Entertainment
Rosie O’Donnell Reflects on Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death
Rosie O’Donnell claimed Michelle Trachtenberg was in “pretty bad shape” months before her tragic death.
“In the last few years, when she was in pretty bad shape, she would call me and we would talk. I also called her mother to find out what was going on, and her mother told me what was happening, and how long it had been happening,” O’Donnell, 64, shared in a new interview with Variety published on Thursday, July 16. “We were supposed to see each other three or four times, and she just never showed up — sometimes at restaurants, other times at my house where we’d had someone prepare the whole meal.”
According to O’Donnell — who shared the screen with Trachtenberg in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy — her former costar and friend was “not in good shape” but “didn’t think that she would die.”
“With most people suffering from addiction, their loved ones think that they’ll survive it, but you can die from your addiction to drugs or alcohol, and it happens too often that it must be taken seriously,” she argued. “I wish I could have done more. I tried to help her as much as I could, but she was inaccessible toward the end, and it was tragic.”
On the morning of February 26, Michelle Trachtenberg was found unconscious and unresponsive at her midtown NYC apartment by her mom, Lana. She was just 39 years old. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” the beloved star’s rep told Us Weekly. As news of her untimely death spread, […]
In February 2025, Trachtenberg was found unconscious inside her Midtown West Side apartment in New York City.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that her sudden death at the age of 39 was a result of complications of diabetes mellitus. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes mellitus refers to a “group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar” a.k.a. glucose.
A source previously told Us that Trachtenberg’s health had been deteriorating for some time.
Michelle Trachtenberg, Rosie O’Donnell Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
According to O’Donnell, Trachtenberg’s situation reminded her of Whitney Houston, who died in February 2012 at the age of 48 after being found unresponsive in her hotel room.
“Everyone knew what was going on, but no one was willing to say something, and often because the people that are closest to you are employed by you when you’re that big of an entity, and they don’t want to lose their job or their money,” O’Donnell claimed. “With Whitney, I did say that to her people when she didn’t show up [to The Rosie O’Donnell Show] for Cinderella. It was supposed to be a whole hour with her and Brandy, and she didn’t show up just a few minutes before the show went live. I said to them after the show, ‘This is her legacy, and if she dies it’s on your watch.’”
Jay Cohen is reflecting on the support he’s received from his inner circle after the death of girlfriend Michelle Trachtenberg. Cohen shared his first comments about the late actress via Instagram on Wednesday, July 9, after marking a milestone anniversary for his health. When asked if he could “talk” about Trachtenberg, Cohen replied, “One day […]
In her candid interview with Variety, O’Donnell acknowledged that she too has a daughter struggling with addiction. It’s an illness that many families around the world are affected by.
“It’s very serious and there are millions of families in America going through the same thing,” she added.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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Karoline Leavitt is back at work as the White House press secretary following her maternity leave while her husband, Nicholas Riccio, holds down the fort for their two children.
“It is really good to be back with all of you,” Leavitt, 28, told reporters on Thursday, July 16, as she took the podium to brief the press for the first time since giving birth to her second baby.
When asked her “secret” to juggling motherhood and work, Leavitt confessed, “I don’t think there is a secret. You just have to show up every day and keep going.”
Karoline Leavitt. SAUL LOEB/AFP
She then noted, “It really does take a village,” before highlighting her husband’s part in their family dynamic.
“I take the opportunity to shout out to my husband, who is home with our babies right now,” Leavitt continued. “I look forward to returning home later to be with them.”
Leavitt admitted that “It’s challenging” to have a newborn at home while she is back on the job, but added, “For me, I view this as more than a job. I view this as public service.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is building her family while growing her political career. On May 7, 2026, Leavitt and her husband Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years her senior, confirmed that they welcomed daughter Viviana “Vivi” Riccio on May 1. The pair are also mom and dad to Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio. “The […]
Leavitt thanked the reporter for their question, concluding, “There’s nothing better than being a mother.”
Leavitt has had a big supporter in her husband, a real estate developer who runs his own company, since they met in 2022.
The pair, who have a 32-year age gap, welcomed their first child, son Niko, in July 2024. (Leavitt notoriously began working on President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign in 2024 days after giving birth.)
Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt. Al Drago/Getty Images
Leavitt and Ricco, 61, eventually tied the knot on the eve of Leavitt joining the president’s second administration in January 2025.
That December, Leavitt announced that she and Ricco were expecting their second baby together.
“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for — a baby girl coming in May 2026,” she shared via Instagram at the time. “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.”
In late April, Leavitt announced that she was starting maternity leave after conducting her “last gaggle” with the press.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been open to her unusual marriage dynamic. Leavitt is 32 years younger than her husband, Nicholas Riccio. Though the age difference doesn’t seem to bother either of them, she’s admitted that it took some time for her parents to come around. “It’s definitely a challenging conversation to have […]
“As you can see, I’m about ready to have a baby any minute, so I will see you guys very soon,” she revealed on April 24, showing off her growing baby bump.
Leavitt welcomed her daughter, Vivi, one week later on May 1.
“Our hearts instantly exploded with love. 💕,” she wrote via Instagram while announcing her baby girl’s birth, sharing a photo holding the newborn. “She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.”
William Shatner is set to make an appearance at the annual rock music festival Riot Fest, but it isn’t just his upcoming performance that’s generating online buzz. Ahead of the music festival, the “Star Trek” icon’s backstage rider has been revealed, offering fans a glimpse at the outlandish list of things he’s expecting when the day comes.
This year’s Riot Fest marks the festival debut of Captain Kirk and his band, The *uckers. Organizers of the annual music event have been inviting William Shatner to perform for about a decade, and the actor has finally relented.
Ahead of the festival, which will be held in Chicago, Riot Fest shared Shatner’s rider. While many artists include typical requests, such as the types of food and drinks they prefer or the dressing room setups they want, the nonagenarian had some unusual requirements.
Shatner is requesting a boat to be renamed after him “so he can captain a ship again,” and also wants to co-anchor the weather with “Chicago’s most beloved meteorologist.” For his band’s performance, he wants plenty of firebreathers and an introduction video from heavy metal band GWAR.
Moreover, his dressing room must have “an assortment of adoptable puppies,” one bowl of saukerkraut, a four-foot-long Polish sausage, and white socks and underwear, among other things.
Is The Actor’s Rider Real?
In the caption, Riot Fest noted that they received a “personal video message” from Shatner about the rider, and they are asking for help from their followers in fulfilling the demands.
“I can’t tell if this is real or not, but either way, it’s the best event promotion I’ve seen in years,” one user noted. Riot Fest responded that they couldn’t believe it either, adding, “He’s way cooler than we are.” Shatner’s rider is possibly a marketing stunt orchestrated by the festival organizers and Shatner himself to create buzz.
In 2025, Riot Fest announced that John Stamos would be making his festival debut if his list of demands was met. The rider featured a mix of practical, odd, and demanding requests, including a lifetime supply of combs for fans, a foot rub, unlimited hummus in a guitar case, and the festival’s founder getting a tattoo of Stamos.
Shatner’s rider is most likely a combination of real and made-up requests, but fans are eager to fulfill them either way. One business, Fatpour Tap Works, has already offered to name a food item after Shatner if the comment receives 500 likes.
The *uckers features big names in rock music, including Marcus Nand on guitar, Britt Lightning on guitar, Phil Soussan on bass, and Fred Aching on drums. The group will be performing songs from the actor’s catalog of works, as well as new songs from his upcoming heavy metal album.
“I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration. Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans,” Shatner said.
The Actor Has Released More Than 10 Studio Albums
Shatner’s first studio album, “The Transformed Man,” was released in 1968, and it featured recitations of songs and texts rather than actual singing. Since then, he has released several more, including holiday- and space-themed records.
He has collaborated with artists from different music genres, some of whom include Joe Jackson, Aimee Mann, Joe Walsh, Ben Folds, Brad Paisley, Joe Jonas, Sheryl Crow, and Rob Halford.
His latest project is a heavy metal album, which he teased in February as a “gathering of forces,” per The Blast. “We are about to boldly headbang where no one has headbanged before. Stay tuned. The metal voyage begins this year,” he noted.
William Shatner Is Living His Best Life At 95
Shatner remains as active as ever, even at 95 years old. Apart from music, he is also busy with other projects in entertainment.
He continues to host and executive produce History Channel’s “The UnXplained,” which is currently in its eighth season. Moreover, he is releasing a new memoir late this year. Shatner has also been busy going on tours and conventions for “Star Trek.”
Shatner and The *uckers will be performing at Douglass Park in Chicago, Illinois, on September 20, the third day of Riot Fest.
Sister Wives star Maddie Brown is sharing her list of things her children “will never be exposed to” at home after growing up in a polygamist household.
“I knew at 13 years old that I didn’t want the life I was living,” Maddie, 30, confessed via an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, July 14. “I couldn’t change my circumstances then, but I could decide, with full certainty, what I would and wouldn’t carry forward.”
Janelle Brown and ex-husband Kody Brown’s eldest daughter noted that she made her non-negotiable rules for her children “long before they were born” and she’s sticking to them.
For starters, Maddie vowed her and husband Caleb Brush’s kids would have “no instability where there should be stability.”
Maddie Brown is opening up about her boundaries with family members and why she has “no contact with some” of them – including her dad, Kody Brown. “It’s because of stuff that has happened,” Maddie, 29, shared on the Monday, November 11, episode of her “The Authentic Society” podcast, later adding of her estranged father, […]
“No fear where there should be safety. No secrets where there should be honesty. No chaos disguised as normal,” Maddie wrote.
The TLC personality admitted, “It takes a lot of intention to not repeat patterns. It’s not natural. It’s something I had to learn, and something I have to keep choosing, especially on the hard days.”
Maddie, who had three additional mothers growing up in polygamy, noted that she’s doing her part to stop the experiences she didn’t like as a child from continuing.
Maddie Brown and Caleb Brush. Courtesy of Maddie Brown/Instagram
“But it ends with me. That part was decided a long time ago, and I’ve never once looked back on it,” she concluded. “Who else out there is breaking patterns for their family?”
Maddie is one of dad Kody’s 18 children from four different wives. TLC fans were introduced to her unconventional family in 2010 when Sister Wives premiered.
At the time, Kody, 57, was married to Meri Brown, Janelle, 57, and Christine Brown, and was courting Robyn Brown, who later became his fourth wife.
Kody welcomed one child with Meri, 55, during their more than 30-year marriage. He shares six children with both Janelle and Christine, 54. (Janelle and Kody’s son Garrison died by suicide in March 2024 at the age of 25.)
Kody legally divorced first wife Meri in 2014 to legally wed Robyn, 47, and adopt her three children from a prior marriage. Kody and Robyn later welcomed two kids of their own, bringing his total to 18.
In November 2021, Christine announced her split from Kody after more than 20 years in a spiritual marriage. Janelle followed, confirming her separation from the patriarch in December 2022. Meri announced in January 2023 that she and Kody were no longer a couple.
Maddie Brown, Caleb Brush and their four children. Courtesy of Maddie Brown/Instagram
As Kody’s elder children have gotten married, many of them have opted for monogamous relationships, including Maddie.
Maddie married Caleb, 39, in June 2016. The couple have since welcomed four children: son Axel and daughters Evie, Joey and Emilia.
“My childhood was chaotic in ways I’ve spent my entire adult life making sense of and choosing to build something completely different from,” Maddie revealed in June, reflecting on her upbringing.
Sister Wives‘ Janelle Brown and Kody Brown’s plural marriage was anything but conventional ahead of their 2022 split. Janelle and Kody’s lives were intertwined well before they spiritually tied the knot in 1993. Janelle’s late mom, Sheryl Brown, and Kody’s dad, William Winn Brown, were married for years before William’s death in 2013, making the eventual […]
She explained in an Instagram post at the time that after getting married young, welcoming her eldest child at 21 and moving across the country when she was 23, she “found something I didn’t grow up with” and that was “peace.”
“Not the absence of chaos but with the presence of it and the ability to choose calm anyway,” Maddie wrote.
She added that throughout her 10-year marriage, she has slowly figured out who she is as a person.
“I’m a halfway homesteader. A deeply intentional mom,” Maddie shared. “A woman who is still figuring out what peace looks like in practice and thinks that process is worth talking about out loud.”
Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton are spending some quality time together during a cozy getaway to a lakeside destination.
“Hold your people close 🫂,” the F1 driver, 41, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, July 16, alongside a carousel of images.
Hamilton’s post included multiple photos of him with Kardashian. In one snap, Hamilton and Kardashian posed with two of her children — Chicago, 8, and Psalm, 7 — as the group stood in front of a lake during sunset. (In addition to Chicago and Psalm, Kardashian shares daughter North, 13, and son Saint, 10, with ex-husband Kanye West.)
The racer also shared a sweet snap of himself and Kardashian while on a boat. The couple gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes and held hands as they enjoyed the water.
Kim Kardashian and Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton are showing their romance. The pair were spotted packing on the PDA in Malibu, California, on Monday, April 20, while swimming in the ocean. Kardashian, 45, rolled down her wetsuit to reveal a bikini top while Hamilton, 41, sported a black T-shirt and black shorts. While on […]
A subsequent video also showed the pair goofing around on the boat. Hamilton and Kardashian — who were wearing life vests — laughed as they hugged each other before falling off the vessel.
An additional photo featured Hamilton and Kardashian taking a stroll in nature. While walking down the trail, Hamilton had his arm around the Skims founder.
Kardashian “liked” the post and commented with a single red heart emoji.
Earlier this week, Kardashian posted a sweet selfie with Hamilton as they enjoyed time together while at a lake.
“Summers at the lake with my favorite people,” she wrote via Instagram on Monday, July 13, alongside a selfie of her, the athlete and daughter Chicago.
Us Weekly confirmed earlier this year that Hamilton and Kardashian, who had been longtime friends, had begun pursuing a romance. The pair had been spotted on multiple outings together including Super Bowl LX. Last month, an insider told Us that Hamilton had “spent time” with the reality star’s children.
“Lewis loves kids so it’s been fun for him,” the source explained. “The kids think Lewis is really cool, especially Chicago and Saint, who are completely fascinated by the fact that he drives race cars for a living.”
Kardashian subtly hard-launched her relationship with Hamilton last month. In her photo dump, Kardashian included a clip that featured Hamilton as the twosome enjoyed a bike ride.
“Lately,” she captioned the post.
Following the hard-launch, Hamilton made a rare comment about Kardashian after a fan asked the athlete if a “girlfriend” was the reason why he appeared to be a “happier man” lately.
“Yeah, that’s a good one,” Hamilton said with a laugh.
After talking about his excitement to be on Ferrari’s team, Hamilton gave Kardashian a sweet shoutout.
“And of course, of course it’s Kim,” he added.
Kim Zolciak’s daughter Brielle Biermann is unsure if adopted father Kroy Biermann will be in attendance at her upcoming wedding to Billy Seidl.
“I haven’t really spoken to Kroy,” Brielle, 29, said in an interview with TMZ on Wednesday, July 15. “[It’s] in the air, it’s ever changing.”
She teased on Wednesday that the couple’s nuptials will be taking place “soon” and will be near “the beach.”
Brielle’s disconnect from Kroy, 40, stems from his ongoing divorce from Zolciak, 48. The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and Kroy split in 2023. The exes have been battling over custody of their four minor children — KJ, 15, Kash, 13, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12 — while also accusing each other of neglect, abuse and more. (In addition to Brielle, Zolciak is mother to daughter Ariana, whom she welcomed from a previous relationship. Kroy adopted both Brielle and Ariana in 2013, two years after he and Zolciak tied the knot.)
Brielle Biermann is remaining neutral after previously siding with her mom, Kim Zolciak-Biermann, in the Real Housewives of Atlanta alum’s messy divorce from estranged husband Kroy Biermann. “Everybody knows that Brielle and Kim’s bond is unbreakable, so it was natural for her to take her mom’s side when they filed for divorce,” an insider exclusively […]
Back in May, a judge granted Kory temporary primary physical custody of the four minor children. He is allowed to give the final say on the kids’ educational, non-emergency medical and religious decisions, per court documents obtained by Us Weekly at the time.
Amid her parents ongoing issues, Brielle has stood by her mom’s side.
“My mom doesn’t deserve to not have custody of the kids and I stand on that,” she told the outlet on Wednesday.
Brielle gave her mom credit for raising her and Ariana as “good kids.” She also gave Kroy props but acknowledged that her mom “was there a lot longer.”
“I don’t agree with a lot of things that he’s done and I just really want to leave it at that. I don’t agree,” she shared. “My mom doesn’t deserve to be in this situation.”
Brielle added that she “100 percent” has her mom’s back.
“That’s my girl,” she gushed.
Brielle and Seidl got engaged in February 2024 after dating for nearly one year.
“Forever with you 🤍🥹🫀🫶🏻,” she captioned a series of Instagram photos, including a shot of the baseball player down on one knee.
Zolciak immediately shared her excitement for her daughter and future son-in-law following the couple’s announcement.
“I’m so happy for @briellebiermann @bseidl21 nothing makes me happier than seeing my kids happy! 💍,” the reality star wrote via Instagram in February 2024. “It’s the best feeling EVER!! Love you both to the moon and back and look forward to alllll the years to come 🙏🏻❤️😍.”
During a social media Q&A post-proposal, Brielle confirmed that Seidl got Kroy’s blessing before popping the question.
“Yes, [Seidl] asked Kroy,” Brielle confirmed. “He actually asked Kroy a while ago.”
90 Day Fiancé’s Armando Niedermeier-Rubio is setting the record straight on why he can’t be with his daughter during her hospital stay.
“I went to the border. The hospital directly sensed the gravity of the situation, how Hannah was being airlifted to Phoenix ICU,” Armando, 37, who currently resides in Mexico, explained via Instagram on Thursday, July 16. “They sent all the necessary documents to the border. When I arrived at the border, I arrived with my documents as well.”
While his 13-year-old daughter was able to go from Mexico to Arizona to seek further medical care, Armando claimed he was forced to stay put.
“Never was the letter from the hospital reviewed and never were any of my documents asked of me — nothing was checked,” he claimed. “I was just told, ‘Nope, we do not do this here. … There’s no option for you,’ and on my way I went.”
The TLC reality star continued, “We do have an immigration attorney who is on it and we’re seeing other options and ways to hopefully get me to Hannah because this is a difficult part for me. I know she needs me and I need her.”
Earlier in the day, Armando’s husband, Kenny Niedermeier, was able to reunite with his stepdaughter and share an update from her hospital room.
“Hannah told me to tell you all, thank you for all the love she is receiving from all of you,” Kenny, 63, wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “She is truly touched and shocked by it all. It means the world to all of us! ❤️ #hannah90day #kennyandarmando #healing #love #support.”
According to Armando, seeing Kenny with Hannah “brings me some comfort.”
When asked by a social media follower why his mom and sister were able to “get through” during the ordeal, Armando replied, “They are legal residents of the USA. I am not.”
Earlier this week, Armando detailed the moment he noticed his daughter’s face was “droopy — half of her face — and her lips and stuff.”
“Half of her body had no strength. So [I] immediately took her to the doctor,” he shared via Instagram on Tuesday, July 14. “When we got to the doctor, they did tell us her levels were normal in the sense of no high blood pressure. Which was strange to the doctor because she said usually with stuff like this, she knew with the symptoms that it was something with the brain, but it was strange given her age and also the fact that she didn’t have high blood pressure, which would be a huge symptom for that.”
90 Day Fiancé has been captivating audiences since its premiere in 2014 — and has more success stories than viewers might think. The TLC reality series follows hopeful couples who have applied for or received their K-1 visas and must get married within 90 days in order to stay in the United States. Thank You! […]
Viewers met Kenny and Armando on season 2 of 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way in 2019. The couple met in an online support group for gay fathers. After dating long distance, Kenny moved to Mexico to be with Armando.
Since Hannah’s hospitalization, a GoFundMe page has been created to help raise funds for medical bills and travel expenses.
“I’m honestly embarrassed to ask for help,” Armando wrote via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, July 15. “If you’re able to donate, it would mean the world to us. Medical bills are piling up, and every little bit truly helps. If you’re not able to donate, even sharing this would mean so much. Please only do what you can. Thank you for your love, prayers and support.”
The Alien franchise has made some interesting pivots in recent years. Ridley Scott‘s prequel films have largely been abandoned, Alien: Romulus attempted to bridge the gap between the first and second installments, and Alien: Earth has served as an interesting franchise departure by bringing the xenomorph to television (and Earth, too). While all of these films have departed from the Sigourney Weaver-led originals in some form, only one franchise installment has proven that Ellen Ripley can remain at the center without actually being present — if you’ve never given Alien: Isolation a shot, this interquel video game is ripe for adaptation.
‘Alien: Isolation’ Is a Terrifying ‘Alien’ Prequel That Should Be the Basis for the Franchise on Television
Released back in 2014, the survival horror sci-fi game follows Amanda Ripley (Andrea Deck), the daughter of the franchise’s main heroine who has long wondered what became of her mother and the Nostromo. Set fifteen years after the events of Alien, Amanda is offered the chance at closure by Weyland-Yutani, sending her to the Sevastopol space station where the flight recorder from her mother’s mission resides. But when Amanda is separated from the rest of the crew, it isn’t long before things go from bad to worse. Unsurprisingly, another xenomorph is on the loose, and with barely any power to keep the lights on, the dark and eerie corridors of the space station become breeding grounds for jump scares and alien antics. Of course, if you thought that a xenomorph was the only threat here in Isolation, you’d be wrong, because there are several synthetic threats as well, in the form of the Sevastopol‘s murderous android inhabitants.
Amanda Ripley is a worthy successor to her mother’s mantle. She’s resourceful, determined, and quite strong-willed, though she wrestles with the uncertainty and grief that come with losing her mother so young. There’s a heroic streak in her, as she’s willing to help others and even sacrifice herself if necessary to keep others alive, though she remains capable in her own survival skills, willing to lie in wait while chaos occurs around her. In many ways, it’s her mother’s absence that has made them so much alike, forcing Amanda to grow up without Ripley watching over her and, as eventually revealed in Aliens, living a full life in the time that Ripley was trapped among the stars. Since it’s highly unlikely that we’ll ever get a Sigourney Weaver-led Alien movie again — and we wouldn’t want her to be recast either — the best way to continue with the Ripley line going forward would be a straightforward Alien: Isolation adaptation.
To Make ‘Alien’ Scary Again, ‘Alien: Isolation’ Has the Answer
Now, we know what you’re thinking. Why adapt the video game when you could just tell a new story with Amanda at the center? That’s a fair point. But the folks at Creative Assembly hit sci-fi/horror gold here with Isolation, perfectly recapturing the look, feel, and overall atmosphere of the original Alien film by leaning into Scott’s overtly horror elements and generating an air of mystery. Not only is Amanda a great protagonist who deserves to return to the franchise at some point in the future, but Isolation is the sort of story that could truly bridge the narrative gap between Alien and Aliens in a way that Romulus just couldn’t. By stringing the story out into eight episodes, similar to what’s been done with Alien: Earth, horror fans and sci-fi aficionados alike would rejoice at the bold return to form that an Isolation adaptation could provide — there’s a reason Alien: Isolation 2 is currently in the works.
The Alien franchise has largely suffered from the same problems that The Terminator series had following Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Just like T2 prompted every subsequent sequel to try and recapture that action magic, so too did James Cameron‘s Aliens change things by transitioning the franchise away from sci-fi/horror to sci-fi/action. Since then, Scott’s Prometheus peppered in layers of philosophical commentary that have shifted it yet again, touching all recent installments like Earth. Romulus was the biggest return to form thus far, though Isolation could revive all that horror the franchise has yet to recover. Sure, cutscenes from Isolation were already used to create Alien: Isolation — The Digital Series, but that doesn’t mean that Amanda’s story couldn’t be front-and-center of another live-action continuation, especially if it’s made-for-streaming or television.
Well, it seems as though the existence of the self-absorbed, socially inept social media star has remained prolific for long enough that there’s finally a horror movie about it. Netflix‘s modern take on the psychological thriller, Influencer, captures Madison, played by Emily Tennant, on a seemingly glamorous but albeit rather lonely trip to Thailand. Along the way, after a series of unfortunate events regarding her elusive and noncommittal boyfriend, Madison tags along with a fellow backpacker, CW, played by Cassandra Naud. Rapidly, things are much darker and less “instagramable” than Madison would’ve hoped.
To illicit true unease from an audience is no easy feat. Of course, films often capture cheap fear through jump scares and other kitschy tropes, which, to be frank, could be reasonably expected from a modern low-budget thriller. Kurtis David Harder‘s Influencer, on the other hand, has a skillful methodology in its evocative and twisty plot. While yes, Madison as a character is objectively cringe-worthy, the way in which the story develops around her makes for a truly thrilling watch, or perhaps at times hate-watch.
Harder’s ‘Influencer’ Expertly Captures Deceptive Beauty
Madison meets CW in a resort bar. Or rather, Madison meets a natively-British nomad stumbling over an attempt to hit her at a resort bar, and CW swoops in to rescue her. She’s initially introduced as not only a protector but also a grounding emotional counterpart, bringing the ever-floaty Madison back down to earth. It’s revealed as they share an intimate walk that initially this trip was supposed to be for Madison and her boyfriend, thus making the solo trip a bit more dismal than it may appear. CW invites her on a hike, for reasons that aren’t quite clear, and while Madison films a cringe-worthy vlog at the mountain’s peak, it’s clear CW has a repulsion to those living on the grid. This seed seems to grow much deeper as the film moves forward. Madison doesn’t do anything without posting it, and CW evidently hates it.
After a wonderful night of drinking, eating, and more drinking, Madison returns home to her room, clearly ransacked, and her passport stolen. Once again, with perfect timing, CW takes suspiciously good care of her, offering her food, a place to stay, and a special surprise the following morning. Madison is now stuck in Thailand, and CW is all-powerful. She knows the area, she’s much more street-savvy, and seems to have a growing resentment toward Madison despite the inauthentic care she’s providing again and again. There’s something unmistakably bubbling underneath this. However, with such a gorgeous landscape and a seemingly unwavering hand of help, it’s difficult to put one’s finger on what exactly. Evidently, Harder has a certain flair in his directorial work, making this thriller incredibly unique and gripping.
In a scene that in another film would have registered as half-hazardously thrown together, Influencer excels in its attempt to capture true fear. CW takes Madison to a secluded island a few miles off the coast, where, as Madison put it, nobody will hear her scream. As they sit across from one another, CW tells Madison exactly what she’s going to do to her. It’s not a threat, rather a perfectly delivered, quiet promise. Without revealing exactly what happens, it’s hinted at prior to with a simple yet haunting image: In one of the logs, someone was seemingly keeping a day count. Five little scratches carved into the wood, ending abruptly.
In summary, Influencer packed a surprising punch, which mostly can be left up to the wonderful performances from both leads. They expressed an unending commitment to their characters, never once truly dipping past satire and into clichés. It would’ve been so easy for such modern themes to create a film that was nearly unwatchable. “Social media thriller” doesn’t exactly have the best ring to it. However, with Harder’s expert storytelling, Influencer was a truly thrilling watch.
- Release Date
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May 18, 2023
- Runtime
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92 minutes
- Director
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Kurtis David Harder
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Certain outfits instantly transport me somewhere else, and this Swiss dot wrap dress has me picturing a weekend of vineyard-hopping in Napa. Between the flattering wrap silhouette, rich burgundy hue and romantic texture, it’s the kind of vacation dress I’d pack before I’d even think about shoes. Even better, it’s currently on sale, bringing the price down to just $33.
Whether you’re planning a winery weekend or simply want something that feels a little more elevated than your everyday sundress, this flattering wrap dress checks all the boxes. The timeless silhouette naturally defines the waist while the flutter sleeves add soft movement without feeling overly fussy. It’s an easy way to capture that effortlessly polished wine-country aesthetic without splurging.
The Swiss Dot Flutter Sleeve Wrap Dress features a classic faux-wrap bodice with an adjustable waist tie that lets you customize the fit. Delicate Swiss dot detailing gives the fabric extra texture, while the flutter sleeves add soft movement and a feminine touch. The ruffled knee-length skirt finishes the look with an easy, breezy feel that’s made for sunny afternoons.
If I were styling it for an actual Napa weekend, I’d pair it with espadrille wedges, gold jewelry and a woven tote for an outfit that looks polished without trying too hard. It’s also just as cute for bridal showers, outdoor brunches, date nights or vacation dinners. The rich burgundy shade feels especially sophisticated and gives the dress an expensive-looking finish.
One of my favorite things about wrap dresses is how effortlessly flattering they are. The adjustable waist tie helps create definition exactly where you want it, while the relaxed skirt offers plenty of movement and comfort throughout the day. It’s the kind of timeless silhouette I know I’ll keep reaching for year after year.
With the 23% discount, it’s an easy addition to your summer wardrobe before your next special outing — or even if you just want to dress like you have one planned.
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A good book can do extraordinary things. There’s an intimacy in a book that you don’t get to experience with other media. It’s escapism at its finest. Science fiction novels give readers the chance to escape reality and enter a world beyond their own. Maybe it’s a journey to space or to a dystopian future. Wherever it takes you, if they’re good, the stories stick with you.
Over the past 20 years, the sci-fi genre has been booming. Some of the greatest and most impactful novels have been released during that span, some of which have been adapted for the screen, even launching a franchise into the stratosphere. But the bibliophiles found them first. The 13 titles on this list are extraordinary. They’ve scared us about what the future could look like under the wrong hands and given us optimism about the good people who would sacrifice their lives for the betterment of humanity. What they all have in common is that they are rooted in science. How many have you read?
13
‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins
There is no new science fiction franchise that has taken over the world quite like The Hunger Games. And it all started as a book by Suzanne Collins. The dystopian young adult novel set in Panem follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen from District 12. After her younger sister is selected for the games, Katniss bravely volunteers to take her place. Thrust into an arena alongside 23 other tributes, she must rely on her wilderness survival skills, hunting abilities, and wits to survive. Ultimately, the competition forces Katniss to navigate a deadly love triangle and make critical choices between her own survival and her morality. Blending high-tech, speculative elements with a sharp, blistering critique of authoritarianism, extreme wealth gaps, and modern media manipulation, The Hunger Games reshaped the genre while launching a franchise.
The first novel was inspired by Collins’ channel-surfing, seeing footage of the Iraq War alongside reality television. The two stark images resulted in an adrenaline-pumping survival story, with a unique commentary on war and celebrity. With relentless pacing through the lens of a relatable protagonist, The Hunger Games tackled dark themes in an accessible manner. To make them resonate, having imperfect characters allows the reader to see the perspectives more fully. Katniss is not your typical, flawless hero. She is fiercely protective, fiercely pragmatic, and occasionally flawed, making her authentic and someone like those readers. She’s a teenager forced to take on adult burdens. With a classic foundation, Collins masterfully adapted ancient mythological tropes, specifically the Greek myth of Theseus and the Roman gladiator games, into a modern, futuristic setting.
The Hunger Games is an important book, but it’s become much bigger than the story on the page. The first novel is part of a bigger franchise that has since been adapted into a massive cinematic universe. The original trilogy, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, launched them into superstardom as the blockbusters got butts to cinema seats. It’s also expanded into prequels, with the latest film dropping this fall. The Hunger Games challenged society by giving young readers and moviegoers reason to question their own society, inviting political resistance in the process. As one of the biggest pop culture events of the century, The Hunger Games remains an influential piece of literature.
12
‘Project Hail Mary’ by Andy Weir
In the year 2026, the biggest sci-fi film is none other than Project Hail Mary. Of course, the cinematic event is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel. The story follows Ryland Grace, a former science teacher turned reluctant astronaut. He wakes up alone on a spaceship, light-years from Earth, with amnesia, tasked with a last-chance mission to save humanity from an alien microorganism consuming the sun. A thrilling example of hard science fiction, Project Hail Mary brings a fast-paced novel that’s filled with heart, charm, and optimism through the power of perseverance. And the heart is a tale of companionship. Now that the book has a face with the Ryan Gosling-led film, it’s become an even more beloved novel.
Weir breaks down complex, real-world physics and engineering concepts into easily digestible terms, making readers feel as if they’re working alongside Grace. But Project Hail Mary is a dual narrative in which an amnesic protagonist solves complex, life-or-death physics and biology puzzles to save Earth, all while forming an incredibly heartwarming friendship with an alien. That’s the true core of the story. Because the two characters speak completely different languages and come from vastly different worlds, they miraculously bridge the communication gap through teamwork and scientific reasoning. The narrative unravels brilliantly through alternating flashbacks and real-time tension, keeping readers hooked from page one. Weir continued to cement himself as the sci-fi writer of the century.
11
‘Blindsight’ by Peter Watts
Published in 2006, we have Peter Watts’ sci-fi novel Blindsight. The chilling thriller hooks with the horrifying premise: consciousness is not a prerequisite for intelligence, and it might actually be an evolutionary disadvantage. Blindsight tells the story of the crew of Theseus on a deep-space mission who discover that the alien species they are trying to communicate with is incredibly smart but completely devoid of self-awareness or sentience. A bleak drama that rivals Ridley Scott’s Alien, in which the monster is a profound philosophical concept, Blindsight offers a terrifying, rigorously researched deconstruction of the “hard problem” of consciousness.
Blindsight pushes the boundaries by causing the reader to ponder whether true, hyper-advanced intelligence might not actually require sentience or self-awareness to exist. The alien species, the Scramblers, encountered by humanity are brilliant, rapidly adapting, and technologically superior. By presenting them as emotionless, it presents the theory that human consciousness might be an evolutionary flaw. To help this theory, the crew is not presented as heroic explorers but as a modified, transhuman crew specifically engineered to be efficient rather than empathetic. Sometimes cerebral thrillers are equally gripping as epic space operas. It’s a subversive novel whose strict adherence to hard science sets it apart in the genre.
10
‘Leviathan Wakes’ by James S.A. Corey
Under the pen name James S.A. Corey, American writers Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck wrote Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the Expanse series. The epic space opera follows idealistic ship officer Jim Holden and cynical detective Joe Miller as they uncover a vast, solar-system-wide conspiracy. As political tensions between Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt threaten to spark a catastrophic war, the two must navigate corporate greed and alien technology. Revitalizing the subgenre, Leviathan Wakes rooted futuristic space travel in realistic physics while seamlessly blending a noir detective mystery with an existential alien thriller and a sociopolitical thriller.
Leviathan Wakes is the pinnacle of 21st-century sci-fi thrillers. The story is grounded in our solar system, which allows the political discourse to center around how gravity and environmental scarcity actually shape human biology and culture. Evolving from a tabletop RPG campaign, Leviathan Wakes’ narrative inherently featured dynamic, character-driven energy and strong writing that was incredibly engaging and easy to consume. Leviathan Wakes launched a nine-part series on a cinematic scale. Of course, it was ripe for adaptation. Leviathan Wakes served as the blueprint for the first season and a half of the hit Syfy and Prime Video series The Expanse, which ran for six triumphant seasons. Leviathan Wakes and The Expanse series remain the most thrilling new space opera.
9
‘Dark Matter’ by Blake Crouch
Locking in on the parallel universe narrative is the sci-fi thriller Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. First published in 2016, the novel tells the tale of Jason Dessen, a Chicago physics professor leading a quiet family life, who is abducted by an alternate version of himself. Thrown into a multiverse, Jason must navigate infinite alternate realities using a quantum “box” to find his way home and defeat the alternate version of himself threatening his family. Through a brilliant blend of accessible quantum physics and relentless, fast-paced action, Crouch grounds the multiverse concept in a way that feels plausible to everyday readers without bogging the narrative down with complicated chaos.
At its core, Dark Matter is a very relatable human story. The story asks, “Are you happy with your life?” A narrative about the paths not taken gives the multiverse device credibility. Crouch uses them to literally manifest the protagonist’s regrets, forcing him to navigate realities based on the different choices he could have made. Dark Matter operates as a universal character study and meditation on love. This is a man who will go to the end of the timelines to get back to his wife and family. With a mirror-image antagonist, Dark Matter brings compelling psychological conflict. Dark Matter is such a fascinating novel; it was ripe for a series. Joel Edgerton plays Jason in the Apple TV+ adaptation, which returns this August.
8
‘Station Eleven’ by Emily St. John Mandel
Upon the release of Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, post-apocalyptic stories were reimagined once again. Gone was a bleak world of endless violence. Station Eleven provided a melancholic look at human resilience. Set in the Great Lakes region before and after a pandemic, Station Eleven follows a nomadic group of actors and musicians, the Traveling Symphony, as they navigate the remnants of civilization 20 years after a devastating swine flu pandemic wipes out 99% of the human population. Jumping between the early days of the collapse and two decades into the future, Station Eleven explores themes of community, longing, and the idea that art and humor are just as vital to human survival as food and shelter.
A beautifully written book, Station Eleven serves as a reminder that it’s human connection that sustains us during catastrophic events. It resonates because of the characters Mandel crafts. They are deeply complex, flawed, and sympathetic. From the tough, fiercely protective Kirsten Raymonde to Miranda Carroll, the brilliant artist who created the Station Eleven graphic novels, each character brings a special color that, when woven together, makes a beautiful tapestry. Station Eleven provided an exquisite canvas perfect for a series. HBO adapted the novel into a ten-part drama starring Mackenzie Davis as Kristen and Himesh Patel as Jeevan Chaudhary.
7
‘All Systems Red’ by Martha Wells
Now, it’s time for a groundbreaking cyborg. In All Systems Red, the first novel in Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries series, a self-aware, artificial security android who calls itself MurderBot hacks its own control module so it can secretly ignore its duties and binge-watch soap operas. Its quiet life is interrupted when its assigned team of scientists faces deadly sabotage from a rival corporation. Now, the android must protect its human clients to uncover the truth. The highly acclaimed first installment successfully blends action and social commentary with sharp, witty humor through a unique approach to artificial intelligence. Pioneering the novella as an equally important entry in the publishing world, All Systems Red launched a franchise that may be widely underappreciated, yet firmly among the best.
All Systems Red was the recipient of both the Nebula Award for Best Novella and the Alex Award. A reason why could be the remarkable protagonist. MurderBot is highly relatable. Who doesn’t want to binge their favorite stories? Rather than depicting a machine trying to conquer humanity, this character serves as a vessel to explore the complexities of sentience, trauma, and the search for identity under oppressive corporate systems. All Systems Red strips away heavy exposition in exchange for a fast-paced adventure. At a swift 144 pages, All Systems Red begins your addiction to The Murderbot Diaries, which you’ll binge-read. Then, you can dive right into the Apple TV series starring Alexander Skarsgård as the titular character. There truly isn’t a better actor for the part.
6
‘Children of Time’ by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Revitalizing the subgenre of speculative evolution came the 2016 Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science fiction novel, British author Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time. The first of four in the series, with the latest arriving this year, Children of Time tells the story of two civilizations on a collision course: the last remnants of humanity fleeing a dying Earth, and a rapidly evolving society of giant, highly intelligent spiders on a terraformed exoplanet. A novel of two parallel strands, Children of Time is a wonderfully original take on non-human intelligence and evolutionary biology. Through its intelligent exploration of a civilization built on arachnid physiology and social structures rather than what human ones might look like, Children of Time masterfully reinvents first contact.
Children of Time has widely been seen as a defining novel of the last two decades because of its unparalleled, truly alien world-building. Tchaikovsky explores every facet of their biology, multi-generational memory, and vibration-based communication. Through its epic scale and generational narratives, Children of Time stands out for the way it tackles the accelerated biological and societal evolution of non-human intelligence. While the human chapters can occasionally feel a bit dry comparatively, Tchaikovsky makes these spiders broadly compelling. Though no new news has been revealed, a Children of Time film is said to be in the works.
5
‘Wool Omnibus’ by Hugh Howey
If you have an Apple TV subscription, the title of Hugh Howey‘s novel may not sound familiar, but if I tell you it’s part of the Silo series, it’ll immediately click. A cornerstone of modern dystopian sci-fi, Wool Omnibus is a post-apocalyptic tale where the last 10,000 humans live in a massive 144-floor underground silo. The outside world is toxic, and anyone who expresses a desire to go outside is sent to their death to “clean” the external camera sensors. The story focuses on the silo’s leadership as they deal with the heavy consequences of residents asking “to go outside.” Meanwhile, Juliette, a gritty, lower-level mechanic who is promoted to sheriff, begins investigating the suspicious death of her predecessor. She soon uncovers a massive dark conspiracy about who built the silo, why it was constructed, and the deadly truth about the world above.
An utterly gripping, intricate drama, it doles out the mysteries of the silo through a fascinating exploration of class struggle, authoritarian control, and the lengths to which power will go to maintain the status quo. Howey revolutionized modern sci-fi publishing by proving the immense potential of online self-publishing. Originally published as a serialized series of short novellas, Wool Omnibus provided an instant hook that led to an addictive read. Howey’s claustrophobic immersive world-building is unmatched. The pacing and emotional depth are so strong that it’s no wonder it translated so effortlessly into series form. Now in its third hit series, the Apple TV series starring Rebecca Ferguson brilliantly captures Howey’s world in a visceral manner.
4
‘Annihilation’ by Jeff VanderMeer
Revitalizing the “New Weird” subgenre of science fiction comes Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation. The first book in the Southern Reach Series, the thriller follows an unnamed biologist and three other women — an anthropologist, surveyor, and psychologist — on the 12th expedition into “Area X”. This mysterious, abandoned coastal region has caused past expeditions to end in mass suicides, violent betrayals, or fatal cancers. Framed as the biologist’s field journal, it’s revealed that she joined the mission to uncover what happened to her husband, who was part of the doomed 11th expedition. The team encounters bizarre phenomena, including biological texts written in spores on the walls by a mysterious creature she names “the Crawler.” As the expedition progresses, the team unravels due to paranoia, the psychologist’s mind-control hypnosis, and unsettling ecological transformations. Blending psychological horror and weird fiction, Annihilation explores the limits of human comprehension.
Annihilation challenged traditional narrative tools by demonstrating how empirical science and reason fail when trying to understand phenomena. Rather than tackle alien tropes, VanderMeer presents the threat as an unknowable, mutating biome. By keeping it biological and environmental, the ecological dread thrives on its own ambiguities. Told entirely from a first-person perspective, the narrative engulfs readers in the biologist’s emotional detachment and intense obsession with the landscape. It’s through her narration that the sprawling atmosphere is devised. A provocative concept with page-turning suspense, the mystery is the plot. In 2018, a film adaptation starring Natalie Portman came to fruition and was as good as, if not better than,the novel.
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