Entertainment
The 10 Best War Movie Opening Scenes, Ranked
When it comes to writing a story, one of the hardest aspects to nail is the beginning. One would think that’s the easiest part, but in fact, it’s exceptionally difficult to nail the tone, establish the plot, setting, and characters, and hook your audience all at the same time. Audiences should know what to expect from the story right from the get-go, and should trust the story to maintain its momentum all the way through to the end.
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It doesn’t matter what kind of media the story is a part of–it’s still a difficult process. Take in cinema, for example. Plenty of movies are known for their dramatic and intense opening scenes, many of them in the war genre. When it comes to crafting an opening scene for a war movie, it’s really important to get the plot moving, provide some historical context, and give the viewers a reason to keep watching. These are the best war movie opening scenes of all time.
10
‘Beasts of No Nation’ (2015)
Beasts of No Nation is set at an unspecified time during an unspecified West African Civil War. The when and the where isn’t really important, as the film is taking a general stance rather than looking at specific historical incidents. The films follows a child named Agu (Abraham Attah), who lives in relative harmony with his family. He begins narrating his struggle during the opening credits as another boy raps in the background. The film then shows Agu and the simple life he lives with his family. They are far from rich, but they seem happy.
That is, until the civil war breaks out. The family is suddenly forced to upend their entire lives and abandoned everything they hold dear, desperately struggling to get to safety, along with everyone else in their village. The movie depicts how civil wars disrupt family lives and turn towns into mad scrambles for survival. It’s a really creative and profound intro sequence that feels truly singular in the genre.
9
‘Dunkirk’ (2017)
Dunkirk is set in 1940, early on in the Second World War. After France was swiftly invaded and defeated by the Third Reich, hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers were forced into a mass evacuation from the Northern port of Dunkirk. Just across the English Channel from safety, the rescue turned into a race against time as the German war machine rapidly advanced behind the Allies, pushing them towards the sea.
The movie begins with British soldiers walking down the streets of a French town, where pamphlets are being dropped from the sky. The pamphlets inform them of the evacuation, causing a mad scramble to escape the town. This is all interspersed with blocks of text providing short history lessons so the audience understands why the evacuation must happen. This introductory sequence shows how quickly things spiralled out of control, and the chaotic race against time to rescue countless lives from hostile territory.
8
‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ (2006)
Despite being an American film, Letters from Iwo JIma very much follows the Japanese side of the Battle of Iwo Jima, at the end of the Second World War. The movie begins not in 1945, but in the present-day when a team of excavators and archaeologists is searching the tiny island of Iwo Jima for relics from the war. What they dig up is a box full of folded letters, all written by Japanese soldiers.
Then the film transitions back to 1945. Japanese soldiers are depicted writing letters, with their narration playing over their mundane work. The camera gains a washed-out, almost monochrome aesthetic as the main characters dig trenches and prepare defenses for when the Americans arrive. They ruminate about their lives back home, and watch as a prominent military official flies overhead in a plane, coming in for a landing. The movie’s opening is somber and not very action-packed, but it’s very emotional and respectful towards those who fought in the engagement.
7
‘300’ (2007)
300 might be based on a graphic novel, but that graphic novel was also based on true events. The movie is set during the Greco-Persian Wars, which occurred approximately 2,500 years ago. The movie begins with the graphic novel’s original monologue, which is a real killer way to open up. The first iconic lines are “we march,” referring to the Spartan warriors approaching the pass of Thermopylae, where the battle that the film is about takes place.
The movie then cycles through the early life and career of the King of Sparta, Leonidas I (Gerard Butler), albeit it’s likely a highly fictitious version of things. In any event, the slow-motion, the wide angles, and the cinematic scale all come together like an elaborate puzzle that thoroughly displays Zack Snyder‘s signature flair. It’s an introduction that exudes power and strength, hyping audiences up for the slaughter to come.
6
‘1917’ (2019)
1917 is one of those movies that looks like one continuous shot, so it’s kind of all one scene, if you really want to be technical. In any event, the movie still does a great job at setting the stage. Set during World War I, the movie opens with two sleeping British soldiers in a picturesque field, who are abruptly woken up by a runner. They briefly talk about their past experiences and their time on the front, as well as when they hope their relief is coming.
They make their way to the command bunker, where they are assigned a mission to deliver a message several miles down the line. They set off at once, navigating No-Man’s Land and passing deceased soldiers and horses. This opening scene, with its one-shot format, lets you know that there will be very little time to breathe in this film. It also doesn’t waste any time with politics or bureaucracy, diving straight into the plot.
5
‘Casablanca’ (1942)
Casablanca is considered to be one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of all time, and its opening scene is just one of the hundreds of reasons why. The movie is set during World War II, during the Nazi occupation of North Africa, including the titular city of Casablanca, Morocco. The opening credits depict actual wartime footage, accompanied by a narration of how the Nazis moved in to Morocco and came to occupy much of Northern Africa.
The scene then erupts into chaos, with local law enforcement and Nazi officers rounding up political opponents and arresting people for seemingly no reason. In the midst of the pushing and shoving crowds is the movie’s protagonist, nightclub owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart). This scene is just so well done. It provides a brief, but not overwhelming history lesson, establishes the setting, and shows what life in Nazi-occupied Africa was really like.
4
‘Civil War’ (2024)
2024’s Civil War is set during a fictional Second Civil War in the United States of America. A tyrannical president has taken a third time and dissolved the FBI before executing airstrikes on American civilians, prompting a massive wave of armed resistance. The movie opens up with the president, played by Nick Offerman, rehearsing a speech to deliver on television. The speech is about how his forces are close to victory, and how the opposition will be allowed to rejoin the US when he wins.
This is interspersed with footage of riots and protests, which aren’t fictional–they are actual footage from real events, although in a vastly different context. Meanwhile, a journalist named Lee (Kirsten Dunst) is watching the president deliver his speech on TV. In the distance, something explodes, lighting up the night. This opening scene is tense, and does a fantastic job of establishing the story, and what sorts of events lead to such a conflict.
3
‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)
Apocalypse Now is based on the 1899 novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. While the setting and time of the original story are vastly different, the core themes of anti-imperialism and trauma are still very much there. The movie opens up in the city of Saigon, Vietnam, where an American military assassin named Willard, played by Martin Sheen, is waiting in a hotel room and slowly losing his mind with boredom as he awaits his next assignment.
He is a seasoned veteran of the Vietnam War, currently serving on his third tour. The movie makes it clear that his sanity is pretty much already gone. He dances in his underwear, does somersaults over his bed, and narrates how maddening the monotony of doing nothing is. It might be a bit of a goofy scene, but it’s a great look at how you don’t necessarily need to be in live combat to develop PTSD, and how it can stick with you at all times, especially when you have little else to do but think.
2
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (2022)
Set during the First World War, All Quiet on the Western Front is the third adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic novel. It opens up a serene, quiet winter scene. Snow drifts lazily down from the boughs of trees, a mother fox and her cubs sleep soundly in their dens… and a pile of bodies lays in a pool of muck and blood. Immediately, the silence is shattered with gunfire and explosions.
The film then transitions to a frontline German soldier, a young man who is clearly a new recruit. He walks past traumatized infantry in a trench before he is ordered up the ladder. His friend is killed in front of him, and he charges out to meet the French military. He is quickly swept up in the chaos, using his spade to attack a Frenchman before the screen cuts to black with another haunting silence. Right away, the movie lets the audience feel how horrific the war really is, and how many young lives were lost in such a senseless conflict.
1
‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
Saving Private Ryan opens up with a wizened old veteran visiting the graveside of his fallen comrades. This brief scene quickly transitions to a flashback, depicting Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944–D-Day. Anyone who knows anything about D-Day knows that Omaha Beach was the worst place you could possibly be, as this landing sector saw the highest amount of casualties.
What results is a 20-minute sequence where American forces storm the beaches, pinned down by German defenses. The scene is widely known as being one of the most visceral, gruesome, and hauntingly realistic depictions of frontline combat in cinema. It was reportedly so intense that the movie studio had to set up a hotline for traumatized veterans who had actually been there. The fact that the movie opens up on something this intense lets you know what you’re in for. It opens up on action, and it lets viewers appreciate the sacrifice and the courage of the Allied troops.
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Trippie Redd has social media talking after sharing a cozy photo with a mystery woman. While the rapper did not identify the woman or provide any context about their relationship, folks quickly brought up his history with Coi Leray.
Related: Yikes! Trippie Redd Seemingly Calls Coi Leray A Female Dog While Claiming He’s Not Allowed To See Daughter Miyoco
Trippie Redd Pops Out With Mystery Woman
On Thursday, September 24, Trippie Redd had the internet raising eyebrows after a recent photo was shared to his Instagram account. In the photo, the rapper stands behind a woman as they pose for a mirror selfie. The unidentified woman wore an olive-green top and white shorts while Trippie stood behind her with his arms around her waist. The post quickly circulated on social media, with some users questioning whether Trippie has entered a new relationship. However, at this time he has not publicly confirmed the woman’s identity or addressed the speculation surrounding the image.
Social Media Reacts
After the photo hit the timeline, folks quickly brought Coi Leray into the conversation, as she and Trippie Redd share a daughter, Miyoco. See some of the reactions from The Shade Room Teens comment section below.
Instagram user @loyalnene wrote, “He definitely got a type but she will never be @coileray 😂😂😂 he still playing himself”
Another Instagram user @sportyspicce wrote, “A deadbeat always got a gf lmao amazing”
While Instagram user @ashantiiii_backk wrote, “She better not let him get her pregnant 😂😂”
Instagram user @kaylaheuraynorr wrote, “she ain’t Coi tho 😭”
Another Instagram user @kssimonee wrote, “No Trippie slander will be tolerated thangya”
While Instagram user @_bxitznoniii wrote, “He gone cheat on her next 😂”
Instagram user @trxvxis wrote, “She was talking to JustinLaBoy what’s the issue”
Another Instagram user @iheartnyema wrote, “I can’t respect nobody who don’t take care of they kids”
While Instagram user @mainoppn3 wrote, “just be giving it OUT 😂”
Coi Leray Previously Addressed Where She Stands With Trippie Redd
The latest chatter comes after Coi Leray recently opened up about her current situation with Trippie during a sit-down interview with Jason Lee. The former couple shares their daughter, Miyoco, and Coi explained that they are handling their ongoing co-parenting situation in court. Coi’s comments followed Trippie’s social media posts in August, when he claimed he was being prevented from seeing his daughter. Although he did not name Coi directly, social media users connected his comments to their co-parenting situation.
Related: Coi Leray Opens Up About Repairing Her Relationship With Benzino & Shares How She REALLY Feels About Him (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Remy Ma stepped out to celebrate her new EP, and chileeee, her outfit has social media in SHAMBLES! She pulled up rocking a ‘Jezebel’-inspired outfit, and fans wasted no time calling it a whole new level of petty. Some folks even think Remy was sending a lil’ message to Papoose with the fit. Whether she was trolling or simply serving a look, the timeline is calling her latest move petty with a capital P!
RELATED: Papoose Shares Alleged Texts Between Him & His Attorney To Shut Down “False Narratives” About His Divorce From Remy Ma
Remy Ma’s ‘Jezebel’ Look Has Social Media Goin’ OFF
Remy Ma was outside on Friday, September 25, celebrating the release of her new ‘Alimony’ EP. Her pop0out comes shortly after she dropped her new single, ‘Why I Get Married?’ featuring Keke Wyatt. Remy made sure all eyes stayed on her at the event, stepping out in a look that has fans saying her petty level is unmatched! DJ Drewski shared a video on Instagram giving fans a close-up look at Remy’s fit. She rocked a leather jacket featuring a red scarlet letter on the front, but chileee, it was the back that really got folks talking! Remy had ‘Jezebel’ — the title of Papoose’s diss track aimed at her — written across the jacket. She didn’t stop there. Rem also rocked a ‘Jezebel’ chain around her neck.
Remy reposted Drewski’s video to her Instagram Story and seemingly responded to a lyric from Papoose’s record, writing, “I ain’t get the Zelle.” Roomies, if you recall, Pap racps on the track, “To this day, I give you money; did you get the Zelle?”
The Internet Is Divided Over Remy’s Latest Move
After The Shade Room shared the clip of Remy Ma, the Roomies flooded the comment section. Some fans couldn’t help but question what’s really going on, while others gave Rem props for flipping the script and turning the moment into her own. Then, other social media users said they’re over the back-and-forth between her and Papoose. Peep some of the reactions below.
Instagram user @_msgood wrote, “just get back together wtf is this lol.”
Instagram user @becomingrachelle wrote, “If Kendrick ain’t teach you nothing bout the way Gemini rappers beef, Rem the pen here to be the final boss 😂”
While Instagram user @nonchalantbaby__psycho wrote, “I couldn’t be in a relationship with either one of them because what’s going on here😂😂😂”
Then Instagram user @thehomie__ wrote, “Y’all can’t say s**t about Clarissa ever again she was right 😂”
Another Instagram user @iamniciaa wrote, “‘I ain’t get the Zelle’ has me weak 😂”
Instagram user @its.missmacken wrote, “Remy is ‘becoming’ the person y’all swear Claressa is.”
While another Instagram user @hanseldanger_ wrote, “Why y’all mad because she flipped the script 😂 but y’all was so happy and laughing when he called her Jezebel 🥱🥱💀”
Then another Instagram user @beautifulkie__ wrote, “Take us out the gc at this point.”
Lastly, Instagram user @__justbeingbree wrote, “Idk, Remy is giving corny 😒”
Papoose Drops Receipts & Calls Out “False Narratives” About His Divorce From Remy
Remy’s latest jab comes shortly after Papoose exposed their divorce drama on Instagram. He dropped screenshots of alleged text messages between him and his divorce attorney. He claimed he’s been pushing to get the process moving despite several delays along the way. Pap didn’t just share the receipts. He also wrote a long caption admitting that he was tired of the “false narratives” surrounding their split and even urged fans to encourage Remy to move forward.
“To those of you who are fans of her: continue to support her. Instead of coming at me with false narratives & fake news, why don’t you use that energy to help her move on?” Pap wrote.
Papoose also accused Remy of violating their marriage and claimed he waited for her to change. Eventually, he said he realized that wasn’t going to happen and decided it was time for him to move on.
“I have allowed her to lie about me because I knew the truth was too ugly for her. She chose to violate the marriage I waited for her to stop, and I even attended therapy with her. One day, I woke up and realized she was never going to stop. At that point I decided to move on with my life! Since I moved on, she has tried to get back with me numerous times, I repeatedly declined.”
RELATED: Remy Ma Flexes “Soft Girl” Gifts From Millyz As Claressa Shields Shares Update On Her “Negativity Cleanse”
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Lee Child Officially Confirms Which Novel He Wants Alan Ritchson’s ‘Reacher’ to Adapt [Exclusive]
There are still plenty of stories waiting for Alan Ritchson if Prime Video’s Reacher keeps Jack Reacher wandering into trouble for years to come. The series has never been tied to adapting Lee Child’s novels chronologically, either, leaving more than two decades of stories sitting on the shelf whenever the writers start looking for their next adventure. Child already has one he’d particularly like to see. Speaking exclusively with Collider about which novels could work for future seasons, the author singled out one of his best novels as a story he’d be keen to see Ritchson tackle.
The Midnight Line, the 22nd novel in the series, immediately came to mind when Child was asked which stories he’d like to see come to life in the television series. His reasoning has considerably more to do with the story’s emotional core than finding another opportunity for Reacher to break some bones. Child also pointed out that Ritchson’s reputation as being extremely socially and politically aware was another reason why the book would both be a good fit for the series and for him as an actor and as a person. He told Collider:
“The Midnight Line I would like to see, because that’s a very compassionate story in terms of the addict. That was my feeling about it, because the Oxy thing shows up in all kinds of crime fiction, but the actual victim, the actual addict, is always just a cipher. The addict is never really there, other than maybe you’ll follow them to the dealer’s house for a clue, but the story of the addict is never there. I wanted to present it from the addict’s point of view, trying to make it sympathetic and understandable. I’m not surprised Alan likes that because he has a social conscience. He’s aware, and that Oxy addiction is a terrible thing.”
What Is ‘The Midnight Line’ About?
Published in 2017, The Midnight Line begins with one of those beautifully simple Reacher premises that inevitably becomes much bigger. Reacher spots a West Point class ring in the window of a Wisconsin pawn shop. Knowing how difficult earning one would have been, he can’t understand why its owner would willingly give it up, so he decides to find her. That decision leads Reacher to Serena Rose Sanderson, a former Army officer whose life has been devastated by injuries and opioid addiction but, rather than treating addiction as another piece of criminal-world scenery, Child deliberately wanted the novel to focus on the person living through it.
During his conversation with Collider, he recalled seeing how easily legitimate injuries could lead people toward dependency in Wyoming. “I have a place in Wyoming where there’s a lot of horse people, rodeo riders and so on, who are always banged up and injured,” said Child, “and the doctors would be just handing out oxycodone like candy and producing massive addiction problems.” The Midnight Line would present an interesting change of pace for the television series. Reacher is still Reacher, and trouble inevitably finds him, but the story gives him a problem that can’t simply be punched away. Child also noted that Ritchson himself has talked about wanting to tackle The Midnight Line. If Reacher keeps running long enough, both Richson and Child already seem to agree on at least one destination they’d like the big guy to visit.
Reacher is streaming on Prime Video. Lee Child was speaking exclusively to Collider in support of Chain Reaction, the latest Jack Reacher novel, which arrives October 20. Child will also co-write Zero Margin, the first Frances Neagley novel, with Yasmin Angoe, arriving in spring 2027. Sign up for a free trial of Audible to listen to the Reacher novels and more.
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
- Directors
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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
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Cait Duffy
Roommates, it looks like Papoose is fed up with the “false narratives” regarding his divorce from Remy Ma. He took to social media on Friday (Sept. 25) with screenshots of alleged text messages between him and his divorce attorney. Pap did not reveal the lawyer’s identity. But in his caption, he seemed to emphasize that he’s been trying to move the process along for months. This comes after Remy previously challenged him to “prove his love” for his girlfriend, Claressa Shields, by signing the divorce docs.
RELATED: Remy Ma Seemingly Challenges Papoose To “Prove His Love” For Claressa Shields At Their Upcoming Divorce Hearing (VIDEO)
Papoose Says He Initially Wanted Visitation Rights Only In The Divorce
The text screenshots appear to begin on January 11 of this year. At 12:46 p.m., on that day, Papoose (the sender) appears to tell a contact listed as ‘Jersey Divorce Attorney’ that he’s decided to “let her keep all of the properties.” Furthermore, the text added: “All I want is visitation with my [redacted]. I just want her out of my life. And divorce finalized.” It’s presumed that the redacted name refers to Papoose and Remy Ma’s 7-year-old daughter, Reminisce MacKenzie.
The following day, Pap appeared to inquire about the lawyer speaking to “her.” About a week, again on Sunday, Papoose asks his lawyer whether he can speak to the judge and then proceeds to explain about what.
“I want the judge to understand that there are 3 properties in which half are legally mine. I’m giving them to her in exchange for her to go on with her life and leave me alone. This woman has publicly lied on me. Tried to destroy my lively hood. All I want in return is to be able to see my [redacted] and to be divorced from her.”
Then on January 21, Papoose inquires about a judge’s ability to “force” a signature within a time frame, 24 hours. A few weeks later, on February 10, Papoose again reached out and wrote, “Hey hope all is well. Any word on her signing the offer and granting my divorce?” The alleged lawyer responds, “No word. I’ll send a more formal letter.” Pap then asks whether failing to sign is a court violation, to which the lawyer affirmed it was. On February 15, the lawyer reached back out and said they had received a reply. Pap responded, implying Remy was “angry” that he celebrated Valentine’s Day with Claressa Shields.
“All this time no response all of a sudden she sends this ridiculous response. At this point I’m going to list all that I’m requesting. The previous deal is off the table I’m gonna maintain my half in all properties. And I’m requesting to paid for all the music I wrote for her,” Papoose texted.
In the last texts shown, Papoose tells his lawyer that he’s “had enough” of Remy Ma. “…and a fight is inevitable. I tried to be nice,” he added.
Papoose Explains Texts & Divorce Delays
Meanwhile, in the caption of his post, Papoose broke down the timeline of divorce delays. Also, he encouraged her supporters to go be at her side rather than pummel him with “false narratives & fake news.” He later claimed that Remy Ma has tried to rekindle their relationship multiple times and he’s “repeatedly declined.” His caption says:
“This is the conversation between me & my attorney over the past year. Be sure to notice the dates. The only thing between us are three properties. As you can see, since January 11th, I told my attorney to inform her that she can keep all 3 properties. All I ask for is visitation with you know who” 🙏🏽 Her & her attorney did not respond to that offer. We had court on January 21st, 2026. My attorney informed the court that we had made an offer, and the judge ordered her & her attorney to respond to that offer by the following Monday. However, the judge scheduled our following court date for March 24th, and they still did not respond! On Valentine’s Day (February 14th, 2026), we finally got an insane response that made no sense considering the fact that I said, ‘Take everything take everything and just let me go.’ To those of you who are fans of her: continue to support her. Instead of coming at me with false narratives & fake news, why don’t you use that energy to help her move on? We had a in person court date that she did not even show up to. I have allowed her to lie about me because I knew the truth was too ugly for her. She chose to violate the marriage I waited for her to stop, and I even attended therapy with her. One day, I woke up and realized she was never going to stop. At that point I decided to move on with my life! Since I moved on, she has tried to get back with me numerous times, I repeatedly declined.”
What Happened In Divorce Court Between Pap & Remy Ma?
As previously reported, in a diss to Pap earlier this month, Remy Ma revealed they had a divorce court date set for Sept. 11. In that hearing, Ma allegedly requested dismissal of the divorce complaint, per reporting from Angela Yee. It was until then, and still is now, why Ma allegedly requested the dismissal. Ultimately, the judge denied it, leading to no resolution in the divorce. However, Remy later implied, through social media reactions, that Yee’s reporting was wrong. She never clarified what actually happened during those proceedings. Instead, the same day as the hearing, she teased her new song ‘Why I Get Married?’ featuring Keke Wyatt, which dropped today. Papoose later clapped back with his own diss track and video, ‘Jezebel,’ which has since garnered over two million views.
RELATED: Fans Aren’t Holding Back After Remy Ma Drops Music Video For ‘Why I Get Married’ Featuring Keke Wyatt (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Cartoon Network’s Over the Garden Wall is 12 years old this year, but it’s still the undefeated champion of autumnal binge-watching. The animated miniseries is only 10 episodes long, and at 11 minutes per episode, the entire show runs the length of a movie. Find it on Hulu and watch it over the first weekend of autumn to get into the spirit of the season. Elijah Wood voices Wirt, an intrepid pubescent adventurer who’s just trying to get himself and his brother Greg home without getting stuck in the mysterious “Unknown.”
Over the Garden Wall was part of a wave of creepy, off-kilter media for kids, kicked off by the success of Coraline, which is still one of the scariest horror movies ever despite its PG rating. There’s no other show or movie that captures the spirit of fall as perfectly as Over the Garden Wall. With mystery, darkness, whimsy, and a song every episode, this miniseries will be loved by scaredy-cats and horror-enthusiasts alike.
‘Over the Garden Wall’ Evokes the Warmth and Nostalgia of Autumn
Over the course of the miniseries’ 10 short episodes, the setting slips from late summer to harvest season to winter. It’s not clear what period Over the Garden Wall is supposed to be set in; the silhouette of the clothes, the hard-to-place accents, and persistent moral anxiety give the miniseries a distinctly Victorian feel, but there’s a timeless nostalgia to the setting. The show isn’t concerned with period-specificity. Instead, Over the Garden Wall evokes the sense of childhood, but the nostalgia is not without the slight bitterness of something lost.
There are three episodes of Over the Garden Wall that secure its place in the autumn canon. The first is episode 2, “Hard Times at the Huskin’ Bee,” in which Wirt and Greg happen upon a village of people with pumpkins on their heads. It looks like they’re having a harvest celebration, but there are clues that something more sinister may be going on. Next is “Songs of the Dark Lantern,” the most musical episode in the series, in which an ensemble of town folk regale Greg and Wirt with songs. The imagery of the episode recalls Disney’s timeless autumn classic, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
“Into the Unknown,” the second-to-last episode of the series, is actually set on Halloween, featuring Greg and Wirt celebrating in costume. This episode’s soundtrack and design recall the 90s, giving new context for the world the boys have been traveling through, up to this point only called “The Unknown.” Cartoon Network doesn’t shy from a dark edge, and Over the Garden Wall is no exception. While ultimately very cozy and warm, the series hints at a descent into something dark and grim. The meaning of the show has been interpreted in many ways: as an allegory for depression, the entry into the dullness of adulthood, or for death itself.
This Hulu Binge is Never Scary, Only Spooky
The sweeping overtures, rich, hand-painted environments, and persistent chipperness of Greg, the younger of the brothers, gives a distinct storybook-feel to Over the Garden Wall. It’s a visual treat, recalling animated Disney classics like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. The artistry is beautiful, and it adds to the sense of nostalgia, but the show itself is not overly self-serious. The writing is properly funny, with adorable quips from Greg and hilarious emo rants from Wirt. Each character the brothers encounter is fully-fledged and richly developed, creating a layered, interesting world for the main characters to play in.
In that world is a dark, mysterious figure, known as The Beast. The woodsman from the very first episode warns the boys of this evil, out there in the woods. Throughout the show, the boys are warned to be wary of The Beast and suspicious of those they encounter in The Unknown. As they travel deeper into the woods, they encounter increasingly dangerous characters, including an evil witch and a possessed maiden. Each of these characters feel folkloric, giving the brothers and their friends the obstacles they need to develop courage, strength, and wit.
The Unknown turns out to be a world in which disaster and tragedy do happen, but like in the fairytales, Over the Garden Wall argues that with an open heart, courage, and love, one will find a way. The dangers the boys encounter are necessarily dark and threatening, so that there’s an adventure worth having. Because the only adventure worth having is one that changes the adventurers. Over the Garden Wall knows that darkness is pleasurable, and it gives the audience just the right dose, balanced with levity and beauty so that viewers of any age and tolerance for fright can enjoy the show.
“Into the Unknown:” the Pleasure of the Dark in Cartoon Network’s ‘Over the Garden Wall’
Horror, especially when it’s made for adults, is often extremely bleak. Modern classics like Hereditary, Parasite, and newer contributions like Weapons and Obsession end with a darker world than they started with. In each of those stories, the status quo is always better, and changing it is always punished. By contrast, Over the Garden Wall is distinctly hopeful. Challenging the status quo is necessary and rewarded. The adventuring brothers travel through adversity and danger and learn something about themselves and the world.
Adult media treats hope as naive or cheesy. Children’s media, like Over the Garden Wall, Coraline, and Paranorman treat hope as radical. In the final 3 episodes of Over the Garden Wall, the boys get lost, and it starts to get very cold. A blizzard blows in, and Wirt, always the more pessimistic of the brothers, lays down to sleep. Greg goes out to try and do something, and he meets The Beast, with whom he strikes a terrible deal. Eventually, Wirt realizes his mistake and adventures out to save his brother. Wirt’s transformation is about accepting personal responsibility and filial connection, but it’s also about resisting his own darkest impulses. For Wirt, his dark impulse is toward surrender, but he learns that if hope calls for action, it is never naive.
- Release Date
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2014 – 2014
- Network
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Cartoon Network
- Showrunner
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Patrick McHale
While the 2000s saw the rise of fantasy blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, it was also a great time for stories that wove more darkness into the genre. The decade marked the rise of Guillermo del Toro as one of the world’s most prestigious directors, in part thanks to his Oscar-winning Pan’s Labyrinth, which intertwined the real and mythical in horrific and beautiful ways. Sweden’s haunting coming-of-age vampire flick Let the Right One In and the Keanu Reeves-led DC-inspired Constantine also possessed the screen, the former being hailed by Roger Ebert as “the best modern vampire movie” at the time and the latter becoming a beloved macabre cult classic with a sequel on the way. Among the best dark fantasies of the era, however, were not just live-action productions, but painstaking and chilling stop-motion animation that launched a prestigious studio.
In 2009, Coraline premiered in theaters and introduced the world to Laika Studios with a fright. The film was based on Neil Gaiman‘s novella of the same name and delivered a horror-fantasy experience that, while made for the whole family, wasn’t afraid to expose younger audiences to true fear through its haunting atmosphere and imagery that ranged from beautiful to nightmare-inducing. Its willingness to respect its viewers and show that being afraid in the face of real danger is not only natural but necessary for true courage to shine through is part of why the story is so highly regarded by both critics and audiences alike. Ahead of Halloween, HBO Max will soon call the modern classic home at least throughout the spooky season.
Coraline will be one of several horror titles arriving on the streaming platform starting on October 1. With that, viewers will be able to venture back to the Other World for another meeting with the button-eyed “Other Mother” for a holiday rewatch. The stop-motion masterpiece follows the titular young girl after her family moves to a new home. While her parents are busy, she takes the opportunity to explore the house, finding something altogether unexpected when she opens a secret door to an alternate reality. This Other World at first appears to be a better mirror of her own and everything she could ask for, until her other family reveals their true colors and tries to keep her there forever. A Nightmare Before Christmas director Henry Selick helmed the project, with Dakota Fanning leading a cast including Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, and Ian McShane.
Laika Is About to Return to Theaters With Their New Fantasy Epic
The addition of Laika’s first acclaimed feature to the HBO Max catalog comes as the studio prepares to launch its new feature — Wildwood. The stop-motion giant has been trying to get an adaptation of Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis‘ book off the ground for some time now, beginning development back in 2011. After several delays, though, it’s finally coming to life in theaters on October 23 with a gorgeous, lush style directed by Travis Knight and a star-studded cast including Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, and more. At the center of it all is Prue McKeel (Lee), a girl who enters the fantastical, dangerously alive world in the woods outside of Portland to save her baby brother after he’s kidnapped by crows, only to find herself in the middle of a brewing war between the inhabitants and navigating factions of creatures that range from kind to formidable and cruel.
Coraline arrives on HBO Max starting October 1. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on all the biggest films coming to streaming throughout the year.
- Release Date
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February 6, 2009
- Runtime
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100 minutes
- Producers
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Bill Mechanic, Claire Jennings, Harry Linden, Mary Sandell, Henry Selick
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Teri Hatcher
Mel Jones / Other Mother (voice)
Kaia Gerber has been receiving support from boyfriend Lewis Pullman and close friends as she mourns the death of her older brother, Presley Gerber.
Her mother Cindy Crawford’s friend, Hollywood star Laura Dern, joined the list of individuals showing up for the grieving model after the loss of her brother.
The actress’s effort came as Kaia Gerber and her family continue to deal with Presley’s death, which is being investigated as a suspected overdose.
Laura Dern Shows Support For Kaia Gerber And Her Family
According to photos obtained by TMZ, Kaia, 25, was paid a visit by actress Dern following the death of her brother Presley.
Dern, who shares a longstanding friendship with Kaia’s supermodel mother, Crawford, came with gifts to console the young model.
The actress was seen grabbing goodie bags and a bouquet from her car as she arrived at the house wearing a black sweater and blue jeans.
Prior to Dern’s visit, Kaia’s boyfriend, Lewis Pullman, 33, was photographed alongside the model’s friends in her Los Angeles neighborhood as they searched for her cat, Tony.
According to the Daily Mail, the actor helped put up missing-cat posters around the area on Wednesday. Influencer Jake Shane and director and photographer Carissa Gallo were also involved in the search.
The posters identified Tony as a missing cat and noted that he wears a tracker around his neck.
The Model’s Missing Cat Was Found
Friends spent hours helping locate Tony after he went missing from Kaia’s neighborhood. According to later reports, the cat was found about nine hours after the search began.
People Magazine confirmed that Tony had been safely located, bringing an end to the search. Pullman and Kaia’s friends had worked together to distribute posters and alert people living nearby.
The search unfolded only days after Presley’s death, adding another difficult situation for Kaia and those close to her.
The effort also showed the support she was receiving from people in her circle during the period following her brother’s death.
Presley Gerber’s Death Is Being Investigated As A Suspected Overdose
Presley, 27, died on September 20 at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica. Police responded to a report of a possible overdose and found him deceased at the scene.
The Santa Monica Police Department said detectives were investigating the death as a suspected overdose and that there was no indication of foul play.
A source told TMZ that a physician had placed him on a ketamine prescription knowing his past struggles with the drug. While ketamine can be used to treat drug addiction, it is not an FDA-approved treatment.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has deferred the official cause and manner of death while additional testing is completed.
Presley had previously spoken publicly about mental health, depression, and substance use. In a 2023 appearance on the “Studio 22” podcast, he described mental health as “a 24/7 job” and said he hoped his experiences could help other people avoid making similar mistakes.
Kaia And Presley Gerber Had A Close Relationship
Kaia and Presley were described by a source as being extremely close. “Kaia and Presley were insanely close,” the source told Page Six, adding, “I don’t know how she’s going to go on without him.”
The source also said Kaia was taking her brother’s death “very, very hard” and described the siblings as being more than simply brother and sister, saying they were like best friends.
The siblings had also appeared together publicly over the years.
Presley had his sister’s name tattooed on his arm in 2018, and the two shared an interest in modeling. They later appeared together in fashion-related projects and family campaigns.
Kaia Gerber’s Family Has Asked For Privacy
Following Presley’s death, the Gerber family asked for privacy as they mourned. A representative for the family said they were going through a “very difficult and painful time.”
Kaia has also previously spoken about how her brother’s struggles affected the family.
In a recent Vogue interview, she said, “When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” while explaining that she had often identified herself as the child who did not want to add another burden.
While Kaia continues to mourn her brother, people close to her have remained a support around her.
Tasia Fortune was apparently killed in a drug dispute. Then, her body was hung in a tree in a “staged” lynching behind an abandoned home in Mississippi, a detective testified Friday (Sept. 25). This is the latest update following two recent arrests connected to Fortune’s passing.
RELATED: Mississippi Police Make 2nd Arrest In Death Of Black Woman Found Hanging From Tree, Tasia Fortune
Investigation Reveals “Staged” Hanging Of Tasia Fortune
Tasia Fortune died in a disagreement about drugs. She fought hard with her attackers before they killed her, Jackson police Detective Samuel Dukes told the court. Citing the medical examiner’s opinion, he also said the hanging was “staged.” Fortune was Black, and the Aug. 3 discovery of her hanging body sparked fear and drew widespread attention. The scene recalled actual lynchings in the Southern state, which has a long and troubled history of racial violence.
Tasia’s Cause Of Death Hasn’t Been Disclosed
Authorities haven’t disclosed the exact cause of Tasia Fortune’s death or said why they think someone hung her body afterward. However, they ruled it a homicide and arrested two men, both of them also Black, on murder charges. They also issued an arrest warrant for an unnamed third person.
Outside court, Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, told reporters that she had been aware that her daughter died before the hanging.
“What bothered me was they said Tasia fought for her life. I know she did. I know my daughter,” Spivey said.
Spivey has said her daughter, who had four children, struggled with homelessness in recent years. She wasn’t sure where Tasia Fortune was living at the time of her death. She said Fortune had talked about starting a cleaning business and was trying to get her life in order.
Will The Case Go To Trial?
The hearing on Friday (Sept. 25) was meant to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send the case against the first man arrested, Jarques Ratliff, to a grand jury for a possible indictment. It will resume Sept. 30. Police arrested Ratliff, 51, in mid-September. He has pleaded not guilty. He remains jailed without bond. Additionally, police arrested a second defendant, 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr., this week.
During Friday’s hearing in Mississippi, Ratliff blurted out in court that he and Tasia Fortune were friends.
“It sounded sincere. Tasia had a lot of friends,” Tasia’s mother Spivey said later. “I hope if he is innocent that he can prove he’s innocent. We don’t want any innocent people going to jail.”
Jarques Ratliff’s stepdaughter, Lashuna Jones, was among her father’s supporters at court. “He didn’t do it, and I’m behind him,” she said.
Investigation Reveals Tasia Fortune Did Not Die By Hanging
RELATED: Ben Crump Reveals Miss. State Autopsy Shows No Signs Of Water In Nolan Wells’ Throat Or Lungs & Details Findings From His Cellphone
Associated Press writers Ed White and Sophie Bates contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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When you don’t want to be too hot or too cold, too dressy or too casual, Kate Middleton has just the thing. Her classy outer layer transitions seamlessly between seasons, outfits and occasions, and we found the chic look on sale for only $50!
Kate Middleton gave Us the ultimate fall styling lesson during her recent visit to Scotland’s Isle of Bute. She stepped out in a green turtleneck, brown jeans and brown Chelsea boots with a matching transitional layer tossed on top. Little did she know, her sleek layer look made the entire outfit.
Get the Tankaneo Long Trench Layer for $50 (was $66) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
With rich brown fabric, upper-calf length and dainty buttons, her luxe layer made even a basic outfit appear polished, especially with the cute plaid interior peeking out. But good news: You don’t need a royal budget to hit all the same notes (and then some), thanks to this Amazon twin.
This Tankaneo Long Trench Layer channels Middleton’s vibe perfectly, with a warm brown exterior, plaid lining that flashes at the cuffs and a relaxed cut that skims your upper calf. A soft ruffle collar adds a flirty, romantic flair.
Better yet, this celeb-approved style is light enough to wear during those 55-degree afternoons that turn chilly by dinner — so basically every day this fall. One five-star shopper wrote, “It’s lightweight, but still feels substantial enough for those in-between fall and spring days.” They added, “It honestly looks like something you’d find in a boutique for a lot more!”
Another happy reviewer raved, “The stand collar is unique and feminine-looking. The fit is relaxed and leaves plenty of room for sweaters, tops or dresses underneath.” Consider layering season sorted.
Wear this sophisticated piece with your favorite dark denim, brown boots and a knit sweater, and you’ve recreated Middleton’s Scotland moment from your own closet.
Get the Tankaneo Long Trench Layer for $50 (was $66) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more stylish jackets, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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The attorneys for three of Nolan Wells’ friends are reportedly planning to sue Ben Crump. Edward Andrew Paltzik, who represents Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymour, and is pushing back against claims that his clients deleted messages from Nolan’s cellphone.
RELATED: Ben Crump Reveals Miss. State Autopsy Shows No Signs Of Water In Nolan Wells’ Throat Or Lungs & Details Findings From His Cellphone
Here’s Why The Attorneys For Nolan Wells’ Friends Plan To Sue Ben Crump
NewsNation reports that Attorney Edward Andrew Paltzik is shutting down allegations involving his clients, Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour. Paltzik maintains that none of the three men deleted messages from Nolan Wells’ phone. Paltzik addressed the allegations further while speaking with TMZ, saying, “Warren, Jax and Morgan did not erase anything and never had access to his phone.” “If anything was erased, they didn’t do it.”
Tyler Cox, another attorney representing Hudson, Pitalo and Seymour, said a woman in the group collected the phones they left on the boat, including Nolan’s, and placed them inside a truck.
“It stayed there until Christine’s friend came over to get Nolan’s phone,” Cox said, referring to Wells’ mother. “The same girl in the group retrieved the phone from the truck and gave it to Christine’s friend around 1:30 a.m.,” Cox explained.
Now, both attorneys say they plan to sue Ben Crump for defamation. The potential lawsuit follows forensic examiner Andrew Garret’s findings that someone deleted messages from Wells’ phone. He said the deletions occurred after Wells last used the device on July 4 and before his family got it back.
Ben Crump Reveals What Was Found On Nolan Wells’ Cellphone
Ben Crump recently joined the legal team representing Nolan Wells’ family for a press conference to share new details from the findings on his cellphone. According to Crump, Nolan sent his last text to his aunt on the evening of July 3. The message read, “Thank you.”
Forensics expert Andrew Garret also broke down the data recovered from Nolan’s phone. Garret said investigators retrieved more than 300 Snapchat messages between Nolan and his friends. He added that analyzing the data took more than 30 hours. The legal team also showed a video tracking Nolan’s phone movements on July 4, along with his Snapchat activity. The data appeared to show that his phone remained on the boat throughout the day before traveling back to land with the group of teens. But Garret said the Snapchat data raised another question. According to his findings, someone deleted Snapchat data from Nolan’s phone before his family got the device back.
Wells’ Autopsy Findings Raise More Questions About His Death
Ben Crump also turned his attention to Mississippi’s official autopsy findings for Nolan Wells. According to the report, Nolan suffered “two dark red-purple” lacerations to the back of his head before his death. The findings also indicated that examiners did not detect water in his throat or lungs. Those details have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Nolan’s death, particularly after a recent grand jury determined that he died from an accidental drowning.
RELATED: What Happened To Nolan Wells? Here Are 5 Takeaways From The Grand Jury’s Report Explaining Lack Of Charges In Teen’s Death
What Do You Think Roomies?
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