Days of Our Lives fans know that Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is gone right now, but she returns to Salem this fall and brings back somebody shocking with her. So, could it be a DiMera thought to be dead or some other stunning return? Knowing Kristen, it honestly could be somebody truly horrifying.

Days of our Lives: Kristen Takes Off

So, let’s dive in. As you know, Kristen DiMera left Salem late this summer to protect her daughter Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) from EJ DiMera‘s (Dan Feuerriegel) wrath. Although, let’s be real, EJ DiMera never intended to hurt Rachel. He just wanted to put a scare into Kristen because she tried to kill his son Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman). Crazy Kristen of course blamed EJ for Rachel shooting him because the tween was upset that EJ sent her grandmother Rachel Blake (Roslyn Gentle) away.

And with Kristen bringing somebody back with her, I initially wondered if it might be Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) only because she’s been name dropped a lot lately with Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) and this new guy Mason Whitfield (Brandon Butler). But as far as Kristen knows, Sophia is dead.

Dead DiMera Resurrected   on DOOL

And after Kristen clocked her in the head with a rock, I just doubt Sophia would hang out with her. I have a feeling that we’re going to see Kristen’s big return during November sweeps, which kicks off the last week of October on the 29th. And yeah, Kristen might bring back a dead DiMera with her, or one who’s presumed dead, but she found alive. Or it could be somebody alive but just not seen yet.

So aside from Sophia, the first person that sprung to my mind is Dominic Marino. We know he’s got Stefano DiMera‘s (Joseph Mascolo) ring on his finger and Rita’s loyalty and Dominic bought the Kiriakis mansion and he had Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti) try to make sure Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) didn’t win at the poker table and that way Philip couldn’t save the mansion. And of course Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) didn’t get the text and went ahead and signed the papers. But Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip gambled big at the roulette wheel and hopefully they’re still going to be able to save Titan.

We know Dominic’s still in Italy and Kristen might wind up there while she’s on the run. Dominic may introduce himself to Kristen, the sister he’s never met. By the end of this week, Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) gets Dominic’s birth certificate from Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and Hope Brady (Kristian Alfonso). And it shows Dominic is Stefano’s son. And it looks like he is also going to be Marlena Evans‘s (Deidre Hall) son, which is truly terrible.

Days of our Lives: Kristen Targets EJ

So, I know Kristen would love to see EJ squirm. Dominic may know from Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) that Kristen and EJ are at odds. While we expect Dominic in Salem soon, November Sweeps makes a lot of sense for his big debut. Given how much Kristen hates EJ right now, there’s no telling what she might do. And I could totally see Kristen making an alliance with Dominic and embracing him as Stefano’s true heir.

And that would absolutely infuriate EJ. But another person Kristen might bring back with her is her nephew Dmitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) because he still wants to prove that EJ and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) were the ones who kidnapped him and held him captive in Alamania. So, Dmitri may offer Kristen protection from EJ because he’s got all his ISA double agent skills, and he’s ruthless.

Kristen Helps Dimitri on Days

Dmitri may ask for Kristen’s help proving what EJ and Gwen did in exchange for keeping her safe. And since Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) are finally reuniting, it would be terrible timing for Kristen to show back up with Leo’s hunky ex, Dmitri. I think Kristen would make an alliance with absolutely anybody if it would save her from EJ’s wrath. So, there’s also the chance that Kristen brings back her brother Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) with her to Salem.

That wouldn’t be shocking though. But that being said, Kristen has sought Tony out countless times when she’s making a power grab or if she needs backup against the rest of the family. Kristen and Tony could return and take sides in the Dominic versus EJ war that I feel is coming soon. Recently, Sydney DiMera (Sydney Malakeh) mentioned that she saw Tony during fashion week in Milan. The writers often drop little foreshadowing hints.

Kristen Laying Low on DOOL

So, I always pay attention to the offscreen characters that are mentioned. So, Kristen is hiding out over in Italy. She might even be staying with Tony and Anna DiMera (Leann Hunley), hiding out from EJ. On the weird flip side, Kristen may bring back somebody who was presumed dead. Now, we know her brother Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier), who’s an adopted DiMera, died after the Crypt crew kidnappings. Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) snuck into his room and injected Peter and then he flatlined and obviously it looks like Dr. Rolf staged Peter’s death and he probably stuck him in a cryo-pod. That seems like something Dr. Rolf would do on Days of our Lives.

And if you recall, Peter was furious at Kristen for turning against him during the kidnappings. And it was Kristen’s actions that led to Peter being impaled on one of Stefano’s loose bones, and that made him so sick. But before all of that, Kristen and Peter had been really close. So, if Kristen finds out Peter’s in a cryo-pod, she may have Dr. Rolf resurrect her biological brother and hand him over. And then Kristen may bring Peter back to Salem with her for help in taking down EJ. Peter’s insane, but so is Kristen. I mean, so is their mom, Rachel Blake. Hopefully, it’s not Peter.

Days of our Lives: Abigail Back from the Dead

Now, there is another dead DiMera that Kristen might find while she’s on the run. That wouldn’t be quite so scary, but it would be shocking. We’ve all been waiting to find out if Abigail Deveraux DiMera (AnnaLynne McCord) is really dead or alive. Her name was dropped again recently when Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) and Belle Black (Martha Madison) were talking about Cat Greene‘s (AnnaLynne McCord) fakery. If you remember when Chad and Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford) had Abigail’s grave exhumed, there were no remains inside.

That was done partly to help Cat carry out her subterfuge that Clyde Weston (James Read) was making her do. And if you remember, Cat’s brother Mark Greene (Jonah Robinson) faked the DNA test. But since then, Abigail’s remains have never been found. And on Days of Our Lives, that means that person is likely not dead. It is the perfect time for Abigail to come back since Chad is falling for Belle and Cat’s no longer in his life. So, it could be that Kristen finds Abigail while she’s on the run, maybe hidden somewhere by hillbilly Clyde, who as far as we know is still in a coma.

Sophia Returns to Days

And if Kristen returned to Salem with Abigail and reunited her with Chad, that means Chad would probably side with Kristen in a family battle with EJ. It feels like they’ve been hinting around about Abigail’s return for a while. So maybe that’ll manifest.

And while Kristen did seem to have murdered Sophia, the fact that her body was never found is a red flag. So yes, Sophia might return at some point. I don’t think Kristen would be the one to bring her back unless it was to torment EJ’s ex-stepdaughter, Holly. I feel like Sophia is a long shot for the person to come back with Kristen. I’m leaning towards Kristen showing up in town with Dominic because that would be the biggest slap in EJ’s face.

It would be kind of interesting if Kristen and Dominic set up an alternate DiMera family base over at the former Kiriakis mansion. You know, DiMera 2.0. And then they start pulling other DiMeras over to their side. I won’t call it the dark side because EJ is also dark. It feels like they’re going to be two DiMera dark sides and Kristen would definitely be on the darker side of those two. And I think that lands with Dominic. So maybe those two come to town together, which would be truly terrifying.

It’s a precious enough rarity to find a book that’s genuinely great, but to find one that’s downright perfect? That’s the sort of thing that tells you that the pages in your hand are truly special. But while many of history’s greatest literary masterpieces are so dense that they make re-reads daunting, there are others that, for one reason or another, make the idea of re-visiting their world and characters immediately irresistible.

From mind-bending surrealist masterpieces like I’m Thinking of Ending Things to cornerstones of postmodern literature like If on a winter’s night a traveler, these are books that aren’t just re-readable: They make you want to start over right after you get to the final period of the story. Whether it’s because of plot twists, mind-twisting elements, or simply just a tremendous level of quality, they’re the sort of novels that you’ve only ever fully experienced if you’ve read them twice.

10

‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ (2016)

Image via Simon & Schuster

Canadian literature has offered plenty of masters and plenty of masterpieces over the years, and recently Iain Reid gave us his remarkable debut novel, the psychological horror thriller I’m Thinking of Ending Things. It follows a young woman who has many doubts about her relationship with her boyfriend, and is specifically structured as a sort of psychological puzzle box that feels like exploring the fractured psyche of a fascinating protagonist.

Upon publication, most critics hailed I’m Thinking of Ending Things as one of the boldest, most creative, and most philosophically dense thrillers that bookstore shelves had seen in years—but in spite of that density and its undeniably bleak tone, it nevertheless makes an instant re-read irresistibly tempting. As it slowly moves and then dramatically careens toward its ending, the book keeps recontextualizing itself in all sorts of engrossing ways. By the time it’s all over, you practically need a re-visit in order to properly understand everything you’ve just experienced.

9

‘Piranesi’ (2020)

Image via Bloomsbury Publishing

Advertisement

People who love books that are structured like puzzle boxes ought to consider Susanna Clarke‘s Piranesi a must-read. After Clarke wrote her Hugo-winning debut novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, she suffered almost two decades’ worth of a severe, debilitating case of chronic fatigue syndrome. Powering through her illness, she finally put Piranesi out into the world. Not only was the result worth it: It’s one of the best fantasy books published since 2020.

Structured like a journal and following a gentle man living in a seemingly infinite building known as the House, it’s such a powerful thematic exploration of memory and identity that its enrapturing emotional atmosphere alone makes it worth a re-read. Add to that some of the most beautifully dreamlike world-building and some of the most memorable prose that the fantasy genre has seen in some time, and you get a book that’s bound to be remembered as a 2020s classic a couple of decades from now.

8

‘Fight Club’ (1996)

Image via W. W. Norton & Company

Advertisement

Is the book better or is David Fincher‘s iconic film adaptation better? It doesn’t really matter, since the fact of it is that Chuck Palahniuk‘s satirical novel Fight Club is among the greatest American novels of the ’90s. It was Palahniuk’s debut novel, and it’s about an unnamed insomniac protagonist who finds relief in a series of support groups, where he eventually meets a mysterious man with whom he establishes an underground fighting club.

What at first starts reading as a thrilling story about a weak-willed man and a charismatic nihilist gradually starts revealing itself to be something far more sinister, and the book’s iconic twist completely flips everything that came before on its head. Even knowing the reveal beforehand, re-reading Fight Club becomes immediately enticing upon finishing it, all thanks to the engrossing character writing and Palahniuk’s punchy, transgressive writing style.

7

‘Annihilation’ (2014)

Image via Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Advertisement

Written by American author and critic Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation is the first book of the Southern Reach series, and it’s about a team of women sent into a government-managed, deserted location called Area X to study and survey the land. Winner of the 2014 Nebula Award for Best Novel, this cosmic horror sci-fi gem is an absolute page turner whose 208 pages feel even shorter.

What makes Annihilation so deeply re-readable is a big part of what makes it so special, and it’s not just the dreamlike atmosphere and fast-moving pace of VanderMeer’s writing. Where many instantly re-readable novels tend to rely on a big twist that shifts the meaning of the whole story, Annihilation‘s re-readability instead comes from how, on a second visit, you start to gradually notice the exact moments the influence of Area X alters the narrator’s perceptions and memories. For how brilliantly written these mysteries are, this is easily one of the best American books of the last 15 years.

6

‘The Secret History’ (1992)

Image via Vintage Books

Advertisement

The first novel written by Donna Tartt, The Secret History has aged beautifully as one of the most acclaimed English-language fiction books of the ’90s. A cornerstone of the campus novel and a pioneer of the dark academia genre, it’s one of those books that are real page-turners from start to finish, a fresh twist on the tropes of the murder mystery genre which has only gotten better with age.

What makes Secret History so unique and so instantly re-readable is the fact that Tartt structured it as a sort of inverted whodunnit—a whydunnit, if you will. We open by knowing exactly who died and exactly who killed him, and by granting the reader the logistical answers to the crime right off the bat, Tartt makes the whole mystery about why this could have possibly happened. It’s a delectably genius creative decision that makes re-visits of The Secret History endlessly rewarding.

5

‘If on a winter’s night a traveller’ (1979)

Image via Random House

Advertisement

Postmodernism was born in the Western world right after World War II, rejecting the dogmas of modernism and the Enlightenment as a result of post-war disillusionment. From this movement came several of the greatest masters of 20th century literature, which includes Italian writer Italo Calvino. His If on a winter’s night a traveller is one of the best books of the 1970s, and is about an unnamed Reader who buys a new book and discovers that a printing error cuts the story short and repeats the first chapter.

This genius piece of masterful metafiction is pretty much entirely and purposely designed specifically to be re-read, since it’s a book that’s overtly about the physical and psychological act of reading. The book’s final sentence loops directly back to complete the structure of page one, and as such, no reading of If on a winter’s night a traveller could ever be comprehensive without at least two read-throughs. The best part? This is one of those postmodern classics that feel not at all like a chore, but like a proper delight to experience.

4

‘Peace’ (1975)

Image via Berkley Books

Gene Wolfe was one of the most respected and acclaimed speculative fiction authors of modern times, perhaps best known for his magnum opus, the tetralogy The Book of the New Sun. Since that science fantasy epic is such a perfect masterpiece, it often overshadows the rest of Wolfe’s masterpieces—which definitely includes Peace, a ghost story about a man from a small Midwestern town who narrates various memories from different parts of his life.

Neil Gaiman once famously called Peace “a gentle Midwestern memoir the first time you read it, and a horror novel the second time.” Instead of feeding you the big twist that makes the novel instantly re-readable, Wolfe forces you to do the detective work yourself, finding the contextual clues that reveal you’ve been reading a ghost tale all along. As such, it’s impossible to finish reading Peace and not want to pick it back up for another go instantly.

3

‘Gone Girl’ (2012)

Image via Phoenix

Gillian Flynn‘s Gone Girl, one of those mystery book masterpieces that became the blueprint for the genre going forward, altogether revolutionized the domestic thriller genre by shattering its usual tropes. It’s a psychological thriller about a husband who becomes the prime suspect of his wife’s mysterious disappearance. The suspense then comes from wondering whether the husband actually is or isn’t behind the disappearance, and it makes for one of the most riveting reading experiences that any thriller from this century has had to offer.

You don’t have to wait too long to find out what’s really going on, and that earth-shattering midpoint twist not only makes your recollection of everything you’ve read up to that point collapse into itself, but also makes a re-read pretty much mandatory. On a re-read, Gone Girl‘s thought-provoking themes and intricately-plotted story become even more worthy of admiration.

2

‘The Sound and the Fury’ (1929)

Image via Penguin Classics

William Faulkner was one of the definitive architects of early 20th-century American literature, a radically revolutionary writer who unsurprisingly won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950. That prize would have most likely never come, however, were it not for how unprecedentedly groundbreaking the modernist Southern Gothic masterpiece The Sound and the Fury was. Written quite experimentally as a sort of stream of consciousness, it’s about the collapse and moral decay of a once-aristocratic family in Mississippi.

Though it wasn’t commercially successful, the book started growing in popularity after the publishing of Faulkner’s 1931 novel Sanctuary. Today, it’s widely regarded as one of the top contenders for the title of The Great American Novel. It’s one of those books that may feel like a true test of patience on one’s first read-through, but as Faulkner gradually starts to make everything feel clearer as the novel goes on, a second read-through immediately becomes a must.

1

‘Pedro Páramo’ (1955)

Image via Editorial RM

Between the 1960s and 1970s, Latin America became the epicenter of world literature, and Mexican writer Juan Rulfo was one of this cultural wave’s most important writers. He was far and away one of the most critical and foundational voices in the history of modern magical realism, largely thanks to what’s universally recognized not just as his magnum opus, but at times even referred to as the greatest Mexican book of all time: Pedro Páramo, about a man who travels to a desolate ghost town to fulfill the promise he made to his dying mother: that he’d find his estranged father and demand what he is owed.

Everything that ensues from that fascinating premise makes Pedro Páramo one of the best book masterpieces of the 20th century. Rather than a linear story, it’s a remarkably challenging collection of echoes that doesn’t quite become entirely clear even after one’s nth reading—and that impenetrability is an essential part of the book’s timeless charm. It may sound cheesy, but Pedro Páramo is a book to be experienced, not understood. Decoding the many nuances of the story of the town of Comala is something that takes several re-visits.

Dave Bautista is officially stepping into the role of Kratos.

The Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune star has finalized a deal to play the legendary Spartan warrior in Prime Video’s upcoming live action adaptation of God of War. Bautista replaces Ryan Hurst, who was originally cast as Kratos before exiting the series following an on set injury.

Hurst reportedly suffered a torn bicep while performing a stunt during production and required surgery, forcing the series to find a new actor for its leading role. Bautista had been reported to be in negotiations for the part earlier this month, and the deal has now officially been completed.

The casting puts Bautista at the center of one of Prime Video’s biggest upcoming video game adaptations. Best known to mainstream audiences as Drax in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy films, Bautista has steadily built a dramatic résumé that includes Dune, Dune: Part Two, Blade Runner 2049 and Knock at the Cabin.

Kratos, God of War [Santa Monica Studio]

Prime Video’s God of War is being led by Ronald D. Moore, the veteran producer behind Battlestar Galactica, Outlander and For All Mankind. Moore serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer, while Frederick E.O. Toye, whose credits include Shōgun and The Boys, is directing the first two episodes.

The series is expected to draw heavily from the Norse era of the God of War franchise, following Kratos and his young son Atreus on their journey through the Nine Realms. Callum Vinson is set to play Atreus, with the ensemble also including Teresa Palmer as Sif, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Danny Woodburn as Brok and Jeff Gulka as Sindri. Alastair Duncan will reprise his video game role as Mimir.

Amazon has already made a significant commitment to the adaptation, with God of War receiving a two season order. No official premiere date has been announced.

For Bautista, Kratos represents another major franchise role following his run as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His imposing physical presence makes him an obvious fit for the character, but his increasingly dramatic work could prove equally important in bringing the older and far more emotionally complex version of Kratos to live action.

With Bautista now officially wielding the Leviathan Axe, one of gaming’s most recognizable characters finally has his new live action star.

The latest season of Ryan Murphy‘s American Horror Story kicked off by playfully mocking Taylor Swift‘s fans.

During the season 13 premiere on Thursday, September 24, Madelaine Petsch took on the role of a fictional Swiftie whose boyfriend, Ben (Joey Pollari), has triskaidekaphobia — a.k.a the fear of the number 13. (At this point, the whole world knows 13 is the singer’s lucky number.)

“Are you not a Taylor fan? You lied to me? You’re not a Swiftie?” Kira asked Ben in a scene from Thursday’s episode. “I have 13 of my best girl friends going on this trip and I told them, ‘[He’s] the greatest. You are going to meet him and fall in love with him.’ And what am I going to tell them now?”

Ben assured Kira that he “really” likes Swift — with Evermore being his favorite album. Elsewhere in the episode, Kira reunited with her other Swiftie friends, but their flight had issues and they ended up in a plane crash.

Related: ‘American Horror Story’ Guest Stars You Already Forgot About

While it’s not hard to remember recurring favorites on American Horror Story like Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange, the same can’t be said for one season — or even one episode — guest stars, such as Adam Levine, Jenna Dewan and Naomi Campbell. Lena Dunham, for example, starred in one episode of Cult […]

While he may have poked fun at Swift’s fan base, Murphy, 60, has previously spoken about his dream of working with the Grammy winner.

“I’ve talked to Taylor’s people about various things through the years, and all I will say is that I think she’s great and if she ever has time to do it, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023. “I think she’s one of the greats.”

Murphy — who cast Swift’s now-husband, Travis Kelce, in his show Grotesquerie — recalled being “so shy” about bringing up Swift, 36, while on set.

“But he’s very sweet about it and respectful,” he added of the tight end. “They are a pop-culture phenomenon. It’s a very interesting dynamic, the way they’ve captured the imagination of the world.”

Kelce, 36, made his TV debut playing an orderly at a hospital in Murphy’s FX series.

Advertisement

Related: ‘American Horror Story’ Cast Guide: Who’s Been on Which Season?

Every season of American Horror Story has a different theme, and as a result, also has a different cast. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Deal […]

“[It was] not necessarily that it wasn’t for me. I was part of a really good cast. I think I got a lot of help and a lot of pointers from them,” the athlete said on a July 2025 episode of the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast. “So they helped make me feel comfortable in the moment.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Kelce admitted “preparation” was his biggest issue, adding, “I’m so prepared for an NFL game. I get an entire week to figure out a scheme of how I’m going to attack somebody and how I’m going to, like, handle certain specific situations. When you go into acting, I just don’t feel as prepared.”

While filming Murphy’s horror show, Kelce found himself struggling to adjust to life on set.

“I don’t know that professionalism before the cameras are on. I just hadn’t found that yet. I’m just going over the lines and I thought I could work something out,” he continued. “How many times am I going to read this same line and think that. You know what I mean? I gotta find the professional [in me].”

Brandi Glanville is addressing comments about how she looked during her brief stint on Special Forces.

“I know I look scarier than a corpse,” Glanville, 53, wrote via X on Thursday, September 24. “I’ve been trying to tell doctors for three years if something’s wrong with me and I finally got to somewhat of an answer but it’s been a humbling journey.”

Glanville was cast on season 5 of the hit Fox competition series, which premiered on Thursday. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum was the first to withdraw from the competition after a challenge led to a medical emergency.

“I over-rotated. I know it felt like my head hit the water, and it was so hard,” she exclusively told Us of landing in the ocean after jumping out of a helicopter. “It was like immediately I was dizzy and I thought my whole body was in the water. Then my body hits the water after that. It was just like being run over by a truck.”

Related: Everything Brandi Glanville Has Said About Her Facial Disfigurement

Brandi Glanville has had a difficult two years due dealing with a mysterious medical condition that has caused facial disfigurement. In July 2024, Glanville first opened up about her health issues, noting that she wanted to sue Bravo because of it. “This stress has ruined my health. I have uncontrollable stress induced angio-edema I haven’t […]

After Glanville hit the water, she wasn’t able to swim back to shore quick enough.

“It was crazy, and then I came up and I’m trying to swim. My whole body is in pain,” she continued. “My right arm is the only thing I can use, and I have all the water kicking up from the jet skis. So I’m drinking the water and I’m thinking, ‘Parasites!’ That’s all I can think about. Like, what is happening in my mouth?”

The stunt caused Glanville to experience a health scare. “Everyone kept touching me. And even just touching my back, it hurt,” she added. “I was spinning. I couldn’t hear out of my left ear immediately. I was about to throw up, but then the camera guy was in my face, and I’m like, ‘You’re not getting this from me.’ So I sat down, and they’re like, ‘Stand up!’ I’m like, ‘I cannot stand up. I will pass out and hit my head.’”

Glanville, who has been dealing with an unknown health condition for the past several years, wasn’t thrilled to be the first to leave Special Forces.

“Of course I’m thinking all these crazy things, but everyone seemed to go through it really easily,” she noted. “Like, I was the second one to do it, and I’m watching all these girls go do it, and I’m like, ‘Am I just a disaster? Why can’t I do it like everyone else?’”

The former Bravo star said she is on the mend now, but she still has some side effects from her time on Special Forces.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“It’s hard to turn [my arm]. Then my left boob is under my armpit, so that’s fun. And you’d have to fix that. But I hit the water really hard,” she told Us. “We had to take boats because of my ear to the hospital, so we took three separate boats. We got to the hospital, and you cannot fly. I had a concussion and a perforated eardrum and all of these things. I had the worst headache where it just [didn’t] go away.”

She concluded: “I think that there are still just moments where I’m feeling like I’m an old lady to do that. We don’t recover like we used to. I mean, if I was 20, I really would have liked to dive and swim out of there.”

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 5 airs on Fox Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.

In terms of immediate recognition combined with consistent quality and influence throughout the gaming industry, no singular video game franchise comes close to the impact and importance of the Super Mario series. Whether it be the hundreds of memorable spinoffs or the timeless platforming experiences that made the character an icon, each generation of gaming manages to have its own must-play Mario masterpiece that defines the generation.

These platformers, both 2D and 3D, are often the immediate examples of perfection within the genre, elevating and defining the strengths of the genre as they influence just about every other platformer ever made. Many of Mario’s most acclaimed and recognizable outings have stood the test of time as some of the greatest video games ever made. Video gaming as an art form simply wouldn’t be the same without Nintendo’s iconic plumber mascot, as these games see the character at his absolute best.

10

‘Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury’ (2021)

Image via Nintendo

Super Mario 3D World was already a prominently underrated entry in the Super Mario franchise, building upon the strengths of the level-based 2D platformers while utilizing seamless controls in a 3D multiplayer environment. It was massively limited due to its release on the failing Wii U console, making its Nintendo Switch port all but inevitable. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury proves to be much more than just a simple port, however, including an entirely new 3D Mario experience alongside the original underrated gem.

Bowser’s Fury takes a completely different approach to 3D Mario compared to 3D World, acting as a short yet highly engaging proof of concept for an open-world Mario game, where all of the levels and platforming seamlessly connect in a single area without any major loading screens. While this concept will hopefully be explored even more in the next big 3D Mario game, it still stands now as one of the best games that the Switch has to offer.

9

‘Super Mario Bros. Wonder’ (2023)

Image via Nintendo

After so many 2D Mario games under the “New Super Mario Bros.” banner were released and felt like extensions of the same game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder reintroduced vibrant creativity and originality to 2D Mario not seen since the SNES era. It takes the best attributes of modern and classic Mario platformers to create a true evolution of the formula, with each level delivering an unpredictable blast that constantly reshapes gameplay mechanics and rules.

It also helps that the game has a truly stellar art style, overflowing with personality and charm in every way, even to the point of actual gameplay with goofy new power-ups like Elephant Mario. It made for a truly great return to form for 2D Mario that paints a great picture for the future of the character in the post-New Super Mario Bros. and post-Super Mario Maker world.

8

‘Super Mario Sunshine’ (2002)

Image via Nintendo

While considered by some to be the black sheep of 3D Mario platformers due to several distinct choices it makes in its design and evolution of the formula, Super Mario Sunshine has grown to be an undeniable fan favorite for many fans, as an absolute must-play GameCube title. The game sees Mario traversing the tropical Isle Delfino, clearing his name as he is framed for the crime of polluting the island while collecting Shine Sprites and restoring the Island’s beauty.

It’s all the little things that come together to make Super Mario Sunshine such a memorable and endearing experience, from the core dynamic of utilizing the water jetpack F.L.U.D.D. for platforming to the intricate worldbuilding of each of the main levels of the game. Even if some of its gameplay elements haven’t aged the best, there’s so much underlying charm and passion to this game that it still makes it a delight to revisit all these years later.

7

‘Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Image via Nintendo

It’s impossible to have a list of the best Mario games without including the one that put him on the map as an inescapable icon of gaming. While not his first appearance in a video game, Super Mario Bros. is a platformer so timeless and exceptional in its craft that it nearly single-handedly revitalized the entire video game industry following its notorious crash in 1983. The game’s influence and stature in the realm of platformers and video games as a whole are still felt to this day, with it easily being one of the most important video games of all time.

The only thing that holds it back in the context of this list is that Mario as a franchise has evolved and grown so much since these humble early days. That isn’t to take away from the timeless strengths and impactful level design of this original masterpiece, only to say that this formula has grown and evolved so much that what was originally a savior of the industry helped pave the way for games even greater and even more exceptional.

6

‘Super Mario Galaxy 2’ (2010)

Image via Nintendo

One of the only times that a 3D Mario platformer received a direct sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2 really can just be boiled down to more of what made the original game such a masterpiece. While some may look at the game and take issue with it not forging its own identity or doing much to separate itself from the original, the absolute fun factor that comes from playing Super Mario Galaxy 2 cannot be ignored. With even more creative galaxies to explore and new power-ups galore, the game continued to deliver the same greatness as the original in the eyes of many gamers.

The game features constant memorable levels back to back to back, always keeping things fresh and finding ways to be inventive with the level design to keep the game from feeling too similar to the original title. The level of polish is also absolutely immaculate, having some of the best graphics on the Nintendo Wii and adding small quality-of-life improvements to the flow and feel of the game.

5

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ (2017)

Image via Nintendo

Advertisement

After a long string of more linearly designed 3D Mario games, Super Mario Odyssey was a glorious return to form for the classic style of 3D Mario platformer, with vast open worlds filled with collectibles and secrets to explore. With exceptionally fluid controls and personality exuding from each of the game’s worlds, Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platformer delight that may just be the most approachable and endlessly replayable Mario game to date.

The movement controls play a major part in the game’s continued success and legacy, finding this perfect balance between being simplistic enough for those unfamiliar with platformers to enjoy while having the depth that allows skilled gamers to express themselves in the game’s movement. Time has only been kind to this icon of modern Nintendo mastery, with this easily being one of the best Nintendo games of the past 10 years.

4

‘Super Mario World’ (1990)

Image via Nintendo

Advertisement

Upgrading the classic 2D Mario style into 16-bit graphics and the new SNES system, Super Mario World is, to many, still the absolute standard for 2D Mario platformers, as one of the most timeless and well-crafted platformers ever made. This amazing Nintendo game delivers exactly what one wants out of a 2D Mario experience, with a wide variety of levels and a great progression of difficulty, making it an unmistakable classic of the era.

From the introduction of beloved series icon Yoshi to the exceptional execution of its level design and visual charm, Super Mario World is one of the most important Mario games ever released and still greatly influences the entire franchise all these decades later. There is a good reason that there are still original ROM hack experiences that utilize Super Mario World as the baseline game, as it executes upon classic 2D platforming gameplay better than any other game of the 90s and beyond.

3

‘Super Mario 64’ (1996)

Image via Nintendo

Advertisement

With the advent of 3D graphics in the 90s completely revolutionizing the gaming industry, it soon became the standard for many popular franchises to make the jump to 3D. Super Mario 64 is arguably the absolute best of these shifts to 3D, with the platforming fun and vast creative worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom working perfectly for a 3D platforming collectathon. The game is undeniably the most important and influential 3D platformer ever made, completely revolutionizing the concept in the same way Super Mario Bros. did for 2D platformers 11 years prior.

While other early 3D games have faced some difficulties with stilted and awkwardly aged controls, Super Mario 64 is still incredibly fluid and fun to play in the modern day, feeling timeless in its execution as it perfectly understood how to make platforming in 3D both fun and engaging. While the game technically received a remake in Super Mario 64 DS, its lack of analog controls makes it pale in comparison to the fluid feeling of the original game.

2

‘Super Mario Galaxy’ (2007)

Advertisement

More than just one of the greatest Mario games ever made, Super Mario Galaxy is an absolute masterpiece of the platformer genre that is often celebrated as one of the greatest gaming achievements of the 21st century. With exceptional gravity physics complementing the level design and platforming perfectly, Super Mario Galaxy is a constant display of creative ideas brought to life with even more impressive execution. Its more linear design sets it apart from previous 3D Mario games while allowing for even more variety of levels and worlds to explore.

The space thematics and otherworldly feel of the game prove to be much more than just gravity gameplay mechanics, as it works in tandem with the tone and feel of the game to create one of the most beautiful gaming experiences that Nintendo has ever released. The game has been celebrated as one of the very best Nintendo games ever since its release, to the point of it even being the focal point of the second animated Mario movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

1

‘Super Mario Bros. 3’ (1988)

Advertisement

With so many masterpieces to choose from, it really does feel like any number of these games have a justification for taking the top spot on this list thanks to their endless qualities and strengths. However, in terms of which singular Mario platformer most distinctly exemplifies and symbolizes the greatness of the Mario series as a whole, it’s difficult to deny the stature of Super Mario Bros. 3. One of the very best games on the NES, Super Mario Bros. 3 pushed the console to its absolute limits and improved upon the already influential previous games in every possible way.

The controls and gameplay mechanics are more responsive and fun to play; the worlds and level design are much more varied, with each level and world feeling vastly different from the last; and the game helped define and set in stone the visual style that would define the franchise going forward. When gamers think of truly great Mario games, Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the first that comes to mind, whether it be the NES original or one of the many great remasters for the SNES and Game Boy Advance.

Advertisement

Super Mario Bros. 3

Advertisement

Released

October 23, 1988

ESRB

E For Everyone

Advertisement

Developer(s)

Nintendo R&D4

Advertisement

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Multiplayer

Advertisement

Local Multiplayer

Franchise

Super Mario

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Director Florian Zeller isn’t exactly known for making movies about happy homes. After The Father and The Son, the playwright-turned-filmmaker is back with Bunker, another story about a family struggling behind closed doors. This time, though, we get real-life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz as Miguel and Sofia, a long-married pair living in London with their two daughters. They’re the epitome of big city wealth, hiring a nanny to look after their kids, going to art gallery openings, and mingling with folks who come from old money. From the outside, they have everything — but on the inside, things are far less settled.

Those “things” suddenly take a turn when Miguel, a “starchitect,” receives an unusual request from an elusive, Elon Musk-type tech billionaire named Andrew (Paul Dano). Andrew wants Miguel to design a massive bunker that will protect a chosen group of wealthy people when the world falls apart. While the job becomes one source of trouble, the family’s other issues also keep mounting. Sofia feels stuck at her literary agency job, while Miguel soon suspects she’s spending too much time with the new, young author James (Patrick Schwarzenegger) her company just signed. On top of that, their neighbor Toby (Stephen Graham) has knocked a hole through his wall to install a window that overlooks their property. Nobody outside the couple’s house is entirely trustworthy, especially after their cat Blue unexpectedly vanishes.

Zeller makes good use of that slow-simmering uncertainty, allowing the smallest of interactions and unclear intentions to keep the film tense. Though not every idea in Bunker is explored as fully as it could be and some of its supporting characters are noticeably thin, Bardem and Cruz make the troubled marriage hard to look away from. At 126 minutes, Bunker is a thoughtful, suspenseful thriller with a tinge of dark comedy that may not floor audiences, but it’s well-made, sharply acted, and definitely worth your time.

What Is ‘Bunker’ About?

On paper, Bunker looks like a story about an architect building some fancy HGTV-style shelter for a billionaire. But Zeller is more interested in what happens when two people who’ve built a life together stop agreeing on what that life is. Miguel (Bardem) and Sofia (Cruz) have been married for 17 years, with five of them now spent in London after leaving Madrid to advance Miguel’s career. While the move worked for Miguel, Sofia’s career as a literary agent stalled. When she advocates for a promotion, she meets a prejudiced response. It finally confirms her fear that London is Miguel’s home, but it will never fully be hers.

And that bunker project only widens the gap. Miguel and his business partner (Mark Gatiss) see the assignment as a chance to earn enough money to empower their next move. But Sofia can’t ignore the disparity of the project itself, which will help wealthy people escape to a private spot while everyone else is left behind. Not to mention, the job would separate Miguel from his family for months, at a time when their daughters are already having complex reactions to their presence. Their teenage daughter Lucia (Chloe Conh) already keeps both parents at a distance, usually disappearing behind her headphones, while young Rosa (Leah Conh) still misses them whenever they are gone and has a tinge of loneliness. Sofia’s doubts deepen after meeting James (Schwarzenegger), whose outlook on life reminds her of choices she could have made if her own life didn’t revolve around Miguel.

And finally, there’s Toby’s (Graham) window, which Miguel sees as an invasion of privacy. While the neighbor insists he needs natural light for his studio, Miguel sees it as anything but an innocent request. Already uneasy about what’s happening in his home life, he responds by installing state-of-the-art security systems and begins watching everyone around him more closely. This tightened grip pushes Sofia to pull away. Soon, that growing doubt between husband and wife erupts in a genuinely terrifying conclusion that will leave you at the edge of your seat, absolutely stunned. It’s at this moment Zeller keeps the audience trapped in fear and unsure of what will happen next or who they can truly trust. Best of all, nothing about this sequence is rushed, as the film’s quieter anxieties turn into full-blown terror, creating a climax that’s stronger for it.

‘Bunker’s Writing Keeps Everyone Under Suspicion

Image via Sony Pictures Classics; Everett Collection

Zeller, alongside his co-writers Louise Krieger, Mariano Cohn, and Gastón Duprat, builds the film’s suspense by making sure everyone’s intentions are slightly out of reach. This is best seen when Graham’s character is viewed through Miguel’s eyes while in his own house, so that the audience is encouraged to share his distrust. That uncertainty runs through the film, especially when we meet James, who’s attentive to Sofia but also represents life outside her marriage, or Andrew, who convinces Miguel enough that he too shares similar concerns. Zeller also slips dark humor into these uncomfortable exchanges, preventing the movie from becoming too grim while still leaving everyone under some distrust.

But the script is less successful when it tries to connect some of those personal fears to larger ideas about wealth. Toby’s anger over gentrification or the billionaire’s plan to abandon society create a sharp argument about inequality, but Bunker never digs deeply into either. Whereas Toby is frustrated over people like Miguel transforming neighborhoods and pricing them out for those who grew up there, that resentment only appears threatening because it’s one-sided. Meanwhile, the billionaire is even more removed, and though he speaks of social collapse, we only see him briefly through Miguel’s one conversation with him.

Where the writing lands best, though, is with Miguel and Sofia. These are two people who love each other even as they become less certain of their life together. Zeller never turns either spouse into the obvious villain. Miguel’s desire to protect his family is logical, but that concern blends quickly with jealousy and a need for control. Sofia has every reason to talk to her husband about her sacrifices, but we see that she struggles with it. The most lived-in aspect of their relationship is in the conversations and arguments that begin with smaller things, like work or children, before they really blow up. That attention to detail and escalation gives Bunker its emotional weight and makes everything, specifically its terrifying final act, hit harder.

Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz Are ‘Bunker’s Greatest Strength

Image via TIFF 2026

One of the reasons Bunker remains so compelling from start to finish is Bardem and Cruz. With the pair knowing when to push against each other and when to step back, the couple gives both characters room to exist without ever outdoing the other. This dynamic also makes up for some of the script’s holes, as neither performer needs dialogue to prove this marriage has changed. Bardem’s Miguel is grounded and logical, making sure his concerns for the family are genuine. But as his character changes and his confidence slips, you see his body stiffen, and his attention shift toward his family’s growing discomfort. Cruz is equally expressive as she internalizes Sofia’s unhappiness through her eyes or posture. Their real-life relationship adds a natural familiarity and, of course, chemistry, but it’s never a gimmick.

The supporting cast is a bit bumpier. While Graham is elusive as Toby, playing him with enough hostility for us to understand Miguel’s upset, Dano is detached and almost too one-dimensional — though that can be argued as what billionaires actually project. Schwarzenegger is just fine as James, even if his character is more of a plot device than a memorable presence who creates his own tone. That said, none of these characters sink the film, but they do depend heavily on Bardem and Cruz to keep it afloat. Bunker may not break new ground or explore every idea as deeply as it should, but it remains a well-made and consistently engaging thriller with Bardem and Cruz, who alone make it worth your time.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

February 19, 2027

Runtime

126 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Florian Zeller

Writers

Advertisement

Florian Zeller

Producers

Alice Dawson, Federica Sainte-Rose, Fernando Bovaira, Florian Zeller, Simón de Santiago

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pros & Cons

Advertisement

• Bardem and Cruz share compelling, perfectly balanced chemistry.
• The slow-building suspense pays off in a terrifying final act.
• Its striking glass-house design reinforces the themes of privacy and isolation.

• The class commentary is introduced but never fully developed.
• Dano and Schwarzenegger’s characters feel thin and one-dimensional.

Remy Ma finally released the music video for ‘Why I Get Married?’ featuring Keke Wyatt. The music video dropped on Friday, Sept. 25 and it comes amid the drama surrounding her ongoing divorce from Papoose.

RELATED: Oop! Remy Ma Begs Fan To Leave Dr. Umar OUT Of It After Dropping Flirty Post With Millyz (VIDEOS)

Remy Ma Drops Music Video For ‘Why I Get Married?’

Rapper Remy Ma dropped the visual for ‘Why I Get Married?‘ featuring singer Keke Wyatt on late Thursday, early Friday. The rapper, whose real name is Reminisce Kioni Smith, also shared the video on Instagram with the caption:

“Sometimes the sh*t u lose be the reason you start winning! The visual for ‘Why I Get Married’ is OUT NOW! 💍🔥🎥: @shotbytanj @ripetanjerines.🎙️: @keke_wyatt | bgvs: @thatsroe. 🎶: @juicedukes. #FreeRemy.”

In the footage, Remy wears a wedding gown and a black dress as she raps inside a church. She also walks away from a burning mansion in the visual. Keke Wyatt is also featured in the track.

The visual dropped just as Papoose shared alleged text messages between him and his divorce lawyer on Instagram. The messages seemingly indicate that Reminisce has been holding up the couple’s divorce, not Papoose. As The Shade Room reported, Remy previously challenged Papoose to prove his love to his girlfriend, professional boxer Claressa Shields, by signing the divorce papers ahead of their September court date. Remy also featured Shield’s competition, Alycia Baumgardner and Amanda Serrano, in her diss track, ‘Wanna Go?’

Fans React To The Video

The video was shared on TSR’s Instagram page, and fans promptly weighed in. Some Roomies weren’t fans of the song while others brought up Remy’s soon-to-be-ex’s claim that he wrote her raps. Papoose previously claimed that he wrote Smith’s raps in his diss track, ‘Jezebel’ and during internet and interview discourse.

User @ms.spoiiled joked about Papoose’s claim that he wrote Smith’s raps. “He gone say he wrote this too 😂😂😂.”

@starbeenit23 added, “This shyt azzz Sounding like a cigarette lady smh throw this away😂.”

User @msladiemperis replied, “The old track sound nothing like her new tracks 🤧 I believe he wrote the other songs 🙄 this track wasn’t it 🫤 I’m sorry.”

User @supa_cent wrote, “Oh I like this side of Remy. This a hit 😍😍.”

Remy Ma’s New Alleged Romance

The Shade Room previously reported that Reminisce appears to be dating Millyz. A clip recently shared on the rapper’s Instagram page shows the ‘Love/Hate‘ artist embracing Remy from behind. Not only that, but the duo also grind on each other in the spicy video.

Furthermore, Remy received several bouquets of red roses and a Hermes handbag from Millyz. She shared a video on Instagram with the caption:

“🌹thank you @millyz Sidebar: the card tho🤭🤞🏾.”

RELATED: Oop! Remy Ma Reacts After Content Creator Goes IN On Claressa Shields, Saying She “Wants Peace After Causing Chaos” (VIDEO)