From lost civilizations to haunting conspiracy theories, some of our world’s greatest mysteries have often teased the limits of human understanding. But as these puzzles challenge our perceptions to stir our deepest fears, they also invite us to ask more questions. Unraveling that puzzle through nuanced storytelling is The Listeners, a provocative series that centers around a woman who begins to hear low-humming sounds that no one else can. The four-part series, set to air on Starz this week, starring Rebecca Hall, is based on the bestselling and award-winning novel of the same name by Jordan Tannahill. Following its highly anticipated Toronto International Film Festival premiere in 2024, the show will no doubt become one of the year’s most thought-provoking and unsettling series yet.

As an atmospheric exploration of human connection and isolation, The Listeners embraces the ethereal tension of The Leftovers and the psychological depth of Sharp Objects to examine the human experience through silence. With the book set up as a memoir and inspired by the strange, low-frequency reverberations in Windsor, Ontario, the BBC-produced series finds a refreshing nuance in its television adaptation. Produced by Element Pictures, the studio behind Normal People and Poor Things, and directed by Janicza Bravo (Poker Face and Zola), the series manages a sharp, important commentary on how loneliness compels us to seek meaning in the unknown — or in this case, the inexplicable. Through its main character Claire, played arrestingly by Hall, The Listeners offers a strong tableau of isolation and how the search for connection can distort even the simplest of perceptions.

What Is ‘The Listeners’ About?

The Listeners stars Hall as Claire, an English teacher who is the only person hearing a low-humming sound. Much like the show’s pace, which aligns with a slow-burning drama, the sound she hears starts gradually. It’s present, but it’s not exactly taking up too much space in Claire’s life. However, things take an abrupt turn, and the seemingly innocuous noise begins to upset the balance she has created for herself and her family. Claire, who is also a doting mother to Ashley (Mia Tharia) and a loving wife to Paul (Prasanna Puwanarajah), begins to find the noise ruining a lot of her daily rhythms. At times, she feels she might have imagined it. But the noise and its high frequency begin to manifest in the form of nose bleeds, leaving Claire with a lot more questions. As she investigates with doctors and conducts tests, they suggest she might have tinnitus or a hypersensitivity to white noise — an issue seen in patients with anxiety and stress.

Here, the mystery begins, unraveling Claire’s layers to offer more about her through a naturally quiet disposition and interaction with others. With her frustrations starting to show, no one can help — that is until one of her students, a 17-year-old boy named Kyle (Ollie West) reveals he can too hear the sound. Taking solace in their shared isolation, the two strike up an unlikely (and dangerous) friendship and investigate the sound together. With the noise becoming more apparent, the two become increasingly separated from their family, friends, and colleagues and join a group of neighbors who also allegedly hear the sound led by Jo (Gayle Rankin) and Omar (Amr Waked), a couple that delivers strong cult vibes. The pair believes it’s important to lean into “The Hum” and treat it like a gift. Naturally, as Claire and Kyle’s friendship grows, so does doubt from the outside, causing perception to become reality.

Rebecca Hall Is at the Top of Her Game in ‘The Listeners’

Image via BBC

The Listeners isn’t just a slow-burn drama with a quiet, eerie temperament. As Tannahill is at the forefront of the adaptation’s layered screenplay, the series captures Claire’s growing obsession with the sound in a dynamic, captivating style. With a psychological toll woven delicately into every scene and interaction, it’s a testament to Hall’s natural magnetism as a performer that draws you into every moment. Whatever Claire is feeling or thinking in those lonely scenes alongside the hum, we are right there with her. Able to convey a deep, conflicted demeanor and apprehension, Hall shows us what it feels like through her eyes, the furrow of her brow, or even a slight frown that speaks deeply to her modest, quiet desperation for answers.

Hall is masterful and profoundly focused on a performance that adds to the story’s haunting tale of isolation, longing, and faith. As an actress known for moving seamlessly between roles that demand intensity and vulnerability, like The Prestige or The Night House, Hall is at the top of her game in The Listeners. With an emotional profundity unseen in previous performances, she immerses herself into a world that deftly manages the complexities of loneliness and confusion with masterful fortitude. In those moments when it’s just her versus the hum, how she commands the scene to rely on subtlety speaks to the strength of her craft. When Claire sees doctors with her husband Paul, the tattered sophistication of her anxieties bubble to the surface to create inner tension between the couple, and bring out another side of the performer. While only two episodes were made available to the press, Hall’s undeniable screen presence through Claire’s quiet intensity lingers with you long after.

‘The Listeners’ Leans Into Obsessions Through Sharp Subtlety

Image via BBC

As the novel and its adaptation capture so much of Claire’s growing obsessions with sounds that ultimately isolate her, the series leans into such compulsion through quiet subtleties. It’s this kind of implicitness that is not only central to the story but its understanding of loneliness through Claire. Through the gnawing mania that afflicts her, we can recognize how these hauntings are a bit of a gateway for her, especially in how she spends time with Kyle. Sure, she’s driving away the people who love her the most and making some bad choices about it, but she’s also opening her eyes to new challenges that speak to a reshaping of her identity.

This obsession with the faintest of noises sends the loudest message about Claire’s state of mind, hinting at something deeper that haunts her and distorts her current role. She loves her family, her friends, and her job, but her obsession with “the hum” implies a deeper, more destructive gap in her connection to herself that highlights her emotional and mental welfare. In many ways, Claire’s actions are intentional, and her fixation speaks to a deeper need for building meaningful relationships and connections. It’s easy to empathize with her because she is relatable, but her increasing paranoia detaches her from reality, leading to intense interactions and often destructive behavior that unveils some deeper truths.

Bravo, who is known for boundary-pushing work in Zola and Poker Face, levels up her signature style of alienation in The Listeners. Challenging conventional storytelling through gritty realism and vibrant visuals that align with an arthouse sensibility, the director’s work here exemplifies her unique voice. Like her earlier work in Lemon, Bravo infuses her characters with a lush theatrical sense that also highlights strong, gripping emotional complexities. It’s this kind of intimacy and character-driven core that feeds so much of Hall’s performance.

Emerging as a masterful exploration of isolation and obsessions, The Listeners creates a rich tapestry of existential tension through Hall’s knack for embodying a strong, emotional spirit. Thanks to the familiar writing of Tannahill’s novel with sharp nuance, the BBC production captures the subtleties of human connection and detachment that distort our understanding of reality. Accompanied by a spirited supporting cast, Hall delivers an exceptional performance — a career-best among a plethora. With the series intertwining the psychological depths of loneliness with the eerie presence of the inexplicable “hum,” the four-part series works to provoke strong reflections on shades of isolation, perception, and the fragility of our connections. It’s illuminating and interesting in the best ways, and with more to unravel as Claire discovers the origins of the hum, The Listeners solidifies its place as one of the year’s most thought-provoking dramas.

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Genre

Drama

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Language

English

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Debut Date

September 7, 2024

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Pros & Cons

• The Listeners is a deeply layered, introspective series with strong direction from Janicza Bravo.
• Rebecca Hall is a true standout, conveying quiet desperation and subtle intensity.
• As a compelling mystery, Jordan Tannahill preserves his novel?s subtle nuances and psychological tension while offering a fresh perspective in its television format.

• The series is rather slow, but the build-up to the hum and its presence is tackled almost immediately.

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Taylor Sheridan‘s television world is vast, it’s enormous, and at this point, you’d imagine there are all sorts of crossover possibilities. A cavalcade of colorful characters exists all across Sheridan’s America, and their shows and stories feel like they could be happening all down the same dusty road. That’s especially true now that Dutton Ranch has kicked off, moving Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler from Montana to Texas as they attempt to start over with their stolen child, Carter, after the end of Yellowstone.

That’s already put the three of them in the same state as Landman, which opens up all kinds of interesting possibilities that have almost certainly been noted by executives at Paramount scribbling on a whiteboard. After all, if Beth is now building a life in Texas, it’s not completely wild to wonder whether she might eventually bump into Tommy and Angela Norris somewhere along the way, right?

Unfortunately for anyone hoping to see Tommy and Beth walk into the same room and immediately make it everyone else’s problem, two Landman stars aren’t exactly betting the ranch on it. Collider’s Aidan Kelley attended the Newport Beach TV Festival recently and spoke with Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter, who both addressed the possibility of Sheridan’s oil drama crossing over with the Yellowstone universe. Thornton, who plays Tommy Norris, was asked directly whether a Yellowstone crossover will ever happen, and his answer was pretty blunt: “I don’t know. I have no idea. You know, I doubt it. I’ll put it that way.”

Ali Larter Also Doesn’t Think ‘Landman’ Is Crossing Over With ‘Yellowstone’

Larter, who plays Angela, Tommy’s firecracker of an ex-wife, had a similar response when asked about the dream crossover pairing fans are already imagining: Angela Norris meeting Beth Dutton. On paper, it would make sense. Two of the most volatile characters ever written by Sheridan going head-to-head and lighting the screen on fire — if not literally everything else, too — seems like an opportunity too good to pass up. But Larter doesn’t see it happening either. “No, I do not think so,” Larter said. “Sorry to disappoint the fans, but I don’t think that will be happening in our world.”

The Landman cast also includes Demi Moore (The Substance) as Cami Miller, Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Eleven) as Galino, Jacob Lofland (Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials) as Cooper Norris, Michelle Randolph (1923) as Ainsley Norris, Paulina Chávez (The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia) as Ariana Medina, Kayla Wallace (When Calls the Heart) as Rebecca Falcone, Mark Collie (Nashville) as Sheriff Walt Joeberg, and James Jordan (Yellowstone) as Dale Bradley.

Landman streams on Paramount+. Stay tuned at Collider for more.

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Release Date

November 17, 2024

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Network

Paramount

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Yellowstone

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Emotions ran high during the latest “Summer House” reunion, but even longtime Bravo host Andy Cohen was surprised by just how deeply the drama affected the cast.

While viewers have focused on the controversy surrounding Amanda Batula and West Wilson‘s relationship, Cohen says the real story was the emotional toll it took on a friend group still reeling from betrayal, fractured relationships, and lingering resentment.

Speaking at the Newport Beach TV Fest, Andy Cohen reflected on what he witnessed during the reunion taping and revealed that Jesse Solomon struggled to hold back his emotions.

According to Cohen, the atmosphere became increasingly heavy as cast members confronted the fallout from events that unfolded throughout the season.

“I guess that the headline was how visibly shaken a lot of them were,” Cohen said per the Daily Mail.

The Bravo host then shared a striking detail about Solomon’s emotional state during the final portion of the reunion.

“Jesse Solomon spent a good chunk of kind of the last 25 minutes he was sitting there, kind of crying for real,” Cohen recalled.

The emotional reaction stood out even among a cast known for dramatic confrontations and complicated relationships.

“He was very shaken,” Cohen added.

For viewers, Solomon’s visible heartbreak became one of the most talked-about moments of the reunion.

Amanda Batula And West Wilson Romance Sparked Fallout

The tension stemmed largely from the aftermath of Amanda Batula and West Wilson confirming their relationship earlier this year.

While the romance generated headlines, it also created serious problems within the group’s social circle.

The relationship proved particularly painful for Ciara Miller, who had previously dated Wilson on and off. It also complicated matters for Kyle Cooke, who had maintained a friendship with Wilson.

As the reality of the relationship settled in, the group found itself dealing with damaged friendships and growing divisions.

According to Andy Cohen, the emotional wounds remained fresh by the time reunion cameras started rolling.

Rather than focusing solely on who dated whom, cast members appeared more concerned about the trust that had been broken and whether those relationships could ever be repaired.

The resulting atmosphere turned what could have been a routine reunion into something far more intense.

Andy Cohen Ranks ‘Summer House’ Among The Most Tense Reunions

Cohen has moderated countless reality television confrontations throughout his career, including the explosive “Scandoval” reunion.

That experience made his assessment of the “Summer House“ reunion especially notable.

“I would say that the Summer House reunion was top 10 most tense reunions that we’ve had,” he said.

The veteran host explained that the emotional intensity went beyond ordinary reality television drama.

“This is a real group and there was real emotional fallout among this group,” Cohen said.

He continued, “This group is rocked and devastated and it’s very real and it was very emotional.”

Even after the cameras stopped rolling, Cohen admitted that the experience stayed with him.

“And I left and I was truly spent and I wasn’t in it,” he said.

Reflecting on his role during the difficult conversations, Cohen added, “I was just directing the conversation.”

Jesse Solomon Fears The Friend Group May Never Recover

Long before the reunion aired, Solomon had already voiced concerns about the state of the friendships within the house.

As he prepared to confront the season’s biggest issues, he acknowledged how difficult the situation had become.

“I feel like the friend group is fractured,” Solomon said during the first part of the reunion.

The reality TV star expressed concern that some relationships may never fully recover from the damage caused by recent events.

“It’s just sad and I hope we’re not just mourning the loss of what we had and I’m hoping that we can find some common ground and move forward the best way we can,” he explained.

His comments reflected a feeling shared by many viewers who watched the cast struggle to navigate loyalty, friendship, and betrayal.

‘Summer House’ Drama Explodes Before Reunion Even Airs

Taylor Swift’s appearance at the NBA Finals delivered plenty of excitement, but a courtside controversy quickly stole part of the spotlight.

The singer found herself at the center of a social media storm after a radio host was caught on a live microphone making an unflattering remark about her presence at Madison Square Garden.

The unexpected moment spread online within minutes, fueling debate among basketball fans and Swift supporters alike.

It takes a special kind of canonical classic to feature a line of dialogue so memorable that anyone could identify what movie it comes from without any context. “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” uttered by Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) in The Dark Knight, fits the bill. In what is likely to remain his culturally definitive and most popular movie, Christopher Nolan, for better or worse, changed the film landscape forever by making a superhero movie feel like an American epic about crime, justice, and society’s belief in costumed vigilantes as religious dogmas.

While often celebrated for his visual panache and as a groundbreaking pioneer of IMAX photography in narrative films, Nolan writes every one of his movies. However, his clunky and on-the-nose dialogue is a point of contention for many critics, but there’s no denying the power of Dent’s line in The Dark Knight. There’s one problem: Nolan didn’t write that line—it was his brother, Jonathan Nolan, and the director is still haunted by him stealing his thunder.

Jonathan Nolan Wrote ‘The Dark Knight’s Most Iconic Line

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Christopher Nolan is a singular, uncompromising visionary, but Jonathan Nolan is frequently right by his side as a co-writer, contributing to the source material for Memento, and the scripts for The Prestige, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, and Interstellar. It rounds out the family enterprise nature of Nolan’s filmography, as all his movies are produced by Christopher’s wife, Emma Thomas. Since their last collaboration, Jonathan has developed his own autonomous career as the creator of Person of Interest and Westworld on television, as well as producing and directing Prime Video’s Fallout.

No contribution will ever match the legacy of one line of dialogue in an early scene in The Dark Knight, where Harvey Dent, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), and Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) discuss the legality and morality of Batman’s existence as a vigilante crime-fighter roaming the streets of Gotham. For anyone in a position of power, whether a Caped Crusader or Gotham District Attorney, there are only two destinies: die with honor, or live in infamy.

In an interview with Nolan and his longtime collaborator and Oppenheimer star, Cillian Murphy, the director revealed that the “die a hero or live enough to see yourself become the villain” quote was actually coined by Jonathan Nolan. “I’m plagued by a line from The Dark Knight, and I’m plagued by it because I didn’t write it,” Nolan said, especially because the line was the one that “most resonates.” When Jonathan first conceived Dent’s line, Christopher admitted that he was puzzled by it, but the latter’s skepticism was proven wrong, expressing that it “kills” him that he can’t claim authorship of the line. “In this story, it’s absolutely that. Build them up, tear them down. It’s the way we treat people,” Nolan continued.

It’s easy to overlook him, but Jonathan Nolan’s understanding of genre mechanics and elaborate concepts, as demonstrated in his television shows, helped turn his brother into a commercial juggernaut with mass critical appeal. With films like The Prestige and Interstellar built around ornate ideas and executions, Christopher could’ve easily gotten lost in his own orbit, but Jonathan grounded these structures while maintaining their innate grandeur.

The Underlining Thematic Impact of This Famous Line from ‘The Dark Knight’

No one would think twice about who wrote the film’s most iconic line, as it feels very much in tune with Christopher Nolan’s style of dialogue. Characters in The Dark Knight, between Alfred (Michael Caine) analyzing the Joker’s (Heath Ledger) anarchic plan or the Joker himself sharing his philosophy on chaos, often sound like viewers and critics discussing the meaning of the film and its themes, which leads to a fair share of didactic moments where the message is conveyed with little subtlety, such as “Some men just want to watch the world burn,” and “This town deserves a better class of criminal.”

Complain about them all you want, but there is no denying the enduring, instantly recognizable magic of these lines. Nolan’s dialogue may not always be the most natural, but is that what we should expect from a movie about a billionaire dressed as a bat fighting crime? These lines, particularly when delivered with conviction by Eckhart, Caine, and Ledger, are poetic treatises about the mythos of superheroes and the disillusioned sentiment of America in a post-September 11th world.

Without Aaron Eckhart’s austere, earnest delivery, “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” would’ve been an awkward line. It is also saved by the fact that it is the succinct thesis of The Dark Knight and its central thematic figure in Harvey Dent, who secretly dies disgracefully but is remembered fondly by the city of Gotham.

Jacob Elordi has become the subject of a heated online debate after a brief interaction with a fan in Japan exploded across social media.

The viral clip, viewed millions of times within days, sparked fierce disagreement over celebrity boundaries, fan behavior, and whether the actor’s reaction was justified.

As opinions flooded in, the moment quickly became one of the internet’s most talked-about celebrity encounters.

The controversy began when Elordi was approached by a fan while out in Japan. In footage that rapidly spread across social media platforms, the fan greeted the actor with, “What up, chief?” before attempting to get his attention by touching him on the back.

The unexpected contact appeared to catch the actor off guard.

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Turning around, Elordi immediately responded, “Please don’t touch me, bro!” before continuing on his way.

The encounter lasted only seconds, yet it quickly became the center of a much larger conversation.

While some viewers felt the actor’s response was completely reasonable, others questioned whether he could have handled the situation differently.

As the video gained traction, thousands of comments poured in from people eager to weigh in on the awkward exchange.

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Fans Defend Personal Boundaries

A significant number of commenters sided with Jacob Elordi, arguing that the fan crossed a line by making physical contact without permission.

One person wrote, “Why are you touching strangers?”

Another echoed the sentiment, commenting, “Second hand embarrassment and not because of Jacob. Why do you touch unsolicited people on the streets?”

Many felt the issue had little to do with celebrity status and everything to do with respecting personal space.

One supporter stated, “Totally agree. Jacob had every right to react the way he did. Touching another individual is not without intention.!! If you want a photo? Just ask! Jacob was aware of your presence. So why the touch?? You wanted to touch him!!”

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Another added, “Why are you touching him. Don’t touch random people like wtf. Why do people think this is ok. The patience he must have, too many people up in his space.”

For this group of commenters, Elordi’s response was less about rudeness and more about setting a boundary in an uncomfortable situation.

Jacob Elordi Faces Criticism From Other Viewers

Not everyone saw the interaction the same way.

A number of social media users felt the actor’s reaction came across as unnecessarily harsh, even if they acknowledged that the fan should not have touched him.

One critic simply wrote, “He seems rude.”

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Another shared a stronger opinion, writing, “Jacob always gave me the impression of someone arrogant. I’m not justifying them touching him, but it seems to me that he thinks he’s superior all the time.”

Others suggested that the incident reinforced their existing perceptions of the actor.

One commenter claimed, “I used to really like him but since he did the Kissing Booth, he really thinks he is better than everyone.”

The criticism continued with another remark that read, “The fact that he bad mouthed the very films that made him famous prove he is an ungrateful individual!!!”

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Japan Trip Also Puts Spotlight On Kendall Jenner Romance

The viral moment arrived during a trip that had already attracted attention for another reason.

Just days before the fan encounter surfaced online, Jacob Elordi was spotted spending time in Tokyo with girlfriend Kendall Jenner.

According to the Daily Mail, the pair were seen enjoying a date at The Seirinkan, a well-known restaurant popular with both locals and visitors.

Observers noted that the couple appeared relaxed as they chatted with staff members. Jenner wore a pale yellow semi-sheer silk outfit while Elordi kept things casual with a backward baseball cap.

Their appearance together generated fresh interest in a relationship they have largely tried to keep away from the spotlight.

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Jacob Elordi And Kendall Jenner Romance Continues To Draw Interest

DEUXMOI EXCLUSIVE…Several sources tell Deuxmoi Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner were enjoying each other’s company last night at the Bieber after party, making out and “all over each other” 📸@backgrid_usa 🎥X pic.twitter.com/tol9KKgYYm

— deuxmoi (@deuxmoiworld) April 12, 2026

Although Elordi and Jenner have kept many details of their romance private, reports continue to emerge about how their relationship began.

According to insiders who spoke to Page Six, mutual friends allegedly played a role in bringing the pair together. Sources have claimed that Hailey and Justin Bieber encouraged the connection, given that both stars were already part of the same social circle.

The relationship first drew widespread attention after the two were reportedly seen getting close at one of Justin Bieber’s Coachella after-parties in April.

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Reports later suggested that encouragement from the Biebers and other friends helped push the romance forward.

While neither Elordi nor Jenner has publicly detailed how things started, interest in their relationship remains strong.

Jacob Elordi’s romance with Olivia Jade Giannulli appeared glamorous from the outside, but new insider claims suggest the relationship faced serious challenges behind closed doors.

As the actor’s relationship with Kendall Jenner continues to attract attention, fresh allegations have emerged about what allegedly caused tensions with his former girlfriend, painting a complicated picture of their years-long, on-and-off romance.

According to an insider who spoke to the Daily Mail, one of the biggest sources of conflict between Elordi and Giannulli had little to do with the pressures typically associated with celebrity relationships.

Instead, the insider claimed that Elordi frequently took issue with Giannulli’s circle of friends.

“Jacob and Olivia would get into fights about her friends because he was often referring to them as people who were handed everything who didn’t work hard but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” the source alleged.

The insider further claimed that Elordi was often critical of the people closest to Giannulli.

“He would always tell her that they had no drive and no perception of the real world and judge their backgrounds and jobs,” the source said.

According to the insider, the actor’s views created repeated friction throughout the relationship.

“He thought she only wanted to be friends with rich kids so he made her distance herself from her friends,” the source added.

Giannulli’s social circle includes several well-known figures from entertainment, fashion, and business families, many of whom she reportedly knew long before she became famous herself.

Friendship Tensions Became A Major Relationship Problem

What allegedly started as occasional disagreements eventually grew into a much larger issue.

The insider claimed that Giannulli became frustrated with constantly defending her friends and explaining why they mattered to her.

“This was one of the reasons they broke up and she hated that he didn’t respect her friends,” the source claimed.

The insider also suggested that Jacob Elordi struggled to understand the backgrounds of many people in Giannulli’s social circle.

“Jacob didn’t grow up the same way, so he never gave them a fair shot and judged them all,” the source said.

As Elordi’s acting career accelerated with major projects such as “Euphoria” and “Saltburn,” the distance between their worlds reportedly became even more noticeable.

The source alleged that professional success began to change the dynamics of the relationship, as both partners found themselves moving in different directions.

Jacob Elordi’s Rising Fame Changed The Dynamic

The insider claimed that Elordi’s growing profile in Hollywood gradually became another challenge for the couple.

“At the time, his career took over too,” the source said.

According to the insider, the pair spent years breaking up and reconciling before finally reaching a point where the relationship could no longer continue.

“They were on-and-off for so long and the relationship finally ran its course. Once he blew up, the relationship officially ended,” the source added.

Giannulli was reportedly the one who ultimately ended the romance. The insider alleged that she often found herself adjusting to Elordi’s lifestyle while receiving little effort in return when it came to her own interests and priorities.

“Jacob was always working and traveling and she’d always go with,” the source claimed.

The insider continued, “He just made everything about his life and wanted nothing to do with her side of things, so eventually, she moved on.”

Claims Of Social Climbing And Image Management Surface

Perhaps the most surprising allegations centered on how Jacob Elordi reportedly interacted with people behind the scenes.

According to the insider, there was a contradiction between how he viewed Olivia Jade Giannulli’s friends and how he approached networking within the entertainment industry.

“He was nice to her friends’ faces but was rude about them behind their backs and was social climbing,” the source alleged.

The insider went even further, claiming, “He was a user before he made it big.”

The source suggested that maintaining a particular public image became increasingly important to the actor as his career advanced.

That concern with perception allegedly extended beyond his professional life and into his personal relationships.

Jacob Elordi’s Alleged Focus On Image Became A Breaking Point

The insider described image management as one of Elordi’s defining priorities during the relationship.

“He was a good boyfriend and was always loving to her, but he wanted it to look like that to everybody else because he cares a lot about his image and what people think about him,” the source said.

The insider concluded the claim with a blunt assessment: “He was obsessed with that.”

Today, Elordi has moved on with Kendall Jenner, while Giannulli is reportedly focused on her own life and business ventures.

Despite ongoing interest in the actor’s latest romance, the insider insisted there is no lingering bitterness from his former partner.

“She’s neutral on Kendall dating Jacob, but it’s because she’s now genuinely moved on,” the source said.

Whether these allegations accurately reflect what happened behind closed doors remains known only to those involved.

However, the claims have offered a new perspective on a relationship that, until now, largely remained out of the public eye.

Curry Barker‘s Obsession has been the talk of the horror world the past few weeks. The YouTube filmmaker, who first got the attention of genre fans with Milk & Serial, has broken out in a huge way with his feature directorial debut. Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a shy young man who uses a One Wish Willow to wish for his crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), to love him more than anyone else. Bear gets what he wished for … but with terrifying consequences. Obsession is earning praise as one of the best horror movies in ages, but this is no fun fright fest. What Nikki goes through is absolutely heartbreaking, and had Barker stuck with his original ending, it would have altered the impact Obsession had with moviegoers.

What Is ‘Obsession’ About?

Curry Barker got the idea for Obsession from a “Treehouse of Horror” episode of The Simpsons. However, while it’s hilarious to watch Homer use a monkey’s paw to wish for a turkey sandwich, there’s nothing funny about Obsession. Barker’s film lives in darkness and goes for the unexpected at every turn.

Bear, the shy “nice guy,” should be the hero. And, for a bit, he is, until he wishes for his co-worker, Nikki, to love him more than anyone else in the world. Just like that, the confident, independent Nikki becomes obsessed with Bear. Rather than looking for a way to cancel his wish, Bear only wants to alter it. He doesn’t want to let Nikki go and still wants him to love her in the way he desires.

This makes Bear the true villain of the movie. And while Nikki is plenty scary, she is never the antagonist. This new form only wants to please and doesn’t know how. Meanwhile, the real Nikki is trapped, forced to inhabit this possessed body and only allowed to come out for a few seconds here and there. Nikki is a tragic figure, with more than a few scenes producing tears rather than screams.

Nikki Was Originally Going To Die at the End of ‘Obsession’

Going into the third act of Obsession, the thing that is Nikki sleeps in bed. With the entity at bay, the real Nikki takes over her body and begs Bear to kill her. He won’t do it. Bear is a coward, and he’s not ready to let go of his wish, despite the cost. In the wild finale, Sarah (Megan Lawless) and Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) are dead at Nikki’s hand. It’s only then that Bear is ready to take his own life to cancel the wish and save Nikki, who can come back the moment he dies. However, once more, Bear proves to be a coward and backs out, taking the gun out of his mouth and swallowing a bunch of pills instead. He quickly regrets that, as well, and starts an attempt to vomit them up before being stopped by the entity version of Nikki breaking a second One Wish Willow. Seconds later, he is dead, the real Nikki is back in her body, and the end credits roll as she screams. It’s chilling to the bone.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the director revealed that his original ending went even further. Barker strongly considered giving the film a Romeo and Juliet-type finale where both characters die.

“We shot both; we shot this ending that you see in the movie, and we shot the ending where she ends it all. We had shot a ton of different versions of the official ending, the one that’s in the script, the one that I was excited about, and I was like, Okay, we’ll do one ending where [Nikki] survives, but we’ll just do one take of it, and then we’ll move on.“

‘Obsession’s Ending Is More Scary Because Nikki Lives

Image via Focus Features

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After shooting an alternate ending with Nikki surviving that Barker didn’t think he would use, he was talked into making it the actual ending by his father, screenwriter Jeff Barker.

“I just remember my dad and multiple people around me being like, ‘Dude, I think it’s way more disturbing if she just survives this thing.’ I was like, ‘Ah, you’re right.’ And so we switched it.”

In an interview with Collider, Inde Navarrette told Peri Nemiroff:

“She’s gonna sit with the grief.’ And also, at the same time, we’re following her this entire time. Curry was like, ‘No, we really want to sit with her.’ And that’s why we got the ending that we did.”

To watch Nikki make it so far through so much only to die would have been unbearable for the viewer and killed any rewatch potential. Nikki had to live. Usually, if the hero makes it out of a horror movie alive, that’s a happy ending. Not for Obsession. Sure, there’s a chance she’s strong enough to overcome what she’s gone through. Maybe this horrific experience will become the basis for the love story she dreams of writing. That’s a fantasy though. Nikki is not coming back from this. When she snaps back into her body, her face is not one of relief. Nikki is terrified, her eyes wide with extreme fear. She has seen things and been to places the audience doesn’t know about. There is no escape from such soul-destroying trauma.

Just as bad, all of Nikki’s friends are now dead because of her. Even if she could somehow find a way to live through this knowledge, no one will ever believe what really happened. In the eyes of the law, Nikki will be seen as a crazed killer. It’s off to prison for life, or at best, a psychiatric hospital. The movie ends on this poor woman’s pain pouring out of her. She is coming undone. Will she be okay? The viewer will never get a true answer, but we can already guess. Whatever awaits Nikki is pure, unimaginable hell, and that’s much worse than the finality of death.

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Obsession

Release Date

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May 15, 2026

Runtime

108 minutes

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Director

Curry Barker

Writers

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Curry Barker

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Video games offer a whole range of emotions from different genres, from pure excitement and thrills in action masterpieces such as Call of Duty, to rage-inducing challenges like Elden Ring, and even pure wonder and joy in adventure fantasies, including The Legend of Zelda. Video games are masters at making players feel things, and that includes fear, as the horror genre is one of the most acclaimed.

The horror genre works perfectly in video game format, making it more immersive and personal, ramping up the fright and terror to deliver must-play experiences for fans of the genre. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest horror video games of all time based on gameplay, narrative, design, originality, influence, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, and the level of fear it instills in the players.

10

‘Until Dawn’ (2015)

Image via Supermassive Games

A lot of the games on this list received live-action movie adaptations, and one of the ones that went under the radar was Until Dawn. On the one-year anniversary of the death of two of their friends, a group goes on a vacation in a mountain cabin. However, when they get stuck, a mysterious figure begins hunting them, making every decision a life-or-death choice.

This game made waves back when it was first released, becoming a major YouTube sensation (which is a common theme among horror games) that offered thrilling choices. With a feeling of classic horror movie camp and genuinely terrifying moments, Until Dawn is a frightening sensation that perfectly adapts the butterfly effect mechanic, creating a magnificent and gripping horror narrative.

9

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (2014)

Image via ScottGames

Some may view this game ironically, but putting aside the countless spin-offs and terrible films, Five Nights at Freddy’s was actually a remarkable and popular game. Playing as a security guard at a kid’s pizza place, the night shift gets ten times more terrifying when the animatronics come to life, hunting down the player who must survive the week.

It’s fairly simple mechanics open a plethora of options and areas to manage as the player must keep tabs on multiple rooms and animatronics. Maintaining safety isn’t as easy as one would think, as the added challenges and creeping difficulty increase the drama and tension every night. Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of the most iconic modern video game franchises, and it does this without the player needing to move at all.

8

‘Outlast’ (2013)

A handful of these games become popular on YouTube, where creators would play them and share their terrified reactions, and one such title that traumatized many influencers is Outlast. Armed with only a camcorder, an investigative journalist breaks into an abandoned asylum to look into the rumors of horrific experiments, only to come face to face with said horrors.

By taking away the player’s weapons and ability to fight back, Outlast popularized the vulnerable protagonist in horror games, and this sense of helplessness only amplified the dread. Looking at the world through a grainy recording camera gives a claustrophobic vibe that further ramps up the terror, and with plenty of surprises in store, fans better be on their toes.

7

‘Dead Space’ (2008)

Image via Motive Studios

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The modern remake did receive glowing reviews, but the original Dead Space is still unmatched with its older graphics and design. Isaac Clarke is a space engineer sent out to repair a planet-mining vessel. However, what he encounters is an entire crew dead and reborn into creatures by a strange artifact, prompting him to do whatever it takes to survive.

The remake polished everything and got rid of the tedious shooting gallery, but the original feels scarier, and therefore is a better horror game, while the remake is better in other aspects. The enemy AI is far more terrifying, and the classic visuals add a sense of fright. Dead Space is a magnificent sci-fi video game that forces the player to think strategically about where to cut the enemies.

6

‘Alien: Isolation’ (2014)

Image via Sega Corporation

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There have been a lot of horror video games that turned into movies, but what about the other way around? It isn’t an adaptation of the movie, but Alien: Isolation brings the iconic sci-fi horror franchise into the interactive realm. Set 15 years after the first movie, Amanda Ripley is searching for her mother, but all she finds is a lone alien that she must hide from, alone on a ship.

Alien: Isolation doesn’t have much of a story and is rather one-note, but that allows it to focus everything on perfecting the horror format. The alien AI is perhaps the greatest enemy AI ever made, to the point where it feels real. It is an ever-learning creature that forces the player to adapt their gameplay, and just when they think they’re safe, it strikes. Alien: Isolation is a definitive sci-fi horror that will have players silent in anticipation and fright.

5

‘Amnesia: The Dark Descent’ (2010)

Image via Frictional Games

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Set within an eerie castle, Daniel wakes up with no recollection of where he is or why he is there, only remembering his name and that he is in danger. Amnesia: The Dark Descent has players controlling Daniel, needing to journey into the heart of the castle in order to kill its master and escape.

While Outlast popularized this horror format, Amnesia: The Dark Descent invented it, pioneering this type of horror game that would become a staple of the genre. The sanity meter mechanic was a revolutionary invention for horror games, and this title used it remarkably by adding a new layer of gameplay that fused with the horror vibe.

4

‘P.T.’ (2014)

Image via Kojima Productions

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Most of the titles on this list are big main series games, but P.T. is known as the Silent Hill game that never got made. Standing for playable teaser, this was just a demo of the new game in the franchise, but after it was canceled, this is all fans got. As a player loops around a typical house, it becomes more distorted as a ghost begins chasing them.

Fans may never get Silent Hills, but this demo alone has established itself as one of the greatest horror experiences put on the screen. This video game was an event for the community, with players finding new secrets and lore in every loop that would only intensify the hype. P.T. isn’t legally available anymore, but that lost media aspect only makes it more legendary and iconic.

3

‘Resident Evil’ (2002)

Image via Capcom

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Resident Evil 4 is arguably the best game in the franchise, but that is because of its action elements, and when it comes to pure horror, the first Resident Evil has it beat. However, this entry specifically features the remake on the GameCube, which brought everything great about the original into a more modern feel. A special team investigates the mysterious experiments in a mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City.

Resident Evil is arguably the greatest horror franchise of all time, and that is why there are two entries on this list, starting with the definitive classic. The pre-rendered backgrounds and graphics were some of the most realistic of the time, making horror feel more real in a time when most assets were jagged polygons. Resident Evil is a 2000s masterpiece that redefined the horror genre.

2

‘Silent Hill 2’ (2001)

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Both the remake and the original are about equally good, but this list opted for the original for its historical significance and innovation within the genre and gaming at large. 1999’s Silent Hill followed Harry Mason in his quest to find his daughter in the titular town. However, he is pulled into an alternate dimension that reflects the mind of a young girl’s trauma. Silent Hill 2 follows widower James Sunderland as he wanders the eponymous town in Maine in search of his deceased wife.

The horror genre is known for jump scares, but a truly scary experience is when a title doesn’t need that at all, and Silent Hill 2 does that perfectly. Relying on its sense of existential dread by using hallucinatory fog that creates an unmatched surrealist vibe, Silent Hill 2 creates a horror masterpiece that proves what you don’t see can be scarier than what is there.

1

‘Resident Evil 2’ (2019)

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As mentioned, the Resident Evil franchise is one of the best horror has to offer, and while the fourth is usually considered the best, Resident Evil 2 is the greatest horror experience. As Raccoon City faces a full-scale zombie invasion, Leon and a high school girl must evade the creatures and try to make it out of the city alive.

The original is great, but it is hard to beat the modern reimagining of Resident Evil 2, which improved on the graphics, gameplay, and ambient horror. Making a horror game into a metroidvainia was a brilliant choice, and when paired with a constant threat chasing players, the sense of worry only builds. Resident Evil 2 uses its flawless pacing, intricate puzzles, and brutal gore to create a prestigious horror game that many consider to be one of the greatest video games of all time.