Mike Flanagan is in the business of empathy. Film and television’s leading purveyor of terror understands that the best horror anchors itself in the personal. It’s a genre that projects collective fears onto metaphorical monsters, and the most lingering nightmares emerge from the horrors of being human in a world shaped by human cruelties. Whether it’s generational trauma or familial grief, Flanagan’s character-driven dramas use the fundamental shape of a classic ghost story to its maximum effect — they dazzle with atmospheric visuals and emotionally devastate.

Midnight Mass, his third collaboration with Netflix, might as well be considered a miracle. After several failed attempts to bring his long-term passion project to life, Flanagan settled for sneaking the title into his films as an inside joke about “the best project I’ll never make.” Midnight Mass was always as personal as a profusely bleeding wound; the writer-director shaped the concept around his small-town Catholic upbringing and his experiences with alcoholism and sobriety. In 2021, the seven-episode miniseries felt like the pinnacle toward which Flanagan’s sublime craft had been escalating. Five years later, it remains his magnum opus — a foreboding symphony of existential melancholy and exceptional beauty, equally impressive for its sheer scale and its intimate interrogation of institutionalized religion and human fragility.

What Is ‘Midnight Mass’ About?

Ever since an oil spill ruined their local economy, Crockett Island has become a living ghost town. Instead of offering quiet comforts, the isolated fishing village feels abandoned by time and ruled by uncertainty. It’s also the only place Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford) can try to rebuild his shattered life. Four years after his inebriated driving caused a woman’s death, he returns to his childhood home like a literal prodigal son; he’s not the only lost soul who’s haunted by regret and grief, but being an atheist in the devoutly Catholic town complicates his already unsettled homecoming.

Riley isn’t the only semi-newcomer who defies Crockett Island’s expectations. Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater) replaces the parish’s ill Monsignor and revives the community with his disarmingly approachable charisma — especially once he starts conducting what they interpret as Biblical miracles. As the priest feeds their hunger for hope, his unexpected presence incites far more moral damnation than it does eternal salvation.

‘Midnight Mass’ Is Mike Flanagan at His Most Visceral and Intimate

Midnight Mass is the most coherently realized and profoundly wrenching of Flanagan’s endeavors, largely because it thrums with his personalized hallmarks. His team crafts a pure Gothic folk horror fraught with religious menace, something both graceful and dreadful at once. Whether cinematographer Michael Fimognari salts the earth with cinematically gruesome set pieces or sets momentous montages to Neil Diamond songs, the technical sophistication is marvelous to behold. Production designer Steve Arnold creates an entire island from scratch, one that fits the required moody aesthetics, yet in its recognizably worn-down details, pulses with nostalgic life.

The acting troupe Flanagan assembles is also nothing short of exceptional, from Gilford’s arrestingly vulnerable anguish, Erin Greene (Kate Siegel) emerging as the emotional centerpiece, and the mesmerizing Sheriff Hasan (Rahul Kohli), a widowed single father and practicing Muslim with the wisest words about theological practices. All jokes about Hot Priests aside, Linklater’s subtle work is the series’ biggest revelation. Paul’s determined conviction, desperate rationalizations, and soothing gentleness reels in characters and viewers alike until we’re clinging to his every hypnotic word.

It wouldn’t be a Mike Flanagan project without his curiosity about the human condition, either. His thematic preoccupations have never been as relevant or harmonious; ornate Catholic rituals, vampire iconography, addiction and recovery, shame, redemption, corruption, and personal accountability parallel with ease. This series’ true meat and potatoes lie in the characters’ one-on-one conversations about the unanswerable mysteries with which we all grapple. There are few sinner-saint caricatures during these poetic interludes — only Flanagan’s intricate character work as he forces his wonderfully foible ensemble to reckon with the agony of living.

And in an existence without clarity, religion can provide solace. A communal environment rooted in the creeds of compassion and forgiveness — loving thy neighbor as thyself — can be a beautiful antidote to humanity’s worst impulses. When good intentions pave the road to hell, or self-righteous proselytizers weaponize texts into a justification for their bigotry, then it becomes an arena for destructive hatred. Flanagan recognizes, with bone-chilling intuition, how the church is just as capable of being hallowed ground and a source of harrowing trauma. For those who were raised sitting in pews in front of pulpits, who have actively deconstructed evangelical fundamentalism and wrestled through our perspectives on faith, Flanagan’s masterpiece re-opens old scars. Midnight Mass‘ foundations are too painstakingly potent to dissolve into saccharine, but it does offer a bittersweet catharsis: if we’re all lost at sea, then tending to one another as the world ends is both the least and greatest thing we can do.

New details have emerged about the medical emergency that left Carrot Top hospitalized and forced the cancellation of several performances at his longtime Las Vegas residency. The comedian, whose real name is Scott Thompson, reportedly suffered a suspected overdose involving prescription medication before he was transported from his home to a hospital on Friday.

Emergency Crews Responded To Carrot Top’s Las Vegas Home

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The Clark County Fire Department told TMZ that emergency crews responded to Thompson’s Las Vegas residence at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Friday. The emergency call reportedly described a 61-year-old man as “not alert.”

A City of Las Vegas ambulance and a private ambulance both responded to the residence. Thompson’s condition was not known at the scene, and he was ultimately transported to a hospital by the private ambulance.

The Suspected Overdose Has Not Been Officially Confirmed

5

Sources familiar with the investigation told TMZ that Thompson took prescription medication before suffering what authorities suspected was an overdose. No details have been publicly released about the medication reportedly involved, the amount taken, or whether toxicology testing confirmed an overdose. The reported cause therefore remains preliminary and has not been independently confirmed by Thompson’s representative or medical team.

Although TMZ previously characterized the incident as a suicide attempt, Thompson’s representative has not publicly confirmed the circumstances behind his hospitalization. His team has only confirmed that he remains under medical care and is improving.

5

Thompson’s representative provided an encouraging update Sunday, revealing that the longtime Las Vegas performer had regained consciousness. He “remains hospitalized and under close medical care. He is now awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve, surrounded by his family and those closest to him,” the representative told TMZ.

His Friday, Saturday, and Monday night performances at the Luxor Hotel and Casino were canceled while he continued receiving treatment. It remains unclear when Thompson will be discharged or when he might be cleared to return to the stage.

Carrot Top Faced A Separate Legal Dispute Before His Hospitalization

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News of Thompson’s medical emergency arrived amid a contentious legal dispute involving singer Brian Evans. As The Blast previously reported, Thompson’s legal team accused Evans of requesting $500,000 while indicating that sexually explicit material involving the comedian could be submitted to a public court docket.

The filing reportedly included an email in which Evans discussed placing the material on a USB drive and submitting it with a court motion. “Given the existing posture of the case and the coverage already in print, I expect the press will report the motion and will use its own imagination about what the USB is,” Evans wrote.

Evans maintained that he was describing the potential consequences of making material part of a public filing, not threatening Thompson. “That is a foreseeable fact about third-party reporting of a public docket. It is not a threat,” he wrote.

Evans also said he does “not control the public docket” and does “not control the press.”

Thompson’s attorneys said, “This is not settlement communication. On its face it is a malicious threat to expose Thompson to disgrace, and to expose a secret affecting him, with intent thereby to extort money under the guise of litigation conduct.”

After news broke, Evans spoke to the Daily Mail, claiming, “I never threatened, ever, to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement.”

Carrot Top’s Representative Points To Evans’ Litigation History

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Thompson’s representative, Jami Schlicher, cited a separate federal court ruling involving Evans when responding to the allegations.

“A federal court recently declared Mr. Evans a ‘vexatious litigant’ and described his filings as ‘serial’ and ‘spurious,’” Schlicher said. “In dismissing one of his cases with prejudice, the court went even further, stating: ‘It appears this entire case is designed to harass Defendants.’ The court’s findings and Mr. Evans’s litigation record speak for themselves.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org

Beyond the Gates spoilers kicking off September 21st where we will see Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) arrested for breaking and entering and Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones) making truly terrifying threats.

Let’s dive into what is happening the two weeks September 21st through October 2nd where we’re going to see Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) in the hospital and Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis), Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie), and Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) all outraged.

Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Dani Stuns Naomi

Monday, September 21st on Beyond the Gates. Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) confides in Izaiah Hawthorne (David Lami Friebe) that he is in his debt. And I wonder if this is about Izaiah getting Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) to head back to college.

Randy really wants Deanna away from Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom). He is worried about Doug McBride’s (Jason Graham) daughter. Dani is hit with a stunning realization after Bill collapses and he’s on Dani’s couch. She’s shouting his name. Dani calls 911.

Bill is rushed to the hospital and Dani is frantic. And then something dawn on her about Bill’s health issues and Dani tells Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne (Arielle Prepetit), “I think I know why your father’s health has been deteriorating.” And Naomi asked Dani, “What is it?” and she tells Naomi not a what but a who. Andre is defending his marriage on Monday.

This may be about the ongoing Bill issues or it could be from Heather who is busy trying to get Andre in her bed and to cheat on Dani. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix) joins Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil) as they try to help Chelsea Hamilton (Rhonni Rose Mantilla). There is a lot going on.

BTG Spoilers: Chelsea Terrified

Chelsea was freaked out by Allison calling her from prison. Chelsea and Kat Richardson (Colby Muhammad) are at odds professionally. And Chelsea wants to tread softly, but Kat wants to go big. Chelsea thinks generating too much publicity could draw attention to the Takahashi Sweat Shop rumors, but Kat thinks the real reason Chelsea wants to fly under the radar is because of Allison.

Nicole may work with Madison to help Chelsea. And of course, she’s navigating through this fear and trying to get back to work. Heather outmaneuvers Joey. Next week, Heather gets Joey’s attention in a bad way when he finds Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) and Heather chatting at Uptown. And Joey asks Vanessa and Heather, “What are we talking about?” And Heather says, “Doug McBride.” Also, a big secret is revealed to Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson). And I do suspect Andre may tell Ted the whole ugly truth about Heather.

Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Chelsea Shaken by Secrets

Tuesday, September 22nd on Beyond the Gates, Madison’s secrets shake up Chelsea. So, she’s going to find out something about her fiancée, Madison, and it is nothing that Chelsea was expecting to hear and takes her by surprise. Jacob goes to see Nicole to talk about his case. Jacob told Naomi last week, they’re not husband and wife.

They’re cop and lawyer while they’re working. So, looks like Jacob wants advice on either the case itself or on keeping his marriage safe while they are at odds. So Dani wants proof and she is on a mission. She sneaks into Bill and Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings)’s house looking for evidence. Dani moves a painting aside and opens the safe and says, “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

She may be looking for an insurance policy, a prenuptual agreement, or, you know, some arsenic. Bill takes Caroline into his confidence. And this may be about Bill’s fear that he’s dying. Or he may tell Caroline about Hayley’s lies and chicanery. Speaking of, Naomi makes an unexpected proposal to Hayley. I bet money. She’s trying to set up Hayley to get the goods on her to prove she is to blame for Bill’s health problems.

BTG Spoilers: Smitty Going Down?

Wednesday, September 23rd on Beyond the Gates. Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi worry it could be too late to save someone they love. So, we’ll see if the evidence against Michael “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning) in Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht)’s death is so convincing that Jacob may have to arrest Smitty. Also, Vanessa unintentionally distresses Andre with news about Heather.

So, I wonder if Vanessa tells Andre Heather just bought Uptown and that she is also house hunting. That could be what inspires Andre to meet with the only person in the DMV more dangerous than Heather. And we’ll see Joey having a back alley meeting with Andre. He shows Joey a phone and Andre tells Joey, “Whatever you decide to do with that phone, just make sure Dani stays out of it.” So clearly Andre’s desperate.

Dani’s not holding back. So it sounds like Hayley bust Dani rifling through their house and she may accuse Hayley of making Bill sick and then Hayley’s going to turn the table. So, I expect her to call the cops on Dani for breaking and entering and getting into their safe.

Chelsea confronts Bill, maybe about him not being honest about his health or about Hayley having Dani arrested. Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) discovers a smoking gun. So, I wonder if this is proof to support Hayley’s accusation that Dani broke into their place.

BTG Spoilers: Martin is Beside Himself

Thursday, September 24th on Beyond the Gates. Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) leans on Ted. Smitty’s case looks dire. So Martin may be looking for comfort from his dad, Ted, as he worries about his husband.

Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) the bearer of bad news to Anita and Vernon. I’m sure she’s pleased to tell them about Dani’s arrest. Vernon and Anita confront Dani in front of Andre at her house. And Vernon asks, “Why were you at a police station all night?”

And Anita ask, “And why did we have to hear about it from Leslie?” Andre cannot believe what he hears. The fact that Dani was hauled out of Bill’s house after just reassuring him Andre’s her priority is a lot. Bill gets a bitter pill to swallow from Jacob and Hayley enlists Tomas’s help.

Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Leslie Stunned & Andre Rattled

Then Friday, September 25th on Beyond the Gates, a pair of exes have a very candid talk and it might be Ted and Leslie because Ted asked Leslie, “Don’t you want something real?” And then Leslie asked Ted if he thinks she’s capable of being a good woman. I don’t think so. Leslie puts her money where her mouth is that same day.

And also Andre is rattled by an impatient Heather. She may threaten Andre if she doesn’t get what she wants. Naomi’s news shocks Chelsea. So Naomi may tell Chelsea what Dani suspects about Hayley or that their mom Dani was arrested. Hayley gives an ominous warning, maybe to Bill, maybe to Dani, or maybe to Randy that people are on to her. Plus, Kat is fed up with Tomas, and Isaiah’s plans for Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) are interrupted.

BTG Spoilers: Couple Swap Ahead?

So, I still feel like there is a couple swap coming. September 28th through October 2nd on Beyond the Gates. Bill may assume Dani is into him after her concern when he collapsed and the fact that she broke into his and Hayley’s home. I do expect Bill to force Hayley to drop the charges against Dani. Andre has a rough go of it and it’s just a lot.

Heather’s obsession, Dani’s apparent obsession with Bill. Dani and Bill’s daughters, Chelsea and Naomi, will likely join their mom’s quest to out Hayley as an attempted murderer. I also expect Vernon and Anita’s concerns will grow about Dani’s recent rash actions with the break-in at Bill and her winding up in handcuffs. Heather loses patience with the Smitty situation and also the repeated rejections from Andre.

Unless Joey deals with Heather, she may do something really bad soon. Leslie is probably going to be difficult with the upcoming Articulettes project. And Eva may lose patience with Isaiah over his friendship with Kat, which she feels is crossing lines, and Tomas and Eva may share their concerns with each other.

Smitty is going to try and figure out what to do about the Impaler, aka Heather, targeting him with this murder setup, and Smitty is going to be even more desperate to out their identity and shut them down.

One of the easiest ways to waste this decade of movies is to let language decide what gets watched. Seriously. Some of the sharpest romances, ugliest moral questions, strangest mysteries, and most devastating family stories since 2020 have arrived from outside Hollywood, and several of them make the usual awards-season prestige movie feel painfully safe by comparison. Subtitles are doing a lot less work than the filmmakers are.

And these six are miles apart from one another. That range is exactly why international cinema feels so alive right now. And while I don’t plan to jump into this one in the list below, if you’re interested in Bollywood movies, don’t miss Main Vaapas Aunga if it’s available to stream in your region. But let’s get to proper international releases of the 2020s so far, and here are six of them, ranked.

6

‘The Worst Person in the World’ (2021)

Image via NEON

Julie (Renate Reinsve) keeps changing her mind about what her life is supposed to look like. Medicine becomes psychology, psychology becomes photography, relationships shift, and adulthood keeps arriving without providing the certainty everybody promised it would. The Worst Person in the World divides that mess into twelve chapters, plus a prologue and epilogue, without pretending Julie’s contradictions can be tidied into a simple coming-of-age lesson.

The famous sequence where Oslo appears to freeze while Julie runs across the city toward Eivind (Herbert Nordrum) captures the movie beautifully. It is romantic, selfish, impulsive, and completely understandable at the same time. Her relationship with older comic-book artist Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) carries a different weight because love and compatibility gradually stop meaning the same thing. Joachim Trier lets Julie be funny, frustrating, affectionate, avoidant, and occasionally awful without turning her into a problem the screenplay needs to solve. That honesty is why the movie connects so strongly with anyone who has ever reached adulthood and thought, wait, this is the part where I am supposed to know what I am doing?

5

‘Decision to Leave’ (2022)

Image via CJ Entertainment

Detective Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) investigates the death of a man who fell from a mountain, and the dead man’s widow, Seo-rae (Tang Wei), quickly becomes the person he cannot stop observing. Decision to Leave begins as a murder investigation and gradually becomes something much stranger, where surveillance starts resembling intimacy and professional curiosity becomes nearly impossible to separate from attraction.

Park Chan-wook makes that obsession tactile. Hae-jun watches Seo-rae from across the city and mentally places himself beside her. Translation apps become part of flirtation because language itself keeps creating tiny distances between them. Mountains, fog, wallpaper patterns, photographs, and the sea keep sliding into the mystery without feeling like clues placed there for a clever reveal. Even Hae-jun’s insomnia becomes useful because this is a man already accustomed to living slightly outside ordinary life. The romance is sexy precisely because it is so restrained. Nobody needs to tear their clothes off for the room to feel dangerous.

4

‘I’m Still Here’ (2024)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Before politics crashes through the front door, the Paiva household feels wonderfully alive. Children run in and out, friends visit, music plays, people argue, the beach is nearby, and family photographs keep capturing ordinary happiness. Then Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) is taken away by agents of Brazil’s military dictatorship, and I’m Still Here stays with the wife and children who are expected to continue living while the state refuses to tell them what happened.

Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) becomes the center without being transformed into some clean inspirational symbol. She has children to protect, questions nobody will answer, money to think about, and the maddening requirement to remain functional while government intimidation keeps invading private life. Walter Salles makes the earlier warmth essential because the loss is measured against all those noisy dinners and casual afternoons that came before it. The family camera becomes especially affecting for that reason. Pictures keep insisting these people had whole lives outside the political violence inflicted on them. That is what makes the film hurt. History arrives in textbooks as dates and regimes. Here, it enters a house and leaves an empty chair.

3

‘Anatomy of a Fall’ (2023)

Image via Neon

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Samuel (Samuel Theis) is found dead beneath the family’s Alpine home, and suspicion lands on his wife, Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller). From there, Anatomy of a Fall does something far more interesting than asking whether she pushed him. Their marriage gets hauled into court, translated into arguments, recordings, resentments, career jealousy, parenting decisions, and fragments that suddenly have to mean something definitive to strangers.

The details are painfully specific. Samuel had been blasting an instrumental version of 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” before his death, and the song later becomes part of the courtroom’s attempt to reconstruct the atmosphere inside the house. A recorded marital argument is dissected as if one ugly conversation can explain years between two people. Their visually impaired son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner) is forced to process his parents through testimony he was never supposed to hear, while Snoop the dog somehow becomes involved in one of the film’s most tense stretches. The genius of the movie is how quickly curiosity becomes judgment. You start weighing evidence like a juror, then realize how absurdly confident people become when handed incomplete access to somebody else’s marriage.

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‘The Zone of Interest’ (2023)

Image via A24

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Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) lives with his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) and their children in a comfortable home with a garden, servants, flowers, a swimming area, and Auschwitz on the other side of the wall. The Zone of Interest understands that showing less can force the viewer to confront more. The family treats the camp as workplace, neighbor, and source of opportunity while screams, gunshots, machinery, and trains continue beyond their domestic routine.

That separation is horrifying because the Höss family is not shown behaving as if they inhabit a horror film. Hedwig is proud of the life they have built. Children play. Clothes are tried on. Plants are discussed. Work promotions create family complications. Meanwhile, the soundtrack keeps telling you what their comfort requires. Jonathan Glazer refuses the relief of allowing atrocity to become spectacle you can look at and then emotionally file away. The garden is beautiful. That is the problem. The wall is right there. They know exactly what is behind it, and breakfast still needs to be served. Few films this decade have made ordinary domestic behavior feel so morally sickening.

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‘Drive My Car’ (2021)

Image via Bitters End

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Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) is a theater actor and director carrying a complicated grief when he travels to Hiroshima to stage Uncle Vanya. Festival rules require him to use a driver, so the beloved red Saab 900 he normally drives himself is handed over to Misaki Watari (Tōko Miura), a quiet young woman with her own history of loss. Drive My Car runs for almost three hours and somehow makes long drives, cassette recordings, rehearsals, and pauses in conversation feel more gripping than plenty of thrillers.

The theatrical process is fascinating in itself. Kafuku casts performers speaking different languages, including Japanese, Mandarin, Korean Sign Language, and others, then has them repeat Chekhov’s text almost mechanically until meaning begins emerging through rhythm rather than theatrical flourish. Outside rehearsal, Oto’s recorded voice continues reading lines through the Saab’s speakers, meaning Kafuku literally drives around with the voice of his dead wife occupying the empty seat beside him. Misaki gradually becomes the one person who can share that silence without trying to fix him. Ryusuke Hamaguchi never rushes their connection because grief does not operate on screenplay time. When Drive My Car finally opens emotionally, it feels enormous precisely because the film spent so long listening first.

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Drive My Car

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Release Date

November 24, 2021

Runtime

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179 minutes

Director

Ryusuke Hamaguchi

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Writers

Takamasa Oe, Ryusuke Hamaguchi

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Angel Reese just added some clean ice to her jewelry collection! The 24-year-old recently shared a special moment with fans, receiving diamonds from her mother, Angel Webb Reese.

RELATED: Congrats! Social Media Reacts After The Los Angeles Sparks Honor Lisa Leslie With A Bronze Statue (PHOTOS)

Angel Reese Reveals The “Thoughtful” Gift Her Mother Got Her

Mama Reese went all out for her baby! She spared no details, and presumably no expense, surprising Angel Reese with the blinged-out bracelet. The diamond bracelet featured several charms, the meanings of which Angel explained on Instagram Stories.

For example, the 29 charm, she said, represents her WNBA record for most double-doubles in one season, which she broke in August 2026. The A with the halo charm represents her brand and logo, while the 5 represents her number on the Atlanta Dream team. The WNBA logo features her record and date and the other A is for Atlanta.

“Thank you, Mommy! This was so thoughtful. I love it,” Angel Reese added to the video post.

Roomies Cheer On The Mother-Daughter Love

In The Shade Room’s comment section, the roommates appeared to be enjoying the bond between Angel Reese and her mom. Plenty of fans applauded the pricey gift while some jokingly gave their own moms the side-eye. A few others clocked anyone drinking hater-ade behind the gift!

Rapper Paul Wall, known for keeping some ice on him, commented three first emojis.

@danny4rmuptown_ commented, “I’m about to call my mom and tell her I need a diamond tennis bracelet! She about to cuss me tf out so bad👏🏾😂.”

“I loveee a thoughtful gift 😍,” @nopaidsponsorship added.

“Beautiful. I love a good charm bracelet I was just saying imma bring mine back out,” @young_fly_n_flashly wrote.

“Gifts from your mom mean the world too,” @kiifromcle commented.

“While y’all hating on Angel and her mom, ask yourself How often do we see cc mother 🤔? Y’all cc fans so bitter lol,” @newtiff384 added.

“Moms gifts be the best 😍,” @queen_bmarsh wrote.

“Whether you rich or not a gift from your mother will mean the WORLD 🥹🤎,” @tevin92bk commented.

“Angel hate will forever be forced.. I’m just glad my girl doing her thing!! 🥂,” @keigannana added.

Guess Who Else Is In Angel’s Corner?

Her man, her man, her man! She’s been dating Orlando Magic center, Wendell Carter Jr.

RELATED: Big Flex! Angel Reese Shocks Her Mom With MAJOR Birthday Surprise (WATCH)

Days of Our Lives spoilers for the next two weeks starting September 21st with Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) delivering awful news to a good friend and Belle Black (Martha Madison) is completely shaken by a revelation that will change their family forever.

Also, the weeks of September 21st through October 2nd, we’re going to have Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) going from a high to a severe low and Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Susanne Rogers) sharing her disappointment. Let’s dive right into it.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Brady and Xander Team Up

Monday, September 21st on Days of Our Lives. Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) are going to team up trying to protect Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) from EJ DiMera‘s wrath. Sarah is under serious scrutiny and legal troubles could be on the way. Sounds like EJ’s revenge over the anonymous report she made to the FDA about DiMera Pharmaceuticals. Philip’s big roulette win came too late. He asked Xander to hold off on the house sale.

But Philip walks into an empty mansion and he finds out it is already sold. Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews) is leaning on Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez). And I wonder if he’s going to tell her about almost kissing Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) or this may be all about DiMera. Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) catches his baby mama Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) trying to evade more medical testing. Joy is looking up nerve conduction study. That’s the test that should expose her fakery. And if Joy refuses the test, that is a huge red flag.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Holly Holds Her Ground

Tuesday, September 22nd on Days of Our Lives. Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) faces off with Mason Whitfield (Brandon Butler). And Holly directly asks does he think she’s to blame for Sophia’s death and Mason tells Holly she played a big part in it. Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) stands behind Sarah as she faces a professional complaint. And Maggie is very disapproving of Philip and Xander and she may be upset that Philip gambled given that he is a former gambling addict.

And Maggie may be a little annoyed that Philip actually succeeded, but Xander signed the papers without checking with Philip first. The Kiriakis family is in ashes, but maybe Xander and Philip can use that cash infusion to rebuild Titan or start a new company and rebuild a new legacy from scratch. Steve and Brady move forward with their investigation into EJ and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and the contaminated drug. Brady and Steve also keep looking into Dominic Marino.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Johnny Faces Jail Time?

Wednesday, September 23rd on Days of Our Lives. Theo needs some advice from his dad, Abe Carver (James Reynolds), and it could be about doing the right thing. He knows there are legal things going on with DiMera Pharma, or it could be about Stephanie. Johnny faces off with his dad, EJ, and things are intense. Johnny is sick and tired of cleaning up EJ’s cover up. Plus, Johnny may face jail time if they are caught. So, we’ll see if Johnny warns EJ because he thinks George will probably sell them down the river to stay out of prison.

EJ may order Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) to get rid of George, but remember, she defied EJ with another operative and put him in a cryopod instead of killing him as EJ said. So, Rita may be working with Dominic to bring down EJ and Johnny and clear a path for Stefano’s new son.

Sydney DiMera (Sidney Malakeh) spends time listening to Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and Belle’s concerns and they may remind Sydney about how dangerous EJ can be and tells Sydney that he is into some shady stuff. Maggie confides in Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) about her concerns. I’m sure it’s about the Kiriakis family circling the drain. Fall spoilers say the family rebuilds from the ashes.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Leo’s Loves Story Sparks

Thursday, September 24th on Days of Our Lives, we are going to see Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and his love interests sparking and Sydney convinces her big brother Johnny not to back down. Also, Sydney asked Johnny if she should stick around Salem for a while, and Johnny tells his little sister Sydney, “I would not do that if I were you.” So, Johnny may not want Sydney dragged into any of EJ’s garbage that he’s been dragged into.

Of course, Sydney may do anything to help her family. She’s got that law degree. Maybe she can save EJ and Johnny from going to jail. Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) listens to Belle’s worries. She may have noticed Marlena had a very strong reaction to the photo of Dominic as a child, even though Marlena said she didn’t remember anything. EJ is questioning Chloe Lane‘s (Nadia Bjorlin) loyalty and where it lies, and she starts ranting at EJ. You know damn well what’s going on and so do I.

I do wonder if Chloe and EJ end up in bed together after this intense conversation. Chloe needs to prove her loyalty and she was directly ordered not to sleep with him and she’s a rule breaker. Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) also defies Lani Price (Sal Stowers) and Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens)’s wishes.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Kate Takes her Place

Then Friday, September 25th on Days of Our Lives, Chad officially welcomes Kate Roberts to the Salem Spectator. She’s already pitched a podcast to Leo and he’s very excited about the new challenge. So Kate may use her new role to shed light on EJ’s cover up, do an expose on that and maybe some of the troubles that the Kiriakis are going through.

I also wonder how Kate’s going to feel about Leo’s interest in the counterfeit handbag story since Kate is a possible suspect. Philip and Gabi are getting ready for a second chance. They have a tender moment in the square and Philip tells Gabi he couldn’t have done what he did in Monte Carlo without his lucky charm. Marlena has a nightmare that freaks her out. She’s been having these random memories of her time on Stefano’s island. So, I wonder if Marlena maybe recalls a memory of her with a baby bump or even a baby.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: The Drama with Dominic

Steve gets some unsettling news from Brady and Hope. It is about Dominic Marino. And then Steve shows up at Marlena’s apartment and says, “We were able to find Dominic Marino’s birth certificate.” Steve’s got a digital copy on his phone. He hands it to Marlena who reads it aloud. She says, “Stefano DiMera is the father of Dominic Marino and the mother is….” And then Marlena looks shocked.

Belle is going to be really shaken to find out she and her ex EJ share a brother, especially once Dominic comes to town. I’m interested to see if he will get closer to Belle or EJ or pits them against each other. Kayla and Sarah have a feeling there’s foul play involved and I wonder if they realize that EJ is behind the complaint against Sarah.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Marlena’s Flasbacks

September 28th through October 2nd on Days of Our Lives, Marlena may have more flashbacks about her time on Stefano’s island that relate to Dominic. Sydney decides to stick around Salem longer than originally planned. Dominic may be making a play to take over Titan after he’s gotten the Kiriakis mansion.

I think that he is working Stefano’s dark wishes and final agenda. Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti) seems to be helping Dominic destroy EJ. And I wonder if Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) is another pawn in this game. Joy may find a way to fake it through the medical test and continue her paralysis fakery. I really hope she’s busted soon, though. Philip and Xander are working to rebuild Victor’s empire, and Chloe and EJ’s dynamic gets way more intense. He’s drawn to Chloe, but he doesn’t trust her, and she wants to bust EJ.

Still, Xander risks everything for Sarah. Soon, Johnny and Chanel’s happiness is further challenged by the DiMera drama. Paulina struggles being the second choice for Abe that he walked away from. Theo and Stephanie may cross lines and very soon Dominic Marino is going to come to Salem and shake things up. I expect him to move into the Kiriakis mansion. I do wonder if he is going to hang Stefano’s portrait over the fireplace where Victor’s was just hanging.

Donatella Versace has another stylish move up her sleeve! The iconic designer is joining forces with REVOLVE for a venture that reaches far beyond the runway and red carpet.

Versace, who has dressed everyone from Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian to Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Hailey Bieber, Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Jenner, and more A-listers, is setting her sights on the digital destination as she takes her signature sultry aesthetic to another level.

“I believe creativity should be fearless, inclusive, and alive in the world. I have always been inspired by the next generation, in music, film, art and, of course, fashion. This partnership gives me the freedom to speak to that generation in a completely new and personal way, through beauty and fashion,” she said in a press release.

“REVOLVE understands something I believe deeply: culture comes from connection. Together, we want to create that connection with a new voice, a new look and a new energy,” she continued.

So, what’s in store? Versace will put her stamp on projects spanning multiple categories, giving shoppers a front-row seat to her glamorous world.

“Donatella is one of the defining creative voices of our time. This partnership gives that vision an entirely new platform and the freedom to build something from the ground up,” Michael Mente, co-founder and co-CEO of REVOLVE Group, explained.

“By combining Donatella’s creative authority with REVOLVE’s technology, infrastructure and global reach, we have an opportunity to create something genuinely distinctive — and build it for the long term,” Mike Karanikolas, co-founder and co-CEO of REVOLVE Group, added.

“Donatella has an extraordinary instinct for what the next generation wants and an unmatched ability to connect fashion with culture. That is what makes this partnership so exciting,” Raissa Gerona, president of Brand and Partnerships at REVOLVE Group, noted.

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Chicago Cubs infielder Alex Bregman is on the mend after taking a foul ball off his face during a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, September 20.

Bregman, 32, shared a pair of photos to his Instagram Story to show the damage of the errant ball as he waits for X-ray and CT scan results.

In each photo, his left eye is swollen shut and the cheek below is bloodied and bruised. He also has gauze in his nose in one of the pictures, which he captioned, “Thanks for all the messages yall. ​I’ll be back.”

“He got hit in the left cheekbone essentially, under the eye,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told the media on Sunday. “I don’t know anything more than that right now. He was bleeding from his nose a little. There’s some swelling. It’s a terrible, terrible accident. We hope he’s OK.”

Related: Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Hit in Face by 105 MPH Foul Ball

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Hunter Bigge is recovering in a Florida hospital after he was struck in the face by a foul ball during his team’s 4-1 loss on Thursday, June 19, to the Baltimore Orioles. Bigge, 27, dropped to the ground but never lost consciousness and was communicating with first responders, according to […]

The incident happened in the fourth inning of the Cubs’ 9-1 win over the Reds in Cincinnati. Bregman was standing in the on-deck circle as lefty Michael Busch was at the plate. Busch, 28, hit a check-swing foul ball that struck Bregman, who immediately began clutching his face. Busch dropped to his knees as the ballpark went quiet and Cubs staff tended to Bregman, who was guided off the field moments later.

“It just happens so fast,” Busch said. “[Reds pitcher Luis Mey] is throwing the ball hard and it comes off hard. Any time it enters the head area, it’s always a scary thing. We try to focus on the game, but it’s tough. Hopefully he’s OK, first and foremost.”

The Cubs have not yet determined if Bregman will be ready to play when the team takes the field again on Tuesday, September 22, at home against the Miami Marlins.

“You know, we’ve got to get good results from the hospital,” Counsell said. “He got hit in the face [so] you’re worried just about his general wellbeing first. I want to get a good report first.”

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Related: Tarik Skubal Visited Guardians’ David Fry in Hospital After Fracturing Face

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal went beyond a text message after his 99 mph fastball fractured the face of Cleveland Guardians player David Fry. Hours after the game at Cleveland’s Progressive Field on Tuesday, September 23, Skubal, 28, accepted an offer from Guardians manager Stephen Vogt to ride with him to the hospital and check […]

Bregman is in the first year of a five-year, $175 million contract that he signed with the Cubs in January. He came to Chicago after regaining his All-Star form in his lone season with the Boston Red Sox in 2025.

“You just hope your friend is OK,” Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “That’s the news that I’m hoping for. But scary stuff. Such a rarity.”

With the Cubs out of the division race and on the verge of clinching the playoffs anyway, the team can be cautious with Bregman as it jockeys for position in the wild card race. The MLB postseason begins on September 29.

Jack Haven is scrambling to meet the earnings threshold needed to keep their SAG health coverage. With the deadline looming, the Netflix actor has publicly appealed to casting professionals for a paid gig. To sweeten the pitch, Haven showcased their versatility and made it clear that almost no job is off the table.

Jack Haven Needs $4K In SAG Work By Month’s End

“Dead End: Paranormal Park” star Jack Haven is turning to the internet for work as they race to secure their health insurance.

The actor posted a YouTube video titled “Are You Casting?” explaining that they need to earn another $4,000 from SAG-covered work by the end of the month. Reaching that figure would allow Haven to qualify for SAG health insurance beginning in January.

“I’m in a bit of an emergency situation,” Haven told viewers before making a direct appeal to anyone with a production that could hire them.

Haven Says They Will Do ‘Pretty Much Any Job’

Haven wasn’t picky about the role, either, declaring, “I will do pretty much any job.”

The Netflix star then rattled off some of what they could bring to a production, saying they can sing, dance, speak softly or loudly, and perform accents. Haven even briefly demonstrated a British accent for potential employers.

They ended the roughly minute-long pitch by providing an email address for anyone with a SAG job available and stressed that the opportunity “would be very appreciated.”

Jack Haven Is Best Known For Netflix’s ‘Atypical’

Haven may be most familiar to Netflix viewers for their role as Casey Gardner on “Atypical,” which ran for four seasons.

The actor played the younger sister of the show’s central character, Sam Gardner. Casey was introduced in the series premiere as a talented high school track athlete and remained a key part of the comedy-drama through its final episode.

“Atypical” debuted on Netflix in 2017 and wrapped after four seasons in 2021, giving Haven one of the most substantial roles of their career.

Haven Said ‘Atypical’ Helped Them Embrace Their Identity

Haven has previously opened up about how playing Casey affected their life off camera.

The actor, who was then known professionally as Brigette Lundy-Paine, came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns. Speaking to Bustle the following year, Haven said their time on “Atypical” helped them embrace that part of themselves.

“I think that part of that lesson [of playing Casey is] that it’s OK to be your truth,” they explained. For Haven, that meant recognizing that they were “a queer person who doesn’t align with gender.”

Jack Haven Wants Hollywood To Move Beyond Gender Norms

Haven also challenged Hollywood’s approach to gender, arguing that characters do not need to be confined by traditional expectations.

In their 2020 Bustle interview, the actor said storytelling could focus on writing people as “people” rather than being “obsessed with reinforcing gender norms.”

Haven brought that philosophy to “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” in which they played Billie, the daughter of Keanu Reeves’ Ted “Theodore” Logan. Although the movie never explicitly addresses Billie’s gender identity, Haven approached the character as non-binary.

The actor said they did not discuss that choice with the filmmakers beforehand. Instead, Haven explained that playing characters that way had become something they did “naturally.” They saw a similar quality in Casey, telling Bustle that both characters avoided fitting neatly into a particular “gendered performance.”

The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for the two weeks starting September 21st with Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) begging his wife Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) to call off this insane surrogacy when she blindsides him.

Also coming in the two weeks of September 21st through October 2nd, we will have R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) annoying Zende Forrester (Delon de Metz) and Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) is really worried.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Carter’s Rotten Move

Let’s get into all the good stuff coming Monday, September 21st on The Bold and the Beautiful. Look for the emotional conversation between Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor), Steffy, and Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) to pick back up from Friday’s episode where Carter has Steffy pretty much cornered at her house. After Daphne got there, Carter took full advantage and he forced Steffy’s hand, put her in an impossible situation.

Because right in front of Steffy, Carter said to Daphne, “She’s going to give us a baby.” So Steffy’s looking devastated and Daphne says to Steffy, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” And Steffy tells Daphne she could never imagine sacrificing her body and giving up her child. But Steffy says for Daphne, she will do it because she’s her best friend. And Steffy says only for her. And Daphne is thanking her profusely.

B&B Spoilers: Steffy & Carter Strategize

The other option though is Steffy telling Daphne the truth that she and Carter got intoxicated and cheated thinking their marriages were over and Steffy wound up pregnant. So, it looks like Daphne takes off and then Carter sits with Steffy talking to her. So, it looks like they’re going to finalize this surrogacy plan after Carter pulled what is just essentially a dirty trick on Steffy. Also, Finn gets a warning from Taylor and she may be telling Finn to make sure he continues to keep Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) out of his life so that Steffy feels safe and Taylor may urge Finn not to let anybody come between him and Steffy.

We also have Sheila and Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) reconnecting. They’re talking at Bikini Bar and Taylor definitely is not gonna like this. Sheila says to Deacon, “I still can’t believe you proposed and the good doctor turned you down.” Taylor is not going to like Deacon and Sheila talking about Taylor’s relationship with Deacon and that she turned down his marriage proposal. I am wondering if Deacon actually tells Taylor this for a reason, you know, if he is thinking it might push her to reconsider turning down his marriage proposal.

Bold and Beautiful Spoilers: Steffy Shocks Finn

Tuesday, September 22nd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Finn is in for a shock from Steffy. And of course, this is when she tells Finn she is going to be the egg donor and the surrogate for Daphne and Carter. This blindsides Finn. It comes out of nowhere. They’ve never even discussed Steffy possibly being the donor or the surrogate. And Steffy looks distraught telling Finn the news. Also, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) gets a visit from his son-in-law, Finn, who needs advice on Tuesday. And this may be about Steffy’s surrogacy.

Finn is up in the CEO office at Forrester Creations with Ridge. And things look intense. I mean, honestly, Finn should not go to Ridge for advice on relationships. He is a train wreck known for doing women dirty and disrespecting them. Taylor already told Ridge how stressed out Steffy is.

And I’m sure Ridge is gonna blame all of it on Finn and tell him it all goes back to Sheila and Finn not being honest with Steffy about Sheila going to Monaco. And if Finn tells Ridge about Steffy doing this surrogacy, of course, Ridge is going to say she’s doing something heroic and Finn needs to suck it up and live with it. In the end, I think after all of this, Ridge is going to look very foolish when the dirty truth comes out.

B&B Spoilers: Finn Pleads with Steffy

Wednesday, September 23rd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Finn begs Steffy not to be Carter and Daphne’s surrogate. And of course, it’s understandable because this is a really difficult situation for Steffy and Finn. This is Steffy’s biological child. And as this pregnancy progresses, Steffy and Finn are going to love this baby and then they have to give it up. Even if this was a legit surrogacy, it would still be incredibly difficult for Steffy and Finn and a huge strain on their marriage.

But of course, it’s not legit. It’s a huge lie and Steffy could very well lose Finn when it all comes out. Plus, Taylor isn’t happy to hear about Sheila opening up to Deacon. So, it sounds to me like he tells Taylor he did talk to Sheila at Bikini Bar. And again, I wonder if Deacon mentions it intentionally, trying to kind of nag at Taylor. Sort of a scheme to get her to change her mind.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Katie Makes Moves

Thursday, September 24th on The Bold and the Beautiful. Katie Logan (Heather Tom) is thinking about new things she wants for Logan. And we could see Katie looking for a new couture designer as a follow on to Eric Forrester‘s (John McCook) collection. Also, the Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) versus Katie war intensifies this fall and things get really messy and this may be the start of that new drama.

R.J. and Zende begin working together on Electra Forrester‘s (Laneya Grace) new youth line. R.J. in his mind thinks he’s the head honcho and he sees him and Electra as this dream team and R.J. may want Zende to report to him which absolutely will not go over well. R.J. does not have nearly as much experience, but Ridge may actually back his son up.

Bold Spoilers: Darcy Reassures Dylan

Friday, September 25th on The Bold and the Beautiful. Darcy Dylan (Kelly Sullivan) makes clear to Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) she does not need Katie’s approval to be with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow). You know, so long as Dylan is good to Will and they’re happy, that’s all that matters to Darcy. Unfortunately, Dylan really does want Katie’s approval and she’s way out of line. That’s why Will puts Katie in her place this week and tells her if she’s going to compare Dylan to Brooke, then Will is going to compare Katie to Stephanie Forrester.

And that really ticks off Katie. But Will is absolutely right. And I think Katie is going to be irate to be compared to Stephanie. And I’m sure Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) is gonna hear about it. He may find it funny. I could totally see that because Bill likes to laugh at stuff. And to me, Electra is more like Brooke because her ego is just as huge. And Dylan to me is more like underdog Katie.

Zende’s frustrations get the better of him. I suspect R.J. is going to really annoy Zende on this youth line. But I also think that if he goes to Ridge about it, I’m quite certain that Zende is not going to get what he wants from Ridge. He’ll probably side with his precious son R.J.

B&B Spoilers: Taylor’s Insecurities Surface

September 28th through October 2nd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Taylor may start reconsidering Deacon’s proposal now that Sheila is sniffing around. We’ll see if Zende considers walking away from Forrester Creations over R.J.’s attitude. Carter and Steffy’s surrogacy scheme is heating up. They have to figure out how to fake the insemination and fake the doctor side of this because they have to do it soon since she’s already pregnant. We’re going to see Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) getting a new man in his life soon. And we should also see Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) and Deke working on a new collection in coming days.

Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda) may step back from Sheila because of the Monaco stunt she pulled on Finn. And I think we are going to see Finn worried that this surrogacy is too much on Steffy because I do think it’s going to be hard on her and Finn’s going to notice how stressed Steffy is, but with no idea it’s more about the cheating than the surrogacy. R.J. and Electra get closer and so do Will and Dylan in coming days. We’re going to get lots more scenes of Darcy and Dylan both with and without her daughter.

Brooke is back on screen and has her own new storyline soon. Katie is going to be making moves very soon that have Brooke thinking that Katie has gone too far. I really hope that she is going to be recruiting Zende over to Logan. I remember Brooke said you don’t get to hire any Forresters.