Jack Black is known today for his iconic appearance and scruffy beard, but there was once a time when he could have passed for a model.

A post shared on Instagram revealed pictures of a younger version of the actor and singer from when he was 23.

Jack Black, in the pictures, possessed well-defined features and no long hair or beard, which left fans surprised and gushing over how different he looked back then.

Jack Black’s Younger Version Possessed Sharply Defined Facial Features

Long before he became known for his larger-than-life comedic roles, Black had a look that might surprise many fans today.

Newly resurfaced photos of the star at just 23 years old show a drastically different appearance compared to the full bearded, white-and-grey look he is now more associated with.

In the photo shared by an account on Instagram, Black has a very clean, closely cropped haircut, like a typical military brat.

He possessed sharply defined facial features that gave him an almost model-like presence and had no facial hair.

His facial expression was also serious and focused, far removed from the cheerful persona he has often portrayed in his movies.

According to the account that shared the image, the picture was taken in 1992, although it was not noted what the occasion was.

Fans Were Shocked By How Different Jack Black’s Younger Version Looked

Seeing Black look so different came as a shock for many netizens, and they took to the comment section to express their surprise.

One user shared that the pictures confirmed their earlier thoughts about the actor being very attractive.

“I’ve always thought he was good-looking and very sexy, but he definitely looks like a bad boy there,” the netizen commented.

A second netizen leaned into the narrative that Black at that age could model for brands, saying that the actor “actually has that model face.”

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Another claimed that the actor’s then look was perfect to play the lead role in the popular Jason Bourne franchise.

“He would’ve made a great Jason Bourne,” the user said of Black. Another person commented, “Almost everyone was hot once.”

“Now I understand Elle Fanning,” one more netizen wrote, referencing the actress who once called Black “sex on legs.”

Jack Black Recently Celebrated His 20th Marriage Anniversary

The resurfacing of the throwback photos comes more than a month after Black celebrated 20 years of marriage with his wife, Tanya Haden.

At the time, the actor took to his Instagram page to walk down memory lane, sharing moments he and his 54-year-old wife had captured throughout their relationship.

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Among the images Black posted was one showing Haden gazing lovingly into his eyes in a fun way.

Another captured the couple meditating with their two sons, Samuel “Sammy” Jason Black, 19, and Thomas “Tommy” David Black, 17, when the boys were still toddlers.

A third snap featured Haden sitting on Black’s lap, with both of them all smiles.

The heartfelt tribute also featured snapshots of Haden playing the drums and posing with their sons when they were infants.

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Several other pictures and videos added to the montage were of Haden enjoying a happy moment.

Completing the post, Black added a heartfelt caption that read, “20 years! Happy anniversary, my love. @tanyahaden.”

Jack Black Previously Opened Up About Meeting His Wife, Tanya Haden

Black’s relationship with his wife began in 2005, even though they had already known each other from attending the same high school.

Speaking of why he waited that long to make his move, the actor told Parade in 2015 that it was due to his shyness.

“I didn’t date Tanya or talk to her or anything in high school,” he told the outlet. “I was pretty shy. I just watched her from afar.”

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He continued, “We only started dating like 20 years after high school.”

The Actor’s Wife Changed His Views On Marriage

According to Black, his wife, whom he married in 2006, changed his view about marriage.

“Before Tanya, I had always felt like marriage was not for me,” Black says. “I didn’t like the way it worked out with my parents. I didn’t ever want to be in a divorce, so I was never going to get married,” Black added.

The actor also linked the success of their marriage to his love for her.

“I love her! I’d had decades of flings where, as soon as it was over, I was looking for the exit,” Black said of Haden. “I never feel that need to escape with Tanya.”

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 26 seconds ago

The almighty algorithm has put me on a weird home invasion kick, but I think I’m going to pump the brakes for a bit after watching 2021’s Intrusion. I’m not a deep lore guy in the sense that I don’t like long-running series that require homework to keep up. I prefer movies because they’re self-contained, and usually limited by a tight runtime. Within those limitations, you can really tell who’s good at storytelling and who isn’t. A three-act structure will always have a setup, rising action, and climax, and within that simple framework, anything can happen.

The problem with this preference is that a 90-minute psychological thriller can either be totally groundbreaking or completely by the numbers. There are beats, conventions, and recurring motifs that need to happen to get the ball rolling. I’m not talking about the outliers here. Not everybody is a non-linear storytelling genius with a penchant for surreal imagery. Most movies follow very simple rules, and how they use those rules will make or break the project.

Intrusion falls into the latter camp. It’s about a woman and her husband who move from the East Coast to New Mexico to live in their brand new, custom-made luxury house. The woman has unaddressed trauma from her past and is also a therapist. Her husband is an architect. Their house is broken into, which makes her suspicious of everybody. She looks crazy until she’s vindicated. Sound familiar? Because I just described every single by-the-numbers psychological thriller released over the past 20 years.

You Know There Will Be One Of Few Possible Twists

Psychological thrillers like Intrusion get off on their twist endings. Maybe the home invaders were the friends we made along the way. Maybe the ghost is actually your childhood trauma. Maybe those weird noises coming from the house your architect husband built and is acting suspiciously about are a pretty good reason for you to think he’s up to something.

Intrusion leans into every single trope without offering anything that separates it from the pack. We’re introduced to Meera Parsons (Freida Pinto), a cancer survivor who fears she’s getting sick again. Her husband, Henry (Logan Marshall-Green), takes care of everything for her, coming off as just a little too overprotective and controlling. Their magnificent house gets broken into, but nothing is stolen. Most notably, somebody has been rummaging through the office like they were looking for something very specific.

Meera begins to spiral because of her trauma. The same people break in again, revealed to be the Cobb family, but this time Henry has a gun, one he’s been hiding from Meera, and kills two of them. The surviving Cobb, Dylan (Mark Siversten), is left in critical condition. It’s later revealed that the Cobbs were the contractors who worked on the Parsons residence, and for some reason, they have it out for Henry.

Henry, seemingly unfazed by the fact that he just killed two men, installs a new security system to placate Meera and assures her she’s just having a hard time. He goes out to run errands at exactly the same time Dylan dies in the hospital. Meera heads to Dylan’s home and learns about his missing daughter. She finds a videotape but doesn’t have the right device to play it, so she’s stuck in a heightened state until Amazon Prime can bail her out. Meanwhile, there’s a random banging sound in the house that only gets louder throughout Intrusion, making you wonder how they’re going to explain it.

Good For Tourists, Bad For Genre Nerds

I’ll say the same thing about Intrusion that I say about most psychological thrillers in this lane. It’s a solid entry point for a younger audience. While I didn’t know the exact twist going into it, I had it narrowed down to three possible outcomes, all of which overlap but still need to play out separately. You learn to spot the signs early. The whole Chekhov’s gun thing. Psychological thrillers have their own visual language, and once you’re fluent, movies like Intrusion become exhausting because you’ve seen it all before.

In this context, the guy who acts like he’s up to something is up to something. The people framed as villains, who get taken out by the guy who seems suspicious, are probably not the real villains. The banging in the house designed by the suspicious guy probably ties directly into whatever he’s hiding. And the mentally unstable wife is not actually unstable, and will be vindicated right around the midpoint of the third act when everything blows open. Congratulations, you’re mediocre.

Intrusion is a Netflix original and can be streamed with an active subscription.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly faced intense pressure from Queen Elizabeth II before stepping back from royal duties, leaving little room for compromise.

A new book reveals Harry was forced to choose complete withdrawal from the royal family after his hopes for a “half-in, half-out” arrangement were dashed.

Meanwhile, tensions with Montecito neighbors have grown over the years, with some locals questioning Prince Harry and Meghan’s engagement in the community.

Prince Harry Faced A Five-Word Ultimatum From Queen Elizabeth Before Leaving The Royal Family: ‘Either All In Or All Out’

Harry reportedly struggled with the decision to step back from royal duties, feeling pressured by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who left him little room to negotiate.

According to royal historian Hugo Vickers in his new book “Queen Elizabeth II,” Harry had hoped for a “half-in, half-out” arrangement that would allow him to remain partially involved with the royal family while supporting himself financially.

When he returned to the U.K. in early 2020 to discuss options, Harry was met with a firm ultimatum: it was either full participation or complete withdrawal.

With no middle ground offered, he chose to step back and return to Canada. Three months later, he and Meghan officially announced their exit as working royals, eventually relocating full-time to California and leaving behind Frogmore Cottage, a residence gifted by the queen.

“He wanted a half-in, half-out arrangement, whereby he would be self-financing but could still work for the Royal Family,” Vickers stated in his book, per Page Six. “In the new year of 2020, the three private secretaries, Sir Edward Young, Sir Clive Alderton, and Simon Case, went into summit mode on the Sandringham Estate and drafted their proposal.”

“Prince Harry went to Sandringham for the meeting and was told it was either all in or all out. He returned to Canada — reluctantly out,” Vickers added.

The Sussexes Final Trip To London Before The Queen’s Passing

Harry and Meghan made a trip to London in June 2022 to bring their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to see their great-grandmother, fulfilling her wish for all great-grandchildren to spend meaningful time with her at Balmoral.

According to the author, Robert Hardman, the queen was “thrilled” to see the young Sussexes during their visit for her Platinum Jubilee.

“The Queen would finally get to meet Lilibet and was thrilled, say friends, as the 1-year-old crawled around her feet,” Hardman states in his book, “Elizabeth II,” per People Magazine.

The duke also wrote about this special moment in his memoir, “Spare,” recalling how happy the queen was to see his and Meghan’s kids.

“I also couldn’t stop picturing [the children] with Granny. The final visit. Archie making deep, chivalrous bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch’s shins,” Harry recalled. “Sweetest children, Granny said, sounding bemused. She’d expected them to be a bit more…American, I think? Meaning, in her mind, more rambunctious.

Despite this visit, the Sussexes remain largely estranged from certain family members, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, with their last public appearance at Windsor marking the queen’s funeral in September 2022.

Author Calls Stress On Queen Elizabeth II ‘Unforgivable’ After Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Oprah Interview

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Vickers described the stress Harry and Meghan placed on the queen during her final years as “unforgivable.”

Following their move to California, the couple gave a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they aired grievances about the royal family, viewed by nearly 50 million people globally.

According to Vickers, following the interview, the queen refused to take Harry’s calls without another person present, often asking her lady-in-waiting to remain nearby. “I think the queen was obviously feeling rather cautious whenever he got in touch,” Vickers said.

In his book, Vickers also noted the queen once remarked that Harry, previously a “very useful” working royal, had become “a kind of childminder,” reflecting his focus on raising his children at the family’s Montecito estate.

“You cannot be Captain General of the Royal Marines… and lie barefoot under a tree in California,” he added.

The Sussexes Are Reportedly Treading Carefully In Hollywood To Avoid Royal Fallout

Despite their previous criticisms of the royal family, Harry and Meghan are reportedly careful to avoid conflict while pursuing their Hollywood projects.

“Meghan and Harry are cautious about everything they do and say in order to uphold the standards of the monarchy,” a source told US Weekly.

“They do the best they can not to upset the royals. Everyone who goes into business with them knows there are confines, but it hurts the creativity of the project,” the source continued. “They are adamant about having creative control and final edit, and what they can’t say limits things.”

However, public relations expert David E. Johnson noted that the couple’s repeated critiques of the royal family have left the public uncertain about their loyalty, suggesting they now need to distance themselves from that association.

Montecito Neighbors Reportedly Growing Wary Of Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

Meanwhile, Page Six reported that Harry and Meghan’s neighbors in Montecito, California, have grown wary of the couple.

According to sources, the tension with neighbors has been building over several years. “It’s not hate. It’s just a growing awareness that they’re takers with zero self-awareness. Everyone’s exhausted by them,” one source said.

Yet, a source close to the Sussexes insisted the couple maintains “a great relationship with their neighbors and love their community.”

In December 2024, neighbor Richard Mineards criticized Meghan in the German documentary “Harry: The Lost Prince,” saying she was not “an asset” to the area. “I personally don’t think that Meghan is an asset to our community … She doesn’t really go out or get involved with the community,” he said.

“Harry has to a certain extent, because he’s quite jolly … but Meghan doesn’t seem to get seen anywhere … And you don’t see him either.”

Young and the Restless brings Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) back and in need of a bone marrow transplant to save his life because he has aplastic anemia. And according to official Y&R spoilers, very soon Cane Ashby (Daniel Goddard) proves himself to Lily Winters (Christel Khalil).

So, I think these two storylines may intercept and overlap each other. We’re going to talk about how Cane may finally be able to redeem himself in Lily’s eyes and in the eyes of a lot of people in Genoa City. And it may all tie back to Malcolm’s return.

Lily Can’t Donate To Malcolm on Young and the Restless

All right. So, this week we’ve got Lily totally crushed when she finds out that she’s not a viable candidate to donate bone marrow to Malcolm because of her own past cancer treatment. This is a bad time for Lily because she’s already hurt by how angry that Devon Hamilton (Bryton James) is with her.

If you remember, he chewed Lily out for faking her kidnapping to help Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). And because of Devon’s anger, Lily doesn’t feel like she can talk to him. But Cane could see that something was upsetting her and he tried to talk to Lily despite his promise that he’s done with her. But she wouldn’t talk to Cane.

And instead, Lily heads over this week to the Abbott mansion and opens up to Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland). She tells her about Malcolm’s illness. And Lily says she wanted to be the one to save Malcolm. But she can’t. Then Lily gets a call from Malcolm and goes to meet him.

And that’s when he tells Lily he knows she can’t donate because of her cancer. Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) already told Malcolm so Lily doesn’t have to, which is good. But Malcolm says there’s another chance to save his life. There’s somebody else.

Holden Novak Is Lily’s Brother on Y&R

And then he stuns Lily and he drops the huge bombshell that she has a brother. And Malcolm says he just found out he’s got a son and it’s none other than Holden Novak. (Nathan Owens). So Lily is absolutely stunned. You know, I will say these days Holden and Lily are more civil than they were, but they don’t really get along because Holden works for Cane and because of all the Damian Kane (Jermaine Rivers)  stuff.

If you remember, Holden was really salty and had a falling out with Damian when Lily was dating him before his tragic murder. And Holden was also kind of a lot rougher around the edges back then. He’s definitely mellowed and chilled out a little because before he was very angry, very hostile, thought the world owed him something.

So, Lily isn’t so thrilled to find out that this guy is her brother. Not only does she not want Holden to be her brother, but she doesn’t want him donating and saving Malcolm. Not because she doesn’t want her biological father saved, but just the idea of it being Holden.

But better Holden than nothing. So, I do think that Lily is going to try to get her twins, Charlie and Maddie, to get tested to donate because that’s preferable to her. That’s probably going to happen off-screen, but I suspect they will not be a match.

Young and the Restless: Holden Nor a Match?

And Holden already goes and gets tested this week, even though he’s shell shocked that his mom, Stephanie Simmons, lied to him about his dad’s identity his whole life. And of course, it’d be easy peasy if Holden turned out to be a match for his new dad, Malcolm. But because it’s so easy peasy, that’s not soapy. So, I suspect that Holden also will not be a match for him.

And of course, everybody is going to be scared and worried that they are going to lose Malcolm, especially since, you know, Neil is still on everybody’s mind. His loss is still devastating for the family. And right now, Holden is still reeling from these reveals. And I think he’s also, like Lily, going to feel really bad that he can’t save his father, Malcolm.

Could Cane Save Malcolm on Young and the Restless?

And then back to this spoiler about Cane proving himself to Lily. It’s kind of wild because he claims he hates her right now for conspiring with Victor and letting him think that she and their kids were in danger. Plus, Lily’s mad at him about the AI, about sleeping with Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford), about being Dumas, just a whole laundry list of things.

So, it’s kind of hard to imagine how Cane could even ever prove himself to Lily and be redeemed in her eyes. But if Cane is the one who saves her bio dad Malcolm, you know, that is a game changer for sure.

And obviously, word’s going to spread and Cane’s going to find out that Malcolm has this blood disease. Probably he could hear it from Holden because he still works for Cane and they get along. I can see Holden opening up to Cane that he’s Lily’s sister because that makes Cane his ex brother-in-law, right?

And Holden might even ask Cane about Malcolm because Holden doesn’t know anything about his new dad and Cane is more likely to talk to him than Lily right now. And of course, Cane’s going to be thrown for a loop by all of this.

But once he wraps his head around Holden being Lily’s brother, Cane could find out that Holden is not a match for Malcolm and that Lily can’t donate. And then Cane might go get tested to see if he’s a match. And he might be. Bottom line is he’s not going to want Lily or their kids to lose Malcolm.

Cane an Anonymous Donor on Y&R?

But if Cane is a match, I tend to think he might donate his marrow anonymously because he doesn’t want to be accused of being manipulative or pulling anything. And he and Lily are at this strange impasse with anger going both ways. But lately, Cane is less awful. I mean, he still wants revenge on Phyllis and Victor, but they’re terrible. So, that’s fine.

I also don’t think he would tell anybody that he’s a match. And of course, if he is, obviously, he would donate to save Malcolm’s life, but I could see Stephanie finding out the anonymous donor is Cane because she is Malcolm’s doctor. And doctor-patient confidentiality could tie Stephanie’s hands. But I think Malcolm might find out. And even though he doesn’t like Cane, I think he’d be so grateful that he would turn around and tell Lily that Cane saved his life on Young and the Restless.

Young and the Restless: Lily Learns the Truth

Now, I don’t think Lily is going to find out any of this from Cane if it goes this way. I think he would keep it under wraps. My guess is that if it’s going to go this way, it’s going to happen in May sweeps. Malcolm is back for a short run right now.

And then Shemar Moore just filmed more scenes that are supposed to air during May sweeps, which by the way runs April 23rd to May 20th. So, we could see Malcolm leave and then come back for the bone marrow transplant, you know, because maybe the donor is in Genoa City.

After that, I think Lily will find out. Not from Cane, though. And I think she’ll be floored. The spoiler for his proving himself for her is for April and towards the end of the month is when Sweeps kicks off.

So, it could be right at the end of the month. And of course, there’s a chance the spoiler is overblown. And it just refers to Cane getting tested to see if he can be a donor. But I don’t think that’s enough to prove himself to Lily.

Cane’s Redemption Arc on Young and the Restless

I see Cane as a wildcard donor. I think it would be a really soapy twist and then Malcolm and Lily and the other Winters would all have to forgive him. So, we’ll see if this is how Cane’s redemption happens. It’s way too easy for it to be the twins or Holden to be a match.

So, I feel like there’s got to be some more soapiness about this. And we all know despite Cane saying he’s done with Lily, he still loves her. So, I do think we could see Cane redeem himself and then he and Lily reboot their romance.

Because now, he would be doing something selfless for a change, not for recognition or profit because he would do it anonymously. Even better, saving Malcolm’s life would also redeem Cane in his kids, Maddie and Charlie’s eyes.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to embark on a quasi-royal trip to Australia, but parts of their schedule are already stirring controversy online.

Markle is set to headline an exclusive women’s retreat, with her husband speaking at a mental health summit. However, speculation is rising that organizers might want to keep things on the down low after a journalist claimed she was denied entry despite paying thousands to attend.

Reports also suggest the Australia tour may already be facing other early challenges. Prices for Harry’s summit were reportedly slashed after slow sales, while Markle’s retreat, initially described as sold out, later saw additional rooms quietly made available.

The Duchess of Sussex is also said to be disheartened following the cancellation of her Netflix series amid the couple’s financial setbacks.

A Journalist Was Allegedly Denied Entry To Meghan Markle Event

Ahead of Harry and Markle‘s so-called “non-royal” trip to Australia, their itinerary has been generating significant buzz on social media.

Harry is set to deliver a keynote on mental health at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne. On her part, Markle will headline the “Her Best Life” women’s retreat at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach.

However, the nature of Markle’s event has come under scrutiny after Australian journalist Ariana Pezeshki claimed that the organizers denied her entry because of her profession, per 7News Magazine.

Journalist Says She Paid $2.7K For Meghan’s Retreat

Pezeshki said she paid $2,699 for the chance to see the former “Suits” actress speak, along with access to additional perks, including a yoga session and a private dinner.

However, she claims organizers refunded her payment and revoked her access to the event after discovering the nature of her work.

According to Pezeshki, several aspects of the experience raised red flags. As a result, she requested a tax invoice, but instead received an email that she would no longer be allowed to attend. She said the organizers then started describing the retreat as a “closed-door experience.”

Internet Divided Over Meghan Markle’s ‘No Journalists’ Retreat

Netizens quickly flooded social media with mixed reactions, though many appeared to support the organizers.

“It’s totally inappropriate not to tell the organizers in advance and [present the proper] media credentials. It’s a holistic retreat, not Watergate,” one Reddit user wrote.

This sentiment was echoed across the platform, with another person writing, “It is a retreat… Relaxing, laughing, peace, and love. No reporters.”

Some responses were more sarcastic. One commenter joked, “Meghan has a forensic detective crew as part of her PR team.”

Harry And Meghan’s Appearances Seemingly Suffer A Snag

Harry and Markle’s upcoming appearances seem to have hit a bump, as reports suggest enthusiasm over the events may not be as strong as initially expected.

Organizers of the InterEdge summit have reportedly slashed ticket prices significantly, with access to the event now costing roughly half of the original amount after sales struggled to gain momentum. Tickets initially priced at $1,978 are now listed at $997 on the event website.

Meanwhile, Markle’s wellness event, hosted by Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and her manager Gemma O’Neill, was initially reported to have sold out. However, O’Neill later revealed that the hotel had opened up a handful of additional rooms, inviting interested guests to enquire via direct message.

Meghan Markle Is ‘Disappointed’ Over The Cancellation Of Her Show

In recent years, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced a series of financial setbacks after losing out on several multimillion-dollar deals. Most recently, reports confirmed that Markle’s Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” will not be renewed for another season.

According to Us Weekly, an insider revealed that she was left disappointed by the cancellation of her show and is now seeking her next step forward.

“She poured so much heart and soul into it and really believed in it,” the source shared, adding that Netflix expected many more viewership numbers than what Markle’s show managed to deliver.

The couple also faced criticism in the press, including reports that Netflix found them difficult to work with. All the same, an insider claimed they are not paying attention to critics and remain united.

“They look at hit pieces as something that comes with the territory. They’re used to it,” the source said.

RELATED: Caught Cozy! Internet Detectives Are Working After Tia Mowry Is Spotted With Alleged New Boo (PHOTOS)

Tia’s Mystery Man Identified As Educator And Featured Artist

According to reports, his legal name is Javoné Williams, and he is apparently also known by his artist name as Javoné Armada. Furthermore, he is an educator and artist whose work and career have already been publicly recognized. Beyond the viral moment, Javoné Williams reportedly has a history as an Elementary Science Lab Associate teacher and works as an artist, designer, and educator originally from East Cleveland, Ohio. Javoné previously appeared in The Collective Memory Installation, a digital exhibition by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. His showcased piece, “Mother-hood,” seemingly honors the role of mothers in shaping justice, business, and community life across Los Angeles County.

More On The Mystery Man Revealed

And yes, the internet is now digging deep into his background. His work spans illustration, murals, and collaborative art experiences, with a past in fashion and design that includes earning a Master of Science in Fashion, Design, and Luxury Management from France. Furthermore, he’s also the founder of Daliboy Creative Studios and the Campbell Hall Youth Visual Arts Residency. Additionally, he appears to focus on expanding creative access and mentoring young artists through education and community-driven programs.

Did All This Come Out Of Nowhere?

As previously reported, in photos that surfaced on Thursday, Tia Mowry was seen stepping out, looking cozy with a man. In the photos, she’s rocking an open, outdoorsy zip-up, hoop earrings, and fresh, almost wet-looking curly hair. She also appeared to have on light blue pastel shorts—possibly a workout romper. In the shots, she’s holding hands with the man while he sports shoulder-length dreads and a matching white tracksuit. The two were seen crossing the street hand in hand, with him holding a Fiji water bottle in his other hand. In another photo, the pair appears to share a kiss as they get close while walking together.

By Chris Sawin
| Published 38 seconds ago

ChaO is the latest film from animation studio Studio 4°C. The studio was founded in 1995 and has an impressive back catalog, including Mind Game, MFKZ, and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko. ChaO took seven years to make. While the film includes several instances of CGI and digital effects, ChaO was made with over 100,000 hand-drawn animations, achieved the old-fashioned way on paper.

Man And Mermaid Sitting In A Tree!

ChaO is the first feature film from Yasuhiro Aoki. He directed the “In Darkness Dwells” segment of Batman: Gotham Knight and served as a key animator on The Animatrix. Written by Hanasaki Kino, ChaO takes place in the year 20XX. The world is now a place where humans and the Merman Kingdom coexist. However, the merman race is rebelling against manmade ships. The propeller has been inadvertently massacring fish for too long. King Neptunus of the Merman Kingdom demands a change. Meanwhile, the ship manufacturer’s CEO, Mr. Sea, struggles to find a feasible solution.

Stephan, a young man who works for Mr. Sea, has dreamed of leading a project called AirJet, which would replace a ship’s screw propellers with compressed air. As Stephan struggles with his alarm clock and attempts to feel like his work is meaningful, an accident on Mr. Sea’s boat changes everything. Stephan is knocked unconscious, and he wakes up in the hospital, engaged to the princess of Merman Kingdom – a plump, human-sized, apricot-colored fish that he nicknames ChaO.

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

There’s a Shallow Hal element to ChaO that’s fascinating. Stephan doesn’t understand why he has to marry into the Merman Kingdom and constantly calls ChaO a “fish,” which almost comes across as a derogatory term in the film. But there are moments when you catch glimpses of ChaO’s more human form, usually associated with water in some capacity (looking through the spray of a fountain or seeing her sleep in a bathtub). The Merman race will remain in their human form on land once they’re comfortable, and seeing how long it takes ChaO to adjust is part of why ChaO isn’t your average animated film.

The film is about accepting individuals of other cultures. King Neptunus seems more than capable of destroying humankind if pushed far enough, especially with what he shows at the end. His human form looks a lot like Aquaman. His natural form is the same, complete with tattoos and a beard, except he’s an orca. He rides around on a whale on land most of the time. People want the Merman relationship to flourish. That’s why Stephan’s marriage to ChaO is so crucial to keeping the peace. Their relationship is a symbol of coexistence, and Stephan has a vision to keep the seas safer for Mermen, which benefits everyone.

Not Your Average Rom Com

As an animated film, ChaO offers a vastly unique ambiance. Backgrounds are detailed, but messy. The outlines lack any real pattern, colors are splotchy, and characters look wobbly and wavy. The visuals feel like the animation styles of Home Movies and Tekkonkinkreet were intertwined. It’s also interesting to note that not all human people look the same. Some of the population look like Stephan, who’s long and slender. Then there are other people who are shorter, stouter, and have massive heads.

It feels like ChaO blends many genres into one film. At its core, ChaO is a romantic comedy with an adventurous concept. The humor is often ridiculous. For example, the reporter Juno refers to his chief editor as “Boobie rocket missiles” because of her large assets. The ambassador character is extremely masculine, dressed in feminine attire, and constantly picks their nose, wiping boogers on Stephan’s shoulder. Some humor comes from little things you notice, like Stephan’s friends, Robert’s inventions, or ChaO wearing giant orange sneakers in her fish form while walking around the city.

There are martial arts action scenes. A giant robot wreaks havoc on the city. Although it’s a Japanese film, the characters live in a town called Shanghai, which isn’t confusing at all. There’s also an intense racing sequence. You think the cat plastered to the hood is just decoration, but once everything calms down, it begins licking itself.

A Multi-Genre Adventure Coming To Theaters

With all of that going on, ChaO finds at least one more way to surprise you. Stephan begins as a not very likable and selfish character. You sympathize with him slightly at first as he has to marry a different species for the good of humankind and sea-kind, but ChaO is adorable from the moment she’s introduced. She makes mistakes since she’s not accustomed to what can and can’t be done on land, but she loves Stephan wholeheartedly and always means well.

The entire film sees Stephan trying to make it work, but mostly teetering on the edge of never being able to. The things ChaO has been saying since they first met have meaning that is eventually explained, and it all comes together in this action-packed, emotional extravaganza of an ending.

ChaO delivers in that it spans a wide range of genres and makes you feel a spectrum of emotions in the span of an hour and a half. Its unusual animation style makes it more memorable, since it doesn’t look like anything else out there and will be remembered for its extraordinary, one-of-a-kind aesthetic. It also helps that it’s hilarious.

ChaO will be released theatrically on April 10.

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Pitt Season 2 Episode 14.

One major storyline of The Pitt Season 2 revolves around the tension between two senior attending physicians at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. On one side is Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle), a character who’s been easy to root for due to Wyle’s days on ER and Robby’s capabilities as a doctor. As Season 2 reveals, however, Robby is also a man who’s one shift away from a sabbatical he might not return from. On the other side is Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi), who’s set to take over for Robby while he’s gone for the next three months.

Unlike Robby, Al-Hashimi mostly appears to have it together, but there have been odd moments throughout this Fourth of July shift where she’ll stop what she’s doing and stare off into the distance during crucial moments. In this week’s penultimate episode of Season 2, the truth behind those pauses is revealed when Al-Hashimi chooses to confide in Robby. She may have wished she’d kept it to herself, though, because the truth may end up costing her the job she’s about to take on alone.

Dr. Al-Hashimi Has Been Behaving Strangely on ‘The Pitt’ Season 2

When Dr. Al-Hashimi first appears on the scene, it’s easy to distrust her, especially because she’s set up to be Dr. Robby’s replacement as senior attending. She also has a very different way of doing things; Robby prefers a more old-school approach to medicine, while Al-Hashimi supports integrating new technology, including the use of A.I., which some of the other doctors balk at.

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‘The Pitt’ Just Changed My Mind About the Show’s Most Hated Character in 5 Minutes

Who knew the Pitt’s most self-centered character had this kind of depth in him?

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Despite this complicated intro, Al-Hashimi’s character evolves throughout Season 2. She comes out of her shell at times, and as she opens up, her willingness to make jokes and tease Dr. Robby has surprised even him throughout the shift. Yet, amidst Al-Hashimi visibly lowering her guard, something much more serious seems to be going on. At various intervals, for a few seconds, Al-Hashimi freezes, staring off into the distance. The first time happens early on in the season, when she’s checking in on the abandoned Baby Jane Doe, but it’s also occurred several more times since — and those instances have gotten the attention of Robby as well as other doctors and nurses working in the Pitt.

‘The Pitt’ Season 2’s Penultimate Episode Reveals the Truth Behind Al-Hashimi’s Behavior

Everyone at The Pitt seems to have some sort of emotional trauma going on; with the high stress and high stakes of their job, how could they not? It’s different with Al-Hashimi, though, since the audience doesn’t know much about her, so early theories began to take shape online about what those freezes were really about. Had she lost an infant patient before, or perhaps even her own child? Before becoming part of the staff at PTMC, she used to work at the VA, and a conversation with Dr. Jack Abbot (Shawn Hatosy) also reveals that she previously worked overseas. Could it be possible that she has post-traumatic stress from something in her past?

In the closing moments of Episode 14, all is revealed when Al-Hashimi approaches Robby and asks him to give his honest opinion on a case. Robby is beyond done with this shift, but he agrees to help. The patient chart Al-Hashimi presents is for a 40-year-old who has had a history of seizures since the age of five, when she contracted viral meningitis. It doesn’t take long for Robby to put the pieces together: “Baran, is this you?” She can only look at him with a face full of pain. Now, it’s clear: every time Al-Hashimi has seemingly spaced out, she’s been having a seizure.

Dr. Al-Hashimi’s Decision To Tell Dr. Robby the Truth Has a Deeper Meaning

Image via HBO Max

While this is arguably one of The Pitt‘s most shocking moments this season, it’s also surprisingly sweet. Robby has spent many episodes being unkind to his replacement, along with almost everyone else, but Al-Hashimi seeks him out because, in her words during the shift, “After working with you, Dr. Robinavitch, I’ve come to respect your opinion.” Before the truth comes out, the moment already has greater significance. Al-Hashimi not only respects Robby’s status as senior attending, but as a fellow physician — and if anyone can help her, it’s him.

However, Al-Hashimi may regret her honesty because she doesn’t know that Robby is already on the verge of a bigger breakdown. While this could be one more thing to push him over the edge, it could also mean the end of her time on The Pitt. She’s on the verge of taking over Robby’s role, but now she’s dealing with seizures on top of everything else. How will she be able to keep working, especially in high-pressure situations where freezing up for a few seconds could be costly? Over the course of a single shift, Al-Hashimi has grown into a strong candidate to replace Robby, but before the day ends, she could be packing her bags.

If I want to see cats fight, I have four of them in my home.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 25 seconds ago

The trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 was released this week, and so far, it seems like merely a visit among the legacy characters with a new character thrown in to make it look like Andy and Miranda have been doing something for the past 20 years. What little of the plot was revealed centers around a scandal Miranda is experiencing, and she has retained her old assistant Andy as a consultant to help navigate the storm.

This results in lots of scenes of Andy with legacy characters Emily and Nigel, trying on clothes and walking around in them, showing off. Once or twice, we’re treated to a snarky comment from Miranda in which she picks on Andy’s sense of fashion or down-home sensibility. It’s as though nothing has changed at the magazine Miranda is editor of, not even the styles the models are adorned in.

We are treated to bits of recap from the original film, when Andy is telling newcomer Amari all about her adventures in the previous film. What we’re not shown a lot of is what is going to happen next. None of the lines are funny on their own. Some of them are sarcastic and caustic but most of them are just Andy, Emily, and Miranda sniping at one another like three little boys in an insult contest, with Andy taking the brunt of the attacks, as usual.

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Sure, there’s lots of pretty clothes and shots of big fancy parties in big fancy places where people strut around like living mannequins to exhibit the fashions, and I suppose that’s the main thing we want from a Devil Wears Prada movie, but the majority of the trailer was merely a commercial for Paris Fashion Week with a few celebrities in the mix.

More Of The Same 20 Years In The Making

Not even the presence of new addition Simone Ashley as Amari could save the trailer. Ashley, known for her role as Olivia in the British high school comedy drama Sex Education, and as Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, plays the girl working the post Andy formerly worked. Ashley’s strength as an actress is in playing “bitches with a heart of gold,” and she seems typecast as the cold and disdainful Amari, but the character fits right into Miranda Priestly’s world.

The strength of the first movie was how Andy was a fish out of water at the fashion magazine while Amari seems to be an Emily-in-training. I don’t know what the movie gains by circling the wagons around women whose main sport is cutting one another down, but the trailer indicates that Ashley’s talent is going to be wasted playing yet another Olivia or Kate Shwarma.

The Sequel Trailer Ain’t Sequeling

It has been exactly 20 years since the iconic hit comedy The Devil Wears Prada was released. Anne Hathaway starred as Andy Sachs, a young intern fresh out of college who wants to become a journalist, but winds up hired into the fashion magazine world of Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the most demanding boss in Manhattan.

Throughout the movie, Miranda exercises her power as a fashion maven with an iron grip over her entire staff, including Andy, Miranda’s other co-assistant Emily (Emily Blunt), and fashion guru Nigel (Stanley Tucci), demanding such impossible tasks as an airline flight during a hurricane and an advance copy of the then-unpublished sixth Harry Potter novel. The movie was based on a book by Lauren Weisberger about her time working for fashion icon Anna Wintour, and both book and movie skewer the industry through the Wintour analog of Miranda. The movie was such a runaway success that even Wintour loved it, despite it parodying her.

A sequel should deliver on more of the same from its predecessor while also adding something new. The Devil Wears Prada 2 seems to give us the “more of the same part,” but seems to have avoided giving audiences much that is all that new in favor of a cynical and nostalgic cash grab that seems a mere remake of the original movie with some extra ambition on Andy’s part thrown in for good measure. Is Andy still going to be the innocent, or have the intervening 20 years turned her fully into another Miranda?

After watching this trailer, I’m not sure I care. If I want to see cats fight, I have four of them in my home. I don’t need to pay money to a theater to watch them do it on screen for no reason. At least the first movie was funny, but this trailer is devoid of humor and did not make me want to see a movie that I’ve been excited about since it was announced.

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The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters on May 1, 2026.

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Revival series are all the rage when it comes to beloved older sitcoms. Now, the latest show to return to the airwaves is none other than “Malcolm in the Middle,” which aired on Fox for seven seasons. The new show, “Malcolm in the Middle: Life is Still Unfair,” is set to premiere in April and will feature Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Justin Berfield, and Christopher Masterson returning.

Erik Per Sullivan is the only original cast member not to return. Now, ahead of the premiere, reviews for the new show are mostly positive.

Early Reviews Heap Praise On The ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Revival

The review embargo for “Malcolm in the Middle: Life Is Still Unfair” was lifted on April 9. Currently, the show sits at an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although lower than many expected, this easily makes the show “certified fresh” on the platform. This is based on 27 reviews.

One reviewer, Akos Peterbencze from Looper.com, wrote, “I can’t speak for every fan, but ‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’ is almost every bit as delightful, bonkers, and mad fun as the original was.”

Robert Lloyd from the LA Times stated, “It’s true to itself. It gets a little sentimental and a little serious in the clutch; there will be closure, self-realization, and ego death. And, as if embarrassed by the whole business, the show will do something crazy to blast the tear from your eye.”

Lastly, Alan Sepinwall from What’s Alan Watching said, “If Boomer and the others wanted to keep periodically returning to these misfits, I would grow wary. But in the short-term, there’s just enough of that old ‘Malcolm’ feeling that I was glad, Mr. Cranston, to get more of this.”

Not All Critics Are Happy With The ‘Malcolm’ Series

Regarding the reception to “Malcolm in the Middle: Life is Still Unfair,” there are also several negative reviews, with some stating that the show overall just doesn’t work the way the creators intended. In a negative review, Dave Nemetz from TV Guide wrote, “Family reunions are nice and all… but this one might only prove you really can’t go home again.”

Nathan Chizen from Exclaim! said, “The original Malcolm in the Middle looks like a product of its time, and, unfortunately, so does its revival.” Additionally, Aramide Tinubu said for Variety, “This finale certainly has a heartfelt moment or two, but the show overall is wholly unnecessary.”

Lastly, Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter reviewed the show, saying, “Life’s Still Unfair is far from comfort food. It’s bizarrely discomfiting. It’s almost audaciously unpleasant.”

Still, some of the negative reviews praised the performances, especially those of Cranston and Kaczmarek.

What To Know About The ‘Malcolm’ Revival Series

“Malcolm in the Middle: Life Is Still Unfair” has been in the works for quite some time now. Filming for the show reportedly began in April 2025 and concluded the following month. From there, Hulu and Disney+ announced in December that the show would premiere on April 10.

In total, the limited series will consist of four episodes. Regarding the plot, it involves Muniz returning to the role of Malcolm, this time estranged from his family, including Cranson’s Hal, Kaczmarek’s Lois, and Berfield’s Reece.

As mentioned, Sullivan won’t be returning to the show as Dewey. Instead, the role will be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark as Sullivan is currently studying at Harvard and has left acting behind. The cast held the series’ premiere event in New York City on April 7.

Bryan Cranston Says Comedy Is Essential

Cranston has made a major name for himself since the end of “Malcolm in the Middle” with more serious roles, such as in “Breaking Bad.” However, in a recent interview with The Guardian, the veteran actor opened up about why comedies, like the new show, are “essential.”

He told the outlet, “Comedy is essential right now. It’s not even important. It’s essential. Because it’s a break from the bombardment of non-stop information. People who have the news on 24 hours a day in their homes, I don’t think they realize the damage they’re doing. You might as well make a house full of asbestos or just have radiation constantly emitting through your house.”

He went on to joke about appearing naked on camera, including in the official trailer for “Malcolm in the Middle: Life is Still Unfair.”

The actor said, “Taking my clothes off seems to be my whole life. I thought a nudity clause meant that it was circumspect as to when someone was going to be naked. I didn’t know my agent viewed a nudity clause as ‘nudity is essential.’ So here I am, a 70-year-old man parading around in his skivvies – or less.”

Frankie Muniz Recently Reflected On Getting Older

It has been almost 20 years since “Malcolm in the Middle” ended its original run in May 2006. Now, with the reboot, the chartacters are are all more advanced in life. Recently, Muniz spoke with USA Today, saying he can’t believe he’s now in his 40s, as Malcolm is on the show.

He told the outlet, “I ride a Peloton, and now it says ‘Frankie Muniz, 40s.’ I’m like, ‘Whoa, bro, my mom’s 40.’ She’s not; she’s 70, but in my head, I think that.”

The actor also reflected on now being near the same age as Cranston was when he began playing his dad on the original show. According to Muniz, “It’s pretty wild when you think that because I remember thinking he’s so old, you know? I’m not that old!”