By Brian Myers
| Published 25 seconds ago

Sometimes the terror inked from the pen of Stephen King strays from supernatural horror and personifies the worst in human nature. When the legendary author published Misery in 1987, he not only introduced readers to the human monster Annie Wilkes but also proved himself to be a sort of unwitting prophet.

The novel, and the 1990 film adaptation that followed, were grim predictors of fan behavior in the coming digital age. King’s work was a forerunner of what some social scientists refer to as “toxic fandom,” playing out on the page and on screen with chilling accuracy.

Toxic Fandom Depicted In Misery

For those who need a refresher, Misery follows romance novelist Paul Sheldon as he finishes the manuscript for what he hopes will be his first success in another genre. Shortly after leaving the remote mountain cabin where he was working, he loses control of his car on an icy road and crashes. He is rescued by the reclusive Annie Wilkes, who pulls his unconscious body to safety and takes him to her nearby house to recover. With a snowstorm closing off the area, Paul is stranded with Wilkes as she nurses him back to health. She reveals that she knows who he is and proclaims herself his “number one fan.” But when the final book in his romance series is read by Wilkes, her treatment of her snowbound patient takes a dark and twisted turn.

Annie flies into a mad rage when the principal character of the series dies at the end. During a long rant at his bedside, she tells the writer that no one knows he is there and that he is stuck with her. Determined that the latest romance novel will not be the final entry, Annie forces Paul to write a new installment featuring the same main character (aptly named Misery Chastain), while also coercing him into burning the only copy of his new manuscript.

Destroying A Life Is Fair Game

Annie’s treatment of her captive author turns savage quickly. She withholds pain medication as punishment and breaks both of his ankles with a sledgehammer in an act she refers to as “hobbling.” In the novel, her punishment is much more brutal and irreversable. As the story progresses, Paul discovers he is being held prisoner by a former nurse whose license was revoked after the deaths of infants in a local hospital.

No spoilers on the ending here. But what can be gleaned from Annie’s attitude and actions seems to mirror, symbolically anyway, the toxic fandom culture that exists across multiple forms of media and is prevalent in film franchises and the music industry. A rabid fan feels disenfranchised by the direction their beloved book series has taken and decides to assert herself to change the artist’s mind.

In the days before social media, Annie took a literal hands-on approach to fulfill this ideology, with devastating consequences. In the book and the film, the toxic fan is the maniac with the sledgehammer (or axe) and fairly easy to identify. But how do you recognize toxic fandom in today’s real world when you see it?

Toxic Fandom Could Be Cured By Touching Grass

Very Well Mind defines toxic fandom as a group of fans who “work to display negative and harmful behaviors, often online,” which often leads to targeted harassment of other fans, creators, and studios. While many fans consider their love and devotion to a particular film franchise or entertainer part of their identity, a toxic fan base dedicates itself to bullying others, mostly online, in an attempt to accomplish one of two things: assert authority over others and/or change the direction of the creator’s intent.

The last decade has been full of stories about the subset of Taylor Swift followers that turn toxic. Likewise, the worst offenders who have dedicated their adult lives to the Star Wars franchise reared their ugly heads immediately after the 2017 release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, taking bullying and harassment to new levels.

Some toxic fans, angered by the film, launched petitions to have the installment removed from the official Star Wars canon, arguing that it ruined earlier entries. Others demanded a total do-over. But the worst behavior was the sexism and racism that toxic fandom unleashed on the film’s co-star, Kelly Marie Tran. The Vietnamese American actress was harassed so relentlessly on social media by trolls that she left the platforms altogether. Her character’s entry on Wookieepedia was also edited by toxic fans with remarks that were horribly misogynistic, racist, and extremely vulgar. Tran quickly gained support from her fellow cast members and other celebrities, but the damage had already been done.

Stems From An Overly Entitled Sense Of Self

Toxic fans have no respect for the art or the artist. Rather than appreciate, or respectfully disagree with, what has been presented to them for entertainment, they allow their perceived fan superiority complex to take over rational thought and go into attack mode. While they aren’t literally taking sledgehammers to the ankles of writers, the actions they take online are just as violent symbolically. Threatening to derail an entire franchise because of an installment they didn’t feel was up to snuff, or because they don’t care for the casting choices, is ludicrous and speaks to the overly entitled sense of self at the core of toxic fandom.

Most anyone who has followed a film series, a TV show, or a musician has felt some level of disappointment along the journey. Die-hard Seinfeld and Game of Thrones fans can bond over their hatred of their respective finales, early Metallica fans are still fuming about how 1991’s The Black Album took the band in a direction they hated, and, to be quite honest, the powers that be behind the Police Academy films really should have stopped after the third installment.

What separates a normal fan from a toxic one is how each reacts to and acts on disappointment. A normal fan will still love the remainder of the art and move on. The toxic fan will make that disappointment part of their identity and refuse to let it go.

In the end, it’s all just for entertainment purposes. Why take any of it so seriously?

Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax had been separated at the time of their apparent murder-suicide.

“This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce. So far what we know is what you know,” police chief Kevin Davis said in an April 2026 press conference. “There seems to be divorce proceedings that have been ongoing.”

According to Davis, Justin was “recently served some paperwork” associated with his divorce from Cerina.

“That apparently led to the incident,” Davis told reporters, claiming that Justin shot Cerina “several times” in their house before shooting himself. “Both of their children, teenagers … were in the house when it happened. That’s horrible news for the family, certainly a traumatic event for those children to live through.”

Related: Who Was Justin Fairfax’s Estranged Wife? What to Know After Their Deaths

Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and his estranged wife, Cerina Fairfax, died in an apparent murder-suicide. News broke in April 2026 that Justin shot Cerina “several times” inside their home. He allegedly shot himself moments later in a different part of the property. “This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to […]

Davis further stated that Justin and Cerina’s divorce had yet to be finalized at the time of their deaths. Keep scrolling for more details on their separation:

Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax Were Married From 2006 to 2025

Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax, who met while attending Duke University, got married in June 2006. Justin and the dentist were married for two decades and welcomed two children, Cameron and Carys, before separating in 2025.

According to court documents viewed by Us Weekly, Cerina filed for divorce in July 2025. She claimed that she separated from Justin in June 2024 while they continued to reside under the same roof.

Justin Fairfax Asked to Dismiss Cerina Fairfax’s Divorce Petition

Justin Fairfax, an attorney representing himself in the divorce, filed an opinion letter in January 2026.

In the letter viewed by Us, Justin objected to Cerina’s petition and claimed that she failed to disclose her intentions to “permanently separate” when they physically separated.

“[Justin] asserts that [Cerina] was required to expressly state in her complaint that she intended to permanently separate from him on June 1, 2024,” the court letter reads. “Instead, she pled only that June 1, 2024, was the date of separation. [Cerina] responds that she need not plead her intent and may prove her intent at trial.”

Justin further pointed out that a Virginia resident can only file for divorce after “having lived separate and apart without interruption” for one year and “prove an intent to permanently live separate.”

The court agreed to Justin’s request for a demurrer. The rest of the complaint had not been settled when Justin and Cerina died.

Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax Were Involved in a Domestic Dispute 4 Months Before Deaths

Justin Fairfax called the Fairfax, Virginia police department in January 2026 over an alleged domestic violence altercation with Cerina Fairfax. The police chief revealed in an April 2026 press conference that Justin claimed at the time that Cerina physically assaulted him.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene, finding several security cameras mounted in the home.

​​”We reviewed the cameras [in the home] and we corroborated that the alleged assault never occurred,” police chief Kevin Davis said in an April 2026 statement. “There was no arrest made, there was a report written but the allegation that Mr. Fairfax made in January that Mrs. Fairfax assaulted him was proven to be untrue.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

The premise of this movie has legs, but I’d be lying if I said they weren’t broken.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

1991’s Cybernator is an absolute mess of a film, but if you’re into sci-fi B-movies with no critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and only a 40 percent popcorn meter across fewer than 50 reviews, you’re in for a treat. The premise of this movie has legs, but I’d be lying if I said they weren’t broken. If you can get past the tonal inconsistencies, laughably bad special effects, and an antagonist who looks like he spends his spare time in an industrial nu-metal cover band, there’s still a certain charm that’s impossible to ignore, and it mostly comes from Lonnie Schuyler’s performance as Brent McCord.

There are still great one-liners, and if you squint just hard enough, there are plenty of things to enjoy about Cybernator. It’s just hard to call it a movie because it plays more like a hodgepodge of vaguely related scenes with no real sense of cohesion.

“Some Of My Best Friends Are Toasters, You F***!”

Cybernator starts out like a neo-noir buddy cop film, but quickly shows its dystopian sci-fi side. When we’re introduced to Brent McCord, he’s the coolest cop on the block. He’s got a stripper girlfriend named Blue (Christina Peralta) and a partner who always has his back named Jim Weaver (Jeff Jenkins). His captain chews him out for stepping out of line but lets it slide because he gets results. Basically, Brent McCord is one badass dude living in a world that’s about to be overrun by robots known as Cybernators.

While we’re on the subject of Cybernators, I’m not exactly sure what their threat is. A bunch of robots start committing crimes, seemingly led by an alpha unit known as Captain Hair (Michael Foley), who is basically a guy with a white-painted face and hair that looks like vinyl tubing you’d buy at Lowe’s. When two rogue robots disguised as everyday people get shot up, the coroner explains in painfully specific detail that these “men” have been enhanced with cybernetic technology created by the military.

McCord and Weaver press their captain about their lead because they think they’re onto some kind of government conspiracy, but they’re told to tread lightly. They don’t, and Weaver meets his maker. Primed for revenge, McCord has a prolonged sex scene with Blue before taking matters into his own hands, only to find out that Captain Hair isn’t the big boss. That would be Colonel Peck (William Smith), who tells Captain Hair that McCord is like a brother to him. That’s it. There’s no real explanation for what he’s doing or why, and we never learn what “like brothers” even means.

After getting blackmailed by government officials, McCord has no choice but to take down the Cybernators as a lone wolf, but he’s beyond pissed because they’re holding Blue hostage as collateral until the job is done.

A Tragically Missed “Damn, He’s Good” Opportunity

My biggest beef with Cybernator is that Brent McCord has the potential to be a supreme B-movie badass. You see flashes of that “damn, he’s good” personality you get in your John Wick films, and in just about every Steven Seagal movie ever made, because Steven is a legend in his own mind and wants everybody on Earth to know it. Seagal’s overblown on-screen persona has led to several hilarious late-career clunkers (I’m looking at you, Half Past Dead!). McCord, portrayed by Lonnie Schuyler, is wasted potential for the kind of schlock and awe that would have landed if the film leaned into it harder.

Early on, it’s clear that McCord follows nobody’s rules but his own, and that’s why I stuck around and actually finished this movie. I kept waiting for him to unleash the beast when properly provoked, and it does finally happen in the third act. What bothers me is that it doesn’t feel earned. His partner is dead and his girl is compromised, sure, but the screenplay never builds to his final rampage in a way that feels justified.

McCord should have either started out more badass and stayed that way, or had a more severe breakdown that pushes him toward a cathartic final showdown. Instead, it feels like somebody flips a switch and we’re suddenly dealing with two different protagonists. That said, McCord is a blast when he’s in his element because he doesn’t care about authority. He just wants to take out the big bad and ride off into the sunset with his girl.

Long story short, Cybernator is not a great movie. It’s a fun late-night watch when you’re feeling a little loopy, but beyond that it feels incomplete. If you’re into that kind of thing, like I most certainly am, you can stream it for free on Tubi as of this writing.

Days of Our Lives may see some huge relationship changes coming up this spring with shakeups, breakups, and couple swaps as the personal lives of Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein), Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord), Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez), Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark), and many others gets really messy and dramatic.

And based on secrets being kept and exposed and May sweeps kicking off next week on April 23rd, I think we’re going to see some big upheavals in some romantic pairs. Let’s talk about who finds new love, who reconciles, and who splits.

Stephanie Johnson And Jeremy Horton on Days of Our Lives

First of all, there’s been a lot of focus lately on Stephanie Johnson and Jeremy Horton. We’ve all seen Stephanie spiraling after she was rescued from Owen Kent‘s psychotic clutches. Stephanie is having nightmares and PTSD. And honestly, she doesn’t seem like herself anymore.

Plus, she’s not getting along that well with her new husband, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson). Try as he might, Alex just can’t seem to make Stephanie happy. And part of the problem is she’s not letting Alex in and not talking to him about what’s going on in her head. And on top of that, he is frustrating Stephanie by being overly protective, which she sees as controlling, and that’s a problem.

Jeremy Understands Stephanie on DOOL

Meanwhile, we have very handsome Jeremy still in Salem. And he has his eye on her benevolently, you know, not in a bad way. When Stephanie stormed out on Alex for telling Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) that she was quitting as a Titan author. that’s when Jeremy ran into her. And they have that trauma bond. And of course, he comforted Stephanie. And he really gets it.

Jeremy gets it because he was Owen Kent’s (Wes Ramsey) captive, too. And then Stephanie and Jeremy were hugging it out. that’s when Alex walked up on them. And I’m thinking that Stephanie will continue to turn to Jeremy at least until Michael Roark finishes his run as Jeremy on April 29th. But before he exits, you know, Stephanie and Jeremy could get closer and hugs on a park bench could turn to hitting the sheets when emotions are running high.

Plus, Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) is going to drop a baby surprise on Alex when she’s back on Friday, April 24th, right as sweeps is kicking off. So, we’re going to see a shakeup in Stephanie and Alex’s marriage one way or another. If she happens to get intimate with Jeremy, that could end her marriage to Alex. And with Joy back with a baby, you know, we could see a stunning new relationship form.

Theo Carver And Jada Hunter on Days

Now I want to talk about a newer couple that could be fizzling soon. And that is Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) and Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu). She and Theo have had a few nice dates. They’ve played chess. They did trivia, but he isn’t happy that Jada is getting hands-on helping Shawn Brady recover.

It’s understandable that Theo doesn’t like the woman he’s dating moving her ex into her apartment. He knows Jada and Shawn used to be an item, but Jada tried to convince Theo that she and Shawn agree that they are better off as friends than lovers. Plus, that was a couple of years ago. It’s not like it’s a fresh thing.

And already Jada is feeling this vibe being off. And she told Gabi she thought trivia night could be her and Theo’s last date. Then he bailed on trivia and he told Gabi he was overwhelmed. Theo honestly seemed off all night and we know his mom Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) is on his mind.

But Theo was also distracted by the thought of Jada and Shawn cohabitating. And of course Theo has a crush on Gabi and he knows her big dirty corporate espionage secret. So, there is a lot of potential for messiness in that and Gabi even followed Theo out to comfort him.

Days of our Lives: Jada & Shawn Destined to Reunite

And there’s this a Days of our Lives social media post from it was a few weeks ago said that Jada and Shawn are destined to reunite as a couple. And that was basically they had couples talking and they had Jada and Shawn confirming they are a couple. So, there’s that that’s been floating around.

I do suspect Theo may call it quits with Jada before they get any deeper because of Shawn, because of Lexie, also because of Gabi. And Theo might entertain Philip’s offer to consult at Titan so Theo can position himself where he can interfere with Philip and Gabi’s relationship. Plus, Theo is keeping Gabi’s big secret from Philip.

So, not only are we likely to see Theo and Jada split and her to get with Shawn, but we could also see a breakup for Philip and Gabi. And if Theo can orchestrate their split while keeping his hands clean, he might wind up with Gabi.

Connor Floyd Debuts As Chad DiMera on Days

And don’t forget, we have Connor Floyd making his debut as new Chad DiMera on April 21st. He and his recast kids, Thomas and Charlotte, are returning from their extended vacation in Phoenix. Chad left Salem with his kids to regroup and reconnect after the ugly custody battle with Jennifer Deveraux (Melissa Reeves) and Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford).

And that breakup covered the gap between when Billy Flynn wrapped his filming as Chad and Connor Floyd started taping. So to settle the custody deal with his in-laws, Chad signed legal papers that included a clause that he would not date Cat again. And I totally get why Jen and Jack and Thomas don’t want them together.

Days of our Lives: Cat Gets Grace

After all, Cat tricked the family into believing she was Abigail resurrected. But we saw Cat and Chad work through things. You know, he knows that Cat only did it to save her mom from wicked Clyde Weston (James Read), the same guy who had killed dear Abby.

And Cat and Chad first developed a good friendship and then they made love before it all came crashing down. Back in the Billy Flynn days, wicked little Rachel Black (now Lorelei Olivia Mote) blabbed to Thomas that she saw Chad and Cat kissing.

And Rachel also told Thomas that Cat pretended to be Thomas’s dead mom, Abby, when she first came to Salem. So Thomas was livid with Chad and he pitched a fit and Jennifer was all riled up about Chad seeing Cat, too. So Chad had to call things off with Cat.

Days of our Lives: New Chad Sparks with Cat?

But that wasn’t enough since Thomas saw Chad and Cat in a friendly hug and he misread things and then Thomas ran into traffic. And that incident is what spurred the Chad versus Jennifer custody battle in the first place. But when new Chad arrives, he and Cat, you know, could be seeing each other again because sparks may fly.

And maybe Thomas found some chill while they were out of town. And he won’t explode over Chad and Cat. Plus, new Chad may feel jealous when he sees how close Cat and his brother EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) got while he was away. And of course, Cat’s just playing with EJ, but he seems to have growing feelings for her. So, we could see Cat forming a new couple with one of the DiMera dudes.

Now, whether that is handsome Chad because he has talked his kids around on this, or whether it is very hunky dimpled EJ, my personal favorite, that remains to be seen. But we definitely have some big shakeups coming with several relationships in Salem. So, which couples survive and thrive, which fizzle, and which new pairs form from the ashes of coming breakups? Well, we’ll have to wait and see.

HBO’s “Euphoria” returned for its long-awaited third season on April 12. Ahead of the premiere, critics were sour on the show, with many saying it had lost its way, with the exception of Zendaya‘s performance as its lead character. Now, days later, it’s being reported that viewership was through the proverbial roof, but not all fans think the show has maintained the same quality from its first two seasons.

In addition to Zendaya, “Euphoria” features a crop of popular actors, including Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo, and more. Notably, season three will feature one of the late Eric Dane‘s final performances.

HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ Is More Popular Than Ever

There was considerable anticipation for “Euphoria” season three, which arrived after a roughly four-year hiatus. Sadly for the show, some of the excitement was dimmed when, ahead of the premiere, it debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a less-than-stellar score from critics who had seen the first three episodes early.

Now, according to Variety, HBO has reason to celebrate as the premiere delivered 8.5 million viewers across its first three days. This includes both HBO and its streaming platform, HBO Max. What’s even better for the company is that this represents a 44% growth over “Euphoria” season two, which premiered in January 2022.

On the same night of the “Euphoria” premiere, HBO also aired the finale for the comedy series “DTF: St. Louis.” It drew an impressive 3.5 million viewers across its first three days.

Fans Mostly Agree With Critics On ‘Euphoria’ Season Three

“Euphoria” debuted with impressive viewership, but it’s unclear how many fans will continue to tune in. This is based on much of the social media chatter around the show being negative since it returned.

Additionally, it has a “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 48% audience rating based on over 100 reviews. Regarding what critics are saying, the show currently has a meager 43%, which is a substantial decrease from its 57% debut on the platform.

One viewer said on Rotten Tomatoes, “Weird, weird, weird. Not in the quirky or ‘deeply real’ way either. Acting was flat, storyline isn’t looking promising, but that could… hopefully.. change.”

Another one said, “It’s awful. There’s no point to any of it. Who cares about Rue’s drug journey? It’s just boring now. The characters are the same, boring, flat, and unlikable in the most uninteresting ways. There’s nothing and no one to root for.”

People Are Pointing To Several Reasons For Ratings Spike

Following news of “Euphoria” experiencing a massive ratings increase, fans quickly began discussing the reasons, with some crediting “Euphoria” and others calling out fake outrage directed at Sweeney.

One person wrote on X, “Everybody wants to watch Zendaya. She brings the clout,the drama, the class.” Another person wrote, “If @hbomax decides to do another season of Euphoria, pay my girl @Zendaya at least $20 million cause she’s the main reason the viewers are showing up!”

Another fan said, “All the fake performative people pretending to still be mad at Sydney Sweeney’s gene jokes about her t-ts from a commercial tuned in when they said they were boycotting.”

Lastly, a different “Euphoria” fan stated, “I thought y’all on Twitter said you won’t tune in? This is why I can’t stand you, fake performative people on here.”

Sam Levinson Recently Discussed The Show’s Future

Sam Levinson, the creator of “Euphoria,” spoke to Variety in April 2026 while attending the show’s Los Angeles premiere. During the discussion, the interviewer mentioned that Zendaya had told “The Drew Barrymore Show” that season three may be its last.

Levinson stated that he writes “every season like it’s the last season” and that he currently has “no plans” for a season four of the series. According to him, “I want to finish this as strong as I can. I’m cutting [Episodes] 7 and 8 still. I’m putting some finishing touches. I just want to deliver a f-cking slam dunk season.”

Here’s What To Know About ‘Euphoria’ Season 3

Season three of “Euphoria” will include eight episodes, with the finale slated to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on May 31, according to PEOPLE. In addition to the release schedule, viewers should also know that some fan-favorite characters may not appear right away.

For instance, multiple reports indicate that Hunter Schafer‘s Jewels won’t be in the first several episodes despite being mentioned in the premiere. That’s not all. The show’s score may change moving forward, as composer Labrinth has exited the series.

Savannah Guthrie has recently returned to “Today” following a brief hiatus amid the ongoing search for her missing mother, making her presence on set all the more emotional. Now, her co-anchor Sheinelle Jones is opening up about how Savannah Guthrie supported her through her own devastating loss.

Savannah Guthrie Helped Sheinelle Jones Through Devastating Loss

During an appearance on Jenna Bush Hager’s podcast, Jones revealed that Guthrie offered guidance that made a lasting impact following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh. “One, because her father passed at 16, she was like, ‘You don’t have to try to be the superhero.’ And she actually helped me tremendously,” Jones shared.

Jones’ husband passed away last May after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, leaving behind their three children: Kayin, 16, and twins Uche Jr. and Clara, 13.

Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Leaning On Friends After Loss

As she adjusted to life without him, Jones said Guthrie also encouraged her to support their son without placing too much pressure on him. Jones explained that Guthrie helped her understand it was important to remind Kayin that he doesn’t “have to be the father of the house” and can still “be a kid.”

The grieving mom of three said she has relied heavily on those around her to get through the loss. “So I’ve had really had to lean on friends,” she said. “I have another really good girlfriend who lost her father in fifth grade. Like, I’ve had to lean into friends who have had this.”

Jones also shared that she has found comfort in connecting with others who understand her experience. She described bonding with fellow widows as being part of “a quiet club.”

Sheinelle Jones ‘Worried’ She Wouldn’t Know How To Smile Again

Despite her grief, Jones made her return to “Today” in September 2025 and later stepped into a new role alongside Jenna Bush Hager. At the time, she admitted she was unsure how she would handle being back on air.

“I worried that I wouldn’t know how to smile,” Jones told Page Six. “I worried that I wouldn’t know how to laugh. I love my job so much. And I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what if it’s not the same?’ Because I’ve never known this job without him.’”

Savannah Guthrie ‘So Sorry’ As Mom’s Case Continues

While supporting Jones, Guthrie, who recently returned to “Today” after a brief hiatus, has also been dealing with her own emotional challenges. Her mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been missing since February 1.

“That it’s because of me, and I just want to say, I’m so sorry, mommy,” she said through tears. “I’m so sorry,” Guthrie continued. “I’m sorry to my sister [Annie Guthrie] and my brother [Cameron Guthrie], and my kids and my nephew and Tommy, my brother-in-law, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry if it’s me, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

She added that her mother was likely taken “in the dead of night in her pajamas, with no shoes, without her medicine.” Still, Guthrie said her faith has helped her through the uncertainty.

“I can handle anything, God, I can handle anything,” she recalled thinking. “I just can’t handle not knowing. We can’t handle not knowing. I have to know, and I heard a voice, and it said, ‘You do know where she is. She’s with Me. She’s with Me.’ So whether she’s on this Earth still or whether she’s in Heaven, I know where she is. I know who she’s with, but we need to know.”

Savannah Guthrie Reflects On Father’s Sudden Death

Guthrie has previously spoken about losing her father at a young age, after he died of a heart attack at 49 in 1988. “My father died when I was 16. I think about him all the time,” Savannah has previously said. “It was so unexpected,” she said. “It cracked open our family and crushed us.”

“We just idolized him and adored him. He was larger than life. Funny, charming. His loss was so sudden and so shocking,” she continued. “He was deep and complicated, and he didn’t talk to us like little kids. He told us things that I didn’t understand at the time but later would remember, long after he died.”

It’s possible that wedding bells could be on the horizon for Queen Naija and ClarenceNYC. After Queen shared a romantic photo with Clarence showing off her ring, friends are now congratulating the couple following months of engagement speculation.

Related: Queen Naija Previews A New Love Song After Trying On Wedding Dresses On Stream (LISTEN + VIDEO)

Queen Naija Fuels Speculation With New Song & Lovey-Dovey Visuals

Queen Naija & Clarence have sparked engagement speculation for months after she’s been spotted repeatedly rocking a huge ring on her left hand. Now users believe she is soft-launching their engagement after she shares romantic photos while previewing her new song, ‘Ring.’

On Thursday evening, Queen took to Instagram to share a photo showing off the ring once again, placing her hand on Clarence’s chest. If that wasn’t enough, she followed up with a romantic video of the two surrounded by a green field, dressed in all white and looking very much in love. She captioned the video, “I choose you forever 💍”

Friends Are Already Congratulating Queen Naija & Clarence While Fans Wait For Official Announcement

While Clarence and Queen haven’t officially confirmed an engagement, their inner circle seems to be moving like it’s already a done deal. Several close friends hopped into the comments with congratulatory messages and wedding talk.

Social media star Summerella shared her excitement writing, “Congratulations beautiful so happy for yall 😍😍😍 OKKK Whet colorssss are we wearingggggg tffff ????!!!!!”

While R&B singer Layton Greene wrote, “Congratulations you guys!!!! 🥹🥹🥹🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽 so so so happy for youuuuu sis! omg can I come to the wedding??! 😩🥹”

Meanwhile, Queen’s longtime friend and YouTuber Trey Traylor of Ar’mon & Trey addressed the rumors during a Q&A. He shared that he’s happy for Queen and proud of the couple for tuning out outside noise and moving at their own pace.

Social Media Users Weigh In

Conversations around marriage have followed Queen and Clarence for years, with some users urging them not to rush, while others felt the couple had been together long enough for a proposal. Now that speculation is circulating that they may have finally taken that next step, reactions are pouring in.

Instagram user @baby.bribri wrote, “If she is actually married. Congratulations to her ❤️❤️❤️”

Another Instagram user @niecydabrattt wrote, “Why everybody so quiet now 😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @ziyanna__ wrote, “It don’t even feel genuine atp 😩”

Instagram user @thehannahmwale wrote, “She finally gets to have her happy ending her way”

Another Instagram user @taetaedadoll wrote, “This very much gives a “here damn” proposal don’t take a man this long to KNOW”

While Instagram user @hottie_prez wrote, “Finally even tho we know this just for us to shut up 🙄🎀”

Instagram user @therealkayladanielle wrote, “Now can yall just be happy and leave this girl alone 😂”

Another Instagram user @pocahotnessv wrote, “Nobody else’s timing but God ❤️👏🏽”

While Instagram user @mscorprew wrote, “So is she engaged or is it just a song?”

Related: What’s Tea? Queen Naija Has Fans Wondering If She & Clarence NYC Are Married After Calling Him “Husband” In NEW Footage (VIDEOS)

Natasha Lyonne is addressing her recent mid-flight drama, and she’s doing it with her sense of humor. The “Poker Face” star was escorted off a red-eye Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York following the season 3 premiere of “Euphoria.” Now, while attending the Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Spring Into Action Gala, she’s finally speaking out about the incident.

Natasha Lyonne Admits Flight Experience Was A ‘Doozy’

“Oh, you mean my flight plans? My performance art piece?” Lyonne teased when asked about the situation.

While she initially kept things light, Lyonne didn’t shy away from acknowledging the chaos of the situation. “It’s been a doozy,” she added, before noting she’s “grateful to be somewhat of a ‘Marathon Man.’”

Following the incident, Lyonne explained that her behavior was linked to a sleeping pill she had taken ahead of the flight. She said she had hoped to be “bushy tailed” and “beauty rested” upon landing, as she was scheduled to head straight into a glam session for an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

Inside Lyonne’s Mid-Flight Incident

Details surrounding Lyonne’s in-flight ordeal paint a chaotic picture of what unfolded before takeoff. According to eyewitness accounts, Lyonne appeared out of it while seated in first class, seemingly dozing behind her sunglasses as flight attendants repeatedly asked her to close her laptop and fasten her seatbelt. At one point, she was startled awake, exclaiming, “Ah! You scared me!”

Despite multiple attempts from the crew, she did not initially respond to instructions, prompting staff to eventually remove the laptop from her hands. Although the plane began taxiing toward the runway, it later turned back to the gate due to the situation.

A Delta staffer then boarded the aircraft and addressed Lyonne directly, asking, “Ma’am, do you need medical attention?” before adding, “Ma’am, I need you to come off the plane. Do you need help with your belongings?”

“Where are we?” Lyonne was overheard asking, only to be told, “We’re still in LA. The plane hasn’t gone anywhere,” and, “The plane is not going anywhere until you come off it.”

She reportedly shushed the gate agent before eventually getting up, calmly heading to the bathroom, and later emerging while eating a bag of pretzels. Lyonne then complied with the request and exited the plane after her luggage had already been removed.

Following the delay, the captain addressed passengers, explaining, “We have a passenger who for whatever reason … wouldn’t follow some basic commands … We had a passenger who didn’t seem up to the task tonight so that’s why they were asked to be booked on another flight. I do apologize for the inconvenience, but we will get you to New York as quickly and as safely as possible.”

The flight ultimately departed without further issues.

Natasha Lyonne Calls Out ‘Radical’ Label At NYC Gala

Despite the recent headlines, Lyonne stepped out in support of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, which honored Pink with the Catalyst of Change Award. “It seems odd that supporting the Women’s Healthcare organization has ‘become almost like a radical position when it’s just health care,’” Lyonne said, adding that it’s something everyone should care about “because this impacts all of us.”

The event also drew notable names, including Helena Christensen, Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, and Patricia Arquette, and raised more than $1.2 million.

Lyonne Reflects On Relapse After 10 Years Sober

The situation comes amid a more personal chapter for Lyonne, who previously revealed she relapsed after 10 years of sobriety. However, the actress recently shared that she is now “doing a whole lot better” and is “back on her feet.”

Natasha Lyonne’s Bold ‘Euphoria’ Premiere Outfit Sparks Criticism

The flight incident also comes just days after Lyonne found herself at the center of online backlash following her appearance at the Euphoria Season 3 premiere. The actress turned heads on the red carpet in a bold, sheer black ensemble that left little to the imagination, stepping out in a completely see-through top that exposed her chest beneath the fabric.

While Lyonne appeared unfazed, confidently posing for photos and smiling throughout the event, the look quickly sparked a wave of criticism online, with social media users flooding comment sections to call out the daring fashion choice.

While a lot of different elements have helped make the modern era of horror so strikingly memorable compared to eras of the past, one of the most prominent and distinct ways that this has been reflected is through the myriad of masterful performances. Among these titans of horror acting, one of the absolute icons of strength has been Toni Collette‘s perfect performance as mother Annie Graham in Hereditary. In the relatively short time since the film’s release, it’s grown to be considered one of the all-time greatest horror performances and massively influential in the horror genre as a whole.

However, there have been a lot of exceptional horror movies that have come out since Hereditary was released in 2018, many of which also sport exceptionally well-crafted performances at their center. While very few horror performances can live up to the weight and emotional depth of Collette’s iconic role, these horror performances stand out as the very best that the genre has provided in the time since this legendary performance.

5

Mia Goth in ‘Pearl’ (2022)

Image Via A24

Mia Goth had already delivered a great duo of performances in Ti West‘s X, portraying not only the young and ambitious Maxine Minx, but the elderly, touch-starved soul Pearl, the latter of which proved to be so rife with potential as a character that an entire prequel film, Pearl, was made immediately after X‘s production. It’s in this deeper look into a young Pearl’s life, feeling held back and stuck on her farm in 1918, where Goth truly goes all out and makes the character into a truly iconic villain of 2020s horror. The combination of youthful naivety with ruthless and outright psychopathic tendencies makes Goth both compelling and terrifying as a horror character. The film and the performance paint a greater picture of how Pearl, as a character, could go from such an innocent farm girl into the hardened, isolated woman capable of murder that we see in X.

Her performance is the film’s primary selling point, drawing on key dynamics of both Maxine and Pearl’s characters in X to create a distinct portrait of fleeting youth and the fight for a spot atop the mountain of glory. It’s the type of performance that continues to stick in the mind of the audience long after it has ended, single-handedly amplifying the appeal and impact of the film itself. It certainly helps that the film gives Goth a lot of opportunities to shine and show off as a rising star actress, most notably with a legendary monologue and that haunting ending where she smiles directly into the camera. Goth was certainly an appreciated actress before this film, but it’s her brilliant performance in Pearl that truly catapulted her career and made many truly appreciate her as a genuine force of emotional talent.

4

Rebecca Hall in ‘The Night House’ (2021)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Rebecca Hall is an actress who has certainly played a part in several highly acclaimed and successful films, yet is often playing in the background or not given an opportunity to truly show off her talents. The Night House places the actor center stage and brings an arguable career-best performance out of her, as she plays a scorned and emotionally distraught widow still struggling as she attempts to live in the aftermath of her husband’s suicide. While the film itself is much more unknown and underrated compared to every other film and performance on this list, those who have experienced the film will be quick to praise the masterful performance by Hall at its center that elevates the entire film around her.

It’s one thing to simply hit the mark and react well as events grow more disturbing and haunting in a supernatural horror film, yet it’s this overwhelming aura of grief, anger, and continued pain following such a shocking loss that drives Hall’s performance into all-time great status. There is an essence of humanity that is ingrained within each moment of Hall’s performance, with one of the more realistic and emotionally layered depictions of loss and grief that is seen in a modern film, especially a horror film at that. Her portrayal of a broken character reeling with loss makes her emotional responses to the shocking events of the film all the more impactful and felt, amplifying the horror and stakes to make the film one of the best psychological horror thrillers of the 2020s so far.

3

Michael B. Jordan in ‘Sinners’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

It’s always impressive when an actor is able to provide not just one performance within a film, but a layered dual performance where they portray multiple distinct characters that feel entirely different from one another. The prominent example of recent memory comes from the most recent Academy Award-winning performance for Best Actor, Michael B. Jordan‘s role as both Smoke and Stack in Sinners. There are distinct similarities and differences between the twins that make them such compelling characters, with Jordan’s exceptional performance making all the differences in terms of making both of them fluid and memorable characters. Both long before the horror elements arise in Sinners and long after, both Smoke and Stack are exceptionally entertaining to watch on-screen, whether they’re setting the stage for their big break or fighting for their lives against one another.

This intelligence and subtle differences in their characters, combined with Jordan’s electrifying screen presence as either character, have made them some of the best movie characters of the last 10 years. The very fact that Jordan was able to make both of these characters so impactful and striking within a single film makes the performance all the more memorable and well-crafted. It’s also worth mentioning that a part of the brilliance of this performance can be credited to Percy Bell, Jordan’s body double, who would stand as the other twin during the scenes where both Smoke and Stack were on-screen. Bell’s own talent allowed Jordan to go all out as both Smoke and Stack in a given scene, creating a dynamic on-screen performance that really feels like he’s reacting and building off of his own performance. Considering that the last horror performance to win the Academy Award for Best Actor was Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, this performance is certainly in highly acclaimed territory.

2

Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’ (2024)

Image via Mubi

Horror as a genre doesn’t always have to adhere to the same rules as many other genres, as while a strong performance in a drama can be ingrained within the subtleties and small mannerisms, horror is allowed to go all out with its brazen lack of subtletly but still be emotionally gripping and impactful. No singular horror film of recent memory exemplifies this like The Substance, which is wild and in-your-face every second with its overwhelming messaging of beauty standards and destructive bodily identity. Demi Moore‘s powerhouse central performance as Elizabeth Sparkle is what holds the film’s emotional core and impact together, amplifying the energy and themes of the film for this wild, unrestrained, and undeniable career-best performance.

It’s a performance that builds upon the legacy and perception that Moore has had throughout her entire career as an icon of beauty, delving into the often overlooked pains of age in an industry that is quick to throw away its most successful stars when they no longer adhere to the maximum standards of beauty. The pain that Elizabeth feels over her rejection from the industry and the ingrained hatred for her own looks defines Moore’s legendary performance, creating an emotional pull and electrifying screen presence throughout the entire film. There’s also a vast range of tones in her performance, from more restrained and simmering with anger early on to a more manic and desperate plea once the adverse effects of the substance begin impacting her. The performance managed to earn Moore her first Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination, as well as revitalizing her career and placing her center stage once again thanks to her genuine talent.

1

Lupita Nyong’o in ‘Us’ (2019)

Image via Universal Pictures

Similarly to Michael B. Jordan’s iconic and highly memorable dual performance, the iconic dual performance provided by Lupita Nyong’o by Us takes command and elevates the entire film around it, terrifying and touching audiences with two characters who couldn’t feel more different from one another. In an entire film defined and elevated by its usage of dual performances through its core premise of deadly alternate versions of people coming to kill the original, the central performance by Nyong’o exemplifies the potential and craft of this exceptionally terrifying premise. She finds a great striking ground and balance between the two characters, showing the stark differences and unlikely similarities between the calm, determined mother Adelaide and the sinister, coarse throaty voice of Red.

The dynamic between these two characters and the shocking variety of her own performances bouncing off of each other makes Us such a striking and exceptionally layered piece of contemporary horror cinema. While the film as a whole may not be as celebrated as a complete package compared to Jordan Peele’s other films, it feels widely accepted that Nyong’o’s performance is the absolute best performance in any of his films. Thanks to the film’s shocking twist ending, it’s the type of performance that has distinctly different meanings on rewatch, with context of the overarching story completely changing the perception and dynamic of these characters and their interactions with one another. Ironically, just like Toni Collette’s performance before her, many people were absolutely shocked that this groundbreaking performance was completely passed over by the Academy Awards, with this massively impressive feat of acting sadly being overlooked due to being a part of the horror genre.

Advertisement

Us

Advertisement

Release Date

March 22, 2019

Advertisement

Runtime

116 minutes

Advertisement

• 

  Lupita Nyong’o

  Adelaide Wilson / Red

  Advertisement
• 

Advertisement

Advertisement