Entertainment
10 Single-Location Thrillers That Are Gripping From Start to Finish, Ranked
The wonderful, magical thing about the thriller genre is that, on paper, you need very few elements to make it work. As long as your sense of suspense and tension is strong enough, you could potentially make the whole thing take place in a single location—and, indeed, many filmmakers have taken a stab at such an ambitious concept throughout history.
Sometimes, these filmmakers aren’t successful, but when they are, the result can be one of the greatest thrillers of all time. From David Fincher‘s Panic Room to Alfred Hitchcock‘s numerous single-location thrillers, these are films that show that the claustrophobia generated by a single-location film can actually work in a thriller’s favor when the director knows what they’re doing.
‘Phone Booth’ (2002)
Impeccably directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Colin Farrell at his very best, Phone Booth is one of those forgotten thrillers that have aged like fine wine. Rapidly paced and wise enough to only run for 80 adrenaline-fueled minutes, the film takes the concept of a man being held hostage inside a phone booth by a sniper and turns it into a surprisingly dense and nail-bitingly compelling thriller.
The film’s exploration of morality, voyeurism, and media manipulation at the turn of the century has aged surprisingly well, so Phone Booth is still every bit as exciting today as it was back in 2002. Schumacher’s masterful sense of tension is—at the risk of overusing the term—brilliantly Hitchcockian, delivering a true roller coaster ride of a movie that doesn’t let up until the credits roll.
‘Buried’ (2010)
Much in the same vein as Phone Booth, Buried is another single-location thriller set within the particularly claustrophobic confines of a rectangular object. In this case, it’s a wooden coffin, where a truck driver finds himself trapped. Being buried alive is a notoriously common phobia, making Buried all the more of a universally horrifying psychological thriller.
Rodrigo Cortés‘ awfully claustrophobic movie stars Ryan Reynolds in one of his best-ever performances, as he helps transform what might have otherwise been nothing more than a cheap gimmick into a truly gripping premise. There’s nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking about the story, but the way Cortés executes it results in a genuinely nightmarish, twist-filled injection of pure adrenaline.
‘Coherence’ (2013)
The science fiction psychological thriller Coherence, James Ward Byrkit‘s directorial debut, is a real mind-bender from beginning to end. It’s the type of sci-fi film you need to be a genius to fully understand, heavily inspired by the tone of The Twilight Zone. It’s low-budget genre filmmaking at its best, irrefutable proof that you don’t need much to make a sci-fi film work.
Set in a house during a group of friends’ dinner party, Coherence maximizes its low budget by relying on the intelligence and intensity of its screenplay, the quality of its performances, and the uniqueness of its setting. Those not used to mind-bending sci-fi will perhaps find it a little too confusing, but fans who love it when sci-fi films make them think ought to check out Coherence at least once in their lives.
‘Panic Room’ (2002)
When people rank David Fincher’s filmography, Panic Room is usually seen near the bottom of such lists, which automatically makes it one of the most criminally underappreciated thrillers of modern times. Elevated by Jodie Foster‘s powerhouse performance and her tremendous chemistry with Kristen Stewart, it’s one of the most Hitchcockian movies that Fincher has ever made.
When someone like Roger Ebert calls a film one of the most suspenseful ever made, you know that film means business. Indeed, Panic Room is inventively shot and written in such a taut manner that it feels impossible to look away from the screen at any point. It may be a little too mainstream and bare-bones for those who prefer more ornate and elaborate thrillers, but isn’t simplicity the whole point of a single-location thriller? As far as simplicity in thrillers goes, it’s rarely more effectively used than by Fincher in Panic Room.
’10 Cloverfield Lane’ (2016)
Matt Reeves‘ found footage monster film Cloverfield instantly proved itself as one of the most creative sci-fi movies of the 2000s upon its release in 2008. Eight years later, we got a sequel: 10 Cloverfield Lane, a movie so different from the original that it’s more of a spiritual successor than a direct sequel, really. At no point and in no way is that an issue, since 10 Cloverfield Lane would have set itself apart as a delectably unique sci-fi thriller, anyway.
Led by John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr.‘s tour-de-force performances, this film makes a bunker seem like the scariest place on the planet in just a little over an hour and a half. Largely reliant on Goodman’s effectively terrifying performance, 10 Cloverfield Lane is one of the best sci-fi thrillers of all time, a smart and tension-filled gem with a flawless character-driven heart.
‘The Guilty’ (2018)
Not to be confused with its considerably inferior 2021 Hollywood remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal, the Danish crime thriller The Guilty is one of the greatest Scandinavian films of the last decade. It was Gustav Möller’s immensely impressive directorial debut, following a distressed Copenhagen police officer with a pending court hearing, who handles a difficult case over the phone within the confines of an emergency call center.
The Guilty is nothing short of one of the tensest thrillers of the last 10 years, whose real-time narrative is remarkably well-paced and flawlessly performed by Jakob Cedergren. It’s a high-concept thriller that knows exactly how to frame, block, and pace its story in such a way that the audience is constantly on the edge of their seats, stressfully biting their nails.
‘Wait Until Dark’ (1967)
Starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin, Terence Young‘s Wait Until Dark is one of the most intense movies of the 1960s. Set almost entirely within the walls of a Greenwich Village basement apartment where the protagonist and the audience are terrorized, it’s a claustrophobic and airtight thriller that’s still as suspenseful today as it was in the ’60s.
Wait Until Dark is a masterclass in how to make a timeless thriller, leading up to one of the most terrifying climaxes of any American thriller of the era. Combine Arkin’s mustache-twirling villainous performance with the flawlessly tension-filled way in which Young frames the apartment, and you get a ’60s classic that doesn’t get nearly as much love as it deserves nowadays.
‘Rope’ (1948)
Alfred Hitchcock is known as the Master of Suspense for a reason. The thriller genre would likely not be what it is today without the director, who made several of the greatest outings the genre has ever offered throughout his career, including one of the most underrated movies of all time: Rope. It wasn’t Hitchcock’s first attempt at a single-location movie, but since it also takes place in real time, it’s arguably the most daring and experimental movie that the director ever made.
Edited to appear like it’s composed of only four long shots, the film was based on Patrick Hamilton‘s 1929 play of the same name, and it does feel like one of Hitchcock’s most theatrical films, which includes, of course, a single setting. The film received mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office upon release, but with the years’ passage, cinephiles have come to praise it as an audacious and incredibly suspenseful little experiment by one of history’s greatest filmmakers.
‘Rear Window’ (1954)
After perfecting the formula in Rope, Hitchcock decided to make not only one, but two single-location masterpieces in 1954. Dial M for Murder is great, but Rear Window is almost transcendental. We’re talking about one of the greatest mystery movies of all time, the highest-quality representation of everything that made Hitchcock special.
James Stewart and Grace Kelly give truly perfect performances, plus Thelma Ritter is a scene-stealer. Then, there are the magnificent ways in which Hitchcock makes the protagonist’s apartment feel like a massive world unto itself. There’s nothing about Rear Window that isn’t worthy of the utmost admiration. Rear Window is perfect proof that in thrillers, less is, indeed, often more.
‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975)
His directorial debut was the courtroom drama 12 Angry Men, praised by many as one of the greatest films ever made, so Sidney Lumet was no stranger to making single-location films when he made Dog Day Afternoon. Based on the 1972 Chase Manhattan robbery and hostage situation in Brooklyn, this ahead-of-its-time masterpiece is one of the best heist thriller movies of all time.
With Al Pacino and John Cazale at their best, this tale about the complexities of identity in ’70s America is one of the most defining landmarks of the New Hollywood film movement. The setting of the bank drenches the film in pure character-driven tension, dismantling the whole heist thriller genre in ways that still come across as genius over half a century later.
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Season 1 of Prime Video’s Off Campus made some significant changes from Elle Kennedy‘s The Deal — but the absence of the campus-wide “hands off” rule upset book fans the most.
Based on the Off Campus book series by Kennedy, the show, which premiered Wednesday, May 13, follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives as they “grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging deep friendships and enduring bonds while navigating the complexities that come with transitioning into adulthood,” read the official synopsis.
Hannah (Ella Bright) and Garrett’s (Belmont Cameli) love story took center stage in season 1 — with several key moments from their book, The Deal, swapped for an updated version.
The most significant change was the way Garrett instituted a campus-wide hands-off law after his split from Hannah. On the page, Garrett’s decision frustrated Hannah — but it also brought them back together.
Prime Video’s Off Campus follows different love stories at Briar U — but which couples end up together in the books? Based on the Off Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show follows an elite ice hockey team — and the women in their lives — as they “grapple with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery […]
The show did things a little differently with Hannah catching wind of Garrett threatening other guys so they would stay away from her. Hannah confronted Garrett — and that’s when they realized some confusion between his team members led to a misunderstanding.
“We were trying to find a way to keep this fan-favorite moment from the book, while not making it like a problem for Garrett,” showrunner Louisa Levy told Today. “So we came up with a solution that still honors the original intent but makes Garrett not completely terrible for doing this after breaking up with Hannah.”
Levy also spoke to Us about adapting the story to the screen.
“It’s definitely great to have the blueprint of this fabulous book series to start with, but adapting for a TV show is a little bit different,” she told Us. “We need to keep the audience’s focus in a different way.”
Levy broke down the approach from page to screen.
“We have a lot of stories told in different ways. We have eight episodes instead of the whole book,” she noted. “So we really started with the things that were super nonnegotiable — that without those things it wouldn’t be Off Campus.”
She continued: “From there, we added as many of the book moments as we could. We dropped them in like Easter eggs, and we just really spent time taking one’s inside character and externalizing them.”
Off Campus is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Entertainment
Disney’s Biggest Sci-Fi Failure In Years Making A Return Thanks To Being Freed From Mickey’s Grasp
By Henry Hards
| Published
Confederate Army Captain John Carter is making a comeback now that the rights to the character have reverted to author Edgar Rice Burroughs’ estate. The news comes over a decade after Disney released the ill-fated film John Carter in 2012, based on Burroughs’ first Barsoom novel, A Princess of Mars.
The Edgar Rice Burroughs estate has taken the reins and announced a full-blown animated series titled John Carter, Warlord of Mars. Developed by Michael Kogge (the guy behind the killer official audio drama adaptation with Star Wars creds) and overseen by estate heads Jim Sullos and Wolf Larson, this is the first time the books are getting a proper animated treatment. They dropped a sneak peek at San Diego Comic-Con back in July 2025, hyping the epic scope with nods to wild fantasy action like Castlevania and Blood of Zeus.
Kogge and the estate are going all-in on Burroughs’ sprawling 11-novel saga, complete with John Carter’s immortal heroics, Princess Dejah Thoris, and the savage wonders of Mars that inspired everyone from Lucas to Cameron. This attempt should be faithful, ambitious, and timed perfectly for today’s animation boom. If you’re a longtime Barsoom believer who got burned by that theatrical disaster, this could be the redemption arc we’ve been waiting for.
For those unfamiliar, the story in the books follows Confederate Civil War veteran John Carter, who mysteriously finds himself on Mars, known as Barsoom. On Mars, Carter becomes involved in an epic conflict among the planet’s inhabitants, including the noble Thardos and the evil Sab Than.
Past Attempts To Make Barsoom Happen
Multiple attempts have been made to bring the Barsoom series to the screen since the 1930s. However, most were scrapped. In the late 2000s, Walt Disney Pictures decided to move forward with a John Carter film at the urging of Andrew Stanton (the director of the 2012 movie), who convinced the studio to secure the screen rights from the Burroughs estate.
In 2009, Stanton assumed the role of director for the new John Carter film, marking his first foray into live-action filmmaking after his successful work on Disney’s animated hits like Finding Nemo and WALL-E. Filming took place in November 2009, with principal photography starting in January 2010 and ending in July 2010. The film’s score was composed by Michael Giacchino, known for his musical contributions to various Pixar productions.
Why Disney’s John Carter Flopped
Despite its high production value and visual effects, John Carter received mixed reviews, with praise for its visuals and action but criticism for its plot and characters. The movie was also a box-office failure, recouping only $284.1 million of its $306.6 million budget.
Many attribute John Carter‘s failure to its poor marketing campaign. Following its disappointing performance, Rich Ross, Disney’s head at the time, stepped down. Lead actress Lynn Collins was also instructed to keep a low profile.
Whitney Leavitt has been on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since its 2024 launch. However, she recently announced that she’s leaving the show at the end of season 5. During a new interview, the mother of three, who just concluded her run on Broadway in “Chicago,” revealed what she has in store next.
Speaking with Kelly Clarkson on her talk show, Leavitt, 33, got candid about her decision to leave the explosive reality show behind her.
“It’s been about four years of my life,” she said, noting that throughout the show’s run, she’s been known to pop in and out of the group due to the heightened drama.
This time, though, Leavitt said her exit feels different from before. “Every time I left, it wasn’t with gratitude,” she said. “But this time it is. It just feels like a chapter that’s closing in my life. My cup is full, and it just feels like it’s time. So I’m excited.”
Whitney Leavitt Recalls ‘Crazy’ Experience Of Joining The Cast Of ‘SLOMW’
Leavitt had been teasing her departure from the series since the beginning of the year. According to a previous report from The Blast, the “Dancing with the Stars” alum made the announcement during one of her final performances as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of “Chicago.”
On social media, Leavitt clarified some of the rumors about her exit, revealing that she would continue to film the show until season 5 wraps production. In her latest post, the reality star also paid her respects to the show and her co-stars for helping change her life.
“It’s honestly so crazy to me looking back on this journey because I had been trying to get into theater and film way before Secret Lives even came into my life,” she said. “We have been through so much together, even more than what you’ve seen. We’ve had really big highs, really big lows and no matter what happens with our relationships like that is something that will always be a part of our life, will always be a part of my life and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Whitney Leavitt Feels ‘Content’ Leaving The Show Behind Her As She Embarks On Her New Journey
According to Leavitt, her departure this time around isn’t like the others. In the past, Leavitt said she left the show with “anger and frustration,” but this time is completely different.
“I feel content,” Leavitt noted. “I feel like this is a chapter that’s closing in my life and honestly, I believe that’s how it was always meant to be. I’m so grateful for ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’ It’s got me where I am today. It’s given me the opportunities that you all have seen but I’m ready. I’m ready for the next chapter and I cannot wait to share with you guys what’s next.”
And speaking of what’s next, Leavitt told Clarkson she has big plans post-reality TV, revealing, “I’ve started a production company!”
She shared a bit more about the news online, writing, “SECRET’S OUT!!! ‘Leavitt Media House’ Production has officially launched and we’re working on something big!!!!!”
Another ‘SLOMW’ Star Has Started A ‘New Chapter’
Leavitt isn’t the only “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star to embark on a new journey. According to E! News, Mikayla Matthews revealed on social media that she was relocating to Hawaii in an effort to cure her Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome symptoms.
Matthews, a mother of four and wife to estranged husband Jace Terry, has been open about her skin complications during previous episodes of the show, but on social media, she revealed her flare-ups had worsened, prompting her to take action.
Online, Matthews said she was “excited” to be in the Aloha State, adding that she was “officially starting the new chapter.”
Matthews Is Eager To Have Some Time To Herself
While it’s unclear how long Matthews will be away from her roots in Utah, the reality star noted that she was “grateful” to take time for herself.
“The stress of having to heal your body and having to worry about taking care of your kids or paying your bills—it’s just so overwhelming,” she said.
Stefon Diggs was in full daddy-duty mode while celebrating his daughter Peyton’s first birthday, whom he shares with Cayy Benji. Videos hit the internet showing clips from the circus-themed bas and It’s safe to say that the co-parents went all out for their baby girl’s big day.
RELATED: UPDATE: Footage Shows Stefon Diggs Shedding Tears After Being Found Not Guilty In Assault & Strangulation Case (VIDEOS)
Stefon Diggs & Cayy Benj Turned Peyton’s 1st Birthday Into A Full Circus Experience
Cayy Benji and Stefon DIggs made sure their daughter Peyton’s birthday was unforgettable. Videos showed them pulling up to the party together, and the vibes were on a 100 the whole time. Peyton’s party wasn’t just a regular bash either — the co-parents did it BIG with a full circus theme. The celebration featured pastel-colored décor, balloon arches everywhere, a popcorn machine, an ice cream stand, and artificial animals to the match theme.
Peyton’s Party Turned Into A Whole Movie
More videos from Peyton’s party popped up showing a full circus act performance and a closer look at her pink and purple tiered cake. Lil’ mama even had an outfit change, first pulling in a purple dress fit for a princess, then switching into an adorable pink tulle dress. Clips also showed sweet moments between Stefon and Peyton, including daddy-daughter in a ball pit and them dancing together while posing for photos.
More About Stefon Diggs’ Kids
Stefon stays locked in on football, but he’s also a proud dad. The NFL player has six children total — four daughters and two sons, including Peyton according to Page Six. His oldest child is his daughter Nova, whom was born in 2016. He allegedly shares Nova with his ex Tyler Marie. Nova usually stays lowkey, however she did pop out with him in a viral video in 2022. The clip sees them running on the field together during his time with the Buffalo Bills. Diggs also shares a daughter Charliee Harper Diggs-Lopera with Aileen Lopera, a son with a well-known rapper, another daughter Shiloh with Kennedy Moore, and a son with K’yanna Barber.
RELATED: UPDATE: Jamila Adams Speaks Out After Stefon Diggs Is Found Not Guilty In Assault Case (PHOTO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
39 Years Later, the Best Sci-Fi Parody Ever Made Will Be Free to Stream Ahead of the New Sequel
Some of the best satires will parody a film well, or maybe a few films well. This one? It did more than parody a film, or a genre; it broke into sci-fi’s house on Christmas Day and stole all the gifts under the tree. It is the silliest, loudest, most shameless rip off of some of the biggest movies and that is exactly why it’s one of the greatest comedy films ever made.
Spaceballs, Mel Brooks’ 1987 sci-fi parody, will stream for free next month on Kanopy. The film sends up Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, and basically the entire late-20th-century sci-fi blockbuster machine through the touching and moving story of (checks notes) Lone Starr, Princess Vespa, Barf, and the evil Dark Helmet.
The cast includes Bill Pullman (Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping) as Lone Starr, John Candy (Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck) as Barf, Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids) as Dark Helmet, Daphne Zuniga (Melrose Place, The Sure Thing) as Princess Vespa, Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein) as President Skroob and Yogurt, Joan Rivers (The Joan Rivers Show, Shrek 2) as the voice of Dot Matrix, George Wyner (A Serious Man, Fletch) as Colonel Sandurz, and Dick Van Patten (Eight Is Enough, Soylent Green) as King Roland.
Was ‘Spaceballs’ a Hit?
You’d think from its cult status, Spaceballs was a monster success, but actually, its legacy has outgrown its original theatrical run. The original movie cost around $22 million to make and grossed $38 million domestically. It did make money, but it later became a much bigger cult favorite through home video and late-night cable watches. Like a lot of iconic satires, the film had a mixed critical opinion at the time. It currently holds around a 52% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, so it wasn’t treated like an instant comedy classic, but audiences have been much kinder over the years and critical reappraisal has now seen it recognized as one of the most beloved sci-fi spoofs ever made.
Which leads us to the sequel, titled Spaceballs: The New One, which is directed by Josh Greenbaum, written by Josh Gad, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit, and is currently set to open on April 23, 2027. Alongside Gad, new cast members include Keke Palmer as Destiny, Lewis Pullman as Starburst, and Anthony Carrigan.
Spaceballs will stream for free next month on Kanopy.
- Release Date
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June 24, 1987
- Runtime
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96 minutes
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President Skroob / Yogurt
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Y’all know the internet loves a good family moment — especially when it unexpectedly turns into a whole vibe. Yung Miami had social media cuttin’ up after a video surfaced showing her sharing the spotlight with someone who clearly wasn’t afraid to steal a lil’ attention of his own. Let’s just say the energy was high, the moves were moving, and folks online quickly picked their favorite performer in the clip.
RELATED: Flashing That Grin! Yung Miami Has The Internet Doing Double Takes After Flexing Her NEW Smile (VIDEO)
Yung Miami’s Dad Steals The Whole Show
In the video making rounds online, Yung Miami appeared to be posted up at what looked like a restaurant while vibing out to her track, ‘Spend Dat.’ The rapper rocked black leggings, a black crop tank, a chain belt, black leather boots, shades, and plenty of ice around her neck. Standing right beside her was her father, who came dressed in yellow-and-white sneakers, a white-and-green matching set, and a freshly trimmed full beard. The two danced side-by-side while others watched in the background, but social media users seem to think her dad may have walked away with the MVP title. From the smooth moves to the confidence, viewers couldn’t stop talking about how much he was turning up right alongside Miami.
TSR Comment Section Cuts UP Over Video
Folks wasted no time sprinting to TSR’s comment section, and whew — the roommates had plenty to say. Some fans joked that they thought Yung Miami’s dad was a whole celebrity himself, while others said it finally made sense where she gets her personality and energy from. And of course, a few eagle-eyed viewers couldn’t help but clock the tissue stuck to Miami’s shoe, with commenters clowning her for accidentally bringing a lil’ extra accessory to the dance floor.
The Instagram user @yungmiami305 herself commented, “💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽”
This Instagram user @n.u.n.u_.__ said, “Her parents look so good 🔥‼️”
And, Instagram user @melanin_monroe_93 claimed, “Oh she got her personality from her dada 🥹. They so cute“
Meanwhile, Instagram user @bande______ added, “You know that father gonna cut up everytime ! Lol😍”
While Instagram user @therealkris716 wrote, “She to fine to have tissue stuck on the shoe 😂”
Lastly, Instagram user @aryanacarter shared, “i thought this was karlous miller“
Yung Miami Loves Showing Off Her Pops
This isn’t the first time Yung Miami showed love to her pops online. Back in 2023, she shared clips of him cutting up on camera while rocking a yellow hat and a matching white-and-colorful tee with coordinating pants, proving once again that he stays ready to turn up and always pops out looking fly. In another video, her dad held a thick stack of dollar bills while Miami hyped him up in the background, and she even captioned one clip “My daddy” with fire emojis.
RELATED: Yung Miami Issues Apology After Going Viral For Publicly Telling A DJ He Was Putting Her & Other Clubgoers To Sleep (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
One of the great ironies in Star Wars is that Boba Fett won over millions of fans while appearing for less than seven minutes in the Original Trilogy. One reason for this is that he was extremely hyped up before most fans had even seen him. Kids could send in proof of purchase for four other figures and receive a mail-in Boba Fett figure ahead of his first live-action appearance in The Empire Strikes Back. This built up major buzz, and the villain seemed to live up to the hype when he successfully tracked down Han Solo and escaped with his carbonite-frozen body as a prize for Jabba the Hutt.
After all that build-up, it was bizarre that Fett’s death was turned into a dumb punchline in the very next film. Why the heck would George Lucas troll the fans like this? As it turns out, it’s all because he ended up changing his mind. At one point, the Star Wars creator planned three trilogies, and he originally wanted Fett to be the Big Bad in Return of the Jedi. Once he decided to do “only” two trilogies, Fett got demoted so that Emperor Palpatine could take his place. It was the right call, but it’s fair to say that Lucas effectively saved the Original Trilogy by ruining his coolest bad guy.
A Highly Animated Villain
While George Lucas hasn’t personally spoken about the matter, multiple Star Wars insiders have chimed in about how the director’s vision for his blockbuster franchise changed over time. For example, Gary Kurtz was the producer for A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and after The Phantom Menace came out, he told TheForce.net that Lucas originally intended to create three Star Wars trilogies (after he scrapped the idea of four). There were several differences between his original ideas and what we eventually got onscreen, but the most surprising one is that Lucas didn’t want to introduce Emperor Palpatine until the last film of the final trilogy.
Considering Palpatine’s outsize influence on the Original Trilogy, the Prequel Trilogy, and even the Sequel Trilogy, it’s shocking to imagine a world where fans had to wait decades to even see him onscreen. But Kurtz’s revelation leads to an obvious question: if Palpatine wasn’t going to pop up until the end of the third trilogy, who was going to be the Big Bad of Return of the Jedi? According to Lucasfilm fan relations officer Craig Millar, Boba Fett was going to be the final boss of the Original Trilogy, which is why George Lucas spent years hyping Fett up.
From Sidekick To Head Honcho
“Boba was gonna be the main villain,” he said, in an interview with Inverse. “That was set up, why he was taking Han Solo away, why there was a thing with him in the Christmas special.” After years of setup, what changed? “When George decided not to make a third trilogy, he completely jettisoned that storyline, which is why in the first ten minutes, Boba Fett gets bumped into and falls into the mouth of a giant monster.” While this is disappointing for fans of the bounty hunter, it’s interesting to note how quickly Lucas was willing to kill off Fett once his plans changed.
According to Millar, we shouldn’t be too disappointed that we never got to see a third Lucas trilogy, since everything was condensed into a single film. “So [Lucas] took what was planned for the third trilogy, which was the confrontation between Luke and Darth Vader, and the battle with the Emperor, and that got squished down from three movies to one movie. And that became the plot of Jedi.” This mostly aligns with what Kurtz said back in 1999, though the producer maintained that Luke would still have faced off against Vader in Return of the Jedi.
Sadly, we don’t have any details as to how Boba Fett would have worked as the final villain in ROTJ. Would he hold some rank in the Galactic Empire, or simply use his vast resources as a bounty hunter to torment our heroes? We’ll likely never know the answer to these questions, which can be frustrating for fans. One thing’s for sure, though: if Boba Fett was the Big Bad, he would have died in a cooler way than getting devoured by an angry, giant pit. Fans shouldn’t hold things against the Sarlacc, though: if you were a sandy vagina who had to eat nothing but armored idiots and squealing pig people, you’d be pretty hostile, too!
There’s a reason why audiences flock to action thrillers. They’re so much fun to watch, with exciting plots and hair-raising twists and turns. One of the best action films of the 1990s was The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford. It had an impressive pedigree for an action flick — not only becoming a box-office smash, but also earning seven Oscar nominations. In the same vein, 2020’s Extraction, with Chris Hemsworth, echoes The Fugitive‘s high-octane energy. If you’re a fan of either of these movies, or if you just need a fantastic new series to binge, Apple TV’s 10-episode series will definitely fit the bill.
What Is ‘The Last Frontier’ About?
The Last Frontier comes from executive producer Sam Hargrave, who also directed Extraction, and debuted on the streamer last October. The story follows U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke), located in the snowy outskirts of Fairbanks, Alaska. In the opening moments of the series, many dangerous inmates are loaded onto a prison transport airplane. Soon after, the plane crashes, and some of the survivors go on the run through the freezing and unforgiving terrain.
It becomes Frank’s responsibility to recapture as many inmates as he can while limiting the danger to the people living in nearby areas. This turns out to be no easy task, as Frank and his team come face-to-face with some of the most brutal criminals ever. Frank’s job becomes even more challenging when an enigmatic CIA agent named Sidney Scofield (Haley Bennett) also comes to town. Turns out there was a CIA asset named Havlock (Dominic Cooper) who survived the plane crash, and Sidney asks for Frank’s help in locating him. As their journeys become intertwined, we learn more about both Frank’s and Sidney’s backstories, as well as find out the histories of some of the fugitives who are on the loose.
This Chilling Apple TV Thriller Doesn’t Deserve Its Brutal Rotten Tomatoes Score
Jason Clarke’s series is much better than a rotten 44%.
‘The Last Frontier’ Is a Fun, Heart-Racing Distraction
The main reason The Last Frontier is so entertaining to watch is that it’s such a great distraction from reality. The cinematography allows Alaska to become another character in the series, always reminding the viewer of the perils of the frigid landscape. There are a lot of elements that can kill characters, even without murderous convicts on the lam. Aside from the picturesque scenery, The Last Frontier offers impressive special effects (especially that plane crash scene) that are on par with anything you would see on the big screen. The series also excels when it comes to fight sequences, which feel utterly believable, and you’ll likely find yourself holding your breath while they play out. The episodes are also filled with intriguing mysteries, especially as you learn more about why Sidney is so desperate to capture Havlock. The story’s twists ensure that the high-stakes action is always incredibly fun to watch.
A lot of The Last Frontier‘s success is due to Clarke’s performance as a hardened protagonist who isn’t afraid to break some laws if it means catching the bad guys. Even as the ultimate action hero, Clarke shines when it comes to his quieter scenes with Bennett and Simone Kessell, who plays Frank’s beleaguered wife. There are several standouts when it comes to the actors who depict the fugitives. Damian Young, Clifton Collins Jr., Rusty Schwimmer, and Johnny Knoxville all use their short time on screen to maximum effect. Alfre Woodard and John Slattery also pop up as colleagues of Sidney’s who just might be hiding some secrets that will affect Havlock’s recapture.
The Last Frontier seemed to be a hit with fans, but was surprisingly cancelled after its first season. The series has continued to do well on the streaming charts, which makes its cancellation even more disappointing. However, with just 10 episodes, the series is still a quick binge-watch worth your time.
Filmmaking as an art form has the unique ability to transport audiences into the perspective and examination of its characters through a powerful mixture of performance and visual storytelling. Psychological thrillers take these concepts a step further, not only by delving into darker and more bleak concepts, but also by stirring up feelings of anxiety and tension that leave audiences in a state of shock.
The final moments can play a major part in this, delivering the final bit of shock that will sit with audiences and define the film. A psychological thriller has more expectations placed upon its ending compared to a traditional thriller, as they largely have to tie into the themes and symbolic weight that have been building throughout. An exceptionally shocking ending can make all of the difference in terms of transforming a relatively beloved psychological thriller into an all-time great of the genre.
‘Prisoners’ (2013)
A ruthlessly bleak and destructive psychological thriller from director Denis Villeneuve, Prisoners goes all out in terms of fleshing out the spiraling depression felt by its characters in the wake of a kidnapping. As the mystery spirals out of control, the tension reaches an absolute high once its secrets are fully revealed. In the final moments, even after most things have been resolved and the villain has been stopped, Prisoners finds a way to leave an impact with the faint blowing of a whistle.
To setup this masterclass in suspense, the final moments of the film see Jake Gyllenhaal‘s Detective Loki examining the home of the culprit, with Hugh Jackman‘s character, Keller Dover, still missing even after rescuing his daughter. However, just as Loki is leaving the crime scene for the night, he begins to hear the distinct safety whistle, the same one that Keller gave his daughter as a precaution for safety. He is now using it to call for help while trapped underground, but the film leaves it up to the audience to decide if Keller was indeed saved.
‘Fight Club’ (1999)
While its climactic twist has arguably overtaken the conversation, it still doesn’t take away from the spectacle and impact of Fight Club‘s legendary final act. While the legendary twist of Tyler Durden’s identity is already shocking enough, the ending, where Project Mayhem is seemingly completed and cannot be stopped, leaves an undeniable impact in terms of pure shock. The iconic final shot set to “Where is My Mind?” by the Pixies makes it all the better.
Following the seemingly climactic defeat of Tyler by the narrator, it would seemingly be so simple for the film to wrap things up and find a way to stop Tyler’s plans at the last second. However, Fight Club is the type of ruthless and intelligent film that understands the gravitas of Tyler’s plan. Thus, it leaves the audience in this melancholy state of shock as the characters experience the mass destruction and reset of the financial and cultural world, paralleling the narrator’s own reset without Tyler.
‘The Prestige’ (2006)
Much like the intricate magic tricks that it portrays and stylishly adapts, The Prestige understands that an ending should always leave audiences in a place of shock and awe. Thus, the film’s overarching mysteries come to a head with some exceptional reveals that recontextualize the entire film. It also helps that both prominent magicians in the film have a twist to how they made their magic tricks work.
Being packed with plot twists in itself isn’t what makes The Prestige‘s final moments so shocking, but rather their scale and gravitas and what they say about the characters’ dedication to winning. Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman)’s twist revolves around the fact that every night in his glorious show, he utilizes Tesla’s cloning machine to clone himself while the previous version drowns to achieve his trick. Conversely, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale)’s twist is that he’s actually a pair of identical twins, keeping this secret from everyone in their personal lives to not reveal the truth of their tricks, to the detriment of all of their personal relationships. Thrown all together with a shocking murder in the name of revenge, The Prestige‘s ending becomes a shocking all-timer.
‘Parasite’ (2019)
The exceptional themes and symbolic weight of Parasite‘s class divide messaging reach their absolute high point in its final moments, cementing it as a story of perseverance and the human spirit while actively living underneath those with more luxury. After all the chaos of the third act and the reactionary murder of Mr. Park (Lee Sun-kyun) by Mr. Kim (Song Kang-ho), Kim’s only option of escape is to hide out in the basement, much like Geun-sae (Park Myung-hoo) before him.
However, Kim’s son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) soon realizes the predicament and location of his father after noticing a Morse code message in the flickering light that is visible from outside. Kim has been sending daily messages with the hopes of his son seeing them. The prospect of freeing his father gives Ki-woo the dedication to earn enough money to one day buy the house. It’s a shocking and haunting ending that is simultaneously painful and full of hope; there are no winners, only a young man who must now fully indulge in the oppressive system that put him in that situation in the first place.
‘Enemy’ (2013)
Many of the most shocking endings in psychological thriller history can be attributed to climactic reveals that utilize the buildup of plot threads throughout the film. However, Enemy is one of the rare, most infamous cases of an ending that was overwhelmingly shocking and disorienting, drenched in underlying symbolism rather than being directly influenced by the narrative. Even when approaching it as a metaphor rather than something more overt, Enemy‘s final moments are still an absolute shock to the system.
This notoriously challenging thriller already has an intricate setup, with Adam (Jake Gyllenhaal) having taken over the life of his identical double, Anthony (Gyllenhaal), and finding the notorious key that opens the door to Anthony’s prior debauchery. However, just as Adam turns the corner to tell his pregnant wife, he instead finds a giant tarantula cowering in fear in the corner of the room. This jarring shot is where the film ends, almost feeling like a jump scare to some audiences, and confusing many others who witnessed it in disbelief.
‘Se7en’ (1995)
Often considered one of the most legendary endings not just in thriller history, but in cinema as a whole, David Fincher‘s magnum opus, Se7en, truly cemented itself as a monolithic icon of ’90s culture, thanks in part to the shock value and impact of its finale. It largely comprises the deeper explanation and culmination of John Doe’s (Kevin Spacey) plan, setting himself up to be the final killer by manipulating Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) into becoming the embodiment of “Wrath.”
Doe accomplishes his ambition by delivering the severed head of Mills’ wife in a box, a shocking display of ruthlessness and pain that pushes Mills over the edge. Fueled by emotion, Mills takes vengeful wrath against Doe, despite knowing it’s exactly what the serial killer wants. It’s the type of ending that leaves a pit in the stomach of the audience, and has since become legendary thanks to the masterful and emotional performance by Pitt at its center.
‘Oldboy’ (2003)
Oldboy has many different dynamic mysteries and emotionally distraught twists that make up its ruthless examination of torture and revenge, with plans that span across decades. However, its most shocking moment arguably comes from its finale, where the main character, Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-sik), completely breaks after the painful reveal he’s finally learned, but goes to great lengths to forcefully forget what he has learned so that he can live his life without shame.
After discovering the ruthless truth of the manipulation enacted upon him, Dae-Su cuts out his tongue out of disgust at the fact that he has been hypnotized and coerced into sleeping with his daughter. As if that wasn’t shocking enough, Dae-Su makes a painful choice of trying to have his memory erased so he can still try and live a happy life in blissful ignorance of the truth. However, in the final moments, a tortured grimace on Dae-su’s face shows that, despite his efforts, he may still have these painful memories lingering. The emotional pain of this finale has helped cement Oldboy as one of the all-time greatest international thrillers.
‘Memento’ (2000)
Christopher Nolan is a consistent master of the thriller genre, whether it be dynamic action thrillers like The Dark Knight or twist-centric psychological thrillers like the previously discussed The Prestige. However, the filmmaker’s greatest narrative achievement comes from his breakout masterpiece, Memento, which features an ending so brilliant that it completely recontextualizes the entire film. The shocking conclusion perfectly delivers on all the build-up and intrigue of this mystery, the final piece of an intricate puzzle.
Initially, the major shock comes from the fact that the story that Leonard (Guy Pearce) has been repeating all this time is not about Sammy Jenkins but actually about him; his condition accidentally caused him to kill his wife in a painful test. Even more ruthless is the fact that Teddy (Joe Pantoliano), his supposed ally, has been manipulating Leonard and using his vengeful mission for his own gain, taking down criminals while Teddy collects the funds. However, as a last laugh, Leonard sets up the pieces to manipulate his future self, getting him to believe that Teddy is the culprit so that Leonard will kill him, as seen in the first scene of the movie.
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The wedding invitations keep arriving, and the dress code keeps shifting. A garden ceremony in June, black tie reception in September and there’s a cocktail hour at a vineyard somewhere in between. After a certain point, raiding the back of your closet for that one reliable navy sheath dress starts to feel like a tired strategy.
The good news is that pulling together a polished wedding guest look doesn’t require a department store splurge or a boutique appointment. These 17 picks are all on Amazon, with prices starting at just $30. They range from free-flowing midis to structured cocktail dresses that hold their shape through the toasts. Each one looks far more expensive than it is, which is exactly the point.
17 Chic Wedding Guest Dresses on Amazon That Look Boutique-Worthy
1. Our Favorite: The ruched waist on this muted pink maxi does the work of shapewear without the squeeze, so you’ll look great from all angles. The hidden pockets are a detail you’ll appreciate once holding a cocktail.
2. Luxe Lace: Eyelet cotton details and a pale blue hue give this A-line maxi the kind of appearance that photographs beautifully. The crewneck and sleeveless cut keep the look clean instead of overly sweet.
3. Figure-Flattering: Finding a wedding guest dress that defines the waist without clinging is rare. This belted A-line midi does both, with a wrap front that adjusts to your day.
4. Elegantly Embroidered: The floral embroidery on this dusty blue midi adds the kind of dimension a printed dress can’t match. A square neckline and short sleeves give it a polished look, too.
5. Fabulously Flowy: This flowy tulle midi is just the dress for an outdoor reception where you’ll be dancing on grass. It’s light enough to twirl in, but structured enough to stay flattering.
French-girl style isn’t about having more clothes — it’s about having the right ones. Usually, that means one really good dress you can rely on when you don’t feel like overthinking your outfit but still want to look put-together. It skims in the right places, moves easily and somehow works for everything from daytime plans […]
6. Yes to Yellow: Yellow gets a bad reputation; many people say it’s hard to wear, but this warm eyelet dress flatters more skin tones than you’d expect. The defined waist also anchors the bright color.
7. Soft Pastels: This pastel maxi dress is the afternoon wedding answer for that 11 a.m. ceremony followed by champagne on a patio. Add flat sandals that work just as well as wedges here.
8. Petite-Friendly: Mini dresses on shorter frames often hit at an awkward length, but this pink V-neck mini is cut to actually fit. The cinched waist and flowy skirt perfectly balance the proportions.
9. Mint Green Moment: The mint shade reads fresh without being predictable at a wedding. This eyelet V-neck maxi keeps the color from feeling too sweet, thanks to the cutwork detail.
10. French Girl-Inspired: Swiss dot fabric and a cap sleeves give this wrap maxi dress genuine Parisian polish. The ruffle details keep it romantic and effortless.
11. Beach-Ready: Destination weddings demand a dress that survives sand, humidity and a sunset ceremony. This ruched strapless maxi handles all three without wrinkling into oblivion.
12. Try It Tiered: The halter neck on this chiffon midi dress balances the tiered ruffles below, so the whole look stays graceful. The light blue chiffon also moves beautifully in any breeze.
13. Garden Party Go-To: A belted wrap silhouette and short sleeves make this floral maxi dress easy to style for almost any wedding venue. The ruffle details adds softness without a fuss.
14. Pretty Puff Sleeve: The smocked bodice on this coral tulle midi eliminates the need for shapewear. The puff sleeves keep the look balanced and the square neckline flatters a wide range of frames.
15. Tulle Romance: Ruffle straps and a smocked bodice give this tulle midi dress enough detail without veering into bridesmaid territory. Mesh overlays keep the silhouette light.
16. Posh Polka Dots: Black-and-white polka dots on a flowy halter cut make this chiffon maxi dress looking elevated, not retro. The halter neckline elongates without showing too much.
17. Must-Have Maxi: The vibrant pink floral print on this short-sleeve maxi photographs well in any lighting. The flowy fabric and short sleeves cover what you want hidden (without overheating).
Jennifer Aniston has always had an eye for denim trends that actually last, and her ’90s-inspired cuffed jeans prove it. Even decades later, her signature rolled-hem denim feels just as relevant, and with cuffed jeans quickly re-emerging as one of spring’s biggest trends, the timing couldn’t be better. The best part is we found a […]
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