Entertainment
‘Game Of Thrones’ Star Maisie Williams Reveals She’s ‘In Love’
Maisie Williams has offered a rare glimpse into her personal life, revealing that she is in a happy new relationship. The actress also suggested that romance feels different this time as she embraces a lighter chapter in her life.
Her romantic history has included long-term relationships with Reuben Selby and Ollie Jackson, as well as a rumored earlier connection with YouTuber Caspar Lee.

Maisie Williams is happily in love, although she isn’t ready to reveal exactly who has captured her heart. The “Game of Thrones” alum opened up about her dating life during a new interview with The Guardian, confirming that she is currently seeing someone and is “so happy.”
When asked whether she had been playing the field, Williams quickly shut down the idea. “No! I’m in love,” the 29-year-old actress declared, before making it clear that she wouldn’t be sharing much more about her mystery partner.
Williams did, however, reveal that the relationship feels different from previous times she has been in love. “There’s lots of laughter,” she said.
Williams Previously Dated Fashion Creative Reuben Selby

Williams’ last publicly known relationship was with fashion creative Reuben Selby, whom she dated for several years before they split in 2023.
The former couple were linked as early as 2019 and became fixtures on the fashion circuit, regularly stepping out together at events including Paris Fashion Week. Their relationship also overlapped with their creative careers, with Selby contributing to Williams’ fashion projects and previously working as communications director for her Daisie app.
The pair even collaborated beyond fashion, including a 2022 climate initiative.
As PEOPLE reported at the time, Williams announced their breakup in February 2023, describing it as the “end of an era.” Selby also addressed the breakup publicly, asking fans not to be sad and joking that they should instead “appreciate the fits,” a nod to the matching looks that had become one of the couple’s signatures.
Maisie Williams’ Dating History Includes A Former Classmate

Before Selby, Williams dated Ollie Jackson, a former classmate she reportedly began seeing in 2015. The pair largely kept their romance away from the spotlight at first. They eventually made public appearances together, including attending the “Game of Thrones” Season 7 premiere in 2017.
Williams offered a rare insight into their relationship during a 2018 interview with ELLE UK. At the time, she praised Jackson for giving her the combination of friendship and romance she wanted in a partner. “Everyone just wants to have someone they can hang out with who is a friend and a boyfriend, and Ollie is that,” she said.
Williams was also previously linked to YouTuber Caspar Lee after appearing in several of his videos. However, despite years of fan speculation, neither Williams nor Lee ever confirmed they were romantically involved.
The Actress Says Her Early 20s Were ‘Just Hell’

Williams’ current happier outlook stems from a reportedly difficult stretch that coincided with the end of “Game of Thrones.”
“The first half of my 20s was just hell,” the actress told The Guardian, although she acknowledged that the experience might not be unusual for people that age.
Williams partly attributed that period to the HBO hit wrapping in 2019. After spending much of her childhood and teenage years playing Arya Stark, she suddenly found herself unsure about what should come next. “I didn’t know what I was going to do next, and I just needed a break,” she explained.
Maisie Williams Has Long-Valued Friendship In Romance
Williams’ relationships may have changed over the years, but her comments suggest companionship has remained important to what she wants from a partner.
While dating Jackson in 2016, the actress admitted she believed she was in love but was careful not to treat that feeling as something she completely understood. “I feel like I’m in love right now,” Williams said at the time, according to E! News. “But I don’t know what I’m going to feel like down the line.”
She also said she’s attracted to people outside the entertainment bubble, telling Nylon that she liked “normal people.”
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Entertainment
James Van Der Beek’s Wife Kimberly Shares AI Photos With Him
Kimberly Van Der Beek is embracing AI to recreate memories of her late husband, James Van Der Beek.
“Felt like a solid use of AI today,” Kimberly, 44, wrote over a Tuesday, September 8, Instagram Story that compiled five AI-generated photos of herself and the former Dawson’s Creek star, who died in February at age 48 from complications related to colorectal cancer.
“If James and I were doing our thing in the 80s,” she wrote beneath the image compilation, which imagined the couple dressed in various ensembles that included double denim, loose-fitting white shirts, chunky belts and cowboy hats. “Typing into ChatGPT what would I have looked like in the 80s,” Kimberly wrote in another corner of the photo collage.
The post comes a little over one month after Kimberly took to social media to mark what would have been her and James’ 16th wedding anniversary. “16 years ago I was the luckiest woman in the world to marry @vanderjames,” she captioned her Instagram tribute on August 1. “The beauty of this marriage continues to unfold everyday with all these incredible children we have. He continues to be present and guide us. I’m eternally grateful.”
Kimberly and James shared six children: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 10, and Gwendolyn, 8, and sons Joshua, 14, and Jeremiah, 4. James is survived by Kimberly and their children.
The widow has regularly honored her late husband since his death, often through Instagram Stories that reflect on the love they shared. On June 28, Kimberly wrote, “Baby, love does not die. Death does not part” atop throwback photos of the duo.

Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram Story Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
She also keeps his family bonds with their children alive through the sharing of family photos, some of which she shared in her June 28 post amid detailing how James “was always building something with a child in tow.”
Kimberly confirmed her husband’s death via a statement shared via social media on February 11. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” she wrote at the time. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
The news drew an outpouring of support from loved ones and fans, who raised more than $2.9 million of an originally targeted $1.5 million through a GoFundMe initiative that strived to help Kimberly and her children make ends meet in James’ absence.
Entertainment
The “Band of Brothers” cast“, ”then and now: See the stars of HBO’s Emmy-winning miniseries 25 years later
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Catching up with the actors of the World War II masterpiece.
Entertainment
Oscar Winner Reveals James Bond Casting Will Be Announced ‘Soon’
The wait to discover who will be the next James Bond is now nearing its end!
Since Daniel Craig stepped away from the iconic role, speculation has continued over which star will take over as the legendary secret agent.
Idris Elba was among the names frequently linked to the franchise, but he has since addressed and dismissed those reports. Now, Gary Oldman has added fresh fuel to the mystery, revealing that the official announcement could be coming soon.

The “Slow Horses” actor confirmed that Craig’s replacement has already been chosen and all that is left is for the big public reveal. As for the chosen actor, Oldman said he hopes his co-star, Jack Lowden, bagged the role.
“It’s been rumored that he’s on the shortlist,’ Oldman said while appearing on Canada’s The Morning Show. “We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him.”
While the Oscar winner is rooting for Lowden, Richard Osman recently suggested on “The Rest Is Entertainment” podcast that he has heard the Scottish star is among the leading contenders.
“It is definitely not a ‘he’s definitely got it’ thing,” Osman clarified, according to the Daily Mail. “He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he’d be amazing!”
Osman’s co-host, Marina Hyde, agreed, noting that Lowden’s age makes him an ideal fit, since the franchise typically seeks someone who can carry multiple films over an extended period.
George Clooney Is Backing A Different Contender

While Oldman and Osman continue to fuel speculation around Lowden, George Clooney believes Callum Turner would be the perfect choice to step into Bond’s shoes.
According to The Blast, Clooney, who worked alongside Turner on “The Boys in the Boat,” publicly championed the British star, saying he has everything needed to carry the franchise forward.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker argued that Turner has stood out in Hollywood without relying on excessive hype.
“Somehow Callum has weaved his way through all of the noise and found a place where people look at him and go, ‘There’s something with this young man,’” the “Ocean’s Eleven” star said.
Emile Hirsch Teased He Was Offered The Role
With Amazon MGM yet to reveal its choice for the next 007, Emile Hirsch found a way to have some fun with the ongoing mystery.
As The Blast reported, the actor recently shared a fake official letter that appeared to offer him the coveted part.
The statement was supposedly from Eon Productions, the company behind the franchise, and it praised Hirsch for possessing the qualities needed for the assignment.
One passage claimed Hirsch’s height made him the perfect candidate for a fictional crossover where James Bond would travel to the Shire and go undercover to track down “terrorist hobbits.”
Hirsch leaned into the joke, expressing his surprise at the supposed offer in the caption.
Idris Elba Clarified He Was Not In The Option For The Film

Hirsch may have joked about landing the iconic part, but Idris Elba has already made it clear he is not in contention, despite years of speculation linking him to the franchise.
In June, the “Hijack” star dismissed the claims, saying they were simply rumors. Elba explained that he had always viewed the expectation as unrealistic because of cultural differences across global audiences.
“I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that,” Elba explained, according to The Blast. “Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all go for a Black male, and African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.”
Elba’s statement echoed his earlier remarks that he was never seriously considered for the part, noting that producers wanted someone younger. However, he wished the team the best as they move forward with the next chapter.
Production Wants A Younger Actor To Lead The Next Installment

Although the official announcement has yet to be made, producers have already offered insight into the qualities they want in the next Bond.
As The Blast reported, casting director Nina Gold said the team is looking for someone young enough to carry the franchise for years to come,
In addition, Gold revealed that the character must “ooze s-x appeal” while also possessing the acting talent needed to bring the iconic spy to life.
Entertainment
Jennifer Garner’s Go-To Beauty Brand Is Secretly on Sale
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A good drugstore beauty find is already hard to resist, but a secret sale makes stocking up even more tempting. Jennifer Garner has long been a Neutrogena fan, and right now, some of the brand’s most useful skincare staples are quietly marked down at CVS.
Garner has worked with Neutrogena for years, making the affordable brand a natural place to look when we want to take a cue from the star’s famously fresh-faced beauty routine. CVS’ under-the-radar sale includes $4 in savings when you buy two eligible Neutrogena cleansing wipes, plus $3 off one eligible acne or liquid cleansing product. Now’s the time to refresh your skincare routine for a new season!
Get the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes for $7 at CVS! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Makeup wipes are one of those staples that you’re always restocking, so that’s a great place to start. The pre-moistened wipes make quick work of removing makeup, dirt and oil, and they’re super convenient for travel, gym bags or nights when a lengthy skincare routine just isn’t happening. Better still, they are made for sensitive skin and don’t cause breakouts.
Among the acne and liquid cleanser products included in this quiet sale are Neutrogena’s Ultra Thin Blemish Patches and the Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel, both of which are made to help you achieve clearer skin. The cleanser is formulated for normal, dry, oily and combination skin.
Shoppers are famously loyal to the brand’s cleansing products. “I don’t wear makeup but I use these every day,” wrote one CVS reviewer of the cleansing towelettes. “I use them to refresh my face without drying it out.”
The Hydro Boost cleanser is earning similarly enthusiastic praise. “I am TOTALLY in love with this cleanser and it smells amazing!” wrote another CVS reviewer. “It’s the first gel cleanser ever that does not strip my skin!”
If your skincare cabinet could use a refresh, consider this little-known CVS sale your excuse to stock up.
Get the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes for $7 at CVS! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Entertainment
Jimmy Kimmel Dodges Exit Talk During Fiery Trump Tirade
Jimmy Kimmel returned from his summer hiatus with plenty to say about Donald Trump, but one topic was noticeably absent from his milestone broadcast.
Hours after reports surfaced claiming his long-running ABC tenure could be nearing its end, the late-night veteran stepped onto the stage for the 4,000th episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and delivered a blistering political monologue instead.
While speculation about his future continued to swirl, Kimmel focused on the White House and left viewers waiting for answers about his next chapter.
A major television milestone quickly took a back seat to questions about what comes next for Jimmy Kimmel.
The comedian returned Tuesday night for his first show in three months, celebrating the 4,000th episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” amid fresh reports that his television run could end in 2027. Despite the growing speculation, Kimmel never addressed the claims on air.
Instead, he opened with a joke that immediately signaled where his focus would be. “Donald Trump and I have one thing in common,” the host told the audience, per the Daily Mail. “We both accomplished nothing all summer long.”
Kimmel then launched into a lengthy rundown of political developments that unfolded during his break, telling viewers that when he left in June, the “country was a mess.”
He referenced the war with Iran, inflation concerns, rising fuel costs, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who Kimmel joked “was either alive or dead, nobody seemed to have any idea which.”
By the time the monologue was over, Kimmel had spent nearly 15 minutes discussing Trump and current events while carefully avoiding the reports surrounding his own future.
Kimmel Turns Trump’s Reflecting Pool Troubles Into Punchline

One of Jimmy Kimmel’s biggest targets was Trump’s controversial $20 million Reflecting Pool renovation project.
Using photos displayed behind him, the 58-year-old mocked the landmark’s condition after storms reportedly left the area littered with debris, damaged fencing, muddy water, and fallen trees.
“Now, only three months later, I’m so pleased to report that thanks to your favorite president, DJ Jazzy Donald, every one of those problems has been solved, we made America great again!” Kimmel said sarcastically before showing images of the troubled site.
He later branded the project a “big green slop hole” and questioned how such an expensive renovation could encounter so many setbacks.
“The president had three months, spent 20 million dollars and couldn’t even get a pool cleaned,” he stated. The comedian followed with another jab, adding, “I thought he was supposed to drain the swamp, he turned it into gravy instead.”
The audience erupted when he suggested Trump might be filling the pool with Diet Coke rather than water.
Jimmy Kimmel Expands His Criticism Beyond The Reflecting Pool

After taking aim at the renovation project, Kimmel widened his focus to Trump’s approval ratings, foreign policy challenges, and the president’s inner circle.
“Trump’s poll numbers and pool numbers are at all-time lows. Only 33 percent,” Kimmel claimed while discussing recent polling. He argued that the administration was looking ahead to the midterm elections while facing mounting public frustration.
The television personality also referenced the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising fuel costs.
“On Friday, fuel prices hit an all-time high. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed… at this point, Blockbuster Video has a better chance of reopening than the Strait of Hormuz,” he joked.
Kimmel then shifted to Natalie Harp, one of Trump’s closest aides, after reports about her handwritten letters to the president surfaced publicly.
“Would a president with historically low popularity number play golf instead of working over the weekend?” he asked before delivering another punchline about Harp driving a golf cart in heels.
Wrapping up the segment, Kimmel mocked Trump’s characterization of the Iran conflict as “small potatoes,” firing back with one final joke, “No one knows more about small potatoes than a man who is built like a sack of wet tater tots.”
More From The Blast
Kimmel Publicly Backs Jelly Roll After MAGA Backlash
Jimmy Kimmel’s return also came amid another controversy tied directly to his show: the fallout surrounding guest host Jelly Roll.
The country star drew intense criticism from some Trump supporters after making jokes about the president during his August guest-hosting stint.
The backlash quickly spread across social media, with some fans threatening boycotts and others accusing him of abandoning conservative supporters.
One Mar-a-Lago event organized by Blue Lives Matter even dropped him from its lineup.
Rather than distance himself from the controversy, Kimmel appeared to support the singer publicly.
Shortly after the backlash intensified, he shared an Instagram photo featuring himself and Jelly Roll during a fishing trip at his Montana ranch. Many observers interpreted the post as a clear sign that Kimmel was standing by his guest host.
Jimmy Kimmel Wins Second Consecutive Emmy

Kimmel’s public support for Jelly Roll was not the only reason his name remained in the spotlight this month.
Just days before the guest-host controversy continued generating headlines, the longtime ABC star added another major achievement to his résumé at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys.
As PEOPLE reported, Kimmel won Outstanding Host for a Game Show for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” marking his second straight victory in the category.
He won at the September 5 ceremony in Los Angeles, further cementing his success beyond the late-night world.
The ABC personality beat a competitive field that included Steve Harvey (Celebrity Family Feud), Ken Jennings (Jeopardy!), Colin Jost (Pop Culture Jeopardy!), and Martin Short (Match Game).
Kimmel has hosted “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” since 2020, helping revive the iconic game show.
Entertainment
Katie Thurston Gets Chin Lipo Amid Breast Cancer Battle
Katie Thurston has revealed she has undergone chin liposuction amid her ongoing breast cancer journey.
“After so many required medical surgeries, I decided to do one for myself,” the Bachelorette star, 35, wrote over an Instagram Story that showed her head wrapped in a compression bandage. “I’m all about transparency. Never had Botox. Never had filler. But today I did in fact have chin lipo.”
The image captured Thurston, who revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in February 2025, seated on a couch alongside her mixed-breed rescue dog, Charlie. The reality TV star had positioned herself cocooned in pillows as she held an iced beverage.
A subsequent Instagram Story offered fans a closer look of Charlie lying in his mom’s arms. “My healer,” she captioned the cozy snap before sharing a standalone text Instagram Story that read, “I’ll answer all your questions when I can, but for now, I’m down for the count.”
Weeks after Thurston publicly shared her diagnosis, she revealed that it was reclassified as stage 4 after the cancer had spread to her liver. Shunning chemotherapy for various treatments, including hormone-suppression shots and endocrine therapies, she revealed one year into her treatment plan that her breast tumor has shrunk by almost half its size.
Subsequent scans have shown that her liver did not show signs of cancer, but she did undergo a double mastectomy in April. Thurston told fans in June that she was taking a break from her ongoing medications in order to focus on her mental health.

Katie Thurston’s Instagram Story Courtesy of Katie Thurston/Instagram
Thurston’s husband, comedian Jeff Arcuri, spoke to Us exclusively last month about the couple’s plans to start a family after Thurston dedicated two weeks to starting IVF before her cancer treatments initially commenced. At the time, the pair successfully froze two variable embryos.
“It has so much more weight to it now because we have the presence of — not death, but something very dark happening — and then, on the other end of that, we’re talking about creating life. So there is a beauty to the contrast of that, I think, and I like to focus on that, on the positives, on what we’re going to be doing,” Arcuri, 38, said.
He added at the time that his wife would make an incredible mom one day. “She’s such a natural mama bear to everybody that she meets and I’m excited to see her be a mom. I’m incredibly excited for that,” he told Us.
Entertainment
Gerard Butler’s R-Rated Fantasy Epic Officially Conquers Paramount+
Gerard Butler has given us some amazing movies across genres; be it a fantasy war, gangster drama, action, or drama, audiences know they are in for a ride with his movies. The actor has had a successful run revisiting his previous roles, like the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon, where he transitioned from voicing Stoick to playing him on the big screen. He also revived the iconic Den of Thieves franchise with another installment, which fans widely appreciated, and returned with Ric Roman Waugh’s Greenland 2: Migration, which didn’t draw audiences to theaters but has become a streaming favorite.
The streaming landscape has given fans access to his wider filmography along with new releases. Among those films is the Zack Snyder-directed 300, which made Butler a household name worldwide. The epic historical fantasy war film is adapted from the 1998 graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. It is a highly stylized, fictional retelling of the real-world Battle of Thermopylae with Butler leading as King Leonidas.
Set in 480 BC, the Persian God-King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) sends a massive invading army of over 300,000 soldiers to conquer Greece. Standing against them is Spartan King Leonidas and his elite personal bodyguard of 300 fierce Spartan warriors, who meet the Persians at the narrow canyon pass of Thermopylae. The movie makes up for a thin plot with groundbreaking visual aesthetics, seamless blending of live-action and CGI backgrounds, and iconic action set-pieces that Snyder is known for.
Butler shouldered the movie with a highly theatrical, hyper-masculine performance. He seamlessly oscillates between a bloodthirsty warrior king on the battlefield to a strategic military leader. His one-liners, like “This is Sparta,” have found a permanent place in pop culture since. 300 became a massive commercial blockbuster, earning $456.1 million worldwide, and one of the biggest box office surprises of its era. The movie divided critics and audiences, though, as seen in its Rotten Tomatoes score: 61% by critics and 89% by audiences.
‘300’ Fights Its Way Up Streaming Charts
About 20 years later, fans’ love still outweighs the critical consensus, as 300 rises to the sixth spot on Paramount+’s domestic top 10 list, according to FlixPatrol. The feature stands tall among titles like Passenger, Scary Movie, The Hangover, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, and more.
Check out 300 on Paramount+ and stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.
- Release Date
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March 7, 2007
- Runtime
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117 minutes
- Director
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Zack Synder
- Writers
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Kurt Johnstad
- Producers
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Bernie Goldmann, Frank Miller, Gianni Nunnari, Jeffrey Silver, Scott Mednick, William Fay, Ben Waisbren, Craig J. Flores, Deborah Snyder
Entertainment
You’re Missing Out on the Best Horror Film To Hit Netflix in a Long Time
To say that the Netflix catalog is a hit-or-miss situation is hardly controversial nowadays. As a matter of fact, the same statement can be made about almost all of our giant, non-curated streaming services. It isn’t that rare for amazing movies and TV shows to pop up on these platforms, but quite often they tend to get buried under piles of titles that range from okay at best to horrifyingly bad. If you’re a horror fan, for instance, you might have missed one of the coolest, scariest, most disturbing films to hit Netflix in quite some time, arguably one of the best to hit our screens this year. After all, to finally come across Luis Javier Henaine’s Disappear Completely, one has to dig deep — almost as deep as the movie’s main character in his search for a cure to the curse that threatens to turn him into a kind of living corpse, a karmic punishment for his own misdeeds as a photojournalist specialized in crime scenes.
After premiering in 2022 at Austin’s Fantastic Fest, Disappear Completely debuted on Netflix in April 2024. And while it made its way to the streamer’s Top 10 in its native Mexico, it has struggled to find an audience in other countries where it is readily available. It’s a pity: Henaine’s film has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is indeed a gem that deserves to be seen. Why it has not conquered audiences worldwide is hard to say. Perhaps Netflix hasn’t marketed it enough, or maybe it’s something to do with that pesky one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles. After all, it isn’t rare for international films — particularly genre films — to be overlooked only to be, years later, included in lists of underrated projects.
What Is ‘Disappear Completely’ About?
As it is so new in the world of streaming, Disappear Completely still has a chance of being recognized in its time. The film, which relies more on psychological horror than on traditional jumpscares, is a character study surrounding a man’s relationship with his profession, and his family. The premise is creative and terrifying from the get-go: Santiago (Harold Torres), a photojournalist who sells pictures of crimes and accidents to tabloids, falls victim to a curse after shooting a particularly gruesome scene featuring a still living, but completely unresponsive politician partly devoured by rats. Unbeknownst to him, Santiago’s camera has captured the presence of a demonic entity that traps him in the same web as the senator (Juan Sahagun) he just photographed. Little by little, Santiago starts to lose all of his five senses.
As Santiago races against time to find a cure for his predicament, going from doctors to shamans to the very demon that has hexed him, his girlfriend, Marce (Tete Espinoza), faces troubles of her own. Pregnant with Santiago’s child, she wishes to have the baby and build a happy family. However, Santiago claims that they are not ready to have a child, and pressures her to have an abortion. This relationship with Marce and his unborn baby ends up being essential to how Santiago deals with his curse, being completely responsible for sealing his fate. By the end of the movie, just as he is about to lose the eyesight that is so dear to him, Santiago refuses to deliver his child’s life to the demon in exchange for everything he has lost and therefore becomes forever locked in a tomb made of his own flesh.
Mixing an urban vibe with folk horror, Disappear Completely is a movie that dabbles in witchcraft, superstition, and politics, with the cursed senator having been victimized by a political rival. However, the focus of the plot is Santiago himself. The movie asks us to place ourselves in his shoes, forcing us to wonder what it would feel like to be in such a terrifying predicament. The final scenes make this invitation to identify with the main character all the more obvious: as Santiago is losing his sense of hearing, we can barely understand the sounds around him. Eventually, in the blink of an eye, the whole movie goes quiet. As he loses his sight, the image becomes blurry, until it… disappears completely. Seven long, despair-inducing seconds of dark screen stand between the last image of Marce calling Santiago’s name and the film’s end credits.
‘Disappear Completely’s Director Was Intentional About Creating a Personal Film
Director Luis Javier Henaine was intentional in creating an immersive, realistic experience for the audience while filming Disappear Completely, as he shared during an interview with Eye For Film. Rather than relying on jump scares or musical cues, he aimed to “make a more personal film with more down to earth issues,” while still balancing the element of witchcraft and folk horror. He said:
“Here in Mexico, witchcraft is something that people take very seriously and something very, very real for the majority of our population. And I like to reflect that in a way. So, all the time, I was trying to say, ‘Okay, this has to look real, this has to feel real, this has to be very realistic.’ And that’s how I tried to go throughout the whole film, with the production design and with the cinematography and with everything. Our references were real things, how people behave in these environments. . . ”
Placing the audience in Santiago’s shoes is one of the reasons Disappear Completely is so unnerving – it feels personal. At the heart of the film is Santiago’s struggles with being a potential father and a supportive partner for Marce. When reading the script, Henaine envisioned “a very immersive filmmaking style,” one that would make the audience active participants rather than passive observers of Santiago’s slow descent into a tomb of his own flesh. “I thought it would be great to just when, when he starts losing his sense of hearing, just play slowly with the whole film as well, make it subjective, put the audience in the character’s mind,” Henaine explained.
‘Disappear Completely’ Presents Photography as the Ultimate Horror
Disappear Completely presents us with a kind of horror that would be disturbing no matter who it befell. Still, when we take into consideration Santiago’s profession, the film gains additional layers. At the same time that Henaine and his fellow screenwriter Ricardo Aguado-Fentanes ask us to identify with Santiago in his plight, they also make it pretty clear that he is someone we should despise. Santiago is not a tabloid photographer because that’s the only job he can find. On the contrary, he seems to enjoy taking pictures of mangled bodies and even attempts to make it into a form of high art. The movie shows us that he has fun creating tasteless titles for the stories that will accompany his pictures, and right in the beginning we learn that he is trying to sell some of his photos to art galleries. This is, in itself, terrifying: in a way, the biggest horror in Disappear Completely is becoming the subject of one of Santiago’s photographs.
A Susan Sontag quote that opens the movie gives us the key to interpreting the story in this sense. “Photography converts the whole world into a cemetery. Photographers, wittingly or unwittingly, are the angels of death.” In Disappear Completely, a still picture is not just a tomb in a graveyard because it depicts someone who might already be dead, but because having your picture taken is already a kind of death. You become unmoving, unfeeling, blind, and deaf, all at once. You might say something, of course, in the sense that all works of art say something, but you will never again respond to any stimuli.
When he is cursed, Santiago is doomed to become one of his own photographs. His fate is, in a way, an ironic punishment: he has condemned so many dead people to a living death that he will, himself, become a tomb in the cemetery that is the entire world. Disappear Completely is definitely a movie with something to say, and it turns its eyes specifically to the art of creating images. To an extent, it is even fitting to watch Santiago’s downfall happen in a movie instead of, say, reading about it in a book, for the image is essential for us to understand what is happening to him. As we gaze at Santiago, we wonder if what is happening to him might one day happen to us as well. After all, in the age of smart phones and social media platforms where privacy goes to die, haven’t we all produced our own fair share of images that trap people in a single, unchangeable moment?
‘Disappear Completely’ Also Focuses on Santiago’s Relationship with His Unborn Child
But while photography, particularly Santiago’s kind of predatory photojournalism, and its meanings are at the center of Disappear Completely, Henaine and Aguado-Fentanes also go beyond the professional aspect of their protagonist. Well, in a way. Santiago’s relationship with Marce and their unborn child is marked by his career: it is because he hasn’t yet succeeded as a serious photographer that he believes it isn’t yet time for them to have a baby. When confronted with the opportunity to preserve the one sense that he needs for working in exchange for his child, though, Santiago chooses to let himself disappear completely.
Santiago sacrifices himself for his unborn child and, by extension, for the sake of Marce’s happiness. After all, she is the one who wants to have a child. But will Marce still want that baby now that her life has been upended so completely, now that she doesn’t have Santiago by her side anymore? What he does is completely remove himself from Marce’s life, thus leaving her alone to make a decision about her pregnancy and deal with the consequences. It is a selfish choice, but the reality is that there is no decision that Santiago could make that would not be selfish, as trading his baby’s life for his senses would prove tragic for both him and Marce. Either way, the demon forces Santiago to wallow in the selfishness that has ruined his life.
Disappear Completely ultimately wraps up with a fitting conclusion for Santiago. In his infinite suffering, he decides that the world would be a better place without him, for there is no answer that would satisfyingly end his suffering. He has already done too much to be forgiven. He’s already drowned in hubris, having been a man who mocked the death of others and who refused the happiness of the woman who lived with him. He turns the world into a cemetery and thus deserves to be buried alive. Is it a sad conclusion? You bet it is. But, quite often, the best horror stories have a tinge of tragedy to them.
‘Disappear Completely’ Is One of the Best Horror Movies to Hit Our Screens in 2024
With all of that in mind, it is no stretch to call Disappear Completely one of the best horror movies of 2024, despite having started its festival run all the way back in 2022. After all, what counts is when a movie is made available to general audiences, and, even in Mexico, Disappear Completely only managed to get itself a proper theatrical release in February of this year. And, well, considering how divisive the year has been for its horror releases, to watch a movie that isn’t particularly revolutionary, but that does the basics so well can feel like a breath of fresh air. Sure, movies like Longlegs and The Substance have won over hearts and minds all around the world, but they have garnered equally large legions of detractors. As for Disappear Completely; well, it’s not the kind of film that will change your conceptions about what horror can be, but it will definitely scare you and make you think about the themes being laid out on screen.
This should by no means be construed as negative criticism of the film. Simple and straightforward doesn’t mean mediocre. You don’t have to purport to change the genre to create something truly sublime. Sure, a The Bear-like meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant might be life-changing, but a good, old bowl of mac ‘n cheese can be just as tasty and satisfying. From Huesera: The Bone Woman to When Evil Lurks, Latin America has been producing some incredible horror films over this past decade, many of which are available on Prime Video, Netflix, and other streaming services. Thus, why stop at one amazing work of art? After you finish this beautiful, tragic, and terrifying film, take a few days to expand your spooky horizons. Results may vary, of course, but you certainly won’t regret such a rich meal.
- Release Date
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February 29, 2024
- Runtime
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106 Minutes
- Director
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Luis Javier Henaine
Entertainment
Busy Philipps’ MRI Findings 6 Months After Brain Surgery
Busy Philipps has revealed the results of an MRI scan conducted six months after she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor.
“I got my six-month scan MRI and … no sign of tumor,” Philipps, 47, told fans in a Tuesday, September 8, Instagram video, before sharing that the procedure, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging and captures clear internal structure photos, per the Cleveland Clinic, did find something else.
“However, I do have a sinus infection … which also makes sense because my eye’s been red. My left eye, for the past week and if you are somebody who’s followed me for a really long time, you know those sinuses, honey. They have been out to get me since day one,” she said. “I’m going to the sinus doctor tomorrow morning. See what we’ve got to do.”
The actress’ health update comes after she recently publicly marked six months since undergoing her successful brain surgery. “YESTERDAY WAS 6 MONTHS SINCE MY BRAIN SURGERY REMOVED THAT TUMOR FROM MY BRAIN!” Philipps captioned a Thursday, September 3, Instagram carousel that included a mirror selfie that captured her in a hospital gown, seemingly snapped during a mammogram. “Well guess what? My mammogram was all clear too! Woo!”
Philipps revealed in August that she had been diagnosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare slow-growing tumor. During an interview with People, the Dawson’s Creek alum shared that she was recovering at the time. “I’m grateful that I’m alive,” she told the outlet, who reported that she showed no obvious symptoms ahead of her diagnosis.
It was only during a Prenuvo full-body scan in February that she made the discovery, which left her “hyperventilating” while “trying to breathe,” per the outlet.
The scan was conducted one day after her former costar James Van Der Beek died, with Philipps telling the outlet that she had asked her ex-husband, Marc Silverstein, at the time whether she should cancel the scan after learning of the devastating news. She ultimately went ahead with it in James’ honor. (James died from complications due to stage III colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.)
Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared a message of support for Philipps after she went public with her brain tumor diagnosis. “We love you @busyphilipps and you got angels in heaven,” Kimberly, 44, wrote via Instagram in response to Philipps’ interview with People going live.
Although Philipps will need to kick her sinus infection, she told fans that she’s grateful for her successful recovery. “I’ll take a sinus infection over a brain tumor any day,” she said with a laugh in Tuesday’s clip.
Entertainment
Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC Future Gets Murkier Amid Exit Claims
For a host who has spent more than two decades poking fun at politicians, celebrities, and cultural chaos, Jimmy Kimmel has suddenly found himself at the center of a television drama of his own.
Reports claiming that his late-night run is nearing its end have sparked fresh questions about the future of network television’s longest-serving stars.
Yet as speculation spreads, ABC is pushing back, creating an increasingly murky picture of what comes next for the veteran host.

Questions about Jimmy Kimmel’s future erupted after a source told Page Six the upcoming season of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be his last.
According to the insider, Kimmel’s contract is allegedly not expected to be renewed, potentially ending his run when the season wraps in May 2027. If that happens, it would close the curtain on a remarkable 24-year stretch that began in 2003.
However, ABC is not ready to entertain that narrative. Responding to the reports, a spokesperson for ABC Entertainment insisted, “[This] information is inaccurate — any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.”
Part of the uncertainty stems from the host’s unusual contract arrangement. Unlike many television personalities who lock themselves into lengthy deals, Kimmel has long preferred year-to-year agreements, giving him flexibility that few network stars enjoy.
Kimmel’s Show Finds Momentum Amid Uncertainty

The speculation arrives at a time when “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is still generating attention.
Just before the reports surfaced, Rosie O’Donnell completed a four-night guest-hosting stint that insiders described as a success.
According to sources, O’Donnell appeared completely comfortable behind the desk and quickly became one of the show’s biggest talking points.
Her run gained additional traction online after she performed a parody of the traditional Irish song “Danny Boy” called “Donnie Boy,” taking aim at President Donald Trump. The performance generated significant social media attention and added another viral moment to the program’s history.
The timing has led some observers to question whether ABC is evaluating different options for its late-night future.
However, no evidence has emerged linking O’Donnell’s successful appearance to the reports surrounding Kimmel.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Future May Be Tied To Bigger Disney Changes

Although Kimmel’s public clashes with Trump have frequently generated headlines, insiders insist politics isn’t driving the reported uncertainty about his future.
Earlier this year, the comedian became embroiled in controversy following comments about First Lady Melania and separate remarks tied to the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The fallout prompted renewed criticism from Trump, who publicly called for ABC to fire the host.
Despite that history, sources told Page Six that Disney’s new leadership is not making decisions based on political pressure. One television insider said of Disney chief Josh D’Amaro, “He’s not afraid of the administration … Josh isn’t folding.”
Instead, attention has shifted toward broader corporate restructuring. D’Amaro has reportedly been offering veteran executives early retirement packages while implementing cost-cutting measures throughout Disney.
Those efforts have fueled speculation that financial considerations could play a larger role in Kimmel’s future than political controversy. As one ABC source put it, “it wouldn’t have anything to do with Trump.”
More From The Blast
Kimmel’s Return After Suspension Delivered Massive Ratings Win

While questions now surround Jimmy Kimmel’s long-term future at ABC, one of the biggest moments of the host’s recent career came when he returned to the air after his controversial 2025 suspension.
The episode drew extraordinary attention from viewers eager to see how Kimmel would respond. As TV Insider reported, his September 23, 2025 return attracted 6.26 million viewers, more than three times the audience the show had been averaging before the controversy.
The numbers were even more remarkable because the program was blacked out on numerous ABC affiliate stations, preventing roughly 23% of U.S. television households from watching the broadcast live.
The response extended far beyond traditional television. Reports revealed that clips from Kimmel’s return generated more than 26 million views across digital platforms, while the show’s monologue became one of the most-watched in the program’s history.
Industry observers described the audience surge as highly unusual for modern late-night television.
Jimmy Kimmel Caught In Disney’s Growing FCC Fight

As Kimmel’s ratings rebounded, a larger battle involving ABC, Disney, and the federal government was beginning to unfold.
In August, Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that the agency’s review of ABC station licenses amounted to political retaliation and an attack on free speech.
According to NBC News, the dispute traces back to mounting pressure from Trump and criticism of programming that included comments Kimmel made on his late-night show.
Disney’s lawsuit described the FCC’s actions as an “extraordinary assault on free speech” and argued that the government was targeting a network that refused to bend to political demands.
The FCC pushed back aggressively. In a court filing, the agency asked a federal judge to dismiss Disney’s lawsuit, arguing that it must be allowed to continue investigating allegations involving the company.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr denied that the review was retaliation or an effort to punish ABC over Kimmel or other programming decisions.
Still, the timing has fueled debate across the media industry. The FCC ordered the early review of ABC’s licenses just one day after Trump publicly urged the network to fire Kimmel, a sequence Disney has repeatedly highlighted in court filings.
With a hearing scheduled and both sides digging in, the dispute has evolved into one of the most closely watched media free-speech battles in recent years.
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