Entertainment
10 Best Postmodern Books of All Time
Postmodernism is a term that’s a little hard to define, and the word can mean different things depending on what medium you’re talking about, but postmodernist literature is what’s being stuck to here. It is indeed (and unsurprisingly) a movement that came about after modernism, with postmodernism being a bit more abstract and willing to tackle confounding things in life to an even greater extent than modernist works might’ve.
There’s also some really interesting language used throughout most great postmodernist novels, and it’s therefore not too surprising that some rank among the very best – and most important – books of the second half of the 20th century. Postmodernism, as a literary genre, really came about in the 1950s, and was probably at its peak in the subsequent two decades, with many (but not all) of the following novels, which can be considered among the best postmodern books ever written, being from that time.
10
‘Mason & Dixon’ (1997)
There is probably a Thomas Pynchon book you’re expecting to see here, even if you’ve not read it, because it’s kind of infamous (one that got a shout-out in Knives Out, of all places). And it will be here, a little later. For now, though, here’s another Pynchon novel: Mason & Dixon. This one’s challenging, but not so much because of its disturbing content, as other Pynchon novels are more confronting, as well as probably more confounding when it comes to things like narrative.
The story in Mason & Dixon is almost straightforward, at least by Pynchon’s standards, being a story within a story about Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who, in the 18th century, surveyed parts of North America together and established the Mason-Dixon line. The perplexing part of Mason & Dixon is the language used, as it’s done in a way that does some combination of homaging and parodying the literature of the time in which it’s set, but once you get used to that style, it’s a compelling read. Hell, it’s compelling in a weird way even if you don’t 100% get used to that style.
9
‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ (2003)
Just to show that a book doesn’t have to be grim, confusing, and aimed at an adult audience to technically be postmodern, here’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Sure, it’s not as “important” or “classic” as some of the other books mentioned here, but it could work as a great introduction to unconventional literature, for younger readers. It’s postmodernism, but with the postmodernist training wheels still on (postmodernist wheels are like, triangles, or something, and there are two and a half wheels per set, because **** you, that’s why).
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is about a teenage boy who observes the world in a unique way, and what happens when he becomes fixated on solving the murder of a neighbor’s dog. The first-person narration here is really what carries the whole book, and makes it stand out, as does the use of maps and other images used throughout; they help make this somewhat postmodernist, and also, they help elevate what’s an already solid mystery novel into something of a modern classic.
8
‘Underworld’ (1997)
The idea of the “Great American Novel” has been a thing for so long, and the search for it has been so built up, it might well never be a thing. There might well never be a definitive “Great American Novel.” That doesn’t stop there from being contenders, though, with Underworld by Don DeLillo being at least worth considering… and it was even linked to the idea of the “Great American Novel” as early as the year it was first published.
What Underworld does narratively might not sound too wild, since it’s about the baseball that was hit by Bobby Thomson in 1951: the one in the so-called Shot Heard ‘Round the World. It’s about that baseball over the years, and the different people who obtained it at some point, but after the prologue dealing with the New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Dodgers match, Underworld jumps forward to the 1990s, and then each part of the book goes back 10 or so years, until things are back in the 1950s. That structure is very postmodernist, as is DeLillo’s general style, not to mention the sprawl and different tangents of Underworld. It’s huge, strange, overwhelming, and almost always very impressive, as a novel.
7
‘Lolita’ (1955)
You probably know what Lolita is about, and it is, but it’s also very different, in practice, than how some people like to describe it. On one hand, Lolita is easier to read than you might expect a book with such subject matter to have, as it is equal parts witty and poetic. But then it is somehow darker and more uncomfortable than you might be prepared for, and you’re already going to be prepared for something dark and uncomfortable.
It might be the fact that Lolita is funny and horrifying without it feeling like two different books clashing that makes it such a harrowing read. You’re always yanked around, and you feel like you’re being tormented, toyed with, and sometimes controlled by the book’s narrator… a man who infamously exerts control over the young girl he calls Lolita, all while attempting to manipulate other characters alongside those he’s telling his story to, too. The effect is dizzying, impressive, and hard to read, but persevering through this particular book is ultimately worth it.
6
‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ (1984)
Of course The Unbearable Lightness of Being is postmodernist, with a title like “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” and all. This is a book about a womanizer and the two women who have had the biggest impact on him, though he does have many more women in his life, and he’s far from a likable protagonist (it doesn’t feel like he’s supposed to be, either, but this still might be a turnoff for some readers).
Well, actually, that synopsis applies to the movie adaptation of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. The book is also somewhat about those things, but is a lot more poetic and kind of dreamlike, de-emphasizing what narrative there is here while often being more concerned with philosophical ideas and other musings on life and love (or a lack thereof) more generally. It’s better – and more readable – than all that might make it sound, promise.
5
‘Slaughterhouse-Five’ (1969)
Slaughterhouse-Five tackles so many genres at once, which is impressive, considering it’s not a long book, by any means. The first edition came in at under 200 pages, but in that time, Slaughterhouse-Five is about World War II, time travel, and trauma, being a satirical book, a work of science fiction, and a war novel (plus some other things, probably) all at once.
It’s the novel for which Kurt Vonnegut is best known, and it’s also up there among the greatest books of the 20th century, however you might be willing to define it; whatever category it gets slotted into. While The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time might be more approachable, Slaughterhouse-Five is also a good novel to read if you want a (relatively) gentle introduction to postmodern literature, mostly just because it’s quite punchy and a good deal shorter than some of the other books mentioned here. Speaking of longer books being mentioned here…
4
‘Infinite Jest’ (1996)
…Infinite Jest. Hoo boy. This could be the final boss of postmodernist literature, in the sense that it’s unlikely anyone will write something simultaneously as long, unwaveringly ambitious/strange, postmodernist, and genuinely good in the foreseeable future. For starters, there are so many footnotes throughout Infinite Jest that if you exclusively read those footnotes, it still might take quite a bit longer than some full-length novels (based on the uncut audiobook of Infinite Jest being eight hours longer than the audiobook that only features the main novel, with the footnotes not being read).
And you might think that’s well and good and all, “But what is Infinite Jest actually about?,” you might be asking. Whatever you want it to be; whatever you end up thinking it’s about is what it’s about. It is as postmodernist as things get, while still being actually readable and often surprisingly entertaining. It’s a classic that feels like it has to be read, and yet it also feels very hard to actually recommend. Jest, so confusing.
3
‘Gravity’s Rainbow’ (1973)
One of the things that gets brought up quite often, when talking about Gravity’s Rainbow, is how it broke the Pulitzer Prize jury the year it came out. Now, it’s not the only time there was some kind of dispute, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction was not given out for a certain year, but it’s still interesting. Sorry if it’s something you already knew, but hey, it is a good way to summarize and succinctly explain the notion of Gravity’s Rainbow being challenging and very much not for everyone.
It’s a wild novel that manages to be incredibly long (more than 750 pages, and closer to 900, sometimes, depending on an edition’s formatting) and also remarkably dense, with plenty of sentences you’ll feel tempted to read again and again to make sense of them. If sense is even something that can be made here. And then there’s the matter of trying all those sentences, pages, and wildly different episodes together. It is postmodernism squared, and then some, but very much worth tackling whenever you find yourself with quite a bit of free time on your hands.
2
‘House of Leaves’ (2000)
The style of House of Leaves is often the story, even more than a book where a distinctive style is used to tell the story. House of Leaves tackles psychological horror in a unique way, and in a manner that could only really be done as a book. If you want a movie that scratches the same itch as some of House of Leaves, there is always Backrooms, and also a rather famous mod for Doom II called MyHouse.wad is almost like a video game adaptation of parts of House of Leaves.
But even with these, it’s mostly just parts of the novel that are represented in these works from different mediums. There are different sorts of horror in House of Leaves, long tangents, supplemental material that helps the overall book (even if such parts aren’t always 100% necessary to read in their entirety), and countless smaller stories told through footnotes. You’ve also got the wild formatting that has to be seen to be believed, and it’s bonkers enough in that department that you probably couldn’t even do an audiobook version of House of Leaves, let alone make it into some kind of movie.
1
‘Libra’ (1985)
It was hard limiting this whole ranking to only featuring two Don DeLillo novels, a little like how it was also hard including “only” two Thomas Pynchon ones. They’re not necessarily the grandfathers of postmodernism, but they’ve both been active for decades, and they’re also living legends in the sense that both have had works published in the 2020s (even if those books haven’t quite been as great as either author’s best works).
With DeLillo, White Noise deserves an honorable mention, but it’s Libra that’s his greatest novel overall. Even if it’s not as aggressively postmodern as Underworld, nor as sprawling, it is DeLillo’s most compelling novel, alongside being the hardest to stop thinking about, once you’ve read it. It’s the best story concerning the John F. Kennedy assassination (and there have been quite a few), and also one of the most paranoia-inducing novels of, potentially, all time. Sorry if that sounds a bit hyperbolic, but it really is something (very) special.
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Scott Michael Foster has his work cut out for him in Hallmark’s Paris Is Always a Good Idea as he competes with three other guys for Lacey Chabert‘s heart.
“Listen, when you’ve got three tall, strapping, good-looking dudes all vying for the attention of your leading lady, you have got to bring your A game,” Foster, 41, joked during an exclusive interview with Us.
Foster enjoyed the challenge, adding, “They’re all wonderful actors. Everybody was really, really talented, and we all had such a great time. So I think it’s such a good cast, and you couldn’t ask for more than having good players to play along with you.”
Based on Jenn McKinlay’s novel, Paris Is Always a Good Idea follows nonprofit executive Chelsea (Chabert), who goes to Paris with rival Knightly (Foster) to secure a donation. Through a message from her late mother — and support from her family — Chelsea decides to revisit three past loves across Ireland, Paris and Spain.
Over the years, Hallmark Channel has cemented itself as the go-to network for feel-good films, holiday magic and a handsome lineup of leading men. Whether it’s the charmers from When Calls the Heart — including Kevin McGarry and Chris McNally — or the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise heroes, fans always have eye candy to […]
“Usually you have an hour and a half to get to know these characters and learn about them and find out what the story’s about. We got six episodes to do that,” Foster told Us about the limited series. “So we got to really sit in some of these uncomfortable moments and some of these great moments for more times.”
He continued: “You can let the story breathe a little bit, and I think it creates a better connection for the audience. I’m excited to see how people react to this form of storytelling on Hallmark because we’re used to doing movies, but here we got more time to spend with these characters.”
Paris Is Always a Good Idea allowed Foster a special privilege — to finally work with Chabert, 43, a.k.a the queen of Hallmark.
“I hadn’t worked with Lacey before, and I know she’s quite affectionately known as the queen of Hallmark for a good reason,” he explained. “She gets it. She comes super prepared and she knows her stuff. She’s a sweetheart. So I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in this journey.”
Foster said he was “very fortunate” to share the screen with Chabert. Luckily, this wasn’t Foster’s first time stepping up to bring a Hallmark leading man to life — which made it easier as the show teased who Chelsea would end up with.
Lacey Chabert has become one of Hallmark’s biggest stars after making her network debut in 2010 — and she has no plans to stop anytime soon. “These movies mean so much to me. I really am genuine when I say that,” Chabert exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2021. “They’re not just jobs, and I […]
“I was not worried,” he admitted to Us. “They gave me this and said, ‘What do you think?’ I was like, ‘I love the story. I think it’s great where it ends up. No spoilers here.’ But I think the way that they wrote this and the way they wrapped it up is just right.”
Looking ahead, Foster wants to keep working on Hallmark projects. He also opened up about his interest in working behind the camera.
“I proposed to my fiancée [Carson Fagerbakke] about a year and a half ago at Christmastime, and I did it in front of her whole family, and we did it at the house she grew up in — in front of the Christmas tree. Someone told me I had to make that into a Hallmark movie,” he told Us. “Maybe we’ll have to write that down.”
He continued: “Right now I’ve got a short film that is kind of like a thriller that I’m going to direct. Then I’ve got a horror movie that I wrote and I’m trying to get made. So I like to have my hands in all the baskets because I just love to work.”
New episodes of Paris Is Always a Good Idea air Thursdays on Hallmark+.
Entertainment
Forget Dune, This Overlooked Sci-Fi Book Is the Space Opera Streaming Has Been Waiting For
Streaming services are always looking for the “next great thing,” something that will keep their subscribers engaged and, hopefully, bring in new subscribers. It’s where they look to find it that differs from project to project. HBO turned to video games for The Last of Us. Apple TV+ expanded on film’s MonsterVerse franchise for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Prime Video has taken a page from J.R.R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Long story short, there’s no shortage of places to turn to for any genre. With HBO delivering Dune: Prophecy later this year and Apple TV’s Foundation Season 4 still waiting on a premiere date, the space opera is a genre that never gets old, and a 13-year-old sci-fi book, Ancillary Justice, might just be the answer.
‘Ancillary Justice’ Tells a Tale Over Two Timelines
Ann Leckie‘s Ancillary Justice opens on Nilt, a remote ice planet. It’s on Nilt that the novel’s protagonist, Breq, finds and rescues a drugged and beaten Seivarden Vendaai, who once served as lieutenant aboard Breq’s starship, the Justice of Toren, 1,000 years earlier. Only Breq is, or at least was, the Justice of Toren. Breq is an Artificial Intelligence, and for over 3,000 years she was the spaceship, while concurrently controlling thousands of “ancillaries,” brain-dead human bodies whose sole purpose was to serve as disposable soldiers. But 19 years prior, the Justice of Toren was destroyed, forcing Breq to reside in a single human body, ironically in sole control of only one ancillary.
The rest of the story plays out in a dual timeline: in the present day, where Breq, aka One Esk, is on a quest for revenge; and 19-years ago, in her final days as the Justice of Toren. Both timelines occur within the Radch empire, an expansionist regime aggressively annexing planets, killing or assimilating survivors, prepping the latter to serve as ancillaries. The regime is overlooked by Anaander Mianaai, the Lord of the Radch and AI that occupies thousands of bodies between 13 royal palaces. It’s Mianaai that has earned the ire of Breq, who holds her responsible for the destruction of her spaceship form, which plays out in the flashback timeline around the planet Shis’urna. She is on Nilt in the present to find Arilesperas Strigan, who has a Garsedd alien gun that can be used to assassinate Mianaai. What follows is a broad, expansive tale of class divisions, independent versus collective thought, identity, redemption, and revenge.
‘Ancillary Justice’ Has What It Takes to be the “Next Great Thing”
Ancillary Justice is smart, wide-reaching, and has everything it takes to be the “Next Great Thing” for a streamer looking to fill their space opera niche. Its dual timeline is something that has been proven to work for a streaming series, as evidenced by a show like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. The idea of an expansionist empire, one looking to conquer and assimilate, has shades of the infamous Borg of Star Trek. As for the quest for revenge? Take your pick.
But there are two aspects of the novel that would bring something different to television. One is the idea of AI being a protagonist. It’s far too easy to make AI the bad guy, and, let’s face it, it’s a concept that’s been beaten to death. And while AI is both the protagonist and antagonist in the novel, the idea of that AI gaining conscience and breaking off to fight itself is a fascinating perspective. Additionally, exploring that idea of collective versus individual thought is rife with possibilities.
The second is the notion of gender that is presented in the book. In Radchaai culture, gender isn’t used as a distinguishing characteristic, so “she/her” pronouns are applied to all characters, universally. It’s an aspect of the series that makes the universe unique compared to several other space operas. Ancillary Justice has the makings of an epic series that leans toward the introspective, a character-driven project as opposed to senseless spectacle. Yet within Ancillary Justice, and the two follow-up books that make up the Imperial Radch trilogy, there is potential for grand, effects-driven moments as well. Although the series has been optioned in the past, it’s never made it to production, which is a shame, as the award-winning novel would be a sure-fire success for any streamer willing to take a chance on Ancillary Justice.
After a nearly five-year wait, Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man has finally returned to the big screen. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been making a splash all week, with overwhelmingly positive reviews for the Marvel Studios and Sony collaboration getting fans even more excited in the days leading up to the theatrical debut. Now, at long last, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is playing in theaters everywhere, and fans are not only getting the chance to experience one of Marvel’s best movies in years, but they’re also getting a glimpse into what could become a bright future for at least a corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The closing act of Spider-Man: Brand New Day beautifully brings the story of the film to a close, but it also plants a few seeds for what’s coming next. Unlike many other MCU movies, Brand New Day doesn’t sacrifice its own plot and ending in favor of the grander universe. That said, there are some natural moments that use the closing of one door to subtly open another. There’s a lot to unpack with the ending of Brand New Day, and we’re going to dive deep into all of it here. It should go without saying that the rest of this article will have major spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. So, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, now is the time to bookmark this page and come back once you leave the theater.
What Happens to Spider-Man at the end of ‘Brand New Day’
Throughout Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Peter Parker (Holland) is at odds with his own evolution and inner psyche. He’s challenged by a terrifying threat that can seemingly control the minds of others at will, and the governmental agency known as Damage Control tasks him with eliminating said enemy. As many fans expected, that mind-controlling mastermind is none other than Jean Grey (Sadie Sink), who you probably know as one of the most prominent members of the X-Men.
Of course, Jean isn’t really the villain she’s made out to be, as she was only attacking Damage Control to save her sister, who had the same kind of dangerous powers and was ultimately killed by the organization during their rigorous experimentation. Peter, upon realizing he got it wrong, opts to try and save Jean — though she has the saving part handled. Her powers evolve, and she is on the verge of some catastrophic destruction that she could never take back, when Peter finally lets her into his mind, and she gets the classic power and responsibility talk from the late Aunt May (Marisa Tomei).
Spider-Man ultimately takes a bullet to the back to save Jean, but she returns the favor, hopping into his mind and keeping him alive until he can receive care. He recovers and resumes business as Spider-Man, now with MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) once again at his side. Peter and MJ aren’t romantically involved at this point, because she doesn’t remember their history. The final moment ahead of the credits, however, does hint that Ned gets his memories of Peter back after the two share their signature secret handshake.
Jean Grey and the X-Men in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
The arrival of Sink’s Jean Grey marks the MCU’s first real foray into its own version of the X-Men — the only X-Men appearances to this point have been legacy cast from the Fox franchise. She is given an alternative origin story and an evolving set of powers, but she’s still very young, and acting entirely on her own.
At this point, as far as we know, Jean hasn’t met any of the other X-Men characters yet. Some flashback scenes with her sister reveal that their mother “sent them away” after learning about their powers, but there isn’t any indication that they were shipped off to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. It just seems like the two of them are on their own and on the run.
After saving Spider-Man, Jean disappears from New York City. In her final scene in the movie, Jean is riding a bus away from the city, potentially to Upstate New York, or another less populated area in the Northeast. She doesn’t say where she’s going, but it’s safe to assume she’s going to wind up crossing paths with Charles Xavier.
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Post-Credits Scene Sets Up the Avengers
The MCU has made post-credits scenes a tradition and, during several minutes of credits, it feels as though Spider-Man: Brand New Day is going to actually buck the trend. When the Sony logo appears after the credits, it does feel as though there isn’t going to be anything else.
That changes when Ned’s Spider-Man tracking app reappears on the screen. There aren’t any characters or any dialogue, but the tracker program shows another Spider-Man sighting, and begins zooming out from New York. The screen takes viewers away from our planet entirely before announcing the presence of a Spider-Man somewhere out in space.
This is, of course, teasing the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars. Based off the Secret Wars comic books, timelines and alternate universes are going to converge in the film, resulting in multiple versions of the same character appearing together. The place known as Battleworld in the comics is ultimately where a lot of these variants duke it out in order to become the lone version of their character. The post-credits scene in Brand New Day is definitely hinting at Secret Wars, and potentially teasing some sort of Spider-Man gathering on a Battleworld. Unlike most MCU characters, though, several Spider-Man variants already know one another and have a solid friendship. There probably won’t be a lot of battling if Peter 1, Peter 2, and Peter 3 get together again.
Following that little animation is the all-important Marvel message: “Spider-Man Will Return.” Not that there was any doubt Spider-Man would appear in Avengers: Secret Wars but this essentially confirms it.
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
- Runtime
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145 Minutes
- Director
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Destin Daniel Cretton
- Writers
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Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee
- Producers
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Amy Pascal, Kevin Feige, Rachel O’Connor, Avi Arad
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Spider-Man / Peter Parker
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Utah beauty queen Brynn Carnesecca died by suicide at age 21 mere weeks before she was scheduled to compete in her next pageant.
“She took her own precious life, but she is more than what happened to her,” Brynn’s mother, Michele Carnesecca, told mourners at a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, July 28, per KSL News. “We would like to celebrate the amazing life she lived.”
Many of Brynn’s friends and family gathered at the vigil in American Fork, Utah, to celebrate the life and immense legacy of the pageant competitor.
“Oh, how she loved to laugh,” Michele told the local outlet. “What sets Brynn apart is that her life was all about service.”
Former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant Tyra Spaulding has died after expressing struggles with her mental health. She was 26. Spaulding’s body was reportedly found at her apartment by her family on Tuesday, September 23, according to Caribbean National Weekly. Police are investigating her death as a possible suicide, the outlet reported. The Miss Universe Jamaica […]
She added, “Brynn loved her family and friends fiercely and was always there when you needed her. She was so loved.”
Brynn was crowned Miss American Fork in 2024 and later received the Miss Congeniality Award from her fellow competitors at Miss Utah in 2025. She was scheduled to compete next at Miss Provo on August 22, according to her Instagram bio.
Aside from her pageant success, Brynn was an accomplished journalist and activist. She founded Envelopes of Hope in 2024 to foster penpal relationships between her local community and its incarcerated population.
“I’ve seen so many lives change and how much empathy and connection can be built through these letters,” she told KSTU about Envelopes of Hope in September 2025. “As we reach out through this program, our worldview expands, and I’ve seen some amazing friendships take shape.”
Brynn Carnesecca Courtesy Instagram / Brynn Carnesecca
Following her death, the Miss American Fork organization highlighted the “impact” Brynn made on her local pageant scene.
“Our forever Miss American Fork 2024, Brynn Carnesecca has passed away,” the organization wrote via Instagram on Monday, July 27. “She made a great impact on our community and beyond and are grateful for her memory and impression on the Miss American Fork organization. We are deeply touched from her loss.”
Brynn was also associated with Utah Miss Amazing, an organization that promotes self-esteem for young women and girls with disabilities.
“Brynn’s kindness, compassion, and genuine heart made a lasting impact on everyone she met. She had a beautiful way of making our queens feel seen, supported, and loved. Whether she was cheering someone on, sharing a smile, or simply being present, Brynn embodied what Miss Amazing is all about,” a Utah Miss Amazing statement read. “We are so grateful for the time she spent with our Utah Miss Amazing family. Her light will continue to shine through the lives she touched and the memories we will forever cherish.”
Wualys Aquino, who competed to be Miss Universe Tegucigalpa pageant in Honduras, has died. She was 23. “The Miss Universe Tegucigalpa organization deeply mourns the passing of our runner-up, Wualys Aquino,” the organization wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, July 21, originally in Spanish and translated in English by Us. “We wish to express our condolences to […]
Brynn’s cousin, Kassidy Jackman Murdoch, recently set up a GoFundMe page to help the Carnesecca family navigate this difficult time. As of publication, the fundraising appeal has raised more than $28,000.
“Our family is heartbroken by Brynn’s unexpected passing. We want to honor her memory in a way that reflects her spirit and the love she gave to so many. Brynn touched countless lives through her work and her generosity, and we hope to celebrate her legacy with a meaningful memorial,” Jackman Murdoch wrote on the fundraising page.
Her statement went on, “Your support will help the family cover funeral expenses, create a memorial that truly honors Brynn, and provide comfort to her loved ones as we navigate this difficult time. We are grateful for any help you can offer. Please consider donating or sharing this fundraiser to help us honor Brynn and support our family.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Whew! India Royale has social media sounding off after sharing her latest thoughts on relationships and commitment. Her post quickly sparked a debate over what matters most in a relationship, with many users also weighing in on her longtime relationship to rapper Lil Durk.
Related: Family First! India Royale Shows Up At Lil Durk’s Son’s Graduation As His Ex Nikki Reacts At The Celebration (PHOTOS)
India Royale Says “Everything But A Ring” Is Better Than “Nothing But A Ring”
On Wednesday, July 29, India Royale shared a statement on X without any additional context. While the post was only a few words long, it quickly caught the attention of social media users and sparked a conversation about marriage and commitment.
She wrote, “Everything but a ring > Nothing but a ring.”
As the discussion continued, one user replied, “How about everything & the ring? No settling.” India later responded with a simple, “Absolutely.”
Social Media Reacts
As the debate continued, users flooded The Shade Room Teens’ comment section with their own opinions on India Royale’s perspective.
Instagram user @key_babyyy wrote, “Nah it makes sense yall stay tryna force marriage on ppl because yall hate to see ppl have kids and have material things. yall dont got lmfao but ppl in marriages hate each other, cheat on each other, with each other for the wrong reasons just mind, yall business!!!”
Another Instagram user @ihrtlae wrote, “She trynna reverse psychology us 😂”
While Instagram user @tyniaa.sha_ wrote, “Everything w/ a ring is an option ladies don’t forget that!”
Instagram user @_she_said_so_1 wrote, “Am I the only one who thinks she just saying she missed Durk”
Another Instagram user @oh.dats_amiracle wrote, “I think it’s subjective honestly don’t marry someone who isn’t fulfilling u and don’t stay with someone who doesn’t want to commit to u simple/
While Instagram user @feliceladylovepink wrote, “She had everything before she married durk & now she has the ring & he’s in jail, that’s probably what she saying… Nothing without the one u love”
Instagram user @ivydiariess wrote, “Yeah that’s how much social media has brainwashed yall lol”
Another Instagram user @kadeemcvisions wrote, “The girls getting mad, she’s right. F*** that ring, dont make up for nothing. If you beleive in innder deep love within two spirits”
While Instagram user @cinyeaa wrote, “Truee but coming from a person with a ring is crazy 😂”
India Royale Previously Shut Down Rumors About Her Relationship With Lil Durk
Earlier this year, India Royale addressed speculation surrounding her relationship with Lil Durk after social media users claimed she was distancing herself from the rapper while he remains behind bars. The rumors gained traction after a post on X alleged that she skipped one of his court hearings and pointed to photos of India posing with another man.
India pushed back on the claims. In a series of posts on X, she referred to Lil Durk as her “husband” before telling critics to “stop with the false narrative.” She also responded to another post by writing, “Can’t believe so many people lack common sense.”
Related: UPDATE: Lil Durk’s Trial Takes Major Turn As Fans Debate Latest Court Ruling (PHOTO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
There’s no single definition of a great thriller. However, what most of them have in common is a sense of tension. Now, the way this tension is created can vary dramatically from film to film. Some thrillers build suspense through psychological mind games, while others rely on shocking twists that completely reframe the narrative in a single moment. A memorable thriller doesn’t just surprise the audience, though — it traps them, makes them question everything, and refuses to play by any rules.
When a film leaves the viewers desperate to know what happens next, that’s when it’s doing something right. Over the years, filmmakers have approached countless ways to build this tension, but only a few have truly mastered it. This is a list of eight such suspenseful thrillers that know exactly when to tighten the noose.
8
‘Anatomy of a Fall’ (2023)
Anatomy of a Fall is an intense, entertaining take on the courtroom drama. The film, directed by Justine Triet, opens with a man being found dead outside his remote chalet in the French Alps. His wife, Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller), insists it was an accident or possibly suicide. However, as the investigation unfolds, small inconsistencies lead to the case escalating into a courtroom trial where every detail of the couple’s marriage is called into question. Their visually impaired son, Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner), is the only real witness to the events surrounding his father’s death, which complicates things even more. Anatomy of a Fall is structured like an intricate puzzle where every new piece of information complicates the situation.
However, the procedural format never takes away from the gravity of Sandra and her husband’s fractured relationship. Hüller delivers an extraordinary performance, and her character’s emotional ambiguity is what fuels the narrative. This results in a story that isn’t merely about solving a crime. Instead, Anatomy of a Fall dissects the fragile dynamics of marriage, resentment, and grief. By the time the trial concludes, the audience is left with a lingering sense of doubt. The film builds suspense through uncertainty instead of relying on traditional twists or grand reveals. This layered, human approach is what makes it such a compelling thriller.
7
‘The Game’ (1997)
Image via PolyGram Films
David Fincher’s The Game is the perfect example of a well-executed thriller. The film stars Michael Douglas as a wealthy but emotionally detached investment banker, Nicholas Van Orton, living in San Francisco, who receives an unusual gift from his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) on his 48th birthday. The gift in question is an invitation to participate in an elaborate entertainment experience, known as a “game,” run by a mysterious company called Consumer Recreation Services. At first, Nicholas assumes it’s just a harmless distraction. However, things take a turn when strange things start happening in his everyday life. As the game intensifies, Nicholas finds TV broadcasts speaking directly to him, people start following him, his business reputation is threatened, and his money starts vanishing.
The film then becomes a masterclass in paranoia and unpredictability, where the protagonist stops trusting anyone and is constantly questioning his reality. What’s genuinely heartbreaking is when he learns that his alliance with a waitress named Christine (Deborah Kara Unger) might also be a part of the game. However, this kind of shock is exactly why The Game is such an effective thriller. Fincher creates a destabilizing experience for both Nicholas and the audience, which makes every twist feel unsettling but plausible at the same time. This growing sense of tension makes the final reveal land with absolute perfection, solidifying The Game as one of the most suspenseful thrillers of all time.
6
‘Rear Window’ (1954)
No list of suspense thrillers would ever be complete without this Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece. Rear Window has to be one of the director’s most influential works and proves just why he was known as the “Master of Suspense.” The film follows photojournalist L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies (James Stewart), who is stuck in his Greenwich Village apartment with a broken leg after a dangerous assignment. To kill time, Jeff begins watching his neighbors across the courtyard through his rear window. However, his harmless curiosity turns into something far more dangerous when one of them begins to stand out for all the wrong reasons. Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr) is a traveling salesman who lives with his wife, who is often sick. Jeff notices him making several late-night trips carrying a suitcase, soon after which his wife mysteriously disappears.
The more Jeff watches, the more convinced he is that Thornwald has murdered her with the help of his girlfriend Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly) and nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter). That kicks off an investigation based entirely on observation. Jeff can’t leave his wheelchair, so he relies on binoculars and instincts to piece together what really happened. Hitchcock places the audience in the same position as Jeff and restricts them to his confined perspective. This brilliant setup heightens every little movement and conversation and makes the viewers feel like active participants in this baffling mystery. Rear Window remains just as gripping decades later and proves that a great thriller doesn’t need to rely on spectacle to leave an impact.
5
‘Zodiac’ (2007)
Zodiac is another Fincher thriller that remains the benchmark for the genre. The film turns one of America’s most infamous unsolved crimes into a cinematic experience that stays with the audience long after the credits roll. The story follows the real-life manhunt for the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film unfolds through the perspectives of three men whose lives become consumed by the case: political cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), crime reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), and homicide inspector Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo). Graysmith, in particular, becomes increasingly fascinated by the killer’s cryptic letters to the police and newspapers and begins an investigation of his own to decode them.
However, this curiosity slowly turns into an obsession and pushes Graysmith into a web of complicated clues that seem to lead nowhere. The film explores how the case takes a toll on everyone involved and attempts to center the story on the painful process of investigation itself. Zodiac isn’t really interested in finding who the killer is and deliberately avoids the usual beats a crime thriller would typically follow. The tension here comes from watching these people chase lead after lead, only to end up with nothing. That lingering uncertainty makes the climax all the more shocking. Zodiac mirrors the frustration that defined the real mystery of the killer and perfectly captures the psychological toll of it all.
4
‘Psycho’ (1960)
Hitchcock’s Psycho is just one of those films that never get old. In fact, it remains a defining moment in the evolution of modern horror and thriller storytelling. The story begins with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) impulsively stealing $40,000 from her employer and going on the run in hopes of starting a new life with her boyfriend. During her drive, she runs into a terrible storm and decides to pull over at the quiet roadside Bates Motel. The establishment is run by the polite but socially awkward Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), who lives in a giant Victorian house overlooking the property with his overbearing mother. The story plays out like a traditional crime drama centered on Marion before Hitchcock subverts all expectations, and the audience witnesses her shocking murder in the now-iconic shower scene.
As Marion’s sister Lila (Vera Miles) and boyfriend Sam Loomis (John Gavin) begin searching for her, the investigation slowly leads them back to the eerie motel and the secrets hidden inside Norman’s house. The narrative unfolds slowly, and the audience gradually uncovers that the motel owner is far more complicated and terrifying than he initially seems. Perkins’s performance definitely deserves a mention here because his portrayal of Norman is the heart of the film. That’s exactly what makes the final reveal and Norman’s eventual descent into madness land so perfectly. Looking back, the brilliance of Psycho lies in how carefully the director builds up to that one moment, and it is the reason why the film has stood the test of time.
3
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is undisputedly one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who is tasked with helping track down a brutal serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). Now, to understand the mind of a killer, Clarice is sent to interview imprisoned psychiatrist and cannibalistic murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The catch is that Lecter only agrees to offer clues about Buffalo Bill if Clarice reveals deeply personal details about her own past to him. This uneasy dynamic is the center of the story as Clarice pieces together fragments of information about Buffalo Bill’s disturbing motives while navigating her strange relationship with Lecter.
Their conversations feel like a cat-and-mouse game where Lecter is constantly trying to manipulate and analyze Clarice’s fears. On the other hand, Buffalo Bill continues abducting women, which raises the stakes of the investigation and pushes the FBI trainee to rely on Lecter’s transactional guidance. The film builds suspense by focusing on its characters and their psychology. The horror is rooted in the conversations between Clarice and Lecter rather than momentary shocks. The Silence of the Lambs is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates the art of a slow burn.
2
‘Shutter Island’ (2010)
Shutter Island marked a turning point for modern era psychological thrillers. The film, adapted from Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel of the same name, is set on an eerie, remote island that houses a psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. The story follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) as they arrive on the island to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando, a patient who drowned her three children and somehow vanished from her locked hospital ward. Things only get stranger from there; when Teddy begins questioning doctors and patients, he realizes that everyone at the hospital is hiding something. Meanwhile, Teddy starts experiencing disturbing migraines, flashbacks, and extremely vivid dreams about his late wife, who died in a tragic fire.
All of this leads him to believe that something sinister is happening on the island, and he is entangled in rumors of secret experiments and impossible conspiracies. However, every conversation and clue pushes him further into a state of confusion. After a while, both Teddy and the audience begin to question what is real and what might just be an illusion. The film slowly builds up to what is easily one of the most memorable plot twists Hollywood has ever seen — one that completely recontextualizes the entire story. Ultimately, Shutter Island revolves around a man who is gradually confronting the darkest corners of his own mind. It’s a psychological puzzle that gets better with every rewatch and never loses its thrill.
1
‘Seven’ (1995)
Seven might just be one of the darkest thrillers Fincher has ever delivered. The film is unsettling from the get-go, and it refuses to offer the audience or its characters any respite. The story follows veteran detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his new partner David Mills (Brad Pitt) as they chase a serial killer whose crimes are inspired by the seven deadly sins. Things kick off with a disturbing murder scene where an obese man has been forced to eat until he dies, a crime that represents gluttony. When another victim is discovered with the words “greed” marked at the crime scene, Somerset realizes this is the work of an extremely methodical killer operating with a twisted moral compass.
What makes Seven such a compelling movie is the interesting dynamic between the thoughtful and patient Somerset and the younger, much more impulsive Mills, who grows increasingly frustrated as the killer keeps getting away. The film’s final act is what cements Seven as an unforgettable experience as the antagonist (Kevin Spacey) reveals that he committed the sin of envy and delivers that now-infamous Box to Mills. Seven ends on a devastating note that leaves everyone shaken because, despite everything, the killer’s plan works exactly as he intended. This bleak storytelling and relentless sense of dread make Seven a masterclass in suspense.
Entertainment
Ryan Gosling’s “Drive” soundtrack star and 2024 Olympics performer Kavinsky dies at 50
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The musician’s “Nightcall” famously soundtracked Gosling’s opening sequence in the 2011 cult hit “Drive.”
The world heard from Nolan Wells‘ self-proclaimed best friend, Warren Hudson, last week. In a three-part interview, Hudson explained how July 4 allegedly unfolded, from boarding the boat to returning Nolan’s phone. Now, his father is offering $50,000 for information surrounding the death.
RELATED: Warren Hudson Addresses Claim Content Was Deleted From Nolan Wells’ Phone
Why Is Warren Hudson’s Dad Offering A Reward?
According to TMZ, Dr. Benjamin Hudson is the latest to put up a reward for information about the death of Nolan Wells. Dr. Hudson is reportedly offering the money that “leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Nolan’s death.”
“We don’t know that anyone had any involvement, but we care about Nolan and want to find out what happened,” Dr. Hudson told TMZ.
Benjamin made it clear that he doesn’t think the teenagers who were on three boats on July 4 had anything to do with the death. He told TMZ again, “We still don’t know what happened.” Dr. Hudson said he’s hoping the $50,000 reward will encourage someone to come forward with credible information. He believes potential witnesses aren’t speaking because of the public pressure surrounding the case. “We feel people aren’t talking because of the pressure of the case,” Dr. Hudson said.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement has suggested Nolan Wells’ death was an accidental drowning. Additionally, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has moved to seal the official autopsy report until a grand jury reviews it. A toxicology report is still pending. Meanwhile, an independent autopsy conducted in Washington, D.C., could not rule out foul play and listed “undetermined” for cause of death.
Dr. Benjamin Hudson Claims His Family Is Receiving Death Threats
Speaking to TMZ, Dr. Hudson also alleged that his family has been “living through a nightmare” since Nolan’s case went viral. He claims his family has received thousands of death threats. Hudson adds that he believes that’s also an obstacle for investigators gathering information.
Another man who was present on Horn Island on July 4 has also claimed he’s receiving death threats. Bart Edmiston Jr. secured a lawyer, who released a statement saying so and threatened to go after online creators and anyone else spreading unfounded misinformation in the case. So far, at least one cease-and-desist has been issued to creator Kymbra Li.
RELATED: Bart Edmiston Jr. Reportedly Sends Cease-And-Desist To Kymbra Li For Alleged “False” Statements Amid Nolan Wells Investigation
“Officer” Brandon Tatum Reacts To Backlash Over Warren Hudson Interview
Following the release of part two of his interview with Warren Hudson, Brandon Tatum clapped back at internet users calling him out for giving Hudson a platform. He took aim at “ignorant melanated people” and claimed they want him to “hate white people.”
“I have said from the very beginning that I support finding out what happened to Nolan Wells. Everybody want to know what happened to Nolan Wells, when I talked to the young boys, they want to know what happened to Nolan Wells cause they weren’t there when he apparently died. But you want me to go out on a limb and hate these young boys because they white. You want me to hate white people. I’m not doing it. I’m not going to hate people because of the color of their skin,” Tatum said on Threads.
Still, the backlash has persisted. Most recently, Pastor Jamal Bryant took to the same platform to allege that Tatum is allegedly related to someone who snitched about the Denmark Vesey uprising in South Carolina back in 1822. The intercepted slave rebellion led to the arrests and hanging of at least 35 people.
What Do You Think Roomies?
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“I don’t think she wanna be on the stage,” Usher said during a recent concert, turning around with a surprised expression on his face.
Below Deck: Sailing Yacht alum Alli Dore revealed the results of her recent rib contouring procedure.
“Just under halfway at 5.5 weeks out of 12 and already convinced this is the best thing I’ve done,” Alli, 38, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, July 28. “Thank you to the @_snatchedwaist team for making this such a positive experience!”
Alli’s post, which was marked as a paid partnership Snatched Waist, included a side by side comparison of her midsection. Prior to the treatment, Alli donned a yellow bikini and she showed off her figure. For the end results, she wore black strapless bikini and flaunted her slimmed down waist.
The former reality star also teased that she will be sharing her “best recovery tips” later.
Remi Bader showed off her bikini body. Bader, 30, took to Instagram on Monday, July 7, to show off her figure after undergoing weight loss surgery in December 2023. In the snap, she rocked a gingham bikini by For Love and Lemons while promoting her mini fan, which launched on Tuesday, July 8. Her blue-and-white […]
Alli’s procedure reveal had mixed reactions amongst fans. Several expressed their concerns in the comments section.
“I’m so sorry u felt u needed to do this to yourself, I admired u from the first time I saw u on BD but this looks painful and so unnecessary for such a beautiful woman. 🤗 Not hating on u just concerned xo,” one user wrote while another replied, “I just want to say your body was so beautiful before and I feel so sad that you felt the need to do this. 💔.”
Multiple users reminded others to be mindful of what they’re saying and avoid spreading negativity.
“As women, let’s celebrate whatever makes another woman happy ❤️,” one person wrote while another shared, “This looks similar to my starting shape 😍 love it.”
Last month, Alli flew to Sanur, Bali with a group of influencers and former reality stars as they all underwent Snatched Waist’s procedure. According to the Snatched Waist website, the treatment does not remove a person’s ribs. Instead it is a “rib recontouring” process that uses liposuction to remove fat and then reshapes the lower ribs via an ultrasound. Following the ultrasound, the patient wears a fitted corset for 12 weeks.
Love Is Blind’s Alexa Lemieux revealed that she underwent a breast augmentation and now is on the road to recovery. “My girls got a little ✨makeover✨ @Solomon Plastic Surgery,” the Netflix personality, 31, shared alongside a TikTok video on Tuesday, January 13, detailing what she had done in the clip captioned, “Get unready with me […]
Alli explained that the surgery was “minimally invasive” and she was inspired to get the procedure done after welcoming son River George in 2021.
“After having a baby I had rib flare and I’ve always wanted an hourglass waist so I was excited for this procedure,” she wrote via Instagram in June. “I’ll continue to share my recovery journey and I’ll post some before and after photos when my shape starts to show ✨.”
Alli appeared on Below Deck: Sailing Yacht season 3, which aired in 2022. The Australia native served as the ship’s third stewardess.
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