Entertainment
10 Classic Action Movies Nobody Wants to See a Remake Of
Movie lovers love to toss around the word “classic.” But what actually makes a movie a classic? A classic film must demonstrate enduring cultural impact, exceptional artistic achievement, and the unique ability to resonate with audiences for generations. These films stand the test of time. They possess a rewatchability that draws audiences back again and again. A great classic should be so brilliant that it can never be remade again.
The trouble is, studios love to remake the classics because, well, they know the rewards it could reap should they take the risk. They have a nostalgic appeal that draws audiences in, but they rarely surpass the original. When it comes to action flicks, these 10 classic action films should never be remade. Their original impact deserves to stay intact instead of being potentially tarnished. While some titles have launched beloved franchises, rebooting them with a new face is simply not what audiences want to see.
1
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
When you rewrite the script for how action films can be made, you automatically become an instant classic. That’s what happened with Die Hard. Directed by John McTiernan and based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, the unofficial Christmas movie follows New York City cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he travels to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve in hopes of reconciling with his estranged wife, Holly Gennaro-McClane (Bonnie Bedelia). His plans are interrupted when a gang of heavily armed criminals, led by the ruthless Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), takes over the Nakatomi skyscraper, forcing McClane to take them on alone. Drawing up the blueprint of a singular set action thriller, Die Hard proved that the vulnerable everyman hero is just as alluring as the invincible, muscle-bound ones of the era.
One of the most entertaining films of the ’80s, Die Hard infused itself into pop culture thanks to its iconic quotes and the most brilliant villain in action history. Die Hard had a simple premise, but it was executed to perfection. It brought out the concept of the hero-villain meet-cute that many films have tried to replicate since. So, why would anyone try to replicate perfection? Die Hard launched Willis into elite action-hero status, giving him the opportunity to continue McClane’s story. The truth is, no one will ever be John McClane other than Willis. The film was a lightning-in-a-bottle project that captured the aura of the decade. There was a specificity to the imagery and chemistry. The film launched the “Die Hard on a Blank” subgenre, so trying to redo it and recapture that magic would be nearly impossible. While there are certainly capable actors like Glen Powell who would serve as a logical modern choice, finding a new Rickman to play a perfect Hans Gruber is harder than that infamous fall.
2
‘Dirty Harry’ (1971)
Clint Eastwood has had a storied career, both as an actor and director. One of the most iconic roles is none other than Inspector Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry. In the first film of the franchise, Callahan is a no-nonsense San Francisco police inspector who takes on dirty jobs that no one else wants to do. Callahan hunts down a psychopathic sniper known as the “Scorpio Killer” (Andy Robinson), who is terrorizing the city by murdering innocent people and demanding ransoms. Dirty Harry examines the harsh clash between the strict legal system and street-level justice. A gritty action thriller that defined the ’70s, Dirty Harry defined the loose cannon cop genre by introducing one of cinema’s greatest anti-heroes.
Dirty Harry launched the lone wolf protagonist thanks to Eastwood’s masterful performance. While the character continued throughout the franchise, the first film was released during a time of high social tension and rising crime rates. The film captured the frustrations of society as they felt alienated by rapid societal shifts and the challenging questions about whether the legal system is too lenient on violent criminals. Dirty Harry is a period piece, and thus, trying to rework it as a modern remake would lose steam quite quickly. Callahan is a tough-on-crime character. That approach would simply not resonate with audiences today, given the societal disdain for modern policing. In fact, it might cause Callahan to be the lesser of two evil villains. The truth is, Harry Callahan belongs to Eastwood. No one can match his swagger and delivery.
3
‘Enter the Dragon’ (1973)
Certain films have a legacy as cinematic touchstones for their impact on their genre and history. For martial arts movies, that film is Enter the Dragon. Perhaps the greatest martial arts film ever made, Enter the Dragon served as Bruce Lee‘s final film appearance before his death. For that reason alone, even thinking about remaking the classic would be disrespectful. The classic martial arts film follows a Shaolin monk named Lee, who is recruited by British intelligence to infiltrate a private martial arts tournament. Lee is tasked with gathering evidence to expose the host, a renegade former monk named Han (Shih Kien), who operates an illegal drug and human trafficking ring. Enter the Dragon‘s massive impact on cinema was felt instantly, single-handedly igniting a worldwide martial arts craze.
Lee was a Hong Kong legend, and thanks to Enter the Dragon, he became the first Asian actor to serve as an undisputed leading man in a major Hollywood-Hong Kong co-production. Lee turned into an immortal global icon thanks to this film. Enter the Dragon found the perfect cross-section of traditional martial arts and James Bond-style espionage thriller. But now, more than 50 years later, Enter the Dragon is untouchable. Enter the Dragon captured a moment in time by breaking barriers and establishing martial arts in Western mainstream culture. Enter the Dragon was Bruce Lee. No one can deliver what he did with such impact.
4
‘First Blood’ (1982)
Sylvester Stallone is a character maker. In the ’70s, it was Rocky Balboa. In the ’80s, John Rambo. First Blood served as the vehicle that launched the character and an iconic franchise, one that can never be matched today. The action thriller followed John Rambo, a traumatized Vietnam War veteran whose PTSD is triggered when a small-town sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy), wrongfully arrests and abuses him. Rambo escapes to the mountains and uses his elite combat and survival skills to wage a one-man war against the police. Unlike the more bombastic films that followed in the series, First Blood was grounded as a psychological drama rooted in the era. First Blood tapped into themes of systemic neglect, PTSD, and the harsh discrimination Vietnam veterans faced from the divided American public upon returning home.
First Blood was a direct response to the Vietnam War. While there have been countless Vietnam War-period films, First Blood was a modern Vietnam War film; thus, it would not have the deep impact it originally had. First Blood subverted the high-octane action films of the time with genuine emotional resonance and worked as a wonderful exploration of a vet’s heartbreaking journey with PTSD and his attempt to return to society. There have been films since First Blood that have explored modern wars and their effects on their veterans in a similar vein. That said, should it be remade, it would only be done to capitalize on the film’s original success. The only way to remake First Blood is to stray away from the Ted Kotcheff-directed film and stick strictly to what is prescribed in David Morrell‘s novel, which is significantly bleaker. Oh, and the book ends with Rambo being killed, so that would be quite different than the 1982 film!
5
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
If you’re sensing a trend, a major reason why audiences may not want to see a remake of a classic action film is that there is simply no way to replace the original. No one will ever come close to having the allure that Harrison Ford brought to Indiana Jones. He may be best remembered for Han Solo, but Indy is his greatest character achievement. Launching a beloved franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark tells the tale of the titular globe-trotting archeologist as he races against Nazi forces to recover the biblical Ark of the Covenant, believed to possess supernatural powers that would make the army invincible. Alongside his old flame Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy battles through booby traps and enemies to secure the treasure. And snakes. Why did there have to be snakes? Relaunching the adoration for genuine action-adventure flicks, Raiders of the Lost Ark combined George Lucas‘ concept, Steven Spielberg‘s masterful direction, Ford’s charismatic performance, and John Williams‘ iconic score to craft a nostalgia-filled benchmark for cinematic storytelling.
While the character is so iconic that many actors today could conceivably wear the brown fedora and crack the whip, if you go back to the aforementioned roster — Ford, Lucas, Spielberg, and Williams — never again could that be replicated. Raiders of the Lost Ark brought escapism to the big screen as they journeyed with the ultimate action hero. He was flawed. He got bruised. He made mistakes. But Indy was the face of resilience. He got knocked down and proudly got up again. The film was perfectly made using the practical magic of ’80s filmmaking. As seen in the subsequent 21st-century sequels, once you introduce CGI into the mix, Raiders of the Lost Ark loses its charm. Raiders of the Lost Ark is an action-adventure at its finest. As much as Hollywood tried to pass the baton to Shia LaBeouf in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it’s always going to be Ford. Anyone else would be blasphemy.
6
‘Speed’ (1994)
We often say we “have the need for speed,” but I can assure you we do not have a need for a Speed remake. While action fans love an adrenaline rush in film form, Speed is a masterpiece as is. Directed by Jan de Bont, the high-octane thrill ride centers on a vengeful extortionist, former bomb squad officer Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper), who rigs a Los Angeles city bus with a bomb that is armed once the vehicle hits 50 miles per hour, exploding if it drops below that limit. It’s up to LAPD SWAT Officer Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and quick-thinking passenger Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) to take the wheel and save the day. Navigating heavy LA traffic and an unfinished freeway gap, Speed is a brilliant high-concept thriller that made the unthinkable imaginable.
Often, action movies have moments of levity or time to breathe. Not here. Speed was a relentless film whose momentum was unmatched. The stakes were high. The fear was consistent. And, perhaps, most importantly, it established Reeves as an action star and Bullock as an eventual legend. Though the plot overshadowed them, perhaps making them replaceable, Speed can’t be remade because it would simply be seen as a gimmick today. The film became a masterpiece because of the bus. By the time a sequel arrived, sans Reeves and aboard a cruise liner, it proved that Speed was an enigma. A third film might be more conceivable, but other films and series have stolen the other logical vehicles that might have been used. Speed is a quintessential ’90s movie, and it should stay that way.
7
‘The Terminator’ (1984)
Director James Cameron has given Hollywood a lot of historic cinematic moments — a romantic epic set on an infamous, ill-fated cruise and a universe of blue-tinted beings who serve as a PSA for conservation awareness, to name a few. But before those projects were a twinkle in his eye, Cameron introduced the world to the cross-section of science fiction and action with the groundbreaking The Terminator. Now, before we begin, a remake of the film would be a substantial step up from the original because the budget that Cameron was working with was quite measly. And it showed. And yet, it launched a beloved franchise that got better. That said, The Terminator needed to be a bit of a B-film to capture attention. A remake would lose that charm.
In the iconic film, a time-traveling cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to 1984 from a post-apocalyptic future where a hostile AI defense network known as Skynet wipes out most of human civilization. Facing defeat by a human resistance led by John Connor, the T-800 is on a mission to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) to prevent her from ever giving birth to her eventual child. To counter the attack, the human resistance sends a lone soldier, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), to protect Sarah and ensure John’s birth. The high-octane thriller explores themes of humanity’s dangerous reliance on technology, the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, and questions whether our fate is predetermined. Every one of those themes is pertinent today, but to explore them in a remake of The Terminator would be futile.
The original film became a classic because of how it was precisely presented. There would be no way to replicate that lighting in a bottle again. The film has influenced the genre by giving sci-fi action thrillers more slasher-like stories with an iconic final girl. But once again, The Terminator‘s massive success was thanks in part to Schwarzenegger’s performance. He was chilling, terrifying, and perfectly cast. The plot of this film would never be able to be replicated with anyone but the iconic actor. Ask yourself, do you really want to hear anyone else attempt to utter the line, “I’ll be back.” The answer is no. Technology has caught up to the prescribed sci-fi in the original film, making it nearly impossible to capture the same story as anything but a hokey period piece.
8
‘The Matrix’ (1999)
To be considered an influential film is a great honor. To be able to earn that distinction across multiple genres is a mark of sheer greatness. For The Matrix, the iconic film by the Wachowskis changed science fiction, action, and martial arts films the moment it dropped in theaters in 1999. The high-concept thriller follows a computer hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves), who discovers that the everyday world is actually a complex simulated reality. Created by intelligent machines, this illusion keeps humanity docile while their bodies are harvested for energy. Contacted by a mysterious rebel leader named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and his ally Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Neo joins the rebellion to break free and rage against the machines. The Matrix expertly merged mind-bending philosophical concepts with groundbreaking visual effects into a mainstream cyberpunk blockbuster.
The Matrix revolutionized cinema. Perhaps most importantly, the film introduced and popularized bullet time, a visual effect that allowed the camera to pan around a scene at normal speed while the action unfolded in extreme slow-motion. Don’t deny it, after watching Reeves do that infamous backbend, you too tried to replicate it. That moment was just one of many things that became inherent in the pop culture lexicon. From the concept that our reality could be a simulation to the choice between the red pill and the blue pill, The Matrix was a crucial part of the time capsule during the turn of the century. It could never be replicated. Attempting to remake it would feel like an unnecessary copy and paste. The film did launch a franchise, allowing for the story to continue. A clean slate would mean wiping out the entire IP to start over. Fans would rather have the chance to relive the original film once again rather than watch a new take on it.
9
‘The Rock’ (1996)
The ’90s were the decade of the blockbuster. Thanks to those big-budget, massively epic films, audiences swarmed to the theater for their chance to see things blow up. Two titans of that concept were director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. One of their great collaborations was 1996’s action thriller The Rock. The film follows rogue U.S. Marine general Frank X. Hummel (Ed Harris), who hijacks Alcatraz Island, holding tourists hostage and threatening to launch deadly nerve gas rockets at San Francisco to secure financial reparations for families of fallen, unacknowledged soldiers. To stop the attack, the government pairs a nervous FBI chemical weapons expert, Dr. Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), with a notorious, imprisoned ex-spy, Captain John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery) — the only man who has ever successfully broken out of the infamous island prison. Perfecting the blockbuster formula with an escapism story and a top-tier all-star cast, The Rock was the peak of high-concept, stylized action flicks.
The Rock has been why we sought out “Bayhem” ever since. Bay’s signature visual style and direction became the blueprint for future directors of the genre. The stunts, the car chases, the pyrotechnics — it was all real, tactile stunt work. That was a major allure of the film. Certainly, that can be replicated, but it wouldn’t have that Bay touch. The Rock had unmatched star power with its unlikely duo dynamic. It caught both leads at just the right time in their career. Connery channeled a mature, rogue version of James Bond while Cage, fresh off his Academy Award for Leaving Las Vegas, proved that action was in his blood. Without The Rock, he may not have had Con Air or Face/Off, two other films that studios should keep their hands off of. The Rock emerged as a cult classic film because the ingredients of this recipe resulted in a perfect feast. Attempting to find those perfect ingredients would be a difficult task. The Rock is a flawless standalone film and deserves that distinct honor.
10
‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ (1985)
Perhaps the greatest action film in William Friedkin‘s vast list of classics is To Live and Die in L.A. Based on the 1984 novel by former U.S. Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich, the film uses a neo-noir crime thriller style to tell the story of a reckless, vengeance-driven Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen), who resorts to unethical and illegal methods to catch a brilliant, murderous counterfeiter, Eric “Rick” Masters (Willem Dafoe), who killed his partner, Jimmy Hart (Michael Greene). Consumed by grief and a desire for revenge, Chance abandons the law as he’s paired with a nervous, by-the-book partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow). As Chance crosses the line from lawman to criminal, the line between him and the man he is hunting becomes dangerously blurred. To Live and Die in L.A. recalibrates the typical Hollywood hero cop story as it tackles corruption, moral ambiguity, and the dark paths obsession leads to.
The film was celebrated for its moral gray areas. As the film progressed and the pursuit intensified, the line between hero cop and villain criminal dissipated as the environment of the chase was consumed by their own obsession. By forcing the audience to question the moral ambiguity, the cop genre’s subversion led to a new realm of storytelling. To Live and Die in L.A. is distinctly ’80s. With the sun-soaked Los Angeles giving way to the gritty underbelly of the city, set to the hypnotic Wang Chang atmospheric score, reclaiming that sound and imagery in a remake would be quite difficult. To Live and Die in L.A. wasn’t crafted as a period piece, but a product of its time. A remake would become a period piece, and the story told through a modern lens would resonate entirely differently. At the time, the story ended with a twist ending and virtually no heroes. That was bold then. The truth is, the film’s success came from the Friedkin touch. Is there anyone else who could do what he did? All signs point to no.
To Live and Die in L.A.
- Release Date
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November 1, 1985
- Runtime
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116 minutes
- Writers
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Gerald Petievich
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William Petersen
Richard Chance
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John Pankow
John Vukovich
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Debra Feuer
Bianca Torres
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After hearing the devastating news that PlayStation will be removing its physical library in the future, resorting only to digital games and, most likely, digital-only consoles, fans are reminded of what used to be. While the Nintendo Switch is closing the gap with console sales because of games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the best-selling video game console is still the PlayStation 2.
With around 160 million units sold worldwide, this gaming sensation was essential in the early 2000s. However, while the console was great, everyone bought it for the games, and that is because this console was home to some of the greatest games ever. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest PS2 video games of all time based on how iconic they were, influence, originality, popularity, critical acclaim, gameplay, design, visuals, narrative, and overall quality. This list will include any PS2 games, not just exclusives.
10
‘Kingdom Hearts II’ (2005)
Disney is a family-friendly franchise, and while they aren’t particularly known for their video games, the Kingdom Hearts franchise is incredible, specifically Kingdom Hearts II. After a year-long slumber, Sora, Donald, and Goofy reawaken to pick up their fight against a mysterious organization that wants to bring Disney and the original worlds to an end.
Kingdom Hearts II is an incredible-looking game for the PS2, highlighting the best graphics of the franchise. It tightened the gameplay of the first while introducing new captivating mechanics and improvements such as cinematic reaction commands and incredible boss fight choreography. The PS2 has many fantastic games, but Kingdom Hearts II was a must-play on the console.
9
‘Okami’ (2006)
The PS2 had some visually striking video games, and one of the most gorgeous in terms of art style and uniqueness was Okami. The player controls Amaterasu, the sun goddess of Japan, who takes on the form of a White Wolf. When a dark curse is launched on the land of Nippon by an ancient demon, Amaterasu must cleanse the land or risk the country falling into ruin.
Okami’s art style resembles a traditional Japanese sumi-e ink wash painting, which features thick brushstrokes and vibrant splashes of color. This aesthetic makes the game feel like a painting come to life, truly being the closest thing a video game can come to being art. The brush mechanic was innovative and thematically relevant, further showcasing this visually stunning video game in all of its beauty.
8
‘Gran Turismo 4’ (2005)
Each of the three major gaming companies has its own racing franchise, and Gran Turismo is the staple of PlayStation, specifically Gran Turismo 4 on the PS2. Starting as a novice driver with a cheap car, players work their way up through a plethora of races, getting more advanced cars so they can conquer the tracks even better.
The first Gran Turismo is a legendary game and one of the most influential, but Gran Turismo 4 reinvented the formula and ironed it out to be the definitive racing experience. It achieved technical perfection not seen before, pushing the PS2 to the limit with over 700 cars to choose from. The progression system is rewarding, and the gameplay is satisfying, making it the best of its franchise.
7
‘God of War II’ (2007)
The God of War franchise is one of the most acclaimed out there, especially in the modern-day after the 2018 version redefined the narrative and gameplay. However, back on the PS2, the best of the franchise is still God of War II. After Zeus betrays and kills Kratos, the Titan Gaia revives him, giving him the chance to travel through time and fight through the underworld to rewrite his fate and kill the King of the Gods.
God of War II came out on both the PS2 and PS3, but it was an exclusive on the former for about two years, making it a staple of the best-selling console. By delivering an unbridled sense of anger and exhilaration, this game becomes a digital cathartic experience that is freeing to play. God of War II is an action masterclass with polished combat and fluid gameplay, which made it a nice send-off late in the PS2’s lifespan.
6
‘Final Fantasy X’ (2001)
After years of being exclusive games on Nintendo consoles, Final Fantasy switched to PlayStation with Final Fantasy VII. But this list is about the PS2, and Final Fantasy X is woven into the fabric of that console. When Tidus is transported from his highly-advanced world to a fantasy realm, he teams up with a mage to go on an adventure and take down the one who summoned him here.
This was the PS2’s first and best Final Fantasy game, being the first to fully integrate voice acting and 3D environments. It was a massive technological leap that marked a milestone in the franchise. The strategic combat system made gameplay even more engaging, and when paired with a gorgeous soundtrack and emotional finale, Final Fantasy X became a staple of the console.
5
‘Silent Hill 2’ (2001)
The PS2 was home to some of the greatest horror games of all time, including what many consider to be the best: Silent Hill 2. The game follows James Sunderland, who travels to the titular town in order to learn the mystery behind a letter he got from his deceased wife. Desperate for answers, he continuously searches the decaying town while avoiding its monstrous inhabitants.
Silent Hill 2 wasn’t a PS2 exclusive, but it was the only way to play the game for a few months, which is why they are often paired with each other. With one of the most brilliant narratives in horror history, the entire environment and monsters were all manifestations of the protagonist’s guilt and despair. This was a renowned twist and masterful narrative connection that helped Silent Hill 2 become the scariest video game.
4
‘Resident Evil 4’ (2005)
Resident Evil is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, and it has been a fantastic year, but the pinnacle of the franchise is still Resident Evil 4. After the president’s daughter is kidnapped in Spain, Leon Kennedy embarks on an adventure to rescue her. However, he discovers that the ones who have her captive have been taken over by mind-controlling parasites.
Resident Evil 4 innovated in so many ways, from the over-the-shoulder camera angle to the adjustable inventory, which redefined how third-person shooters were handled. Some fans didn’t appreciate the shift into an action-centric focus, but it still maintained a horror feel that felt true to the original. Resident Evil 4 is a best-selling video game that would be higher on this list if it were a PS2 exclusive, even if that is the definitive way to play.
3
‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (2005)
Fumito Ueda is a legendary game designer who has a couple of masterpieces on the PS2, including his magnum opus, Shadow of the Colossus. After their lover dies, the protagonist makes a deal with a supernatural entity where he must kill 16 Colossi beasts in order to bring her back to life. The player must travel around the world and defeat these towering creatures in the name of love.
Shadow of the Colossus is one of the few genuine PlayStation exclusives on this list, only being playable on other consoles with the remake. That makes it perfect for this list, as it was a defining video game of this era and for the console. This game is all about boss fights, which are essentially gigantic puzzles that build up some of the most intense gaming moments. Shadow of the Colossus is a melancholic experience that highlights its innovative gameplay through the operatic battles and a depressing, yet perfect ending.
Hideo Kojima is a prolific game designer who has spawned countless masterpieces, like the PS2 classic Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. After a failed mission, Solid Snake is presumed dead, and years later, an agent known as Raiden is sent to infiltrate a facility and save the president. However, he learns that this is a staged mission, and all part of a test for a device that can control human behavior.
For its time, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was one of the most ambitious narratives in the gaming scene, using its bait-and-switch protagonist to deconstruct player expectations. Aging like a fine wine, this game gets more relevant and perfect by the day, and it is best experienced on the PS2. Narrative aside, Metal Gear Solid 2 polishes the stealth mechanics to create a remarkable gameplay experience.
1
‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ (2004)
Grand Theft Auto is one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world, and PlayStation has always been the best way to play them, including Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. CJ returns to his city after his mother passes away, but when he gets back, he is framed for her murder. In order to clear his name, he must travel across the state, save his family, and take back the streets.
It feels weird for GTA: San Andreas to beat out PS2 exclusive games like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Shadow of the Colossus since it was released on other consoles. However, the PS2 and GTA: San Andreas are essentially synonymous, easily being the most compatible and essential way to play. Plus, this game is regarded as one of the greatest of all time, with most of the players agreeing it belongs on the PS2. GTA: San Andreas pushed the bounds of creativity and technical prowess, resulting in a seamless open-world sandbox that remains a cultural landmark of gaming.
Resident Evil 4
- Released
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January 11, 2005
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Engine
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RE Engine
- Franchise
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Resident Evil
The drama between Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright is far from over. The exes, who are in the middle of a bitter divorce battle, continue to trade public accusations, the latest of which came from Taylor, who accused Cartwright of sabotaging his life and career. His latest remarks come on the heels of a fake brand partnership that he initially believed was legitimate, which his estranged wife discussed on her podcast.
“Vanderpump Rules” alum Jax Taylor is speaking out against his ex, Brittany Cartwright, accusing her of making the effort to embarrass him publicly. The latter filed for divorce in 2024, and they are still in the middle of legal proceedings.
At the end of July, Taylor posted an ad for Smartwater on his social media, which was later determined to be a fake brand deal. His ex mocked him in an episode of her podcast, “When Reality Hits,” saying that Taylor faked a brand deal to fix his image of “being a horrible human being.”
Taylor is calling out Cartwright for discussing matters on her podcast instead of privately reaching out to him. “Yesterday was just another example of Brittany going out of her way to publicly embarrass and humiliate me,” Taylor told Us Weekly, adding that the behavior has “become a pattern.”
“It’s just another example of her ongoing attempts to damage my reputation, interfere with my ability to work and earn a living, and make it as difficult as possible for me to move forward and rebuild my life,” Taylor claimed.
Brittany Cartwright Said Smartwater Reached Out To Her
Talking to Tom Schwartz on the podcast, Cartwright said she received a direct message from Smartwater, telling her that the company didn’t authorize Taylor’s post, nor was he approached for a brand deal.
“This is why I don’t believe anything that he says,” Cartwright said, adding that when other people sent her the post, she did not believe the brand would choose his ex to promote the product, and she got confirmation it was fake when they messaged her.
“That is embarrassing,” she continued, to which Schwartz replied, “I’m ashamed for him.”
Jax Taylor Addressed The Fake Brand Deal
On July 31, Taylor posted a statement on social media addressing the fake partnership with Smartwater. He was reportedly offered a campaign opportunity from a “third party influencer platform” and didn’t think twice about accepting the offer.
“As soon as I was notified that the campaign was unauthorized, I removed the content immediately. I have never and would never intentionally misrepresent a partnership,” Taylor wrote, adding that it was an “honest mistake.” He also included a screenshot of the offer he received.
Furthermore, he called out Cartwright for discussing the matter on her podcast to “mock” and “embarrass” him.
The TV Personality Claims His Ex Is Messing With Work Opportunities
Taylor said he’s remained silent about Cartwright out of respect for the mother of his child. In his post, however, he alleged that his ex has been making moves to prevent him from earning.
“Brittany has directly contacted networks and brands in an effort to stop me from working and to prevent me from getting opportunities affecting my ability to earn a living,” he wrote.
He told Us Weekly that he was supposed to appear in the TV series “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” and had completed paperwork, but the offer was rescinded. “I came to find out that Brittany contacted them and once again interfered with an amazing job opportunity that would have helped me move forward,” he claimed.
Jax Taylor And Brittany Cartwright Exchange Accusations In Court
Taylor and Cartwright married in 2019, and they have one child together, a son born in 2021. The latter filed for divorce in 2024, citing irreconcilable differences.
The divorce is taking a long time due to back-and-forth accusations from both camps and unresolved division of assets. Taylor claimed that at their last court session, they spent eight hours attempting to resolve differences to no avail.
In April, per The Blast, Cartwright shared an update about their relationship, saying that while co-parenting wasn’t easy, they’re trying to make it work for the sake of their son.
Jack Osbourne showed just how fast his baby daughter, Ozzy Matilda, is growing up in an adorable new family photo.
“Little miss ozz already has a mischievous sparkle,” Jack, 40, wrote via Instagram alongside a darling snapshot of his baby sitting on his lap.
Ozzy Matilda is all smiles in a pink romper while her dad cradles her in his arms in the photo. The comment section on Jack’s Instagram post was filled with comparisons between little Ozzy and her late grandfather and namesake, Ozzy Osbourne.
“She’s got a twinkle,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “She has your dads smile n eyes! 😍”
“She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s named after a legend,” another fan declared.
Jack and his wife, Aree Gearhart, announced the arrival of their newborn daughter in March — around eight months after Jack’s dad, Ozzy, died at age 76 in July 2025. (Ozzy’s death certificate clarified that he died from cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease.)
Last December, Jack confirmed to The Sun on Sunday that he and Gearhart, 35, were able to tell Ozzy he was going to be a grandfather again before his death. (Jack also shares daughters Pearl, 14, Andy, 11, and Minnie, 8, with ex-wife Lisa Stelly as well as daughter Maple, 4, with Gearhart).
Jack credited the impending arrival of his and Gearhart’s daughter with helping his family grieve the late rocker following his shocking death.
Jack Osbourne‘s wife, Aree Gearhart, is speaking out following the death of father-in-law Ozzy Osbourne. “I’m pretty sure I have the coolest father in law around, and the best papa to my kids,” she wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 3, sharing a handful of family photos with the late musician. “The world got a […]
“It’s awesome,” Jack told The Sun at the time. “I think it’s been partly a healthy distraction, partly healing – probably in that kind of ‘full cycle’ category, in a weird way.”
He went on, “It’s very much taken energy out of the grieving side of things and parked in a bit more hopefulness. It’s been easy for me – I think it’s been a lot harder for my wife!”
Jack added that he and Gearhart viewed the arrival of Ozzy Matilda as a moment of renewal for the Osbourne family.
“We’re super-excited [for the baby],” he said in December. “It was sort of planned, I should say. It was maybe a little earlier than expected. But it’s definitely something that we were wanting to pursue and somehow it happened, miraculously.”
More recently, Jack fired back over speculation about his weight after competing on the jungle-based U.K. reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in late 2025. (His mother, Sharon Osbourne, and sister Kelly Osbourne, have also slammed the social media conversation around their weight in recent years.)
Jack Osbourne brought two of his look-alike daughters along to cap off a special night honoring his late father, Ozzy Osbourne. Jack, 40, was photographed with kids Pearl, 13, and Andy, 10, at the Universal Music Group’s Grammys afterparty on Sunday, February 1, just hours after Ozzy was commemorated at the Grammy Awards with a […]
“I cannot believe I’m having to actually make this f***ing video. If I see one more article written about me saying how I’m ‘sick,’ I’m ‘grossly underweight’, [that I’m] ‘health crisis Jack’ … It’s f***ing insane,” he vented via Instagram in May. “I have lost no weight since I got out of the jungle doing I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! six months ago.”
“I’ve been the same f***ing weight. The only difference is I shaved my beard and opted for a creepy mustache. That’s the only f***ing difference,” he added. “I’ve been slowly but consistently losing weight for the last three and a half years. I shot up to about 220 pounds about three and a half years ago and decided that I wanted to make some changes, so I did.”
Everyone loves a good anti-hero who can blur the lines between good and evil. These characters aren’t just sympathetic villains, but individuals who lack specific heroic traits, like Link from The Legend of Zelda, yet still move the plot forward through individual goals that can sometimes be considered good. They also aren’t heroes who bend the rules sometimes, like Leon from Resident Evil.
Fans love these types of characters because they are complicated, messy, and more relatable, with everything they do shaping the good or bad inside them. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest video game anti-heroes of all time based on writing, characterization, development, moral ambiguity, flaws, relatability, and overall quality.
10
Geralt of Rivia
‘The Witcher’ Games (2007–Present)
Fantasy games take one of two approaches: either a whimsical world full of adventure, or a dark and bleak existence. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is part of the latter, meaning there are many anti-heroes, including the protagonist, Geralt of Rivia. As a Witcher, he faces constant discrimination, yet he continues to do whatever job he is paid to do, simply existing for monster hunting and coin.
However, his motives and goals evolve far beyond monster hunting and coin later in the series, with him trying to protect Ciri and needing to choose lesser evils. His personality and cynical views shaped by the bleak world can’t help but steer his decisions even if he wants to do the right thing, making him a fantastic protagonist in one of the best video games of the past century.
9
Scorpion (Hanzo Hasashi)
‘Mortal Kombat’ Games (1992–Present)
Mortal Kombat is one of the greatest fighting game franchises of all time, and any good fighting game needs a roster of engaging characters. Mortal Kombat has a lot of brutal personalities, but the one who sticks out the most is Scorpion. After his family was murdered by Sub-Zero, he spends the rest of his life and afterlife hunting him down until he can drag Sub-Zero into hell.
Scorpion used to just be a badass video game character who said “get over here,” but the modern reboot has evolved him into an anti-hero. He doesn’t give up on killing or his revenge, but it is a sort of noble vengeance that drives him. By the end of the games, he has restored his clan, come to terms with his past atrocities, and made peace with the younger version of Sub-Zero.
8
Wario
‘Super Mario’ Games (1985–Present)
Most anti-heroes are meant to be taken seriously, as they are deeply flawed, compelling, and they work best in a mature setting. However, Wario proves that even silly characters can be anti-heroes. He doesn’t have too big of a focus on many narratives, but his greed drives every instinct in his body, whether that makes him an enemy or an ally of Mario and friends.
Maybe Wario is still villainous, but that is just because of his unwavering greed, which can also make him do good, even if he doesn’t mean it. He is the definition of a selfish video game character whose goals only lie in personal motivation. Wario is a fun parody and too stubborn to lose, proving why he is a beloved video game character.
7
Kazuma Kiryu
‘Yakuza’ Games (2005–Present)
The Yakuza franchise is one of the most bizarre, but players can’t help but get sucked into its world and characters, such as the anti-hero Kazuma Kiryu. He is a yakuza enforcer who operates outside the law, which doesn’t sound too anti-hero-like until fans learn about his moral code and the fact that he doesn’t even want to be a yakuza member.
Despite surrounding himself with yakuza and a villainous life, Kiryu aims to free himself of these shackles, deconstructing the glorification of organized crime. He is a bright anomaly inside the underworld, trying his best to do the right thing when he is forced to be the bad guy, highlighting his character arc and unwavering good inside him.
6
Max Payne
‘Max Payne’ Games (2001–2012)
Rockstar Games is known for making morally ambiguous games with anti-hero protagonists, with a couple on this list, starting with Max Payne. After a group of junkies murders his wife and child, Max has nothing else to live for and decides to go on a killing spree. His rampage takes him through the underworld of New York City, getting back on anyone who is even remotely evil.
If “Woe Is Me” were a character, it would be Max Payne, who constantly suffers in his own grief and despair. Killing hundreds of people isn’t exactly a good thing, but at least none of them are considered good people. His suicidal mission is driven completely by revenge, grief, and depression, which results in one of the best action video games of all time.
5
Booker DeWitt
‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)
There aren’t many morally righteous characters in the BioShock franchise at all, and who would be with society looking like that? But it seems the best there can be is Booker DeWitt, the protagonist of BioShock Infinite. He is a disgraced agent and a veteran who sold his daughter to pay off his debts, but he takes on a job to rescue a girl named Elizabeth to free himself of his financial issues.
Booker is a definitive example of what an anti-hero should be. He drives the story through his selfish goals and features a troubled backstory where he was clearly in the wrong. Yet despite his shortcomings, he forms an authentic bond with Elizabeth and fights the true evil in this world. By the end of BioShock Infinite, Booker is a complicated character who must make the toughest sacrifice ever, completing his character arc.
4
Shadow the Hedgehog
‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Games (1991–Present)
Wario isn’t the only character on this list from a platforming franchise, as Shadow the Hedgehog is just as iconic from the Sonic the Hedgehog game series. He was created in order to be the perfect lifeform, but this gave him a cynical life view, and when the only light in his world died, he lost all goodwill. However, he slowly gains it back, switching between villain and hero depending on the game.
Shadow the Hedgehog used to be a full-fledged villain, but he is such a universally beloved character that he now adopts more of an anti-hero role. He serves as a perfect foil to Sonic, only making a noble sacrifice after remembering his past. However, since his original appearance, Shadow has worked together with Sonic for good while maintaining his dark and edgy style.
3
Joel Miller
‘The Last of Us’ Games (2013–Present)
Some of the best anti-heroes are also part of the greatest video game narratives, including the top three characters on this list, starting with Joel Miller from The Last of Us. After watching his family die in the zombie apocalypse, he is a grizzled veteran who does whatever it takes to survive. But his paternal instincts kick back in when he must escort Ellie across the country and help find a cure.
The years of fighting for his life pushed him to do evil things, but it was all necessary for his survival. This is especially seen as his bond with Ellie grows over the course of the game. He softens up and begins to feel again, but this love is exactly what makes him an anti-hero. Joel acts based on selfish love, ending in a shocking plot twist that remains a staple in the community, highlighting why The Last of Us is an influential video game.
2
Arthur Morgan
‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)
As mentioned, Rockstar Games loves their flawed protagonists, and their greatest one yet is Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2. He is the leader of a cowboy gang set in 1899, the dying era of the Wild West. When Arthur learns of his tuberculosis, he sets out on one final adventure across the American Frontier in search of redemption, to make up for all the bad he has done.
Arthur’s change of heart doesn’t come from some awakening, but through the bleak reality of his impending doom. He has done many bad things, but his one last mission is to leave the Earth having done something good for once: saving John Marston and his family. Unfortunately, his redemption comes too late, cementing him as a profound character in an unforgettable narrative.
1
Kratos
‘God of War’ Games (2005–Present)
Kratos is one of the greatest video game characters of all time, and while he definitely wasn’t an anti-hero in the original God of War games, the 2018 reboot made him into one. After a life of murder and killing, he was exhausted from it all and left for a Norse region where he fell in love and had a child. Unfortunately, the death of his wife and attacks by the gods bring back his old habits.
Throughout the game, Kratos tries to be a good father, but he can’t help but be harsh due to his past nature and the dire situation. He begins to let go of his old selfish reasons for killing and does it to protect Atreus. Still, his growth is earned because Kratos remains a brutal killer who tries to better himself, yet can’t fully commit, highlighting why God of War has the best character development in gaming history.
Entertainment
Tom Hardy’s $100 Million Sci-Fi Masterpiece Is Officially the Biggest Streaming Hit of His Career
What a year it’s been for Tom Hardy, who was once again battling allegations that he could be a troublesome presence on set following the news that he had been fired from MobLand. The rumors of Hardy’s firing have since been put to bed, and it’s been confirmed that he will return as Harry Da Souza, should the show be renewed for Season 3. He will also be seen in Season 2 of the show, which begins streaming in less than two months, on September 18. Hardy is fresh off his three-time role as Eddie Brock in the Venom movies, which never quite managed to win the hearts of critics. However, this wasn’t an issue for Sony, as the studio pocketed over $1.5 billion from the franchise over the course of three movies.
We’re now more than 10 years removed from the biggest year of Tom Hardy’s career, when he starred in two of the biggest projects of his life. Hardy earned his first and only Oscar nomination for his performance as John Fitzgerald in The Revenant, the sweeping Western epic directed by Alejandro G. Iñárittu, who is soon to direct Tom Cruise in Digger. However, back in 2015, Hardy also starred in the most successful sci-fi movie of his career, Mad Max: Fury Road, which was written and directed by the great George Miller. Mad Max: Fury Road won six Oscars at the 2016 Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Hair and Makeup, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Production Design. All these years later, Mad Max: Fury Road is still a streaming super-hit, solidifying it as one of the most successful streaming movies of Tom Hardy’s career.
What Is ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ About?
The official synopsis for Mad Max: Fury Road reads as follows: “In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) is captured by the tyrannical Immortan Joe and forced into servitude. When rebel warrior Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) leads a daring escape with Joe’s five wives, Max joins her explosive fight for freedom. Racing across the desert in a war party of chrome and fire, they battle for survival, redemption, and a chance at a better future.” Mad Max: Fury Road earned a nearly perfect score of 97% from critics to pair with a solid 86% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The film grossed over $380 million at the box office against a $150 million budget — it was a success, but not as much as the reviews might allude to. It was once streaming on HBO Max before being removed from the platform.
Check out Mad Max: Fury Road on VOD platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Hardy’s future projects.
- Release Date
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May 15, 2015
- Runtime
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121 minutes
- Director
-
George Miller
- Writers
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Brendan McCarthy, George Miller, Nico Lathouris
- Producers
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Doug Mitchell, P.J. Voeten
Entertainment
Forget ‘Taken,’ Liam Neeson’s Ultimate Action Thriller Is Officially Dominating Streaming
Liam Neeson had a period, a golden age if you will, where he was the King of Geriaction. Hollywood had decided, after Taken proved to be a bizarrely big hit, that Big Liam could be dropped into absolutely any dangerous situation and audiences would happily watch him fight his way out. Kidnappers, terrorists, unruly passengers, angry commuters — the opposition didn’t matter as long as Neeson punched someone. But along the way, one of the best movies from Neeson’s unexpected transformation into an action star barely resembles the films that followed it.
More than a decade after its release, Joe Carnahan’s relentlessly bleak survival thriller, The Grey, remains one of the most overlooked movies of Neeson’s career and an essential streaming watch. The Grey currently carries an impressive 81% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, and while it was a success when it arrived in 2012, the movie has become somewhat lost among the seemingly endless action thrillers Neeson subsequently made. That’s a shame, because The Grey is considerably more ambitious than its wonderfully straightforward “Liam Neeson versus wolves” reputation suggests.
‘The Grey’ Is Much More Than Liam Neeson Fighting Wolves
Neeson stars as John Ottway, a sharpshooter employed to protect oil workers in Alaska from wolves. When the plane carrying Ottway and several workers crashes deep in the frozen wilderness, the survivors suddenly find themselves stranded miles from civilization. The weather is trying to kill them. Their injuries are trying to kill them. And, yes, an extremely territorial pack of wolves is also trying to kill them.
The Grey performed respectably at the box office, earning approximately $81 million worldwide against a reported $25 million production budget. Critics were particularly impressed, with its 81% Rotten Tomatoes score making it one of the best-reviewed films from Neeson’s post-Taken action run.
The Grey also stars Frank Grillo (Tulsa King) as John Diaz, Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac) as Jerome Talget, Dallas Roberts (The Walking Dead) as Pete Hendrick, Joe Anderson (Across the Universe) as Todd Flannery, Nonso Anozie (Game of Thrones) as Jackson Burke, James Badge Dale (The Departed) as Luke Lewenden, and Ben Bray (Gone Baby Gone) as Hernandez.
The Grey is streaming now on Netflix.
- Release Date
-
January 26, 2012
- Runtime
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117 minutes
- Director
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Joe Carnahan
Brooklyn Beckham reconnected with his godfathers, Elton John and David Furnish, amid his family feud with the rest of the Beckhams.
On Saturday, August 1, Brooklyn, 27, and his wife, Nicola Peltz, were photographed vacationing on John, 79, and his husband Furnish’s yacht near Nice, France, per People. (John and Furnish, 63, were named as Brooklyn’s godfathers by his parents, Victoria and David Beckham, while his godmother is actress Elizabeth Hurley.)
The two couples were snapped while sitting around a table together on the yacht and then stepped off the vessel to do some sight-seeing.
Brooklyn wore a white T-shirt, denim shorts and a cream-colored baseball cap as he held Peltz’s hand. The model and actress was dressed casually in a white lace minidress and nude kitten heels, accessorized with sunglasses and a shoulder bag.
Brooklyn Beckham seemingly has a smooth relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham’s family despite an estrangement from his own. “[They welcomed him] like another son,” Nicola, 31, told Elle Spain in a profile published Friday, March 20. “He gets along really well with my brothers. They play soccer together a lot.” Nicola is one of […]
The two couples vacationed together while David, 51, and Victoria, 52, spent time with their three other children — sons Romeo and Cruz Beckham and daughter Harper Beckham — as well as Romeo’s girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, on the small Spanish island Formentera this week, per The Sun.
John nor Furnish have ever publicly commented on Brooklyn’s rift with his parents.
Brooklyn was noticeably absent at two major milestones for his family this summer — he missed his dad David’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star induction ceremony in June despite living nearby and later skipped sister Harper’s 15th birthday party in July.
Brooklyn went public over his falling out with his parents by releasing a scathing statement in January, in which he alleged that “Brand Beckham comes first” in their family.
“Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it’s at the expense of our professional obligations,” he wrote at the time. “We’ve gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show ‘our perfect family!’ But the one time my wife asked for my mum’s support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused.”
Nicola Peltz Beckham praised her dynamics with her in-laws less than two years before their relationship seemingly fractured. “I come from a big family that we are all so close, and now [I have] an even bigger family,” Nicola, 31, said on the Today show in resurfaced footage originally broadcast in February 2024. “Brooklyn [Beckham] […]
Brooklyn accused his parents of meddling in his marriage and fostering a “completely backwards” narrative that he is controlled by his wife, Peltz.
“I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life,” he alleged. “I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief. My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.”
David and Victoria have only offered measured public responses to their son thus far. In April, Victoria was asked about “a very public and challenging year” for her family during a live interview on NBC’s Today.
“Myself and David, we’re so close,” Victoria said. “And we have incredible people around us. We’re very close to my parents and David’s parents, and we support each other through everything that we do.”
David was less willing to engage with the topic, as he shut down a Variety reporter for bringing up his “family strife” in June.
“To be honest, I’m sorry to stop you there, but that’s a private matter,” David insisted. “That’s the one thing that I don’t want to talk about.”
“The Rise of Skywalker” left many “Star Wars” fans disappointed with Disney after the Skywalker Saga came to a close in 2019. The sequel trilogy began with 2015’s “The Force Awakens” and created a whole new band of heroes to root for. However, 2017’s “The Last Jedi” proved divisive and eliminated several of the plot threads that “The Force Awakens” had created. By the time “The Rise of Skywalker” rolled around, Emperor Palpatine came out of nowhere to become the overarching villain, and with the death of Ben Solo, the Skywalker bloodline officially died off. Rey took the name “Rey Skywalker” at the end of the film to seemingly continue the story, but even that decision proved controversial with fans who felt that she had not done anything to “earn” the mantle.
There hasn’t been a movie related to the Skywalker Saga since “The Rise of Skywalker” came out. In fact, Disney stopped all theatrical releases in favor of Disney+ shows. Although the first two seasons of “The Mandalorian” proved successful, the third one drew heavy criticism.
Other shows, like “The Acolyte,” “The Book of Boba Fett,” “Ahsoka,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Skeleton Crew,” met criticism for one reason or another. It was the second and final season of “Andor” that finally gave fans hope that Disney might be getting “Star Wars” back on the right track.
However, in May 2026, Disney decided to try to bring “Star Wars” back to the big screen. Instead of moving ahead with the fourth season of “The Mandalorian” as planned, they asked Jon Favreau to turn it into an adventure set for a theatrical release called “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
The movie had low stakes, little character development, and didn’t tease any broader adventure or tie it into the larger universe. As of now, fans don’t actually know if there will be a fourth season of “The Mandalorian,” or what Disney plans for the character following its abysmal performance at the box office.
Where Ryan Gosling Comes In To Save ‘Star Wars’
The next movie on the docket is 2027’s “Star Wars: Starfighter.” Although little has been released about the project so far, the movie stands out from other movies set in a galaxy far, far away in a unique way. This one boasts a unique cast of A-list stars: Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, Amy Adams, and Matt Smith, among others. Many unknown actors have made a name for themselves after appearing in “Star Wars.” Now, “Starfighter” is flipping the script by bringing in a talented cast from the start.
The movie is also being directed by Shawn Levy, who is still hot off the success of “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Levy’s films are consistently delivered on time and on budget, which is a massive win for Disney. The studio notoriously had to undergo extensive reshoots for its first two standalone movies: “Rogue One” and “Solo,” both of which fell under the “A Star Wars Story” banner. “Solo,” especially, was a massive bomb at the box office following the controversy brought on by “The Last Jedi,” although it still managed to perform better than “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
Another Promising Sign For The Franchise
There are two reasons why Ryan Gosling is inspiring hope in a galaxy far, far away. The actor starred in another space movie – 2016’s “Project Hail Mary” – which currently has a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With the exception of several flashback scenes, Gosling is basically a one-man show up in space, communicating only with an alien made of rocks called Rocky.
Gosling is great in front of the camera, but fans also need to consider what goes on behind-the-scenes. There were no reports of a troubled production this time around. In fact, Disney seemingly loved the pairing of Ryan Gosling and Shawn Levy so much that they’ve decided to give them another go.
At San Diego Comic Con, Marvel boss Kevin Feige announced that Gosling would be taking on the role of Ghost Rider in the MCU. The film will be directed by Shawn Levy, creating a second partnership for the Disney studio.
This is a pretty promising sign. Disney execs will have already seen a rough cut of “Starfighter,” and apparently, they liked what they saw so much that they were willing to greenlight another Ryan Gosling/Shawn Levy collaboration before waiting for the audience reaction to “Star Wars: Starfighter.”
It’s not a sure sign that the movie will be a hit with fans, but some franchises were built on hope.
There are so many incredible sci-fi shows out right now. Shows like Pluribus, Star City, Foundation, and Alien: Earth are all blowing people’s minds with their inventive storytelling and exciting plots. The sci-fi genre is a fantastic way to escape our own reality — even if a dystopian setting makes us even more scared of the future. There’s one sci-fi show on Apple TV that mixes the post-apocalyptic setting of Prime Video’s Fallout with the mind-bending mysteries of Severance, and it’s begging for a binge-watch.
What Is ‘Silo’ About?
Silo is a dystopian drama that premiered back in 2023. It’s based on Hugh Howey‘s trilogy of novels, also called Silo. The sci-fi hit follows a community that lives in a giant underground silo after an apocalyptic event has occurred. Taking place more than a century after the world basically ended, this group of 10,000 people coexists in the 144-level structure. There are specific rules set out to help govern the place, but the peace in the silo starts to come to an end when several citizens begin to question what the outside world is really like.
Holsten Becker (David Oyelowo) is sheriff of the silo, but his life becomes much more complicated when his devoted wife, Allison (Rashida Jones), starts to get more curious about the laws surrounding their everyday lives. She crosses paths with the taciturn Head of IT, Bernard Holland (Tim Robbins), and his ruthless fixer, Robert Sims (Common), who play critical roles in the silo’s survival. As the first season unfolds, we also meet the true protagonist of the series, Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson), who works as an engineer to keep the silo functioning. Silo is a fascinating drama with twists and turns, and storylines that demonstrate that no one is truly safe within the walls of the silo.
‘Silo’ Combines Some of the Best Elements of Other Sci-Fi Shows
The most obvious comparison to another sci-fi series is Fallout, which first dropped in 2024. That drama also takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where survivors are relegated to underground bunkers to escape deadly nuclear fallout. The world has become fairly uninhabitable, and the people who have been smart enough to endure it are both cunning and terrifying. When the outside world is depicted, it portrays people who have divided into factions. This is similar to the setup of Silo, since there are groups of people that have lasted generations in their chosen fields. They’re mostly determined by lineage, but even in the silo, this constitutes a sort of strict class system. These separations create even more fractures and conflicts, representing a very realistic social system in a microcosm of the silo. Just like Fallout, Silo also illustrates the characters’ hopeful need for wanting to see what the outside world holds. From the very first episode, the desire to find out what has become of the rest of the human race is a driving force for the narrative.
At first, the only connection to Apple TV’s other massive sci-fi hit, Severance, would seem like the twisty storytelling itself. But there are also definitely higher-ups who rule with an iron fist and with an extremely secretive nature, just like the folks over at Lumon Industries. Later episodes of Silo include more technology-focused plot points, which reflect Severance‘s modern complexity. And now that Silo is in its third season, the biggest link to Severance is the way the series is diving into the fascinating topic of memory. Without giving too much away, Juliette experiences a total wipe of her memory when Season 3 opens. Just like the severed characters on Severance, much of Juliette’s identity is erased because she has no context for her past. She has no familiarity with the people in her life, even those who have loved her since she was young. The battle of the season becomes trying to bring Juliette back to who she was, which is a compelling exploration into how our memories help to define us.
There are only 20 episodes to binge before you can start Season 3 of Silo, which means that it’s actually an easy show to get caught up with. If you want a gritty, complex sci-fi series that presents unique problems and mysteries like Severance, or highlights the hardships that exist when a population is forced to live in close quarters like Fallout, Silo must be added to your watch list now.
Silo is available to stream on Apple TV in the U.S., with new episodes dropping every Friday.
Silo
- Release Date
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May 5, 2023
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
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Graham Yost
- Directors
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Morten Tyldum, David Semel, Michael Dinner, Aric Avelino
While some adaptations have succeeded in staying relevant to their source material, many leave the audience wishing they had just read the book instead of watching it. The anticipation of viewers that comes along with adaptations is now next to impossible to eliminate. Books can paint an elaborate picture of the fictional world, while television screens can only scratch the surface.
But a few shows demonstrate that adaptation is not limited to mere duplication of the written work. Good adaptations recognize that the medium has its own advantages, ranging from outstanding performances to diverse storytelling and creative changes made to retain the essence of the plot.
5. You
Caroline Kepnes’ You introduced readers to one of modern fiction’s most unsettling narrators: Joe Goldberg, a charming bookstore manager whose romantic obsession with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck quickly spirals into stalking, manipulation, and murder. Told entirely through Joe’s disturbing inner monologue, the novel traps readers inside the mind of a man who genuinely believes every terrible thing he does is an act of love. Netflix’s adaptation stays remarkably faithful to that premise while expanding the story well beyond the page.
The series succeeds largely because of Penn Badgley’s nuanced performance, which somehow makes Joe both charismatic and deeply unsettling without ever asking viewers to excuse his actions. The adaptation also enriches the supporting cast by introducing original characters like Paco, whose relationship with Joe adds surprising emotional complexity, while expanding storylines for characters like Candace in later seasons. Rather than simply translating Kepnes’ novel, You builds an even richer psychological thriller that grows more ambitious with every season.
4. The Queen’s Gambit
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Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel The Queen’s Gambit follows orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she rises through the competitive chess world while battling addiction and loneliness. Already considered one of the finest novels ever written about the game, the story seemed difficult to adapt given how much of Beth’s brilliance and emotional struggle unfolds internally. Netflix’s 2020 miniseries not only solved that problem but became one of the streamer’s biggest success stories.
Most of the credit for that success goes to Anya Taylor-Joy, who conveys Beth’s inner life through expressive acting without narration. The chess game is transformed into an actual cinema experience through innovative visualizations, polished production design, and tasteful direction. While remaining remarkably faithful to Tevis’ novel, the adaptation makes a handful of thoughtful changes — particularly to Beth’s emotional journey — that create an even stronger payoff by the time she reaches Moscow. It’s one of the rare adaptations that refines an already exceptional story rather than merely recreating it.
3. Normal People
Sally Rooney’s Normal People traces the long-term romantic relationship between Connell Waldron and Marianne Sheridan, which continues through their school years and into university despite some bumps along the way. One of the highlights of the novel is how Rooney manages to expose the inner worlds of her characters, which makes them very difficult to represent visually, but the BBC and Hulu seriesproved that it could be done.
The show, instead of narrating everything through voiceovers, relies on the acting of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. They indeed manage to convey everything through their performance, together with the muted directing style of Abrahamson and Macdonald. It should also be noted that the series improved the ending of Normal People by allowing Marianne to be a bit more powerful in the final conversation and by slowing the conversation, which made the outcome more satisfying.
2. Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty’s novel Big Little Lies is a brilliant domestic mystery that follows three women living apparently flawless lives in Monterey; their lives fall apart as a series of secrets, lies, and violence leads to a shocking murder. HBO’s adaptation is faithful to the central mystery while also providing a stronger impact through an ensemble cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz.
Jean-Marc Vallée‘s direction turns Monterey into a character that adds its own identity to the narrative, thanks to the crashing waves and surreal editing. Plus, as examples of the brilliant performances, Kidman’s emotional portrayal of Celeste’s abusive marriage provides the drama and emotional power that surpass those in the book, while Dern’s Emmy-winning performance as the marvelous Renata reveals the character’s unexpected weaknesses.
1. The Leftovers
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta presents a scenario in which two percent of the population disappears inexplicably, leading to permanent changes in the universe. Instead of concentrating on what happened during the incident, Perrotta writes about what occurred afterward, including the grief, bewilderment, and spiritual conflict among survivors trying to make sense of it. The HBO adaptation remains true to the material for a while before moving completely away from it.
Just after the first season’s completion, Lindelof and Perrotta extend the narrative into uncharted territory. They attempt to answer questions the novel never raises and prefer to leave them open rather than resolve the ambiguities. The series becomes one of the most significant depictions of loss, belief, and relationships, owing to the incredible performances of Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon. When it comes to the acclaimed ending, the series went beyond the boundaries of the source material.
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