If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that horror creators are going to have fun with the genre, whether the project is widely welcomed or not. Particularly, writer and director Jane Schoenbrun, who burst onto the scene with 2021’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, before dazzling audiences at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival with their acclaimed follow-up, I Saw the TV Glow. Now, after yet another mystifying uphill battle, as they tell Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, for that coveted green light, we’re returning to Schoenbrun’s whimsical world with Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, starring Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Hannah Einbinder (Hacks).

Influenced by ‘80s movies like Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp, Schoenbrun’s latest puts an irreverent spin on a genre that often amasses cult followings. In the movie, Einbinder plays a young filmmaker, Kris, who’s been given the task of rebooting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise for a diminishing fandom after years of sloppy sequels. While researching for the project, Kris connects with the original film’s “final girl,” Billy (Anderson), a reclusive actress living on the campsite where the movies were filmed. Together, the two experience a sizzling connection of desire and delirium, leading to a blood-soaked awakening for Kris. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma also stars Zach Cherry as Will, Dylan Baker as Jeffrey, Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mari, Patrick Fischler as Rudolph, and reunites Schoenbrun with TV Glow’s Jack Haven as Little Death.

Check out the full conversation with Schoenbrun in the video above, with a transcript provided below, where they discuss how MUBI stepped in to help make this ambitious story into an on-screen reality, and the creatives around them who helped elevate their vision. Plus, find out how they crafted the final design for Little Death, and which scene Schoenbrun was “bummed” didn’t make it into the final cut.

Jane Schoenbrun Says Queer Liberation Isn’t a Hot Selling Point in Hollywood

“It’s funny, it’s sexy. It’s a good time at the movies, but it’s not getting easier.”

Image via MUBI

PERRI NEMIROFF: I want to keep the train going from when we last spoke at Sundance for [I Saw the] TV Glow. We were talking about the experience of going from first narrative feature to second, and now I want to keep on going. When I asked you about that, you said something to the effect of, it was less about waiting for the green light and more about finding what you need to say as an artist, but then you also added, “figuring out how to be a spy with the gatekeepers who hold the power to get cool shit made.” Because you’re making even more cool shit now, can you tell me a little bit about the things that you have learned while spying on the gatekeepers to ensure that we could keep getting stories like this?

JANE SCHOENBRUN: Tricking people into letting me make my movies. You know, I wish I could say it gets easier, but this is a hard movie to convince people to make. I feel like it was really down to the wire a bit. I was like, “I wrote this script. I know this is the next one I want to make. I actually don’t know if I’m going to get to,” or “I’m going to get to, but it’s going to be like out in the woods with $100 again.” But thankfully, MUBI came along and really understood it and supported the film, and have been really great partners.

But I don’t know, maybe my new thinking about it is, like, it’s not up to me so much. The bind is that I know if I’m not being truthful, I know if I’m not following my own artistic progression towards the goal of being, not more commercial or more digestible or watered down as I grow as an artist, but more of myself, like, that’s the only goal. I’d rather not make something than diverge from that path.

With this movie, yeah, I was surprised that it was so hard because I do think it’s one of the more commercial things I’ve made. It’s fun. It’s funny, it’s sexy. It’s a good time at the movies, but it’s not getting easier. It’s getting harder for queer people to make honest stories about our lives, and especially if those stories aren’t, like, trauma porn. If they’re coming from a liberated perspective, which is not the perspective that Hollywood usually makes movies from — queer liberation — yeah, there are a lot of obstacles in your road to getting $10 million to do some crazy shit.

Jane Schoenbrun Says Collaboration Elevated Every Frame of ‘Camp Miasma’

“It’s just a constant pursuit of looking for joy and play.”

I know that this story was somewhat inspired by your personal experience. You worked on this script. I imagine it feels like your baby to a degree, but I love the fact that when you write something and then you share it with your cast and crew, it could become even more powerful in ways that you weren’t expecting. Can you tell me a few things that some of your cast and crew did with your writing that had that material far exceed your expectations in the finished film?

SCHOENBRUN: Oh, there’s just so, so, so, so much, and that’s what I’m looking for. When I write, I honestly just think of it as giving me and my collaborators lots of little potential gifts to trade in and get on various days on set, or in the sound design or in the edit. It’s like, if you’re not present and having fun, if you’re just kind of making something to spec, you’re going to feel that in the energy of the movie. And so it’s just a constant pursuit of looking for joy and play, and a lot of rigorous planning, obviously, as well.

A huge one was that opening credits scene with all of the memorabilia. I basically hosted a pop-up writers’ room with all of my closest collaborators. We just locked the door and didn’t let anyone knock for a morning, and we beated out that scene. We were brainstorming, like, fake taglines for each sequel and just coming up with the details that make that so fun to watch. That takes a village. There are just so many people who got to have their own joyful, creative process within this larger one.

Like my production designer, Brandon [Tonner-Connolly], and I. I think he learned on TV Glow that I love it when he surprises me with something really cute. A few of my faves that he brought, that were complete surprises, literally, until I arrived on set the day we shot, were the candy chandelier that you see at the end of the movie. Like, that’s his sense of humor, not mine. I was just like, “We’ve got to film that.” So much of those things.

Even my longtime assistant director, Willy [McGee], came over to me and was like, “I think I see something cool. What if you stood in front of the camera like this, in front of this glass, matte-painted backdrop, and then it creates this weird illusion?” And I was like, “Let’s do it,” because it was cool. I’ve learned to surround myself with people who can elevate the work, and who understand my voice enough to add their own to it.

Jane Schoenbrun Breaks Down Little Death’s Unique Design

They call it “unexplainable in a good way.”

Image via MUBI

You’re working with the best team here because all that stuff is exceptional in the film, and so is the design of Little Death. I love asking about how those types of things evolve from the beginning to the end of the process, so what would you say is the biggest difference between how you initially pictured that character looking when you first started writing and the finished design that we all see in the film?

SCHOENBRUN: I mean, it’s pretty close, to be honest with you. I guess one thing that came in through collaboration with Kendra [Terpenning], our costume designer, was the helmet. Once I knew that it was like that vent that we all see on the ceiling all the time, but don’t really think about, I could just see it perfectly, you know? It was just like, “Just take that vent and put it on top of somebody.” So when I saw it, I was like, “Yes. That is the thing that I saw in my brain.”

The outfit, the plastic wrap, that was not the original idea. We went back and forth a lot on, like, what would this guy wear? There are so many things that you’ve seen, and so many, like, not even slasher movies from the ‘80s, but the movies that we make now with slasher villains, kind of stock slasher villains. Like, I feel like Widow’s Bay had one, which I like that show, but everyone just kind of wears logger uniform. There were so many things that we thought of that were the obvious one, and then something about the plastic wrap just felt unexplainable in a good way.

Jane Schoenbrun Reveals They Were “Bummed” This ‘Camp Miasma’ Scene Got Cut

Plus, find out how that oner came together after “200 hours” of collaboration.

Image via MUBI

I’ll wrap with this question, because I’m a cliché film nerd and I absolutely love a good oner, and you have an epic one in your movie. Going into filming that, which particular part of it did you and the team think would be the most challenging to pull off, and ultimately, was it, or did something else catch you by surprise?

SCHOENBRUN: There were so many challenging parts of filming that. We spent probably, like, a combined 200 hours in inter-departmental prep meetings so costumes could talk to special effects, could talk to stunts, could talk to VFX, could talk to production design. It was just so much planning to pull that off. The second half of it, when Jack [Haven]’s got the Snorricam strapped to them — that’s like a 60-pound rig, and they are dancing with it — was probably the most challenging thing to pull off. It was one of these moments where it’s like fourth quarter, clock’s ticking down, we have clearly only one more in the tank, and it’s just perfect. That’s the best feeling in the world. We are jumping up and down and cheering when we get it, and it’s perfect. And a lot of that is Jack. Jack is the cinematographer, or at least the camera op for that scene, quite literally.

Another part that was unexpectedly hard: rolling a fake severed head. The one gag that we weren’t able to pull off that I’m really bummed about was we had the severed head on a stick, and we’re rolling it. The idea was the character’s got a mohawk, and that it would roll, and then it would kind of, like, Teflon — it would reach the mohawk, and then it would kind of go boing, boing, boing, and roll back, like it can’t quite forward the mohawk. But whoever was holding that stick and rolling it couldn’t quite get it. It’s like puppetry. I didn’t quite realize there would be literally puppetry. But so much shit like that. Also, we shot in May and June for a lot of that stuff, and you had six hours of true night at that time of year in Vancouver, and so it was really, from sundown at 10:00 p.m. to sun-up at 4:30 in the morning, it’s like all you can eat, go quick.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma debuts in theaters on August 7.

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Release Date

August 6, 2026

Runtime

112 minutes

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Director

Jane Schoenbrun

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Writers

Jane Schoenbrun

Producers

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Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner

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A Mississippi community is calling for answers after the heartbreaking death of Tasia Fortune sparked concern and demands for transparency. As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, officials and community leaders are urging a closer look into what happened.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Woman Critically Injured After 7-Year-Old & 4-Year-Old Reportedly Crashed Their Parents’ Car Into Her (VIDEO)

Officials Call For Answers In Tasia Fortune Case

According to reports, the woman has been identified as 29-year-old Tasia Fortune. In addition, her body was discovered on Monday hanging from a tree in the backyard of a vacant property located on the 500 block of Road of Remembrance in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes is now calling for additional support in the investigation, revealing that he sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office requesting help.

Councilman Calls For Justice Amid Painful History

As questions continue surrounding the case, Stokes revealed that he reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assistance, saying the focus is on making sure whoever is responsible is found and held accountable. “We sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office asking for help to make sure we catch and convict the person or persons involved with hanging a young lady in Jackson,” he said.

Additionally, Stokes addressed the city’s painful history. He also explained that regardless of whether investigators determine there was a racial motive, the circumstances are deeply troubling given Mississippi’s history of lynchings. He said the situation deserves public attention and condemnation while officials continue working to uncover the truth.

A 29 year old black woman was lynched in my city named Tasia Fortune and we want answers! How does something like this continue to happen? this isn’t even 1 mile away from my neighborhood. Justice for Tasia Fortune she didn’t deserve this. pic.twitter.com/ynn2noOzzj

— Sun Ra (@KailSovl) August 7, 2026

Officials Await Autopsy Results As Investigation Continues

Authorities are still investigating the case. Furthermore, Hinds County Coroner Jeremiah Howard confirmed that Fortune was found hanging from a tree, and the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. As the investigation continues, the Fortune family is being kept in the thoughts of those seeking answers and justice.

Those interested in donating to the GoFundMe raised in honor of Fortune’s memory can do so by clicking here.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Authorities Speak Out After Body Of 21-Year-Old Male Was Reportedly Found Hanging From Tree In Georgia Park

Hilary Duff had three very special guests on stage with her during her second Lucky Me Tour stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

On Thursday, August 6, Duff, 38, brought out her daughters, Banks, 7, Mae, 5, and Townes, 2, for an NYC-style pizza party.

Duff’s daughters — whom she shares with husband Matthew Koma — brought out a pie from Joe’s Pizza during the star’s concert, joining their mom for a slice. As the girls bounded onto the stage, little Townes was seen leaping into her mother’s arms.

The Lizzie McGuire alum introduced all three of the girls to her sold-out audience at MSG, affectionately calling Mae “Mae-Mae” and Townes “Townsey Bear.” (Duff also has a son, Luca, 14, with ex-husband Mike Comrie.)

Just a day before Thursday’s concert, Duff revealed that she had been in the emergency room with Mae before her first show at the Garden on Wednesday, August 5.

“My kids are here tonight,” Duff said during Wednesday’s show, per a clip shared by People. “I can’t believe I get to show them this. We were in the ER this morning getting some stitches for my 5-year-old.”

Duff said that Mae was doing “fine” after her trip to the hospital and assured fans that “it’s all good.”

“But it’s very ‘our family-coded’ that I would be playing my first show at MSG and also be in the emergency room getting my kid stitched up,” she quipped, before telling her daughter, “Mae Mae, you’re very brave.”

The night before she brought out her daughters, Duff surprised fans on Wednesday by bringing out her ex Joel Madden’s band, Good Charlotte, for a rendition of their hit song “The Anthem.”

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Duff and Madden, 47, dated from 2004 to 2006 and remain on friendly terms. Duff is also close friends with Madden’s wife, Nicole Richie.

“I have a good relationship with their whole family. We actually hang out all the time,” she said during a 2023 interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “I was just in [Nicole’s] driveway, honking for her to come drink wine with us the other day. … Now, we get them to hike together all the time. And you know what? It’s lovely.”

Madden, for his part, told People in 2007, “Every girl I’ve ever dated I have respect for, and I always try to leave them [on] good terms. I don’t see the necessity to be friends with anyone you’ve dated, but definitely out of respect of the time, you have to be kind of respectful, and that’s what I try to do.”

Y’all! Ashanti had the internet paying attention this week after sharing a photo that seemed to make one thing very clear — she’s embracing this new chapter of her life. While the singer didn’t reveal much behind the post, the message she shared had fans noticing the details and reading between the lines.

RELATED: Power Couple Energy! Ashanti & Nelly Turn Heads After Popping Out For Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Wedding (VIDEOS)

Ashanti Lets The Ring Do The Talking

In the photo, Ashanti posed in what appeared to be a bedroom setting, with a bed and nightstand visible in the background. She looked effortlessly glam with a natural face beat, glossy pink lips, gold door-knocker earrings, and a slicked-up bun styled with laid baby hairs.

The singer also showed off her golden-tipped manicure and a large ring on her finger while adding the text “Mrs. Haynes” with a black heart emoji over the image. Although Ashanti didn’t explain what inspired the post, the caption led fans to believe she was proudly showing off her married life and letting it be known that she’s happily taken.

The Internet Is Still Trying To Decode This

Fans wasted no time flooding TSR’s Instagram comment section, with many questioning why Ashanti shared the post and wondering if there was a hidden message behind it. In contrast, others were simply amazed that our girl’s face card is still undefeated.

One Instagram user @divalicious_ng said, “Who Nelly Cheating with?😂😂cuz why?”

This Instagram user @_gottabequickerthanthat claimed, “Her face card has always been valid 😍”

And, Instagram user @forever_aclassic added, “Well this is…..random 😂😂 but hey girl hey!”

While Instagram user @makinfacez commented, “She’s so Fione 🔥🔥i would give her that too lol”

Then, Instagram user @moreofmspyt shared, “Prime example of if he wants to, he will.”

Finally, Instagram user @onlyinhim said, “Let us know Mrs. Haynes 💍🎉♥️. I love it 🥰 . Keep being awesome and gorgeous 💕💍♾️”

Ashanti & Nelly said Couple Goals Only

The last time Ashanti and Nelly had the internet talking, the couple stepped out for a major celebration surrounded by some of music’s biggest names. The pair made headlines when they attended Taylor Swift’s wedding, serving coordinated looks and showing love for the newlyweds.

Nelly pulled up looking smooth in a cream tuxedo paired with a white T-shirt and chain, while Ashanti gave full goddess energy in a stunning cream beaded gown with a matching choker. After the celebration, the two shared love for the couple, with Nelly calling the event “incredible” and Ashanti saying there was “so much love in the building.”

RELATED: It’s The Haynes! New Video Has Social Media Saying Nelly “Hasn’t Stopped Smiling” Since Spinning The Block With Ashanti

Little People, Big World alum Isabel Roloff is addressing her sister-in-law Audrey Roloff’s social media post about salvaging the family farm.

Isabel, 30, took to TikTok on Wednesday, August 5, to answer a fan’s question on the matter after seeing Audrey’s recent post. “How do you feel about your sister-in-law saying they’re still trying to ‘save’ Roloff Farms?” the social media user asked.

Isabel candidly replied in her caption, “Honestly? It feels incredibly disappointing.”

She continued, “They have never talked to us about it. We don’t have the money to ‘save’ it but we are here, every day, showing up, working it. We tend to the plants and animals and the land of this place.”

Isabel, who tied the knot with Jacob Roloff in 2019, explained that her family has tried to “figure out a way to authentically save it” for four years now. “At the end of the day? You just need money,” she added.

“I just get a bad taste in my mouth that they talk about it like they would be the ones to come in and save the day when we’re here, wishing we could find a way to make it work. They never asked if we wanted to work together,” she vented.

Isabel spoke out hours after Audrey, 35, who married Jeremy Roloff in 2014, shared life updates via Instagram. “We went blackberry picking at Roloff Farms,” Audrey captioned a pic of herself holding her daughter Mirabella, 2. “A couple months ago we had the opportunity to revisit purchasing the farm but we ultimately decided not to.”

Audrey continued, “However, every time we go there, we can’t help but wonder if there is a way to still buy it through some creative means. Not necessarily live on it, but to use it for business, ministry, and/or a place for goodness and beauty to multiply. I still just have this hunch that a God might make a way.”

In June, family patriarch Matt Roloff relisted 16 acres of the 109-acre property for $2.6 million. He originally listed the land, in Helvetia, Oregon, for $4 million in 2022. That same year, Matt, 64, offered the house as a short-term vacation rental. He then took it off the market and relisted it in August 2025 for $2.8 million.

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Jeremy lived on the farm with his twin Zach, brother Jacob, 29, and sister Molly, 32, as well as his dad and mom Amy Roloff. When Amy, 63, and Matt separated in 2015, she sold her half of the property to Matt.

Jeremy and Audrey previously opened up about potentially purchasing the farm in March.

“Things my February content didn’t tell you about my February,” she wrote in an Instagram recap. “Jer’s dad told the kids he was going to list Roloff Farms for sale again. It has been on and off the market over the last six years since we tried to buy it in 2020.”

The eyes of the world are currently on the theater. Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which debuted last weekend, has followed in the footsteps of another Tom Holland movie, Christopher Nolan‘s epic adaptation of Homer‘s The Odyssey, in smashing box office records. Brand New Day has earned the biggest opening weekend in domestic cinema history, edging past the $357 million earned by Avengers: Endgame to take top spot. It has also already surpassed the billion-dollar mark in almost record speed and is looking to make even more history this weekend. But what if you’ve already watched Brand New Day? What should you binge this weekend? To help you decide, here’s a list of three shows you should binge-watch on Netflix.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

1

‘My Life With the Walter Boys’ (2023–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 56% | IMDb: 6.8/10

Of the many shows returning to streaming this weekend, the most enticing on Netflix is the perfect YA replacement for the recent Paramount+ smash Dutton Ranch. My Life With the Walter Boys, often likened to Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, follows Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) as she finds herself stuck in a tricky love triangle with brothers Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry).

The first season of My Life With the Walter Boys was one of Netflix’s best sleeper hits of 2023, with Season 2 propelled to new heights thanks to better exposure. With the series going from strength to strength, this third season is set to be the most unmissable yet, as more indulgent drama unfolds in rural Colorado. The series has already been renewed for a fourth installment.

2

‘Alley Cats’ (2026)

Fans of adult animation are in for a treat this weekend, as British comedic favorite Ricky Gervais finally returns with his latest Netflix project. Alley Cats, produced by Blink Industries, follows an irreverent group of feral cats as they deal with the trials and tribulations of their difficult lives, causing mayhem and fighting back in a human world.

Gervais has never been one to hide from his own musings on modern society, and this isn’t expected to be any different. The likes of Diane Morgan, Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, and Kerry Godliman all lend their voices alongside Gervais in the series, which is already expected to be one of the late-summer gems in the Netflix library. For some thought-provoking humor this weekend, don’t miss Alley Cats.

3

‘You’ (2018–2025)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.6/10

If you’re looking for an already established Netflix smash hit this weekend, then look no further than one of the biggest shows of 2025: You. Based on Caroline Kepnes’ novel series, the series follows charismatic serial killer Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) as he inserts himself seamlessly into the lives of women who capture his intense attention.

Utterly gripping and easily binge-watched, this thrilling dark romance has long been heralded as a favorite of many Netflix subscribers, and now that it has come to an end after seven years, it’s ready and waiting to be discovered in its entirety by those few yet to fall under its spell. It might not be perfect, but You is so addictive that you’ll find yourself forgiving glaring plot holes in the name of must-watch drama.

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Release Date

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2018 – 2025-00-00

Directors

Marcos Siega, Lee Toland Krieger, Cherie Nowlan, DeMane Davis, Kellie Cyrus, Marta Cunningham, Martha Mitchell, Victoria Mahoney, Erin Feeley

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Writers

Justin W. Lo

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From 3-D manicures to patterned polishes, Hollywood’s A-listers have a reputation for rocking out-of-the-box nail designs.

Cardi B, Machine Gun Kelly, Dove Cameron and more stars have shocked Us with talons so fierce that we had to do a double take.

One of Cardi’s most talked about looks came in January 2023. In a carousel of photos, the rapper’s nails were elongated with acrylics and filed into a square shape. Manicurist Jenny Bui — who has worked with Cardi for over a decade — adorned her nails with colorful rhinestones in various shapes and sizes.

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In 2025, Lindsay Arnold got into the holiday spirit with her red French tips, which she shared via Instagram in December 2025.

Hailey Bieber gave a glimpse of her “glow in the dark” nails, which she wears every Coachella, ahead of husband Justin Bieber’s performance at the 2026 music festival on April 11 and April 18.

Keep scrolling to see these celebrities and more wildest nail designs of all time:

Video games have come a long way since their inception in the 1970s. The first video games were very simplistic in concept, owing to the limited technology at the time. Now, though, video game developers are able to craft actual narratives in their projects, coming up with a storyline and a script as if it were a movie or a play. Like any other storytelling medium, the writing can really make or break something and is a crucial part of things.

Over the years, many video games from all genres have gained critical acclaim for how well-written they are. Whether it’s because of the layered narrative, the unexpected comedy, or the story itself, there are numerous ways in which a game might exceed expectations in the writing department. These are the most perfectly written video game masterpieces of all time, in no particular order.

‘Dragon Age: Origins’ (2009)

Image via BioWare

Dragon Age: Origins is a BioWare role-playing game set in the land of Ferelden. Ferelden is faced with peril as a cataclysmic event known as the Blight begins, meaning the Darkspawn that prowl the underground network of tunnels called the Deep Roads have started reaching the surface. Their intent is to destroy the kingdoms of humans, elves, and dwarves, prompting the revival of an ancient order known as the Grey Wardens.

In this game, players can choose their origin story, with six different opening quests to choose from. Players can also choose their party members, and must strategize to create the most efficient group of fighters possible. The story feels simple, but the dialogue is fantastic. There are so many sarcastic remarks and quips you can make, and which other characters might deliver right back. All the party members have such unique personalities and are so much fun to interact with. The depth and design of the characters in this game are absolutely unparalleled, making it one of the finest RPGs ever made.

‘The Stanley Parable’ (2013)

Image via Galactic Cafe

The Stanley Parable is a walking simulator game that can be completed in just a couple of hours, all told. Or at least, the original version can. The 2022 remake added a substantial amount of content to the game. Anyway, the game is about Stanley, an office worker who gets up from his computer one day to find that the entire building is empty. He is also accompanied by an unseen narrator, who will give instructions as if he were telling someone else a story.

You don’t have to follow the narrator’s every word, though. If you decide to defy his orders, he will adjust his dialogue accordingly. The narrator’s dialogue is excellent: snarky, clever, and often hilarious, and it’s easily the best part of the game. The narrator became the driving force for why many consider this game to be a perfect example of good writing, especially in the world of video games. The story itself is one thing, but making dialogue this consistently funny is really tough to do.

‘SOMA’ (2015)

Image via Frictional Games

SOMA is a horror video game created by the same developers as the Outlast series. In this game, you play as Simon, a Canadian man living in Toronto who signs up for a brain experiment. He falls asleep during the procedure and wakes up centuries in the future, in a hidden laboratory miles beneath the surface of the Atlantic. Stranger still, he has a shiny new robot body that he didn’t have previously. Not knowing where he is or why, Simon must escape the facility while avoiding the corrupted robots prowling the corridors.

The game seems simple, but it has a lot to say. It dives heavily into concepts of consciousness and existentialism, leaving us with one of the most profound and jaw-dropping endings in any video game ever made. The setting is unique enough, and the horror does a good job, but the dialogue and complex story are where the game is at its best. Very few other games can inspire such a sense of existential dread as this game can. The ending will leave you sitting in silence for a while, that’s for sure.

‘Spec Ops: The Line’ (2012)

Image via Darkside Game Studios

Spec Ops: The Line is actually an adaptation of Heart of Darkness, the 1899 novella by Joseph Conrad that also inspired Apocalypse Now. The original book is about Belgian colonialism in the Congo region, but Spec Ops is about American military intervention in the Middle East. Following a natural disaster, an American officer is sent into Dubai to organize the city. Instead, he implements martial law and turns the city into a war zone. Sent in to stop him is Delta Force operator Martin Walker.

The game begins like an ordinary third-person shooter, but quickly evolves into a deeply profound experience. Everything about the story is meant to horrify the player and shock them into the realities of war, unlike many video games which glorify violence. Even the loading screen tips are meticulously reasoned, posing existential questions and criticizing the player towards the end. The story emphasizes the effects of war and the trauma it breeds in individuals, critiquing imperialism. The script and story are highly detailed, all in an effort to make the game as uncomfortable as possible.

‘Batman: Arkham City’ (2011)

Image via Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Batman: Arkham City picks up where Arkham Asylum left off. The asylum has shut down due to the incident, forcing the newly appointed Mayor, Quincy Sharp, to authorize the construction of Arkham City. Run by Professor Hugo Strange, a small section of Gotham City is cordoned off behind walls and barbed wire, serving as a mega prison for all of Gotham’s inmates. However, trouble is brewing, as is expected when all the city’s supervillains are confined together, and Batman is intent on stopping it.

The dialogue is pretty good, made better with the return of veteran voice actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. The side quests are interesting, and there are plenty of familiar faces, as well as some new ones. Where the game really shines is in its overall story. Batman is pushed to his absolute limits here, and the game ends with a really gutsy death scene that nobody could have anticipated. The game also bears a plot twist that makes perfect sense and doesn’t come completely out of nowhere. In fact, keen-eyed players can even figure it out in advance if they pay attention. The game’s story is masterfully crafted, dark, gritty, and everything that fans love about the Caped Crusader.

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2013)

Image via Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto V is an enormously popular game due to its fun gameplay, but it also excels in the writing department, especially when it comes to its single-player story mode. The plot follows former bank robbers Michael de Santa and Trevor Phillips, who reunite to continue their crime spree in an effort to save Michael from death at the hands of a cartel leader. They are aided by a young upstart named Franklin Clinton, a former gang member and talented pupil.

Grand Theft Auto V is known for its comedy, especially when it comes to Trevor Phillips, described by netizens as a sociopath who commits a lot of heinous crimes just for the heck of it. He’s a fantastic character that’s never boring to watch. The other characters are pretty good too, though, especially when it comes to Michael’s dysfunctional family and Franklin’s interactions with his friend Lamar. The writing couldn’t have been more brilliant if they tried.

‘Oxenfree’ (2016)

Image via Night School Studio

Oxenfree is a side-scrolling psychological thriller adventure about five teenagers living in Washington State. During the summer, they take a trip to a remote island off the coast of their hometown to spend a night or two on the beach. While there, they hear a rumor stating that portable radios tuned to specific frequencies cause strange events in certain places. They decide to test this rumor for themselves, only to unleash temporal beings beyond their understanding.

The cast of teens is very memorable, each with a distinct personality, which is made even better by their dialogue. The dialogue in this game fully fleshes out each character, reflecting a lot about their deep-seated insecurities and their hopes and dreams for after graduation. The story is complex and intricate, as well as a little bit tragic. It’s a phenomenal game with some of the most impeccable writing in the medium.

Image via Konami

The Metal Gear series is known for having one of the most complicated narratives in all of gaming, but it’s arguably at its best with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This game is chronologically the first in the saga, taking place in the 1960s. At the height of the Cold War, an agent of FOX codenamed Naked Snake is sent in to prevent the Soviets from constructing a nuclear-equipped superweapon known as the Shagohod.

Like the other games in the series, the game explores the individuality of soldiers and how world governments use living, breathing humans as pawns in their war machine. Though the story is more in line with science fiction rather than reality, the message remains the same. This game is by far the most emotional in the series, with a heartbreaking ending and one of the most devastating plot twists ever conceived. Snake Eater is the best that the Metal Gear series has to offer, especially in the writing department.

‘Until Dawn’ (2015)

Image via Supermassive Games

Until Dawn is a visual novel game, so the writing has to be excellent, or else it’ll ruin the whole experience. Fortunately, the writers absolutely nailed it. The story follows eight young adults who travel to a ski lodge in Alberta, Canada, for their annual getaway. Things start normally until a masked killer begins stalking them, luring them into deathtraps and striking from the shadows. Each and every choice in this game matters and can drastically affect the fate of each character.

The writing is absolutely on point. The dialogue actually sounds realistic, which is made better by the performances of the actors, including Rami Malek. The story itself is brilliant, with a massive bombshell of a plot twist about midway through the game that floors the audience easily and is a testament to how good everything else about the game is. Considering it’s a visual novel, there isn’t a whole lot of input from the player, yet Until Dawn is still a masterpiece for the fact that the writing keeps things consistently exciting.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

Image via Irrational Games

BioShock Infinite is the third and final installment in the BioShock series, though it is chronologically the first. Instead of taking players to the underwater city of Rapture, it takes players above the clouds to the flying city of Columbia. Unlike Rapture, Columbia is still thriving and populated, though many dark secrets lurk beneath the surface. The protagonist is Booker DeWitt, a detective sent to investigate the disappearance of a woman named Elizabeth Comstock.

Like the others in the franchise, Infinite is an FPS with a magical twist. Not only can players use firearms, but they can also use Vigors, which function like spells. The plot is similarly psychological to the rest of the franchise, but the game does a bit of a better job with its dialogue since you are always accompanied by Elizabeth and are rarely alone. Booker is also capable of talking, unlike the previous two silent protagonists. The story bears many twists and turns, most of them jaw-dropping, and the game goes above and beyond with its worldbuilding, both literally and figuratively. It’s one of the most well-written games of all time, period.

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BioShock Infinite

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Released

March 26, 2013

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ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco

Developer(s)

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Irrational Games

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Katie Holmes has a knack for making even the simplest accessories feel like the only thing worth shopping. Whether she’s grabbing coffee, running errands or heading across town, the actress always seems to find one standout piece that quietly steals the show. This time, it’s a roomy cherry red tote that instantly makes every neutral outfit look expensive.

Holmes was spotted in New York City on July 31 carrying a cherry red tote, which she paired with a breezy collared button-down, light-wash jeans and a Louis Vuitton bag. While her exact carryall is a $725 Mansur Gavriel style, you don’t need to spend hundreds to channel the same effortlessly polished vibe. Amazon has a strikingly similar lookalike for just $18.

Get the Dreubea Faux Leather Tote Bag for $18 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Dreubea Faux Leather Tote Bag delivers the same slouchy silhouette, rich cherry red hue and oversized shape that make Holmes’ bag so eye-catching. It also comes in olive green, light blue, cream and several other shades, but the cherry red version is the one that captures the star’s look best. Better yet, the alternative is roomy enough for everyday life without sacrificing style.

Related: Courteney Cox’s Woven Crossbody Is a Go-With-Everything Staple

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Some handbags only work with certain outfits. However, there are styles that you instinctively reach for day after day because they look good with literally everything. Courteney Cox reminded Us why a woven crossbody bag belongs in the second category. The actress was seen last week carrying the effortlessly chic style with one of her […]

Made from soft faux leather, this tote features a magnetic snap closure, a subtle tassel accent and a spacious interior that can hold everything from a laptop and water bottle to a sweater and daily essentials. There’s also a smaller interior pocket for keeping your phone, keys or lip gloss within easy reach. It’s the kind of bag that works just as well for the office as it does for weekend errands.

Shoppers are just as impressed with the bag as we are. With more than 25,400 five-star ratings, it’s clearly become an Amazon favorite.  One reviewer called it “extremely roomy,” noting that it “will hold all your day-to-day necessities.” Another buyer said it looks “expensive and elegant,” sharing that they “received lots of compliments” each time they’ve carried it.

If you’ve been eyeing Holmes’ cherry red tote but couldn’t justify the designer price tag, this $18 Amazon find is an easy alternative. It delivers the same bold pop of color, the same roomy silhouette and the same effortlessly chic energy for a fraction of the cost. Since it’s just as cute as it is practical, it might just become the hardest-working bag in your closet!

Get the Dreubea Faux Leather Tote Bag for $18 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Dreubea here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Jennifer Aniston’s Vacation Flip-Flops Have a $15 Lookalike on Amazon

Jennifer Aniston has a knack for making the simplest vacation outfits feel incredibly chic. During a recent getaway, the actress reminded us that you don’t need designer accessories or over-the-top trends to look polished — sometimes all it takes is a simple pair of black flip-flops. Even better, recreating the look costs just $15. The […]

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