Hot off partnering with Collider to bring his genre-focused digital series The Séance back to the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, Alex Noyer has set the date for his latest directorial effort. We can exclusively share that his folk horror flick Love Is the Monster is set for a North American release on June 23. Cranked Up Films, a division of Good Deed Entertainment, focused on independent, high-concept genre fare, will be rolling the film out to screens in the U.S., while Raven Banner Entertainment handles the release in Canada. It marks just his second feature after debuting in 2021 with the body horror hidden gem Sound of Violence.

Helmed by Noyer, who also co-wrote the script with his Sound of Violence collaborator Hannu Aukia and Blair Bathory, Love Is the Monster takes place in Finland, where struggling couple Ana (Madeline Zima) and Justin (Leonardo Nam) have gone on an exclusive retreat together. The pair is still grappling with infidelity and has made the trip during the country’s midsummer season to seek guidance from a mysterious and charismatic healer who draws upon the mythology of Lempo, an ancient goddess of love and fertility. However, their attempt at repairing their relationship soon spirals into something far more sinister, as the fractures between Ana and Justin are exploited, and pagan rituals force them into a fight for survival. It all culminates in Ana’s horrifying discovery that she was ultimately meant to play a part in resurrecting Lempo.

Zima and Nam bring a bit of star power to the main couple as they attempt to escape whatever the healer has planned for them. The former was a recurring presence on Showtime’s Californication and has previously enjoyed roles in the 2017 Twin Peaks revival, Doom Patrol, and, more recently, the second and now final season of CBS’ Watson. Nam, meanwhile, is best remembered as Livestock Management employee Felix Lutz from HBO’s Westworld, though he’s also appeared on the big screen in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and has worked with Disney on multiple occasions for Descendants: The Rise of Red and Marvel’s Werewolf By Night. In an official statement, Nam expressed how the folklore-infused story intrigued him and, ultimately, appealed to him on a deeper level with its complexity.

“Making this film was such a pleasure and such a wild ride. What attracted me most was how beautifully it intertwines folklore, love, and the psychological questions human beings across cultures have wrestled with since the beginning of time. It’s visually striking and unsettling, but also deeply human in the way it explores intimacy, desire, and the unknown. I’m incredibly proud to have been part of bringing Alex’s vision to life alongside Madeline Zima and the entire team. On a personal level, it meant a great deal to step into a lead role like this as an Asian man, in a space where we so rarely get to be seen as complex, desirable, romantic, and central to the story. I hope audiences discover a film that is both haunting and emotionally resonant, and fully surrender to the ride.”

Who Else Is Involved in ‘Love Is the Monster’?

Rounding out the cast for Love Is the Monster are Kimberly Sue-Murray (The Boys), Moe Jeudy-Lamour (Ted Lasso), Kristina Tonteri-Young (Warrior Nun), Milla Puolakanaho (Attack on Helsinki), and Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking). Behind the camera, Laurence Gendron joins Noyer and Aukia as a producer. In the director’s eyes, there’s no better time to send the folk horror to screens. “Releasing Love Is the Monster during Finnish midsummer couldn’t be more fitting, as it’s when our story unfolds,” Noyer added in his own statement. “While a real trip to Finland is far less eventful, our devious goddess Lempo is ready to welcome audiences. We’re thrilled to partner with Cranked Up Films, Good Deed, and Raven Banner to bring this strange and twisted film to our viewers.”

Noyer’s latest originally made its debut as an official selection at last year’s Screamfest Horror Film Festival, which has been one of Hollywood’s premiere platforms for independent horror for years now, elevating projects like Paranormal Activity and The Grudge. Both Cranked Up and Raven were eager to roll out the red carpet for the film, with Marco DiSilvio saying on behalf of the former, “We are thrilled to add this amazing film to the Cranked Up Films family, and can’t wait for audiences to embrace this thrilling folk horror experience.” Raven Banner managing partner Michael Paszt further praised Love Is a Monster as the perfect fit for their catalog, having previously backed the recent Deathstalker remake and the Canadian horror darling Foreigner.

“Raven Banner is excited to bring this original folk horror to Canadian audiences. Alex has delivered a bold genre film that aligns perfectly with our passion for distinctive, filmmaker-driven work”

Love Is a Monster premieres on Digital in North America on June 23. Check out the trailer in the player above.

Sanctuary, the first show filmed entirely on green screen, is free to stream on Pluto and Tubi.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 2 minutes ago

The internet was used to release “webisodes,” micro-budget television shows put together by determined artists. One of the best was Sanctuary, an eight-episode sci-fi series out of Canada.

SyFy was so impressed that it purchased the rights and made a television series out of it that ran for four seasons, from 2008 to 2011. Today, every episode is available to stream on either Pluto or Tubi, with no subscription fee and no additional charge. Great news, as the show was the first of its kind to be filmed entirely on a green screen.

Sanctuary starred Stargate-SG1‘s Amanda Tapping as Dr. Helen Magnus, the head of the Sanctuary network that provides a safe haven for Abnormals, mythical beings including mermaids, Bigfoot, and plenty of original creations for the show. Joining Tapping were Robin Dunne as Dr. Will Zimmerman, Emilie Ullerup as Ashley Magnus (Helen’s daughter), Ryan Robbins as Henry the lycanthrope tech genius, and Christopher Heyerdahl as Big Foot and also John Druitt, though he was known by the name “Jack” for part of the 19th century.

In addition to Abnormals pulled from myth, legend, and folklore, Sanctuary included historical figures, from a steampunk-powered Dr. Watson (Peter Wingfield) to Druitt being the real Jack the Ripper, and best of all, the delightfully deranged vampiric Nikola Tesla, played by Jonathon Young. This strange alchemy powers the first few seasons of Sanctuary as the team battles against the Cabal, a group that wants to use Abnormals for a nefarious purpose.

As with the inventive Farscape, the tight-budget constraints of a series put an emphasis on character and snappy dialogue over action sequences, giving Sanctuary a throwback feel to what sci-fi television used to be. That is, of course, except for the high-tech behind its production, since only a handful of episodes include physical sets. Other than those few episodes, the rest of the series was entirely shot on a green screen with high-definition digital cameras, the first of its kind to do so.

To help make Sanctuary a success, Amanda Tapping gave up extra pay as an executive producer, instead having her money go towards the creation of digital sets. The show was a passion project for all involved, and it shows, even if it didn’t elevate the genre as Battlestar Galactica did just a few years earlier, at its worse, it’s still a solid show that plays with the monster of the week format.

Standout Sanctuary episodes include Season 2 Episode 9, “Penance,” which features Amanda Tapping’s old co-star Michael Shanks as an Abnormal working with the mob. The multi-part season finale, “Kali,” includes a dance number, while Season 1, Episode 11, “Instinct,” plays with the found-footage genre by showing the episode through the camera of a news crew that wanders across an Abnormal hunt.

Halfway through the series, the “monster of the week” is scrapped to instead focus on an epic storyline about Hollow Earth, which significantly increases the show’s cast, adding new characters from another offshoot of humanity, including Adam Copeland (WWE’s Edge) as a Resistance fighter, and Adam Worth (Ian Tracy), the inspiration behind Jekyll and Hyde. At the same time, Sanctuary’s visual effects take a step up, with the impressive Hollow Earth city and a series of massive monsters taking center stage.

Not as funny as Eureka or Warehouse 13, but not as dark as Battlestar Galactica, Sanctuary strikes a balance between Syfy’s other original shows while embracing the “do more with less” philosophy of other Canadian shows, such as Lost Girl and Bitten. Easily binge-able thanks to Pluto and Tubi, the 59 episodes that make up the series will fly by, and though there was supposed to be a Season 5 that never happened, don’t worry, there’s a definitive ending.

Now’s a good time to watch Sanctuary, as MPCA reported a few years back that Amanda Tapping is on board for a revival series now that the rights have been purchased from NBCUniversal. There hasn’t been much news on the show since, except that they were looking around for executive producers, but as with her other famous series, fans are hopeful for a return to the world of Abnormals and twisted literary figures at least one more time.

Gwyneth Paltrow can’t seem to escape controversy!

Over the years, the Goop founder has repeatedly found herself at the center of backlash over her opinions and even some of her brand’s decisions.

Most recently, she sparked reactions after questioning society’s fascination with wealthy tech men. As criticism over those remarks continues, another controversy tied to her brand has resurfaced online. 

Paltrow’s health-focused delivery restaurant sparked fresh controversy last weekend after sharing a collaboration campaign on social media with Anna Delvey.

The clip opened with a close-up of an ankle monitor strapped to a pair of legs in stockings and black heels as a doorbell rang in the background. The video transitioned to show the brand’s paper bag sitting outside a closed door. 

Dressed in a white blouse tucked into a black skirt, convicted fraudster Delvey opened the door. “Can’t go out? Don’t be so dramatic,” she told the camera before slowly shutting the door.

Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, became infamous for posing as a wealthy heiress to infiltrate elite social circles while scamming banks and hotels. 

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She was convicted in 2019 and served 19 months in prison before being released to house arrest in New York City in 2022, where she is required to wear an ankle monitor, according to the Daily Mail.

Fans Blast Gwyneth Paltrow Over Collaboration With Anna Delvey

The post gained attention as several internet users accused the Oscar winner of giving a criminal a platform. 

One fan pointed out, “So this is….glamorizing crime.” A second observer highlighted Delvey’s crime history, writing, ‘She scammed a bunch of people, and I can’t even believe she’s a ‘celebrity.’ Come on, Goop! Do better!”

While this social media user called the ad “distasteful,” a second branded it “horrible,” before warning, “Stop platforming criminals.”

This critic added, “Glorifying a con artist (who preyed on regular people, not just the wealthy) is an interesting look that says a lot about this company. What, are you hoping to get lessons in grifting from her?”

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Another observer chimed in, “I don’t like promoting a criminal!” while this fan called the post “not goop-like.”

As fans continue to criticize Paltrow’s affiliation with Delvey, it adds to the backlash she received over her remarks about society’s obsession with tech billionaires. 

During a discussion with Kara Swisher in a recent episode of “The Goop Podcast,” Paltrow questioned why people idolize “these super rich white dudes” who influence society without concern for the consequences of their actions.

In no time, Paltrow received heat as many critics saw her comments as hypocritical. Per The Blast, some internet users pointed out the irony, given that the 53-year-old business mogul is extremely wealthy and comes from a privileged background, she is also part of the elite class she criticizes.

How Gwyneth Paltrow’s Comparison of Her High-Profile Exes Caused a Stir

With Paltrow once again under fire, controversial comments are nothing new for the “Iron Man” actress. Three weeks ago, a resurfaced clip from her appearance on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast caused a stir online after she opened up about intimate details involving exes Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck.

According to The Blast, Paltrow described Pitt as the “love-of-your-life” type, while calling Affleck “technically excellent.”

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While some fans applauded her honesty and willingness to speak openly about such intimate matters, others criticized her for oversharing personal details.

“Shame on her. This is just so inappropriate. All she does is kiss and tell,” one user wrote. Another noted that if Pitt ranked his exes publicly, the online rage would likely be more.

The ‘Glee’ Alum Opened Up About Returning His To Old Habits 

When she isn’t making headlines with bold revelations, Paltrow is sharing candid confessions.

During a January 6 appearance on Amy Poehler’s “The Good Hang Podcast,” the “Marty Supreme” actress admitted that she missed smoking and hinted at returning to it. 

She noted that despite her wellness-focused image, she always enjoyed smoking and may finally give in to the urge to continue. “You know, I decided when I’m like 87, I’m going to start smoking again,” she told Poehler, per The Blast.

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Spiritual and sparkly! Jewelry designer Gabi Torres has created pieces loved by Taylor Swift, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Madelyn Cline, and it’s not just because they shimmer in every light.

The rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and ankles from her brand, Sanamama, double as intention-setting tools thanks to Torres’ process of sourcing rare gemstones from around the world before handcrafting each item in 18k and 14k gold.

The Florida native, who began her career as an art therapist, used her healing background to create something that could be worn, and experienced, daily.

“I was working with crystals for a while and placing them in my client’s homes as energetic interior design. I felt like jewelry was lacking that same magic, so I custom designed a piece for myself. That piece sparked orders to come in and created a demand for what I was making,” she tells ET.

And it didn’t take long for celebrities to gravitate towards the designs, drawn to both their beauty and their energy.

“We use stones that carry a higher frequency, which assist in evolving. … These stones connect the wearer with a sense of grounding, abundance, love, calmness, and tranquility,” the founder says.

To give each piece a deeper meaning, Torres enlists a spiritual team to help channel the purpose behind every design.

“I’ve worked with a medium for 12 years who channels an Ascended Master of Clarity and Magick called Saint Germain. Together, we connect to the power of the piece that I have created or will create. … Our intentions are specific and personalized to each piece,” she explains.

That mindset also makes it easy to justify starting an entire jewelry wardrobe, which is on display at Torres’ first brick-and-mortar boutique in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida.

“The energy I want to bring into my day influences the jewelry I choose to wear. It changes depending on whether I want to feel calm, manifest something positive, or stay grounded before a busy event,” she notes.

No matter how or where you style the line, prepare for someone to ask for the details.

“Everyone who is wearing Sanamama gets stopped at some point and complimented,” Torres spills.

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2026 has already been a big year for Netflix, especially due to the release of War Machine, the sci-fi thriller starring Reacher’s Alan Ritchson. The impressive epic took the crown from The Rip (starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) to become the most successful Netflix movie of the year so far, with over 125M views. Netflix’s latest movie taking over the world is Apex, which stars Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. The film is still #2 on streaming charts after just over a week, losing the top spot to Michael B. Jordan’s new animated film, Swapped. Netflix has also had a few big TV shows to return this year, like The Night Agent, which has been positioned as its alternative to Prime Video’s Reacher. The Night Agent has also been renewed for Season 4, which is confirmed to be the final season of the show.

Netflix has no shortage of exciting movies and TV shows coming this year, and one of the most anticipated projects on the slate just got an exciting first look. This afternoon, Netflix previewed the first official image from its upcoming romantic comedy film, Voicemails for Isabelle, which stars Zoey Deutch (Nouvelle Vague, Everybody Wants Some!) and Nick Robinson (Maid, Love, Simon). The streamer has also confirmed a June 19 release date for the project. Nick Offerman, famed for his performances in Parks and Recreation and The Last of Us, has also been tapped for a key role in the film, along with Lukas Gage, Harry Shum Jr., Megan Danso, Gil Bellows, Toby Sandeman, and Spencer Lord. Voicemails for Isabelle was written and directed by Leah McKendrick, who previously starred in, wrote, and directed Scrambled (co-starring Clancy Brown). She’s also known for playing the newscaster in I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025).

What Is ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ About?

Netflix has released a brief synopsis for Voicemails for Isabelle, which reads as follows:

“Zoey plays Jill, a young woman grappling with the loss of her sister, Isabelle (played by Ciara Bravo. Unable to let go, Jill continues calling Isabelle’s old phone, leaving a series of raw, deeply personal, and often hilarious voicemails. What she doesn’t realize is that the number now belongs to Wes, a charming real estate agent played by Nick Robinson. As Jill keeps talking and Wes keeps listening, an unexpected connection begins to take shape.”

Voicemails for Isabelle has all the laughs and charm of any classic rom-com, but it also pushes out of the boundaries of the genre with a “poignant story of sisterhood and grief.” The film is as funny as it is sweet — perfect for fans of Notting Hill and Sleepless in Seattle.

Check out the first images from Voicemails for Isabelle above and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the film, which premieres on June 19.

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Release Date

June 24, 1993

Runtime

105 minutes

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Director

Nora Ephron

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Writers

David S. Ward, Nora Ephron, Jeff Arch

Producers

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Gary Foster

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