Entertainment
15 Most Universally Loved Thriller Movies, Ranked
If there is one genre of cinema that is known for keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, look no further than the thriller. Through gripping stories, expertly crafted atmospheres, and tense scores, the thriller is a beloved genre for its ability to push your mind into places you might otherwise fear.
There may be a plethora of sub-genres within the bigger thriller umbrella, but no matter the style, what they all share is the capacity to capture your attention from start to finish. Oh, and the finish is even better with a shocking twist that you never saw coming. We’re here to celebrate a litany of extraordinary titles that are universally loved. From genre-defining shocks to pop-culture inspiring moments, these thrillers have stood the test of time.
15
‘Fight Club’ (1999)
The first rule of fight club is that you don’t talk about fight club. That is, as long as you’re singing the praises of the mind-blowing film. There are very few films that have made an impact quite like Fight Club. Directed by David Fincher, the film follows an unnamed, insomniac office worker (Edward Norton), who, feeling alienated by consumer culture, meets charismatic soap salesman Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). Together, they start an underground bare-knuckle fighting club that devolves into a massive anti-consumerist, anti-establishment terrorist organization called Project Mayhem. An examination of identity through the lens of modern masculinity, materialism, and the search for meaning, Fight Club is a thrilling masterpiece that changed how we view psychological thrillers.
Of course, more than two decades later, the film’s biggest twist was the discovery that the narrator and Tyler Durden were one and the same. It made all of us ponder if we might have a Brad Pitt looming inside. An utterly thought-provoking film that glamorized brutality in a necessary manner, Fight Club touched a nerve, yet forced a mirror to be held up to a reactionary society that refused to admit how ’90s machismo was evolving into something dangerous. Fight Club was imaginative, edgy, and expertly directed. As you’ll notice based on this list, it’s safe to say that Fincher deserves to be the Mount Rushmore of thriller directors.
14
‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)
All one needs to say is, “I see dead people,” and you’ll immediately know the reference. One of the greatest psychological thrillers in history, The Sixth Sense put M. Night Shyamalan on the map with a mind-blowing twist no one saw coming. And if you claim you did see coming, you’re lying. The film follows Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a child psychologist who attempts to help a young, troubled boy, Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who claims he can speak to the dead. Seeking redemption for himself, Dr. Crowe helps Cole, before it’s revealed just how deep the boy’s connection to the deceased truly is. With a twist that kept audiences talking for decades, The Sixth Sense forced artists to elevate their thrillers to match the shock.
Established as a classic Hollywood film with the chills of a modern horror, The Sixth Sense was unapologetically daring. Though audiences knew Willis as an action star, slowing down the pace allowed audiences to take him in through a new lens. Pair him up with the effortlessly haunting Osment, who proves reaction shots live in the eyes, and you get a major dramatic performance that was convincing and terrifying. Plus, Toni Collette was quite extraordinary, which helped establish her place as a rising star in Hollywood. Both Osment and Collette were nominated for Oscars for their performances, and yes, you could make a case for both that they were robbed of Oscar gold. For a director who changed the game, Shyamalan’s bar was set so high that every subsequent project had to match that or be even stronger. There’s always a debate about whether anything ever lived up to the hype of this film, but the reality is that The Sixth Sense is a near-perfect thriller.
13
‘Psycho’ (1960)
We can call many of the films on this list “game-changers,” but in a world where big-name stars are cast in major films and killed off early, Psycho changed things up. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film is inspired by the book of the same name by Robert Bloch. Psycho tells the story of the chance encounter between on-the-run embezzler Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) and shy motel proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). When Marion goes missing, private investigator Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam), Marion’s lover Sam Loomis (John Gavin), and her sister Lila Crane (Vera Miles) investigate her disappearance. Known for the early murder and the most disturbing mother-son relationship you’ll ever see, Psycho is the gold standard of horror.
A departure from other Hitchcock films at the time, Psycho was more than just a shocking story. Through slick direction, tense atmosphere-building, and an evocative score set against impressive camerawork, Psycho instantly influenced filmmakers seeking to replicate the magic Hitchcock captured. Killing off Leigh so early in the film was quite risky, but the shower scene became so iconic that it was worth it in the end. More than just a gimmick, Psycho‘s suspenseful storytelling has continually been praised. The film may have been divisive, but everyone can agree that its influence outweighs any pushback it ever received. There’s a reason why that moment in the score is still referenced today! With every remake and influenced project that came after, Psycho will forever sit at the top of the heap. You’ll never look at a motel shower the same again.
12
‘Se7en’ (1995)
Just like a motel shower, you’ll never look at a mysterious box the same again. We may have wanted to know what was in the box, but now that we know, can we get a redo? Directed by Fincher, Se7en follows disenchanted, nearly retired Detective Lieutenant William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his newly transferred partner David Mills (Pitt) as they try to stop a serial killer from committing a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. A brutal and gruesome crime thriller, Se7en went beyond the typical police procedural to deliver something thought-provoking and intelligent, while also dropping the shocks.
Se7en was a dark examination of evil through the terrifying John Doe (Kevin Spacey), who became one of the most brilliant murderers on film. Freeman and Pitt had a unique pairing, bringing the old and the new together as they balanced their styles to create a dynamic duo. But no one could be prepared for the crescendo at the end. Unafraid to be graphic in exposing its deep themes, Se7en pushed the audience to the brink, yet made them ultimately unwilling to tap out. A quintessential ’90s crime thriller, Se7en is one of the most alluring films ever made.
11
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
You have to truly transform into a character to terrify audiences beyond the role you play. Anthony Hopkins was so transformative that it’s hard to see him as anything other than Hannibal Lecter now. Directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Ted Tally, based on the 1988 novel by Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lamb follows young FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who must interview the brilliant, incarcerated cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) to get insights into another serial killer, “Buffalo Bill,” (Ted Levine) who skins his female victims. As Starling begins to develop a dangerous psychological bond with Lecter, trading personal confessions for clues, Starling must race to save Buffalo Bill’s current hostage, Catherine Martin (Brooke Smith), and confront her own past trauma, symbolized by the screaming “lambs” she couldn’t save as a child. A masterfully suspenseful horror film, The Silence of the Lambs‘ impact on the genre is immeasurable.
The Silence of the Lambs is not an easy film for all audiences to endure. It’s rightly terrifying and expertly gruesome. Unafraid to push the bounds of acceptability through taboo trends and topics, The Silence of the Lambs may shock you, but it’s to remind the audience about the depths serial killers may go to. Winning the “Big Five” awards at the Oscars, The Silence of the Lambs is proof that horror films deserve to have a seat at the mainstream table. There has never been a cop and killer duo quite like Starling and Lecter, and it’s all thanks to the career-defining performances. Balancing a psychological thriller with a straight-up horror film, The Silence of the Lambs will forever be remembered for how far it went to ensure the terror.
10
‘The Maltese Falcon’ (1941)
Perhaps the epitome of film noir, John Huston‘s remarkable film The Maltese Falcon put crime thrillers on the map for generations to come. Adapted from Dashiell Hammett’s novel, the film follows the hard-boiled private eye Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) as he becomes entangled in a web of murder, greed, and betrayal while searching for a priceless, jewel-encrusted falcon statuette. Along the way, he meets an array of characters who covet the legendary artifact, including his mysterious femme fatale client, Brigid O’Shaughnessy (Mary Astor), and the villainous “Fat Man,” Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet). When his partner, Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan), is murdered, Spade navigates lies and double-crosses as he unlocks the truth about the falcon and the lengths the shady individuals will go to possess it. The Maltese Falcon truly is “the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Defining film noir for generations to come, The Maltese Falcon displayed how melodramatic storytelling and suspenseful direction can go hand in hand to deliver a thrilling crime adventure. The Maltese Falcon reminded audiences that, to capture the film noir vibe, it’s all about the atmosphere. By allowing the murder mystery to unfold through the textured characters and mesmerizing revelations, The Maltese Falcon keeps you guessing until the very end. The story is a mystifying labyrinth that jump-started the subgenre forever.
9
‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975)
As a living legend, picking his greatest cinematic achievement is quite difficult, but many might point to Dog Day Afternoon as Al Pacino‘s finest acting performance. Directed by Sidney Lumet and inspired by the 1972 Life article by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore, Dog Day Afternoon is a biographical thriller that dramatizes the 1972 robbery and hostage situation led by John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile at the Chase Manhattan branch in Brooklyn. As the inexperienced robbers, Sonny Wortzik (Pacino) and Sal Naturile (John Cazale), attempt to manage the chaotic situation, it’s soon revealed that Sonny’s objective is to get money for his lover’s (Susan Peretz) sex-change surgery.
A story of love, gender identity, and the broken American Dream, Dog Day Afternoon is a compelling thriller that is brilliantly chaotic with just the right shades of emotion that provoke empathy for a situation that might deserve it. It’s all partly thanks to Pacino’s affable performance. His bravado and volatility make him a tragic antihero. Dog Day Afternoon is a haunting film that brought the infamous line, “Attica! Attica!” to the forefront as a brilliant movie moment.
8
‘Memento’ (2000)
From the brain of one of cinema’s greatest minds, Christopher Nolan, the 2000 film Memento redefined how cinephiles watch thrillers. Memento follows the intriguing story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man with anterograde amnesia, a condition that causes short-term memory loss and prevents him from forming new memories. Using an elaborate system of photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos, Leonard attempts to uncover the perpetrator, simply known as “John G,” who killed his wife and caused him to sustain the condition. With its nonlinear, specific storytelling mechanic, Memento can be considered one of the greatest thrillers ever released.
Best known for a twist you likely didn’t see coming, Nolan’s ability to tell a gripping story through an unconventional style captivated audiences eager to see where the narrative would lead. Through two different filming approaches — the black-and-white story in chronological order and the color sequences in reverse order — it puts the audience directly into Leonard’s perspective. By the time they converge, a complete story is revealed, leaving you gobsmacked. A film about truth versus illusion and the malleability of memory, Memento is intricately told, proving thrillers don’t need to follow a cookie-cutter mold. At the time, it was Nolan at his finest, but what’s since proven is that this was just him getting started.
7
‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995)
Leave it until the very end to get your mind blown! In Bryan Singer‘s extraordinarily twisted crime thriller, The Usual Suspects, five career criminals — a corrupt ex-cop, Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne); hotshot Michael McManus (Stephen Baldwin); his partner, Fred Fenster (Benicio del Toro); hijacker Todd Hockney (Kevin Pollak); and a con man, Verbal Kint (Spacey) — are brought together for a police lineup who get roped into a complex heist orchestrated by a mythical crime lord, Keyser Söze. But who exactly is Keyser Söze?
Through flashback and narration, Spacey’s Kint tells a convoluted story of events that lead to one of cinema’s most fabulous late-film reveals. With a simple plot featuring layers of lies, deceit, twists, and turns, The Usual Suspects is an unflinching bait-and-switch that is rightly justified. Many thrillers have tried their hand at a fake-out twist like The Usual Suspects, but none have truly mastered it. A genuinely enjoyable film, The Usual Suspects remains a beloved title that, for some, you love to hate.
6
‘Inception’ (2010)
A remarkable work of art, Christopher Nolan’s Inception blends science fiction with a gripping crime caper, forcing you to analyze your own dreams. The film follows Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a thief who steals secret information from people’s dreams, taking on the impossible job of “inception” — planting an idea in the target’s subconscious. While forced to deal with his past traumas, if he succeeds, Dom can get his life back as his past criminal history is erased. Blurring the lines between dream and reality, the multi-layered film uses corporate espionage as the backdrop against a twisted, complex dreamscape.
While some may find the film dense, if you pay attention, the answers are present, and the intricate world-building is accessible. With a brilliant castthat includes Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, and Cillian Murphy, Inception is an action-packed adventure that goes to places other films never dreamed of (pun intended). Plus, a little Edith Piaf never hurt anyone! The director has had some sensational films over the years, but Inception deserves to be toward the top of the pack.
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By TeeJay Small
| Published
As digital purchases are being stripped from consumers, and the media streaming landscape becomes increasingly expensive and tenuous to keep up with, physical media has never seemed so appealing. Hardcore film and TV fans have been spreading the word across the world regarding their desire for more Criterion collection releases, 4K upscales, and special featurettes that can’t be found anywhere except in the loving embrace of a bright, shiny disc. Now, fans of the classic crime drama The Sopranos can finally rejoice, as the series is getting its first-ever 4K remaster.
Flying Off Shelves Faster Than Gabagool At A New Jersey Deli
The Sopranos 4k remaster is set to release on December 8, containing all 86 episodes spread out across 28 discs. It’s already available for pre-order through Amazon, Walmart, and Gruv, with a whopping $149.99 price tag. The box set is a limited edition release though, so Sopranos ultra-fans should be sure to grab their copy before a bunch of them get taken out the side door and loaded onto a truck by a couple of mobsters in tracksuits.
Whether you’re just starting a physical media collection, or you’re looking to add a crown jewel to your already impressive stash, this Sopranos set appears to have everything you’ll need. A suite of bonus features from previous DVD releases will come packaged in every order, along with brand new commentary and documentary pieces following series creator David Chase.
The rumor mill is also suggesting that a famous scene between Tony Soprano (the late James Gandolfini) and his mother Livia (Nancy Marchand) has been digitally altered from its original release. For those who don’t recall, Marchand passed away between filming season two and season three of the hit HBO series. As a result, her final scene utilizes some super early deepfake technology, along with a few sound bites from previous episodes and unused takes. The scene was meant to be a caring sendoff for the esteemed character actress, but it has aged poorly, leaving new fans confused. If the rumored change is real, that will mark one of the only digital alterations of the original footage, save for the 4K upscaling.
For now, there’s no way of knowing if we’ll ever get the 4K remaster on HBO Max or other streaming outlets. The streamer is one of the few that’s actually capable of offering 4K to their subscribers, so long as you have an appropriate television setup. Either way, it would surely be nice to have all 86 episodes of The Sopranos on hand, just in case you need to barter with your local union representative, or you need a blunt object to put a couple of unforeseen problems to bed in a pinch. Just remember to put your universal remote back on the docking station when you’re done binge-watching.
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Savannah Guthrie was once again absent from “Today” this week amid her mom’s investigation.
Chrisean Rock is still working on removing her portrait tattoo of Blueface, but she already knows what she wants to replace it with. Recently, the boxer and rapper spilled some tea about her tattoo plans during a livestream, and of course, folks online wasted no time sharing their thoughts.
RELATED: Calm Down! Blueface Addresses Viral Footage Of Him Seemingly Linking With Chrisean Rock & Folks Are Going OFF
Chrisean Rock Gives Update On Her Tattoo Transformation
Recently, Chrisean Rock hopped on a livestream and gave fans an update on her Blueface portrait tattoo. She told fans she’s still on her removal journey, but she doesn’t go out of her way to hide it unless she’s performing at church. Chrisean explained that the tattoo can be distracting during performances, but most of the time she just lets it rock. “I feel like it’s too distracting sometimes, but sometimes I just leave it alone.” From there, she added that she can’t wait until the tattoo is officially gone and plans to replace it with something new — a fresh portrait of her son, Chrisean Jesus Jr.
“It will be all gone.” She continued, “The nightmare will be over and off my face. When it gets removed enough I’m going to put my son’s face on this side,”
Social Media Sounds OFF After Chrisean Reveals Her Tattoo Plans
Once The Shade Room Teens shared the clip from Rock’s livestream, the Roommates flooded the comment section with reactions. Plenty of fans said they’re over the updates and just want to see her without the tat already. Meanwhile, others gave her props for leveling up and stepping into a new era.
Instagram user @reallyashlee wrote, “how many times we gone go through this.”
Instagram user @niyyysl_ wrote, “she just needs a clear face.”
While Instagram user @allhailjenn wrote, “Imagine waking up everyday seeing that s**t on ur face omg, she really played.”
Then Instagram user @prettydy._ wrote, “Girl i’m tired of hearing about it , be about it & just do it damn 😭😭😭”
Another Instagram user @onyominddailyy_ wrote, “Y’all do realize it hurts so bad and it doesn’t take 2-3 sessions especially how dark it was and how light she is She shouldn’t have gotten that.”
Instagram user @amari.lashay wrote, “She shouldn’t have gotten that on her face in the first place.”
Then another Instagram user @ thaa.muvaa wrote, “‘The nightmare will be over, off my face’ I’m so proud of who she is rn omg it was a time where all of us thought this girl couldn’t and wouldn’t get away…”
While another Instagram user @_iam.milly_ wrote, “Girl no shade you don’t need to add Jr. on ur face either.”
Finally, Instagram user @lilteetee88 wrote, “How about you just leave your face alone for a minute.”
Rock Previously Gave Fans A Behind The Scenes Look At Her Tattoo Removal Session
Rock previously took fans along for her tattoo removal journey at the end of 2025. She shared an emotional video from the procedure, showing herself removing the Blueface mugshot tattoo from the side of her face. The clip shows her fighting through serious discomfort and shedding tears as the laser begins breaking down the portrait. Even though the process was extremely painful, Rock encouraged professionals to “keep going,” adding that she needed to “get it off.”
RELATED: Yikes! Karlissa Saffold Harvey Reacts After Chrisean Rock Calls Out Blueface For Getting Three Women Pregnant (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Granger Smith and his wife, Amber Smith, are reflecting on how their family dealt with unimaginable loss after their 3-year-old son River drowned.
Appearing on the Thursday, July 9, episode of the “Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew” podcast, Amber shared that each family member “grieved differently” after River’s death in 2019. (Granger, 46, and Amber, 44, also share London, 14, and Lincoln, 12. They welcomed their fourth child, Maverick, in August 2021.)
“We lost our son River to a drowning in our backyard and as you can imagine, as a mom and a dad, it flipped our world upside down and we didn’t know if our family would survive, if our marriage would survive, if we would ever find joy again,” Amber said.
She continued, “And so, we just navigated that grief and pain together, very differently. We both grieved very differently, our children grieved very differently.”
Former country music singer Granger Smith and his wife, Amber Smith, are opening up the death of their son River Kelly in 2019. He was 3 years old. While appearing on the Tuesday, September 19, episode of Tamron Hall, the couple reflected on the guilt they felt after River’s drowning accident. “I was processing it […]
Amber added that she was early in her faith journey at the time of River’s death and had only recently started going to Bible studies and to church. She explained her religion helped her navigate the grief.
“I had little bits and pieces of scripture in my heart so when I was on that bathroom floor crying and grieving so hard, I knew that I didn’t want to stay there,” she shared. “I had a husband and I had two other children who needed me so I ran to the Lord and I searched for light and I searched for hope.”
Amber and Granger Smith. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for PureFlix)
In June 2019, Granger took to Instagram to announce the heartbreaking news that their son had died.
“I have to deliver unthinkable news,” the country singer wrote via Instagram at the time. “We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith. Following a tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived. Amber and I made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life. Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father.”
Granger Smith and his wife, Amber Smith, made a vow to stay together after the tragic death of their 3-year-old son. “I think we recognized early that most couples don’t make it,” Granger, 46, said on the Wednesday, May 6, episode of the “Jinger and Jeremy” podcast. “I don’t know the statistic, but it’s over […]
The “Backroad Song” singer added: “Riv was special. Everyone that met him knew that immediately. The joy he brought to our lives cannot be expressed and his light will be forever in our hearts. If there are words to say more, I cannot find them in this moment. Love the ones close to you. There has never been a more difficult moment for us than this.”
NBA YoungBoy has been an open book when it comes to his personal struggles and overcoming his past, especially through the messages he shares in his music. However, as speculation began to surface about his marriage with his wife Jazlyn Mychelle, the rapper hopped online to quickly shut down the rumors.
RELATED: Social Media Users Are Mentioning Yaya Mayweather After Jazlyn Mychelle Went Live With NBA YoungBoy (WATCH)
NBA YoungBoy Releases New Song As He Reflects On Growth And Past Struggles
Earlier this month, NBA YoungBoy seemingly teased a new era in his life as he reflected on discipline, prayer, and growth. The rapper shared a photo of himself in an all-white robe while opening up about the importance of bettering yourself.
In the post, he wrote, “Bettering yourself is the best thing you can put effort towards. Not being disciplined and selfish can leave you very lonely. I been there and barely escaped. Hold on to the people who really love you and always pray. #MRGAULDEN”
He later added that he would be deactivating soon, writing, “Deactivating soon #ily.”
Amid this, he also released his new song ‘Try So Hard,’ where the rapper reflects on his life, relationships, and overcoming past struggles.
In some of the lyrics, he raps:
“I couldn’t make you walk again, I’m sorry, KD, my brother
God won’t spare my life again if I don’t try and do better
Tryna show my girl that I love her, but every day, I just thug her”
He also apologized to his mom Sherhonda and his friend DDawg, adding:
“I don’t want no problem, tired of arguin’ with you, I’m exhausted
How I get it back? I don’t wanna bargain with you, I took losses
Sherhonda, I’m sorry, DDawg, I’m sorry
I been tryna make up for all of this”
NBA YoungBoy Addresses Rumors Surrounding His Marriage With Jazlyn
NBA YoungBoy reportedly took to his wife Jazlyn’s YouTube account with a message as he responded to speculation that she left him.
He said, “This is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden talking to your miserable a** right now. I don’t like when my wife exposes my demons, and I like to live with my demons. When she does expose them, I get very emotional.”
He also went on to address critics who he feels celebrate when they think he’s going through pain or believe his wife left him. The rapper called out those rooting against him, saying they have “completely lost their minds.” While addressing the comments, he also mocked the speculation, saying, “’Bout time she got some sense, whoopty whoopty woo.’ What the f*** are you talking about?”
He even asked Jazlyn if she had anything to say while he was on the live because his feelings were hurt by the speculations.
Social Media Reacts
Folks gathered under The Shade Room Teens’ comment section as they reacted to NBA YoungBoy’s message. Many shared their thoughts on his response, while others weighed in on his marriage with Jazlyn.
Instagram user @folashadespeaks wrote, “Idk what he said but he right that girl ain’t leave him”
Instagram user @kissmyjordaans added, “So basically she ain’t went no where & he control the traffic Imsoo”
While Instagram user @breeeeia wrote, “Just know when he start talking like that and spark that cigarette yall in trouble 😂😭”
Instagram user @jusslikeayanna wrote, “He said his whole name 😂😂😂😂😂 he’s irritated asf”
Instagram user @chynablakk added, “Basically he saying yall need to mind yall business when it come to his wife and marriage.”
While Instagram user @bluv2u wrote, “he speak so softly i noticed a lot of great musicians with trauma always speak gently. specifically MJ”
Instagram user @alondatyonna wrote, “😂😂😂😂😂😂the calmest curse out has ever done the calmest curse”
Instagram user @banksbig4 wrote, “YB Really Has Grown As An Individual He Woulda Been Crashing Out In 2019”
While Instagram user @brownskin_shaye wrote, “Jaz is gonna leave him one day and he knows it, that’s why his feelings hurt”
RELATED: Not On Mother’s Day! Yaya Mayweather Pops OFF On NBA YoungBoy After Rumors About Him & Another Woman Circulate (PHOTO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Jesse Eisenberg has revealed that he plans to spend more of the next chapter of his life making movies in Europe, saying Hollywood has made it increasingly difficult to produce the kinds of films he loves.
The former Mark Zuckerberg actor shared the update while receiving the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival President’s Award for his significant contribution to the film industry.
At the event, he also revealed that he is set to receive Polish citizenship, a move that further underscores his desire to build a deeper personal and professional connection to Central Europe.
Jesse Eisenberg’s receipt of the KVIFF President’s Award came with more than just an acceptance speech. It also included an announcement about the next chapter of his career.
The actor revealed that he now plans to focus more of his career outside Hollywood, a decision that comes as he prepares to officially receive Polish citizenship.
“Being here has particular meaning for me right now, because in exactly one week I am receiving my Polish citizenship,” the actor said on stage at the Grand Hall of the Hotel Thermal.
“I pursued Polish citizenship because of my family’s heritage, but also because I want to spend more time in my life and my career working in Europe, specifically Central Europe,” he added.
Eisenberg Says Hollywood Is Squeezing Out Mid-Budget Films
In his speech, Eisenberg explained why he wants to focus more on Europe rather than deepen his ties to Hollywood.
“In America, many of the kind of films that I love so much – human scale, strange mid-budget films – have become increasingly difficult to make, but in Europe, those movies are thriving and celebrated,” he said.
Eisenberg’s comments come at a time when major Hollywood studios continue to lean heavily on franchise films, sequels, and other big-budget releases in pursuit of stronger box office returns.
That shift has made it harder for smaller, character-driven films to secure the same level of support, making Europe an increasingly attractive creative space for filmmakers like Eisenberg.
Jesse Eisenberg Says Europe Feels Like Home
The transition from Hollywood to more work in Europe is unlikely to feel unfamiliar for Eisenberg, who already has a history of filming projects in the region.
One such project was “A Real Pain,” which was shot in Poland. He has also worked on films in Bosnia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.
Speaking to the media on the red carpet at KVIFF, the actor further explained that his decision was driven by his feeling “very at home” in Europe, a sentiment he also linked to his family heritage. “My family lived in this part of the world for way longer than we lived in America. And so, in a way, I’m far more Czech and Polish than I am American,” he said.
The Actor Had Already Left Hollywood Behind
Even before his recent announcement, Eisenberg had already parted ways with Hollywood, at least as a place of residence.
The actor said in a CBS interview last year that he had embraced a quieter life in Indiana, following in the footsteps of several celebrities who no longer call Hollywood home.
“I lived in Indiana for the last decade on and off,” the “Wild Indian” star said. “That’s where I feel kind of most comfortable. I’m not somebody who wants to surround myself in an industry that just feels kind of unstable to me.”
His comments made it clear that his latest Europe-focused career plans are not a sudden break from Hollywood, but part of a longer shift away from the industry’s traditional center. CBS aired the interview in February 2025, and E! also reported the same Indiana remarks.
Jesse Eisenberg’s Next Chapter May Be Behind The Camera
As an actor, writer, and director, Eisenberg may now be at a crossroads about which part of his career to prioritize in this new chapter.
However, his recent body of work suggests he has already been leaning toward more creative control behind the camera.
Over the past few years, he has increasingly focused on developing his own projects, serving as a writer, director, or producer on films such as “A Real Pain” and “Secret Mall Apartment.”
His upcoming film, “The Debut,” further reinforces that possibility. Eisenberg is set to write and direct the project, with reports also noting his involvement in the film’s original music and songs.
Former NBA star Charles Barkley wasn’t interested in attending Taylor Swift’s lavish wedding to NFL superstar Travis Kelce. While appearing on the “Unfiltered With Ricky Bo & Bill Colarulo” podcast, the 63-year-old revealed the exact reason he declined the invitation to the ceremony, which reportedly drew over 1,000 guests, including a flock of major A-listers.
Charles Barkley DECLINED An Invite To Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding
📸Jason Miller/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/7fbNGbJDfY
— Unfiltered With Ricky Bo & Bill Colarulo (@975Unfiltered) July 7, 2026
Barkley, who played professional basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets, said that while he was invited to Swift and Kelce’s special day, he declined for a specific reason.
According to 11x All-Star, he doesn’t attend “weddings or funerals.”
And that’s not all he had to say about the power couple’s big day. He also revealed that he politely declined the invite because he “thought it was gonna be a crap show.”
There’s More Behind Barkley’s Decision To Decline Taylor Swift’s Wedding Invitation
Barkley doesn’t want people to get it twisted, though. He said he has much love and respect for Kelce and his brother, former NFL player Jason Kelce. Despite their rapport, the “Inside the NBA” host believed it was best for him to sit out this event.
When he has time to himself, Barkley said he enjoys relaxing and playing golf. “I don’t wanna dress up and all that other stuff,” he said. “But I appreciate the invitation; it was pretty special.”
Barkley Previously Defended Taylor Swift Against ‘Losers’ Who Were Hating On The Pop Star
In February 2024, Barkley made headlines when he defended Swift against criticism that the NFL was spending too much time promoting her during Kansas City Chiefs games. According to The Hill, right-wing media personalities theorized that the professional football league was hoping to raise the icon’s star so that she could endorse former President Joe Biden.
“If you’re screaming at Taylor Swift saying she ruined … you’re just a loser. You’re just a loser or a jack*ss,” Barkley said on his previous CNN show, “King Charles,” which he hosted with Gayle King. “You can be A or B. One of the two.”
Kelce also broke his silence on the backlash his then-girlfriend was receiving, calling the reaction “crazy” before saying he was “having fun” with his new boo. “And you know what, we’re slowly reeling ’em in. They’re just—they’re fighting it right now,” he said, according to Marie Claire.
Kelce went on to say how thankful he was for Swift’s public support, calling it a “beautiful thing,” before adding that Swift’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium is nothing more than a couple “supporting each other and having fun with it.”
He added, “And sure enough, I love it when Taylor comes and supports me, and enjoys the game with the fam and friends. It’s been nothing but just a wonderful year, man.”
Ryan Seacrest Also Had To Say No To Attending Swift And Kelce’s New York City Wedding
Swift and Kelce were married on July 3, 2026, at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, according to a previous report from The Blast. The ceremony featured over 1,000 guests, including Jay-Z, Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Cooper Kupp, Kareem Hunt, and more. The wedding was officiated by comedian Adam Sandler.
The Blast also reported on Ryan Seacrest’s reason for turning down Swift and Kelce’s invitation. “I RSVP’d to go, and then Disney hired me to do the Fourth of July 250 special on the 3rd and the 4th, so I had to cancel,” the “American Idol” legend said on an episode of his radio show, “Ryan Seacrest Live.”
Seacrest Previously RSVP’d ‘Yes’ To The Wedding
Later in the show, Seacrest said he had previously RSVP’d yes to the wedding but had to change it at the last minute because of work. And to make matters worse, the “Wheel of Fortune” personality said he ran into Swift and Kelce in person after his initial response, telling them he was excited to attend the ceremony.
As he put it, though, there was nothing he could do about the schedule change, noting that he’s contractually bound to host different events for the network when they call on him. “It’s part of my job at Disney to do these things,” he said.
MGM+ is the latest streamer trying to carve out a space for itself in the hyper-competitive world of 2020s television. Its newest offering is the crime drama The Westies, co-created by modern master of the genre Chris Brancato — the man behind hits like Narcos —and Michael Panes, who worked alongside Brancato on Godfather of Harlem. Led by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons and Bosch himself, Titus Welliver, and set in Hell’s Kitchen in the 1980s, the show delivers a classic tale of crime, deceit, and violence centered on the Westies, a criminal gang made up of Irishmen, and their contentious relationship with the Italian mafia.
The Westies might outwardly seem like the heir apparent to Boardwalk Empire, but it plays it too safe to reach the heights of Terence Winter‘s Emmy-winning triumph. It’s not a bad show by any means — in fact, it’s a solid eight-episode saga with strong performances, decent production value, and a killer soundtrack. Yet, one can’t help but ponder what the show could’ve been if it had a bit more ambition and a tad more meat on its bones.
What Is ‘The Westies’ About?
Set in 1980s Hell’s Kitchen, The Westies focuses on the titular gang, led by Eamon Sweeney (Simmons), a businessman who negotiates a sizable stake in the construction of the high-profile Javits Center. One of his most loyal men is Jimmy Rourke (Tom Brittney), whose troubled friend, war veteran Mickey Flanagan (Stanley Morgan), has recently been released from a mental institution following a tour in Vietnam. The Westies have a combative relationship with the Italians, particularly mob boss John Gotti (Hamish Allan-Headley), and the gangs’ animosity towards each other seemingly increases by the day.
One of Sweeney’s police informants is Glenn Keenan (Welliver), whose estranged son is becoming involved with the Westies, much to his chagrin. Over the course of the plot, Keenan also enters into a complicated partnership with Birdie Polk (Jessica Frances Dukes), a detective looking to bring down Sweeney. Meanwhile, Jimmy’s girlfriend, Bridget (Sarah Bolger), finds herself dragged back into the cause of Irish independence after a mysterious man from her past, Brendan Cahill (Allen Leech), reenters her life.
‘The Westies’ Features an All-Too-Familiar Story
The Westies is a story-driven show to a T — which is to say, the characters exist to serve the narrative. The actors here are not playing characters but rather archetypes: the ruthless crime boss, the moral criminal, the amoral revolutionary… you get the gist. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a story-driven approach — some of television’s all-time greats can be classified as story-driven — but The Westies takes that approach a bit too literally. The key players receive little to no development, simply going from Point A to Point B because the story demands it. As for the narrative, it’s fine, but nothing you haven’t seen before: lies, betrayals, ruthless killings, cocaine, whiskey, and some muscular fight scenes.
Luckily, the cast of The Westies is engaging enough to make up for their characters’ lack of progression. Brittney is a personable lead, playing Jimmy as someone who might not have a heart of gold, but at least has a moral compass. Similarly, Stanley’s work as the loose cannon Mickey is good, mainly because he’s never actually unlikable despite the fact that he’s a hothead. As for Simmons, he’s playing a role he could do in his sleep, but it is fun to see him and Allan-Headley trying to outsmirk each other. If anyone has it toughest, it’s Bolger, and Bridget’s revolutionary plot seems out of place in a narrative about ruthless criminals.
Welliver, best known for playing the titular protagonist of Bosch, is given far more to work with than anyone else, as Glenn deals with a troubled son, an inferiority complex, and a shifting sense of loyalty, finding himself between the police and the Westies. Welliver does a fine job in the role, embodying Glenn’s stiffness and indifference and slowly dropping both with each new episode. His personal storyline converges nicely with the Westies’ overarching narrative, and it’s hard not to wish that Simmons, Brittney, and Bolger received the same treatment.
‘The Westies’ Does a Decent Job Bringing ’80s New York to Life
Visually, The Westies is not particularly strong, with the same subdued, grayish look that so many streaming shows today bear, and very few instances of anything close to memorable or inspired. Behind the camera, the series’ directors adopt a more straightforward approach; there’s little panache but tons of dynamism, particularly in Episode 3, where director Chris Grismer brings real flair to one of the show’s most elaborate hours. The editing is rather good, most notably in the fight scenes. The stunts aren’t fast-paced and hectic like so many of today’s best action movies; rather, they’re precise, rough, almost messy, immersing the viewer in the Westies’ style of reactive street fighting.
The production design is decent, but the wigs are truly awful, and the costumes and overall staging occasionally make it hard to determine whether The Westies is set in the early ’80s or the early ’90s, with some late ’70s thrown in for good measure. The sets are few but lived-in: an Irish pub, a small office, a rundown apartment, a lavish mansion. They’re used several times — the show has a rather limited approach to Hell’s Kitchen — but, in all fairness, it really doesn’t need more to tell its story.
Overall, The Westies isn’t reinventing the formula, it’s not particularly ambitious, and it’s not concerned with offering more than what’s on the screen. If you like your crime stories with a bit more bite, this one will probably leave you unsatisfied. However, if you’re a fan of tough men doing bad things and traditional tales of underworld crime, then you’ll likely have a good time. Moreover, there are already plans for Season 2, so perhaps The Westies only has room to grow with its potential return, finding more confidence and a better grasp of its identity.
The Westies premieres July 12 on MGM+.
The Off Campus cast has spoken up after some viewers had concerns about their age differences.
Based on the Off-Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives as they “grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging deep friendships and enduring bonds while navigating the complexities that come with transitioning into adulthood,” per the official synopsis.
Hannah (Ella Bright) and Garrett’s (Belmont Cameli) love story took center stage in season 1 — with several key moments from their book, The Deal, being updated. The season, which premiered in May 2026, received some backlash after audience members questioned a then-18-year-old Bright filming sex scenes with Cameli.
The cast — and creator Louisa Levy — have addressed the misconceptions. Keep scrolling for their candid responses:
Off Campus has dealt with some discourse surrounding onscreen age gaps between the stars — but how old is each cast member? Based on the Off-Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives as they “grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging […]
Louisa Levy
The creator broke her silence on the criticism surrounding the cast’s age differences.
“I had a conversation with Ella before we closed her deal to make sure she knew what was coming,” she told Variety in May 2026. “She’d read the book, so she already understood, but I walked her through everything and made sure she was comfortable and confident.”
Levy acknowledged that Bright and Cameli had a nearly nine-year age gap.
“If I had felt she wasn’t ready, I would have pumped the brakes immediately. But she was so game,” she continued. “And we have an extraordinary intimacy coordinator, Kathy Kadler, who had conversations with not just Belmont and Ella but with all the actors who had any intimacy work.”
Levy added: “[It was about] really understanding what made everyone comfortable, what they felt good about, what they didn’t. We never did anything that made anyone uncomfortable before we ever rolled a frame of camera.”
Ella Bright
“For Hannah, the briefing was partial nudity, and for Allie [Hayes], it had to be full [nudity]. That was just because Allie has got this amazing confidence about her and she is so free with her body and sex is just such an important part of her life,” Bright explained on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast in June 2026, referencing the scenes Mika Abdalla had to shoot while playing Allie. “It’s honestly just showing the difference between these characters.”
She continued: “For Hannah — obviously, given her backstory [with sexual assault] — she dresses more innocently and she’s got the skinny jeans and the hoodies. It just shows the dichotomy between the characters. That was always — from the beginning — the idea.”
Bright clarified that nothing was altered when she got cast, adding, “All of [the people auditioning for] Hannah knew it was just going to be partial. For Allie, it was going to be full so everyone had [a] full understanding of what we were going into.”
A 911 call and police bodycam footage from the night that late Storage Wars star Darrell Sheets died have been released, shedding new light on his death.
Emergency dispatch audio obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, July 9, offers key details on the initial investigation into Sheets’ April death. Police were first alerted to distress at Sheets’ Lake Havasu City, Arizona, home on April 22 during a 911 call from a woman whose name was redacted but identified herself as his “girlfriend.” (TMZ was the first to report the news.)
“I think he just killed himself,” the caller tells an emergency dispatcher in the call.
The caller later confirmed that she was in the garage at the time but was reluctant to search the main house for Sheets.
The latest episode of Storage Wars: Back to the Locker included a tribute to late series personality Darrell Sheets just days after his untimely death. The Saturday, April 25, episode of the A+E docuseries ended with a title card that read “In Memoriam Darrell Sheets” alongside the dates of Sheets’ birth and death. Us Weekly […]
“I don’t want to look,” she tells the dispatcher in the audio.
After she was instructed to “wait in the garage” until police arrived, the caller expressed total shock at Sheets’ death.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe it,” she admits to the dispatcher.
The caller later said that she never knew of Sheets trying to harm himself in the past.
A police report obtained by Us on Wednesday, July 8, included a subsequent interview with Darrell’s unnamed girlfriend where she told investigators that he was “dealing with issues” prior to his death.
Us previously learned that Sheets had been a victim of cyberbullying, a topic he vented about in his apparent suicide note also revealed in the new police report.
The girlfriend recalled that Darrell was generally in “good” spirits in his final days, aside from an incident where he allegedly “verbally fought over family drama” with his son Brandon. (Darrell also had a daughter named Tiffany.)
Us has reached out to Brandon for comment.
Darrell Sheets in 2013. Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images
Us also obtained police bodycam footage in which one officer mentioned to another that Darrell starred on Storage Wars, referencing the signature pickup trucks that the Sheets family drove on the A&E reality show.
The Lake Havasu City Police Department previously confirmed that Darrell was found dead at age 67 on April 22.
“The male was pronounced deceased on scene, and the Lake Havasu City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene to assume the investigation,” a police spokesperson told Us at the time.
Darrell was last seen at his Lake Havasu City antique shop hours before his death by suicide, with fans describing him as being in a friendly and jovial mood.
Darrell Sheets in 2012. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for A&E Networks
However, many of those close to Darrell — including multiple Storage Wars costars — reported that he was tormented by cyberbullying in the months leading up to his death. A police spokesperson confirmed to Us in April that investigators were “aware of the cyberbullying accusations involved in this incident and these claims are a part of the active investigation.”
Darrell made multiple social media posts about the alleged bullying, including claiming he had a “cyberbully stalker” in one March post.
“I have been hacked by a very evil person,” Darrell wrote via Facebook on March 9. “The clown. [The posts] are not done by me, they are being done by … very evil people. I’m not gay, I have made no posts about any children’s arcade owner, etc. I’m extremely sorry and sick over this.”
Storage Wars stars Laura and Dan Dotson have claimed that Darrell Sheets feared for his life due to alleged cyberbullying before his death. “His family told us that this has been happening for three years,” Laura, 57, exclusively tells Us Weekly. “[It happens to] even strong men that you think aren’t gonna get their feelings […]
Storage Wars alum Rene Nezhoda said at the time that Darrell confided in him about his concerns over the alleged cyberbullying.
“I know Darrell would want something positive out of this. He had a guy really tormenting him lately on cyberbullying,” he told TMZ of Sheets’ death. “Just cause you watch us on television doesn’t mean you know us … it doesn’t mean you know what we’re about. Also it doesn’t entitle you to bully somebody.”
Us obtained a police report on Wednesday in which an apparent suicide note from Darrell was included.
“I could not take anymore, the Facebook bullying,” he allegedly wrote. “F*** you, [redacted].”
Police described making contact with someone whom Darrell accused of bullying him, though they noted that this person was “extremely uncooperative” and insisted they were “nowhere near” Lake Havasu City or Arizona in the days leading up to Darrell’s death. This person claimed that they’d received “death threats” since Darrell’s death but refused to provide more information, per Lake Havasu City police.
Darrell was a mainstay on A&E’s Storage Wars from 2010 to 2023, where he was affectionately called “The Gambler.”
“We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our Storage Wars family, Darrell ‘The Gambler’ Sheets,” a spokesperson for A&E told Us in April. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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