By Robert Scucci
| Published 5 seconds ago

Sometimes, all you need to stay grounded in a sci-fi flick set in the not-so-distant future is an insanely relatable character you can identify with. 2018’s Mute misses the mark here, as its protagonist is a former Amish boy with no vocal cords living in 2035 Berlin. The whole setting resembles Blade Runner, but if Harrison Ford knew how to build furniture and raise barns.

On one hand, I kind of get it. A technologically averse Amish man living in a hyper-futuristic society is the perfect allegory for never being able to return home, and there’s something to be said about that. But this movie also takes over two hours to lay out its convoluted, overlapping plot lines, making it incredibly hard to stay invested despite its immersive, neo-noir cyberpunk visuals.

While Mute is technically a follow-up to writer-director Duncan Jones’ 2009 hard sci-fi masterpiece, Moon, it functions almost entirely as a standalone film that just so happens to occupy the same universe. There are some Easter eggs in Mute that nod to the first film, but they’re subtle and don’t necessarily enhance the storytelling in any meaningful way. If you blink, you’ll miss them, and if you miss them, you won’t even know what you’re missing out on.

Which is a total shame, because Moon is an infinitely superior movie, and Mute is just “meh.”

Leo Spends His Adult Life, Away From Amish Paradise! 

Set in the year 2035, Mute introduces us to Leo (Alexander Skarsgard), a bartender working in Berlin who, thanks to a brutal childhood injury, no longer has vocal cords. He’s a true analog man in the sense that he’s formerly Amish, meaning he has serious apprehensions about modern technology. Despite this, he’s a productive member of society who shows up to work as a bartender, every day without fail. Also working at the bar is Leo’s girlfriend, Naadirah (Seyneb Saleh), who’s holding onto some sort of secret that will eventually blow up in everybody’s face.

Leo and Naadirah seem to have a great relationship, but things completely unravel when Naadirah disappears after Leo gets into a fight with one of their regular customers, Stuart (Noel Clarke), who gets a little too handsy with her even after she tells him how uncomfortable he’s making her.

Now that we have the main storyline out of the way, here’s where Mute loses the plot in the most unfortunate way. We’re introduced to Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd) and Duck (Justin Theroux), two black-market surgeons who get a ton of backstory that at first seems like a non sequitur, but it basically boils down to this: Bill is trying to leave Berlin with his daughter Josie (Mia-Sophie), while Duck wants to stick around because he has a side business that fuels some of his darker desires.

These storylines run separately for way too long before eventually converging in a way that finally makes sense. And trust me, there is a decent payoff here, but by the time it arrives, it feels like a too-little-too-late scenario. Paul Rudd goes dark here, and it’s a refreshing change of pace considering he was knee-deep in Ant-Man movies around this time. Cactus Bill and Duck’s relationship is a complex one, but most of their conversations stay frustratingly surface-level. That’s unfortunate because there’s clearly a lot of depth here that never fully gets explored, even though you can tell there’s plenty beneath the surface that needs unpacking.

Mute Is Neat To Look At, Moon Is 1000% Better

While there are some neat little Easter eggs that nod to Moon in Mute, namely references to the company Lunar Industries, you don’t need to watch both films together, and they can absolutely be treated as separate entities thematically. Moon spends all of its time in isolation, and it’s a story about ego death and clinging to humanity in a place where there is none. Mute is basically Blade Runner with more of a neo-noir bent.

Visually, Mute is absolutely stunning and ridiculously fun to look at. While I wasn’t a fan of the storytelling, the scenery is sprawling, complex, intrusive, and overstimulating in the best possible ways. It really feels like a futuristic hellhole I’m glad not to be living in, but it’s also clearly wearing its influences on its sleeve. However, this was Jones’ intention, meaning he was likely going for more of a homage than a straight-up style study, which is exactly how the film plays out.

Mute, compared to its brilliantly executed predecessor, is underwhelming on the storytelling front but still a visual feast full of neon-drenched cityscapes. I’ll probably throw this one on again in the future while doing idle activities like drawing, occasionally looking up just to soak in the scenery.

On a narrative level, though, this one really didn’t do much for me outside of making me wish the two main storylines intersected in a more meaningful way. It feels like two completely different movies playing side by side for most of the first two acts, which makes me wonder if there’s a more cohesive director’s cut floating around somewhere that fills in these narrative gaps.

Mute is a Netflix Original and can be streamed with an active subscription.

By Chris Sawin
| Published 47 seconds ago

Bear (Michael Johnston) has a crush on his childhood friend and co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette). It’s not just a little crush, as Bear has been in love with Nikki for as long as he can remember, but he can’t tell her how he feels. His best friend Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and his girlfriend Sarah (Megan Lawless) encourage him to just tell Nikki how he feels, but he never capitalizes on the opportunity.

The four of them work at a music store together, and Nikki tells Bear she’s going to put in her two weeks because it feels like the right time to move on. One night, Bear is supposed to meet his friends for drinks, but stops at a new-age shop to get Nikki a gift. He winds up getting a One Wish Willow, a gag toy that seemingly grants wishes.

After Bear fumbles what is perhaps the widest opening anyone could have to tell their crush that they have feelings for them, he uses the One Wish Willow himself and wishes that Nikki loved him more than anyone in the world. Unfortunately for him, the toy actually grants his wish, but he never could have imagined the weight of a wish that heavy.  

Curry Barker’s Obsession Was Inspired By The Simpsons

This is Obsession, Curry Barker’s first theatrical feature film. He got his start on YouTube with Cooper Tomlinson as a part of the sketch comedy duo “that’s a bad idea.” In addition to comedy shorts, Barker also dabbled in horror. His directorial debut, Milk & Serial, was made in four months on an $800 budget. The film was released for free on YouTube, went viral, and is the reason Barker is a film director today.

Obsession was initially inspired by the “Treehouse of Horror II” episode of The Simpsons, specifically the segment where Bart finds a monkey’s paw that grants wishes. Conceptually, Obsession is a lot like Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey. Both films are about a cursed item or toy that does exactly what it’s advertised to do. But whereas Perkins’s film is practically built around a cast of asshole characters, essentially bridging the gap between unbelievable deaths, Obsession has a more coherent story; most of the characters are still selfish assholes, but the gore feels earned.

Deep Into Unrestrained Madness

For the first hour of Obsession, the film is mostly driven by dialogue that explores how the wish has affected Nikki, and by the slow reveal of just how deep into unrestrained madness Nikki has been thrust. It’s also safe to say that Inde Navarrette’s performance will make or break your opinion of the film. It’s a tricky situation because Navarrette does a stellar job of bringing this insanity to life, but there’s no arguing that she’s annoying as hell.

On one hand, that is kind of the point of Bear’s wish; that he’s bitten off more than he can chew, and we as the audience have to pay for that in some regard. But Navarrette’s screeching tantrums, as Nikki’s overwhelming clinginess overshadows the undeniable creepiness, unexpected moments of humor, and any other positive qualities this tiny $1 million supernatural horror film has.

What Obsession gets right about Nikki is that there seem to be momentary lapses with the wish where she regains control and has just enough time to scream, “What the f— am I doing” before jolting right back into Bear worship mode. Nikki’s reactions in the film are what keep it interesting. You never know how far she’s going to go because just when you think she’s crossed a line, she surpasses it in the next scene. This film treats Bear’s cat as if it’s auditioning for Bernie in Weekend at Bernie’s, and most of that is Nikki’s doing.

In addition to acting erratically and violently, Nikki basically starts glitching as if the wish is altering her perception of reality. Bear wakes up in the middle of the night to find Nikki standing in the far corner of the bedroom, hiding behind furniture in the darkness. She begins yelling and doing strange things with a flower vase before moving around the room unnaturally.

At Its Nastiest In Its Last Thirty Minutes

As mentioned previously, Obsession rides on dialogue and unsettling behavior for its first hour. This is noteworthy because the bright red movie standee for Obsession at the theater featured a quote calling the film a blood bath. Obsession is at its nastiest in its last 20-30 minutes. Without spoiling too much, Nikki really only mutilates two things throughout the film; herself, not included. She likes to come back around to the things she’s destroyed. Maybe it’s because there are things that Bear enjoyed that weren’t hers.

But that nastiness isn’t just referring to the blood spilled in Obsession. Bear’s friends reveal their true nature near the end of the film, and it’s at a pivotal moment in the story. Bear figures out a way to break the wish, but one of his friends lets him down big time. The film takes a huge swing with its finale, as its final moments are incredible. It’s bleak and devastating, but it’s also something the film builds up from the moment Bear walks into the store inquiring about the One Wish Willow.

Curry Barker has crafted something mostly special for an almost non-existent budget. The story is compelling, the acting is solid, and Obsession feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison to similar horror films. However, it’s disappointing that one shrill character trait nearly ruins the entire film. It’s because of this that Obsession will have to settle for being a well-made, well-written film dominated by one aggressively irritating character, which will hinder future rewatches much like Frank Darabont’s The Mist.

Obsession will be released in theaters on May 15 through Focus Features.

No matter how good your foundation is, makeup never seems to sit quite right when dry patches, peach fuzz and uneven texture get in the way. That’s exactly why I started dermaplaning. This under-the-radar beauty tool leaves my skin noticeably smoother and makes makeup look flawless afterward.

Right now, my favorite dermaplaning tool is on sale on Amazon during the Summer Beauty Event, making it an ideal time to try it yourself. Unlike disposable facial razors that can feel harsh or flimsy, this tool uses sonic technology to gently exfoliate skin while removing peach fuzz in the process. The result is softer, smoother skin that gives makeup a more seamless, airbrushed appearance — and honestly, it’s become one of those beauty tools I wish I’d discovered sooner.

Get the dermaplaning for $85 (was $121) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

One of the biggest reasons I keep reaching for this hair removal tool is how easy it makes my skincare and makeup routine feel. Dermaplaning helps remove buildup and dead skin cells that can make products apply unevenly, so serums absorb better and foundation glides on much more smoothly. It’s the kind of difference you notice immediately after using it.

Another standout feature is that the system feels much more elevated than basic facial razors. The sonic-powered motion helps the blade move gently across skin without tugging, while the ergonomic handle makes it easy to maneuver around tricky areas like the jawline and upper lip. I also appreciate that it gives professional-style results at home without the hassle or expense of booking regular appointments.

Shoppers say the results speak for themselves. One reviewer shared how easy it is to use, even if you’ve never dermaplaned before. “The vibration makes it feel much safer and more controlled compared to regular razors,” they said.

Another fan called this beauty tool a “game-changer,” adding: “My makeup applies so much better, and my skincare absorbs more effectively. It’s easy to use, feels safe, and gives me that fresh, at-home glow every time. Definitely worth it if you want smoother, more radiant skin.”

If you’ve been searching for a simple way to upgrade your skincare and makeup routine, this surprisingly effective beauty tool is absolutely worth adding to your cart, especially while it’s still on sale!

Get the Michael Todd Sonicsmooth Dermaplaning System for $85 (was $121) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more beauty tools and skincare devices here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Brooke Shields’ Favorite Lash Serum Is on Rare Sale (And Will Sell Out)

Brooke Shields has a beauty secret she swears by — and right now, it’s finally on sale. The Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum is discounted during Amazon’s Summer Beauty Event running now through May 10, making it the perfect time to snag the viral lash serum before it inevitably sells out. In an interview […]

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

One of the things that we older Star Wars nerds can never stop talking about is how cool it was to be a fan in the ‘90s. Sure, we hadn’t had a new movie since 1983, but that didn’t matter because of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

We had an entire galaxy of books, comics, and games taking place in our favorite galaxy, far, far away. Even better, all of it was (at the time) canonical, so each new piece of media added to this amazing sci-fi universe.

There were a few scattered books before it, like Alan Dean Foster’s Spinter of the Mind’s Eye, but the Star Wars EU officially kicked off with Heir to the Empire, the first in a trilogy of books by acclaimed author Timothy Zahn. This book introduced fan-favorite new characters like Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn, and this novel is generally considered one of the best bits of Star Wars literature ever made.

Sadly, Disney decanonized the EU and made so many wonky changes to the lore that adapting the book into a film or show is now impossible. Fortunately, that hasn’t kept fans from making their own fully animated, fully voiced adaptation of Heir to the Empire that you can now watch for free on YouTube.

Here it is…

There Is Another

What is Heir to the Empire about? Princess Leia is trying to hold the New Republic together in the face of a new threat: an Imperial Grand Admiral named Thrawn who has rallied the rest of the Empire under his command. Even worse, he has recruited an insane Dark Jedi to his cause. Whether the New Republic will prevail may depend entirely on Jedi hero Luke Skywalker, but he’s got his own problems. Namely, a mysterious woman named Mara Jade who used to work for the Emperor and is obsessed with his last command: killing Luke Skywalker, once and for all. 

Disney decanonized the EU many years ago, and while they brought Grand Admiral Thrawn back, they’ve made too many changes to franchise lore to accurately adapt Heir to the Empire into a movie or TV show. Fortunately, that didn’t keep a group of dedicated fans from doing it themselves. Recently, user DarthAngelus uploaded an ambitious adaptation of Timothy Zahn’s famous novel to YouTube. The entire thing is fully computer-animated and features a complete voice cast. Even better, the whole thing is clanker-free: the entire movie was made without using AI.

A Shockingly Good Fan Film

As a super-fan of Heir to the Empire, I was shocked at how great this fan film is. The animation is very smooth, and the movie does a great job of adapting everything from Luke Skywalker’s battle with a small army of Stormtroopers to the inevitable major space battle climax. Considering these events are almost certainly never going to be adapted by Disney, it’s awesome that fans took the time to bring such a great story to startling life. The fact that they did so without AI is just the cherry on top of a particularly tasty sundae.

Now, this fan film obviously isn’t perfect. Some of the voice actors do a better job than others, and some of the character designs are more than a bit unconventional for both mainstream Star Wars characters and those introduced in Heir to the Empire. But the good far, far outweighs the bad: most designs are great, the animation is smooth, and the acting is (quite frankly) far better than you’d expect from a fan film. Throw in the fact that you can watch it completely for free, and there’s basically no reason Star Wars fans shouldn’t check out this ambitious production.

You’re just one click away from watching Heir to the Empire for free on YouTube. With any luck, enough people will check out this amazing fan film that it will encourage DarthAngelus and other creators to make more of their own movies and even shows. Collectively, the fandom might be able to do what Disney has had trouble doing for over a decade: creating good Star Wars content!

Whew! Looks like the back-and-forth between Blueface and Chrisean Rock is far from over. The former couple has already kept the internet talking for years, but now Blueface is making even more explosive claims about their relationship and Chrisean Jr.

And what he says was really happening behind the scenes has people shook.

Tatum O’Neal’s eldest son, Kevin McEnroe, is detailing how her substance abuse struggles often affected their relationship.

“I call you Tatum, sometimes, because you weren’t always a mom, although when you were you were at your best, and that’s why you’re still here, today,” McEnroe, 39, wrote in a pre-Mother’s Day letter shared via his website on Thursday, May 7. “I call you Tatum because your name is Tatum but also because it was a reminder that maybe, sometimes, I needed more, but that doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere — I know me leaving has always made you scared.”

He continued, “I called you Tatum, most of my life — and sometimes still do — because you liked to say we were friends. I called you Tatum because you were happiest — or at least you smiled the most — when someone called you my sister. I call you Tatum because sometimes I miss my mom.”

O’Neal, 62, shares Kevin, as well as daughter Emily, 34, and son Sean, 38, with her ex-husband, John McEnroe. The actress and John, 67, were married from 1984 to 1994, during which the former tennis champ gained primary custody of their kids amid O’Neal’s struggles with addiction.

As for Kevin, he remembered the fond memories of his mom ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10.

“Today I can call you Mama, and I do. When I was little, you were my mom, until your boyfriend gave you heroin,” he wrote. “You were my mom when you were clean, between rehabs, but then sometimes you were Tatum, too. Tatum used to leave in the middle of the night and sometimes not come back before morning. Tatum didn’t have a choice.”

Kevin continued, “I used to think Tatum took my mom away. Now I think Mom and Tatum just wanted something different. I think Mom and Tatum didn’t always get along.”

According to Kevin, he believes that “taking care” of O’Neal could “actually help me” amid his own struggles with alcoholism.

“I answer your calls, even though there are plenty,” he wrote in his essay. “I arrange your doctor’s appointments, even though you go just to be seen. I order your groceries, even though you’re addicted to granola. I love you even though sometimes you make it hard.”

O’Neal suffered a relapse in November 2024, eventually getting sober again.

“I’m proud of you. I’ve never really seen you, at anything, really try. But you do today,” Kevin stated. “Sometimes I call you and you’re busy and you don’t have time for me. Somehow that feels less like Tatum and more like my mom. … I believe in you. But also that doesn’t matter — you have to believe in you. It doesn’t matter how much you love me if that doesn’t help you try.”

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Kevin further stressed that he has “unconditional” love for his mother.

“Mom — I love you for who you are. I don’t care, and I guess that’s what they mean when they say unconditional,” he stated. “A wiser person than me once told me there’s no such thing as unconditional love. If you get punched in the face you might pull away — that’s a condition. But you did that a lot, and you still can, but I’m not going anywhere. In fact I respect your fight. I’ll still help you, Tatum, because you’re my mom. I forgive you, and you forgive me, and we forgive others, because we have to.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

There are literary adaptations, and then there are literary adaptations that kick the door open, track mud across the floor, and dare everyone to complain about the furniture. This one has already done plenty of that. It arrived with a major cast, a famous source text, a filmmaker with a taste for provocation, and enough feverish gothic energy to make every foggy moor look like it needs a chaperone. Now, after becoming one of the year’s more divisive releases, it has officially made its way to streaming.

Wuthering Heights is now streaming on HBO Max, bringing Emerald Fennell’s take on Emily Brontë’s classic novel to a much wider audience. The film adapts the first half of Brontë’s 1847 story and leans wildly into obsession, jealousy, class, desire, and all the extremely healthy relationship choices that have kept this story alive for nearly two centuries. The cast includes Margot Robbie (Barbie; I, Tonya) as Cathy Earnshaw, Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein, Priscilla) as Heathcliff, Hong Chau (The Whale, The Menu) as Nelly, Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Edgar, and Alison Oliver (Saltburn, Conversations With Friends) as Isabella.

Was ‘Wuthering Heights’ Successful?

The movie grossed around $240 million at the worldwide box office, against a reported budget of $80 million. It currently has a split reception, with Rotten Tomatoes scores reflecting a divide between critics and audiences. The critics’ consensus reads, “Liberally adapting Emily Brontë’s classic story with a heavy dose of carnality and chic stylization, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights might not be the stuff of high literature, but it is a visually vibrant pleasure.“

Collider’s review stated that Wuthering Heights is less an adaptation of the novel and more a glossy, deeply misguided rewrite that strips away almost everything that makes the original story powerful. The review argues that Fennell guts the book’s core by removing major characters, flattening the generational trauma, and turning a brutal Gothic revenge story into a shallow, over-romanticized fantasy. While the film is undeniably stylish and visually striking, the review makes clear that all that beauty cannot cover up how hollow it feels. In the end, it sees Wuthering Heights as a soulless, insulting adaptation that completely misses the point of the novel.

Wuthering Heights is now streaming on HBO Max

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Release Date

February 13, 2026

Runtime

136 Minutes

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Director

Emerald Fennell

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Writers

Emerald Fennell, Emily Brontë

Producers

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Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Emerald Fennell, Josey McNamara

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Pretty Little Liars and Hallmark star Janel Parrish is showering her new beau, Sasha Farber, with lots of love on his 42nd birthday amid her divorce from estranged husband Chris Long.

“Happy Birthday to my love @sashafarber1 👑,” Parrish, 37, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, May 9, alongside a slew of loved-up pics featuring the happy couple. “You bring joy and light to everyone who meets you. The world is a better place because you exist.”

She continued, “Everyone go give him some birthday love because he’s the absolute best.”

Farber reposted Parrish’s heartfelt tribute to his Instagram Stories, adding rose and heart emojis.

Related: What to Know About Janel Parrish and DWTS’ Sasha Farber’s Relationship

After Hallmark star Janel Parrish and estranged husband Chris Long separated, she sparked a romance with former Dancing With the Stars pro Sasha Farber. “She’s still got it @janelparrish 🔥,” Farber wrote via Instagram on April 9, 2026, sharing footage of the pair dancing together on a sidewalk. Parrish replied, “Thanks for dancing with me […]

Farber and Parrish were first romantically linked last month amid her separation. Parrish and Long, 41, called it quits earlier this year after seven years of marriage.

“Thank you all for the incredibly kind and supportive messages, they’ve truly meant the world,” the actress wrote in a social media statement on April 10. “After 10 beautiful years together, including seven years of marriage, Chris and I made the difficult decision to end our marriage.”

Parrish continued, “There is still so much love and respect between us, and I’m deeply grateful for everything we built together. This chapter of my life, and Chris, will always mean so much to me. Thank you all again for the messages of love and support.”

Parrish and Long jointly filed for divorce on April 28, agreeing on spousal support, division of property, legal fees and their official date of separation.

Since her separation, Parrish has moved on with Farber. (The duo first met when Parrish competed on Dancing With the Stars season 19 in 2014 with pro Val Chmerkovskiy. Farber danced in the troupe that year.)

“April has been amazing ❤️🌹,” Farber captioned PDA pics on April 27.

Days later, Farber gushed that footage of the couple dancing made him feel like “the luckiest man in the world.”

“My 🤍🤍🤍🤍👑,” Parrish replied.

Farber and Parrish have continued to share glimpses of their blossoming romance via social media.

“Dinner with the best view in the house ❤️,” he wrote via Instagram on Monday, May 4, sharing a pic of Parrish.

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Farber was previously married to fellow DWTS pro Emma Slater from 2018 to 2023, since remaining on amicable terms.

“We really are close friends,” Slater, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly in 2024, detailing her status with her ex-husband. “He’s somebody who’s in my life forever. It’s a true genuine connection and he’s the best person, just absolutely amazing. We just get on really, really well.”

Slater is now in a relationship with fellow DWTS star Alan Bersten.