Days of Our Lives spoilers for March 23-27, 2026 suggest Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) is confessing and Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) hitting rock bottom.

As we always do on early edition day. We start with what’s coming the rest of this week and then we jump into what is ahead next week.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Wednesday, March 18th: Dimitri and Leo in Peril

So, on Wednesday, March 18th, we’re going to continue over from Tuesday. Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) are in peril. Their lives are at risk. And we saw some of this at the end of Tuesday’s episode. We’ll see it again on Wednesday.

Somebody with a laser sighting sniper rifle took a shot through their hotel window and Dimitri tackles Leo and then is freaking out over him, worried he’s shot. And it looks like Andrew Donovan may show up at the end of Wednesday’s episode as Leo’s lying on the bed and Dimitri looks concerned. But most of the Andrew action happens on Thursday.

Philip is going to confess to Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) that he is the reason Titan is in trouble. And it looks like Philip might come completely clean on the forgery of the letter from Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston).

And of course, Gabi already knows all of this because she spied on him and Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) and then she told Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis). So, as equally as Philip is to blame, Gabi is as well. And I wonder if she will come clean or if Philip’s confession makes her realize that she can never come clean.

DOOL Spoilers: EJ Interrogated by Belle

JJ Deveraux and Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) do some bonding and we’ll see if Theo brings up JJ’s ex Gabi because he just, you know, is so infatuated. Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop) is stalked by Scarface henchman Klaus (Bassel Alzaro) who is in Salem to tie up loose ends that might lead back to Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) and tie her to the DiMera kidnappings.

DA Belle Brady (Martha Madison) Black interrogates her ex EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and no doubt she’s questioning him about Stephanie Johnson‘s (Abigail Klein) kidnapping and whether he was involved like he was in the past.

So, Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) arrested EJ and hopefully Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) did what he asked and called Rita and she’ll get him a lawyer over there ASAP. I hope it’s Melinda Trask (Tina Huang). That would be fun for EJ to have to lower himself to ask Melinda to rep him.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Stephanie & Jeremy Suspicious

Stephanie and Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) didn’t see or hear EJ, just Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey) and Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton). But they may suspect that EJ was using Rolf as his go-between. And Rafe insisted EJ was the only person who knew that room was there. But Rolf did, too. And so did the construction people that built the secret lab. And they really have no evidence to hold EJ as far as I can see.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Thursday, March 19th: Shawn Is Shot

Thursday, March 19th, Leo and Dimitri try to explain themselves to Andrew. And I’m sure Dimitri is going to say to the ISA agent that, you know, he was kidnapped. He was held against his will. He wasn’t involved with the kidnappings. And he was wrongfully arrested.

But Andrew wanted to play by the book. So, we’ll see. Dimitri wanted the ISA to look into that house where he was kept, but Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) was ranting at somebody, Vivian or Yvonne, presumably to shut that down. So, I wonder if that house is going to mysteriously burn.

And Klaus confronts Liam, who of course is terrified of the villain. JJ’s there, and so is Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer). And JJ pulls his gun, identifies them as police, tells Klaus to stop, put down his weapon. Shawn has his gun out too, and it looks like he and Klaus both fire simultaneously.

Shawn is shot and he goes down. JJ runs over to check on his partner. The question is, is Klaus dead and gone or just gone? Because when Shawn is shot, that might be a good chance for Klaus to run away. If he does get away, of course, Liam remains in trouble. And JJ is going to call for help, officer down, and get Shawn over to the hospital ASAP.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: EJ Surprises Gwen

Gwen is surprised by EJ, so he may be back at the mansion already. As I said, I can’t imagine that they have enough for Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) to hold him and for Belle to press charges. EJ may update Gwen on all the drama, including that Rolf had to move Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) from the lab.

And then we’re going to have Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) lying right in Abe Carver‘s (James Reynolds) face when they’re hanging out at the Brady Pub. And I’m sure it’s about the secret lab and the person pod that Rafe found. Paulina knows that Lexie’s somewhere or else Rafe would have found her in the person pod. So, this bombshell could go off anytime, blow up in Paulina’s face on Days of our Lives.

Days Spoilers Friday, March 20th: Rachel Gives Tate More Psych Meds for Holly

Friday, March 20th, we’ve got Jada getting an update from Belle, and it may be about having to cut EJ loose. Owen is in custody, and he was accused and named by the two kidnap victims, Stephanie and Jeremy. Owen also named Dr. Rolf. And I’m sure that he’s either hiding out in the bowels of the hospital or in the bowels below the DiMera mansion.

Shawn wants the truth from JJ. And I wonder if this is about his prognosis from the shooting. Liam gets some TLC from Arianna “Ari” Grace Horton (Marissa Reyes) after his ordeal with the shooting. And I wonder if Liam’s just having PTSD or if he might have been injured by Klaus’s bullet.

Days of our Lives Spoilers:

Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) and Holly do some more talking about what’s going on with her. She’s really scared, but she also doesn’t want to take Sarah’s advice to stop the skin supplements to see if that makes her feel better, because you know, having clear skin is more important than having a clear mind. I guess.

Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) gives Tate Black (Leo Howard) the package from Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) to give to Holly without mentioning Sophia’s name. But I guess Rachel has to claim she bought them for Holly. And obviously there’s more psych meds in this skin supplement bottle. I wonder if Tate’s going to give it to Holly. Probably. We’ll see. I guess it depends on how Rachel explains it.

Week of March 23rd-27th on DOOL: Rachel’s Court Hearing

The week of March 23rd through the 27th, we’ll find out about Rachel’s fate in court and whether Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) keeps her mouth shut in front of the judge and behaves at the hearing or if she gets sassy and Rachel pays the price for her mom’s smart mouth. Kind of hoping the judge bans Kristen from being near Rachel and says Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) is the only one fit to be around her.

Lexie should be waking up any day now and we should get a glimpse at where Rolf has stashed her. Stephanie and Jeremy may continue to keep quiet about Stephanie having to kiss Owen as part of the escape plan. And of course, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) cannot fully understand the lengths his wife Stephanie went through while she was kidnapped and being tormented and for her to get loose.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Will Tate Commit?

Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) may ask Brady to officially join Black Patch and follow in his dad, John Black’s (Drake Hogestyn) footsteps. He did great with this investigation. Brady was key in figuring out that Owen was behind Stephanie’s kidnapping. And since Brady is out at Basic Black, he needs something to do.

Holly may run back to Grandma Maggie Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) and move back into the Kiriakis mansion since she is fleeing her dorm room after Ari unfriended her in real life. She is fed up with Holly.

So, we’ll see if Tate gives her those drugged supplements, no questions asked. You know, she could OD on the psychiatric meds or just come completely emotionally unglued and have a nervous breakdown.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Shawn & Jada Couple Up

Shawn and Jada are going to do some bonding as he recovers. And a Days social media post confirmed they’re a couple again soon. So that means a split with her and Theo coming with the question of who does the splitting. But does Belle still have feelings for her ex-husband that may crop up now that Shawn was shot?

We’ll find out if Owen’s going to make it to trial or if Rolf’s going to find a way to silence him permanently. We know that Owen is not sticking around, so that means he is disposable. Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) is glad that Jeremy’s in the clear and he decided to stick around Salem for a while longer.

And I also wonder if Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) is going to insist that Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) take a step back from EJ now that he’s been sort of implicated in Stephanie’s kidnapping when she was softening on that point.

Lauren London stuns in new photos from the 2026 Oscars Gold Party.

RELATED: So Sweet! Lauren London Gets Gassed UP By Son Kross For Her Youthful Look At Age 41 (PHOTO)

Lauren London Stuns In New Photos From 2026 Oscars Gold Party

Earlier this week, London took to Instagram to share a carousel with her more than 10 million followers. Furthermore, the initial photos featured a tagline which read, “The GOLD PARTY 2026.” For those unfamiliar, the party is an annual event thrown by Jay-Z and Beyoncé as one of the after-parties for the Oscars, per PEOPLE.

In the flicks, London donned an updo, gold hoop earrings, and matching jewelry, and a black flowy gown with a cut-out portion in the mid-section.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users remarked on Lauren London’s Gold Party look in TSR’s comment section.

Lauren London Also Served In Photos From The 2025 Party

As The Shade Room previously reported, Lauren London also appeared at the 2025 Oscars Gold Party. Furthermore, at the time, she donned a metallic strapless gown.

“Kam and Kross Momma was outside again Gold Party ,” she wrote in the caption of the carousel she shared at the time.

RELATED: Been That Girl! Lauren London Stuns In New Photos At Oscars Gold Party

Ari Fletcher had the girls gagging when she seemingly reunited with DreamDoll at Arrogant Tae’s birthday bash earlier this month — but now she has fans losing it after unlocking what looks like a new friendship with Ice Spice. Folks peeped Ice sliding into the comments of Ari’s latest pics with a question, but Ari’s response is what really has everybody begging to tag along.

RELATED: All Good? The Internet Pops OFF After Ari Fletcher & DreamDoll Seemingly Reunite At Arrogant Tae’s Birthday Bash (PHOTO)

Ari Fletcher Sparks FOMO After Responding To Ice Spice’s Comment

Roommates, it looks like Ari Fletcher and Ice Spice are slowly becoming the duo the internet didn’t know it needed. Ari dropped some new pics on Instagram, and fans spotted Ice Spice in the comments. No heart eyes, she was straight to the point, asking “wya” (where you at?). Ari didn’t miss the comment; she immediately replied and shared her location, writing, “@icespice home, your invited.” Right now, there’s no official confirmation that the girlies linked up, but fans are definitely lurking, refreshing their timelines, and patiently waiting for photos of them together to drop.

Fans Can’t Get Enough Of Ari & Ice’s New Friendship

Once The Shade Room reposted Ari and Ice Spice’s interaction, the comment section went wild. Some folks immediately said they wanted in on their hangout, while others gave Arrogant Tae props for apparently bringing the girls together.

Instagram user @imtayanamarie wrote, “I WANNA COME😋😭” 

Instagram user @phlurtycurl wrote, “I’d like to third wheel 😂” 

While Instagram user @breezylaboy wrote, “Need an update how it ended..” 

Then, Instagram user @dominiquechinn wrote, “They built them a bond through Tae birthday. Tae brings all the baddies together. Love it 🥰” 

Another Instagram user @princess_naibell wrote, “Can I just sit in the corner I won’t say nothing 😩😅” 

Then another Instagram user @pootie_jb wrote, “Whole time Bag wrote the reply.” 

While another Instagram user @elegant_sha wrote, “Looks like ice spice tryna make new friends love this for her.” 

Finally, Instagram user @madiboyproductions wrote, “I just wanna be the fly on the wall.” 

The Internet Is Curious To See If Ari & Ice’s Friendship Will Blossom

Fans had their eyes on Ari Fletcher and Ice Spice ever since videos from Tae’s birthday celebration hit the net. The clips showed the ladies turnt up and clearly having a good time. At one point, Ari even recorded Ice spitting some bars. There’s no word on whether Tae’s birthday was the first time they met, but either way, fans are waiting to see if their friendship blossoms.

@hiphopsnippetss ❤️#fyp #hiphop #icespice #arifletcher ♬ original sound – HipHopSnippetss

RELATED: What’s Tea? Ice Spice Has Fans Speculating That Michael Porter Jr. Is The Mystery Man In Her Viral TikTok Video (WATCH)

Roommates, things are getting spicy in the Desmond Scott universe as Marissa Springer is spilling details about their previous involvement. From the high-end shopping spree to allegedly seeing Dana Tran blow up his phone, Springer put it ALL out there. For context, Marissa was first linked to the estranged husband of mega-influencer Kristy Scott in January after a video showed them kissing in a bar.

RELATED: Rodeo Romance? Report Alleges Desmond Scott Is Now Dating Mother Of Diddy’s Youngest Child (VIDEOS)

 Marissa Springer Speaks

In a Wednesday interview with TMZ’s Charlie Neff, Marissa revealed that the day after their steamy make-out session, Desmond Scott allegedly handed her his credit card with a spending limit of $25,000. She broke down exactly what she bought—including YSL and Gucci bags—though she spent only around $10K of her full limit. While it all felt thrilling in the moment, hindsight has her wondering if the spree was more hush money than generosity. After all, Desmond didn’t even attend the shopping spree in person, and it all happened amid his very public split from Kristy Scott.

Furthermore, Marissa revealed that she and Desmond Scott last spoke about a month ago, agreeing to keep things “cordial.” She added there were never any plans to turn their fling into a relationship, especially with everything he’s going through right now. When asked about Desmond now allegedly dating Dana Tran, Marissa admitted she was “surprised.” She alleges she saw Dana’s name pop up on his phone during their time together, but he “never answered the calls” while they were together.

When pressed if she had anything to say to him, she concluded with a pointed warning: “Diddy’s out soon, so be careful.” At one point, she credited him for being an “amazing cook” but didn’t share when she had his food.

Folks Lit The Comments Up

Fans did not waste a second before storming TMZ’s Instagram comments, lighting it UP with reactions. Some were shading Desmond Scott for staying quiet, while others wondered if Marissa was just trying to ride the fame wave. Still, plenty of followers weren’t sweating it, pointing out that Desmond has the money and, honestly, he was already splitting from his wife—so what’s the tea really?

One Instagram user @sindylove89_ added, “Desmond not about to entertain this‼️”

This Instagram user @kaymccabetv said, “*sigh* Wish he would’ve met me…“

And, Instagram user @__sammibebe_ added, “‘Diddys out soon so be careful’ SAYS IT ALL . keep it safe Playaaa playaaa 😂😅”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @val_calv26 commented, “‘Out of character for him’ yeah cause she really ‘knows him’ 😂”

While Instagram user @thegrlboss_ shared, “This girl trying to ride that wave lmao“

Lastly, Instagram user @kia_gina wrote, “He got it, I see no issue lol“

Marissa’s Birthday Gifts Have Fans Asking Questions

Roommates, let’s talk about those gifts, because Marissa Springer just turned 24 and the haul she flexed on Instagram has people asking questions. Back in January, Marissa dropped a reel captioned, “What I got for my 24th birthday,” showing off a straight-up luxury lineup: iced-out earrings and necklace, a MacBook Air, a gold YSL bag, a mini Gucci bag, a YSL vanity, perfumes, makeup sets, two bags of Alo gear… and honestly, it looked like a whole department store showed up in her room.

Of course, fans immediately started wondering: were all these gifts birthday presents… or part of that alleged “shopping spree” Desmond reportedly handed her his credit card for? Let’s not forget, this all went down just weeks after Kristy Scott filed for divorce following an 11-year marriage, citing “adultery.”

RELATED: Who Cashed Out? Marissa Springer’s Latest Post Has Some Social Media Users Asking About Desmond Scott (WATCH)

Dakota Mortensen is speaking out following reports of an alleged domestic dispute with the mother of his children, Taylor Frankie Paul. Mortensen and Paul have been in the headlines all week after sources claimed Paul’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” co-stars have refused to film with her.

Dakota Mortensen Speaks Out After Alleged Dispute With Taylor Frankie Paul Reaches New Heights

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, a representative for Mortensen said that the TV personality and the father of one has been trying to keep a low profile since the news of Paul’s alleged domestic outburst made headlines.

“His number one priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever,” the rep said. “He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor. It’s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.”

Mortensen’s rep went on to say that the 33-year-old hoped the situation would go away, adding that he’s never actually told his side. “He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that,” they shared.

Taylor Frankie Paul Allegedly Choked Mortensen After Learning Of A Previous Relationship

According to a previous report from The Blast, a source claimed that Paul allegedly choked Mortensen after getting into a heated argument over Mortensen’s alleged sexual encounters with a “SLOMW” cast member.

The source went on to claim that Paul ripped Mortensen’s necklace from his body, grabbed his neck, and displayed even more violent behavior in front of their son, Ever, prompting Mortensen to reportedly call Utah police officers for help.

The pair have been involved in a domestic dispute before, according to a CBS News report. In 2024, Paul was charged with two felony counts after authorities claimed she hit, choked, and threw metal chairs at Mortensen during an altercation.

Taylor Frankie Paul Implied She Was Done WIth Mortensen Before The ‘Bachelorette’ Premiere

In another interview with Entertainment Weekly, Paul opened up about her relationship with Mortensen and implied she was officially cutting ties with him.

“I actually took action about a few weeks ago. I’m just doing third-party everything, pick-up, drop-offs, communication, so no contact right now for me,” she said. “I think that’s the best case, honestly, because clearly it’s just not to a point of us getting along, so I wanted to take the best action I could. I didn’t want to bring anything to the public eye, making it a bigger deal for the sake of my son, and just everything about to come out. But that wasn’t the plan for [Mortensen].”

Paul Speaks Out Following Reports, Hints She’s Saddened By The Reports

Paul also addressed the current controversy in a statement, according to The Blast, saying her “heart” was broken due to the “timing” of the news.

For those unaware, Paul will star in the next season of “The Bachelorette,” which will air on Sunday on ABC.

Paul went on to say that “every premiere” she’s experienced has been ruined by scandal. “I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… It’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today,” she said.

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‘Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ Co-Stars Aren’t Filming With Paul Right Now

Season 4 of “Secret Lives” recently aired on Hulu, and per reports, the network has halted production on season 5 due to the alleged dispute.

“They are not filming,” a source close to the show shared. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

A source recently told TMZ, however, that the women of “SLOMW” are hoping to move forward, but they believe Paul needs to seek help before returning to film with the others.

In addition to the cast, sponsors affiliated with “Secret Lives” and “The Bachelor” have also pulled out after learning of the reported altercation between Paul and Mortensen.

“Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values,” they stated.

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At long last, Marvel fans everywhere have finally gotten their first glimpse at the highly anticipated summer blockbuster, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The trailer for Marvel Studios and Tom Holland‘s fourth adventure with the iconic hero was released on Wednesday morning, kicking off the road to release at the end of July. While the footage was obviously centered around Holland’s Peter Parker and his journey as Spider-Man, the trailer also features quite a lot of connective tissue to one of Marvel’s most popular TV shows. The fingerprints of Daredevil: Born Again are seemingly all over Spider-Man: Brand New Day, crossing over in a much bigger way than we initially expected.

We’ve only seen one season of Daredevil: Born Again, but the second installment is coming to Disney+ later this month, and it will clearly have a big impact on the events of Brand New Day. In fact, it seems Spider-Man and Daredevil are going to be co-existing in New York in a much bigger way than they ever have on-screen. That, of course, is a far cry from the previous era of Marvel Cinematic Universe shows on Disney+, which never got the recognition from the movie side of things that many felt they deserved. This appears to be both sides of the Marvel coin actually working in harmony.

Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Is Just the Beginning

Images via Sony Pictures Releasing

The news of Jon Bernthal‘s inclusion in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is far from breaking news at this point. Fans have known for quite a while that the popular Daredevil TV character is going to make the big screen jump this summer, so seeing him interact with Holland’s Spidey in the trailer should come as no surprise. However, Bernthal’s appearance was far from the only tie to the world of Daredevil.

There’s a scene in the trailer where a newscast shows Spider-Man being given a key to New York City, and it appears as though the person handing him that key is none other than Sheila Rivera. If you recall, Rivera is a key advisor to Mayor Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. Why she’s giving Spider-Man a key to the city instead of Fisk — and why Fisk is celebrating a “masked vigilante” like Spider-Man at all — is a question we probably won’t be able to answer until after the release of Born Again Season 2.

Something similar can be said for Frank Castle, who is roaming the streets of New York in this trailer. He is taken by Fisk’s forces in the Born Again Season 1 finale, though the post-credits scene alludes to him escaping. How exactly that happens, and what he does next, will remain a mystery for a little while longer.

Return of the Hand

Images via Sony Pictures Releasing

Now, this is less about Daredevil: Born Again and much more about the shared Netflix universe that the original Daredevil series launched more than a decade ago. There are a lot of mysteries surrounding the potential antagonists of Brand New Day, but the trailer does reveal that the organization known as The Hand will be incorporated.

Spider-Man is seen in the trailer fighting off members of the Hand, which marks the group’s foray into the MCU, after having been a driving force in Daredevil and The Defenders. Who knows what kind of role the organization will actually have in the film, given how there is absolutely no context to the scene from the trailer, but the fact that they are around at all shows that Marvel isn’t afraid to try again with characters or properties that were used in the Netflix universe.

Related

Jessica Jones Finally Returns to the MCU in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 First Look

Two Defenders down, two more to go.

How Marvel Shows and Movies Should Exist

When Marvel Studios first started releasing TV shows, it felt as though the small-screen version of the ever-growing superhero franchise wasn’t really allowed to exist on the same level as the films. The events from the shows were noted by the stories of the movies, but they didn’t matter all that much in the grand scheme of things. For example, Wanda’s experience in WandaVision was talked about in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but the character growth she experienced on that show wasn’t at all reflected in the version of the Scarlet Witch that appeared in the film.

As the television side of Marvel Studios has evolved, and is focusing more on traditional TV formats with grounded characters, it appears the bridge over to the films is starting to work both ways. How things unfold in Daredevil: Born Again has a direct impact on Spider-Man’s New York City escapades in Brand New Day. How far that connection goes remains to be seen, but it’s awesome to see these two wings of Marvel seemingly working together in ways they haven’t been able to before.

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Release Date

July 31, 2026

Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

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Writers

Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee

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For many, what makes a sport an extreme sport is the risks those partaking are willing to take to achieve their goals. With a growing focus on safety in all areas, the goalposts are constantly shifting on what is and isn’t considered part of this dangerous collection. Formula 1, for example, used to be considered an extreme sport because of the high number of driver deaths, and there is still a significant risk involved. However, improved safety measures and the sport’s move into mainstream media have diminished many of its extreme aspects.

What can never be made ultimately safe, and something that wouldn’t normally pique the interest of many, is free soloing. This is the act of climbing without safety equipment, going far beyond the walls one would find in a rock climbing gym. While many would never even attempt such a sport, the documentary Free Solo is the best example of exploring what kind of person takes up something so dangerous. Not only is there a thorough analysis of the climber, but the fantastic cinematography heightens the tension to the point you will want to look away, and yet never take your eyes off the screen.

What is ‘Free Solo’ About?

Free Solo, currently streaming on Netflix, follows Alex Honnold, one of the best free solo climbers in the world, as he attempts to be the first person to ever free solo El Capitan, a massive and dangerous rock face in Yosemite. Not only is the distance Alex must climb astonishing at 3000 feet, but El Capitan is also rated as one of the greatest challenges in all of free soloing, with no climber ever completing a climb at the 5.13a difficulty that this rock face holds. Yet, more fascinating than the climb itself is the man attempting to accomplish this feat: Alex.

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18 Thrilling Movies About Mountain Climbing That Will Have Your Heart Racing

Your arms will be sore from just watching.

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Most would assume that, to even begin to consider a sport such as free soloing, one would have to be as emotionally steady as the mountains they climb, but Alex takes this to another level. Not only does he not seem to exhibit any fear, but he rarely displays emotions of any kind aside from blunt sarcasm. Free Solo isn’t just interested in Alex’s climbing, but how his approach to emotion affects his relationship with his partner, Sanni McCandless, who constantly pushes Alex to be more expressive. Perhaps the clearest example of Alex’s fascinating perspective is when he learns of the death of one of his fellow free soloists. It certainly makes him question his own risks and relationship with death, but whether it truly affects him is something all viewers will have a different opinion on due to his enigmatic nature.

‘Free Solo’s Cinematography Emphasizes the Risks Alex Takes With Every Step

Everyone has had the nightmare of falling from a great height, and whenever one climbs in real life, even with all the safety harnesses attached, it is the fear of falling that makes the legs shake. Free Solo manages to harness this fear throughout every second of Alex’s climb, whether he is scouting the route with ropes or truly undertaking the challenge free solo. Free Solo faces a great challenge in this area because, in theory, the viewer can assume that Alex is not going to die, as the tone of the documentary would feel incredibly somber if so, and the filmmakers even question the ethics of their filming if such a situation did occur.

Yet, the way Free Solo utilizes drone shots, such as an iconic pullback that starts close on Alex before reversing until he becomes a tiny speck on the side of El Capitan, emphasizes not only the scale of the challenge, but the distance Alex would fall if he puts one foot wrong. Free Solo also uses editing to great effect, slowing down the most tense moments of the climb to force the audience to sit in the terrifying scenario for as long as possible, until it feels like their heart is going to burst through their chest, with Alex’s calm demeanor somehow making it worse, rather than reassuring.

There isn’t long to watch Free Solo, since it will be leaving Netflix at the beginning of April, so it needs to be your next viewing experience as soon as possible. Even though your hands will shake during and afterward, and even if it’s the most frightening thing you’ll see a human being take on, it is a masterclass in documentary filmmaking. From understanding the premise, to the human behind it all, to the technical aspects that make the climb the challenge that it is, Free Solo is a documentary that will leave marks on your armrest from how hard you grip it.

Free Solo is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

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Release Date

September 28, 2018

Runtime

100 minutes

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Director

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 12 seconds ago

I was having a really good day before I fired up 2009’s Morris County, a three-part horror anthology written and directed by Matthew Garrett about the darkness hiding just beneath the idyllic sheen of modern suburbia. I didn’t know what to expect going into this low-budget romp through the neighborhood, but I figured it would carry the same “everybody has skeletons in their closet” messaging that most films like this do. American Beauty, The Burbs, Happiness, and countless other films have played with this motif with wildly different results, so I went into Morris County with an open mind.

For a film that looks like it was shot for less than $500 (budget information is not publicly available), Morris County still manages to get under your skin and make you want to take a long shower when it’s over. I live in a pretty modern apartment, but still found that I couldn’t get the water hot enough to shock the final sequence out of my brain.

While I can’t say this is the most groundbreaking film of all time, it works with what it has and proves genuinely upsetting on more than one occasion.

Three Stories From The Same Neighborhood

Morris County has a structure that feels deliberate, though it may be coincidental. The first story focuses on a teenage girl named Ellie (Darcy Miller) who has clearly lost her way. She’s shut out her parents and taken to drinking and drugging. It’s implied that she regularly trades sexual favors with the liquor store employees so she can buy booze as a minor. Ellie meets her friends in the woods, and they party like teens do.

She’s not yet fully aware of how her behavior will catch up with her, but she soon finds out and has to make peace with herself when she realizes how far gone she actually is.

Chapter two moves away from teenage chaos and into adult misery. This section focuses on Noah (Albie Selznick), a Jewish man struggling to reconcile his latent homosexuality with his faith. Making matters worse is his wife’s affair, which she thinks she’s successfully concealing even though he’s fully aware of it. 

He takes solo trips to the adult video store and attempts to hook up with male suitors, which lands him in more trouble than he anticipated. Broken, miserable, and convinced he’s stepping further away from God’s light, Noah finds himself staring down his family, the bottom of a bottle, and the barrel of a gun. It plays out exactly how you’d expect.

Now that Morris County has progressed through middle age, the final story moves into the golden years through the eyes of Iris (Alice Cannon). Forced into early retirement because of her age, Iris suddenly feels lost without the routine she followed for her entire adult life.

On her first day of retirement, her husband Elmer (Erik Frandsen) dies while watching TV on the couch. In her profound state of grief, Iris decides to live with Elmer’s rotting corpse and go about her daily routine as if nothing has changed. The first few days are manageable, but as Elmer continues to decompose, it becomes painfully clear that the romance and sense of fulfillment Iris is chasing is just as dead as her husband.

A Horrifying Glimpse At Humanity

While its production values leave quite a bit to be desired, Morris County ultimately does everything it sets out to accomplish. It moves through three phases of life, each one more disturbing than the last, highlighting the uncomfortable truth that growing up, growing old, and dying are rarely graceful experiences.

Everybody is fighting a silent battle, and every so often those battles boil over in the ugliest ways imaginable. From an isolated and angsty teenager barreling through life on hard mode to an elderly woman who refuses to let go of her past and plan her next steps, the film has no trouble getting its point across.

Behind the picket fences and locked front doors, silent suffering hides in the most unassuming places. When people build walls around themselves and let their demons consume them from the inside out, you get exactly what Morris County is showing you.

As of this writing, Morris County is streaming for free on Tubi.