[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for The Terror: Devil in Silver Episode 2.]

From showrunners Chris Cantwell (Halt and Catch Fire) and Victor LaValle (The Changeling), who wrote the novel the third season of the anthology series is based on, The Terror: Devil in Silver follows Pepper (Dan Stevens) as he finds himself committed to New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital. A working-class man with a temper who’s just trying to figure things out while struggling every step of the way, Pepper quickly realizes that something sinister is lurking that he may ultimately have to face if he’s ever going to get out of the institution and back to his life.

Collider recently got the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Karyn Kusama, who directed the first two episodes of the series, about her choices in blending fear and psychology horror for savvy audiences. During the interview, she discussed finding the vibe of the story, figuring out just how much gore to show, what made Stevens such a great collaborator as the star and executive producer, and figuring out just how much of the monster to show in Episode 2. She also reflected on her first film as a writer/director, Girlfight starring Michelle Rodriguez, what attracted her to the upcoming Amazon series Life Is Strange, based on the critically acclaimed video game, the love she still hears when it comes to Jennifer’s Body, and what she thinks of the sequel script that she hopes will get made.

Director Karyn Kusama Wanted To Create a Claustrophobic Vibe for the World of ‘The Terror: Devil in Silver’

“The sense of a lack of agency was the most important thing to set up and establish visually and emotionally for the characters.”

Collider: Because you directed the first two episodes, you really set up the vibe of this series, and this series really is very much a vibe. What sort of vibe did you want to bring to this, to set up the season and the story that’s being told, to really create that mood?

KARYN KUSAMA: Once our lead character, Pepper, lands at New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital, he really doesn’t see much daylight. With the exception of a few scenes, he really is like the rest of the community of patients around him. They’re pretty much stuck there. That sense of claustrophobia and the sense of a lack of agency was the most important thing to set up and establish visually and emotionally for the characters.

It’s very effective to go from the opening scene in the hospital, and then introduce us to Pepper outside, before you go back into the hospital. This starts off in the hospital with something that’s happened to one of the patients, and we only see glimpses of that body. How did you decide what to show us and what not to show us, in that moment?

KUSAMA: It’s such an interesting question because we really had to grapple with that. On the one hand, it could have been extremely gory, and we could have seen a lot of it. But the issue with that is that it’s also the opening of our show. And in fact, we’re not introducing our main character yet. And so, we really did have to strike a balance between presenting a series of questions for the audience like, what is this place? Why is this the beginning of a show that we think stars Dan Stevens versus setting up real peril or real mystery? We probably looked and relooked, and cut and recut that cold open almost more than anything else in the first two episodes because it really did require a lot of balancing of tones to get it right.

Showing us other people’s reactions without showing us the full body works so well. What did you tell the actors? What were they looking at to know how to react?

KUSAMA: Sometimes they were looking at a human who was in a contorted position. Sometimes they were looking, just for the sake of enacting the scene, at a really good prosthetic character. The horror of it was actually pretty apparent. Honestly, when we walked in the room, even if the prosthetic body was there, it was something we didn’t really want to look at very much. As I get older, I really want to look at bodies and violence to bodies responsibly. Just even being in the space with that was disturbing, to be honest.

Just entering that hospital room and seeing the contorted hands gives a sense of creepiness and unease that make you want to immediately get back out of that room.

KUSAMA: Totally. Oh, God, yeah. Part of it is setting up that this is an empty bed now and somebody else will land in that room. And then, we introduce Pepper to say, “Welcome to the next patient at New Hyde.”

This series definitely feels much more like a psychological build over each episode, which I always find more terrifying.

KUSAMA: We were definitely looking at the series as part of a tradition of horror, and even monster movies, where you actually see a lot less of a literal monster than you suggest it. In the case of this story, it was important that the audience feel like the monster was as much a part of our brain scape as it was in the outside world. Asking the question, do we create monsters or do monsters create us? was a little bit a question of the series.

Director Karyn Kusama Says Dan Stevens Was a Wonderful Creative Partner on ‘The Terror: Devil in Silver’

“He really is one of the most skillful, prepared, thoughtful actors I’ve gotten the great opportunity to work with.”

Image via AMC+

What do you think made Dan Stevens the right actor to not only bring Pepper to life, but to also be an executive producer on this?

KUSAMA: He was such a wonderful creative partner for us. First of all, he’s a great actor. He really is one of the most skillful, prepared, thoughtful actors I’ve gotten the great opportunity to work with. We had all known that about him. We had all done our research and heard only good things about him. It was also just nice to work with somebody who brought an incredible amount of intelligence to the character, but also just the world of the story. He really understood that once Pepper gets to New Hyde, he has to learn to bond and engage and empathize with all these people that he assumes are so different from him. That was a touchstone for the character, but also something I think Dan just really understood how to play.

In episode one, you have that moment in the long, dark hallway when the man’s face starts to droop around his eyes and mouth, and then he pushes it back into place, which made it all even creepier. Did you know how that was going to look and how you wanted that to look? Did you intentionally want that to be something that feels off and wrong, but isn’t full-on horrific yet?

KUSAMA: The idea that in our world there are real ghouls was what we played with. As far as I’m concerned, if you just open a paper today, there’s no shortage of ghouls to choose from. I often wonder, when is this person in high office just going to pull their face off and reveal whatever machinery is underneath that confirms their lack of humanity? I actually felt like that was something that I really responded to in the script right away, this concept of the mask falling. We had a lot of interesting visual references, but we played quite a bit with the wonderful actor, John Benjamin Hickey, actually putting his face in as many grotesque positions as possible so we could work with all of that to create that effect. I think we got to a pretty good place that was very scary and gross, but then strangely real when he puts his face back in place. It’s also kind of funny. There’s a grim humor to it, that he just pushes it back in place.

In episode two, you strap down Dan Stevens and muzzle his mouth? Is there a time limit for how long you can strap down and gag the star of your show? How long did you keep him like that?

KUSAMA: Oh, yeah, we really had to be mindful of what was physically happening to him. He does a great job of playing terrified by that entrapment and by being bound like that. We definitely had to be mindful of how uncomfortable it was for him. So, the answer is a few minutes at a time. We had to check in with him frequently.

‘The Terror: Devil in Silver’ Takes a Less Is More Approach to Showing the Monster

“I don’t feel as excited anymore by seeing monsters in horror films because I’m a little bit desensitized.”

Image via AMC+

At the end of episode two, you also have that moment where we see glimpses of what this thing in the hospital might be, but we get a feel for it really through the physicality and the reactions that Pepper has to it. What was it like to figure out the balance of how much to show in that moment and how much to show the reaction of it?

KUSAMA: All of us on the team, like I hope a lot of our audience, have seen a lot of horror, we’ve seen a lot of great monsters, and we’ve seen a lot of incredible effects already. And so, with that in mind, we knew that we were the kind of show that had to approach it differently. We were modestly budgeted. We didn’t have the resources to see everything. But the fact is that I don’t feel as excited anymore by seeing monsters in horror films because I’m a little bit desensitized. It was an interesting challenge, but an exciting challenge to think about, how do we invoke the horror of these moments with the least amount of monster possible? Thematically, it was also important that we not over-literalize the monster. The fact is that everyone sees a different monster in this hospital. We really had to be mindful of how, when we say psychological horror, we really mean it with this particular hospital and the monster that haunts it.

I have been a fan of your work since Girlfight. I love that movie, and I love the work you did with Michelle Rodriguez in that movie. How do you feel about that movie, 26 years after it came out? It was the first movie you directed, and you also wrote it. Do you think about it any differently now or appreciate it more, after all this time and all these projects that you’ve done since then?

KUSAMA: First of all, thank you so much for that question. I appreciate it so much. I do think about it a little differently. I was really trying to make a pure statement about a complicated young woman struggling to find a place in the world and honestly find herself in her own physical body, and I feel like that arc for that character mirrors my own. I’m really just trying to find meaning for myself, but within my larger world and with my community and, very simply, in my physical self, day to day. Now that I’m older and very solidly in middle age, I ask myself that question about what it means to be alive here on Earth quite regularly. In a funny way, I think that movie, consciously or not, was a distillation of a lot of the kinds of work I’ve been interested in doing since then.

You’ve signed on to direct the Amazon series Life Is Strange, and I read an article that said if anyone can understand showcasing the horror of being a teenage girl, it’s you. Having seen so many of your previous projects, I can see why they might think that. What attracted you to that project and that story, and what’s it been like to approach that material?

KUSAMA: I’m still approaching it. I’m prepping it now. I just loved the grim humor that comes from being a young woman, and the sense of feeling both endless possibilities ahead of you and narrowing possibilities ahead of you, as a young woman. I think that’s the question a lot of young people face. I just happen to feel like I know the female perspective of that quite well. And I just loved what (creator) Charlie Covell did with the show. They’re an incredible writer and thinker and creator. I’m really honored to get to work on it, and I’m really excited for it.

Director Karyn Kusama Calls the ‘Jennifer’s Body’ Sequel Script “Dazzling” and “Fresh”

“I’m just knocking on wood to hope that it hapepns.”

Image via 20th Century Studios

Last year, you said that Diablo Cody was writing a Jennifer’s Body sequel. Do you know if she’s finished it? Have you read it? What’s happening with that?

KUSAMA: Yeah. We’re talking about making it. I’m just knocking on wood to hope that it happens because it exists, and it’s a truly fresh, dazzling continuation of the story. I’m really excited by it.

Obviously, there’s no way you could have known the life that movie would have taken on since it came out.

KUSAMA: No, I could not have predicted it.

Are you surprised fans are still holding onto it? It’s not something that lasted a couple of years and then they moved on. They’re still hanging onto it.

KUSAMA: That’s so nice to hear. I have so many movies and television shows that I hang onto still with the sense of, “Wow, that thing sort of saved my life in that moment.” I knew when I made that movie that I wanted to make something I would have wanted to see when I was 17 or 18. The fact that it took some time to find some of its most rabid fans, but that it also has stayed relevant for the people who watched it when it first came out in the theaters, I just feel so gratified because I always knew the movie was better than the way it was being received when it came out. I always understood that about it, which is maybe naivete or denial or some kind of insane ego on my part. I was always just confident in the work. And so, the fact that it got discovered and rediscovered over the years gives me a sense of so much joy and hope in audiences.

I feel like there might not have been a project like Yellowjackets, which you’ve also directed, if there hadn’t been something like Jennifer’s Body before it. It feels like the existence of one opened a pathway for the other.

KUSAMA: Oh, cool. I’m happy to hear that. I don’t disagree.

The Terror: Devil in Silver airs is available on AMC+ and Shudder.

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Release Date

2018 – 2025-00-00

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Network

AMC, Shudder, AMC+

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Showrunner

David Kajganich, Soo Hugh, Christopher Cantwell

Directors

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Tim Mielants, Edward Berger, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Fred Toye, Karyn Kusama, Michael Lehmann, Josef Kubota Wladyka, Lily Mariye, Toa Fraser, Meera Menon

Writers

David Kajganich, Shannon Goss, Tony Tost, Steven Hanna, Andres Fischer-Centeno, Benjamin Endsley Klein, Danielle Roderick, Alessandra DiMona, Josh Parkinson

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Andy Reid dropped a subtle hint that he was invited — and plans on attending — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s upcoming wedding.

During a Thursday, May 14, appearance on radio station 96.5’s The Drive show, the Kansas City Chiefs coach, 68, was asked if he received his invitation for the power couple’s nuptials.

“Well, I probably have … and if I don’t outgrow my tuxedo before then, I’m going,” Reid quipped. “But you keep talking about this barbecue, I might have to go get some.”

Host Carrington Harrison told Reid should get something new for the special occasion.

“I’m not the show,” Reid said. “I’m just gonna show up. I’m so happy for them. When you come down to it, it doesn’t matter how big the show is around them, they’re in love and that’s the most important thing.”

Swift and Kelce, both 36, announced their engagement in August 2025.

“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” read the pair’s joint Instagram post.

After news broke of their engagement, Swift hinted she was going to be taking her time with wedding planning.

“I’m just doing the album thing now, which is a big thing. Then, I think the wedding is what happens after that in the scheme of the planning,” she said during an October 2025 appearance on The Graham Norton Show. “But I’m so excited about it. I know it’s gonna be fun to plan because I think the only stressful weddings are the ones where you have a small amount and people are on the bubble.”

Kelce also teased that picking a wedding date depended on the Chiefs’ schedule for the 2026-2027 NFL season.

“I just gotta figure out winning football games first,” he joked during a September 2025 episode of his “New Heights” podcast.

The couple are rumored to be tying the knot this summer. A source previously revealed in an April Us Weekly cover story that Swift and Kelce have invited around 150 people to the event.

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“It won’t be a huge wedding, but there will be many celebrities,” the insider said, while a second source added, “They’ve gone back and forth between inviting everyone and keeping it small and private. As of now, they’ve scaled it down. It’s no longer going to be a massive blowout.”

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Earlier this month, Kelce teased he was so excited to marry Swift while chatting with Rory McIlroy.

“Travis, you’ll feel this this year whenever you’re sitting at your wedding — you have all the people in a room … it’s amazing to have all these people in the same room,” the golfer said comparing the Masters dinner to Kelce’s upcoming nuptials. “You’re just sitting there and it’s surreal. It’s unbelievable. The only thing I can compare it to is your wedding day because it’s this collection of people in the same room. It’s wild.”

“I can’t wait,” Kelce gushed.

Britney Spears is once again at the center of growing concern after a chaotic night out in Los Angeles unfolded just days after she left rehab. 

Newly surfaced CCTV footage reportedly captured the singer stopping at a liquor store before heading to a dive bar where witnesses later claimed she was acting erratically. 

The troubling outing has now sparked renewed fears among Spears’s loved ones, with one family insider describing the situation as heartbreaking while alleging the singer is surrounded by people who are failing to protect her.

Before the headlines about a chaotic restaurant scene emerged, Britney Spears was reportedly seen making a stop at a liquor store in Sherman Oaks.

Surveillance footage obtained by the Daily Mail allegedly showed the singer arriving with two companions, including a man believed to be part of her security team.

Dressed in a revealing top, black skirt, and boots, Spears appeared upbeat inside the store, at one point reportedly dancing near the checkout counter while items were being purchased.

According to the report, one of her companions grabbed a large can of Twisted Tea from a cooler while the singer added gum to the order before paying partially in cash.

After leaving the store, exterior cameras allegedly captured the group climbing into a black SUV, with the alcoholic beverage reportedly placed near Spears as they drove away.

Exactly who the alcohol was intended for remains unclear, but the outing immediately raised eyebrows because it surfaced only days after the 44-year-old reached a plea agreement in her DUI case and exited rehab treatment.

Spears’ Night At Dive Bar Quickly Turned Chaotic

The night reportedly escalated after Britney Spears and her group arrived at Blue Dog Tavern, a dive bar located across the street from the liquor store.

Witnesses described the atmosphere as loud and uncomfortable, with some patrons claiming Spears was repeatedly “barking” and shouting while moving around the restaurant.

Several reports also focused on Spears allegedly carrying a knife while walking near other tables. However, restaurant staff later noted that the knives are routinely served alongside burgers at the establishment.

Witnesses additionally claimed the pop star appeared unusually affectionate toward the man accompanying her, allegedly feeding him fries and telling him, “I love you.”

At another point during the outing, staff reportedly intervened after Spears lit a cigarette near the entrance. Despite the growing online panic surrounding the dinner, Spears’ representative firmly denied claims that the singer endangered anyone.

“This is completely blown out of proportion. Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard. She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbors,” her rep said per The Blast, adding, “At no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife. She was cutting her hamburger in half.”

Britney Spears Recently Resolved DUI Case Before Rehab Exit

The latest controversy comes only days after Spears pleaded guilty in her DUI case stemming from her March 4 arrest. 

Under the plea agreement, the singer avoided jail time by pleading to a reduced reckless driving charge commonly referred to as a “wet reckless.”

However, Spears was placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to complete an alcohol education program. The agreement also reportedly requires the “Toxic” singer to avoid driving with intoxicants in her system and comply with testing requests from law enforcement.

She is additionally prohibited from possessing drugs or related paraphernalia unless medically prescribed. Adding to concerns, Spears had only recently left a voluntary rehab program after reportedly spending just three weeks there.

The singer was first photographed again after treatment on April 30, and insiders initially claimed she was focused on resetting her life.

Spears’ Family Reportedly Feels ‘Heartsick’

According to a close family source, many relatives reportedly did not even know Britney Spears had left rehab until stories surfaced online.

“She’s surrounded by enablers and everyone thinks that’s fine. But God forbid that her family who loves her tries to keep her from getting drunk, or spending all her money, or spiraling, then it’s all ‘Free Britney,’” an insider revealed to the Daily Mail.

The source then made an even more alarming statement about Spears’ current condition. 

They said, “But this is what Free Britney is. A train wreck. And she’s going to end up dead [but] they’re still going to demonize anyone in her life who was like, ‘Hey, let’s work on getting you taken care of.’”

The insider also revealed that communication between the mom of two and much of her family remains extremely limited. 

“We only have contact with her when she wants it. She leaves us on read otherwise. Heartsick. That’s what I am. Heartsick. Heartbroken. Worried as hell,” the source added.

According to the insider, Spears currently only maintains regular communication with her sons.

Britney Spears’ Family Rift Continues After Years Of Public Struggles

Spears reportedly skipped a recent family gathering celebrating her niece Maddie’s graduation, despite several relatives attending, including her mother, Lynne; sister, Jamie Lynn; father, Jamie; and sons, Sean Preston and Jayden.

The fractured relationships come after years of public turmoil involving Spears and her family, particularly surrounding her controversial conservatorship, which lasted from 2008 until 2021.

In recent months, Spears has continued posting unusual dance videos and topless photos online, while additional reports have claimed her Los Angeles mansion is frequently left in poor condition.

Sources also previously alleged Spears began “spiraling” after the release of her ex-husband Kevin Federline’s memoir, which detailed tensions between the singer and her sons.

Meanwhile, Spears herself has openly spoken about fearing her family. Earlier this year, she admitted in a social media post that she felt “scared” of her relatives and “lucky to be alive.”

Now, after another chaotic public outing so soon after rehab and legal troubles, those closest to Britney Spears reportedly fear the situation may only continue getting worse.

UPDATE 5/15/26 at 02:12 a.m. ET

The Real Housewives of Orange County star Shannon Beador is sharing her heartbreak as she revealed her dog Archie has died.

Shannon  gave the somber update on her beloved pet via Instagram on Thursday, March 14 — nine days after the reality TV star revealed Archie had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Heaven has a new special angel.  Archie passed away yesterday and the girls and I are heartbroken. For the last 10 years, Archie wasn’t just my dog — he was my constant comfort, protector, best friend and truly the real “man” in my life,” she wrote.

Shannon continued: “I have been through so many highs and lows, and through every good time and every heartache, Archie was always by my side and loved me the same way every single day.  Never judging me and always giving pure, loyal, and unconditional love.”

In the lengthy caption, Beador thanked her followers for their well wishes and added, “There is such a void in our household right now.”

Original story continues below.

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The Real Housewives of Orange County star Shannon Beador is sharing a somber update on her beloved pet, dog Archie.

“I know my posts about my dogs are usually fun and silly, but today I wanted to share something more serious,” Beador, 62, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, May 5. “After experiencing multiple seizures, Archie has been diagnosed with brain cancer.”

She continued, “Our heart aches for our sweet Archie. He means the world to the girls and I.  We are going to do everything we can to help him fight this.”

Shannon, who shares three daughters with ex-husband David Beador, has started looking into treatment protocols for her pooch.

“Archie has seen a neurologist and oncologist and it has been recommended that he start radiation soon,” Beador explained. “If anyone has experience with this or advice to share, it would truly mean so much to the girls and I. Please don’t hesitate to DM and reach out. Thank you for loving Archie as much as we do 🤍.”

Archie was previously injured in 2024 after being bitten by another canine.

“Archie was bit by another dog when we went on a walk today,” Shannon wrote in a June 2024 social media post. “The dog was enclosed in his front patio, but started to bark and stuck his face out to bite Archie through the slats in the fence. … The owner said that maybe I walked too close to his fence 😡. Archie has never been in a dog fight in all of his 8 years!!”

Nearly two months after Archie recovered, Shannon worried fans about the pup’s condition when she stated in another social media upload that he was “in heaven.”

“I said he was ‘in heaven’ because there were so many little dogs around him,” the Bravolebrity explained in August 2024, referring to a previous post about Archie on a puppy play date. “Little dogs are his favorite. Archie is great!!!”

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Shannon adopted Archie in 2016.

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“He was raised in San Francisco at the Four Seasons hotel because they have residences up there. And the people worked, so the dog was home alone all the time. But yeah, he’s been raised fancy,” she said in a 2019 video shared by Bravo. “He’s so much fun and so protective. He has these little sweet quirks, and we’re all in love.”

Two years later, Shannon confirmed that Archie was missing. He was found within days.

“Archie is home!” Shannon wrote via Instagram in November 2021. “Thank you to everyone that helped me throughout the night and especially to my neighbor who took him in and kept him safe! ❤️ Grateful beyond.”

Ryan Lochte is clapping back at harsh critics who are claiming that he looks “unrecognizable.”

The Olympic champion, 41, responded to the “clowns” making insults in a video posted by his girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, via Instagram on Thursday, May 14.

“My phone is blowing up with everyone saying that nobody recognizes you,” Gillihan, 37, told Lochte in the clip.

“Baby, they say that you don’t look the same at all,” she continued, adding that some people went as far as accusing the swimmer of catfishing them.

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When Lochte asked Gillihan which photos fans were using to compare his current appearance against, she alluded to ones that were taken at the peak of his professional sporting career.

“Oh, so they’re taking a picture of when I was working out every day, getting makeup put on me for photo shoots, back in, like, 2012 in the Olympics. We’re in 2026,” he responded.

Lochte added sarcastically, “What’s that, 14 years? You think I aged?”

After acknowledging his hair color was different due to dyeing it, the 12-time Olympic medalist further slammed the comments.

“I mean, to be unrecognizable … I don’t get it,” he vented before concluding, “They’re all clowns, come on.”

Gillihan supported her partner during the exchange, telling him she loved him despite the taunts and thought he looked “handsome.”

Poking fun at the moment, Gillihan joked in the Instagram post’s caption, “👀 Who is this guy pretending to be my boyfriend @ryanlochte?!? 🤣🤣🤣 #unrecognizable.”

Earlier this week, Lochte shared a video via his Instagram to announce his new role, which prompted followers to claim he looked drastically different.

“Coach Ryan Lochte is heading to Missouri State University!! I am so excited to announce that I will be coaching with coach @dav_collins @missouristate!” he captioned the post. “I am so excited and beyond grateful for this opportunity!! I can’t wait to take @mostateswim to the next level! Let’s goooo bears!!!🐻.”

Followers flocked to the comments section to make remarks about Lochte’s looks.

“Literally does not look like him,” wrote one, while another added, “Took me a very long time to realize this was him talking about himself in the third person at first.”

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Another joked, “Thought it was Kash Patel at first,” which Gillihan later referenced via an Instagram Story post.

Re-sharing the video of Lochte slamming the commenters as “clowns,” Gillihan quipped, “Pipe down Kash Patel!”

Lochte and Gillihan moved in together in January, seven months after the sports star and his ex Kayla Rae Reid filed for divorce.

In 2022, Finnish director Jalmari Helander sent shockwaves through audiences with his gritty and graphic action thriller, Sisu, where a gold miner silently butchers a slew of Nazis post-WWII — a straightforward premise that will win every time, especially with those action sequences. Somehow, he follows this up with a sequel that’s even more bonkers, as our favorite mute miner, Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), faces another threat in Sisu: Road to Revenge. Not only do audiences get 90 minutes of brutal violence and ridiculous schemes to savor, but Road to Revenge delivers one of the most devious and spine-tingling villains to date, thanks to the eerily magnetic Stephen Lang.

Stephen Lang’s Villain Changes the Rules in ‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’

In Road to Revenge, Korpi discovers his family is dead and tears down his home to rebuild it in a safer place. So, he sets off on his cross-country journey, driving a truck with stacks of lumber on the back and an adorable dog in the passenger seat, only to run into trouble. After the events of the previous film, Korpi is specifically targeted as a dangerous man on the run, and this time, his foe is the Red Army killer Yeagor Draganov (Lang). With a name like that, you can only imagine the horrors committed by this man that landed him in prison. We briefly see Draganov being released from jail before he converges on Korpi with a small army of his own, determined to end the life of what he perceived as a nuisance. Naturally, Korpi proves him very, very wrong.

Draganov’s presence already establishes a new kind of dynamic in the film, where audiences can pinpoint a single genuine enemy rather than the mindless bloodbath of the first. Immediately, it is less about watching the creativity with which Korpi destroys his foes (though that is still a major draw of the gory action movie), but it also creates a more centralized channel of bloodlust we can direct towards the leader. He changes the game by heightening the stakes and pace of the action, where we are anticipating a final one-on-one battle and hoping it is as legendary as it is teed up to be.

Of course, the impact of Draganov’s character on the atmosphere is only possible because of how effectively he is written. The first thing that strikes us about Draganov is the dark voids where his eyes should be: pitiless and emotionless. He contrasts the very definition of Sisu, of what Korpi embodies, where, instead of the viscera of tenacity in the face of death, Draganov is practically soulless and has a deathly calm about him. It is encapsulated in one of their first confrontations, where Korpi is angrily shooting at enemies, and Draganov sits in a truck with his unwavering gaze on the blood-splattered man. He instructs his soldier not to move, and when his soldier fails to comply, Korpi kills him and spares Draganov’s life. Korpi is wild kinetic vitality, while Draganov is the unnerving stillness of death — fated enemies that could not have been written more perfectly.

Stephen Lang Delivers a Cold, Brutal Performance in ‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’

Lang’s performance cinches the effectiveness of Draganov as an antagonist, easily placing him in the villainous hall of fame. His ominous screen presence is encapsulated by a later scene, where Lang delivers a monologue about killing Korpi’s son. There is a terrifying fondness in how he talks about the child’s death, as if he is actively reliving and savoring each killing blow. It’s one of the rare times we see emotion on Draganov’s face, and Lang delivers it with an excruciating precision that makes our hair stand on end. For the rest of the film, he masters the icy, ruthless killer persona that viewers will recognize from the Don’t Breathe duology. There could not have been a more perfect casting choice, even with the choppy accent that only adds to the surreal cruelty of Draganov.

Draganov is easily one of the most unforgettable villains in the genre, elevating the gruesome joyride of Road to Revenge to something far more blood-curdling. Becoming the ice to Korpi’s fire, Draganov is one of the strongest elements to come out of the successful sequel and deserves a spot on the podium of villains we wouldn’t dare pit our favorite action heroes against.

Ryan Lochte is clapping back at harsh critics who are claiming that he looks “unrecognizable.”

The Olympic champion, 41, hit back at “clowns” over the insults in a video posted by his girlfriend Molly Gillihan, 37, via Instagram on Thursday, May 14.

“My phone is blowing up with everyone saying that nobody recognizes you,” Gillihan told Lochte in the clip.

“Baby, they say that you don’t look the same at all,” she continued, adding that some people went as far as accusing the swimmer of catfishing them.

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Harry How/Getty Images For Team USA swimmers, the 2024 Paris Olympics is a business trip. That means there’s no leaving the Olympic Village without permission — under any circumstances. Kayla Lochte, wife of four-time Olympian Ryan Lochte, was taking questions from fans on TikTok on Wednesday, August 7, when a viewer asked about swimmers leaving […]

When Lochte asked Gillihan which photos they were using to compare his current appearance against, she alluded to the photos being taken at the peak of his professional sporting career.

“Oh, so they’re taking a picture of when I was working out every day, getting makeup put on me for photo shoots, back in, like, 2012 in the Olympics. We’re in 2026,” he responded.

Lochte added sarcastically, “What’s that, 14 years? You think I aged?”

After acknowledging his hair color was different due to dying it, the 12-time Olympic medalist further slammed the comments.

“I mean, to be unrecognizable… I don’t get it,” he vented, before concluding, “They’re all clowns, come on.”

Gillihan supported her partner during the exchange, telling him she loved him despite the taunts and thought he looked “handsome.”

Poking fun at the moment, Gillihan joked in the Instagram post’s caption, “👀 Who is this guy pretending to be my boyfriend @ryanlochte?!? 🤣🤣🤣 #unrecognizable.”

Earlier this week, Lochte shared a video via his Instagram to announce his new role, which prompted followers to claim he looked drastically different.

“Coach Ryan Lochte is heading to Missouri State University!! I am so excited to announce that I will be coaching with coach @dav_collins @missouristate!” he captioned the post. “I am so excited and beyond grateful for this opportunity!! I can’t wait to take @mostateswim to the next level! Let’s goooo bears!!!🐻”

Followers flocked to the comments section to make remarks about Lochte’s looks.

“Literally does not look like him,” wrote one, while another added, “Took me a very long time to realize this was him talking about himself in the third person at first.”

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Another joked, “Thought it was Kash Patel at first,” which Gillihan later referenced via an Instagram Story post.

Re-sharing the video of Lochte slamming the commenters as “clowns,” Gillihan quipped, “Pipe down Kash Patel!”

Lochte and Gillihan moved in together in January, seven months after the sports star filed and his ex, Kayla Rae Reid filed for divorce.

NBA player LaMelo Ball, 24, and model Ana Montana,36, are sharing some big news as they officially step into a new era together. Along with embracing this new chapter, the two are also taking time to help others entering or hoping to begin the same journey.

RELATED: Video Shows LaMelo Ball Involved In Car Crash In Downtown Charlotte, Hazel E Reacts (WATCH)

LaMelo Ball And Ana Montana Officially Announce Birth Of Son

On Sunday, LaMelo Ball and Ana Montana revealed to PEOPLE that they welcomed their son, LaOne, back in January. Along with sharing the exciting news, the couple also opened up about stepping into parenthood together. Additionally, Ana shared a glimpse into family life with photos of baby shoes and sweet moments with LaOne. In the emotional post, she reflected on motherhood, faith, and finally living in what she called her “answered prayer.” The post was shared alongside Justin Bieber’s song, ‘Everyday Hallelujah.’

“My first of many Mother’s Days, Hallelujah. Living in an answered prayer, Hallelujah. Found my purpose, Hallelujah. Launched my nonprofit iAMfertility, Hallelujah. A God that provides, Hallelujah.”

Additionally, Ana shared a heartfelt message reflecting on motherhood and her fertility journey. She also launched ‘I Am Fertility,’ a nonprofit dedicated to helping women navigate fertility and IVF journeys. Through the organization’s HOPE Grant, two women will each receive $5,000 in financial assistance this year.

She wrote, “My little ONE, thank you for choosing me to be your mommy. Love you more than any word could ever describe. You’re my purpose and helped me become the woman I was always destined to be. Before I became your mommy, my heart was always looking for you, and we finally found each other in God’s perfect divine timing. We love you so much baby boy. You are living proof that dreams come true. Samuel 1:27, ‘For this child I have prayed and the Lord, my rock, has granted me my petition.’ Motherhood looks different for everyone. Mine took hope, faith, resilience, and trusting God even when I didn’t understand the journey. By the grace of God, I get to hold my answered prayer. In honoring his arrival, I felt called to give back and share my testimony. That’s why I created @iamfertilitynonprofit to give hope, support, and real opportunity to families on their journey. Starting with our $10,000 Hope Grant, supporting two families as they fight for their dream of becoming parents. Because I know what it feels like to hope, wait, and wonder if it will ever happen for you. Motherhood is a gift, and every woman deserves the chance to experience it. Your story is not over. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, and to the women who carry that love in their hearts while they wait, you are not forgotten.”

After she shared her message, LaMelo returned the love by wishing her a happy Mother’s Day, writing, “We love you mami. Happy Mother’s Day.”

Social Media Sends Congratulations While Hopping On The “La” Name Trend 

Many joined across social media as they congratulated the couple on their bundle of joy. While celebrating the news, some also joined in on the “La” baby name trend.

Instagram user @iamashleemonroe wrote, “Congratulation boo wow! 🥹💙I know you are gonna be the best mommy ever!!!”

Instagram user @wiffee01 added, “Happy Mother’s Day boo and I told you it was gonna come true I’m so so happy for you and you finally shared your joy with the world 🫶🏾 🫶🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾”

While Instagram user wrote alexxisjuliaax “Second baby gon be LaTwo”

Instagram user @sophie.oksanaa wrote, “Yall coulda did Latrell”

Instagram user @k.geez_  “they naming these babies LaAnything”

While Instagram user @itstaniatorres wrote, “This is so precious. I am so happy for you. I know you are the best mommy!! 😍❤️”

Instagram user wrote @coochiescoutpriv_ wrot, “This baby is her answered prayer after infertility and yall on here making jabs at HER BABY’S name…yall need to laugh at yall own mothers”

Instagram user @pradaslat added, “I was so moved by the foundation and everything, completely skipping over the baby’s name until i get to the comments”

While Instagram user @chaves02746 wrote, “I’m crying reading the caption Analicia happy Mother’s Day This is your purpose our little angel is so blessed you have you as his mom mama bear lol have an amazing day love you all so much it hurts my heart ❤️”

A Look Back At LaMelo Ball And Ana Montana’s Relationship Journey

While it remains unclear when the two officially started dating, the couple sparked buzz in 2021 when LaMelo Ball, then 19, was spotted with then-32-year-old Ana Montana. Photos surfaced online that appeared to show the two sitting together at his practice. Despite critics sharing their opinions about their age gap, the pair continued leaving flirty comments and kissy emojis under each other’s Instagram photos. Then, in 2023, the two had the internet talking again after publicly telling each other “I love you” and popping out with boo’d up couple photos. 

Now in 2026, the couple still appears to be going strong nearly five years later, continuing to publicly show love and support for each other online.

RELATED: Daddy Duties! LiAngelo Ball’s New Family Photo With Daughter Lilo Has Fans Talking (PHOTO)

Taylor Swift was a vision in white as she headed to dinner in New York City.

The “Blank Space” singer, 36, stepped out in a chic Stella McCartney peplum button-up top teamed with tan pants on Thursday, May 14, as she made her way to members-only club, Zero Bond.

To tie the look together for the outing, Swift added a black belt at her waist and accessorized with a $4450 Fendi bag in a similar hue.

“The Fate of Ophelia” singer’s outfit appeared to have been sent to her doorstep earlier the same day. Her bodyguard was spotted hauling a large garment bag as well as a Stella McCartney shopping bag outside Swift’s home.

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Taylor Swift stepped out in style in the Big Apple. Swift, 36, was spotted in New York City on Wednesday, April 8, alongside friends Ashley Avignone and Jerrod Carmichael, according to photos obtained by TMZ and DeuxMoi. The pop star donned a black camisole with a white, silk maxiskirt, accessorizing her ensemble with a tangle […]

Swift, who got engaged to Travis Kelce in August 2025, looked to be embracing her bridal era this week by rocking white outfits on multiple occasions.

Earlier this week, the Grammy winner was spotted in NYC wearing a sleek white Retrofete mini dress, which she paired with Gucci ankle-strap heels and a black Christian Dior mini bag.

She donned the designer outfit to attend her longtime friend Lena Dunham’s 40th birthday at the Via Carota in New York City’s West Village on Tuesday, May 12. Dunham’s husband, Luis Felber, model Emily Ratajkowski and French film director Romain Gavras were also among the attendees at the milestone celebration.

Swift and Kelce recently returned to the States after making a brief visit to London earlier this month, where they attended a Romeo & Juliet play starring Sadie Sink on the West End, dined at a London hotspot and made an appearance at Poppy Delevingne’s 40th birthday bash.

Kelce, 36, shared details of their London trip during the Wednesday, May 13, episode of his “New Heights” podcast.

“For the most part, [I] had some really good food, enjoyed some plays,” the Kansas City Chiefs tight end said. “[We] saw Sadie Sink and, I believe, Noah Jupe is his name. He was f***ing phenomenal as Romeo. Sadie is phenomenal as Juliet, as well.”

Kelce also gushed about his dining experience on one of the couple’s date nights in England’s capital.

“I had the best Indian food, well I’ll say second best because Kumar [Ferguson]​​ makes the best Indian food,” the athlete said, referring to his personal chef. “I would say it was one of the most surprising meals that I’ve ever had. I went to a spot called Gymkhana, which was f***ing remarkable.”

Related: Taylor Swift Rocks Black Outfit During Girls’ Night With Este Haim

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Taylor Swift put her best foot forward during a night out in New York City with Este Haim. Stepping out for dinner on Tuesday, December 9, Swift, 35, rocked an all-black ensemble including a chic Louis Vuitton Duffle Coat, a miniskirt and black tights. Photos of the outing were shared via an X fan account […]

Last August, Swift and Kelce announced their engagement via social media after two years of dating.

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“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” they captioned a joint Instagram post at the time.

In an October 2025 appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Swift admitted Kelce nailed the romantic proposal.

“He really crushed it in surprising me. While we were talking on his podcast, he had a complete garden built out the back of his house to propose in,” she said. “He went all out — 10 out of 10.”

The internet has watched Dess Dior grow up! From her viral teenage years to becoming a rapper and entrepreneur, supporters have followed her every move. And while some women in the industry have opted to enhance their bodies surgically, Dess previously clarified that she represents the slim, tall, natural baddies. Recently, she has been giving online supporters a glimpse into her workout journey. However, her latest posts sparked rumors about her getting cosmetic surgery. Now, she’s shutting down the chatter! 

RELATED: Yaya Mayweather Reacts After Viral Footage Shows Jayda Cheaves & Dess Dior In Nightclub Altercation (VIDEOS)

Dess Dior Addresses Rumors About Cosmetic Surgery

Earlier this week, Dess Dior took to her Instagram Story to show supporters how rehearsals have been going for her ‘Take Notes’ tour. In the videos, she appeared alongside her background dancers, showcasing their choreography.

As the clips made rounds online, supporters immediately began reacting to her appearance. One commenter wrote, “Dess tell me right now how you grew that!!” Another joked, “Desereee? Destiny??? Dessert??? I begggg what’s all that back thereeee.” While reacting to the chatter, one fan said, “Baby Dess went and got on that table?” But Dess quickly shut the rumors down, responding, “I didn’t tho. I would’ve got my stomach too shidddddd.”

Dess Dior Calls Out Critics For Being Hyper-Fixated On Women’s Bodies

Over on Snapchat, Dess Dior continued to clock comments about her body and weight. One person asked the rapper, “Wait when did you get this thick? Did you have work done?” In her circulating response, Dess reportedly said, “Yall be irritating af. I been thick, I’m grown af & I gained weight! I just don’t shake my butt for y’all to see how thick I am lol.”

Dess Dior also appeared to address the ongoing conversation in another video.The rapper shared her thoughts on people constantly criticizing and overanalyzing women’s appearances online.

“Don’t y’all think y’all hyper-fixate on women’s bodies too much? Like physical appearance period. Y’all always talk about somebody face features, somebody arms, somebody feet, somebody thighs, somebody a**, somebody’s stomach. Y’all always hyper-fixate on every detail a woman has on her body,” she said. 

Dess Dior continued by explaining that people often assume women had surgery whenever their body changes naturally after gaining weight.  The rapper also spoke about how women are criticized either way, whether they stay natural or decide to get work done. She later credited eating more for her recent weight gain, sayin. “Like it’s sick. But hey, I don’t know what the science is behind it. It’s just annoying. I’m thick. That’s just what it is. I ate a lot. You wanna gain weight, eat. Like unbelievable.”

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Social Media Reacts 

Social media also reacted after Dess Dior cleared the air about surgery rumors.  While some agreed her body looks natural, others still believed she got work done. A few commenters think she may have gotten the same procedure as her best friend, Jayda Cheaves, who has been open about her past surgeries.  Others argued that Dess has always had a nice shape and that not everyone who appears thick used surgery to achieve it. 

Instagram user @tell.ss wrote, “Why do they get on here and lie lol”

Instagram user @cl_e_O_4 wrote, “Probably got shots like her bestie Jayda”

While Instagram user @jjodi.b wrote, “Y’all sound like haters, it look natural to me.”

Instagram user @datgworlasiaa wrote, “If you know dess she been on her workout journey for years growing her booty lol, it’s real for sure !”

Instagram user @dessdiorupdates added, “period. now shut up and stop tryna tell her what she did to HER body and go buy tickets for her first headlining tour! thank ya!!”

While Instagram user @allabOut.br33 wrote, “Girl who is you foolin if anything them ass shots😂 look good tho boo”

Instagram user @kei_pie26 wrote, “She has always been that slim thick fr but you gotta really fw her to see it but it is HEAVY ASF NOW 😬”

Instagram user @prettytiff_3 wrote, “Dess been fine yall don’t see it cuz she don’t wear revealing clothes 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️yall swear every bihh that fine had surgery”

While Instagram user @mrs._bryant13 wrote, “She almost 30 that’s grown woman weight.If y’all would wait instead of getting on table so fast. This can be y’all”

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