Hayden Panettiere name-dropped several celebrity friends and exes in debut memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning.

“I think people will be surprised by what they learn,” Panettiere, 36, told Us Weekly in her cover story published in May 2026, revealing that she was “terrified” to tell her story.

“The first thought that went through my head is, ‘Am I ready to write a book about my life?’” the actress shared. “Then I started thinking through my life and going, ‘Gosh, truth is stranger than fiction. I have so many stories already to share.’ I hope that by sharing them in this book, that it helps people to overcome the obstacles they’re going through.”

Panettiere experienced several ups and downs throughout her life, which are discussed at length in the book. But she also reflected on stories involving other stars.

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of the biggest celebrity name drops from Panettiere’s memoir:

The ‘Panic Room’ Movie Experience

Panettiere wrote that she was cast as Nicole Kidman’s daughter in the movie Panic Room. After Kidman hurt herself on set, she was forced to pull out of the role, which halted production. There was apparently a conversation about Angelina Jolie joining the film.

Eventually, Jodie Foster replaced Kidman in the film. However, Panettiere was also recast with Kristen Stewart. According to Panettiere’s book, producers didn’t think she looked enough like Foster.

She wrote that she “never got an explanation as to why, and at the time, I accepted it, even though I was incredibly sad.”

Reflecting on a Relationship with Stephen Colletti

At the height of Heroes and Laguna Beach, Panettiere recalled Stephen Colletti being her “first Hollywood boyfriend.”

The actress wrote that she “didn’t really” watch his show when it was on TV. However, Panettiere saw him in a magazine and her publicist introduced them.

Related: Hayden Panettiere’s Ups and Downs Over the Years

Hayden Panettiere has had quite the career — and her personal life has been just as captivating. The Golden Globe-nominated actress started modeling at 5 months old and appeared in her first commercial when she was 11 months old. Her big break came in 1994 when she began playing Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live at […]

Advertisement

Being Around Lindsay Lohan

Panettiere wrote that it was “mesmerizing” watching Lindsay Lohan during the early 2000s.

“I was around 13 when I first met Lindsay and she’d always been warm and friendly with me, but I thought of her as one of the consummate cool girls,” the actress recalled. “She always seemed completely in her element, talking to anyone and everyone. I remember watching her in awe from across the room, and I was convinced she was born to be in situations like this.”

Dating ‘Heroes’ Costar Milo Ventimiglia

Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia “became a thing” while doing international press for Heroes. She was 18 at the time and their age gap made major headlines. Eventually he broke up with her.

Looking back, Panettiere knew she “wasn’t really in love with Milo” but it was “something stable” in her life at the time. “He’d pulled the rug out from under me,” she wrote.

Crossing Paths With Anthony Kiedis

The actress recalled chatting with the Red Hot Chili Peppers singer, noting that “he was way too old for me” in the book. Panettiere claimed that she and Kiedis were on the verge of crossing a line from “harmless flirtation into something more intentional.”

Some Very Famous Neighbors

Panettiere recalled living close by Bill Murray and Bjork when moving to a house in Congers, New York.

Joining the ‘Scream’ Franchise

Panettiere worked with longtime friends Emma Roberts and Rory Culkin on Scream 4 when making her debut as Kirby Reed. Neve Campbell rented a property with cottages on it for the cast where she did mushrooms with her friends and invited David Arquette over.

Filming ‘Nashville’ With Connie Britton

The actress noted that working on Nashville was different from Heroes. They were not “one big happy family,” she wrote. Panettiere noted that she wasn’t close to anyone on the cast and “couldn’t figure it out.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Elsewhere, she also discussed the dynamic she shared with costar Connie Britton, revealing that she grew concerned over her character Juliette Barnes’ rivalry with Britton’s Rayna James.

“My character wasn’t intended to be the show’s star — not even close,” Panettiere wrote. “That honor went to Connie, whose Rayna Jaymes was in the twilight of her career, facing a dramatic turning point thanks to yours truly.”

She continued, “Unfortunately, after the pilot, it was clear that my billing had gone way up. I went from maybe number five in terms of importance to nipping at Connie’s heels. I was deeply uncomfortable with this development.”

Taylor Swift is reportedly going to extreme lengths to protect details surrounding her highly anticipated wedding to Travis Kelce, even if it means keeping some family members out of the loop.

As excitement around the rumored July ceremony continues to grow, insiders claim privacy fears, leaked information, and fallout from past controversies have pushed the singer into full lockdown mode ahead of the big day.

According to insiders, Swift has become deeply protective of every aspect of the ceremony as she and Travis Kelce prepare for what sources described as a “really, really, big” wedding. One person who reportedly has not been trusted with many details is Travis’s father, Ed Kelce.

“He’s sort of like a loose cannon,” one insider told the Daily Mail. “Nobody knows what he’s going to say so it’s kind of a controversial situation.”

The concern allegedly stems from Ed’s prior revelation of details about Travis Kelce’s proposal to multiple media outlets. “He already gave out a lot of information about the engagement,” the source added.

Reports claim Swift has intentionally kept planning limited to herself, Travis, and a wedding planner.

Even family members are said to be operating with limited information. Travis’s sister-in-law, Kylie Kelce, recently admitted on her “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, “I don’t have any details. I don’t have any details. I have none.”

Sources also claim Swift has personally taken over the guest invitation process instead of relying on traditional wedding mailers.

Taylor Swift Reportedly Fears More Leaks

The singer’s intense focus on secrecy reportedly became even stronger after information about the wedding allegedly leaked earlier this year. Last month, reports surfaced claiming the ceremony would happen in New York City on July 3.

Insiders say Swift and Travis Kelce were disappointed private information made its way into public conversation so early. Instead of confronting guests directly, Swift allegedly came up with another strategy.

“She’s also sharing slightly different details with different guests,” a source claimed. “That way, if any information does surface publicly, it could help identify where the leak came from.”

The insider also explained why Swift reportedly abandoned physical invitations altogether. They shared, “When it comes to the date and location, she wants to avoid anything leaking ahead of time, which is why there are no physical save-the-dates being sent out.”

Another source added, “She is taking the entire process extremely seriously, especially from a security standpoint.”

That concern reportedly goes beyond gossip. Swift has dealt with stalkers, security threats, and even alleged terror plots throughout her career, making privacy a major issue as wedding speculation intensifies online.

“At the moment, fewer than ten people actually know the exact wedding date and location,” the insider revealed.

Swift’s Massive Guest List Sparks Criticism

Despite the secrecy, reports claim the wedding itself may be anything but small. Insiders say the guest list has become so large that some people close to the situation are beginning to question it.

“I’ve been hearing that every person under the sun who has slim to no relationship with the couple is being invited,” a source alleged.

The insider went even further, claiming some people inside entertainment circles feel the wedding invitations have become excessive. “You barely know these people and they’re invited? This is a joke. There are people invited that she has met one time in her life,” the source continued.

According to the same insider, Taylor Swift may simply want the world to see she finally “found her Prince Charming.”

Swift herself has previously joked about keeping the guest list open-ended. During an earlier appearance on “The Graham Norton Show,” she said, “I think the only stressful weddings are the ones where you have a small amount and people are on the bubble, right? And you have to evaluate or assess your relationship with them to see if they should be there – I’m not gonna do that.”

She also joked that she planned on inviting “anyone” she has “ever talked to.”

Reports suggest the wedding venue will need to match the enormous guest count. Sources believe the ceremony could happen at a large “museum” or “arena-like venue.”

Blake Lively Fallout Reportedly Changed Everything

The reported tension surrounding Taylor Swift’s friendship circle has also become part of the wedding conversation.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are reportedly unlikely to attend following the actress’ legal battle involving Justin Baldoni. Insiders claim the controversy damaged Swift’s friendship with Lively after private messages allegedly became public during the dispute.

One source claimed Swift felt she “got dragged into something she didn’t want to get dragged into.”

Another insider added, “[The main issue was] the fact that her private text messages to her friend became public record and her friend dragged her into something that made her look poorly to the public.”

“That’s what really bothered her,” the source continued. “It was like, ‘OK, you f-cked up my reputation.’ It’s the reputation that she cares about the most.”

The fallout reportedly affected Travis’s relationship with the couple too, although sources say he never had a particularly close friendship with them independently of Swift.

“There’s no hard feelings on his end because they were never really his friends. They were friends with his fiancée,” the insider explained.

Wedding Drama Continues Around Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce

The growing secrecy has only fueled even more fascination around the celebrity wedding.

Rumors surrounding potential guest snubs continue to spread online, including speculation that actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry may not make the final list.

The couple once appeared close with Swift and Travis, but fans began questioning the friendship after Sperry did not sit with Swift during last year’s Super Bowl festivities.

Although Teller later appeared on Travis’s “New Heights” podcast, speculation around changing friendships has continued to follow the couple’s wedding planning process.

For now, much of the ceremony remains hidden behind closed doors. But with leaks, rumored guest list drama, and growing questions surrounding Swift’s inner circle, the road to the wedding has already become one of the most talked-about celebrity stories of the year.

Meryl Streep and Martin Short may still refuse to officially confirm their romance, but people in their inner circle believe the pair have stopped hiding what’s really going on. 

Over the last year, the Hollywood icons have quietly gone from co-stars to inseparable companions, leaning on each other through personal grief, career transitions, and life-changing moments. 

While the actors continue to publicly brush off relationship rumors, insiders now claim their chemistry has become impossible to ignore both on and off screen.

Rumors surrounding Meryl Streep and Martin Short first exploded while they filmed “Only Murders in the Building,” where they played romantic interests, Loretta Durkin and Oliver Putnam.

Fans immediately became obsessed with their playful energy during interviews, public appearances, and red carpet events promoting the Hulu series. 

The speculation intensified even more after the pair were spotted together several times throughout 2024, looking unusually affectionate.

The timing also came during major personal changes in both of their lives. Streep quietly separated from husband Don Gummer in 2017 after decades of marriage, though the split was not publicly revealed until October 2023.

Short, meanwhile, had spent years rebuilding after the devastating loss of his wife, Nancy Dolman, who died from ovarian cancer in 2010.

Sources claim Streep and Short connected deeply through shared experiences, eventually becoming one another’s closest emotional support systems.

Streep Reportedly Helped Short Through Family Tragedy

Meryl Streep and Short’s relationship reportedly became even stronger earlier this year following a heartbreaking tragedy in the latter’s family.

The actor was devastated after losing his daughter, Katherine, in February following her battle with mental illness. According to insiders, the loss reopened emotional wounds connected to Dolman’s death years earlier.

“Martin knows all too well about loss. When he lost Nancy to cancer, that was the most life-altering thing that had ever happened to him, so when his daughter died, those same feelings came back and opened some emotional wounds that he never wanted to revisit,” one source told the Daily Mail.

Friends reportedly watched Streep step in as one of the biggest sources of comfort in Short’s life during the difficult period.

“But this time around, he had Meryl, Steve [Martin, also a co-star] and other friends are really there for him,” the insider continued, adding, “Meryl has been such a force and impact to his life, and has absolutely taken on the role of Martin’s rock.”

The source also said the pair’s children have embraced the relationship and are happy their parents found companionship later in life.

Meryl Streep Is Reportedly Scaling Back Her Hollywood Ambitions

As their relationship deepens, insiders say Streep has started shifting her focus away from nonstop Hollywood work.

The “Devil Wears Prada” star, now approaching 80, reportedly feels she no longer has anything left to prove professionally after decades dominating the film industry.

“Meryl has been able to do what she has wanted for quite a while, but she is doing that even more because she doesn’t have anything else to prove,” an insider shared.

The source added that the three-time Oscar winner does not “need any other awards or fanfare.” Instead, her current priority is said to be “enjoying life and being happy.”

A major part of that happiness reportedly comes from spending time with Short, who insiders say constantly lifts her spirits.

“He has invigorated her life so deeply, and loves the love that they share, and now wants to be surrounded by it at all costs,” the insider said.

Although Streep recently returned as Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada” sequel, sources claim she plans to take only occasional acting jobs and voice work moving forward while focusing more on her personal life.

Streep And Short Continue Fueling Romance Speculation

Despite insisting they are only friends, Meryl Streep and Martin Short have continued making public appearances that keep fueling romance chatter.

Last August, the duo held hands during an “Only Murders in the Building” promotional event, immediately sending fans into a frenzy online.

The actors were later spotted dining together at celebrity-favorite Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Los Angeles. 

More recently, insiders claimed the pair enjoyed another intimate dinner together at Chateau Marmont earlier this month.

According to witnesses, the stars spent most of the evening whispering privately while “holding hands under the table.” The hotel’s strict no-photo policy reportedly helped them relax without cameras or public scrutiny.

Sources described them as “acting like teens” throughout the dinner while making it “obvious they’re more than friends.” Even though they reportedly left separately around 11 p.m., insiders insist their chemistry was undeniable.

Meryl Streep And Martin Short’s Friends Believe ‘They Are In Love’

People close to the actors reportedly no longer question the seriousness of their relationship.

“What was interesting is that they’ve both been denying they’re in a romantic relationship,” one insider revealed, adding, “But seeing them inside the Chateau there’s no doubt they are in love.”

Friends allegedly believe the relationship works because both stars understand grief, fame, and aging in ways very few others can.

Sources also say Short has brought renewed joy into Streep’s life by constantly making her laugh and helping her embrace a slower pace after decades in Hollywood.

Meanwhile, those close to them are reportedly emotional seeing him genuinely happy again following years of personal heartbreak.

“After all the tragedies Martin’s been through, with so many people close to him dying, it was beautiful to see him so happy,” the insider said.

“Selling Sunset” is heading into its milestone 10th season with a cast shakeup that nobody saw coming. 

Just weeks before cameras are set to roll again, multiple familiar faces have reportedly been cut from the Netflix hit, leaving fans stunned and insiders scrambling to explain what happened behind the scenes. 

While some longtime stars are out, controversial fan favorites are suddenly back in the mix, setting the stage for one of the franchise’s messiest and most dramatic seasons yet.

“Selling Sunset” reportedly cleaned house ahead of season 10, with Emma Hernan, Mary Bonnet, Chelsea Lazkani, Alanna Gold, and Sandra Vergara all getting axed from the series.

Advertisement

According to a report from TMZ, the decisions were made back in April as producers prepared for filming to begin only weeks later.

The massive overhaul marks one of the show’s biggest cast changes and immediately sparked questions about the direction Netflix wants the franchise to take moving forward.

Bonnet herself appeared to hint that major behind-the-scenes changes were already happening during an interview earlier this month.

“Netflix wanted a change-up,” she admitted per the Daily Mail, while teasing that there were “changes” coming that she “just can’t say.”

Advertisement

At one point, Bonnet also appeared uncertain about when filming for season 10 would even begin, fueling speculation she already knew her future with the show was over.

Meanwhile, insiders claim another familiar Netflix face may soon enter the chaos. Alex Hall from “Selling the OC” is reportedly being considered for the cast while the spin-off remains on indefinite pause.

‘Selling Sunset’ Brings Back Christine Quinn And Heather Rae El Moussa

While several stars are reportedly out, “Selling Sunset” is also reviving some of its most recognizable faces. 

Bre Tiesi, Christine Quinn, Amanza Smith, and Heather Rae El Moussa are all expected to return for the upcoming season.

Quinn’s comeback, especially, sent shockwaves through the fanbase because she left the show in 2022 amid explosive drama and accusations she fiercely denied.

Advertisement

The former breakout villain was accused of offering one of Emma Hernan’s clients $5,000 to stop working with her, claims Quinn publicly rejected.

Even Bonnet admitted Quinn remains valuable television despite their complicated history. “Christine’s always, she’s good for the show. Wasn’t happy about the way she left, I mean the things before, but everyone grows and hopefully she has,” Bonnet said.

Davina Potratz also supported Quinn’s return, saying, “I think Christine is a great choice for return because she’s a fan favorite and everyone loves her. She’s very funny. And I think she’s great for the show.”

Potratz suggested producers may be trying to restore the energy from Selling Sunset’s earlier seasons after fans complained the series drifted too far from its original appeal. “I feel like the fans kind of want more of what it originally was,” she explained.

Advertisement

‘Selling Sunset’ Drama Destroyed Major Friendships Behind The Scenes

Several of the cast exits follow years of growing tension and explosive personal feuds within the Oppenheim Group.

Lazkani and Bonnet, once close friends, spent the last two seasons tearing into each other after a disastrous listing appointment damaged their relationship.

The conflict reportedly began when Lazkani arrived late to an open house, and Bonnet criticized her revealing outfit in front of Jason and Brett Oppenheim.

Lazkani fired back by telling Bonnet, “If you wanted to be woman-to-woman you would’ve pulled me aside, but doing it in front of two men, I just think it’s a little bit of a low blow.”

Advertisement

Their friendship never recovered. Even after Bonnet experienced a frightening home invasion, she reportedly refused the flowers Lazkani sent her afterward.

Emma Hernan also became embroiled in controversy during her run after Chrishell Stause accused Hernan’s boyfriend, Blake Davis, of saying “pronouns are dumb” regarding Stause’s nonbinary spouse, G Flip.

Hernan denied the accusation completely, insisting Davis merely referred to G Flip as Stause’s “wife.”

Davis later clarified, telling the Daily Mail, “I regretfully referred to G Flip as Ms Stause’s wife.” The drama eventually contributed to Stause stepping away from the show after saying it was “no longer good for my mental health.”

Advertisement

‘Selling Sunset’s Newer Cast Members Also Faced Controversy

Some of “Selling Sunset’s” newest additions also struggled to connect with audiences before reportedly being let go.

Alanna Gold faced backlash after claiming she and her husband owned Pioneertown, California, prompting furious reactions from locals.

She later apologized and clarified that they had only “invested in a home and other properties there.” Sandra Vergara, Sofia Vergara’s adopted sister and biological cousin, only lasted one season before reportedly exiting.

During her short time on the series, she clashed with multiple cast members and emotionally denied accusations that she once keyed a car belonging to Stause’s assistant.

Insiders claim one challenge for newer additions is that they often lack genuine relationships with the rest of the cast before filming begins.

Advertisement

“Sandra Vergara didn’t really know anybody before joining,” one source explained, adding, “It’s hard anytime they add a new person that doesn’t have a real behind the scenes connection with anyone in the cast.”

‘Selling Sunset’ Producers Reportedly Want Bigger Drama For Season 10

Behind the scenes, insiders claim producers became desperate to revive “Selling Sunset’s” original formula by bringing back cast members with deeper history and bigger personalities.

According to sources, Quinn was not actively trying to return to the show. “Christine was not looking to be back on Selling Sunset,” one insider told the Daily Mail last month, adding she “didn’t reach out” to producers herself.

Instead, producers allegedly pursued her because “she brings the most drama and that’s what they need right now with the new season – more drama.”

Advertisement

The insider even claimed producers sometimes “bribe cast members with more money just for them to return.” 

Quinn reportedly hesitated because of concerns about how she would be portrayed after previously being edited as the show’s villain.

“She was made out to be a villain and she’s not like that at all in real life,” the source said. Still, producers reportedly believe Quinn’s long history with the cast gives the series something newer stars could never fully recreate.

Advertisement

Trends come and go, but Christie Brinkley reached for the timeless silhouette that outlasts them all. While hosting the Billy Joel: And So It Goes event, Brinkley donned bootcut jeans with a band T-shirt, a buttery leather jacket and edgy sandals. The best part? Her outfit formula flatters anyone. No matter how old you are, how long your legs are or what shape your body is, bootcut jeans can make you look and feel like a model.

While we don’t know where Brinkley’s exact jeans are from, it’s safe to say they’re out of our budget. We ran straight to Amazon to find a similar cut and landed on Luvamia High-Waisted Bootcut Jeans — only $30!

Get the Luvamia High-Waisted Bootcut Jeans for $30 (was $36) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The Luvamia High-Waisted Bootcut Jeans on Amazon understand the assignment. They’re designed with a slim fit through the thigh, a subtle kick at the hem and a high waist that smoothes your tummy and elongates your legs. The denim has just enough stretch to feel like leggings without losing its shape.

One five-star reviewer shared, “I think the higher waist helps hold in a bit of the tummy area, without giving a muffin top. The stretch of the fabric is nice and holds up through a whole day without getting stretched out.”

Advertisement

Related: Martha Stewart Wore This Gold Sandals Style at Least 2 Times in a Week

Sandals season is in full swing, and if you’re anywhere near New York City, you’ll see gold everywhere. Rich moms wear gold sandals nonstop, and Martha Stewart is part of the fandom. The A-lister probably has endless shoe options, and yet she reaches for the same sandals nonstop. We’re following suit, especially since Stewart’s classy […]

Patch pockets on the back are a nice touch, too, positioned in a way that lifts instead of flattens. Pair these retro bootcut jeans with a leather jacket and sandals à la Brinkley, or throw on a white tee and sneakers for something more downtown. They’re pants that go from school pickup to dinner reservations without a wardrobe change.

Brinkley’s bootcut jeans style is both nostalgic and current, nodding to the ’70s, early 2000s and now. It’s no wonder they’re in heavy rotation on city streets. They flatter curves, balance proportions and pair with absolutely everything in your closet. If there’s one denim style worth owning right now, this is it!

Get the Luvamia High-Waisted Bootcut Jeans for $30 (was $36) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other summer jeans here and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Katie Holmes Wore the Most Unexpected Denim Color — And It‘s a Moment

Advertisement

Not blue, not white! Katie Holmes stepped out in New York City rocking retro purple jeans. Unconventional, yes, but so incredibly chic. The pants gave Holmes’ style a vintage flair, and we found the fun look for 30% off on Amazon. In an iconic head-turning outfit, Holmes paired purple jeans with a simple black cardigan, […]

A story’s climax is a pretty decisive factor in its level of quality, and motion pictures are no exception. Regardless of how great a film’s first two acts are, if its climax isn’t able to stick the landing, chances are that the movie as a whole will end up falling flat. There are many factors that can make a movie climax great, and one of the most frequently successful is a well-constructed sense of suspense.

Indeed, whether it’s a thriller like Se7en or a non-thriller like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, cinema’s most suspenseful climaxes are proof of just how effective nail-biting tension can be in making a film unforgettable. Sky-high stakes and agonizing anticipation are what suspenseful scenes are all about, and the climaxes of these ten masterful gems of cinema definitely check those boxes.

There are spoilers ahead!

10

‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ (1966)

Sergio Leone is one of the most groundbreaking figures in the history of cinema, the father of Spaghetti Westerns and the author of some of the best Westerns in movie history. That includes what may very well be the greatest Western movie ever made: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, a bounty-hunting adventure epic led by Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef all at their best.

This trio of big-screen legends are at the center of one of the greatest movie climaxes of all time. We’ve grown to be so fascinated by this group of badass antiheroes that their iconic Mexican standoff, set to the tune of Ennio Morricone‘s transcendental score, is quite literally one of the greatest scenes in the history of cinema. It’s a simple sequence that oozes suspense, because we truly don’t know who will come out on top. In hindsight, Angel Eyes’ death and Blondie riding off into the horizon with the gold feels inevitable; but during the film’s climax, it feels like anything could happen.

9

‘The Terminator’ (1984)

Image via Orion Pictures

Canadian filmmaker James Cameron is a master of many things. He’s a master of the box office, a master of the action movie genre, and—of course—a master of breathtaking climaxes. Many of his films have third acts full of suspense, but none make it harder to not bite one’s nails than The Terminator. It was only Cameron’s second-ever film (a very effective redemption after his abysmal debut, Piranha II: The Spawning), yet you could already tell that you were in the presence of a master of his craft.

The Terminator has one of the most thrilling movie climaxes ever, where a Terminator who seems like he cannot be killed chases Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor through a factory, costing Reese his life. On top of being emotional, this climax is brimming with tension. A villainous force of nature that endures anything the hero throws at them tends to be a staple of the ’80s slasher genre, and The Terminator‘s climax almost makes it feel like a horror movie. It works wonderfully.

8

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Christopher Nolan is another filmmaker who always knows how to make a climax that hits the spot, and there is perhaps no greater example of that aspect of his work than The Dark Knight. This isn’t just one of the greatest comic book movies ever made: It’s regarded by many as the single best superhero film in history, a reputation that has remained intact for what almost amounts to two decades by now.

Largely, The Dark Knight‘s quality comes from its having one of the best blockbuster movie climaxes of all time. The first half of the climax is a fight for the very moral heart of Gotham, where its citizens are every bit as important as Batman and the Joker; while the second half of the sequence forces the Caped Crusader to face the monster that Harvey Dent has become. And throughout all of these scenes, Nolan’s exceptional construction of a sense of suspense never lets up even a little bit.

7

‘Mission: Impossible — Fallout’ (2018)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Ever since its Brian De Palma origins back in the ’90s and all the way until its recent conclusion, the Mission: Impossible franchise remained one of the most widely respected and beloved action movie series in the world. But there’s really no question as to which of its installments is the best of the bunch: It has to be Mission: Impossible — Fallout, the M:I film that also happens to have the highest stakes of the whole series.

Those stakes are at their most pressing in the film’s climax, where Ethan Hunt chases after Walker on a helicopter to stop him from blowing up a nuclear bomb. This entire action-packed and tension-filled third act is a big reason why M:I — Fallout is one of the most exciting movie masterpieces ever. Packed with death-defying stunts that only make the whole thing more suspenseful, it’s arguably the best climax of the franchise.

6

‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957)

Image via Columbia Pictures

It’s not only thriller nor only action movies that have immensely suspenseful climaxes, and proof of that is The Bridge on the River Kwai. This WWII epic was directed by David Lean, the master of the epic movie genre, and it made it all the way to seven Academy Award victories (including Best Picture). It all culminates in one of the best epic movie climaxes the world has ever seen.

Colonel Nicholson realizes his foolishness in bringing a bridge for the enemy and, after being mortally wounded by his own side, falls on the detonator plunger, destroying the bridge as he dies. Aside from being thematically brilliant, perfectly symbolizing the madness and pointlessness of war itself, this climax combines high-stakes narrative irony, excellent performances, and intense moral conflict to deliver a sequence packed with irresistible suspense.

5

‘Jaws’ (1975)

Image via Universal Pictures

It was Steven Spielberg who fathered the concept of what we now know as blockbuster cinema, and he did so with 1975’s Jaws. An unprecedented kind of film in not just Hollywood, but the entire film industry, this creature feature has aged wonderfully as one of the greatest horror films of the 20th century. What follows one of the scariest movie opening scenes of all time is a rousing tale about the conflict between humanity and nature.

It all leads to a climax that’s incredibly tense for the same kinds of reasons that The Terminator‘s third act is so tense. Here we finally get to see the shark unleash the full might of his almost-supernatural rage, as he ravages the Orca and devours Quint in a jaw-dropping twist. Technically, the whole scene is flawlessly executed; and narratively, it feels like everythign the story has been building up to this whole time.

4

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Image via A24

After the incredibly suspenseful parade of pure chaotic tension that was Good Time, the Safdie brothers followed up their success with Netflix’s Uncut Gems. Starring Adam Sandler at his very best, this is one of the most anxiety-inducing movies of the 21st century, as well as one of the most intense crime movies ever made. People who love thrillers that make them suffer through their whole runtime ought to check this one out.

All of gambling addict Howard Ratner’s stupid mistakes come to crash down on him in the movie’s final act. In a sad twist of irony, it doesn’t end up mattering that Howard’s final bet pays off and earns him over a million dollars: He’s still killed by an enraged Phil, who then kills Arno and starts looting Howard’s store. It’s a climax every bit as chaotic, stressful, and impeccably acted by Sandler as everything that’s come before, and that results in a sense of suspense that should be able to have anyone watching with their eyes half-covered.

3

‘Alien’ (1979)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Back in 1979, Ridley Scott practically revolutionized sci-fi horror with Alien, a film that has aged like fine wine in virtually every sense imaginable. The franchise that it spawned has definitely had its ups and downs, but the original is still one of the scariest horror movies ever made, introducing the world to one of cinema’s most iconic monsters: the bloodthirsty Xenomorph.

For the most part, Alien is a very slow-burning film, and that’s precisely where the potency and engrossing nature of its eerie atmosphere comes from. That slow pace continues on all the way until the climax, where Scott makes us think that Ripley has made it safely off the Nostromo, only to surprise us—and definitely surprise Ripley—with the reveal that there’s a certain undesired stowaway aboard her shuttle. It’s an incredibly tense and scary scene, and Sigourney Weaver acts the hell out of it.

2

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

The latest film to achieve the honor of winning all five Big Oscars (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay) is The Silence of the Lambs, which also happens to be the only horror movie that’s ever won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. That’s hardly a surprise. It is one of the best thriller masterpieces of the last 80 years we’re talking about, after all.

Bolstered by Jodie Foster‘s incredible lead performance, the film’s final act is a masterclass in suspense, horror, and narrative catharsis. Clarice finally finds Buffalo Bill and confronts him at his base of operations, where he has to face the serial killer in complete darkness. She kills him, rescues who would have been his next victim, and escapes. It’s a simple enough confrontation, but it’s one so packed with nail-biting suspense that it’s almost unbearable how tense it is.

1

‘Se7en’ (1994)

Image via New Line Cinema

David Fincher is arguably the modern king of the thriller genre, and there’s no film of his that better demonstrates all the reasons why than Se7en. This isn’t just a serial killer thriller: It’s a film so bleak and so cynical in its views of humanity that it almost feels like a horror film throughout its entire runtime, and that bleakness and cynicism are precisely what make its climax one of the thriller genre’s most iconic sequences.

“What’s in the box?” is a question that all fans of the genre are perfectly familiar with. In one of the best thriller movie climaxes ever, John Doe reveals that he killed Detective Mills’ pregnant wife, manipulating the cop into killing him in a fit of rage. Thus, the final sin of Wrath was fulfilled, and Doe emerged victorious in the end. It’s an ending so tragic and suspenseful that it’s almost difficult to watch, but that’s precisely the charm of a well-executed thriller movie climax.

Advertisement

Se7en

Advertisement

Release Date

September 22, 1995

Runtime

Advertisement

127 minutes

Writers

Andrew Kevin Walker

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement