John Carpenter‘s The Thing has one of the greatest opening scenes in horror history. Before the story has even really begun, the movie tells audiences exactly what they’re about to watch. A terrified sled dog tears across the Antarctic snow while a helicopter chases it overhead. The men inside fire rifles, toss grenades, and scream warnings that nobody at the American research station can understand. It feels absurd the first time you watch it. Why would anyone go to those lengths to kill a dog?

By the time the credits roll, that opening scene has transformed into one of the most devastating moments in the movie. The Norwegians weren’t hunting an animal. They were desperately trying to stop the end of the world. It’s one of countless examples of how The Thing rewards repeat viewings, but it’s the movie’s final moments that have kept audiences coming back for more than four decades. Plenty of horror movies have tried to end with an unforgettable twist or shocking reveal. None have managed to craft a finale as perfect as The Thing.

‘The Thing’ Understands That Fear Is Stronger Than Answers

Most horror movies spend their final act pulling back the curtain. They explain the monster’s origin, reveal the killer’s identity, or find a way to defeat the evil once and for all. Audiences are conditioned to expect closure, even if that closure comes at a terrible cost. The Thing refuses to play by those rules. After the destruction of Outpost 31, only R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) and Childs (Keith David) remain alive. Destruction surrounds them and survival looks bleak. The alien may be dead, or it may be sitting just a few feet away wearing a familiar face. MacReady offers Childs a bottle of whiskey, the two exchange exhausted glances, and they simply wait. That’s it.

There is no confession, final transformation, or triumphant reveal that humanity has been saved. Carpenter cuts to black before the audience gets what it wants, forcing everyone to sit with the exact same uncertainty consuming the characters themselves. The brilliance of that decision is that The Thing was never really about defeating the creature, it was about the paranoia the creature creates. Throughout the movie, Carpenter slowly dismantles every form of trust between the survivors. Blood tests become life-or-death interrogations. Every conversation carries suspicion. Every glance could be a lie. Friends become threats because anyone could already be infected without knowing it. By the end, that paranoia has infected the audience just as completely.

Every Possible Answer Makes the Ending Better

For more than 40 years, fans have debated whether Childs is really the Thing. Others argue MacReady has been infected. Some believe neither man is compromised, and they’re simply accepting their inevitable deaths together. Entire theories have been built around the bottle of whiskey, the characters’ breath in the freezing air, the direction Childs came from, and even subtle lighting choices. The remarkable part is that none of those theories actually matter. If Childs is the Thing, humanity may already be doomed. If MacReady is the Thing, the ending becomes even more tragic because Childs never stood a chance. If they’re both human, the alien has already won anyway by destroying their ability to trust each other.

Every interpretation reinforces the same central idea: the monster doesn’t just imitate people, it destroys certainty itself. That’s why revealing the truth would weaken the movie rather than strengthen it. Any definitive answer instantly closes the conversation. Ambiguity keeps The Thing alive even after the credits roll, because every viewer becomes another participant in the paranoia.

Horror Has Been Chasing This Ending Ever Since

Image via Universal Pictures

Image via Universal Pictures

It’s easy to find horror movies with bigger twists, bloodier finales, or louder last-minute scares. What’s far harder to find is an ending that feels this complete. The final scene works because it isn’t trying to surprise the audience with one last trick. It’s the inevitable conclusion to everything the movie has been building from its opening minutes. By stripping away certainty, Carpenter forces viewers to experience the same fear as his characters. We don’t leave The Thing wondering what happened because the movie forgot to answer the question. We leave wondering because that uncertainty is the point.

More than 40 years later, audiences are still arguing over those last few minutes, and every new theory only proves why Carpenter made the right choice. Horror has produced countless unforgettable endings since 1982, but none have captured the same perfect balance of dread, ambiguity, and thematic payoff. Some mysteries are meant to be solved, but The Thing understood that the most terrifying ones never should be.

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Release Date

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June 25, 1982

Runtime

109 minutes

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Director

John Carpenter

Writers

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Bill Lancaster, John W. Campbell Jr.

Producers

David Foster, Lawrence Turman

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90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way alum Armando Niedermeier-Rubio is asking fans to keep his 13-year-old daughter, Hannah, in their prayers after she was airlifted to an ICU in Arizona with blood on her brain.

Armando revealed via Instagram on July 14, 2026, that Hannah’s condition had rapidly deteriorated at home in Mexico before she was transported to the United States for treatment.

Fans first met Armando and his husband, Kenny Niedermeier during season 2 of 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way in 2019, two years before the couple got married. (Kenny is Hannah’s stepfather after Armando previously welcomed his daughter with his late wife.)

Keep scrolling to learn more about Hannah’s health scare:

Related: 90 Day’s Armando Breaks Down in Tears Over Daughter’s Health Battle

90 Day Fiancé’s Armando Niedermeier-Rubio broke down in tears as he discussed his daughter Hannah’s mysterious medical issue. “I don’t want to lose her,” Armando, 37, said while fighting back tears via an Instagram vlog on Thursday, July 16. “Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, guys. Thank you all that supported [us] … […]

Armando Niedermeier-Rubio Describes Daughter’s Symptoms

Armando said in a July 2026 Instagram video that he was working at his shop next to his parents’ home when Hannah called him in distress.

“She said she wasn’t feeling good. She’s crying. I went over. I noticed her face was droopy — half of her face — and her lips and stuff,” Armando said. “Half of her body had no strength. So [I] immediately took her to the doctor.

At the local doctor’s office, Hannah’s blood pressure tested normal, which puzzled the physician. He told Armando that the symptoms suggested “something with the brain,” but Hannah’s age and normal blood pressure made the case unusual.

Because the family lives in a small town in Mexico without advanced scanning equipment, the doctor recommended transferring Hannah to a facility in the United States.

Armando Niedermeier-Rubio’s Daughter Airlifted to Arizona 

Armando’s mother, a legal U.S. resident, accompanied Hannah across the border by ambulance to Arizona. There, medical scans detected blood in Hannah’s brain, but doctors could not fully explain the cause. Hannah was then airlifted to another ICU in Phoenix for additional testing.

“They still don’t have answers, so they had to airlift her to Phoenix, Arizona, to the ICU there,” Armando said via Instagram, also asking for advice about securing a medical emergency travel visa.

Kenny Niedermeier Supports Stepdaughter Hannah at the Hospital

Kenny had been in Ohio for a family funeral when Hannah fell ill and immediately flew to Phoenix to be with his stepdaughter after receiving word of her diagnosis.

“Hannah told me to tell you all, thank you for all the love she is receiving from all of you,” Kenny wrote via Instagram on July 16, 2026. “She is truly touched and shocked by it all. It means the world to all of us!”

Armando Niedermeier-Rubio Denied Entry at U.S. Border

Armando was unable to be at Hannah’s bedside following visa issues.

“I went to the border. The hospital directly sensed the gravity of the situation, how Hannah was being airlifted to Phoenix ICU,” he said in an Instagram video. “They sent all the necessary documents to the border. When I arrived at the border, I arrived with my documents as well.”

Armando claimed that border officials never reviewed the hospital’s letter or his documents.

“I was just told, ‘Nope, we do not do this here. … There’s no option for you,’ and on my way I went,” he said, noting both his mom and sister are “legal residents” of the United States and able to accompany Hannah.

Armando Niedermeier-Rubio Awaits Hannah’s Diagnosis

In a tearful vlog shared on July 16, 2026, Armando revealed that an MRI had not produced answers and doctors planned to perform an angioplasty.

“I just spoke to Kenny. He said the MRI gave no answers. The next step, they said they were going to do an angioplasty to see if they get answers through there,” Armando said, describing the procedure used to restore blood flow. “Most likely they will [get answers], they think. That means they have to put her out and I guess they go through her neck.”

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Per Armano, his daughter could be unconscious for hours or a full day following the procedure.

“It’s definitely scary, scary hearing that. Scary hearing the neck part,” Armando said. “I miss my baby girl. I don’t want to lose her. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, guys.”

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. 

Lindsay Lohan celebrated her son Luai’s third birthday by sharing a rare family photo with her husband, Bader Shammas.

Lohan, 40, took to Instagram on Friday, July 17, to share a sweet photo of the family of three ringing in the special occasion at a restaurant. Luai sat on her lap as he leaned in to kiss Shammas, 40, on the cheek.

The Freaky Friday actress included a sentimental message to Luai in the lengthy caption. “Happy 3rd Birthday to the greatest gift of our lives, our beautiful Luai. 🎂💙🙏🎉,” she began. “You made our world brighter the moment you arrived, and every day since has been filled with more love, laughter, purpose, and gratitude than we ever imagined possible.”

“Watching you grow into the kind, curious, joyful little boy you are has been the greatest privilege of our lives. We are so proud to be your parents. We hope you always stay true to your beautiful heart, dream big, be brave, be kind, and never lose your sense of wonder,” Lohan continued. “May this next year bring you endless adventures, happiness, and love.”

Lohan wrapped up the post by telling her son that he “will always be our greatest blessing and the heart of our family. We love you more than words could ever say.”

“Happy Birthday, our sweet boy. ❤️🎈✨,” she concluded.

Shortly after Lohan shared the post, several fans rushed to the comments section to wish Luai a happy birthday. “Happy birthday bud ! Be blessed always 🙏 ✨️ ,” one person wrote, and another chimed in, “Happiest birthday to you baby boy! 🎉🎂🥳.”

Lohan has worked hard to maintain her son’s privacy and has never posted a photo that revealed his face on social media.

“It’s something my husband and I discuss all the time. ‘Do we want to show our son?’” Lohan told the Times of London in August 2025. “We will know when the time might be right, but it’s also a protection.”

“I don’t ever want my family to experience being chased by the paparazzi the way I was. They were terrifying moments I had in my life — I have PTSD to the extreme from those things,” the Mean Girls star continued. “The most invasive situations. Really scary. And I pray stuff like that never comes back. It’s not safe. It’s not fair.”

Lohan went on to explain that she believes it’s easier to raise her child in Dubai than in the United States.

“Dubai is a safe place where we can just have a normal life, outside of what I call ‘the noise.’ Where my husband and I can see what is right for our child. It’s not about me any more,” she said. “Kids are so pure, such a clean slate, and they are learning everything for the first time — it is beautiful.”

Lohan celebrated Luai’s birthday just 15 days after she turned 40 on July 2.

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“Forty. Grateful for every chapter that brought me here,” she captioned an Instagram post while celebrating her milestone. “For the lessons, the laughter, the love, the unexpected turns, and the people who’ve stood beside me through it all.”

Lohan said that she plans for her next decade to be “more grounded,” “more intentional” and “more joyful.”

“Here’s to family, friendship, new beginnings, and making the most beautiful memories yet,” she concluded. “Thank you for all the birthday love.”

Superhero movies have dominated the box office for decades, but not every cape-and-cowl adventure deserves to be called a masterpiece. For one, the very best superhero movies do more than just deliver spectacular action—they create memorable characters, explore meaningful themes, and tell stories that continue to resonate long after the credits roll.

And since the year 2000, the genre has evolved in remarkable ways, embracing everything from grounded crime thrillers and emotionally devastating character studies to breathtaking animated adventures. These films not only raise the bar for comic-book adaptations, they helped redefine what blockbuster filmmaking could achieve. So these are the seven superhero flicks that come as close to perfection as the genre has ever managed.

7

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

After being bitten by a radioactive spider, teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) suddenly finds himself inheriting extraordinary powers just as a dangerous experiment tears open the multiverse. Now, forced to team up with several Spider-People from alternate dimensions, Miles must learn what it truly means to be Spider-Man before Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) destroys reality itself.

While the Spider-Man lore has had countless reiterations, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse not only reinvented it—it reinvented superhero animation as a whole. Every frame bursts with vibrant comic-book energy, blending hand-drawn techniques, graffiti-inspired artwork, and groundbreaking animation into something that still feels unlike anything onscreen. That said, the visuals would mean little without Miles’ gripping emotional journey. His struggle with self-doubt, family expectations, and identity, gives the spectacle genuine heart, making this one of the most poignant hero tales of the last decade.

6

‘X2: X-Men United’ (2003)

Image via 20th Century Fox

Following an assassination attempt on the President by the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), anti-mutant sentiment reaches new heights as military leader William Stryker (Brian Cox) launches an assault on the famous mutant school. Forced to flee, the X-Men reluctantly join forces with Magneto (Sir Ian McKellan) to stop Stryker before his plan threatens mutants across the globe. Meanwhile, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) uncovers disturbing truths about his own mysterious past.

Many superhero sequels just aim to be bigger than their predecessors, but X2: X-Men United managed to go beyond this trope as it deepened everything that worked in the original. Not only did they expand the X-Men’s world with new mutants, they also gave nearly every major character meaningful development. On top of this, they also brilliantly balanced gritty large-scale action with heartfelt themes about prejudice, fear, and identity. It was also great to see the iconic heroes truly operating as a team. Plus, who could forget that iconic opening attack or the emotional climax at Alkali Lake? It’s these set pieces that make X2 not only the best X-Men film, but a defining film of the entire genre.

5

‘Spider-Man 2’ (2004)

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

As Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) struggles to balance college, work, friendships, and his responsibilities as Spider-Man, he quickly discovers that the pressure of leading a double life is causing his powers to fade. To make matters worse, his mentor, Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), becomes a multi-tentacled villain after an experiment goes wrong, leaving Peter no choice but to figure out how to fix his powers, save his loved ones, and protect New York City from destruction.

Few superhero films understand their protagonist as completely as Spider-Man 2. And much of that is due to Sam Raimi who recognizes that Peter Parker’s greatest battles are when he’s fighting against exhaustion, guilt, and the impossible challenge of helping everyone without losing himself in the process. Elevating the franchise is Molina’s Doc Ock, who’s both tragic and terrifying. Meanwhile, Maguire delivers perhaps the definitive cinematic portrayal of Peter’s selflessness. The result is a blockbuster that feels just as much like a heartfelt coming-of-age drama as it does a superhero spectacle.

4

‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)

Image via Marvel Studios

After Director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is targeted for assassination, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) investigates the case, only to discover that the organization he once trusted has been infiltrated from within. Now, on the run alongside Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), the duo must find a way to stop HYDRA’s plans while also evading a mysterious assassin, known as the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), who turns out to be Steve’s presumed dead best-friend.

Rather than simply replicating the classic MCU formula, Captain America: The Winter Soldier encroached on the stylistic tendencies of a tense political thriller. Leaning into the Captain’s world of espionage, the film masterfully explores surveillance, government overreach, and the dangers of sacrificing freedom in the name of security—all while maintaining Steve Rogers’ unwavering moral compass. The action is grounded, the pacing relentless, and the emotional payoff, particularly surrounding Bucky Barnes, is perfectly executed. It’s no surprise that this is a top-tier MCU film.

3

‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

Forced into retirement after superheroes are outlawed, Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) spends his days living a quiet suburban life with his wife (and fellow former hero) Helen (Holly Hunter), along with their three children—all of whom also possess extraordinary abilities. But, when Bob is lured into accepting a mysterious mission on a remote island, he soon uncovers a sinister plot by a vengeful man from his past.

Brad Bird‘s animated masterpiece doesn’t just stand out as a spectacular tale about superheroes—it also shines as a story about family. Every member of the Parr household has their own insecurities, strengths, and frustrations, making their relationship feel completely authentic long before the action even begins. The superhero premise simply becomes the perfect vehicle for exploring the themes of marriage, growing up, and learning to appreciate what makes each person unique. Combined with razor-sharp writing, unforgettable action sequences, and iconic characters, The Incredibles remains one of Pixar’s greatest achievements.

2

‘Logan’ (2017)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Set in a bleak future where mutants have almost disappeared, an aging and physically deteriorating Logan (Hugh Jackman) spends his days caring for the ailing Professor Charles Xavier (Sir Patrick Stewart) while trying to avoid the outside world. But his reluctant isolation ends when he is tasked with protecting Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant with abilities remarkably similar to his own, forcing Logan on one final journey across America.

Stripping away much of the spectacle audiences had come to expect from a superhero (and X-Men) film, Logan showcased a story that was far more intimate. In this, James Mangold delivers a poignant western about aging, legacy, and found family, allowing Jackman to give the performance of his career—a feat that’s especially impressive given that he’s played the character for nearly two decades. The brutal action is not only thrilling to watch, but it completely serves the story. This is accompanied by Logan’s evolving relationship with young Laura, which provides the emotional heart that makes the film’s epic conclusion so devastating.

1

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros.

As Batman (Christian Bale), Lieutenant James Gordan (Sir Gary Oldman), and new District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) begin making real progress against Gotham City’s criminal underworld, a mysterious anarchist known as the Joker (Heath Ledger) emerges to plunge the city into chaos. But as this sadistic criminal stages horrific acts that personally affect the caped vigilante, Bruce Wayne is forced to walk the fine line of his morality oath.

Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight transcends the superhero genre as it functions just as effectively as a gripping crime epic. Naturally, Ledger’s legendary Joker remains one of cinema’s greatest villains, not because of his elaborate schemes but because he relentlessly challenges Batman’s beliefs about justice and order. It’s a thrillingly rich exploration of sacrifice, morality, and the cost of doing things right. That’s what gives every action sequence genuine dramatic weight. And more than 15 years later, it remains the benchmark of every live-action superhero film—a blockbuster that’s every bit as intellectually engaging as it is exhilarating.

For the most part, video games are all about gameplay, with these experiences aiming to immerse players in fantastical worlds and engaging mechanics. This medium is meant to give a sense of control unlike any other, with games such as Grand Theft Auto and The Legend of Zelda achieving this. However, video games have evolved into a storytelling medium with great narrative potential.

Great stories take many different forms, but one focus the fans love is character development, which is why this list will rank the ten video games with the greatest character development. Based on aspects such as writing, arcs, progression, gameplay tie-in, relevance, believability, characters, and overall quality, these ten video games do the unthinkable.

10

‘Final Fantasy IX’ (2000)

Image via Square Enix

The Final Fantasy franchise is best known for the sixth and seventh video games, but the greatest in terms of character development is arguably Final Fantasy IX. Princess Garnet wants out of her stuffy castle, so she hires a thief named Zidane to “kidnap” her. After that, the duo embark on an adventure around the world, which turns into a profound exploration of identity and the meaning of life.

This may not be the first game fans think about when imagining great character development, but Final Fantasy IX puts together an incredible ensemble of characters who all individually grow. Some characters have static arcs, and others have philosophical journeys that deeply change who they are. Either way, Final Fantasy IX is an underrated character development masterclass.

9

‘Assassin’s Creed II’ (2009)

Image via Ubisoft

Ubisoft has moved on to a different type of Assassin’s Creed game, but the best in that series is still Assassin’s Creed II in many ways. Ezio is a newcomer assassin in Italy who hunts down the Templar Order to enact his revenge after they framed his father and brothers for treason and had them executed, using whatever methods are handy to him.

Assassin’s Creed II is one of the best action games that boasts an incredible style of gameplay, but it is also known for having magnificent character development. Ezio Auditore transforms from a brash and eager kid into a wise and polished master assassin. The arc structure is normal, but it is still a coming-of-age story mixed with a revenge tale that is so captivating to play.

8

‘Far Cry 3’ (2012)

Image via Ubisoft

Known for its chaotic style, the Far Cry franchise is one of the craziest out there, boasting a masterclass of character development, Far Cry 3. Jason Brody and his friends are enjoying their tropical vacation when all of a sudden, ransomers kidnap them. Barely escaping, Jason dedicates himself to freeing his friends and getting off the island, although his priorities might start to change the more he is in the jungle.

This game is all about Jason Brody and the madness that he experiences while trying to save his friends. Starting as a cowardly brat, the jungle slowly changes him, making him more heroic, and then eventually into an insane madman like the rest of the villains. Vaas is an excellent foil and incredible villain who further pushes his downfall arc. Not only that, but Far Cry 3 works his degradation into the mechanics, making for a more fluid and engaging change.

7

‘Life is Strange’ (2015)

Image via Square Enix

A lot of the games on this list have some sort of action or combat, but Life is Strange is solely focused on the story and character development. Max Caulfield is just a normal photography student, that is, until she gains time-warping powers. With the help of her childhood best friend, the two of them investigate the dark secrets of their small town while learning the consequences of messing with time.

The time-travel mechanic does overshadow the subtlety of their growth and dynamic, but in the end, Life is Strange still has a profound view of change. By constantly undoing mistakes, Max realizes she is taking the easy way out, putting herself at risk in the future. This unique lesson double-acts as a distinct form of character development that highlights the narrative prowess of Life is Strange.

6

‘God of War’ (2018)

Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment

The original games in the franchise were all about rage, violence, and revenge, but the 2018 God of War took Kratos out of Greece and into the Norse realm of Midgard. Living a new and more peaceful life, his wife unexpectedly dies, leading him and his son Atreus to scatter her ashes at the highest peak. However, the Norse gods have their sights set on Atreus, and will stop at nothing until they get him.

While fans don’t get to see Kratos’ change from the original games to this one, God of War 2018 still highlights his growth. This game completely recontextualized Kratos and his whole dynamic, making him a much more reserved personality who is ashamed of his past. He still isn’t perfect, but God of War takes players along the cycle of how Kratos is trying to be a better man and father.

5

‘The Walking Dead Series’ (2012-2018)

Image via Telltale Games

It might be cheating to include an entire series, but The Walking Dead telltale games are all phenomenal. Split into different seasons, this game franchise is based on the comic and TV show of the same name. Lee Everrett and Clementine are two survivors of the zombie apocalypse, and these games chronicle their lives from new survivors to hardened veterans.

The Walking Dead season one has one of the bleakest endings in video game history, but that only serves to act as a major moment in developing Clementine. This is a game all about choices, and each one the player makes, Clementine sees. Every decision, good and bad, changes Clementine for better or worse, making her character development entirely up to the way gamers play the game.

4

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)

Rockstar Games publishes some of the greatest masterpieces out there, and in terms of character development, Red Dead Redemption 2 takes the cake. Arthur Morgan is the leader of a cowboy gang set in the dying age of the Wild West. Confronted by his own mortality, he sets out on one last adventure, looking to redeem his past failures.

In terms of a single character and their arc, Arthur Morgan is revered as having the best character development in video games. Beginning as a loyal outlaw, Red Dead Redemption 2 forces the players to embody his role and emotions, feeling the pain with him and learning his philosophy was a lie. Right until the end of the game, Arthur goes through one of the most compelling character arcs put on screen.

3

‘The Last of Us’ (2013)

Image via Naughty Dog

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The Walking Dead was based on the TV show, but The Last of Us is the other way around, being a video game that inspired a show. Years after a zombie apocalypse pushed humanity into hiding, Joel is a veteran whose next mission is to escort a girl across the country. However, when he learns she may be humanity’s last hope for a cure, he protects her with everything he’s got.

The character development and story were so good in this game that it is the only renowned live-action TV adaptation. The Last of Us is all about Ellie and Joel’s dynamic, which has its ups and downs, but ultimately grows in this slow-burning adventure. By not shying away from the ugly truth, players learn that the relationship they have come to love takes priority over the rest of the world, culminating in a shocking twist that highlights the development of Joel, proving The Last of Us is a remarkably influential video game.

2

‘Mass Effect Series’ (2007-2012)

Image via BioWare

Similar to The Walking Dead game series, this entry features an entire trilogy of games with the Mass Effect Series. Players control Commander Shepard, who must take their squadron out into the galaxy in order to defeat a machine race known as the Reapers, needing to unite multiple planets and species to aid in the fight or risk losing everyone.

It may be unfair to include an entire trilogy, but each game in it is a flawless depiction of micro character development throughout a grand cast. Since the games carry save files, relationships, choices, and moments are brought to the next game, making the development personal to each specific player. Mass Effect wields its interconnected narrative web through the micro-changes of the many characters and their growth.

1

‘Disco Elysium’ (2019)

Image Via ZA/UM

Almost all the games on this list were AAA blockbusters, but the indie scene is also home to some character development sensations, including Disco Elysium. The players control an amnesiac detective who wakes up in a hotel room, now needing to use his multiple personalities to remember who he was and solve a murder that has some serious political implications.

A lot of the games on this list use character development as a set story that players experience, but the reason why Disco Elysium is number one is that the players themselves develop the protagonist. The well-written themes of politics, philosophy, failure, and addiction meld into the multiple psyches of the character, with players having full freedom over which one wins. Disco Elysium is one of the greatest video games of all time because the character development is an intimate process of player agency that can be different each playthrough.

Ellen DeGeneres is expressing her sympathy for her friend, Kris Jenner, as she mourns the loss of her mother.

Posting via her Instagram on Friday, July 17, DeGeneres shared condolences to Jenner from herself and her wife, Portia de Rossi, after hearing the news of Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon’s death.

“Portia and I know how much you loved your mother and what a special force she was in your life and your entire family‘s life,” DeGeneres, 68, wrote alongside a photo of Jenner and MJ. “I can’t imagine the grief that you’re feeling right now. We’re sending you our love. @krisjenner.”

Jenner’s daughters, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian, responded to the tribute in the comments section.

Related: Kris Jenner’s Mom Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Shannon Dead at 91

Kris Jenner’s mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, has died at age 91, less than two weeks before her 92nd birthday. “Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. 😞💔,” Jenner, 70, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, July 16. “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the […]

“Awww that’s so sweet ❤️❤️,” wrote Kourtney, 47, while Khloe, 42, gushed, “You are the sweetest!!! You’re such a great friend to my mommy ❤️❤️.”

Sharing a lengthy tribute via her Instagram account on Thursday, July 16, Jenner announced her mother had died just two weeks before her 92nd birthday.

“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. 😞💔,” Jenner wrote. “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye. My mom was the heart of our family. She taught me everything that truly matters … to love your family fiercely, to be kind, to show up for the people you love, and to never take a single moment together for granted. She taught us that family is everything.”

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Related: Kim Kardashian Breaks Silence on Grandmother Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Shannon’s Death

Kim Kardashian is paying tribute to grandmother Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon after her death at age 91. “My sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin…” Kardashian, 45, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, July 16. “You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry […]

The Kardashians star added, “She showed us how to love unconditionally and how to find joy in the little moments. She showed me how to face life’s challenges with resilience and faith. Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every piece of wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us so completely. I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter. Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us. Your love will live on in our family, in our traditions, in every moment we are together, and in every life you touched.”

Kim Kardashian paid tribute to MJ later the same day on her own Instagram account, affectionately describing her late grandmother as her “best friend, [her] gossip buddy [and her] forever twin.”

“You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry with us forever!!!!! You were the woman who showed me what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman,” Kim, 45, wrote.

55 years ago, The French Connection laid the foundation for the perfect movie car chase. William Friedkin‘s iconic crime thriller, as well as 1968’s Bullitt, nailed this type of riveting, elaborate action set piece so well that anyone trying to re-create its magic was foolish. Nevertheless, car chases remained an enduring aspect of action thrillers, with the occassional innovation like Mad Max: Fury Road, a movie that’s practically one long car chase.

However, everything changed with the release of Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Best Picture-winning masterpiece, One Battle After Another. After experiencing the film’s exquisite and breathtaking climactic car chase across a desert highway, not only did we realize we were watching pure greatness; we also discovered that car chases would never be the same.

Paul Thomas Anderson Takes a Minimalist Approach to Car Chases in ‘One Battle After Another’

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

One Battle After Another, which finally brought Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio together, is the director’s most ambitious film to date. The acclaimed auteur behind There Will Be Blood and The Master never seemed interested in including heists, shootouts, and high-octane chase sequences in his repertoire, but Anderson took an incredible leap as an artist with his latest achievement, which earned him his long-awaited Oscar for Best Director. Having cited The French Connection as one of his influences for One Battle, Anderson reminded audiences of the vigor and dramatic propulsion possible in a classic car chase — which fit perfectly into this story about a washed-up revolutionary, Bob Ferguson (DiCaprio), on the trail of an old foe, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), who himself is on the hunt for Bob’s daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti).

The film culminates in a breathtaking, four-minute car chase on an empty desert highway, set against a backdrop reminiscent of a John Ford Western in Monument Valley. Following her escape from Lockjaw, Willa is running for her life as she is chased by Tim Smith (John Hoogenakker), an assassin for the white nationalist group the Christmas Adventurer’s Club. Chasing him from behind is Bob, who is trying to protect his daughter, unaware that Willa is capable of standing her ground. What manifests is a chase sequence that is so effortlessly crafted that it’s a wonder Anderson hasn’t directed more action movies.

Anderson takes a minimalist approach to directing the climax of One Battle After Another by removing any musical score and extraneous dialogue. The cinematography is surprisingly straightforward, cutting between close interior shots of the drivers inside the cars and sweeping panoramic shots of the cars as they ebb and flow along the hilly road. What it lacks in over-the-top spectacle is made up for by the scene’s jaw-dropping visual scope, as the vast horizon of this open yet ominous land shrinks the presence of each car down to a molecule. Anderson keeps the camera steady and focused, which only makes the extended sequence more hypnotic, and the film’s expert production design and location scouting allow for this unique road to act like a roller-coaster ride for the viewer, creating an immersive experience that outmatches anything put out by the Marvel Cinematic Universe in years.

The Grand Dramatic Weight of the Car Chase in ‘One Battle After Another’

A true full-meal movie, One Battle After Another perfectly infuses Anderson’s idiosyncratic vision, as he reflects on aging, generational divides, and the rise of fascism in contemporary America, while also handling the demands of a big-ticket blockbuster event. With each action set piece, you’ll forget that you were previously watching a strange, darkly comic movie about radical revolutionaries and a military general with particular fetishes. The film’s sweeping climax carries the weight of American democracy, with this chase symbolizing the older generation, represented by Bob, trying to wake up and face the dangers of today, only to be encouraged that the youth — Willa in this case — is ready to fight back against fascism, including the Christmas Adventurer’s Club. The patience and methodical blocking of the desert chase create a distinctly cerebral action climax that reflects on America’s past, present, and future.

In an era where action keeps getting needlessly bigger and more boisterous, this triumphant sequence in One Battle After Another proves that expert filmmaking, location scouting, and attention to orientation and blocking are essential to providing awe-inspiring thrills. Bells and whistles are overrated—sometimes, all you need is an unsettling stretch of road in a desert.

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One Battle After Another

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Release Date

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September 26, 2025

Runtime

162 minutes

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Director

Paul Thomas Anderson

Writers

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Paul Thomas Anderson, Thomas Pynchon

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A&E’s two part docuseries Scott Peterson: The New Evidence breaks down mistakes made by the Modesto Police Department when they investigated pregnant Laci Peterson’s disappearance. In part 1, legal expert Chris Pixley broke down how the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s arguments that police always believed Laci’s husband, Scott Peterson, was guilty for the murder. Part 2 continued to look into how police may have botched the investigation, leading to Scott being arrested and found guilty of Laci and their unborn son Conner’s death.

Keep reading to find out the biggest bombshells made in Scott Peterson: The New Evidence following its Friday, July 17, premiere.

Inside the Burglary That Took Place When Laci Peterson Went Missing

The LAIP has theorized that the burglary that took place at the home of Laci and Scott’s neighbors, the Medinas’, was linked to her death.

Steven Todd and Donald Pearce burglarized the Medinas’ home after the family left to go out of town at 10:30 a.m. on December 24, 2002. Meanwhile, Scott left to go on a boat ride at 10:08 a.m.

The exact date of the robbery has never been confirmed, but the state claimed it took place on December 26, 2002.

Related: How Long Has Scott Peterson Been in Prison After Overturned Death Sentence?

More than two decades after Laci Peterson vanished on Christmas Eve 2002, her husband Scott Peterson remains behind bars — but his legal team is still fighting to overturn his conviction. Scott was found guilty in November 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife and their unborn son, Conner, and his case continues to draw national […]

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“I think what happened was the Modesto police changed the date of the burglary because it certainly would’ve undercut their theory on Scott,” Scott’s former defense attorney, Mark Geragos, said. “Because if it has happened on the 24th, it’s the definition of reasonable doubt.”

Pixley said that the “LAIP had found nine new witnesses only identified by their initials” who connected Laci’s “disappearance to the burglars.” He said that the findings “only further reinforces the fact that the police should’ve been investigating the burglary as related to Laci’s disappearance.”

Former Detective Ninette Toosbuy said that it was “investigatively negligent” for officers to not look into the robbery. “I believe that the reason they were dismissive or ignored the Medina burglary is they felt, at that time, reasonably sure that they knew what had happened,” Toosbuy said of police.

Pixley also shared that two neighbors reported they believed their homes were being scoped out for burglaries on December 23, making it likely they would have robbed the home the following day.

Witnesses Claimed They Saw Laci Peterson With the Burglars

The LAIP believes that Laci confronted the burglars when she saw the robbery happening and they killed her. Additionally, seven witnesses saw the suspicious van driven by the burglars on the day that she disappeared, but police never investigated it. One witness recalled seeing a pregnant woman being pushed into the van by a man who appeared homeless.

An emotional moment in the docuseries took place when Pixley called eyewitness Diane Jackson, who told Pixley she called police about seeing the van outside of the Medinas’ home. She added that she believes Scott didn’t commit the murder because it’s extremely unlikely that he killed Laci when the burglary was happening at the same time.

Police Found Burning Van 1 Day After Laci Peterson’s Disappearance

A burning van was found by police in an alleyway a mile and a half from the Petersons’ home on Christmas day in 2002.

“That van fire was investigated and ultimately that investigation was closed without [being connected] in any way to the Peterson case,” Pixley said. “The Los Angeles Innocence Project is arguing that the van fire should’ve been viewed as being potentially related to Laci Peterson’s disappearance. That it should’ve been viewed as related or potentially related to the Medina burglary and that the van fire, along with the Medina burglary, should have been investigated as part of Laci Peterson’s missing person case but was not.”

A stain was found on a mattress in the van, which the state tested and claimed it wasn’t blood. However, one test found potential traces of male DNA and could not rule out the presence of female DNA.

Related: Where Scott Peterson Stands With His and Wife Laci’s Family After Her Murder

Netflix Convicted murderer Scott Peterson originally had the support of his and Laci Peterson‘s family after her death — but allegiances have since shifted. American Murder: Laci Peterson, which premiered on Wednesday, August 14, highlighted the voices of Laci’s family and friends two decades after her death. Laci went missing in 2002 while she was […]

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Scent Dogs Were Used to Track Laci Peterson’s Scent During the Investigation

Scent dogs were used to search the area near where Laci disappeared, and police claimed that a dog picked up her scent in the Airport District.

Pixley spoke to forensic evidence expert Maneek Sinha, who said she believes there was potential cross contamination when the dogs were trying to find Laci. One handler accidentally gave a dog one of Scott’s slippers instead of Laci’s, which could have confused the dog.

Sinha added that “there are a number of wrong convictions based on dog scent evidence” and that “jurors view dog scent evidence the same way they view other evidence.”

Despite potentially not being 100 percent correct, Pixley said the dog scent evidence was some of the only forensic evidence presented by prosecutors during the trial.

Police Allegedly ‘Destroyed’ Evidence in Laci Peterson’s Case

The LAIP believes that police “suppressed and destroyed evidence” during the investigation, specifically when it came to the evidence from the Medina burglary.

Toosbuy noted that the evidence was destroyed as the investigation into Laci’s disappearance continued, and she called “the timing of the destruction suspicious.”

Another example of police not following through with a lead was when corrections officer Xavier Aponte called in a tip that an inmate was discussing the burglary in 2003.

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Related: Netflix and Peacock’s Dueling Scott Peterson Docs: How They Compare

Courtesy of Netflix Netflix and Peacock are both revisiting Scott Peterson‘s conviction for pregnant wife Laci Peterson‘s murder in two different documentaries. In July 2024, Peacock announced its three-part docuseries, Face to Face With Scott Peterson, which featured Scott breaking his silence two decades after he was found guilty for the murder of Laci and […]

“The information he had connected the Laci Peterson case with the Medina burglary. At the correctional facility, dorm officers moderated and recorded all the inmate phone calls. One of the officers brought a recording of the call to the attention of Lt. Aponte, who immediately called the tip line to report it,” Pixley said. “The recording was of a conversation between inmate Shawn Tenbrink and his brother Adam Tenbrink. Both of whom were associated with the airport district and the Medina burglars.”

While discussing Laci, Adam said he “heard that Laci had seen Steven Todd and his coconspirators committing the burglary and they made some sort of verbal threat to Laci.”

The defense did not have any of this information during the trial, and police kept no record of Aponte’s report.

Inside the Timing of Conner Peterson’s Death

Dr. Greggory DeVore testified during the trial that Conner died on the same day that Laci went missing based on studies from 1984. However, the LAIP doctor used more recent studies to determine that Conner likely died some time between December 28, 2002, and January 5, 2003.

Pixley said that the new discovery “completely contradicts the state’s timeline.”

“If Conner Peterson died at any point after December 24, Scott Peterson is not involved in that death because from that date forward, he was under constant surveillance, he was the suspect in the case and he was being followed by the media,” Pixley said.

The LAIP Is Critical of the District Attorney’s Office

Not only does the LAIP question how Modesto police handled the investigation, but the group is also critical of the DA’s office.

“They’re arguing the prosecutor’s office in Stanislaus County has engaged in a pattern of conduct where they have routinely abused the constitutional rights of the defendants. And just last year, a landmark settlement caused their conduct into question,” Pixley said.

The docuseries explained that Frank Carson sued Stanislaus County after well-known meth addict Korey Kauffman stole items from his property. Kauffman later went missing, and authorities went after Carson.

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Related: How Long Has Scott Peterson Been in Prison After Overturned Death Sentence?

More than two decades after Laci Peterson vanished on Christmas Eve 2002, her husband Scott Peterson remains behind bars — but his legal team is still fighting to overturn his conviction. Scott was found guilty in November 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife and their unborn son, Conner, and his case continues to draw national […]

“Frank Carson was quite controversial to the DA’s office. He was a very aggressive defense attorney. He was well-known and much disliked by all law enforcement people, but particularly the DA’s office and by the DA herself,” Carson’s attorney Gary Gwilliam said of Birgit Fladager, who was also involved in Scott’s case.

Carson went to jail after he was accused of masterminding the murder plot despite no forensic evidence tying him to the case. The case eventually went to trial in 2019 and he was found not guilty of all charges.

“This was a DA that I believe was corrupt,” Gwiliam said.

Following Carson’s arrest, his legal team filed a massive civil rights and malicious prosecution lawsuit against Stanislaus County. However, Carson died before he could get justice and he ultimately won $22.5 million in settlement payout.

“If a DA’s willing to prosecute an attorney that they dislike, then it’s not much of a step to say that they will happily prosecute someone like Scott Peterson,” Pixley said.

Inside Laci Peterson’s Final Day

Laci’s last known contact was during a phone call with her mother on the night of December 23, 2002.

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“It’s plausible to believe that Laci was with the dog sometime immediately prior to 10:18 a.m. Karen Servas found Scott and Laci’s dog wandering in the street with its leash on around 10:18 and she placed the dog behind the gate of their home,” Pixley recapped. “At some point, Laci Peterson took her dog for a walk. There are 15 eyewitnesses that see Laci walking her dog after the time Scott Peterson has left for the Berkeley Marina.”

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Related: Scott Peterson Speaks Out 20 Years After Wife Laci’s Murder: Revelations

Scott Peterson did not hold back while being interviewed for the first time two decades after he was convicted for the murder of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson. During Peacock’s Face to Face With Scott Peterson docuseries, which premiered on Tuesday, August 20, Scott, 51, was interviewed from prison by director Shareen Anderson about the […]

Pixley went on to reiterate the version of events of what the LAIP thinks is what happened.

“Laci returns home, sees a suspicious van across the street and goes over to see what’s going on. Laci Peterson confronted career criminals who are engaged in the burglary of her neighbors’ home, whether it was intentional, whether it was an accident that brought harm to her,” he said. “If you’re committing a burglary that is a felony, you know that that’s a crime that’s gonna put you in prison and some nosy neighbor comes along and you can’t shut her up, you may very well trundle her into the back of your van to get her out of the way. Now that you’re ready to leave the crime scene and she’s seen you, what do we do with this nosy, loud lady?”

Andy Cohen is hitting a new milestone with his boyfriend Kevin Sobieski.

The Bravo exec, 58, went Instagram official with Sobieski, 42, on Friday, July 17, posting a happy snap of the couple together.

“Date Night ♥️🌟🌈☀️⚡️” Cohen captioned the post.

Earlier this month, Cohen poked fun at the 16-year age gap between himself and Sobieski.

During a segment on the July 8 episode of Watch What Happens Live, a fan asked guest Georgia McCann what her thoughts were on her Next Gen NYC costar Ava Dash “canoodling” with Kyle Cooke, who is 17 years older than her.

“Oh, um, I don’t know,” McCann, 28, replied. “I have suspicion it might be, like, securing a season 3 contract moment, because when does a woman hook up with a man 18 plus years older for anything?”

The camera then cut to Cohen, who was taking a sip of his drink. “Don’t put the camera on me!” he joked while shaking his head. Cohen then covered his face with a card and quipped, “I’m only in a 16-year age-gap relationship.”

Cohen opened up about his romance with Sobieski on the June 8 episode of his radio show.

“I don’t want to be with the wrong person. I value my time too much. I value my life too much,” Cohen said on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy. “I have great friends and a great life and great kids. My criteria about what I was looking for never changed. It’s always been a feeling for me. I’ve always followed the feeling. I am really happy to say that I met the person.”

Cohen, who first hit it off with Sobieski at a friend’s Fourth of July party in 2025, praised his boyfriend’s personality traits as well as his ability to connect with his kids, Ben, 7, and Lucy, 4.

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“This man is kind and strong and smart and he is an adult and he loves my children and they love him and I love him,” Cohen gushed. “Introducing him to the kids and just entering him into the equation of my family so slowly, I have to say it has been so easy.”

Since they’ve been together, there haven’t been any fights or disagreements, Cohen said.

“We just view life the same way and one year later I still can’t believe I found him,” he continued. “I do share everything with you guys on the radio, but I just thank you for giving me space here, not that you had a choice, but I just wanted to be smart and slow before saying anything about this.”

Science fiction television has explored everything from time loops and alternate histories to artificial intelligence and virtual realities. But the genre’s greatest shows understand that no matter how outlandish the premise may be, compelling sci-fi is ultimately rooted in human stories. As technology becomes increasingly intertwined with everyday life, these series use futuristic concepts to examine human choices.

Over the last two decades, television has delivered some of the most ambitious sci-fi stories ever made, pushing the boundaries of imagination while remaining grounded. Whether imagining the pursuit of a perfect utopia or charting humanity’s future among the stars, here are the most perfect sci-fi shows of the last 20 years, ranked.

10

‘Bodies’ (2023)

Image via Netflix

One murder mystery is already complicated enough. But when four English detectives from four different eras find the same dead body in the same alleyway, something’s clearly amiss. Bodies is a trippy take on the bootstrap paradox, a.k.a. an infinite time loop that seems to go on forever. But these detectives each have their own tricks to figure out who is behind the murder and break the loop.

The thrill of Bodies lies in watching how police work is done across these four periods, and the discrimination these detectives face in their respective eras, which only complicates their work. Whether it’s 1941, when Jews were heavily marginalized, or 2023, where being a Muslim in racially charged England is still a reality, Bodies is both a solid sci-fi work and a commentary on societal beliefs.

9

‘Years and Years’ (2019)

Image via HBO

Set over 15 years, Years and Years chronicles the lives of the Lyons family. Average though they may be, the world around them is slowly crumbling under authoritarianism and rising anti-immigrant sentiment. With populist leader Vivienne Rook (Emma Thompson) driving the nation through fear and hate, it’s people like the Lyons who are pulled apart during a global crisis.

The genius behind Years and Years is that dystopia doesn’t happen overnight, which gives the show its realism. 15 years ago, people wouldn’t have imagined talking to an AI machine through a phone screen, yet here we are. Like real life, technology in Years and Years slowly blurs the lines between objective truth and subjective truth to fuel political means, no thanks to deepfakes and hoaxes.

8

‘Night Sky’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

Most sci-fi stories focus on young heroes confronting the unknown, but Night Sky takes a different approach by placing an elderly couple at the center of its mystery. Irene York (Sissy Spacek), a retired teacher struggling with illness, and her husband, Franklin (J. K. Simmons), live a quiet life in rural Illinois. Hidden beneath their shed, however, is a chamber that transports them to a mysterious, deserted planet.

Though it lasted only one season, Night Sky proves that sci-fi belongs to everyone, showing how ordinary people respond to the extraordinary. While younger, more tech-savvy characters might focus on understanding the mechanics of the unknown, Irene and Franklin approach it with empathy, resilience, and a deeply human perspective. In doing so, Night Sky suggests that compassion matters far more than youth or technological expertise.

7

‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)

Black Mirror immediately took the world by storm with its infamous pig-intercourse scene in its debut episode. If that’s any indication that the anthology series isn’t afraid to push boundaries, it does its job well. Each episode tells a different story set in a world shaped by emerging technology, from virtual reality to simulated worlds.

But for all of its hard tech, Black Mirror is really a story about how technology exposes the uglier side of human nature rather than making life easier, as it’s supposed to. Whether it’s a memory implant that allows someone to replay every interaction with his wife or a digital afterlife used to overcome mortality, the series repeatedly shows that technology comes with consequences. At its most extreme, those consequences can even lead to death.

6

‘For All Mankind’ (2019–Present)

Image via Apple TV

No other show commits more to the alternate Space Race plot than For All Mankind. Set in a world where the Soviet Union beats the United States to the moon, the series prolongs the space race with even higher stakes. The moon is no longer the objective, and these astronauts have their sights set on building life on Mars.

With each season set in a different decade, For All Mankind shows how changing eras affect not only the technology required to send people into space, but also the emotional toll on its astronauts, engineers, and their families as they grapple with ambition, loss, aging, and the sacrifices required to push humanity forward. And with every breakthrough comes a new set of political and societal consequences that can either empower humanity or expose its darker impulses.

5

‘Pluribus’ (2025–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Pluribus challenges the idea that a perfect society can ever be truly ethical. Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) is one of just 13 people immune to an extraterrestrial virus that has transformed humanity into a hive mind. Unlike most sci-fi dystopias, the infected — known as the Others — have created a peaceful, efficient world dedicated to making everyone happy. Yet it is the immune who suffer, forced to live outside a society that insists happiness is only one infection away.

The show’s central conflict lies in Carol’s refusal to join. Though surrendering would end her isolation, she questions whether happiness imposed by a collective is freedom at all. This philosophical conflict is the momentum that makes Pluribus addictive to watch from start to finish — the show sees Carol repeatedly questioning whether a perfect society is worth having when nobody gets to choose it.

4

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Severance is the ultimate commentary on corporate culture. At Lumon Industries, employees undergo a procedure called severance that surgically splits their consciousness into two identities: an “outie” who exists outside the office and an “innie” who knows nothing beyond work. Designed to create the ultimate work-life balance, the process instead traps employees in a dystopian system that strips away their autonomy.

Severance ups the scares by turning the dream of perfect work-life balance into a nightmare. They never go home, never sleep, never see family, and exist solely to labor for Lumon. More eerily, they’re not allowed to question their superiors. One moment it’s funny because of the absurd office culture; the next it’s disturbing because the characters are trapped in a system they barely understand.

3

‘Andor’ (2022–2025)

Image via Disney+

Set before Rogue One, Andor follows Cassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) transformation from a cynical survivor into an important asset of the Rebellion. Removed from the Jedi and Sith conflicts, Andor explores the formation of the Rebel Alliance through espionage and resistance. Alongside Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) and Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), Cassian witnesses the Empire’s oppression and the sacrifices required to challenge it.

Rather than focusing on destiny or mythic heroes, Andor examines authoritarianism through a deeply human lens. Real life is no stranger to political violence, corporate corruption, and the moral compromises required to fight tyranny. It’s this mature and grounded approach that sets Andor apart, as the series asks what people are willing to sacrifice for freedom, whether their reputation, relationships, morality, or even their lives.

2

‘The Expanse’ (2015–2022)

Image via SYFY

Based on the novel series by James S. A. Corey, The Expanse is set in the 23rd century, when humanity has colonized the Solar System. Earth is governed by the UN, Mars has become an independent military power, and Belters live in harsh conditions while supplying the resources that keep the inner planets running.

Despite technology being light-years more advanced, humankind in The Expanse has not changed one bit. The Solar System exists in a Cold War-like state, with the constant possibility of conflict looming over Earth, Mars, and the Belt. Yet the real victims are the working-class Belters, who are trapped in a system that depends on their labor while denying them access to basic resources. The series also refuses to offer easy heroes, as each character’s good intentions often carry risky consequences.

1

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

Dark is proof that some of the best sci-fi shows are the ones that reward viewers for the effort they invest. At first, the Netflix series follows a missing-child investigation in the small German town of Winden. However, the mystery soon becomes far more complex when it is linked to a time-traveling wormhole connecting 1953, 1986, and 2019.

Traditionally, the goal of solving a mystery is to identify the perpetrator. Dark, however, challenges viewers to ask not only who is responsible, but also when an event occurred and how it influences events decades earlier or later. The series brilliantly shows how characters’ attempts to change events often become the very cause of them — all made possible thanks to its combination of hard sci-fi concepts and incredible casting.

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Dark

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Release Date

2017 – 2020

Network

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Netflix

Showrunner

Jantje Friese

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Directors

Baran bo Odar

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• 

  Louis Hofmann

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  Jonas Kahnwald

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  Lisa Vicari

  Martha Nielsen

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