The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams scored a major legal victory in her divorce from estranged husband Simon Guobadia.

In court documents signed by a judge on Friday, August 7, and obtained by Us, a settlement agreement between the two parties has been certified. As part of this agreement, Guobadia.62, agreed to give up “any and all right, title, interest, estate, claim, lien, or demand whatsoever” in the couple’s Fulton County, Georgia, home to Williams, 45.

As part of the settlement, Guobadia agreed that Williams is owed $1,568,181.63 from the property’s equity, in addition to handing over the title to a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost. (TMZ was first to report the news.)

Williams retains the right to refinance or sell the Fulton County property without seeking Guobadia’s approval.

Related: Porsha Williams Celebrates Victory in Ex Simon Guobadia Divorce Appeal

Porsha Williams is celebrating her victory after ex Simon Guobadia lost his appeal in their divorce battle, Us Weekly can exclusively report. Williams, 44, posted on social media, “It’s over” without any details on Tuesday, September 9. The reality star also shared a video of her boarding a private jet captioned, “Free.” Us can confirm […]

The Bravo star filed for divorce from Guobadia after 15 months of marriage in February 2024 and finalized the process in June 2025. During their extended divorce proceedings, Guobadia was deported to Nigeria over alleged immigration violations. (Williams was previously married to former NFL star Kordell Stewart from 2011 to 2013. She shares 7-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena McKinley, with ex Dennis McKinley.)

This week’s court ruling severed one of Williams and Guobadia’s few remaining legal ties. Speaking to People in 2025, Williams opened up about the emotional toll of going through a lengthy divorce battle.

“You go through different stages,” she said. “You have that anger. You have the moment where you have to fight for your life in a court situation. And then, toward the end, you have the clarity where you realize you are still blessed. Your family is by our side, your child is protected; there’s a whole new life that you can start.”

At the time, Williams described herself as “a true hopeless romantic” and expressed her desire to one day fall in love again.

“Once I decide to be with you, I dedicate everything to you,” she said. “And Simon matched my energy. He’s very warm. He loved spending time with me. We were freakin’ extra. If we wanted to fly out of the country every weekend or post on Instagram together about how much we loved each other, he was down.”

Porsha has since introduced her “lady friend” Patrice “Sway” McKinney on The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 17.

“People had a lot to say about me being with women in the past. It’s like, literally the worst kept secret,” she joked in a confessional interview.

Related: RHOA’s Porsha Williams and Simon Guobadia’s Split: What We Know

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The aftermath of Porsha Williams and Simon Guobadia’s split hasn’t been breezy. News broke on February 23 that the Real Housewives of Atlanta star filed for divorce from Guobadia after 15 months of marriage. Williams’ social media showed no signs of trouble in paradise and she still had her married name in her bio at […]

Her costar and longtime pal Phaedra Parks exclusively told Us in April that she is fully supportive of Williams and McKinney’s relationship.

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“I think Sway is so sweet. She is just such a gentle woman,” Phaedra, 52, said. “I just love it and you know, she just adores Porsha and I think Porsha needs this type of love, someone that just loves her unconditionally.”

The iconic RHOA star joked that she was the last to know about the romance because she tries to “mind [her] business.”

“You notice things, but at the end of the day I just want her to be happy. A lot of people aren’t courageous enough to walk in their truth. A lot of people have desires that they are afraid to act upon because of cultural norms, whatever the case may be, and so I’m just happy that she’s showing her truth,” Phaedra told Us. “She’s walking in her truth and unapologetically allowing someone to love her.”

Perez Hilton is facing a longer road to recovery than initially understood after his team revealed new details about the injuries that have kept him hospitalized.

Days after the celebrity blogger reportedly told his mother, “I need help,” his family has confirmed that his condition remains serious but stable, that he suffered significant blood loss, and that surgery will be required as doctors continue treating him.

The sobering update adds to a difficult year already marked by a life-threatening health crisis, a major relocation, and Hilton’s own admission that he had recently been feeling overwhelmed.

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Hilton’s team shared the latest update directly through his official website, stressing that he remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act while warning that some reports surrounding his condition have been inaccurate.

“There are many false and inaccurate reports circulating in the media regarding Perez and the circumstances surrounding this situation,” the statement began.

His team confirmed that communication with Hilton has remained “extremely limited” and largely restricted to immediate family members, medical professionals, and people directly involved with his care.

More significantly, the family disclosed the extent of the physical toll.

“Perez’s condition remains serious but stable,” the update explained. “He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days.”

The statement added that his “treatment and recovery will be a long process,” though the family expressed gratitude that Hilton had recently been able to spend time with his mother and sister.

Perez Hilton Previously Made Heartbreaking Plea From Hospital

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The new surgery update comes after The Blast reported that Hilton’s first meaningful words to his mother reportedly reflected an awareness that he needed assistance.

According to a longtime family friend, the 48-year-old told his mother, “I need help,” while recovering in the hospital.

The source described Hilton as being in considerable emotional pain and said he was still trying to process what had happened.

Earlier family updates had offered a small sign of hope, confirming that Hilton was able to communicate while remaining under medical supervision. PEOPLE also reported that emergency responders transported him to a hospital after concerned viewers alerted authorities to a troubling TikTok livestream from his Miami home.

The latest statement, however, makes clear that communication is still extremely limited and that the physical recovery itself will not be quick.

Earlier Health Crisis Had Already Taken A Major Toll

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Perez Hilton’s current hospitalization follows an extraordinarily difficult stretch for his health.

In March, the longtime entertainment personality revealed that he had spent 21 days hospitalized with severe sepsis after developing an ulcer that perforated. He said the medical emergency also caused complications affecting his heart and required multiple procedures.

His recovery was then complicated by a deep vein thrombosis in his leg, which Hilton later said doctors treated before the clot could travel to his heart, lungs, or brain.

By April, Hilton was celebrating milestones as basic as walking without assistance, dressing himself, and being pain-free.

“To be alive,” he wrote at the time, was something that still brought him to tears.

The ordeal also became a major turning point in his personal life, with Hilton repeatedly discussing renewed religious faith after what he described as nearly dying.

Perez Hilton Admitted Feeling ‘Overwhelmed’ Weeks Before Crisis

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Another piece of context has taken on new significance since his hospitalization.

Roughly five weeks before the August crisis, Hilton openly discussed struggling with his family’s move from Las Vegas back to his native Miami.

In a June video, he described himself as being “overwhelmed” and “in a bit of a spiral” as he adjusted to the move and tried to rebuild routines that had helped him feel grounded.

Hilton had relocated with his three children after saying his near-death experience earlier in the year changed his priorities and convinced him that being closer to extended family in Florida was important.

At the time, however, he acknowledged that the transition had been harder emotionally than expected. Reports following his hospitalization have since revisited those remarks, though neither Hilton’s family nor doctors have publicly identified a single cause for the crisis.

That distinction remains important. The earlier health problems and relocation pressures provide context, but no official statement has established that either directly caused what happened this week.

TikTok Faces Questions As Hilton’s Family Protects His Children

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Hilton’s hospitalization has also created scrutiny beyond his immediate recovery.

Per Deadline, TikTok acknowledged that its automated system flagged the livestream within minutes, but the company said a “moderator error” delayed its removal. The platform alerted law enforcement, removed subsequent livestream attempts more quickly, and ultimately banned Hilton’s account.

Meanwhile, Perez Hilton’s family is becoming increasingly protective of his three children.

As The Blast previously reported, relatives said the children were removed from the home as the crisis unfolded in an effort to shield them from further trauma.

The family’s newest statement went even further, asking photographers and media organizations to stop following relatives and photographing the children.

“Perez’s children remain safe and are being cared for by immediate family,” his team confirmed.

For now, the focus remains firmly on Hilton’s medical treatment.

His team has offered no timetable for discharge and no details about the specific surgery he will undergo, only making clear that the situation remains serious and that recovery is expected to take time.

Rita Faez has learned that it doesn’t take much to send her followers searching for clues.

The social media star’s cryptic “Oh well” caption accompanying a dreamy boat ride quickly became an unexpected travel mystery, with fans trying to pinpoint exactly where she was.

Now, Faez is telling The Blast that she didn’t expect the post to inspire quite so much detective work, but she isn’t rushing to explain everything either.

Faez gave her followers remarkably little to work with when she shared her July 28 Instagram Reel.

The clip begins with a close-up of the model slipping on sunglasses before pulling back to reveal her relaxing in a wooden rowboat surrounded by a dramatic mountain landscape.

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Her caption offered just two words: “Oh well.”

Rather than dwelling on what Faez might have meant, however, fans became fixated on another mystery.

“Looks like Switzerland,” one follower guessed, while others floated the Italian Dolomites and specifically “Braies” as possibilities.

Those guesses weren’t far off. Six days earlier, Faez had shared another Instagram post tagged “Dolomites, Italy,” showing herself in a red lace two-piece while posing on a balcony overlooking a lake.

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The scenery offered followers a pretty substantial clue about where her next adventure had taken her.

Rita Faez Reacts To Fans Turning Into Travel Detectives

Faez admitted to The Blast that she never anticipated such a simple post would inspire an online investigation.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect two words and a boat photo to turn into a full investigation,” she said. “But I love it — watching everyone piece it together in the comments, dropping guesses like they’re on a case.”

She added, “Half the fun of posting is seeing how fast people figure things out. Sometimes I make it easy for them, sometimes I don’t.”

Faez was equally unwilling to clear up the other mystery surrounding the post — what exactly “Oh well” was supposed to mean.

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“‘Oh well’ can mean a lot of things depending on the day,” she explained. “I’ll let everyone keep guessing what I meant by it — that’s kind of the point. I don’t think every caption needs an explanation.”

Leaving a little unexplained appears to be working for the creator. Influencer analytics platform HypeAuditor listed Faez at more than 1.4 million Instagram followers in July, with her account recording 9.19 percent follower growth over the previous 30 days.

Fans Had A Major Clue Hidden In Rita Faez’s Boat Ride

The distinctive scenery helped explain why some followers identified Faez’s destination so quickly.

Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee, sits in South Tyrol in the Italian Dolomites and has become famous for its emerald waters, towering mountain backdrop and instantly recognizable wooden boats.

Italy’s official tourism website describes the lake as sitting about 1,490 meters above sea level beneath the 2,810-meter Croda del Becco.

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South Tyrol’s tourism authority even describes renting a rowboat from the lake’s wooden stilt boathouse as perhaps its most “iconic” experience.

In other words, Faez’s followers had one very recognizable clue floating right beneath her.

She also isn’t the first familiar face to discover the photogenic destination as “Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke previously vacationed there and shared the trip on Instagram.

Faez’s European Getaway Has Been Keeping Fans Busy

Italy wasn’t Rita Faez’s only picturesque destination in July.

Earlier in the month, she checked in from France wearing a blue-and-white striped bikini outside an old stone property.

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Five days before that, Greece provided another backdrop as Faez posed in a plunging red dress during a sunset dinner overlooking the sea.

The run of posts fits neatly into the lifestyle content that has helped build her increasingly large online audience, mixing fashion with locations that leave followers almost as interested in the surroundings as Faez herself.

Sometimes, however, followers aren’t merely questioning where she is.

Faez Has Even Left The Internet Questioning If She’s Real

The fascination surrounding Rita Faez took a bizarre turn in June when her appearance sparked a Reddit debate over whether she might actually be AI-generated.

A Reddit thread questioned whether images of the model were artificial, with users scrutinizing details including reflections and background text for potential signs of AI manipulation.

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Instead, commenters largely concluded that Faez was indeed a real person, with several pointing to realistic reflections and other details in the photographs as evidence.

For a creator who seems perfectly comfortable letting followers fill in the blanks, the unusual debate only adds to the mystery surrounding her online presence.

And judging by what Faez told The Blast, fans hoping every cryptic caption will eventually come with an explanation probably shouldn’t hold their breath. Sometimes, she would rather they simply “keep guessing.”

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Perez Hilton’s friends reportedly fear that his life-threatening battle with sepsis may be part of the larger picture surrounding his recent mental health crisis. The 48-year-old gossip blogger was hospitalized Tuesday after authorities responded to multiple reports that he was livestreaming acts of self-harm from inside his Miami home. Although Hilton’s close circle reportedly suspects he may be experiencing psychological complications associated with surviving sepsis, an expert cautioned that no direct connection can be established without a proper medical evaluation.

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Hilton spent three weeks in the hospital in March after developing an ulcer, a perforation and sepsis. His friends now reportedly fear that the traumatic medical ordeal may have affected his mental health in the months that followed.

“His health struggles this year have been extreme. The sepsis honestly almost killed him,” a source told Page Six. “I don’t know if people realize just how traumatic and horrific that was for him, both physically, but also emotionally.”

Post-sepsis syndrome affects up to 50% of survivors and can involve “new or worsened physical, cognitive, and psychological problems for months to years after hospital discharge,” according to the Sepsis Alliance.

Possible psychological effects include depression, mood swings, post-traumatic stress symptoms, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating. However, those complications vary significantly among survivors and cannot be assumed in any individual case.

Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Andrew Mendonsa explained that people who survive sepsis or other life-threatening conditions can “have psychological and cognitive difficulties that continue well after the immediate medical crisis is over.”

“That can include depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, sleep problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, and sometimes changes in mood or behavior,” he said.

Psychologist Warns Against Blaming Sepsis For The Incident

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Mendonsa stressed that many people recover from sepsis without developing serious psychological complications. “Many people recover without significant psychological problems. It just means there is a meaningful group of survivors who do struggle afterward,” he said.

The psychologist also made clear that he could not determine whether Hilton’s illness contributed to the reported self-harm. “I have never evaluated him, I have not reviewed his records, and I don’t know everything that was happening in his life at the time. So I can’t say that his sepsis caused or contributed to the reported self-harm,” Mendonsa said.

“Self-harm and suicidal behavior are usually much more complicated than a single event or explanation,” he continued. “There can be medical, psychological, social, environmental, and situational factors interacting with one another.”

While Mendonsa believes it is reasonable to ask whether Hilton’s medical trauma and recovery were “part of the larger picture,” he warned against presenting that possibility as an established explanation. “What we can’t responsibly do from the outside is conclude that the sepsis caused the incident,” he said. “That would require an actual evaluation and much more information than we have publicly.”

Perez Hilton Said Sepsis Nearly Cost Him His Life

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Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., previously explained that his health crisis began after he took flu medication without eating. He said he “developed an ulcer and then a perforation and then sepsis.”

Sepsis occurs when the body responds improperly to an infection, potentially causing organs to function poorly. It can progress to septic shock, involving a severe drop in blood pressure capable of damaging multiple organs and causing death, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“My stupidity landed me in the hospital for 21 days. It was the worst and best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Hilton said in a YouTube video following his hospitalization.

One month later, he returned to the hospital for emergency surgery involving a “massive” blood clot. “His health struggles this year have been extreme. The sepsis honestly almost killed him,” a source said. “I don’t know if people realize just how traumatic and horrific that was for him, both physically, but also emotionally.”

Authorities Responded To Hilton’s Miami Home

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Hilton was hospitalized again on Tuesday after viewers contacted authorities about his TikTok livestream. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office said it received “multiple calls” reporting “an individual livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.”

Hilton was “safely recovered and transported” to a local hospital for medical attention. “The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals are also on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family,” authorities said.

Dispatch audio reportedly described the emergency as a “suicide attempt,” while surveillance footage captured several police vehicles outside Hilton’s home. “Mario, it’s the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, please step out of the house,” an officer could be heard repeatedly saying.

Authorities were initially told that Hilton was alone inside the home. However, Hilton’s family later revealed that his three children, niece, and sister had been at the residence shortly before the livestream began.

“Just minutes before the public livestream incident, Perez’s children, niece, and sister were inside the home,” the family said in a statement. “When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.”

Perez Hilton Reportedly Said ‘I Need Help’

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Hilton’s family confirmed that he was able to communicate after receiving medical treatment. A source claimed that his first words after being hospitalized were, “I need help.”

“He’s a man in a lot of pain,” the insider said. “I think right now he’s focused on the physical, but it’s all tied together. No one deserves the torment he’s going through.”

TikTok permanently banned Hilton’s account after the livestream, which reportedly remained active for approximately 15 minutes because of a moderation error.

Over the years, we have seen the releases of some amazing, critically acclaimed, and popularly celebrated thriller novels, many of which have gone on to become notable pop culture landmarks. In all that time, the genre has grown alongside the social and technological evolution of humanity, transforming the very idea of how stories are told and introducing new tropes and subgenres. And in the process, the thriller genre has also produced some true masterpieces that rank among the greatest books of all time, outstripping all others in the genre with their powerful, effective storytelling and unmatched sense of suspense.

From beloved classics to cutting-edge contemporary novels, these books have all successfully captured the hearts and minds of readers everywhere, creating memorable characters and shocking readers while delivering compelling stories of the human condition. Whether you prefer cerebral mysteries, gripping psychological explorations, or inventive storytelling, this list has something for every shade of thriller fan. With that in mind, read on to discover our handpicked selection of thriller books that are undeniable 10/10 masterpieces.

1

‘The Killer Question’ (2025)

Image via Atria Books, Simon & Schuster

A modern epistolary mystery novel, The Killer Question was written by British journalist, screenwriter, and author Janice Hallett. Presented through text messages, emails, quiz transcripts, and local reports, the book takes readers through a pitch for a Netflix true-crime documentary based on the mysterious past of a once-loved country pub, The Case is Altered, and its equally mysterious owners, Mal and Sue Eastwood. The narrative moves back and forth in time, unraveling the history of the pub and its popular trivia nights, which take a dark turn after a suspicious team joins the game.

If you thought epistolary novels couldn’t be very thrilling, think again. The Killer Question is a wicked, clever, and deliciously meta work of mystery fiction that packs dead bodies, questionable characters, and a whole lot of pub quizzing in its unputdownable narrative. Swapping traditional prose for a fun and fast-paced, mixed-media story, the novel has been highly acclaimed by critics and readers, earning praise for its storytelling, pacing, and shocking twists. It’s easily one of the most inventive and ambitious books of recent years, and a must-read for all fans of thrillers and mysteries.

2

‘Bullet Train / Maria Beetle’ (2010)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Written by Japanese author Kōtarō Isaka, Maria Beetle (published in English as Bullet Train) is a dark comedy crime thriller novel set aboard a high-speed Shinkansen bullet train. The book brings a number of colorful and dangerous characters together over the kidnapped son of a mob boss and a suitcase full of ransom money. The book is the second novel in Isaka’s Hitman trilogy, preceded by Three Assassins (also known as Grasshopper) and followed by The Mantis (aka AX).

A high-octane thriller that effortlessly shifts between dark satire, slapstick comedy, existential philosophy, and sheer dread, Bullet Train is easily one of the most engaging books of the 2010s. Both the original Japanese edition and the English translation have earned high acclaim for their high-energy narrative, wicked humor, and clever twists. It’s also packed with unforgettable characters, like the eternally unlucky Ladybug and the hauntingly evil teenage mastermind Prince. Bullet Train has also been adapted as a 2022 film by David Leitch and as a Japanese stage play in 2018.

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‘Big Little Lies’ (2014)

Image via Penguin Publishing

A hugely popular suburban thriller, Big Little Lies is a darkly comedic and highly suspenseful novel written by Australian author Liane Moriarty. The book explores the lives of three mothers living in an affluent Australian coastal community, each facing their own challenges. A mysterious death at a school trivia night upends their lives, with personal secrets, domestic violence, and schoolyard drama coming together to spoil their seemingly perfect existence.

A sharply satirical exploration of rich suburban life and dark domestic drama, Big Little Lies is a gripping page-turner that leaves the reader in both shock and awe of its characters. Balancing its secrets and dangers with a well-crafted story of female friendships, the novel debuted at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list when it was published in 2014, making Moriarty the first Australian author ever to debut at number one in the United States. The novel also went on to be adapted as the critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy-winning HBO series starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz. A sequel novel, Big Little Truths, is currently scheduled to be published on August 25, 2026.

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‘Three Assassins / Grasshopper’ (2004)

Image via The Overlook Press

The first novel in Kōtarō Isaka’s Hitman series, Grasshopper, later translated into English as Three Assassins, is a black-comedy thriller centered on a recently widowed schoolteacher who joins a criminal organization to seek revenge for his wife’s murder. But when his target is murdered by someone else, he finds himself pulled in unexpected directions by the actions of three eccentric killers. The novel moves between the POVs of the schoolteacher (aka the Grasshopper), a quiet veteran hitman (the Whale), and a talkative young assassin (the Cicada).

First published in 2004, Three Assassins was quite highly acclaimed, both in the original Japanese and the later English translation. The novel takes readers on an almost-surreal journey through Tokyo’s criminal underworld, balancing action and intrigue with a touching exploration of grief and regret. The book was adapted as a Japanese film in 2015 and spawned a successful franchise that includes two loose sequels, a short story collection, and two manga series.

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‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2005)

Image via Norstedts Förlag

Written by Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a psychological mystery thriller novel that follows disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist and gifted but troubled hacker Lisbeth Salander. When Blomkvist is hired by a wealthy industrialist to look into a 40-year-old disappearance, it brings the two characters together on an investigation that uncovers dark secrets and a long legacy of corruption. Originally released in Sweden with the title Män som hatar kvinnor (Men Who Hate Women), the book was the first in the Millennium trilogy, which has since been expanded into an ongoing series.

First published in 2005, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an iconic modern psychological thriller featuring an unconventional female protagonist, a powerful sense of atmosphere, and a complex, gripping plot. The novel was a major international success, and its popularity was further elevated by its Swedish film adaptation and the Hollywood remake, both of which easily rank among the most critically acclaimed thrillers of the 21st century. The Millennium series as a whole has played a significant role in sparking greater worldwide interest in Nordic crime fiction, leading to the “Nordic Noir” trend of recent decades.

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‘Gone Girl’ (2012)

Image via Phoenix

The third and most successful novel by American author Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl revolves around husband and wife Nick and Amy Dunne, whose lives take an unexpected turn when Amy mysteriously vanishes on their fifth anniversary. The subsequent investigation uncovers evidence of a possible murder, including a diary that points to Nick as the prime suspect, but it soon becomes clear that neither Nick nor Amy is telling the whole truth. The book unveils the story in three parts, revealing new angles and perspectives in each.

A thoroughly engrossing psychological thriller about a turbulent, complicated marriage and toxic codependency, Gone Girl is a dark and twisted book full of dark and twisted people. Masterfully using the unreliable narrator trope to create a truly unpredictable experience, the novel has been highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers alike, raising the bar for modern thrillers. Gone Girl was later adapted as a successful and award-winning film by David Fincher, with Flynn writing the screenplay herself.

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‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (1934)

One of the most iconic mystery books of all time, Murder on the Orient Express was written by legendary English writer Agatha Christie and follows her famous creation, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, on a baffling case somewhere in Yugoslavia. Set aboard the titular luxury train, the novel reveals how Poirot’s trip home to London from the Middle East is interrupted by a case of murder, one with contradictory pieces of evidence and no clear killer in sight. As he investigates his diverse fellow passengers, a conspiracy begins to take shape that forces Poirot to question both his abilities and his moral fiber.

Murder on the Orient Express may seem a far cry from the high-energy train thrillers that we see today, but the book is still quite a suspenseful and entertaining experience, even if the thrills arise primarily from the “little grey cells,” as Poirot would put it. The novel’s central mystery is one of the most iconic in the genre, and the story has been an inspiration for generations of subsequent authors and their works. The book has also been adapted to other media multiple times, including four TV adaptations and three films.

2026 has been the year of Alan Ritchson, which is especially impressive considering he hasn’t even returned to his biggest role yet. Ritchson has exploded in popularity in the last few years thanks to his performance as Reacher in the hit Prime Video series of the same name. Not only has Prime Video announced that Reacher Season 4 is releasing on August 12, but it’s also been confirmed that Ritchson will star in the first Reacher spin-off, Neagley, which launches around the world on September 16. Ritchson also has a new movie with Owen Wilson, Runner, which is set to hit theaters next month around the same time that Neagley comes out. He can also be seen in theaters right now thanks to his new movie, Motor City, which only has a few lines of dialogue — it’s mostly Ritchson punching stuff and looking cool.

However, the biggest project for Ritchson in 2026 so far has been War Machine, the new sci-fi thriller that dropped on Netflix back in March. The film was billed as one of Netflix’s most ambitious movies ever, so it was already considered one of the most anticipated movies of the year, but it smashed records on its way to earning over 130 million views, even landing a spot in the all-time Netflix top 10. Still to this day, it’s hanging around in the top 10 in a few countries, months removed from its global premiere. War Machine is the perfect mash-up of Edge of Tomorrow and Predator, as it features a dangerous, advanced threat for which soldiers are wildly unprepared, but also the element that they’re being hunted in foreign territory.

Is Netflix Making a Sequel to ‘War Machine’?

Around the time that War Machine was released, Ritchson and director Patrick Hughes confirmed that there had been discussions about a War Machine sequel, but that it was far too early for any kind of official announcement. Once the film cracked the all-time Netflix top 10, though, Netflix officially announced that the War Machine sequel is getting the green light. Hughes even took to his personal social media to share a picture of the War Machine sequel script, which has officially been titled War Machines. The film is taking a page out of James Cameron’s playbook, who titled his Alien sequel, Aliens.

Check out War Machine on Netflix and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Alan Ritchson’s future projects.

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Release Date

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March 6, 2026

Runtime

107 minutes

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Director

Patrick Hughes

Writers

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Patrick Hughes, James Beaufort

Producers

Todd Lieberman, Alexander Young, Patrick Hughes, Greg McLean, Rich Cook

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Fantasy is a genre that’s constantly finding new life on television. From Game of Thrones and its various spin-offs to the chaotically charming Legend of Vox Machina, there’s a fantasy show for every generation. For those who grew up in the ’90s, that show was Xena: Warrior Princess. Spinning out of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena followed Lucy Lawless‘ titular warrior princess as she sought to atone for the sins of her past. Ironically, Xena would wind up outstripping Hercules in popularity and remains an iconic series to this day. While most fans have been clamoring for a reboot, Lucy Lawless has taken to social media to explain why it hasn’t happened…and what she’d like to do with the character.

On her Instagram account, Lawless discussed the potential Xena reboot that was in development from 2015-2016 under Javier Grillo-Marxuach (The 100, Lost). NBC eventually canceled the project, but Lawless said that she had a different project in mind: a movie that explored Xena’s youth.

“In my opinion, it would have been far more interesting to make a full-length feature film exploring Xena’s past. I would have loved to see her childhood, her birth, her family, her life in Amphipolis, her first hardships, the loss of her brother, and the events that gradually shaped her character and ultimately led her down the dark path of becoming a ruthless warrior.”

While Lawless didn’t confirm that a new Xena: Warrior Princess project was in the works, her idea of a prequel movie centered on a young Xena would be the perfect way to expand upon the series. Not only could it further expand upon the lore of Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, but it could build out elements of Xena’s character that were only hinted at in the original series.

A ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Prequel Could Finally Explore Xena’s Turn to Darkness

Image via Renaissance Pictures/Universal Television

Xena’s past life was only touched upon in certain episodes, but it’s a past that’s fraught with tragedy. She lost her younger brother during an attack by the warlord Cortese, which drove a wedge between her and her mother. During her time as a pirate, she starts an affair with Julius Caesar — yes, that Julius Caesar — only for him to betray and crucify her. Finally, after being rescued by an Egyptian slave girl named M’Lila, Xena watches her take an arrow to the chest and fully embraces her darker nature. Though Hercules will eventually convince her to turn to the side of good, it’s not hard to see why Xena embraced a life of violence.

A Xena prequel could build upon these moments and showcase more of who Xena was before she was a warlord and eventual adventurer. How did she learn to fight? What was her relationship with her mother and brothers like before Cortese’s attack? How did she wind up being a pirate? Unlike most prequels that spend their time answering questions that didn’t need to be answered, a Xena movie would actually expand upon the parts of Xena’s past that were only briefly hinted at in her series. It would also remind fans of how much she’s grown as a character, evolving from a ruthless warlord into someone who protects others.

Making a ‘Xena’ Prequel Could Avoid Tarnishing the Original Series

Another benefit of a Xena prequel is that it would avoid the trap that most television reboots fall into; namely, failing to capture the spirit of the original series. In Xena‘s case, it would be pretty hard to continue the series as Xena sacrificed her life to stop a demonic force in the Xena: Warrior Princess series finale, “A Friend in Need.” Her longtime companion, Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), takes up Xena’s weapons and her mission to protect the innocent, making it the perfect conclusion to Xena’s journey. A reboot would only be treading well-worn ground, while a prequel could add more depth to Xena as a character without sacrificing the poignant ending of the original series.

Xena: Warrior Princess worked because it was a series that showcased the long, rocky road that is redemption. If anyone ever wants to revisit the series, they should take Lucy Lawless up on her idea and make a prequel movie that touches on those same themes.

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Release Date

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1995 – 2001-00-00

Network

Syndication

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Directors

Garth Maxwell, Rick Jacobson, Mark Beesley, Josh Becker, Charles Siebert, T.J. Scott, John Fawcett, Michael Hurst, Michael Levine, Oley Sassone, Charlie Haskell, Doug Lefler, Gary Jones, John Laing, Bruce Campbell, Jace Alexander, John T. Kretchmer, Paul Lynch, Renee O’Connor, Stephen L. Posey, Chris Martin-Jones, Christopher Graves, Allison Liddi-Brown, Anson Williams

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Writers

R.J. Stewart, Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster, Emily Skopov, George Strayton, Hilary Bader, Terence Winter, Tom O’Neill, Carl Ellsworth, Chris Black, Peter Allan Fields, Jeff Vlaming, Alan Jay Glueckman, Eric Morris, Gene O’Neill, Gillian Horvath, Katherine Fugate, Linda McGibney, Melissa Blake, Noreen Tobin, Ashley Gable, Brenda Lilly, James Kahn

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Paris Hilton said ciao to summer with a posh yacht trip off the coast of the Italian island of Sardinia.

Hilton, 45, closed out the summer of high-energy performances with a quiet getaway with her family. The mogul, who shares two children with husband Carter Reum, traded her jet-set outings for a peaceful trip to Italy aboard a mega-yacht.

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Hilton enjoyed scoping out the local sights and lounging deckside — all with her Parívie goodies in tow. (The socialite launched Parívie, her luxury skincare brand, in May 2025 as part of her 11:11 Media holdings.)

“From the start, we knew this had to be about more than just ‘Paris Hilton,’” Hilton told Hypebae of her skincare launch at the time. “While it was the starting point, we wanted the brand to stand for something deeper, infusing innovation and confidence into every formula. The goal was to create something that felt beautifully unapologetic and empowering. We live fast-paced, connected lives, and I wanted these products to offer a moment of ritual and confidence.”

Keep scrolling to see exclusive photos from Hilton’s posh getaway:

The Today Show may be facing another behind-the-scenes headache as questions grow over Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones‘ chemistry just months after NBC finally settled on a permanent fourth-hour pairing.

What began with viewers noticing awkward exchanges has reportedly developed into off-camera tension, with insiders claiming executives are watching closely as concerns mount over whether the relationship could eventually force changes to the show.

The latest uncomfortable moment unfolded following a Mumford & Sons performance when Sheinelle Jones admitted she hadn’t been particularly familiar with the group before becoming a fan.

Jenna Bush Hager suggested she knew the musicians differently, prompting Jones to begin sharing details about something that had apparently happened behind the scenes.

“Jenna decided to share with them…” Jones began before Bush Hager quickly stopped her.

“No, I didn’t. No, I know what you mean, and we’re not saying that. Remember? I got a text that said, ‘Don’t say that,’” Bush Hager responded, leaving Jones to say, “Oops!”

The exchange was brief, but viewers quickly dissected it online, adding it to a growing collection of moments some have described as awkward.

Jenna And Sheinelle’s Reported Problems Are ‘Worse’ Off Camera

According to a Daily Mail insider, what viewers are seeing may only be part of the story.

“It’s no secret that Sheinelle and Jenna have had some tension on set,” the source alleged. “And none of it is scripted. They’ve let it slip on camera but off camera, it’s worse.”

The insider claimed the two women were once genuinely close but have gradually become more distant.

“They started out as close friends but have slowly started distancing themselves – those on set have definitely noticed,” the source said.

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Their personalities are reportedly part of the problem. The insider described their relationship as almost sisterly, with periods of closeness interrupted by times when they need space from one another.

The tension reportedly comes partly from differing approaches to the fourth hour, with Bush Hager characterized as more outspoken and accustomed to leading the conversation while Jones is said to be determined to prove herself after years of working toward the opportunity.

Today Show Took Nearly A Year To Fill Hoda Kotb’s Seat

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That alleged friction carries extra weight because NBC spent considerable time finding the right person to sit beside Bush Hager.

After Hoda Kotb left the fourth hour in January 2025, the program experimented with a lengthy rotation of celebrity guest hosts before announcing Jones as the permanent replacement in December.

NBC said approximately 60 personalities had appeared during that transitional period before the network settled on Jones. She officially joined Bush Hager on January 12, 2026, with the fourth hour rebranded as “Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.”

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At the time, the enthusiasm couldn’t have been more different from the tension now being alleged.

Bush Hager called Jones an “extraordinary broadcaster” and celebrated getting the opportunity to become even closer after knowing her for roughly a decade.

Jones’ arrival also represented a significant career milestone following an extraordinarily difficult personal period. Her husband, Uche Ojeh, died after battling glioblastoma, and her return to television became intertwined with her journey through grief.

That history makes any suggestion of another fourth-hour shake-up particularly notable.

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Viewer Reaction Could Become Bigger Problem For Today Show

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Insiders claim NBC executives are not simply concerned about whether the cohosts get along personally. Audience response may ultimately matter more.

“While it doesn’t hurt to have some more attention surrounding the show, Today really strives to be family friendly,” the Daily Mail source said.

The insider warned that if the tension worsens or becomes increasingly visible, “there might be some big changes happening for next season,” adding that executives are “certainly paying attention to what’s being said online.”

Some online chatter suggests the chemistry question has been building for months.

Viewers have previously debated whether Jones fits naturally into the looser fourth-hour format, while others have argued that Bush Hager performs differently depending on the cohost sitting beside her.

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That conversation grew again this month when Sheinelle Jones hosted alongside Dylan Dreyer. A Reddit thread praising the pairing drew commenters who described their chemistry as more natural and their conversation as smoother.

Such reactions are anecdotal rather than evidence of NBC’s plans, but they illustrate the comparisons viewers are already making.

Today Show Has Already Weathered A Turbulent Stretch

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Any potential fourth-hour drama would come during an eventful period for the wider Today Show franchise.

The Blast recently reported on a frightening security breach involving Craig Melvin after an intruder allegedly managed to enter NBC’s Rockefeller Center facility and lunged toward the anchor.

The incident subsequently produced another controversy when reports emerged that a security guard was fired following the breach, creating questions about how someone had managed to penetrate the building’s security in the first place.

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Now attention has shifted from physical security behind the scenes to the chemistry viewers see on television every morning.

Importantly, Bush Hager and Jones have also continued showing signs of warmth on air. Earlier this week, their playful discussion about shaving habits generated lighthearted coverage, suggesting the relationship viewers see is not defined solely by uncomfortable moments.

For now, the suggestion of a shake-up remains an insider claim. However, after spending nearly a year searching for Kotb’s permanent replacement, NBC will undoubtedly have a strong incentive to determine whether its new fourth-hour partnership simply needs time to settle or whether the awkward moments viewers keep noticing point to a larger problem.

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