There’s something about a black and white swimsuit that always looks expensive. The eye-catching contrast, clean lines and timeless color combo have a way of creating a longer, leaner silhouette before you even step foot in the water. Meghan Markle just reminded Us why it’s the rich-girl swim trick that never goes out of style.

The As Ever founder was spotted wearing a chic black and white color-blocked one-piece while enjoying a beach day, proving that sometimes the simplest swimsuits make the biggest statement. The sophisticated design perfectly complements her signature quiet-luxury aesthetic, and it’s exactly the kind of flattering style that’s both classic and confidence-boosting. Better yet, we found a remarkably similar version on Amazon for just $38.

Get the Eomenie One Piece Color Block Swimsuit for $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Eomenie One Piece Color Block Swimsuit has the same polished look, complete with a slimming color-blocked design, scoop neckline and strategically ruched waist. Removable padded cups, adjustable spaghetti straps and full-coverage bottoms make this alternative just as practical as it is chic, and the contrasting panels help create the illusion of a more defined waistline.

Related: Jennifer Aniston’s ’90s-Inspired Weekender Tote Look Is Only $20

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Jennifer Aniston has never been one to chase flashy handbag trends. While everyone else cycles through micro purses and logo-covered totes, she’s loyal to one timeless staple: a roomy black weekender bag. And the style somehow manages to look just as polished today as it did in the ’90s. The best part is you can […]

It’s easy to see why the style has become an Amazon favorite. The smooth, stretchy fabric dries quickly and holds its shape after long days at the beach or pool, so it’s truly a swimsuit you’ll reach for all season long. Whether you’re lounging poolside or throwing on a linen cover-up for lunch, it delivers that effortless, put-together feel Markle always nails.

Shoppers can’t help but rave about the fit. One reviewer called it “super flattering,” adding that it “hides the mama apron” while providing the “perfect support for chest.” Another buyer said the fabric “allows you to maneuver the tummy section to your liking,” making them feel “covered, yet confident.”

You can choose from a Meghan-inspired black and white as well as green, navy and several other color combinations, all of which are available in sizes S through XXL.

If you’ve been searching for a swimsuit that feels timeless, elegant and subtly slimming, this rich-girl-inspired find is an easy way to recreate Meghan’s beach style without the designer price tag.

Get the Eomenie One Piece Color Block Swimsuit for $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Eomenie here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

Related: Eva Longoria’s Confidence-Boosting Bikini Look Never Goes Out of Style

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If there’s one swimsuit style that’s classic, simple and chic, it’s the classic triangle bikini, and Eva Longoria was spotted wearing the confidence-boosting look while on vacation. Her two-piece swimsuit reminded Us why some trends never lose their appeal, earning a permanent place in summer wardrobes everywhere. You don’t need a celebrity budget to recreate […]

LeBron James‘ wife, Savannah James, recently revealed that an employee at a luxury store was fired after she allegedly failed to serve her and her friend. On an episode of her podcast, “Question Everything,” Savannah said she and a friend were refused service despite having a scheduled appointment.

Speaking with her co-host, April McDaniel, both ladies recalled the time they went shopping in Italy and were allegedly turned away at the door of the Hermès store.

“We be hustling,” McDaniel said, adding that when they got to the store, they were “treated like sh-t.”

When their guest asked the ladies to share more, McDaniel revealed that a saleswoman had allegedly turned her and Savannah away despite their appointment. They shared even further that the saleswoman was fired after McDaniel said, “We’ll be back for you. I’ll be right back.”

Savannah said that the pair had an appointment and the saleswoman allegedly acted like there was something shady about the situation. “I said baby you caught the wrong one today,” McDaniel said, revealing that Savannah is nicer than she is.

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LeBron James’ Wife Was Able To Shop After Her Friend Made A Few Calls

As the episode continued, Savannah revealed that she and McDaniel eventually made it into the store and, once inside, requested to see crocodile leather pieces. “They brought out everything,” Savannah said.

McDaniel, meanwhile, said she spent a pretty penny in the store on several luxury items, including bathing suits, silverware, and purses.

Unfortunately for the pair of friends, that wasn’t their only negative experience while shopping at luxury stores abroad. They shared that they were also treated poorly at the Chanel store in France, adding that an employee allegedly chastised Savannah for touching a bag that was out and available for viewing.

Despite some negative interactions, McDaniel said it’s never stopped her from enjoying her time. “I’m calling the boss,” she said. “We’re closing the store down. She can go like that. I’m closing it down. You’re fired. That’s the last person… I’m heated, I’m ruining the whole situation.”

Sadly, Savannah isn’t the only celebrity who has been mistreated while shopping abroad at some of the world’s most luxurious stores. According to ABC News, talk show host and ultra-wealthy celebrity Oprah Winfrey allegedly received similar treatment at Paris Hermès in 2005.

The “Oprah” show host arrived at the store 15 minutes after closing, which is normal for high-profile celebrities so that they’re not bombarded by fans and the media, and was turned away at the door. While Hermès apologized, the situation was difficult for the “Color Purple” actress.

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Just a few years later, when Oprah was asked about racism and the use of the N-word, Oprah said that racism shows up in different ways, and she noticed it after being treated poorly in Zurich.

While shopping abroad, Oprah was told by a sales clerk at a luxury store that she couldn’t afford a pricey handbag. “I say to the woman, ‘Excuse me, may I see that bag right above your head,’” Oprah said, to which the woman allegedly replied, “No, it’s too expensive.”

The Swiss Tourism office apologized to Oprah and said the saleswoman “acted terribly wrong.”

Serena Williams Was Allegedly ‘Denied’ Service In Paris

During the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, tennis legend Serena Williams said she was “denied” access to a fancy rooftop eatery in an “empty restaurant” during their stay.

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Williams implied that she’d never experienced that kind of treatment before, writing, “Always a first.”

Paris Eatery Clarifies Issue With Williams Following Public Condemnation

Dear Mrs. Williams, 
Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight. 
Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved.

— The Peninsula Paris (@peninsulaparis) August 5, 2024

The Paris restaurant, The Peninsula, responded to Williams’ public condemnation and apologized for her experience at the establishment.

“Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved,” they added. “We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again.”

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Blueface and Jaidyn Alexis‘ daughter, Journey Porter, recently celebrated her fourth birthday on Aug. 5, but the occasion was followed by more drama between her parents. During a livestream, Jaidyn Alexis claimed Blueface did not call Journey on her birthday and called the rapper a “disappointment” when discussing his relationship with their children. Her comments come after Blueface claimed he was not allowed to attend Journey’s birthday celebration.

Related: Oop! Blueface Alleges Chrisean Rock Posted A Message Calling Chrisean Jr. His Son As Nevaeh Akira Reacts To Their Cozy Link-Up

Jaidyn Alexis Says Blueface Didn’t Call Journey On Her Birthday

Following Journey’s birthday, Jaidyn went live to answer viewers’ questions about Blueface and their children. One viewer asked whether Blueface called to wish Journey a happy birthday. In which she claimed he did not.

“No call, no post, just a lil measly shoutout on Twitch,” Jaidyn said, adding that Blueface’s behavior “doesn’t bother her at all” but is sad for their daughter, Journey.

When another viewer asked about claims that Blueface is a “deadbeat,” particularly following his time in custody, Jaidyn called him a “disappointment” to the kids.

Furthermore, Jaidyn also said she would rather keep her children away from Blueface if he chooses not to be around them. “Why would I give you the opportunity to deny them?” she said.

Social Media Reacts

As clips from Jaidyn Alexis’ livestream circulated online, social media users shared mixed reactions to her comments.

Instagram user @babpreme_ wrote, “Your choice sis not our problem.”

Another Instagram user @vaeporizer wrote, “Idk how Ana each does it I don’t wanna be hunching on no man that is missing his kids important days.”

While Instagram user @jlm.202_ wrote, “That’s sad he’s trying to be a dad and Jaidyn being bitter.”

Instagram user @inayahlamis wrote, “That’s sad, I know that little girl was asking for him.”

Another Instagram user @boss_mommy_4 wrote, “Jaidyn didn’t want him at the party, both of them wrong.”

While Instagram user @kierracynne._ wrote, “Call? He should’ve been there … 😕”

Instagram user @marcaylamarie_ wrote, “She threatened this man life if he showed up. I wouldn’t call either.”

Another Instagram user @ms.mulkmarieee wrote, “Him not having an invite to the party does not warrant or stop him from calling his baby 😂😂 I’m confused on why y’all making that an excusable reason to not call her.”

While Instagram user @therealstassi23 wrote, “Girl and you’re still going to entertain the man and sleep with him 🙄”

Blueface Previously Addressed Journey’s Birthday Celebration

Jaidyn Alexis’ comments come after Blueface previously spoke about Journey’s birthday celebration during a livestream. During his stream, Blueface claimed that Jaidyn was treating Journey’s birthday party as her own celebration and said he was not allowed to attend because he had not paid for the event.

The rapper also pushed back against the idea that his children could be used to control him. “I’m not going like that. You can’t control me with no kid, you can’t control my environment, you can’t control where I’m going. If I’m coming, if I’m not coming. I don’t operate like that. I’m not a controllable type of person. Until Jaidyn let my kids walk through this door and be a part of what I got going on here, it’ll be what it is. I got a kid on the way, I’m not about to put myself in no weird, risky situation.”

Related: Blueface’s Dad Speaks Out Amid Jaidyn Alexis Allegedly Blocking Rapper From Attending Daughter’s Birthday Party (VIDEOS)

Apple TV entered the streaming wars much later than everyone else, but it took no time changing the game. Big streamers including Netflix and HBO Max thrive on massive libraries that can keep people scrolling through titles for hours, but Apple TV set out to focus on quality over quantity. The platform has kept its catalog small, but its shows feel special because they are created with intention.

The streamer tells stories that will remain interesting long after current trends have died down, because they aren’t interested in capitalizing on hype. Apple keeps backing stories with real ambition and staying power, which is why it keeps the audience wanting more. The platform may still be relatively young, but these shows already deserve a place among television’s all-time greatest.

6

‘Lessons in Chemistry’ (2023)

Image via Apple TV+

Lessons in Chemistry is a period drama that follows a woman who dared to challenge the norms. The story takes place in the 1950s, when women were told they belonged only in the kitchen. The audience sees this world through the eyes of Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson), a gifted chemist working at the Hastings Research Institute. Her male colleagues constantly dismiss her ideas and take credit for her work. The one person who recognizes her ability is Calvin Evans (Lewis Pullman), a respected scientist who becomes both her research partner and the love of her life. However, when he tragically dies, Elizabeth has to raise their daughter all alone. At the same time, she is pushed out of the laboratory, which leads her to accept a job hosting a television cooking program.

Now, Elizabeth has no interest in behaving like the cheerful housewife the producers expect. Instead, she treats cooking as chemistry and uses each episode to remind women that they are intelligent, capable, and deserving of more than the lives society has planned for them. The show becomes a surprise hit and becomes a way for Elizabeth to deal with grief and the very real sexism she has faced all her life. Her friendship with Harriet Sloane (Aja Naomi King) widens the story beyond her own struggle and shows how racism and sexism affected women in very different ways back in the day. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s daughter begins asking questions about Calvin’s past, which leads the family toward truths he never had the chance to share. Lessons in Chemistry balances all these hard-hitting stories with genuine heart. The show tells a complete story in just eight episodes, which stands as a testament to its brilliant writing.

5

‘Pachinko’ (2022–2024)

Image via Apple TV+

Pachinko is a sweeping family drama unlike any other. The series, based on Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel, follows a Korean family across four generations. The story begins during Japan’s occupation of Korea and moves between Korea, Japan, and America. The narrative centers on Sunja, played in her youth by Minha Kim and later in life by Youn Yuh-jung, whose decisions shape the lives of everyone who comes after her. As a young woman, Sunja falls for wealthy businessman Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho), only to discover that he already has a family, but it’s too late because she is already pregnant. She then accepts a marriage proposal from kind minister Baek Isak (Steve Sanghyun Noh) and leaves her home for Japan. There, Sunja raises her family through poverty, discrimination, and war while holding onto a culture that the world around her wants her to hide.

Decades later, her grandson Solomon (Jin Ha) still deals with the same questions of identity and belonging while trying to build a career in 1980s Japan. Despite covering such a large period of history, Pachinko never feels like a history lesson. The show explains colonialism and migration through intimate storylines and everyday moments, which makes it all feel a little too real. The show seamlessly moves between the past and present to show how generational trauma is passed down. Pachinko is visually stunning and huge in scale, but the story it tells is extremely personal. That’s what sets it up to be a modern classic.

4

‘Bad Sisters’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV+

Bad Sisters is one of the most unique shows on Apple TV right now. The black comedy TV series follows the five close-knit Garvey sisters, Eva (Sharon Horgan), Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson). Their bond is tested by Grace’s controlling and emotionally abusive husband, John Paul (Claes Bang). Now, the twist comes when John Paul dies, and the story starts moving between the sisters’ increasingly disastrous attempts to kill him.

The stakes rise when insurance workers Thomas (Brian Gleeson) and Matt Claffin (Daryl McCormack) suspect that his death was not accidental and begin digging into the Garvey family. What ensues is a hilarious yet intriguing mystery that handles domestic abuse without turning Grace into a helpless character. Each sister has her own flaws and secrets, which makes their complex relationships with each other feel completely believable. The ensemble’s chemistry is excellent, and the writing seamlessly moves between heartbreak and laugh-out-loud comedy. The show’s clever structure, distinct Irish setting, and raw exploration of motherhood have made it an instant fan-favorite and one of Apple TV’s defining shows.

3

‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–Present)

Image via Apple TV

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Ted Lasso is easily one of the most heartwarming and emotionally intelligent shows on TV right now. The sports comedy-drama follows Jason Sudeikis as Ted, a cheerful college football coach who is hired to manage struggling English club AFC Richmond despite having no experience with the sport. Now, Ted has no idea that the owner, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), brought him in specifically to destroy the team as revenge against her unfaithful former husband. Of course, everyone expects Ted to fail, including the players. However, he slowly wins people over by caring about them more than their scores. That approach begins changing Rebecca and everyone else Ted is working with.

Football remains an important part of the show, but the real story is about a complex group of people slowly learning how to trust one another. Ted Lasso is a show that unfolds with radical empathy. Ted’s optimism is a clear mask for all the grief and loneliness he deals with; the show makes sure to convey that being positive does not mean ignoring all that pain. It’s rare for a modern comedy to create so many lovable characters while also giving them all meaningful growth. Ted Lasso can make the audience laugh one minute, and break their heart a few scenes later, and that balance makes it so much more meaningful than just a feel-good comedy.

2

‘Slow Horses’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

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Slow Horses turns the idea of the spy show on its head and chooses to focus on the agents that MI5 is trying their best to forget. The series is set in Slough House, a neglected department where intelligence officers are sent to rot away after making career-ending mistakes. The story follows River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), an ambitious young agent desperate to prove that one disastrous training exercise should not define him. Unfortunately, his new boss is the rude and irritated veteran Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who has stopped caring for just about anything.

However, soon enough, River and his fellow rejects find themselves caught in kidnappings, assassinations, and political conspiracies that no one else seems to be able to solve. Each season introduces the characters of Slow Horses to a new crisis, but the real entertainment comes from watching this dysfunctional group deal with situations they were never supposed to be trusted with. This gritty approach makes Slow Horses feel completely different from other spy thrillers where the agents can do no wrong. The show features great action, but it is just as interested in office politics and personal grudges. Slow Horses has only gotten better with time and is definitely going to become a benchmark in the spy thriller genre.

1

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

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Severance takes the familiar idea of separating work from personal life and pushes it to a horrifying extreme. The sci-fi series follows employees at the mysterious Lumon Industries, who undergo a procedure that divides their memories in two. Their “outies” remember nothing about the office, while their “innies” exist only at work. At the center of the story is Mark Scout (Adam Scott), who agrees to the procedure while struggling with the loss of his wife. However, a rebellious new employee, Helly (Britt Lower), forces Mark and the others to question what their work actually means, and Lumon is so determined to keep them under control.

That premise alone is as intriguing as it gets, but Severance keeps raising the stakes further. The show uses Lumon’s sterile setting, endless white corridors, and outdated computers to provide biting commentary on corporate control, free will, and capitalism. Every episode expands Lumon’s world and mythology without ever losing sight of the people experiencing this nightmarish situation. Severance has an instantly recognizable visual style and a brilliant central idea that has successfully expanded in so many intriguing directions. Given all that, the Apple TV series already feels like the kind of classic that people will be obsessed with long after it ends.

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Severance

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Release Date

February 17, 2022

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Apple TV

Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

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High fantasy series often take viewers into worlds filled with ancient history, magic, dangerous quests, powerful kingdoms, and conflicts that feel much larger than everyday life. The absolute greatest ones never simply rely on complicated mythology or spectacle; they instead guarantee that every episode feels significant by using each installment to expand their respective worlds, deepening characters, or moving the story toward something unforgettable.

Shows like the classic anime The Twelve Kingdoms, which uses kingdoms, mythical systems, rulers, and personal transformation to ensure its fantasy world feels incredibly rich, and the modern iconic House of the Dragon, which turns family rivalry, dragons, royal succession,​​​​​​​ and political ambition into a tragic fantasy saga where every moment feels important to the story, are just two high fantasy series that are genuinely great, even during its quieter scenes. Compiled on this list are such high fantasy series that deliver every one of their episodes as a well-crafted masterpiece.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

Image via Nickelodeon

This iconic high fantasy animated series masterfully integrates serialized growth and episodic adventure. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the young avatar Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), the last surviving Air Nomad, after he awakens to find the world war-torn. With the intent of ending the conflict, Aang and his friends set out on an adventure to master the four elements and restore balance to the world.

Avatar: The Last Airbender somehow manages to cleanly involve modest stories about spirits, villages, youthful mistakes, and tournaments to not only advance its political world and elemental philosophy, but also long-term character growth that ensures no episode feels wasted. The animation grows in ambition with each episode as the stakes reach heights most fans never expect, yet the incredible spectacle never replaces the ethical complexities within the captivating series. All three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender are pure dynamite, with the series holding a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, dubbing the high fantasy animation as a true benchmark, with every one of its episodes standing as a genuine masterpiece.

‘The Untamed’ (2019)

Image via Tencent

The Untamed is a sweeping xianxia fantasy that features spiritual cultivation, clans, forbidden loyalty, ancient grudges, and tragic misunderstandings. The show centers on the disciplined Lan Wangji (Wang Yibo) and the free-spirited cultivator Wei Wuxian (Xiao Zhan), as their bond becomes tied to a much larger mystery rife with power, betrayal, and moral conflict.

The Untamed brilliantly blends clan politics, supernatural mystery, swordplay, and emotional restraint, delivering a story that becomes richer the more viewers come to understand its characters. The show’s 50-episode structure ensures both relationships and minor gestures carry incredible weight, with quiet expressions and seemingly insignificant conversations paying off many episodes later. The Untamed is far from a rushing fantasy adventure; instead, the series patiently builds its mythology, emotional conflicts, and rivalries until every moment of sacrifice, victory, and revelation feels genuinely earned. It’s the ultimate high fantasy masterpiece that’s actually consistent episode after episode, making it a fantastic addition to this list.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)

This fantasy prequel to the iconic and heavily beloved series Game of Thrones can feel incredibly masterful even when its greatest battles are still being prepared. House of the Dragon focuses on Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), who is named the heir to the Iron Throne, which disrupts patriarchal expectations and intensifies conflict within a dragon-riding dynasty.

House of the Dragon is a carefully built series that offers episode after episode of strong storytelling. Political decisions are conveyed through glances, blocking, physical deterioration, ceremonial ritual, and the painful gaps between what family members actually feel and what power permits them to say, allowing every scene to be a captivating bout of genuine emotion and political weight. House of the Dragon may be an ongoing series, but the show’s unwavering attention to detail is exactly what makes the show such a rewarding masterpiece.

‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

Image via HBO

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His Dark Materials is an underrated high fantasy masterpiece that grows increasingly more impressive as its world expands and the story moves forward. The series follows the young orphan girl Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) and her quest for the truth after the disappearance of other children, including her best friend.

Unlike the mostly disliked cut-down film adaptation, The Golden Compass, the TV series His Dark Materials had the room to preserve its source material’s theological and philosophical scale. From the show’s production design and impressive visual effects that make angels, armored bears, and alternate cities feel both awe-inspiring and tangible, to its expansive world-building and character development, the series brilliantly embraces the scope that Philip Pullman‘s novels deserve. His Dark Materials is a fantastic adaptation that brilliantly proves high fantasy is at its strongest when every installment is masterfully crafted and is allowed to fully realize its large ambitions.

‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

This underrated animated Prime Video series is a hilarious icon that masterfully brings high fantasy to life with humor, blood, chaos, and surprising emotional force. The Legend of Vox Machina centers around a dysfunctional group of mercenaries who accept increasingly consequential quests in the magical world of Exandria.

The Legend of Vox Machina delivers episode after episode of great bingeworthy material. The show’s comedy remains energetic and vulgar throughout its entirety, though never coming at the expense of the series’ high-stakes storytelling or emotional core. Instead, every battle, joke, and wholesome conversation helps to strengthen the bond between its unlikely heroes while richly expanding the fantasy world that surrounds them. With an effortless balance of brutal action, outrageous humor, memorable villains, and surprisingly moving moments, the series ensures that no episode feels wasted. The series is truly remarkable and easily stands among the rarest fantasy series, with every installment feeling like a true masterpiece.

‘The Twelve Kingdoms’ (2002–2003)

Image via Pierrot

This fantastical anime rewards patient viewers with one of the richest fantasy journeys ever seen in the genre. The Twelve Kingdoms follows anxious Japanese teen Yōko Nakajima (Aya Hisakawa) as she’s taken to a parallel world of twelve kingdoms by the mysterious Keiki (Takehito Koyasu), who identifies her as a ruler despite her lack of confidence or knowledge.

With its meticulously constructed world that features immortality, systems of succession, reproduction, social rank, divine law, and bureaucratic failure that shape normal lives, The Twelve Kingdoms creates an epic fantasy setting that feels brilliantly complete. Instead of treating its mythology as simple background material, the show dives into how these institutions influence every ruler, kingdom, and citizen, giving each bit of conflict an impressive amount of purpose. The Twelve Kingdoms‘ unwavering commitment to its thoughtful world-building is what truly makes it the perfect addition to this list, as it stands as an epic high fantasy that remains consistent in its high quality each episode.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an intriguing high fantasy series that expands the iconic Lord of the Rings franchise. Set in Middle-earth, the show centers on multiple rulers and heroes as they confront the ever-growing threat of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) during the Second Age.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an easy pick for this list as every episode within it adds another piece to a rather grand fantasy history. The show produces an amazing thrill in almost every scene; even when its story is slow-moving, the setting carries a sense of mythic importance that keeps audiences completely captivated. From its ancient rivalries and political intrigue to its intricate cultures and sweeping landscapes, every chapter of the series stands as a significant expansion of Middle-earth while steadily building towards much larger conflicts. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a fantastic high fantasy that ensures each one of its episodes feels purposeful, rewarding, and worthy of the genre’s very best.

Every month, Netflix adds more high-quality movies that make it harder to find the time to do anything else.

I often struggle to decide which great film or underrated flick I should put in my queue to watch when I have free time.

You shouldn’t have the same problem, which is why I made this list of my top three new Netflix movies you should stream in August 2026.

From a pitch-black satire about social media obsession starring Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen to a 2024 horror film featuring Sydney Sweeney, these films are all underseen, underrated and deserve a wider, more appreciative audience than they’ve received in the past.

‘The Kid Detective’ (2020)

Abe Applebaum (Adam Brody) used to be a kid detective famous for solving minor crimes around his neighborhood. He’s all grown up now, but he’s still haunted by the one case he never solved – the disappearance of his friend, Gracie. When high school student Caroline (Heated Rivalry‘s Sophie Nélisse) asks him to find her missing boyfriend Patrick (Lian McLean-Smits), Abe agrees to take the case, partly due to Caroline’s insistence but mostly so he can redeem himself for never finding Gracie.

The Kid Detective starts with a promising premise  — what if Encyclopedia Brown grew up into a has-been slacker?  — and spins an intriguing mystery that gets progressively stranger and darker. Patrick’s disappearance reminds Abe of Gracie’s, which causes him to doubt his detective skills and his place in the world. If he’s not “the kid detective,” then who is he? Brody has been getting his flowers lately for his great work in Netflix’s hit series, Nobody Wants This, but he gives his best performance to date as a man who never quite grew up. I won’t spoil The Kid Detective’s ending, except to confess that it left me wrecked. It will probably do the same to you.

The Kid Detective is now streaming on Netflix.

‘Immaculate’ (2024)

Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) is a novice nun who just joined an Italian convent that treats dying clergy members. Because she’s new to the ways of the catholic order, she brushes off some weird things she sees, like strange symbols on some of the nuns’ bodies and disturbing nightmares of hooded figures surrounding her. But Cecilia can’t ignore a shocking development that occurs during her stay  — she becomes pregant, even though she’s a virgin. Something is amiss at this nunnery, and Cecilia is determined to find out before time runs out and she gives birth to something she’s not entirely sure is even human.

Immaculate is a clever twist on the devil baby trope  — just when you think you know where it’s going, its plot takes a turn in another direction. That’s a good thing, as one of the film’s best assets is its unpredictability; it could’ve been a cheap imitation of Rosemary’s Baby, but instead, its own weird thing. The movie’s other secret weapon is Sweeney, who showcases another side to her she’s never shown before. She’s completely believable as an innocent nun, and her transformation into a final girl battling to save herself is Immaculate’s chief pleasure.

Immaculate starts streaming on August 13.

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‘Ingrid Goes West’ (2017)

Ingrid (Aubrey Plaza) isn’t the most stable person – her personal life is in the gutter, her mother just died, and her only means of escape is through social media. When she discovers Taylor (Elizabeth Olsen) online, she sees the popular influencer as her way out of her humdrum life and into Taylor’s picture-perfect, highly curated Venice Beach world. Ingrid quickly moves cross-country and tries to get close to Taylor by pretending to be everything she is: cultured, stylish and always cool. Ingrid’s lie works – Taylor likes her enough to invite her into her inner circle – but how long can Ingrid keep up the illusion without her growing desperation to be loved exposing her charade?

Ingrid Goes West has the bones of a stalker thriller – think Single White Female for the Instagram age – but it’s less interested in cheap thrills and more focused on how people like Ingrid use social media as a way to avoid their problems. Taylor isn’t exempt from this criticism either; she advertises a life that doesn’t exist, and which Ingrid craves. Plaza and Olsen deliver performances that toe the line between satire and melodrama. Both of their characters are seriously disturbed, but only one of them knows it.

Ingrid Goes West is now streaming on Netflix.

Whew! Brandy is apparently at the point where looking this good has folks questioning if they’re actually standing in front of the real deal. The singer recently shared a hilarious encounter that showed just how stunned a group of men were when they spotted her, and their disbelief made the whole interaction even funnier.

RELATED: Sibling Love! Brandy And Ray J’s Reunion Has Fans In Their Feels (VIDEO)

Folks Were Not Buying Brandy’s Identity

In a video shared to Brandy’s Instagram Story, the singer recorded a car full of older men stopped beside her. One of the men immediately questioned her identity, telling her, “You ain’t no goddam Brandy,” before she laughed it off and played along, joking that she was a Brandy impersonator. The singer even encouraged them to take a picture “in case you never meet Brandy,” while flipping the camera around to capture her own shocked reaction.

She Had Photographic Proof And He Still Doubted

She then turned the camera back toward the group, and the driver handed her his phone and asked her to take a picture of herself with it. But even after getting photographic evidence, one passenger still wasn’t convinced it was really Brandy. The singer seemed amused by the whole exchange and asked, “You still don’t believe me?” 😂

The Comments Had Jokes, Nostalgia, And Reactions

Fans quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section and filled it with their reactions to Brandy’s hilarious encounter. Some joked that their nieces and nephews would absolutely lose it if they were in that car. While others said they remembered her from Moesha and couldn’t relate to not recognizing her. Meanwhile, others simply loved seeing Brandy outside and living her best life.

One Instagram user @onairkeke said, “This is so hilarious and wholesome 😂 Black folk don’t play about Brandy😂👏🏾”

This Instagram user @sway_thepro joked, “Brandy be outside!! lol Yessss”

And, Instagram user @pastor_west added, “Imagine being so famous you gotta argue with a stranger about whether you’re you. 😭😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @iamcalisodope wrote, “They gon trip when one of they little nephews show them this 😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @cashmase commented, “I bet it feels so good to just be a human for once. 🙌🏾”

Finally, Instagram user @whatthejuice_atl2 shared, “The Brandy they remember had braids!😂”

RELATED: Brandy Seemingly Addresses Commentary About Her Appearance After Viral Images Spark Concern Online (PHOTOS)

Megan Park formed a friendship with Shailene Woodley while working together on The Secret Life of the American Teenager — but is there a chance the former costars will reunite on Sterling Point?

“That I would love. I always am like, ‘Hey Shai,’” Park, 40, exclusively told Us about collaborating with Woodley, 34, on her other projects. “She’s also in The Fallout. I love working with people that are my friends and actors that I’ve worked with in the past. It’s so fun. So why not?”

Park credited The Secret Life of the American Teenager for bringing Woodley into her life.

“There were so many wonderful things that came out of that show really,” she noted. “Like my best friend Shailene Woodley, who still to this day is my ride or die.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which ran from 2008 to 2013, followed teenager Amy (Woodley) as she experienced pregnancy and parenthood while also struggling with everything that comes from being a high school student.

In addition to Woodley and Park, the ABC Family drama starred Kenny Baumann, India Eisley, Greg Finley, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Molly Ringwald and Steve Schirripa.

“It was such a different time [when I filmed The Secret Life] so it’s hard to compare that and [my new show Sterling Point] because it was truly a different era,” Park recalled. “And it was such a wonderful cast. All those people I’m still really close with.”

She continued: “And I learned a lot about just being on a set and what everyone’s role is and getting so comfortable on a set. But it was a very different kind of show to make.”

Park was grateful for the experience because of the lessons she learned.

“I just didn’t always feel like when I was in many different projects — not specifically that — it didn’t feel authentic to how I was actually experiencing my young adulthood or seeing my peers experience theirs or talking about things or in a way that felt really natural,” she added.

Park has since shifted to work behind the screen with The Fallout, My Old Ass and now Prime Video’s Sterling Point.

“I definitely did not know this was going to be the path for me,” Park told Us about getting the chance to create a TV show. “I definitely feel like I am trying to create a more authentic experience for the YA [young adult] space and genre — and also just for the actors.”

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Park hinted that she didn’t have any plans to make an onscreen appearance, adding, “I personally don’t miss acting at all so I’m not itching to get back in front of the camera. The actors on this show kept being like, ‘Play the dead mom.’ I was like, ‘No! I don’t want to manifest that, first of all.’ And I was like, ‘No, I can’t direct myself to do that. I can’t do it. It doesn’t sound fun to me.’”

She continued: “But maybe. Never say never. Maybe in someone else’s project. Maybe for Sean Baker because I’d have a hard time saying no to that but I definitely am happier behind the camera.”

Sterling Point is streaming on Prime Video.

Russell Dickerson is already looking toward his next musical chapter, and he has one major name at the top of his collaboration wish list. The country singer exclusively confirmed to The Blast that work on his fifth studio album is officially underway after months of writing new material.

While Dickerson did not disclose a title, release date, or potential tracklist, he made it clear that the creative process has entered an exciting new stage. “I just left the studio,” Dickerson revealed before sharing the update. “Making record five is rolling now.”

Along with teasing his next collection of songs, Dickerson opened up about the surprising range of artists he would love to work with, including the R&B superstar whose music has influenced him since elementary school.

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Dickerson arrived at the interview fresh from working on his next record, giving fans an early indication that his fifth album is beginning to take shape. Although the singer kept the specifics under wraps, he revealed that he and his collaborators have spent considerable time building a collection of potential songs.

“We’ve been writing and writing and writing, and I really am so pumped on these songs,” Dickerson told The Blast, though he did not reveal how many songs he has completed, which tracks may make the final cut, or when the album could arrive.

His excitement, however, suggests that he is already confident in the material created during the ongoing writing sessions. “I can’t wait,” Dickerson said of the new music. “I’m so pumped.”

The album will mark another major milestone in the singer’s recording career. It could also give Dickerson additional opportunities to work with artists outside the country format, something he has expressed a strong interest in pursuing.

Usher Tops The Country Singer’s Collaboration Wish List

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When asked which artist fans might never expect him to collaborate with, Dickerson did not need much time to consider his answer. “Usher is definitely my numero uno collab dream,” he revealed.

The choice may surprise listeners primarily familiar with Dickerson’s country hits, but his connection to Usher’s music dates back decades. Long before launching his own career, Dickerson repeatedly listened to the R&B singer’s early work. “I’ve been such a fan for so long,” he explained. “I mean, I was in fifth grade, and I had his first record, ‘My Way,’ and just over and over again, that was one of my favorite records.”

Released in 1997, “My Way” helped establish Usher as one of R&B’s defining voices. For Dickerson, the album became part of his early musical education and left a lasting enough impression that Usher remains his ultimate prospective collaborator years later.

Dickerson did not say whether he has approached Usher about recording together or already has a particular song in mind. For now, the potential pairing remains a dream, but one he would clearly welcome if the right opportunity arose.

Russell Dickerson Is Also Open To A Heavier Sound

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Usher is not the only unexpected name Dickerson would consider bringing into his musical world. The singer revealed that his personal taste also extends into heavier rock music, creating the possibility of another surprising crossover in the future. “Probably some heavy rock artists that I would love to collab with too,” he shared.

Dickerson specifically named Underoath as one of his favorite bands, although he acknowledged that combining their respective sounds might be easier said than done. “Underoath is one of my favorite bands,” Dickerson said. “I don’t know if we would do a collab, but…”

The Grammy-nominated rock band is known for a considerably heavier sound than the upbeat country-pop music many fans associate with Dickerson. That contrast would make a collaboration unexpected, but it also demonstrates how far his musical interests extend beyond the genre in which he built his career.

Dickerson also identified The 1975 as another group he would be eager to work with. “The 1975, Matty, if I got to do that, that would be crazy too,” he admitted, referring to the band’s frontman, Matty Healy.

Russell Dickerson Celebrates A Major Career Milestone

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Dickerson’s fifth album update comes as the singer celebrates another major achievement in his career. Following his Grand Ole Opry performance earlier this week, members of Dickerson’s team surprised him with an RIAA plaque recognizing “Happen to Me” as certified double platinum. The song, featured on his “Famous Back Home” album, previously spent multiple weeks at No. 1 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

“Happen to Me” has also accumulated more than 400 million global streams and earned Dickerson his first Top 10 hit at Hot AC radio. Its success led to performances on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” and at CMA Fest.

Russell Dickerson Keeps His Momentum Going With ‘Worth Your Wild’

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Meanwhile, Dickerson’s latest single, “Worth Your Wild,” continues climbing the charts. The track is currently inside the Top 30 at U.S. Country Radio and the Top 20 on the country radio charts in both the United Kingdom and Canada.

The RANGE Music artist also has a busy live schedule ahead, with performances at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Oro Station, Ontario, and Mansfield Speedway in Ohio among his upcoming stops.

The 2010s gave us some of the best movies of the 21st century, and some of them have unforgettable plot twists ever put on film. It takes a lot to keep the best twists hidden in the age of online theories and social media. And the movies with the best plot twists are able to keep them under wraps and manage to deliver shocking reveals that leave audiences speechless.

Whether it’s psychological thrillers, horror films, superhero blockbusters, or award-winning dramas, the decade proved that a well-executed twist could completely transform an already great movie into an unforgettable one. With movies from filmmakers such as M. Night Shyamalan to Denis Villeneuve, these are the most perfect plot twists of the 2010s, ranked by how brilliantly they shocked and surprised the audiences.

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‘A Simple Favor’ (2018)

Image via Lionsgate

When glamorous public relations executive Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) suddenly disappears, widowed mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) begins investigating in A Simple Favor. She grows closer to Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding), until Emily turns out to be alive, only faking her death for insurance money and escaping debt. Stephanie also discovers that Emily had an identical sister named Faith, whose death became part of the scheme.

Paul Feig‘s A Simple Favor may have too many twists for its own good, but the film’s light atmosphere and stellar performances make them work. Each revelation is downright outrageous but they’re presented sincerely. The character dynamic between Emily and Stephanie shifts with each surprise, and the film becomes irresistible to watch. With performances that are probably too good for this type of film, Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and Henry Golding sell the twisty story so well. It’s one of the surprise hits of 2018, and even spawned a sequel.

9

Joker (2019)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Throughout Joker, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes increasingly convinced that he is the illegitimate son of billionaire Thomas Wayne after discovering documents belonging to his mother. The truth is that it’s the fabrication of her mother. Moreover, Arthur’s relationship with her neighbor Sophie (Zazie Beetz) turns out to be a figment of his imagination. All of these trigger his descent into madness.

While the twist in Joker is not something new, it makes the film better as it puts the audience in Arthur’s mindspace as an unreliable narrator. The film gradually dismantles the version of reality viewers have accepted, making every earlier scene feel unstable. The imagined relationship with Sophie is particularly effective because the film never openly signals that anything is wrong until the truth quietly reveals itself. These twists reinforce Arthur’s deteriorating mental state while making the audience experience the same confusion and uncertainty he does.

8

‘The Visit’ (2015)

Image via Universal Pictures

In The Visit, Becca (Olivia Dejonge) and Tyler (Ed Oxbould) travel to rural Pennsylvania to spend a week with their grandparents, whom they’ve never met because of their complicated family relationship. At first, the elderly couple seems eccentric, but then their behavior becomes increasingly disturbing and violent. When they have a video call with their mother, it is revealed that the people staying in the house are not their grandparents at all, but psychiatric patients who escaped.

Is it really a list of the best movie twists without an M. Night Shyamalan film? The Visit marks Shyamalan’s return to form after a string of disappointing releases. Here, his sensibilities are on full display. Shyamalan expertly builds suspense through small moments of discomfort, encouraging audiences to dismiss the grandparents’ bizarre behavior as symptoms of old age until the truth becomes impossible to ignore. The found-footage format also heightens the intensity of the situation. It’s one of Shyamalan’s understated and underrated film that is also an entertaining and fun horror film.

7

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2012)

Image via Lionsgate

The Cabin in the Woods starts as a familiar horror movie setup where five college friends head to a remote cabin where they begin falling victim to terrifying supernatural forces. Instead of being haunted by ghosts or attacked by monsters, the terror is an orchestrated ritual controlled by a secret organization that sacrifices people in horror story settings to appease ancient gods and prevent the apocalypse.

The twist is brilliant because it simultaneously subverts expectation and celebrates decades of horror movie cliches. A straightforward setup for a slasher film transforms into a wildly imaginative meta-commentary on why horror movies exist in the first place. When the movie opens up its secrets, there is an abundance of memorable moments. There is a spectacular sequence where every imprisoned monster is unleashed. It’s incredibly rare that a film manages to deconstruct a genre while still delivering the thrills that the audiences expected, which is why The Cabin in the Woods is one of the smartest and most entertaining horror films of the 2010s.

6

‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)

Image via Marvel Studios

In Iron Man 3, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) finds himself hunted by the Mandarin, a ruthless international terrorist whose actions have thrown the world into chaos. When Tony finally infiltrates the villain’s mansion, he discovers that the terrorist is a decoy, played by a washed-up British actor, Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley). The real mastermind is Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), a scientist who was once snubbed by Tony years before.

The twist remains one of the boldest and also most divisive in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Mandarin in the comics is not Trevor Slattery. The film’s version of The Mandarin is a commentary on media manipulation and modern terrorism, instead of a straightforward terrorist. The reveal is both hilarious and unsettling, exposing how everyone accepts a carefully crafted narrative. It’s a smart subversive twist that no one was able to see coming. If you like this twist, recent MCU entries like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Wonder Man feature Ben Kingsley’s Slattery in prominent roles.

5

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) faces off against the Vulture, who steals and sells advanced alien technology from the Battle of New York. At the same time, Peter is taking his classmate Liz (Laura Harrier) to the homecoming dance. When he picks up Liz, he realizes that her father is Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) aka The Vulture himself. While Toomes initially doesn’t notice who Peter is, he puts two and two together and finds out that his daughter’s date is Spider-Man.

The brilliance of the twist lies in its simplicity and flawless execution. The reveal is a surprise to everyone, and its effectiveness relies on Michael Keaton and Tom Holland’s performances. Keaton’s realization and his gradual sinister turn during the car ride to the homecoming dance elevate the sequence into one of the franchise’s most suspenseful scenes. Holland himself holds his own against a seasoned actor, selling the tension even more. Narratively, it makes Peter’s showdown more personal, as the Vulture is not some faceless bad guy, but the father of the girl he likes. While Spider-Man: Brand New Day explores the duality of his life further, this is an early glimpse into it.

4

‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Pictures

In Shutter Island, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) appears to be investigating the disappearance of a patient from the mysterious Ashecliffe Hospital. But actually, Teddy isn’t a marshal at all. He’s a patient suffering from severe psychological trauma after killing his wife, who had drowned their children. The entire investigation has been an elaborate therapeutic exercise designed by the hospital’s staff to help him accept reality before resorting to a lobotomy.

On a second viewing, nearly every move and look makes perfect sense because everyone has been carefully participating in the roleplay. Rather than invalidating the mystery, the reveal transforms it into an emotionally devastating character study about grief and guilt. The film’s final line adds yet another layer of ambiguity that keeps audiences questioning its ending. Has Teddy relapsed, or did he finally choose lobotomy? It’s a film that rewards repeat viewings, not only because of its twist, but also because this Martin Scorsese film is one of the finest films of 2010.

3

‘Incendies’ (2010)

Image via Entertainment One 

In Incendies, twins Jeanne and Simon are tasked with carrying out two requests in their mother, Nawal’s will, which is to deliver a letter to the father they believed was dead and another to a brother they never knew existed. Their journey leads to a shocking revelation that their missing father and unknown brother are the same man. He is their mother’s first son, who was stolen from her as a baby, grew up to become a militia leader, and unknowingly raped his own mother while she was imprisoned.

Calling the twist in Incendies perfect is not necessarily fitting. It is a great twist and definitely the most devastating one on this list. On a bigger picture, the twist explores the harrowing nature of war and the generational trauma it causes. Denis Villeneuve patiently builds the story until it reaches this heartbreaking revelation. After the film ends, the twist lingers because it reframes the characters’ journeys and also the impact of this twist on their lives. It’s very rare that a film delivered a twist that is horrifying, emotionally heartbreaking and thematically essential all at the same time, making this one of the best films of the 2010s.

2

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Gone Girl sees devoted wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) missing, and all evidence points to her husband Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck). In the midpoint of the film, it is revealed that Amy is alive and well. She orchestrated her own disappearance and framed Nick for murder as revenge for his infidelity.

This David Fincher film seemed like a traditional whodunit until we realized that both sides are unreliable narrators. The thematic weight behind Amy’s reasoning to frame Nick is the driving force of the twist. The cool girl monologue, written by author Gillian Flynn, is an iconic piece of work, both in cinema and the literary world. Amy Dunne instantly becomes one of the decade’s most unforgettable characters, thanks to her intelligence and meticulous planning, which make her terrifyingly believable. The most exciting thing is that after this midpoint reveal, the film becomes even more unpredictable.

1

Parasite (2019)

Image via NEON

Parasite sees the Kim family cleverly infiltrating the wealthy Park family by assuming positions in their household. When they have settled in the lavish house, the real parasite is living in a hidden bunker beneath the mansion. The husband of the previous housekeeper has been living in the underground basement for years without the Parks ever noticing.

The twist in Parasite is so powerful that the film also changes genre when the reveal hits. The hidden basement is a perfect metaphor for the invisible underclass buried beneath society’s polished exterior, revealing that there is always someone struggling even more than the characters we’ve been following. Bong Joon-ho masterfully shifts genres without the audience ever realizing the transition. The film turns a con story into a tragedy about class and inequality. There’s a reason why Parasite was awarded Best Picture and is always in the conversation about the best movies of the 21st century.

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Parasite

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Release Date

May 30, 2019

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Runtime

133 minutes

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  Lee Sun-kyun

  Park Dong-ik

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