Entertainment
10 Heaviest Books of All Time
There are high-quality books that offer escapism, just as there are movies (usually blockbusters) that focus on entertainment over anything else. Not necessarily all, but a good many romance novels are intended to be digestible in this way, and the same can be said for many (though again, not all) works of fantasy, particularly so for fantasy books that are aimed at younger readers.
Then you’ve got books that go in the other direction, possibly intending to be compelling, but not really fun. That’s what the following novels more or less do, and there are also a couple of works of non-fiction thrown in here, just to keep things interesting, alongside some horror, drama-focused, and thriller books. These are some of the heaviest books of all time, and they’re all worth reading… just maybe not as the last thing you look at before falling asleep. The vibes aren’t good, but at least the quality of the writing is.
10
‘American Tabloid’ (1995)
The Black Dahlia and L.A. Confidential might well be James Ellroy’s best-known novels, and they’re plenty dark and cynical, yet American Tabloid is perhaps even more nihilistic. It takes place in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with various point of view characters all wrapped up in a complex series of events that lead to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, with the aftermath explored in two subsequent books by Ellroy, with all three forming the ominously titled Underworld USA Trilogy.
Of the trilogy, there’s an argument to be made that Blood’s a Rover is actually the darkest, but that third and final book is sort of incomprehensible, and almost a self-parody on Ellroy’s part. It’s hard to care when things are dialed up to the extent they are there, but a somewhat more grounded line is walked in American Tabloid, and that makes it more upsetting. Everyone involved in the narrative, be they fictional or based on real-life people, is morally shady at best and downright evil at worst, and all of them seem equally doomed, in one way or another. It feels like a novel about a president dying, and then the U.S. dying right along with him.
9
‘Lolita’ (1955)
There’s a lot to grapple with, while reading Lolita, including what the book itself is about, and who the narrator of it all is. He’s a man writing under the pseudonym of Humbert Humbert, and he’s someone who describes his infatuation with a 12-year-old girl he calls Lolita (who he’s technically the stepfather of), with much of the book dealing with how he targets and manipulates her.
A certain amount of dark humor does run throughout Lolita, but that serves to make the frequently horrible events of the book feel all the more intense and unsettling. It’s a fantastically written book that is also incredibly challenging and bold, even by the standards of postmodernism. For as good as the book is, and for as purposeful as the disturbing content might be, you really can’t blame anyone if they take a look at the thing, as a whole, and feel the complete opposite of compelled to read it.
8
‘Empire of Pain’ (2021)
Empire of Pain deals with opioid addiction, and the events that led to the opioid epidemic in the U.S., done in a way that condenses a good many moving parts and history into one coherent narrative. It’s masterfully done, as a work of non-fiction, and does give you a comprehensive overview of the Sackler family, while making it feel like something of a tragedy, what certain members of the family ultimately did.
It’s more sympathetic to those who’ve been directly impacted by the opioid epidemic, of course, so maybe it’s more accurate to suggest that it humanizes the Sackler family, or, at the very least, logically lays out how and why they did so much harm. Empire of Pain is huge in its ambition, and also extremely confronting in so many ways, particularly when you consider how the events of the book don’t end all that long ago, in the overall scheme of things, and further consider that deaths from opioid overdoses have continued to happen on a large scale in the years since Empire of Pain was published.
7
‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (1949)
The general despair that’s heavy throughout much of Nineteen Eighty-Four is a big reason why it’s considered so essential, as a piece of dystopian fiction, perhaps even being the definitive novel about a dystopia. Numerous terms and ideas from the novel have entered the English language, to the extent that Nineteen Eighty-Four is at least partly known about, even by those who haven’t read the whole thing (though everyone should read the whole thing, at some stage).
The novel’s about a bleak future torn apart by war and cultural chaos, and it’s led to mass surveillance by an all-powerful superstate, which the protagonist does rebel against, though in a rather futile manner. If any part of Nineteen Eighty-Four is hopeful or not entirely sad, it’s just so that the eventual heavy parts will feel even more crushing, in comparison. Still, it’s a big old downer for a purpose, and it’s really not too hard to see why the novel has endured to the extent it has.
6
‘Pet Sematary’ (1983)
People dying in a book by Stephen King isn’t anything new, nor particularly novel, but the extent to which Pet Sematary focuses on death (while also exploring grief) is. The pet cemetery referred to in the title is one that seems capable of bringing dead pets back to life, so when tragedy strikes a family, the father of said family starts to grapple with the idea of seeing whether the cemetery might also bring humans back to life.
Pet Sematary is quite a compelling read, even with all the sadness and the horror, and so it’s a little “easier” to read than most of the other books mentioned here.
It digs a little deeper and gets quite a bit darker than your average Stephen King book, so it feels worth considering Pet Sematary as perhaps his heaviest overall. That being said, it is quite a compelling read, even with all the sadness and the horror, and so it’s a little “easier” to read than most of the other books mentioned here. Still not a fun book, by any means, but it’s unusually easy to churn through for something that, in so many ways, proves to be a massive downer.
5
‘Libra’ (1988)
Sorry to go over one more book that’s about the John F. Kennedy assassination, but Libra is another heavy-going and compelling read that is stylistically very different from American Tabloid, even if both novels are paranoia-inducing and cynical about the direction America went in after the assassination. With Libra, though, the central character is Lee Harvey Oswald, and the novel works as historical fiction, unpacking what he might’ve been going through while having him get wrapped up in a massively complex conspiracy.
That focus on Oswald makes Libra something of an unexpected psychological drama/thriller book, while there’s also ample time spent on confusion and doubts surrounding the event that the novel inevitably has to build to. It’s impossible to come away from a book like this feeling very optimistic about much at all, since it so openly confronts the idea that there is so much we won’t – and maybe even can’t – ever know.
4
‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy’ (2018)
Even with the word “Tragedy” being in the title, Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy still finds ways to disarm and alarm you with the events it covers, and the manner in which it lays out the devastation caused by the Vietnam War. Well, technically, the scope of the book goes beyond the Vietnam War a little, since it begins covering things immediately post-World War II, detailing the First Indochina War, which then led to the Vietnam War.
There’s a lot of history to cover in 30 years, and Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy gets through it at a good pace, while never feeling like it skims over too much. It’s broad without being shallow, and is also admirable for how many different points of view it features. And that sense of showing things from multiple perspectives ultimately helps drive home the scale of the different conflicts in Vietnam between 1945 and 1975, and the alarming size of the overall destruction/devastation.
3
‘Blonde’ (2000)
Blonde is basically a work of horror, even though it’s not got any traditional (or more expected) supernatural elements. It’s instead more of a psychological drama that’s intense enough to also be a work of psychological horror, with the protagonist being Marilyn Monroe, and the whole book being about her short, tragic, and eventful life, albeit in an impressionistic way that does claim to be biographical.
Instead, Monroe’s life is used to represent how young women are sometimes used by Hollywood, or even just society more generally, since Blonde isn’t just about Marilyn Monroe’s experiences acting in movies. It’s a long, dense, and almost always emotionally harrowing novel that is a challenge to get through, by design, standing as something that’s easy to appreciate but very much hard to recommend, in the traditional/conventional sense.
Blonde
- Release Date
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September 28, 2022
- Runtime
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2h 46m
- Director
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Andrew Dominik
- Writers
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Andrew Dominik, Joyce Carol Oates
2
‘A Little Life’ (2015)
An obligatory pick, if you’re talking about sad and/or heavy books, A Little Life tackles a range of difficult subject matter throughout what ends up being a lengthy duration. There’s a group of friends at the center of A Little Life, and all of them have personal demons that they’re battling, with traumatic pasts explored via flashbacks, and then scenes in the “present” dealing with how such events linger and continue to impact those who went through them.
It might sound like fairly normal territory for a drama-heavy story to follow, but it’s the uncompromising nature of digging deep into various things other stories might skim over, or not dwell on too much, that makes A Little Life stand out. It might be cathartic for some to have any novel at all deal with some of the things this one’s willing to, but that content is also what might make it too difficult to read, for others.
1
‘Blood Meridian’ (1985)
There are some other Cormac McCarthy novels worthy of honorable mention here, like The Road and No Country for Old Men, but Blood Meridian is perhaps his most grueling and nightmarish. Unlike those other two novels, you can only (at least for now) experience Blood Meridian as a book, since it hasn’t been adapted into either a movie or TV show, with the level of brutality and persistent misery likely playing a role there.
Also, it’s quite loose narratively, and so there would be a need to condense things or recontextualize certain parts of the novel if you wanted to translate it to another medium, and that would be difficult, especially with so many people holding the source material in such high regard. And if you’ve not read Blood Meridian, you’re still likely aware of its reputation for being one of the darkest Westerns of all time, and one of the most violent books ever written. On both counts, such a reputation is more than deserved.
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There’s more drama surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. According to a new report, the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star was granted a restraining order against one of Mortensen’s friends, Cru Eaton, for “civil stalking.” This marks the latest development in Paul’s ongoing legal battles and comes months after production on season 5 of her hit Hulu reality series was halted amid allegations of domestic violence involving her and Mortensen.
Court documents show that Paul filed for a temporary restraining order for “civil stalking” against Eaton in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was granted one for three years on July 15, according to Us Weekly. “An Order has been signed and issued on the statewide Domestic Violence Network,” a statement from the legal papers read.
The filing comes after Eaton allegedly shared a private video of Paul and Mortensen having an alleged explosive argument. Eaton allegedly posted the video and captioned it, “Everyone is so concerned and so focused on what must have been happening before the videos started. You guys do understand that Dakota doesn’t start these fights, so he has no way of knowing when he needs to be recording them, correct?”
Taylor Frankie Paul And Dakota Mortensen Both Have Protective Orders Against Each Other
Per The Blast, Paul and Mortensen have mutual protective orders against each other lasting three years. The legal decision was made by a Utah court official in April 2026 after both reality stars filed competing custody documents for their one child, Ever.
The court official also commented on Paul and Mortensen’s alleged history of domestic violence and said both of them were at fault for things that have transpired. “I’m finding that there’s been violence both ways between these parties,” Commissioner Russell Minas said.
Continuing, Minas said that Paul and Mortensen should not be near each other in the future because things often turn violent before them. Minas also said that, moving forward, both parties must focus on their son’s well-being.
“I’m hoping you’re not just people who thrive on the drama and conflict. You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as co-parents,” Minas said.
Taylor Frankie Paul Allegedly Seen Assaulting Mortensen In A Shocking Video
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Taylor Frankie Paul repeatedly attacked Dakota Mortensen during the 2023 incident in which she pled guilty to aggravated assault; video shows that one of her children was struck during the fight.
Trigger Warning. https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn pic.twitter.com/avr49EacY3
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 19, 2026
Before Minas granted both Paul and Mortensen protective orders, Paul made headlines after a shocking video showing her allegedly assaulting Mortensen came to light.
In the video, reported by The Blast, Paul is seemingly seen hitting Mortensen, pulling his hair, and even throwing metal chairs at him, one of which hit her younger daughter.
Also in the video, viewers can hear Mortensen pleading with Paul to stop the alleged attacks. “This is called physical abuse. This is all you do,” Mortensen cries out in the video. “It’s the only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is OK? It’s not OK. Holy sh-t.”
Mortensen Admits He Has Regrets About His Relationship With Paul
Shortly after the video came to light, Mortensen posted an update of his own, saying he needed to focus on himself so he could be a better parent to his son.
Elsewhere in his statement, the TV personality opened up about the demise of his relationship with Paul and admitted he regretted not leaving the MomTok star sooner.
I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt,” he wrote. He continued, “I’m closing an unhealthy chapter and moving forward with hope for better days ahead.”
Production Paused Season 5 Of ‘SLOMW’ Due To The Alleged Domestic Violence Claims
The alleged domestic violence between Paul and Mortensen was so severe that it forced producers to halt production on season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” in March 2026.
According to PEOPLE, a source close to the show said that none of the women was willing to film with Paul, leaving the production company at a crossroads.
“The girls are very overwhelmed. They all banded together and they don’t want to come back right now,” the insider claimed. “They were just getting tired of Taylor, honestly.”
In late May, another source confirmed that cameras went back up; however, the cast wouldn’t finish filming the rest of season 5. Instead, the women would film confessionals and head straight into season 6.
While it’s unclear what the new batch of episodes will look like, the new season should be coming to Hulu very soon.
Sam Neill‘s official cause of death has been revealed.
“Since Sam Neill’s passing, several stories have appeared in the media which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods,” his spokesperson Philip Grenz told Us Weekly in a Wednesday, July 15, statement. “As Sam Neill’s longtime rep, I spoke with his family and wish to clarify some details for his fans. Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy.”
Grenz went on, “As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honor him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date. I’d like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time.”
His family asked that donations be made to the Dunstan Hospital Foundation, blood cancer research group the Snowdome Foundation or organizations dedicated to the preservation of New Zealand’s wildlife — such as the NZ Nature Fund and Sustainable Tarras — in lieu of flowers.
Celebrities are mourning the loss of Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders star Sam Neill. Neill’s family announced on Monday, July 13, that he died unexpectedly at age 78. They promised “more details will be shared later,” asking for privacy as they navigate the loss. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill […]
The actor, best known for his roles as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise and Chester Campbell on the hit show Peaky Blinders, died suddenly on Monday, July 13.
“It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” a family statement shared via the actor’s official Instagram account read at the time. (“Whānau” is the Māori word for “family.”)
“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life,” the statement continued. “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care. More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”
News of Neill’s death came just three months after the star announced he was cancer-free. (He had been diagnosed with stage III angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022.)
Doctors shared the update with Neill after he underwent a clinical trial in Australia, which involved CAR T-cell therapy, to treat his rare form of blood cancer.
He spoke out about his trials and tribulations in a 2023 interview, revealing he was determined to forge ahead and remain grateful for each and every day amid his ongoing health struggles.
“I can’t pretend that the last year hasn’t had its dark moments,” he told The Guardian at the time. “But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just pleased to be alive.”
He continued, while enjoying a beautiful day in New Zealand’s Central Otago, “I’m not afraid to die. But it would annoy me. Because I’d really like another decade or two, you know? We’ve built all these lovely terraces, we’ve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And I’ve got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big.”
Neill is survived by his four kids, sons Andrew and Tim, and daughters Maiko and Elena, and eight grandchildren. (Andrew was put up for adoption while the Tudors star was in his early 20s.)
“I didn’t see him for 25 years and then we went looking for each other,” Neill later revealed to The Times back in 2014. “These reunions are portrayed as sentimental and grisly, but there is nothing sentimental about it. No one sobs in anyone’s arms; it’s much more grown up.”
Late Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy’s accused killer, Michael Gledhill, has been committed to a treatment center after being deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial for murder.
Court documents obtained by Us Weekly following a placement recommendation hearing on Tuesday, July 14, confirmed that Gledhill was moved from his previous place of custody to a mental health facility. A progress hearing in his case will be held in Hollywood on October 14.
Us has reached out to Gledhill’s attorney for comment.
On June 23, Us reported that Gledhill, 44, was ruled to be incompetent to face a murder charge after undergoing a mental health evaluation. Judge Maria Cavalluzzi determined at the time that Gledhill did not understand the case brought against him and thus could not assist his attorneys in his defense, nor could he make responsible medical decisions for himself.
Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy’s suspected killer was reportedly seen on security footage after the alleged murder. After Handy was killed on Wednesday, June 3, at the age of 81, local California police identified Michael Gledhill as a suspect after he was seen on Ring footage outside the actor’s house, according to footage obtained […]
The judge’s June ruling stipulated that Gledhill would be involuntarily medicated for a period of one year to determine whether his condition can be improved through treatment. (Michael’s mother and Handy’s girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, previously told TMZ that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia but had stopped taking his medication.)
Michael was initially arrested and booked on one count of murder in June. He has not entered a plea.
Following Judge Cavalluzzi’s ruling, Michael’s defense attorneys, LA County Deputy Public Defenders Donna Tryfman and Robert Krauss, told Us on June 23, “The constitutional guarantee of due process demands that criminal cases proceed only when a defendant is competent to participate. The court’s finding that Michael Gledhill is presently incompetent to assist counsel in his criminal proceedings is not a determination of guilt or innocence. The court’s ruling means that treatment and restoration efforts will now take priority before the criminal case can move forward.”
“While the allegations in this matter remain extremely serious, the legal process must continue in a manner that is both just and consistent with constitutional protections,” the attorneys went on. “Nothing about the court’s finding regarding competency diminishes the seriousness of the loss or the pain experienced by those who knew and loved Mr. Handy.”
James Handy in “K-9” Universal Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
Police confirmed on June 3 that the Alias and Profiler star was found dead at age 81 at his Los Angeles home after allegedly being fatally stabbed by his girlfriend’s son, Michael.
“On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street. The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’ Upon their arrival, officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest,” an LAPD statement read. “The victim was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased.”
Handy was publicly confirmed as the victim by his longtime representative.
“With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,” his spokesperson told Us at the time.
An autopsy from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner, which was obtained by Us on July 14, clarified that Handy had been involved in a “verbal altercation” with Michael that turned physical.
“The subject dragged him to the side of the house,” the report read. “9-1-1 was called and paramedics responded to the scene, initiated life-saving efforts, and transported him to the hospital, where, despite these efforts, death was pronounced on the same date.”
Actor James Handy died at age 81 after being stabbed by his girlfriend’s son. “On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street,” Los Angeles police confirmed in a June 2026 statement. “The 911 caller stated, […]
The L.A. Medical Examiner touched on the fatal injuries that Handy sustained, noting that “it is possible [a] neck compression occurred prior to the infliction of the stab wound and may have incapacitated the decedent prior to the stabbing.” (His official cause of death was determined to be multiple traumatic injuries, including a stab wound to the torso and neck compression inflicted by another.)
Handy had a near 50-year career as a character actor in Hollywood, with memorable roles in the hit films Jumanji, Unbreakable and K-9. His notable TV credits included appearances on Matlock, Melrose Place, NCIS: Los Angeles and Criminal Minds.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
For all the attention The Lord of the Rings continues to receive, it’s easy to forget that none of it would exist without The Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins’ adventure laid the foundation for Middle-earth decades before Frodo ever set foot outside the Shire, but despite its importance, Tolkien’s original fantasy novel rarely gets the spotlight to itself.
Peter Jackson adapted the story into a blockbuster trilogy, and is even producing several new projects, including the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Outside those movies, The Hobbit has largely shared the stage with its more famous successor. Most Middle-earth games, collectibles, and tabletop releases have centered on the War of the Ring, leaving Bilbo’s “there and back again” journey surprisingly underserved by comparison. That’s finally about to change.
‘The Hobbit’ Becomes Its Own ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Adventure This August
Wizards of the Coast has officially unveiled Magic: The Gathering – The Hobbit, a standalone Standard-legal expansion arriving worldwide on August 14. Following the success of 2023’s The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, the new Universes Beyond release shifts its attention entirely to Bilbo Baggins’ legendary “there and back again” journey. Rather than revisiting the events of The Lord of the Rings, the expansion faithfully recreates the complete story of The Hobbit through Magic cards, featuring Bilbo, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, Smaug, Elrond, and the rest of Thorin’s Company alongside iconic locations, memorable encounters, and scenes drawn directly from Tolkien’s novel.
Collectors will have no shortage of treasures to chase. Wizards is introducing Dragon Hoard showcase cards inspired by Erebor’s legendary riches, while Collector Boosters include exclusive Surge Foils, Dwarvish-language cards, and the set’s headline collectible: the ultra-rare Gleaming Gold Smaug the Magnificent. Full-art basic lands follow Bilbo’s expedition across Middle-earth, while seasonal Shire Plains depicting spring, summer, autumn, and winter will be available through select products including Prerelease Packs, Bundles, and Gift Bundles. Beyond booster packs, the release also includes a variety of themed products. Two collectible Scene Boxes, Crack the Plates and Treasures of Smaug, each contain six mechanically unique foil cards that combine to recreate memorable moments from Bilbo’s adventure. Wizards is also offering Draft Night boxes designed for four-player draft experiences, alongside Bundles, Gift Bundles, and Collector Boosters.
More than eight decades after Bilbo first stepped out of Bag End, Magic: The Gathering – The Hobbit is giving fans another chance to go “there and back again” when the expansion arrives on August 14. Between faithful adaptations of Tolkien’s story, premium collector treatments, and some of the most striking Middle-earth artwork ever produced for the game, it looks poised to become another standout chapter in Magic’s growing partnership with one of fantasy’s greatest worlds.
By Jennifer Asencio
| Updated
It is another sad day for those who follow the entertainment industry: prolific and beloved actor Sam Neill died on July 13th, 2026. He was 79.
The actor was born in 1946 in Omagh, Country Tyrone, Northern Ireland. His mother is English, and his father is from New Zealand and was in the military in that country; this tie would bring Neill fame in the Land of the Kiwi as his acting career took off. He graduated from New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington in 1970 with a degree in English Literature, after also studying at the University of Canterbury in the UK.
Sam Neill’s Life And Legacy
Neill has been in many iconic roles, with perhaps the most famous being Alan Grant of the Jurassic Park franchise. Alan Grant only appeared in three of the movies, but his starring role in the first film was so legendary that, in the wake of his passing, a popular social media meme has asked users to name their favorite role of his besides Jurassic Park. Alan Grant has also been spoofed in other movies, TV shows, and commercials, including one that starred Neill himself.
But Neill has had a lot of other very famous roles that shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Jurassic Park franchise. He got his start in New Zealand and Australia, starring on television and in movies. Then, 1989’s Dead Calm, co-starring Australian star Nicole Kidman and the versatile Billy Zane, brought all three to the attention of American audiences. Neill’s turn the following year in the film adaptation of the popular Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October saw him playing tragic Russian defector and submariner Captain Borodin, and cemented his status in American film. Jurassic Park merely elevated that talent and energy to leading man status.
Neill also made a name for himself in many horror movies in popular franchises and subgenres. He played an adult Damien in the Omen franchise. He led the H.P. Lovecraft-inspired movie In the Mouth of Madness, in which he works for a publishing company and is in pursuit of a popular novelist. His character begins to question his reality as his sanity collapses around him. The stand-alone movie Event Horizon, where his character accompanies a rescue ship after it spent years trapped in a horrific other dimension, also delved into the realms of cosmic horror.
Neill was also noted for Bicentennial Man (1999), the TV miniseries Merlin and Merlin’s Apprentice, prestige shows The Tudors and Peaky Blinders, and even an appearance in Thor: Ragnarok. Tragically, he had three films coming up, only two of which may see the big screen, as Freedom Flight has not yet begun filming. His other two projects were a rom-com called The Last Resort, alongside Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich; and the monster sequel Godzilla vs. Kong: Supernova. Both of these have finished filming, but aren’t due out until at least 2027.
Gone But Not Forgotten
In 2022, Neill was diagnosed with a blood disorder known as angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), which was unfortunately a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After traditional chemotherapy failed, he underwent an experimental treatment CAR T-cell therapy trial, which put the disease into complete remission. His death was sudden and unexpected; his family has yet to announce the cause of his death, though they said that he had remained cancer-free at the time of his death. The actor had announced his recovery himself earlier this year.
Movies and the entertainment industry will miss the legendary icon, Sam Neill. He carried himself with humility and respect for directors, peers, and fans. Co-stars Laura Dern and Nicole Kidman had nothing but kind words for their male co-star, calling him a noble gentleman. He was considered kind, funny, charming, and intelligent. His memory will endure so long as his movies continue to be respected and beloved by fans. With two more performances to look forward to, there are still chances to see Neill on screen, but it will be bittersweet knowing it will be the last time.
Legendary rapper Ice-T has been married to his wife, Coco Austin, for 24 years after meeting in 2001. Since then, the couple has been very public about their marriage, including a recent appearance in which he shared the secret to their longstanding union while promoting his new show, “Nation’s Dumbest.” This comes after the “Law & Order: SVU” star recently provided an update about his status with the show.
Ice-T’s new Fox competition series, “Nation’s Dumbest,” co-stars Jon Heder and is hosted by Jack Whitehall. While promoting the show at a recent event, the rapper spoke to Fox News Digital and was asked about what it has taken to maintain his marriage to Austin.
After considering the question, the “Law & Order” star said, “I think in a relationship, I think you just have to do what got you guys started. You know, when you first started dating, you can’t get rid of date night.”
Regarding his advice for other couples, he shared, “Life comes in, drama, stress, but you got to return to that moment as much as you can. And then talk a lot. You know? Never let a problem fester. If there’s a problem, let’s get it out. Let’s talk about it quick. Don’t let it sit.”
Ice-T Says People In Marriage And Relationships Need To Expand
The interview continued with Ice-T highlighting that his costar, Heder, has been married for about the same amount of time as he has. For context, Heder and his wife, Kirsten Bates, tied the knot in 2002. He chimed in about Ice-T’s marriage to Coco, saying, “But I think the secret for you is also expanding.”
From there, the “Colors” rapper agreed, saying, “Yeah, expand. I expand. If I don’t expand right, you know, women need expansion.”
The Rapper Turned Actor Previously Opened Up About His Marriage
Ice-T met Austin in late 2001 while on the set of a music video. After that, the two wasted no time furthering their relationship and married the following January in Las Vegas. They then renewed their vows in 2009 and had their daughter, his second, in November 2015.
Regarding their marriage, Ice-T spoke to E! News in March 2023 and was asked about the secret to his love life with the model. He responded, “Getting married is like casting for a movie — you gotta pick somebody who’s ready for all the scenes.”
The “Law & Order” actor continued, “Now, the thing of it is there’s gonna be fun scenes, there’s gonna be sad scenes, there’s gonna be tough scenes, there’s gonna be fight scenes, there’s gonna be a lot of different scenes. And a lot of people don’t sign up for the whole movie, they just sign up for the good part, ya know?”
He continued discussing the dynamics of married life, stating, “There’s gonna be parts where your girl is going through it. Maybe she lost a family member, and she needs a shoulder to lean on. There’s gonna be moments you down, and you need that woman to say, ‘C’mon, baby, it’s gonna be alright.’”
From there, Ice-T shared another reason his marriage to Austin works so well: they’re similar. According to him, “When she met me … she met me in a red snakeskin suit. When I talk my Ice T s—, she’s like ‘Yeah, ooh!’ That tickles her.”
‘Nation’s Dumbest’ Premiered In July
Per Deadline, Fox officially announced its new celebrity competition series, “Nation’s Dumbest,” in July 2025. The series features a crop of household names heading to summer school to compete in various challenges. This includes tests of their knowledge, physical ability, etc, all leading to one person being crowned The Nation’s Dumbest.
In addition to Ice-T and Heder, the show features the likes of Hilaria Baldwin, Carmen Electra, Anthony Michael Hall, J, Chase Hudson, Elle King, Matt Leinart, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Steve-O, JoJo Siwa, and Andrew Yang.
The series premiered on July 15.
Ice-T Recently Opened Up About ‘Law & Order’
Ice-T has been a staple on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since its second season in 2000. However, his role on the show was recently reduced. However, the actor spoke to TMZ in July 2026, revealing that he will be full-time for the upcoming season.
He shared, “Last year, what happened was they brought Kelli Giddish back. So they told me, basically, we’re going to bring Kelli Giddish back [and] we’re going to bring down your scenes a little bit.” Regarding the update, Ice-T explained, “This next season, I’m gonna be in every episode.”
There’s a difference between a regular heist film and a true crime caper. Whereas a heist film is often more serious and focused on upping the stakes every chance it gets, a caper is a crime movie that is more laid-back, lighthearted, and even comedic. The people stealing things in a heist movie are absolute pros, while the criminals in a caper are just having fun alongside the audience.
The crime caper is a genre that has delivered several great movies over the years, from dramatic thrillers like the Argentinian Nine Queens to full-on comedies like Paper Moon. When done right, caper movies can be some of the most charming crime films imaginable, perfectly blending meticulous plotting, satisfying twists, and an irresistible sense of humor.
10
‘Snatch’ (2000)
Guy Ritchie is practically the king of the modern British crime caper, and it all started from the moment he made his feature directing debut. But as great as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is, there’s simply no beating the legendary Snatch. It’s one of the most universally beloved Jason Statham movies ever, also starring a staggering number of other immensely charismatic actors.
Snatch only runs for a little over an hour and a half, but its masterfully intertwined web of storylines runs at such an exquisitely fast pace that it feels even shorter. With its quotable dialogue, razor-sharp dark humor that never gets old, and vast ensemble of endearing characters, it’s also the sort of caper that only gets better with every subsequent rewatch.
9
‘The Italian Job’ (1969)
Yet another legendary British crime caper, Peter Collinson‘s The Italian Job stars Michael Caine in one of the most underrated crime movies of the 1960s. Though critics loved it, it underperformed at the box office upon release, causing it to end on a literal cliffhanger without ever getting the sequel it so deserved. But even then, it’s a masterpiece that all those who enjoy crime capers should consider essential viewing.
The film doesn’t take itself seriously for so much as a single second, making it the perfect option for those looking for a fun caper to breeze through on a weekend night. Brilliantly satirical and funny, delightfully stylish, quintessentially British, and featuring one of the greatest car chase sequences ever filmed, The Italian Job is a landmark of the genre that often doesn’t get the love it deserves.
8
‘A Fish Called Wanda’ (1988)
Starring and written by Monty Python’s John Cleese, Charles Crichton‘s A Fish Called Wanda is one of the funniest movies of not just the ’80s, but arguably of all time. Perfectly crafted and sharply hilarious in equal measure, it’s undoubtedly one of the best 1988 movie classics, an absolute masterclass in how to make a genre-bending caper that never needs to take itself seriously at all.
A Fish Called Wanda‘s sense of humor is absolutely ridiculous, and that’s precisely what makes it such a magical cinematic experience. It’s one of the most perfect screwball comedies of the modern era, filled with some of the most intricately constructed gags in the history of comedy cinema. It’s frantic, eccentric, and exceptionally performed all across the board, and the cast is top-notch, particularly as Oscar-winning Kevin Kline.
7
‘The Lavender Hill Mob’ (1951)
Directed by Charles Crichton, the ’50s classic The Lavender Hill Mob provides even more proof that no one does crime capers quite like the British. Starring Alec Guinness and featuring one of Audrey Hepburn‘s earliest roles, it’s one of the 45 movies recommended by the Vatican in 1995—but just about anyone who loves crime films, regardless of what religion they profess (if any), should watch this paragon of the British caper genre.
The Lavender Hill Mob essentially laid down the DNA for the British caper, and over 70 years after its release, it has only gotten better as it has aged. Though gritty, it’s also delightfully laid-back, cleverly subverting everything that the crime and heist genres had come to represent up to that point. It breathed new life into the heist film by proving just how well the modern caper formula could work.
6
‘Nine Queens’ (2000)
Though the world of English-language capers should contain more than enough gems for any one fan of the genre to satisfy their cravings, looking over at Latin America is bound to reveal quite a few underappreciated masterpieces. Case in point: Fabián Bielinsky‘s modern thriller classic Nine Queens, one of the best heist thriller movies of all time.
Whereas many capers are so comedy-oriented that they don’t need to spend too much attention on building a complex, overly elaborate plan for the characters to execute, this staple of Argentinian cinema is one big psychological puzzle where nothing is what it seems. Intense though it may be, however, Nine Queens never forgets to relax and have some lighthearted fun with the material, leading to one of the most satisfying final twists of 2000s cinema.
5
‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (2001)
The Rat Pack was a group of singers that originated in the late ’40s and went on to make some films together. 1960’s Ocean’s Eleven is perhaps their most iconic, but that’s only because Steven Soderbergh improved upon it tenfold when he made his 2001 remake. It’s the first installment of a trilogy, and calling it one of the best thriller movies of 2001 would be the understatement of the century.
The film has a cast that oozes charisma and chemistry, Soderbergh’s effortlessly cool directing style, and a meticulously constructed plot.
The film immediately became the blueprint for how to make a star-studded, big-budget studio comedy caper in the 21st century—and since then, it has remained the gold standard of the genre’s modern form. With a cast that oozes charisma and chemistry, Soderbergh’s effortlessly cool directing style, and a meticulously constructed plot that never lets up, Ocean’s Eleven is the caper that everyone who thinks they don’t like capers should watch at least once.
4
‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992)
Before he became one of the most acclaimed and widely celebrated filmmakers in the modern history of Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino was a debuting feature filmmaker. The thing is that from the moment Reservoir Dogs splashed into the scene, critics and audiences alike knew that they were in the presence of someone special. Decades have passed, and some still point to this one as their favorite Tarantino movie.
Who can blame them? After all, Tarantino came up with a premise that’s nothing short of brilliant: a witty deconstruction of the caper genre that skips over the heist sequence altogether. Instead, all you see here is a casual chat right before the crime and the bloody, chaotic, twist-filled aftermath. Leading all the way to one of the best climaxes of any heist movie, Reservoir Dogs remains one of the most intense and energetic capers the genre has ever seen.
3
‘The Sting’ (1973)
The fact that the weakest gangster movie that’s won the Best Picture Oscar is still one of the greatest crime movies of the ’70s speaks volumes about the genre’s quality. It was the second and final collaboration between Paul Newman and Robert Redford, one of the most iconic actor duos in film history, and the way their chemistry elevates the timeless energy of this caper masterpiece is remarkable.
But aside from having two stars who provide an acting masterclass over the course of two delightful hours, this George Roy Hill gem is one of the crown jewels of the caper genre. In its complex, vibrant construction of a riveting long con, The Sting makes the viewer feel like they’re in on the action, but eventually surprises them with one of the biggest gotcha climaxes in the history of crime caper films.
2
‘Paper Moon’ (1973)
Paper Moon is no traditional crime caper in any way imaginable, and that uniqueness is the source of all of its timeless charm and magic. Whereas most capers tend to be about an ensemble of characters working to pull off a grand, layered heist, this Peter Bogdanovich masterpiece is more so about a road trip and the bond between a grifter and an orphaned girl that it causes to blossom.
That twist on the formula, mixed with the undeniable chemistry shared between real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal, makes for a film that’s just as much of a caper as it is a sweet character study. The caper elements here come from small-time grifting and petty crimes, allowing the audience to focus on the irresistibly moving bond between these two deeply compelling characters.
1
‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975)
Whether Sidney Lumet‘s Dog Day Afternoon is or isn’t a caper is very much open to debate, but that brilliant tonal ambiguity is a big part of why it’s not open to debate that it’s one of the greatest films of the New Hollywood movement. Whereas most serious heist films are about cool characters pulling off a complicated but ultimately smooth crime, this biopic is all about a heist gone comically wrong.
Dog Day Afternoon starts with the sort of amateur criminal chaos that would automatically make it an undeniable caper; but as soon as the police surround the bank, Lumet shifts gears into a psychologically intense, utterly claustrophobic crime drama. It’s one of the best single-location thrillers ever, brilliantly satirizing ’70s counterculture and the American media. Though this ’70s masterpiece is overwhelmingly suspenseful far more often than it is lighthearted or comedic, that only goes to show that the caper genre has many facets.
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Hannah Waddingham is definitely booked and busy. After hopping around the U.K., making appearances at F1’s British Grand Prix and multiple Wimbledon matches, the 51-year-0ld actress stepped out in New York City, ready to promote her new Prime show, Ride or Die. That schedule alone is enough to make Us sweat, but even in the humid summer weather, Waddingham looked cool, calm and collected, and part of that had to do with her not-so-simple sleeveless top style.
At a time when the Internet is buzzing with ‘heatwave outfit’ ideas and warm-weather styling hacks, the Ted Lasso star has it handled. She provided more than enough inspiration during her segment on Good Morning America, rocking a black tank with a dainty lace trim, a form-fitting printed skirt and pointy white heels. Although her timeless accessories (like that classic, quilted red bag) begged for our attention, Waddingham’s top remained our main focus. It’s chic, lightweight and perfect for scorching days, which is why we’re grabbing an Amazon lookalike, ASAP.
Get the Vavonne Camisole for $15 (was $17) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Waddingham’s pick is a $565 design from Gwyneth Paltrow‘s brand Gwyn (which has also been spotted on the Taylor Swift), but the Vavonne Camisole gets you a similar vibe for a lot less — just $15, to be exact! Although the Amazon alternative doesn’t include the extra material cascading down the side, it does have luxe-like lace detailing along the straps and neckline, giving it a little extra flair without the fuss. The find is also 100% cotton, so you won’t have to worry about it trapping heat.
Sometimes the most unexpected pairings make the coolest outfits, and Charlize Theron just proved it with her top and skirt combination. The Odyssey star was spotted returning to her hotel during Paris Fashion Week wearing a drapey, black lace blouse and a maxi denim skirt. The two pieces looked like they belonged to different occasions, but together, […]
A lace tank is the ultimate style solution for unbearably hot days, adding a little something extra to your outfit while still keeping you cool. You can dress the piece up with a printed skirt and heels, as Waddingham did, or use it to boost those basic white shorts you wear way too often. The thing about this style is that it’s both a staple and a statement piece, so it’ll tone down bold bottoms while elevating simpler options.
With multiple color options and iterations to choose from, and sizes ranging from small to 3X, the Vavonne tank has garnered plenty of positive reviews from all kinds of reviewers.
“So very comfortable,” one shopper wrote. “It’s so hard to find 100% cotton anything. I bought three of these, and they really fit well.”
Another person called the pick an “all-year top,” claiming it works just as well in the winter as it does in the heat.
“Love these,” they said. “They are perfect for hanging around the house during long hot Florida summers, or layered under a pretty sweater or blazer in the winter. I love mine. Got the basic colors to go with everything.”
Waddingham may be on a press tour, but her breathable summer outfit is one anyone can copy, especially after scooping up this chic, easy tank style. Grab the under-$20 pick now and keep looking cute as temperatures climb!
Get the Vavonne Camisole for $15 (was $17) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more lace-trim tank tops here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Kate Hudson knows how to make date night look effortless. The actress recently stepped out with her signature golden glow, this time in a delicate light pink camisole trimmed with lace. The look was equal parts romantic and just a touch sexy, the kind of styling Hudson has been perfecting since her Almost Famous days. […]
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Netflix’s hit reality show “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On” brought its latest season to Las Vegas, turning luxury apartment community Ariva into a temporary reality TV hub.
From customized cast residences to resort-style amenities used throughout filming, Ariva reveals what went on behind the scenes of hosting the two-month production and how the Las Vegas property became the perfect backdrop for the hit series.
Jessie Boskamp, Duty Manager of Ariva Luxury Residences — the premier resort-style apartment community in Southwest Las Vegas and the Official Luxury Apartments of the Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Aces — sat down exclusively with The Blast to discuss what it was like filming the reality show on the property.
The new season of “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On” on Netflix premieres on Wednesday, July 15. For residents of Ariva Luxury Residences in Southwest Las Vegas, there’s an elevated level of excitement to watch this season. For two months last year, the complex became the backdrop for the new season of the hit reality series.
“The production team first reached out to us around January 2025 while they were scouting locations in Las Vegas. After several site tours, they quickly saw that Ariva offered exactly what they were looking for,” Jessie Boskamp, Duty Manager of Ariva Luxury Residences told The Blast exclusively. “They toured our furnished residences and amenity spaces, met with our team to discuss logistics, and ultimately presented Ariva to their production team as the ideal location.”
From that point on, Ariva worked closely with production to prepare for filming. From mid-March to mid-May of 2025, the cast and production team were onsite “making Ariva their home throughout the filming process.”
What It Was Like Working With The Production Team During Filming At Ariva
When the season premieres on Wednesday, residents will get to see their home on the TV screen, and fans of the show will get to experience what it’s like living at Ariva.
“Viewers will see many different areas throughout Ariva. Nearly all of our amenity spaces were utilized, including our pools, fitness areas, lounges, and outdoor gathering spaces,” Boskamp said. “The cast also lived in our fully furnished, serviced residences, so those apartments became a major part of the filming as well.”
For the staff at Ariva, the experience was something they called “incredible.” They said the production team was “extremely professional, organized, and respectful of both our staff and our residents.”
“Film production moves at an incredibly fast pace, and it was impressive to watch everything come together,” Boskamp shared. “Communication was excellent throughout the entire process, and everyone we worked with was genuinely kind and collaborative.”
What Made Ariva The Right Fit For The Reality Show?
Many might wonder what it was about Ariva that fit the vibe the reality show was seeking. One step on property, and you might already know why Ariva was a “natural fit for the show.”
“Ariva offered everything production needed in one location,” Boskamp said. “Our spacious community allowed cast members to be spread throughout the property while still remaining close together. The wide variety of resort-style amenities also provided numerous filming locations and beautiful backdrops, giving the production team flexibility without ever needing to leave the property. Combined with our luxury furnished residences, Ariva was a natural fit for the show.”
Ahead of filming, the complex hosted “multiple planning and walkthrough meetings with the production team to determine which residences would work best for each cast member” as well as what spots on property would be best for filming.
“Each of the six primary cast apartments were thoughtfully designed with its own unique theme, color palette, furnishings, and decor to reflect different personalities and create distinct spaces on screen,” Boskamp said. “It was fascinating to watch that creative process unfold.”
More About Ariva Luxury Residences And Ariva Serviced Residences In Las Vegas
Ariva Serviced Residences are located within Ariva Luxury Residences. The Serviced Residences are fully furnished apartments designed for short term stays longer than 31 days. Each apartment offers a fully stocked kitchen with cookware, drinkware, and more, and has a washer and dryer, smart TVs, Frette linens, Matouk terry and Grown Alchemist bath products.
Residents who call Ariva home long term are part of Ariva Luxury Residences, which are not fully furnished, but have the same great appliances and features the Serviced Residences have.
Amenities on property include three pools, a hot tub, a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, business center, two lounges, basketball and volleyball courts, pet-friendly amenities, and Nourish, Ariva’s residents-only food truck, the first amenity of its kind at a Las Vegas apartment community.
Season 4 Of ‘The Ultimatum’ Premieres Wednesday, July 15
What happens in Vegas won’t likely stay in Vegas during this new season of the hit reality show hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey.
Six couples — Hayley and Blake, Ashley and Killian, Casey and David, Monica and Luke, Jessica Grace and Edris, and Alex and Jebin — must decide if they will move on from each other or get married in the new season of “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.”
Find out more about season 4 on the website. To learn more about Ariva Luxury Residences and Ariva Serviced Residences, visit the website. Season 4 premieres tonight, Wednesday, July 15.
Playing scary video games can be a great way to enjoy a quiet night in. Now, not all of these titles are going to please everyone. There’s hardcore horror mixed with psychological suspense and supernatural scares, there are “retro” titles folded in with more modern, visually striking games, and there are franchise titles you expected alongside other games you may never have heard of.
Whether you’re looking for survival horror or a psychological experience, there’s something here for every type of horror fan. In other words, it’s a curated list of some of the best scary video games around, but not necessarily an end-all, be-all. And if you’ve got one we haven’t played, we’d love to hear about it!
17
‘Darkwood’ (2017)
Most of the entries on this list are 3D games, which is common since that is the most immersive, but Darkwood manages to be this scary using a top-down 2D perspective. Trapped in a mysterious, mutating forest somewhere in the Soviet Bloc, players are a nameless survivor in desperate need of escape. In order to survive, gamers must scavenge for resources, craft weapons, and explore the suffocating landscape during the day.
Darkwood is one of the most unique horror video games on this list, proving that it doesn’t need to be a traditional 3D experience to be absolutely terrifying. The top-down 2D perspective reaches its sense of dread by restricting vision to a cone, with threats outside the peripheral sight-line. Not to mention, Darkwood has a grotesque visual style and immersive sound design that really puts the player into the middle of fright. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
16
‘Limbo’ (2010)
A tightly constructed piece of video game storytelling, with a wide and hazy sense of atmosphere, Limbo is designed to discomfort you, and achieves its goal from moment one. You play a small child in a horrifying world, trying to find his sister while traversing a series of gruesome-death-instilling platforming puzzles. Feeling like an Eraserhead take on an over-industrialized nightmare, this world exists in a surreal ether realm, with shadowy black-and-white monsters lurking on the margins of this dreamlike plane of existence.
So much of Limbo feels, in direct correlation to its title, unanswered. Where are we? Who are we? Why are we trying to find our sister? Who are these creatures? Are we as good a savior, as morally pure a hero as we think we are? All of these lurking questions sit and simmer, and that cut to black at the end punches it all without fail. —Gregory Lawrence
15
‘Fatal Frame’ (2001)
For Westerners, Fatal Frame may not be the first title you think of when it comes to scary games, but thanks to the franchise’s focus on Japanese horror, it’s one of the best. It’s also one of the most unique of the bunch. Other games feature player protagonists who aren’t superheroes out to battle supernatural enemies; they’re just normal people trying to survive. But at least those everyday heroes are equipped with melee weapons, guns, or other items to combat the forces of darkness. In Fatal Frame, your only defense is a camera.
The original game sees you take control of Miku Hinasaki, who goes in search of her missing brother Mafuyu, who had in turn gone looking for a famous novelist in an infamously haunted mansion. (There’s quite the recurring theme in these survival games, isn’t there?) The only way the siblings can defeat the ghosts that haunt the building — and get to the bottom of a dark, ritualistic event that took place there — is by using the Camera Obscura, an antique camera that acts like an analog “ghost-buster.” This shift to first-person “shooter” here is your only weapon in the game, one that can be upgraded by scoring enough points when you defeat ghosts by taking their picture. The closer the spirit, the higher the points, but also the higher the risk of taking significant damage. It’s a clever mechanic that forces the player to confront the very ghosts that are hunting them with only a shutter, flash, and lens. But it’s the exploration of some really disturbing themes and Japanese horror stories that makes the original title in the franchise a standout. – Dave Trumbore
14
‘Outlast’ (2013)
Horror games have found a second home on YouTube, as people enjoy watching their favorite content creators suffer, and one of the most popular games is Outlast. The player is a journalist who breaks into a remote asylum to learn of its mysteries. However, players learn that it is overrun by deranged mutants, and now, they need to escape the haunting location as everything inside tries to kill them.
Outlast popularized a specific, grueling brand of modern horror by forcing total vulnerability, and with no ability to fight back, running is the only option. This game will make the player feel helpless, transforming the gameplay into a relentless chase of nonstop terror. Outlast is a horror classic and one of the scariest modern video games. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
13
‘The Evil Within’ (2014)
Image Via Bethesda Softworks
A survival horror game by the original creator of Resident Evil, The Evil Within is an extremely brutal experience that gives you almost no moments of reprieve. Everything is terrifying 100% of the time, and you rarely have enough bullets to feel anywhere close to safe.
You play as a police detective trapped inside the mind of a killer, traveling through twisted environments and fighting horrendous enemies, all based on the killer’s memories and emotions. In classic RE fashion, you don’t have the ability to defeat every single enemy, so you have to pick your battles carefully and get used to holding down that sprint button. The imaginative level design and the upgrade system are rewarding gameplay loops, but nothing holds a candle to the game’s terrifying boss fights. These are frantic confrontations with genuinely frightening monsters, and each victory you manage to eke out feels extremely narrow. The story is a little heavy on gibberish and ultimately doesn’t make a ton of sense, but The Evil Within is such a fun spookfest that you won’t really mind too much. —Tom Reimann
12
‘Eternal Darkness’ (2002)
We’ve talked a lot about survival horror and psychological torment in this list of scary games, but we’ve yet to address one of the smartest twists in the genre: A sanity meter. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is largely cited as the first game to add such a mechanic, especially in the West, though earlier Japanese releases, Laplace no Ma and Clock Tower, did this first. It’s also listed among the best GameCube games, but is often lost in the conversation among the more globally recognizable franchises. But for our money — and our nerves — it’s still one of the best when it comes to getting under your skin. So good, in fact, that Nintendo patented the standout “Sanity Effects” mechanic.
Eternal Darkness can deliver a slightly different gameplay experience every time you pick it up. The hardcore gamers out there will take the “red” path, while completionists will have to tackle all three paths if they want to play any one path twice. The game gives you a level or so to warm up and get used to the combat style, but once you hit chapter two, keep an eye on your sanity; it’ll drop whenever an enemy spots you, and things will get increasingly horrifying from there on out. Those effects range from slight visual changes like a tilted camera angle or environmental effects to full-on mind-blowing fourth-wall-breaking moments that’ll have the player questioning whether or not their game is actually malfunctioning. It’s brilliant stuff, and it paved the way for many other games that came after it. —Dave Trumbore
11
‘Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly’ (2003)
The first game had already made an appearance on this list, but Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is even scarier, placing it above the first. Twin sisters Mio and Mayu Amakura are wandering through the woods when Mayu chases a mysterious crimson butterfly. Thus, he enters Minakami Village, which has a twisted tradition, with the sisters using their camera to exorcise the dead and escape.
It may be an old game, but the dated graphics add to the frightening atmosphere. Most players want to be as far away from the danger as possible in a horror game, but Fatal Frame II forces the player to get up close. This incredible game design decision made the horror experience much more intimate, scary, uncomfortable, and panic-inducing. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
10
‘The Last of Us’ (2013)
The Last of Us comes at you from all angles. The combat sequences, in which your playable character Joel hides, stalks, and does his best to reckon with the corrupted, vilely designed zombies (not to mention the corrupted, vilely temperamented humans dealing poorly with this post-apocalyptic warzone), can truly take your breath away. They are visceral, physical, immersive pieces of game design that raise the stakes, alongside your heart rate, with ruthless, borderline cruel efficiency.
And then, psychologically, The Last of Us hits you harder than twelve Bloaters in a row. Its cold open? Emotionally devastating. Its moments of mercy and comfort, including that beautiful giraffe? Only momentarily relieving, the inevitable calm for the doubly devastating storm. Its central relationship, between Joel and Ellie? It’s one of the best duos in all of video game history. It’s rich and complicated and both the only life raft both characters have and predicated on all kinds of unhealthy coping mechanisms. The scariest part of The Last of Us might be the unending, relentless, borderline cruelly efficient sprint toward fate, toward realizing you don’t have control after all. A frightful game no matter how you slice it (with a great TV show based on the game to match). —Gregory Lawrence
9
‘SOMA’ (2015)
Frictional Games is an incredible gaming studio with multiple classics, such as SOMA. After suffering a severe injury in a car crash, Simon Jarrett agrees to an experimental brain scan, but wakes up a hundred years later in an underwater facility. Only he and biomechanical monstrosities are left, with him needing to descend deeper to find a digital utopia.
The biomechanical monsters are terrifying, and their tragic concept only adds to the overall sense of gloom. However, the true scariness of SOMA comes from the suffocating sense of dread through the narrative and philosophical themes. The more realizations that the player experiences, the more psychological terror takes over them, building into a heavy weight of darkness when the credits roll, proving it is a video game with no flaws. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
8
‘Alien: Isolation’ (2014)
Alien: Isolation is a survival horror game that casts you as the daughter of Ellen Ripley, making her way through a chaotic space station in search of answers about what happened to her mother. The station has been split up between factions of humans, so you’ll have to deal with Mad Max-style scavengers and crazed androids while trying to make as little noise as possible to avoid attracting the alien. When the alien shows up, you can try hiding in lockers and beneath tables and such, but be warned: The alien is a psychic and will find you before too long regardless of how quiet you’re being.
The tension and atmosphere are pitch-perfect for fans of the 1979 Ridley Scott film (it even features DLC where you can play as the crew of the Nostromo in a mini-mission). It’s a little too long for its premise to sustain, but when it’s at its best, Alien: Isolation is a satisfyingly scary experience that will make even the toughest players panic. —Tom Reimann
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