Rosamund Pike is among the most versatile actors in the industry. With her impressive talent, the Oscar-nominated actor has portrayed a multitude of characters, from Gone Girl’s Amy Dunne to a Bond girl opposite Pierce Brosnan, and Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice; her talents know no bounds. In the past decade, she has become even more unconventional with her acting choices, playing Moiraine in The Wheel of Time, a troubled mother in Saltburn, a con woman, and Marla in I Care a Lot, among others. Now, her latest feature has become an instant Netflix hit.

Pike stars opposite Sacha Baron Cohen in a new R-rated satirical comedy film, Ladies First. Directed by Thea Sharrock, the feature is an adaptation of the French film Je ne Suis Pas Un Homme Facile (I Am Not an Easy Man). The film follows an arrogant, high-powered advertising executive and chronic chauvinist, Damien Sachs (Baron Cohen). He lives a life of immense privilege, casual flings, and corporate dominance, regularly undermining his highly qualified female colleague, Alex Fox (Pike). Things take a turn after an accident when Damien wakes up in a parallel universe where the traditional gender roles and societal power dynamics are reversed.

Ladies First has a stellar cast, including Richard E. Grant, who plays a mystical homeless man and Damien’s guide. Fans will also be surprised with the timid performance of Game of Thrones vet Charles Dance as Fred, a submissive, age-conscious executive, while Fiona Shaw shines as boss lady in the boardroom, Felicity.

‘Ladies First’ Is an Instant Streaming Hit

Owing to its brilliant comedy and great premise, Ladies First has become an instant hit on Netflix, standing tall at the #1 spot, as per FlixPatrol. Also on the list is the animated feature Swapped, starring Michael B Jordan, true-crime offering The Crash, Charlize Theron’s Apex, GOAT, and more. In the last few months, fans have been enjoying a couple of high-octane movies, so a comedy at the top of the charts comes as a breath of fresh air.

The feature is a comedic gold, but touches upon several themes like societal pressure that women face in everyday life, the corporate glass ceiling, flipping the gendered norms, as well as female objectification and the male gaze. It has severely divided its audience, with critics giving it a 19% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience gave it a 68% rating.

Check out Ladies First is streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

October 3, 2014

Runtime

Advertisement

149 minutes

Writers

Gillian Flynn

Advertisement

Producers

Arnon Milchan, Ceán Chaffin, Joshua Donen

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sometimes nature calls, and as French tennis pro Arthur Gea learned the hard way, it just doesn’t care how many people are watching.

Gea, 21, had to pause the first set of his French Open debut on Sunday, May 24, when he realized he couldn’t wait anymore. Down 4-2 to Karen Khachanov, Gea asked the chair umpire for a break.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” cameras caught him pleading in French, according to the Associated Press. “I can’t move anymore. I’m going to (go) on the court.”

Video shared by TNT Sports also captured the athlete saying in English, “I cannot wait… it’s not a joke.”

Though his pleas were initially denied, the match was ultimately delayed for around three minutes while Gea relieved himself, presumably in the nick of time. According to the Association of Tennis Professionals’ rules, three minutes is the maximum amount of time a player can spend on a bathroom break during a match. They are also allowed only one per match.

Gea went on to lose in three sets.

He later revealed that he was eventually granted the bathroom break — which typically only comes between sets — due to “medical circumstances” and that he was also given medicine to help settle his stomach. He also admitted that he had fallen ill the night before.

“During the match it was even worse,” he said. “I had to go to the toilet really quick.”

Gea added that the heat at Roland Garros didn’t help his condition.

“I was feeling really, really bad this morning in particular. But during the match was even worse because it was a bit hot and I had to go to the toilet really quick and they didn’t allow it,” he said in a press conference. “I was asking the referee because I was feeling really, really bad and then the doctor came and obviously I could go out and it was not so long.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

After he lightened his load, Gea said, “I was feeling a bit better but it was still really bad. It was really, really hard physically with my health.”

Related: Tennis Star Daniil Medvedev Smashes Racket in Shocking US Open Meltdown

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev brought Bravo-level drama to the 2025 US Open on Sunday, August 24. Play was suspended during Medvedev’s match against French opponent Benjamin Bonzi at the New York City tournament on Sunday after a photographer walked onto the court at match point in the third set. Bonzi, 29, was preparing his […]

Advertisement

Gea turned pro in 2023 and was the 135th-ranked player in the world when the match began. Khachanov, 30, advanced to take on Marco Trungelliti in the second round and expressed his sympathy for Gea’s situation after the match.

“I think it’s more a question about the rules — when you can leave the court and when you can’t,” he said in his press conference. “But as a human being, I understand him, because sometimes you can have that desperate need. What can you do? You just accept it and wait for him. Honestly, I felt bad for the guy.”

The number one movie on Prime Video this week is Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, the highly anticipated film sequel to the Jack Ryan series. John Krasinski returns as the titular CIA operative and co-wrote the film with Aaron Rabin, with Andrew Bernstein directing. The movie, which follows Jack Ryan as he comes out of retirement to help foil an international terrorist plot, has been very popular on streaming ever since its premiere last week, even though the critical reception has been quite negative. It’s certainly a must-watch for fans of the gritty spy action franchise. But if you’re in the mood for something a little different, there are still plenty of options to explore on the platform. Here’s a look at three great movies that we think you should watch on Prime Video this week.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Prime Video.

1

‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)

Written, directed, and co-produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another is a black comedy action thriller inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland. The film follows Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a washed-up former revolutionary living off the grid as a single father, who is forced to return to his roots when his daughter (Chase Infiniti) is targeted by his old nemesis, corrupt military officer Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn). The ensemble cast also includes Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and more in prominent roles.

On the surface, One Battle After Another is a high-energy rescue adventure, but there are so many more layers to this story that reveal themselves as you watch it. Interrogating themes of rebellion and revolution through an intimate father-daughter dynamic, the movie is easily Paul Thomas Anderson’s most successful one to date, and it was a huge critical and commercial hit in 2025. The film has been universally acclaimed for its performances, writing, action, and cinematography, and it earned six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

2

‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ (2024)

Directed, produced, and co-written by Kevin Costner, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is an epic Western that’s the first installment in a planned four-part film series, which chronicles the story of the titular settlement. Beginning in 1859, the movie follows the lives of various characters in and around Horizon as they are impacted by conflicts with an Apache tribe and the Civil War. Costner also stars in the film, leading an ensemble cast that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, and more.

A passion project of Kevin Costner’s that’s been in development for a very long time, the Horizon series premiered its first chapter at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and while the film hasn’t achieved much critical or commercial success, its ambition and scale are undeniable. Though the story may be a bit meandering and uneven, the film features powerful performances and gorgeous cinematography that support a layered, expansive exploration of the Old West with all its complications. The second chapter was released in the same year as well, premiering at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival.

3

‘She Came to Me’ (2023)

Written and directed by Rebecca Miller, She Came to Me is a romantic comedy starring Peter Dinklage as a composer suffering from a creative block. Taking his therapist wife’s (Anne Hathaway) advice, he goes looking for inspiration and finds more than he could have imagined in the eccentric “romance addict” Katrina (Marisa Tomei). The movie also features Joanna Kulig, Brian d’Arcy James, Evan Ellison, Harlow Jane, and more in supporting roles.

She Came to Me had a pretty negative critical reception when it hit theaters in 2023, and it isn’t a very widely known movie. However, though it may fall short of its ambitions, the film is an enjoyable watch with a decidedly original story and engaging performances by its ensemble cast, particularly by Dinklage, Tomei, and Hathaway. The movie did receive praise for its music, particularly the Golden Globe-nominated original song “Addicted to Romance” by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.

Advertisement

She Came to Me

Advertisement

Release Date

October 6, 2023

Runtime

Advertisement

102 Minutes

Director

Rebecca Miller

Advertisement

Writers

Rebecca Miller

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Tom Hardy‘s firing from his role in Guy Ritchie’s Paramount+ series “MobLand” continues to take a wild turn as more information comes out.

A new report claims the actor had a major dispute with the show’s producers, allegedly over personal decisions regarding how he wanted the scheduling for the next installment to be handled. His departure is also said to have caused even larger issues for the show, given that his character played a key role.

Earlier reports claimed that Tom Hardy had on-set issues with other cast members, including A-list co-star Helen Mirren.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Hardy will not be returning for “MobLand,” a series in which he has played the character Harry Da Souza for the past two seasons.

Sources speaking to the media outlet revealed that his departure is not linked to financial reasons, but instead stems from a major dispute with producers over scheduling issues for the filming of season three.

“Producers told Tom they couldn’t start filming the new show until later in the year. They were looking at November time because they weren’t happy that the script was ready to go in time for the summer,” the insider said, as reported by the Daily Mail.

For his part, Hardy is said to have been “absolutely insistent that he is not working beyond 2026,” which left him infuriated that the delay in the script meant filming would extend into the next year.

Why Tom Hardy Didn’t Want The Filming Schedule Pushed Back

Regarding why Hardy was so insistent on only filming through 2026, the insider claimed it was because he was eager to take a break from the stress of filming and spend more quality time with his family.

Hardy is married to Charlotte Riley, with whom he shares two children, in addition to another child from a previous relationship.

Despite his desires being made well known to the showrunners, they were adamant that nothing could be done.

“He has decided he wants to take time out from the industry and enjoy family time with Charlotte and the kids. They are discussing going abroad for a few years, leaving the limelight behind them,” the insider.

“It has been a big decision for him and his family, so there was a hard stop. Tom tried to get his way and begin the filming this summer, but the directors were not agreeing, they said no,” the source added.

Tom Hardy’s Departure Has Created A Dilemma For Producers

The ongoing disputes over scheduling issues ultimately resulted in Hardy being “fired,” particularly as his alleged “behavior is not to everyone’s taste on set.”

However, his exit has also created a new challenge, namely the direction the next installment will take in his absence.

“It’s causing quite the headache to work out what they will do and how they will explain away Harry no longer being there,” said the insider.

His departure will also likely cause further delays to the script, given that his character played a central role throughout the previous installments.

“It’s a disaster, but the bosses were not prepared to be told what to do by Tom. Now the script might have to be redone, which could delay it even more,” added the source.

Tom Hardy Reportedly Had On-Set Issues With Co-Star Helen Mirren

Previously, it was reported that Hardy and his co-star Helen Mirren often didn’t see eye to eye due to his behavior.

“Tom’s character is charming. He’s the calm one, but it is quite the opposite when the cameras stop. Dame Helen is a joy, she is a total pro, and she has worked with so many people over the years,” shared an insider, per The Blast.

According to the source, Hardy’s attitude left Mirren “increasingly frustrated,” including his tendency to be late to set.

“He can be late to filming, too, and that is annoying for Dame Helen, who is extremely professional and disciplined. His tone is something Dame Helen doesn’t like, along with his lateness,” they added.

Hardy is also reported to have behaved arrogantly on set, swaggering around the set as if he were in charge, while Mirren expected more professionalism from him.

“It has all become quite personal between them,” the source also noted. “It feels like Tom is winding her up.”

The Actor Admitted His Body Is ‘Falling To Bits’

Prior to the “MobLand” firing drama, Hardy revealed his body was in a terrible state, hinting at a need to take a break from acting in order to care for himself and be with his loved ones.

“I’ve had two knee surgeries now, my disc’s herniated in my back, I’ve got sciatica as well… It’s like it’s all falling to bits now, and it’s not going to get better,” the actor told Esquire.

He also briefly talked about ways he could manage his physical decline after being asked if he would ever consider stem cell therapy.

“I think if it comes down to the wire and it seems the sensible thing to do and I take advice,” Hardy said.

Life has looked very different for Harry Styles over the last few years. While the singer continues to fill arenas during his “Together, Together” tour, he recently admitted that grief and personal loss have quietly reshaped his world behind the scenes.

During an emotional performance in Amsterdam, Styles reflected on losing friends, navigating public grief, and trying to rediscover joy after heartbreaking changes in his life.

Harry Styles surprised concertgoers in Amsterdam when he paused during a live performance to speak candidly about the emotional struggles he has faced away from the spotlight.

The former One Direction star admitted the last few years had brought both happiness and heartbreak, especially after losing people close to him.

“There are some wonderful things that happened to me and there were some difficult things that happened to me,” Styles told the crowd per the Daily Mail.

The emotional confession came months after the tragic death of his former bandmate Liam Payne, who died in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Reports later revealed alcohol and cocaine were found in Liam’s system at the time of his death.

Styles’ words during the concert suggested the grief has remained heavy long after the headlines faded. “I lost some friends over the last couple of years,” he admitted while reflecting on his time away from public life.

The singer explained that stepping back from constant attention gave him time to process painful moments more deeply.

“For me, having some time to let these big moments happen, I have realized how fragile, beautiful, wonderful, hard, gross, inspiring all of the things life can be,” he shared.

He concluded, “I hope being in this room together tonight, we can create some good energy together.”

Harry Styles Reflects On Life After Liam Payne’s Death

Although Harry Styles did not directly mention Liam Payne during the Amsterdam show, he has spoken openly before about how deeply the loss affected him.

In an earlier interview with DJ Zane Lowe, Styles described the emotional confusion that came with grieving someone who shared such a unique life experience with him.

“It’s so difficult to lose a friend. It’s difficult to lose any friend, but it’s so difficult to lose a friend who is so like you in so many ways,” he explained.

Styles also admitted that he struggled with how public grief becomes when someone famous dies.

“I think there was a period when he passed away where I really struggled with acknowledging how strange it is to have people own part of your grief in a way,” he said.

The emotional pressure surrounding Payne’s death became difficult to separate from the public’s expectations.

“I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away,” Styles continued. “And then suddenly being aware of a desire from other people of you to convey that in some way, or it means you’re not feeling what you’re feeling, you know?”

Styles Says Grief Changed His Entire Perspective

The emotional experience appears to have reshaped how Harry Styles views life moving forward.

During the interview, he reflected warmly on the kind of person Liam Payne had been throughout their years together in One Direction.

“I saw someone with the kindest heart who just wanted to be great,” Styles said.

He also admitted that Payne’s death forced him to reevaluate his priorities and future in a much deeper way than before.

“What happened was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, ‘OK, what do I want to do with my life?” Styles explained.

Styles Questions How He Wants To Live

The singer continued questioning how he wants to spend the years ahead.

“How do I want to live my life?” he asked. For Styles, the answer became tied to honoring the people he has lost rather than becoming trapped in sadness. “And I think the greatest way you can honor your friends who pass away is by living your life to the fullest,” he said.

The emotional honesty has only strengthened the connection many fans already feel toward the singer, especially as he continues returning to the stage while privately carrying grief.

Harry Styles Quietly Planning New Future With Zoë Kravitz

Away from the emotional conversations surrounding grief, Styles’ personal life also appears to be entering a new chapter.

The singer is reportedly planning a small winter wedding with fiancée Zoë Kravitz after their whirlwind romance.

According to Page Six, the couple may hold an intimate ceremony in the United Kingdom around Christmas, with only close friends and family present.

The pair were previously rumored to be considering a lavish wedding in Paris or the French Riviera, but plans now appear to have shifted toward something quieter and more personal.

A source told the outlet, “I know for a fact Zoë would want to do something in New York because of her dad Lenny, so if anything it’s going to be two weddings.”

The insider added, “Dad still lives in downtown [Manhattan]. It could be at the Fouquet’s Hotel. If she does two [weddings] it would be one in London and one in New York.”

Daniel Suárez is dedicating his third career win to the late Kyle Busch.

“This weekend, it just means more than just the race. With everything that has been happening with Kyle,” Suárez, 34, said while being interviewed for Sports on Prime after the race. “This one really means a lot.”

The Coca-Cola 600 — which took place at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina on Sunday, May 23 — was the first NASCAR race following Busch’s shocking death.

News broke on Thursday, May 21, that Busch had been hospitalized with a “severe illness” and would not be participating in Sunday’s race. Later that same day, NASCAR announced that Busch had died. He was 41.

“We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport’s greatest and fiercest drivers,” the organization announced via social media on Thursday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.”

Suárez was one of the drivers who took to social media with a tribute to Busch after news of his death.

“In 2015, I used to call Kyle once a week for his help and guidance as I started going to racetracks for the first time,” he shared on Instagram. “He gave me a hand when I was brand new to this. I am in complete shock. I am thinking of his family during this incredibly difficult time. Much love amigo.”

A rep for Busch’s family confirmed to NBC News on Saturday, May 23, that he died from pneumonia that progressed “into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”

Sunday’s race was an emotional one with Busch’s family, including his wife Samantha Busch and brother Kurt Busch, in attendance at the Coca-Cola 600.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Samantha, 39, broke down in tears before a moment of silence was held in her late husband’s honor.

“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever,” the announcer told the crowd as Samantha hugged son Brexton, 11. “Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everybody watching on TV, and all those people up in that grandstand are your family, and we’ve got you.”

The announcer concluded, “Kyle Busch is NASCAR. He was one of a kind and there will never be another, and I’d ask everybody now to join us in a moment of silence for Kyle.”

The sparks between Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi are only getting stronger!

Kendall has been spotted out on a romantic evening with her new partner, Elordi, amid growing rumors about their relationship. 

The high-profile pair showcased a very close connection during a recent dinner date in a wealthy California neighborhood. However, the public outing arrives alongside intense speculation from industry insiders regarding the underlying motivations behind their new romance.

The 30-year-old runway star and the 28-year-old Oscar-nominated actor enjoyed a late-night meal together on Sunday evening in Montecito, California, the same area where the television personality purchased a six-acre equestrian property for $23 million last year. 

Inside the restaurant, the couple stood close to each other while joined by another pair for the evening.

According to an eyewitness, Jenner was “very affectionate” with her new partner, wrapping her arm around him and playfully touching his hair as they dined late into the night, per Daily Mail.

The cozy display follows recent reports that suggested the actor might have an alternative motive for pursuing a relationship with a member of the famous family. Sources claim he is highly driven by fame and is actively trying to establish himself as the ultimate leading man in film and television. 

Advertisement

Insiders also noted that if this pairing develops into a long-term relationship, it would mark a significant elevation from his previous romance with influencer Olivia Jade Giannulli, whose public standing suffered due to the college admissions scandal. 

The Couple Recently Went On Vacation Together

The cozy California dinner date between the two comes shortly after they were spotted in Hawaii on vacation. 

According to The Blast, an insider revealed that the tropical vacation completely accelerated their bond, making their emotional connection significantly stronger and much more serious than the runway model had originally anticipated. 

Sources also noted that Jenner did not expect to develop such deep feelings for her new partner so quickly, but the island vacation completely changed the dynamic for the couple.

“They got super close on that trip, and it definitely made their connection stronger. It’s becoming a lot more serious than she expected,” the source noted. The insider added that she is “really happy right now and loves how easy things feel.” 

Advertisement

The Two Have Reportedly Been Seeing Each Other For A While

The serious nature of their relationship after the tropical vacation makes perfect sense, given the secret history of their romance.

Although the public only recently witnessed their connection when they were seen kissing at Justin Bieber’s Coachella post-show party, the pair has reportedly been together for a much longer period.

The Daily Mail reported that the supermodel and the actor have already been dating for more than two months, having officially become an item back in early February. 

A source noted, “They have been together for a couple of months already, and it’s going well.” 

Kylie Jenner Reportedly Sparked The High-Profile Match 

Their bonding was heavily aided by the fact that both stars spent considerable time in Los Angeles at the start of the year. Surprisingly, it was Kylie Jenner who reportedly played matchmaker for the couple. 

She spent time around the actor during the award season marathon, where he was nominated for “Frankenstein” and her partner, Timothée Chalamet, was nominated for “Marty Supreme.”

Advertisement

The younger sibling reportedly took a liking to him and encouraged her sister to pursue the romance, per The Blast. Although the runway star had been friends with the actor for years and hesitated to move him out of the friend zone, her sister’s dominant energy pushed her to take the leap. 

This strategy worked perfectly, as the four of them reportedly grew incredibly close during early dates hosted at the model’s house near Beverly Hills, where the new couple realized they got along well.

Jacob Elordi Faced Backlash Over Festival Absence

The gradual development of Kendall’s and Elordi’s romance away from the spotlight has now drawn unexpected attention to the actor’s professional schedule. 

The actor raised eyebrows after pulling out of the Cannes Film Festival amid widespread reports that he was recovering from a broken foot. At the time, the public assumed the star was sidelined by a legitimate injury that legally prevented him from traveling to France for the prestigious cinematic gathering. 

However, public reaction shifted very quickly after new photos emerged showing him vacationing in Hawaii with his new girlfriend, The Blast reported.

Advertisement

The actor appeared entirely carefree during the tropical getaway, and critics online immediately focused on the fact that there was no visible orthopedic boot, cast, or any sign of a recovery. This led to backlash from fans who began to question the genuineness of the actor’s actions. 

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 46 seconds ago

There are two things that every sci-fi fan has grown to expect: One, every list of “Sci-fi shows cancelled after only one season” will include Firefly at the top of the list, and two, Lexx will forever be considered the raunchiest sci-fi series of all time. The low-budget Canadian show goes further than any of its 90 contemporaries, and nothing sums that up better than the robot crew member, 790. Every sci-fi show had to have an alien, robot, cyborg, an android, or some combination of all of them; only Lexx would decide an obsessive lovebot should be a regular part of the crew. 

Lexx’s Weirdest Crewmember

790 starts the series running the Lusticon designed to turn Zev into a loveslave before succumbing to the brainwashing himself after a cluster lizard eats his body. Zev is the first person he sees, so he falls madly in love with her. That by itself would be enough of a problem, but it also means that he hates everyone else. 

For the first two seasons of Lexx, 790 hates Stanley. Stanley stands in the way of getting Xev, so while the robot uses his vast intellect for good (or uh, however good the crew of the galaxy’s most powerful weapon would be at that moment), he doesn’t like talking to anyone but Xev. Jeffrey Hirschfield, as the voice of 790, was able to get away with some truly unhinged dialogue including “If I only had an arm, I’d be more than just a head. If I only had an arm, I would strangle Tweedle dead!” and the delightful prose, “On a branch there is a fruit / Plump and ripe for sucking / In a bed there is a Xev /hot and right for…” 

790 Never Changes Only The Target Does

Over the course of Lexx, 790 shows absolutely zero personal growth and development. The only change comes in Season 3, when he’s killed and rebuilt, falling in love with Kai instead of Xev, transferring his love and hatred, respectively. The obsession with Kai goes so far that 790 enters his villain arc, leading him to start working with Prince to undermine the crew of the Lexx. This also lets Hirschfield deliver the line, “29 hours of necrophilia-filled fun!” which no other sci-fi series would ever include. Not even on the writer’s room whiteboard. 

790 is a large part of the reason why Lexx has a devoted cult following even today, decades after it came to an end. This is the type of unhinged, psychotic, insane, downright weird character that would never be a regular part of any Star Trek or Stargate. Only Farscape could possibly handle a character like 790. 

Zev/Xev, as the sexualized, hot chick on a spaceship, is such a classic trope that Galaxy Quest made fun of it, yet what 790 does is far more subversive: he talks about it. Constantly. 790 doesn’t know the concept of personal space, doesn’t care about being respectful, and talks like the comments under any social media thirst trap. You’re not supposed to do that, yet Lexx shines a spotlight on the degenerate behavior and never actually lets 790 win, or even get away with any of his schemes. 

Lexx is a strange show filled with sex, innuendos, and horrible characters, but it’s aware that the characters are horrible people. If that’s your type of humor, it’s well worth streaming the show on Tubi.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 21 seconds ago

Throw a rock and you’ll hit a Stephen King adaptation. Welcome to Derry, The Shining, IT, Carrie, Misery, Rose Red, there’s over 80 films alone, and nearly as many television shows. It’s understandable that some would fall through the cracks. Kingdom Hospital is a unique case since it’s adapting a Dutch series, The Kingdom by Lars von Trier, but the version that aired on ABC in 2004 was developed by King. You can tell because now the haunted hospital is located in Maine, or rather, you would be able to tell, if it was streaming anywhere. 

Kingdom Hospital Is Stephen King Working Through Some Trauma

The other clue that Stephen King was involved is the addition to the story of Peter Rickman (Jack Coleman, you know him from Heroes), an artist trapped in a coma following a car accident. Unconscious, Rickman is trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, which as it turns out, Kingdom Hospital is very, very haunted. King was only a few years removed from the horrible accident that nearly killed him, and you can tell he’s still working through some of the trauma. 

King kept Kingdom Hospital close to the source material. There’s secret organizations, a dark history tied to the land the hospital is built on, and plenty of medical scenes that would seem normal in any hospital drama. There’s hook ups, or rather attempts, turns out that morgues don’t make for a great dinner date, white collar crimes, professional jealousy, everything found in a medical drama, but there’s also headless corpses, a giant anteater demon-thing, and a world-ending catastrophe that must be stopped. 

The series ran for only 13 episodes, and it tells a complete story. Kingdom Hospital was never going to be an ongoing series. That’s a good thing considering the uneven tone of the show which feels like it’s missing something. There’s not enough comedy despite some offbeat setups, and never enough horror even with the multiple hauntings. By sticking to the middle it’s a perfectly fine series that’s entirely unremarkable in anyway. 

A Creative Swing And A Miss

Considering the quality of some Stephen King adaptations, unremarkable puts it above about a dozen of them that are downright horrible, yet watching Kingdom Hospital will make you think everything, from the story to the individual performances, is slightly off. Audiences at the time thought the same, with the pilot debuting to anemic ratings before the whole series was delayed because of the NBA Finals, leading to it limping to a conclusion in the dregs of Summer. 

Kingdom Hospital’s tone and pacing is off-base and there’s not a lot of demand for the series online these days. It at least dared to try something different. Putting a layer of supernatural insanity on top of the staid medical drama is a formula that should work. The biggest problem behind the series wasn’t Stephen King, a man who tends to go further with an idea whenever possible, but the network: ABC. Network television only lets you get away with so much, and in this case, it wasn’t nearly enough. 

Kingdom Hospital is available on an out-of-print DVD, but is otherwise off every streaming service thanks to its complicated production. Lars Von Trier owns part of it, there are multiple companies and international broadcast rights involved, all of that is even before trying to clear the licensing hurdles for the music. If it’s ever available again, clear out 10 hours from the schedule and binge. A creative miss will always be more amusing than another creatively bankrupt procedural or derivative mess we’ve seen hundreds of times.