The 1990s are now, in the minds of many, supplanting the 1950s as humanity’s golden age. The internet was still in its earliest form, the economy was booming, and so was American innovation and culture.
In 1994, at the very center of that era was one blockbuster movie that the entire world rushed to fawn over. A supposed tale of optimism and high hopes, a recontextualizing of the path America had taken to reach a bright and shining future, as told through the lens of one very stupid man.
Watch the video version of this article for a deeper understanding.
Or that’s what the film seemed to be. In reality, it may have been the first big step towards decline. Whether you knew it or not, while watching Forrest Gump, you were being screenwashed.
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Forrest Gump’s Philosophy Of Total Obedience
Forrest Gump begins with a feather floating on the breeze. It has no weight, no impact, and no agency. The feather goes wherever the wind blows it, without complaint, confident that it’ll all work out in the end.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get out. Life is like a feather floating on the air. There’s no way of knowing which way the wind is blowing; all you can do is let it move you.
There’s no way of knowing what you’re putting in your mouth, so just keep eating and accept whatever touches your tongue next.
It’s a philosophy of total obedience and an abandonment of agency, a rejection of responsibility, and it’s something no normal human would ever agree to. Which is why it’s easy to dismiss Forrest Gump as just a movie.
To make that kind of insane message stick, you’d need to go far beyond a speech about a box of chocolates into a world of secret, weapons-grade psychological persuasion. So that’s exactly what Forrest Gump did.
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Let’s start this by saying Jenny is at the center of everything, but it’s not because she’s a secret villain, which is the standard edgy Forrest Gump take. She’s not a secret villain at all, she’s an open villain, but a villain made to serve a secret purpose.
Before I explain that, you need to understand the movie itself.
Forrest Gump Triggers Emotional Reactions To Make The Audience Suggestible
Forrest Gump is beautifully made and sold as a feel-good fable about kindness and decency. It’s so good at being emotional and at making the audience feel that it’s almost impossible to see what it’s doing through the tears. And that’s exactly why it works.
While training to be a hypnotist, most of my earliest lessons revolved around how to trigger someone into a suggestive state. One of the best and most effective ways is by creating an emotional reaction. Psychologists sometimes call this emotional priming. Emotional priming takes advantage of the fact that strong emotion impairs critical thinking and increases suggestibility.
One of the most unique things about Forrest Gump is its structure. It’s not one, continuous narrative. Instead, it’s a series of short vignettes, set at different times in the life of Gump.
Each Vignette starts a story, and then ends with a swelling emotional scene. It’s timed so that as each new segment begins, the audience is in a strong emotional state created by the last one.
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We feel Forrest’s shame as he’s mocked for being dumb. Fear in the jungles of Vietnam. Unbearable grief at the death of his mother. With the audience constantly primed, Forrest Gump then uses that to deliver something insidious: a morality play where obedience is rewarded and independent thought is punished.
All of that is then wrapped in nostalgia and empathy so thick you’re not supposed to notice.
Forrest Gump As A Compliance Exercise
From the start, Forrest Gump is a rule follower, no matter how bad the rules are around him. The movie starts with Forrest relaying things his mother told him and explaining how he followed her instructions.
The entire movie becomes a compliance exercise for Forrest Gump, a man who never questions anything, and a script that makes that work for the audience by portraying him as a person of limited intelligence.
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Of course, Forrest just complies; he’s not smart enough to do anything else. But why Forrest complies isn’t as important from a persuasion perspective as the fact that he does comply, and the movie gets viewers to cheer for his compliance.
Forrest succeeds because he does exactly what he’s told. Not metaphorically. Literally.
Run, Forrest. He runs. Join the army. He joins. Play ping-pong. He plays. Invest in shrimp. He invests.
Forrest never questions instructions from anyone. He never resists authority. He never evaluates outcomes. He doesn’t even really choose. He complies, and the universe showers him with rewards. Wealth. Fame. Love. Respect. A charmed life delivered one order at a time.
The film frames this as innocence. But structurally, it’s perfect obedience.
Obedience to his mother and Jenny. Obedience to the state that sends him to die in the jungle and then to play ping pong. Obedience is Forrest Gump’s entire life. He has no agency, and it’s celebrated.
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One of the only moments where Forrest shows any agency is in a failed attempt to rescue Jenny, who he sees making out with a boy in a car and mistakenly thinks she’s being harmed. She yells at him, tells him he’s wrong.
So it’s right back to doing what he’s told. In that moment, after he apologizes and returns to compliance, Jenny rewards him by taking off her top.
Forrest Enters A Holding Pattern When There’s No One To Obey
When Forrest’s mother dies, and he runs out of people to obey, Forrest spends his time mowing lawns. Back and forth, back and forth, locked in a holding pattern while he waits for his next command.
When Jenny leaves him, that pattern repeats. Forrest starts running. Back and forth, back and forth, awaiting his next instructions. Like a feather being blown about by the wind.
Moral Laundering And Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump’s character is a textbook example of a persuasion technic call Moral Laundering. In Moral Laundering, an unpopular or contested idea is made more acceptable by attaching it to a trusted, heroic, or morally admired figure, allowing the figure’s perceived virtue to transfer onto the message.
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Moral laundering alone wouldn’t be enough to screenwash an audience into viewing total compliance as optimal. So the film provides a contrast to our obedient hero, using our old friend, Poisoning the Well.
Poisoning the Well is a concept we’ve talked a lot about on Screenwashed, and it’s the polar opposite of Moral Laundering.
In Poisoning the Well, you have a villain say something good, to make people think that the good thing is as villainous as the person saying it.
Both Moral Laundering and Poisoning the Well take advantage of moral asymmetry.
Moral asymmetry is the tendency of humans to judge the same behavior as morally acceptable or unacceptable depending on who commits it, rather than on the behavior itself.
Forrest Gump is used to launder the idea that total obedience is an optimal behavior pattern, while another character poisons the well against thinking for yourself. Who’s the ultimate free thinker in Forrest Gump? Jenny.
Jenny’s Refusal To Follow Rules Unlocks Forrest Gump’s True Intention
From the moment we meet Jenny, she refuses to obey and follow the crowd. Forrest is getting picked on by the kids around him. Jenny has none of it; she defies the bullies’ authority and befriends him.
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Throughout the movie, Jenny questions. Jenny rebels. Jenny does the unexpected. When she faces abuse from an authority figure, she gets away from it. She rejects traditional paths. She challenges authority. She experiments with politics, sex, and culture.
For that, the movie destroys her. It destroys her narratively by making her life a disaster, but it also destroys her in the eyes of the audience by making her a villain. It does that by having her express her independence through actions and ideas that most of the audience will find intolerable, and then turning her relationship with Forrest into one where she takes advantage of him.
The movie makes Jenny a villain on purpose, not accidentally, as some commentators seem to assume. Every time Jenny exercises agency, the film punishes her with escalating consequences: abuse, addiction, illness, and isolation. Her curiosity is framed as recklessness. Her defiance is reframed as self-harm. Her independence becomes pathology.
This is not subtle storytelling. It’s conditioning.
Jenny’s Suffering Only Ends When She Complies
The movie pretends Jenny’s suffering is the result of “bad choices,” but it carefully rigs the game so every choice outside obedience leads to pain. There is no version of Jenny’s life where thinking for herself works out. The audience is trained, scene by scene, to associate her autonomy with disaster.
Worst of all, Jenny is redeemed only when she stops rebelling.
She returns home. She settles down. She becomes quiet. Sick. Dependent. Her independence is stripped away, and only then is she allowed happiness. Only briefly, before she dies.
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The message is unmistakable: a person who thinks for themselves must be broken before they can be accepted.
Forrest, meanwhile, never changes. He doesn’t grow. He doesn’t learn. He is rewarded precisely because he remains unchanged and never exercises any agency. He never thinks for himself. He always obeys.
This isn’t an accident. It’s a narrative machine built to make submission feel virtuous and independence feel dangerous.
Forrest Gump Wants You To Think You Have No Agency
In the movie’s final moments, Forrest tells the audience that there are only two possibilities to life: that everything is destiny or everything is random. Either possibility has the same commonality: you have no agency, you have no say in anything that happens to you. By the time the feather floats away, the audience has been trained to believe those two realities are the only possibilities, and that the best way through life is to follow orders, trust the system, and never ask why.
Life is a box of chocolates, and Forrest Gump teaches you to sit back and let life put whatever it wants in your mouth. So you cheer for the person who never questions. You mourn the person who does. You walk away thinking that’s just how the world works and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
Congratulations, obedient slaves, you’ve been screenwashed.
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for almost two months, and due to the lack of substantial leads in the investigation, many have used the stagnant developments to push their own conspiracy theories.
One recent rumor has prompted local authorities to directly address it, as the discovery of a woman’s dead body has sparked online speculation it could be the missing 84-year-old.
Police Address Rumors That Woman’s Dead Body Found Is Nancy Guthrie
FBI/MEGA
On Friday, March 28, the Scottsdale Police Department shared a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding the discovery of an unidentified woman’s body in an Arizona canal about 100 miles from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home.
“A death investigation is underway after an adult woman’s body was recovered from a canal near Indian Bend and Hayden Roads on March 28th,” the statement began. “Police and fire personnel were first called to the area around 8 a.m. after someone walking along the canal saw the body in the water.”
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“Scottsdale detectives and crime scene specialists responded to the scene to collect evidence and thoroughly document the scene,” the statement continued.
Authorities also shared the condition of the body and confirmed they are working to determine the identity of the dead woman.
“Due to the condition of the body, investigators are initially unable to confirm if there are traumatic injuries present. The investigation is still in the early stages as detectives work to confirm the identity of the person and how they ended up in the canal,” the statement read.
When an X user asked if the unidentified body was connected to Guthrie’s disappearance, the Scottsdale Police Department responded that it was “not related” to Guthrie’s disappearance, which is being led by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
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Retired FBI Agent Shared That Guthrie Investigation Is ‘Much Harder’ As Case Lingers On
MPI28/Capital Pictures / MEGA
On March 17, CBS News spoke with retired FBI supervisory special agent Lance Leising, who told the outlet that it will be difficult to keep the investigation going without any new leads.
“The lack of meaningful leads. That’s the initial thing it says to me,” Leising said of the investigation seemingly being at a standstill. “It becomes much harder to keep the investigation going, keep it current, and fight for new leads.”
However, he did note that the lack of leads doesn’t mean that all hope is lost in finding Guthrie because the process “takes a while.”
“Maybe you’ve got multiple people within the same DNA family that could potentially be suspects. You have to investigate each one of those independently,” he said.
“I’d like to be hopeful that — and I’m sure the family is incredibly hopeful — that the silence is because they’re on to something,” Leising continued. “They just need to investigate harder.”
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Dates Of Two Surveillance Videos Have Taken Guthrie Investigation In New Direction
FBI/MEGA
According to PEOPLE, investigators are now paying close attention to video footage from the weeks before Guthrie disappeared, specifically on January 11 and January 24.
Neighbors in her Tucson community say authorities have recently asked about surveillance footage tied to those dates, suggesting they could be the key to determining what led up to Guthrie’s disappearance.
The January 11 footage was previously requested by authorities, specifically between 9 p.m. and midnight, pointing to a precise window they believe could contain relevant activity.
Additionally, footage from January 31 between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. was also requested, which was the day before Guthrie was last seen.
The renewed attention follows previously released footage showing a masked individual at Guthrie’s front door in the early hours of February 1, who was described as having an average build, carrying a backpack, and appearing to be armed.
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Pima County Sheriff Reveals Authorities ‘Know Why’ Nancy Guthrie Was Abducted
Instagram | Savannah Guthrie
Sheriff Chris Nanos of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department shared in an interview with NBC News that he and other members of the sheriff’s department believe they “know why” Guthrie was kidnapped from her home.
“We believe we know why [the kidnapper] did this and we believe that it was targeted, but we’re not 100% sure of that,” Nanos said on March 12. “So it’d be silly to tell people, ‘Don’t worry about it. You’re not his target.’ You could be. Don’t think for a minute that because it happened to the Guthrie family, you’re safe. No. Keep your wits about you.”
Speaking about the details of a possible motive, Sheriff Nanos stopped short of sharing them publicly.
“I think it’s come out from day one,” he told NBC News. “I think day one, we had some strong beliefs about what happened, and those beliefs haven’t diminished. I’m not going to get into those theories. We have our beliefs. Everybody else has theirs.”
Savannah Guthrie Announced Her Official Return To The ‘Today’ Show
In the third part of the interview, Savannah explained her decision to return to the show as her mother, who disappeared on February 1, remains missing.
“It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness and I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not,” she said of returning to her co-anchor spot. “But I can’t not come back because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now. I want to smile.”
“And when I do, it will be real. And my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer,” she continued. “And being there is joyful. And when it’s not, I’ll say so. I have been so grateful to have this family. I consider this my family, my greater family, and when times are hard, you want to be with your family. And I want to be with my family.”
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Savannah admitted how difficult it will be to return to airwaves in the midst of such an extreme personal tragedy.
“I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I’ll belong anymore, but I would like to try. I would like to try. I’m not gonna be the same, but maybe it’s like that old poem, more beautiful in the broken places,” she told Kotb.
Fantasy shows have changed a lot in the modern TV era because television now gives storytellers the time to build detailed worlds and follow characters through long journeys. Instead of focusing only on magic or battles, many of these series explore how power, loyalty, and belief influence the choices people make.
Kings fight to keep control, ordinary individuals discover abilities that place them at the center of conflict, and entire societies struggle with forces they barely understand. Therefore, these fantasy shows that I have zeroed in on below balance imagination with meaningful storytelling, and create worlds that are complex and somehow still feel realistic. Lock in.
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10
‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)
Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson in His Dark Materials Season 3Image via HBO
The story of His Dark Materials begins with Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), a young girl raised within the academic environment of Jordan College in Oxford. Her childhood appears protected by traditions, yet her uncle Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) introduces a discovery that is concerned with a mysterious substance known as Dust. His research suggests that multiple worlds may exist beyond the one Lyra understands.
As Lyra begins traveling beyond the college, she encounters Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson), who gradually reveals his connections to institutions that are determined to regulate knowledge. Lyra’s journey eventually leads her to Will Parry (Amir Wilson), a boy from another world who carries questions similar to her own. Their partnership becomes necessary because each of them holds fragments of a larger truth.
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9
‘Carnival Row’ (2019–2023)
Philo (Orlando Bloom) and Vignette (Cara Delevingne) in Carnival Row Season 2Image via Prime Video
Carnival Row takes place in the Burgue, a city attempting to absorb refugees from magical lands destroyed during imperial war. Among these displaced beings is Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne), a faerie who once fought against human forces before escaping to the city in search of safety. At the same time, detective Rycroft Philostrate (Orlando Bloom) investigates murders connected to rising tension between humans and magical immigrants. His investigation slowly reveals that fear has begun to shape everyday life in the Burgue, placing magical creatures under suspicion. Through this setting, the narrative presents prejudice shaping social order.
As Philo continues his investigation, he uncovers evidence that influential figures benefit from maintaining hostility between communities. Meanwhile, Vignette joins groups resisting the restrictions imposed on magical refugees. These responses reveal two different approaches to injustice: reform within the system and rebellion against it.
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8
‘Britannia’ (2018–2021)
Image via Sky Atlantic, Prime Video
Britannia begins during the Roman invasion of the British Isles, where competing tribal groups struggle to defend their land against the organized power of Rome. One of the central figures is Cait (Eleanor Worthington-Cox), a young girl chosen by the Druids to undergo training that separates her from ordinary tribal life. Her journey gradually reveals the influence that spiritual leaders maintain over the region’s political decisions. At the same time, Roman commander Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) attempts to conquer the territory through strategy and psychological manipulation. These parallel forces introduce belief guiding political authority.
As the invasion continues, Roman discipline clashes with the spiritual traditions that guide the tribal communities. Cait’s training forces her to confront difficult choices about loyalty and sacrifice, while Aulus seeks control through calculated displays of power. These opposing methods gradually reveal how leadership can emerge from both faith and ambition. Through this tension, the series presents power shaped by belief systems and shows how societies organize themselves around different ideas of authority.
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7
‘The Witcher’ (2019– )
Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia wielding his sword in The Witcher.Image via Netflix
The story of The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a monster hunter who travels across kingdoms offering protection from supernatural threats. His work places him on the edges of society, since many people fear the very abilities that allow him to protect them. During his journeys, he encounters Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), a sorceress whose search for control over her own destiny leads her into complex political alliances. Their lives gradually intersect with Princess Ciri (Freya Allan), whose lineage places her at the center of competing powers. Together, their stories reveal destiny influencing individual choices.
With time, the political structure of the Continent becomes increasingly unstable. Kings, sorcerers, and secret organizations all attempt to control Ciri because her future may reshape the balance of power. Geralt, who initially tries to avoid political involvement, discovers that neutrality becomes impossible when destiny binds individuals together.
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6
‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)
Jesper and Wylan standing next to a seated Nina and Kaz in Shadow and Bone Season 2Image via Netflix
Shadow and Bone takes place in Ravka, a kingdom divided by a dangerous region of darkness known as the Shadow Fold. Within this unstable landscape lives Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a soldier whose hidden power suddenly reveals itself during a military mission. Her ability to summon light attracts the attention of General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), a powerful leader who claims to protect the kingdom from supernatural threats. Through Alina’s discovery, the narrative introduces power awakening within ordinary lives.
As Alina begins training among Ravka’s magical elite, she learns that her abilities place her within a political struggle far larger than her personal history. Kirigan presents himself as a guardian of the realm, yet his ambitions gradually reveal a desire to reshape the kingdom through control of the Fold. While Alina struggles to understand her role, criminals such as Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter) pursue their own plans within the same world.
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5
‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)
Ian McShane (Wednesday) and Ricky Whittle (Shadow) looking to the side in American Gods.Image via Starz
The narrative of American Gods begins when Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) leaves prison and accepts employment from a mysterious traveler named Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane). As they move across the United States, Wednesday reveals that ancient gods brought by immigrants now struggle to survive in a society that has forgotten them. These forgotten deities face competition from modern forces representing technology, media, and surveillance. Through this premise, the series presents a belief sustaining divine existence.
As Shadow travels with Wednesday, he gradually discovers that the conflict between old and new gods extends beyond mythology into the structure of modern life. Each deity survives only as long as people continue to believe in the ideas it represents. Meanwhile, Wednesday prepares for a larger confrontation intended to restore influence to the older powers.
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4
‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)
Julia (Stella Maeve) and Fen (Brittany Curran) talking in Fillory during Season 5 of ‘The Magicians.’Image via Syfy
The Magicians begins with Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph), a young man whose fascination with fantasy literature leads him to discover that magic exists within a hidden academic institution known as Brakebills University. Once admitted, Quentin learns that magical ability requires discipline rather than imagination alone. Alongside classmates such as Alice Quinn (Olivia Taylor Dudley), he studies complex spellcraft that gradually reveals the risks associated with manipulating reality. These lessons introduce knowledge requiring discipline.
As Quentin and his friends advance in their training, they discover that magical education exposes them to threats from both supernatural entities and their own mistakes. The group eventually encounters a dangerous figure known as the Beast, whose power shows what happens when magical ability operates without restraint. Through these experiences, the students realize that their education carries consequences beyond personal achievement. The series, therefore, presents power demanding accountability.
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3
‘House of the Dragon’ (2022– )
Matt Smith in battle in ‘House of the Dragon’Image via HBO
House of the Dragon centers on the ruling family of Westeros during a period when the Targaryen dynasty commands both political authority and dragon power. King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) attempts to maintain stability by naming his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) as heir to the Iron Throne. However, this decision introduces tension among nobles who question whether a woman should inherit such authority. Through this succession dispute, the narrative establishes inheritance shaping political conflict.
As Viserys grows older, rival factions within the royal court begin preparing for the moment when the throne becomes vacant. Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) promotes the claim of her own son, while Rhaenyra attempts to protect her position as the chosen heir. Dragons remain powerful symbols of Targaryen authority, yet their political alliances ultimately determine who may command them.
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2
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
Noah Schnapp in Stranger Things Season 5Image via Netflix
Stranger Things begins in the town of Hawkins when a young boy named Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) disappears under mysterious circumstances. His disappearance leads his friends, including Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), to encounter Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), a girl with unusual psychic abilities who has escaped from a secret government laboratory. As they search for Will, the group discovers the existence of the Upside Down, a parallel dimension connected to dangerous creatures. This discovery introduces hidden worlds affecting ordinary life.
As the series progresses, government experiments and supernatural forces repeatedly threaten Hawkins. The children grow older and continue to confront dangers originating from the Upside Down. Their friendships become essential for survival, since each character contributes different abilities and perspectives. Through their cooperation, the narrative demonstrates the community resisting external threats, showing how loyalty and trust can allow individuals to confront forces beyond their control.
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1
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Kit Harrington in Game of Thrones.Image via HBO
Game of Thrones begins with the noble Stark family of the North, particularly Eddard Stark (Sean Bean), who accepts the position of Hand of the King in the capital city of King’s Landing. His arrival exposes him to a political system where alliances shift quickly, and personal ambition often overrides loyalty. At the same time, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) begins her own journey across the eastern continent after losing her family’s throne. These parallel narratives introduce power pursued through rival claims.
As the story expands, multiple houses compete for control of the Iron Throne while ancient threats emerge beyond the northern wall. Characters such as Jon Snow (Kit Harington) confront dangers that challenge the political struggles dominating the southern kingdoms. Through shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, the series gradually reveals how the pursuit of authority often leads to instability.
When his career spiraled out of control in the early 2010s, M. Night Shyamalan made the safe choice to turn director-for-hire. Instead of trying to get his original scripts made, he agreed to direct a vehicle for Will Smithand Jaden Smith. The star vehicle in question, After Earth, was put together less like a movie from the heart than a carefully studied project that could take the younger Smith’s career to the next level following a well-received debut with The Karate Kid. However, the experiment ended up backfiring massively; not only did Jaden never headline a movie again, but Shyamalan found himself in a worse position than he’d ever been in professionally. This time, he didn’t take the safe route. Instead, he went back to basics and put his money where his mouth is. Shyamalan’s follow-up film emerged as a hit and helped revive his now-thriving career.
The movie is over a decade old now but remains well-liked on home video. It recently witnessed a spike in viewership, emerging as one of the most-watched titles on the domestic Google Play Store chart. Unlike Shyamalan’s previous movies, which usually attracted A-list talent and were typically expensive enough to afford top-tier stars, his 2015 comeback vehicle was headlined by two child actors. The biggest name in the cast was Kathryn Hahn, who appeared only briefly. The movie cost $5 million to produce, which Shyamalan put up himself in order to have skin in the game, and was subsequently picked up by Blumhouse and distributed by Universal.
We pay tribute to the talents who helped define Hollywood.
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Shyamalan Is Putting Together a Movie With Jake Gyllenhaal Next
We’re talking, of course, about The Visit. Originally thought to be titled Sundowning, the movie follows two young children who are left in the care of their grandparents, only to discover sinister goings-on at the house. The movie was filmed in the found-footage format, which was hugely popular in that era thanks to hits such as Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield, and Unfriended. It ended up grossing nearly $100 million worldwide and putting Shyamalan’s career back on track. The Visit now holds a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “The Visit provides horror fans with a satisfying blend of thrills and laughs — and also signals a welcome return to form for writer-director M. Night Shyamalan.” Shyamalan went on to make a handful of hits over the next decade, and is now putting together the supernatural romance film Remain, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and scheduled for release in February 2027. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
The last few years have been great for the horror genre, not only movies like Weapons, Bring Her Back, MaXXXine, and more entertained audiences in theaters and later at home, but features like The Substance, Frankenstein, and Sinnershave made a mark during the Oscars as well. Horror fans around the world are having a great time with numerous original ideas making it to the big screen as well as franchises like Scream, Terrifier, 28 Years Later, and more bringing out fresh installments.
Further, Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler made history at this year’s Oscars with their supernatural horror, Sinners. The movie went on to bag 18 nominations and won four, including Best Actor for Jordan, who played dual roles, and Best Original Screenplay for Coogler. It’s brilliant to see that a movie is not only loved by the critics but is appreciated by fans as well, which is reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes scores – 97% from critics and 96% from audiences. As for its earnings, it made $370 million worldwide against a $100 million budget.
Now, the movie has added another feather to its cap. Sinners has maintained its top spot on HBO Max for more than 55 days and on Amazon Prime for more than 60 days, as per FlixPatrol. This is a testament to fans’ love for the movie and its themes. Sinners beautifully blends historical realism, blues music, and supernatural elements. It’s visually stunning as Coogler decides to continuously play with the aspect ratio and deeper themes of cultural appropriation, resilience, and cultural erasure. However, the musical elements in the feature are a clear standout. It has a brilliant cast consisting of strong performers, including Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo.
These television artists were posthumously recognized for their work, and the awards they received were testaments to their lasting legacies.
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Ryan Coogler Is Working on an ‘X-Files’ Reboot
Fans are eager to see what Coogler has in store for them next, and the answer is simple: The X-Filesreboot. The series is currently getting many interesting updates. Gillian Anderson recently spoke to Collider about Coogler’s vision:
“I think he’s incredibly talented, and I think he’s one of the only people who can do something unique and do it justice, and he’s completely obsessed with the series. He’s one of the most talented filmmakers who’s out there. The fact that Chris [Carter] has him as the person who’s going to be involved in the franchise is awesome, and a huge gift. You guys will see what he has in mind, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
Sinners is available to stream on HBO Max and Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.
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Bethenny Frankel doesn’t need caffeine to energetically show off a product she loves, but in this case, it came in handy. The entrepreneur and Real Housewives of New York City alum highlighted an espresso machine that’s affordable and mighty. The beginner-friendly gadget will have you creating lattes, cappuccinos and other concoctions like a pro in no time.
“I love all my coffee makers, but I was just like, ‘she’s got something,’” Frankel said in a TikTok video. “She’s tiny and tough.”
This coffee shop-quality machine features a 15-bar Italian pump to get the most flavor out of your favorite espresso. It has a patented portafilter (where the espresso goes) that locks to the side, so it’s easier to access. Plus, it has two of those portafilters, so you can brew two at once.
You won’t need a separate milk frother to create barista-quality cappuccinos, either. The Hamilton Beach machine comes with a built-in swiveling frothing wand, complete with an adjustable steam dial. Whether you want to make thick foam or simply steam milk, the wand is necessary for standout sips.
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In her video, Frankel made a latte and approved of the outcome. If you take your coffee seriously, too, you’ll appreciate how this espresso maker provides all the dials and buttons you need, conveniently located at the front of the machine.
Frankel isn’t the only who agrees that this Hamilton Beach gadget makes an impressive espresso. Amazon shoppers are giving it their thumbs up.
“Love this espresso machine! It matches our kitchen great with a cute little retro touch. It also makes great espresso at home, in my opinion,” a verified purchaser shared. “I would buy this again when mine stops working.”
“I am making perfect cappuccinos with this machine two to three times a day,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “If it holds up to this usage load, it will be one of the great purchases of my life.”
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If there’s one thing Frankel won’t do, it’s sugarcoat her opinion. So, we know that this “no-nonsense” espresso machine is worth trying out!
Sam Raimi is the visionary mind behind some of our favorite horror films, like Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell, and Army of Darkness. The director makes his films a chaotic carnival ride with large helpings of over-the-top gore, interesting camera angles, and wide use of practical effects that make fans jump in their seats. Perhaps a more contemporary audience knows him from the Spider-Man trilogy and Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
While the Doctor Strange sequel did not satiate the audience’s appetite for the multiverse, it did bring together Raimi and actor Rachel McAdams, who plays Christine Palmer in the MCU. The two recently collaborated on a new horror flick, Send Help, which is creating waves with the audience. The survival horror marks the director’s first R-rated film in over a decade.
The movie became a commercial and critical success, gathering praise for Raimi’s vision, gross-out scenes, and lead performances by McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. The movie has grossed $94 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. It also impressed the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring 93%. Now the movie is entertaining fans worldwide, as Send Help is the #1 movie globally on Apple TV, per FlixPatrol.
These television artists were posthumously recognized for their work, and the awards they received were testaments to their lasting legacies.
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Is ‘Send Help’ Worth Your Time?
Yes, whether you’re a Sam Raimi fan or a casual viewer who loves dark comedy and R-rated horror,Send Help is a quick and decent watch. The movie follows Linda (McAdams) and her arrogant boss, Bradley (O’Brien), who, after a plane crash, are stranded on a deserted island. Things take a turn when the two turn their workplace power dynamic into a fight for survival and a twisted battle of wits. Collider’s Aidan Kelley writes in his review, “The story and the tone of said story may be a bit all over the place, but it’s not at all an unpleasant time spending a trip on the beach with these two characters, as the “will they/won’t they kill each other” chemistry that McAdams and O’Brien have is electric.” Further noting,
“Throughout all its faults, like an inconsistent script and overall tone, Send Help is also a hell of a lot of fun with two dynamite performances. It’s also one that, more often than not, plays to Sam Raimi’s scripts, whose previous horror hits have always been firmly in the fun-and-campy category. It may not be the terrifying marvel some Raimi fans are hoping for, but it’s still an entertaining enough watch that makes an SOS unnecessary.”
Send Help can be purchased on Apple TV Store. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.
Director Ryan Coogler‘s rise through the Hollywood ranks has been nothing short of remarkable. He went from being a passionate film student putting together a scrappy indie set in his hometown to commanding an extremely rare level of creative freedom in the upper echelons of the industry. Coogler’s latest film is Sinners, which set a new record for the most Oscar nominations earned by a single film, with 16 nods at this year’s ceremony. Sinners defied the odds to become a box-office hit, validating Warner Bros.’ bold decision to give Coogler a deal that will see the film’s rights revert to him in 25 years. But Coogler’s success wasn’t earned overnight; he built toward it methodically, without compromising on the principles that got him a seat at the table in the first place.
Sinners was, in many ways, a step down in terms of scale for Coogler. He was coming off two mega-budget Marvel movies — Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — that grossed around $2 billion in combined worldwide box office revenue against a combined reported budget of nearly $500 million. Sinners made nearly $400 million against a reported budget of $100 million. However, Coogler didn’t simply go from his small-budget indie Fruitvale Station to directing Black Panther. There was an all-important stepping-stone movie as well; this was the movie that proved to studios that Coogler could work inside the system and still deliver crowd-pleasing hits. The movie in question is having a resurgence on home video, over a decade after its theatrical run.
We pay tribute to the talents who helped define Hollywood.
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Here’s the Franchise Reboot That’s Delivering a Knockout Performance on iTunes
We’re talking, of course, about Creed. Starring Michael B. Jordan, who recently won an Oscar for his dual performance in Sinners, Creed served as a reboot of the Rocky franchise and brought back Sylvester Stalloneas the iconic boxer. Stallone received an Oscar nomination for his performance, while the film itself earned a “Certified Fresh” 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator’s consensus reads, “Creed brings the Rocky franchise off the mat for a surprisingly effective seventh round that extends the boxer’s saga in interesting new directions while staying true to its classic predecessors’ roots.” According to FlixPatrol, Creed is currently among the most-watched movies on the domestic iTunes chart, proving that it’s one for the ages. The movie grossed around $175 million worldwide against a reported budget of $40 million, and was followed by Creed II, directed by Steven Caple Jr., and Creed III, directed by Jordan himself. Both follow-ups earned positive reviews and outgrossed their predecessors. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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November 25, 2015
Runtime
133 minutes
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Director
Ryan Coogler
Producers
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Charles Winkler, David Winkler, Irwin Winkler, Kevin King Templeton, Robert Chartoff
Roommates, y’all know when something just isn’t sitting right—and the people closest to the situation are still searching for answers. That’s exactly where things stand with Toie Roberts and late rapper Lil Poppa, as new details have surfaced following his passing. Now, Toie is speaking out and calling on the public for help.
Toie Roberts Says Lil Poppa’s Belongings Are Missing, His Family Seeks Answers
On Sunday, Toie Roberts took to her Instagram Story with a heartfelt message, revealing that some of Lil Poppa’s personal belongings—including his jewelry and a Goyard bag—have gone missing. According to her, the items and the Goyard bag disappeared from a parking lot at a Hilton Hotel off I-285 and Virginia Ave in Atlanta on the day of his passing. She shared that the family has already reached out to South Metro Towing and Hapeville Police but still hasn’t received clear answers. In her message, Toie asked anyone with information to come forward, stressing that the family is simply seeking truth and accountability while urging others to repost and help bring awareness to the situation.
Fans Go IN While Sending Love to Toie
Fans flooded TSR Teens’ Instagram comments and went all the way IN over the situation. Some were quick to speculate that a manager or someone close might know more than they’re saying, while others pointed out that the details just aren’t adding up. Meanwhile, plenty of people showed love to Toie, saying their hearts ache for her knowing that she has to deal with this while still grieving.
One Instagram user @nyadominique claimed, “His manager need to say something asap bc that’s not adding up“
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This Instagram user @theonna.okay said, “They putting this girl through everything, when she’s been going through enough!“
And, Instagram user @_ykitsyanni added, “How yall rob a dead man ?? Seriously tho“
While Instagram user @b0mb_jam commented, “Either the cops got it or the manager.“
Then Instagram user @somerandomfivefootdarkskin_ wrote, “It’s more to the store they not saying!!!!💯💯💯”
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Lastly, Instagram user @dtx.kaylaaa said, “D*mn, his death done turned into a whole broadcasted mess smh. Rip“
Toie Keeps Lil Poppa’s Memory Alive
Roommates, one thing about Toie Roberts—she’s not letting up when it comes to keeping Lil Poppa’s name and legacy alive. From emotional TikTok videos to heartfelt Instagram posts, Toie has been sharing intimate moments with Lil Poppa and their son, Kofi, giving fans a glimpse into the love they built beyond the spotlight. In one deeply personal message, she opened up about the pain of his sudden passing, writing about the heartbreak, confusion, and unanswered questions she’s been carrying, while still honoring his memory. As fans continue to process the loss and revisit his music—including ‘Out Of Town Bae’—Toie remains vocal, raw, and committed to making sure his story and impact are never forgotten.
Fans are sending Omar Gooding well wishes after he revealed that he got into a bad car accident. The actor shared a video from a hospital bed, giving an update on his condition and more details about the incident.
Omar Gooding Breaks Silence About His Car Incident
On Sunday, March 29, Omar Gooding shared a video on Instagram telling fans that he got into a bad car accident. The footage showed him laying down with a neck brace. Still keeping his humor, Omar made light of the situation, saying he was fine and didn’t need surgery. He even joked that if anyone wanted to do him a favor, they could sent him some seatbelt commercials.
“I’m good, no surgery needed, thank Jesus!” He continued, “I’m gonna start doing seatbelt commercials. So for everybody that wants to send me something, send me them seatbelt commercial ads.”
Omar explained in his caption that he was wearing a seatbelt and didn’t break his neck, he actually suffered Hangman’s fracture while catching some Z’s in the back of a car on the way to an airport. His doctors said recovery will take around three months, so he will have to push back his upcoming show dates.
Fans Send Omar Well Wishes Following Hospital Update
After The Shade Room shared Omar Gooding’s video, fans flooded the comment section with well wishes. Others kept the jokes coming, saying they couldn’t handle him mentioning the clone comment and knows he has the nurses in the hospital cutting up.
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Instagram user @lillyvcassandra wrote, “🙌🏾 Get Well sir!!!! 💪🏿”
Instagram user @tiajeanee_ wrote, “I know his nurses are in there cracking up 😂🩷”
While Instagram user @shegetswhatshewantsscarlett wrote, “A simple thanks for your concern I’m recovering would of sufficed😂😂 bout clone.”
Then Instagram user @tasha_s_sayless wrote, “I’m pissed at him for making me laugh at this tragedy 😂😂”
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Another Instagram user @the_an0dyne wrote, “He lookin just like his brother now.”
While another Instagram user @india_bookie25 wrote, “🙏🏾❤️ get well soon🩷”
Instagram user @kathy_4.0 wrote, “Ain’t nobody tryna clone YOU now ya brother….maybe! But thank goodness ur doing well.”
Finally, Instagram user @mildred.williams.92317 wrote, “Speedy recovery 🙏🏽”
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Omar Thanks Fans For The Love Amid Recovery
In another instagram video, Omar told fans he appreciated all of the love. But he asked his close friends and family to stop calling because, even though he looks upbeat in his clips, he’s in serious pain and can only move his eyes. He said even talking hurts.
“THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE LOVE!!! Now let me heal please. This s**t HURTS. But I’m tuff. N****s get they necks broke every day B .. I’ll be aight 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 I don’t wanna block y’all!! I needs my sleeps!! 😘😘,” Gooding wrote.
Days after Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s look at his Fuze premiere sparked a frenzy among fans, experts have now offered their analysis.
Some claimed that the actor had undergone a cosmetic procedure, while others chalked it up to a grooming change and natural ageing.
Netizens have also remained divided over his appearance, although Aaron Taylor-Johnson hasn’t admitted to having any cosmetic procedures done.
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Aesthetic Physician Claims Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Facial Change Wasn’t As A Result Of A Cosmetic Procedure
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The London premiere of “Fuze” saw Aaron Taylor-Johnson become the subject of discussion, as changes in his facial appearance led to speculation of cosmetic surgery among fans and observers.
Weighing in on the topic, Dr. Shamsa Kanwal, a board-certified dermatologist and aesthetic physician, told the Daily Mailthat the changes were more likely due to either natural changes or grooming.
“My impression is that the change is more likely due to grooming, hair, facial hair removal, lighting, and natural weight or volume fluctuation than to any obvious surgical intervention,” said Kanwal to the outlet.
“A beard can dramatically strengthen the jaw and lower face on camera, so shaving it off can make someone look surprisingly different overnight,” she added.
The expert also claimed that upon her analysis of pictures of Taylor-Johnson’s photos from the premiere, she could not identify a “single feature here that strongly points to a major cosmetic procedure.”
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Other Experts Shared Alternative Reasons For The Actor’s New Look
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Other experts seemed to disagree with Kanwal, but even though they pointed to cosmetic intervention, they weren’t sure whether it was invasive or non-invasive, or which part of the face was affected.
Cosmetic injectable specialist Dr Charles Runels claimed that Taylor-Johnson might have used “carefully placed botulinum toxin treatment” to “relax the depressor muscles of the brow.”
He suggested this was the reason behind what he described as the “recalibration of proportions” in the actor’s face, especially in the brow and midface.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Most Dramatic Change’ Linked To A ‘Loss Of Volume’ In His Lower Face
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Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon Dr. Robert Setari pointed to an alleged “loss of volume” in Taylor-Johnson’s lower face as the “most dramatic change,” and that a buccal fat removal was the likely procedure used.
“This procedure involves the surgical extraction of the fat pads in the lower cheek to create a more permanent, angular contour,” he shared.
According to the expert, the actor’s jawline is now more defined, and his nose and eyes have also experienced some changes.
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For the former, he linked it to fillers or more permanent options like a chin implant, while the nose effect could be a result of “liquid rhinoplasty,” and the eyes may be due to subtle eyelid procedures.
How Netizens Reacted To The Actor’s Appearance At ‘Fuze’ Premiere
CAN/Capital Pictures / MEGA
Online, people had varying views about Taylor-Johnson’s face, with some claiming it was due to a cosmetic procedure.
“It’s not aging, he did something to his face,” one wrote, while another commented, “the buccal fat removal.”
Some, however, noted alternative reasons for the change-up, including the actor’s lack of facial hair and a possible use of makeup.
“Guys, I think it’s the lack of facial hair (and longer head hair) that’s throwing us off,” one wrote.
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“Y’all asking what’s wrong with Aaron and it’s makeup and him making sure we see his cheekbones relax,” a second noted.
Others who weighed in chose to only express their shock about how unrecognizable the actor looked.
“Why does he look like he got all his beauty drained out of him?” a user commented.
One more wrote, “What in the hell happened? Genuinely, not trying to be mean…. This just doesn’t look like him at all! Something is different.”
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Aaron Taylor-Johnson Is Being Hyped To Take On James Bond Role
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In recent weeks, speculation has continued to grow that Taylor-Johnson may be the next actor to take up the Bond mantle.
The actor, alongside the likes of Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi, has been touted for the role among industry insiders and franchise enthusiasts.
He is also said to be a likely choice for the role by Barbara Broccoli, the daughter of the original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.
Amazon Prime currently has creative control of the James Bond franchise after striking a deal with Barbara and her brother, Michael, in March 2025.
Given the franchise’s notoriety for secrecy, it is unlikely that confirmation of Taylor-Johnson’s casting pr any other alternative actor will come anytime soon.
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