Romance films are often nice, and romantic comedies in particular tend to be rather gentle, not to mention prime candidates if you’re looking for a good comfort movie. Something like When Harry Met Sally is a very pleasant and almost impossible-to-dislike film, and then even iconic romantic movies that are a little more bittersweet, like Casablanca, couldn’t really be called heavy or anxiety-inducing.

So, the following movies ultimately stand out, within the whole romance genre. Admittedly, many of these are romantic thrillers, or function as psychological dramas on top of being romance films, but if romance is a prominent genre in a given film, then said film can qualify for appearing here. If you’re sort of sick of pleasant and/or sentimental films about love, for whatever reason, then maybe these anxiety-inducing romance movies will be more up your alley.

10

‘Love’ (2015)

Image via Wild Bunch

Gaspar Noé isn’t really in the business of making nice movies, to put it very, very mildly. The most approachable thing he’s made is probably Vortex (2021), which doesn’t have anything by way of graphic violence or intense sexual content (the stuff Noé is especially infamous for), but it is a grueling and psychologically harrowing watch, since it’s about two old people struggling to get by because of worsening health issues.

Yes, that’s as “pleasant” as things get with Gaspar Noé, and so his movie called Love isn’t very lovely, or in any way easy to watch. It’s about a couple who shake up their sex lives by inviting in a third participant, so to speak, and then things get complicated and intense for a whole bunch of reasons. Love is just very uneasy throughout, and the opposite of a good date night movie, even if it is technically well within the bounds of the romance genre.

9

‘The Piano Teacher’ (2001)

Image via Kino International

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It’s a Michael Haneke movie, so of course it’s going to be despairing. He’s a bit like Gaspar Noé in the sense that even when a film of his doesn’t have extreme content, it’s still extremely distressing (see Amour, which, like Noé’s Vortex, is also a difficult movie about aging). The Piano Teacher is one of Haneke’s best-known films, and it’s kind of a romance? Barely. It’s more of a psychological drama.

It does involve a piano teacher struggling with various things after a younger man starts trying to instigate a romantic relationship with her, so in that sense, it’s broadly about love and longing, but without being very romantic. The Piano Teacher is all very unpleasant and harrowing in its exploration of a troubled mind, and while it’s not non-stop with showing extreme stuff, it does pepper in a good deal of imagery that’s ultimately hard to shake.

8

‘Miracle Mile’ (1988)

Image via Hemdale Film Corporation

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If After Hours had a bit less of a Kafkaesque feel, and involved all of society falling apart rather than just the life of one very unlucky man, then it would probably look and feel a little like Miracle Mile. Both movies came out in the 1980s, and are darkly comedic, not to mention fast-paced, all the while having premises that involve first dates – or at least an attempt at a first date – going quite wrong.

With Miracle Mile, society is breaking down in rapid succession because nuclear war is imminent, so everyone has to grapple with the fact that they might all be about to die, and the two main characters still want to do something with each other for their potential last night on Earth. It’s so many different genres at once, and veers off in various wild directions tonally speaking, but all in a way that’s pretty admirable, even if the film’s kind of a mess at the same time.

7

‘The Lovers on the Bridge’ (1991)

Image via Gaumont Distribution

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The Lovers on the Bridge is about two downtrodden and troubled people who both find themselves living on the streets, particularly on and around the bridge referred to in the title: the Pont Neuf in Paris. One of them is struggling with addiction, and the other is feeling despondent after a break-up and a health condition that’s making her gradually lose her vision.

It’s all very miserable, by design, and The Lovers on the Bridge also has some confronting imagery and occasional violent situations that drive home a further feeling of angst on top of all the difficulties the characters are already grappling with. It feels a bit like descending into some emotionally taxing territory you can’t ever really climb out of, so calling the film a difficult watch would be a huge understatement. It’s very good, though, for what that’s worth, as contradictory as that could sound.

6

‘Bitter Moon’ (1992)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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Erotic thrillers were all the rage for a little while there, say, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, mostly in the sense that a few got genuine mainstream attention and became unlikely blockbusters, in terms of box office revenue. Bitter Moon came out around this time, and it had a premise that largely revolved around a man on a cruise ship becoming obsessed with the wife of another man on board that same ship.

Lots of Bitter Moon is made up of flashbacks leading up to the cruise, and then inevitable drama during it. The whole thing is uneasy and oftentimes suspenseful, and while Bitter Moon is too flawed to be a genuinely great movie, it does have its moments for sure, and is intense/bold enough, for the most part, to be worthy of inclusion here.

5

‘The Drama’ (2026)

Easily the most recent movie here, The Drama does already feel like it could be something of an infamous all-timer, as far as anxiety-inducing romance films are concerned. Part of that has to do with the fact that for the first few scenes, or maybe even the first act, it feels quite sappy and by-the-numbers, as a surprisingly not too quirky rom-com, but that’s all to ensure you’re caught off guard by what the movie’s really about.

It’s revealed early on, but the specifics lie within spoiler territory (the trailer doesn’t elaborate), so what can be said is that a soon-to-be-married couple find new stress in the lead-up to their wedding, when a secret from one of their pasts is revealed. The Drama explores some very dark thematic territory while also being quite funny at times, and then proves capable of building an incredible amount of tension (especially in its second half) for something that isn’t a thriller.

4

‘Badlands’ (1973)

Image via Warner Bros.

Badlands is an arthouse film, but not too unapproachable or obscure compared to most movies that can be classified as such. It’s about a couple in love who go on the run after the young man in the relationship murders the father of the young woman, and then while they’re on the run from the law, he ends up committing a few more murders.

It’s a film that proves quite startling with its violence, even if that violence isn’t particularly graphic… more so that it just comes out of nowhere at certain times, and also ends up being treated quite casually by the person doing the murders. Badlands might sound a bit strange, being a road movie, a gritty crime film, and also something about young (and potentially naïve) love, but it works really well, and still feels unlike pretty much anything else out there.

3

‘Happy Together’ (1997)

Image via Golden Harvest Company

There are just two main characters, really, at the center of Happy Together: a pair of men who find their relationship heading toward ruin, so they try to reinvigorate things by traveling to Argentina together. The change of scenery doesn’t help as much as they’d planned, because various issues keep popping up, and the film pretty frequently explores the pair clashing and arguing in increasingly intense ways.

So, safe to say, that title is kind of ironic. And Happy Together works as more of a break-up film than a romance one in the traditional sense, which is something you could also say about Chungking Express (like Happy Together, that one was directed by Wong Kar-wai), but Chungking Express was a good deal more bittersweet, and not as intense. Happy Together does offer some catharsis, and it’s not, like, 100% miserable, but the downbeat sections of the film do hit incredibly hard, all the while feeling remarkably raw.

2

‘Punch-Drunk Love’ (2002)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

You get a pretty simple story told over a relatively brisk 90-ish minutes in Punch-Drunk Love, but there is complexity here that comes about because of how good a character study it is, and also because it’s quite adventurous in terms of tone and genre(s). It’s sort of a romantic comedy, but a psychological drama/thriller at the same time… kind of? It’s hard to explain and define, but you get a similar feeling watching it as you get from The Drama.

Punch-Drunk Love also houses what’s probably Adam Sandler’s second-best performance, topped only by what he did in the also anxiety-inducing 2019 film, Uncut Gems. Punch-Drunk Love is funny at times, borderline-disturbing at other points, and then ultimately surprisingly romantic, too, standing alongside One Battle After Another as a film that shows how, when Paul Thomas Anderson wants to tackle a bunch of genres at once, he can do so pretty darn well.

1

‘Scenes from a Marriage’ (1974)

Image via Cinematograph AB

You can sort of compare Scenes from a Marriage to the more recent Marriage Story, owing to both of the movies having titles that share a word, and also the fact that both movies are ultimately about divorce. Marriage Story is only listed as a drama on most sites, though, while Scenes from a Marriage gets both the “drama” and “romance” labels on Letterboxd, so that’s why it’s here instead of Marriage Story.

Maybe that’s because Scenes from a Marriage has a little more to do with preventing the relationship from ending, at least early on, building toward a sense that it has to end, while Marriage Story lets you know it’s about divorce right from the start. Anyway, the point is that Scenes from a Marriage is incredibly anxiety-inducing, just because it really feels like watching a series of real-life arguments, one after the other, for almost three hours (and much longer if you watch the miniseries version, which came out one year earlier and is probably therefore the definitive cut).

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Scenes From a Marriage

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Release Date

September 15, 1974

Runtime

169 minutes

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Director

Ingmar Bergman

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Writers

Ingmar Bergman

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We love our flowy fit‑and‑flare dresses and floral favorites, but nothing beats the ease and versatility of a breezy activewear dress when the weather warms up. Whether for running laps, running errands, serving on the court or serving chic style, these breathable activewear dresses prove that performance and style go hand in hand. And with all the creative designs popping up these days — from drop‑waist dresses to tiered tennis styles and half‑zip athletic pieces — there’s truly something for everyone.

In anticipation of the hot, humid days to come, we rounded up 19 breathable and easy-going athletic dresses that deliver everything you’d need, including slimming fits, great bust support and style versatility. Shop our top picks from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom and Macy’s below — and get ready to hit the treadmill, tennis court or coffee shop with well‑deserved confidence.

19 Lightweight Activewear Dresses for Staying Cool and Looking Chic

1. Our Favorite: It’s no surprise over 600 shoppers picked up this crossback tennis dress this past month. With built‑in shorts, roomy pockets and a bra that lifts and separates without underwire, it delivers style and dependable support in one easy piece.

2. Preppy Style: If built‑in shorts aren’t your thing, this bestselling sleeveless tennis dress gives you the best of both worlds. The stretchy, sweat‑wicking fabric pairs perfectly with separate shorts for customizable comfort.

3. Modest Pick: Going for a more modest, full‑coverage look? This polished zip‑front polo dress fully delivers, with built-in shorts and fresh spring colors, including pink and blue.

4. Slimming Silhouette: Walmart shoppers can’t get enough of this wrap‑waist activewear dress. They’re wearing it for everything — workouts, powering through errands and even brunch.

5. Perfect Cover: Trying to hide a muffin top? This sleeveless golf dress features a clever high-waist split skirt that lets you enjoy a smooth, flattering fit no matter how active your day gets.

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6. Flowy Flare: This tiered athletic pick is as close to a traditional dress as you can get without losing the practicality that makes it a go‑to for busy days. The toggle waist design lets you tailor the fit exactly to your liking.

7. Quiet Luxury Style: Achieve that country club aesthetic with this pleated athletic dress from Zella. Complete the rich-mom look with crisp white sneakers, oversized sunnies and a structured tote.

8. Splurge Worthy: For those who gravitate toward premium brands like Alo Yoga or lululemon, this half‑zip athletic dress from TravisMathew is a perfect match. Shoppers praise its all‑day wearability on the golf course, even on the hottest days.

9. Dancer Vibes: Admirers will think you’re an off-duty ballerina in this Free People ruffle jumpsuit. While you won’t necessarily be running miles in it, you can absolutely float through errands, coffee runs and casual weekends in total comfort.

10. Mom-Approved: Quince shoppers are obsessed with this spaghetti‑strap active dress. Reviewers praise the breathable, stretchy fabric and all‑day comfort, calling it a “must‑have” for on‑the‑go moms.

11. Comfort Without Compromise: Some activewear dresses can feel a bit too revealing. This UPF 50 Lands’ End active dress enlists a longer skirt and a higher neckline, so you can feel comfortably covered without venturing into matron territory.

12. Style First: Don’t sweat about running laps in this racerback active dress that, let’s be honest, is more about looking cute than shaving seconds off your mile time.

13. Size Inclusive: Find your perfect fit in this scoop‑back athletic dress from Old Navy, which is available in regular, tall, and petite sizes from XS to 4X. We especially love the spring‑ready hues, including blue, pink and green.

14. Move With Confidence: Drop‑waist active dresses are popping up everywhere, and Old Navy’s take on the trend might just be our favorite. The super‑stretchy dress lets you move with confidence, thanks to its non‑chafing shorts, supportive built‑in bra and flared, fun skirt.

15. Twirl Worthy: Keep it girly and fun with this ruffle tennis dress that we’re dying to wear on and off the court. Pair it with a cardigan and tennis shoes for a sporty look that’s so in this spring.

16. Confidence Booster: Not into showing off a lot of skin? You can still keep things cute and stylish with this half-zip dress that has a flirty ruffle hem and tons of color options, including this pink houndstooth style.

17. Tummy-Hiding Fit: For those bloated days where nothing fits right, this tummy‑control tennis dress is just the piece for feeling supported, snatched and ready to take on the day.

18. Full Sleeves: Whether you need sun protection or just like the style, this long‑sleeve active dress is your go‑to for staying cool, covered and effortlessly chic.

19. Make a Statement: Stand out from the conventional crowd in this colorful tennis dress that uses a clever mesh overlay for the ultimate blend of breathability, movement and eye‑catching style.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in the controversial new movie, “The Drama.” The movie focuses on a happy couple that is about to head down the aisle. However, things take a turn when Zendaya’s character reveals the worst thing she’s ever done in what is meant to be a lighthearted game. However, her confession shocks them all and leaves her fiancé wondering just how well he knows his bride-to-be.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

What Is The Secret Twist In ‘The Drama’?

The biggest twist in “The Drama” doesn’t ultimately have much impact on the story, as Zendaya’s character never actually goes through with it. Instead, she recalls how she planned a school shooting and was very close to carrying it out, only to pull the brakes at the last minute. No one found out, and she did not face any consequences for her plan until perhaps now, when it makes her fiancé second-guess how well he really knows her.

The movie has been teasing a “dark twist” but has ultimately been marketed as more of a lighthearted romantic comedy, which has caused quite a stir online. Both the marketing strategy and the use of a school shooting as a plot device have been under scrutiny online, leading to one of the most controversial films of the year.

Parkland Shooting Survivor Addresses Zendaya’s New Movie

Jackie Corin is a survivor of the 2018 Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that claimed 17 lives and the cofounder of March for Our Lives, a student-led organization that leads demonstrations in support of gun control legislation.

She told The Hollywood Reporter that she sees the film as “an inevitable evolution in storytelling,” given the frequency of school shootings, both in media and life. Although Corin admitted that she has yet to see the film, she addressed how incorporating a school shooting as a plot device can lead to “small tonal choices” that can change how a film is received.

Gun Violence Is ‘Not Just Another Dramatic Device’

Eight years ago, lives were forever shattered when a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and killed 17 students and educators, wounding many more. We remember. We were told our pain, grief, and anger would fade with time. We were told that the systems putting gun… pic.twitter.com/AFp31MBSBl

— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) February 14, 2026

“Gun violence, particularly in schools, is not just another dramatic device,” Corin said. “Art has the capacity to deepen public understanding and create emotional clarity and awareness, but it can also flatten and distort reality, especially when it leans on shorthand or tries to make something more palatable than it actually is. With something like a near school shooting, even small tonal choices can shift whether a story feels productive or dismissive.”

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“I’m a survivor of the Parkland school shooting that killed 17 of my classmates and teachers,” Corin continued. “There isn’t distance from the subject. So when humor enters the frame, it can feel very different. Unfortunately, it’s also not even just people who have lived through this. It’s the millions of kids across this country who fear it every single day. So what might read as satire or tonal contrast to one audience can feel very jarring to another.”

Another School Shooting Survivor Weighs In

#TheDrama carelessly glorifies mass shootings purely for shock value and I cannot in good conscience support it in any way.

One of the worst movies I have ever seen. pic.twitter.com/c8IJigcgrN

— Brandon Siedlik (@BrandonSiedlik) April 3, 2026

In 2019, Mia Tretta survived being shot in the stomach as a student during a shooting at her high school in Santa Clarita, California. She also addressed the film in a conversation with USA Today,  saying, “A character planning a school shooting isn’t something that should be joked about.”

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Corin acknowledged that humor can be a way for audiences to process fear or grief, and acknowledged that it has its place. However, she expressed concern about the casting of two popular Hollywood actors and worries that it might affect the film’s reception.

“That was my biggest concern upon hearing about the plot,” she told the publication. “When you have someone like Zendaya and Robert Pattinson attached to a project, they both — separately, but also especially together — bring an enormous amount of attention and cultural weight. They are icons for a lot of young people. That can be a real asset if the project is handled with care, but it also means that the message reaches audiences who might not otherwise engage with the issue. It raises the stakes.”

Parkland Survivor Wants Zendaya and Robert Pattinson To Use Their Platforms Responsibly

Although Zendaya and Robert Pattinson have not addressed the topic of school shootings during the press tour, likely to conceal the “dark twist” in the film, Corin called it “an interesting strategy” and hoped that the actors involved would, eventually, address the topic of gun violence in a responsible manner.

“I hope that they use their platforms to talk about gun violence responsibly because they chose to play these characters,” Corin says of Zendaya and Pattinson. “I don’t think that the question is, ‘Should someone like Zendaya or Robert Pattinson be in a project like this?’ But does the project actually rise to the level of care that her platform brings to it?”

“The Drama” was released in theaters on April 3, 2026.

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Crystal Hefner has shared photos from her destination wedding to her second husband, James Ward.

On Saturday, April 4, the Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself author, 39, posted a carousel of photos shot during her wedding in the Cook Islands on Thursday, April 2. The photos showcased Hefner’ long-sleeved “Margo” wedding gown from designer Oksana Mukha, which was covered in over 5,400 Swarovski crystals.

Hefner revealed to People that she picked out the lace “Margot” wedding gown because it felt like “a Disney princess dress.”

Another shot included a close look at Hefner’ stunning diamond wedding ring, which was accentuated by a flower crown that she wore during the ceremony.

Related: Crystal Hefner and James Ward Spend 1st Anniversary on African Getaway: Pics

Crystal Hefner and boyfriend James Ward are celebrating their first anniversary together with a luxurious getaway to Africa, and the former Playboy model is sharing the special photos exclusively with Us Weekly. We’re celebrating in a way that reflects who we are as a couple — with adventure, heart and purpose,” Hefner, 38, tells Us of the April 2 […]

The couple confirmed that Hefner walked down the aisle to a local band playing the Māori love song, “Akaipoipo Taua,” while the newlyweds’ first dance was to Ike Dweck’s track “Safe With Me.”

Hefner and Ward opted for a “simple, elegant, and ocean-inspired” ceremony to match their scenic Cook Islands location.

“We chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is,” the bride told People. “There are no big chain hotels, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and authentic. It’s also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Since James and I both love the ocean and nature it felt like the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives.”

Ward beamed that he was over the moon about tying the knot with his bride.

“Crystal’s heart, specifically for me and all non-human living things, is a thing to behold,” he said. “All creatures, great and small are bestowed a generosity and kindness, the likes of which I’ve never seen. She’s the classiest, brainiest, most adventure-seeking partner I could have ever hoped to find. My life is now better in every way, and I feel like the luckiest guy alive that I get to spend my life with her.”

The newlyweds opted to stay in the Cook Islands for their honeymoon.

As for what’s next for the couple, Hefner hinted, “[We hope for] more travel, more adventures in nature, and continuing to build a life centered around love, animals, the ocean, and meaningful experiences together.”

“We’re excited to keep exploring the world together, spending time in nature, and building a life that reflects the things we both love,” she added.

Related: Crystal Hefner Files Complaint Over Hugh Hefner’s Explicit Scrapbooks

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Crystal Hefner has entered a dispute with the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation over the potential release of the late Playboy editor-in-chief’s sexually explicit scrapbooks. Crystal, 39, filed regulatory complaints with the attorney generals of California and Illinois over her concerns that Hugh Hefner’s foundation is mishandling his private documents, including scrapbooks that allegedly feature explicit […]

Hefner confirmed her nuptials were imminent on Thursday when she shared a “wedding day” video of Ward picking her up in his arms. She also offered a sneak preview of their beachside wedding location, where stones had been arranged in the shape of a heart.

“Baby where the hell is my husband… probably waiting for me to walk down the aisle 🥹💍 Today is the day,” she captioned the post.

Us Weekly exclusively reported in March 2025 that Ward proposed to Hefner near their home in Hawaii with a six-carat, vintage mine-cut diamond set on a whisper-thin band.

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“It truly feels like a full-circle moment. James completely surprised me. He had a hidden staircase and a winding trail cleared to reveal a handcrafted deck perched above a dramatic cliffside overlooking the ocean,” Hefner told Us.

She continued, “It was the exact spot where we’d had a quiet picnic together a year ago — a place that became ‘ours.’ I had no idea he was secretly turning it into something permanent and symbolic. I thought we were just going for a walk, but when I saw the flowers, the handwritten notes, and the sea stretching endlessly in front of us, I knew something extraordinary was about to happen.”

Crystal was previously married to late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017. (Hugh had been married twice before, to Mildred Williams from 1949 to 1959 and to Kimberley Conrad from 1989 to 2010. The Playboy magnate was a father of four children.)