Megyn Kelly is once again weighing in on HBO’s most controversial teen drama, and this time, her sharpest criticism is aimed at one of the most talked-about new scenes on “Euphoria.” 

After the Season 3 premiere and trailer sparked backlash over Sydney Sweeney’s latest storyline as Cassie Howard, Kelly used her show to question how far the series has gone. 

Her comments reignited an already heated debate about the show’s nudity, creative choices, and where viewers believe the line should be drawn.

Megyn Kelly Says ‘Euphoria’ Crossed A Line With Sydney Sweeney’s Latest Scene

Kelly did not hold back while reacting to one of the most controversial moments from the new season of “Euphoria.” 

During Tuesday’s episode of “The Megyn Kelly Show,” the former Fox News host discussed a trailer clip showing Sweeney’s character, Cassie Howard, dressed as a baby while filming content for OnlyFans.

Kelly, who was joined by the hosts of the “Ruthless” podcast, said the imagery went far beyond provocative television. 

“The truth is – this is sexualizing infancy. That’s what this is,” Kelly said while showing an image of Sweeney’s character posed in a compromising position on a couch in a baby costume.

The clip has already stirred strong reactions online, with many fans criticizing the show’s continued use of graphic sexual imagery involving its female characters. 

In “Euphoria’s” latest storyline, Cassie is exploring a career as an OnlyFans creator, which has led to several explicit scenes in the season’s first episode and teaser.

Kelly said she was stunned that the scene made it into the show at all, especially given how widely “Euphoria” is consumed by younger audiences. 

‘Euphoria’ Creator Sam Levinson Took The Brunt Of Megyn Kelly’s Criticism

While Sweeney’s participation in the scenes surprised Kelly, most of her frustration was directed at “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson. 

The journalist accused the filmmaker of repeatedly pushing actresses into unnecessarily sexualized material and suggested his choices reflected deeper issues.

She referenced past reports that some women on the show were uncomfortable with the level of nudity required for certain scenes. According to Kelly, Levinson had a pattern of building scenes around nudity rather than using it to serve the story.

Kelly said Levinson was “injecting nudity” into moments where it did not need to exist, adding that actresses may have felt pressure to go along with it because of how valuable a breakout role on “Euphoria” could be. 

She argued that the dynamic in Hollywood often left young performers making difficult compromises in pursuit of career momentum.

Her strongest criticism was reserved for Levinson personally, calling him “at a minimum a jerk, and more than likely – a problem.” One of the “Ruthless” podcast hosts went even further, suggesting the creator may have been acting out a “sick fetish” through the production.

Kelly framed the controversy as part of a larger industry problem, saying “Euphoria’s” latest scenes show “Hollywood not understanding at all where the line is.” In her view, the baby-costume scene was not edgy storytelling but an example of television losing perspective.

‘Euphoria’s New Cassie Storyline Has Divided Fans And Critics

The backlash surrounding the latest season of “Euphoria” did not begin with Megyn Kelly’s comments. 

Since the first episode dropped on Sunday, viewers have been sharply divided over the direction of Cassie’s character and the show’s broader tone.

In Season 3, Cassie’s storyline centers on her dive into online adult content, with scenes depicting her in increasingly exaggerated sexual situations. 

One of the first episode’s most talked-about moments showed her dressed as a dog, barking for Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi. That sequence alone drew widespread discussion before the baby-costume trailer clip surfaced.

Forbes described the premiere episode as “a shadow of what it was, at best,” while The Telegraph wrote that “Euphoria” had “descended into one man’s creepy, sex-obsessed fantasy.”

Fans online have been equally blunt. Some described the trailer scenes as a “humiliation ritual,” while others called them “gross” and “nasty.” 

‘Euphoria’ Has Faced Nudity Questions Before And Sydney Sweeney Once Defended Sam Levinson

The current uproar is not the first time “Euphoria” has been accused of going too far. Since its debut, the HBO series has sparked ongoing conversations about nudity, sex, and whether its depictions are necessary or excessive.

Levinson has consistently defended his creative decisions, and he recently explained the thinking behind Cassie’s latest scenes. 

Speaking about the dog-costume sequence, he said the goal was to layer absurdity into the moment rather than simply lean into fantasy.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he explained, “What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion — the gag is to jump out, to break the wall.”

Levinson added, “We wanted to capture what she’s trying to show the audience and be inside of it, but then also pull back wider and see how depressing it is.”

Sydney Sweeney has also previously pushed back on claims that she was pressured into nudity. In a 2022 interview with The Independent, she said Levinson had always been receptive when she objected to something.

“There are moments where Cassie was supposed to be shirtless, and I would tell Sam, ‘I don’t really think that’s necessary here.’ He was like, ‘Okay, we don’t need it,’” Sweeney said.

Kelly’s latest comment about “Euphoria” is not the first time she has publicly weighed in on Sweeney. 

Over the past year, Kelly has repeatedly discussed the actress on her show, sometimes defending her and other times criticizing her choices.

Earlier this year, the 55-year-old came to the actress’s defense after she became embroiled in controversy over her American Eagle campaign built around the “good jeans/genes” tagline. 

Kelly praised Sweeney for handling the criticism “like a boss” and slammed people who attacked the campaign.

However, Kelly has also been openly critical when she felt Sweeney’s image crossed a line. In October, the media personality took issue with the actress’s see-through silver gown on the red carpet. 

“I object to this. I disapprove of the dress she wore because it’s completely see-through. You can see her entire nipples,” Kelly said at the time, per the Daily Mail.

Still, Kelly suggested Sweeney may not have had full control over the fashion choice and left open the possibility that industry pressure played a role.

The adventure genre is one of the oldest and most esteemed in cinema. From the early days of silent pictures, with beloved efforts like Douglas Fairbanks‘ The Thief of Bagdad to modern classics like Harrison Ford‘s Raiders of the Lost Ark, the adventure genre had helf an esteemed place in audiences’ hearts. It has produced some of the most significant pictures in cinematic history, and it will keep doing so for years to come.

However, not all adventure movies are made equal. Some lack the same name recognition and sheer acclaim as the efforts’ most enduring efforts, despite being just as worthy, at least quality-wise. These movies are the subject of this list, the cinematic adventures that have been all but forgotten by audiences despite aging beautifully. Like the best of grapes, these movies have ripened with age, becoming truly timeless entries into the adventure genre that deserve far more attention from fans.

‘Captain Horatio Horblower’ (1951)

Image via Warner Bros.

Advertisement

The great Gregory Peck stars in this one as the legendary fictional captain Horatio Hornblower. The film plot sees him commanding the HMS Lydia and rescuing a noblewoman, Lady Barbara Wellesley (Virginia Mayo), the sister of the Duke of Wellington. However, she’s already betrothed to Horblower’s rival, Rear Admiral Leighton (Denis O’Dea).

A classic swashbuckling tale of heroics and adventure, Captain Horatio Hornblower is a throwback to the days of cinema when movies were grand, moralistic, and crowd-pleasing. Peck is pitch-perfect as the titular character, and his romance with Mayo’s Barbara is convincing enough to give the plot a strong emotional hook. Still, the selling point here is the film’s spirit of adventure, which it proudly flaunts during the naval battles, some of which rank among cinema’s all-time best.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Advertisement

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is George Lazenby‘s only movie as James Bond, and what a movie it is. The plot sees 007 facing his archenemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who has yet another plan for world domination. However, the film is perhaps most famous for featuring Contessa Teresa di Vincenzo (Dame Diana Rigg), the one Bond Girl who actually married him.

It might seem ridiculous to suggest that a Bond movie is forgotten. However, consider that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has the fewest votes on IMDb out of all 007 movies, and you’ll see what we mean; it’s for sure the most overlooked out of all the Bond movies. It’s a shame, too, because On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has aged incredibly well, not only for Lazenby’s often-discarded performance as the most emotionally intelligent and vulnerable of them all. The central romance is also very compelling, with Rigg making Tracy a distinct Bond Girl worthy of being the only one who could tie the knot with 007.

‘Jeremiah Johnson’ (1972)

Image via Warner Bros.

Advertisement

The late great Robert Redford stars as the titular character in Sydney Pollack‘s Western adventure Jeremiah Johnson. The film centers on Johnson, a war veteran who goes to the mountains to lead a simple life. Aided by an experienced mountain man, Johnson builds a life for himself with a new wife and adopted son, only to face conflict again with a group of Crow Indians.

Today, Jeremiah Johnson is best remembered as the movie that originated that one GIF of Robert Redford smiling as the camera zooms in. However, it’s actually a subversive Western and sobering, rather insightful depiction of war trauma and the seemingly inescapable nature of conflict. Yet, it offers a hopeful look at it, including an ending that hits hard still. It’s also based on a true story, making it even more impressive.

‘The Secret of NIMH’ (1982)

Don Bluth is a giant of American animation, one of the minds behind some of the best animated movies in the 20th century. Following his departure from Disney in 1979, during which he led a mass exodus of animators, he established his company and produced his first feature, 1982’s The Secret of NIMH. Based on the children’s book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, the plot centers on a courageous mouse whose mission to save her ill son becomes entangled with the larger conflict between rats who have been scientifically experimented on.

The Secret of NIMH is dark stuff indeed, dealing with mature themes and a complex plot that remains among the most ambitious in the medium. The atmosphere is gloomy to the point of being oppressive, and the lab rats are truly disturbing at times. Yet, Bluth injects so much vibrancy with the beautiful, detailed hand-drawn animation, thus creating an exquisite visual experience that few 2D animated movies have ever been able to match. Today, as animation becomes more respected, The Secret of NIMH stands out as an ideal of what the genre can achieve when created with genuine passion.

‘The Rocketeer’ (1991)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Joe Johnston‘s The Rocketeer is among the most terribly underappreciated superhero movies ever made. Based on the eponymous character, the film stars Billy Campbell as stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who discovers a rocket pack that allows him to fly and becomes a hero. He is soon tracked by eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes (Terry O’Quinn) and the FBI, not to mention the Nazis who first stole the pack from Hughes.

The superhero boom of the 2010s has seemingly passed, and the new movies in the genre feel more by-the-numbers than ever. Thus, a picture like The Rocketeer seems outright revolutionary, thanks to its embrace of pulpy sensibilities and film serials and a singular, striking visual approach. It also feels very comics-accurate, perhaps not in its adaptation of the story, but rather in its treatment of the titular character. With its nostalgic tone and archetypal story, The Rocketeer is very much a throwback to the idealized vision that first made superheroes such enduring figures in pop culture.

‘The Triplets of Belleville’ (2003)

Image via Tartan Films

Animation has produced many modern gems, many of them sadly forgotten due to the market’s competitive nature. Among these underappreciated gems is the French 2003 adventure The Triplets of Belleville, a throwback to silent movies that uses song and pantomime to tell its story. It follows Madame Souza, who goes on a quest to rescue her Tour de France-cyclist grandson from the mob after they kidnap him. Along the way, she meets the titular sisters, music hall singers who join her.

The Triplets of Belleville was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2004, becoming one of the first indie productions to achieve the honor. The visual style is rather unique, and the music is infectious, resulting in a distinct musical adventure unlike anything you’ve seen in modern animation. Today, The Triplets of Belleville has become something of a cult classic, but its standing deserves to be far higher, especially now that animation is becoming more recognized as a genuine medium full of possibilities.

‘The Lost City of Z’ (2016)

Image via Amazon Studios

You would think that a movie starring Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, and Tom Holland would be more popular. Alas, James Gray‘s The Lost City of Z remains sadly underappreciated, even by adventure fans. Based on the real-life story of explorer Percy Fawcett, played here by Hunnam, the film chronicles his journeys to Brazil to discover a supposedly lost city deep within the Amazon, accompanied by his son, Jack (Holland), and fellow explorer Henry Costin (Pattinson).

Like many of Gray’s other movies, The Lost City of Z is a haunting but ultimately poignant portrayal of one man’s psyche, his all-consuming drive and ambition that ultimately lead him to an uncertain end. The film is grand in scope but introspective in essence, resulting in an adventure movie that sacrifices some spectacle for emotional power. The Lost City of Z is an adventure movie for the new millennium, and further proof that Gray is among the greatest auteurs working today.

Jayda Cheaves has responded to a few shady comments following her viral physical altercation in the club.

RELATED: Whew! New Angle Of Dess Dior & Jayda Cheaves’ Fight In Club Has Social Media Users Speculating It Involved Her Former Friend Emily Huff

Jayda Cheaves Responds To Shady Comments Following Her Viral Physical Altercation In Club

During the evening hours of Tuesday, April 14, Cheaves took to Instagram to share a carousel of photos with her more than 8.6 million followers. Furthermore, many of the photos showed off her soft glam session, while others appeared to show her out and about.

To note, Cheaves didn’t caption the post. But fans wasted no time dropping some shady words for her. One Instagram user, @_lifeaslaaay, wrote, “This got me in a chokehold🤭”

Cheaves apparently peeped the shade and replied:

“@_lifeaslaaay same, I’m so fckn pretty.”

Additionally, a second Instagram user, @waistsotinyy, wrote, “What happened in the clurbbb ?”

While Cheaves added:

“@waistsotinyy if u can’t go to Bella noches then where the hell can u go?????”

Swipe below to see Jayda Cheaves’ responses.

Social Media Continues To Weigh In

Social media users slid into TSR’s comment section, reacting to Jayda Cheaves’ responses to the shady comments.

More On Jayda Cheaves’ Viral Physical Altercation In Club

As The Shade Room previously reported, over the weekend, a viral video surfaced on X, formerly known as Twitter. Furthermore, the clip showed Dess Dior and Jayda Cheaves involved in a physical altercation. Noticeably, Cheaves appeared to be in a headlock by multiple people while Dior appeared to be throwing punches at an unknown individual.

The footage even sparked a reaction from Yaya Mayweather.

Then, earlier this week, another clip showing an alternative angle of the fight was released via a separate tweet. This clip showed that Cheaves appeared to walk up to a woman wearing white before the ordeal unfolded. And subsequently, internet users speculated that the woman was Emily Huff, her former friend.

To note, Huff herself even appeared to imply that it was her in the footage.

RELATED: Dis Tew Much! Internet Users Are Swarming Emily Huff’s Social Media Amid Her Liking A Comment That Asked If She “Beat” Jayda Cheaves

Alix Earle has received some unexpected support from fast food restaurant Carl’s Jr. amid her feud with Alex Cooper.

“While there seems to be plenty of beef circulating online lately, we promise ours is the juiciest. Alix’s authentic style was the perfect fit for our campaign,” a company spokesperson told TMZ on Wednesday, April 15. “She is the best in the business at post-game recovery, so it was a natural fit.”

Carl’s Jr. has collaborated with Earle, 25, on multiple Super Bowl commercials over the past few years, including a Super Bowl LX ad promoting the “Hangover Burger” in February.

“The campaign, which was focused on giving away our Hangover Burger as the post-big game recovery cure, delivered record-breaking results,” a Carl’s Jr. rep added.

Related: What Really Happened Between Alex Cooper and Alix Earle? Drama Timeline

Alex Cooper and Alix Earle seemed like the perfect duo when they initially joined forces — but the social media stars had a falling out. Cooper launched her Unwell Network in August 2023, signing Earle as her first hire. The following month, Earle’s “Hot Mess” podcast released its first episode. More than a year later, […]

Us Weekly has reached out to the company for additional comment.

At the time of Earle’s 2025 Super Bowl commercial with Carl’s Jr., there was speculation that Cooper, 31, originally wanted the gig.

However, Barstool boss Dave Portnoy insisted that Cooper told him, “If I had a gun to my head and 10 million dollars in a bag, I would not have done that Carl’s Jr. ad.”

The drama between the two influencers intensified in recent weeks when Earle liked shady videos about Cooper. The “Call Her Daddy” host broke her silence on Monday, April 13, challenging Earle to address their feud directly.

“Just say what you gotta say about me. There’s no NDA, and no one is stopping you. Stop hiding behind other people and just say it yourself. What’s the beef?” she asked.

Cooper went on, “I’m really tired of waking up and seeing you using this fake drama to distract from other s*** going online for you. Not interested. I know what happened and so do you. So talk. Unless the fake narrative that you’re creating happens to be way more interesting than the truth. I have nothing to hide when it comes to you and me.”

“Unless you actually have something to say, I’m out. This is over. Have a good Monday, everyone,” she concluded.

Earle replied directly to Cooper’s TikTok video, writing in the comments section, “OK on it!!”

The two were originally in business together when Cooper’s Unwell Network started distributing the “Hot Mess with Alix Earle” podcast in September 2023. The relationship came to an abrupt end in February 2025 when Earle stopped making new episodes.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

There have been theories about why Cooper and Earle’s business relationship soured over the past year. A source told Us on Wednesday that Unwell dropped “Hot Mess” because Cooper’s “fan base did not translate to viable listenership” and “did not have the listenership to allow the podcast to continue.”

Related: Every Celeb Who Weighed In on Alex vs. Alix — And Where Do They Stand?

Alex Cooper and Alix Earle‘s drama doesn’t just have Us talking — it also has celebrities weighing in and choosing sides. The influencers originally joined forces when Earle launched her “Hot Mess” podcast in September 2023 under Cooper’s Unwell Network. The podcast was ultimately dropped in February 2025 amid rumors of a rift between Cooper […]

Advertisement

Us reached out to Earle’s spokesperson to comment.

The drama spilled over into a war of words between Cooper and Barstool podcaster Brianna LaPaglia on Wednesday, with Cooper leaking supposed direct messages dating back two years from LaPaglia. Portnoy once again interjected, this time to defend LaPaglia.

The trailer for “As Deep as the Grave” has sparked conversation after revealing an AI-generated version of Val Kilmer in the role of a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. The film’s use of technology to recreate the late actor has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewers intrigued by the innovation while others question the impact on the future of filmmaking.

‘As Deep As The Grave’ Trailer Debuts

On April 15, the trailer for “As Deep as the Grave” was released, showing a glimpse of Val Kilmer as AI. The movie, based on a true story, focuses on Ann and Earl Morris (portrayed by Abigail Lawrite and Tom Felton, respectively), as they carry out an excavation in Arizona that leads to the discovery of sites related to Native American history.

Kilmer, who died in April 2025, plays the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. The actor, or his AI version, appeared a few times in the trailer and quickly became the point of discussion among viewers.

The Use Of AI Val Kilmer Raises Questions

Many viewers expressed concern for the movie industry, specifically for the jobs that will be replaced by AI. “This is also the inevitable future. This sort of thing will only become easier, with better results,” one user predicted.

Others, meanwhile, thought Kilmer’s appearance in the film was “creepy,” with one writing, “I don’t think I could ever watch those who have passed on in this manner. It seems… completely anti-human experience and blurs the lines of life and death in a manner I don’t like.”

“AI can finish a performance that life interrupted,” one said, comparing the technology to a “digital stunt double.” However, the user also pondered, “If actors never truly retire, even after death, where does that leave the next generation of talent?”

“People need to accept, that dying is an inevitable process.. Enjoy someone’s life work, instead of trying to extend it with AI,” another person opined.

The Actor Was Cast In The Role Before His Death

Writer and director Coerte Voorhees shared that Kilmer got the role of Father Fintan five years before he died, adding that the actor was his first choice. “It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest,” Voorhees said.

Kilmer mentioned in the past that he was part Cherokee. He was an advocate of Indigenous rights and a big supporter of Native American communities, raising awareness for the challenges faced by Native communities.

At the time of the shooting, Voorhees said that Kilmer was “going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn’t do it.” As a result, he was not able to shoot a single scene for the movie.

The Movie Was Done With Val Kilmer’s Family’s Consent

According to Voorhees, he would normally recast an actor. However, they were working on a tight budget and realized that they could rely on technology and still have Kilmer in the movie. In addition, Kilmer’s family said that the story was “important” for the late actor and “he wanted his name on it.”

“It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, okay let’s do this. Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted,” said the director.

Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, said she supported the making of the film, adding that her father “always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand possibilities of storytelling.”

Val Kilmer Was A Cancer Survivor

In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer after experiencing some symptoms, including a lump in his throat, difficulty swallowing, and the loss of his voice, which eventually led to the actor throwing up blood.

He went to the hospital after the medical emergency and was told he had throat cancer. Kilmer had a tracheotomy and also underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Years later, he shared that he was cancer-free. However, the tracheotomy damaged his throat, which affected his voice, leading him to rely on an AI-powered voice model when he reprised his role as Tom Kazansky in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” his final film role.

Kilmer died of pneumonia on April 1, 2025, at 65 years old, surrounded by close friends and family.

American Pie star Shannon Elizabeth has officially joined OnlyFans at age 52.

“I’m choosing OnlyFans because it allows me to connect directly with my audience, create on my own terms, and just be free,” Elizabeth, 52, told People in an interview published on Wednesday, April 15. “I really do think this is the future.”

Fans will be able to subscribe to her OnlyFans account beginning Thursday, April 16. Speaking to the outlet, Elizabeth expressed excitement to show a different side of herself than many longtime fans have seen before.

“I’ve spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career,” she explained. “This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans.”

Elizabeth rose to fame playing exchange student Nadia in the raunchy 2000 teen comedy American Pie and its subsequent sequels. She also appeared in Scary Movie, Love Actually and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back at the height of her 2000s fame, in addition to landing a recurring role on That ’70s Show from 2003 to 2005.

The actress later took up poker as a side career and has made it to the World Series of Poker on multiple occasions.

More recently, Elizabeth revealed in March that she wasn’t asked back to reprise her role as Buffy Gilmore in the Wayans family’s revival of Scary Movie.

Marlon, Shawn, Keenen Ivory and Craig Wayans have all returned to cowrite and produce the newest Scary Movie installment, with Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Chris Elliott, Marlon and Shawn all set to reprise their classic roles.

Elizabeth told Entertainment Tonight that she “absolutely” would have returned to play Buffy once again, admitting, “I was really hoping to be a part of it but I didn’t get the call.”

“I’ll be watching it like a fan, with everyone else,” she added. “I think watching everyone together again will be really special.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Scary Movie producer and star Marlon subsequently revealed to The Shade Room in March that there’s always a chance for Elizabeth to return in a future sequel.

“Love Shannon, definitely wasn’t personal,” he insisted. “But it was too many people coming back. The franchise ain’t going anywhere so maybe down the line somewhere.”

The long-awaited sequel — the sixth in the franchise — will introduce a new generation of Wayans family members to the franchise, as In Loving Color star Kim Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr. and Gregg Wayans — son of Deidra Wayans and nephew of Keenen, Damon Sr., Shawn, Kim and Marlon — have joined the cast. Other newcomers include former Saturday Night Live cast member Heidi Gardner and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Olivia Rose Keegan.

By Charlene Badasie
| Published 25 seconds ago

The popular 2019 horror film Vivarium is currently streaming on Tubi. The project was developed by Lorcan Finnegan, who directed the film from a screenplay by Garret Shanley. The movie stars Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg as Gemma and Tom, a young couple who are searching for their dream home. Their peculiar real estate agent takes them to a suburban housing development called Yonder.

House Hunting Is Always A Nightmare

Upon entering the neighborhood, they become trapped in an eerie, labyrinthine maze of identical houses. Their attempts to leave prove futile as every road leads them back to their original house. Gemma and Tom eventually find a mysterious box with specific instructions for its content. If they don’t do as they are told, they will be trapped forever.

As time passes, Gemma and Tom’s relationship deteriorates, and they become increasingly desperate to escape the bizarre suburban nightmare and unravel the true nature of their predicament. The inspiration for Vivarium came from Finnegan’s own house-hunting experience, coupled with his fascination with the concept of suburbia as a claustrophobic and oppressive setting.

The Hidden Horrors Of Suburbia

The film’s production design played a crucial role in creating the monotonous and unsettling atmosphere. The uniformity of the houses was achieved by constructing a single house and duplicating it multiple times using visual effects.

The distorted portrayal of suburban life in Vivarium serves as a commentary on conformity, societal expectations, and the dehumanizing aspects of modern society.

The movie’s title, Vivarium, refers to an enclosed environment designed for the observation and study of living organisms. The film premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top prize. Following the acquisition of distribution rights by Saban Films and Vertigo Releasing, it was released in the United States in March 2020.

The Illusion Of Safety Dismantled

Vivarium had a simultaneous limited theatrical and video-on-demand release. It received generally positive reviews from critics. The film currently holds a rating of 73 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s critical consensus describes the movie as a well-acted sci-fi/horror hybrid with exciting ideas that it explores with style.

Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg were also praised for their ability to convey the growing desperation and frustration of their characters. The film’s unique concept, atmospheric cinematography, and eerie tone were also well-received. However, some viewers felt that the movie’s metaphorical themes were heavy-handed and that the narrative became repetitive in its execution.

The suburbs have been a favored setting for horror movies for a long time. This seemingly idyllic environment, with its illusion of safety, neatly manicured lawns, and picket fences, provides a perfect backdrop for filmmakers to tap into universal fears while delivering spine-chilling stories that leave audiences at the edge of their seats.

The biggest reason the suburbs work well as a setting for horror is due to the familiar-turned-eerie factor. As seen in Vivarium’s opening sequence, suburban neighborhoods are associated with security and normalcy, making it all the more unsettling when their perceived illusion of peace and comfort are shattered by terrifying events.

The dark underbelly of suburbia is another aspect horror movies exploit. Horror movies often delve into the secrets, hidden evil, and dysfunctional dynamics that exist within suburban communities. This contrast between the surface appearance and the hidden darkness fuels a sense of dread and suspense, inviting viewers to explore the sinister side of a seemingly idyllic life.

More Suburban Horror Movies To Check Out

Along with Vivarium, a few other notable examples of horror films set in suburbia include 1982’s Poltergeist. This classic film, directed by Tobe Hooper, follows a suburban family whose life is disrupted by evil spirits in their home. The Stepford Wives, based on the novel by Ira Levin, explores the eerie concept of a suburban town where the wives are replaced with robotic duplicates.

The Babadook, released in 2014, is an Australian psychological horror film directed by Jennifer Kent. It revolves around a widow and her young son who encounter an evil entity in their suburban home. The movie uses the suburban setting to explore grief, isolation, and the psychological toll it takes on the characters.

Since horror in suburbia is such a popular sub-genre, Vivarium starring Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg, is definitely worth a look while it’s still streaming on Tubi.

Peacock recently and surprisingly brought its critically acclaimed detective series Poker Face to an end after two seasons, prompting many to wonder if a similar fate would befall its new successor. Thankfully, after a well-received and decently performing first season, the streamer’s newest hit will return for a second chapter. Peacock has officially renewed The ‘Burbs for Season 2, giving the Keke Palmer-led reboot of the Tom Hanks cult classic a quick vote of confidence just over two months after its February 8 premiere. That fast turnaround is interesting.

Usually, streamers let audience response settle before making a decision, especially with a reboot of a cult title that already carries comparison baggage. Here, though, Peacock seems to have moved fast, which suggests the show did enough early to justify keeping the experiment alive. According to a new report, the series opened with eight episodes and reportedly debuted in the Top 10 on Peacock over four weeks, giving NBCUniversal a solid internal case to keep building the property. The renewal also says a lot about how Peacock sees the show strategically. The ’Burbs already had a recognizable title, a contemporary suburban-mystery setup, and a cast with enough range to sell both comedy and menace. So that probably added to its fast renewal, too.

Keke Palmer gave the reboot instant visibility, while Jack Whitehall, Julia Duffy, Paula Pell, Mark Proksch, and Kapil Talwalkar help round out the ensemble. Not to mention the interesting premise that leans into present-day suburbia, where a young couple’s move to the husband’s childhood home turns ugly after a mysterious new neighbor arrives and old cul-de-sac secrets start surfacing. It gives Peacock a series that can play as dark comedy, neighborhood satire, and thriller all at once.

‘The ‘Burbs’ First Rose to Fame Thanks to Tom Hanks’ Original 1989 Film

The original 1989 version worked as a one-shot suburban panic comedy, built around Tom Hanks and the slow collapse of everyday normalcy on a single street. The new series has a different job. It is taking that same suspicious-neighbor DNA and stretching it into an ongoing story built for streaming, which means deeper ensemble work, longer-running secrets, and a tone that can keep shifting between comedy, satire, and danger over multiple episodes. On Rotten Tomatoes, the 1989 film is at 58% with critics and 71% with audiences, while The ’Burbs Season 1 currently sits at 78% with critics and 68% with audiences.

The ‘Burbs is available to stream on Peacock. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

February 8, 2026

Network

Peacock

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement