By Brian Myers
| Published 1 minute ago

For a horror fan, the genre can seem to be over-saturated with a combination of slasher films, bloody gore fests, and tales of demonic possession. Good old fashioned ghost stories are a far underutilized storyline, but the ones that have been created will often deliver levels of chills that exceed anything that features a hockey masked killer or a zombie horde. One of the greatest ghost story movies ever produced was a Canadian entry from 1980 titled The Changeling, a terrifying feature film that is now reaching a new fan base on Tubi.

The Haunted Mansion Setup

The Changeling is the tragic story of a man who suffers the loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident, and how he moves out of the area to find himself again. But when composer John Russell (George C. Scott) moves into the long-abandoned Seattle mansion, he is immediately made aware that someone (or something) is present alongside him in his new home.

At first, it seems as though he might be going mad from grief. But it becomes apparent that Russell is quite lucid, and could very well be haunted by the spirits of one of his recently deceased family members. As he digs into the home’s history, he discovers that it has been the site of several tragic figures that met their ends while only children.

Digging For Answers

The Changeling sees Russell conduct a seance to communicate with the spirit in his home and discovers that he is being haunted by the ghost of a nine-year-old boy named Joseph Carmichael. Joseph reveals to Russell that he was murdered by his father and replaced by an orphan in what was a scheme to keep the large financial estate of the Carmichael family intact. Russell is directed to property once owned by the Carmichael’s with the instruction to excavate the site of an old well, where the boy’s remains could be found.

Standing in the way of Joseph’s eternal peace is the orphan who replaced him, a powerful United States Senator who bears the name of the dead kid.

Haunted On Multiple Levels

The Changeling is a slow build, its creepy elements slowly giving way to sinister acts committed at the hands of the ghostly Joseph. George C. Scott gives the film his best work between Patton and The Exorcist III, playing Russell as a character that is believably grief-stricken and equally haunted by the paranormal events that unfold around him. Scott takes the movie in directions otherwise not possible, giving a ghost story a sense of realism that works to make the terror all that more believable.

Allegedly Based On True Events

It might seem like it was concocted from the imagination of a Hollywood screenwriter, but The Changeling was, in fact, based on true events. The script was the work of American playwright Russell Hunter, who used his chilling experiences as a guest in a Colorado hotel as the basis for the film. According to Hunter, he was living in a rented room at the Henry Treat Rogers mansion in Denver and began experiencing paranormal phenomena.

While investigating mysterious noises, Hunter stumbled across a journal from the 19th century that he maintained was written by a disabled boy who was shut away from the world by his cruel parents. Like in The Changeling, a seance was held to communicate with the boy’s spirit, leading Hunter to dig until he found the skeletal remains and christening medal belonging to the child.

Whether true or just a figment of the writer’s imagination, the events translated well into Hunter’s screenplay and were brought to life by Peter Medak’s wonderful direction. Canadian composer Rick Wilkins gave the production one of the most chilling cinematic scores, adding layers of both suspense and horror to an already unsettling film.

You can stream The Changeling for free with Tubi.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 3 hours ago

When it comes to horror movies, sequels are often hit-or-miss. Sometimes, you get an ambitious sequel like Friday the 13th Part 2 that adds to franchise lore in a big way. Most of the time, though, you get movies that are weak sauce compared to the original. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge is a fun, accidentally gay romp, but it’s nowhere near as scary as the first film. American Psycho 2 is forgettable tripe compared to the original classic. Oh, and The Exorcist II: The Heretic is so bad that I’d rather be tormented by an actual demon than watch another minute.

Because of this, I was very pleasantly surprised by Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. It’s the sequel to a movie that seemed like it would be impossible to follow up on, and it changes lore right away by giving our only child main character a sister. An impossible concept? Major changes to existing characters? On paper, this is the recipe for a pure disaster. Amazingly, though, Ready or Not 2 ended up being the best horror sequel of the last decade, and you can discover what the hype is about by streaming it for yourself on Hulu.

How About A Nice Game Of Death?

The plot of the original Ready or Not was that Grace MacCaullay (Samara Weaving) had married into a family that forced her to pick a random game to play on her wedding day. She drew “Hide-and-Seek,” but there was a twist: she had to hide while the rest of the family grabbed weapons and tried to kill her. She managed to survive, and her new family died as a result of a demonic pact. 

In Ready or Not 2, we find out that this was just one of several families who had made the same demonic pact and are constantly vying for control. Now, Grace and her estranged sister are forced to play a fatal game of Hide-and-Seek yet again, this time against various families who are fighting for nothing less than control of the entire world. As for Grace, she doesn’t want global domination. She wants exactly what she fought so hard to do in the first film: to survive!

Twisted Sister

So, what makes Ready or Not 2 such a great sequel? For one thing, it adds Kathryn Newton to the mix as Grace’s sister. Normally, I’m not a big fan of such retcons, but this change to the lore gives Weaving someone to bounce off of during her bloody fight for survival. It helps that Newton is a hilarious horror veteran, having previously starred in spooky films like Abigail, Freaky, and (my personal favorite) Lisa Frankenstein. She perfectly understands the assignment, and she leans into both the over-the-top gore and over-the-top comedy while demonstrating some serious chemistry with Weaving.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come also expands the wild lore of the first movie, opening the door to more colorful new characters. This includes horror icons like David Cronenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar, the latter of whom turns in what is easily her best performance since Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Additionally, Elijah Wood absolutely kills it in a role where he’s basically the devil’s lawyer. All of the new performers are excellent, and this film does the best job of adding new lore to a franchise since Friday the 13: Part 2 transformed Jason Voorhees from a one-off jumpscare to the scariest villain of the ‘80s.

Buckets Of Blood

If you’re more into horror for the gore than the lore, don’t worry: Ready or Not 2 has you covered. Or, more accurately, it has its characters covered in buckets of blood. This sequel boasts several new environments (the original was mostly contained to a large house), which leads to some very ambitious kills. “Bloody” doesn’t really do this film justice; at one point, we see a fountain of gore in a nasty visual gag that feels straight out of Army of Darkness. Of course, I won’t blame you if you’re more focused on the blood that has been splattered all over Newton’s tastefully tight tanktop.

At the risk of sounding too much like a fanboy, Ready or Not 2 is the best horror sequel of the last decade because it does everything the original film did, but better. The premise is the same, but every chase, every fight, and every kill is bigger than what we got in Ready or Not. The humor is still hilarious, but everything is that much funnier when Weaving has Newton to riff off of. Best of all, the new lore makes this franchise seem epic in scope, all while changing how we watch the first film for the better.

Without getting into any spoilers, Ready or Not 2 gives a very satisfying ending that (much like the original movie) doesn’t make any effort to set up a sequel. It’s an awesome, self-contained story, one which you can enjoy even if you didn’t watch the earlier film. Like all great horror movies, it’s also under two hours, and it wastes no time getting down to business. Whether alone or with friends, this is the perfect sequel to put on when you’re looking for a bloody good time. Let’s hope your remote isn’t playing Hide-and-Seek, because you can stream Ready or Not 2: Here I Come on Hulu today!

Jon Bon Jovi’s latest hometown performance took an unexpected turn after the rock icon was forced to bring the night to an early close. 

Fans packed into Madison Square Garden expecting another full set on the band’s Forever Tour, but instead watched the singer apologize before promising to make things right. 

While the abrupt ending sparked concern throughout the venue, an explanation soon emerged about the health issue behind the shortened concert.

Jon Bon Jovi had already performed for roughly 90 minutes during Thursday night’s stop on the band’s Forever Tour when it became clear he couldn’t continue.

Rather than simply ending the concert and walking off, the 64-year-old addressed the sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd directly, promising the evening wasn’t over for good.

“Don’t throw away your ticket stubs I’m going to figure something out okay, don’t [fear],” Bon Jovi told the audience before assuring them, “Just hang onto it, I’m going to figure out how to reschedule.”

Even with the unexpected ending, the concert still featured one of the night’s biggest highlights when Train frontman Pat Monahan joined Bon Jovi onstage for a performance of the band’s iconic hit, “Livin’ On a Prayer.”

Before exiting, the singer tried to reassure worried fans one last time. “I’m gonna have to cool it for a night,” he said, adding, “I feel great, I’ll see you again soon, bye bye.”

Bon Jovi’s Sinus Infection Forces Unexpected Pause

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Shortly after the concert, a representative for Jon Bon Jovi explained the reason behind the shortened performance. 

According to the spokesperson, the singer had been dealing with a sinus infection, which ultimately forced him to end the show before completing the planned set.

“Jon Bon Jovi spoke from stage and told fans he has been battling a sinus infection which led to the show’s early ending,” the representative told PEOPLE. 

The statement also noted that returning to Madison Square Garden had been especially meaningful for him during the band’s current residency.

“As part of the Bon Jovi residency at Madison Square Garden, Jon has said numerous times that it has been a joy to return to live shows for the band,” the representative added, while assuring fans that “Updated information will be available shortly.”

Jon Bon Jovi Said Returning To The Stage Felt Like ‘A Rebirth’

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The unexpected end to Bon Jovi’s Madison Square Garden concert came just weeks after he reflected on the far more difficult health battle that nearly kept him off the road for good. 

Ahead of launching the Forever Tour, Bon Jovi revealed he had fully recovered from the vocal cord surgery that sidelined him for four years and left him uncertain whether he would ever tour again. 

“I’m fully recovered,” he told PEOPLE, adding, “It was longer than I’d ever expected, but it had to be right. We never lost faith.” 

The guitarist also praised his bandmates for standing by him throughout his lengthy rehabilitation, saying they “never doubted” him or considered moving on without him. 

Looking ahead to his return to the stage, Bon Jovi described the tour as more than a comeback, adding, “I think that this is a rebirth. It is simply about the joy.” 

Bon Jovi Refused To Give Up After Career-Threatening Vocal Problems

Behind Jon Bon Jovi’s lengthy road to recovery was a diagnosis that forced him to confront the possibility of never singing the same way again. 

The songwriter revealed he underwent vocal cord medialization surgery in 2022 after doctors discovered one of his vocal cords had begun to atrophy, causing the two cords to become uneven and making it increasingly difficult for him to sing. 

Speaking about the diagnosis, Bon Jovi admitted he was stunned because he had always taken care of his voice and had never expected to face such a serious issue. 

Following the operation, he spent time working with vocal coaches to retrain his voice, refusing to return to the stage until he felt he could perform at the level fans expected. 

“I can only give the best,” he previously told Cap Radio in 2024, explaining why he was determined not to rush his comeback. 

Jon Bon Jovi Opened Up About The Doubts That Haunted His Recovery

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Even after deciding to undergo surgery and committing himself to years of rehabilitation, Bon Jovi said there were no guarantees he would ever reclaim the life he had spent more than four decades building. 

The rock icon admitted his biggest uncertainty wasn’t whether he could record music again; it was whether his voice would ever withstand the relentless demands of performing live night after night. 

“I wasn’t sure if I’d ever return to the rigor of live performance,” Bon Jovi confessed, explaining that touring places a completely different strain on the voice than making an album. 

Rather than rushing back onstage, he said he waited until he felt capable of delivering the level of performance fans deserved, insisting, 

“It’s not about perfection. It’s about excellence.” Bon Jovi went on to describe live shows as “this whole spiritual communion between the band and me and the audience,” adding that being able to “hold that light” again made his return feel all the more rewarding.

Roomies, the search for answers surrounding Nolan Wells’ death continues. And now, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath reveals the next step involving his autopsy report. With many still asking questions about what happened to the 18-year-old, officials say they’re moving carefully before releasing additional details from the investigation.

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

District Attorney Addresses Why Answers Aren’t Being Released Yet

On Thursday, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath addressed the ongoing questions surrounding Nolan Wells’ death. She confirmed that the 18-year-old’s autopsy report will remain sealed until it can be reviewed by a grand jury. McIlrath explained that nearly every non-natural death in the county is presented to the grand jury, adding that this process has been followed throughout her career.

While acknowledging the public’s demand for answers, McIlrath said investigators must prioritize the integrity of the case and allow the evidence to guide the process. “The pressure for answers does not change what the work requires,” she said, adding that the investigation must be completed “thoroughly and carefully” while remaining supported by the evidence and worthy of the community’s confidence.

Officials Say The Investigation Must Be Protected

McIlrath also addressed concerns over why more information has not been released publicly. She explained that withholding certain details does not mean officials are keeping the truth from the public. She said Mississippi’s rules of professional conduct limit what prosecutors can share during an active investigation. And, that protecting specific facts is necessary to preserve the grand jury process.

Wells, an 18-year-old from Ocean Springs, was found dead in the water just off Horn Island on the morning of July 6 after he was reported missing on July 4 following a boating trip with friends. His death quickly gained national attention, with many people taking to social media searching for answers and asking the same question: what happened to Nolan Wells?

New Details Emerge As Questions Surround Nolan’s Death

Following his death, Wells’ family retained civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump. Additionally, he called for a thorough and transparent investigation. Days later, the family held a press conference in New York alongside Crump and civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton. Sharpton later joined NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and filmmaker Tyler Perry in offering a $125,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction connected to Wells’ death.

An independent autopsy conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell in Washington, D.C., was unable to determine Wells’ cause of death. Mitchell said he could not examine the airway and lungs for signs of water because portions of Wells’ body. He claimed they had already been removed during the state medical examiner’s examination, which he noted is a common practice. For now, Wells’ autopsy findings will remain unavailable until the grand jury completes its review. As the investigation continues, his family and the public seek answers surrounding the circumstances of his death.

RELATED: Ben Crump Shares Preliminary Findings Of Indep. Autopsy Report, As Teen Who Traveled To Horn Island With Nolan Wells Breaks Silence

Oliver Tree‘s loved ones are preparing to celebrate the late musician’s life in a way that reflects the creativity that defined his personality and career. More than a month after Tree’s passing a helicopter crash, details about his upcoming celebration of life have been announced, offering fans a chance to honor the artist’s legacy alongside his loved ones.

Oliver Tree tragically passed away on June 14 in a helicopter crash in Brazil that also claimed the lives of five others. The 32-year-old musician was in the middle of his latest tour when the accident occurred, bringing an abrupt end to his genre-defying career.

More than a month after his death, Tree’s family and friends are coming together to celebrate the artist’s life. The event will take place on July 25 at 7:30 p.m. PST at the Quarry Amphitheater concert hall in Santa Cruz, California. According to the announcement, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase, but those who couldn’t make it in person can witness the sendoff via livestream.

The celebration of life will include unreleased videos, live music and special performances from surprise guests. As the poster teasted, “expect the unexpected.”

Diplo Will Be One Of The Guest Speakers At The Celebration

Thomas Wesley Pentz, professionally known as Diplo, will be one of the guest speakers at the event, alongside Ethan Klein, Logan Paul, and Aaron Mercury.

In 2024, Tree and Diplo collaborated on the song “ULTRAMAN” for the official theme song of the Netflix animated movie, “Ultraman: Rising.” The two have been good friends before their professional partnership and even went on a wellness adventure trip to Antartica in 2023.

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After Tree’s death, Diplo posted a touching tribute to the musician on Instagram and shared a carousel of their memories together. “He was like a brother I never had… I don’t think we’ll ever have another human like this again. No rules. No apologies. He was 1000% himself and on a mission to add more joy to this music scene,” the DJ wrote.

Oliver Tree’s Alter Egos Will Also Be Laid To Rest

As noted on the celebration of life’s poster, “caksets of each character” will be included in the event. Tree had a few alter egos he introduced throughout his career and built fictional lore around each character.

The characters include Turbo, Shawney Bravo, and Cornelius Cummings, each of them representing distinct eras in music and featured in his concerts and music videos. In an interview with Hypebeast in 2024, the musician talked about his artistry and the world he built around each persona.

Tree said each of his videos has its own story to build the “Oliver Tree universe,” adding that it’s an “exploration of all the characters from my albums, how their worlds intertwine and how they’re all the same person from different timelines in the universe – basically a bizarro feature film.”

The Celebration Of Life’s Proceeds Will Go To The Artist’s Foundation

A few months before his death, Tree talked about his last will during a podcast interview. The musician said his family wouldn’t be getting money from his music. Instead, he wants to give back to other artists, as previously reported by The Blast.

“So, I’ve set up a foundation. It’s called Doctor Oliver Tree’s Art Grants for Baby Geniuses. And it’s set up so that basically, the interest generated from my music will take mostly that,” Tree said.

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A few weeks after his death, his family launched the foundation, which offers grants to artists in music, performance art, installation, and film. Every year, the foundation will review submissions and distribute the available funds to the projects that are chosen.

Proceeds from ticket sales from Tree’s celebration of life will go toward his foundation.

Oliver Tree’s Monthly Listeners Surged Following His Death

While talking about his will, Tree noted that his music would most likely be worth more after his death. “People will finally appreciate my stupid f-cking videos, my f-cking stupid songs. That’s when people appreciate you, when you’re not there anymore.”

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Tree just released his album “Love You Madly Hate You Badly” on April 24 under his own record label, Alien Boy Records. His monthly listeners on Spotify meteorically increased after his death, from 11.5 million to 30.1 million monthly listeners.

While his life ended too soon, Tree leaves behind a lasting legacy that inspired fans and fellow musicians.

Kate Gosselin left her boyfriend, Steve Neild, flabbergasted with an unusual outfit choice.

Taking to TikTok on Thursday, July 23, Kate, 51, showed off her latest attire — a Little House on the Prairie costume — which she wore as the couple continue to spend time at Steve’s rural property.

“The prairie has clearly gotten to me,” Kate said in the video. “This was a suggestion from somebody on here. And I had never thought of it. So whoever you are, thank you for coming up with this. I immediately went to Amazon and ordered this beautiful costume.”

Kate continued, “I have a video surprising Steve at breakfast time with this outfit and to say he was surprised is an understatement. We’re still laughing about it.”

Related: Kate Gosselin Compares Her Current Drama With Son Collin to Past Negativity

Kate Gosselin is admittedly in good spirits despite her ongoing estrangement from son Collin Gosselin ahead of the release of his tell-all memoir. In the comments of Kate’s Tuesday, July 14, TikTok upload about life in the “wild wild west homestead,” a social media user apologized “if negative energy” had affected the 51-year-old reality TV […]

Steve was taken aback by the costume initially. “What the hell have you done?” he asked Kate. “Where did that come from? What the hell… Is this Little House on the Prairie or the Amish?”

However, he ultimately changed his tune, calling the look “beautiful.” Kate shared the sentiment, describing the ensemble as “really cute.”

Kate has been sharing snippets of her and Steve’s time in their “wild wild west homestead” this month amid her ongoing estrangement from son Collin Gosselin.

@kate.gosselin

A prairie SURPRISE! 🤣🤣🤣

♬ Appalachian Way – The Chilliout Folk

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Kate shares twins Mady and Cara, both 25, and sextuplets Collin, Joel, Aaden, Hannah, Alexis and Leah, all 22, with ex-husband Jon Gosselin. The Jon & Kate Plus 8 couple divorced in 2009 after a decade of marriage.

Collin is set to release a memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, which will detail his version of his upbringing.

“My life was always broadcast to millions, but what was actually happening in my life was never shown — in fact, much of it was deliberately kept hidden,” he exclusively told Us Weekly last month, revealing the book cover for the first time. “For years, other people told my story through headlines, television episodes and public speculation. Now, finally, I’m sharing what was really happening behind the scenes.”

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Related: Kate Gosselin Documents 51st Birthday Alongside Boyfriend Steve Neild

Kate Gosselin is giving fans an inside look at her life with boyfriend Steve Neild. “This is 51,” Gosselin captioned a photo of herself sipping on a coffee via Instagram on Sunday, March 29. “I asked Steve to take pics of me throughout my birthday. Here is what he took.” In the next pic, Gosselin […]

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Collin added at the time, “This book is about truth, survival, resilience and finding my voice after years of being silenced. If my story helps even one person feel less alone or gives them the courage to tell their own, then every difficult page was worth writing.”

Kate has not publicly addressed her son’s book but has long denied his accusations about their relationship. Kate has since remained focused on her daily life with her other children and Steve as well as documenting her life via social media.

“Good morning from the wild wild west,” she said via a TikTok video on July 15. In the same clip, Steve could be heard off-camera gushing about his western-style breakfast. “He’s really passionate about his bacon. I rarely feed it to him because I want him to live a long, long time and bacon is very bad for you.”

With the rise of streaming services and on-demand viewing, many networks and platforms are coming out with their own exclusive TV shows to entice people to subscribe. Some of these are original prospects, and others are based on works of literature. Let’s face it, TV shows based on books are nothing new — in fact, book-to-TV adaptations are about as old as television itself.

However, there has certainly been an influx of these adaptations in the new millennium. Quite a few have come out this year already, with more on the way in the coming weeks, months, or years. If you’re looking for something to read, this list is something you’ll want to check out, because all these books, regardless of genre, have TV adaptations coming, meaning there’s no better time to read them.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1813)

Image via T. Egerton/ Whitehall

Pride and Prejudice is a literary classic and a very important piece of English history. Written by Jane Austen, this feminist romantic drama is about social norms and expectations in historical England, especially regarding arranged marriage and the limited roles that women have in society. The story is about five sisters, whose parents are trying to arrange marriages for them. But of course, some of them don’t want to marry a strange man they’ve never met before; they want to marry somebody that they actually love.

This legendary novel has seen countless film adaptations, which is natural since it was very popular and came out over 200 years ago. However, this is not the first time it has been adapted into a TV show. It’s the first time in the 21st century, though, and the first TV adaptation of the work since 1995. Note that this only counts pure adaptations and not reinventions or retellings in different settings. In any event, if you’re into period dramas, feminist literature, or romance, this is a book you absolutely must read before the TV show comes out.

‘Flawless’ (2022)

Image via Sourcebooks

Flawless is the first book in the Chestnut Springs series of Western romance novels. Elsie Silver is primarily a romance author, who has a lot of experience in the genre, and it shows in this critically-acclaimed novel. The story is about Rhett, a professional bull-rider who ruins his career in a disgraceful drunken brawl. To clean up his image, Rhett’s agent has their daughter accompany him everywhere, only for the two to end up falling deeply in love.

If you’re into small-town romance or Western romances, this is a book you simply must check out. This is especially true considering a TV adaptation is well under way. It’s still in the early stages of development, but all that’s known is that it’s being handled by Netflix, and that there is no confirmed release date yet. However, this is better since you can take your time and maybe read the whole series before the TV show comes out.

‘Carrie’ (1974)

Image via Doubleday

Carrie is a Stephen King horror novel that was adapted into a pretty famous film shortly after its release. In fact, it’s actually King’s debut novel, which sparked a long-lasting horror legacy that continues to this day. The story is about a girl named Carrie, a girl from a house of abusive religious zealots who is struggling in her social life. After her classmates play a cruel prank on her during high school prom, Carrie uses her telekinetic powers to exact revenge on those who made her life miserable.

There are actually four film adaptations of this book, with the earliest coming out in 1976. However, in 2019, it was announced that a TV miniseries was in the works, helmed by FX and MGM. In 2026, that miniseries is finally becoming a reality, with a release date set for sometime in October. Better still, it’s being directed by Mike Flanagan, who is known for his modern horror masterpieces. If you haven’t read the book before, now is definitely the best time to do so.

‘The Good Daughter’ (2017)

Image via William Morrow

The Good Daughter is a mystery thriller that received critical acclaim and many awards. The main character is Charlotte, who is more commonly referred to as “Charlie.” She lives in the small town of Pikeville, which was relatively quiet until a devastating crime left her mother dead. 28 years later, Charlie has become a lawyer, just like her father, which is perfect timing because the violence has also returned. Charlie happens to be the first person to witness the crime, bringing back her repressed memories of her mother and reopening the case that ruined her family.

The Good Daughter is absolutely loaded with bombshell plot twists, so it manages to keep its reader hooked from start to finish. The hit Karin Slaughter novel is actually set to become a TV show this year, helmed by Oscar-winner Steph Green. Charlie will be played by Meghann Fahy, who has done a lot of drama and romance roles. The release date is November 12 of this year, so there’s still plenty of time to read this thrilling novel before it makes it to the small screen.

‘Fourth Wing’ (2023)

Image via Red Tower Books

Fourth Wing is one of the most popular fantasy novels right now, so it’s no surprise that it got quickly scooped up by Prime Video. The series is primarily a romantasy, with some pretty raunchy content that is definitely not for kids. Granted, this is probably one of the reasons the book got so popular in the first place. Fourth Wing is actually the first in the Empyrean series, which currently consists of three novels and a short story collection, though two more novels are planned.

The plot follows a college for dragon riders during wartime, specifically a 20-year-old student named Violet. Things aren’t as simple as they seem, however, as other students are willing to kill in order to secure a bond with a dragon — assuming the dragons don’t kill you first, that is. This book is full of romance, political intrigue, and backstabbing, and has been very popular in the romantasy community. The release date for the show hasn’t been confirmed yet, but Amazon gave it the green light in May of this year, so it’s safe to say it probably won’t be long before it’s gracing our screens. In the meantime, now is a great time to read the first book.

‘The Way of Kings’ (2010)

Image via Tor Books

The Way of Kings is the first book in the ongoing The Stormlight Archive series, written by Brandon Sanderson. The series is part of his shared literary universe called the Cosmere. In the Cosmere, each series or stand-alone novel takes place on its own planet within the same galaxy that each has its own magic systems. Stormlight is set on the barren world of Roshar, which has little to no plant life, and which is constantly blasted by hurricane-like events called highstorms. As a result, all native life forms are crustaceous, so they can take shelter from the storms inside their shells.

Plot-wise, it’s about the indigenous Parshendi people, a race of crab-like humanoids who begin waging war against humanity using an ancient form of magic that hasn’t been seen in over 1,100 years, prompting humans to respond and fight in a war for their very survival. Or so it seems, anyway. The magic system is really complex, but very enjoyable. The book can be daunting considering it’s about 1,000 pages long (and this is the shortest one in the series), but it’s well worth the time it takes to read. Recently, Apple TV secured the rights to Sanderson’s Cosmere universe, with plans to release a Mistborn movie and a 10-episode season of The Stormlight Archive. It’s still early days right now, but with how much time it takes to read these books, it’s best to start soon if you intend to finish them before the show comes out.

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (1997)

Image via Scholastic

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first book in the Harry Potter series, which likely needs no introduction. The books started a massive cultural phenomenon which is still ongoing to this day. Pretty much everyone knows the story by now: an orphaned boy discovers he is a wizard and is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to study magic. Shortly after the release of the first book, they also saw a multi-billion dollar series of film adaptations, famously starring Daniel Radcliffe in the leading role. However, HBO recently released a trailer for a TV remake, which is scheduled to come out this Christmas.

Sure, this is an adaptation that a lot of fans aren’t particularly excited about, but there are still plenty of fans who have jumped right on the hype train. It’s set to be a much different take on the story, so it’ll be interesting to see what it brings. The first book isn’t particularly long, so if you’ve been meaning to get in on Potter-mania, there’s no time like the present. You’ve got until Christmas, after all.

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Harry Potter

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Release Date

2026 – 2026

Showrunner

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Francisca Gardiner

Directors

Mark Mylod

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Writers

Francesca Gardiner

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The Big Bang Theory fans who watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will notice some major plot holes.

During an exclusive interview with Us, creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn and Bill Prady revealed they purposely introduced story lines that didn’t make any sense throughout the first season of the spinoff.

“We were always completely on top of it,” Penn joked. “Each morning we would get together and go over this big chart.”

Lorre clarified that they were actually “clueless” about the big picture, adding, “We were absolutely in a dark room trying to figure out the elephant.”

Related: How Many Spinoff Shows Does ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Have?

The Big Bang Theory premiered nearly two decades ago — and the TV universe has only grown with three spinoffs (and counting)! The sitcom inspired a franchise when The Big Bang Theory aired from 2007 to 2019. It starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as […]

Penn credited Prady for having a “better sense” of how the story flowed. Prady, for his part, noted that only one aspect of the show was — nearly — airtight.

“I kept track of one thing, which was the loop,” he added. “And it’s not 100 percent right but it’s close enough.”

While speaking to Us, Penn argued that they wanted to have plot holes, saying, “If they don’t then we didn’t do our job.” Prady jumped in to point out that the characters at the center of the HBO Max show “notice them along the way” as well.

Lorre, meanwhile, argued that shouldn’t be what the audience searches for.

“Ultimately, if you’re looking for plot loopholes and you’re not laughing, we failed,” he continued.

According to the official synopsis, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe follows Stuart Bloom as he is faced with the daunting task of “restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.”

Stuart “is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”

Stuart (Kevin Sussman) was originally introduced on The Big Bang Theory, which aired on CBS from 2007 to 2019. The show starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as a group of best friend scientists and their — sometimes polar opposite — significant others.

The Big Bang Theory won 10 Emmy Awards during its 12-season run and spawned the prequel series, Young Sheldon, a.k.a the follow-up focused on Sheldon’s life (Iain Armitage) as a child prodigy.

Viewers then met Sheldon’s brother, Georgie (Montana Jordan), which paved the way for his love story with Mandy (Emily Osment) to inspire another spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, meanwhile, is led by Sussman, Brian Posehn, John Ross Bowie and Lauren Lapkus.

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“For me, Stuart came back to me pretty quickly,” Sussman told Us. “Because the original Stuart was sadly not too different than me. So it was pretty much the same.”

He continued: “Stuart has never really been a character where I’ve thought, ‘OK, who is this guy?’ It’s always just been about, ‘What are these circumstances now?’ So less about who I am and more about how do I navigate all this craziness that’s happening.”

New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe air Thursdays on HBO Max.

Years after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt‘s split, a new development involving their daughter Vivienne has renewed attention on the family’s ongoing estrangement.

As the former couple’s youngest children reach adulthood, legal experts say one of the last remaining ties between the exes has effectively come to an end.

The latest milestone comes amid growing scrutiny over several of the couple’s children distancing themselves from Brad Pitt’s surname and what that could mean for the actor’s public image.

A Decade After Their Split, One Of Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt’s Final Legal Ties Ends

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With twins Knox and Vivienne recently turning 18, all six of the former spouses’ children are now legal adults, effectively bringing any remaining custody-related matters between Pitt and Jolie to a close.

According to family law professionals, the milestone removes one of the last legal connections that continued to bind Jolie and Pitt following their highly publicized split.

Jolie and Pitt, once considered one of Hollywood’s most influential couples, share six children together: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.

Family attorney Holly Davis told Fox News Digital that the development represents a significant turning point, noting that custody issues are no longer subject to court oversight now that the youngest children have reached adulthood.

“For those that followed the Pitt/Jolie divorce since 2016, it should be no surprise that Angelina Jolie is finally able to achieve what she attempted to get in the 2016 divorce — a complete cutting of ties between the children and Brad Pitt,” Davis noted.

Expert Says Angelina Jolie Has Finally Reached A Long-Sought Turning Point

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Davis suggested that the outcome aligns with what Jolie has been pursuing since initiating divorce proceedings in 2016, allowing her greater freedom in matters that previously were subject to legal restrictions related to the children.

“Because she was unable to achieve this result in the parties’ divorce, she had to wait until the youngest children were 18 to be able to do the things that the court would not allow her to do,” Davis explained.

At the same time, Davis acknowledged that the reasons behind the apparent estrangement between Pitt and several of his children remain unclear to anyone outside the family.

“Whether or not she influenced them in hating their father based on the legitimate problems in her romantic relationship with Brad, or whether they all suffered similar difficult moments as a family which leads to their decision to no longer see him, will be anyone’s guess,” the family attorney said.

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Seeks Legal Name Change

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The latest development comes as Vivienne seeks to formally remove “Pitt” from her surname.

According to reports, the 18-year-old has filed paperwork requesting a legal name change from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, citing “personal” reasons.

A court hearing regarding Vivienne’s name change request has been scheduled for November 2, according to public court records.

Following news of the filing, a source close to Pitt commented on the development, telling USA Today that the actor’s previous efforts to maintain a relationship with his children during the lengthy custody dispute with Jolie.

“It is important to contextualize that Brad was awarded 50/50 custody of the children in 2021 following lengthy testimonies from witnesses, experts, therapists and other people who had been with the kids and around them,” the source pointed out amid growing scrutiny over the reason the actor’s kids are publicly disassociating with him.

However, that ruling was later set aside after a California appeals court disqualified the judge who presided over the case.

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Is The Fourth Sibling To Take Legal Action To Change Her Last Name

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Vivienne’s request follows a pattern seen among several of her siblings. Long before formally seeking to remove “Pitt” from her surname, she had already begun using a shortened version of her name professionally.

In 2024, she was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” while working on the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” where she served as a producer’s assistant alongside her mother, who was one of the show’s producers.

Before Vivienne, her older sister, Shiloh, made the move to cut ties with Pitt by filing to change her last name on the day she turned 18.

Very recently, two other Jolie-Pitt kids, Maddox and Zahara, also decided to make their name change legal, opting to drop the Pitt from their last name.

This now leaves Knox and Pax, who have reportedly both been using just Jolie as their last name professionally, but have yet to make a legal request to make it official.

Experts Divided On Impact Of Family Rift On Brad Pitt’s Image

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The ongoing family developments have also prompted debate about whether the situation could affect Pitt’s public image.

Some experts believe the impact on his Hollywood career will be minimal. Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell told Fox News Digital that Pitt’s reputation as an actor remains firmly established and that his family struggles have been publicly known for years.

In his view, “Most of the public would chalk it up to an unfortunate problem with the relationship with his kids, but as far as his brand, it’s still strong and would survive any type of criticism in this area.”

Others see the repeated decisions by several of Pitt’s children to distance themselves from his surname as more significant.

Crisis communications expert Kaivan Shroff argued that while Pitt’s professional accomplishments remain unquestioned, the discussion increasingly extends beyond his career.

“[Pitt’s] talent remains unquestioned. But when multiple adult children publicly choose to stop using your surname, the conversation inevitably shifts from career to character,” Shroff said. “Whether fair or unfair, that’s the kind of narrative no amount of good publicity can easily overcome.”