Days of Our Lives stuns as EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) needs to stay one step ahead of the authorities because they’re coming for him. If he’s not careful, he may be trading his fancy high thread count sheets and California king bed for a Statesville metal bunk and denim inmate duds in the near future.

Days of Our Lives: Susan Worried About EJ

All right, let’s dive in. This week, EJ’s mom, colorfully dressed psychic Susan Banks (Stacy Haiduk), dropped in for a visit, and she immediately sensed evil in the room. So, she scolded EJ. And Susan reminded her son that EJ is not a monster like his late father, Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo). And Susan hates seeing Stefano’s ring on EJ’s finger. So, Susan took it and detoxed the Phoenix ring and gave it back to EJ after it had been purified.

But Susan is too late in her warning to EJ because as Susan would say, he has been mean, mean, mean for very many months. And let’s face it, EJ’s done a lot of unscrupulous things since he came back to Salem. Even before that, Stefano’s heir EJ did bad things. Even before Clyde Weston (James Read) had his goon shooting EJ and he was presumed dead. And then we got the recast with Dan Feuerriegel. And even EJ getting killed for his horrible life choices didn’t change who he is. Didn’t reform him at all. He’s still a light like his dark phoenix dad. But let’s back it up a little bit.

EJ’s Web of Crimes Unravels on DOOL

So, EJ helped Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) pull off kidnapping her cheating, filthy rich, now ex-husband Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte). And EJ agreed to help Gwen in exchange for a big investment to help him buy the hospital and build the secret lab. And she funded Dr. Wilhelm Rolf’s (Richard Wharton) experiments with his serum mixed with a special compound.

Gwen and EJ were hoping to make billions with a patent on the serum as a sepsis treatment and maybe even more billions from the black market sales of Rolf’s new and improved resurrection drug. However, the drug didn’t work out and then EJ double crossed her. And as much as it angered Gwen, she did have a backup plan to purchase the hospital herself with her big fat divorce settlement.

And her revenge plan against EJ was going great because the state hospital board censured EJ for his unethical doings. It’s not a good look to conduct human experiments without FDA approval. And of course, Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) was happy to tell EJ that he’s out and Gwen is in as the new buyer and hospital owner.

Days of Our Lives: EJ Devastated

Plus, EJ’s facing anguish as his sister, Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford), is paying the price for Rolf’s faulty serum. Lexie’s miracle resurrection after being presumed dead for 15 years is about to end in tragedy. So, it was Stefano’s wish for her to be brought back, and EJ wanted that, too. But now, Lexie’s furious that EJ brought her back without knowing if the drug was truly effective.

So, Lexie begged Rolf to help again before he slunk out of Salem. He gave her one shot of Miracle Serum that helped Lexie for a couple of days, but then she had more symptoms. And the next shot didn’t make a dent. Now Rolf is MIA. And Lexie is collapsing and nearly out of time.

Now, I’m sure EJ probably knows where mad scientist Rolf ran off to, but they won’t drag him back. And Lexie’s looming death could bring criminal charges against EJ. I wouldn’t be surprised also if Abe Carver (James Reynolds) sues his brother-in-law in civil court. Also, the initial experiment was on someone who was presumed dead.

EJ in Trouble on DOOL

So, they kind of let it slide because worst case he was, you know, desecrating a corpse. They could justify it that way. But with Lexie being resurrected and then dying as a result of this experimental treatment, that changes things. And we know it is definite that Abe’s wife dies soon.

Currently, FBI hunk Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) and ISA agent partner Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) are investigating EJ for these hospital crimes. And in fact, Gwen’s disappearance and Cat stealing the dead man switch confession letter from Melinda Trask’s (Tina Huang) office gave her and Rafe the puzzle piece they were missing.

Because Cat and Rafe have been trying to figure out who was EJ’s investor and now they’re looking into who took Gwen. So Rafe marched over to the mansion because EJ is the prime suspect in Gwen going missing. But I think it’s going to end up Dimitri, who’s the kidnapper, and took Gwen for revenge since the cops wouldn’t arrest her or EJ for Dimitri’s kidnapping.

Days of Our Lives: Kristen’s Kidnapping and Multiple Investigations

So, one good thing is EJ could be off the hook and not facing charges in Gwen’s case, but he’ll still be a suspect. And speaking of kidnapping, EJ is doing more of that this week. He’s going to have a henchman snatch up his other sister, Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), toss her in a storage container, and ship her off to the island.

EJ is livid that Kristen got Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) to try and kill Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), and then Kristen was cozying up to his daughter Sydney, inviting her to attend fashion week in Paris. That was what tipped EJ over into a rage because as far as he knows, Kristen was going to try and murder his daughter Sydney like she tried with his son Johnny.

But then Lexie overheard EJ and someone talking about having Kristen kidnapped and shipped to the island. So Lexie ratted out EJ and told Kristen what he’s planning. And Lexie was talked into this by Kristen that she would take her place in the container and she could go die in peace on the island. But it looks like Lexie and Kristen’s plan is thwarted on Days of our Lives.

Something Goes Wrong on DOOL

Maybe Lexie’s big Christmas in July celebration runs longer than expected, or EJ accelerates her plan and has the henchman snatch Kristen sooner than expected. Or Lexie collapses and she can’t even think to go meet her. Either way, the kidnapping happens. EJ is going to succeed in removing Kristen from Salem because he wants to protect his kids.

And we could see Lexie confessing to her family about the plan she made with Kristen. So, it’s possible EJ could face kidnapping charges for Kristen. You know, with Lexie on her deathbed soon and angry at EJ, she might tell the cops what he did so that they can go save Kristen from him.

Days of Our Lives: EJ lies Through His Teeth

Now, of course, EJ will deny it if the cops come knocking. And unless there are witnesses that saw Kristen taken, I feel like EJ can cover his butt on that one, too. Unless, of course, they can find the island and find Kristen. So, even if EJ avoids charges over Lexie and Kristen, there’s more trouble. EJ could be in hot water over DiMera Pharmaceuticals and the arsenic-laced pill dump on Smith Island.

Those pills caused at least two deaths and maybe more. But the dump pills that seeped into the water well is a big issue. That Horton cabin mishap almost killed Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis). And Johnny knows all about it, but I don’t know if he would rat out his dad EJ.

Days of Our Lives: Can EJ Keep Himself Out of Prison?

But Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey), Xander Cook (Paul Telfer), and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) all believed that EJ planted the arsenic pills in Holly’s bag at the hospital. Xander had that aha moment. He remembered he left the bag and turned his back, which gave EJ the opportunity to plant the pills in it.

But unless they have a witness, that’s something else that EJ might get away with what he did to Holly. However, Brady, Sarah, and Xander also really want to tie EJ to the tainted pills, and they may succeed. Bottom line, EJ has a lot of criminal balls in the air and it seems like he may wind up arrested for at least one of these things that he has done because he has done a lot of crimes.

But someone’s got his back. Rolf is gone and can’t testify against him. EJ didn’t kidnap Gwen. Kristen is going to be missing and without a body or more than that, they can’t do a lot about it. So, EJ’s been very busy covering his tracks. The question is, will he avoid prison? Maybe.

Jason Kelce cannot believe Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce managed to keep photographs from their massive wedding away from the public. Despite approximately 1,000 guests gathering inside Madison Square Garden for the July 3 ceremony, Jason said he has yet to see a legitimate image from the star-studded celebration appear online. The retired Philadelphia Eagles center also offered rare details about the newlyweds’ efforts to create an intimate and highly secure experience inside one of New York City’s most recognizable venues.

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Jason discussed his brother’s wedding during a Thursday, July 30, appearance on SportsRadio 94WIP. “I haven’t seen any legitimate photos really from the wedding. It’s remarkable,” the 38-year-old said.

“There were a thousand people inside Madison Square Garden,” he continued, calling it “the biggest wedding, probably, I’ve ever attended for sure, and there’s really not a lot out there.”

When the host praised Swift and Travis for keeping details private, Jason joked, “Yeah, I’m ruining that right now.”

However, he suggested the lack of leaked photographs reflects the considerable effort the couple made to protect their celebration. “I think, this is obviously an effort by Travis and Taylor to really try and make this as intimate of a moment as possible,” Jason explained.

Madison Square Garden Reportedly Felt Surprisingly Intimate

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Swift and Travis faced some criticism over their decision to marry at Madison Square Garden, a venue associated more closely with sold-out concerts and sporting events than private ceremonies.

Jason acknowledged that the couple “got some backlash” over their unconventional choice, but he insisted the celebration did not feel like it was taking place inside the famous arena. “It didn’t feel like Madison Square [Garden],” he said.

According to Jason, careful planning allowed the couple to maintain control over the event while still creating a warm atmosphere for their guests. “They did a great job of, like, finding an area that could be very secure, some place that, you know, they would be able to have this kind of control over it while also feeling intimate and really special. It was incredibly done.”

Jason Kelce Says The Family Has Learned To Protect Their Privacy

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Interest in Swift and Travis has remained intense throughout their relationship, meaning those closest to the couple have had to adjust to constant attention. When asked how he helps protect their personal lives, Jason explained that maintaining boundaries has become second nature.

“For us, I mean, this is kind of the world we’ve been living in, we respect the privacy of Taylor, her family, of Travis,” he said. “There’s so much interest in what those guys are doing at all times, so I think you just get used to it.”

The apparent absence of leaked photographs is especially notable given the number of guests reportedly in attendance. While some information about the ceremony has emerged, the couple has maintained control over the most intimate visual details from the day.

Former NFL Star Admits He Cried More Than At His Own Wedding

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Jason’s emotions apparently caught him by surprise during the ceremony. Also during his SportsRadio appearance, he admitted that he shed more tears while watching Travis marry Swift than he did when marrying his own wife, Kylie Kelce.

“I did cry. I probably cried more this wedding than I cried at my own wedding, which probably is not acceptable,” Jason joked, before acknowledging that Kylie might have something to say about the admission, adding that she “is probably not happy about that.”

Jason played an important role in the celebration as Travis’ best man. Swift reportedly chose her younger brother, Austin Swift, to serve as her man of honor instead of having a traditional bridal party.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Exchanged Personal Vows

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Swift and Travis tied the knot on July 3 during a ceremony attended by an estimated 1,000 guests, including celebrity friends and prominent figures from the entertainment industry. The bride reportedly walked down the aisle as an instrumental rendition of her song “Love Story” played.

Travis wore a white tuxedo, while both he and Swift exchanged vows they had written themselves. One guest described the newlyweds’ mood throughout the celebration, saying, “They were both beaming the entire night.”

Adam Sandler, one of Travis’ childhood heroes, reportedly officiated the ceremony. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end previously appeared alongside the actor in “Happy Gilmore 2.”

Kim Kardashian is saving a man from the massive six-figure debt he owed her after he sued her over an Instagram mix-up! According to a new report, the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star extended grace to a man whom a federal judge demanded pay her nearly $170,000 in legal fees.

Kim, 45, has reportedly agreed not to collect a whopping $167,000 debt owed to her from a man named Ivan Cantu. According to TMZ, Cantu filed a shocking lawsuit against the mother of four back in 2024 after she wrongly shared his image on her Instagram account.

At the time, Kim, a hopeful lawyer, was advocating for an inmate with the same name to be taken off death row. Kim posted a photo of the wrong Cantu to her Instagram, writing, “THE STATE WILL EXECUTE IVAN CANTU IN 2 DAYS.”

Cantu was furious over the social media mishap and sued the “Kardashians” star. Cantu requested that Kim compensate him for the alleged damages caused to his reputation. Kim, of course, denied wrongdoing and deleted the photo almost immediately after learning of her mistake.

Kim Kardashian’s Rep Speaks After She Shows Grace To Man Over Six-Figure Debt

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A judge sided with Kim and dismissed all of Cantu’s claims against her. The judge also ordered Cantu to pay Kim’s $167,000 legal bill.

Cantu was dismayed by the judgment, reportedly telling the reality star and businesswoman’s team that there was no way he could afford to pay the six-figure debt.

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Thankfully for Cantu, Kim extended grace, agreeing to put the debt aside, while her representative slammed the New York resident for filing the lawsuit in the first place.

“This is a lawsuit that should never have been filed. The Court agreed and threw it out and ordered that [Cantu] pay Kim’s legal fees. Kim agreed to waive those fees and so [Ivan] has dismissed his case with prejudice,” they told TMZ.

Kim Kardashian Was Accused Of Invasion Of Privacy

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In Cantu’s original lawsuit, he accused Kim of invasion of privacy along with a slew of other serious civil allegations, including emotional distress, libel, and slander.

Cantu’s original filing called Kim’s 2024 Instagram post “clearly untrue, erroneous, unfounded, shocking, scandalous, degrading, disgraceful, and/or shameful,” according to USA Today.

One of Cantu’s lawyers also commented on the matter, saying Kim had an obligation to use her platform responsibly.

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“Social media is a powerful force. It can be used for good: to spark social change, to warn of danger, and to foster relationships. But, when abused, social media can also inflict pain, suffering, and tragedy,” they stated.

According to Cantu’s legal representative, Kim’s post “defamed his reputation” and cast a bright light on his personal life. “As a result of the Kardashian abuse, Mr. Cantu’s privacy was destroyed at a most critical and sensitive time, and he has suffered very real trauma that will last a lifetime,” they continued.

Kim Initially Responded To Cantu’s Suit And Claimed He Was Attempting To ‘Cash In On A Mistake’

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Over the years, Kim has used her public platform to advocate for criminal justice reform and to highlight individuals and inmates she feels were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.

Her work has inspired her to pursue a career as a lawyer, leading her to take the bar exam once and the baby bar four times.

Kim’s lawyer initially responded to Cantu’s lawsuit and explained that the A-lister has spent a considerable amount of time telling the stories of individuals who didn’t have the chance to share them themselves, such as the Cantu who was executed by the state of Texas in February 2024.

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Kim also broke her silence, slamming Cantu’s lawsuit and calling it an attempt to “cash in on a mistake.” She explained that over eight years, she’s used her various resources and celebrity status to “advocate for criminal justice reform and a fairer legal system.”

Why Did Kim Want To Help Cantu?

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Kim said that her recent advocacy was born from a natural desire to help others and to use her voice to “fight for people” who were less fortunate.

She went on to say that she engages in this type of advocacy not for monetary gain, but because she’s passionate about it.

“I was moved by Mr. Cantu’s story and his steadfast claim of innocence. I was also troubled by what I understood to be serious problems with Mr. Cantu’s conviction,” she added.

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“Sinners” and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler has produced a pilot episode for a planned Hulu reboot series for “The X-Files.” Now, following production on the episode, one of the show’s original stars, Gillian Anderson, is sharing her thoughts on the direction of the show and remaining mute on whether she will appear.

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Anderson sat down for an Entertainment Tonight interview with her “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” costar, Hannah Einbinder, who asked her various questions. During the discussion, the topic of Coogler’s planned reboot of “X-Files” came up, with the “Hacks” alum asking Anderson for her thoughts and if she may appear.

First, the 57-year-old played coy, joking, “He is?” Anderson then said, “I can’t answer the last question, but the question before that, I cannot think of a better person to take the helm.” After that, the beloved actress stated that she “cannot wait to see it.”

She added, “I think that he’s extraordinary and I read the script that he wrote, and it’s brilliant.” Anderson continued, “I was impressed by how different and yet how quintessentially like an X-File it was.

Gillian Spoke About The Reboot After It Was First Announced

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Coogler has been involved in a planned “X-Files” reboot since 2023. After the success of “Sinners” in 2025, it was confirmed that this would be his next project. Then, in February 2026, Hulu ordered a pilot for the series to determine whether they would be interested in commissioning a full season.

In May 2025, while appearing on ITV1’s “This Morning,” she reacted to the plans to once again bring the iconic series back. Anderson said, “I spoke to [Coogler], and what I said was, ‘If anyone were to do it, I think you are the perfect person, and best of luck.”

She continued, joking, “Call me,” before adding, “At some point, if the phone rings and it’s good and it feels like the right time, perhaps.” Anderson then said of her potential involvement, “Whether I am involved in it is a whole other thing; I’m not saying no.”

In discussing the Oscar-winning director, Anderson stated, “I think [Coogler is] really cool and I think if he did it, it would probably be done incredibly well. And maybe I’ll pop in for a little something something.” 

The ‘X-Files’ Alum Credits The Role For Her Career

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“X-Files,” which Anderson co-starred on with David Duchovny, premiered on Fox in 1993 before ending its original run in 2002. Several years later, the show was revived, running from 2016 until 2018. During the revival, Anderson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ahead of the honor, she spoke to Variety, reflecting on the show’s legacy and how it helped launch her career as an actress. While reflecting on her early years on the show, she said, “I was so green at the beginning, and so young, and I was just exploring.”

Anderson continued, “I showed up and hit my mark and learned my lines and was pulled into this vortex of this hit show. It was my first professional, proper gig, and it was a cannon of sorts.”

Regarding her iconic character, Scully, she shared, “The character that Chris Carter created, one didn’t see her often on television at that time. So to be a part of that was incredibly empowering for me and extraordinary to be a part of both a character and a series that was so iconic and game-changing.”

The Cast Was Announced In Early 2026

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Award-winning actress Danielle Deadwyler was cast as one of the co-leads in Coogler’s “X-Files” reboot in February 2026. After that, in March, according to Deadline, Himesh Patel was also cast as one of the leads.

The series comes from Onyx Collective and 20th Television, and Jennifer Yale will serve as showrunner. Deadwyler and Patel will play brand-new characters in the rebooted series if Hulu orders more episodes beyond the pilot. Yale will also executive produce, as will original “X-Files” creator Chris Carter.

Ryan Coogler Discussed The Show In 2025

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While promoting “Sinners” in 2025, Coogler appeared on “The Last Podcast on the Left,” sharing that he’d grown up as a fan of “The X-Files.” He said about the ongoing process behind the show, “I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it.”

He then said, “Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f-cking scary.”

At the National Urban League conference on July 30, Nolan Wells’ family and Attorney Ben Crump continued to urge the public to share information about his death. Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley also spoke about the attacks they have faced in recent weeks.

RELATED: Christine Wonsley Tears Up In Emotional New Video While Speaking On Life After Losing Son Nolan Xavier Wells (WATCH) 

Nolan Wells’ Family & Attorney Ben Crump Calls For Answers While Addressing Recent Attacks

As they continue mourning Nolan Wells, his parents, Elmore and Christine Wonsley, joined Attorney Ben Crump for another press conference. During the event, they revealed that an alleged harassment campaign has targeted Christine and reportedly flooded her workplace with negative reviews. They also said Christine has received threatening messages and harassing mail. While speaking about the attacks, Elmore Wonsley said the harassment has made it even harder for their family to grieve Nolan’s tragic death.

“A parent can’t grieve when you have people attacking them, attacking their jobs, attacking their character, just attacking them period,” Elmore Wonsley said. “Like, where’s the empathy?”

Additionally, Elmore said the attacks go beyond disrespecting them and have also targeted their parenting. He added that people have even accused them of being racist.

“We can’t grieve the way we need to because we’re being disrespected, we’re being called all kind of racist, bad parents — we were not raised like and we did not raise our children like that, so we just want the truth,” Elmore said. “Any parent would want that, any father would want that, any mother.”

Christine Wonsley isn’t the only one facing threats. Nolan Wells’ friends say they have, too. Ashlee Cole, a chancery court judge whose son joined the Horn Island boat trip on July 4, said she shut down her social media after people threatened her entire family, including her younger children. Her son, Warren Hudson, also said his family has received thousands of death threats, adding that the threats pushed him to skip Nolan’s memorial service.

Attorney Ben Crump Calls Out Those Targeting Nolan’s Mother

Ben Crump also spoke on the attacks coming at Christine and Nolan’s family. He called the people behind them “sick” and said it’s heartbreaking that anyone would treat a grieving family this way.

“They are just sick, evil people who would attack this mother and this father for simply saying we want to know what happened to our child,” Crump said.

Crump continued explaining that Christine has worked as a nurse for years and never had negative review until now. He feels the only reason people are coming at her is because she and Elmore keep fighting for Nolan.

“Christine has been a nurse for years, and she hasn’t ever gotten negative reviews. But since she has been advocating to find out what happened to her 18-year-old son after he was washed up dead on Horn Island, sick people have been going on her company’s website giving her negative reviews. Can you all imagine anything worse than that?

Christine Wonsley Shares Emotional Details About Grieving Nolan

Christine Wonsley has been opening up about navigating life without Nolan. She shared a heartfelt TikTok where she gave a glimpse into her grieving process and the pain of losing her son. In the clip, Christine shared details about her grief while showing herself completing her morning routine and promising to keep fighting for answers. Christine admitted she’s still trying to process everything, saying it’s been “a trying week” and she feels “all over the place.” Still, she said she’s holding onto her faith and relying on the love and support around her and Elmore.

@christinefnp Trying to get up, keep moving and keep fighting for answers. #JusticeForNolanWells #Forever18 ♬ Quiet vlog fashionable chill out(1501557) – Yu Yaguchi

RELATED: Cajun Navy Vice President Says He’s Willing To Turn Over Photos From The Day Nolan Wells Was Found (VIDEO) 

It’s hard to find a standalone female werewolf novel. The female werewolf certainly pops up recurrently in the paranormal romance genre, alongside vampires, witches, ghosts, faeries, you name it. Yet, seldom does the she-wolf get her own monstrous spotlight as a protagonist. Rachel Harrison’s Such Sharp Teeth is one of those rare reads that focuses on a woman letting loose under the full moon. Still, in terms of horror, Such Sharp Teeth is scarce, and the female werewolf’s feral potential gets undercut by a conventional romance arc straight out of a Hallmark movie.

The werewolf has traditionally been rendered a masculine monster. After all, the Old English word “wer,” meaning man, is the very root of werewolf. Male lycanthropes are certainly dominant in folklore and cinema, but the female werewolf continues to claw her way into contemporary novels, as more and more women are looking for stories that tap into a rage inherent to navigating the female experience. In many ways, the female werewolf or shapeshifter has become a playful emblem of female liberation featured in both feminist horror and pop anthems like Shakira‘s “She Wolf.” Defined by painful and intoxicating transformation, the female werewolf is an apt vehicle for exploring trauma, alienation, and bodily autonomy. Still, many written attempts to embody the she-wolf end up caging her into purely campy portrayals.

The Origins of the Female Werewolf

Image via Embassy Pictures

Mythologically, one of the earliest female werewolf stories comes from Ireland. The daughters of Airitech refer to three sisters who could shapeshift into wolves. On Samhain, they would emerge from a cave called Oweynagat (or, Cave of the Cats), known for being a portal to the Otherworld, to ravage livestock in their wolf form. Later in history, the she-wolf lore builds alongside the witch trials in Europe. Hienrich Kramer‘s infamous book, Malleus Maleficarum, which was used to identify and persecute witches, linked lycanthropy to acts of witchcraft. Witches were believed to be able to summon or control wolves or to turn into wolves themselves by using magic.

In folkloric imagination before the early modern period, the werewolf, as a whole, was seen more as a supernatural affliction or curse rather than something outright malevolent or inherently evil. The reality of Europe’s werewolf trials testifies to how the history of the werewolf dovetails with the persecution of women who defied social and religious norms. Hannah Priest‘s scholarly text, She-Wolf: A Cultural History of Female Werewolves, explores this lineage in depth, demonstrating how the female werewolf is a “manifestation of deep-rooted and complex cultural anxieties.” The historical and thematic weight of the she-wolf, thus, ushers in horror stories of the heavier variety, not just creature feature popcorn horror. Cult classic, Ginger Snaps, for instance, notably aligns the heroine’s infection by werewolf bite with the onset of menstruation, utilizing lycanthropy for a deeper story of coming-of-age and fraught female relationships.

‘Such Sharp Teeth’ Can’t Decide if it’s Horror or Romance

Image via Penguin Random House

Such Sharp Teeth, on paper, seems geared to continue the legacy of the female werewolf unapologetically. The novel even designates itself explicitly as “a werewolf novel” on the cover. Rachel Harrison’s approach is, at first glance, promising. Her protagonist, Rory, in search of transformation, returns to her hometown, moves in with her pregnant sister, and has a chance encounter with a rogue wolf that upends her reality. Beneath that potential horror book blurb is the true plot arc of the novel: independent and untamed protagonist, Rory, goes back to her hometown, gets wooed by her hunky childhood pal, Ian, and decides to settle down, effectively ditching her big city life and job in the process.

In a book supposedly about women and rage and control, it is very odd that Harrison chose such a neat-and-tidy ending straight out of a predictable rom-com. Rory, a successful career woman with a wild streak, becomes a werewolf, and that somehow leads her straight to suburban domesticity? It’s understandable that horror readers would not just be surprised but largely angry at this outcome. The female werewolf is perhaps the strongest vehicle in horror for challenging entrenched gender norms and stereotypes, and Such Sharp Teeth doesn’t even gesture toward that recalcitrant path. We do learn who the other (female) werewolf is that attacked Rory, but it’s late in the novel, and that plot twist is quickly swept to the side to serve a happily ever after ending between Rory and Ian.

The quasi-comedy of the body horror component in Such Sharp Teeth doesn’t really land because Harrison refuses to commit to a supernatural trope in the same way that Organ Meats by K-Ming Chang does, for instance, via indulgent magical realism. When the werewolf element is reduced to just quirkiness for a female character, it really hampers the bite radius of dark comedy. Such Sharp Teeth relies on flat dialogue to fill chapters and doesn’t seem to take its own horror element to heart. Granted, it’s hard to write werewolf transformations from the first-person, and then write the transformation again, but differently, as the story progresses by the light of the moon. It’s a brutal, visual transformation that tends to succeed the most on screen.

Publishers Keep Diluting the Horror Label

Image via Searchlight Pictures

The biggest issue with Such Sharp Teeth is not the writing or the characters or even the ending, but the fact that it’s simply not the story that the publisher marketed it as. Penguin Random House genre-tagged the book “Gothic & Horror,” not romance, despite the latter driving the majority of the plot development. Marketing a romance story as horror does both genres a disservice and signals a broader issue in publishing where the horror label is unduly stretched to appeal to online literary trends and aesthetics. In recent years, publishers have been quick to position novels within the “weird girl books” niche, which now boasts a Goodreads list of over 1,000 titles, in order to reach more readers. The result is that horror and dark comedy have increasingly begun to fuse into one “unhinged” literature label, especially in books marketed to women.

As more and more literature today is shelved, promoted, and sold by trope or mood, genre categories are becoming a less reliable guide. Horror fans, in particular, are learning not to trust the dust jacket. On the whole, the hunger for unconventional female protagonists is genuine and deserved, but that doesn’t mean that every novel about the monstrous feminine belongs under the horror umbrella. Such Sharp Teeth is the most jarring example, published in the wake of Rachel Yoder‘s canine-savvy hit, Nightbitch, of how porous the horror literature category has become. These contemporary female-led novels flirt with horror aesthetics or borrow horror tropes, but ultimately fall back on familiar romantic or domestic narratives.

On that note, perhaps the books (and book adaptations) that tackle the monstrous feminine the best are those that are unconcerned rather than apprehensive about their own oddity. The female werewolf in literature has yet to be fully let loose so unabashedly, in horror or otherwise, but she surely deserves stories that do not force-fit her into the frame of a conventional heroine.

With a total of 67 novels and novellas, not including his nonfiction works and roughly 200 short stories, Stephen King can be an intimidating author to approach. Yet many of his stories offer some of the most grounded and realistic portrayals of humanity’s moral decay. Time and again, King shows that the simplest—and often hardest—qualities, like kindness, empathy, and basic human decency, are what truly stand against evil.

While he’s best known as the man behind many of today’s biggest on-screen works, King’s writing is far more versatile than that. From psychological thrillers and sci-fi epics to coming-of-age dramas and post-apocalyptic tales, his work spans a wide range of genres. If you’re looking for the perfect place to start, here are the essential Stephen King books everyone should read at least once.

‘Salem’s Lot’ (1975)

Image via Doubleday

Salem’s Lot follows writer Ben Mears, who returns to Jerusalem’s Lot to write a novel about the long-abandoned Marsten House. This wasn’t his first visit to the town—25 years earlier, he spent part of his childhood there and experienced a terrifying incident that continues to haunt him into adulthood. As he reconnects with familiar faces, Ben discovers an evil force slowly transforming the town’s residents into vampires.

While the bloodthirsty creatures are the story’s obvious villains, one of King’s trademark strengths is revealing that the true evil has always existed within ordinary people. The supernatural horrors simply expose the town’s deepest sins, showing that moral decay had taken root long before the vampires arrived. From marital infidelity to financial corruption, Jerusalem’s Lot is already rotting from within. King also subverts classic vampire conventions by showing that even the town’s holiest man is powerless against the darkness, proving that religious status alone does not make someone a hero.

‘Carrie’ (1974)

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Every Stephen King fan should read his published horror debut, Carrie. Shy and socially isolated teenager Carrie White has spent her entire life under the strict control of her fanatically religious mother. School offers no escape, as she’s relentlessly bullied by her classmates. Everything changes when Carrie discovers she has telekinetic abilities, powers that grow stronger as the abuse from both her mother and peers pushes her closer to the edge.

Carrie is an excellent entry point for readers new to King’s work because its themes are so universal. Almost everyone knows what it feels like to be excluded, and those wounds often cut deepest during youth. While Carrie’s actions at prom are undeniably horrific, it’s difficult not to understand the rage that drives her after years of cruelty—including being publicly humiliated for getting her first period, something her mother had never prepared her for. It becomes the ultimate victim-turned-avenger story, tapping into the revenge fantasy many people have secretly imagined against their own childhood bullies.

‘Under the Dome’ (2009)

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Besides horror, King also knows how to pull a sci-fi thriller like Under the Dome out of his sleeve. At 11:44 a.m., the small town of Chester’s Mill, Maine, is suddenly sealed beneath an invisible dome. Everyone is trapped inside, including former Army captain Dale “Barbie” Barbara. As panic spreads and corrupt selectman Big Jim Rennie seizes control, Barbie does everything he can to uncover the force behind the Dome and find a way out before the town tears itself apart.

Under the Dome is for alien fans, but with a King twist. Instead of invading Earth, the aliens trap the townspeople in a cruel biological experiment, watching them slowly die from a lack of resources or turn against each other like animals for their own amusement. And that’s exactly what happens, because even in an apocalyptic situation like this, human nature still finds a way to make everything about power and self-interest, all while jeopardizing the survival of the entire town.

‘The Dead Zone’ (1979)

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Premonitions are both a gift and a curse in The Dead Zone. After waking from a five-year coma caused by a car accident, high school teacher Johnny Smith discovers he has developed psychic abilities. With a simple touch, he can see a person’s past and possible future. Although Johnny tries to keep his powers under the radar, he can’t ignore them when a string of murders rocks his small town.

Unlike King’s more supernatural stories, The Dead Zone is much more grounded, with Johnny constantly wrestling with the ethical consequences of knowing the future. As word of his abilities spreads, people see him as someone who can help rather than someone to fear. But the stakes soon grow far beyond solving murders, forcing Johnny into the world of politics. He must decide whether to use his gift to stop a dangerous future or stay silent, even if it means innocent lives could be lost.

‘The Shining’ (1977)

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The Shining follows aspiring writer Jack Torrance, who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. But his young son Danny, gifted with psychic abilities known as the “shining,” senses that something isn’t right within the hotel’s ghostly halls. As the Overlook’s dark history and remaining spirits prey on Jack’s already fragile mind, it becomes a race against time for Wendy and Danny to escape before Jack gets to them.

The Shining is one of King’s best-known novels to explore psychic powers, a concept that would become a recurring theme throughout his work. But beyond turning the Overlook into a menacing character in its own right, the novel shows that the worst demons are often the ones we carry inside ourselves. Jack isn’t an evil man from the start, but his guilt, addiction, and personal baggage become exactly what the hotel’s spirits feed on. More than anything, The Shining is a tragedy about a broken man slowly being destroyed by his own inner demons.

‘The Stand’ (1978)

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The Stand might have accidentally predicted COVID-19. After a deadly military-engineered influenza virus escapes a secret government facility, more than 99% of the world’s population is wiped out, leaving survivors scattered and searching for remnants of American society. Drawn together by mysterious dreams of the elderly Mother Abigail, a demon-like supernatural force by the name of Randall Flagg intrudes on their quest to rebuild society.

The Stand is arguably King’s most ambitious apocalyptic novel. Besides following a virus that wipes out 99.4% of the world’s population, it also chronicles the slow collapse of society in the weeks after the outbreak as entire nations fall apart. The Stand introduces one of King’s signature recurring antagonists. While Randall is supernaturally hellish by nature, he’s also a manifestation of the darkness that thrives whenever the world is thrown into chaos, feeding on humanity’s fear and violence.

‘It’ (1986)

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Before there was Stranger Things, there was It. After six-year-old Georgie Denbrough disappears following an encounter with Pennywise the Dancing Clown, his older brother Bill joins six other outcasts, known as the Losers Club, to investigate the growing number of missing children in Derry, Maine. As they dig deeper into the town’s dark history and confront an evil force that awakens every 27 years, the friends discover that some childhood promises can never be forgotten.

It is arguably King’s magnum opus. The brilliance of mixing supernatural horror with a coming-of-age story is watching these children grow up under the most unimaginable circumstances. As they confront the greatest evil haunting their town, they’re also forced to face the painful loss of their innocence as death creeps ever closer. And no King villain is more iconic than Pennywise, who shapeshifts into each child’s greatest fear, reminding us that the only way to overcome our deepest fears is, as cliché as it sounds, through the power of friendship.

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It

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Release Date

September 8, 2017

Runtime

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135 minutes

Writers

Cary Joji Fukunaga, Gary Dauberman, Chase Palmer

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When you think of the career of Tom Cruise, certain images come to mind: You might see him dangling from an airplane, screaming “show me the money!”, or even dancing over the credits of Tropic Thunder. Whatever the combination, it’s likely one image is always present – Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, smiling from a cockpit as he satisfies “the need for speed.”

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, Top Gun is streaming for free on Pluto right now, as is its 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Those who check it out will be reminded just why the original set the standard for summer action movies, as well as how it birthed the archetypal Hollywood superstar.

‘Top Gun’ is a Thrilling Story About the Drive to Succeed

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The phrase “top gun” refers to the elite school for pilots in the US Navy, where Maverick is sent after a daring encounter with some enemy MiGs. Instead of falling in line with his disciplined classmates, his rebellious and reckless attitude puts him at odds with rival Iceman (Val Kilmer), as well as his instructors. The fire inside him, however, is exactly what makes him a great pilot, making him able to take risks in high-pressure scenarios that can turn the tide for his mission objectives. It also sparks a romance with civilian instructor Charlie (Kelly McGillis). However, Maverick learns the cost of hubris when tragedy strikes. He must fight to regain his nerve as the stakes become higher for him in the air.

Arriving in the mid-’80s, Top Gun premiered when America was at its most dominant, and most confident. The striding machismo and patriotic swagger was typical of the decade’s love for flashy heroes who seemed like they could almost fight wars single-handedly. However, it was more than confidence that made this a classic.

Tony Scott’s Film Combined Music, Action, and Romance to Make the Perfect Blockbuster

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British director Tony Scott worked on every aspect of the film to make a spectacle that appealed to every fan. The planes provided the excitement, as he shot real aircraft, set against the sun to make every moment look as slick as a music video. Of course, those shots would be accompanied by a terrific soundtrack, with a classic song for every moment. Pilots readied for takeoff to the pulse-quickening strains of Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone”, while Maverick’s romance with Charlie was underpinned by Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away.” In terms of style, pacing, and emotional beats, the movie had something for everyone.

Any fan of the film will happily provide you with a litany of memorable moments that have become part of pop culture history: Maverick riding his motorcycle alongside a jet taking off, or our hero chanting “I’ve got the need, the need for speed!” with his copilot and best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards) have become etched in the memories of all who have seen the film, along with countless quotes and moments that have been imitated by many blockbusters since. It is pure entertainment from beginning to end, and that enjoyment has only increased with time.

‘Top Gun’ Provided the Template for the Rest of Tom Cruise’s Career

When you look at some of the biggest roles of Cruise’s career, it’s likely that Maverick’s DNA is in there somewhere. Top Gun proved that he was at his best as a risk-taker who defied orders in the name of getting the job done. That exact idea is the basis of not just the majority of his adventures as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible movies, but also films like A Few Good Men, Minority Report, and even Jerry Maguire. He’s at his best when playing characters driven by their own conviction, rallying against conventional power structures in order to do what is right.

It also associated the actor with the kind of thrill-seeking that would become his trademark later in his career. Cruise can be seen in the cockpit, as opposed to a stunt double, in order to put the viewer in the heart of the combat. “I had three hops in the F-14 (fighter jet)”, he said during a 1986 promotional interview for the film. “A lot of footage you see when I’m flying, I’m in the F-14 really flying.” While at that point he was a passenger in the aircraft rather than pilot, it established him as someone who favored authenticity in his action scenes. Audiences did too, flocking to his movies with the knowledge that it was truly him doing these impossible feats, making the action feel more immersive.

Cruise would return to the role in 2023’s Top Gun: Maverick, a film that is a rare example of a delayed sequel that is worth the wait. However, the original movie set the standard both for the actor’s career, and how entertaining Hollywood blockbusters could be. 40 years later, the action classic still has the power to take your breath away.

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Release Date

May 16, 1986

Runtime

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110 minutes

Director

Tony Scott

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Supermodel Karlie Kloss is getting candid about the importance of female friendships amid her rumored reconciliation with pop star Taylor Swift.

“I [try] to be the friend that I want people to be to me,” Kloss, 33, stated on Erin and Sara Foster’s “World’s First Podcast” on Thursday, July 30. “We all are so busy, I have to say, some of my realest [and] closest friends, it’ll be months where we don’t have time to have a three-hour FaceTime date, which I would love, but we DM.”

While Kloss acknowledged that exchanging social media messages with her friends feels “so impersonal,” a quick emoji can help the women maintain their bonds.

“I respond to their [Instagram] Stories, they respond to mine. It’s so dumb, [but it connects us],” she stated. “I think this was [part of] growing into my 20s was realizing, like, the friend that I wanted to be. We put so much emphasis on romantic relationships, but I actually think … when you’re so busy with your family and work, friendships can often not get watered, but they are so critical.”

Related: Revisiting Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss’ Friendship Through the Years

Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss sparked a nearly inseparable bond back in 2012, but their friendship appeared to take a turn for the worst over time. The BFFs quickly hit it off after Swift mentioned Kloss during her January 2012 Vogue cover story, saying, “I love Karlie Kloss. I want to bake cookies with her!” […]

The model and media mogul, who shares three children with husband Joshua Kushner, further gushed that she is “very grateful” for the “real” friends in her life.

“Two weekends ago, I was staying with my friend in the Hamptons and we have kids the same age. I had to go to Paris the next day to walk in a fabulous couture show,” she recalled on Thursday’s episode. “I had the most fun, spontaneous weekend with [her], which I am inspired to do more now. I had to go to Paris, and I was like, ‘Do you want to come with me?’ She literally booked a ticket, we went to Paris [and] we were there for, maybe, 36 hours.”

According to Kloss, the spontaneous getaway was “so fun.”

“So, [I want to do] more of that. More fun!” she quipped. “I feel like if we had tried to plan that, it would have never happened, you know?”

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Just days before Kloss’ Parisian outing, she was spotted at Swift’s July 3 wedding to Travis Kelce at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden arena.

Related: Did Karlie Kloss Attend Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding?

Karlie Kloss made the cut for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding guest list. The model, 33, was spotted on her way to the star-studded ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, July 3, accompanied by husband Joshua Kushner. Kloss sported a gold strapless dress for the occasion, while Kushner, 41, […]

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“Listen, I try to protect the privacy of my friends’ personal lives,” the Spaghetti Code author coyly told Today on Tuesday, July 28, when asked about Swift’s big day. “What I will say is that they’re an amazing couple, and I’m so happy for them.”

Swift, 36, and Kloss had been close pals since 2012, meeting when they posed for a joint Vogue photo shoot. The Kode with Klossy founder also had a notable cameo in Swift’s 2015 “Bad Blood” music video. Their bond, however, reportedly fractured after the pop star seemingly skipped Kloss’ 2018 wedding. Neither Swift nor Kloss publicly addressed their rumored falling out.