You may have missed it, but one of the most action-packed World War II thrillers of all time was released in theaters late last year. The sequel to Jelmari Helander‘s 2023 breakout hit, Sisu, hit the big screen back in November and didn’t make much of a splash at the box office. However, reviews from both critics and fans heaped praise on the sequel, with some considering it even better than its predecessor. This week, that movie was added to Netflix this week and has quickly risen through the streamer’s ranks, helping to establish it as a potential cult classic in the making.

Sisu: Road to Revenge sees star Jorma Tommila return to his leading role as a Finnish folk hero who just wants to try and rebuild his life after the loss of his family. This time around, he’s joined by Avatar‘s Stephen Lang, who plays Russian officer whose deadly actions set the events of both films in motion. This sequel ups the ante in every way, making for one of the wildest action romps in quite a while. And not only is Sisu: Road to Revenge gaining more popularity by the day, but it’s also the kind of movie that gets more fun each time you watch it.

More ‘John Wick’ Than ‘Saving Private Ryan’

While Sisu: Road to Revenge is set at the end of World War II, it doesn’t share a ton of DNA with most other films that take place in the same era. Its attention is focused much more on delivering thrills through explosive and death-defying set pieces. Planes, trains, tanks, and trucks all get in on the action, as the two men at the center of it all try desperately to take the other out.

The first Sisu was met with rave reviews when it made festival debuts back in 2022, and a big reason for the excitement from viewers was that Helander’s film delivered some of the best big screen action since the launch of the John Wick franchise. John Wick set an almost impossible bar for every action movie that has been released in the last 12 years, and very few have been able to leave a lasting impact in the wake of what Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski accomplished. Sisu, however, was able to take some notes from the action of the Wick films while still carving out its own lane and creating something unique.

‘Sisu’ Should Be a Lasting Franchise

Anyone who has seen either of the two existing Sisu movies has likely become a quick fan of this budding franchise. The action is top-notch, the thrills never cease to impress, and they have both been tight, 90-minute affairs. These are the kinds of movies action fans have been begging for, but Sisu will likely need some help from the likes of Netflix, on-demand, and physical sales in order to continue with a third or fourth installment.

While Sisu: Road to Revenge only cost a little over $12 million to produce (a downright miraculous budget by today’s standards), it made less than $10 million at the box office through its theatrical run. In the previous eras of home video and physical media, the Sisu sequel would’ve had a very easy path to profitability, especially given how well-liked the film is by those who have seen it. But with streaming changing how films make money, the climb is going to be much steeper.

The good news is that the low price tag of these Sisu movies make them much easier to green-light than other projects. Popularity on Netflix will help the franchise’s case even more. After all, the Sisu films are still much less expensive than even most streaming original movies, so it shouldn’t take much for them to be seen as quality investments, even just from a streaming perspective.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

November 21, 2025

Runtime

Advertisement

89 minutes

Director

Jalmari Helander

Advertisement

Writers

Jalmari Helander

Advertisement

Producers

Petri Jokiranta, Mike Goodridge

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Superhero movies have been one of the most successful genres of cinema in the 21st century. Though it has slowed down since its peak days in the late 2010s, superhero films are still a force to be reckoned with in cinema, especially at the box office. A host of great superhero movies have hit screens over the last 10 years, primarily from the two powerhouse franchises, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe, but only a handful of them can be called true masterpieces.

One of the most common criticisms of superhero movies is that they’re too superficial — empty joyrides with no real thematic depth. But that’s not the case with these films, as they successfully balance entertainment with artistry and bombastic effects with human emotion, creating experiences that are truly mindblowing. Here’s our ranked selection of the greatest superhero movie masterpieces of the last 10 years, including some of the most successful films of all time.

8

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)

Image via Marvel Studios

Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: No Way Home is the third movie in the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tom Holland as the wall-crawling hero. Set shortly after he was outed as Spider-Man at the end of 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, the film follows Peter Parker (Holland) as he seeks help from Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to make his identity secret again, but inadvertently causes a world-threatening crisis that pulls visitors from other realities into the MCU. Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Tony Revolori, Benedict Wong, and Marisa Tomei reprise their roles from previous films, and the movie also features Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire in familiar roles.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is essentially a crossover that brings together all the different live-action Spider-Man franchises we’ve had so far to create the biggest, most spectacular Spider-Man movie of all time. Pairing an explosive, multiversal story with heartbreaking emotional moments, the film is an effective tribute to Spider-Man’s cinematic legacy that wraps up one era of the character and opens the door to the next. Appropriately, the movie was a critical and box office success when it came out in 2021, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year, and though it technically ends the MCU’s first Spider-Man trilogy, it’s set to be followed by a new triad of films starting with 2026’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

7

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

Image via 20th Century Studios

A spin-off of 20th Century Fox’s X-Men film series, Deadpool was directed by Tim Miller in his directorial debut and stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular Marvel Comics antihero. The movie follows mercenary-turned-test-subject Wade Wilson (Reynolds) as he hunts down the people responsible for his abilities, disfigured appearance, and the kidnapping of the love of his life, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, and more appear in supporting roles.

A long-awaited superhero comedy, Deadpool was a cultural phenomenon when it hit theaters in the 2010s, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film up to that point and a resounding critical success. Anchored by Reynolds’s lead performance, it’s a witty, irreverent, and wildly fun movie with a lot of heart and an equivalent amount of guts. Action-packed yet surprisingly poignant, the film is easily one of the most popular superhero movies of all time, and it stands out with its wry, meta comedy and fourth-wall-breaking satire of the genre.

6

‘The Batman’ (2022)

Image via Warner Bros.

Directed and co-written by Matt Reeves, The Batman is a DC superhero film that reboots the Batman franchise, introducing audiences to a new version of the hero played by Robert Pattinson. The movie follows Batman as he investigates a mysterious serial killer targeting Gotham City’s rich and powerful, uncovering long-buried secrets about the city and his own family. The film also stars Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell in significant roles.

Essentially a mystery-thriller film that takes Batman back to his detective noir roots, The Batman was a critical and commercial success when it hit theaters in 2022, earning praise for its gritty narrative and effective performances, as well as its cinematography and music. It’s a dark and brooding crime movie that earns its longer-than-usual runtime with its gripping story, and though it may not top Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight for the title of greatest Batman movie, it is one of the most authentic depictions of the character outside of the graphic medium. The Batman also inspired The Penguin, a spin-off series starring Colin Farrell that premiered on HBO in 2024, and a sequel, The Batman: Part II, is expected to arrive in 2027.

Which MCU Hero Are You?

5

‘Superman’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

The first film of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe, Superman was written and directed by Gunn, with David Corenswet starring as the iconic title character. The film follows Clark Kent / Superman (Corenswet) as he faces off against his archenemy Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), simultaneously exploring Clark’s budding romantic relationship with fellow reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). The movie also features Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, and more in supporting roles.

Most people expected Superman to be a success when it hit theaters in July 2025, but the film still managed to surprise critics and audiences everywhere with its wholesome, warm, and timely story. Hopeful, inspiring, and true to the essence of Superman’s character, the film isn’t just a superhero movie; it’s a celebration of humanity’s best instincts, a film that encourages viewers to be the best we can be without being naive or condescending. Easily one of the greatest superhero movies of the 2020s so far, the film is set to be followed by a sequel, Man of Tomorrow, that’s scheduled to arrive in 2027.

4

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated film about Miles Morales, a young boy bitten by a spider and granted superpowers. After meeting a Spider-Man from another universe, Miles teams up with a team of multiversal Spider-People to save his world from the plans of the Kingpin. Shameik Moore leads the voice cast as Miles, with Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Vélez, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn, Nicolas Cage, and Liev Schreiber in supporting roles.

A groundbreaking animated film that combines computer animation with hand-drawn comic-book-style illustration, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse may not be the first animated comic-book movie, but it is the first to capture the aesthetics and energy of its source medium. The film was a massive worldwide success when it hit theaters in 2018, grossing over $394 million and earning universal acclaim. The film also won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and inspired a multimedia franchise that includes 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is set to arrive in 2027.

3

‘Logan’ (2017)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Advertisement

Directed by James Mangold, Logan is a neo-Western superhero drama that’s the third and final movie in the Wolverine trilogy. Starring Hugh Jackman as the titular mutant hero and set in a dark near-future where mutants have been decimated, the film follows an aging Logan and a terminally ill Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) as they try to protect a young mutant named Laura (Dafne Keen) and get her to a safe haven. Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, and more appear in key supporting roles.

Widely hailed as one of the best superhero films ever made, Logan is a heartbreaking film about mortality, legacy, and redemption that concludes the Wolverine saga with beauty, grace, and graphic violence. The movie’s bittersweet story is brought to life through compelling performances, particularly by Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen. The film also balances its emotional depth with tightly-choreographed action sequences that earn its R-rating, and it was both a critical and commercial success in its day, receiving several accolades.

2

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

Image via Marvel Studios

Advertisement

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Avengers: Endgame is a sequel to 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, with the two films working together as the concluding chapter of the MCU’s Infinity Saga. Set five years after the villain Thanos (Josh Brolin) erased half of all life in the universe, the movie follows the surviving heroes as they attempt a risky time-travel heist to bring back the dead. The film’s massive ensemble cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, and many more.

Avengers: Endgame is the highest-grossing superhero movie of all time because of its status as the final film in a decade-long saga, but it’s one of the greatest superhero movies of all time because it is also a masterpiece. The film successfully captures both the massive scale of the MCU and the individual emotional beats of specific heroes, creating a cinematic experience that’s simultaneously spectacular and heartfelt. Sure, there’s plenty of fan service and quipping, but the performances, visuals, and music — not to mention the solid scientific research that went into crafting its story — make it an undeniable triumph of the superhero genre.

1

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)

Image via Marvel

Advertisement

Directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an MCU superhero film that’s a sequel to his 2018 hit Black Panther. The film is set in the advanced nation of Wakanda, which is devastated by the death of its king, Black Panther / T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), and follows T’Challa’s family and friends as they deal with a new Vibranium-weilding threat: the superhuman Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía), king of the underwater nation of Talokan. Letitia Wright leads the ensemble cast as Princess Shuri, with Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Michaela Coel, Martin Freeman, Angela Bassett, and more in key roles.

Though initially planned as a straightforward MCU sequel, the death of Chadwick Boseman changed everything for Wakanda Forever, and the film Ryan Coogler made is a lot more than just a sequel. A profound meditation on grief and a worthy tribute to the late star’s legacy, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a truly elevated film that looks and operates like a superhero movie, but transcends the genre with its powerful narrative. The film was a huge box office success and earned critical acclaim, winning several awards, including an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

The world has changed quite a lot over the last six years, with ups and downs in every facet of human existence, but during all that time, there’s been one thing we can all agree has been as great as ever: the movies. Sure, there have been plenty of terrible movies made in the 2020s, but there have also been some truly amazing works of art — films that transcend their time, place, and medium to deliver powerful messages that become an indelible part of our shared culture.

They may not all have made a great mark at the box office, but each of these masterpieces has pushed the boundaries of cinema, challenging preconceptions and transforming the way we see the world. Award-winners and hidden gems alike, these films may be relatively recent, but they’re classics-to-be that are sure to be remembered with warmth and adoration by future generations of audiences and filmmakers. Without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of the eight most perfect movies of the last six years.

8

‘Asteroid City’ (2023)

Image via Focus Features

A sci-fi comedy drama written, directed, and co-produced by Wes Anderson, Asteroid City follows a group of students and their parents who have gathered at the titular desert town for the Annual Junior Stargazer Convention in 1955. When certain unforeseen circumstances develop, leading to a military quarantine, it affects the lives of all the people attending the convention. The film’s ensemble cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Margot Robbie, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, and Tony Revolori in major roles.

Through his hallmark visual and narrative styles, Anderson brings his unique cinematic voice to the UFO sighting myths of the post-war American Southwest. Presented through an electric blend of comedy, romance, drama, and a bit of sci-fi, Asteroid City works like a vibrant vignette about art, grief, and human connection, framed by an inventive meta-narrative. Headlining the summer of 2022, Asteroid City earned critical acclaim with its poignant themes, artistic storytelling, and quirky characters, and it’s widely considered to be Wes Anderson’s best film since The Grand Budapest Hotel.

7

‘Babylon’ (2022)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, Babylon is an epic period black comedy drama that chronicles the rise and fall of several characters in the Golden Age of Hollywood as the industry prepares itself for the transition from silent films to talkies. Centering on Nellie LaRoy, a brash and ambitious starlet, and Manny, a resourceful Mexican immigrant dreaming of making it in Hollywood, the film explores the era of unbridled decadence and depravity that marked a turning point in the industry’s history. The movie boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, with Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li in major roles.

Capturing a watershed moment in the history of cinema through a wild tale of decadence, depravity, and outrageousness, Damien Chazelle pays his most heartfelt and emotional tribute to cinema while simultaneously critiquing its excesses and flaws. The film examines the destructive, rapidly changing, and often brutal nature of showbiz while simultaneously highlighting its magical, lasting power. Even though it met with divisive reviews and reactions on its release, Babylon has been widely praised for the music composition by Justin Hurwitz and is now considered to be a cult film of the decade.

6

‘Nosferatu’ (2024)

Image via Focus Features

Written and directed by Robert Eggers, Nosferatu is a Gothic horror reimagination of 1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, which in turn is an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In the film, Ellen, a young woman, accidentally connects with the spirit of a terrifying vampire who becomes obsessed with her, terrorizing everyone in his way as he comes to claim her. Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen with Bill Skarsgård as the titular monster. The movie also features Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe in other lead roles.

Gorgeously shot in black-and-white, Nosferatu is a cinematic treat that draws elements and inspiration from German Expressionism, silent cinema, and 1960s/’70s horror. Unlike the classic adaptations of Dracula, Nosferatu is more intricate in its storytelling, diving deeper into the concept, characters, and horror. A remarkable combination of psychological horror and supernatural gore, the movie is Eggers’ highest-grossing and most critically acclaimed film so far, and was widely hailed as one of the best films of 2024.

5

‘Poor Things’ (2023)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Advertisement

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things is a reimagining of Alasdair Gray’s novel, in turn a reinterpretation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. An epic black comedy fantasy, the film follows the journey of self-discovery of Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought to life by an eccentric scientist. Beginning with her life as an infant inside an adult body, the movie follows Bella as she grows into her own person, seeking knowledge, adventure, love, and sexual awakening on a wild globe-trotting romp with a degenerate lawyer. Emma Stone stars as Bella, with Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, and Suzy Bemba in significant roles.

Fierce and feminine, Poor Things is a delightfully weird take on the Frankenstein story, translated through a woman’s discovery of her freedom and finding her place in a chaotic world. Lanthimos’s unconventional storytelling takes shape through its surreal style, whimsical artistry, and dark, biting humor, not to mention the beautiful cinematography that leaves the audience in awe with every frame. Elevated by Emma Stone’s mystifying and brazen performance that earned her an Academy Award, Poor Things is easily one of the finest films of the 2020s so far.

4

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Image via A24

Advertisement

An absurdist sci-fi action comedy directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once follows the fantastic multiversal experiences of Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American woman struggling with her business, stale marriage, and complicated family dynamics. During a tax audit, Evelyn suddenly finds herself caught up in a crisis involving alternative universes and is called on to stop an evil entity from destroying everything that exists. Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn, with Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, and James Hong in supporting roles.

A wild sci-fi adventure, Everything Everywhere All at Once fantastically incorporates motifs and elements of everything and everyone that inspired it, from Wong Kar-wai and Mary-Jane Rubenstein to the video game Everything and the children’s book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Using strong elements of surrealism, absurdism, and existentialism in its narrative, the film presents a heartfelt story of a woman’s journey of reconnecting with herself. Through this, the film explores broader themes of Asian American identity. Acclaimed for its conceptual and visual magnitude, Everything Everywhere All at Once ranks among the top sci-fi films of the last decade, and it broke several records and earned numerous accolades.

3

‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros.

Advertisement

Written, directed, and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another is a black comedy action thriller that reimagines Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland. The film follows Bob Ferguson, a has-been revolutionary who lives off the grid with his young daughter, Willa. When he is unexpectedly separated from her, Bob is forced to return to his roots and embark on a paranoia-fueled search for his child while dodging a ruthless military officer. Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti star as the father-daughter duo, with Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, and more starring in key roles.

One of the most celebrated films of 2025, One Battle After Another balances a high-energy narrative and screwball humor with the intimate parent-child relationship at its heart. Fun and exciting, with strong performances and well-choreographed action pieces, it is arguably one of the most entertaining films of the 2020s so far, and unarguably one of the most acclaimed films of Anderson’s career. One Battle After Another is noted for the phenomenal reception and acclaim it received, earning 458 nominations and 227 wins, including six Academy Awards.

2

‘Flow’ (2024)

Image via  Dream Well Studio

Advertisement

The first Oscar-winning Latvian film, Flow is an animated dystopian adventure film directed and co-written by Gints Zilbalodis in his feature film debut. The independent animated movie follows the story of a solitary, anonymous cat whose home gets destroyed by a massive flood, forcing it to seek refuge on a boat. Surrounded by creatures of various species on the boat, the lonely feline is forced to adapt to its new environment and cohabitants. The film is noted for featuring no dialogue, and the movie takes inspiration from Zilbalodis’s previous work, Aqua, as well as the work of French filmmaker/mime artist Jacques Tati and the anime series Future Boy Conan.

A tender, melancholic film with a post-apocalyptic theme, Flow brings nostalgia and hope to the narrative while treating the audience with spectacular, dreamy visuals. Told through the perspective of a solitary cat, the narrative successfully expresses the core sentiments without needing the help of sentimentality or words, speaking volumes in its silence. Flow made history as the most-viewed film ever in Latvian theaters and became the first Latvian film to be nominated at the Academy Awards, where it won the award for Best Animated Feature. It also received the Golden Globe Award in the same category.

1

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Advertisement

A period horror film written, directed, and produced by Ryan Coogler, Sinners follows the story of twin brothers, Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore, who return to their home in 1932 Mississippi after seven years in Chicago working for the mob. As the brothers set out to make a new life with new dreams, an evil supernatural entity starts terrorizing the town, threatening their lives. Michael B. Jordan plays the dual roles of Smoke and Stack, alongside Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Delroy Lindo, and Miles Caton in his film debut.

Sinners was an instant commercial and critical hit when it premiered, earning universal acclaim for its masterful and artistic storytelling, acting, cinematography, and music composition. Not only is Michael B. Jordan’s gripping performance in the movie one of his career bests, but the film has also earned recognition as Coogler’s most acclaimed film so far, winning several accolades, including a record 16 Academy Award nominations, of which it won four. Sinners also made history with cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman of color in Academy history to be nominated, and the first woman ever to win an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

April 18, 2025

Runtime

138 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Ryan Coogler

Advertisement

Writers

Ryan Coogler

Producers

Advertisement

Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Ryan Coogler

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Netizens and reality TV fans alike are slamming Taylor Frankie Paul after she appeared to defend her social media presence amid public scrutiny. Paul, who stars in Hulu’s reality show, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” made headlines in March 2026 after an old video of her appearing to assault her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, was shared online. Following the release of the horrifying video, ABC and Disney announced they would not air Paul’s previously filmed season of “The Bachelorette.”

Horrifying Video Of Taylor Frankie Paul Appearing To Assault Her Ex-Boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, Has Sparked Chaos

According to a previous report from The Blast, Paul, a TikTok influencer-turned-TV personality, came under fire last week after a video of her appearing to be involved in a domestic violence altercation with her ex was shared online.

In the shocking video, Paul, 31, seems to hit and choke Mortensen and later pull his hair. The video also included clips of what seemed to be Paul launching heavy metal chairs at Mortensen, one of which reportedly hit her minor daughter, causing damage.

The release of the video comes after a source shared that production on season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” had been halted due to Paul’s alleged second domestic violence case with Mortensen in February 2026.

Disney Cancels Upcoming Season Of ‘The Bachelorette’ Following Taylor Frankie Paul Video

The alarming video also arrived just days before Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” in which she was the lead, was scheduled to air on ABC.

Disney issued a statement shortly after, informing the show’s viewers that the company had axed the season entirely. “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the statement read.

Advertisement

According to Variety, the shelved season of “The Bachelorette” will reportedly cost the network “tens of millions of dollars” due to licensing fees and marketing.

Taylor Frankie Paul Defends Her Social Media Use

@holdensmith962 I cannot #PopCulture #PopCultureNews #foryou #taylorfrankiepaul #thebachelorette ♬ original sound – Holden Smith | Pop Culture

Amid all of this, Paul has continued to post on social media, drawing a mixed reaction from the public. In one TikTok video, a content creator slammed the mother of three for continuing to be on her phone.

“Taylor Frankie Paul Get Off Your Phone Challenge,” the user said in the clip. “Why are you commenting back to people and reposting TikToks? Her world literally just blew up. I would say her team should take her phone away from her, but no, she literally is reposting TikToks that are in support of her and she’s commenting back to people on Instagram.”

In a now-deleted comment, Paul appeared to defend her use, writing, “Want me to stare at the wall instead?”

Netizens Troll TFP For Being Chronically Online Amid ‘Bachelorette’ Controversy

Paul’s comment has been reshared all over the internet, and many netizens were disturbed by her words.

“Any ounce of remorse or accountability would be nice doe,” one user shared, while another wrote, “Does she have anyone who really cares about her? She has been taken advantage of by the biggest media company in the world!”

Advertisement

Other users replied directly to the reality star’s question about staring at walls, with one writing, “Yes, one inside a treatment facility.”

Another shared, “Absolutely. The beautiful walls of a luxury treatment facility that she is lucky she can afford.”

Celebs And Public Figures Speak Out Following The TFP ‘Bachelorette’ Drama

Public figures have also chimed in, including former “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay.

“I think it’s over,” she said about the franchise, according to a previous report from The Blast. “I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different, because this isn’t just, ‘Oh, we put it all on a person. This person did this.’ This is the system that allowed this to happen.”

“One Tree Hill” alum Jana Kramer, meanwhile, seemed to call out ABC for waiting too long to take action.

Advertisement

“Abuse is never great TV,” Kramer said. “Where it’s being physical, that is not something that our children need to see. … When you have to grab someone, hurt someone, push someone, verbally, physically, that is not something to get viewership for.”

“DV is not something to joke about [or] to get viewership,” the actress added. “It’s just not at all, and if it was a guy, they would have shut it down immediately.”

Taylor Frankie Paul is showing appreciation for one of her “Bachelorette” contestants after he publicly reacted to the shocking cancellation of her season. Following a heartfelt message from Doug Mason, Taylor Frankie Paul responded with a short but telling comment.

Taylor Frankie Paul Responds To Doug Mason’s Message

Following the cancellation, contestant Doug Mason took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message directed at Paul. “In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” he said. “All we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I am headed off to run to watch the sunrise.”

The video, which has since expired, was reshared by another Instagram account, and Paul didn’t hesitate to respond. “Aw, my heart goes out to him,” she said. “So sweet.”

The unexpected exchange comes after ABC abruptly canceled Season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” which had been scheduled to premiere Sunday. The decision followed the release of resurfaced 2023 footage showing Paul in a violent altercation with then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

The video quickly went viral, triggering backlash and forcing the network to pull the show just days before its debut.

Shocking Video Shows Paul Attacking Ex With A Barstool

The clip, first published by TMZ, shows Paul attempting to place Mortensen in a headlock before striking him with a metal barstool.

The situation becomes even more alarming as her daughter, Indy, now eight, can be seen and heard crying in the background during the incident. According to a police report, the child, who was five at the time, was injured during the altercation and had “a goose egg on her head.”

The incident led to serious legal consequences for Paul.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Case Led To Probation And Dropped Charges

The footage was part of a felony aggravated assault case, which ultimately resulted in a plea deal. She was sentenced to three years’ probation, set to expire in August. As part of the agreement, four additional charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief, were dropped.

Meanwhile, Mortensen has since been granted a temporary restraining order, claiming Paul posed an “immediate threat” to his safety. The order prevents Paul from contacting Mortensen and their two-year-old son, Ever, until a scheduled court hearing on April 7.

ABC Speaks Out As Financial Stakes Rise

With the controversy intensifying, ABC confirmed its decision to halt the season in a public statement. “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time,” the statement read. “Our focus is on supporting the family.”

The last-minute cancellation could come at a high cost to the network, with production expenses reportedly reaching up to $2 million per episode, totaling as much as $28 million.

Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses The Situation Through Her Representative

Amid the growing controversy, Paul has shared her perspective through a statement released by her representative, emphasizing her focus on family during this time and saying she “is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”

The statement also alleged that the reality star has endured significant hardship behind the scenes, claiming she suffered “extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation” over the years, adding that “Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”

The message broadened to highlight a larger issue, noting that “there are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.”

According to the statement, Paul had remained quiet “out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming,” but is now “seeking support,” exploring her options, and “preparing to own and share her story.”

As the situation continues to evolve, both the future of the franchise and Paul’s role in it remain uncertain, but the ripple effects are far from over.

Doja Cat‘s family affairs are once again in the spotlight.

The singer’s name got wrangled between words as her father tries to clear his name from the bad-dad label. This comes after she addressed the extent of their strained relationship, noting he was not there for her through her formative years.

The family drama has been ongoing for years and seemingly continues to escalate. Doja Cat’s mom, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, previously filed a restraining order against her older brother, Raman Dalithando Dlamin, after things got heated between them. 

Doja Cat’s Dad Claims She Has Been Brainwashed By Her Mom

Doja’s father, Dumisani Dlamini, is speaking up in an attempt to clear his name. He addressed certain claims made by his daughter recently about not being a father, indeed, while she was growing up. Doja claims her dad is a deadbeat, saying he ran out on her and their family.

Rising to his own defense, Dlamini explained that he never abandoned the singer, and he played his part to ensure they were fed. He uploaded the videos online wher he stressed that he loves his kids, Doja and Raman, and that he helped put food on the table when they were growing up.

Advertisement

TMZ reported that Dlamini spoke about his strained relationship with the rapper, adding that she has been brainwashed into thinking that he is a bad guy primarily due to the influence of her mother, Sawyer. According to Dlamini, his former partner convinced Doja that he had left her and washed his hands of any responsibility attached to parenting her.

The Rapper Played A Quick One On Her Father

In the series of videos Dlamini shared online, he alleged that it was after his daughter’s career blew up in the industry that her mother started feeding her the false claims. He says that Sawyer ruined his reputation as a good man and started preaching abandonment to Doja.

His videos were uploaded after the iconic rapper shared a video she titled “Deadbeat Chronicles.” In her video, she talked about trolling her dad with tickets to one of her shows in South Africa, where he lives. The entertainer shared that instead of sending him the tickets to one of her Tour Ma Vie shows in South Africa, she sent him a link to gay porn.

The ploy clearly did not sit right with the South African native as he addressed it while telling his narrative. He reiterated that he was not the guy Sawyer had painted him to be and offered apologies for any presumed offense he might have committed.

Advertisement

“[Doja] played the cards because of the influence of her mother. She came to South Africa, had the power to see me, and faked it. What I want to say to you guys is, I’m sorry if I ever touched anyone’s nerves. I’m a man of integrity, respect, and love,” Dlamini said.

Inside Doja Cat’s Family Dynamics

Doja, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, may just have gotten her creative side from her parents. Her mom is a painter and clothing designer, while her dad is an actor and dancer in South Africa. The South African dancer made a name for himself in the world of acting from his appearance on “Sarafina!” in 1992. The pair met in New York while he was performing in the legendary film on Broadway alongside Whoopi Goldberg.

They had a short-lived relationship during which Doja and her older brother,  Raman Dalithando Dlamini, were born. The “Paint The Town Red” singer and her brother lived with their mom in New York and California, and she had previously admitted to having never met her father. PEOPLE shared that one of Doja’s childhood friends, Gabrielle Hame, spoke about the absence of her father in her life.

“She would always think her dad was coming, and he didn’t come. She’d say, ‘My dad is gonna come, he lives in Africa, he’s just performing,’ and he wouldn’t come,” Hames recalled. However dysfunctional and non-existent their relationship seems, Dlamini has openly declared how proud he is of his daughter’s achievement, and the rapper previously praised her dad’s dancing skills.

The Grammy Winner Was Allegedly Abused By Her Older Brother

Two years ago, Sawyer filed court documents claiming that her son, Raman, had been physically and verbally abusive towards Doja. She claimed that things had gotten so heated between the siblings to the point that he knocked out the rapper’s teeth amid their brawl.

The Blast reported at the time that Sawyer also stated that her son was involved in stealing and destroying his sister’s property and had attacked her several times. The painter detailed in her filing that Raman made Doja feel “unsafe and traumatized” after hurling degrading words at her.

Advertisement

She requested that a restraining order be issued against him on behalf of her daughter, but a judge denied the request. A temporary restraining order was issued initially pending the time of their hearing, where the judge advised that Doja filed the request herself.

Doja Cat’s Mom Has Been Her Beacon Of Support

The award-winning rapper recently spoke about the great influence her mom had on her career and personal life. She shared that growing up with a single mother made her more appreciative of the sacrifices it takes to raise a child. Doja described her childhood years as “fun and tough” while stating that she was in awe of how her mom raised her and her siblings all on her own.

“Growing up with a single mother is a hard thing to do. She had five children, but I could never. She is incredible, the strongest mother,” the rapper said. Doja’s mom is indeed proud of her daughter’s success. The singer celebrated the bond between her and her mom in her music video for her hit song “Gorgeous,” which featured Sawyer along with other top models.

While the 30-year-old rapper barely speaks about her father and brother in interviews, she wastes no time gushing about her mother, stating the valuable lessons of life she learnt growing up with her. Doja’s first original song, which she wrote at eight years old, was for Sawyer.

Advertisement