Entertainment
Empire State Building Glows Pink For Dolly Parton
The Empire State Building has joined the outpouring of tributes honoring Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s passing at age 80. The New York City landmark lit up pink as a touching salute to the beloved singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. However, the tribute came with a thoughtful detail that fans may recognize, making the gesture even more meaningful.
The Empire State Building often uses its iconic lights to mark major occasions and honor notable people and causes. Its colorful displays have become a familiar part of the city’s skyline, marking everything from holidays and cultural events to milestones and moments of public importance.
On August 25, following news of Dolly Parton’s passing, the landmark announced it would glow pink in remembrance of the Queen of Country Music. The display began at 9:25 p.m. ET, a nod to the singer’s hit song “9 to 5,” released in 1980.
Parton wrote “9 To 5” as the theme song for the comedy movie of the same title, which marked Parton’s mainstream acting debut and saw her star alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The hit single earned her two Grammys: Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
The Empire State Building remained illuminated in pink for an hour as part of the tribute.
The Country Singer Navigated Health Issues Before Her Passing
In the past year, Parton shared that she had been battling a series of health issues, including kidney stones, digestive and immune system issues, as well as dizziness and dehydration. However, she reassured her fans that she had been receiving treatment and improving.
In an interview shortly before her passing, Parton told PEOPLE that she neglected her own health while she took care of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.
On August 25, Parton’s nephew announced the country singer had passed away at 80 years old. As reported by The Blast, a representative later shared more details about the singer’s death, revealing that she also briefly battled cancer.
Dolly Parton And Her Iconic Pink Aesthetic
The color pink became closely associated with Parton’s playful and glamorous image, fitting alongside rhinestones, bold makeup, towering wigs, and the unique fashion that became hallmarks of her personal style.
In 2020, Parton revisited some of her most iconic looks for Vogue‘s “Life in Looks” series, in which she discussed her pink ensemble from the “9 To 5” movie premiere, which she asked the film’s costume designer to create. “I just remember that was probably the first time I ever really felt like I was fashionable,” she said.
Parton described herself as a “painted doll” and used fashion as a form of self-expression. In a 2019 social media post, the singer shared a photo of her younger self in a pink outfit, writing in the caption, “No such thing as too much pink!”
Dolly Parton Sang ‘Pink’ For Breast Cancer Awareness
Pink was more than just a color to Parton. The singer was known for supporting charitable causes and was a dedicated supporter of breast cancer awareness.
In 2020, she collaborated with Monica, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans, and Rita Wilson on the song “Pink,” an anthem of hope for the fight against breast cancer. The lyrics express a dream of a future where pink is seen as just a color, not a symbol associated with the disease.
In 2023, Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer organization, bestowed the Promise Award to Parton for her philanthropic efforts and commitment to ending breast cancer. “Dolly has long used her talents to inspire, educate, and raise critical funds for the breast cancer community. There’s no doubt, the world is a better place with Dolly Parton in it,” the organization’s president said.
Pink Isn’t Dolly Parton’s Favorite Color
Despite its association with Parton’s signature style, pink is not actually the singer’s favorite color. Her official Pinterest page offered a glimpse into her colorful aesthetic, with boards showcasing photos of her different looks and styles throughout her career.
In an interview with Interview Magazine, the Queen of Country Music said she has two favorites. “White and yellow. White makes me feel light and airy. Yellow makes me happy,” she shared.
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ABC’s music-drama answer to the culture that was set up by Step Up (2007) and its future installments (although they were about romance and dance), concluded in 2018, but it’s still a binge-watch gem thanks to its six seasons and rave reviews. For the past year, the series starring the late Hayden Panettiere has been available to stream on Netflix, but it is set to leave the service in a couple of weeks.
Few network dramas blurred soap opera and the actual machinery of an entertainment industry as effectively as Nashville did. And instead of treating country music as decoration, the series built actual careers around record deals, radio play, songwriting credits, touring, label politics, the Grand Ole Opry, and Nashville institutions such as the Bluebird Cafe. In addition to Panettiere, the show also starred Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, Maisy Stella, and Eric Close, among others. The show ended up sprouting into broadway as well.
However, here’s the catch. Nashville, while is set to leave Netflix on September 15, the show is actually available to stream for free on Pluto TV. The series circles the life of fictional country music singers and released over 200 original songs commercially through its historic six-season, 124-episode run.
Which Actors on Nashville Sang Their Own Songs?
Franchises like Step Up and Pitch Perfect became fascinating not just because the actors were acting, but also because the same faces were also genuinely singing and dancing. It was the same case with Nashville, except it was a long show, and that puts it on a bigger pedestal. One of Nashville’s smartest tricks was that the music was not dubbed. Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, Chris Carmack, Lennon and Maisy Stella, and the other singing cast members performed their own vocals.
The songs, however, often came from genuine Music Row heavyweights. T Bone Burnett served as executive music producer in Nashville Season 1 before Buddy Miller took over. Then the writers included but weren’t limited to Kacey Musgraves, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby, and John Paul White of The Civil Wars. The whole show, therefore, had a heavy machinery backing that whole process.
Nashville is all set to leave Netflix on September 15, so there are only a few weeks left to catch up. But the show is also available to stream for free on ad-supported Pluto TV. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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2012 – 2018-00-00
- Directors
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Callie Khouri, Stephen Cragg, Michael Lohmann, Allan Arkush, Julie Hébert, Michael Waxman, Paul McCrane, Arlene Sanford, Dan Lerner, Eric Stoltz, Jean de Segonzac, Lily Mariye, Mario Van Peebles, Mike Binder, Timothy Busfield, Bethany Rooney, Dawn Wilkinson, Devon Gummersall, Eric Close, Jan Eliasberg, Ron Underwood, Sanaa Hamri, Patrick R. Norris, Jet Wilkinson
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Hayden Panettiere
Juliette Barnes
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Clare Bowen
Scarlett O’Connor
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Charles Esten
Deacon Claybourne
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Jonathan Jackson
Avery Barkley
Entertainment
Quentin Tarantino’s Vision for James Bond’s Future Is Exactly What the Franchise Needs
One of the big questions on movie fans’ minds this year is who will be stepping into the tuxedo of Bond, James Bond, in the 26th installment of the long-running franchise. As the series turns a page following Daniel Craig’s farewell in 2021’s No Time to Die, everyone has an opinion on what director Denis Villeneuve should do as he reboots the world’s most famous spy story.
In 2023, Quentin Tarantino joined that chorus, while discussing his own history with the character. An ill-fated attempt to make his own Bond movie came and went in the 1990s, but the man behind such classics as Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill offered his own take on what we should be seeing in future iterations of MI6’s finest.
Quentin Tarantino Flirted with the Bond Franchise in the ‘90s
At the peak of his powers, the director sought to create an outlaw Bond movie, developed without classic Bond producers EON Productions. This seemed possible, due to the fact that the rights to Casino Royale were owned by an entity outside the main franchise (a non-canon movie was made from them in 1967, with David Niven playing an older Bond). Tarantino told Deadline he wanted to make his own, stand-alone Bond movie as his follow-up to Pulp Fiction, set in the ‘60s, with no intention of a sequel.
According to his own recollection, EON Productions secured the rights to Casino Royale in the late ‘90s, and decided he was not the kind of director they wanted on board: “I was always told very flattering versions of like, ‘Look, we love Quentin, but we make a certain kind of movie, and unless we f*** it up, we make a billion dollars every time we make that type of movie, OK? We don’t want him to do it.’”
Casino Royale would eventually be realized as an EON Bond movie in 2006, becoming Daniel Craig’s debut in the role and reigniting the franchise for a new millennium. Despite the rejection, Tarantino was a fan of the Craig era, describing it as a “good run.” But the Oscar winner does have opinions on where the franchise should go following Craig’s departure.
The ‘Pulp Fiction’ Legend Knows What He Wants From a Bond Movie
Many James Bond fans yearn for the franchise to return to its roots, offering the hard-edged espionage tales that were the defining feature of Ian Fleming’s original novels. Tarantino seems to be one of those fans, whether he directs the story or not. When asked where he thought the franchise should go, he told Deadline: “What I think they should do, and I’ve been thinking they should do this for a long time, is so many of the books have these really classic names and really classic adventures. And for the most part, a lot of them, they never did the book. They never did the stories.”
“They took the plot line and maybe the Bond girl or maybe the villain and then just went their own way.” he continued. “I think they should not remake the movies but actually just do the books, but do them the way they were written. And those would all be brand new.” All fourteen books published by Fleming have been adapted into films, with varying degrees of faithfulness to the source material. 2006’s Casino Royale was the last film to be adapted from one of the novels, with original stories being written for most of 007’s adventures from the late ‘80s onwards. With this in mind, a new Bond with an old mindset might freshen up the 64-year-old franchise.
Denis Villeneuve May Be Taking a Similar Inspiration
Two years after Tarantino made the comments, Denis Villeneuve was announced as the director of the forthcoming Bond movie, with a script written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Tarantino may have been on the wrong side of the French-Canadian filmmaker before, publicly saying he refused to watch his Dune movies as he views them as remakes (Villeneuve’s response clarified that he saw them as separate adaptations rather than remakes of films that had come before).
Nevertheless, they do share one thing in common: a love for Casino Royale. Whereas Tarantino tried to adapt the novel himself, Villeneuve appreciated the 2006 movie as a fan of the franchise, calling it his “favorite” Bond movie and Daniel Craig “the ultimate James Bond.” These remarks were made in a podcast interview prior to his involvement with the forthcoming movie, but they give an idea of what he appreciates in a 007 blockbuster.
While they make very different types of movies, both men share similar values when it comes to directing: an auteur’s vision, a knack for world-building, and character-driven stories that contain a violent edge. As such, there’s every chance Quentin Tarantino will be nodding in approval when he watches the new James Bond makes his entrance, as it will be brought to the screen by someone with similar views as to what makes the character special.
- Release Date
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November 17, 2006
- Runtime
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144 minutes
- Director
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Martin Campbell
- Writers
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Neal Purvis, Paul Haggis, Robert Wade, Ian Fleming
The Blue Bloods cast are booked and busy lining up new projects after the hit CBS series came to a surprising end.
Blue Bloods, which premiered in 2010, followed the lives of the Reagan family, many of whom worked for the NYPD under the leadership of NYC police commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck). Frank’s father, Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), have been central to the show alongside Frank’s children: daughter Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) and sons Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Jamie Reagan (Will Estes).
After news broke about Blue Bloods coming to an end, Selleck explained why he thought the show should have remained on the air.
“I’m kind of frustrated,” he told TV Insider in October 2024. “During those last eight shows, I haven’t wanted to talk about an ending for Blue Bloods but about it still being wildly successful.”
He continued: “I’m not going to turn into a bitter old guy saying, ‘Get off my lawn.’ I don’t believe in holding grudges, but if you were to say to the television network, ‘Here’s a show you can program in the worst time slot you got, and it is going to guarantee you winning Friday night for the next 15 years,’ it would be almost impossible to believe.”
Selleck admitted that his “frustration” came from the show always being “taken for granted because it performed from the get-go.”
“So, how do I feel?” he added. “It’s going to take a long time to sort all of this out. I remember after the weekend [of the final episode’s shoot], I said, ‘I’ve got to get to bed early tonight because I have to do my dialogue for Monday.’ Well, there was no Monday. It’s just going to take a while.”
Two months after Blue Bloods’ series finale in December 2024, CBS announced that the Boston Blue spinoff was ordered straight to series and would expand the police procedural as Donnie Wahlberg‘s character “takes on a position” with the Boston P.D.
The Blue Bloods cast has unanimously shown their support for making appearances as their respective characters but some have already looked into new opportunities as well. Keep scrolling to see what the cast has planned next — and what projects they have been involved in before:
Donnie Wahlberg
In addition to reprising his role as Danny in the Boston Blue spinoff, Wahlberg went from hosting Investigation Discovery’s Very Scary People for six seasons solo to working with wife Jenny McCarthy on Very Scary Lovers.
Before Blue Bloods, Wahlberg’s most memorable roles included Band of Brothers and several Saw movies.
Bridget Moynahan
After wrapping up her run as Erin on Blue Bloods, Moynahan was honored with the JFK National Award and cast on Original Sound. She previously had scene-stealing roles in I, Robot, Coyote Ugly and on Sex and the City. She is reprising her role in Boston Blue — and will direct an episode as well. She also booked a role in Dan Fogelman’s upcoming football drama.
Will Estes
Estes played Jamie on Blue Bloods after rising to stardom with roles in The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, U-571 and American Dreams.
Len Cariou
Before Blue Bloods, Cariou booked roles in Into the Storm, Damages and Brotherhood. He played Henry on CBS’ hit police procedural from 2010 to 2024. He joined the cast of MGM+’s American Classic — replacing the late Harris Yulin — in July 2025.
Tom Selleck
Selleck is currently in development on a new installment of the Jesse Stone movie franchise. Before his time playing Frank, Selleck starred in Magnum, P.I., Three Men and a Baby and his iconic appearance on Friends. He will also have a guest role in an upcoming Apple TV project.
The cast of Blue Bloods doesn’t just play a family on TV, they’ve become a tight-knit group since the show first premiered in 2010. The CBS series follows the lives of the Reagan family helmed by Tom Selleck’s Commissioner Frank Reagan. Frank’s father, Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), sits opposite him at the group’s weekly Sunday […]
Vanessa Ray
Ray had a significant role on Pretty Little Liars before booking Blue Bloods.
Marisa Ramirez
Blue Bloods fans — including Us — are waiting for Ramirez to make an appearance on Boston Blue. She previously appeared on Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and Body of Proof.
Dolly Parton spent decades sharing her life with fans, but one of the most difficult chapters unfolded largely behind closed doors.
In the days before her death at 80, the country music icon acknowledged she was dealing with health issues while continuing to project the optimism and resilience that defined her public image.
Now, new accounts from those close to the singer suggest the reality of her final months was far more serious than many realized, as Parton quietly battled illness while determined to protect the legacy and persona her fans adored.
The final year of Dolly Parton’s life was marked by profound personal heartbreak. After nearly six decades of marriage, she lost her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025, a devastating blow that those close to her say deeply affected the icon.
The grief only intensified when her older brother, Coy “Denver” Parton, died in July 2026.
Just four days before news of her own death was announced, Parton spoke candidly with PEOPLE magazine about the challenges she had been facing. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said.
Even while acknowledging her struggles, the Grammy Winner sought to reassure supporters that she was still moving forward. “It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health. I’m still healin, I’m still workin,” she added.
According to insiders, however, the singer had become increasingly private in recent months. While she publicly connected some of her health concerns to the emotional toll of losing Dean, sources claim her condition was far more serious than she was willing to reveal.
Parton Kept The Extent Of Her Illness Within A Small Circle
As concern about her well-being quietly grew behind the scenes, only a select group of family members and close friends reportedly knew how serious Dolly Parton’s condition had become.
“Her health problems were much worse than she was willing to tell fans, obviously, and she was bad off for many months,” one source told the Daily Mail, adding, “She didn’t want the world to know that she was very sick.”
Another insider echoed that sentiment, explaining, “Dolly only confided in a very small, intimate circle what she was going through.”
Parton was admitted to a Nashville hospital on Friday before her team later confirmed she had died following a “brief battle” with cancer. Yet even as her health worsened, those close to her say she remained focused on shielding fans from worry.
“When Dolly told People she was still working and healing, she knew her life was almost over,” one source claimed. “She tried to reassure her legions of fans that she wasn’t critically ill. But she knew her time was almost up. She was being her brave Dolly self, not wanting to let her fans down.”
Dolly Parton Worked Hard To Preserve The Image Fans Loved
One of Parton’s final public appearances came in May when she announced the cancellation of a planned Las Vegas residency.
Appearing on social media with her trademark glamorous look intact, she told fans, “The good news is, I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.”
Sources now say that appearance reflected the star’s determination to maintain the image she had carefully built throughout her career.
“When she made her recent video telling fans she was receiving treatment but trying to reassure them she was OK, she looked just like the usual Dolly everyone loved,” an insider shared, further noting, “And, underneath one of her famous wigs and after hours preparing her in makeup, she did indeed look camera-ready.”
Another source added, “It was tough for Dolly not to play the sick card when she knew she didn’t have long to go. But she was an actress as well as a singer, and she pulled it off incredibly, fooling almost everyone.”
More From The Blast
Parton’s Family Directs Grieving Fans Toward Her Greatest Cause
While those closest to Dolly Parton have continued sharing new details about her final months, her family has also begun focusing attention on the cause that defined much of her life away from the stage.
As The Blast reported, rather than asking supporters to send flowers or memorial gifts, Parton’s loved ones encouraged fans to honor her memory by supporting the Imagination Library, the literacy program she spent decades building into a global force for children.
The request came as millions of fans mourned the singer’s death and looked for ways to celebrate her legacy.
Through the Imagination Library, Parton helped provide free books to children from birth through age five, a mission inspired in part by her father’s struggles with reading.
What started as a local initiative in Tennessee eventually expanded internationally, reaching communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland.
By the time of her death, the program had distributed more than 300 million books and was sending over 3 million books each month to children worldwide.
Family members said continuing that work would be the most meaningful tribute to Parton’s life and values.
Dolly Parton’s Broadway Musical Moves Forward After Her Death
One of Parton’s final major creative projects will continue exactly as she intended. The Aussie Theatre confirmed that “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” the autobiographical stage production she spent years developing, will move forward despite her passing, ensuring that her story will soon reach Broadway audiences.
The musical traces Parton’s journey from her childhood in rural Tennessee to her rise as one of the most successful entertainers in history.
The “Jolene” singer was heavily involved in the project, co-writing the book and helping shape how her life story would be told. The production first premiered in Nashville before securing a Broadway transfer, with previews scheduled to begin later this year.
The show features many of her biggest hits, along with new songs she wrote specifically for the production. According to reports, Parton had spent nearly a decade developing the musical and viewed it as one of the most important legacy projects of her career.
The Broadway production is only one part of a larger vision she was still actively building before her death. Plans remain in place for Nashville’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, both designed to celebrate her music, storytelling, and personal history.
Those close to the project say continuing the musical honors Parton’s own belief that “the show must go on.”
The cast of “Heroes” recently came together to honor the memory of Hayden Panetierre, who died at 36. The beloved actress played cheerleader Claire Bennet on the hit NBC series, making her one of the show’s most recognizable stars.
More than 15 years after the show last aired, the “Heroes” cast celebrated Panettiere’s life and shared fond memories of her.
More than a week has passed since Hayden Panettiere’s death, but tributes continue to pour in for the late actress.
On August 25, “Heroes” writer and executive producer Bryan Fuller took to social media and shared a couple of snapshots from a reunion held in Panettiere’s memory. Among those in attendance were Jack Coleman, Adrian Pasdar, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Madeline Zima, and Greg Grunberg. Others attended via video call, including Zachary Quinto and Sendhil Ramamurthy.
The reunion was seemingly organized by Coleman, Panettiere’s on-screen father. “It was a very special evening. Thank you for organizing, Jack,” Fuller wrote in the comments. “So good seeing you all and remembering Hayden,” Ramamurthy said.
Jean-Louis also shared the photos on X, noting that while it was a “deeply emotional” reunion, they also felt love as they exchanged stories about Panettiere.
Fans Note The Absence Of Milo Ventimiglia
“Heroes” fans were delighted to see some of their favorite stars together again, but they also noticed that Milo Ventimiglia, who played a major role on the show, was missing.
“Where is Peter?” one user asked, referring to Ventimiglia’s character Peter Petrelli. “Milo is missing,” another person commented. Yet another wrote, “No Milo?”
Ventimiglia was not the only cast member missing from the photos. Ali Larter, Noah Gray-Cabey, and Leonard Roberts were also absent, though it remains unclear whether they participated in the reunion virtually.
However, fans may have been particularly interested in Ventimiglia’s absence because Panettiere was romantically involved with him in the past and discussed their relationship in her recent memoir.
Hayden Panettiere And Milo Ventimiglia’s Relationship
Hayden Panettiere dated her ‘Heroes’ co-star Milo Ventimiglia in 2007, when she was 18 and he was 30 pic.twitter.com/iUWG8HY8RF
— y2k (@y2kpopart) March 16, 2025
Panettiere and Ventimiglia began dating in 2007, after she had just turned 18, while Ventimiglia was 30.
The actress wrote about their romance in her memoir, admitting that she had developed a crush on the actor soon after they started working together on “Heroes.” While on a press tour in Europe, their friendship developed into romance. “Just like that, we became a thing,” Panettiere wrote.
She noted that the 12-year age difference was scrutinized by the press and the public, which was difficult for them. Less than two years later, they parted ways after Panettiere told him about an NBC executive who kissed her on the lips. Ventimiglia reportedly wanted to talk to the executive about the “inappropriate” behavior, but Panettiere insisted it “was not a big deal.”
They continued working together on “Heroes” after the split and maintained a professional working relationship.
‘Heroes’ Co-Stars Shared Tributes To The Actress
Panettiere’s father in “Heroes,” Jack Coleman, was among the celebrities who fondly remembered Panettiere. As The Blast previously reported, the actor shared that he “loved Hayden since day one of the pilot of Heroes” when the actress first approached him with a hug.
“From that day on, she called me daddio. She was Haydini, because she was a magician,” he wrote. Coleman also shared what an incredible actress she was and how much joy she brought to set.
Sendhil Ramamurthy also penned a touching tribute, sharing how Panettiere helped him overcome his nerves and how she fought for background actors who were “mistreated,” and that she knew every crew member’s name.
Hayden Panettiere’s Rep Blasts Speculations About Her Death
Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death have yet to be determined, pending toxicology results. Meanwhile, her representatives are criticizing those who are spreading rumors and speculations surrounding her death.
As The Blast reported, the statement said that many people “who were not close” to the actress are only fueling gossip, adding that those who really knew the actress are not speaking publicly but are cooperating with the investigation.
The rep said the investigation is active and that they are “hopeful that justice will be served.”
Entertainment
The Chilling Thriller Stephen King Called Better Than Hitchcock Is Streaming on HBO Max
One of the best-regarded thrillers of all time, 1955’s Les Diaboliques is every bit as … well, diabolical today as it was when it was released. In 2017, Stephen King even claimed the devious, jet-black film noir “out-Hitchcocked Hitchcock” — and he had good reason to say so. The film remains a taut and darkly comedic thriller with a twist ending that’s beautifully plotted. Les Diaboliques petrified audiences in France before making its way stateside, and it laid the groundwork for countless erotic thrillers and psychological horror pictures in the 1980s and ’90s.
And the film has even more admirers among horror royalty, including Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, and novelist Ramsey Campbell. The film’s infamous twist ending and screw-tight suspense methods were often imitated by Western filmmakers, including Hitchcock with his cheeky Psycho campaign revolving around its twist.
An ill-advised American remake was even attempted in 1996, but there’s nothing like the real thing — and today, Les Diaboliques is streaming on HBO Max.
What Is ‘Les Diaboliques’ About?
Just outside Paris, a boy’s boarding school is run by Michel and his wife, Christina. While Michel is an obnoxious tyrant, Christina takes comfort (figuratively, though there are undertones of romance) in the arms of teacher Nicole — who is also a bed partner of Michel. The women eventually plot to get rid of Michel, with everything going to plan, aside from Christina’s heart condition, which nearly paralyzes her during the film’s centerpiece murder sequence.
The remainder of the film depicts Christina’s psychological meltdown and the crushing paranoia that follows such a deed. However, there are hints of the supernatural, as Michel’s body vanishes from the school’s swimming pool, where the women planned for it to be discovered; his “ghost” also appears to haunt Christina around the school.
When it arrives, Les Diaboliques’ notorious twist ending changes everything we thought we knew about the characters and their relationships — and it all comes crashing down in one legendary jump scare. With Christina almost completely lost to paranoia and madness, she clambers through her home at night, hearing sounds of Michel, before finding his body returned once again to the bathtub in which she and Nicole drowned him. As Christina looks on in silent horror, Michel’s “corpse” rises from the water, and the woman promptly dies from a heart attack, before the actual plot — between Michel and Nicole — is revealed.
How ‘Les Diaboliques’ ‘Out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock’
Once the inciting murder is committed, Les Diaboliques becomes a relentless tightening of the screws as the women spiral into paranoia, in ways that will remind viewers of Hitchcock and even the Coen Brothers. The film is chock-full of agonizing suspense sequences in which the women are almost discovered, and a strong Hitchcockian element of dark humor persists. From a drunken soldier almost discovering Michel’s corpse to friendly neighbors’ gestures turned sinister by our knowledge of what the women are trying to hide, the film is a delight in the vein of Psycho or Blood Simple.
During the harrowing murder sequence, Clouzot even injects humor by cutting to an older couple upstairs as the husband loudly complains about the sound of Nicole’s tub drowning out the quiz show he’s trying to enjoy; his wife’s patient nod when he brags about getting a question right earns a massive laugh.
It’s little wonder Hitchcock himself tried to get his hands on the rights to the novel, with its watertight plotting and twisted sense of identification with a pair of killers. According to Hollywood lore, Clouzot beat the master of suspense by mere hours in obtaining the rights, though, and thus Les Diaboliques has taken a longer path to the American suspense film canon. Viewers who are fans of the Coen Brothers’ sweaty, blood-soaked comedic thrillers and, of course, Hitchcock’s nastier pictures owe it to themselves to experience the film today on HBO Max or Plex.
- Release Date
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January 29, 1955
- Runtime
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117 Minutes
- Director
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Henri-Georges Clouzot
- Writers
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Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi
Cast
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Meghan Markle is always stylish, but if there’s one department where the Duchess always shines, it’s her accessories. And while her jewelry often comes with price tags in the tens of thousands, if not more, I was surprised to find a designer‑inspired watch that looks strikingly similar to her pricey gold Cartier timepiece. Even better: the Amazon accessory is only $26!
The Gaofan Hour gold watch has an identical silhouette and presentation to the Royal’s nearly $30,000 accessory — so much so that I’m convinced admirers will swear it’s the real deal. After all, the square face, Roman numeral markers and slim gold links echo the same elegance that makes Markle’s watch so iconic and identifiable.
Get the GAOFAN HOUR Gold Watch for $26 (originally $28) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to changes.
Crafted from high-quality stainless steel with gold plating, the layered watch, which features a resizable band, has a delicate profile that sits comfortably on the wrist without weighing you down. Though it features a slim, sophisticated design, the durable watch can easily handle everyday wear and tear — think hand‑washing, light splashes and a bit of sweat.
Leave it to Kate Middleton to make even the most timeless wardrobe staples feel fresh again. During a recent palace meeting, the Princess of Wales stepped out in a tailored dress, elegant long coat and classic pumps. But it was her delicate, gold heart pendant necklace that truly stole the show. The romantic piece added […]
The affordable Amazon accessory has a designer gold watch style that instantly elevates any look — casual or dressed up. While Meghan layered her Cartier watch with other minimalist accessories and a classic rich-mom ensemble — white button-up blouse and an oversized straw hat — you can wear the lookalike just as effortlessly with everything from loose summer maxi dresses to pre-fall layers and even tailored office basics.
And I’m not the only one singing the praises of this Cartier lookalike watch either. The gorgeous gold piece, which over 4,000 shoppers have snagged in the past month, earns rave reviews for its functionality, versatility and expensive-looking design. Shoppers even say it’s “better than Cartier.”
“This watch is beautiful and so great for the price,” one 5-star reviewer said. “I own $500 watches, and this watch feels expensive and [has[ very good quality. Don’t hesitate, buy it!”
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Despite having plenty of competition, Dua Lipa may just be the queen of statement-making style. The pop star isn’t opposed to showing up on red carpets wearing completely see-through dresses, and even her more casual outfits have a touch of dramatic flair. She’ll amp up denim shorts with bulky, calf-length boots, or rock a $53,000 gold […]
Taylor Swift is among the countless artists mourning the loss of Dolly Parton following the country legend’s death at age 80.
The singer-songwriter, whose influence stretched far beyond music, died in Nashville after a brief illness.
As tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, Swift shared an emotional message reflecting on Parton’s impact not only on her own career, but on generations of artists and fans who grew up inspired by the icon’s remarkable life.
Few artists have shaped country music the way Dolly Parton did, which is why Taylor Swift’s tribute carried such a deeply personal tone. Reflecting on the loss, the Grammy Award winner admitted that Parton’s passing felt almost impossible to comprehend.
“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” Swift said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
Rather than focusing solely on the country legend’s accomplishments, Swift spoke candidly about the way Parton connected with people throughout her life.
She praised the icon’s generosity and the lasting impact she had on those around her, writing that her legacy would endure because of “the countless lives she changed for the better.”
Swift also reflected on Parton’s unique ability to inspire individuality while remaining universally admired.
“She was truly the gift that kept on giving,” the “Cruel Summer” singer shared, noting that Parton encouraged people to embrace who they were while sharing lessons about life with warmth, honesty and humor.
Parton’s Legacy Inspired Generations Of Young Women, Including Swift
As her tribute continued, Taylor Swift went into detail about why Dolly Parton remained such an influential figure for so many years.
She described the late singer as someone who balanced openness with mystery, allowing fans to admire both her artistry and her character.
“She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted,” Swift explained, adding, “Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person.”
Swift also praised Parton’s compassion and resilience, saying she possessed “the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.”
The 36-year-old closed her message by celebrating the many ways Parton’s influence extended beyond music.
She thanked her for the songs that touched listeners, the millions of books she provided to children through her literacy efforts, and the example she set for young women chasing ambitious dreams. “Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way,” Swift ended.
Dolly Parton’s Family Shares Emotional Details About Her Final Days
Taylor Swift’s tribute captured the heartbreak felt across the music world, but the announcement of Parton’s death revealed even more about how carefully the country icon prepared for her final goodbye.
Parton died in Nashville at age 80 following what her representatives described as a “brief battle with cancer.” The news was delivered by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video message posted to her official Instagram page on behalf of the Parton and Owens families.
In the emotional video, Seaver revealed that the “Jolene” singer had asked him years earlier to be the person who would announce her death when the time came.
He admitted he had long imagined the weight of that responsibility but did not truly understand it until he was forced to record the message.
Rather than focusing solely on grief, Seaver celebrated the life Parton lived. He said the “sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” explaining that she was now “in the arms of Jesus” and reunited with her late husband Carl Dean, her parents and other loved ones who had gone before her.
Perhaps the most touching moment came when Seaver shared one of Parton’s final wishes. He revealed that she wanted to rest “in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
Parton Honored With Rare National Tribute
One of the most significant honors of Dolly Parton’s remarkable career arrived after her death.
President Donald Trump announced that American flags would be flown at half-staff nationwide for a full week, a rare tribute typically reserved for presidents, major political figures, and a select group of Americans whose impact transcended their profession.
Announcing the decision on social media, Trump wrote per The Blast, “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away.”
He continued, “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
The president then revealed that flags across the United States would be lowered for seven days beginning at 6 p.m. on the day her death was announced.
The gesture placed Parton in exceptionally rare company. Reports noted that a week-long lowering of flags for a private citizen is uncommon and reflects the extraordinary influence she had not only as a musician but also as a philanthropist, businesswoman, actress, and literacy advocate through her Imagination Library program.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Becomes A Major Focus Of Her Lasting Legacy
Beyond music, one of the causes closest to Parton’s heart is now taking center stage as fans look for meaningful ways to honor her memory.
Following her death, her family requested that donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers, directing attention to the literacy program she launched in 1995.
As The Blast reported, the initiative began in Parton’s home county in East Tennessee and eventually expanded internationally. Through the program, free books are mailed to children from birth until they begin school, helping foster a love of reading at an early age.
Over the years, the Imagination Library has distributed hundreds of millions of books and become one of the most celebrated literacy programs in the world.
In announcing the donation request, Parton’s family made it clear that supporting children’s literacy would be one of the most fitting ways to continue her work.
The program was especially meaningful to Parton because it honored her father, who never learned to read.
Nobody is stewarding Gothic cinema quite like Robert Eggers, the daring director widely considered a modern master of horror. Since his debut folk horror classic The Witch in 2015, Eggers has spent the last decade building a spectacularly sinister and immersive filmography. Eggers’ elevated horror is known for its meticulous attention to detail, historical authenticity, and slow-burn atmospheric dread. He is also notoriously untethered when it comes to genre conventions or labels, veering away from the horror bracket in 2022 to create the action-filled revenge epic, The Northman, based on a Scandinavian folktale.
What too remains consistent about Eggers’ work is his avoidance of and distaste for shooting contemporary settings. He has made it very clear that making a modern film is off the table, even narrowing down his time period cut-off to, ideally, pre-World War II. Luckily, Gothic literature of the past and present has no shortage of strange, ambitious, and macabre stories that would benefit from the Eggers treatment. These five stories are but a small sampling of Gothic literary potential, sourced from Victorian-era classics and more recent historical horror books alike, that would keep Eggers far away from the contemporary cell phone-ridden world and ensconced in bygone eras where his creative genius thrives.
5
‘Ligeia’ (1838)
By Edgar Allen Poe
Practically any Poe story could be singled out for an Eggers-led adaptation. In fact, Eggers has already dabbled with Edgar Allen Poe‘s particular vein of Gothic madness, having directed a short film adaptation of “The Raven” in 2008. One particularly intriguing, though lesser-known story in Poe’s compiled tales is “Ligeia,” first published in 1838. “Ligeia” is told by an unnamed opium-addicted narrator, who recounts an opulent, obsessive tale of undying love.
The titular Ligeia refers to the narrator’s first wife, a captivating raven-haired woman who, upon falling gravely ill, composes a poem on mortality called “The Conqueror Worm.” After Ligeia dies, the narrator remarries. However, his second wife, Lady Rowena, seems to be haunted or, perhaps, overtaken by the presence of the first. Seemingly repeating her fate, Lady Rowena also grows ill and passes away, but while the narrator holds vigil over her body, something strange happens: Rowena slowly returns from the dead, only she’s transformed into Ligeia. Whether Ligeia is a vampire, a ghost, a hallucination, or something else entirely is largely left up for interpretation. Eggers could certainly have a field day putting his spin on this story’s murky supernatural waters, playing with Poe’s decidedly unreliable narrator.
4
‘Between Two Fires’ (2012)
By Christopher Buehlman
A popular dream adaptation pick for Eggers devotees, Christopher Buehlman‘s Between Two Fires is a sprawling historical horror novel set in the Middle Ages. Visceral, brutal, and fantastical, this book traces a disgraced knight across France during 1348, when the world is thoroughly overturned by the Black Death. The knight is accompanied by a mysterious young girl with Joan of Arc-style visions, looking to get to Avignon. The duo encounters demons and other unearthly horrors along the way, as well as a priest, Frere Matthieu of Saint Martin le Preux, who ultimately joins them in hopes of finding his brother, Robert Hanicotte, a cardinal working under Pope Clement.
Eggers has already proven his knack for directing a gruesome supernatural epic through The Northman. This apocalyptic story would likewise dip into historical horror and dark fantasy, while leaning even further into mystical, religious conflict. At once a realistic historical fiction venture and a medieval fantasy road movie populated by plague victims, angels, and demons, Buehlman’s Between Two Fires is exactly the kind of bleak, grimly engrossing project Eggers could do justice to on screen.
3
‘The Silent Companions’ (2017)
By Laura Purcell
A 19th-century Gothic story like The Silent Companions is perfect for Eggers’ scrupulous period filmmaking, especially after the success of Nosferatu. Laura Purcell‘s Victorian Gothic novel follows Elsie, who marries handsome heir Rupert Bainbridge, only to be widowed just weeks into their marriage. Left pregnant and isolated in her late husband’s country estate, she soon discovers some truly unexpected, uncanny companions. Specifically, behind a locked door, she finds a bunch of painted life-size wooden figures, one of which eerily resembles herself. The estate residents are terrified of the figure, and her own superstition starts to grow as the art form seems to have a life of its own.
This Victorian ghost story has all the ingredients for a traditional horror movie set-up, but the simple haunted house trope is not the sum total of Purcell’s storytelling. The narrative evolves into a much more multidimensional puzzle, moving between two time periods: Elsie in the 1800s timeline and her late husband’s ancestor, Anne Bainbridge, in the 1600s. Between those two timelines are various interludes that take place in an asylum. Befitting Eggers’ style in both its scope and its impeccable suspense-building, The Silent Companions would be a female-led adaptation that beautifully splices the Gothic strengths of both Nosferatu and The Witch.
2
‘Ring Shout’ (2020)
By P. Djèlí Clark
Eggers has explored New England folk horror, Icelandic mythology, and Victorian Gothic horror. Now, perhaps it’s time for Eggers to tackle the Southern Gothic. P. Djèlí Clark’s Ring Shout would offer him a particularly ambitious entry point. Set in Prohibition-era Georgia, the novella introduces Maryse Boudreaux and her group of fierce resistance fighters, battling all-too-real demons reborn from the white supremacist propaganda film, The Birth of a Nation.
Clark works at the intersection of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror to explore America’s dark past and the ongoing fight against racial violence and oppression. With rich folkloric roots, comparable to the recent Southern Gothic hit, Sinners, Clark’s Ring Shout is a creative, satisfying Southern Gothic thrill ride packed into just under 200 pages. The book did get picked up for a TV adaptation in late 2020, set to star Kiki Layne, but the project has seemingly stalled over the last five years. If Eggers could snag the film rights, Ring Shout could allow him to chart a brand-new chapter in his dedicated historical filmography: the 1920s American South.
1
‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ (1886)
By Robert Louis Stevenson
This Victorian horror classic has certainly stood the test of time. Robert Louis Stevenson‘s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has inspired countless movie adaptations throughout the decades. The 1931 film adaptation is perhaps the most acclaimed of the bunch, but the story’s enduring appeal on and off-screen has ensured that the phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” remains in our contemporary lingo. Regardless if you’ve read the book, which is, in fact, a brisk novella, the double-life concept or a dark side run wild is widely familiar. This alone makes the story a strong contender for an Eggers adaptation, as the director often takes a popular trope, legend, or concept and then strips it back to its Gothic roots.
Less of a monster movie and more a quintessential psychological horror slow-burn, it’s not hard to imagine how Eggers could cultivate a foggy, claustrophobic, repressive Victorian backdrop. In Stevenson’s story, Dr. Henry Jekyll, a London scientist, concocts a potion to separate and subdue the evil side of himself. In doing so, the alter ego ends up taking over and wreaking havoc as the violent criminal, Edward Hyde. As The Substance made clear, keeping the balance isn’t so easy. All in all, this famous novella truly wears many hats, as a form of allegory, detective fiction, doppelgänger literature, and, of course, Gothic horror, which are all well-suited to Eggers’ signature macabre, genre-bending flair.
Rumer Willis is opening up about her family’s positive moments amidst her father Bruce Willis‘ ongoing battle with frontotemporal dementia.
The actress shared how deeply she treasures the meaningful interactions the action icon shares with her young daughter.
Bruce was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023, and since then, his family has been open about the physical and emotional toll the ailment has had on them all.
In a new interview, Rumer shared updates regarding her family dynamic as her father, Bruce, navigates frontotemporal dementia.
The 38-year-old performer explained that despite the difficulties surrounding the neurological condition, spending quality time together continues to yield warm reactions from the “Die Hard” star.
Describing their regular visits, Rumer highlighted the immediate happiness her father displays when seeing her and her 3-year-old daughter, Louetta.
“So, there’s so much love and joy and tenderness that still exists there. And in terms of that, I would say that’s a huge win,” she told PEOPLE Magazine.
She also expressed gratitude for the continued opportunity to spend time together and emphasized how closely bonded their family remains throughout the process.
Furthermore, the experience inspired Rumer to partner with Function to proactively evaluate her personal wellness. Through specialized lab work and genetic testing for Alzheimer’s risk factors, she aims to monitor her long-term health closely.
“I wanna be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. I don’t think it’s really an option anymore to not be proactive about it,” she said.
She also added that traditional doctor visits often leave little room for comprehensive preventative care, making detailed health testing an essential investment for her future.
Rumer Willis Emphasizes Proactive Screening Amid Genetic Health Concerns
Building on her focus on preventative care, Rumer also explained why obtaining comprehensive health screening remains vital despite the anxiety associated with genetic discoveries.
According to The Blast, she recently reflected on the daunting nature of genetic testing while dealing with her father’s diagnosis and broader family medical histories, which include cancer alongside cognitive decline.
Acknowledging that discovering hereditary risk factors can induce anxiety, she expressed a preference for early knowledge over waiting for potential health issues to arise.
“It’s terrifying to get answers sometimes. Obviously there are genetic things in my family. Not just dementia, I’ve had some family members who have had breast cancer and family members who have had different things,” she said.
However, she noted that information is “power” and explained that possessing early markers allows individuals to make targeted lifestyle modifications rather than reacting only after symptoms manifest.
Rumer Willis Highlights Softer Demeanor in Bruce Willis Amid Health Battle
In addition to taking proactive steps towards fighting the disease, Rumer has also been open about the different ways her father has changed while battling dementia.
According to The Blast, she revealed that while navigating frontotemporal dementia has changed family dynamics, the diagnosis has revealed a softer, more gentle side to the action icon.
She noted that the illness brought out a distinct warmth and “sweetness” that contrasts with his longtime public persona.
Rumer also acknowledged the advocacy efforts led by her stepmother, Emma Heming Willis, praising the extended family’s commitment to supporting one another while raising awareness about neurological health challenges.
Emma Heming Willis Emphasizes Caregiver Health And Brain Wellness
Alongside Rumer’s candid updates, Bruce’s wife, Emma, has also shared insights into the family’s caregiving journey.
Emma provided a supportive update regarding her husband’s ongoing care, expressing that the family remains focused on surrounding the actor with love while adapting to their new reality.
“You know, we’re doing well,” she shared. “My husband is supported and loved, and we’re doing the best we can under the circumstances.”
In addition to supporting her husband, the model and entrepreneur highlighted the vital necessity of self-care for caregivers.
“What I’ve learned is that it’s so important to care for ourselves, and if we’re not caring for ourselves, how can we care for the people that we love in our lives?” she noted, according to The Blast.
Rumer Willis Embraces Relocation Amid Her Father’s Health Battle
Amid family developments surrounding her father’s health, Rumer announced a major personal relocation to mark a fresh start.
The actress recently revealed on social media that she has officially moved across the country to Nashville, Tennessee, characterizing the transition as a “leap of faith,” per The Blast.
Documenting the packing and transport process, she reflected on the emotional weight of transferring two decades of her life to a new home, admitting that it was a challenging period for her.
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