By Robert Scucci
| Published 23 seconds ago

Oh, how much I wanted the critics to be wrong about 2001’s Domestic Disturbance. It’s one of those weird psychological thrillers from the early aughts that has a severe identity crisis, like 2001’s The Glass House, which also had the potential to be a solid film if it didn’t constantly get in its own way, lay everything out far too soon, and pivot way too aggressively in the third act. Both films suffer from taking a simple premise, trying to overcomplicate it with psychological drama, and then completely forgetting what kind of story they’re trying to tell.

It’s a shame too, because John Travolta and Vince Vaughn play well off each other, and had they been given a better screenplay to work with, this would have been a memorable performance for both actors. But they weren’t, so it isn’t.

Your Classic “My Stepdad Is Trying To Kill Me” Setup

Domestic Disturbance is ultimately about one broken family trying to splinter off into two. John Travolta is Frank Morrison, a boat builder on the verge of financial collapse who lives with his new girlfriend Diane (Susan Floyd). His ex-wife Susan (Teri Polo) shares custody of their son Danny (Matt O’Leary), and is about to marry the ultra-wealthy Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn).

Though Danny is known to get into trouble and lie to every authority figure in his life, he’s always honest with Frank, which immediately comes into play when the boy suggests that Rick isn’t the perfect man he seems to be. Behind closed doors, he’s emotionally abusive, aggressive, and a full-blown psychopath trying to fake it as a typical suburban dad.

Danny’s suspicions in Domestic Disturbance are confirmed when he witnesses the murder of Ray Coleman (Steve Buscemi), a mysterious man who shows up at the wedding unannounced and catches Frank’s attention as a suspicious figure associated with Rick. From this point forward, there’s no real mystery left to address. Frank and Danny know Rick is a murderer, nobody else believes them, the cops get involved, and they’re completely useless, forcing Frank to take matters into his own hands.

By the time we reach the third act, all bets are off. Everybody acts super intense, the family dynamic completely breaks down, and I personally found myself wondering why this movie failed to be even the slightest bit suspenseful despite its rapid-fire approach to escalation.

Domestic Disturbance’s Identity Crisis

The main reason Domestic Disturbance fails as a psychological thriller is because there’s not a single moment where anybody’s motives aren’t crystal clear. There’s some mystery surrounding Rick’s shady past and his overall intentions for the Morrison family, but outside of that, yeah, he’s obviously a shady guy, and the movie gives him plenty of “behind closed doors with Danny” moments to make sure the audience knows it. He’s physically abusive in the kind of way that scares the hell out of the kid, but not enough to leave marks, grabbing him by the arm or neck just hard enough to get his point across without going full psycho.

Frank, who’s not without his own past failings, is trying to do right by his son, who nobody believes, so he starts working with detectives Edgar Stevens (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) and Warren (Chris Ellis), who seem like they’re only showing up in uniform for the free doughnuts. He does his own sleuthing and figures out what the audience already knows: Rick is about to go off the deep end, and nobody in the Morrison family is safe.

From there, Rick almost feels like a narrative switch gets flipped inside him, and suddenly he’s operating like a slasher villain. The same thing happens in The Glass House. A brother and sister suspect their new legal guardians are evil, they confirm it without any sliver of doubt, and then the evil people do evil things. Knowing how evil they are right off the rip just doesn’t make for compelling storytelling. There’s nowhere left to properly escalate, so it goes full ridiculous in its attempts to do so because it left itself with too little headroom, so logically, it needs to jump through the ceiling or stop dead in its tracks. 

There are better ways to play out a premise like this. While I’m not usually a champion of the “unreliable protagonist” trope in psychological thrillers because it’s been done to death, it’s exactly what movies like Domestic Disturbance need. There’s no meaningful buildup of tension here, just a slow crawl toward the inevitable ending we already know we’re going to get, followed by Vince Vaughn going totally berserk at the drop of a hat because that’s what the director told him to do. He does it well in this context, but the context itself is so beyond repair that a couple of talented actors can’t save what was probably doomed from the start.

Domestic Disturbance SCORE

Domestic Disturbance, currently streaming on Netflix, is one of those movies that makes you wonder what could have been. It has all the ingredients of a solid psychological thriller, but its vision never feels fully realized.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 17 seconds ago

Just last week, I stumbled upon 2018’s Mute, not realizing that it was a spiritual sequel to a far superior film, 2009’s Moon. I’ll be reviewing that one soon, but I found it underwhelming, and everything I’ve read about Moon suggested that it’s a perfect hard sci-fi thriller, on par with classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Though both movies technically occupy the same cinematic universe, they’re standalone stories, but I still wanted the context. Turns out, you don’t need to see Moon to enjoy, or not enjoy, Mute.

In my mind, though, Moon is a modern classic with clear themes and stakes, while Mute, despite not being a total waste of time, struggles to find its identity and comes off as disjointed.

If You Believed, They Put A Man On The Moon

When Moon introduces us to Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), we get a full crash course in the nature of his work. He’s a lone employee working for Lunar Industries on the Sarang Station, located on the dark side of the moon, and he’s about to complete his three-year contract. He works as an operations technician specializing in mining an alternative fuel known as helium-3. On Earth, an oil crisis made mining for resources on the moon inevitable, but with the foundation already in place, it’s a pretty turnkey operation.

With constant reminders that external communications are down, Sam can only communicate with Earth through occasional video exchanges, but there is no live feed. He gets updates from his wife, Tess (Dominique McElligott), and his young daughter Eve (Rosie Shaw), but it’s not enough to fight off the intense loneliness he feels every single day. He finds companionship in a mobile AI named GERTY (Kevin Spacey), but the fact that his only tangible relationship is with a computer program doesn’t do his mental state any favors.

Sam begins to hallucinate, which eventually leads him to a crashed rover where he finds another unconscious astronaut. Here’s the kicker: the unconscious man appears to be Sam’s identical twin, and GERTY isn’t telling the full truth. Both Sams come to blows, accusing each other of being clones before it dawns on them that they’re both clones of the original Sam. Neither man knows how long they’ve been living like this, or how many other clones there are, either in hiding or actively working in secret on the space station.

As the Sams work together, alongside GERTY, to uncover the true nature of their work and identities, they experience ego death, crash out, and regroup on multiple occasions, wondering how much of their lives are actually real, and how much of it is a lie made possible through false memory implants created by Lunar Industries.

Ego Death … IN SPACEEE!!!

While it goes without saying that Sam Rockwell does a stellar job playing off himself in Moon, I feel like that’s the obvious thing to talk about, so I’m not really going to get into it here. What I found most fascinating about Moon is the very system in which the Sams operate. They make this startling discovery, go through their respective grieving processes, and then come up with an escape plan.

They search the entire space station looking for clues about additional clones, and they venture out on unsanctioned discovery missions in search of what they suspect is a signal jammer. GERTY is designed to be helpful to the Sams, but his primary objective is ultimately to keep the helium-3 train moving at full capacity so everybody on Earth can enjoy the fruits of their labor. What really stuck with me is how easily the Sams are able to learn the true nature of their situation. It gets to the point where they straight up ask GERTY why they’re able to roam around without consequence.

To me, that’s where the true terror lies in Moon. It’s a subtle idea that gets casually brought up throughout the film, but it hints at a much larger systemic issue taking place. Both men, who are clones of the same astronaut and have no clue how long they’ve been living as clones, or how many clones came before them, are able to crack the conspiracy with little to no resistance. This tells me that Lunar Industries has been playing this game long enough that it no longer cares what each individual Sam does because it doesn’t matter. GERTY is tasked with keeping them in check, sure, but it’s such an isolated mission in such a remote place that even if they escape successfully, then what?

The fact that these men are fighting for their lives, and it’s completely hopeless because the system in place that made this all possible in the first place is so much larger than them that their lives don’t even matter one bit, is probably the most subtly terrifying thing about this film. This is just a line in the books. Their lives are literally a writeoff.

The entire system in which Moon operates is an unthinkably oppressive one. The machine will keep running, and the resources will keep getting mined. It doesn’t matter if one clone crosses paths with another clone and devises a plan to escape back to Earth to be with his family. The system is designed so nobody makes it far enough to expose what’s actually happening on the dark side of the moon.

Time will continue to march forward, and there will be more Sams showing up to work and wondering why it’s getting harder and harder to communicate with their families back on Earth. It’s a truly horrifying look at just how much individuality we stand to lose when the powers that be decide that resources are more important than the humanity they’re supposedly trying to save.

As of this writing, Moon is streaming for free on Tubi.

Nobody does effortless California cool quite like Jennifer Aniston, but according to the actress, her iconic glow is anything but accidental.

While celebrating the launch of LolaVie’s Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray at Nova Studios in Los Angeles, California on May 7, Aniston opened up about the surprisingly intentional routine behind her laidback aesthetic.

“It’s funny considering I’m born in California, but grew up in New York City, so really, that California look didn’t just fall off a truck,” she joked during a fireside chat with makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury.

Still, the Friends star has perfected the formula for that naturally sun-kissed vibe, and it’s rooted in a wellness first philosophy.

“It starts from the inside,” Aniston explained. “How we take care of ourselves affects our skin directly and our hair obviously, so it’s a holistic approach.”

Rather than relying on quick fixes, The Morning Show star believes real radiance comes from more than just great glam.

“Let’s actually be healthy from the inside. It’s an inside job. … It’s not just like, ‘Let’s just put band aids on everything and make it look and present as beautiful and healthy,’” she shared.

That same thinking extends to the products she uses, too. Aniston gravitates toward formulas that nourish her complexion and mane long-term, instead of creating temporary results.

“With a lot of hair care and makeup, there’s sort of this momentary love fest where it all looks gorgeous and your skin is glowing or your hair is bouncing and shiny,” she said. 

“Then eventually, when the ingredients are not pure or organic, they start to backfire. … Your skin starts to breakout, there’s buildup, and it’s just not good.”

That’s why she sticks to trusted staples from Charlotte Tilbury alongside must-haves from her own haircare line.

“There’s healing properties in the makeup and in the hair product so that it will enhance our skin and hair, not destroy it.”

Among her current beauty favorites are the Wonderglow Face Primer, Airbrush Bronzer, and Glowing Jen Hot Lips 2, a beachy rose lipstick shade inspired by Aniston herself.

“It’s not too red and it’s not too pink and it’s not too brown,” she dished. “It’s sort of the perfect mix.”

She’s also loyal to the makeup brand’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray because, as Aniston put it, “You can swim in it!”

And for achieving those signature undone waves without a dip in the ocean? LolaVie’s newest offering has become her go-to.

“You spray it on while your hair is wet, before blow drying or natural air drying, and it cuts your blow dry down in half,’ she noted. “Plus, it adds shine and heat protection.”

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Without any doubt, the 1990s brought the most thrilling cinematic experiences ever. This really was the time for unforgettable movie entertainment. It released blockbusters, epic Academy Award-winning masterpieces, and created pop-cultural landmarks that we still recognize today. Truly, it was a decade of excitement each year, where every genre shined. But one notable highlight was the thriller genre. And, boy, were we spoiled.

Modern entertainment arguably wouldn’t be the same without the epic thriller classics that defined this awesome decade. They’re honored, beloved, and recognized for their act of always keeping us on the edge of our seats. They’re still intense and thrilling today, with some being recognized as the most significant of the genre, not just in this decade but of all time. From tightly paced crime mysteries to shocking whodunits to explosive high-octane action flicks, here are the best thrillers from each year of the 1990s. Buckle up for a wild ride.

‘Misery’ (1990)

Starting off with an epic nailbiter, we have Misery, the tense, claustrophobic horror thriller directed by the late Rob Reiner and based on a riveting Stephen King novel. What happens when a celebrity faces their worst nightmare of encountering a dangerous fan? Well, for writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan), he has to face that nightmare alone, as, after a debilitating car accident, he’s rescued but then held captive by his obsessed #1 fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a disturbed former nurse who’s not going to let him go.

Its claustrophobic tension mixed with a creepy stalker premise that turned this much-beloved Stephen King adaptation into one of his most regarded and acclaimed efforts. It leaves you constantly on edge, fearing just what Annie may be capable of and how far she’ll go to keep Paul all to herself. Kathy Bates’ wildly unpredictable performance as this deranged captor earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, a rare achievement for the horror genre, showing just how perfect her casting was. Truly, Misery is a stressful, eye-catching movie experience that kick-started the 1990s with a thrilling bang.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

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In this genre-defining masterpiece, the late Jonathan Demme changed the face of the thriller and horror genres with a well-crafted, tightly paced mystery horror film that audiences will never forget. Released in 1991, The Silence of the Lambs became a massive critical and commercial success and went on to win Best Picture. Starring Oscar winners Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, it follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she probes the mind of the brilliant convicted killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to trace the behavior of another serial killer on the loose and stop him before he kills his next victim.

You follow along with Clarice as she engages in a mental game of chess with Dr. Lecter, learning something new about her target while also dodging Lecter’s psychological forms of intimidation. Every scene with Lecter is pure nightmare-fuel as the great Anthony Hopkins delivers a terrifyingly memorable performance as this dangerous yet eerily sophisticated criminal mastermind. The Silence of the Lambs has become recognized as being timelessly thrilling, as the mystery and chilling performances have kept relevant and exciting throughout the years.

‘Basic Instinct’ (1992)

Image via TriStar Pictures

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In this steamy, alluring erotic crime thriller from 1992, Paul Verhoeven‘s Basic Instinct is a delight as it instantly grips you with a dangerous tale of sex and murder. Starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas, it follows a San Francisco police detective who, after investigating a gruesome murder, begins to piece together that the culprit may be a beautiful, mysterious crime novelist who is killing for new material for her latest book.

Basic Instinct is a film that hardly anyone in 1992 ever forgot. It’s a blast that knows how to keep your attention until the end. From the intriguing mystery elements, tense story, to Sharon Stone’s career-defining performance as the captivating femme fatale Catherine Tramell, you’ll never be bored for a second, and there’s always more to appreciate about it upon multiple rewatches.

‘The Fugitive’ (1993)

Image via Warner Bros.

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In a year dominated by cinematic wonder, it was Andrew Davis‘ The Fugitive that became one of its most thrilling standouts. This pulse-pounding action thriller combines epic chases, daring escapes, and tight suspense, all mixed into a fascinating mystery. It sees the iconic Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongfully accused of murdering his wife, who escapes custody and must prove his innocence while a dedicated U.S. Marshall, Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), hunts him down at all costs.

What ensues in this two-hour-long nail-biter is one of the most gripping games of cat and mouse ever brought to the silver screen. You follow as Kimble tries to clear his name, while Gerard never stops to find and bring him in dead or alive. There are a lot of close calls, moments where it seems hopeless for Kimble to succeed, and it all makes you worried if he’s ever going to make it out of this situation at all. Truly, The Fugitive is an edge-of-your-seat experience that doesn’t get old, and will always get more thrilling with age.

‘Speed’ (1994)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Buckle up for a nonstop thrill ride in this legendary 1994 action spectacle. Jan de Bont‘s Speed is an explosive peak of ’90s blockbuster cinema, featuring thrilling suspense and jaw-dropping excitement. Starring Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper, it sees hot-shot LAPD SWAT officer Jack Traven as he races against the clock to thwart a crazed extortionist’s plan to blow up a city bus full of people that will explode if it drops below 50 mph.

Speed is a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled blast of entertainment that became the movie-going experience of 1994. Even now, it’s still tense, nailbiting, and feels like one big stressful race that never lets up the suspense until the last explosion. The performances from the likable, iconic cast make it fun and engaging, and its simple yet epic premise ensures that audiences are in for a wild, fun ride.

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Image via New Line Cinema

1995 saw a slew of instant thriller classics, from Heat and Jade to The Usual Suspects. But, truly, none of these come close to the mind-blowing greatness that is David Fincher‘s career-defining thriller masterpiece Se7en. Starring Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, it follows an experienced, disillusioned police detective and his hot-shot, young partner as they track a highly elusive serial killer who is basing his murders on the seven deadly sins.

This intense, hauntingly bleak mystery crime flick transcended the decade to become one of the most memorable thrillers in movie history. From its well-structured mystery and eerie suspense to the fantastic lead performances and riveting dialogue, it’s got something here to completely drag you into a thrilling experience. Even its ending alone is enough to leave you speechless and never forget the film long after seeing it. Overall, Se7en’s not just a perfect thriller, it’s simply one of the most perfect movies, period.

‘Scream’ (1996)

Image via Dimension Films

The mid ’90s were arguably the lowest point of the horror genre, a time stagnated by tired sequels and schlocky nonsense. But in 1996, along came a savior in the form of Scream, a trailblazing horror comedy that mixed terror, humor, and thrills all into one powerful blend that changed horror and cinema for the better. Directed by the late Wes Craven, it follows a group of California high schoolers as they use their knowledge of horror movie tropes to figure out who among them has been going around killing people in a Ghostface mask.

It’s simply an endless blast of creative fun and excitement, featuring an enduring whodunnit slasher premise that doesn’t get old and only gets better with age. Scream changed the game, popularizing the meta-horror trope that would carry on well into our current era. It’s undoubtedly funny, terrifying at times, and has an edge-of-your-seat feeling that is nonstop throughout its entire runtime. Truly ’90s pop culture would not be the same without it.

‘Funny Games’ (1997)

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Experience heartbreaking terror unlike anything else in ’90s cinema. Released in 1997, Funny Games is a heavy psychological torture thriller from Germany. What happens through its nearly two-hour-long runtime is one of the most shocking and depressing looks at human nature and senseless violence ever brought to the screen. It follows an innocent family of three on vacation at their secluded lake house as they’re put through a night of horror by a pair of sadistic teenage boys who torment them for fun.

It’s a twisted delve into how we as audiences react to violence, and the central message has us take a deep look into ourselves, and makes us feel part of the mayhem that occurs on screen. Funny Games has you holding your breath right up to a devastatingly bleak and intentionally unsatisfying finale, and it’s one you can’t get out of your mind. Really, it has surpassed the decade to become an all-time thriller classic.

‘A Simple Plan’ (1998)

Image via Paramount Pictures

No doubt one of the most underrated thrillers of the 1990s, 1998’s A Simple Plan may have slipped under most people’s radars at first, but make no mistake, it’s an undeniable masterpiece. Starring the late Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton, it’s a tragic tale of greed, following two blue-collar brothers and their best friend as they slowly become paranoid and face the threat of being killed when they stumble upon and keep a bag full of money that they found in an undiscovered plane crash in the woods.

A Simple Plan is an excellent blend of character drama, crime, and mystery to perfectly thrill viewers from beginning to end. It keeps you hooked with a nailbiting premise that follows these men as they debate whether to keep the money for themselves and face retaliation by its criminal owners or turn it over to the police. It’s very thought-provoking and even tragic, as it ends on a sour note, as the last survivor is left alone without even claiming the money. Overall, it’s a fantastic hidden thriller gem that truly needs to be experienced more.

‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Ending the decade on a glorious high note was The Sixth Sense, the groundbreaking supernatural horror thriller by memorable filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. This iconic staple of ’90s pop culture became one of the most acclaimed features of 1999, featuring Oscar-worthy acting and brilliant storytelling. Starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment, it follows a revered child psychiatrist who, after a brush with death at the hands of a disgruntled former patient, seeks to find redemption in himself by helping a struggling, lonely boy with a unique power to see ghosts.

The Sixth Sense has the power to firmly grip onto the viewers, taking them through a wildly emotional, and at times, horrifyingly thrilling, ride through its unique premise. It keeps mounting with shock and suspense, culminating in one of the most unexpected twist endings in movie history. It’s timelessly engaging, and it capped off the 1990s with a thunderous bang, cementing this decade as one of the most significant in thriller history.

Blake Shelton is playfully blaming his manager after missing his wife Gwen Stefani’s major Las Vegas residency opening night. While Stefani reunited with No Doubt for the launch of the band’s new residency at Sphere on Wednesday night, Shelton was busy kicking off his own residency performances across town. And according to Blake Shelton, the scheduling conflict was less than ideal.

During his concert at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Shelton joked with the crowd about being unable to attend Stefani’s highly anticipated opening night show. “My wife came to town. She’s here. I mean, she’s not. She’s over there at the other venue,” he told concertgoers.

The singer then jokingly turned his frustration toward his management team. “What kind of a d-ckhead books us the same nights every single night? I think my manager did that,” Shelton quipped from the stage.

Although the couple’s shows are taking place just minutes apart on the Las Vegas Strip, Shelton’s residency obligations prevented him from attending in person.

Gwen Stefani Reunites With No Doubt At Sphere

Meanwhile, Stefani officially reunited with Tony Kanal, Adrian Young, and Tom Dumont for No Doubt’s new 18-show residency. The band reportedly opened the show with “Tragic Kingdom” from their iconic 1995 album of the same name, marking the first time in nearly two decades they performed the song live in that format.

Fans were also treated to several major hits and rarely performed tracks throughout the night. The residency is set to continue through June 13.

Gwen Stefani Admits She Got ‘Emotional’ During No Doubt’s Opening Night

While Blake Shelton was joking about missing the show, Gwen Stefani was busy delivering an emotional night of nostalgia for longtime No Doubt fans. Over the course of the nearly two-hour performance, Stefani and the band performed 21 songs, including several tracks that hadn’t been played live in decades.

One standout moment came when the band performed “The Climb” from 1995’s “Tragic Kingdom” for the first time in 29 years. At one point during the show, Stefani admitted the moment was starting to hit her emotionally. “I’m getting a little emotional up here,” she told the screaming crowd.

Fans attending the residency also had the chance to experience the “No Doubt Experience,” an immersive pop-up installation at the Venetian featuring memorabilia and artifacts celebrating the group’s history. But that’s not all, because Gwen Stefani also made sure fans became part of the show itself, inviting several superfans onstage throughout the night, including during one of No Doubt’s most iconic songs, “Just a Girl.”

Before launching into the track, Stefani reflected on writing the anthem decades ago and admitted she never expected it to remain so culturally relevant. “I wrote this song out of pure innocence in a time where I was just becoming aware of myself and my surroundings,” she told the crowd.

“But I always thought that I would be like … I would grow up too much to sing it and it would be out of style,” she continued, before asking fans, “but you tell me if you think it’s still relevant or stylish or? It’s up to you guys.”

Shelton Previously Joked About Competing With Stefani

This isn’t the first time Shelton has joked about the couple’s Vegas showdown. Earlier this year, the singer admitted he expected some “trash talking” between the pair as they prepared for their respective residencies. “I’m excited about that because i know there’ll be probably a little bit of trash talking,” he previously said.

Shelton also poked fun at the massive size difference between the venues, comparing the Sphere’s roughly 20,000-seat capacity to the more intimate Colosseum. “Whether we both sell out, there’s a big difference in selling out the Sphere and selling out Caesars, so she’ll have that over my head,” he joked. “Yeah, it’s not very friendly when it’s absolute a-s-kicking.”

Blake Shelton And Gwen Stefani’s Relationship Has Stayed In Spotlight

Shelton and Stefani first met while serving as coaches on “The Voice” in 2014 before confirming their relationship the following year. The couple got engaged in 2020 and married in 2021.

Stefani shares sons Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale. According to reports, Stefani’s children were also absent from the residency opening because it fell on a school night. Still, despite the scheduling chaos, Shelton made it clear he’s cheering his wife on, even if it has to happen from across the Strip.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 9 seconds ago

There is a new Evil Dead movie coming out this summer, this one called Evil Dead: Burn. It is the sixth movie in the franchise, and a few trailers for it dropped on May 5, 2026.

The trailers heavily feature a fatal car accident and funeral for a character named Will, played by George Pullar. He seems to have a wife, teenaged children, and other family members who are grieving for him. The rest of the family harks out to a cabin in the woods, where the nefarious Necronomicon makes its appearance and is far too tempting not to read. What results is a mayhem of murderous hillbillies, and family and friends turned by the book into Kandarian demons that slaughter their way through the living with impunity.

The Evolution Of Evil Dead

The original Evil Dead was about a group of five college students who stayed in a cabin in the middle of the woods, one which happened to belong to an archaeology professor who retreated there to study his latest find: the Necronomicon. Of the group, only one survives: Ash (the iconic Bruce Campbell), bumbling, wisecracking, and full of ingenuity and contemporary know-how. Once Ash recovers from the initial shock of all his friends being turned into Deadites by the Necronomicon’s magic, he slashes and shoots his way through three movies and a three-season series.

2013’s Evil Dead, directed by Fede Alvarez, returned to the seriousness of the first movie with a new version of the Necronomicon that got read by five more curious students, this time on retreat to help Mia (Jane Levy) withdraw from drug addiction. While this version did return the story to the cabin in the woods, it also introduced elevated horror to the Evil Dead franchise.

Evil Dead, Elevated?

Elevated horror is horror that represents some other struggle. For example, there is elevated horror about childhood trauma, mental illness, LGBQT issues, and suicide. Rather than being a simple horror story, elevated horror emphasizes its social point, with the horror as a mere allegory for it. In Evil Dead (2013), the message was about drug addiction.

Lee Cronin added his own layer of elevated horror to Evil Dead: Rise, which came out in 2023 and followed two sisters: a drifter and a single mom with three children. Removing itself from the cabin in the woods, this one took place in a high rise in Los Angeles and turned mom Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) into a Deadite early so she could terrorize her neighbors, her children, and her sister Beth (Lily Sullivan). Cronin’s other movies, The Hole in the Ground and the recent theatrical release, The Mummy, also focus on parenthood and protection of children, a theme he could not resist integrating into his take on the Kandarian demon franchise.

Ressurection With Intention

Evil Dead: Burn looks like it is doing the same: keeping the Deadites and the Necronomicon, but also keeping “the message,” this time a theme of grieving loss. Rather than reading the Necronomicon out of accident or misplaced curiosity, Luciane Buchannan’s heroine, named Thya, reads from it in the hopes that it would resurrect a dead loved one. The hillbillies that figured vaguely into the first movie and more definitively in the 2013 version seem to also be making a comeback, but are part of the problem, not the solution.

As a long-time fan of the Evil Dead series, some of the permutations that have been introduced to the continuity, like the hillbilly witch in the 2013 film, or the Necronomicon being read on audio rather than aloud, do add interesting new angles to the epic of the Kandarian demons. But I can’t help but feel that each new movie that doesn’t include Ash is merely using the Kandarian demons to spread whatever “elevated horror” message that particular director intends.

Ash’s Absence

Ash was fun: taking a beating, being tortured by a demon inhabiting his girlfriend, traveling back in time, leading the charge against an entire army of the dead, and finally settling into a career in retail, only to start the whole cycle again in an intoxicated stupor. He was too bumbling to be taken seriously while simultaneously being the hero we need rather than the hero we want. He’s got wisecracks and memorable one-liners and is an action hero alongside being a horror movie survivor.

Subsequent Evil Dead movies have been so interested in being elevated horror that they forgot that Evil Dead is supposed to be fun. Alvarez and Cronin had reputations as horror directors to protect and didn’t take some of the more comedic risks that creator Sam Raimi pioneered. They focus on what’s gory and scary about Kandarian demons without giving us a new hero to root for, which removes half of what made the original Evil Dead movies what they were.

Unaddressed Loose Ends

Furthermore, previous installments left loose ends in the form of Mia from the 2013 film, and Beth and Kassie from Evil Dead: Rise; the Rise epilogue also features new young people in a cabin in the woods but never establishes what happened to them. These stories are so disparate that their characters are forgettable and don’t seem like part of the continuity.

Evil Dead has become an anthology as new movies continue to be made, which shouldn’t be a bad thing (especially as Bruce Campbell is too old to play Ash), but it has strayed too far in tone from the original work. Each new movie is following its own individual storyline, making them Evil Dead in name only.

Evil Dead: Burn comes out in theaters on July 10, 2026. What will happen when the Necronomicon is unleashed?

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are enthusiastic supporters of Sadie Sink as she hits a new career milestone.

Swift and Kelce, both 36, attended Sink’s Romeo & Juliet play at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London on Thursday, May 7.

Sink, 24, made her West End debut in the production, which opened in March. She is currently starring as Juliet, while Noah Jupe portrays Romeo.

In fan videos shared via social media, Swift and Kelce can be seen giving Sink and the rest of the cast and crew a standing ovation at the conclusion of the play.

The same night, the “Shake It Off” singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who got engaged last August, were spotted leaving Indian restaurant Gymkhana. In photos obtained by TMZ, they held hands as they left the London hotspot on their date night.

Related: Taylor Swift’s Dancers React After Travis Kelce Hits ‘Eras Tour’ Stage

Taylor Swift‘s backup dancers still haven’t recovered from Travis Kelce‘s surprise Eras Tour debut, just like Us. Kelce, 34, joined his girlfriend on stage at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, June 23, to celebrate her third of eight performances in London. He appeared during the transition from “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” to “I Can […]

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Swift and Sink collaborated on the singer’s All Too Well: The Short Film, released in 2021. The Stranger Things alum and Dylan O’Brien starred as troubled love interests in the music video that accompanied the 10-minute version of Swift’s song “All Too Well.”

Appearing at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2022, Swift spoke about why she chose the actress to play the role.

“Sadie has this versatility, because I just really wanted someone who could go from that idealism and that unbroken spirit and we see that,” she said of Sink. “It’s so palpable when we first meet her, and I wanted to show their closeness with handheld shots. I wanted to be so close we could count the freckles.”

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Swift continued: “And then as things transpire and things fall apart, I wanted our shots to reflect the remoteness that she feels — this desperate isolation that she feels — because her world opened up to this incredible big passionate intense love and then it just, all of a sudden, overnight it boiled down to nothing and the floor fell through and she just feels far away from all her friends and her old life because she’s been in this adult mature world that she never felt quite fit either.”

In multiple interviews, Sink has praised Swift and opened up about how surreal it felt to be handpicked by the Grammy winner for the role.

“Like I didn’t know she knew I existed!” she gushed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in May 2022. “And if she would have asked me to be a tree in something I would have said yes in a heartbeat.”

It’s not every day that Nordstrom stops Us in our tracks with a sale so good that, suddenly, our closets feel incredibly empty. Now through May 11, the retailer is offering up to 25% off on thousands of products, including women’s clothing and shoes. If you’ve been meaning to round out your spring wardrobe, let this be your green light to save big on quality pieces.

From flowy dresses and relaxed pants to outerwear and shoes, Nordstrom has our attention on must-shop deals. Brands including Free People, Vince Camuto, Mango, Calvin Klein and more are slashing prices on warm-weather-ready styles. To ensure we’re only showing you sales worth your while, we only included items that are 25% off — because a measly 10% just won’t do!

Nordstrom 25% Off Savings Event

1. Take up to 25% off Free People 

Our Pick: Available in four pretty patterns, this 100% cotton maxi dress can be worn on its own or layered. The lining only comes down part of the way, so part of your legs will peek out through the sheer fabric.

Check out all Free People deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

2. Take up to 25% off Vince Camuto 

Our Pick: Give your everyday T-shirt an upgrade with this embroidered short-sleeve top. It features giant flowers and raw edges for a rugged contrast.

Check out all Vince Camuto deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

3. Take up to 25% off Caslon

Our Pick: Trust Us: You’ll live in these 100% linen pants this spring and summer. The cropped, wide-leg silhouette is flattering and won’t weigh you down on hot days.

Check out all Caslon deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

4. Take up to 25% off Mango

Our Pick: Spring weather can be unpredictable, so you’ll be glad you have this short trench coat. It comes in two colors and can stand up to unexpected rain. Bonus: It’s perfect for petites!

Check out all Mango deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

5. Take up to 25% off Splendid

Our Pick: You can’t go wrong with an oversized button-up shirt. This 100% cotton option comes in four neutral colors, as well as a butter yellow that we can’t get out of our head.

Check out all Splendid deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

6. Take up to 25% off Lucky Brand

Our Pick: No matter what top you pair it with, a white maxi skirt instantly turns your look into a spring-approved one. The A-line silhouette looks nice on everyone, and the elastic waist means you’ll always be comfortable.

Check out all Lucky Brand deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

7. Take up to 25% off Treasure & Bond

Our Pick: The denim dress trend isn’t going anywhere, and you can get in on it with this chambray maxi dress. With a cinched-in waist and short sleeves, this is a style you can throw on whenever you want a little extra confidence.

Check out all Treasure & Bond deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

8. Take up to 25% off Petal & Pup

Our Pick: This boxy elbow-sleeve cardigan was made for transitional weather. You can wear it layered over a tank or buttoned up so it’s a top all on its own.

Check out all Petal & Pup deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

9. Take up to 25% off City Blues

Our Pick: Get the look of denim with the comfort of athleisure, thanks to these wide-leg sweatpant jeans. No one has to know about the ultra-comfy drawstring waistband.

Check out all City Blues deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

10. Take up to 25% off DKNY

Our Pick: It’s business on top and party on the bottom with these woven espadrille shoes. They are easy to slip on and add just a hint of summer vibes.

Check out all DKNY deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

11. Take up to 25% off Open Edit 

Our Pick: Available in four darling patterns, this short-sleeve midi dress can be dressed up or down. It features pleats on the skirt for a swingy look when you walk.

Check out all Open Edit deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

12. Take up to 25% off Karen Kane

Our Pick: This asymmetrical three-quarter-sleeve top comes in 29 colors — yes, you read that right. The chiffon-like look can be worn under a blazer for the office or on its own for happy hour.

Check out all Karen Kane deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

13. Take up to 25% off Calvin Klein

Our Pick: This 2.25-inch sandal heel pairs well with dresses, jeans and beyond. The bad news is that it’s going to be impossible to choose between the black, white, tan and light pink hues.

Check out all Calvin Klein deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

14. Take up to 25% off NYDJ

Our Pick: Capris are back, and this high-waisted, wide-leg option is the casual pair you need. The stretchy fabric and Lift Tuck Technology will smooth you out.

Check out all NYDJ deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

15. Take up to 25% off English Factory

Our Pick: When you don’t know what to wear, grab this 100% cotton midi dress. It has short, puffed sleeves and flowy tiers, making it an option ready for any occasion.

Check out all English Factory deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

16. Take up to 25% off Bella Vita

Our Pick: Spice up your typical flats with this breezy woven pair. Your feet won’t feel cooped up, and the cushioned footbeds make them approved for all-day wear.

Check out all Bella Vita deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

17. Take up to 25% off Faherty 

Our Pick: The cool thing about this linen-blend mini skirt is that its style was inspired by workwear. So, it’s a more laid-back option when you’re looking to be easy breezy.

Check out all Faherty deals included in the Nordstrom Savings Event sale here!

On Thursday, Caleb took to his Instagram Stories with a series of lengthy posts. His statements stress that he understands the seriousness of the case and does not want to insert himself into an ongoing legal matter. Additionally, he directly denied claims that he was protecting his brother or had any knowledge of wrongdoing. Caleb said he has not lived with D4vd in years and that they rarely speak outside of brief family interactions. He also addressed resurfaced footage showing him around Celeste Rivas Hernandez at a concert when he was 15. However, Caleb claimed that the clip was taken out of context. He also revealed that he did not know her well or know her age at the time.

What Else Caleb Burke Said In His Statement?

Caleb also pushed back on claims that he was using the situation for attention or to boost his music career. He said he’s been making music for years and recently rebranded under a new stage name. Caleb added that he even stepped away from music for months because of the emotional toll surrounding the case. He also called out inaccuracies in reports about his age and timeline, saying his creative reset was planned long before the case resurfaced publicly. As D4vd continues facing serious legal proceedings following his April arrest, Caleb ended his statement by saying he’s focused on building his own path through music and separating himself from the allegations tied to his brother.

D4vd’s TikTok Account Disappears Amid Legal Fallout

The online fallout surrounding D4vd continues to grow. And, yet another major platform appears to have distanced itself from the singer following his recent legal troubles. This time, fans noticed that his TikTok account has seemingly disappeared entirely. Now, users can no longer find his page just weeks after he was charged in connection to the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Users searching for D4vd’s profile are now met with a notice saying the account has been banned. All content tied to the page appears to have been removed. While TikTok has not confirmed the reason behind the ban, the platform does prohibit content tied to violence or harmful conduct. TMZ reports that inquiries have been made to TikTok, but no public statement has been released yet. D4vd’s preliminary hearing is now set for May 26 after his defense team requested more time to review evidence.

RELATED: Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Father Addresses Claims Of Contact With D4vd & Receiving Alleged Payments (VIDEO)