It’s true that most great action movies have already been watched enough. However, it’s also true that over time, the genre has built a reputation, which often leaves smaller or less talked-about films slipping through the cracks. For instance, there are movies that arrived at the wrong time, while others simply didn’t get the attention they deserved despite doing a lot right. Despite being incredible.

Anyhow, the films that I’ve circled in this list are those kinds of action films. They’re easier to return to, even years later, because they don’t feel tied to trends that fade quickly. These are movies that quietly hold up, even when they’re no longer part of the present pop culture, as such, so let’s get into it.

5

‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)

Image via New Line Cinema

By the time The Long Kiss Goodnight came out, action films had already settled into a familiar rhythm, which makes its setup feel a little unusual even now. The film, directed by Renny Harlin, follows Samantha Caine (Geena Davis), a schoolteacher with no memory of her past, whose life begins to change when fragments of a much darker identity start to return. What makes this interesting is how casually the film introduces that shift and allows the mystery to build instead of rushing straight into action.

With time, Samantha’s transformation into Charly Baltimore never feels like a gimmick, which is where the film quietly stands out. The action is sharp and deliberate, but it’s the character work that gives it the edge. At the same time, the film doesn’t overcomplicate its premise, which keeps everything moving without losing clarity. It’s the kind of balance that feels effortless, even though it rarely is.

4

‘Ronin’ (1998)

Image via MGM

There’s a certain restraint to Ronin that makes it feel very different from most action films of its time. Directed by John Frankenheimer, the film brings together a group of mercenaries led by Sam (Robert De Niro), all hired for an extremely vague job. Instead of relying on exposition, the story allows tension to build through uncertain moments. That uncertainty gives even the quieter moments a sense of unease that carries through the entire film.

Ronin is a standout film because of how grounded everything feels, especially during its action sequences. The car chases, in particular, aren’t exaggerated for a show, which makes them far more intense than expected. At the same time, the film never feels the need to explain every detail, and that trust in the audience works in its favor. It creates a sense of realism that lingers, even after the story moves on.

3

‘The Rundown’ (2003)

Image via Universal Pictures

There’s something surprisingly restrained about The Rundown, especially considering it arrived at a time when action films leaned heavily into excess. It is directed by Peter Berg and follows Beck (Dwayne Johnson), a retrieval expert sent to bring Travis (Seann William Scott) back home, only to get pulled into a situation far more complicated than expected. The setup sounds familiar, but the film takes its time establishing Beck’s personality before throwing him into chaos, which gives the story a steadier foundation.

As things move forward, the film leans into a mix of action and humor without letting either one overpower the other. Beck isn’t written as an unstoppable figure, which makes his hesitation feel more believable in moments that could have easily turned exaggerated. On the other hand, the action sequences remain clear, never losing track of where the characters are or what’s at stake. That sense of control keeps the film engaging.

2

‘Dredd’ (2012)

Image via Lionsgate

Dredd feels unusually focused for a film that is set in such a sprawling, dystopian world. The movie is directed by Pete Travis, and its premise follows Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) and Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) as they enter a massive high-rise controlled by Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). Instead of expanding outward, the story locks itself into this one location, which immediately creates a sense of confinement that shapes everything that follows.

That decision allows the film to build tension in a very controlled way, where each level of the building feels like a step deeper into something more dangerous. The action never feels excessive because it’s tied closely to the survival of the characters, and that makes even the quieter moments feel uneasy. Along with that, the film doesn’t spend time overexplaining its world, which helps maintain momentum. It trusts the setting to speak for itself, and that restraint is what gives it lasting impact.

1

‘The Raid 2’ (2014)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

Following up a film as tightly constructed as its predecessor is never simple, which makes The Raid 2 feel like a very deliberate expansion. Directed by Gareth Evans, the story continues with Rama (Iko Uwais) as he goes undercover, moving away from the contained structure of the first film into something far more layered. That shift immediately changes the tone, because the focus is no longer just survival, but navigating a world that is built on shifting loyalties.

With each passing moment, the scale grows without losing the intensity that defined the original. The action sequences remain precise, but they are now placed within a broader narrative that gives them added weight. At the same time, the film allows its story to breathe, which helps the quieter moments feel just as important as the larger set pieces. That balance is difficult to maintain, but here it feels intentional, giving the film a sense of depth that is difficult to find in most action films.

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The Raid 2

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Release Date

March 28, 2014

Runtime

150 minutes

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Director

Gareth Evans

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Writers

Gareth Evans

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Michael Jackson‘s music is seeing a renewed surge in popularity, with Spotify streams climbing following the release of “Michael,” a biopic starring the King of Pop’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role. The film has sparked fresh interest in the singer’s catalog, drawing longtime fans back while introducing his music legacy to a new generation of listeners.

The King of Pop’s Spotify is seeing a spike in streams after the release of “Michael” on April 24, in U.S. theaters. Per information gathered by Luminate, a data and insights company, Michael’s streams increased by 95 just one week after the film premiered, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter on April 27. Combined streams have reached 31.7 million from 16.3 million the previous week.

Additionally, the outlet noted that Michael’s listenership increased by 5 million in a week, soaring from 68 million to 73 million.

The Jackson 5, Michael’s band with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon, also saw a boost from the biopic, with streams increasing from 1.3 million to 2.4 million.

‘Michael’ Features Some Of The King Of Pop’s Biggest Hits

A film like “Michael” is bound to include the singer’s iconic songs, and some of those included were “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Human Nature,” along with The Jackson 5 hits “I’ll Be There” and “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

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Michael was known for his unmistakable vocal style, and for the biopic, Jaafar and Michael’s voices were blended. In an interview with “Today with Jenna & Shenelle,” the 29-year-old singer and actor said he did all the performances in the movie, but he was singing “on top of Michael’s track.” The same process was done for Juliano Valdi, the young actor who portrayed a 10-year-old Michael in the movie.

Music supervisor John Warhurst explained the decision to The Hollywood Reporter, saying that while the two actors were capable of singing Michael’s songs, they had to think about whether or not the audience wanted Michael’s vocals to be included in the biopic. “Every movie is different, but here we think people want Michael to be part of it,” Warhurst explained.

Is There Going To Be A ‘Michael’ Sequel?

“Michael” spans the singer’s early childhood through the “Bad” tour, which concluded in the late ’80s. Although the film covers more than two decades of his life and career, several later events, including his death, are not included in the narrative. However, there was an implication at the end of the movie that a sequel was going to be made.

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As the final scene faded to black, text appeared, which read, “His story continues,” leading the audience to believe that a second part may be in the works.

As reported by Page Six, 30 percent of the sequel had already been filmed. Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said a sequel was always in mind, but they wanted to see the reception to the first movie before proceeding. “We do have probably 30% of a second film from footage that we already shot, and we will work with all the talent and try to let everyone know what our plan is in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

The Michael Jackson Biopic Is Facing Criticism

Audiences had mixed reactions to “Michael.” According to Rotten Tomatoes, the Tomatometer (based on professional critic reviews) stands at 39 percent, while the Popcornmeter (based on audience scores) is significantly higher at 97%.

One of the issues some people had with the film was that it glossed over or excluded some aspects of Michael’s life that were deemed controversial, per The Blast. Writer John Logan explained the biopic’s direction, saying the filmmakers chose to go with an “uplifting story” for the movie, while admitting that the pop star was a “complicated person.”

Slate critic Sam Adams wrote, “The purpose of a biopic is to show us aspect of a public figure that the public never had access to. But Michael utterly fails at giving us any sense of who Jackson was behind closed doors.”

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Michael Jackson Is One Of The Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities

Michael Jackson’s estate has generated billions since his death in 2009. Per Forbes‘ list of Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities for 2025, Michael earned $105 million in that year alone, securing the top spot. Over the past 25 years, the King of Pop has topped the list 13 times, with his highest-earning year coming in 2017, when he reportedly earned $825 million.

With soaring streaming numbers and the biopic, plus a potential sequel, renewed attention on Michael has continued to drive momentum across different platforms, further adding to the estate’s continued posthumous earnings and cementing the singer’s legacy.

Zoë Kravitz has sent fans into a frenzy after stepping out with a dazzling diamond ring that instantly reignited speculation of an engagement with Harry Styles. 

The actress didn’t try to hide the massive sparkler as she moved through New York City, and new details about the proposal have only added fuel to the excitement. 

From a lavish custom design to whispers of a deeply romantic moment, the couple’s relationship appears to have taken a major step forward in a way few saw coming.

Zoë Kravitz turned heads when she was spotted in New York City wearing a striking diamond ring on her wedding finger, casually checking her phone while sporting a “Boy Next Door” cap. 

The understated outfit did little to distract from the eye-catching jewelry, which quickly became the center of attention.

Experts believe the ring is no ordinary piece. According to an estimate shared with the Daily Mail, the diamond appears to be a ten-carat oval stone set in yellow gold, likely custom-made and valued at around $1 million. 

“Zoe’s ring looks to be a ten-carat oval-shaped diamond set in yellow gold. It was probably custom-made and costs around $1 million. It is bezel set, which is popular these days,” Chris from The Diamond Bank in Los Angeles told the outlet. 

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The sighting wasn’t the first time she had been seen wearing the ring. Back in December, she was photographed with the same piece on her left hand, quietly sparking early speculation that something serious was unfolding behind the scenes.

Kravitz Said Yes To ‘Romantic’ Proposal Instantly

Behind the scenes, Zoë Kravitz’s engagement reportedly stemmed from a deeply personal, heartfelt moment. 

Insiders revealed that Harry Styles planned an “old-fashioned, romantic” proposal, which she accepted immediately.

According to sources, the “Mad Max: Fury Road” star didn’t hesitate because she is “madly in love with him,” and she values the way he shows up in the relationship. 

One insider noted that Kravitz appreciates how the singer “supports her in a beautiful, kind way.” 

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The reaction within their inner circle has also been telling. Friends reportedly weren’t shocked by the engagement, with one source telling Page Six that “no one in their circle is surprised.” 

At the same time, the mood around Kravitz has been described as pure joy, with insiders sharing that she is “on cloud nine” following the milestone moment.

Zoë Kravitz And Harry Styles Built A Low-Key Romance

Kravitz and Styles have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight, but their timeline reveals a steady progression.

They were first linked in August last year when they were seen holding hands, and by the following month, things appeared more serious as they were photographed spending time with Kravitz’s father, Lenny. 

That moment hinted that the relationship had already moved into a more meaningful stage.

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Since then, the couple has been spotted together in multiple cities, including London, Rome, and Brooklyn, often enjoying quiet outings rather than flashy public appearances. 

In one instance, the One Direction veteran visited Kravitz at her hotel in Hampstead, where they were seen holding hands during a coffee date. 

Despite their efforts to remain private, each sighting has added to the narrative of a relationship that has grown steadily stronger over time.

Kravitz Finds Something Different In Styles

For Zoë Kravitz, this relationship appears to stand apart from her past romances. 

Insiders say she feels “different” about Styles than she did about previous partners, including her former husband, Karl Glusman, and ex-fiancé, Channing Tatum.

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Kravitz’s relationship history includes her 2019 marriage to Glusman, which ended in divorce in 2021, and her later engagement to Tatum, which was called off in October 2024 after three years together. 

At the time, sources said the split was amicable, with both realizing they were at different points in their lives and had grown apart.

Now, those close to Kravitz believe she has found something more aligned with what she wants in the long term. One insider even shared that she considers the singer her “soulmate.”

There’s also a sense that Styles approached the relationship with intention. Another source previously noted that “Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoe if it wasn’t anything.”

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Zoë Kravitz And Harry Styles Align On Future Goals

Part of what makes Kravitz and Styles’ relationship work may come down to shared priorities about the future. 

Styles has openly said he wants more than just career success, explaining that he took time away from music to reflect on what he truly wants in life. 

During that period, he considered where he saw himself in five years and realized he valued meaningful relationships, strong friendships, and the idea of building a family.

He emphasized the importance of choosing the right partner, someone who helps him grow and holds him accountable. 

“I want to be fulfilled and I want to be in great relationships with people. I want to have great friendships with people. I want a family. I want these things,” Styles shared during an interview on Apple Music’s “The Zane Lowe Show.”

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He added, “It just allowed me to go like, okay, what do I have to do to create space to allow these things to happen? I can’t just expect them to just happen to me.” 

His past relationships, which have included Olivia Wilde, Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor Russell, as well as more recent links to Ella Kenny and Kim Mupangilai, have all unfolded in the public eye. However, with Kravitz, the approach has been noticeably more grounded.

Rejoice, sci-fi fans — Apple TV, in an elegant little hat-trick maneuver, has simultaneously announced Silo Season 3’s summer premiere date, dropped an enigmatic trailer, and introduced multiple new faces to the show’s already impressive roster. The official press release confirms that Season 2’s last-minute additions, Jessica Henwick and Ashley Zukerman, have boarded Season 3 as series regulars, with Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey), Laura Innes (ER), Reed Birney (House of Cards), Matt Craven (A Few Good Men), Morven Christie (Grantchester), and Colin Hanks (FX’s Fargo) joining them in undisclosed roles.

Although the streamer doesn’t specify who the newcomers play, based off the context provided by the promotional images, it’s safe to assume they exist in the “Before Times” era that Henwick confirmed (in a Collider exclusive) will play out alongside Silo’s original, far-future timeline. If showrunner Graham Yost‘s dystopian drama continues to follow the overall shape of Hugh Howey‘s book trilogy, then these characters are either responsible for the silo’s creation or exist right on the outskirts — and still find themselves dragged into its harrowing, conspiratorial orbit.

‘Silo’s Second Book Explains How the Apocalypse Happened

Without venturing too deep into the spoiler waters, Howey’s second book, Shift, doubles as a sequel following Juliette Nichols’ (Rebecca Ferguson) next steps after returning to her silo and a prequel divulging the events behind Earth’s cataclysmic destruction. Daniel Keene (Zukerman), the Georgia congressional representative introduced alongside Henwick’s journalist Helen Drew in the final minutes of Season 2’s finale, becomes one of Shift‘s point-of-view characters. After he’s approached by the distinguished and powerful Senator Thurman, Daniel joins a classified project called the Containment and Disposal Facility, or CAD-FAC, a sophisticated subterranean repository for radioactive waste.

Believing he’s contributing to world safety, Daniel applies his architectural degree to the underground facility’s design. Aside from Daniel and Thurman, the initiative’s core leaders include Erskine and Victor, who hold their motivations close to their chests. When the nuclear bombs of mutually assured destruction fall, all four CAD-FAC creators shelter inside the silo. It’s only then, with Earth devastated beyond compare, that Daniel learns his partners’ ruthless intentions, why the attacks occurred, and the project’s actual name — World Operation Order Fifty (its acronym, W.O.O.L., sneakily calls back to book one’s title, Wool).

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Forget ‘Silo,’ One of the Most Bonkers Sci-Fi Thrillers Ever Made Is Free to Stream in May

‘Silo’ will return for Season 3.

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Are ‘Silo’s New Cast Members Tied to the Past?

Since Birney and Matt stand side-by-side in the images, it stands to reason they’re tackling Erskine and Victor, respectively. Innes, meanwhile, has every appearance of a competent, scheming politician holding the world in the palm of her hand. As for how Findlay, Christie, and Hanks relate to the books’ remaining vital characters, since Christie stands in a political office area, she might be Thurman’s daughter, Anna (who, for added drama, also happens to be Daniel’s ex-girlfriend).

The same logic applies to Findlay’s costume. Daniel’s sister, Charlotte, is a former naval officer, and Findlay’s jacket and baseball cap all but confirm she’s either active in or retired from that profession. Although Hanks stands near Henwick, his contribution is more ambiguous to the point of speculation; his role could subtly connect to the books or be invented for the show’s purposes. When it comes to Silo‘s slippery nature, there’s only one guarantee: book-reading fans and show-only viewers alike should brace themselves for the mind-melting scale that awaits.

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Silo

Release Date

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May 5, 2023

Showrunner

Graham Yost

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Bridgerton Season 4 may have belonged to Benedict and Sophie on paper, but it still found room to leave the Ton in chaos on the way out. After Penelope finally stepped away from Lady Whistledown and appeared ready to start a new chapter as a novelist, the finale pulled the rug out from under everyone with the reveal that Whistledown had returned anyway — and not by her hand. It was exactly the kind of last-minute twist the show loves, and it instantly turned the conversation from one romance to the next looming mystery. Who is she?

While promoting Season 2 of Big Mood, Nicola Coughlan told Radio Times that she is more than ready for the series to keep evolving beyond Penelope’s time at the center of the Whistledown saga.

“I think in a way, it’s great because it’s a show that keeps reinventing itself. Same thing – you have to hold on tightly, let go lightly. Like I loved leading that show, it’s amazing but it’s exhausting – it was so much work. You don’t really have a life when you’re doing it, which I was sort of fine with. It’s about eight months filming and then it was like six months promotion around it. It was amazing but I’ve taken everything out of that that I could possibly want.”

What Can We Expect From ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5?

Coughlan added that it now feels “lovely to pass it on to someone else” as the series moves forward and noted that Season 5 is about to begin filming. That lines up neatly with how the creative team has framed the twist. In a previous interview with Radio Times, showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed that she, Shonda Rhimes, and the writers already know who the new Whistledown is and have been writing toward that reveal. Brownell explained that once Penelope’s identity was exposed, some of the old tension around Whistledown naturally disappeared, so handing the pen to someone new opens the door to fresh red herrings and a new mystery. She also said the move lets Penelope step into a different phase of her life with Colin, rather than keeping her trapped in the same secret forever.

“Shonda and I and all my writers know who Whistledown is and we’ve been writing to that. But that was what was really exciting to us was to A: let Penelope move onto a next chapter as a novelist, in her romance with Colin et cetera. But I think once we revealed that Penelope was Whistledown at the end of season 1 and especially now that she’s come out publicly at the end of season 3, the stakes of it – we lost a bit of them in season 4. It was really fun telling the story of her having to face some accountability with the people she’s written about, but it’s also so fun now to have red herrings and clues and have no one know because it’s not from the books at this point… Yeah we’re going a bit rogue.”

Bridgerton streams now on Netflix.

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Release Date

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December 22, 2020

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson

Writers

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Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin

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• 

  Luke Thompson

  Lady Violet Bridgerton

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  Ruth Gemmell

  Benedict Bridgerton

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Megan Thee Stallion’s Broadway debut has come to a sudden and emotional end, leaving fans stunned as the rapper steps away from “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” far earlier than planned. 

What began as a historic moment quickly turned complicated, with onstage tears, a serious health scare, and a very public breakup with Klay Thompson all unfolding at once. 

Now, the Grammy winner is pulling back, choosing to focus on her well-being after weeks of pressure both on and off the stage.

Megan Thee Stallion made headlines when she confirmed she would step away from her role as Zidler, becoming the first woman to take on the character before exiting just a month into her run.

Taking to her Instagram page, she shared the update directly with fans, writing, “Hotties, my last performance as Zidler in @moulinrougebway will be May 1,” despite originally being scheduled to perform through May 17 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in Midtown Manhattan. 

In her message, the rapper reflected on the experience with gratitude, describing it as an honor and praising the people she worked with. 

She highlighted their “dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort” that goes into every performance. 

“I’m so grateful for the cast and crew that made this experience so meaningful. And to all the hotties that showed up or planned to attend, thank you for supporting me during this incredible journey! I LOVE YALL. See you soon,” she finished.

Fans Share Mixed Reactions To Megan’s Announcement 

Shortly after making the announcement, some fans trooped to the comments section to show support to Megan Thee Stallion. 

“Meg, I hope you feel the genuine love from your supporters. Some of us go to war online when it comes to you because we genuinely love you,” one fan wrote.

Another user added, “Megannn the entire internet is riding for youuu baby girl we love you so much, love,” while a third commented, “We love you Megan! Please rest & take all the time you need.”

Some fans also blamed Klay Thompson for Megan’s decision, with one writing, “Yeah we’re going to have to drag Klay by his ankles ATP.” Another noted, “Tell him meet me on court I’ll settle this.”

A third fan also shared, “Meg give me his South Bay address I’ll make sure he never knows peace,” while a fourth commented, “I can’t wait for Megan to come out with a new song addressing Klay because that will be number one.”

Megan Thee Stallion Breaks Down Onstage As Pressure Mounts

Before announcing her exit, Megan gave fans a glimpse of the emotional toll she had been carrying.

During a curtain call, she broke down in tears, a moment captured in fan footage that quickly circulated online. 

As reported by The Blast, the rapper was met with a standing ovation from the audience after finishing the show, and as the applause continued, she turned away and appeared to wipe tears from her face.   

Despite her efforts to remain composed, the overwhelming response from the crowd seemed to trigger the tearful reaction, with fellow cast members offering visible support on stage.  

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Megan ultimately regained her composure and continued the curtain call, allowing the rest of the cast to take their bows. 

Megan Calls Out Thompson After Split

The timing was especially notable, as it came just one day after Megan Thee confirmed her breakup from Klay Thompson. 

As The Blast reported, she didn’t hold back when addressing the split, making it clear what led to the end of their nine-month relationship.

In a statement, she said, “I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay. Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward.” 

She added, “I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”

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Before that, she shared a more emotional reaction online, calling out “cheating,” and his hesitation about being “monogamous.”

“Holding you down through all your horrible mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season, now you don’t know if you can be “monogamous?” the “Lover Girl” rapper shared via Instagram story, adding, “Bi*** I need a real break [from dating] after this one.”

Megan Thee Stallion Opens Up About A Health Scare

Weeks before her split with Thompson, Megan  had already been dealing with physical strain from performing. 

During a March 31 show, she experienced “extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction and low metabolic levels,” which led to her being taken to a hospital for treatment. 

Following her health scare, the 31-year-old opened up about how serious the moment felt and why she needed to slow down.

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She admitted on Instagram, “Last night was a real wake-up call for me. I’ve been pushing myself past my limits lately, running on empty, and my body finally said enough.” 

Megan revealed she thought she might faint on stage and could not continue, adding, “I just need one day to rest, reset, and take care of myself the way I should have been.”

Piers Morgan was seemingly not entirely comfortable during his recent interview with Russell Brand, which went viral due to the comedian struggling to find a Bible passage.

“Never had a guest be so inappropriately tactile during an interview, which surprised me given the allegations against him,” Morgan, 61, replied to a fan via X on Monday, April 27.

The fan initially pointed out that Brand’s “touching was extremely condescending” throughout the Piers Morgan Uncensored interview, to which Morgan himself admitted the experience was “a bit weird, yes.”

Us Weekly has reached out to Brand’s spokesperson for comment.

During the Friday, April 25, episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, the host asked Brand, 50, to recite a Bible passage that was meaningful to him.

Brand agreed to share a passage that he read before a recent court hearing in the U.K., where he is facing charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault based on allegations from four different women between 1999 and 2005. (Brand has denied any wrongdoing in the case. He did recently admit on The Megyn Kelly Show that he slept “with a 16-year-old when I was 30,” which was legal in the U.K. due to the age of consent being 16.)

Brand claimed to produce the same Bible he’d brought with him to court to read a passage from Isaiah but could not find it. Morgan watched in complete silence as Brand searched for around 90 seconds, unable to locate the verse.

“The verse that I was looking at that day was …. Not this … I can’t actually find the verse that I had that day,” Brand finally admitted. “But this is good enough. This is from Isiah 12.”

The clip quickly went viral, prompting Brand to try to explain himself to his fans via X on Sunday, April 26.

Related: Everything to Know About Russell Brand’s Sexual Assault Scandal

Russell Brand is facing sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse allegations by multiple women. The U.K. newspaper The Times published a bombshell article about the actor and comedian in September 2023, in which four women alleged being sexually assaulted by Brand between the years of 2006 and 2013. Ahead of the article’s publication — a […]

“I’m still looking for that passage actually from my dire… from Piers Morgan. Wait for it… wait for it. Look, it was marked all along,” Brand told his followers. “I was looking for it. I thought, ‘I should find the actual right passage — the exact one I was looking at when I was sat in the dark in the court.”

He then read a passage from Isaiah 43:18-19, saying, “‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.’ See, I am doing a new thing! ‘Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’”

Brand asked his followers whether they felt whatever they “personally face will align and combine with something universal.”

“That our whole culture is a bit like a wasteland?” he continued. “I mean, the political scene — both globally and domestically, wherever you are, but also, you know, globally. And sort of personally… this isn’t a great time in the world. It’s like the Roaring ‘20s but again the Roaring ‘20s was between the wars.”

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Related: Russell Brand Reflects on ‘Profound Experience’ of Getting Baptized

Russell Brand has taken a step in his Christian faith by experiencing a sacrament of initiation. “Yesterday, I got baptized and it was an incredible, profound experience,” Brand, 48, wrote via Instagram on Monday, April 29. “Many aspects of it were very intimate and personal. The truth is this. As a person that has in […]

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Brand added, “And maybe from a macro perspective or a holy perspective the world has always been caught in such tension and indeed that is exactly what this book and the prophecies of Isaiah posit — that it’s not some localized thing.”

Meanwhile, Morgan reacted to the viral nature of the clip by sharing an awkward photo of Brand seemingly saying a blessing over him before the interview — including putting his hand on the host’s shoulder.

“I knew my Russell Brand interview would be an interesting experience when he insisted on saying a prayer for both of us before we started,” he quipped via X on Friday, adding on Monday, “The pre-show prayer was almost as excruciating as the extended Bible-rustling…”

I’ve spent a lot of time during The Rookie‘s eighth season complaining about storylines being dragged on for too long. It’s nice for procedurals to have a few overarching plots to tie the season together, but it can also be tiresome when too many of these narratives overstay their welcome. Now, with the season almost over, the cop drama has finally wrapped up one of its ongoing plots, and it was done in a tasteful, poignant way.

‘The Rookie’ Concludes Monica’s Storyline for Good

Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) has been a villain on The Rookie for several seasons now, but most of the scenes she was in have felt stale recently. In Episode 17, Monica shows up to the office of Liam Glasser’s (Seth Gabel) attorney, Malcolm (Sean Patrick Thomas). She knows that she’s running out of options, but is still seeking an exit package to get out of the game. But our cops are already onto her tricks. She tries negotiating with Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) and Matthew Garza (Felix Solis), and says that she can bring in a big fish, a criminal named Cooper Johnson. Monica meets with the big baddie she worked with prior to this, named Aidan Warner (Tim Griffin), but he threatens Monica. Unless she can deliver Cooper in handcuffs or dead, she hasn’t fulfilled her end of the bargain. It seems that trying to be a double agent is definitely not working out for Monica.

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‘The Rookie’ Turned a Great Character Into a Cartoon Villain

She had so much potential and now she’s completely one-dimensional.

During this rendezvous with Aidan, the police listen in and immediately realize that Monica has violated the terms of her immunity agreement. They begin to track her down, with an exciting chase scene (some of which takes place in a spa where Monica has stashed a car in the parking lot). At first, it seems like Monica might actually get away since Aidan has promised her a plane waiting at the airport. But first, she makes a stop at Wesley Evers’ (Shawn Ashmore) house to say goodbye. This moment is incredibly sweet, and it shows that before she was hardened by life, Monica actually was a normal girl who fell in love with Wesley and showed great promise as a lawyer.

Monica hops into an Uber, ready to start her new life, but is filled with dread when she realizes the young woman driving has sped right past the LAX exit. The car stops, and Monica accepts her fate, calmly saying, “Please, not the face,” and we simply hear two shots ring out. In this last plea, Monica’s vanity is present until the very end. We get one brilliant shot, with the porcelain-looking Monica, with her bright red hair, lying in the dirt where she was dumped. The entire crew turns up there the next morning, and it’s a powerful conclusion to Monica’s storyline. She offered a lot to the series, and although Regan is an incredible actor, it was definitely time for her stint on the show to be over. Luckily, Monica received a heartwrenching and twisted ending that befit her character on the show.

‘The Rookie’ Season 8, Episode 17 Brings Back a Familiar Face

Even though Monica’s storyline is definitely the headline of the episode, it actually opens with a different returning character. Aaron Thorsen (Tru Valentino) is driving along in a very expensive car, when he’s ambushed. During the carjacking, the thieves also took his brand-new $800,000 watch. It’s fun to see Aaron back on our screen, especially because his storyline feels really organic to the episode. But his case isn’t solved quickly. Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) does her best to run down chop shops and other hotspots for criminals, but they can’t seem to find Aaron’s car or his pricey watch.

Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) meets with Aaron’s jeweler, Pierre (Michael Nouri, who recently wrapped up a stint on The Pitt). Pierre is the one who sold Aaron the watch, and he’s helping Tim pick out Lucy’s engagement ring. In a subsequent scene, the team eventually tracks down Aaron’s car, and of course, an action-packed chase ensues. It’s determined that a man named Winchell, who worked for Pierre, was the one who targeted Aaron since he knew he’d be wearing the watch. After a fight ensues, Aaron happily takes his watch off the criminal. This is a smart B-storyline that allows the crew to investigate a case and permits Aaron to rejoin the group, even if it’s just for one episode. Valentino offers a fun energy to the cast, and it’s always nice to see him pop up again.

Liam Glasser’s Case Is Over… for Now in ‘The Rookie’

Image via ABC

We ended Episode 16 with Miranda (Hannah Barefoot) running away with her children. John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) end up tracking her down at a friend’s house. They convince her to come out of hiding and attend her custody hearing, so that there’s less of a chance that serial killer Glasser will gain full custody. At the hearing, Nolan is called to the stand by the judge to offer his opinion on the case. Nolan details some of Glasser’s misdeeds, and Malcolm demands that he be allowed to cross-examine Nolan. But even when pressed, Nolan remains resolute that Glasser is an evil, dangerous man. The judge agrees — not only is Miranda awarded full custody, but the judge also institutes a restraining order so that Glasser can’t even see his children. After the hearing, Glasser is seething, but he says one last terrifying thing to Nolan. He cites horrific real-life serial killers like the Golden State Killer and BTK, and how they went dormant when they had small children. This is Glasser’s way of insinuating that without his children in his life, he’ll have much more free time to murder. He also threatens Nolan that whatever happens next will be Nolan’s fault.

I wish a little bit more time had been given to Tim’s storyline this week. He does give a very sweet description of the type of person Lucy is to Pierre when trying to select an engagement ring. But the episode gives way more airtime to Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez) accidentally sending a voice note to Rodge (Zander Hawley), so that he thinks Celina is expecting him to propose. I get that this is supposed to be a silly narrative, but it feels out of place in the episode. In the end, Tim picks out the perfect ring for Lucy, and Rodge and Celina are back to a good place in their relationship. I just wish this otherwise stellar episode had focused solely on the other main storylines, instead of tossing this light-hearted plot in as well.

New episodes of The Rookie air on Monday nights on ABC, with episodes available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.