Zendaya couldn’t contain her joy when she first met Tom Holland, as seen in a resurfaced clip of the actress gushing about their initial encounter.

The couple mostly keep their relationship private, but the Euphoria actress called him her “best friend” last month and said she loves that they’re able to “grow together.”

Following months of speculation, Holland confirmed that they’d gotten married, and recent reports suggest they held a private party to celebrate it earlier this week.

A resurfaced clip of Zendaya gushing about her first encounter with husband and Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland has gone viral, sending fans into a frenzy over their heartwarming love story.

In the viral snippet, which appears to have been pulled from a press tour interview for their Marvel run, the cast comprising Zendaya, Holland, Jacob Batalon and Sadie Sink were asked about their first impressions of one another.

When it was Holland’s turn, Zendaya could be seen grinning from ear to ear as she recalled what meeting him for the first time felt like.

“I just exploded, my heart exploded,” the Emmy-winning actress admitted in the clip, using her hand to describe her visceral reaction to meeting him.

Zendaya And Tom Holland’s Love Story Has Fans Swooning

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Several internet users were moved by her remark and took to the comment section to share their reactions.

“Ugh they way they look at each other is so perfect,” a Reddit user wrote, while another said, “There was an interview from one of these press tours where he called her ‘the absolute North Star of my life,’ and that’s been living rent-free in my head since I saw it.”

“I love how she gets so animated and forgets to keep up the cool baddie mystique when it comes to him, like damn he really makes her happy,” someone else wrote.

“Honestly they’re just the damn cutest together,” another user penned. “I love their confidence and love for each other. It’s just beautiful.”

Tom Holland Calls Zendaya His ‘Wife’ After Confirming Marriage

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Zendaya and Holland met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016, during the movie’s casting and initial production.

Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, to the extent that they had to deny rumors suggesting they were dating, insisting they were only good friends while promoting the movie.

It wasn’t until 2021 that they sent the rumor mill into overdrive, as they were seen kissing in a car. Over the years, they’ve kept their relationship private, with the 30-year-old actor recently confirming that they’ve actually tied the knot following months of speculation.

During a recent appearance on the Dish Podcast, he was asked which person he’d love to spend a holiday in Greece with.

“I think probably my wife would be pretty good,” he replied. “It would be a bit strange if I went, ‘Sorry babe, I’m gonna take Matt [Damon, Holland and Zendaya’s Odyssey co-star] actually.’”

A source told PEOPLE that the couple hosted a private party at Beaverbrook Hotel in Surrey, UK, on August 4 to celebrate their wedding.

“There was a very natural theme to the wedding,” the insider added.

Zendaya And Holland Often Gush About Each Other

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Their relationship is full of each partner praising the other with glowing words and sweet public tributes.

While attending the UK premiere of the latest installment of the Spider-Man franchise, the actress was asked if she has a friend for whom she’s grateful to have grown alongside, and she didn’t hesitate to call on her husband.

“Well, Tom, obviously, my best friend, but being able to do these films with him is a privilege, and I love to be able to grow together and watch him,” she said. “I mean, he’s the best.”

Zendaya Reveals Why She Protects Her Romance With Tom Holland

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While fans would wish the couple would share more details about their romance, Zendaya opened up about the reason she’d rather not, explaining that they want to preserve privacy in their relationship.

“I just feel like for me there is a level of parasocial investment in my personal relationship, which I understand,” she said on the April 1 episode of The New York Times‘ Modern Love podcast.

She continued, “I’m aware that I’m a public person and so is he, and I’m also aware that we’ve grown up in front of people and we’ve done movies where we fall in love with each other, so I really do understand that, and I don’t want to dismiss that like, ‘Stay out of my business’ or whatever.”

“In a lot of ways, I’m also a very private person, and I try my best to be able to have things for myself and for him as well,” she added.

Zendaya went on to explain that they’re not trying to hide anything but are only trying to “preserve things” for themselves to “maintain that joy” they share.

“I hear it, but I also [have] my own little boundaries of what I like to bring up and talk about, but then also what I’m willing to share, you know?” she said, adding, “I just try to find the balance in the middle there.”

Director Christopher Nolan admitted that his 2023 release, the biographical thriller Oppenheimer, exceeded his and the studio’s commercial expectations. That said, the movie fell painfully short of the coveted $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, concluding its global theatrical run with $975 million. Had it managed to gross $25 million more, it would have become Nolan’s third film to generate more than $1 billion globally, after The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. Oppenheimer could still join the elite club if it’s ever re-released, but Nolan didn’t have to wait too long to deliver his third billion-dollar blockbuster. His latest epic, The Odyssey, has passed the massive milestone in just three weeks of release.

Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson, the nearly three-hour epic was touted as Nolan’s most ambitious project. With a reported budget of $250 million, it is, along with The Dark Knight Rises, the filmmaker’s most expensive movie. The Odyssey opened to near-unanimous praise in July and is currently sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 94% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator website’s consensus reads, “Reinvigorating an ancient adventure with majestic sweep and sterling work by its colossal ensemble, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey imbues myth with primal human feeling.” Following a record-breaking box-office performance in its first two weeks, the movie later faced competition from the even bigger blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but it managed to hold its ground.

Five Movies Have Grossed More than $1 Billion at the Worldwide Box Office in 2026

The Odyssey has grossed $430 million domestically and $580 million internationally so far, and is now the 65th movie in history to have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. It’s the fifth movie to do so this year, after The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael, Toy Story 5, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. By Sunday, August 9, The Odyssey is expected to pass the $450 million mark domestically and overtake Nolan’s second and third Batman movies worldwide to become his biggest-ever hit at the global box office. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

July 15, 2026

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Runtime

173 minutes

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If you’ve spotted flowy, tropical-looking dresses everywhere lately, same. What you’re really seeing are Hawaiian-inspired muumuu dresses, and they’re the hottest late-summer fashion trend for rich moms, and now Us.

Muumuu dresses — or mu’umu’u in Hawaiian — are defined by their tent-like silhouettes, vibrant prints and lightweight fabrics. They’re bold, yes, but undeniably chic. And with such drapey fits, they’re basically loungewear outfits, checking boxes for comfort connoisseurs and fashionistas alike. Scroll on to see what that chatter is all about, and jump into the conversion yourself!

13 Chic Muumuu-Style Dresses — From $10

1. Our Favorite: Ease into the trend with this embroidered maxi dress that works for beach days, brunches and everything in between.

2. Island Time: Whether it’s summer, fall, winter or spring, this relaxed dress channels island energy. We love how the curved hem shows off your shoes.

3. Dressed Up: Instead of a pencil dress, opt for this dressy number that features sparkles, batwing sleeves and sassy side slits.

4. Like Loungewear: Soft and stretchy, this dainty midi is comfier than most of your loungewear, and with the cute print, it’s much more stylish.

5. Santorini Style: This blue-and-white maxi dress screams ‘European’ in muumuu form. It’s breezy, lightweight and effortless — basically everything you’d find in a Santorini boutique.

6. 1960s Twist: Give your wardrobe a groovy flair with this retro muumuu dress. Canvas sneakers seal the deal!

7. Plus Pockets: You’ll appreciate this midi dress when you’re running from school drop-offs to daytime appointments. The darling floral print is just a bonus.

8. Flattering Find: In addition to a loose silhouette, this maxi dress features lengthening stripes, long sleeves and a plunging V-neckline.

9. Sexy Alert: Leopard print is totally back, and this sexy wonder nails the aesthetic. Strappy sandals make it perfect for date night.

10. Looking Snatched: Shape without squeezing in this tie-waist maxi dress. It cinches your ribcage, then flows loosely over your tummy.

11. Quiet Luxury: Classy, timeless and oh-so versatile, this neutral dress will be your go-to for looking put together with zero effort.

12. Boho Babe: We’d expect to find this graphic floral dress at Free People, but no — it’s only $18 on Amazon.

13. Best for Last: If you made it this far, congratulations. This dreamy dress is the most sophisticated of all, and it’s so comfortable that you could sleep in it.

An expert has shed light on why D4vd is being housed separately while he remains in custody awaiting trial.

The arrangement may reflect heightened security concerns tied to his public profile and the serious nature of the case. According to the expert, the rapper’s time in custody could involve long stretches alone, limited movement, and few opportunities for outside contact.

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D4vd was reportedly placed in segregation shortly after being transferred to Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail.

The singer arrived at the facility just before 10 p.m. on April 20, according to TMZ. A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department representative confirmed that officials separated him from the general population because he is classified as a “noteworthy inmate.” The designation means D4vd is expected to spend most of his day alone.

He had previously been held without bail at the LAPD’s 77th Street Station Jail following his April 16 arrest on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He was later charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances and other offenses. The musician pleaded not guilty to all charges on April 20.

Expert Says D4vd’s Jail Placement May Be Protective

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According to former federal prison official Dr. DeWayne Hendrix, D4vd’s placement in “special housing” could be driven by safety concerns.

In an interview with Law & Crime Network, Dr. Hendrix said high-profile inmates can face extra risks simply because of who they are. He noted that the seriousness and nature of the charges can also influence where someone is housed.

According to Hendrix, segregation is not always meant as punishment. In some cases, it is used to protect an inmate by limiting contact with others. That can also come with stricter rules and fewer freedoms than inmates in the general population typically have.

What D4vd’s Days In Jail Could Look Like

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D4vd’s separation from other inmates could make for a particularly restrictive stay behind bars. The singer is reportedly alone in his cell and has limited opportunities to move around the facility. He also supposedly has no access to television and, at this stage, cannot receive visitors.

Dr. Hendrix offered additional perspective on what that kind of confinement can entail. The former senior warden explained that inmates under maximum custody procedures typically have their movements closely controlled, significantly changing how they spend their days.

That means D4vd’s routine could look dramatically different from life in a standard jail unit, with much of his time confined to his cell and fewer opportunities for regular interaction.

D4vd Reportedly Faces 24/7 Monitoring In Jail

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More recent reporting has offered a closer look at how D4vd has been spending his time in custody. A source familiar with his housing assignment told PEOPLE in July that the singer eats all three meals by himself and had not been visited by anyone. He also reportedly had no disciplinary infractions since entering custody.

D4vd is now housed in Tower 1 at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where his unit operates under 24-hour monitoring. The source claimed officers check on him roughly every 15 minutes.

His limited movements outside his cell are also closely watched. According to the outlet, a sheriff’s sergeant equipped with a body-worn camera accompanies him whenever he is moved through the facility. During his July preliminary hearing, D4vd reportedly woke up around 4 a.m. to shower and prepare before being transported to the downtown courtroom.

Inside D4vd’s Harsh Early Days Behind Bars

In April, law enforcement sources revealed that D4vd was allowed to shower every other day and required an escort when leaving his cell to do so. Phone calls were reportedly restricted to those same days.

His access to fresh air was also sharply limited. The singer apparently received only three hours of recreation per week, without contact with other inmates. At the time, D4vd had no access to television and no money on his jail books, according to the outlet.

One law enforcement source offered an unflattering description of the surroundings, claiming the area where D4vd was held was “dirty and smelly,” and calling the facility “wild.”

With The Odyssey breaking the bank at the box office and getting Oscar buzz, many are praising director Christopher Nolan as one of the best filmmakers working today. After all, he’s given the film world several perfect blockbusters, namely Memento, The Prestige, and of course, the iconic Dark Knight trilogy. Not to mention his most mind-blowing project to date, Inception, which featured a group of thieves invading the human mind to plant an idea into someone’s head.

While Inception was a massive hit both critically and commercially and is still part of the cultural zeitgeist today, many seemed to have missed that the key element of the film’s intricate plot, planting an idea in someone’s mind, has far darker connotations than initially let on. In a film with so much going on, the core emotional trick that the film is pulling got lost.

The Idea of Inception Has a Dark Edge.

Image via Warner Bros.

The plot of the film revolves around a mysterious but well-connected businessman named Saito (Ken Watanabe), who tasks Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) with implanting the idea in the mind of his competitor to dissolve the company his father built. The target, Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy), has a fractured and complex relationship with his soon-to-be late father, whose last words to his own son were, “Disappointed.” Saito claims that Fischer’s company going under would do good for the world, but it’s hard to trust these words since it comes from a ruthless tycoon.

Nevertheless, Cobb assembles his team to invade Fischer’s subconscious and plant the concept of splitting up his father’s empire. As the team plots the job, they struggle with how to translate the business strategy into a positive emotion for Fischer, with Cobb saying, “Positive emotion trumps negative emotion every time. We yearn for people to be reconciled, for catharsis.”

The team eventually settles on twisting the narrative surrounding Fischer’s relationship with his father, creating the notion that Fischer Sr. wants his son to be his own man and create something for himself. It all sounds good for Fischer and for Cobb and his crew, but the problem is, the catharsis is all a lie.

The Emotional Deception Runs Deep.

Image via Warner Bros. 

The fact remains that Fischer’s father was disappointed in him, and although Cobb’s plan paints a better picture of him, Fischer will go on living for himself under false pretense. While it seems noble to create catharsis for a broken relationship, that will never change the fact that Cobb and company are lying to a man whose fractured family dynamic made him susceptible to the idea that Saito wants him to accept.

There may also be deeper consequences at play here long after the credits roll. Cobb tells Saito at one point, “You asked me for inception, I do hope you understand the gravity of that request. The seed of the idea that we plant in this man’s mind will grow to define him. It may come to change everything about him.” Planting the idea of Fischer not following in his father’s footsteps so deep into his subconscious may drive him to do drastic and dangerous things, as evidenced by what happened to Cobb’s wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) after he performed inception on her.

Worse, Cobb and his crew are so focused on the job that they fail to consider any of the long-reaching consequences of what they’re doing. For Cobb, it makes sense, seeing as all he wants is to go home to his children, but for the noble Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and the new recruit Ariadne (Elliot Page), the dark side of the task at hand never comes up for them. Not only that, but they are all taking Saito at his word that their mission is the right thing to do, but since Saito beneifts greatly from the end of the Fischers, he is far from trustworthy.

While Inception has long been high regarded in Nolan’s canon, and still is, it is by far one of his darker tales. Manipulation of the mind is a scary thing and although the film presents this in a unique way, the ideas presented here are unsettling and thought-provoking. The core of Inception is all one big trick, but one that may have devastating effect.

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Release Date

July 16, 2010

Runtime

148 minutes

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Franchise(s)

Inception

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Amanda Knox is speaking out in defense of her comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe amid a petition calling for its cancellation. The comedian, who was convicted of murdering her roommate in Italy, was later acquitted after years of fighting to clear her name. Knox has since turned to writing, podcasting, and comedy while continuing to speak about her experience.

Amanda Knox has responded to the petition demanding the cancellation of her comedy show, “Cartwheel,” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She took to Instagram to release a statement and explained that her set is going to be about her experiences as a mother and the cost of telling her truth.

Knox added that all the people who signed the petition, as well as its author, have not seen her show yet wrote or believed “false assumptions” and mischaracterizations about its content. Instead, she claims the show “honors Meredith Kercher’s memory and calls out the violence that was done to her and to me.”

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“A petition to cancel a show no one has seen, on the grounds of false accusations intended to shame and vilify a wronged woman into silence, is not an argument against Cartwheel. It’s a fairly precise description of what Cartwheel is about and why it deserves to exist,” she wrote.

You never know what sentence you say will end up on the cover of a magazine.

“My very existence offends people.”

True! though I know there’s plenty out there eager to see my creative endeavors! Scoop your tickets to my one-woman show, Cartwheel, in Edinburgh Aug 7 – 17. pic.twitter.com/xvT8AKGXUG

— Amanda Knox (@amandaknox) July 17, 2026

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The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a performing arts festival held in Scotland annually, which features a variety of acts, including stand-up comedy sets, circus acts, musical performances, and theater productions. Knox said it’s the “perfect” place for “Cartwheel.”

“Many of the Fringe’s most celebrated comedy shows tackle difficult subjects including grief, trauma, mental health, addiction, illness, identity, and politics. Comics rarely treat these experiences lightly or make them the butt of the joke,” she wrote.

Knox’s guilty verdict was overturned after spending years in prison. Since then, she has opened up about her experiences by writing two books, appearing in podcasts, and participating in documentaries.

Amanda Knox Says She Doesn’t Cross Certain Lines

Knox rebuilt her life following her wrongful conviction, and she has since started a family, as previously reported by The Blast. She continues to confront her past publicly through stand-up comedy.

While she said nothing is off the table when it comes to comedy, she is also firm in not crossing certain lines. Her fellow comedians advised her to mention the “elephant in the room,” referring to her incarceration, and she followed their advice. However, she would never joke about Meredith Kercher’s murder.

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“I don’t joke about Meredith’s death. I joke a lot about how I was vilified, but I don’t joke about her murder. That’s just a line for me. I set red lines for myself that other comedians don’t,” Knox said in an interview with The Telegraph, adding that she has received suggestions for jokes that she would never do.

Meredith Kercher’s Sister Speaks Out

‘It very much normalises and trivialises violence against women and Meredith in particular’

Stephanie Kercher has told #BBCBreakfast why she wants an Edinburgh Fringe venue to cancel a show by Amanda Knox – the American woman who was twice wrongfully convicted of killing her… pic.twitter.com/fmySdpJo0e

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) August 6, 2026

A lawyer for the Kerchers said the family isn’t pleased about Knox’s comedy show. Meredith’s sister, Stephanie, spoke on “BBC Breakfast” and asked Knox to put herself in their position. “Think about the family here, think about her friends and to turn the tables if it was your sister that this had happened to, because I know you have a sister as well,” she said.

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Stephanie said Meredith wouldn’t find “comedy value” in what Knox is doing, adding that her family is still in “immense” pain almost 20 years after Meredith’s murder.

Knox’s conviction was officially overturned in 2015, but she assumes the Kerchers still believe she is guilty. The comedian is open to speaking to the family, but they have never directly reached out to her. “I would very much want to establish that kind of communication, but I’m not going to have my life dictated by what they want for me,” she said.

Amanda Knox’s Comedy Show Will Push Forward

The petition to cancel Knox’s show has amassed more than 10,000 signatures since it was launched. It claims the comedian’s show “mocks” Kercher’s death and turns “tragedy into entertainment,” urging people to sign “out of respect for Meredith’s family.”

The festival’s director, Tony Lankester, addressed the issue, saying that they are “not afraid of controversy.” He did say, however, that the final decision rests with the festival’s venue. Knox’s shows will be held at the Gilded Balloon Teviot, and per Deadline, a representative said the comedian’s 11 shows will continue as intended, citing the festival’s “commitment to freedom of expression.”

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Comedian and paranormal enthusiast Matt Rife is facing criticism over his response to a social media comment made by an autistic man. The exchange has drawn attention online, with some users taking issue with Rife’s choice of words.

Rife has faced criticism from the paranormal community since purchasing the Warren Occult Museum, which the famous ghost hunting duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren, previously owned.

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Matt Rife and business partner Elton Castee are promoting the visit of the infamous Annabelle doll to Salem, Massachusetts, this month for a temporary exhibit. In their social media post, paranormal investigator Chris Mac reportedly wrote a lengthy post discussing the Salem Witch Trials, which, for some reason, irked the comedian.

Rife clapped back at Mac, allegedly writing, “sir, you are lifeless douchebag. Please remove yourself from this earth. Absolutely nobody is reading your novels in these comments. You do not matter to anybody. The event has already sold thousands of tickets. Now watch as i block you and you fall back into non existence,” per TMZ.

Paranormal Investigator’s Father Wants An Apology

Mac’s father is speaking out following Rife’s online attack on his son. According to him, his son, who has autism, is “mentally handicapped” and has been negatively affected by the public attention on him.

The paranormal investigator’s family claims Rife’s words were “unprovoked,” saying that Mac only requested the comedian not to place the Annebelle doll at a specific spot in the museum. Now, they want a public apology from Rife.

Mac also explained to TMZ that his message came from a place of concern. In the paranormal world, Annabelle is widely believed to be inhabited by a negative entity that may cause physical harm or misfortune to those who interact with it.

Mac said he was angered by Rife’s post and said, “Why should I forgive him? He’s not going to say sorry.” He also responded on Facebook, writing, “I don’t ever want see Matt bully a person with autism again do I make myself clear not ok to say with a person with autism I have autism.”

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An insider close to the comedian said Rife has been receiving “vile” comments and is frequently targeted in his social media posts. The comedian sometimes responds to these comments, only for users to later delete their original messages, leaving Rife’s responses online without context.

The source claimed there is also missing context in the exchange with Mac, and there is no proof to suggest the comedian knew he had autism.

Rife’s comments garnered mixed reactions. Many argued that his comments were offensive, regardless of whether or not the person was autistic. “Classic Matt Rife being a terrible and unfunny person,” one wrote

Some defended Rife, saying there must be a reason why he responded that way. “Y’all act like autistic people can’t be a-sholes too & can never do anything wrong,” commented one user.

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Rife doesn’t hold back when responding to people online.

In a screengrab of an exchange, an online user accused the comedian of telling them to “unalive” themself twice. “Stop being a d-ck and I’ll stop,” Rife clapped back, adding another comment saying that “a-sholes” shouldn’t be in his comments section. “You’re mad at me for defending myself – that’s psychotic,” Rife noted.

In 2023, as The Blast previously reported, Rife ripped into a 6-year-old, who commented on a joke from his comedy special. In a since-deleted comment, he wrote, “Santa isn’t real,” adding that his mother buys his presents with money she made from OF.

Per a 2025 report from The Blast, Rife and Castee purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s property in Connecticut, which includes the Occult Museum that houses Annabelle. While they own the home and museum space outright, they serve as “legal guardians” of the hundreds of artifacts in the museum for at least five years.

Some paranormal investigators criticized the duo, accusing them of prioritizing profit over historical preservation. The duo has plans to launch an exhibition space, and the original house is open to overnight stays. Admission prices for exhibitions exceed $100, prompting many to believe that Rife is running a tourist trap.

The Warrens’ grandson, Chris McKinnell, also weighed in on Rife’s purchase and said bringing the artifacts on tour was a “betrayal” of his grandparents’ legacy. “This legacy matters. It’s not a brand. It’s not content. It’s not entertainment. It’s sacred,” McKinnell wrote.

Television has never lacked stories about injustice; the challenge, however, has always been to tell them in a way that feels human rather than performative. For this reason, The Red Line stands out seven years after its debut. Released as an eight-episode CBS limited series in 2019, the drama arrived during a national conversation about police violence and systemic racism that, unfortunately, has only grown more urgent. Time hasn’t made its central questions feel dated.

Executive produced by Ava DuVernay and Greg Berlanti, The Red Line begins with a devastating tragedy before widening its scope into something far more layered. Rather than treating one fatal police shooting as an isolated event, the series examines the ripple effect left behind, following the lives of this cast. It’s an emotionally demanding watch, but one that rewards viewers with thoughtful performances, complicated relationships, and a willingness to explore difficult conversations without losing sight of the people at their center.

The Red Line Shows the Human Cost Behind One Tragic Moment

Image via Elizabeth Morris / ©CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

In the opening scene of the series, we see the character of Harrison Brennan (Corey Reynolds), who works as a respected Black doctor in an emergency room, making a stop off at a store just before he reaches his husband Daniel Calder (Noah Wyle) and kid, Jira (Aliyah Royale). When the robbery occurs, Harrison tries to aid the injured cashier but fails as a police officer erroneously identifies him as one of the criminals present and shoots him in the back, killing him immediately.

The Red Line depicts the lives of three connected families as they deal with its repercussions. Daniel tries to keep his family united while mourning the death of his husband; at the same time, teenage Jira is trying to find out answers regarding her identity at a time when she is experiencing a great loss. Also in the midst of this, attorney and future city council candidate Tia Young (Emayatzy Corinealdi) unexpectedly bonds with this family through a personal discovery, while Police Officer Paul Evans (Noel Fisher) and his family face the effects of the shooting from the other side.

The Red Line in Chicago, by virtue of its name, exemplifies the institution the show conveys effectively: where individuals of different backgrounds and social positions are still connected – particularly through shared experiences and modes of communication.

Noah Wyle Anchors an Ensemble That Never Loses Sight of Its Characters

Image via Elizabeth Morris / ©CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

The topics discussed in this series are undeniably heavy, but its greatest strength is that it avoids depicting the characters as mere political statements. Each important plot is primarily driven by emotional themes such as loss, family, and identity. Wyle delivers one of the strongest performances of his career as Daniel, a husband trying to parent through unimaginable heartbreak while wrestling with his own place in a national conversation. His restraint makes Daniel’s emotional breakdowns all the more devastating, and the series wisely allows him to be more than just the grieving spouse.

Royale is equally impressive as Jira, whose search for belonging becomes one of the show’s emotional pillars. Having lost the one parent who most understood her experiences as a young Black woman, Jira begins questioning where she fits and what family means after tragedy reshapes her life. Corinealdi also brings great depth to Tia, whose political ambitions are interwoven with very personal decisions. Instead of considering her just a useful narrative device, the production shows how public duties and personal tragedies sometimes clash in uncomfortable ways.

Even Paul, the officer who caused Harrison’s demise, is portrayed as more than just a one-dimensional villain. The series acknowledges his remorse and the broader atmosphere surrounding policing without leading viewers to believe he has committed irreparable deeds.

Its Themes Haven’t Become Less Relevant Since 2019

Image via Elizabeth Morris / ©CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

The series addresses issues such as police accountability, racial profiling, adoption, political activism, LGBTQ+ families, disability, community identity, and systemic inequality while still feeling like it hasn’t made a list of social issues they feel like discussing. Rather, these conversations arise spontaneously from the characters’ experiences.

The Red Line does an amazing job of showing us that trauma doesn’t end when it’s no longer in the public eye. The legal process and public investigation will shatter relations and cause pain, and they will not spare anyone even after the tragedy has occurred. Watching the show today, we realize how little has changed since then. Things that are important today, like questions relating to policing, building trust, accountability, and racial equality, make the show feel quite relevant even now.

Broadcast television isn’t quite this daring these days. Back in 2019, The Red Line appeared to be quite different from anything CBS had on the air, combining relatable storytelling with topics other drama serials were normally afraid to tackle. Rather than giving straight answers, The Red Line shows the audience the lives of the people whose lives are forever changed by brutal violence, injustices, and different dilemmas they must face.

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The Red Line

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Release Date

2019 – 2019-00-00

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Kevin Hooks, Victoria Mahoney, Aurora Guerrero

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It’s now almost four months until the biggest date on the 2026 cinematic calendar. On December 18, Avengers: Doomsday will join Dune: Part Three (a partnership lovingly dubbed ‘Dunesday’) in making theaters the place to be, as millions across the world sit down for the biggest double-feature in recent memory. The former we now know will be the second-longest movie in the MCU, clocking in at 165 minutes, or 2 hours and 45 minutes, and falling short of Avengers: Endgame‘s eye-watering runtime. If it can have close to the same impact as Endgame, then the gamble will have paid off.

But last year, the chances of Doomsday hitting this high benchmark were put into question as all three MCU releases — each designed as a precursor to Doomsday — performed poorly at the box office. Of the three, which also included The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Captain America: Brave New World, it was Thunderbolts* that perhaps stood out as the highlight, introducing the world to the New Avengers ahead of their pivotal role in Doomsday. Among them was a returning Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, one of the countless confirmed characters in the December 18 blockbuster.

In anticipation of Stan’s involvement in Doomsday, and also before he portrays Harvey Dent in 2028’s The Batman: Part II, one of the actor’s most underrated recent projects is back in the global streaming charts. Before he portrayed POTUS Donald Trump in the biopic The Apprentice, and starred in the 2025 gem A Different Man, Stan featured alongside Julianne Moore (Sirens) and John Lithgow (Dexter) in Sharper, a 2023 mystery flick telling the tale of a con artist in non-linear vignettes. At the time of writing, Sharper is one of the ten most-streamed movies on Apple TV worldwide.

The Latest MCU Movie Is Breaking Records

2025 might’ve proved a misstep for the MCU, but if the success of the latest franchise entry is anything to go by, then everyone is ready to splash their cash on Doomsday. After just one weekend, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned the biggest opening for any movie in domestic box office history, as well as becoming the second-fastest film to hit the $1 billion mark worldwide. As it stands, Brand New Day is on track to challenge for the title of the highest-grossing movie of all time.

For more streaming stories, make sure to stay tuned to Collider.

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Release Date

February 10, 2023

Runtime

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116 minutes

Director

Benjamin Caron

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Writers

Brian Gatewood, Alessandro Tanaka

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