Entertainment
‘Boston Blue’ Star Promises That Fans Will Be “Knocked Back” by the Season 1 Finale
[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Boston Blue Season 1, Episode 14.]
Summary
In Episode 14 of the CBS drama series Boston Blue, entitled “Blood Chemistry,” Sean (Mika Amonsen) and Jonah (Marcus Scribner) find themselves caught up in a dangerous drug ring that’s dropping bodies, drawing Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) into the case. An undercover operation forces Sean to face the way he left things (translation: ghosted) with Penny (Xochitl Gomez) and he learns that a genuine apology can go a long way. At the same time, the Silvers are learning that you can’t stop family secrets from bubbling to the surface, especially when you’re determined to get answers.
Collider recently got the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Martin-Green about Episode 14 and what’s still to come in the following six episodes of the first season. During the interview, she discussed the growing size and scope of these final episodes of Season 1 and why viewers will be “knocked back” by them, what Lena does on her days off, their incredibly talented guest stars, whether she’s rooting for Sean and Penny, Lena’s love life and having her real-life husband also on the show, Lena’s desire to learn more about her father, what she’d like to see in Season 2, finale cliffhangers, and which other CBS series she’d like to do a crossover with. Martin-Green also shared what she learned from her time on the popular franchise series The Walking Dead and Star Trek: Discovery.
‘Boston Blue’ Continues To Broaden Its Size and Scope Until the Season 1 Finale
“We cover a lot in Season 1.”
Collider: This episode was so much fun because it feels like the sweet spot of the show where you get to have this big case that affects a lot of people, but then you also have a shootout and you have all the family stuff. It seems like everything you want from a show like this.
SONEQUA MARTIN-GREEN: It is. Especially coming back from the holiday break, I think that people are going to be pretty knocked back by the size and scope and depth of the stories in the second half of the season. We’ve got a long way to go and there are more stories to tell in Season 2. We’re so grateful that we’re going to be coming back. But we cover a lot in Season 1, so I’m excited to see where we go from here. To your point, there are so many things that we covered in this episode, and in the next six as well.
I love that we get to see glimpses of Lena outside of work, and we see her at family dinner, but if we could follow her for an episode on her day off, what would you want to see her do?
MARTIN-GREEN: That is such a good question. I have never heard that question before. I would say that it would be great to see what Detective Lena Silver’s self-care day looks like. People who work these kinds of jobs, it’s survival. It is imperative that they check out and decompress. We talk about it a little bit in the story. We talk about the things that we do when we’re on our off days, and I love that you do get to see these people in their off times. But it would start with some sort of quiet time, just being out in the sun, in prayer and meditation. And then, you’re going to see me go for a run. And then, I’m going to go for a massage. And then, I’m going to cook my own meal. It would be by the book because the discipline applies to the self-care day too.
I feel like she would also turn her phone off and tell people not to bother her on her day off.
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, yeah. A lot of reading.
‘Boston Blue’ Sets Up Shocking Tragedy in Explosive New Episode Sneak Peek [Exclusive]
Sonequa Martin-Green’s detective is blindsided in this week’s intense new episode.
The moment in Episode 13 when Lena is clearly upset about her grandfather being shot was heartbreaking, and his health issues carry over in a different way into this episode. First of all, what was it like to shoot that scene with Ernie Hudson, when you had to be so scared about whether he’d be okay? Was that something you had to shoot over and over again?
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, man, we did have to do it quite a few times. It was crazy. Ernie is such a joy to work with. You can just sit with him and listen and learn. He’s so open and gracious and hilarious. It was freezing outside that day. We were all freezing, so that added an element of tension to the moment and maybe to the scene. There was a point in one of the takes where I ran over and pressed on his wound, and as soon as they said, “Cut!,” he said, “Ow!” He was joking because, obviously, it was just a fake dressed wound, but he always finds the perfect joke in the moment. He disarms us all the time. I busted out laughing, and I had just been crying. It was a lot of fun. It was difficult. That happening to grandpa was a big story point, and we knew that the audience was going to [panic], just like we did. What a scare that was. I enjoyed it. Those moments are always a lot of fun to play.
On a show like this, you have to have a lot of guest stars cycling in and out, so it’s fun when you can have a guest star that has a history with one of the characters and can be a bit more playful. I thought there was something really fun about Kenzie (Kate Rockwell) in this episode. Did you find that character fun?
MARTIN-GREEN: Yes, absolutely. I feel like we have some of the best guest actors, ever. They’re just pulling out stellar performances, week to week. I love it. I love that whole storyline, and I love all the humor and levity that we get with that. I want more.
Sonequa Martin-Green Is Rooting for Sean and Penny in ‘Boston Blue’
“There’s such a sweetness to the way they relate to each other.”
This episode also brings back Penny in a way that not only makes Sean have to confront how he treated her but also puts her directly in the path of Sean’s father, Danny. How was it to have her back? Are you rooting for Sean and Penny to figure it out?
MARTIN-GREEN: Yes! I like their dynamic. I think it’s sweet. There’s such a sweetness to the way they relate to each other and to the way that they’ve built their relationship up to this point. Of course, yes, we love our guest actors, and I always want to see more of them. I feel that it’s important for just the building of the world. The showrunners, the Brandons (Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier) have talked about that a lot. They really want to expand this world, and they really want there to be people that you get accustomed to seeing. That’s how we do it. We bring these people back who’ve made an impact on the show, and we keep bringing them back because we’re expanding our world. So, I would say that I root for Sean and Penny.
They’re so cute, and this show needs to have some cute.
MARTIN-GREEN: It has to. You’ve got to have the cute with the heavy.
The midseason finale airs on CBS tonight.
We’ve also gotten to see a little bit of a romantic life for Lena, with Detective Brian Rodgers (Ryan Broussard). Are we going to see any more of that this season? It’s probably hard to find ways to work that in with the weekly cases.
MARTIN-GREEN: Yeah, and we talk about that. I think they used to talk about that a lot on Blue Bloods as well. It is difficult. Even with Baez and Danny, they’re having difficulties because the job is so demanding, and then you add the distance between them. The same is true for Lena and Brian. They both understand the job. They used to be partners, and now they’re together, but it is just so demanding. Can two people continue to pour into a relationship when they’re putting all that they have into solving these crimes and getting justice for the victims? That’s part of why it’s interesting because you see how difficult it is. You see the push and the pull and the strain of it. I think a lot of people can relate to that. They can relate to what a relationship really requires and making the decision that maybe you don’t have it to give, or maybe you do. I just love that all of those relationship dynamics are at play. There are the romantic relationship dynamics, and then there’s the family relationship dynamics, and we don’t shy away from any of them. I applaud the Brandons and the writers for doing that and for not being scared.
Your husband, Kenric Green, is also on the show. Do you guys conspire to come up with ways to get your characters in scenes together?
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, my gosh, we joke about it all the time. Kenric even said, and I feel like this is the best one, “We’ve got to put a Price on Silver,” because his character’s name is Charlie Price. I was like, “Oh, my goodness, that’s just too good.” We were all laughing about it. I think we literally have only had one moment in the same scene on the show because I’m so rarely in that world with him and my mom, Mae (Gloria Reuben). We certainly would love, of course, to see more of Lena and Charlie interacting with each other. We’re not so subtle about it either. Maybe we should cool it down. It’s a dream for us to be on this show together, especially because of everything that the show represents, and we always want to work together. If you give us an inch, we might take a mile.
There’s also a bit of Danny poking fun at Lena when it comes to her wanting to do this interview with the reporter. He says to her, “Maybe you just want the whole world to see the amazing Detective Lena Silver in all of her glory.” And she talks about wanting representation for little Black and Brown girls to see her wearing the badge and making a difference. But would it be so bad if she really just wanted everyone to see how good of a detective she is without any further justification? I feel like she’s entitled to some recognition without having to apologize for it or explain it to anyone, including her partner.
MARTIN-GREEN: You know, I love that perspective. I think that you’re absolutely right. It’s interesting with Lena though, because there was a crossroads in her life. She had to decide, “Am I going to join my family and be in the law enforcement community, or am I going to be an artist?” For that reason, yes, and because of the talent that is inherent, it is worth sharing your art. Being a detective and an artist at the same time seems like a conundrum, for sure. But I love that Lena admits what it really is about. I love that self-awareness and the fact that she has the courage to admit it. It’s vulnerable, but she’s going to say it out loud. It’s because she [wants her father] to see it. I think that alone is commendable and interesting. [With her father], there are all those wounds and everything that’s leading to that. The truth of the matter is that the justification is not needed, but that’s a journey that she’s going to have to take.
Stay Tuned to ‘Boston Blue’ As Lena Continues To Ask Questions About Her Father Before the End of the Season 1 Finale
“This second half of the season seems to be all about exposure and things being unearthed.”
How frustrating is it for her that she can’t get information about her father from her mother? How much more are we going to see that push back and forth with the two of them in the rest of this season?
MARTIN-GREEN: I wish I could tell you everything, but there is definitely more to come with that. There are a lot more things to unearth with that story and I really look forward to it because it’s an important one to tell. Again, I applaud the Brandons for it. I applaud Brandon Sonnier because he’s based so much of the Silvers and Lena and Jonah on his own life, so I appreciate him. We all do. I look forward to everybody seeing it. We’re seeing other things being unearthed as well. Mae just found out about her mom, Lena’s grandmother, and what really happened there. This second half of the season seems to be all about exposure and things being unearthed. There’s a lot more where that came from.
After a season of establishing characters and developing relationships, what are you most excited about getting to do with the second season that you wouldn’t have been able to do with the first season?
MARTIN-GREEN: That’s a good question too. To piggyback on what on you were saying about the guest actors, being able to see more of them, being able to see more of Xochitl, being able to see more of Marisa [Ramirez] and Bridget [Moynahan] and even Len [Cariou] is really exciting. Also, just the actors that come through and give their all for the cases that we’re solving, being able to have more interactions with them. I will also say that I’m really looking forward to more casual moments with the family.
There were so many things that needed to be introduced in Season 1, and we had a lot of ground to cover. I feel like now that we have a solid idea of who these people are, of what their relationships look like, of what the culture of this family is, and of what the bond between the Reagans and the Silvers looks like, now we can spend more time and more of those quiet moments with the family where we’re having what would seem like a surface conversation, but we know there’s so much history beneath it. I really look forward to more moments of levity with the family and getting to see them spending time with each other when they’re not solving cases and when they’re not even necessarily at the Shabbat table, but they’re just together, being a family. I really look forward to that. There will be more opportunities for that in Season 2.
‘Boston Blue’ Just Quietly Shattered a Blue Bloods Franchise Record and No One Noticed
The series stars Donnie Wahlberg.
Are you leaving us on a cliffhanger this season?
MARTIN-GREEN: I am not blowing smoke to say that episodes 15 through 20 are insane. I’m so excited. At the end of the season, there are some open-ended aspects to the story. There are some unanswered questions. There are some cliffhangers by the end of the season. It’s a serious ride until then. You’ll see what I’m saying.
Which CBS TV Series Should ‘Boston Blue’ Do a Crossover With?
“I feel like we should go one by one and crossover with everybody.”
You’re on a network with a lot of other cop shows. There’s FBI, CIA, NCIS, and even Elsbeth and Sheriff Country. You have lawyers with Matlock, firefighters with Fire Country, and even a Tracker that could be useful. In a dream world, which other CBS show would you want to do a crossover with, and which character do you think would be fun to see Lena team up with?
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, my gosh! If I can cheat and say this, I feel like we should go one by one and crossover with everybody. I’m not going to say one person because we have this wonderful lineup, even just Friday nights. I would love to see crossovers with Sheriff Country and Fire Country because we’re already sharing space with each other. I feel like that makes the most sense, to have crossovers there. They’re always going to be connected, so they’ve had their crossovers and that’s exciting. It would be so nice to get thrown in there. And then, let’s just run through them. I think it could be so much fun. Why not?
Personally, I would love to see you have to work with Wendell Pierce over on Elsbeth.
MARTIN-GREEN: I would love to work with Wendell. I love Wendell. Me and Kenric are such good friends with him. You answered the question for me. Specifically, yes, something with Wendell. I would love to see [Captain Wagner] with Lena and Danny. That would be a hoot.
Sonequa Martin-Green Feels Blessed To Have Been a Part of ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Star Trek: Discovery’
“God is writing this story, and He’s doing an amazing job.”
An actor working on television hopes to have one hit TV series in their career, and you’ve gone from The Walking Dead to Star Trek: Discovery to Boston Blue. What’s it been like to have those experiences, and to be in this experience now?
MARTIN-GREEN: I just couldn’t have imagined it. I couldn’t have predicted it or planned it. When I started on Walking Dead, it was already a Goliath and I was really quite overwhelmed, but just so exhilarated and excited to be a part of something like that. At the time, I was a big fan of the show before I was on it. And then, once that was over, I had no idea I was going to go to a franchise that, dare I say, has had even more impact because it’s longer and older. And then, I certainly didn’t think I’d do it again, coming off of Discovery into another beloved TV franchise. God is writing this story, and He’s doing an amazing job. I am just taking it one day at a time and doing my best to be in the present moment. I’ve certainly learned that over the years.
You’ve got to let the pressure come up and out of you. You’ve got to let it pass through you because it stifles you, and it makes you self-centered. The way to be at your best, creatively speaking, at least, is to be completely available in your heart, and you can’t do that with fear and pressure. You have to let those things go in order to flow freely. I’ve certainly learned that. I’ve learned how to just be another blade of grass in a field of grass, and I’m still growing in that too. It’s just been such a ride, and I’m grateful for it. I’ve come to appreciate it and cherish it in new ways, which is exciting.
Being able to do the movies that I’ve done in the last few years, even She Dances, which is out in theaters now. It’s been a blessing to be able to have hands in everything – to have hands in sci-fi, and to now have hands in the network television procedural world, especially on a show that’s character driven as well. I get to have the character dynamics to play with. That’s so exciting. But then, being able to be a part of really pure, powerful, independent film is great. I do want to get back to the stage, at some point, where I started. I’m loving it. My goal is to get smaller and smaller and smaller, so that the things that are more important get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger.
It must also be a little bit surreal to see that your time on The Walking Dead and Star Trek is done, but those franchises carry on and you can still see these different forms that keep evolving.
MARTIN-GREEN: It is surreal. Your perspective changes because it matures, and it grows, and it purifies, and you start to see things more clearly. Even now, I find myself in so many conversations out in public about Walking Dead because it seems like it’s coming back around. I think a lot of people are returning to that series, and being able to have conversations about that now, I look at it completely differently than I did a decade ago. I can appreciate it in a new way, and I’ve digested the lessons from it. That’s happening with Discovery as well. And now, it’s happening with Boston Blue. Being able to share it with my husband, being able to now begin to share it more with my children because they’re getting older, it’s amazing. It’s wondrous, but not in a lofty way, in a base humanity level way.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2025
- Directors
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Alex Zakrzewski, Anthony Hemingway, Antonio Negret, Randall Zisk, Jackeline Tejada
- Writers
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Terri Kopp, Pam Veasey, Rebecca Perry Cutter, Brandon Margolis, Brandon Sonnier
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Donnie Wahlberg
Danny Reagan
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Sonequa Martin-Green
Lena Silver
Boston Blue airs on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+.
Entertainment
3 Best Peacock Movies to Binge-Watch This Weekend (April 11-12)
Peacock‘s movie lineup for April is very front-loaded, which means that most of the streamer’s new films for the month have already arrived.
There are some exceptions to that, including the recently arrived Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. The original was a massive hit despite debuting in theaters the same day it dropped on Peacock.
Now, that film is one of Watch With Us‘ choices for the three best Peacock movies to binge-watch this weekend.
Our remaining picks include an over-the-top comedy and a very unusual animated film.
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ (2025)
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 kicks off in 2002, two years after the events of the original film. The children killed by William Afton (Matthew Lillard) possessed his animatronic creatures and took their revenge. Or at least that’s what Mich Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson) wants to believe. But he’s smart enough to refuse the requests of his younger sister, Abby Schmidt (Piper Rubio), to rebuild the creatures so she can reunite with her friends.
Mike is also increasingly wary of Officer Vanessa Shelly (Elizabeth Lail), the daughter of Afton, who may not be as blameless for her father’s rampage as he previously believed. With that relationship in peril, Toy Chica (Megan Fox) and the Marionette lure Abby to one of the original sites to restart the animatronics’ rampage. And this time, there’s no guarantee that the Schmidt family will be spared.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is streaming on Peacock.
‘Liar Liar’ (1997)
Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey) is a great lawyer and an even better liar in Liar Liar. He lies so easily that it makes him very effective in court, even though Fletcher’s dishonesty led to the end of his marriage to Audrey Reede (Maura Tierney). After letting down his young son, Max (Justin Cooper), on his birthday, Fletcher is struck by Max’s birthday wish that he be unable to tell a lie for a single day.
It’s not as if Fletcher believes in birthday wishes, but this one is real, and it came at an inopportune time. Fletcher has to appear in court to settle a high-profile divorce, and he has to be completely truthful while doing it. Not even physically beating himself up is enough to break the hold that this curse has on him.
Liar Liar is streaming on Peacock.
‘Piece by Piece’ (2024)
Piece by Piece is both a Lego movie and a music biopic for Pharrell Williams, who voices himself in the film. It’s an interesting way to present the largely true story of Williams’ rise in the music industry as well as his occasional falls and stumbles. Even Williams’ real-life wife, Helen Lasichanh, and his parents get in on the fun of voicing themselves.
But one of the biggest attractions of this film is its musical appearances by Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z and several others, all of whom play themselves. Williams acknowledges that he owes his career and some positive outcomes to his friends in the music industry, but he’ll have to chart his own path to be fully happy with himself and his destination.
Piece by Piece is streaming on Peacock.
Entertainment
Apple TV’s New Keanu Reeves Movie Beats Bad Reviews With Strong Streaming Debut
After dominating home-video charts for weeks with his overlooked 2025 comedy film Good Fortune, Keanu Reeves is poised to continue the momentum with his latest release. However, the ride might be a little bumpy this time around, as the movie in question has been ruthlessly panned by critics. Good Fortune was directed by Aziz Ansari, who also played the protagonist. The fantasy comedy, which featured Seth Rogen in a supporting role, received positive reviews for its heartfelt story and tender humor but failed to recoup its reported $30 million budget. Reeves’ new movie is also a comedy, albeit completely unlike Good Fortune.
For starters, it didn’t get a theatrical run at all, and was released on Apple TV this Friday. The movie marks Oscar nominee Jonah Hill‘s sophomore feature as a director after the semi-autobiographical comedy drama Mid90s, which was released domestically by A24 in 2018. A tribute to skateboarding culture in Los Angeles when Hill was growing up, Mid90s currently holds a “Certified Fresh” 81% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The coming-of-age comedy-drama grossed around $9 million in its box-office run against a reported budget of $1.7 million. More than anything else, it established Hill as a talented filmmaker.
Jonah Hill’s New Movie Has Been Critically Panned
However, the bigger cast and (presumably) bigger budget don’t seem to have worked for him. Hill’s new film, Outcome, opened to poor reviews on Friday. But according to FlixPatrol, it jumped straight to the top of the global and domestic Apple TV viewership charts. The streamer’s leaderboard isn’t as dynamic as those of its competitors, mainly because it releases fewer titles than they do. Outcome features Reeves as a legendary movie star who, facing cancellation, embarks on a personal apology tour to make amends with everyone he’s wronged. The film also features Hill as the star’s obnoxious lawyer, Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer as his best friends and confidantes, and Martin Scorsese in a memorable cameo as his first agent. Outcome holds a 26% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with Collider’s Nate Richard describing it in his review as “a fascinating mess that rides the line between sincerity and crassness.” Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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April 10, 2026
- Runtime
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83 Minutes
Entertainment
Tensions Rise In Series Premiere Of ‘Temptation Island’
Four couples and a group of sexy singles have made it to “Temptation Island,” and the drama is already at an all-time high. Season 2 of the popular Netflix reality series premiered on April 10, and the cast wasted no time coming out of the gate swinging.
Tensions Soar In The Series Premiere Of Netflix’s ‘Temptation Island’

For those who may be unfamiliar, “Temptation Island” takes four couples dealing with major issues in their relationships and drops them on an island with a group of attractive temptors and temptresses looking to make a connection.
According to The Blast, the four couples, Kaylee and Summit, Sydney and Mikey, Scarlett and Cole, and Shyanne and Jack, are laying it all out there, hoping their willingness to put themselves in uncomfortable situations strengthens their bonds.
However, things began to heat up 15 minutes into the first episode, when host Mark Walberg introduced the principal cast to the group of eager singles, all of whom had something daring to say.
Things Heat Up When The Singles Lay It All Out There In The Series Premiere

The first impressions are meant to stir up a bit of trouble, and that’s exactly what happened when the single women made their dramatic entrance.
“I’m like literally sweating right now,” Cole said. “Kinda like, ‘Oh crap, we’re finally doing this. No going back.’”
Jack said, “Seeing these girls in front of me, I’m thinking, ‘Holy sh-t, what am I doing here?’”
“They fine like wine, but you feel me?” Mikey added. “Oh my gosh!”
As the episode continued, host Walberg asked the women to introduce themselves and place a bracelet on the man they were most interested in.
And while it seems simple enough, the singles brought personality and boldness that the couples weren’t ready for.
For example, Jesenia said, “Good things come in small packages” before turning around, grabbing her buttocks, and adding, “But don’t worry, cause this ain’t one of them.”
Sydney shared an equally audacious message, telling the men that she’s “all about the Ds,” which consists of “dancing, dentistry, and if you’re lucky, you’re D might just make my list.”
The Temptors Size The Men Up During Their First Impressions

Things took a turn minutes later when Walberg brought out the single men for their first impressions.
As expected, there were bulging muscles, high testosterone levels, and a lot of arrogance.
Xzavier kicked things off, telling the women that he used to be a track star before saying he has “all the endurance you need,” while Danny said that, despite being a twin who was born first, he’ll make sure that the women “come first” during their time on the island.
Bradley, a bartender with a thick mustache, said that while he makes a stiff drink, he gives a smooth mustache ride before telling producers that women have told him his facial hair looks “like the perfect seat.”
Zach kept things going by telling the women that he doesn’t settle for average, so neither should they, before pointing to their men.
What Led The Four Couples To ‘Temptation Island’?

According to a previous report from The Blast, the four couples starring in this season of “Temptation Island” are hoping to get over some of their biggest hurdles while spending time apart.
Kaylee and Summit were candid about their compatibility issues, while Sydney and Mikey were honest about their struggles with maturity, loyalty, and boundaries.
Shyanne and Jack are looking to build a deeper connection after dealing with infidelity, while Scarlett and Cole are hoping to strengthen their communication skills.
What will happen by the end of the season, though? The explosive trailer shows tears, steamy hookups, and what appears to be a dramatic fallout.
Viewers Are Already Living For Season 2 Of ‘Temptation Island’

Netflix viewers are already talking about season 2 of “Temptation Island,” and they’re already picking sides!
“Mikey, my boy! Should’ve appreciated your lady a little more,” someone wrote, while another said, “Mikey is finna come on the show and show his a** man.”
The other cast members caught some flak, too, like Jack, who was called “a f-cking loser” by one X user. “He’s been wanting to cheat and was just looking for an excuse.”
Another user blasted Scarlett and Cole, writing, “They need to see other people. She needs to see Bradley, and he needs to see a shrink. That man is mentally unstable.”
Season 2 of “Temptation Island” is streaming on Netflix now.
Entertainment
The Impressive $80M Sci-Fi Horror That Made 4x Its Budget Is Now Dominating HBO Max’s Top 10
Streaming success often reveals which films have lasting impact, and Alien: Romulus is proving its staying power on HBO Max. After generating more than four times its $80 million budget at the box office, the film has surged back into the spotlight, driven by sustained audience engagement rather than novelty. That continued momentum reflects a clear understanding of what has defined the Alien franchise for over four decades.
Directed by Fede Álvarez, Romulus does not attempt to overhaul the series or reshape its identity. It operates with a firm grasp of the mechanics that have always made these films effective. The tension is deliberate, the environments are controlled, and the narrative remains focused on survival within systems that treat human life as expendable. Romulus is a film that recognizes what works and commits to executing those elements with precision. Its continued success stems from that discipline, reinforcing the idea that Alien: Romulus continues to thrive because it understands and applies the franchise’s core mechanics on every level.
‘Romulus’ Understands How to Build and Sustain Tension
Tension in Romulus is built through containment and spatial awareness, both of which are handled with careful direction. Álvarez establishes each environment with clarity before allowing it to become restrictive, ensuring that the audience has an understanding of the space before it turns hostile. This approach creates a sense of control that gradually gives way to pressure as movement becomes limited and options begin to disappear. Escalation in Romulus follows a direct chain of cause and effect. Every decision produces consequences that shape the next sequence, which allows the narrative to build without interruption. Álvarez maintains that progression without relying on resets or pauses, keeping the film locked into a steady rise in intensity. That control ensures the tension remains consistent rather than suffering from the fluctuation between peaks and lulls.
The structure places Romulus in direct alignment with Alien and Aliens, both of which rely on clear geography and deliberate escalation to sustain pressure. Álvarez draws from that foundation while maintaining a focused approach to pacing and progression, with the result being a film that feels cohesive from beginning to end. Cailee Spaeny anchors that structure with a performance rooted in survival. Her reactions remain consistently grounded in the reality of the situation, which reinforces the film’s commitment to immediacy. The performance echoes the stability associated with Sigourney Weaver in early Alien entries, giving the film a human center that supports its tension. Because of that alignment between direction and performance, the film sustains pressure without losing clarity.
Why ‘Romulus’ Is Working So Well On Streaming
Romulus’ presence in HBO Max’s Top 10 indicates strong reengagement to audiences who are responding to its structure and pacing. Streaming environments reward films that maintain forward momentum, and Romulus is built to sustain that movement. Álvarez structures the narrative so that each sequence advances the story while increasing stakes, which keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. That momentum plays into exactly how audiences watch films on streaming platforms. Once Romulus begins to tighten its focus, it continues to move forward without distraction. This makes it easy to commit to the film and difficult to step away from before it reaches its conclusion. The pacing supports completion, which contributes to its visibility and continued performance.
Thematically, the film remains aligned with the core ideas of Alien, which continue to resonate and culminate into one of the most successful sci-fi franchises of all time. Corporate exploitation and disregard for human life are central to the narrative, shaping both the conflict and the stakes. Modern audiences continue to connect with these themes, arguably more so than ever, particularly within science fiction and survival horror. Álvarez integrates these ideas into the structure of the film, ensuring they are present in both the narrative and the tension it creates. That combination of momentum, thematic focus, and controlled direction positions Romulus as a strong fit for streaming.
‘Romulus’ Is A Disciplined Entry That Strengthens The Franchise
Romulus reinforces the Alien franchise by maintaining continuity with its established tone and visual language. Álvarez draws on the foundation set by Ridley Scott, particularly in the use of industrial design and controlled visual composition. These elements connect the film to the broader series while supporting its own narrative identity. The film includes recognizable elements that longtime fans will identify, but it does not depend on nostalgia alone to carry the experience. Álvarez maintains cohesion across tone, tension, theme, and structure, ensuring that each element supports the others. This level of consistency allows Romulus to function as a complete entry within the franchise while reinforcing its core identity.
That identity remains rooted in survival, confinement, and the consequences of unchecked systems. Romulus adheres to those principles with discipline, which strengthens its position within the series. It contributes to the franchise by reinforcing what defines it at a foundational level, rather than expanding beyond those boundaries. Its durability is evident in its continued relevance beyond its theatrical release. The film continues to hold up under sustained audience attention, which positions it as a stable and effective entry to the wider Alien universe.
The ongoing success of Alien: Romulus can be traced to discipline, control, and clarity. Every aspect of the film reflects a commitment to executing the core mechanics that define the franchise. That consistency carries through from its theatrical performance to its current presence on HBO Max, and its streaming success is not incidental to simply being on a new platform. Its success is a direct result of a film that maintains focus, builds tension with precision, and engages with themes that remain relevant to modern audiences. Alien: Romulus lands because it treats the foundation of its franchise as something to execute, not reinterpret. Romulus proves the franchise never needed reinvention, just creatives who understand it.
- Release Date
-
August 16, 2024
- Runtime
-
119 Minutes
- Director
-
Fede Alvarez
- Writers
-
Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues, Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Entertainment
Sister Wives’ Paedon Brown Pays Tribute to Late Brother
Sister Wives’ Paedon Brown has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his late brother Garrison Brown.
Posting via his Instagram Stories on Friday, April 10, Paedon, 27, shared a throwback photo of himself with his sibling to mark what would have been Garrison’s 28th birthday.
“I miss you everyday,” he wrote over the post, which featured Josh Garrel’s song “Farther Along.”
Paedon chose to highlight some of the song’s poignant lyrics over the image.
“Farther along we’ll know all about it,” the lyrics read. “Farther along we’ll understand why. So cheer up my brothers. Live in the sunshine.”
In a second Instagram Story post which featured another photo of Garrison, Paedon wrote, “I’m going to kick your butt when I see you. Happy birthday brother.”
Garrison died by suicide in March 2024. He was 25.
Garrison’s father Kody Brown confirmed the tragic news at the time via a joint Instagram statement with his estranged wife Janelle Brown.
“Janelle and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown,” the statement read. “He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. Our loss will leave such a big hole in our lives, that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory.”

Police arrived at Garrison’s home in Flagstaff, Arizona, on the morning of March 5, 2024, after receiving a report of a death, Us Weekly confirmed at the time. The officers discovered him dead at the scene. The police said that foul play was not suspected, and the incident was being investigated as an apparent suicide.
Law enforcement also told Us at the time that Garrison’s brother, Gabriel, found Garrison’s body.
Janelle opened up about the heartbreaking moment she found out about Garrison’s death in a May 2025 episode of Sister Wives.
“Gabriel had found him,” Janelle recalled in the episode. “He’s like, ‘Mom, he’s gone.’ I mean, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘He’s dead. He killed himself.’”
Janelle described how the shock of the news made it hard to recall the details of what happened next.
“I don’t remember the next few minutes but I got in the car and drove,” she shared.
Kody and Janelle, who split in 2022, share six children including Garrison. The pair are also the parents of Logan, 31, Maddie, 29, Hunter, 28, Gabriel, 23, and Savanah, 20.
Paedon, meanwhile, is the only biological son of Kody and Christine Brown.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Entertainment
Taylor Sheridan’s Vicious Neo-Western Crime Thriller Gets Blocked by Netflix
Every month, thousands upon thousands of viewers are surely discovering Taylor Sheridan‘s back catalog after checking out one of his blockbuster Paramount+ shows. Sheridan has established himself as one of the leading television writer-producers of his generation, with titles such as Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, and more recently The Madison. Each of those shows was created at Paramount. He’s now looking at a new creative partnership with NBCUniversal, having severed ties with his current home. Before he hit the stratosphere with Yellowstone, however, Sheridan was an acclaimed writer who conceived a modern trilogy of neo-Westerns.
The trilogy began with Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve. The movie remains a cult classic, having grossed approximately $85 million worldwide and received near-unanimous praise. Sheridan also wrote a sequel to Sicario, although he doesn’t count it as part of the spiritually connected trilogy. The second installment, instead, was Hell or High Water, directed by David Mackenzie and starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Gil Birmingham, and Ben Foster. The movie earned Sheridan an Oscar nomination in the Best Original Screenplay category. It remains his highest-rated work, with a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The third installment of the trilogy is a movie that Sheridan considers to be his directorial debut.
The Movie Taylor Sheridan Considers His Directorial Debut Has Been Blocked for Some Netflix Users
He once made a low-budget horror movie that he has mostly disowned. Instead, he has stressed that his first film as director was Wind River, starring Marvel Cinematic Universe alums Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner. The movie followed two investigators looking into crimes against Indigenous peoples; it’s an idea that Sheridan revisited in 1923, one of his Yellowstone prequels. Released in 2017, Wind River holds a “Certified Fresh” 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise going to Sheridan’s direction and the film’s tone. It grossed approximately $45 million worldwide against a reported budget of $11 million. However, not everyone who wants to check it out will be able to do so this month, as Netflix has made it inaccessible to folks subscribed to its ad-supported tier. What’s On Netflix reports that 59 titles have been blocked this month, mainly because Netflix isn’t allowed to monetize those titles with ads. Sheridan followed Wind River up with the Angelina Jolie-led neo-Western Those Who Wish Me Dead, which debuted day-and-date on HBO Max and in theaters. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
-
August 18, 2017
- Runtime
-
107 minutes
- Producers
-
Basil Iwanyk, Matthew George, Peter Berg, Elizabeth A. Bell, Wayne L. Rogers
Entertainment
‘John Wick’ Meets ‘The Last of Us’ in Anya Taylor-Joy’s 10/10 Sci-Fi Thriller Taking Over the World
Anya Taylor-Joy has become one of the brightest stars in the world over the last few years after her career got rolling 10 years ago with ritualistic, spooky hits like The Witch and Morgan. More recently, she headlined the ambitious sci-fi reboot, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the prequel film that co-stars long-time Marvel veteran Chris Hemsworth. She earned widespread critical acclaim in 2020 for her award-worthy performance in the Netflix original miniseries, The Queen’s Gambit, which helped develop the modern streaming era as it’s known today. Taylor-Joy is also confirmed to step into a much larger role in the third and final Dune movie in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi trilogy later this year, on December 18. The film also stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
In a world where box office success is analyzed so heavily, it can be easy to overlook some of the best movies that are released straight to streaming. For Anya Taylor-Joy, one of her most successful hits of the last few years came with The Gorge, the Apple TV original dystopian sci-fi film that co-stars Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick). The Gorge is streaming exclusively on Apple TV around the world, and although it’s now been a year since it was released, it’s still one of the top five most popular movies for the streamer. Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange) directed The Gorge with a script from Zach Dean. The film is the perfect mash-up of John Wick and The Last of Us, sure to scratch the itch for those looking for both great action sequences and a dark dystopian world.
What Is ‘The Gorge’ About?
The official synopsis for The Gorge reads as follows:
“Two highly trained operatives (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy) grow close from a distance after being sent to guard opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. When an evil below emerges, they must work together to survive what lies within.”
In addition to Teller and Taylor-Joy, who star as Levi and Drasa in The Gorge, the film also features Sigourney Weaver as Bartholomew, Sope Dirisu as J.D., William Houston as Erikas, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as a Black Ops Commander, James Marlow as Bradford Shaw, Julianne Kurokawa as an Airman, and Ruta Gedmintas as a WWII scientist.
Check out The Gorge on Apple TV around the world, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and more coverage of Anya Taylor-Joy’s future projects.
- Release Date
-
February 28, 2025
- Runtime
-
127 Minutes
- Director
-
Scott Derrickson
- Writers
-
Zach Dean
- Producers
-
Gregory Goodman, C. Robert Cargill, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, Don Granger, Miles Teller, Sherryl Clark, Adam Kolbrenner
Entertainment
Katseye Performs Without Manon Bannerman at Coachella 2026
Katseye hit the stage without Manon Bannerman at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Five members of the girl group — Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza and Yoonchae Jeung — performed during the first day of the Indio, California, festival on Friday, April 10. Manon, 23, was noticeably missing from Katseye’s Coachella debut amid her ongoing hiatus from the band.
Katseye opened their show with a performance of their new single “Pinky Up” before entertaining the crowd with “Debut” and “Touch.”
HUNTR/X vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami joined the girl group on stage for a surprise performance of “Golden” from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
Manon’s Coachella absence comes nearly two months after Katseye announced her plan to take a break from the group.
“After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing,” read a February statement from the band shared via the social media platform Weverse. “We fully support this decision.”
The group assured fans at the time that the remaining Katseye members would carry on with their responsibilities despite Manon’s absence.
“Katseye remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right,” the statement continued. “Thank you to our Eyekons for your continued love, patience and understanding.”
Manon also spoke out in an individual statement at the time.
“Hi friends,” she wrote via Weverse. “I want you to hear this from me, I’m healthy, I’m OK and I’m taking care of myself. Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can’t wait to see you again.”

Earlier this month, Manon shared an update with fans amid her ongoing hiatus from Katseye.
“Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve been sending my way. I’m really grateful for the patience and kindness everyone has shown during this time,” she noted via Weverse. “[Katseye’s management] HxG and I are having positive conversations, and I feel supported. I’m happy, and I’m healthy. I’ll share more soon. Thank you for always being there for me.”
Manon raised eyebrows when she removed “Katseye” from her Instagram bio. Days later, a source exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, April 6, that she does not plan to return to the group.
In a Nylon cover story published on Tuesday, April 7, Manon admitted the band deals with disagreements at times. (The outlet noted her interview took place before she announced her hiatus from Katseye.)
“There’s six of us, so obviously not everyone’s always going to be on the same page about everything,” she said. “But I think we all are at, or have been learning and are finally coming to, a point where for the group’s sake, you give and you take. You pick your battles.”
Manon added that the bandmates “have to lean on each other” to cope with stardom.
“But we also have supportive friends and supportive family,” she explained. “It’s something that keeps you humble and grounded. And then just having a good therapist.”
Entertainment
When does “Michael” come out? All about the Michael Jackson biopic (and its controversies)
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Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, leads the cast alongside Colman Domingo and Miles Teller.
Entertainment
What Has Harrison Ford ‘Terribly Concerned’ At Age 83
Actor Harrison Ford has been in the entertainment industry for decades. Best known for his roles in “Indiana Jones and “Star Wars,” the 83-year-old actor has been best known for his movie roles until recently. Over the past several years, he has starred alongside Helen Mirren in the “Yellowstone” spin-off “1923” and opposite Jason Segel in “Shrinking,” where he plays a psychiatrist diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Following the season 3 finale, Ford reflected on his start in Hollywood and the current state of the entertainment industry.
Harrison Ford Reflects On The ‘Fulfilling’ Nature Of Filming ‘Shrinking’

Following the season 3 finale, which sees his character retire and move to Connecticut, Ford opened up on the “serious sh-t” the show covers in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast.
Throughout the season, Ford shared several scenes with Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991. “Here I am now, playing a guy with Parkinson’s, and I’m sitting next to Michael J. Fox,” Ford said. “This is serious sh-t, man. This is not insignificant for me.”
“I find it really fulfilling doing what I do, and I enjoy it as much as I ever, ever could possibly have imagined,” he continued. However, he admitted that he “never thought” that he would be filming a TV show, let alone a comedy.
Harrison Ford Reveals What Makes His Job ‘Fun’

Even though he never expected to be starring in a comedy series, he did say that the work is “fun” for him.
“You work faster, and that’s fun for me,” he explained. “I like getting there, getting the work done and going home. I love the challenge. I love the danger, if you will, of the work that I’m able to do. And I like the company.”
He went on to explain that he “always wanted to be a character actor,” adding, “I had never thought that I would be a leading man … I got to play leading parts because the films I was in had success, and that success carried me along.”
Ford Is ‘Concerned’ About The Future Of Hollywood

Even though he has been in many successful blockbusters, Ford admitted that he is “terribly concerned” about the future of the entertainment industry.
“I came up at a period of time when the movie business was at its zenith, when the movie business captured the zeitgeist of a culture, and there was a transference, a cross-feeding, and the culture captured the zeitgeist of the movies,” he explained. “There is no zeitgeist anymore.”
“We’ve been disassociated. We’ve been purposefully disaggregated into serviceable political economic units,” he continued. “There is an empty center that needs to be filled, to bring the culture back together, to bring the culture and the movie business back together, for the movie business to be useful in the consciousness of an audience, a culture, a community.”
Harrison Ford’s Depression Launched His Acting Career

Before he became a household name, Ford recalled living in a single room in college and rarely venturing out. “I would get up out of my single bed, go to a phone, order a pizza, go back and lay down in bed until the pizza came,” he recalled. “I would eat the pizza, throw the wrappers in the corner, go back to sleep.”
Things changed when he took a class called “Drama” without reading the full description. He was interested in analyzing plays, but he didn’t realize he also had to act in them. Although it was a “surprise,” he realized that he actually “found [his] place” through the class.
“I’d never done anything like that,” Ford admitted. “And I was surprised that the people that I had considered to be fellow geeks and misfits were, in fact, some of the most interesting people I knew. They were doing something that I hadn’t really understood, and they were telling stories about life, and some of them were exceptional in their capacity to understand human behavior. And so I think I simply found my place amongst storytellers. It really changed my world, changed my life.”
Ford Is ‘Really Good’ At Improv, Says ‘Shrinking’ Costar

In a June 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, costar Jason Segel revealed that his “Shrinking” costar is actually “really, really good” at improv.
“With Harrison Ford, there was a moment when I saw him register and was like, ‘Oh, we’re doing this now.’ And he was good at it. He’s really, really good at it,” Segel said. “There was a whole potato run, where I end up eating these potatoes. [He said] ‘Do whatever you want with them. Boil them, bake them.’ That was a riff that came out of his mouth. He is really smart, he’s really funny and he really understands acting.”
“There’s a reason he’s Harrison Ford,” he added.
All three seasons of “Shrinking” are available on Apple TV+. The show has been renewed for a fourth season, with the main cast set to return.
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