Since its release, Christopher Nolan‘s adaptation of The Odyssey has proven itself to be many things: a massive cinematic blockbuster (predicted to exceed $1 billion as its run continues), a faithful take on Homer’s influential poem, and, perhaps most importantly, an invitation for moviegoers to revisit the ancient Greek epic. With reviewers and audiences alike raving about the film, The Odyssey is the type of film that leaves viewers wanting more tales of Odysseus, mythical beings, and perilous voyages. And while you might be tempted to look to movies like Troy or Clash of the Titans to scratch that itch, it’s in another genre that you’ll find the actual best follow-up.

O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the folksy 2000 comedy directed by the Coen Brothers and starring George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson, follows three escaped convicts as they journey through 1930s Mississippi in search of buried treasure. And beneath the Coen Brothers’ trademark comedic exterior lies one of the smartest and most inventive adaptions of The Odyssey ever made. Clooney’s character, Ulysses Everett McGill, is no Greek king; he is a fast-talking con man whose abilities are constantly called into question by those around him. However, both Clooney’s Ulysses and Matt Damon’s Odysseus are driven by one goal more than anything else: Getting home before it’s too late.

‘O, Brother Where Art Thou?’ Embraces Homer’s Storytelling with Comedic Flair

Perhaps where O Brother, Where Art Thou? succeeds best is how naturally Homer’s The Odyssey is woven into the film’s story. The film uses the poem’s more familiar beats as inspiration, translating the mythology into a language and setting that is more familiar. Many of The Odyssey‘s most important moments, such as the encounter with the Sirens and Cyclops, are adapted cleverly but in a way that never feels as if the film is sacrificing its own identity.

The Sirens become three mysterious women bathing in a river, luring Everett, Pete (Turturro), and Delmar (Nelson) away from their journey with their singing. The Cyclops is the large and imposing Dan Teague, played by John Goodman, who is out to rob them rather than eat them. Naturally, Teague’s eye patch and size make him impossible to miss as he threatens our heroes and nearly kills them.

As the heroes finally reach their destination and Everett reunites with his wife Penny (Penelope), portrayed by Holly Hunter, he discovers that she is courted by a suitor. Similar to Homer’s epic, Everett must prove his worth and love for his wife, even after the journey itself has been so perilous. The trials required to win her back prove to be as difficult as his mission to get home, staying true to Homer’s epic, albeit with more comedy infused into the situation. It’s here where the Coens are at their best, preserving the emotional heart of The Odyssey and allowing it to stand on its own as a uniquely American adventure.

‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ Serves as a Reminder That Great Stories Can Be Reinvented

Image via United International

One of the biggest reasons that The Odyssey has been retold, translated, and adapted countless times since it was first written thousands of years ago is that its themes are timeless. Maintaining courage and perseverance in the face of danger, relying on found families, and being willing to fight for those you love are ideas that resonate across time, as relatable in Ancient Greece as they were in the Depression-era American South or continue to be today. It joins many other films that helped to inspire Christopher Nolan’s take on The Odyssey, proving that Homer’s epic is truly timeless.

Although Homer’s story points are adapted throughout O Brother, Where Art Thou?, they never feel like Easter eggs being dropped into the film for no real reason. Instead, they provide the necessary framework to tell a new and original story that has its own points to make about modern identity, faith, politics, and the quest for redemption. It reinvents The Odyssey while paying homage to it, and not making it simpler than it needs to be.

Given its massive success, The Odyssey has already begun to spark interest in Homer’s epic. For anyone looking to continue the journey of protagonists fighting against insurmountable odds to get home, O Brother, Where Are Thou? is an ideal next watch, even as the Coens provide a much more light-hearted and unapologetically unconventional take in their adaptation. Perhaps most importantly, O Brother, Where Art Thou? proves that some of our greatest stories don’t survive simply due to endless repetition of them. Instead, finding new and interesting ways to keep them alive for new audiences is the way that stories such as The Odyssey will last through the generations.

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Release Date

September 15, 2000

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Runtime

107 minutes

Director

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Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Writers

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Homer

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Producers

Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan

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Romance is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, and for good reason. Something is just so fascinating about witnessing two strangers slowly become the most important people in each other’s lives. Movies can obviously tell great love stories, but books have always been the genre’s natural home. They allow readers to experience every little moment that leads up to the central characters’ happily ever after.

Not every romance book gets it right, though, because many of them mistake grand gestures for chemistry or rely on familiar tropes without giving readers a reason to care. Not the ones on this list, though, because they create relationships that feel so authentic that readers can’t help but become emotionally invested in every high and low along the way. Here are the romance books that are perfect from the first page to the last.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1813)

Image via T. Egerton/Whitehall

No one does romance like Jane Austen, and Pride and Prejudice is the holy grail of the genre. In fact, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy practically invented enemies-to-lovers before every Netflix movie was doing it, and are still one of literature’s greatest pairings thanks to their compelling dynamic. The novel primarily follows the intelligent and fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennet, whose life changes when the wealthy yet notoriously reserved Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy enters her social circle. Both characters instantly dislike one another. However, as their misunderstandings unravel, the two are forced to confront their own flaws and true feelings.

This constant tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is what makes the novel irresistible. Austen fills every conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy with tension, wit, and emotional subtext, which gives weight to even their smallest interactions. At the same time, Pride and Prejudice doubles as a sharp satire of class, marriage, and social expectations in Regency England, which gives the novel a lot more depth than a typical love story. That’s also why Pride and Prejudice remains an important part of cultural conversations today, with countless books, films, and TV shows borrowing from its characters and tropes. Safe to say, this book is as close to a perfect romance novel as the genre has ever seen.

‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ (2003)

Image via MacAdam/Cage

Audrey Niffenegger‘s The Time Traveler’s Wife is a science fiction romance that leaves the readers heartbroken. The story follows librarian Henry DeTamble, who has a rare genetic condition that causes him to involuntarily travel through time, and Clare Abshire, the woman who loves him despite never knowing when he will suddenly disappear or reappear. The most interesting part of the story is how Henry experiences his relationship with Clare out of order. The two meet at completely different stages of their lives, which means Clare has to build a future with someone whose past she already knows.

The novel constantly jumps between timelines, and while that might sound complex, the storytelling feels effortless to follow. The novel never uses time travel as a gimmick, but uses it as a tool to explore how true love can survive uncertainty and absence. Every reunion between the central characters carries the weight of an inevitable goodbye, and this balance of hope and tragedy is what makes readers stick with The Time Traveler’s Wife till the very end. More than twenty years after its release, it still stands as one of the most original and emotionally devastating romances ever written.

‘The Unhoneymooners’ (2019)

Image via Gallery Books

Christina Lauren‘s The Unhoneymooners is another enemies-to-lovers, but with a more contemporary narrative. The story follows Olive Torres, who unexpectedly wins a free honeymoon to Hawaii after every guest at her twin sister’s wedding comes down with severe food poisoning. The problem, though, is that the only other person who can claim the trip is Ethan Thomas, the groom’s brother and the one person Olive can’t stand. The catch is that the resort, excursions, and other bookings all expect the newlywed couple to show up. However, to avoid losing the trip and to keep things simple, Olive and Ethan pretend to be a couple.

Of course, this leads to a comedy of errors where their lie becomes increasingly complicated with time, especially when they run into acquaintances and are forced to keep up the charade. The book is a rom-com at its best, and the longer Olive and Ethan pretend to be married, the closer they get to one another. Lauren balances the story’s lighthearted moments with genuine emotional growth, so the romance never feels rushed despite all the chaos that surrounds it. The Unhoneymooners isn’t the most intense, gut-wrenching love story out there, but it’s definitely one of the most entertaining and sweet romance novels in recent times.

‘Eleanor & Park’ (2012)

Image via Orion Books

Rainbow Rowell‘s Eleanor & Park perfectly captures the awkwardness and charm of first love. The story is set in the 1980s and follows two high schoolers who feel like total outsiders. Eleanor is the new girl who is constantly bullied for her appearance and is struggling through a turbulent home life. On the other hand, Park is a quiet half-Korean teenager who prefers blending into the background. Their relationship begins with a silent agreement to share a seat on the school bus, but casual comic book and mixtape exchanges gradually turn into a deep emotional connection that becomes a safe place from the challenges they face outside of school.

The book understands the light-heartedness of first relationships, but never loses sight of the very difficult realities the central characters are facing. This makes the romance feel all the more meaningful. Sure, there are no dramatic twists or grand gestures of love in the novel, but that’s because Eleanor and Park’s relationship is built on quiet, ordinary moments. The book is a coming-of-age story, a heartfelt romance, and a reminder of how much first loves matter, even if they don’t last forever.

‘The Flatshare’ (2019)

Image via Quercus

Beth O’Leary‘s The Flatshare is another modern romance that proves the genre doesn’t need an over-the-top premise to feel completely original. The novel follows Tiffy Moore, who desperately needs an affordable place to live after a difficult breakup. Then there’s Leon Twomey, a night-shift hospice nurse looking to earn some extra money. The two strike an unusual arrangement to share the same one-bedroom apartment. Now, because Leon works nights and Tiffy works during the day, they almost never meet. Instead, they slowly get to know each other through the handwritten notes they leave around the flat.

This very practical living arrangement gradually develops into a heartfelt romance that unfolds as naturally as ever. The author takes her sweet time to set up Tiffy and Leon’s dynamic, but that’s because she also explores themes of emotional abuse, grief, and healing. Leon gently supports Tiffy as she rebuilds her confidence after a turbulent relationship while dealing with personal struggles of his own. The central characters actually form a strong friendship before they fall in love, which makes every turn in their relationship feel all the more meaningful. By the time Tiffy and Leon finally share the same space emotionally as well as physically, their relationship feels completely authentic.

‘Jane Eyre’ (1847)

Image via Bloosmbury Publishing

Charlotte Brontë‘s Jane Eyre is much more than just a love story. The novel follows Jane, an orphan who endures a lonely childhood before becoming a governess at the isolated Thornfield Hall. There, she meets the estate’s enigmatic owner, Edward Rochester, whose cold demeanor and mysterious past immediately set him apart from the typical romantic hero. The narrative shows Jane and Rochester growing closer, but their relationship is constantly tested by secrets, painful sacrifices, and impossible moral choices that force Jane to decide whether love is worth compromising her own principles.

The best thing about Jane Eyre is that, unlike many romances of its time, it never allows love to overshadow its heroine’s individuality. Jane refuses to sacrifice her self-respect and independence, even if that means walking away from the man she loves. That gives the novel a remarkable sense of maturity that has influenced generations of romance writers, but few have matched Brontë’s sensibilities.

‘Call Me By Your Name’ (2007)

Image via Farrar, Straus and Giroux

André Aciman‘s Call Me by Your Name is one of the most beautifully written romances of the 21st century. The story is set in the sun-drenched Italian countryside during the summer of 1983, and follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman, whose quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of Oliver, a charismatic American graduate student staying with Elio’s family for the summer. What ensues is a masterclass in longing as Elio and Oliver slowly build an intense emotional connection without knowing how to express their feelings.

Aciman gives weight to every glance, conversation, and moment of lingering silence to capture the confusion of falling in love for the first time, and that, too, in an unconventional way. The love story is great, but the context in which it happens elevates it beyond a traditional coming-of-age romance. At a time when LGBTQ+ relationships were still rarely explored with this level of emotional nuance in mainstream fiction, Call Me by Your Name treated its central romance simply as a deeply human experience. That sincerity is exactly what gives the novel its universal appeal.

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Call Me by Your Name

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Release Date

January 18, 2018

Runtime

132 Minutes

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Writers

James Ivory, André Aciman

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Jennifer Aniston is reportedly ready for the next level with boyfriend Jim Curtis, and she is using whatever means necessary to achieve her desire.

The actress and hypnotherapist continue to grow stronger more than a year after they debuted their shocking romance.

However, Aniston, who has been unluckily married twice, is eager to walk down the aisle for the third time even though her inner circle remains skeptical.

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Months after marking their first anniversary, insiders say the “Friends” alum is hearing wedding bells ring in her and Curtis’ future.

Aniston is said to be “head-over-heels in love with Jim” and can’t help but wish he would one day pop the big question. It’s such a strong desire for the actress that she employs spiritual means to manifest her wants.

“During her spiritual goddess circle talks with her best friends, where they pass around a wooden talking stick that has bling and feathers glued to it, she asks the universe to get him to propose,” a source told the Daily Mail.

The Hollywood star reportedly sees Curtis as “her soulmate,” with whom she shares a “soul connection.”

Jennifer Aniston’s Pals Don’t Approve Of Marriage Plans

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While “The Morning Show” actress is over the moon about the thought of being a bride for the third time, she doesn’t particularly have the stamp of approval from her friends.

Given her tumultuous marital past with her first husband, Brad Pitt, from 2000 to 2005, and Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2018, they don’t believe the third time will be the charm for Aniston.

The insider explained, “Some of her friends are telling her not to marry again and to slow down because they don’t want her to get hurt.”

There is also concern about the income disparity between Aniston, whose net worth is estimated at $300 million, and Curtis. “She has all the money, friends, homes, and does so much for Jim. Does he really have as much to offer her?” added the insider.

Jennifer Aniston Is ‘All In’ With Jim Curtis

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Despite her friends’ concerns, the “Murder Mystery” star doesn’t see the wealth gap as a problem in her relationship with Curtis. Instead, she has been super generous with the wellness coach, allowing him to move partly into her LA mansion.

She has completely absorbed Curtis into her luxurious world, taking him on lavish vacations alongside her A-lister friends. Aniston, who is “all in” when it comes to the relationship, doesn’t care that she is richer because their connection is “deep.”

She has also informed her inner circle that Curtis earns his own living. Nevertheless, the 57-year-old isn’t shying away from using her influence to boost her man’s career.

Aniston is set to interview Curtis at a September 2 event for the promotion of his new book.

Will There Be An Impromptu Wedding?

This comes after reports suggested that the lovebirds are eyeing a spontaneous wedding ceremony on the heels of their relationship milestone.

According to The Blast, Aniston and Curtis planned a romantic getaway at a luxury resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, sparking chatter about an impromptu wedding destination.

Sources say the Golden Globe winner is fond of the North American destination because of its closeness to Los Angeles. It won’t be difficult to get their friends to fly in on short notice for an intimate destination wedding, after which a bigger ceremony will be held back home.

Jennifer Aniston And Jim Curtis’ Romance Plagued By Her Ex

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Even with Curtis and Aniston sparking major marriage chatter, their relationship isn’t without its fair share of troubles.

Following the actress’ comment on her “Friends” days, where she reminisced about her ex-husband, Brad Pitt’s guest feature, sources say the author felt unsettled.

While Aniston is proud to look back at the past without feeling bitter, Curtis is said to be okay with some memories left behind. “He insists he’s not jealous but, let’s face it, if anyone could make a man jealous it would be Brad Pitt,” explained the insider, per The Blast.

For the life coach, he is particularly bothered that Aniston maintains a relationship with the “Fight Club” actor despite their extremely painful split.

The difference in perspective about Pitt has caused a lingering tension between the lovers.

Usher and Chris Brown recently kicked off their joint “R&B Tour,” and it already led to a viral moment. The former invited a fan onstage for one of his signature crowd interactions, but the exchange quickly caught the internet’s attention after the woman appeared noticeably stiff.

The fan, who faced backlash over her awkward behavior, has spoken out and admitted she would have been more enthusiastic if the encounter had been with Brown.

A woman identified as Gabrielle Cheyenne became the subject of a viral video after her awkward onstage encounter with Usher. The singer is known for pulling fans onstage to serenade them and give them steamy encounters, but Gabrielle wasn’t having it, as reported by The Blast.

During the segment, the woman looked visibly awkward, prompting Usher to address the situation. Looking at the audience, he said, “I don’t think she wants to be on the stage.”

Gabrielle received online backlash, with many asking why she agreed to participate if she was not into it. In an interview with TMZ, Gabrielle said she wasn’t aware she was going to be brought up for Usher’s performance.

“It’s nothing against Usher or anything like that, but I’m more of a Chris Brown fan than I am of Usher,” she explained, adding that if the interaction had been with Brown, there wouldn’t be any “stiffness” on her part.

The Fan Was Upgraded To The VIP Section

Gabrielle attended the concert with some family members and said she was approached to be upgraded to the VIP section. She claims she wasn’t given instructions on what was going to happen, only that there was a possibility she would be brought up. It was only confirmed when she was about to be called.

During the performance of “Can U Handle It?” Gabrielle sat on a bed while a shirtless Usher made sensual moves while slowly leaning over her. As he leaned in, however, the fan leaned back, appearing hesitant to play along. He then walked away and gestured for Gabrielle to be taken off the stage.

Some roasted Usher, saying his ego was bruised. Others commended the fan for having “self-respect.” Some, however, blamed her for ruining the moment.

Gabrielle Cheyenne Clapped Back At Her Haters

Following the backlash, Gabrielle took to Facebook and addressed her online haters, writing that no one would decline an invitation to go on stage. “I looked good asf, you thought I wasn’t gonna let THOUSANDS of people see me??” She then said that she and her mom were moved from floor seats to the VIP section before the concert began. “PRETTY PRIVILEGES something you h-es will never know about!!” she clapped back.

She said as much on the TMZ interview, asking, “Why would I decline that?” As for her Facebook tirade, she said it was specifically addressed to the people of Chattanooga, where she’s from. Gabrielle claimed many of the haters who went “ballistic” on her were from her city, whom she described as “crabs in a bucket.”

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The Fan Had A Photo With Usher’s Wife

Usher’s wife Jennifer Raymond & the viral fan pose for a photo together. 📸

The fan who declined the R&B singer’s seductive serenade during the performance in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/2TZr1a9Xlk

— HIPHOP CROWN NATION (@hiphopcnation) July 27, 2026

Gabrielle’s mother and aunt joined the conversation and defended her. Her mother took to Facebook to say her daughter is a “respectable young lady,” and they are “unbothered” by the comments.

Her aunt, Tia Byrd, who was also at the concert, also made several posts on Facebook. “She was bad enough to be chosen and that man is literally half her age,” she wrote. Byrd also shed light on what happened after the awkward stage encounter, saying Gabrielle had a conversation with Usher’s wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, and all was well.

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Byrd also posted a photo of Goicoechea and Gabrielle together, writing, “Usher’s WIFE & Gabrielle Cheyenne AFTER THE STAGE APPEARANCE!! YA’LL SHE AIN’T MAD SO Y TF YA’LL Mad!?”

Usher has not publicly responded to the viral moment.

Usher And Chris Brown Are On Tour Until The End Of The Year

Ahead of the tour, Usher discussed the collaboration with Brown and how they admire each other. “When we run through the show, I look over and I see Chris standing up doing my portion and dancing. When it would be my time, I’d be standing up rooting him on,” the singer said.

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Usher and Chris Brown are co-headlining the R&B Tour, which will run until the end of the year. The shows are expected to run for about three hours, with each artist taking the stage to perform songs from their respective careers. The two also perform their collaborative hits together.

Homeowners weighing energy costs are asking whether a smart thermostat actually pays off, and how Nest, Ecobee and Mysa compare on price and features. Here’s what the reviews and specs show for each brand’s flagship models.

Which Smart Thermostat Saves You the Most Money?

The Mysa Smart Thermostat is the most affordable of the three at $129 for the central HVAC model, while the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) runs $279.99 and the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium costs $259.99.

Mysa positions itself as costing “$70-120 less than premium competitors while including the same core features,” according to the company’s official website. Mysa also says software updates remain free for the life of the device and no features sit behind subscription paywalls. Nest’s fourth-generation model, by contrast, learns your schedule automatically and includes a Nest Temperature Sensor. Ecobee’s Premium ships with a SmartSensor, a built-in air quality monitor and built-in Alexa and Siri support. For buyers who want basic remote control without the extras, the entry-level Nest Thermostat drops to around $130.

How Does the Nest Learning Thermostat Compare to the Cheaper Nest Thermostat?

The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) costs $279.99 and learns your schedule automatically, while the Nest Thermostat (2020) runs about $130 but requires manual scheduling and does not support Nest Temperature Sensors.

Related: Why a Truly Clean Home Doesn’t Smell Like Artificial Fragrance

The smell of a freshly cleaned house feels universally satisfying, but psychology suggests most of us are chasing the wrong scent. Instead of the heavy floral candles, plug-ins and citrus sprays many associate with hygiene, the cleanest homes actually register as nearly odorless. Understanding what a truly clean space should smell like (and why over-scenting […]

Roy Furchgott, writing for Wirecutter, called the Learning Thermostat “the smartest thermostat” and noted, “The Nest doesn’t include a built-in smart-speaker and mic either, but for many that may be preferred.” Will Greenwald and John R. Delaney at PC Mag described the cheaper Nest as a “top pick for anyone shopping for a smart thermostat on a budget,” calling it “ideal if you have a smart home built around Google Assistant, especially if you use other Nest devices, since they are all designed to work together.” They also flagged limits, including no support for three-stage heating systems, no automatic scheduling and no remote room sensors.

Is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Worth the Price?

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium sells for $259.99 and adds a built-in air quality monitor, one SmartSensor and built-in Alexa and Siri support. The step-down Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced runs $199.99 without the air quality monitor or built-in speaker.

Jon Reed reviewed the Premium for CNET and highlighted an unexpected feature, writing that “the Ecobee Smart thermostat Premium makes a half-decent Bluetooth speaker.” Reed cautioned that “A smart thermostat, like any technology purchase, is not always a purely money-saving venture. It’s a lifestyle choice.” He also suggested watching for utility rebates, writing that “Utility companies, local governments and other entities routinely offer rebates, discounts and even free thermostats.” Reed pointed shoppers considering a broader ecosystem toward Ecobee’s home security devices.

What Makes the Mysa Smart Thermostat Different From Nest and Ecobee?

The Mysa Smart Thermostat undercuts both competitors on price, with the central HVAC model at $129 and the electric baseboard model around $159.99, and Mysa says it never sells user data to Google or Amazon.

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Mysa describes itself as “a privacy-focused Canadian company” that offers “energy monitoring as detailed as premium brands and Matter certification for future-proof smart home compatibility,” per the company’s website. The central HVAC model works with most 24V systems, including furnaces, heat pumps, central AC, boilers and radiant heating. The electric baseboard model connects to Wi-Fi and controls electric baseboard heaters through the app. Mysa does not offer advanced learning features or dedicated room temperature sensors, making it best for homeowners who want essential smart features and app control without paying for a premium ecosystem.

Which Smart Thermostat Works Best With Your Smart Home Platform?

Nest is designed around Google Home and Google Assistant, Ecobee ships with Alexa and Siri built in, and Mysa pairs with Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomeKit.

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Related: Whole-Home Diffusers vs Plug-Ins: Everything Buyers Should Know

Luxury home buyers are quietly rewriting the rules on what a house should smell like. Plug-in air fresheners and scented candles are losing ground to HVAC-integrated systems that pipe fragrance through a home’s ductwork, and the price tag is no longer a curiosity. A whole-home scent diffuser can run several hundred to several thousand dollars […]

The entry-level Nest Thermostat is best suited to homes already using Google Assistant and other Nest devices, per PC Mag, though its Matter support opens the door to other platforms. Ecobee’s Premium doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and includes both Alexa and Siri, giving households that mix Apple and Amazon devices the most flexibility out of the box. Mysa’s central HVAC and electric baseboard models both connect over Wi-Fi and work with any of the three major voice assistants, which broadens compatibility for buyers who have not committed to a single ecosystem.

With over 60 books published over the years, Stephen King has established himself as one of the most prolific and beloved horror authors of all-time. And as his novels continue to be adapted to the big and small screens, including new titles like The Long Walk and IT: Welcome to Derry, more TV shows have been popping up that instill in the viewers the same sense of eerie dread and imminent danger. Among them is Prime Video’s 2022 series The Devil’s Hour, which is, undoubtedly, one of the best King-like thrillers on streaming to date.

First premiered on October 28, 2022, The Devil’s Hour has become one of Prime Video’s most underrated gems. The series, which released its second season in October 2024, has earned a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising how the series grips viewers from the very beginning, is filled with incredible performances, and delivers on a suspenseful, binge worthy plot. It’s a true hidden gem, and the perfect watch for fans of Stephen King.

What Is ‘The Devil’s Hour’ About?

The Devil’s Hour begins with Lucy Chambers (Jessica Raine), a social worker who finds herself waking up every night at exactly 3:33 a.m. plagued by unsettling visions she can’t explain. As she struggles to care for her withdrawn son, Isaac (Benjamin Chivers), whose mysterious behavior and “imaginary friends” seem increasingly sinister, Lucy finds herself drawn into a chilling serial murder investigation centered on the spine-chilling Gideon Shepherd (Peter Capaldi). Meanwhile, Detective Ravi Dhillon (Nikesh Patel) is investigating the murders while grappling with his own unnerving sense of déjà vu. Flash-forwards to Lucy’s cryptic conversations with a handcuffed Gideon hint that their lives are connected in ways that won’t become clear until later. What begins as a gripping crime thriller gradually unfolds into a mind-bending mystery about memory, fate, alternate lives, and the possibility that some people have lived far more than one lifetime.

By Season 2, which picks up after Lucy’s near-death experience, she’s haunted by vivid memories of a life she never knew she’d lived. Newly single and raising Isaac on her own, she discovers she struck a bargain with Gideon to save her mother in exchange for helping prevent a devastating catastrophe. With time, they form an uneasy alliance while becoming the target of dangerous forces determined to stop them. As the threats worsen, Isaac’s unsettling abilities continue to evolve, pulling the family even deeper into the show’s increasingly complex web of timelines, destiny, and second chances.

‘The Devil’s Hour’ Is the Perfect Stephen King Replacement

If you’re a fan of Stephen King and have already read through his books and seen all the shows he’s inspired, look no further than The Devil’s Hour. After all, while Lucy isn’t stuck in a remote alpine hotel like the Torrance family in The Shining, the miniseries evokes a similar King-like claustrophobic feeling of not being able to escape her own destiny. Plus, with Isaac’s unsettling powers becoming an ever-growing presence in the series, the show echoes a few of King’s characters, like Danny Torrance in The Shining and Luke Ellis in The Institute, where the younger generations become more perceptive to supernatural beings and occurrences than their elders.

Most importantly, like any good King book, The Devil’s Hour has a fantastic villain in Capaldi’s Gideon. Prioritizing psychological horror over gore, Gideon pulls viewers into the story and instills in them a sense of dread and doom in each scene. “Gideon is less like your bog-standard criminal and more like some unknowable, cosmic enigma, imbued with a kind of mystery only Capaldi could pull off,” wrote Maggie Boccella in her review for Collider. “He’s the piece that hooks you anyway, especially now that the show’s let Gideon out of his (literal and metaphorical) chains and given him space to experiment.”

Therefore, while The Devil’s Hour has yet to receive the viewership and worldwide attention it deserves, the series is a captivating thriller. By selling itself as a British crime drama but soon expanding into an emotionally driven supernatural thriller about fate, memory, and the lives we might have lived, the two-season series is a force to be reckoned with, as well as a must-watch for Stephen King fans out there.

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Release Date

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October 28, 2022

Directors

Johnny Allan, Isabelle Sieb, Shaun James Grant

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Writers

Tom Moran

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  Jessica Raine

  Lucy Chambers

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  Nikesh Patel

  DI Ravi Dhillon

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  Benjamin Chivers

  Isaac Stephens

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Some of the most popular vampire television shows were actually adapted from books. There was the haunting Southern Gothic HBO drama True Blood and the much tamer YA CW series The Vampire Diaries. Even though those shows aired a while ago now, television isn’t shying away from the genre yet. AMC has drawn from Anne Rice novels, such as Mayfair Witches and Interview with the Vampire, for two recent shows that have been a hit with viewers. But perhaps the best television adaptation of a vampire series was brought to the screen by one of the writers who actually created the story himself.

What Is ‘The Strain’ About?

The Strain is a trilogy of novels written by the brilliant director Guillermo del Toro and his co-writer, Chuck Hogan. The first book was published back in 2009, but del Toro knew that the series would be perfect for a no-holds-barred, fast-paced television show. It premiered in 2014, and ran for four seasons, with the final season wrapping up three years later. Del Toro and Hogan had their hand in bringing their creation to the screen by drafting some episodes, along with del Toro directing. The captivating story follows Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), who works for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in New York City. He’s called to investigate a mysterious event that occurs when a plane lands with every single person onboard having died. Ephraim discovers that this is no run-of-the-mill airborne disease. In fact, it appears this virus leads to a zombie-like outbreak that starts to flood the city. What makes The Strain so much scarier than other vampire shows is the way the creatures infiltrate their victims (often hiding their true nature before they strike).

‘The Strain’s Terrifying Premise and Fantastic Cast Will Compel You To Watch

The Strain has all of the most exciting components of a traditional vampire show. It has sexy and alluring vampires, ancient mysticism for how they came about, and a badass group of people who will stop at nothing to halt the outbreak in its tracks. But the series stands apart from its competitors for several other reasons. First, The Strain incorporates historical events through flashbacks to show how the vampire world has existed for centuries. This provides a mythology for the series that only deepens its storytelling. There’s also the head vampire, who just might be one of the scariest villains to ever grace the screen. And then there are the vampires themselves. By blending the familiar bloodsucking trope with a terrifying, creepy-crawly creature, the vampires in The Strain are 100% scarier than any other onscreen version. By poisoning their victims with little worm-like entities that enter people’s mouths and eyeballs (yes, it is that disgusting), The Strain brings the horror to a whole other level that only someone as imaginative (and twisted) as del Toro could dream up.

With The Strain, the talented actors all offer a necessary authenticity to bring this wild world to life. The action is often tempered by the grounded Stoll, whose Ephraim acts as an Everyman who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a dangerous apocalyptic situation. David Bradley is also fantastic as Professor Abraham Setrakian, who just might be the only person who knows how to stop the vampiric outbreak. Bradley plays him with a soft wisdom, but also infuses a broken gruffness that makes his character all the more compelling. No mention of The Strain would be complete without giving a shout-out to Kevin Durand, who plays Vasiliy Fet, a Ukrainian vermin exterminator who is drafted to fight the vampires. With his fearlessness and wry humor, Durand makes Vasiliy an essential part of the show’s thrilling, action-packed rhythm. Other well-known actors join the cast throughout its run, including Regina King, Sean Astin, and Samantha Mathis, proving that the show is incredibly well-cast.

The Strain finished up its run in 2017 with a finale that ties up the story, just like the last novel does. Interestingly, we were still several years away from our own viral pandemic, so watching the show now feels oddly prescient. If you have a strong stomach, you’ll appreciate the body horror and bloodiness of the action, and you can see del Toro’s genius on full display here. With 46 episodes of eerie and frightening storylines, The Strain is perfect for a binge-watch that will blow your mind.

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the strain

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Release Date

2014 – 2017-00-00

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Showrunner

Carlton Cuse

Directors

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Chuck Hogan

Writers

Chuck Hogan

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