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By Chris Snellgrove
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In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel is a character stricken by a very specific curse: as a vampire, one of his victims’ families gives him his soul back, forcing him to constantly experience the crushing guilt of everyone he has ever hurt or killed. To make things worse, there was a catch to this curse that served to twist the knife in Angel’s heart. Specifically, if he ever experiences a moment of true happiness, he would lose his soul and once again become Angelus, one of the scariest vampires the planet had ever known.
All of this makes Angel (played by David Boreanaz) one of the most complex and fascinating characters in television history, and many Buffy fans have wondered where showrunner Joss Whedon got the idea for this gut-wrenching curse. But you don’t have to look far to discover the answer: as it turns out, Whedon drew inspiration from one of the most famous stories in all of literature. You see, Angel’s curse is very similar to what we see in the tale of Faust, better known as the original “deal with the devil” story.

If your memories of English class are a little fuzzy, here’s a quick primer: Faust was originally a German legend about a man who, despite his success, simply wanted more out of life. In order to get it, he made a deal with the devil in which he would get all of the worldly knowledge and pleasures that he could ever want. But after a life of experiencing what amounted to Heaven on Earth, his soul would go straight to Hell once he died.
Multiple authors have adapted this German folktale, and the most famous was created by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He added his own twists to Faust’s pact with the devil, including Faust making a very special wager: he will become a servant in Hell only if the Devil can provide him with a moment of true happiness that he would want to last forever. This unexpectedly happens when Faust begins dreaming of people working together to make the world a better place; this moment of happiness damns his soul, but he is effectively saved by God, who rewards Faust with salvation because of his righteous dream of human harmony.

Needless to say, there is plenty of parallelism between what happens to Goethe’s Faust and what happens to Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Once his soul is restored, Angel does his best to atone for all the terrible acts that he committed as a vampire. But once he experiences a moment of true happiness (which happened, awkwardly enough, during sex with Buffy), he loses his soul, becoming once more a terrible monster who damns himself with each transgressive act.
Arguably, Angel is also the beneficiary of the same divine grace that saved Faust: after losing his soul and becoming Angelus, he enacts a plan meant to plunge the entire world into Hell. Buffy stops him, but only after Willow successfully restores his soul. This leads to the most heartbreaking moment in the entire series, in which Buffy has to kill the only man she has ever loved, sending him to a hell dimension in order to save every human on the planet.

He is inexplicably resurrected in Season 3, and there is never an official explanation given for who or what brings him back from Hell. But one very prominent fan theory is that he was brought back by The Powers That Be, the same mysterious group of cosmic powerhouses who ensured Angel met Buffy. Later, they gave prophetic visions to Doyle, the demon who helped Angel become a champion of the helpless once he moved to Los Angeles.
Angel was originally condemned to Hell thanks to a very Faustian curse, and he may have been saved in the same way: by divine powers that rewarded his dream of making the world a better place. Either way, it’s clear that the tale of the most iconic vampire in Buffy the Vampire Slayer was influenced by the original deal with the devil story, one that has been influencing storytellers for centuries. Even though most fans never clocked it, this means that the hottest TV show of the ‘90s is forever connected to a German folktale that became popular nearly 500 years ago!
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When it comes to warm-weather style, Jessica Alba always seems to get it right — and her latest sundress look is the perfect example. Floaty, feminine and easy to throw on, it’s the ultimate spring and summer dress to whip out for special occasions and everyday outings alike.
Alba’s exact sundress is from Zimmermann, which retails for about $1,325 — ouch. Thankfully, the Prettygarden Boho Maxi Dress delivers a similar breezy silhouette and easy elegance — all for just $35. Anyone wearing this dress in warm weather would appreciate its airy silhouette and flowy shape that moves beautifully and creates that relaxed, warm-weather vibe. And at this price, what’s not to love?
Get the Prettygarden Boho Maxi Dress for $34 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
While there are some notable differences between Alba’s dress and the Prettygarden Boho Maxi Dress on Amazon, it’s similar in the overall vibe and color scheme. One of the standout features of this sundress is its flattering A-line shape, which gently skims the body before flowing outward for an easy, feminine finish. It doesn’t add any bulk, making it especially flattering because it defines the waist while keeping the overall fit relaxed and comfortable.
It’s that classic balance of structure and softness that gives the dress a timeless feel. The dress is also fully lined, which helps add an extra layer for coverage so that it doesn’t feel too sheer.
Whether you’re heading to brunch, a beachside dinner or just running errands in sandals and sunglasses, you’ll love its versatility: pair it with flat sandals and a tote for daytime, or switch to wedges and gold jewelry for a more elevated feel.
One Amazon reviewer said it’s “so comfortable [you’ll] want to wear it everywhere,” while another shopper said that “every time [they] wear this dress, [they] have received compliments.”
If Alba’s cutesy summer style has been living rent-free in your head, this $35 sundress is an easy way to channel the same breezy, polished vibe without the designer price tag. Shop the Prettygarden Boho Maxi Dress and see why it’ll become an instant summer staple!
Get the Prettygarden Boho Maxi Dress for $34 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more boho maxi dresses here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
While nearly all of the past Bachelorettes reunited ahead of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season 22, a few leading ladies were noticeably missing — and still showed their support with a sweet virtual message.
“There are some people who couldn’t be here, so I have something to show you,” Trista Sutter explained to Taylor in The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose, which aired on Sunday, March 15, before playing clips from her phone.
“Hi Taylor, it’s Jillian Harris here. I’m so happy for you,” season 5 lead Jillian Harris said. “Here’s some advice. I didn’t shave my legs on the very first date and we ended up having a pool party and I ended up on Jason Mesnick’s shoulders with hairy legs, so shave your legs and embrace the moment. Good luck, and I’m sending you tons of love from Canada.”
Trista began laughing as Taylor put her hand over her face and smiled. “Hi Taylor, it’s Jenn. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there today with you,” season 21’s Jenn Tran said, while the Eiffel Tower was visible in the background of her video. “I’m so excited for you. In those moments where I was really pushed past my limits, that was when I discovered some of the most beautiful things about myself. And trust your heart, as cliche as that sounds.”
Trista and 17 former leads — Meredith Phillips, DeAnna Pappas, Ali Fedotowsky-Manno, Ashley Hebert-Rosenbaum, Emily Maynard-Johnson, Desiree Siegfried, Andi Dorfman-Hart, Kaitlyn Bristowe, JoJo Fletcher, Rachel Lindsay, Becca Kufrin, Hannah Brown-Woolard, Tayshia Adams, Katie Thurston, Rachel Recchia, Charity Lawson and Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos — surprised Taylor in the Bachelor Mansion the night of her first rose ceremony.
The group fittingly showed up in matching red, monogrammed sweat sets, which Kaitlyn explained it is because they know “Taylor likes her sweatpants.”
“I’m so excited to welcome her into the sisterhood of The Bachelorette,” Trista said in a confessional. “I’m here with Kaitlyn, Rachel and Ashley and DeAnna and Desiree. Joan is here. We’ve got almost all of us.”
Jen Schefft (season 3), Clare Crawley (season 16), Michelle Young (season 18) and Gabby Windey (season 19) were seemingly absent. Ahead of the reunion, Clare explained why she decided to skip returning to the iconic mansion.
“I was super sick. The producers asked me to come, and I thought about it since it would be nice to see all the ladies,” Clare said in a February Instagram Story, explaining that she changed her mind after allegedly being told “to rehash things from six years ago.” She added, “Hard pass.”
Joan, meanwhile, exclusively told Us Weekly in December 2024 that the reunion was “crazy.”
“It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I feel like I know them, like, I’ve watched all their seasons, but never met so many of them in person. I’m hopeful for Taylor. She is a genuinely nice human who is unapologetically herself,” Joan said, noting that most of the Bachelorettes are part of a group chat together. “It centers around life events, like, somebody’s pregnant, somebody’s getting married, ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ — just what you send to your close friends. You have this group of people that have done this weird thing that you’ve done. It’s a unique group.”
The Bachelorette season 22 premieres on ABC Sunday, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET and streams the next day on Hulu.
Multiple award winners got bleeped while giving their acceptance speeches at the 2026 Oscars.
The first censored moment of the night came when costume designer Kate Hawley let out a curse word while thanking her family after winning for her work on Frankenstein.
“And my family, who’ve put up with a lot of s*** over the years,” Hawley said while getting bleeped during the live moment.
Later in the evening, Mike Hill also swore while accepting Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Frankenstein.
Keep scrolling to see who was bleeped during the Oscars:
Kate Hawley won for Best Costume Design for Frankenstein. Her speech began with a touching tribute to her team.
“On behalf of myself and the amazing team that I work with — the artisans, the alchemists, the dream weavers — we’re so grateful to The Academy for recognizing our craft,” she said before expressing her gratitude for director Guillermo del Toro. “Thank you for the vision and for taking us on your journey. It’s been a great privilege to be part of it. All our nominations are your nominations. We share this with you.”
Hawley also gave “a big shout-out to our fantastic cast” before thanking her family.
“And my family, who’ve put up with a lot of s*** over the years …” she said, getting bleeped before concluding, “I’m so, so grateful, and thank you very much for recognizing our craft.”

Mike Hill won for Best Makeup and Hairstyling alongside Jordan Samuel and Cliona Fuery for Frankenstein. Before giving his speech, Hill struggled to get his glasses out of his suit pocket, leading him to swear and get bleeped. After recovering from the moment, Hill spoke from the heart.
“It’s such an honor to be here. Thank you so much,” Hill said. “While we were making this film, we had the sense we were part of something very special, and tonight really confirms that, so thanks.”

Gwendolyn Yates Whittle was one of the winners for Best Sound for F1. She appeared on stage alongside colleagues Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan Peralta. When it was Whittle’s time to speak, she seemingly cursed while attempting to recite from memory. After getting bleeped, she apologized and read from her prepared statement instead.
“Sorry. I’m sorry! Our gratitude goes to our partners, our parents, our children, our grandchildren. Movies are made for you,” she read. “Go see the blockbusters, go see the independents. Be inspired, go with friends, get a fresh point of view.”
While everyone has been trying to pinpoint who will win Best Lead Actor and Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards, some fans have been more focused on the race for Best Director. The award itself is rich in history, and there have been some incredible wins in recent years, such as Christopher Nolan finally winning for his work on Oppenheimer. He could even be in line for another nomination and maybe another win for his work directing The Odyssey this summer. There have been some shocking wins and losses in the Best Director category over the years, including John Madden winning for Shakespeare in Love in 1999, in a year when many felt Steven Spielberg should have claimed gold for Saving Private Ryan. Even Kathryn Bigelow winning for The Hurt Locker came as a surprise, especially considering that James Cameron’s Avatar came out the same year.
This year’s roster of talent competing for Best Director is as strong as it’s ever been, with Ryan Coogler earning his first nomination for his work directing the critically acclaimed vampire horror hit, Sinners. Previous winner of the award, Chloé Zhao, has also been recognized for her work directing Hamnet, the historical epic starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. Josh Safdie has earned his first nomination for directing Marty Supreme, the Timothée Chalamet-starring ping pong biopic brought to the big screen by A24. Paul Thomas Anderson has earned his fourth Best Directing Oscar for helming One Battle After Another, and Joachim Trier has been recognized for directing Sentimental Value. The Academy decided to give the award to Paul Thomas Anderson for directing One Battle After Another, which surprisingly marks the legendary filmmaker’s first-ever Academy Award for Best Director, and his second Oscar ever after winning Best Adapted Screenplay earlier in the night.
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It’s too early to know who will be nominated for Best Director in 2027, but there are a few favorites who are likely to be recognized. Early word is that Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will earn a nomination for their work directing Project Hail Mary, and Steven Spielberg could easily earn a nod for his return to sci-fi with Disclosure Day. Denis Villeneuve will also likely be recognized for directing the third Dune movie later this year. Other potential nominees will become clearer throughout the year as more films are released.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the 2026 Oscars.
April 18, 2025
138 minutes
Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler
Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Ryan Coogler
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Wintour and Hathaway took the Oscars stage to present Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Sentimental Value star Renate Reinsve appeared to narrowly avoid a wardrobe malfunction while on stage at the 2026 Oscars.
Reinsve, 38, joined the cast of Sentimental Value on stage after they won the award for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15. While listening to director Joachim Trier give his acceptance speech, the actress could be seen holding the front and back of her dress, seemingly to prevent it from falling down due to someone else stepping on the gown’s train.
Reinsve could then be seen giggling as she adjusted her dress while walking off the stage.
Reinsve wore a red custom Louis Vuitton asymmetrical strapless dress with a slit all the way up to her right hip and a long train on the left. She paired the gown with matching Giuseppe Zanotti heels and a silver bracelet. The ensemble was styled by Karla Welch.
“Hang in it the Louvre 🌹,” Welch captioned a photo of Reinsve’s bare legs as stylists strapped up her shoes.
Reinsve stars in Sentimental Value, a Norwegian drama, as Nora, who reunites with estranged father Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) alongside her sister, Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas). Elle Fanning also stars in the movie as a famous actress hired to play the lead in Gustav’s new film.
In addition to Best International Feature Film, Sentimental Value was nominated for Best Directing, Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Writing (Original Screenplay) and Best Film Editing.

“This film is about a very dysfunctional family, and it’s the opposite of what I felt with this beautiful group behind me,” Trier, 52, said in his acceptance speech on Sunday. “I think I’ve made films to feel at home with people, and I’ve really felt at home with the crew. There’s 1,072 people in these credits, and I love them all and I share this with them. The cast behind me, I’ve never been so proud. Thanks for wanting to work with me.”
The filmmaker continued, “Because I’m in this category, I feel I represent global filmmakers, and in a moment like this, I just wanna recognize the wonderful films we were nominated together with. Important, beautiful films that reflect our present crisis and the crisis of the past. And I want to end by paraphrasing the wonderful American writer James Baldwin, who makes us remember that all adults are responsible for all children, and let’s not vote for politicians who don’t take this seriously into account.”
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The ballerina joined Miles Caton and fellow ‘Sinners’ cast members onstage for a performance of “I Lied to You” from the Oscar-nominated film.
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The first award for Best Casting comes amid the Academy’s initiatives to diversify its voting ranks and competitive brackets.
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The “One Battle After Another” star previously won Oscars for “Mystic River” and “Milk.”
After Timothée Chalamet took aim at the ballet and opera communities, that was pretty much all the 2026 Oscar attendees could speak about.
“Security is extremely tight tonight,” host Conan O’Brien opened his Sunday, March 15, monologue. “I’m told there’s concerns about a tax from both the opera and ballet communities.”
Chalamet, nominated for leading actor for his role in Marty Supreme, recently proclaimed that he wasn’t interested in either art form.
“Some people want to be entertained quickly. I’m really right in the middle because I admire people [saying], ‘Hey, we gotta keep movie theaters alive. We gotta keep this genre alive,’” Chalamet told Variety in February. “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.”
Chalamet, whose grandmother and mother are retired ballerinas, quickly walked back his comments and gave “all respect to the ballet and opera people out there.”
“Damn, I just took shots for no reason,” the actor quipped.
Chalamet didn’t further address the controversy in the lead-up to the Oscars or at the ceremony itself.
Keep scrolling for a guide to all the ballet and opera mentions at the 2026 Academy Awards:
Oscars host Conan O’Brien couldn’t resist adding in a joke about Timothée Chalamet’s comments in his monologue.
“Security is extremely tight tonight. I just got to mention that,” O’Brien said. “I’m told there’s concerns about a tax from both the opera and ballet communities.”
O’Brien paused as the camera panned over to Chalamet, who coyly laughed off the reference.
“They’re just mad you left out jazz,” O’Brien added.

During the Sinners musical tribute, the cast was accompanied by Misty Copeland for its rendition of “I Lied To You.” (Copeland was the first Black principal at the American Ballet Theatre before her retirement in 2025.)
“That’s definitely how it seems, but it was not at all,” Copeland told Vogue ahead of Sunday’s performance, denying her performance was a rebuttal to Timothée Chalamet. “I had agreed to do this before any of this stuff was happening and had blown up the way that it has.”
The Best Live Action Short Film was awarded to The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva. During the latter’s acceptance speech, Alexandre Singh touched on the two art forms.
“We believe that art can change people’s souls,” Singh said in his speech. “Maybe it takes 10 years time but we can change society through art, through creativity [and] through theater and ballet … and also cinema.”

On the red carpet, Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary speculated that Timothée Chalamet’s comment wouldn’t have an impact on his chances at winning an Oscar.
“I just put 1,000 bucks on [betting app] Kalshi walking in here that he’s gonna win,” O’Leary told Variety. “Because I know the voting stopped long before that controversy happened. He’s a really great guy, his mother’s really nice. The kid is a great kid. He took a bum rap on that. By the way, he gave a lot of promo to opera houses and ballet.”
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