Magic is an integral part of the fantasy genre, and is often the driving force behind many of a fantasy story’s core events. In fantasy literature, these systems of magic are generally divided into two categories: hard or soft magic. Hard magic means it is a complex magic system with specific rules and drawbacks, with soft magic systems being freer, loosely defined, and easier to use.

Likewise, fantasy is commonly divided into two types: high and low. High fantasy is set in a world separate from that of our own, with its own set of rules, whereas low fantasy often intertwines with our own world. High fantasy tends to make use of hard magic systems a lot, and this is seen in movies, books, and TV shows. In fact, many high fantasy TV shows have really imaginative or interesting magic systems, which serve as one of the best parts of the series.

‘The Color of Magic’ (2008)

Image via Sky1

The Color of Magic is a two-part miniseries based on the first Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. The series is primarily a fantasy-comedy, one that satirizes and parodies standard fantasy tropes to a ridiculous degree. The universe gets its name from the shape of the planet: it is a flat disc which sits on the backs of four giant elephants, which in turn sit on the back of a giant sea turtle flying through space. Sound absurd? It’s supposed to.

The Color of Magic is part of the wizard-themed subseries of the entire saga, meaning magic is delved into heavily. The magic system of Discworld is loaded with irony. First, the primary job of a wizard isn’t even to use magic, because magic is often extremely cumbersome to use, complex, and hard to control, often resulting in disaster. In this series, wizards treat magic like loading a musket. They go through a complex series of mathematical calculations to lock the spell in their brain for future use. When they need it, they use it, and it’s gone in seconds. Then they have to repeat the process all over again. Moreover, it often leaves one physically exhausted. It’s funny how lame magic actually is in Discworld, but it’s also an interesting and unique concept.

‘Dragon Age: Absolution’ (2022)

Image via Netflix

Dragon Age: Absolution received mixed reviews from audiences, since it is, after all, a video game adaptation. A lot of video game adaptations are pretty terrible. Whatever you think about this show, the magic system it borrows from the world of the games is pretty spectacular. See, in the Dragon Age universe, magic comes from a limbo-like dimension known as the Fade, which is tied to the world of dreams.

This means that only sapient species that can dream can use magic. Dwarves, for example, cannot dream, and thus, cannot use magic. Those who can access magic are born with the innate gift of it — it is not something that can be learned or acquired. The way spells work is that the magic user reaches through the Veil, drawing energy from the Fade, and using it to warp reality and physics to their will. This, like many RPG games, comes at the expense of mana, a magical energy similar to one’s stamina. The miniseries doesn’t delve into this too deeply, but the games do, and, while it might be very similar to other magic systems in fiction, it’s still interesting.

‘The Witcher’ (2019–Present)

Image via Netflix

The Witcher is one of those shows that’s had a less-than-impressive reception over the years, although it was loved during its first season. The series is based on the novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, so the show, appropriately, borrows its magic system from that. There are two major veins of magic in this world, which are used by two drastically different types of individuals.

The first is the magic used by the titular Witchers. This magic form is incredibly simple, with all Witchers having access to it, a privilege that they earn in the process of becoming a Witcher. To cast spells, they write a rune in the air, with each rune representing its own spell. For example, a fire rune will cast a fire spell. The second form of magic is that used by mages and sorceresses, which is a more classic magic system. These people tap into their own life force to cast spells, which are highly unstable and require exceptional control, so this is only limited to a few individuals. The magic isn’t too deep in this show, but it is fun to watch, and it really makes you feel the gravity and chaos of using it.

‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)

Image via Toei Animation

There’s some debate about whether the magic system in One Piece is even a magic system at all. It’s pretty simplistic, but it stands out amongst the others because of how truly unique it is. In this world, pirates rule the seas, many of them possessing magical or supernatural powers. However, these are not gifts given naturally. See, one can only gain these powers by eating Devil Fruits, which are surprisingly common.

Most people choose not to indulge in Devil Fruit, though. This is because there is only one kind of each fruit, meaning each individual fruit grants a unique ability. Once a person has claimed it, they will be the only person in the world with that power. As a result, there is no telling what ability one will get — some abilities are pretty volatile and are more dangerous to oneself than to others. On top of that, eating the fruit will curse the consumer, meaning they will lose their ability to swim, and will never be able to relearn how. This is obviously not a good idea in a primarily oceanic world. What’s great about this magic system is that it’s simple, but there’s also a genuine risk to using it, clearly explaining why not everyone is capable of it.

‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

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The Legend of Vox Machina is actually based on a custom Dungeons & Dragons campaign played by the Critical Role podcast. What’s pretty neat is that the podcast members actually voice their in-game characters in the show. That aside, the fact that it is based on one of the most iconic tabletop role-playing games means that the magic system used in the show works much the same way as it does in the RPG.

There are three schools of magic: arcane, divine, and natural. Arcane magic is basically shooting magic missiles, enchanting items, and using magical energy itself. Divine magic is more about casting miracles, relying on the power of deities and the light. Lastly, natural magic concerns the elements, especially manipulating the earth or plants. While it might not be an original magic system since it’s borrowed from the RPG it’s based on, it’s so classic that it’s hard not to love it.

‘The Shannara Chronicles’ (2016–2017)

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Magic in The Shannara Chronicles comes from the book series of the same name by Terry Brooks. Although, it should be noted that this show is technically low fantasy, since it takes place on Earth, thousands of years after a nuclear apocalypse. However, many still consider it high fantasy since this Earth barely resembles the one we currently know. In any event, the source of magic comes from deep within the Earth itself — an ancient and mystical force that is tied to faerie culture.

Magic manifests in many ways. There are magical talismans, which only work in the hands of the gifted, and there is the traditional form of magic casting. However, this is very unpredictable and dangerous, and requires highly-specialized training in order to wield effectively without accidentally blowing yourself up or dying of exhaustion. There’s also dark magic, which draws upon the power of the Void. It’s a bit complex to explain in full detail here, but needless to say, not everyone is born with the ability to access this. The books explain it in more detail, and while it is pretty traditional in the fantasy world, it’s still entertaining.

‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)

Image via Netflix

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Shadow and Bone is based on a novel series by Leigh Bardugo, which occurs in her expansive universe known as the Grishaverse. Sadly, the show was cancelled due to low viewership. Still, this is a treatment it didn’t deserve, because people loved its witty dialogue, immersive world, and intriguing magic system. Magical individuals are called Grisha, who divide themselves into three orders.

There are the Corporalki, who manipulate the human body. Some can change their shape, some serve as healers, and others use it as a weapon. Then there are the Etherealki, who can summon aspects of nature, such as light, shadow, air, and fire. Lastly, there are the Materialki, who can manipulate things like metal, poison, and stone. Each order has their own suborders based on what they can control. Interestingly, the magic is performed via hand gestures, so if a Grisha’s hands are bound, they are unable to use magic. This is actually quite a unique one that suits its universe perfectly, and that is fun to not only imagine, but to see play out on screen.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

The magic in Avatar: The Last Airbender is admittedly, pretty simplistic, but that’s what makes it so great. You have to understand that this is primarily a show geared towards kids, so simplicity is strength. The series takes place on a continent consisting of four nations. Each of the four nations corresponds to one of the four elements, i.e., air, earth, fire, and water. Certain gifted individuals born on these continents, known as “benders,” can manipulate the element of their nation.

For example, a gifted person from the Water Nation would be able to bend water. What’s notable is that most benders cannot conjure their elements from thin air; they can only manipulate what already exists around them. Firebenders seem to be able to conjure fire, but that’s about it. Earthbenders must use the rocks beneath their feet, water benders must use a nearby water source, and airbenders use the surrounding air. Amongst them all, however, is the eponymous Avatar, a chosen one destined to master the art of bending in all four elements, and bring peace to the land. If you weren’t a child of the 2000s, you likely won’t understand the impact the magic in this show had. Playground debates and discussions were everywhere about which element was best. It’s simple, but it works, and that’s why people love this one.

‘The Dragon Prince’ (2018–2024)

Image via Netflix

In The Dragon Prince, there are three major sapient species: the humans, the elves, and, of course, the dragons. However, only elves and dragons are able to use magic. This actually causes humanity to begin a war with dragons and elves, which is pretty ill-advised. Let’s face it, having a non-magical force go up against two magical forces is probably not going to end well. However, magic can still be accessed by humans via Primal stones, it’s just that humans are the only species that doesn’t have the innate ability.

Anyway, there are two forms of magic: Primal magic, and Dark magic, with Primal being the most common kind. Primal magic is derived from six Primal sources: the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth, the ocean, and the stars. In order to make the magic physically manifest into a spell, one must draw a rune into the air and utter an incantation in Ancient Draconic, the language of dragons. It might be a bit of an amalgamation of a bunch of different fantasy magic systems throughout literature, but the show makes it its own by adding a special flair to it.

‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021–2025)

Image via Prime Video

The Wheel of Time is another series that’s technically low fantasy since it is set in our world, (albeit thousands of years in the future). However, it’s so far removed from reality that many consider it high fantasy anyway. The magic in this show comes from the original novel series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. It starts off with one’s innate ability. Every individual has a unique power level, some being very gifted, others, not so much.

The magic is the One Power, which has two halves: saidar and saidin. Saidar is the female half, which only women can access, whilst saidin is the male half. However, saidin has been tainted by the Dark One, meaning any man who can access the One Power is doomed to lose his mind eventually. The way magic actually works is that gifted individuals, called Channelers, tap into the One Power, and weave magical threads consisting of five elements: fire, air, earth, water, and spirit. Combining the elements can give different effects or weaves. The magic is directly tied to one’s energy, meaning it is completely possible, and not uncommon, for one to actually die from exhaustion from channeling too much. The whole concept of threads and weaving comes from the title itself, with time being a spinning wheel or loom rather than a wheel from a vehicle. The show never really got the chance to delve into it too much, but the magic system is moderately complex, and is one of the most iconic magic systems in all of fantasy.

Candiace Dillard Bassett announced her exit from “The Real Housewives of Potomac” in 2024. Since then, she and former costar Ashley Darby have remained on bad terms. Now, ahead of them both appearing on “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” the former “RHOP” star is giving an update on where they stand.

Bassett interviewed with Kevin Bobby while at LA Pride in June 2026. During the short chat, the reporter mentioned Bassett’s run-in with Darby and Gizelle Bryant for “Ultimate Girls Trip.” Specifically, he asked if there was any chance of reconciling with the two “RHOP” stars.

She said, “What I’ll say about Ashley is that we’ve had some calm conversations and I think my time away from the show has shown me- I think she and I can have a mutual understanding.” After that, Bassett had warm wishes for Darby.

The singer and reality star continued, “I wish her well as a mom, and figuring out her new life outside of her marriage and finding peace.” She went on to essentially congratulate her former foe after her years-long divorce from Michael Darby before saying, “Happy Pride, perhaps subtly hinting at rumors of the former husband’s sexuality.

Candiace Previously Celebrated Darby’s Breakup

Darby went through her breakup in April 2022. After that, Bassett appeared on “Watch What Happens Live” several months later and reacted to Darby’s then-romance with fellow Bravo star Luke Gulbranson.

When asked how she felt about the blossoming relationship, Bassett responded, “As much as I, like, just cannot stand her, I’m really happy for her.” She added, “We have so much fun together. Outside of the show, I would maybe go on record as saying we’d maybe be friends.”

Bassett then emphasized, “outside of the show.”

Many fans of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” are hopeful that Darby and Bassett can someday fully mend their relationship. Because of this, some are hopeful following the former “RHOP” star taking the high road despite their contentious past.

One person wrote, “Lmao!!!! The happy pride was some slick-a-s shade toward Michael! The first thing that came to her mind while trying to prevent herself from uttering his name. I miss her so much on my TV.”

Another “RHOP” fan stated, “I mean, Candiace has spoken about the Ashley/Gizelle of it all many a time, and I think we all know where she stands with everybody. It’s time to end that conversation. More interested in her future prospects. She seems to have been putting a lot of effort into her music.”

Someone else reacted, “I love to hear the maturity! She kept it real cute here.” Regarding the relationship dynamic, another social media user stated, “She always despised Michael. Ashley was just collateral from her beef with him.”

Candiace Recently Dished On NeNe Leakes’ ‘Girls Trip’ episode

As mentioned, Bassett will appear on Bravo’s upcoming “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.” The limited series is intended to celebrate 20 years of “Real Housewives,” featuring a principal cast of seven women, as well as dozens of other fan-favorites, including NeNe Leakes from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

After filming concluded, Bassett took to her “Undomesticated” podcast to dish on not only her experience, but also what fans can expect from Leakes. Of course, the upcoming appearance will mark her first time on Bravo since leaving “RHOA” in 2020 and later filing a lawsuit.

Bassett said, “I thought that would have been a great segue for her to kind of come back in if ever she was going to come back in.” She continued, “But I will say, her being on that episode, she was honored, and she was honored not just by the cast in the room, but the production honored her.”

The “RHOP” alum then stated that not only did Leakes attend the party that will be featured in the episode, but that she filmed a scene prior to it.

The ‘RHOP’ Alum Shoots Down Returning To The Show

Years after her 2024 exit, Bassett remains a “Real Housewives of Potomac” fan-favorite. During a December 2025 episode of her podcast, she addressed fans’ questions about whether she had plans to return for season 11.

According to her, “I do not have any plans to return to Potomac at this time. I say that, you never know, as someone who believes firmly in never saying never. I’m not saying it will never happen. But what I am saying is, as you all are badgering and beating down my door to come back like, yesterday, I am not having those conversations.”

Actor Hayden Christensen, best known for portraying Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy and several other Lucasfilm projects, has drawn the ire of fans who were hoping to catch him at Spacecon in San Antonio, Texas, last Saturday. The actor left the convention early in order to watch Game 5 of the NBA finals between the Spurs and the New York Knicks.

Hayden Christensen Departs Space Con Early To Catch NBA Finals

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 41 seconds ago

Right now, there is an ongoing debate about the role of AI in filmmaking. Some consumers and creators think that movies should be free of AI and that everything we see onscreen should be made entirely by humans. Others see this technology as a great equalizer, one that allows independent directors to create movies they otherwise couldn’t afford to make. While companies like OpenAI and Anthropic may be stumbling right now (a switch to token-based billing will do that!), it’s obvious that we can’t put the cat back into the bag. AI is here to stay, and it’s important for us to figure out what it means for future films and filmmakers.

Now, one filmmaker has proposed a solution that is both simple and elegant. At a recent film festival, Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski proposed a solution. Rather than calling for no AI in films whatsoever, he believes that movies should get a separate rating based on what they used AI for. As an example, he thinks that using AI for scriptwriting is egregious enough to warrant an “F” rating. In other scenarios, Verbinski believes it is more acceptable for, say, cash-strapped directors to use AI for various production needs. The key to making all of this work? Simple: complete transparency.

Making AI Walk The Plank

Recently, Gore Verbinski attended the Taormina Film Festival. His primary purpose was to discuss his film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, which stars Sam Rockwell as a traveler from the future. He’s come to the past to recruit allies to fight a rogue AI. If they can’t stop the AI in time, it will destroy all of humanity. 

Given the context for this movie, it’s no wonder that Verbinski has some deep thoughts on the role of AI in modern society. On the subject of AI use in movies, he took a relatively nuanced stance, claiming that (depending on your definition), Hollywood has relied on AI tools “for 20 years.” Regarding generative AI, he has a simple proposal: a rating system that specifies exactly how AI was used in the movie. 

“If you use AI to write a script, you get an F,” he said. “What people are most afraid of is that there is no transparency. People are afraid of what is real and what isn’t.” Unlike many in the industry, Verbinski is not a hardliner who thinks all future films should be made without AI. Instead, he thinks that it is more acceptable for directors to use this technology in certain cases, like when microbudget directors can’t afford to bring some crucial element of their film to life. 

Transparency Is Everything

For Verbinksi, the most important thing about this proposed rating system is that it lets customers know what to expect before they spend any cold, hard cash. “I think you have to be absolutely transparent [about] what it was used for. I would never try to use it to be in front of the story,” he said. Obviously, there is plenty of room to debate which uses of AI don’t have a negative impact on the story. But in broad strokes, Verbinski’s proposal is nearly perfect: it serves to warn audiences about the potential presence of AI while also warning us of how that AI was used. 

This would allow everyone to vote with their wallet. If more people show up for films made without AI, we will see a Renaissance of human-made content. Similarly, if more people showed up for films made with AI, such movies will become the norm. Honestly, I think if movies made by AI were conveniently labeled, most customers would shun these films in favor of ones made entirely by humans. We’ll never know until we try it, and Gore Verbinski’s proposed AI rating system is the best idea yet for offering the transparency audiences deserve.

On Monday night, fans were shocked to hear that Jelly Roll had filed for divorce from Bunny Xo after nearly a decade of marriage. The couple met in 2015 and secretly married in Las Vegas the following year. The couple renewed their vows in 2023 and have been public about their love for each other, which has led to even more shock at their sudden split.

On May 18, the country star filed for divorce in Williamson County, Tennessee, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. The news came as a shock to many fans, as he recently credited Bunny for helping him turn his life around during his 2026 Grammy Awards speech in February.

The two had shared plenty of PDA throughout the evening and posed together on the red carpet. While accepting the award for Best Contemporary Country Album, he became emotional as he thanked his wife.

“I want to thank my beautiful wife,” he said at the time, as previously reported by PEOPLE magazine. “I would have never changed my life without you. I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that.”

The Couple Met At His Concert More Than 10 Years Ago

Their relationship began after they met at one of Jelly Roll’s concerts at Las Vegas’ Country Saloon in 2015. After dating for about a year, he proposed to her on stage in Las Vegas in 2016. Later that night, they secretly tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony without telling friends or family.

In 2023, Jelly Roll admitted that they made the decision to wed “while on a bender” in Vegas in the middle of the night, but still maintained that it was the right decision.

“She’s my best friend, man. She truly is my favorite person to talk to. She’s my first and last line of defense,” he told PEOPLE in 2023. “She’s my everything. There’s anchors in life that kind of keep us straight, and Bunnie’s definitely mine.”

They Were Never 100% Sure Of Their Wedding Date

He went on to tell the publication that the decision to renew their vows in 2023 was due to the fact that they could never remember the actual date of their wedding.

“There was always a discrepancy with our anniversary, because she thought it was on one day. I thought it was on another day. Neither one of us knew,” he admitted.

“I was like, ‘Everybody else talks about the seven-year itch. Why don’t we call it the seven-year stretch?’ We’ll just go in there and double down,” he continued. 

“It is officially — I think — September 1st. And September 1st felt right, because we thought it was between the 30th and 31st, so I said, ‘Well, now we can just both be wrong and just set it on the first.’ Even money that way,” he added.

Jelly Roll Has Two Children From A Prior Relationship

Jelly Roll also talked about how it has been “really cool” co-parenting his daughter, Bailee, and his son, Noah, who were both from prior relationships.

“Bunny didn’t have children, [but] she has such a maternal instinct. I call her mama bear, because that’s just who she is to all of us,” he said. “To watch her come in, and to watch her and Bailee’s relationship develop, has been the highlight of my life.”

In May 2023, he took to Instagram to share a sweet Mother’s Day message for Bunny.

“It takes a special kind of woman to raise a child that isn’t hers,” he wrote at the time. “When Bunnie and I was first starting to talk, I knew I was about to get full custody of Bailee and also had another woman pregnant. Most women would’ve ran for the hill, but not Bunnie. She told me no matter what happened between us she wanted to help me get custody Bailee.”

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“7 years later Bailee calls Bunnie Momma with no hesitation, and 7 years later Bunnie still blows my mind everyday with how loving and patient she is with Bailee,” he continued. “Happy Mothers Day Mama Bear. You deserve to be celebrated on this day more than anyone I’ve ever known. I love you so much!”

Joe Alwyn and Sarah Pidgeon may be starting their own love story.

The Hamnet actor, 35, and Love Story actress, 29, were spotted enjoying a PDA-filled date night in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 13, as seen in photos published by Page Six. In one image, Alwyn and Pidgeon snuggled up to each other and exchanged kisses while enjoying drinks together.

Other snaps showed Pidgeon, who wore a white tank top, jeans and ballet flats, with her arm wrapped around Alwyn, who sported a black T-shirt, light-wash jeans and sneakers. The pair laughed as they strolled through the city.

The outing lasted several hours, according to Page Six.

Alwyn and Pidgeon previously sparked dating rumors after a separate outing in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood last week.

Related: What Joe Alwyn Has Been Up to Since His Split From Taylor Swift

Joe Alwyn has been keeping a low profile since his split from Taylor Swift was confirmed in April 2023. While Swift, 34, continued her Eras Tour, enjoyed outings with pals including Blake Lively, Selena Gomez and Sophie Turner, and sparked a new romance with boyfriend Travis Kelce, Alwyn, 33, remained the man of few words […]

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Us Weekly reached out to reps for Alwyn and Pidgeon for comment.

Prior to his rumored romance with Pidgeon, Alwyn most notably dated Taylor Swift from 2016 to 2023. Several songs off Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department album, including “So Long, London” and “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” are believed to be about their breakup.

“I went through two breakups in the first half of this tour and that’s a lot of breakups, actually,” Swift, 36, said in her 2025 Disney+ Eras tour docuseries, The End of an Era. (Following her split from Alwyn, Swift was briefly linked to Matty Healy in 2023.)

For his part, Alwyn addressed the breakup in a 2024 interview with the London Times.

“I would hope that anyone and everyone can empathize and understand the difficulties that come with the end of a long, loving, fully committed relationship of over six and a half years,” he said at the time.

Related: How Joe Alwyn Reportedly Reacted to Taylor Swift’s ‘TTPD’

Joe Alwyn has officially bid so long to Taylor Swift. A source told People that the actor, 33, is “dating and happy” one year after he and Swift, 34, ended their six-year-long relationship. “He’s a great guy and not into drama in any way,” the insider added. Having “moved on” from Swift, the source told […]

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Alwyn, who is notoriously private, added that their high-profile relationship was “a hard thing to navigate.”

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“You have something very real suddenly thrown into a very unreal space: tabloids, social media, press, where it is then dissected, speculated on, pulled out of shape beyond recognition,” he continued. “And the truth is, to that last point, there is always going to be a gap between what is known and what is said. I have made my peace with that.”

Swift has since moved on with fiancé Travis Kelce, whom she began dating in the summer of 2023. The pair got engaged in August 2025 and are expected to tie the knot this summer.

Like Alwyn, Pidgeon has kept her relationships private. She has not confirmed any public romances.

It’s tremendous what Kane Parsons has achieved with Backrooms. At only 20 years old, not only is Parsons the youngest-ever director of an A24 film, nor only is he responsible for the indie studio’s highest-grossing film to date. There’s also the fact that the movie’s theatrical run is not even remotely close to over, yet Parsons is already far and away the youngest director ever to make a film that grossed over $200 million dollars at the box office.

But as great as Backrooms may be, and as satisfying as its commercial success has been so far, by no means is it the greatest surrealist horror movie ever made. In fact, those who loved the oddness and “elevated horror” feeling of avant-garde artistry that Parsons threw into his film thankfully have a certain ten masterpieces that they should check out as soon as possible.

10

‘Color Out of Space’ (2019)

Image via RLJE Films

H. P. Lovecraft is one of the most important voices in the history of weird fiction, a genre of speculative fiction that has a lot in common with surrealism. As such, many of the most memorable surrealist horror movies that have been made over the years have been Lovecraft adaptations. Case in point: Richard Stanley‘s Color Out of Space, one of the most essential cosmic horror movies ever.

Nicolas Cage has been making some delightfully bizarre career choices over the course of the last decade, and this is one of his best. Delectably pulpy and reveling in its gonzo influences, Color Out of Space is the sort of horror/sci-fi B-picture that Hollywood doesn’t really make anymore. It’s colorful, it’s scary, and it’s every bit as weird as any Backrooms fan could possibly ask for.

9

‘The Lighthouse’ (2019)

Image via A24

Robert Eggers has cemented himself as one of the greatest horror directors currently working in Hollywood, and the masterpiece that really left no doubt of that status was The Lighthouse. Another A24 horror movie that all Backrooms fans should check out, this black-and-white masterpiece is imbued with elements of dark comedy and homoeroticism that are impossible to not be fascinated by.

The Lighthouse is one of the most perfect movies of the last 10 years, a brilliant re-imagining of Edgar Allan Poe‘s unfinished story of the same name. Full of striking visuals, thought-provoking symbolism, and moments of powerhouse acting by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson at the top of their game, it’s the nearly-flawless work of an auteur in full control of his craft.

8

‘Seconds’ (1966)

Image via MGM

In one of the most genius examples of meta-casting in the history of 20th-century Hollywood, Rock Hudson, a cult-favorite actor known for his hidden gay identity during Hollywood’s Golden Age, was cast in John Frankenheimer‘s Seconds as a character abandoning and concealing his true self. It’s one of those forgotten classics that have aged like fine wine, an exceptional sci-fi neo-noir masterpiece unlike any other.

It’s a cult-classic well-known not just for Hudson’s performance, but also for Frankenheimer’s airtight direction and DP James Wong Howe’s stunning camerawork. It’s a masterclass in paranoid psychological horror, a harrowing gem whose bleak, subversive message on the American Dream has aged perfectly. Deeply disorienting and hallucinatory in its surrealism, it’s an underrated classic that far more people should be familiar with.

7

‘The Wolf House’ (2018)

Image via Globo Rojo Films 

The Chilean avant-garde stop-motion horror gem The Wolf House is the only proof anyone should need that animation isn’t always for kids. It’s one of the heaviest animated movies ever made, based on the horrifying true case of Colonia Dignidad, an isolated colony established in post-World War II Chile by emigrant Germans notorious for the internment, torture, and murder of Augusto Pinochet dissidents.

It’s a truly disturbing true story to base a movie on, but debuting directors Cristobal León and Joaquín Cociña treat the subject with profound yet harrowing sensitivity. Hugely experimental, psychologically complex, and disturbingly surreal, it’s proof of just how effective the stop-motion medium can be when it comes to delivering an unforgettable horror story.

6

‘The Devils’ (1971)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Ken Russell‘s horror drama The Devils is one of the most infamous horror cult classics of all time, a dramatized historical account of the Loudun possessions. Due to its graphic portrayal of violent and sexual content, often very overtly blasphemous, the movie originally received an X rating in both the United Kingdom and the United States, being banned in many countries.

That may have been an issue back then, but nowadays, having been banned throughout the world is a badge of honor that practically guarantees a horror film’s cult status, The Devils being no exception. Exploring themes of corruption and sexual repression through a nightmarishly surreal visual style, the whole thing feels hallucinatory in all sorts of fascinating ways.

5

‘The Cremator’ (1969)

Image via Janus Films

There are many countries that no longer exist but which produced some of the greatest films of their time, and Czechoslovakia in particular has one of the strongest filmographies of any European country of the 20th century. A perfect example of that fact is Juraj Herz‘s The Cremator, one of the best World War II horror movies ever made, a cult classic that’s among the highest-rated horror films in history on Letterboxd.

It’s one of the most powerful films ever made about the banality of evil, a chilling depiction of the rise of Nazism that portrays extremist indoctrination in profoundly thought-provoking ways. The way it employs surrealism to generate an atmosphere of nightmarish dread is as effective as it is perfectly calculated, relying on a tone equal parts hypnotic and disorienting that fans of Backrooms will surely love.

4

‘House’ (1977)

Image via Toho

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There are plenty of cult classics that deserve more fans, and the Japanese comedy horror gem House is definitely among them. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, it stars mostly amateur actors and is anchored by a score performed by the Japanese rock band Godiego. Originally commissioned by Toho Studios as a film trying to replicate the unparalleled success of 1975’s Jaws, it transformed into a kind of phenomenon all of its own.

House is absurdly hilarious and ridiculously surreal in ways that you can’t really see in any other horror movie, blending hyper-stylized live-action with pop-art animation that results in a nightmarish yet cartoonish fever dream. It’s definitely far more over-the-top and far funnier than Backrooms, but people who enjoyed the more logic-defying elements of Kane Parson’s grasp on horror surrealism will definitely find something to enjoy here.

3

‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (1990)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

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Adrian Lyne‘s psychological horror film Jacob’s Ladder is far and away one of the greatest Hollywood horror films of the ’90s, a cult classic that deserves far more fans than it has. Touching on themes of trauma, grief, and spirituality, it explores the mind’s attempts to make sense of death through a surrealist atmosphere that feels as fitting as it does chilling.

It functions perfectly as both an anti-war drama and a deeply philosophical character study, all while looking delectably mind-bending and portraying its protagonist’s fractured state of mind in all sorts of stunning ways. Hugely original and feverishly bizarre, it’s an absolutely visceral surrealist masterpiece that all those who love disturbing horror will find perfectly satisfying.

2

‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)

Image via Rex Entertainment

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Satoshi Kon was one of the greatest Japanese filmmakers of his generation, a master of the anime medium who tragically left us far too soon due to pancreatic cancer. But before his passing, he left behind a legacy of some of the greatest anime movies of his time. That includes Perfect Blue, which is one of those animated classics that have aged like fine wine.

Its psychological horror at its most disturbing, and though Kon is very patient in how and when he deploys the movie’s surreal elements, this is still a must-see for fans of mind-bending horror. Kon slowly starts to weaponize these surreal elements to simulate the psychological breakdown of its protagonist, imbuing the film with a dreamlike atmosphere that’s as chilling as it is emotionally effective.

1

‘Eraserhead’ (1977)

Image via Libra Films International

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After Luis Bueñuel, who is almost undeniably the grandfather of cinematic surrealism, there is no surrealist filmmaker more important or more groundbreaking than David Lynch. He’s a director with a massive cult following all of his own, and you could tell from very early on in his career just how talented he was—from his debut, in fact. Eraserhead is far and away one of the greatest debut horror films of all time.

The black-and-white visuals are unforgettable, the sound design is absolutely masterful, Jack Nance‘s lead performance is flawless, and Lynch’s direction is beyond perfect. This is easily one of the most surreal horror movies of all time, and that surrealism is in service of a story about the paralyzing fears and anxieties of fatherhood. Packed with the same kind of twisted subversions of Americana, heavy use of body horror, and nightmarish dream logic that would soon come to define the term “Lynchian,” Eraserhead is the best surrealist horror film that a Backrooms fan could possibly watch.

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Eraserhead

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Release Date

March 19, 1977

Runtime

89minutes

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Director

David Lynch

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Writers

David Lynch

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It is not a Jane Seymour love story if it is not wild!

The British actress is preparing to walk down the aisle for the fifth time, and the process towards that came with all the exhilarating drama, with no clothes on.

Jane Seymour shared the news of her relationship with John Zambetti in 2023 via Instagram with a poolside picture, admitting that she had never been happier to find love with her new beau.

Zambetti shared that although they had already built a life together emotionally, he still wanted to mark the moment traditionally and officially ask Seymour to marry him.

Getting there, however, involved a few dramatic detours, including his considering making a big movie proposition that involved their pal Mick Jagger showing up with the engagement ring. 

Although he liked the idea of it, thoughts about a flawless execution became concerning, and he decided to stick with something easier, like proposing on Valentine’s Day right before the actress’s birthday.

What ensued was sheer romantic comedy, and at his Malibu home, Zambetti knelt on one knee and pulled out the ring, but it immediately darted out of the box and under the bed. 

He tried to retrieve it quickly, but it was a clumsy rescue for him when he got stuck trying to pull it out, causing a moment of laughter, and the funniest part of all the chaos, as Seymour put it, was, “we weren’t wearing any clothes.”

While she admitted to PEOPLE that she had sensed an engagement could happen eventually, she said the proposal itself still caught her off guard. 

The British Actress’s Fiancé Chose A Ring Designed To Describe Their Love Story

For the emergency room physician, choosing the perfect engagement ring was never about finding the biggest stone; it was about finding one that told their story. Zambetti recalled that his eye immediately spotted one design which felt different from everything else he had seen. 

The piece carried two stones connected by a delicate pavé setting, rather than the traditional single stone. Zambetti noted that the detail carried meaning connected to their story of two people arriving with separate histories, and eventually choosing a future together. 

That sense of joining worlds, Seymour says, extends far beyond the two of them. According to Seymour, blending families came far more naturally than she expected, as her children almost immediately established their bond with Zambetti.

The feeling, she says, has been mutual, with Zambetti’s children and extended family embracing her as one of their own. As for wedding plans, the couple is not in a hurry to define what the celebration will look like.

Currently, the couple is very much focused on tradition and more interested in creating something meaningful, hinged on the essence of family, close friendships, and the people who matter most.

Seymour hinted that a gathering or ceremony will likely happen eventually, especially because they want to celebrate this chapter with the people closest to them.

More than the engagement itself, Seymour says what surprised her most was discovering a kind of relationship she had stopped expecting.

Inside Jane Seymour’s Past Relationships And Marriages

Before finding love in Zambetti’s arms, the actress was with her ex, David Green, for about nine years, and he reportedly proposed to the screen legend. As noted by Parade, Seymour hinted that the relationship ended because they decided they were best as friends.

As for her marital history, the actress has walked down the aisle four times, first with theatre director Michael Attenborough from 1971 to 1973, when the marriage ended without children.

Four years after her split from Attenborough, Seymour tied the knot with Geoffrey Planner, but they went their separate ways a year later, and not much has been said about the demise of that union.

In 1981, Seymour married her manager, David Flynn, and welcomed two children together, until cracks appeared in the marriage after a bad business decision on Flynn’s part cost the actress lots of money. By 1992, the marriage ended in a divorce, right before Seymour landed one of her biggest television roles.

In 1993, the British actress gave love another chance again with filmmaker James Keach, welcoming twin sons two years later. The duo split after a decade of marriage and finalized their divorce in 2015, and three years later, the actress revealed that Keach was unfaithful during their union.

The 75-Year-Old’s Lessons From Her Divorces

In 2021, the actress got candid with TODAY, discussing her multiple failed marriages, public heartbreaks, and the biggest lessons she has learned from that phase of her life.

Seymour noted that leaving these marriages behind has taught her serious lessons about preserving respect and holding on to the good part of a relationship rather than the disappointment.

The actress also confessed that she spent time reflecting on the role she plays in relationships and how she could have handled things differently. Juggling motherhood and a demanding career topped the list for her, and this meant the lengthy periods of absence on set greatly disengaged her from reality. 

She confessed that learning that Keach stepped out on her made the experiences more painful, especially knowing that she was excluded from the truth.

The media personality continued that an honest conversation about everything could have made the outcome easier to process than discovering things after the fact.

The actress has used all the advice passed down by her mother, Seymour, to acknowledge that hardship in life cannot be entirely avoided, and facing challenges head-on can help create room for true healing.

Jane Seymour Embraced Love, Sexuality, And Confidence In Her 70s

The Blast stated that the movie star proved she has never been the headline of her story, and as she stepped well into her 70s, facing life with confidence, energy, and curiosity has shaped her career and life.

Seymour bragged about her ability to take on a still demanding filming schedule, which ran into hours and demanded her memorizing large amounts of dialogue without the help of cue cards.

The actress also continued that some of her memorable roles on TV have also left her with lessons that sexuality, attraction, and confidence should never expire with age.

All her life, Seymour admitted that most of her roles have been to assure women that they do not diminish with age, and this also played into her fated meeting with Zambetti.

The duo met on a blind date arranged by their kids at a concert, and they hit it off on their first meeting, grabbing dinner and engaging in lengthy conversations after that.

The actress raved about her beau as a supportive partner who balances his delicate job as an ER physician with his burning passion for music.

Congratulations to Jane Seymour and John Zambetti!

Controversy hasn’t stopped Teach You a Lesson from becoming one of Netflix’s biggest international success stories. The South Korean drama, based on the webtoon Get Schooled, has sparked debate since before it premiered, yet viewers around the world have turned it into a breakout hit. After reaching 68.7 million hours viewed, per FlixPatrol, the series has proven that polarizing subject matter and audience appeal aren’t always mutually exclusive.

Part of that success comes from the fact that Teach You a Lesson is a revenge fantasy, an action series, a social drama, and occasionally a comedy, all wrapped into 10 episodes that tackle bullying, corruption, academic pressure, cyber harassment, gambling, and the failures of institutions that are supposed to protect students.

What Is Netflix’s ‘Teach You a Lesson’ About?

Image via Netflix

The story of Teach You a Lesson is set in a school environment overwhelmed by violence. This work follows Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), a former Special Forces captain, as he works for the Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a government organization established under the Ministry of Education to protect students and teachers from harm in schools. The Bureau has broad powers to intervene on behalf of students and teachers when a school fails to provide proper safety measures for them.

Joined by fellow inspector Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo), tech expert Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon), and Education Minister Choi Gang-seok (Lee Sung-min), Hwa-jin moves from school to school, confronting everything from organized bullying rings to teacher burnout and online exploitation.

The premise immediately sets the show apart. While many school dramas focus on students fighting back against bullies, Teach You a Lesson asks what happens when adults finally step in and whether they can go too far, which is where much of the show’s controversy comes from.

Why ‘Teach You a Lesson’ Has Become So Popular

Image via KIM Ji-yeon / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Despite the backlash surrounding the original webtoon, viewers have embraced the adaptation. The issues explored in the series don’t feel confined to South Korea. Bullying, social media harassment, academic pressure, and parents pushing children to unhealthy extremes are topics audiences everywhere recognize. The show also understands the appeal of catharsis. Its villains are often frustrating enough that watching them finally face consequences becomes part of the entertainment.

Just as important is the structure. Most episodes focus on a different case, giving the series a procedural quality while slowly building a larger story surrounding Hwa-jin and the origins of the ERPB. That approach keeps the pacing moving and makes it easy to binge. Mu-yeol anchors the series with an understated presence that balances stoicism with flashes of humor. Sung-min brings emotional weight as the minister who founded the bureau following a personal tragedy, while Ki-joo and Ji-hoon inject energy and comic relief into the team dynamic. Even when the series swings for the fences, the cast commits completely.

The Netflix Series Doesn’t Ignore Difficult Questions

Image via KIM Ji-yeon / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

The show’s biggest strength may be its refusal to present easy answers. The ERPB’s methods are intentionally provocative, and the audience is prompted to consider whether the bureau portrays justice or something else of concern. Some have critiqued how the series appears to overindulge in wishful thinking and spectacle; however, there are also individuals who compliment the way the series generates discussions about how Americans’ input into institutions continues to decrease and how individuals in the education field place both students and themselves under immense pressure.

Upon its adaptation to the webtoon, there were controversies over various aspects of the storyline; specifically, labor organizations in South Korea vocally opposed it prior to its release. In response, both Netflix and the creative team pointed out that they approached the source material differently from the original webcomic; moreover, they sought to depict victimization and social justice rather than glorifying violent behavior.

Teach You a Lesson‘s action sequences are exaggerated, its premise is pure fantasy, and some of its later twists stretch the limits of credibility, but the series succeeds because it understands that viewers aren’t necessarily looking for realism. They’re looking for stories where injustice is confronted and where people who have been ignored finally get someone in their corner. That combination of social commentary, action, dark humor, and emotional stakes has helped transform Teach You a Lesson into a genuine word-of-mouth success. Controversial or not, 68.7 million viewing hours suggest audiences have already learned one lesson: they can’t stop watching.

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Teach You A Lesson

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Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

Network

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Netflix

Directors

Hong Jong-chan

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