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10 Greatest Plot Twists in Video Game History
Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers!
The plot twist is a narrative device in which an established storyline is completely upended. It often involves death, betrayal, or sudden revelations that change the whole course of the narrative and take things in an entirely new direction. When done right, it adds so much to the story, although it’s a really hard thing to nail.
The plot twist isn’t exclusive to one specific form of media, and it has appeared in movies, books, TV shows, and yes, video games. Basically, if there’s a medium in which a story can be told, creators will try to sneak in a plot twist or two. Some of them, especially in the gaming world, are notoriously awful, but some have gone on to make history for just how good they are. These are the best video game plot twists of all time.
10
The Player Is Revan – ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ (2003)
In Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, players take on the role of a nameless individual who can be a Jedi, Sith, or even a non-Force user depending on player choices. The galaxy is currently under threat from Darth Malak, a Sith Lord who was once a Jedi but turned to the Sith along with his master, Darth Revan. However, Malak later betrayed Revan, causing a schism amongst the Sith and even more turmoil in the galaxy.
On their quest to stop Darth Malak, gamers eventually learn that they have been playing as Darth Revan this whole time. It turns out Revan was captured by the Jedi Council, and his memory was wiped so that the Jedi could use him as a weapon against his former apprentice. It’s honestly a shame this twist isn’t canon, because it adds so much to the lore of Star Wars. While Revan himself is confirmed to be canon, this whole plotline isn’t, so fans can only hope that it is reimplemented at some point or another.
9
Cloud Is No Hero – ‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)
There are a couple of different plot twists in Final Fantasy VII and its recent remakes; for example, there isn’t a single player who forgets the moment Aerith was horrifically impaled by Sephiroth, arguably the most memorable twist but not necessarily the best. For that, it’ll have to be the big reveal at the end about Cloud’s true origins. Cloud is the main character, who passes himself off as this great hero who is attempting to save the world.
At the end of the game, it turns out that Cloud is actually just a nobody. He is not a legendary SOLDIER as he claims, but rather an ordinary grunt who was attacked and captured by Sephiroth. Cloud was experimented on, and in the process, suffered a psychological break, adopting the personality of Zack Fair, the man who actually fought Sephiroth. In short, Cloud’s entire persona was just a façade meant to cover up his profound trauma. Worse still, Sephiroth has been controlling Cloud like a puppet this entire time. This twist is great because it doesn’t feel like someone else is betraying you; it feels like you’re betraying yourself. It’s an early example of a plot twist done right, which makes great use of the “unreliable narrator” trope.
8
“The Numbers, Mason” – ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ (2010)
In Call of Duty: Black Ops, players assume the role of CIA operative Alex Mason during the Cold War. With the help of Victor Reznov, a Soviet sergeant from a previous entry in the series, Mason is able to break out of a Soviet gulag and escape back to the United States. Later, he reunites with Reznov, who begins leading Mason on a crusade against three leaders of a splinter faction intent on attacking the US. Every time Reznov is seen in the game, Mason hears and sees a string of numbers, not knowing what they mean.
At the end of the game, it turns out that Reznov was never there; he actually died at the gulag and existed only as a figment of Mason’s imagination. As for the numbers? Those are a set of encrypted orders that were embedded in Mason’s brain during his detainment, as a way of making him a sleeper agent for the USSR. The process was similar to MKUltra. However, Reznov was able to alter that process somehow, making it so Mason’s only purpose is to hunt down those responsible. Once this revelation happens, it all makes sense. Nobody aside from Mason actually acknowledges or talks to Reznov, and when Mason does talk to Reznov, others sometimes act like Mason is losing it. Call of Duty isn’t exactly known for its deep and moving stories, but this game absolutely nailed it in that department. It’s one of the reasons it became one of the best FPS games of all time.
7
There Never Was a Konrad – ‘Spec Ops: The Line’ (2012)
Spec Ops: The Line is based on the 1899 novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the same book that was adapted into the film Apocalypse Now. Like the movie, the game completely changed the setting: instead of being about Belgian colonialism in the Congo region, this game is about American intervention in the Middle East. In the aftermath of a natural disaster in Dubai, US military official John Konrad (note the name similarity to the original author) was assigned to a relief operation. Instead, Konrad implemented martial law, turning the city into a war zone. Sent in to stop Konrad is Delta Force operator Martin Walker.
Walker experiences severe trauma and witnesses Hell on Earth during his quest to kill Konrad, which eventually leads to PTSD-fuelled hallucinations. It turns out the hallucinations go even deeper than you initially think, though. Upon reaching the end, Walker discovers Konrad’s rotting corpse and is forced to confront the reality: every nightmarish thing that Walker thought Konrad did was all Walker’s fault, from slaughtering civilians to creating anarchy in Dubai. Konrad was just someone to put the blame on. This twist is so great because it paints a horrifying picture of what war is really like, and shows how trauma can manifest in soldiers. It’s also an example of how soldiers of any army can commit serious crimes, but will often find someone else to blame.
6
Geppetto Caused the Puppet Frenzy – ‘Lies of P’ (2023)
Lies of P is a Soulslike RPG based on The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, only this video game presents a much darker, more mature version of the story. The setting is the city of Krat, which resembles Belle Époque Paris and is almost devoid of human life following an apocalyptic event known as the Puppet Frenzy. Automatons called puppets, who were all made by Geppetto, formerly worked as labourers and servants in the city before abruptly slaughtering their human masters en masse. In the game, you play as P (obviously short for Pinocchio), a near-perfect puppet who is almost human. P is awoken by the Blue Fairy, Sophia, who wants to rescue Geppetto from danger and save Krat.
Once he is saved for the second time, Geppetto reveals that he intentionally caused the Puppet Frenzy because he lost his son, Carlo, whom P was built to resemble. Out of grief, Geppetto orchestrated the Puppet Frenzy as a means of harvesting a magical force called Ergo from Krat’s deceased citizens. He also constructed P as a killing machine to slay bosses and collect their Ergo, planning to use it to bring Carlo back to life, killing P in the process. You can actually do it, as the game gives you a choice. The twist is great because any parent will likely understand Geppetto’s grief, even if his actions are completely unjustified. It’s also a real stab in the back since Geppetto treats P like a son and is a fatherly mentor throughout the game.
5
The Joker Is an Impostor – ‘Batman: Arkham City’ (2011)
In Batman: Arkham City, the Joker is revealed to be seriously ill due to a blood illness; a side effect of the chemical compound known as Titan that he used in the previous installment. He also infuses his blood into Batman to force Batman to find a cure. But before he can do that, Joker reveals that he is feeling much better. His sickly blemishes and ragged cough are gone, and he looks as good as new. At the end, though, it turns out that this version of Joker was actually Clayface in disguise. The real Joker is still very much under the weather.
This clever ploy is alluded to at a few other points in the game, which keen players will spot if they’re clever enough. From overhearing a conversation between Joker and Harley Quinn to using detective vision to see that the fake Joker has no bones, the game does let it slip that Joker might not be telling the truth here. The plan does allow Joker to get the drop on Batman not once, but twice, and serves as a boost in the morale of Joker’s gang and a way to break Batman’s spirit after going through all that bloody effort to find a cure. It’s a great twist because it makes sense, and it doesn’t come out of nowhere just for the sake of having a twist. It’s established itself as a legendary piece of the Batman: Arkham series, and of video game history in general.
4
Josh Is the Masked Maniac – ‘Until Dawn’ (2015)
Until Dawn opens with the deaths of Hannah and Beth, two sisters, at their parents’ ski lodge in Alberta, Canada. A year later, their group of friends reconvenes at the lodge for their annual ski trip, only this time, the friends find themselves pursued by a masked killer who kidnaps friends Chris, Josh, and Ashley, with the latter two being locked in a death trap. The killer’s voice, speaking on an intercom, forces Chris to make a choice: does he save Ashley, his crush, or Josh, his best friend? Frankly, no matter what you choose, Josh dies in gruesome fashion.
Later, it is revealed that not only is Josh alive, but he’s the masked killer. He orchestrated the whole thing as revenge for the deaths of his two sisters a year prior. He faked his death by using his dad’s film props that he left at the lodge. On top of that, he only did the whole thing to scare his friends, and never actually kills anybody. Unfortunately, Josh is completely unaware that the Wendigo, a cannibalistic being from Indigenous folklore, is also present at the lodge and is a much bigger threat, so the game still continues for several more hours. It’s a bombshell of a twist, to the point that when the game first came out, you could almost hear jaws hitting the floor at the same time from all around the world.
3
Dormin Unleashed – ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (2005)
Shadow of the Colossus follows Wander, a young man who journeys into the Forbidden Land to seek the slumbering god, Dormin. Wander’s hope is that Dormin will be able to bring back his girlfriend, the Princess, from the dead. Dormin agrees, but only if Wander kills the 16 roaming colossi scattered around the Forbidden Land. You kill these 16 creatures, but the game treats each death like a great tragedy, with sad music and all.
Once all 16 are dead, Dormin reveals that they duped you the whole time. The colossi acted as seals for Dormin’s prison, and killing them has released the dark god in his physical form. Another thing Dormin “forgot” to tell was that Wander’s body would be used as a new vessel, effectively killing Wander when the Princess’ father arrives and puts Dormin back into his prison. Wander is reincarnated as a horned baby, and his girlfriend is brought back to life in the end. Dormin technically did keep their word; it’s just that they chose to leave out some of the more important details. It’s such a great twist because it adds to the tragic ending and emphasizes the importance of not meddling with forces that humanity cannot understand.
The beginning of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater sees Naked Snake go on a mission to rescue Soviet scientist Sokolov, who was forced to develop a nuclear-equipped superweapon called the Shagohod. Snake is assisted by “The Boss,” a woman who was his former mentor. After Sokolov is rescued, The Boss betrays Snake, breaking his bones and throwing him into a river before recapturing Sokolov. At the same time, Soviet commander Volgin executes a nuclear strike on US soil, with the intent of blaming the United States. Since this game is set during the Cold War, one can imagine the catastrophic consequences this might have.
Eventually, Snake is tasked with killing The Boss. You have no choice — you have to kill her at the end, and the game actually forces you to press the button/pull the trigger, or it won’t progress. This tragic scene is made worse with the reveal that The Boss was never a traitor in the first place, but rather a deeply embedded agent who was also trying to stop nuclear escalation; once that strike happened, her mission was to serve as a scapegoat. The US government needed her dead to blame the nuclear strike solely on her, and she knew it the whole time. Plus, they needed Snake specifically to do it, meaning the game played you like a damn fiddle. This twist makes for an extremely tragic yet legendary ending that many players are rediscovering thanks to the recently-released remake.
1
“Would You Kindly?” – ‘BioShock’ (2007)
BioShock opens with the player, named Jack, getting in a nasty plane crash over the ocean. Swimming to a lighthouse, Jack discovers the underwater city of Rapture, a former utopia that eventually fell into chaos due to the unregulated use of the substance known as ADAM, and the selfish philosophy of Andrew Ryan, the city’s co-founder. Upon arrival, Jack makes contact with a man named Atlas, who begins guiding Jack through the city from afar, telling him he needs to do certain things, kill certain individuals… that sort of thing. He’s pretty polite about it, too, always beginning his requests by saying “would you kindly?”
Eventually, Andrew Ryan reveals that Jack is a sleeper agent who intentionally caused the plane crash on Atlas’ (secretly criminal mastermind Frank Fontaine) orders. On top of that, “would you kindly” acts as a trigger phrase for Jack, compelling him to obey no matter what. Moreover, Jack is actually Ryan’s biological son, and possesses the necessary biometrics to enter Rapture. The whole thing is an elaborate ploy for Fontaine to seize control of what remains of Rapture. It’s easily the most well-known plot twist in all of gaming, to the point where many don’t even need to have played the game to know it. It absolutely floored people, and continues to do so to this day, largely because it exploits the very concept of playing a game. Every gamer has been told their objectives before, but did anyone bother to ask why? It is this built-in blind obedience that makes this twist so effective.
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While it’s always going to be inherently difficult to amass an audience and customerbase of players for a video game for a completely original idea, it’s certainly easy to adapt an already existing property with a tie-in video game for additional profits. The movie tie-in video game has been a staple of the industry ever since the beginning, with it even helping create some of the most iconic and celebrated games of all time, such as Goldeneye 007 and Disney’s Aladdin.
However, the larger consensus for movie tie-in games is not that of quality and care for the medium, but instead rushed and cheaply made products made for no reason other than to act as a cash grab. While this largely results in various middling and forgettable game experiences, it has also led to some exceptionally terrible video games released over the years, with several of them even being considered some of the worst video games of all time.
10
‘Batman Forever’ (1995)
There’s a surprisingly intricate and vast history of superhero video games released over the years, with Batman being the central figure in so many prominent video games over the years. While many people associate the character with the amazing Arkham trilogy, some of the earliest standout Batman video games were the various video game tie-ins for the 80s and 90s Batman movies and series. While games like Batman on NES and The Adventures of Batman & Robin on SNES were well-received, Batman Forever on SNES is one of the worst games on the system.
While previous Batman games did a great job of adapting the feel and energy of their original films or shows, this game strangely utilizes the visual style of Mortal Kombat‘s digitized live-action sprites, feeling jarring and distracting. Even more egregious is the game’s control scheme, being a platformer brawler that plays like a fighting game and basic controls that are so cryptic and confusing that it will leave players stuck on the first level.
9
‘Wreck-It Ralph’ (2012)
Considering the fact that the original Wreck-It Ralph movie was a love letter to video games, it only made sense that there would be a tie-in game to capitalize on its already video game-centric story and characters. However, Wreck-It Ralph for the Nintendo Wii is so poorly made that it becomes an act of tedium to witness, defined not by the charm and wit of the movie, but instead an overwhelming abundance of cheap visuals and repetitive gameplay.
The game attempts to act as an extension of the story from the movie, seeing Ralph and Felix travel through the various worlds of the arcade to clean up Cy-Bugs invading the arcade. However, with its laughably bad PowerPoint cutscenes and ineffective platforming, the game does a massive disservice to the legendary games that it clearly wants to follow in the footsteps of. Equally as embarrassing is that the game is so short that you can complete the entire game in a time shorter than the actual length of the movie.
8
‘Dragonball Evolution: The Game’ (2009)
It only makes sense that one of the worst movies of all time would also have an exceptionally terrible tie-in movie game, although ironically, Dragonball Evolution: The Game for PSP, as bad as it is, is technically better than anything in the film it’s adapted from. It’s an incredibly low bar to clear, but this cheaply made fighting game at least has more respect and care for the Dragon Ball franchise than the movie, although this still pales in comparison to the multitude of great Dragon Ball fighting games released over the years.
The mechanics were certainly there to have an OK time with the nonexistent people you would match against online in the game, but the single-player content is laughably ineffective in this game. This is largely thanks to its terrible enemy A.I. It takes minimal effort to defeat the story mode and arcade modes in the game, as you can simply press your strongest button without a care in the world over and over until you win.
7
‘Rambo: The Video Game’ (2014)
Thanks to the massive technological advancements that the video game industry has undergone over the years, there have been various attempts to readapt classic movies to video games long after the movie’s initial release date, creating an experience theoretically more compelling thanks to modern technologies. While games like The Warriors and The Godfather found great success in this format, Rambo: The Video Game is one of the strangest and most ruthlessly bad examples of such a concept.
The game sees the player controlling John Rambo in recreations of various scenes from the first three films in the Rambo franchise, largely defined by jarringly bad visuals and repetitive rail shooter gameplay. Similarly to Wreck-It Ralph, the full content of the game can be completed in a time that doesn’t even come close to the length of the three films its adapts, all the while not having anything close to the energy and impact of the films.
6
‘Catwoman’ (2004)
Yet another awful tie-in for an already infamously terrible movie, Catwoman proves to be exactly as bad as one would expect a game tie-in for the Halle Berry Catwoman movie to be. The action adventure game sees players controlling the titular antihero in a plot that is surprisingly extremely different from the actual movie, yet still equally terrible in its execution. There was certainly an attempt to create a Tomb Raider-style action adventure game out of this, yet a bad camera, obnoxious combat, and annoying controls make it little more than a nuisance.
A lot of the aesthetic issues that plagued the movie are also incredibly present within this game, from the overly sexual Catwoman design to a complete disregard for the strength and appeal of the character in the first place. While it was already cumbersome to deal with in a 104-minute movie, this aesthetic stretched across an hours-long action game with unintuitive action and controls became an aggressive test of patience.
5
‘007 Legends’ (2012)
Few movie franchises have been as surprisingly effective in the realm of tie-in video games as James Bond. From all-time classics like Goldeneye 007 to the recent 007 First Light, the espionage charm of MI6’s strongest asset proves to work exceptionally well in video game format. However, one such game that failed to live up to the legacy of either the movies or the games, despite setting itself up as the ultimate James Bond gaming experience, was 007 Legends, an attempted love letter to the entire franchise.
007 Legends sees players traverse through missions across Bond’s cinematic history, following the plots of Die Another Day, Goldfinger, License to Kill, Moonraker, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. While this choice of films to adapt is already jarring enough, completely lacking in many of the truly iconic Bond adventures, the true killing blow to the game was its painfully generic gameplay. Instead of the inventive first-person action of previous games, 007 Legends is little more than a sorry Call of Duty ripoff, a major disservice to fans of the franchise and previous games.
4
‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2003)
By all accounts, McG‘s Charlie’s Angels reboot movie seems like it would have made for the perfect video game tie-in, yet reality proves to be exceptionally disappointing as this notorious GameCube/PlayStation 2 game is considered one of the worst beat-em-ups ever made. While the game had high hopes and sported all three of the movie’s actresses for voice acting, the terrible visuals completely ruin this concept.
However, the major flaws of the game come from how it attempts to translate a classic 2D style of beat-em-up gameplay into 3D without taking into account the shift in dimensions. The camera is extremely combative towards the player while the actual combat is repetitive and brainless, making the entire game a pain. It doesn’t come close to replicating the kung-fu fun of the movie, and does a complete disservice to the characters as a whole.
3
‘Back to the Future’ (1989)
In the early days of movie tie-in games, few publishers were as infamous as LJN, who became to many the face of terrible, cheaply made movie tie-ins whose poorly made gameplay clashed greatly with the amazing movies that they consistently got the licenses to. There are enough terrible LJN games to fill an entire list with, but one of the most notorious releases they ever made was Back to the Future on NES, releasing 4 years after the legendary Robert Zemeckis Movie.
The game only loosely resembles the 80s classic that it adapts, seeing an 8-bit Marty McFly skateboarding across the streets of 1955 and collecting clocks to avoid vanishing away. Complete with poorly made minigames attempting to recreate iconic scenes from the movie, Back to the Future completely fails to recapture any of the charm of the film while also being aggressively annoying to play. Fans should simply stick to Telltale’s Back to the Future: The Game from 2010 if looking for a truly great Back to the Future game experience.
2
‘Ben-Hur’ (2016)
Ben-Hur is a game that doesn’t often come to mind when considering the truly infamous movie game tie-ins, but this jarring bad game adaptation of the already bad 2016 remake of the Hollywood classic deserves infinitely more notoriety for its failures. The free racing game was released on the Xbox One and included a literal trailer for the movie as the opening cutscene for the game. It’s little more than a glorified commercial, yet the gameplay itself manages to be even worse.
Due to not really having the care or need for depth as a free downloadable title, the promotional game doesn’t go beyond the basics of races, having incredibly simplistic gameplay and about 10 minutes until you complete the game. As far as commercials go, it’s actually pretty interesting and distinct, yet it’s hard to imagine even a single person that this convinced to watch the movie, let alone anyone who played it even a few months after it released.
There really isn’t any competition for the worst movie tie-in video game, as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a notoriously terrible video game whose quality was so abysmal that it helped almost completely destroy the video game industry in the infamous crash of 1983. With bad graphics, cryptic gameplay, and all the hype in the world as a game adaptation for the year’s premiere cinematic experience, E.T. reaches a level of low quality that needs to be played firsthand to truly experience.
It’s one of the first truly abysmal games ever released, as it’s stood as the icon of one of gaming’s worst experiences ever since its release and will oftentimes top lists of the worst video games ever made. The fact that its adapting one of the most iconic and legendary movies of the 80s only adds to its infamy and failures, as it simply wouldn’t be nearly as infamous if it didn’t have the name recognition of this titan of culture.
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Kate Hudson is having the Greek summer of everyone’s dreams, and it starts with the right swimsuit. Instead of a frumpy one-piece, Hudson wore a sassy red bikini style that stuns on all ages, including after 40. And right now, you can get her look with this $26 swimsuit set on Amazon.
In an Instagram reel, the actress wore a vibrant red bikini top adorned with a circular gold hardware accent, giving her whole look a Hollywood-meets-Mediterranean shimmer. She added matching bottoms to keep it coordinated. It’s a swimsuit style that reads sophisticated from 1o feet away, and yet feels so playful up close.
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This Tainehs Strapless Bikini Set has the same bandeau top design, polished gold-toned centerpiece and rich red hue that pops against your tan. Better yet, the matching mid-rise bottoms are flattering and provide decent coverage in the front and back.
Your summer is guaranteed to include a beach or pool day, and if you want to look as good as you feel, look no further than Pamela Anderson for inspiration. Her one-piece swimsuit style is equally fun and flattering, and we found the look for only $36! The actress celebrated her birthday in Saint-Tropez, sharing […]
The top ties in the back so you can customize the fit, and it comes with optional straps if you want extra support for, you know, actual swimming. And with a 20% elastane-blend fabric, this chic swimsuit has enough stretch to feel comfortable while holding everything in place.
One shopper who bought the set in another color wrote, “Absolutely love this green strapless bikini set! The bandeau top stays in place, and the tie-back makes it easy to adjust. Mid-rise bottoms are flattering and comfy.”
Pack this stunning two-piece for your next trip, wear it to the hotel pool or channel your inner Hudson in the backyard. If you ask Us, $26 is a small price to pay for celebrity, Mediterranean-inspired confidence!
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Swimsuit shopping is a challenge for many people, but add a large bust into the mix, and it can feel impossible. Thankfully, Amazon shoppers went through the trial and error to uncover this Goldilocks of a swimsuit, and somehow, it’s under $40! Both comfortable and flattering, the Tashehe Tummy-Control One-Piece Swimsuit is worth grabbing in […]
It’s hard to find shows with an all-star cast, brutal fights, grounded storytelling and realism, with rich, complex characters. Only a few series manage the feat, and among them is Robert Kirkman’s superhero animated series, Invincible. Over four seasons, we have seen Mark (Steven Yeun) discover his powers and figure out that his superpowered father, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons), might not be the hero he thinks.
The animated series is brilliant with its gripping narrative, multi-layered characters, and depiction of intergalactic battles and aliens. In the first two seasons, Mark tries to navigate his newly found superpowers with a regular teenager’s life; the series takes a dark turn in Season 3, which showcases ample devastation and civilian casualties and messed-up time travel, among other things.
Things did not get better for Mark in Season 4, which saw the return of Sequids, a trip to Hell, the brutal rematch with Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and the beginning of the Viltrumite War with the introduction of Grand Regent Thragg (Lee Pace). And let’s not forget the trauma Mark is going through because of it all. The stakes for Season 5 are extremely high, and will come sometime in 2027, as per previous reports. The upcoming Season 5 is locked in, but a sixth season is also in the works. While we haven’t heard anything about it yet, Simmons recently gave an update fans have been waiting for.
‘Invincible’ Season 6 Begins Production
Simmons made Omni-Man iconic with his brilliant voice work. Speaking of the show’s impact, he admitted to ScreenRant:
“I honestly undervalued the impact of what that show could be when I first started the job. I just thought, ‘Oh, this looks like fun, and it’s voiceover, so I don’t have to shave. I think Steven and Sandra [Oh] were already attached, and it was like, ‘Wow, they’re getting some great actors.’ But it’s turned out to be obviously quite a thing.”
He further revealed that Season 6 “just started recording. At least I just started recording some chunks of Season 6.” While Kirkman and the rest of the team have been able to churn out one season each year, the wait between Seasons 1 and 2 was a longer one. Further highlighting the tedious nature of the work, Simmons clarified, “Obviously, there’s such a lag time because there’s quite a bit of work that needs to be done after we do our initial voice work.”
Meanwhile, check out Invincible on Prime Video and stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.
- Release Date
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March 26, 2021
- Network
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Amazon Prime Video
- Franchise(s)
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Invincible
Love Island USA host Ariana Madix shared an emotional tribute to the show’s late executive producer, James Barker.
“As many of you know, we unexpectedly lost a dear friend this summer,” Madix, 41, wrote via her Instagram Stories as the season 8 finale of the reality TV series aired on Sunday, July 12. “James Barker is the kindest person you could ever meet, with the kind of soul that truly radiates from within. We will miss him always.”
Us Weekly confirmed via a statement shared by Peacock on June 15 that Barker, who joined ITV America in summer 2020 and worked on Love Island USA for years before becoming a full-time executive producer, had died in Fiji one week prior amid “an unexpected medical emergency.”
Madix’s post also urged fans to contribute to a GoFundMe page dedicated to raising funds for a “celebration he deserves,” as well as mortgage repayments and other bills. “If anyone is so able to donate or to just share this, thank you.”
Madix, who joined Love Island USA as a host in March 2026 at the beginning of season 6, concluded her post with a message to her late friend. “Thank you to James for touching all of our lives with your amazing light,” she wrote alongside a photo of the pair smiling for the camera. “We miss you.”
The show paid tribute to Barker at the end of its June 16 episode. Alongside a montage of photos of Barker, text read, “For James. We love you.”
Ariana Madix Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Details surrounding Barker’s death remain unclear.
Barker’s partner, Adam Roth, discussed his heartbreak in the wake of Barker’s death. “James was the absolute light and love of my life. He brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched,” Roth told People in a statement at the time, noting that the pair had met at a Billie Eilish concert and were together for more than four years.
James Barker Courtesy of James Barker/Instagram
During Sunday night’s Love Island USA finale, Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff were crowned the winning couple, followed by Aniya Harvey and Carl Lee Schmidt in second place, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea in third place, and Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou in fourth place.
The cast will reunite in a special scheduled on Monday, August 31, with Madix teaming up with Andy Cohen to relink “this season’s winners, fan-favorite couples, and this year’s bombshells, for an up close and personal look back at their experience in the Villa,” according to a press release.
The Hugo and Nebula awards are the leading prizes for fantasy and sci-fi writing. The former dates back to 1953 and the latter to 1966, meaning that many of the genres’ classics have taken home one of these prizes and, occasionally, both. While quite a few sci-fi novels have claimed both awards, only a handful of fantasy books have.
The titles below are all great in different ways, from the emotional coming-of-age storytelling of Among Others to the immersive world-building of The Stone Sky. Fantasy fans are bound to find something to enjoy among them.
4
‘Among Others’ (2012)
“I read, and therefore I was not alone.” This book presents itself as the diary of teenager Mori Phelps. Following the death of her twin sister, Mori is sent to live with relatives she barely knows while trying to escape her manipulative, possibly magical mother. Isolated at boarding school, she searches for belonging by reading sci-fi and fantasy books. All the while, she navigates a world where fairies and magic may be just as real as her grief.
Author Jo Walton masterfully blurs the line between fantasy and psychological realism. Among Others is thoughtful and intelligent, with a lot to say about growing up and dealing with loss. It gets pretty dark at times, delving into themes of illness, abuse, and even evil. At the same time, the book is very much a tribute to sci-fi and fantasy literature itself, referencing countless classics and emphasizing the power of imagination.
3
‘Paladin of Souls’ (2004)
“Sometimes the gods answer in ways no one expects.” Paladin of Souls centers on Ista dy Chalion, a middle-aged widow (and mother of the current ruler) whose family believes she has spent years suffering from madness. Determined to reclaim control over her own life, she leaves behind the expectations placed upon her and embarks upon a journey that unexpectedly draws her back into the affairs of gods, demons, and kingdoms.
While many classic fantasy elements are at play here, the book treats them with more depth than usual. The character development is especially rich. For instance, rather than being a stereotypical heroine, Ista is a three-dimensional woman burdened by regret and responsibility. She changes a lot over the course of the story. Her rediscovery of her confidence and sense of purpose is relatable and resonates.
2
‘The Stone Sky’ (2018)
“The world is already ending. The question is who survives.” The Stone Sky is the final entry in N.K. Jemisin‘s acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy, which takes place on a supercontinent wracked by destructive geological activity. In this volatile world, protagonist Essun, her daughter Nassun, and the mysterious Stone Eaters move toward a cataclysmic final confrontation. Its outcome will determine not only the fate of their world but also the future relationship between humanity and the immense powers that have shaped civilization for millennia.
The world-building in this series is fantastic, with the constant environmental catastrophes woven directly into the setting’s mythology, politics, and magic system. That said, Jemisin makes sure to keep the characters front and center as well, even as grand plotlines reach their crescendos. Not for nothing, every book in this trilogy took home the Hugo Award.
1
‘American Gods’ (2002)
“People believe, and so things are.” One of the most influential fantasy books of the 2000s, American Gods introduces us to Shadow Moon, an ex-con who accepts a mysterious job working for the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday. Soon, Shadow discovers that America has become the battleground for a looming conflict between the fading deities of old mythology and the powerful new gods born from modern obsessions like media and technology.
Along the way, the book confidently blends Norse mythology, African folklore, Slavic legends, Native American traditions, and countless other belief systems into a uniquely American road novel. It includes leprechauns, ifrits, spidery tricksters, World Trees, sacrifice, godly battles, and very weird sex scenes. All in all, American Gods is endlessly entertaining, but also full of real food for thought, with a lot to say about the power of belief.
Glenn Close belongs to that rare group of actors whose name still feels serious before the movie even starts. A whole generation knows her through prestige drama, awards conversations, theater roots, and the kind of screen intensity that can make even a quiet line feel dangerous. Younger viewers may know the reputation first and the films later, but once you actually go through the work, the reputation makes sense fast.
These four films show why Close became such a towering name in American movies. They are romantic, messy, seductive, ugly, funny, tragic, and deeply human in completely different ways. This is a reminder that Close could enter whichever theme and still leave a mark that still feels alive decades later. Scroll down slowly now if you’re locked in.
4
‘The Natural’ (1984)
The Natural is a baseball fable first, full of mythic lighting, impossible talent, broken dreams, and that almost religious belief in the sound of a bat meeting a ball. Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is the man at the center, a gifted player whose life is derailed before he gets a late chance at glory. Iris Gaines (Glenn Close) then shows up, the woman connected to the innocence and hope Roy lost along the way.
Iris could have disappeared inside the film’s golden nostalgia, but that never happens. She becomes the emotional reminder of the life Roy might have had before fame, corruption, and regret started crowding him. Iris has this calm sadness that fits the movie’s fairy-tale quality without making her feel unreal. Her presence in the stands, especially as Roy tries to reclaim himself, gives the film a clean emotional charge. It’s not the best but it counts.
3
‘The Big Chill’ (1983)
The Big Chill follows a group of old college friends who reunite after the suicide of Alex (Kevin Costner), the one person whose absence forces everyone to look at who they became. Sarah Cooper (Glenn Close) is married to Harold Cooper (Kevin Kline) and quietly carrying the grief that opens the film. This is an ensemble movie, so nobody owns the whole thing, but Close understands the exact tone required: adult sadness mixed with old affection, sexual history, disappointment, music, and the weird comfort of people who once knew you better than anyone.
Sarah’s pain never turns into one grand display. It leaks out through conversation, hosting, small looks, and the tension between who these friends were in the 1960s and who they became in the 1980s. Sarah has this warmth without sanding down the hurt. Her bond with the group feels lived-in, especially because the film keeps showing how nostalgia can comfort people and expose them at the same time. The Big Chill remains a classic because its characters feel older than their ideals and younger than their regrets.
2
‘Fatal Attraction’ (1987)
Fatal Attraction became a cultural earthquake because it touched something people were already terrified to talk about: desire outside marriage, male entitlement, female rage, and the consequences of treating another person as a mistake to clean up. Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) has an affair with Alex Forrest (Glenn Close), then tries to retreat back into family life as if the damage can stay neatly contained. Alex refuses to vanish.
The movie has been argued over for decades, and Close is the reason it still feels complicated. Alex does frightening things, of course, but there is heartbreak under the obsession and humiliation under the fury. She is lonely, intelligent, unstable, wounded, and furious at being treated as disposable. That cocktail makes the film harder to shake than a simple thriller about a dangerous woman. Close turns Alex into a nightmare built from real emotional injuries, which is exactly why the movie still gets under the skin. Fatal Attraction is messy, sensational, and unforgettable.
1
‘Dangerous Liaisons’ (1988)
Dangerous Liaisons is pure poison wrapped in silk. The world is aristocratic France before the Revolution, where manners, letters, sex, reputation, and revenge become weapons. Close plays the Marquise de Merteuil, a woman who understands the rules of this society so clearly that she can bend them better than almost anyone around her. Across from Valmont (John Malkovich), she turns cruelty into strategy and elegance into combat.
Merteuil’s every gesture feels controlled and every word has a blade hidden inside it. She has survived a world built to limit women, then learned how to use secrecy, intelligence, and desire as power. That never makes her harmless or heroic. Her games destroy people, and the destruction becomes more brutal because she sees so much more than the people she manipulates. The character is genuinely magnetic, terrifying, witty, wounded, and proud enough to burn everything rather than lose.
Everyone loves an adventure, and when you combine them with the extraordinary world of science fiction, it is a match made in heaven. Sci-fi adventure movies boast stunning worlds and pair them with great characters to follow along. From going boldly beyond the stars to the unexplored depths of the ocean, the possibilities of these movies are endless. In this list, we take a look at the very best the genre has to offer.
The movies on this list have inspired many audiences and filmmakers. They were successful at the box office, and some even triumphed at the Oscars because they connected with audiences and critics. Others went so far as to revolutionize filmmaking by giving strong foundations that are still influential today. From Earth-bound stories to those in the far reaches of the galaxy, here are the best of the sci-fi adventure movies.
10
‘Stargate’ (1994)
Stargate follows archaeologist Daniel Jackson (James Spader) who joins a military expedition led by Colonel O’Neil (Kurt Russell) to investigate an ancient ring-shaped device capable of opening a portal across the galaxy. When they’re transported to a distant desert planet, they discover a civilization descended from ancient Egyptians who have been ruled for centuries by the alien Ra (Jaye Davidson). Now, they must stop Ra from bringing his terror to Earth.
Stargate was an unexpected success. Despite its uneven script, it has become such an enduring sci-fi adventure because of how effortlessly it combines imaginative world-building with old-fashioned pulp storytelling. The film plays with the notion that aliens have an influence on civilizations on Earth, or a theory widely known as ancient astronauts. It solidified Roland Emmerich as a director capable of tackling big-budget spectacle. While the planned trilogy did not pan out, its rich premise is so compelling that it spawned one of the most beloved science fiction franchises, starting with the ten-season Stargate SG-1.
9
‘Galaxy Quest’ (1999)
Galaxy Quest follows the cast of a once-popular science fiction television series, including Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver), Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) and Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub). They usually attend fan conventions and relive their former glory until real aliens recruit the actors to help them fight against a ruthless warlord on their planet, believing the show to be a documentary rather than a piece of fiction.
Galaxy Quest was ahead of its time. It pokes fun at science fiction fandom and TV cliches, as well as actors who go on convention runs and just do it for the money. But most importantly, it also celebrates the passion that fans have for these stories by involving them in the adventure. The great and overqualified cast delivers performances that balance comedy with sincerity, making their characters memorable and lovable. Galaxy Quest could easily fall into parody but actually becomes a genuinely exciting space adventure that feels realistic and close to audiences’ hearts.
8
‘The Fifth Element’ (1997)
The Fifth Element follows former special forces officer Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), whose routine changes when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a mysterious woman engineered to be the perfect being, crashes into his flying taxi. Together, they embark on a quest to recover four mystical stones capable of stopping an ancient cosmic evil worshiped by eccentric industrialist Zorg (Gary Oldman) from annihilating all life.
The Fifth Element is filled with vibrance, creating a futuristic world bursting with personality, colorful production design, and unforgettable characters. These days, many science fiction films may lean toward gritty realism, but The Fifth Element embraces fun unapologetically. Bruce Willis delivers a charismatic everyman hero, while Milla Jovovich gives Leeloo an innocence and strength that anchor the film emotionally. Many sci-fi films tried to replicate the success, but their failure just proved that this film is a lightning in a bottle.
7
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy follows Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) after he steals an orb that turns out to be an Infinity Stone sought by Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace). Quill then forms an uneasy alliance with Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel) to stop Ronan from destroying the galaxy.
The Guardians of the Galaxy were not a household superhero team by Marvel standards, but maybe the underdog quality of it all helped. The film balances the adventure with humor and heart even though it’s filled with bizarre aliens and otherworldly adventure that is so different from Earth-bound stories like Iron Man or The Avengers. The film’s greatest strength is its strong characters, played by a solid ensemble cast. Combined with its iconic soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy transformed an obscure comic book team into some of the MCU’s most beloved heroes. Its success is followed by two sequels as well as the team’s pivotal roles in the mammoth successes of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
6
‘Star Trek’ (2009)
J. J. Abrams‘ Star Trek reboot reintroduces the iconic crew of the USS Enterprise by exploring the early years of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). Onboard the starship, they clash constantly due to their different principles. When the Romulan commander Nero (Eric Bana) travels through a rift in time and threatens the Federation, Spock and Kirk must form an unlikely partnership and stop a catastrophe that could alter history.
Rather than simply rebooting the franchise, Star Trek cleverly creates an alternate timeline that respects decades of established continuity while giving itself the freedom to tell new stories. Abrams captures the optimism and sense of exploration that have defined decades of Star Trek, while injecting the series with blockbuster energy that appeals to newcomers without alienating longtime fans. The chemistry between the ensemble cast is electric, and audiences can easily fall in love with the new iterations of the characters. With all its flair and lens flares, Star Trek successfully reinvigorated the franchise for the new generation. The franchise is currently flourishing on the TV side, with multiple titles ongoing.
5
‘Total Recall’ (1990)
Total Recall stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid, a construction worker haunted by dreams of Mars. After visiting Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories of dream vacations, Quaid begins to question whether his entire life has been fabricated. He is suddenly pursued by assassins and government agents, and he travels to Mars in search of the truth and faces off against the planet’s dictator.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Total Recall brings together thought-provoking sci-fi with explosive action. The practical effects and violent action elevate the thrills, and Quaid constantly questioning of his reality makes it thoroughly interesting. As the desperate and discombobulated Quaid, Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers one of his best performances. Even with its memorable one-liners and larger-than-life spectacle, Total Recall remains intellectually engaging, making it one of the rare sci-fi adventures that succeeds equally as an adrenaline rush and as a philosophical puzzle.
4
‘The Abyss’ (1989)
The Abyss follows a deep-sea drilling crew recruited by the U.S. Navy after an American nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks in the Caribbean. Led by foreman Virgil “Bud” Brigman (Ed Harris), the crew dives thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface alongside a team of Navy SEALs to investigate the wreck. There, they encounter an intelligent alien species living in the deepest parts of the ocean.
Although it’s often overshadowed by James Cameron‘s other blockbusters, The Abyss remains one of the most ambitious sci-fi adventures ever made. It marked the first time Cameron put his passion for underwater exploration in his movie, and he combines it with a riveting sci-fi story that makes the deep feel as mysterious as outer space. The film boasts groundbreaking visual effects, particularly the famous water tentacle sequence. Cameron’s name may be synonymous with Titanic, Terminator and Avatar these days, but The Abyss stands as one of his best accomplishments.
3
‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968)
Planet of the Apes follows astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston), who crash-lands on an uncharted planet after a long journey through space. As he explores the planet, Taylor discovers a civilization where intelligent apes rule over primitive humans, who are treated as mute animals. Taylor is then captured and studied by ape scientists, while trying to prove his intelligence to them.
Planet of the Apes is one of the longest-enduring Hollywood franchises, and its success goes back to this original film. It is one of the greatest sci-fi adventures because it pairs an exciting narrative with remarkable social commentary. The world is a parable of our planet, and the film is not afraid to ask thought-provoking questions about power and humanity. In spite of all the heavy themes, it still entertains. Heston delivers a strong lead performance while the groundbreaking makeup effects immerse the audience further, especially during its initial release. With four sequels, a remake, and four movies in the reboot series, the franchise shows no sign of stopping.
2
‘Star Wars’ (1977)
The very first Star Wars introduces audiences to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a young farm boy whose life changes forever after discovering a message sent by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hidden inside the droid R2-D2. Joined by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) and smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Luke joins the Rebellion to wage war against the Empire led by Darth Vader.
It’s hard to imagine what Hollywood and filmmaking would be like today without Star Wars. It revolutionized blockbuster filmmaking by opening up new worlds and pushing the limits of creativity and artistry. George Lucas created a whole new mythology and blended it with a classic, unforgettable hero journey that continues to inspire movies and filmmakers today. Every aspect of the film, from its groundbreaking visual effects to the iconic John Williams score, helped redefine what movies are to audiences. The Star Wars universe has expanded greatly now, but this first film stands as an endlessly entertaining adventure in its own right.
1
‘Dune’ (2021)
Based on the novel by Frank Herbert, Dune follows Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), the heir to House Atreides, as his family moves to the desert planet Arrakis after being entrusted to govern it by the Emperor. As the producer of the invaluable “spice,” Arrakis becomes the battleground for power as rival House Harkonnen aims to take it back.
Dune is a complex and difficult novel to adapt, yet Denis Villeneuve is able to turn it into a breathtaking cinematic experience. Rather than rushing through the story, it takes its time establishing the culture and politics so that audiences can be immersed in the story. The film itself is filled with extraordinary craftsmanship, from the epic production design to the stunning cinematography. Despite its grand scale, Dune never loses sight of Paul’s deeply personal journey, with Timothee Chalamet bringing a solid leading performance. The result is a modern, award-winning sci-fi adventure epic that will soon conclude its trilogy.
Comedian Margaret Cho addressed the death of Senator Lindsey Graham via a critical social media post.
“Bye Lindsey, bye Lindsey Graham. From the closet to the coffin, real seamless. Real seamless,” the lifelong democrat, 57, said in a TikTok shared on Sunday, July 12, after news of the South Carolina senator’s death broke earlier that day. (The sexuality of the former politician was the subject of widespread speculation over the years.)
Cho’s post, which was captioned, “Bye gurl,” also directed commentary towards the health of fellow Senator Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized since June 14 after he was found unconscious inside his home. “So, it’s Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham … it does happen in threes,” she continued, seemingly hinting at another high-profile republican. “Hope.”
Cho, a vocal advocate of LGBTQIA+ rights, has spoken out against President Donald Trump’s administration during many media interviews and via social media posts. Her followers mostly share her political viewpoints, with several showing their support within her latest TikTok’s comment section. “It’s been a good week,” wrote one follower, while another wrote, “I have a little extra pep in my step today!”
Graham’s death was confirmed by a spokesperson via an X statement on Sunday. “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement read. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Hours later, the office of McConnell, 84, released a statement that addressed the fellow senator’s own health. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages,” McConnell’s statement read. “But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”
Margaret Cho Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Lambda Legal
McConnell’s statement, which included a photo of himself smiling at the camera from a hospital bed, continued, “In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.”
Cho is not the only celebrity to weigh in on the weekend’s health-related political news. On Sunday, in light of McConnell’s hospital bed photo, Jimmy Kimmel poked fun at the image by editing his own head in place of McConnell’s and sharing his version via Instagram.
Senator Lindsey Graham Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Seemingly commenting on his current two-month hiatus from late-night hosting duties on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel, 58, cheekily wrote, “For those who’ve been asking, I’m feeling great.”
After an extended period of box-office disappointment, Liam Neeson bounced back with a much-needed hit movie in 2025. He starred in a well-liked The Naked Gun reboot, which also features Pamela Anderson. The movie grossed more than $100 million worldwide against a reported budget of $42 million — it wasn’t the biggest hit, but it broke even. Neeson needed the win, given that he was coming off a string of action-thrillers that weren’t as successful theatrically as the movies he starred in a decade or so ago. It was during the peak of his career as an older action star, some time in the mid-2010s, that Neeson appeared in another parody movie. But that film wasn’t nearly as successful as The Naked Gun, which also received excellent reviews.
Neeson’s 2014 project emerged as a critical and commercial disappointment, which was unexpected considering his popularity at the time and the free rein that was given to the film’s writer-director. The filmmaker had just delivered one of the highest-grossing comedies ever made, which earned him significant freedom to pick his follow-up feature. Instead of jumping directly into a sequel to his hit comedy, he chose to parody the Western genre — this was a risky bet, considering that neither Westerns nor spoofs were particularly popular at the time. The movie opened to negative reviews and ended its theatrical run with $87 million worldwide against a reported budget of $40 million — not amazing for a movie that also features Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried, among others.
The Western Parody Hasn’t Quite Gained a Cult Following
The film in question is currently streaming on Netflix, but those curious to check it out might want to rush, because it’ll be removed from the platform at the end of July. We’re talking, of course, about A Million Ways to Die in the West, directed by Family Guy and Ted creator Seth MacFarlane. The film now holds a 33% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “While it offers a few laughs and boasts a talented cast, Seth MacFarlane’s overlong, aimless A Million Ways to Die in the West is a disappointingly scattershot affair.” The critic Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com described it as a “failure on nearly every level.”
A Million Ways to Die in the West is currently on Netflix, but only until the end of the month. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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May 30, 2014
- Runtime
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116 Minutes
The season 8 finale of Love Island USA featured a major change when it came to the prize money.
Love Island USA viewers know that usually America votes for the final four couples, who then make it to the finale that took place on Sunday, July 12. Similar to past seasons, each pair got the chance to go on their own date.
They then decided if they wanted to remain together but this time around they didn’t write the standard “vows” for each other before finding out who gets crowned the winning couple.
Another major shakeup was the envelope ceremony, where the duo who received the highest number of votes from the public were given two envelopes: one for each partner. One envelope was meant to contain $100,000, while the other was empty. The partner with the $100,000 envelope would choose whether to share the money with their partner as a test of trust and commitment — or walk away with all of it as a way of choosing the prize over love.
After a summer full of relationship drama, Love Island USA finally crowned the season 8 winner — but which couple scored the most votes? During the Sunday, July 12, season finale of the hit Peacock dating show, host Ariana Madix announced that Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff got the most votes from the public […]
Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff were awarded the win but host Ariana Madix didn’t ask them their individual plans for their prize money. Instead, she said on multiple occasions that they both were sharing the $100,000.
The Love Island franchise began in the U.K. in 2002 before expanding worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. Each season, a different group of single Islanders are challenged to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa for a chance at the $100,000 prize.
Season 8 has had its fair share of drama — both while filming in Fiji and off screen. Earlier this season, Vasana Montgomery was cut from the show after resurfaced social media posts showed her using a slur.
Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]
Casa Amor bombshell Alannah Keyser also got pulled from the season after facing backlash for a resurfaced video that allegedly showed her using a racial slur.
Similar issues arose during season 7, with Yulissa Escobar leaving days into the experience last year after clips of her using racial slurs on a podcast circulated online.
Season 7’s Cierra Ortega also faced backlash for using a slur in her own resurfaced social media post. She was pulled from the villa and later issued an apology for her past behavior.
Love Island USA is currently streaming on Peacock.
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