arrest someone who hasn’t followed a court order. This could happen if someone missed a court date, skipped paying a fine, or failed to follow probation terms,” according to Bogle Law.
Unlike an arrest warrant, a bench warrant focuses on compliance. The purpose of a bench warrant is to make sure the person adheres to the court’s rules. An example of when a bench warrant is issued when someone doesn’t show up for their court date, a judge may issue a bench warrant to ensure they come back.
Authorities were finally able to track McKenzie down after investigators received a tip that she was allegedly hiding inside a residence in Moultrie. The home where she was found is located about 35 miles away from Grady County.
Officers then reported to the location, where they found McKenzie allegedly hiding inside the vent of an air conditioner on the ground.
Police did not reveal who shared the tip or how they had the information regarding McKenzie’s whereabouts. It’s also not known what she has been up to over the past few years or why she was at the home she was located at.
McKenzie was then taken into custody without further incident and she was transported to a detention facility. The sheriff’s office confirmed that she will now face the charges associated with her outstanding felony bench warrant.
However, it is not currently clear if she will face charges in connection with the allegations that she has been on the run from the law.
A teenager in Georgia has been arrested after allegedly scamming her ex-boyfriend out of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming that she was pregnant with his child. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office said that an investigation into the matter was launched in early December 2025 after the alleged victim contacted the Criminal Investigations Unit to […]
It is also not currently clear if McKenzie has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. The Grady County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case or any additional charges that McKenzie may be facing.
In addition to confirming that McKenzie was found, the sheriff’s office shared photos of her in the back of a police car. The department’s Facebook page also uploaded a photo of the air conditioner vent she was hiding inside of.
Steven Soderbergh is one of the most prolific filmmakers of the modern era, known for directing a wide variety of movies, including Ocean’s Twelve, Contagion, Magic Mike, and Black Bag. Soderbergh has also brought his impressive skills to the small screen, directing Clive Owen‘s medical thriller, The Knick, and Sharon Stone‘s immersive, twisty murder-mystery HBO series, Mosaic.
One of the most unusual projects of Soderbergh’s career is the HBO miniseries Full Circle, which stars Timothy Olyphant, Claire Danes, Dennis Quaid, Zazie Beetz, and even comedian Jim Gaffigan. On its surface, it looked like just another straightforward kidnapping thriller. However, Soderbergh has always had an interest in examining processes and systems, and Full Circle is a tightly wound thriller that examines how an entire infrastructure could fail.
What Is Timothy Olyphant and Claire Danes’ HBO Miniseries About?
Co-created with Soderbergh’s frequent collaborator Ed Solomon, Full Circle is a New York-set drama about the wealthy power couple Derek (Olyphant) and Sam (Danes), whose son Jared (Ethan Stoddard) feels uncomfortable about the privilege that he’s been gifted with. Jared’s parents have worked to maintain the empire of Sam’s father, the celebrity “Chef Jeff” (Dennis Quaid), which has also made them vulnerable to threats from rivals. Jared is targeted by a kidnapping scheme organized by the enigmatic orchestrator Mrs. Mahabir (CCH Pounder), but a botched abduction leads to a complex series of revelations. The kidnapping itself is just the tip of the iceberg in Full Circle; as the characters rush to solve the problem, secrets from their past are unveiled and threaten to change the fabric of their reality.
Steven Soderbergh’s HBO Miniseries ‘Full Circle’ Is a Twisty Mystery Thriller
The brilliance of Full Circle is that Soderbergh refuses to treat any character as a clear-cut hero or villain, as there is a degree of vulnerability within them all. Full Circle asks an ethical question that is reminiscent of the classic Akira Kurosawa film High and Low, as the tension kicks off when the kidnappers accidentally capture Jared’s friend, Nicky (Lucian Zanes), whom he had met through an online chatroom. While it would seem like the most honorable thing for Derek and Sam to do would be to still pay the ransom to save another innocent life, they are more frugal about the decisions they make once they realize that their actual son isn’t in danger. This doesn’t just speak to the class divisions that protect someone like Jared, but reveals the exploitative nature of the kidnappers. Even though they realize that they have the wrong target, they are still going to threaten him because they have initiated a conversation with people who have more power than they do.
This Clive Owen Drama Is Also One of the Most Accurate Medical Shows
The research makes this series’ world feel all the more immersive.
Full Circle features some highly realistic, uncomfortable moments of dysfunctional family drama, but it’s also an excellent procedural that examines the perspectives of the investigators assigned to solve the case. Perhaps the best performance in the show is from Zazie Beetz as Harmony Melody, an investigator who is on the rocks with her boss Manny Broward (Jim Gaffigan) because of her exacting and obsessive nature. Soderbergh goes to great lengths to point out the flaws in the criminal justice system, which is a main reason why Melody is such a compelling hero.
While most of the investigators see it as their job to appease the rich benefactors that support the police department, Melody wants to get to the truth as to why Jared was targeted and what secrets his family might be holding. Beetz is obviously a force of charisma, but she gets to take on a much more serious role than she was granted in Atlanta. Even though Gaffigan is one of the best stand-up comedians in the world right now, he perfectly slips into the role of a disheveled, indifferent employer who seems ignorant of the frustration he causes for Melody. Given Soderbergh’s unique eye for casting, it is also fun to see appearances by venerable characters like Happy Anderson and William Sadler, who make the most of their small roles.
‘Full Circle’ Questions Its Ambiguous Ethics Effectively
Full Circle feels like a spiritual successor to classic New York-set crime dramas like Mean Streets, Dog Day Afternoon, and King of New York, as the city itself feels like a character. Soderbergh can visually examine how diverse the experiences are in the city, with characters like Jared, Melody, and Mahabir living close to one another, yet having completely different experiences based on their privilege and background. The show is also willing to address a more complex depiction of criminality, as the kidnappers Aked (Jharrel Jerome), Louis (Gerald Jones), and Xavier (Sheyi Cole) often have no idea what they are doing. Revealing that each character is fallible introduces a new layer of irony to Full Circle, infusing it with the sort of dark comedy that Soderbergh is often best known for. The use of slight humor in intense moments allows the viewers to connect more deeply with the story. The tense show is so realistic that audiences can’t help but question what they would do in a similar situation.
As the title may suggest, Full Circle examines the futile conception of progress, as the regimented nature of today’s infrastructure means that there is little room for mobility. Even if the idea at its core is a rather cynical one, Full Circle asks compelling questions about the responsibilities that someone has to their community, their family, and their personal dignity. Olyphant and Danes are two stars best known for playing defiant heroes in Justified and Homeland, respectively, so it is interesting to see them as a flawed married couple who are forced to question the fundamentals of their relationship. Full Circle may feel like a cathartic experience for those who have faced issues similar to any of the characters, but it also offers insights into the type of eyeball-catching, inflammatory news stories that readers often don’t delve deeper into. While the series was technically released directly to “Max” as an original production, the excellent performances, clever writing, and thematic undercurrent ensure that it rises to the quality threshold necessary for an HBO show.
- Release Date
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2023 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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HBO, Max
- Showrunner
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Ed Soloman
- Directors
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Steven Soderbergh
- Writers
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Ed Soloman
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Wide-leg jeans can feel like a gamble, but every now and then, a celebrity proves they’re actually one of the most flattering silhouettes you can wear. The trick is finding a pair that feels relaxed without overwhelming your frame — and yes, it’s easier said than done. Luckily, Anne Hathaway just stepped out in a style that makes a very convincing case for them right now.
The actress was spotted in New York City on April 16 , 2026 wearing a pair that struck that perfect balance. She styled the wide-leg jeans with a cropped black jacket, pointed-toe heels, a black Birkin and cat-eye sunglasses, creating a look that feels polished yet effortless. It’s the kind of outfit that instantly makes you want to recreate it.
Get the Trendy Queen Relaxed Raw-Hem Wide-Leg Jeans for $26 (was $33) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, April 23, 2026, but are subject to change.
If you want in on that same vibe (without the designer price tag), the Trendy Queen Wide-Leg Relaxed Raw-Hem Jeans are a nearly identical option — and they’re currently $26 on Amazon. That accessible price point makes it easy to try the trend without overthinking it. Even better? They give off that same leg-lengthening effect.
Hilary Duff just proved that even sweatpants can look polished with the right styling trick. The actress made a case for elevating off-duty basics with one simple accessory — a sleek beige crossbody that instantly pulled her whole look together. Even better, we found a similar option for just $23, so you can copy the […]
The design details are what really make them work. A high-rise waist helps define your shape, while the wide-leg cut skims over the hips and thighs for a smooth, balanced silhouette. The cotton-blend fabric has a hint of stretch for comfort, and the raw hem adds that slightly undone, lived-in finish.
These jeans are also incredibly versatile when it comes to styling. Pair them with a cropped jacket and heels for that elevated city look, or keep things casual with sneakers and a simple tee for errands. You can get the pants in multiple washes and sizes ranging — from 4 through 18. Read: It’s so easy to work them into your wardrobe.
Shoppers are just as impressed. The jeans have racked up over 300 five-star ratings, with one reviewer calling them “stretchy and very soft,” while another said they’re the “most flattering pair” they own. At $26, consider this your sign to try the flattering denim trend Hathaway makes look so effortless.
Love the silhouette but want a different wash? These flattering Amazon styles have you covered.
Shop more wide-leg denim jeans that we love:
Not your style? Explore more wide-leg jeans here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Jennie Garth just made a strong case for rethinking your everyday jeans! The actress stepped out in New York City on April 13, 2026 in a look that felt equal parts simple and striking — and it all came down to one key piece. Her waist-defining peplum top instantly elevated a classic jeans-and-heels combo, proving […]
By Robert Scucci
| Published
Some of the best thrillers thrive on their ability to withhold key elements of a story to keep the mystery burning well into the third act. 2022’s I Came By takes a different approach, laying all of its cards on the table early in the first act so the viewer pretty much knows what’s going on right away, while the characters still need to catch up. The thrill comes from knowing what the protagonists don’t, and wanting to yell at your TV because nobody’s communicating clearly, making everything worse for themselves.
I Came By tells a simple abduction story, but complicates itself through these interactions. We almost immediately know who the bad guy is, and we know that our heroes suspect him of foul play. The problem is that the villain is so deeply connected that he can get away with his crimes, and he does. We just need to wait it out so he can finally get caught and locked up for good. That’s the real mystery here: will he get away with it?
From Graffiti Tagging To Body Bagging
I Came By is unique in the sense that it keeps changing its protagonist. First, we follow Toby Nealey (George MacKay), a 23-year-old activist who operates anonymously through silent protests. He breaks into wealthy households and tags “I CAME BY” in huge block letters as a way to let the upper class know they’re being watched, and whatever bad behavior they engage in behind closed doors has been clocked. Toby works alone now that his best friend Jay (Percelle Ascott) finds out he’s going to be a father with his girlfriend, Naz (Varada Sethu).
When Toby decides to raid the house of former Judge Sir Hector Blake (Hugh Bonneville), he informs Jay, but Jay wants nothing to do with it. He has priors and needs to stay on the straight and narrow so he can be a present father. At home, Toby’s relationship with his mother Lizzie (Kelly Macdonald) is volatile. She knows he’s getting himself into trouble and doesn’t approve of his late-night activities, which eventually leads to her kicking him out.
Toby is dead set on violating Hector’s privacy because he’s convinced that somebody so outwardly progressive must have skeletons in his closet. He learns the hard way that he’s right when he finds a hidden room in Hector’s basement where an emaciated young man is locked up. Given how worse for wear the prisoner is, it’s safe to say he’s been there for a very long time while Hector goes about his life as if nothing’s wrong.
Toby contacts the authorities, who investigate the house, but Hector is one step ahead. When Toby shows up again to free the prisoner, he’s apprehended by Hector, and it goes about as well as you’d expect. Lizzie, distraught over her son going missing and knowing he was targeting Hector, contacts Jay to see if he knows anything. Jay, not wanting to get involved, remains tight lipped but leaves clues for her to follow, which proves without a doubt that Hector was likely the last person to see Toby.
Not A Mystery, But A Solid, Straight-Up Thriller
My favorite aspect of I Came By is that there is no real mystery. As a viewer, you get a clear sense of what’s happening behind closed doors at Hector’s place. While he’s out playing cricket with his high-society peers, he feels comfortable making appearances because he knows the prison hidden in his basement is concealed well enough. His status as a former judge means he’s deeply connected and believes he’s above the law, so he operates without fear of suspicion. Toby knows this, Lizzie figures it out and goes missing, and Jay wants nothing to do with it until he realizes he has no choice but to step back in and try to find his friend and Lizzie, hoping they’re still alive.
It’s not Hector’s evil behavior or Toby’s predicament that drives the tension in I Came By, but how poorly everybody communicates. The police know something’s going on thanks to Toby reaching out before he disappeared, but they have no proof. Lizzie knows Jay is holding back, but Jay is trying to lay low with Naz so he can start a new life. Nobody speaks plainly, and it complicates everything, all while unthinkable horrors are happening in a hidden basement room behind a shelving unit.
When you fire up I Came By on Netflix, don’t expect a whodunit. You’ll be made aware of what Hector is up to before things really get going. But you’ll still find yourself on the edge of your seat as everyone who knows the truth tries to expose him, and that’s where the film thrives.
Travis Barker is opening up like never before, and he’s bringing one of the darkest chapters of his life to the screen. The Blink-182 drummer is set to release a new documentary, “Louder Than Fear,” on Hulu this summer, giving fans a raw look at the aftermath of the 2008 plane crash that nearly killed him and claimed four lives.
Speaking at Hulu’s Get Real event, Barker didn’t hold back about what viewers can expect. “I’m really stoked to announce my new documentary, ‘Louder Than Fear.’ It’s coming out this summer on Hulu,” he said, per Daily Mail. “It’s an unfiltered look at my journey after a life-changing experience and also spotlights the amazing people I have in my life who carried me through it.”
He added, “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to document it and be able to share it with all of you. This documentary started over 10 years ago and it’s been a wild, wild ride, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Inside The 2008 Crash That Claimed Four Lives
The tragedy unfolded on September 19, 2008, when Barker boarded a private jet in South Carolina following a show, heading back to Los Angeles with close friend Adam Goldstein (known as DJ AM), along with security guard Charles “Che” Still and assistant Chris Baker. Moments into takeoff, a tire blew out, sending the aircraft careening off the runway, crashing through a fence, across a highway, and into an embankment before erupting into flames.
Pilot Sarah Lemmon and co-pilot James Bland died from smoke inhalation and burns, while Still and Baker were killed on impact. Barker and Goldstein managed to escape through an emergency exit, but not without suffering horrific injuries as they were engulfed in flames from burning jet fuel.
Inside Travis Barker’s Grueling Recovery And Tragic Loss After Deadly Crash
Barker’s survival came at a brutal cost. The drummer suffered third-degree burns across 65% of his body, requiring three months of hospitalization, multiple skin grafts, and 26 surgeries. The emotional toll proved just as devastating. One year after the crash, Goldstein, the only other survivor, died from a prescription drug overdose.
Barker later revealed the trauma ultimately forced him to confront his struggles with prescription drug abuse. “People are always like, ‘Did you go to rehab?’” he said in a May 2021 interview with Men’s Health. “And I [say], ‘No, I was in a plane crash.’ That was my rehab. Lose three of your friends and almost die? That was my wake-up call. If I wasn’t in a crash, I would have probably never quit.”
Barker Reveals Debilitating Fear Of Flying
In the aftermath of the crash, Travis developed an intense, debilitating fear, triggered even by the mere sight of an airplane. “I was dark,” he recalled. “I couldn’t walk down the street. If I saw a plane [in the sky], I was determined it was going to crash, and I just didn’t want to see it,” he said, adding that he was “haunted” by the experience of “being burned” and “trying to grab my friends from a burning plane.”
Over time, however, he began to adopt a more hopeful outlook as the trauma slowly loosened its grip. “Now it’s been so many years, it’s getting easier for me. There are days where I’ll wake up and never think about it,” he said.
Travis Barker Faced His Fear Of Flying With Kourtney Kardashian By His Side
It took nearly two decades for Travis Barker to step on a plane again after the crash. In August 2021, he finally overcame that fear, traveling to Cabo San Lucas with his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, marking a major milestone in his recovery.
Barker has since credited their relationship as a key part of his healing, helping him regain the confidence to fly again and move forward with his life. Still, the experience remains deeply difficult for him. Flying continues to trigger intense anxiety and lingering trauma from the crash, but he has made it clear he refuses to let that fear control his future.
Entertainment
Disney’s Cancelled 8-Part Star Wars Series Officially Becomes a Late-Night Sleeper Hit
Despite being one of its most original shows, this Star Wars entry was cancelled too soon before viewers could see its ambitious take on the sci-fi universe reach its full potential. Many may argue that the mystery thriller is not particularly unique compared to the likes of Andor, widely regarded as one of the best Star Wars productions of all time, which concluded its two-season run last year. However, it distinguishes itself by exploring an untapped franchise era, focusing on dark-side perspectives largely removed from the shadow of the Galactic Empire.
Due to reported low viewership and its high production costs, Star Wars: The Acolyte was cancelled in August 2024, just one month after its finale. The series was created by Leslye Headland for Disney+, and is set at the end of the High Republic era, long before the events of the Skywalker Saga. It arrived two years after Andor and a year after Ahsoka, the latter of which is set to return for a second season. The Acolyte follows a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, only to uncover a far more sinister conspiracy tied to the rise of the dark side.
Having premiered with its first two episodes on June 4, 2024, The Acolyte concluded just over a month later on July 16. Disney reported that the sci-fi adventure drew 4.8 million views on its first day and 11.1 million within its first five days, making it Disney+’s biggest series premiere of 2024 at the time. However, that five-day total still trailed behind Ahsoka, which reached 14 million views in the same window. Now two years after its cancellation, The Acolyte has found renewed interest in the U.S., resurfacing on Disney+ charts overnight as one of the platform’s most-watched shows. At the same time, the most recent franchise entry, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (which debuted with a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), has also been performing strongly, topping global charts.
Who Stars in ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’?
In The Acolyte, Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg leads an ensemble cast as twin sisters Osha and Mae Aniseya. The girls were separated by a tragedy when they were young. Osha is the former Padawan learner of Sol, who left the Jedi Order, while Mae, initially presumed dead, is a dangerous warrior using the dark side of the Force. Other stars included Squid Game icon Lee Jung-jae as respected Jedi Master Sol and Manny Jacinto as the Stranger, Mae’s Sith master, alongside Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
The Acolyte is available to stream on Disney+.
- Release Date
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2024 – 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
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Leslye Headland
- Directors
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Leslye Headland, Alex Garcia Lopez
- Writers
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Leslye Headland, Charmaine De Grate, Kor Adana
- Franchise(s)
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Star Wars
It’s been a big year for Apple TV so far, especially thanks to the recent release of Your Friends & Neighbors, the sleeper hit crime thriller starring Jon Hamm and created by Jonathan Tropper. Apple TV also finally found a movie to dethrone Brad Pitt’s F1, which has been Outcome, the new Keanu Reeves-led thriller written and directed by Jonah Hill. Apple TV is even responsible for some of the most popular sci-fi shows in the world, like Severance (starring Adam Scott) and Pluribus (starring Rhea Seehorn), though neither is expected to release a new season before the end of this year. The biggest sci-fi show on Apple TV so far this year has been the Godzilla spin-off series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (starring Kurt and Wyatt Russell), which is still dominating streaming charts.
One Apple TV show that may yet return before the end of this year is Presumed Innocent, the legal thriller with DNA from other popular shows like Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer. The series first premiered in 2024, with Jake Gyllenhaal at the helm, and it was a success with both critics and audiences, scoring 79% on Rotten Tomatoes while spending weeks at the top of streaming charts. Apple TV renewed Presumed Innocent for Season 2, but considering the show is an anthology series, Gyllenhaal is not expected back in the second season. Apple TV has recruited Rachel Brosnahan, star of James Gunn’s Superman and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, to lead Season 2. Presumed Innocent Season 2 has been filming all year, but new reports indicate that production has officially wrapped, leaving the door wide open for the show to return before the end of the year.
What Is ‘Presumed Innocent’ About?
The first season of Presumed Innocent unfolds after the killing of Carolyn Polhemus, a prosecutor working in the Chicago DA’s office. It soon comes to light that she had been involved in an intense affair with Rusty Sabich (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), who quickly becomes the prime suspect in the case. The season follows the progression of the investigation and trial as Rusty faces charges for her murder. Plot details about Presumed Innocent Season 2 are being kept under wraps for now, but it’s confirmed to be adapted from the popular novel Dissection of a Murder.
Check out the first season of Presumed Innocent on Apple TV and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Season 2.
Dancing With the Stars’ Lindsay Arnold and husband Sam Cusick may not be expanding their family further after the arrival of baby No. 3.
“Raise your hand if you are going to be a first time boy mom in less than seven weeks and you have absolutely nothing prepared as far as boy clothing goes,” Arnold, 32, said in a Wednesday, April 22, TikTok. “Yup, that’s me. We’ve got an entire closet full of all of my girls’ old clothing that we need to go through today. Just warning you, I will most likely cry and I need to assess my inventory. See if we have anything in there that could work for baby boy, and then get prepared for the stuff that we do need. So, let’s go.”
After gathering her daughters’ old clothing, Arnold added, “So, this is most likely our last baby, which means anything that I don’t feel like I want to hold onto, we will be donating.”
Arnold shared that she would be saving some of the girls’ “memorable” pieces of clothing.
“There is definitely a possibility we could change our minds and go for more, but I personally don’t think that is going to happen and also, I feel like at that point [would] probably buy new stuff anyway,” she explained.
Arnold announced in November 2025 that she and Cusick are expecting their third baby together. The couple, who wed in 2015, are parents to daughters Sage, 5, and June, 2.
“BABY CUSICK #3 IS ON THE WAY✨✨ We could not feel more blessed, grateful, and excited🫶🏻,” Arnold wrote via Instagram at the time. “We love you so much already baby and we can’t wait to meet you!! 🥹 #pregnancy #babyontheway.”
One month later, Arnold shared that she and Cusick recently found out the sex of their baby.
Lindsay Arnold is thinking about expanding her family with husband Sam Cusick again. “Me to my husband: ‘Maybe we should start trying to get pregnant this month,’” Arnold, 31, wrote over a TikTok video on Sunday, August 3. “My IUD still in my body: …” Arnold set the video to Taylor Swift’s song “I Forgot […]
“We feel so beyond grateful and blessed to be bringing our first boy into this world 🩵 our girls cannot wait and ask everyday how much longer until baby brother is here🥹,” she wrote via Instagram at the time.
She continued, “Side note: Sam and I already knew the gender when we filmed this reveal. It was only for the girls 🫶🏻 we opened our results together and in private but I wish yall could have heard/seen Sams excited ‘YESS!!!!!!’ when I read boy to him 😭 he is the best girl dad and I just know he is going to be the most amazing boy dad, our son is so lucky 🩵.”
Influencers Matt and Abby Howard got candid about experiencing “gender disappointment” with their rainbow baby.
Abby and Matt, both 27, opened up about finding out they’re expecting their third baby boy during the Wednesday, April 22, episode of their “Unplanned Podcast” after experiencing a pregnancy loss with their daughter.
“I would say for me, I did feel gender disappointment,” Abby shared. “For about 30 seconds. Maybe less.”
“I’ve always said, ‘I feel like we’re gonna have boys.’ And then sure enough, we had one boy, we had our second boy, and then losing our daughter definitely opened up a desire for something [different],” she continued, referring to her sons Griffin, 3, and August, 2. She explained that she would “love” to have a daughter but “never felt an obvious preference.”
Matt then asked whether she felt “guilt” about being disappointed with the news, to which Abby said, “No.”
“I always pictured having all boys, and then we lost [Emerson] and that kind of opened a preference in my heart that I’ve never had before,” Abby said. “Getting pregnant again, I was nervously hoping, ‘I hope we have a daughter.’”
Through tears, she continued, “I didn’t have a girl-sized hole in my heart, I had an Emerson-sized hole in my heart. Having another baby girl wasn’t going to fix that. I think this was sweet grace, in a way. It’s very obvious now that this baby is not going to fill that gap.”
“I could totally see this boy joining our squad and it being a whole lot of rowdy fun in the house,” Abby quipped.
Abby also asked Matt whether he felt any disappointment with their sex reveal. “Oh gosh. I guess, to be completely honest, yeah,” he replied. “We lost our daughter. I really did want a daughter.”
He went on to say that he initially felt let down with the news because he wants his wife to experience being a girl mom. “More than anything, I want that for you. I want you to have a mini version of you,” he told Abby, envisioning her getting her nails done with a little girl. “I see the sweet bond that you and your mom have.”
Matt added that now he’s excited to welcome a third boy into their family. “I’m so excited to have three boys. I am one of three boys. We talked about how fun it is to have your boys.”
Matt and Abby’s discussion comes after she announced via social media in September that she suffered a pregnancy loss due to an unexpected complication.
“At a routine pregnancy appointment, our doctor could not find a heartbeat,” they wrote in a joint social media post. “Shortly after they sent us in for an ultrasound where the technician said words we will never forget, ‘I am so sorry I do not have good news.’”
The parents continued, “The grief is absolutely devastating, but we feel so much gratitude for the time that we did get to have with her. And we still have hope. Hope has continued to show up for us in so many ways. For now we will grieve and continue to think of ways to honor her life offline.”
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