Psychological thrillers derive their tension from obsession, uncertainty, and unstable minds. The best of these books make the reader question what’s real, whether the narrator can be trusted, and how far ordinary people can be pushed before they become capable of terrible things.

With all that darkness in mind, this list looks at some of the defining psychological thriller novels of the 20th century. Some are propulsive bestsellers; others are a little more reflective and literary. All explore the genre’s core ideas in powerful, intriguing ways.

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‘American Psycho’ (1991)

“This confession has meant nothing.” Before it was a fantastically unsettling movie, American Psycho was a disturbing novel. Protagonist Patrick Bateman appears to be the perfect Wall Street success story: wealthy, handsome, impeccably dressed, and obsessed with status. But beneath that polished exterior lies a mind consumed by narcissism, violence, and an almost unbearable emptiness. The book places us inside Patrick’s head, a tricky (and controversial) move that author Bret Easton Ellis ultimately has the skills to pull off.

Patrick represents all the darkest impulses of ’80s capitalism. He has a rapacious desire for power and material possessions, unmoored from any moral concerns. As a result, the book’s endless descriptions of designer suits, restaurant reservations, and pop music reviews gradually become just as unsettling as the bursts of sudden violence. They reveal someone who takes the culture’s worst aspects to their extreme conclusion.

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‘The Collector’ (1963)

“I collect butterflies.” The main character of The Collector is Frederick Clegg, a lonely butterfly collector whose sudden financial windfall allows him to kidnap Miranda Grey, an art student with whom he has become obsessively infatuated. Believing that love can somehow be manufactured through captivity, Frederick imprisons Miranda in the cellar of his isolated home. From here, the book alternates between Frederick and Miranda’s perspectives, and their motivations and feelings wind up being more complex than you might expect.

In other words, this is an unusually sophisticated psychological thriller, one that avoids the genre’s clichéd motives and plot twists. The most effective part of the book is the character of Frederick himself. He’s no cartoonish monster. Instead, he’s a seemingly mundane, overly rational man totally devoid of empathy. Nevertheless, he’s a truly loathsome figure, a man who probably wanted to do evil all his life but just didn’t have the power to act on it… until now.

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‘Libra’ (1988)

“History is the sum total of the things they aren’t telling us.” Libra was Don DeLillo‘s follow-up to White Noise, the novel that put him on the map. In it, he presents a fictionalized account of the Kennedy assassination, delving deep into the psychology of Lee Harvey Oswald. The book portrays him as a lonely, directionless man desperate to attach himself to something meaningful. His search for purpose collides with intelligence agencies, anti-Castro activists, and shadowy operatives whose overlapping agendas spiral beyond anyone’s control.

The result is less a historical novel than an exploration of paranoia and the stories people invent to make sense of chaos. Once again, this is a case where the author took on ambitious, challenging subject matter and turned it into something compelling. Libra received rave reviews on release, with many declaring the book to be a masterpiece.

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‘Rebecca’ (1938)

Image via Hachette

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” The basis for Hitchcock‘s classic film. After marrying the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter, an unnamed young woman moves into the grand estate of Manderley, only to discover that the memory of Maxim’s late wife, Rebecca, continues to dominate every room, every servant, and every conversation. The new Mrs. de Winter constantly compares herself to this ghost, whose beauty, confidence, and apparent perfection have been immortalized by those around her.

Needless to say, a few conniving figures seek to weaponize that insecurity. Chief among them is the housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, whose devotion to Rebecca borders on religious obsession. She tries to manipulate the protagonist, using cruelly timed words like drops of poison. Every interaction becomes psychologically exhausting. All this adds up to a fantastic Gothic romance/thriller.

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‘The Trial’ (1925)

Image via Knopf

“Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K.” This is one of Kafka‘s masterworks. Our protagonist Josef K. is arrested one morning, yet no one will explain what he has done wrong. He soon becomes trapped inside an incomprehensible legal system whose rules seem to shift with every encounter. It’s the ultimate vision of nightmarish bureaucracy. Unlike traditional thrillers, the danger in The Trial is almost entirely psychological.

Here, Kafka creates an atmosphere where logic gradually loses all meaning, and every attempt to understand the system only deepens Josef K.’s confusion. Josef’s growing frustration and helplessness are at times tough to witness. In the end, although more literary and existential than most thrillers, The Trial touches on many ideas that modern psychological thrillers are built on: alienation, uncertainty, institutional power, and the fear of being judged by shadowy forces.

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‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1962)

Image via Penguin Books

“What’s it going to be then, eh?” Although Kubrick‘s movie adaptation has lodged itself deeper in the public consciousness, Anthony Burgess‘ A Clockwork Orange is still a potent, incendiary piece of work. It centers on the teenage delinquent Alex, whose love of classical music exists alongside an appetite for ultraviolence. After his criminal lifestyle catches up with him, Alex becomes the subject of an experimental rehabilitation program designed to eliminate his capacity for violence altogether.

The book hits us with plenty of brutal scenes, but it also gets very philosophical. In particular, it has a lot to say about free will. Alex is undeniably monstrous, yet the state’s attempt to strip away his ability to choose raises troubling questions about personal autonomy. Is compelled goodness really goodness at all? Is crime the price we pay for freedom? It’s these themes that make the novel a classic.

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‘And Then There Were None’ (1939)

Image via HarperLuxe

“Ten strangers are invited. One by one they die.” And Then There Were None is widely regarded as Agatha Christie‘s magnum opus, and perhaps the greatest mystery novel ever written. In the book, ten strangers arrive on a secluded island after accepting mysterious invitations, only to discover that their unseen host believes each of them has escaped justice for a past crime. When the guests begin dying one by one, suspicion turns everyone into both detective and potential murderer.

Christie brilliantly transforms the isolated setting into a psychological pressure cooker. In the process, she created a blueprint that countless writers have riffed on since. With no way to escape and no one left to trust, every conversation becomes loaded with mistrust and, just below the surface, simmering violence. Then, to top it all off, the novel hits us with a juicy, legendary twist.

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‘Misery’ (1986)

Image via Viking

“I’m your number-one fan.” After celebrated novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car accident by his self-proclaimed “number-one fan,” Annie Wilkes, he initially believes his luck has changed. Instead, he discovers that Annie is dangerously unstable and has no intention of letting him leave until he rewrites the latest installment of her favorite series exactly the way she wants. Bedridden, Paul is at the mercy of Annie’s moods, which swing unpredictably between kindness, childlike enthusiasm, and explosive violence.

While the setup is relatively simple, Stephen King builds it into an edge-of-your-seat thriller. A big part of its success comes down to the character of Annie herself, who is truly one of the author’s most evil creations (and that’s saying something). Because Annie is such a monster, we root desperately for Paul to escape, making each of his failed attempts utterly heartbreaking.

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‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1988)

Image via St. Martin’s Press

“A census taker once tried to test me.” This is another thriller that was deeply influential, and which gave us some of the genre’s all-time finest villains. The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she seeks the help of imprisoned psychiatrist and serial killer Hannibal Lecter in order to catch another murderer known as Buffalo Bill. What follows is less a traditional investigation than an increasingly tense contest between two brilliant minds.

Every exchange between him and Clarice becomes a duel in which information is exchanged only at tremendous emotional cost. Clarice is a compelling character, yet Lecter is a work of art. He’s an intelligent, urbane, and endlessly manipulative antagonist, always ready with a well-turned phrase. He plays people against each other using little more than words alone; indeed, author Thomas Harris understands that intelligence can be more frightening than brutality.

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‘Strangers on a Train’ (1950)

Image via Blackstone Audio, Inc.

“The idea came quite suddenly.” Although The Talented Mr. Ripley is more famous, Strangers on a Train might be Patricia Highsmith‘s greatest book, reeling us in from the very beginning. During a chance meeting aboard a train, two men strike up a conversation that leads to an unsettling proposal. Bruno suggests that each of them should murder someone the other wants gone, creating the perfect crime. Guy dismisses the conversation as idle fantasy… until Bruno decides to carry out his side of the bargain.

A lesser writer might have turned that premise into a pulpy noir, but Highsmith’s genius lies in shifting the focus away from the murders themselves and toward the psychological burden that follows. Likewise, she gives us a villain for the ages in Bruno. He’s charismatic, brilliant, and emotionally unpredictable, steadily dismantling Guy’s sense of security through psychological pressure rather than brute force. Their toxic relationship becomes the novel’s true battleground.

Kate Cassidy explained why she’s removing some of her tattoos in honor of her late boyfriend, Liam Payne.

“I knew that some of you guys would be offended at the fact that I decided to laser off these tattoos on my body,” Cassidy, 27, said via TikTok on Wednesday, July 29, while replying to a comment that read, “She don’t love him no more.” She continued, “The only reason that I am getting these tattoos off is literally just because they are too thick to my liking. They’re the very first tattoos I ever received, and I went somewhere really random.”

Cassidy went on to say that she asked for a “fine line tattoo,” which she expected to be even more dainty than her result, and got a “thick, bulky” result.

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She added, “Listen, the meaning behind all of my tattoos are so, so special to me. I am not lasering them off for any other means other than the fact that I’m gonna get them redone somewhere else that has experience in fine line tattoos.”

The tattoo in question is a “444” tribute for Payne, who died at age 31 in October 2024. The number signified the couple’s angel number.

Cassidy has more tattoos in honor of Payne, including an angel wing, “LP” on her wrist, and a wilted rose on her thumb, and a 4 on her wrist.

The influencer dated Payne for nearly two years before his death. They met at a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, where Cassidy was working in September 2022. In December of that year, they made their red carpet debut at the British Fashion Awards in London. In 2024, Cassidy shared that she was living with Payne in Florida.

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Related: Kate Cassidy Honors Late Boyfriend Liam Payne on 1st Anniversary of His Death

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Kate Cassidy paid tribute to her late boyfriend, Liam Payne, on the first anniversary of his death. “Today marks a full year without you here,” Cassidy, 26, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, October 16. “I will forever hate goodbyes. I miss you Liam.” Cassidy’s post included a throwback black-and-white snap of her and Payne snuggling […]

In October 2024, Cassidy traveled with Payne to Argentina, but returned to Florida two days before he fell off a third-floor hotel balcony and died.

Since his death, Cassidy has been candid about her grief journey. In February 2025, she told The Sun, “I feel like my life has changed so much and I think about Liam every second of every day. It still doesn’t feel fully real for me that he’s not here. Sometimes I’ll wake up and it’s a reality I have to face for the rest of my life.”

Cassidy continued, “When I left Argentina, we had such a great day. We were in such great —you know, full of love, and I never would have expected any of that to occur. If I could see into the future, I would have never left Argentina but unfortunately, I do have — we did have our own separate lives. This wasn’t the first time we traveled separately together. We would quite often here and there in the past, so I never thought this would have happened.”

Kate Cassidy is defending her decision to laser off body art dedicated to her late partner, Liam Payne, following criticism from online followers. 

The influencer addressed public backlash directly, assuring fans that she is not erasing her memories of the singer, who passed away in October 2024 at age 31. 

Ever since the singer’s sudden death, Cassidy has been open about her grief and her struggles entering back into the dating world as she tries to move on. 

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Addressing negative commentary online after a user claimed “She don’t love him no more,” the 27-year-old social media personality shared a video to set the record straight. 

“I knew that some of you guys would be offended at the fact that I decided to laser off these tattoos on my body,” Cassidy said, clarifying that her decision comes down to aesthetic quality rather than a change of heart. 

In the post shared on TikTok, she explained that because they were her initial pieces, she chose an unfamiliar studio and received “thick, bulky” ink instead of the delicate, fine-line style she originally wanted.

The specific design being removed is the number “444,” an angel number of special significance to the couple, per U.S. Weekly.

“Listen, the meaning behind all of my tattoos are so, so special to me. I am not lasering them off for any other means other than the fact that I’m gonna get them redone somewhere else that has experience in fine line tattoos,” she emphasized.

Having dated the musician for nearly two years before his passing, Cassidy holds several other tributes to him, including an angel wing, the initials “LP,” a wilted rose on her thumb, and the digit four on her wrist.

Kate Cassidy Opened Up About Her Challenges Dating After Loss

In addition to the scrutiny regarding her memorial ink, Cassidy has been equally candid about the emotional hurdles she faces while navigating the dating world following Payne’s tragic passing in 2024. 

The influencer recently took to social media to share that her most recent relationship ended because she found herself unable to stop comparing her new partner to the late singer, as reported by The Blast (https://theblast.com/808940/kate-cassidy-dumped-over-constant-liam-payne/). 

Despite meeting this partner’s family and enjoying romantic getaways, Cassidy admitted that she struggled to connect because she was constantly measuring him against the life she had envisioned with Payne.

Although she acknowledged that being “dumped” was a painful experience, she understood why the relationship reached its breaking point.

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While navigating her personal grief and public relationships, Cassidy continues to cherish the last memories she spent alongside the late singer before his untimely death in October 2024. 

The Blast reported that in late April, the social media personality shared a rare clip on Instagram captured during a joint outing before his passing.

The video featured footage of her riding a horse before showing Payne receiving guidance from an instructor and running through a grassy pasture.

Overlaying the video with a message for her audience, Cassidy urged followers to remain present and appreciate every experience as it happens. She also expressed how completely unaware she was at that moment that it would mark the final instance she would ever spend time with her partner.

Court Documents Revealed The Legal Resolution Regarding The Late Singer’s Estate

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Following the period of public mourning and private adjustment for those he left behind, the legal future of the late star’s financial legacy has reached a definitive conclusion. 

The Blast reported that court documents formally confirmed the distribution of his multi-million-pound fortune. Given that the 31-year-old musician did not leave a formal will and was unmarried at the time of his death, his entire estate has been designated for his only child, eight-year-old Bear Grey Payne.

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Bear, son of Cheryl Tweedy, is now the sole beneficiary of the assets. While earlier estimates suggested a net value exceeding £24 million, the finalized figures place the estate at approximately £21.9 million ($28.9 million) after liabilities. 

Investigation Into the Singer’s Tragic Passing Remains Ongoing

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While the financial future of Payne’s estate is now settled, the legal pursuit of accountability regarding his death remains an active and evolving process in Argentina. Nearly two years after the fatal incident at the Casa Sur Hotel, authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. 

A significant update occurred when an appeals court formally exonerated Rogelio Luis “Roger” Nores, one of the three individuals previously implicated in the case, as reported by The Blast.

Nores, an Argentine businessman who had been accused of facilitating the singer’s stay and alleged substance use, was cleared of all wrongdoing by a panel of three judges.

Following this dismissal, prosecutors continue to focus on the remaining two subjects under investigation to determine the full sequence of events that led to the star’s untimely death.

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Whew! Kandi Burruss and Tamar Braxton have the internet talking after a series of comments reignited chatter about where the two really stand. While fans have been trying to piece together the situation, Kandi has now entered the conversation with a response that has Roomies raising their eyebrows.

RELATED: Back On? Fans Shocked To See Todd Tucker On Kandi Burruss’ Family Vacation, Question Their Relationship Status (VIDEO)

Did Kandi Clear The Air Or Add More Smoke?

This week, Kandi Burruss appeared to clap back at Tamar Braxton as rumors of a feud between the two continued making the rounds online. Kandi shared a clip of Carlos King interviewing Jason Lee, who alleged that Tamar once tried to use him and his platform to “attack” Kandi.

Kandi didn’t stop at reposting the interview. She added her own caption, writing, “But I’m supposed to be the mean girl,” seemingly responding to recent comments Tamar made about their interaction at the Essence Festival. During a recent interview, Tamar claimed Kandi appeared distant toward her during the event, adding another layer to the ongoing speculation surrounding their relationship.

Kandi Had Time After Tamar’s Latest Comments

After Tamar recently insisted she has “no beef with anyone,” Kandi stepped into the conversation with a claim that had social media doing a double-take. Tamar recently made it clear that she isn’t holding onto any bad blood with Kandi, explaining that acknowledging her at a recent event was nothing more than common courtesy. But Kandi appeared to see things a little differently, stepping into the conversation with a claim that quickly had fans raising their eyebrows.

Instead of letting Tamar’s comments slide, Kandi chimed in online and alleged that their off-camera interaction told a completely different story. According to Kandi, Tamar called her a “b*tch” while passing by her at a party just days before, prompting Kandi to write, “No beef?.. but she was just calling me a btch as she walked pass me at a party last Saturday. 🙄 I can’t do the fake sh*t.” While Tamar previously maintained that she’s not “beefing with anyone but the devil” and suggested the viral moment surrounding their interaction was blown out of proportion, Kandi’s remarks have only fueled more speculation that there may be more to the story. As of now, Tamar hasn’t publicly addressed Kandi’s latest claims, leaving Roomies to debate which version they believe.

Roomies Were Stirring The Pot Per Usual

Fans wasted no time flooding The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section, and the opinions were all over the place. Some folks insisted that Tamar Braxton is always at the center of the drama. But others argued Kandi has outgrown the back-and-forth and shouldn’t entertain the drama. And many questioned why this longtime feud continues to make headlines.

One Instagram user @sincerely_reeka said, “this beef is starting to get as old and tired as 50 vs Ja Rule. y’all need to hug and move on 🙄”

This Instagram user @shani_bonnie commented, “Kandi don’t know how to let nothing go lol”

And, Instagram user @st.reginald_ shared, “I love Tamar she’s funny asf and she do whatever she wants not following everyone rules”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @mrsb4lasers wrote, “I WONDER WILL KANDI REAL FRIENDS TELL HER HOW THIS SITUATION IS REALLY LOOKING 🤔”

While Instagram user @carter.monroe wrote, “I mean Tamar did not say anything bad so I’m confused as to the point Kandi is making.”

Then, Instagram user @_queenkbabyy_ commented, “TAMAR WRONG AND YALL DONT WANNA SAY IT!”

Finally, Instagram user @photosbylorealdiane added, “Oh who Cares! Everybody just need to grow up and keep it moving.”

RELATED: Baddest Behavior! Kandi Burruss’ Spicy 50th Birthday Yacht Clip Has Folks Double-Tapping Fast (VIDEO)

Bart Edmiston Jr. has reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to content creator Kymbra Li for her alleged “false and defamatory” statements amid the Nolan Wells investigation.

RELATED: Attorney Ben Crump Says Nolan Wells’ Family Has Hired Audio Experts To Review Viral Sea Tow Call (VIDEO)

Bart Edmiston Jr. Reportedly Sends Cease-And-Desist To Kymbra Li For Alleged “False” Statements

On the evening of Wednesday, July 29, Bart Edmiston Jr.’s lawyer, Russell Latino, returned to Facebook to share a post that mentioned content creator Kymbra Li. In his Facebook post, the lawyer wrote, “I had someone today call me and ask me to sue them for defaming Bart Edmiston, Jr. I love when little dogs think they are big dogs.”

He went on to say that a cease-and-desist was served to Li.

“Anyway, we served a cease and desist, demand for correction and evidence preservation notice on social media influencer, comedian, rapper, and Only Fans model ‘Kymbra Li’ today in anticipation of filing a defamation lawsuit against her,” he wrote. “I anticipate at least two more such notices going out by the end of the week. I just bought a new case of toner for my printer.”

The Sun Herald confirmed the update. Subsequently, the outlet published a copy of the five-page cease-and-desist notice. Furthermore, it demanded that Li cease her conduct, preserve evidence of her previous posts, and correct and apologize for her false statements.

Additionally, the notice alleged that Li doxxed Edmiston and his family, leading them to receive a “credible death threat.” Per the notice, Li allegedly claimed Edmiston murdered Nolan Wells and participated in concealing information.

The notice concluded with the expectation that Li would provide “written confirmation” within five days of receiving the letter. It notes that if Li does not comply with the demands by then, all “legal remedies” will be pursued.

Kymbra Li Acknowledges The Report

Since news of the notice has surfaced, Li has been active on social media. In one NFSW post, she called out TMZ. Additionally, in another post, she noted the free “marketing” from the report and potential lawsuit.

More On Bart Edmiston Jr. & The Nolan Wells Investigation

As The Shade Room previously reported, Bart Edmiston Jr. reportedly lawyered up on Wednesday, July 30. This appeared to be due to an image circulating of him on social media. Furthermore, claims alleged that the photo showed him posing with Katie McCormack, the girl with whom it is claimed that Nolan Wells allegedly stayed behind on Horn Island before he was found dead.

Furthermore, social media users claimed Edmiston Jr. allegedly had some friction with Wells over McCormack, and therefore participated in Wells’ death — a claim which his lawyer vehemently denied in an initial statement.

RELATED: Nolan Wells’ Friend Bart Lawyers Up & His Family Releases Statement As Online Speculations Involving A Girl Surface (PHOTOS)

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day now in theaters, excitement for the future of Marvel’s web-slinger has never been higher. While fans are enjoying Tom Holland’s latest adventure as Peter Parker, many are already looking ahead to the next Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that a live action Miles Morales is part of the studio’s future plans following the conclusion of Sony’s Spider-Verse trilogy. At the same time, Holland has made it clear that he’s eager to help introduce the fan favorite hero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking about the future of the franchise, Holland said:

“I know that I have aspirations to bring Miles Morales into the universe, however that works out. We’ve got a lot of work to do to bring that to life. But yeah, I feel really strongly about it… I would love to kind of return that favor to the next generation of people that get the luxury of making these movies. So that is definitely something that I’m really working towards.”

Holland has also spoken about wanting to mentor the actor who eventually plays Miles, much like Robert Downey Jr.helped welcome him into the MCU nearly a decade ago.

With Marvel officially moving toward introducing Miles Morales, the question has shifted from if he’ll appear to whoshould play him.

Here are the three actors who continue to dominate fan casting discussions.

1. Caleb McLaughlin

If there’s one actor whose name appears more than any other, it’s Caleb McLaughlin.

Best known for his breakout role in Stranger Things, McLaughlin has repeatedly been mentioned by fans as the ideal choice to bring Miles Morales to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor has also expressed interest in playing the character, further fueling speculation.

His combination of charisma, emotional range, and action experience makes him an easy fit for a version of Miles balancing superhero responsibilities with everyday life.

Caleb McLaughlin [getty]

2. Miles Brown

Sometimes the name is just too perfect.

Miles Brown has quietly become one of the strongest fan favorites thanks to his athletic background, youthful energy, and experience leading family-oriented productions. While he may not have the same level of mainstream recognition as McLaughlin, many Marvel fans believe he fits the age and personality of Miles Morales exceptionally well.

As Marvel continues to look toward the next generation of heroes, Brown remains one of the most frequently suggested rising stars.

Miles Brown [getty]

3. Tyrel Jackson Williams

Long before Marvel officially acknowledged plans for a live action Miles Morales, Tyrel Jackson Williams was already winning fan polls for the role.

Known for his comedic timing and natural screen presence, Williams continues to receive support from fans who envision a slightly older version of Miles entering the MCU. Even years after those early campaigns, his name remains a consistent part of the conversation whenever casting rumors surface.

Tyrel Jackson Williams [getty]

Miles Morales Is Finally Swinging Toward the MCU

Marvel hasn’t revealed when Miles Morales will officially make his live action debut, but all signs point to the character being one of the franchise’s biggest priorities after Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. With Tom Holland eager to pass the torch someday and Kevin Feige confirming that plans are already in motion, it’s only a matter of time before Marvel begins searching for the actor who will become the next Spider-Man.

Who Gets Our Vote?

If Marvel were casting today, our picks would be:

1. Caleb McLaughlin
2. Miles Brown
3. Tyrel Jackson Williams

Each actor brings something unique to the role, but all three have built passionate fan support over the past several years. Whoever ultimately lands the part will have big shoes to fill, but they’ll also inherit one of Marvel’s most beloved heroes.

Less than a month after Nolan Wells‘ death, the internet streets haven’t stopped demanding answers and justice. Amid the public’s investment in the case, Attorney Ben Crump provided updates in a media conference on Thursday (July 30). He revealed that the family has hired experts to dig into the known facts.

RELATED: Nolan Wells’ Family Reportedly Issues Subpoenas To Social Media Companies Seeking His Account Information Amid Death Investigation

Ben Crump Describes Experts Looking Into Nolan Wells’ Case

Attorney Ben Crump kicked off the media conference by shouting for justice for three Black families, including that of Nolan Wells. Then, Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League, took over the mic. Morial spoke of the courage emanating from the families on stage, the loneliness that comes with this fight, and how his organization is standing behind these families.

Then, Ben Crump informed the audience that his team obtained the viral Sea Tow phone call and had retained audio engineers to perform a forensic audio analysis. Additionally, their team is consulting with ocean engineering experts to investigate how and where Nolan Wells’ body was found and whether it makes sense given low and high tides near Horn Island.

“It’s not adding up. So we are going to dot every I and cross every T until we find out what happened to Nolan Wells,” Crump said.

Clinging to her husband, Nolan Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, nodded her head up and down as Ben Crump spoke.

Attorney Crump Says They’re Seeking Justice & A Fair Investigation

Additionally, Attorney Ben Crump said they’re coordinating with the medical examiner who conducted the independent autopsy to be able to inspect Nolan Wells’ throat. As previously reported, parts of the 18-year-old’s throat were missing when his body was sent to Washington, D.C., from Mississippi for the independent autopsy.

“We are dotting Is and crossing Ts, we are focused on getting to the truth. Me and everybody on my legal team stand for the truth, no matter who it implicates or who it exonerates. We stand for justice, no matter who it convicts or who it acquits,” Crump said. “We are saying we want to make sure everybody who is remotely involved has the questions answered to make sure we have a full and fair and impartial and transparent investigation. And is that too much to ask for these broken-hearted parents?”

Crump said no one on his side is getting distracted by the backlash, thr

Live Update in The Case involving Nolan Wells https://t.co/0rFWe3Uf4y

— Dennis Byron (@MrDennisByron) July 30, 2026

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What’s On The Sea Tow Audio? 

As mentioned, this call has been taking over social media in recent days, especially after an independent audio engineer, Jeanetta Brantley, cleaned it up, making the background noise audible. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) initially released the audio. During the nine-minute call, one of the teens who traveled to Horn Island with Nolan Wells informed dispatch that their boat was sinking due to a bilge pump issue. Aside from the conversation with dispatch, the viral version of the audio features other voices in the background. At one point, someone allegedly says, “Wyatt, check his chest.” Other alleged phrases and words like “Wake the f*ck up,” “Nolan,” and “Nolan, don’t die” are seemingly heard as well.

Ultimately, Sea Tow never arrived to assist the sinking boat. That’s because a man named Jerry Adkerson, reportedly the boat operator’s grandfather, called to cancel. Instead, a friend named Bart Edmiston Jr. towed the boat, according to a statement released by his family. Bart’s family has also retained a lawyer and denied allegations that he caused Nolan Wells’ death. Instead, they claim, he’s been overly cooperative with law enforcement. Their statement said they’re going after anyone spreading alleged misinformation about Bart.

RELATED: Nolan Wells’ Friend Bart Lawyers Up & His Family Releases Statement As Online Speculations Involving A Girl Surface (PHOTOS)

It’s Odyssey season in America, and the numbers on both ends are hard to argue with.

Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey opened to $123.5 million domestically its first weekend, then set a new 2026 record for highest Monday gross with another $18.6 million. Globally, the film has already crossed $282 million, marking Nolan’s biggest worldwide opening of all time. It is, by any measure, the movie of the summer. 

And then there’s the other Odyssey.

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CosplayGround’s adult six-part parody of Homer’s epic, which dropped ahead of the Nolan film and has been building momentum ever since, is closing in on a million streams across platforms. The production is still pulling in thousands of new views every single day, a number that has only accelerated as Nolan’s blockbuster keeps the ancient Greek hero on everyone’s tongue.

The same story. Two completely different audiences. Both cashing in.

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CosplayGround didn’t stumble into good timing. The studio built their Odyssey as a genuine production, structured as a six-episode series the creative team calls “Rhapsodies,” a nod to the oral tradition of Ancient Greek epic poetry. Written and co-produced by Yannick Dotes alongside Austin Fiascone and directed by Raphaël Massicotte, with artistic direction from Zoe Evans, the series covers the complete journey from the fall of Troy to Odysseus’ return to Ithaca and his confrontation with the suitors.

Charles Dera leads the production as Odysseus across all six episodes, a commitment that mirrors the scope of what Nolan pulled off with Matt Damon on the mainstream side.

The Casting Mirror

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Part of what made the parody a talking point from the jump was how deliberately CosplayGround tracked the mainstream casting conversation. Nolan landed Lupita Nyong’o for Helen of Troy; the parody cast Ana Foxxx. Zendaya plays Athena for Nolan, with rising performer Isa Bella taking the role in the adult version, appearing as the goddess across multiple episodes in keeping with Homer’s original text. Charlize Theron is Calypso in the blockbuster; reigning Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds takes the role here.

Tiffani Time, a Las Vegas-based performer making a rapid move into full studio productions, plays Circe. Octavia Red takes on the Siren, shot with custom body paint and practical special effects makeup. Lana Smalls closes the series as Penelope. The production was filmed across real Las Vegas cave and desert locations, with a level of visual intentionality that shows up in the SFW trailer currently hosted at cosplayground.com.

Riding the Wave

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The daily stream velocity tells the real story. Viewership hasn’t dropped off. If anything, every new box office headline Nolan generates sends a fresh wave of curious audiences toward the CosplayGround version. The production is bearing down on a milestone that most adult studios never reach, and it’s getting there on the back of one of the biggest mainstream films in years.

Nolan’s film has been credited with single-handedly reviving the July box office after a slow start to the month. What nobody accounted for was a six-part adult parody benefiting just as much from the hype.

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Hollywood spent $250 million to bring Odysseus home. CosplayGround did it for considerably less, got there first, and is still counting streams.

Homer would probably find the whole thing very on brand.

Watch the SFW trailer here.

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