By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 2 minutes ago

Star Trek is often seen as a left-wing franchise. Thanks to cutting-edge technology (including replicators that can make anything you need), this moneyless society is often considered the embodiment of the old meme “Fully Automated Luxury Gay Space Communism.” With that being said, Trek has a far larger number of right-wing fans, and this often leads sections of the fandom to ask a simple question: “Why do conservatives watch Star Trek?” After trawling old messageboards and subreddits long enough, I found a tentative answer.

The general consensus online is that liberals like Star Trek for its emphasis on diversity and its portrayal of different groups coming together to solve problems through diplomacy and cultural understanding. Meanwhile, conservatives allegedly like Trek because they see Starfleet as a symbol of America and enjoy watching captains warping in and saving otherwise helpless alien societies (basically, world police on a galactic scale). As you might imagine, the internet considers these positions to be polar opposites. But Star Trek is all about Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, and, in an ironic twist, the franchise has proven that both liberal and conservative readings of its text are, more or less, correct!

Is Star Trek Left-Wing?

It’s not that hard to see why many consider Star Trek to be a left-wing franchise. Characters like Kirk and Picard have frequently insisted that their futuristic society has moved beyond the need or desire for money (this is largely thanks to the replicator). In this way, Trek thoroughly rejects capitalism, and writers go out of their way to mock 21st-century-style greed. The best example of this is the Ferengi, who are explicitly portrayed as a caricature of capitalist culture and, accordingly, always turned into the butt of the joke.

Star Trek also fully aligns with diversity, both in the stories (again, the future is all about IDIC) and its casting. Back in the ‘60s, The Original Series made Nichelle Nichols into an international icon, and she stayed on the show after Martin Luther King, Jr. told her that what she was doing (being a prominent Black actor during the Civil Rights era) was just as important as marching in the streets for freedom. Trek continued to emphasize diversity in the decades since, with the inclusion of more prominent Black characters, gay characters, trans characters, nonbinary characters, etc. 

Finally, Star Trek often rejects prominent conservative values. Not only is Christianity practically non-existent in this franchise, but religion is often portrayed as a dangerous tool used to control others (like Kai Winn trying to force the Bajoran gospel in the classroom). Exceptionalism is more or less non-existent, with characters like Spock reminding us that no one person’s life is worth more than saving the lives of others.

Trek also rejects the notion of cowboy diplomacy: Kirk spends a lifetime shooting at Klingons and resents them for killing his son, but in The Undiscovered Country, he realizes the importance of laying his weapons down, forgiving his enemies, and using diplomacy to create a better future for billions of people.

Is Star Trek Right-Wing?

Star Trek still has great appeal to conservative audiences. For one thing, Star Trek has always stressed the importance of hierarchy, which is part and parcel to right-wing thought. We know exactly who’s in charge at all times, and that chain of command is frequently portrayed as vital to everyone’s survival.

Speaking of which, Starfleet is (despite the nominal emphasis on science and exploration) clearly the embodiment of Federation military might. Notably, we haven’t gotten any Trek series focusing on random space hippies; instead, we keep getting shows and movies focused on heroic military officers fighting hostile nations, terrorists, and other extremists, which clearly appeals to conservatives.

While Star Trek acknowledges the importance of diversity, the vast majority of the crew in any show or film are human. This is even lampshaded in The Undiscovered Country, in which the Federation is described as “nothing more than a homo sapiens only club.”

In general, human characters are easier for audiences of all stripes to relate to, but this arguably appeals more to conservatives. Not only does this franchise prominently feature tribalism, but it presents tribalism as necessary: now that humans have all united together, we have an easier time helping everyone in the galaxy learn and grow thanks to our superior wisdom.

That leads to the final point: Star Trek really is mostly about humans (most of them straight, white, and male) warping around the galaxy and solving everyone’s problems. In every alternate universe where Starfleet doesn’t exist (the Mirror Universe, the alternate reality of Picard Season 2, even the changed future in “City On the Edge of Forever”), the entire galaxy goes to sh*t. If you accept the premise that Starfleet is a stand-in for America, then the franchise has spent the better part of a century showing how everything falls apart without the United States intervening. Honestly, is it any wonder that conservatives love this message?

Shaka, When The Culture War Fell

What does all of this tell us about the political divide of the Star Trek fandom? That it is, on a pretty literal level, completely useless. Not because fans shouldn’t argue about their favorite media; heck, the entire internet was built on trivial fan debates! But Trek is the literal embodiment of its values, and with Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, it can mean (wait for it) infinite things to infinite people. It can be a liberal show, with its emphasis on diversity and socialized everything creating a utopia. And it can be a conservative show, with its emphasis on protecting that utopia through military might and strong leadership.

Will this keep people from arguing about politics in Star Trek when they hop online? Probably not. But maybe it will soften the discourse a bit when both sides learn that their favorite franchise isn’t simply one thing. Trek is bigger than all of us, and its values are correspondingly complex. That’s a good thing, of course: we can always come back to our favorite shows and movies to uncover new meaning. If all you’re watching Trek for is to find something to scream about on the internet, though, you need to take William Shatner’s controversial Saturday Night Live advice to heart and do one thing right away: get a life!

Victoria “BroRilla” Woods is sharing some words and goin’ OFF after Tommie Lee reacted to her rockin’ a 30-inch wig.

RELATED: Big Mama, Please! Victoria “BroRilla” Woods Seemingly Shades Latto’s Retirement Announcement (VIDEO)

Victoria “BroRilla” Woods Rocks A 30-Inch Wig

Last week, BroRilla shared a joint reel showing herself picking up and rocking a 30-inch glueless wig.

“Brorilla came by and picked up the infamous 30 inch Kim-K Glue-less Unit and broooooooo doesn’t she look stunning #memphisgirlies #901 #901memphis,” the reel was captioned.

Apparently, BroRilla found time to install the unit and took to Instagram on the evening of Tuesday, May 19, to show off the results. Bro shared a carousel of photos showing her rocking the 30-inch wig, many of which appeared to be taken while she was sitting on a kitchen counter.

Check out the photos below.

Tommie Lee Reacts To Her Rockin’ A 30-Inch Wig Alongside Social Media Users

Reactions rolled in via The Shade Room’s comment section. Many came from social media users.

However, Tommie Lee also shared a few words:

“This gettin weird!”

BroRilla Goes OFF On Tommie Lee

BroRilla peeped Tommie Lee’s comment and returned to Instagram to share a clip. In the clip, she called Lee “old” and “ugly.” Then, she appeared to share words about Lee’s time on reality TV and her apparent tussles.

Watch the NSFW clip here.

From there, BroRilla shared a screenshot of her researching Lee’s age.

Then, she followed up by sharing a photo of Lee and speaking about her appearance.

RELATED: BroRilla FrFr! Victoria Woods’ New Hair Has Fans Saying She Looks Like An Early-Career GloRilla (VIDEO)

The high-stress world of the fashion industry, and the people who work within it, often makes for great entertainment or the perfect backdrop for film. 2026 has already seen the modern state of fashion journalism explored in the absolutely groundbreaking return of Runway and its staff in The Devil Wears Prada 2, as Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) and Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) fight to secure their place in an industry that has moved on from print magazines. This week, Boots Riley explores another angle with I Love Boosters, following Keke Palmer and her group of shoplifters as they target the high-powered fashion maven who stole their designs. However, one of the most dramatic and emotional explorations of the people who try to live in this world is yet to come next month.

Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, Vertical is gearing up to release the drama Couture in theaters on June 26 in the U.S. Directed by César Award-winning director Alice Winocour, the film stars Oscar winner Angelina Jolie as an American filmmaker named Maxine as she heads to Paris to cover one of the world’s premier designer presentations — Fashion Week. Amid the hustle and bustle, her path intertwines with those of other women of varying ages and cultural backgrounds trying to carve out their own destinies within this cutthroat industry, all while she falls into a personal story of love and self-discovery that forces her to reflect on the choices that got her here. With one month left until release, a new trailer has arrived to tease the emotional twists Maxine’s journey is about to take in her trip to the City of Love.

Maxine’s whole purpose at Fashion Week is to direct the video that will kick off the event, capturing the styles, hopes, and dreams that will flourish under the Paris lights. As the trailer shows, though, she doesn’t think that highly of fashion and sees it more as a lucrative opportunity at a time when she could use the money. Her journey takes an unexpected turn, however, when she’s given a serious medical diagnosis that makes her contemplate her future, her family, and whether her choices have somehow caused all this. Navigating the world in tandem with her is a young pharmacy student named Ada (Anyier Anei), who was discovered as a model in Nairobi and given the opportunity of a lifetime, though she struggles with the pressures the industry places on her and the ridicule she feels from her colleagues. Finally, there’s Angèle (Ella Rumpf), a veteran makeup artist turning her years of experience into a work of fiction that nobody seems to quite understand. Together, they navigate a world of elegance, full of constant choices, small and life-changing.

Who Else Is Involved in ‘Couture’?

Winocour both wrote and directed Couture, with Jolie helping to produce alongside Charles Gillibert, Zhang Xin, and William Horberg. The French production also features Louis Garrel, Garance Marillier, and Vincent Lindon among its cast. The film was a return for Winocour to TIFF after debuting her previous effort, Paris Memories, at the festival back in 2022. Critics weren’t entirely sold on her deep-cutting, high-fashion-exposing new project, however, despite all the award-worthy talent involved. It currently owns a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but Jolie’s emotionally complex performance as Maxine did earn high praise across the board for helping to ground the story.

Couture hits the runway on June 26. Check out the trailer in the player above.

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Release Date

June 26, 2026

Runtime

106 minutes

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Director

Alice Winocour

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Writers

Alice Winocour

Producers

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Charles Gillibert, William Horberg

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  Sean Gullette

  Ray (voice)

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As much as we love neutral tones, summer is really all about incorporating pops of color into our wardrobes. We recently spotted a pair of beaded slide sandals at Walmart that reminded us of a signature designer look, and the four designs are that dose of fun our outfits are missing. Better yet, the slip-on style costs just $25, but the quality tells a much different story.

Leave it to Walmart to wow us with its lively footwear. The No Boundaries Beaded Slide Sandals are a flat option that allows you to slip your foot right in (because who has time to fuss with straps?). They give serious Euro summer vibes without the need to book a plane ticket.

Get the No Boundaries Beaded Slide Sandals for $25 at Walmart!

Related: Walmart’s Spring Shoe Edit Is Filled With Trendy Finds From $12

I recently received a compliment on a new pair of shoes, and when I replied, “Thanks, they’re from Walmart!” the person could barely believe me. Walmart has leveled up its fashion game recently, and its footwear options are incredibly stylish at an affordable price. The retailer just dropped their spring shoe edit, which includes hundreds […]

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The No Boundaries sandals come in four designs: pink and white stripes with a lemon, blue and white stripes with a lobster, green and white stripes with cherries and dark blue with pink, yellow and white fishes and detailing. Do they remind anyone else of a particular designer beaded bag. . . ?

Available in sizes 6 to 11, these sandals have memory foam insoles for all-day wear. So, they look good and feel good. This is a Walmart-exclusive offering, but you could fool someone into thinking you bought this pick at a high-end department store.

Walmart shoppers agree that these beaded slide sandals are vibrant and high quality. They’re comfortable, too, so they don’t just look pretty.

“I 100% recommend these shoes. The lobster beading looks extremely expensive and well-made,” one verified purchaser said. “I wear a size 10, and they fit perfectly. They have a great cushion and they don’t rub or hurt my feet when I walk in them.”

“I received the sandals, and they are much better quality than I expected,” shared another five-star reviewer. “They’re made well, and the colors are vibrant. The sandals have some padding on the footbed.”

Summer should be fun and colorful — after all, we got through many gray winter days and deserve bold hues. The fact that these sandals are even better than what they look like on the website is just the icing on the cake.

Get the No Boundaries Beaded Slide Sandals for $25 at Walmart!

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Related: These Rich‑Girl Sandals and Flats Look Designer, But They’re Under $35

The number of shoe sales happening right now is astounding, but the best value isn’t even coming from a sale. Walmart has a true treasure trove of rich‑girl sandals and quiet luxury flats that look expensive and feel expensive, but absolutely aren’t. We’re talking about spring footwear that could easily pass for The Row, Chloé […]

‘Euphoria’ fans are convinced Zendaya’s character, Rue, may be headed for tragedy after the latest episode of Season 3 left viewers in a state of panic.

The hit HBO series has sparked backlash throughout the season, particularly over the provocative storyline involving Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, and her controversial move into the adult content industry.

The turn of events involving Zendaya’s character in the latest episode of “Euphoria” Season 3 has left fans convinced that she may not make it to the end unscathed.

In the episode, which aired Sunday, May 17, Rue returns despite the shocking reveal in the previous installment that her body had been buried. However, her comeback was far from peaceful, as she quickly found herself in danger again and narrowly escaped death twice.

At one point, her boss, Alamo, charged toward her on horseback at full speed while holding a polo mallet, seemingly intent on hurting her. However, as he closed in and terrified her, Rue revealed that she had information about the people behind the hit on his strip club safe, per The Mirror.

She then agreed to cooperate and help him recover his stolen goods, prompting her to contact her former coworker and drug mule, Faye.

Rue Survives Another Brush With Death

From then on, Rue mostly sat out her boss’s negotiations with her former boss, Laurie, while continuing to speak with the cops in a bid to avoid jail time.

In an emotional scene, Rue appeared to spiral as she reflected on her life choices, making separate visits to a church and to her ex-girlfriend, Jules, portrayed by Hunter Schafer. During her visit with Jules, Rue even suggested that they start a family together.

At the church, Rue had a moment of sober reflection before finally receiving a call from her mother. She then tearfully admitted, “I just want to be free to start over.”

As the episode drew to a close, Rue was seen driving while listening to the Bible. However, her media player began to glitch, prompting her to look down and adjust it, completely unaware of an oncoming truck.

Just before a possible head-on collision, Rue snapped back to attention and swerved into a ditch. As she climbed out, a nearby tree caught fire, seemingly leading her to believe that a divine hand had saved her.

Fans Fear Zendaya’s ‘Euphoria’ Arc Is Nearing A Tragic End

Following the emotional scenes, many fans appeared unconvinced that Rue would survive the Season 3 finale and took to social media to share their fears after the episode aired.

Several viewers suggested that Rue’s troubles had become overwhelming, while others questioned whether the character’s increasingly emotional scenes were setting up a devastating final arc.

On X, one fan wrote that they “can’t believe next week is the last time we see Rue alive,” while another added, “Tentative RIP Rue. I relate to her the most.”

Another viewer claimed they had believed since Season 1 that Rue’s story was always headed toward a tragic ending, while others speculated that the character’s latest near-death experience may have been hinting at something darker to come.

Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Storyline Divides Fans

So far, fans have repeatedly bashed the current season of “Euphoria” over its risqué and nude scenes, particularly those involving Sweeney’s character, Cassie. Some viewers have even gone so far as to call for the show to be pulled.

In the first two seasons, Cassie was portrayed as a sweet, deeply insecure, and hyper-feminine teenager desperate for male validation to fill the void left by her father. However, in the current season, she comes across as a more unhinged and money-obsessed version of her Season 2 self.

Following a five-year time jump, Cassie is now married to Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi, and living in a suburban mansion. However, her desperation to contribute financially leads her to begin posting provocative content on OnlyFans.

The storyline has only grown more controversial as Cassie takes on increasingly bizarre requests from subscribers, including dressing up in infantilized outfits, selling personal items, and carrying out other disturbing paid demands.

Sam Levinson Defends Cassie’s Controversial Arc

However, show creator Sam Levinson has addressed the uproar surrounding Sweeney’s storyline, saying the nature of the scenes was intentionally absurd.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson explained that Cassie’s outfits, including the moments where she dresses as a baby and a dog, were meant to add humor to the scenes, which were filmed from the housekeeper’s point of view.

“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor, but what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it,” Levinson said. “What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion… the gag is to jump out, to break the wall.”

In another interview with The New York Times, he stated that the controversial plot was made to highlight the “combination of her desperation and need for validation,” but with a humorous undertone.

Finding breezy spring pants that actually fit when you’re petite can feel like an endless cycle of returns, especially when hems drag, waists gap and proportions just feel off. And if you’re searching for polished pieces that are flattering for women over 40, the search gets even trickier. But this season, there’s finally a lineup of styles that check every box — no tailoring required!

From lightweight palazzo pants to cropped denim and office-ready trousers, these petite-friendly finds are designed with real proportions in mind. Our options below feature higher rises that stay put, inseams that hit exactly where they should and silhouettes that elongate legs nicely. To sweeten the deal, every single pair starts at just $13, making it easy to refresh your spring wardrobe without overspending.

13 Petite Spring Pants That Fit and Flatter Women Over 40

1. Our Favorite: The cropped wide-leg cut of these flowy palazzo pants hits at just the right spot above the ankle, and the high waist actually stays put. Plus, the pockets are deep enough to hold a phone.

2. Darling Details: Made from 100% cotton, these lace-trim capri pants breathe well in heat. The lace hemline keeps them looking pulled together, and stylish.

3. Floral Fun: A built-in belt cinches the waist on these floral palazzo pants, which solves the gaping problem petites usually deal with. The gaucho cut hits cleanly mid-calf.

4. Travel-Ready: These pleated wide-leg dress pants are sized specifically for petites, so the inseam works without alterations. They feel closer to soft loungewear than slacks.

5. Cropped Classic: The front patch pockets give these cropped white jeans a relaxed, retro feel that’s ‘in’ for spring. Meanwhile, the high waist and wide leg gives the pants a modern touch, thanks to the shortened hems.

Related: I’m 5’3” — 17 Flattering Spring Tops That Fit Women Over 40

I’ve learned the hard way that not all “easy” spring tops are actually that way — especially at 5’3”. What’s meant to look breezy can quickly turn boxy, oversized or just slightly off, throwing off your whole outfit. When your style priorities shift toward looking polished (but still effortless), those small fit issues matter even […]

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6. Office-Ready: The slight flare on these bootcut dress pants balances hips and keeps the line slimming through the thigh. Not to mention, they come in petite sizing from XXS to XXL.

7. Luxe Linen: These linen trouser pants keep their shape through humidity while still giving you a relaxed appearance. Unlike cheap linen lookalikes, this option isn’t sheer at all, so you can feel secure wearing it to work. Plus, the pleated waist elevates the full look.

8. All Day Comfort: The non-binding waistband on these ultra-comfy trousers flexes through the day, so you might just forget you’re wearing dress pants. They’re ideal for eight-hour days, followed by cocktails after.

9. Throw-On-and-Go: Mornings when nothing feels good are the worst, which is where these pull-on cropped pants come in. They go on in seconds and look intentional with any tee or tank.

10. Palazzo Perfection: Wear these flowy palazzo pants to an outdoor wedding with wedges, or to the beach as a swimsuit cover-up with a straw tote and sandals.

11. Tummy-Control: The built-in Ab Solution panel on these straight-leg petite jeans smooths the front without the rolled-waistband effect shapewear usually creates. They sit cleanly under fitted tees and tucked-in tops.

12. Darling Denim: These wide-leg jeans look like real denim but feel closer to leggings. Plus, the stretchy pull-on pair has a true high waist, minus a zipper or buttons.

13. Slimming Skinnies: These stretch skinny jeans tuck neatly into ankle boots for spring with an oversized blazer. However, you could also pair them with ballet flats and a striped tee for casual Fridays.

Sci-fi has many flavors. You have the post-apocalyptic world, the space epic, the dystopian society, and then you have cyberpunk. As one of the most popular subgenres, cyberpunk is easily recognizable. Mammoth cityscapes, neon glowing signs, a touch of retro technology for added flavor, and an overwhelming and oppressive darkness blanketing it all. Nicolas Winding Refn‘s Her Private Hell has all of those traits. On the very surface, it appears to be a sci-fi lovers’ dream, encapsulating the cyberpunk aesthetic perfectly. But dig a bit deeper under that neon, glossy surface and all you’ll find is a hollow core.

‘Her Private Hell’ Is a Visual Feast — One That You Can’t Look Away From

There’s no denying that Refn is a talented visual artist. His previous films, like Drive and Neon Demon, show that he’s been refining this aesthetic for years. The culmination of his sleek and almost storybook-like style is Her Private Hell. Every single shot feels manicured. From the costuming to the lighting to the set design, one gets the sense that Refn was unwilling to compromise in the preciseness of his vision. While some cyberpunk worlds like Blade Runner have a more lived-in and gritty feel, his world is immaculate. Every surface is clean, all of the costumes are perfectly tailored and ironed, and even the murders seem contained.

While this type of aesthetic might have been appealing in a 2015 Tumblr blog kind of way, this all ends up making Her Private Hell feel like a perpetual perfume ad. Coming in at 109 minutes, the film still feels like a slog as every shot lingers more on the setting than it does on the characters. Admittedly, Refn’s world is gorgeous and dreamlike, but it feels oddly empty and lifeless. Mix that with the stilted and agonizing dialogue and mechanical storytelling and the whole thing feels somehow both high effort and low effort.

Nicolas Winding Refn Cannot Be Trusted To Write Women Characters

Image via Neon

Partway into the movie, one of the characters dully remarks, “This movie’s gonna be hell,” and I couldn’t help but laugh at the meta commentary. Because the fact is that as pretty as Refn’s film appears, what is at its core is rotten if not completely hollow. Obsessively attached to the male gaze, this film primarily features female actors that Refn likes dressing up and revealing outfits while also making them pout and say the word “Daddy” so much your ears might be bleeding by the time you leave the theater.

Sophie Thatcher plays the main character, Elle, who is essentially a nepo baby with daddy issues. Her father, Johnny Thunders (Dougray Scott), has married one of her close friends, Dominique (Havana Rose Liu), simultaneously ruining their friendship and making Elle’s new stepmother the same age as her. The two characters nip and bite at each other, but it’s largely toothless as Refn is more interested in exploiting the sexual chemistry between the characters but too cowardly to actually commit to it. It would have been interesting to push this subtext closer to the surface of the story, but that would have required two women talking about something other than a man, and that seems unacceptable.

But Refn’s worst character is Hunter (Kristine Froseth), who plays a doll-eyed ingénue who embodies the peak of all that is wrong with the film. Hunter spends most of the movie obnoxiously invading Elle’s home, writhing around and flirting with every man in sight, and generally speaking in a baby voice that is far more grating than it should be. The script doesn’t do anything to help. Penned by Refn himself and Esti Giordani, I wouldn’t have needed to look at the credits to know that this is a movie written by men and for men. The characters are all beautiful but shallow, their only conflict is fighting amongst each other for the attention of men, and the only character to get any hint of depth in their storyline is a soldier named Private K (Charles Melton).

Refn Wastes All of the Talent in ‘Her Private Hell’

This is not to say that the cast can really be blamed for Her Private Hell‘s failures. When you’re given a pseudo-noir script that feels more like Sin City fanfiction than an actual script, you don’t exactly have a deep well to draw from. The standout performance is Liu, who is doing everything she can to give Dominique a bit more depth beyond just being that girl who married her best friend’s dad. There are moments when, rather than deliver a line in the same monotone and robotic manner as everyone else, she adds a bit of her own punch, and it actually serves to give the film a bit more color, even if it is for a split second.

The same can’t unfortunately be said for Thatcher, who is undoubtedly playing Elle exactly how Refn wants her to, but therefore creates an insufferable, spoiled brat who is not only hard to relate to, but exhausting to watch. There’s no nuance to her character, and Refn makes no effort to really offer her anymore to do. Instead, she spends most of the movie looking beautiful and complaining about her daddy, with the film taking a sharp turn in the third act by giving her a groan-worthy sex scene while someone is being killed.

The action sequences are fairly entertaining, with one main one featuring Melton, who plays a soldier who has tragically lost his daughter. Melton employs all of his physical prowess in these fight scenes, and they land solidly, though there’s little action in the film in general. The plot of the film follows a villain named the Leather Man, who murders girls by tearing them apart at the chest, but there’s never really any fear or anticipation built up for the character. For something marketed as a horror-thriller, there’s nothing thrilling about Her Private Hell and the only horrific thing is that someone deemed this a worthy endeavor to invest money and time into it.

Unfortunately, this is the exact type of bait for the movie buff that we all know and hate. That pretentious film lover who waxes on about his Criterion collection, who is happy to admit to loving Woody Allen in 2026, who uses words like “kafkaesque” without any hint of irony. It’s for this type of man that Her Private Hell is made for. There’s very little mainstream appeal to this. Indeed, there’s one scene where Thatcher, Liu, and Froseth simply lounge on a couch, looking beautiful, and bark at each other like dogs. Every time you think the film might finally actually step into the horror arena, it takes a step back and instead indulges in empty titillation. This film is for people who already love Refn’s work and are willing to look past any faults to simply rejoice in his return ten years after Neon Demon. But after walking out of Her Private Hell, the movie has me thinking that perhaps Refn should have stayed dormant another 10 years if this is the final product.

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Release Date

July 24, 2026

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Director

Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers

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Esti Giordani, Nicolas Winding Refn

Producers

Nicolas Winding Refn

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Cast

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  Sophie Thatcher

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Pros & Cons

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• The visuals of the film lack some girttiness but ultimately are gorgeous to look at.

• A first year film student could definitely write a better script than this one.
• Refn exposes himself as someone who simply doesn’t understand women or how to write them.
• The film comes in under two hours and yet it is an undeniable slog to get through.

While Mindy Kaling doesn’t necessarily love the idea of her body being a topic of conversation online, she’s grown accustomed to it. In a new interview, the “Running Point” creator opened up about her weight-loss journey, which has garnered massive attention over the years. According to Kaling, 46, she began taking her health journey seriously not for herself, but for those closest to her.

Speaking with Bustle, Kaling said going through a body transformation as a public figure can be mentally challenging, especially when fans share their unfiltered thoughts about a person’s new look.

“It’s sometimes no fun when one of your favorite actors loses weight. You have an idea of what they were like when you grew attached to them, and it made them endear themselves to you,” she said. “Of course, it’s never a joy to be scrutinized, but also I truly understand it, as someone who consumes pop culture.”

Kaling is familiar with being a topic of conversation; however, the actress revealed that her desire to lose weight wasn’t to quiet the outside noise. She said that it was to “live at least 20 more years,” nodding to her three children, Kit, Spencer, and Anne.

Mindy Kaling Still Battles Negative Thoughts About Her Body Like Other People

Kaling, who has reportedly lost over 40 pounds, admitted that while she’s hit major milestones, she still struggles with her body image.

“Do I wake up every day being like, ‘I look amazing and I’m so gorgeous’? No, unsurprisingly, but I truly feel so healthy,” she said.

According to Kaling, her reason for losing weight has shifted over the years, stating that in the past she “would want to lose weight for vanity reasons.”

Today, Kaling said her fitness journey is more about preventing health issues such as diabetes. “I had it on both sides of my family, and trying to avoid those kinds of things will, I think, help longevity for me, and that’s my goal,” she said.

Mindy Kaling Previously Said That Being ‘Skinny’ Isn’t Her Goal

This, of course, isn’t the first time that Kaling has spoken out about her body or fitness goals. In 2014, she spoke with Vogue and admitted she still struggles with insecurities about her public image.

“There’s a whole list of things I would probably change about myself,” she said, revealing that she’s “always” trying to lose 15 pounds. But even then, Kaling said her goal isn’t to be “skinny.”

“I don’t want to be skinny. I’m constantly in a state of self-improvement, but I don’t beat myself up over it,” she said.

Elsewhere in the interview, Kaling said that she’ll also experiment with different looks when she’s fluctuating between sizes. “When I’m at my thinnest, I tend to wear things that don’t show off my body,” she said.

“But when I’m bigger, I’ll go body-con, which comes from a place of ‘This is my perimeter, in case you were wondering if I was actually much bigger,’” she added.

Other Celebs Have Shared A Similar Message

And Kaling isn’t alone in her feelings. According to PEOPLE, Grammy-winning singer Lizzo shared a similar message in 2024, revealing that her weight loss journey had caused confusion among her fans.

Lizzo went on to say that while she was actively working on changing her body, her plan was never to be “thin.”

“I’ve always loved moving my body. I’ve always loved working out,” she said. “I’m very holistically conscious, like I am very hippie-dippie and woo woo when it comes to food and supplements and just thinking about my body and the environment, and I think a lot of people see a fat person that way and immediately just assume everything they’re doing is to be thin. I’m not tryna be thin. I don’t ever want to be thin.”

Lizzo Once Called Herself A ‘Body Icon’

In a previous interview, Lizzo, known as a vocal leader in the body-positivity movement, said she was proud of how she presents herself to the public.

“I think I have a really hot body! I’m a body icon, and I’m embracing that more and more every day,” she said. “It may not be one person’s ideal body type just like, say, Kim Kardashian might not be someone’s ideal, but she’s a body icon and has created a modern-day beauty standard. And what I’m doing is stepping into my confidence and my power to create my own beauty standard. And one day that will just be the standard.”

Kyle Cooke recently reached out to West Wilson amid the ongoing scandal embroiling Bravo’s Summer House.

On the Tuesday, May 19, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Kyle, 43, opened up about a recent voice note he sent to West, 31, who confirmed his burgeoning romance with Kyle’s estranged wife, Amanda Batula, in March. (Kyle and Amanda announced their separation in January.)

“One thing I made clear is that I will never, ever, ever say that I won’t film with someone,” Kyle said of the voice note. “I’m not trying to ruin your career. I’m not trying to ruin your reputation. I wanted to make it clear that, like, ‘Look, we will hash this out at some point. I’m not ready right now. But at some point I’d love to have a convo.’”

Kyle’s Summer House costar Lindsay Hubbard, who was also a guest on Tuesday’s WWHL, then asked him when he plans to sit down with West.

“Rumor has it tomorrow,” Kyle teased, leading to shocked reactions from Lindsay and host Andy Cohen.

During a recent appearance on the “Reality Nightcap” podcast, Kyle said he hadn’t spoken to West since filming the Summer House season 10 reunion in April, but they had communicated over text message recently.

“West did text me last week,” Kyle said earlier in May, per Reality Blurb. “I sent him a voice memo because I just felt like it was gonna take forever for me to put words down. I mean, look, I’m not the kinda guy that holds grudges.”

“Obviously, this is a very unfortunate situation. I don’t think people really realize just how close we were. So it’s just tough. This is uncharted territory for me,” Kyle added. “I don’t know. I’ve obviously never gone through something like this, but I don’t even think I have a friend who’s gone through something like this, so I don’t know what the protocol is. I don’t know what the playbook is.”

West and Amanda, 34, confirmed that they were seeing one another in a joint Instagram statement in March, which blindsided the Summer House cast and Bravo fans. West previously dated Amanda’s best friend, Ciara Miller.

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“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” West and Amanda shared at the time. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” they continued. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”

The statement concluded, “As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless. We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”