A good thriller has the power to keep you enthralled from the beginning to the end. Whether action-packed adrenaline rushes or masterful mysteries with sensational suspense, a thriller should elicit a satisfying reaction when the credits roll. Imagine a thriller film so good that it spawns not one but two follow-ups! A good thriller trilogy, whether unifying stories or united by themes, will keep you glued to your screen begging for one more.
We’re here to celebrate eight near-perfect thriller trilogies. From epic mysteries led by the world’s most beloved sleuth to the most iconic desert-set dystopian movies, these trilogies remain a major part of cinema history because they were so good, there was more in store. Now, these are the films that fall just shy of perfection. Whether it’s due to a single film that falls flat or lacks the legacy to boost them up a notch, these near-perfect film trilogies are most certainly worth a weekend watch.
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8
The Apartment Trilogy
Mia Farrow drowning a scream with her hand in Rosemary’s BabyImage via Paramount Pictures
The reason Roman Polanski‘s unofficial trilogy falls into near-perfect status is due to the filmmaker’s legacy and that the bookend films are not nearly as extraordinary as the middle film. Which also just so happens to be one of the greatest psychological horror films of all time. Neverthless, Polanski’s Apartment Trilogy features three standalone psychological horror films thematically linked by their confined apartment settings. Together, they explore themes of isolation, paranoia, and the gradual loss of sanity. In the first film, Repulsion, Carol Ledoux (Catherine Deneuve), a withdrawn young woman, is left alone in her sister’s apartment. She spirals into deep depression, intense paranoia, and homicidal mania as she hallucinates unwanted sexual advances and violently attacks those who enter her space. The second and most well-known, Rosemary’s Baby, tells the story of Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), who moves into a historic New York apartment building with her husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). As she goes through a difficult pregnancy, she becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, eventually suspecting that her eccentric neighbors and her husband belong to a sinister cult. Finally, The Tenant chronicles Trelkovsky (Polanski), a quiet man who moves into a Parisian apartment where the previous tenant committed suicide. He becomes consumed by the belief that his hostile neighbors are gaslighting him and plotting to force him to take on the dead tenant’s identity.
Polanski treats physical space as a living, hostile character that traps the protagonist’s mind. Through tight, indoor settings, these stories turn normal rooms into rooms of deep terror where a descent into madness occurs and where the blurred lines of reality are destined to torment its victim. The walls come to life as the rooms take shape, crack open, or close in to capture the mindset of its subject. The once safe spaces are also long gone, as outside forces or evil neighbors take control. The three films work masterfully together as paranoia is in full bloom. Each protagonist faces escalating pressure, gaslighting, or imagined threats from the outside creeping in. Domestic boundaries break down, leaving audiences to fear their own homes. Though the filmmaker’s legacy may be marred, there’s absolutely denying the sheer brilliance of his work. If you loved Rosemary’s Baby, the other two are must-watches at least once.
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7
The Pusher Trilogy
Mads Mikkelsen as Tonny in Pusher (1996)Image via Magnolia Pictures
If the Pusher Trilogy may sound unfamiliar, that’s not necessarily a major shock to the system. They do fall into the underrated gem category of cinema. Brought to life by Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, the trilogy explores the violent criminal underworld of Copenhagen through gritty realism. Each film follows a different subject as they deal with debt, stress, and total ruin over the course of a few highly intense days. In Pusher, Frank (Kim Bodnia), a mid-level dealer, has his life fall apart after a botched heroin deal leaves him owning a massive debt to a ruthless Serbian gang leader named Milo (Zlatko Burić). Pusher II: With Blood on My Hands centers on Frank’s ex-con friend Tony (Mads Mikkelsen) as he attempts to earn the respect of his criminal father and rebuild his broken life after prison. Pusher III: I’m the Angel of Death shifts the action to the aging kingpin Milo as he juggles cooking for his daughter’s birthday party, struggling with sobriety, and managing a chaotic, disastrous drug shipment. The Pusher Trilogy showcases how crime is no glamorous trade as each central character is one bad deal away from total collapse.
Through masterful realism, Pusher pushes its main characters to the brink. In turn, the action is tantalizing. With a raw documentary style direction, each film offers different perspectives as different levels and assets of Copenhagen’s criminal underworld are innately captured. The trilogy brings an unflinching examination on the mundane consequences of a life of crime. Shot on location in the Danish city, Refn’s abiltity to bring the backstreets into the spotlight provides a spellbinding and enriching perspective. By working their way through the hierarchy, the Pusher films work as a cohesive unit, yet have immense standalone depth. But truly, seeing the ecosystem in action across the three films is worth the journey. The films are wonderfully raw and natural, as the dialogue is properly messy and entirely human. The Pusher Trilogy is also responsible for launching Mikkelsen into global stardom, so we should be thankful for that! Though there are remakes, nothing beats the originals.
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6
Robert Langdon Trilogy
Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou in The Da Vinci Code stand side by side and look at a cylinder lockbox.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
If there was one book that took the world by storm in 2003, it was The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It was inevitably going to be given a theatrical life. It was so good, the sequel novels were also adapted into feature films. Centering on the fictional character Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a Harvard symbologist, the action-adventure movies may not have been critical darlings, but they continued our fascination with the genre. In The Da Vinci Code, Langdon investigates a murder at the Louvre Museum, uncovering a hidden religious secret guarded for centuries. Angels & Demons moved the action to Rome and Vatican City as Langdon attempts to stop an ancient society known as the Illuminati from destroying the Vatican with stolen antimatter. Rounding out the trilogy was Inferno, which finds Langdon, waking up with amnesia, racing against the clock to stop a madman from releasing a global biological plague linked to Dante’s Inferno. Sitting right in the middle of escapism and guilty pleasure, the Robert Langdon film trilogy uses it’s time to educate while entertaining.
A fan-favorite trilogy, Ron Howard directs the film with panache and flair. By combining high-stakes global treasure hunts, stunning real-world backdrops, and the brilliance of Hanks to anchor the action, the trilogy masters the mission of entertainment. Just like the novels, the films offer fictional tourism for its viewers who may otherwise not have the chance to visit. The films flip cryptic historical stories, secret societies, and anagrams into a pulse-pounding play-along puzzle. Where else do you have the opportunity to gain genuine academic trivia about architecture, history, and literature? The three films feature Hanks bringing instant intellect, empathy, and charm to carry Brown’s tales to victory. And if you’re eager for high-profile stars along for the adventure, expect to see the likes of Ian McKellen, Ewan McGregor, and Felicity Jones, among others. While the Robert Langdon Trilogy may not be Indiana Jones or even National Treasure, they’re just a step below.
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5
The ‘Taken’ Trilogy
Image via 20th Century Studios
Every great actor needs a career revitalization. For Liam Neeson, that came thanks to the unlikely hit-turned-pop culture obsession: Taken. Created by Luc Besson and screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, the film series redefined Neeson as a late-career action star, catapulting him to new heights. In Taken, directed by Pierre Morel, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) races against a 96-hour clock in Paris to rescue his teenage daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), after she is kidnapped by human traffickers. In Taken 2, directed by Olivier Megaton, Mills and his ex-wife, Lennie (Famke Janssen), are taken hostage while in Istanbul by Murad Hoxha (Rade Šerbedžija), the father of a kidnapper killed in the previous film, forcing Kim to help free them. Finally, in Taken 3, also directed by Megaton, Mills is framed for his ex-wife’s murder and must evade the pursuit of a relentless police inspector, Frank Dotzler (Forest Whitaker), while tracking down the real killers. A guilty pleasure phenomenon, Neeson and his “particular set of skills” became lean, mean, fast-paced 21st century action classics.
Though the first film is an exception, laying the groundwork for the franchise and other men of a certain age action genre, the reason the trilogy as a whole drops to near-perfect status is the steady decline following the original. That said, Taken and its sequels do exactly what the film franchise is meant to do. Never do they stray away from its main concept, borrowing what works from the original aand tweaking it along the way. The moment Neeson got on the phone and delivered, “I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you,” a pop culture touchstone was born. The film delivered in no-nonsense, high-octane action without an overcomplicated plot. Though the intensity was dropped to a PG-13 rating in the subsequent films, the DNA remained the same. If you were taken by Taken, watching the trilogy is a must-do. You’ll even be intrigued by the two-season run of the TV series. Be warned, no Neeson to be found there.
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4
The Mexico Trilogy
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Thanks to Robert Rodriguez, the contemporary Mexican/American neo-Western was revitalized through the Mexico Trilogy. Also referred to as the Desperado Trilogy or the Mariachi Trilogy, Rodriguez brings viewers along the ongoing bloody and musical exploits of a wandering, gun-toting musician known as El Mariachi. The trilogy began with the ultra-low budget El Mariachi, where the titular character, played by Carlos Gallardo, is a traveling musician mistaken for a vicious criminal, Azul (Reinol Martínez), in a small Mexican border town. Now with a bigger Hollywood budget, Desperado serves as a reimagining and sequel in which El Mariachi, now played by Antonio Banderas, seeks revenge against drug lord, Bucho (Joaquim de Almeida), who shot his lover. He is aided by a local woman named Carolina (Salma Hayek) on his quest. Rounding out the films, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, El Mariachi is thrust into a sprawling, high-stakes political coup involving a corrupt general, Emiliano Marquez (Gerardo Vigil), who killed his wife, and a rogue CIA agent, Sheldon Sands (Johnny Depp).
Armed with a guitar case packed with heavy artillery and automatic firearms, The Mexico Trilogy launched El Mariachi to epic levels of Western heroism. Rodriguez keeps a common theme where El Mariachi loses his romantic interests or loved ones to escalating cartel violence, which drives his lonely path of vengeance and retribution. Rodriguez’s signature style blended Hollywood ideals with a distinct blend of fast-paced energy, dark humor, and a sublime Tex-Mex vibrancy. The films are an integral part of cinema history as the first film represented a genuine DIY approach to filmmaking. Rodriguez proved he could make a stellar indie flick with panache and maintain that gritty integrity when the budget ballooned. Desperado is certainly an upgrade that turns the kinetic energy of the first film into a hyper-stylized and super cool action thriller. By Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Rodriguez and his star-studded cast let loose in a playground of fun for an over-the-top adventure. The films will forever be celebrated by marrying Mexican folklore with Spaghetti Western tropes without pretension.
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3
Hannibal Lecter Trilogy
Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) wearing a protective mask in ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’Image via Orion Pictures
It’s often the heroes who earn long-running franchises. But when you’re Anthony Hopkins and you craft one of the greatest villains of all time, Hannibal Lecter, it’s inevitable that your terrifying face extends beyond the original film. Based on the eponymous brilliant, cannibalistic serial killer created by Thomas Harris, the three Hopkins-led films haunted our waking dreams. Though the character does appear in 1981’s Manhunter and 2007’s Hannibal Rising, for this entry, we will focus on the subsequent projects with Hopkins. In the Big Five-winning The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Jonathan Demme, FBI trainee Claire Starling (Jodie Foster) consults with the imprisoned Lecter to catch another active serial killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), before it’s too late. Ten years later, Ridley Scott directed Hannibal, where a wealthy survivor, Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), uses Clarice (Julianne Moore) to plot vengeance against a free Lecter living in Florence. Finally, Red Dragon, directed by Brett Ratner, serves as a prequel where retired FBI profiler Will Graham (Edward Norton) asks Lecter for help in tracking down the “Tooth Fairy” killer, Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes).
No matter who is sitting in the director’s chair, the three films are examples of masterclass tension and rare psychological depth in the horror realm, all centered around a brilliant and iconic central character. The three films served as an important blueprint in elevating high-stakes crime thrillers into sensational high art. While Red Dragon and Hannibal didn’t match the sheer brilliance Demme captured in The Silence of the Lambs, they did continue to pique our fascination with the cold-blooded killer mastermind. Hopkins defined the chilling archetype of a terrifying villainous intellect. The slow-burning psychological chess matches served as a brilliant canvas for atmospheric tension. The narratives blur the lines between the monsters and the individuals who set out to hunt them. They introduce a wealth of emotional stakes that other horror thrillers tend to lack. The Hannibal Lecter Trilogy is not for the faint of heart. If you’re squeamish, steer clear!
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Collider Exclusive · Horror Survival Quiz Which Horror Villain Do You Have the Best Chance of Surviving? Jason Voorhees · Michael Myers · Freddy Krueger · Pennywise · Chucky
Five killers. Five completely different ways to die — if you’re not smart enough, fast enough, or self-aware enough to avoid it. Only one of them is the villain your particular set of instincts gives you a fighting chance against. Eight questions will figure out which one.
🏕️Jason
🔪Michael
💤Freddy
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🎈Pennywise
🪆Chucky
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01
Something feels wrong. You can’t explain it — you just know. What do you do? First instincts are the difference between the survivor and the first act casualty.
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02
Where are you most likely to find yourself when things go wrong? Setting is everything in horror. Where you are determines which rules apply.
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03
What is your most reliable survival asset? Every survivor has a quality the villain didn’t account for. What’s yours?
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04
What kind of fear is hardest for you to fight through? Knowing your weakness is the first step to not dying because of it.
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05
You’re with a group when things start going wrong. What’s your role? Horror movies are brutally clear about who survives group situations and who doesn’t.
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06
What’s the horror movie mistake you’re most likely to make? Honest self-assessment is a survival skill. Denial is not.
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07
What’s your best weapon against something that can’t be stopped by conventional means? Every horror villain has a weakness. The survivors are always the ones who find it.
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08
It’s the final scene. You’re the last one standing. How did you make it? The final survivor always has a reason. What’s yours?
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Your Survival Odds Have Been Calculated Your Best Chance Is Against…
Your instincts, your strengths, and your particular way of thinking under pressure point to one villain you actually have a fighting chance against. Everyone else — good luck.
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Camp Crystal Lake · Friday the 13th
Jason Voorhees
Jason is relentless, but he is also predictable — and that is the gap you would exploit.
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He moves in straight lines toward his target. He doesn’t strategise, doesn’t adapt, doesn’t outsmart. He simply pursues.
Your ability to keep moving, use the environment, and resist the panic that freezes most victims gives you a genuine edge.
The Crystal Lake survivors were always the ones who stopped running in circles and started thinking about terrain, water, and distance.
You think like that. Which means Jason, for all his indestructibility, would face someone who simply refused to be where he expected.
Haddonfield, Illinois · Halloween
Michael Myers
Michael watches before he moves. He is patient, methodical, and almost impossible to detect — until it’s too late for anyone who isn’t paying close enough attention.
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But you are paying attention. You notice the shape in the window, the car parked slightly wrong, the silence where there should be sound.
Michael’s power lies in the invisibility of ordinary suburbia — the fact that nothing ever looks wrong until it already is.
Your spatial awareness and instinct to map every room, every exit, and every shadow before you need them is precisely the quality Laurie Strode had.
You are not a victim waiting to happen. You are someone who already suspects something is wrong — and acts on it.
Elm Street · A Nightmare on Elm Street
Freddy Krueger
Freddy wins by getting inside your head — using your own fears, your own memories, your own subconscious as weapons against you. That strategy requires a target who can be destabilised.
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You are harder to destabilise than most. You’ve faced uncomfortable truths about yourself and you haven’t looked away.
The survivors on Elm Street were always the ones who understood what was happening and chose to face it rather than flee from it.
Freddy’s greatest weakness is that his power evaporates in the presence of someone who refuses to give him the fear he feeds on.
Your psychological resilience — the ability to stay grounded when reality itself becomes unreliable — is exactly the quality that keeps you alive here.
Derry, Maine · It
Pennywise
Pennywise is ancient, shapeshifting, and feeds on terror — but it has one critical vulnerability: it cannot function against someone who genuinely stops being afraid of it.
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The Losers Club didn’t survive because they were braver than everyone else. They survived because they faced their fears together, and faced them honestly.
You ask the questions others avoid. You look directly at what frightens you rather than turning away.
That directness — the refusal to let fear fester in the dark — is Pennywise’s worst nightmare.
It chose the wrong target when it chose you. You are exactly the kind of person whose fear tastes like nothing at all.
Chicago · Child’s Play
Chucky
Chucky’s greatest advantage is that nobody takes him seriously until it’s already too late. He exploits the gap between how something looks and what it actually is.
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You don’t have that gap. You take threats seriously regardless of how they present — and you never make the mistake of underestimating something because of its size or appearance.
Chucky relies on surprise, on the delay between recognition and response. You close that delay faster than almost anyone.
Your instinct to treat every unfamiliar thing with appropriate scepticism — rather than dismissing it because it seems absurd — is the exact quality that keeps you breathing.
Against Chucky, not laughing is already winning. You are very good at not laughing.
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2
Hercule Poirot Trilogy
There are many iconic detectives, but none are as brilliant as Agatha Christie‘s creation, Hercule Poirot. The incredible Belgian sleuth had been the source of many Christie stories, as well as many film adaptations, but the character truly came to life thanks to Kenneth Branagh‘s star-studded modern film adaptations of the detective tales. Pulling double duty as director and star, Branaugh kicked off the adventure with the iconic Murder on the Orient Express. The mystery follows Poirot as he investigates a stabbing aboard a snowbound luxury train filled with a plethora of mysterious passengers. The action shifts to Egypt in Death on the Nile as Poirot seeks to find the culprit when a glamorous river cruise turns deadly when a wealthy heiress, Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle (Gal Gadot), is murdered. Finally, Poirot heads to Italy for A Haunting in Venice, in which a reluctant retired Poirot attends a Halloween seance in a spooky palazzo where another guest dies. As three large-scale mystery masterpieces, the Hercule Poirot Trilogy marries the camp of the Christie character with the vast visuals that reinvigorated the classic detective genre.
The Branagh-directed trilogy is filled to the brim with lavish set pieces that immerse the viewers into the mystery alongside Poirot. Each film captures a richly distinct locale and aesthetic. From the snowy, isolated exterior that traps a glorious train to the sun-drenched waters of the Nile and the moody, gothic Venetian palazzo, each location serves as its own indirect character. They help shape the characters of the story and serve as a perfect backdrop for the mysterious thrills of each death. Branagh uses classic filming techniques to honor the past while bringing the films to the present. What makes the films work as a three-piece and not just three standalone films is that Branagh ensures the right amount of character growth and evolution from its central sleuth. From his growing loneliness, his crisis of faith, and how human cruelty sees morality and sanity, Poirot becomes more than an eccentric detective with an iconic mustache. If there is ever a reason to watch the films, it comes from the cavalcade of stars, including Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, and Michelle Pfeiffer in Murder on the Orient Express, Annette Bening, Dawn French, and Jennifer Saunders in Death on the Nile, and Tina Fey, Jude Hiil, and Michelle Yeoh in A Haunting in Venice. While there is still potential for the Hercule Poirot franchise to expand, these three are reasons why audiences are drawn to classical murder mysteries.
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1
Original ‘Mad Max’ Trilogy
Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky walking down a lonely highway holding a gun in Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior.Image via Warner Bros.
Before we saw what perfection could look like, George Miller and Byron Kennedy launched a ’80s-tinged post-apocalyptic and dystopian trilogy known as Mad Max. Starring Mel Gibson, Mad Max depicts a societal collapse caused by resource shortages. Max Rockatansky (Gibson) is a highway patrol cop who goes on a vengeance streak after a violent motorcycle gang murdered his family. In Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, a hardened Max roams the wasteland as he helps a small, isolated oil-refining community defend themselves against a brutal marauding gang. Finally, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome sees Max wander into the corrupt trading post of Bartertown, get exiled, and assist a tribe of lost children in a battle against the local ruler, Aunt Entity (Tina Turner). Establishing an iconic aesthetic, Mad Max may be responsible for laying the foundation for all post-apocalyptic action thrillers that followed.
While it’s hard to compare the first film to the two most recent iterations, what the original trilogy proves is that an organic evolution from raw, low-budget revenge flick can emerge into a mythic lore-filled juggernaut of a franchise. Miller does a sensational job at making the setting distinctly its own. There had been nothing like it before, so Mad Max set the tone for what a desert-set dystopia should feel like. And it was a living nightmare it was. The three film rely heavily on motion and cinematic language to explore its narrative. These films are not littered with exposition of world-building dialogue. Instead, they allow a show-and-tell visual vocabulary to do the trick. Max is the ultimate vengeful hero who goes from grieving man into a universal lone hero whose mission is to improve the lives of others—even risking his own life to do so. The Mad Max trilogy is considered perfect by many, but in comparing them to Mad Max: Fury Road, they simply cannot compare. That said, they’re the best of the almost-best!
Disney has revealed a new look at King Thanos, the villain at the centre of the upcoming Avengers: Infinity Defense attraction at Disney California Adventure. Opening in 2028 as part of a major Avengers Campus expansion, the attraction will introduce an alternate version of Thanos complete with a massive crown and an upgraded version of the double-bladed weapon he carried in Avengers: Endgame. At D23, it was revealed that Thanos will be emerging from a destroyed version of Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum. Thanos’ double-bladed sword now appears to be electrified, with energy crackling around its blades and a glowing orb positioned at its center.
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
🌧️Blade Runner
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🏜️Dune
🚀Star Wars
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01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
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02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
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03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
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04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
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05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
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06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
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07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
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08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
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Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
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The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
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You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
The Wasteland
Mad Max
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
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You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
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You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
Arrakis
Dune
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
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Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
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You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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What Is ‘Avengers: Infinity Defense’?
Avengers: Infinity Defense will send guests on a mission across the Multiverse after King Thanos emerges victorious in one reality. Guests will be recruited to help reassemble the Avengers and stop him from extending his conquest across other worlds, with the attraction visiting familiar Marvel locations including Wakanda, Asgard and New York City.
Disney is also bringing back several major MCU stars for the attraction. Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) will return as Kamala Khan and anchor the pre-show, while Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) will once again appear as Tony Stark, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) returns as Thor, Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World) reprises his role as Sam Wilson/Captain America, and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) returns as Clint Barton. It’s particularly interesting that Downey is playing Tony Stark in this, because the pre-show footage was filmed during the production of Avengers: Doomsday, which suggests at some point we’ll see Downey as more than just Doctor Doom.
Avengers: Infinity Defense will open at Disney California Adventure in 2028, alongside fellow Avengers Campus expansion attraction Stark Flight Lab.
Sean Grayson, the officer who was convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey in 2024, has reportedly died just months into serving his prison sentence.
Sean Grayson Reportedly Dies Months Into Serving Prison Sentence
According to the New York Post, Sean Grayson passed away in prison on Sunday, August 23. Per the outlet, Grayson’s lawyer, Daniel Fultz, confirmed that he passed early that day.
Furthermore, the New York Post reports that Grayson had been diagnosed with colon cancer before the July 2024 shooting of Sonya Massey. To note, however, USA Today reports that Grayson was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 and stage 4 rectal cancer, liver, and lung cancer in 2024.
In January, his lawyer reportedly shared that the cancer had spread to his liver and lungs. In July, a three-member Illinois Prisoner Review Board reportedly denied Grayson’s request for early medical release.
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At this time, it remains unclear whether Grayson’s death was related to his diagnosis.
Social Media Reacts To Officer Convicted Of Fatally Shooting Sonya Massey Dying In Prison
Instagram user @dachubbyhoochie wrote, “Y’all want some oxtails and margaritas?”
While Instagram user @keiththemogul added, “If you’re black, I love you, have a good week”
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Instagram user @augustah wrote, “As she said ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.’ Justice is served 💅🏾 don’t play with GOD.”
While Instagram user @cecils_official added, “May you rest well Sonya Massey 🙏🏽”
Instagram user @piparguwop wrote, “The comment section is why I love my people😂😂😂”
While Instagram user @chantestory added, “Wait he just got sentenced 6 months ago??? Where have I been lol but anyway God is good”
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Instagram user @trippinwjerm wrote, “God don’t play bout his churn🙏🏽”
While Instagram user @thedelisiacamille added, “A reminder that getting revenge isn’t necessary. Life will eventually humble you”
Instagram user @meccadaaccountant wrote, “Oh hey Karma, I see you out here working. Carry on Girl! 💥🫶🏾🙌🏽🥂”
While Instagram user @dominiquechinn added, “What goes around comes back around”
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More On The Fatal Killing Of Sonya Massey By Sean Grayson
As The Shade Room previously reported, Sean Grayson was convicted of the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey in October 2025. This, after he entered her home alongside his partner on the evening of July 6, 2024. This, in response to a speculated intruder. Ultimately, Grayson shot Massey three times despite observing her in a state of distress. In court, Grayson argued that he thought Massey was going to injure him by throwing boiling water on him.
In January 2026, Grayson was sentenced to 20 years behind bars, per The Shade Room. The New York Post reports that Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, lawyers for the Massey family, sent condolences to the Grayson family following news of his death. However, they reportedly maintained that it “does not bring Sonya back.”
“Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable, and she should be alive today. Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back,” they reportedly said, per WLS. “We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya’s family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days.”
Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 2.
For longtime Green Lantern fans, the reception to Lanterns has been sort of split. Many have enjoyed the reinterpretation of the comic book mythos, with Kyle Chandler‘s Hal Jordan being a breath of fresh air after the previous live-action adaptation. Some feel that the DC Comics stories aren’t being honored as well as they should be, as the HBO series takes a more grounded approach to the characters’ lore. Wherever you stand, the revelation that Manhunters are the next big threat to Hal and John’s (Aaron Pierre) investigation is an exciting one — provided you know what a Manhunter even is, of course.
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‘Lanterns’ Episode 2 Namedrops the Manhunters as the Next Biggest Threat to Earth
When John Stewart is kidnapped by the mysterious Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), he learns the dark truth about the Guardians of the Universe. Before the Green Lantern Corps took over as the DCU’s biggest space cops, there were the Manhunters. According to Antaan, these creatures were synthetic beings that could pose as organic lifeforms, shapeshifting to blend in with their surroundings before sparking an alien genocide. In fact, it was Antaan’s own people who were slaughtered, with the dead aliens found in Rushville, Nebraska, being the select few that tracked down the last surviving Manhunter to the American Midwest. As the alien-in-disguise explains to John, that the last Manhunter was captured by the Green Lantern Abin Sur and taken to be executed — only that execution never happened.
Lanterns proposes that the surviving Manhunter has been living on Earth for decades, ever since Abin Sur crash-landed and bequeathed his power ring to Hal Jordan, making him the first official Green Lantern of Earth. These beings are not to be confused with Martian Manhunter, the superhero who hails from Mars, or the other costumed characters who have gone by the name “Manhunter,” usually heroes from Earth who sought justice outside the justice system.The Manhunters we’re talking about were a race of robotic peacekeepers first created by the Guardians to patrol the galaxy efficiently and without the potential loss of life. Unfortunately, that wasn’t how things ultimately played out. In the comics, we later learn that the Manhunters eventually conspired to rebel against the Guardians, having come to their own conclusions about the way that the galaxy should be run. This often put them in conflict with the Green Lantern Corps, their successors.
Nevertheless, the Manhunters continued to patrol the galaxy, looking for those they could convert to their cause. (Ironically, human Mark Shaw would take up the Manhunter identity and color scheme because of the Manhunters’ influence.) “No man escapes the Manhunters” is the common mantra of this uncompromising force, and they had no trouble making sure that everyone knew it. However, it wasn’t until the “Secret Origin” story arc by Geoff Johns that we began to understand why the Manhunters rebelled. It turns out thatthe androids’ programming had been corrupted by an Oan named Krona, resulting in a massacre where the Manhunters annihilated an entire sector: Sector 666. Only five survived the onslaught, including the future Red Lantern Atrocitus, whose backstory is quite similar to Antaan’s on Lanterns — no wonder so many are theorizing that he’s Atrocitus in disguise.
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Manhunters Have a Storied History in the Green Lantern Mythos
Similar to how they are described on Lanterns, Johns’ “No Fear” arc reveals a Manhunter that appears quite human before eradicating folks around him. From what we can tell, Lanterns has taken some inspiration from this iteration in particular. Still, there’s no telling what might happen or how the Manhunters may evolve throughout the series. Of course, some are no doubt hoping that we’ll get a depiction that’s closer to their comic book counterparts or even what we saw from the robotic race on Justice League or Green Lantern: The Animated Series, but at this point that seems unlikely. Whatever form they take, Manhunters remain Hal and John’s biggest threat thus far — well, besides each other, if Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) is to be believed.
A Twitch streamer found himself at the center of a viral controversy after a heated clash with his mother played out live online. 18-year-old Nitro_Camden‘s sudden surge in viewers quickly gave way to disturbing footage, raising widespread concerns about his treatment at home.
The incident ultimately drew both skepticism and support online, while several prominent streamers stepped in with money, subscriptions, and career opportunities for Camden.
Twitch streamer Nitro_Camden’s sudden exposure to thousands of viewers took a disturbing turn when his mother confronted him during a livestream.
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The 18-year-old was reportedly broadcasting to a small audience when popular streamer StableRonaldo raided his channel, sending roughly 15,000 viewers his way. Camden celebrated the unexpected surge, but the noise apparently drew his mother’s attention.
Footage circulating from the August 21 stream shows her entering his room and interfering with his equipment before the confrontation escalated. She could be heard berating Camden, calling him a “failure” and claiming he brought “no value to the household.”
The dispute then turned physical. Clips appear to show Camden’s mother grabbing and striking him as he largely refrained from fighting back. She also threatened to kick the streamer out of the home during the heated exchange.
Fans Rally Around The Streamer After Viral Incident
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The footage quickly spread across social media, turning what should have been a major breakthrough for the young streamer into a viral family confrontation witnessed by thousands. The disturbing scenes drew an emotional response online, with many viewers siding firmly with Camden and condemning his mother’s alleged behavior.
On Reddit, one commenter argued that parents who behave this way are exactly the ones their children should “be cutting off.” Another shared a painful personal story about suffering similar treatment from a parent and said, “It f-cking sucks.”
Others focused on Camden’s future. One user hoped he would move out and pursue action over any money allegedly taken from him, while another simply wrote, “All kids deserve parents, but not all parents deserve kids.”
However, not everyone was convinced by what they were watching. Several commenters questioned whether the situation had been staged for attention, with one dismissing it as “Fake as hell.”
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Streamers Also Rally Around Nitro_Camden After Viral Incident
Camden also received a wave of support from fellow content creators, with several offering more than words of encouragement. Streamer Cinna reportedly provided financial assistance and helped Camden replace his phone. Agent00 went a step further by offering the teenager a brand deal with a 50/50 earnings split.
Plaqueboymax, JasonTheWeen, Jynxzi, and Davis also reportedly gifted subscriptions to Camden’s channel, helping capitalize on his newfound audience. Lacy sent financial support and described the community’s response as a “blessing in disguise.”
MoistCr1TiKaL was among those who publicly addressed the controversy. He reportedly condemned Camden’s mother’s actions and argued that she should be arrested. The streamer also praised Camden for showing restraint during the physical altercation. The support arrived as Camden adjusted to life away from his mother’s home, with the teenager reportedly staying with a friend while seeking more permanent housing.
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StableRonaldo Reacts To Nitro_Camden’s Viral Family Drama
StableRonaldo was stunned by the turn of events after his attempt to boost Camden’s channel ended in a viral family controversy.
The popular streamer had chosen Camden for a Twitch raid at the end of his August 20 broadcast, taking the St. Louis creator from single-digit viewership into the thousands. After clips of what followed began circulating online, Ronaldo took to X to address the situation. “Wtf is wrong with people,” he wrote. “Tried to help out a smaller streamer and his mom does this??”
Ronaldo’s decision to raid Camden ultimately became a turning point for the young creator. What began as an effort to introduce a little-known streamer to a much larger audience put Camden in front of viewers who witnessed the troubling encounter and subsequently rallied behind him.
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Camden’s audience continued growing in the aftermath, with Complex reporting that he was later averaging more than 5,000 viewers.
How Twitch’s Raid Feature Became A Game-Changer For Creators
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What happened to Camden also highlights the potentially enormous impact of one of Twitch’s longstanding community features.
A raid allows a broadcaster to send their viewers directly into another creator’s stream. Twitch says the practice is designed to help creators share audiences, build connections, and grow their respective communities.
Interestingly, Twitch didn’t invent the concept. Streamers themselves began using raids to support other creators before the platform officially incorporated the feature in 2017.
Once a raid is initiated, viewers see a countdown before being transferred to the selected channel. Under Twitch’s current system, the broadcaster can launch the raid immediately or let the 90-second countdown expire.
Justin and Hailey Bieber have given fans several glimpses into their life as parents via social media since welcoming son Jack in August 2024.
“WELCOME HOME JACK BLUES BIEBER 🐻,” Justin wrote alongside a sweet Instagram snap of the newborn’s foot in 2024, confirming his birth.
While the pair have yet to show their son’s face on their respective social media pages, Justin and Hailey, who wed in 2018, have posted nods to their baby boy in other ways.
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In October 2024, Hailey showed off a dazzling diamond necklace she got featuring her son’s initials. “It’s October and I’m someone’s Mom 🎃,” she captioned her first Instagram post since giving birth.
A source exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2025 that Jack has brought Justin and Hailey “so much happiness and a renewed bond.”
Scroll down to see every pic Justin and Hailey have shared of their little one:
Jennifer Lopez appears to be approaching dating differently after a series of high-profile public relationships and marriages.
Following her divorce from Ben Affleck, the singer and actress is said to have become more selective about the kind of man she would consider welcoming into her life.
Rather than rushing into another romance, Jennifer Lopez is reportedly looking for someone who can match her ambition, success, and lifestyle.
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Lopez is said to be taking a firmer approach to romance and is no longer interested in repeating patterns that did not work in her previous relationships.
A source told Globe Magazine that Lopez used to be extremely patient with the men she dated, often allowing them several opportunities to make mistakes. However, that tolerance is now gone.
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“J. Lo used to be the most forgiving person when it came to the men in her life,” the source said. “They would get 10, 20 chances to mess up, but not anymore. One mistake, one comment she doesn’t like, really anything that turns her off, and they are out, no second chances.”
The source also claimed that Lopez now expects the men she dates to undergo “strict vetting” and agree to a set of “non-negotiable rules.”
Her new approach suggests that the actress is no longer willing to overlook behavior she considers unacceptable, even if she is genuinely interested in the person.
The Singer Wants To Keep Her Love Life ‘Under The Radar’
After years of having her relationships attract intense media attention, Jennifer Lopez is determined to keep her next relationship away from the public eye.
Her previous relationships have often become major entertainment news, meaning even a simple outing with a potential partner can quickly spark speculation and headlines.
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A source told the publication that Lopez is particularly cautious about men who could benefit from the publicity surrounding a relationship with her.
“She is very wary of being used,” the source explained. “Any man that goes on a date with her is going to get a huge publicity boost, and it will mean all sorts of potential embarrassment for her if it doesn’t last, so her new rule is that it’s all got to be totally under the radar.”
Jennifer Lopez Is Keeping Her Potential Suitors Discreet
The source added that Lopez is keeping potential suitors discreet until she knows whether they have a future.
“Until she’s ready to go all in, she’s keeping her dates completely secret,” the insider revealed.
They noted, “Even the men who are high profile have to sneak in and out of her place or meet her in luxury hotels for room service dinners. She doesn’t want anyone riding on her coattails.”
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With Lopez’s relationships consistently drawing public attention, her decision to keep new romantic affairs private could allow her to determine whether a connection is genuine before the media gets involved.
The Singer Refuses Bare Minimum And Desires High Quality Men Only
Jennifer Lopez is unwilling to settle for the bare minimum in her next relationship. The singer is said to have become more selective about the kind of man she wants, placing greater importance on respect, ambition, and compatibility.
Lopez previously addressed her expectations during her Las Vegas residency, making it clear that anyone hoping to win her heart would have to put in genuine effort.
“If you wanted to have my love, you would have to earn it,” she declared. “You would have to treat me right. You would have to respect me.”
According to Star Magazine, Lopez has even considered using a professional matchmaker to help her find the right partner.
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A source explained, “Meeting men isn’t an issue for J.Lo; the challenge is meeting quality men.”
The insider also added that Lopez “has very high expectations about who she wants to share her life with,” explaining that her ideal partner should be “super successful, handsome, and at the top of their game in every way.”
Jennifer Lopez’s new approach to dating comes after a long romantic history that includes four marriages. The singer has been married to Ojani Noa, Cris Judd, Ben Affleck and Marc Anthony, with whom she shares her 18-year-old twins, Max and Emme.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lopez’s wealth is estimated at $400 million, while she earns roughly $40 million each year.
Her former husbands have also accumulated fortunes of their own, although there is a significant difference between them.
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Affleck’s net worth is estimated to be around $150 million, while Anthony’s fortune stands at approximately $80 million. Judd is believed to have about $800,000, while Noa’s current financial standing has not been established.
Lopez has also previously been romantically involved with men whose wealth comes closer to her own. Per She Knows, her former fiancé Alex Rodriguez is estimated to be worth about $350 million, while Sean Diddy Combs is said to have a fortune in the same range as the singer.
With this kind of dating history, Lopez could be seen as seeking someone who is able to match the lifestyle and standards she has established for herself.
Benicio del Toro in Sicario: Day of the SoldadoImage via Columbia Pictures
One of the most exciting bits of news to come over the weekend was when Josh Brolin publicly confirmed that a third Sicario movie was definitely “happening” and was even expected to begin shooting soon. Brolin is one of the few Sicario stars to feature in both the critically acclaimed 2015 original film and also the more forgettable 2018 sequel, which was directed by Stefano Sollima. Joining Brolin in both Sicario films is Benicio del Toro, who has also had a wildly successful career outside the Taylor Sheridan universe, even recently earning an Oscar nod for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. He was also picking up Oscar nominations more than 20 years ago for his roles in critically acclaimed thrillers like Traffic and 21 Grams.
One of the most underrated roles of Benicio del Toro’s career came all the way back in 2003 when he played Aaron Hallam in The Hunted. The film also stars Tommy Lee Jones and Connie Nielsen, and if there’s any indication that it comes from a different era, its runtime is less than 100 minutes. More than 20 years after The Hunted grossed $46 million at the box office, there is no shortage of ways to watch the film at home on streaming. Not only is The Hunted available to stream for free courtesy of Tubi, it’s also streaming for all Paramount Plus subscribers in America. The film even recently surged into the top 10 over the course of the last week, where it’s been seen between the #7 and #10 spots.
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Collider Exclusive · Taylor Sheridan Universe Quiz Which Taylor Sheridan Show Do You Belong In? Yellowstone · Landman · Tulsa King · Mayor of Kingstown
Four worlds. All of them brutal, complicated, and built on power, loyalty, and the price of survival. Taylor Sheridan doesn’t write heroes — he writes people who do what they have to do and live with the cost. Ten questions will reveal which one of his worlds you were made for.
🤠Yellowstone
🛢️Landman
👑Tulsa King
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⚖️Mayor of Kingstown
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01
Where does your power come from? In Sheridan’s world, everyone has leverage. The question is what kind.
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02
Who do you put first, no matter what? Loyalty in Sheridan’s universe is always absolute — and always costly.
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03
Someone crosses a line. How do you respond? Every Sheridan protagonist has a line. What matters is what happens after it’s crossed.
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04
Where do you feel most in your element? Sheridan’s worlds are as much about place as they are about people.
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05
How do you feel about operating in the grey? Nobody in a Sheridan show has clean hands. The question is how they carry the dirt.
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06
What are you actually fighting to hold onto? Every Sheridan character is fighting a war. The real question is what they’re defending.
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07
How do you lead? Authority in Sheridan’s world is never given — it’s established, maintained, and constantly tested.
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08
Someone new arrives and tries to change how things work. Your reaction? Every Sheridan show has an outsider disrupting an established order. Sometimes that outsider is you.
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09
What has your position cost you? Nobody gets to where these characters are without paying for it. The bill is always personal.
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10
When it’s over, what do you want people to say? Sheridan’s characters all know the ending is coming. The question is what they leave behind.
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Sheridan Has Spoken You Belong In…
The show that claimed the most of your answers is the world you were built for. If two tied, both are shown — you’re complicated enough to straddle two Sheridan universes.
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🤠 Yellowstone
🛢️ Landman
👑 Tulsa King
⚖️ Mayor of Kingstown
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You are a Dutton — or you might as well be. You understand that some things are worth protecting at any cost, and that the modern world’s indifference to history, to land, to legacy, is not something you’re willing to accept quietly. You lead from the front, you carry your family’s weight without complaint, and when someone threatens what’s yours, you don’t escalate — you finish it. You’re not cruel. But you are absolute. In Yellowstone’s world, that combination of ferocity and loyalty doesn’t make you a villain. It makes you the only thing standing between everything that matters and everyone who wants to take it.
You thrive in the chaos of high-stakes negotiation, where the money is enormous, the margins are thin, and the wrong word in the wrong room can cost everyone everything. You’re a fixer — the person called when a situation is already on fire and needs someone with the nerve to walk into it. West Texas oil country rewards exactly what you are: sharp, adaptable, unsentimental, and absolutely clear-eyed about what people want and what they’ll do to get it. You’re not naive enough to think this world is fair. You’re smart enough to be the one deciding who it’s fair to.
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You are a Dwight Manfredi — someone who has served their time, paid their dues, and arrived somewhere unexpected with nothing but their reputation and their wits. You adapt without losing yourself. You build loyalty through respect rather than fear, though you’re not above reminding people that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Tulsa King is for people who are still standing when everyone assumed they’d be finished — who find, in an unfamiliar place, that they’re more capable than the world gave them credit for. You don’t need a throne. You build one, wherever you happen to land.
You carry the weight of a system that is broken by design, and you do it anyway — because someone has to, and because you’re the only one positioned to do it without the whole thing collapsing. Mike McLusky’s world is for people who are comfortable operating where there are no good options, only less catastrophic ones. You speak every language: law enforcement, criminal, political, human. That fluency makes you invaluable and it makes you a target. You’ve made your peace with both. Mayor of Kingstown belongs to people who understand that keeping the peace is not the same as being at peace — and who do the job regardless.
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What Is ‘The Hunted’ About?
The official synopsis for The Hunted, which is described as having “the most visceral knife combat in cinema history,” reads as follows: “The Hunted is a suspense thriller about a tracker, Bonham (Tommy Lee Jones), who teams up with FBI agent Abby Durrell (Connie Nielsen) to hunt down a trained assassin Hallam (Benicio del Toro). With precision and skill, the predator remains one step ahead, and escapes into the city.” The film earned poor scores of 30% from critics and 46% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, but that hasn’t stopped it from finding streaming success. David and Peter Griffiths wrote the script for the film with Art Monterastelli, and William Friedkin directed the action feature.
Check out The Hunted on Paramount Plus or Tubi and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Benicio del Toro’s future projects.
John Barrowman’s expensive flight from Los Angeles to London took a turbulent turn before he even reached his destination. The “Doctor Who” actor posted a video from American Airlines’ business class cabin complaining about missing pajamas, an incorrect meal order and what he described as “shady” customer service. However, his attempt to hold the airline accountable quickly backfired as social media users accused the 59-year-old performer of acting like a “diva.”
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Barrowman filmed himself from his seat while his father and husband were seated behind him. “Hi American [Airlines] we have paid for the flagship service,” the Scottish-American actor began.
He explained that the three travelers expected to receive pajamas after purchasing costly business class tickets. “My father and my husband behind and the tickets were very expensive and we get on thinking we’d get pajamas with the flagship service,” Barrowman said.
The actor claimed that complimentary sleepwear was instead distributed only to certain passengers at the front of the cabin. “Then you apparently only give them to the first two rows in business class. What’s that all about?” he asked. “So far you’re not batting very high.”
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The video showed the actor addressing the airline directly as he questioned why travelers seated in the same business class cabin appeared to receive different amenities.
The missing pajamas were not Barrowman’s only complaint. The “Torchwood” star also claimed that the cabin crew made a mistake with his meal and could not provide the same options offered to other premium passengers. “Meal order wrong and then told we don’t have exactly what everyone else is getting on the flight when we all have flagship service,” he said.
Barrowman ended the video by asking American Airlines for an explanation. “Can you explain? Thank you,” he concluded.
John Barrowman Deletes Video After Slamming ‘Shady’ Service
In the accompanying caption, the actor accused the airline of failing to deliver the premium experience it advertised. “I find that shady and bad customer service. You’re supposed to be pushing this flagship and at the moment it’s not hitting the ball out of the park,” Barrowman wrote.
Barrowman later deleted the video.
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Barrowman’s frustration divided social media. Some people defended his decision to complain, reasoning that expensive premium tickets should come with the service and amenities customers expect. “To be fair if you pay a lot of money for a service then I’d expect the service I paid for,” one person wrote.
Another user argued that the actor had every right to question whether he received everything included with his purchase. “I’m in no way a fan of John Barrowman, but how do people have an issue with him asking for something he’s paid for?” the person commented.
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Others were less sympathetic and focused on the spectacle of a celebrity publicly complaining about pajamas while sitting in business class. “The entitlement is off the scale,” one critic wrote.
John Barrowman Previously Addressed Career Fallout
The flight controversy comes months after the “Arrow” alum opened up about the lasting effects that resurfaced reports of his past on-set behavior had on his career and mental health. During an episode of the “Inside of You” podcast, host Michael Rosenbaum revealed that he and Barrowman had previously recorded an interview that was later cut at the actor’s request.
The pair eventually sat down for another conversation after Barrowman felt more comfortable discussing reports that he had exposed himself and remained naked on various sets after filming explicit scenes. “I’m fully transparent that I did silly things,” Barrowman said. “When I was doing nude scenes, I was making myself comfortable doing stuff and other people were laughing.”
Barrowman maintained that “no one complained” about his behavior at the time. He claimed the controversy grew after an article revisited earlier comments he had made about exposing himself. “It got bigger and bigger and bigger as people started repeating the stories. It blew up into something that was not factually correct,” he explained.
The actor said the publication of the article in May 2021 caused his world to collapse and continued to affect his professional opportunities and emotional well-being.
Despite being the brains behind the powerhouse brand, Good American, Khloè Kardashian and her business partner, Emma Grede, are said to no longer be friendly.
The English entrepreneur, who is also in business with Khloe’s sister, Kim Kardashian, used to be a close pal of the Kardashian-Jenner clan.
However, the relationship took a shocking turn earlier this year with a social media move that revealed there was more behind the scenes.
5Sophie Sahara/Mega/MEGA
With the feud between Grede and Khloè taking center stage, a close source dished on what went down, suggesting the reality star wasn’t putting the most effort into the brand.
“Over time, Khloè just wasn’t as involved – she started canceling events and not promoting the brand,” the insider alleged. “She has a lot on in her personal life, as fans know, but Emma is a businesswoman first and foremost, and that just didn’t wash with her.”
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The “KUWTK” star reportedly couldn’t make the business a “priority” due to her personal life, leaving Grede to do the hard work. “I don’t think Khloè & Emma are on speaking terms now,” the informant told The Sun.
It comes as no surprise, as Khloè has previously confirmed on an episode of her podcast that her brand, Good American, was doing well enough to “sustain on its own.”
She is also said to have unfollowed Grede on Instagram earlier this year.
Emma Grede No Longer Wants To Be In Kardashians’ Shadow
As stated, Khloè isn’t the only Kardashian-Jenner member that Grede has used her business chops for.
In 2019, she collaborated with elder sister Kim on her super-successful shapewear company, SKIMS. Grede also helped launch Kylie Jenner’s brand KHY four years later.
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With her being such an integral part of the Kardashians’ successful empire, the business mogul is ready to stand in her own light, explained a source.
“As her profile has grown over the last few years, Emma wants her own hard work recognized,” noted the insider.
Nevertheless, Grede’s rift with Khloè didn’t extend to her other sisters. “The fallout with Khloè didn’t affect Emma’s relationship with Kim or the rest of the family; they’ve compartmentalized that off, but it’s very much a business-only relationship,” added the informant.
Although neither party has addressed the rumored feud, fans speculate that Grede fired shots at her former business partner on air.
During an episode of her podcast “Aspire” where Cardi B appeared, the duo discussed choosing an entrepreneurial colleague.
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“Oh my God, please y’all – if you ever want to build something, please choose good partners. “Not everybody with money [is a] good partner,” Cardi declared, to which Grede responded, “Oh yeah, say that again.”
Many interpreted it as a jab at Khloè, with the source adding:
“Going their separate ways professionally has not been easy, and it has affected Emma and Khloè’s friendship, because it’s hard to move past ending a working partnership and there are grievances on both sides.”
Khloè Kardashian Has A New Reality Show With Her Girls
Reports on Khloè and Grede’s friendship come after it was confirmed the socialite is debuting her own reality show with Hulu titled “The Girls.”
The upcoming show follows the lives of her close pals as they navigate friendship and motherhood while being business owners.
As confirmed by The Blast, the cast includes her group of friends, such as twins Malika and Khadijah Haqq as well as Yris Palmer, Olivia Pierson, Nicole Williams English, and Natalie Halcro.
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The big news was shared in a social media clip with Khloè gushing that she was thrilled to introduce her “chosen family” to the world.
The new reality show isn’t the only venture the reality star has in store for her fans. As The Blast reported, her video podcast “Khloé in Wonderland” will be quite different from its first season.
The mother-of-two dished about the changes in an interview, revealing she desires to “branch out a little bit more.”
As for what she hopes to switch up, Khloè teased she was entering “different genres,” dabbling in conspiracy theories, self-help, and other entertaining topics.
Every single Collider Ladies Night interview feels like a privilege and joy to conduct. But, after over a decade of attending San Diego Comic-Con and itching to see more stage time to be dedicated to highlighting powerhouse women in film and television, it’s become the ultimate treat to contribute to moving the needle in that respect by bringing a live edition of the show to one of the event’s biggest stages.
This year I had the honor of sharing the Indigo Ballroom stage with Poorna Jagannathan from Lanterns, Coyote vs. Acme’s Lana Condor, Aimee Garcia from The Walking Dead: Dead City, and Silostar Jessica Henwick. In addition to teasing their respective new projects, each offered some behind the scenes insight into their own unique journey in this industry thus far, including major career pivots, experiencing overnight mega-fame, and more. As is the hope with all Collider Ladies Night conversations, their stories underscore the fact that there are endless ways to hone your craft and find success as an artist.
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How Aimee Garcia Learned to “Not Be Defined By What You See”
“If the job doesn’t exist that you want to be, just create it yourself.”
Garcia had top-tier inspiring forces in her corner from the start, her parents.
“My parents came from very humble beginnings in Mexico and Puerto Rico, and they became what they never saw.” Garcia continued, “My mom became the first Latina to graduate Northwestern’s dental school, and was one of only two women in the whole Northwestern dental program.” She added, “My dad became an architect despite never having seen or met an architect in Puerto Rico.”
They were prime examples of not limiting yourself to what you see, and Garcia took that with her to Dexter, and also to her work as a comic writer. “It really inspired me to become a forensic scientist on Dexter. I had never seen a forensic scientist on TV before who was Latina, but because my parents just paved their own way, that really influenced me.” She added:
“I started writing comics, and we wrote the sequel to 47 Ronin, and we were like, ‘Well, why can’t females be samurai?’ And now, because of what A.J. [Mendez] and I wrote, I think very much inspired by my parents to create the change you want to see, there’s female samurais whipping around katanas. That really showed me that if the story doesn’t exist that you want to tell, or if the job doesn’t exist that you want to be, just create it yourself. Create the change you want to see.”
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How Lana Condor Learned How to Handle “Overnight Success”
“If you don’t have the right tools and practices in place for your mental health or your physical health during an extreme time of change, it can rock you.”
While Garcia emphasized the importance of having early sources of inspiration in your orbit, Condor’s story highlighted the value of having a strong support system later on in one’s career.
Condor made her feature film debut with a Marvel movie, X-Men: Apocalypse. She had a taste of what it was like to be part of a major studio blockbuster. However, nothing could have prepared her for the monumental success of the Netflix hit To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
While the first To All the Boys movie was distributed by Netflix, it was made independently. Condor explained, “We made it as an indie, so I honestly didn’t even know if it was going to be seen by anyone.” Ultimately, the movie was seen by enough people to spark a hugely successful franchise and to send Condor’s star soaring in a dreamlike fashion, and that meant she’d have to adapt to getting recognized.
She explained, “Ever since I was a kid, when I would go to the grocery store, I would be a little bit nervous to run into one of my classmates if I wasn’t prepared to.” When you’re the star of a very popular Netflix movie, unexpected grocery store encounters are almost inevitable. Condor continued, “That’s not something that I thought about when it came to my career, and so that’s something that I had to work through and, I guess, open my own heart to people and trust that people have good intentions when they approach you.”
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Condor stressed that she discovered she was lucky enough to be surrounded by “incredibly kind” supporters, but it’s still a rather significant shift, and it’s a shift that demands one have certain tools at their fingertips. She continued:
“I think, just naturally, the transition was difficult for me. I’m so blessed and I’m so grateful for that time, but I also think that there’s something to be said about if you don’t have the right tools and practices in place for your mental health or your physical health during an extreme time of change, it can rock you, and I definitely was rocked because I was super young. I didn’t have any of the healing modalities that I have now to take on a responsibility of being in the public eye, which is something that I never thought I would have. So, I won’t lie to you, it was very challenging.”
Now that Condor is firmly on the other side of such a significant change, she’s “so grateful and so happy,” and also well aware of the importance of leaning on one’s community. She laughed and said,
“My husband, I always joke, but it’s not a joke, I always say, if it wasn’t for him, I would be butt-up in a ditch right now. Truly, my husband, he’s incredible. My team, my friends, my family. And I’m sure that you guys all feel the same way, in this industry, in my opinion, we are nothing without our community, without our people. We can’t do it alone. I’ve tried and I failed. So, yeah, I’ve leaned on my people, and I think we all do, and it’s been a really incredible journey, and I’m very grateful for every moment.”
How Jessica Henwick Learned to Celebrate Her Wins
And the recent project that finally made her believe she’s a good actor.
Support from a community is of the utmost importance, but so is being kind to yourself and taking a moment to celebrate your own wins. During her recent in-studio Collider Ladies Night interview for the release of Vladimir and How to Make a Killing, Henwick mentioned how she trained herself to lower expectations. “You always minimize to save yourself.” But, that mentality changed recently. She mentioned, “It’s taken my whole career to get over that and celebrate the wins.” How exactly did she pull that off? She laughed and proclaimed, “Therapy.” Henwick continued:
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“I’m Chinese and English, two very reserved, like, swallow-your-success-type cultures, and I think that, interestingly, it’s got me to where I am because I was never content and I was using that to push myself, like, ‘You’re not good enough. You can be better. You can do more.’ But there comes a point where it is diminishing returns to keep beating yourself up, and there’s nothing wrong with celebrating how far you’ve come and taking a second to smell the roses.”
One of the first times she took that second to “smell the roses?” On the set of Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel.
“It’s one of the projects that I’m most proud of. Getting to work opposite Julia Garner, I came into it going, ‘Oh god, she’s just going to be acting circles around me. She’s so talented.’ And she did. [Laughs] No! I remember the first day on set when I started to be like, ‘Okay, I can hold my own. That chemistry is happening here. It’s not just her acting at me and me receiving. I’m able to be a part of the conversation.’ And, yeah, it’s really funny because I’ve been doing this for, like, 15 years, and that was probably one of the first times when I felt, ‘I think I might be good at this. I think I might be okay at acting.’”
How Poorna Jagannathan Went from Advertising Ace to DC Star
“Some times have been rough and some times have been slow, but I’ve never regretted the decision.”
In Jagannathan’s case, that faith in herself was essential because she opted to take a significant leap when making the full-time commitment to acting.
Jagannathan had actually built a successful career in a completely different lane. She spent two decades working in advertising. While one might suspect making the shift from a stable job to something notorious for being an extremely risky career to pursue, Jagannathan never doubted leaving advertising in the rearview for her primary passion. “I’ve never, ever questioned my decision.” She continued:
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“I came to acting really late. I started when I was 35 or something, but I was always in weekend adult acting classes, and those classes felt so radically different from the rest of my life. Eight hours would just go like this, you know? And 12 hours at work, the clock just apparently never moved its hand. So, there was a life force that I felt with acting that I never felt in my other job. Some times have been rough and some times have been slow, but I’ve never regretted the decision.”
While Jagannathan’s career compass never wavered, crystallizing her primary goal for her work as an actor and how to achieve that is taking time, but she’s putting in the work to do it. “I think never have I ever really solidified my vision for my career, which is really to tell our stories, very particular South Asian stories to the world and not be pigeonholed and not be stereotyped, and fight for more diversity in film and TV.”
Jagannathan then turned to the other panelists and emphasized something that made Collider Ladies Night Live a standout panel of SDCC 2026, and beyond. “This panel is an anomaly in the business. When I saw all the names of these amazing women and their accomplishments, I’m usually the only one on panels like this. So, it’s really been my mission, especially against this current backdrop, just to keep telling our stories.”
Eager to see the SDCC 2026 Collider Ladies Night Live panel in full? You can do just that in the video at the top of this article.
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