The 1970s introduced many things into pop culture that lived and died over the decade: pet rocks, mood rings, lawn darts that injured thousands, and disco (which has an actual death date). It also launched the disreputable “jiggle TV” genre, a phrase coined by NBC executive Paul Klein, who defined it as “when you have a young, attractive television personality running at top speed wearing a limited amount of underwear.” Any show that met the criteria’s low bar, like The Love Boat and Three’s Company, were eternally saddled with the term, and dismissed outright.

The term itself largely stayed in the 1970s, even if the genre itself was kept alive with the likes of Baywatch. While there were true offenders, series like Wonder Woman offered more than the disdainful association, but “jiggle TV” was a difficult label to emerge from. But in what can only be called heavenly, one series’ long association with the term, Charlie’s Angels, has been given redemption 50 years later by earning Top 10 status on the Apple TV store. The question, however, is this: Should Charlie’s Angels be forgiven for its sins?

ABC Is Shocked by the Success of ‘Charlie’s Angels’

The series was the vision of producer Leonard Goldberg, who wanted to combine the British espionage series The Avengers with the female detective series Honey West. The series evolved into one about three strong women, whose assignments are given by an unknown man over a speakerphone. Actress Kate Jackson was the first cast as the series’ lead, and she offered development ideas, including the name “Angels.” Farrah Fawcett was then cast as “Athletic Angel” Jill Monroe, followed up by Jaclyn Smith, who played “Streetwise Angel” Kelly Garrett. With Jackson as “Smart Angel” Sabrina Duncan, the three formed the trio most closely associated with the series, despite Fawcett leaving after one season and being replaced by Cheryl Ladd, aka Kris Munroe, who stayed on for the rest of the show.

It’s highly unlikely that Jackson pushed for the series to herald “jiggle television,” but that’s exactly what happened, with stories and situations that “justified” their skimpy attire (producer Aaron Spelling reportedly wanted someone in a bikini in every scene). To add insult to injury, Jackson’s Sabrina was typically left to work behind the scenes on cases: attractive, but not as attractive as Smith and Fawcett in bra-less T-shirts and tight dresses. Nevertheless, ABC premiered the series as a pilot film in March 1976, despite believing it was one of the worst ideas for a TV series ever (per The Sunday Post). Instead, Charlie’s Angels was a huge hit, which so shocked the network that they re-ran the pilot the next week, where it repeated its success.

Critics loathed the show, but ABC had stumbled into a pop-culture sensation in spite of the criticism, with the Angel’s faces on magazines and merchandise everywhere, including the famed Fawcett “Red Swimsuit” poster. Fawcett herself knew exactly why the series found success, saying (per The Sunday Post): “When the show was No 3, I figured it was our acting. When it got to No 1, I decided it could only be because none of us wears a bra.” The series lasted for 5 seasons, never escaping the stigma of being little more than “jiggle television.”

‘Charlie’s Angels’ Deserves Its Redemption

Until recently, that is, with its success on streaming as it climbs the charts on Apple TV Store, with today’s savvier audiences appreciating it for its empowerment of women, and its definition of “jiggle” having been long surpassed in graphic detail. The show was exploitative beyond a shadow of a doubt, but it also empowered women. Smith, for one, called the series “groundbreaking” and “inspirational” in an interview with People, claiming she received letters of gratitude for the show’s establishment-challenging influence.

Charlie’s Angels stands as an example of a “deal with the Devil,” if you will, given the prevailing attitude at the time that women couldn’t headline an action series. The Mary Tyler Moore Show had a strong, empowering lead without resorting to “jiggling,” but action dramas weren’t even close. The series status as “jiggle TV” was, in essence, a Trojan Horse that allowed three strong, attractive women to tout the message of female liberation while hiding it in plain view. It opened the door for the likes of Xena: Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, series that turned the notion that women couldn’t lead action upside-down, with a knowing wink. So yes, Charlie’s Angels redemption via streaming, 50 years after its debut, is earned, and well past due. But rest assured that Three’s Company is highly, highly unlikely to follow suit.

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Charlie’s Angels

Release Date

1976 – 1981-00-00

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Showrunner

Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts

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What’s left to be said about Blade Runner? After failing to connect with audiences back in 1982, Ridley Scott‘s dystopian sci-fi noir has ascended beyond cult status and is now firmly placed in the canon of great American films. If Ridley Scott is synonymous with anything, it’s his affinity for re-cutting his misunderstood films for a fresher, more singular vision. The king of the director’s cut put his work to impeccable effect with Blade Runner, as the final cut is now the one in main circulation and widely celebrated by all audiences.

The film, starring Harrison Ford as an agent sent to terminate four outlawed replicants in Los Angeles in 2019, is so special that even Scott couldn’t help but select it as one of his four favorite movies ever. You’re likely watching the best cut, but the director says each cut has its own charm.

Ridley Scott Has Confirmed the Proper Cut of ‘Blade Runner’

Image via Warner Bros.

Blade Runner features a whopping five separate cuts, with the most notable being the ’82 theatrical cut, which features an infamous narration track by Ford as Rick Deckard, who sounds like he is asleep at the wheel or merely grumpy—a feeling Ford is no stranger to. The initial problems with the film that left audiences cold were amended with the 1992 director’s cut, but that still didn’t wholly adhere to Ridley Scott’s vision. Finally, the 2007 final cut realized Scott’s depiction of a world run by technology and distrust in the rainy tech-noir backdrop of LA. Since then, Scott has made a steadfast habit of releasing alternative director’s/extended cuts of his work, including Kingdom of Heaven, Prometheus, and Napoleon.

In a recent interview with Collider for the 20th anniversary and theatrical re-release of Kingdom of Heaven, Ridley Scott discussed the litany of Blade Runner cuts and his favorite of the bunch. Unsurprisingly, he confirmed that the final cut is the one he wants most people to consume, while adding that he believes “all variations were okay.” Scott defended Ford’s narration in the original cut, as it paid homage to pulp crime novels by Mickey Spillane and detective stories. He was also inspired to include a narration cut in the wake of Apocalypse Now, citing Martin Sheen‘s somber and haunted narration as the “central soul” of the character. “I know the version I like, which was the one that ends in the elevator shaft and the one that has no going off to this beautiful mountain range,” Scott said to Collider’s Steven Weintraub, referring to the similar endings from the director’s and final cuts. These darker conclusions corrected the studio-mandated happy ending of the theatrical cut.

Because moody narration from hard-boiled detective protagonists is a staple of all noirs, mounting a defense of the theatrical cut in that regard is justifiable. Ford’s dry delivery has its appeal, but it ultimately detracts from the radiant atmosphere and visual magnetism on the screen that has aged like a fine wine due to the prevalence of advanced technology in everyday life. We respect Scott’s advocacy of the other cuts, but the Blade Runner we all adore is the memory of watching the Final Cut. That’s a memory Deckard can’t erase.

‘Blade Runner’ Has Deeply Personal Connections to Ridley Scott

On the red carpet for the premiere of Alien: Romulus, which he produced, Scott did what every film figure does these days: reveal his top four movies to Letterboxd. In a shocking twist, the director’s third selection was indeed Blade Runner. Most directors are highly self-critical, and they are always magnanimous towards their influences and peers, so his hubris is unlike the status quo. As if we didn’t know already, Scott, who never pulls any punches in the press, praised his own film for revolutionizing the genre.

Of course, Scott is well within his rights to place his own movie, one that is so undeniably great, on his Letterboxd 4, but it makes complete sense when you realize how deeply personal Blade Runner was for him when making it. Telling The Guardian that Blade Runner is his “most complete and personal film,” Scott directed the sci-fi classic immediately following the death of his brother Frank, who became estranged after serving in the Royal Navy. After dying from terminal cancer, Scott used the film as an outlet for grief, so it is fitting that the film is a bleak meditation on mortality and existence.

With this knowledge, the pathos of Rutger Hauer‘s legendary “Tears in the Rain” monologue only hits harder, and one has to imagine that Ridley Scott would find more poignant sentiments in the wake of his other brother’s tragic demise, fellow director Tony Scott. The pervading anguish and dread clouds over rainy Los Angeles and disillusioned Rick Deckard, who’s stuck between humanity and artificiality. For all audiences and the director, Blade Runner is a special work of art that inspires us with wonder and somber reflections.

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Blade Runner

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Release Date

June 25, 1982

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Runtime

118 minutes

Writers

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David Webb Peoples, Hampton Fancher, Philip K. Dick

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Fantasy has thrived on TV for years, with beloved series like Game of Thrones and His Dark Materials becoming major successes. As every streamer tries to cash in on this success, some have taken more chances than others. While the genre covers a lot of ground, no show is quite like the 2019 series Carnival Row, which combines the greater magical conflict of The Wheel of Time with Sherlock‘s murder-mystery structure.

The Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne-led dark fantasy series ran for two seasons before its cancellation. Yet, despite its big names and compelling story, the series remains an underrated gem, full of fantasy creatures, crime drama, and surprise twists. With a dark mystery and an intricate world, Carnival Row is an exciting and quick binge-watch for anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre.

What Is ‘Carnival Row’ About?

Carnival Row introduces a steampunk fantasy world that is grim despite the prevalence of mythical beings like pixies and fauns. Following a devastating war, the fae homeland has been destroyed, forcing them to move to the human city known as the Burgue, which allows refugees but offers them little respect. The fae live on Carnival Row, and the rest of the city’s population ignores or despises them. The story primarily follows Rycroft “Philo” Philostrate (Bloom), the sole inspector willing to investigate crimes committed against the city’s fae. When a string of unnatural murders breaks out, targeting humans and fae alike, Philo is the only one equipped with all the information to solve it. His investigation grows more complicated when his old flame, the faerie Vignette Stonemoss (Delevingne), moves to the city and falls in with a rebel group that puts her in direct opposition to the law Philo enforces.

Beyond the dangerous streets of Carnival Row, the elite of the Burgue have their own storylines. A rich faun, Agreus (David Gyasi), moves into a mansion but receives little acceptance. His neighbors, Ezra (Andrew Gower) and Imogen Spurnrose (Tamzin Merchant), quickly judge him, allowing the series to explore prejudice even more deeply. Meanwhile, political rivalries in the city grow as the parliament argues over rights that should be afforded to fae refugees. When Chancellor Breakspear (Jared Harris) discovers that his son, Jonah (Arty Froushan), has been abducted by his political opponents, the city’s tension reaches a breaking point.

‘Carnival Row’ Is an Underrated Fantasy Series

Carnival Row uses its many plotlines to create an expansive world, much like The Wheel of Time. But instead of exploring different cultures and ancient secrets across multiple continents, it focuses on a single city from every angle, from the slums the fae are forced to live in to the mansions of the rich and influential. The audience experiences the Burgue through Johan Breakspear’s privilege, Philo searching the criminal underworld for answers, and the perspective of characters like Tourmaline (Karla Crome), who works in a brothel on Carnival Row. Despite the presence of mythical creatures, the series is surprisingly grounded, addressing real-world issues like immigration, prejudice, and political corruption.

Unfortunately, Carnival Row‘s production faced COVID delays, and the series wrapped up earlier than initially planned, making it yet another fantasy series that ended too soon. Though it did receive an ending, which is more than many shows earn, the series’ world could have continued to grow over additional seasons. While the story gets dark at times, Carnival Row is a unique addition to the fantasy genre that deserves more attention than it receives.

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Release Date

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2019 – 2022

Network

Amazon Prime Video

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Showrunner

Travis Beacham

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Directors

Travis Beacham

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Travis Beacham

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Imagine being stuck in a time loop, but it’s a measly two-minute interval instead of days or even hours. The not-so-pleasant cherry on top is that everyone remembers it. That’s the outlandish, yet vaguely familiar, premise River is built on. The sci-fi comedy is set in a seemingly idyllic Japanese village and updates the typical run-of-the-mill time loop storyline, putting its characters in a bizarre, two-minute cycle of déjà vu. Perhaps what makes this film so clever is the fact that the short loops don’t leave the narrative lacking. The director, Junta Yamaguchi, makes it so that the movie squeezes an incredible amount of humor, heart, and a quality story into every repeat.

The time loop concept is certainly not unique to River, with films like Happy Death Day and Edge of Tomorrow preceding it. However, River is full of twists and turns that make it come across as refreshingly original. The characters’ desperate yet hilarious attempts to make sense of their predicament, while trying to maintain their jobs at a small inn, keep things light and engaging. Overall, Yamaguchi is a master at balancing the film’s breezy tone with just enough mystique to keep viewers guessing. River delivers a familiar Groundhog Day vibe, but it infuses its story with Japanese culture, making every second count.

How ‘River’ Takes Time Loops and Turns Them Into Something Different

Image via Third Window Films

River gives the time loop trope a serious makeover. Typically, you’d watch a character relive the same day or a couple of hours till something gives. However, Yamaguchi narrows it down to a brief two minutes. To top it all off, there isn’t just one character blessed, or cursed, with the knowledge that they’re stuck in a loop — everyone remembers it all. Rather than dragging the characters down, the two-minute loop becomes a source of unpredictable fun that just keeps giving. Even more, this adds oodles of comedy and chaos, as the characters blindly jump onto the Herculean task of trying to figure out how to make the most of their blink-and-you-miss-it time frames.

Making it even more of a standout is how River mashes together the frantic time-loop mechanics with moments of genuine connection. On one hand, there’s this picturesque small town setting and on the other, there’s pure chaos. This starts with seemingly small everyday disruptions that metamorphose into more complex issues. For instance, some of the guests repeatedly experience their bowls being refilled mid-meal, which results in an endless cycle of confused but hilarious conversations. This adds both a comedic and bittersweet layer to the story. But as the loop deepens, the character’s reactions and interactions become more layered.

The staff at the inn join forces to keep things afloat, which ends up being as frantic to watch as it is endearing. Each attempt to clean up and serve guests before the reset becomes more apocalyptic than the last, but there’s still a light air about it. The real winner here is how the film cleverly plays with time once things begin to follow a rhythm, the tone shifts. River is solid proof that even worn-out tropes have room for creativity.

‘River’ Expertly Balances Sci-Fi, Comedy, and Emotional Depth

These time-loop-related storylines tend to get bogged down by absurd chaos, but River takes more of a playful approach. For instance, a waiter is stuck serving the same meal over and over again. Naturally, his frustration is gradually reaching its peak as he tries to keep up before the loop resets. The beauty in these moments of disarray is that they’re not just for gags, but rather they’re seamlessly timed pieces of comedy that are indicative of the weirdness of their situation. Even better is the fact that River doesn’t just rely on the time loop for its humor, the inn staff and guest’s quirky personalities add layers of comedic gold. From the writer who struggles to scribble down a sentence to just about every other character who is engrossed in perfecting the little things in their mandatory two-minute routine, there’s a touch of light-heartedness to the entire experience.

Beyond the laughs, River tries its best to dig deeper, especially in terms of how the characters try to escape their prison. It’s interesting to see their evolution as well as the ways their relationships progress. At some point, it’s clear that they’re not simply looking for an escape, but they also crave purpose and connection amidst all the madness. This ups the ante, transforming their story into somewhat of a puzzle where the full picture is all-around self-discovery. So, is it funny? On more levels than one, but it’s equally touching and gripping.

‘River’ Expands on ‘Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes’ Playful Exploration of Time

Image via Tollywood

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Time loops can be tricky business, but if anyone knows how to manipulate them expertly it’s director Junta Yamaguchi. River wasn’t his first time around the block with the two-minute concept; in fact, he used it in a whole different — but similar — way in the 2020 film, Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes. The premise is simple, characters can see two minutes into the future and they build on this window to craft a playful, small-scale sci-fi comedy. With a two-minute headstart into the future, you’d think that the characters on Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes would try to save the world or pursue grander goals. However, the film stands out for how “human” their reactions are, they end up using their privilege to pull off quirky tricks and avoid everyday challenges. It’s these little moments where Kato (Riko Fujitani) uses the time “window” to impress or prank unsuspecting friends that sell the humor and humanity.

In River, Yamaguchi keeps things light in a dire situation by digging deeper into this playful concept. Mikoto, also played by Fujitani, may be one of the emotional anchors of the film. However, she’s also caught using the loop to further her own agenda. For her, the constant resets are a last-ditch effort to ensure her crush, Taku (Yuki Torigoe) doesn’t leave the inn for good. But, make no mistake, while they’re cut from the same cloth, Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes and River are two different beasts.

The latter expands on the core idea by closely examining the emotional weight of living in a loop. For instance, the inn’s sous chef keeps trying to get to the bottom of their predicament through strategic team meetings. But, the constant time interruptions blend comedy with the mounting frustration to create a more grounded result. In a nutshell, viewers get to see exactly how each character deals with the reality of being stuck. So, where Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes doesn’t try to complicate the mechanics of time travel, River manages to strike a balance between being playful and introspective.

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River

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Release Date

June 23, 2023

Runtime

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86 minutes

Director

Junta Yamaguchi

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Writers

Makoto Ueda

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A Florida woman who fatally shot a man during an argument in the parking lot of a Walmart will not be charged. Melissa Payne fatally shot Bart Diguglielmo on Tuesday, June 30, during a dispute over a parking space in North Lauderdale.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Mass Shootings In Chicago & Trenton, New Jersey Reportedly Leave 3 Dead And 18 Injured (VIDEOS)

Florida Woman Not Charged Following Fatal Walmart Parking Lot Shooting

Melissa Payne will not be charged after she shot a man dead at point-blank range. Payne will not be charged for the shooting death of 62-year-old Bart Diguglielmo, due to the state’s stand-your-ground law, per ABC News. The shooting occurred in a North Lauderdale, Florida, parking lot in June over a parking spot dispute.

Broward State Attorney’s Office Homicide Trial Unit Division Chief Stephen Zaccor announced the decision in a memo on Tuesday, September 3.

“A dispute over a parking space,” wrote Zaccor. “In a Walmart parking lot. The facts surrounding the June 30, 2026, homicide of Bart DiGuglielmo are as tragic as they are absurd. There is relatively no dispute about what actually happened because the entire incident was captured by various video recording devices.”

The Broward County State Attorney’s Office said that prosecutors were not able to prove Payne wasn’t in fear of great bodily harm or for her life during the altercation, according to The Miami Herald.

Video Captures Walmart Parking Lot Shooting

Video of the dispute and subsequent shooting shows Diguglielmo leave his car in a travel lane after he tried to take the same spot as Payne. In addition, multiple witnesses said they heard him threaten her. Additionally, one witness claimed he was “visibly angry” as he looked at Payne.

DiGuglielmo reportedly threatened to “mess her car up” and “**** her sh*t up” before he got back into his car and sped off, only to return soon after. Payne was with her niece and niece’s baby at the time of the altercation, and she got out of her car with a gun in her hand. She held her phone in the other hand as she reportedly spoke to her husband. Payne told DiGuglielmo to leave her alone. In addition, the video shows her backing away repeatedly as she points the gun at him. However, he didn’t stop moving until Payne fired.

The memo states:

“If you keep coming up to me,” said Payne, per the ABC. “I’m going to ******* shoot you!”

Zaccor also said in the memo that Payne was in a public place where she had a right to be.

“A Walmart parking lot, and therefore was in a place she had a right to be…. therefore she was not doing anything unlawful at the time she used deadly force,” he wrote.

Man Who Murdered Trayvon Martin Used Stand Your Ground Law As Defense

As The Shade Room reported, George Zimmerman, the man who murdered 17-year-old Trayvon Martin as he was walking home from the store with a bag of Skittles, used the law to argue self-defense.

Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch volunteer when he approached Trayvon on his way home back in 2012 in Stanford, Florida. An altercation reportedly ensued, and he shot the unarmed teenager to death. However, he was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter. Zimmerman claimed he feared for his life under the stand-your-ground law.

A Miami-Dade Circuit Judge later ruled that lawmakers overstepped their authority when they modified the law that year to force prosecutors to disprove self-defense claims.

RELATED: Father Speaks Out After Pennsylvania Police Shot & Killed His Son Who Accidentally Tried To Enter The Wrong Home

The latest testimony in Lil Durk’s trial brought someone close to King Von’s family to the stand. Shakema Springfield, the mother of Von’s son, testified in court and pushed back on claims previously made by OTF Vonnie. Springfield calls Vonnie a “liar” as she shared what she remembers from the days surrounding King Von’s death.

Related: UPDATE: Lil Durk’s Trial Takes Major Turn As Fans Debate Latest Court Ruling (PHOTO)

Shakema Springfield Speaks On King Von’s Memorial & OTF Vonni’s Testimony

On Thursday, September 3, the mother of King Von’s son, Shakema Springfield, took the stand during Lil Durk’s trial and shared her account of the events surrounding Von’s death and memorial. According to Los Angeles Magazine journalist Taylor Parise, Springfield also pushed back on testimony from Kavon Grant, also known as “OTF Vonnie,” calling him a “liar.”

Springfield testified that King Von and Vonni were very close and spent time together daily. She also said Vonni had control over some of Von’s finances.

Springfield also spoke about being at King Von’s memorial with family for three days. According to her testimony, Lil Durk was never there, and she said she did not hear any conversations about getting revenge for Von’s death.

That testimony reportedly conflicts with what Vonni previously told the court. He testified that Durk was present at the memorial and that the two discussed a revenge plot, Taylor Parise reports.

Springfield also recalled asking Vonnie who killed King Von. She testified that Vonnie responded, “He told me not to worry about it, and he’s going to take care of it.”

Springfield served in the U.S. Army for 10 years and shares a 6-year-old son with the late rapper King Von.

Social Media Reacts

Following Springfield’s testimony, social media users shared mixed reactions to her statements and their potential impact on Durk’s case.

Instagram user @thealias.1 wrote, “as tf she should, Durk probably the only one looking out for her and her son!”

Another Instagram user @es1nam wrote, “she knew what to say 😂”

While Instagram user @xo.nyara wrote, “Keem so quiet. She never gets into these things so for her to even speak is big. 👏”

Instagram user @cbreezyofficalfp wrote, “Free Durk yeah he’s coming home ❤️🔥”

Another Instagram user @nic_keyzz wrote, “they gonna believe an army vet any day 👌🏽”

While Instagram user @dirtymoneyrich_ wrote, “she up there lying playing in them ppl court”

Instagram user @sweetesttaboo444 wrote, “I like how she coming. One thing about her she’s gonna do her party everybody else be on live & making tweets and been doing it for years and she got to the bottom of it and went to COURT yeah she made her tweets back then but she backed it up. And she’s in the military and high ranked & has her Bachelor’s. Very smart beautiful girl.”

Another Instagram user @r.ayboogie wrote, “Durk gonna beat this, he was literally never anywhere these people are claiming or anywhere near these situations people are trying to pin on him.”

While Instagram user @__iamrashidah__ wrote, “that’s why the realest on your team is always a woman”

Asian Doll & Kayla B Go Back & Forth Amid Trial Updates

Meanwhile, Asian Doll, King Von’s ex-girlfriend, has also been vocal amid the ongoing trial. The rapper recently took to X with a cryptic message, writing, “Seeing all this sh** make my head hurt frfr when you know the REAL” followed by a 100 emoji.

While Asian didn’t provide additional context, social media users quickly connected the post to the latest developments in Lil Durk’s trial.

Following Asian’s post, as well as the recent testimony from OTF Vonnie and Shakema Springfield, things got a little heated between Asian and Kayla B, King Von’s sister. The two women went back and forth during a TikTok Live, with both addressing allegations and statements surrounding her late brother.

The exchange comes years after Asian and Kayla have publicly clashed over Asian’s past relationship with King Von.

Related: Asian Doll Goes OFF After King Von’s Sister Kayla B Claims Their Relationship Was Just For Clout (WATCH)

2026 is chock-full of box office breakouts, but Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey are the biggest winners. Christopher Nolan‘s take on the iconic Greek epic recently became the highest-grossing R-rated movie in history, while the web-slinger’s latest adventure is on track to be the biggest movie of the year. Beyond critical and commercial success, both movies also feature Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal in key roles, further cementing them as part of Hollywood’s current A-list. What most movie fans might not know is that Holland and Bernthal first joined forces in a brutal historical epic nine years ago.

That epic is named Pilgrimage. Set in medieval Ireland, Pilgrimage follows a group of monks, including the young Brother Diarmuid (Holland), charged with bringing a holy relic to Rome. The monks’ journey is complicated by warriors who seek the relic, including the malevolent Raymond de Merville (Richard Armitage). Thankfully, the monks have a warrior of their own: a mute man (Bernthal) who possesses incredible fighting skills. Now that Pilgrimage is streaming, fans of Holland and Bernthal’s work can see their first movie.

‘Pilgrimage’ Is a Bold, Bloody Meditation on Faith

Image via RLJE Films

Pilgrimage draws its audience’s attention through scenes of escalating violence, as the monks and the Mute struggle to complete their mission. Much of this violence is committed by the Mute, who makes up for his lack of words with an abundance of bloodshed. Beyond that, the movie explores the nature of faith, specifically the great or terrible things people will do in its name. Most of the monks on the mission believe the relic holds its holy nature because it was struck by lightning yet remains intact. Merville, on the other hand, wants the relic for the King of England so that English forces can be bolstered by that belief. Director Brendan Muldowney said he was drawn to Pilgrimage for its themes of faith, which mirrored his own upbringing.

“I think that themes dealing with faith and a belief in God are always relevant and never go out of date. I was brought up in a country that still had the church very firmly in control of society. Not so much now, but I saw the use of fear to control, and I also witnessed hypocrisy as certain revaluations came to light in recent years.”

In addition to its bloody violence and deep themes, Pilgrimage is carried by Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal, who deliver the best performances in the movie. Bernthal has to stay silent for most of Pilgrimage’s runtime, but he lets his body and facial expressions do the talking. Whether it’s a grimace of pure rage or quiet contemplation, the audience can feel the emotions radiating off his body. Holland delivers a more nuanced performance, as Brother Diarmuid ultimately rejects the relic and takes a new approach to his faith. While Holland showed plenty of range in The Odyssey, Pilgrimage was the first movie that truly put his talents on display.

Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal Continue To Work Together After ‘Pilgrimage’

While Pilgrimage had a limited theatrical rollout, it started a long tradition of Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal working together. In fact, it’s the movie that helped them land roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Bernthal was auditioning for The Punisher while Holland was in the running to play Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War. Bernthal went into more detail when he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, sayinghe advised Holland to show off his athletic prowess. Holland took his advice and landed the role of Spidey; nearly a decade later, the duo would join forces in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Much like Pilgrimage, Spider-Man: Brand New Day pits Holland and Bernthal against each other, with Holland playing a man struggling with his beliefs and Bernthal playing a man who excels at violence. The difference is that Bernthal’s performance as Frank Castle has him using far more words than he did in Pilgrimage, while Holland brings a new dimension to his performance as Peter Parker. Anyone who loves the duo’s dynamic in Brand New Day or The Odyssey should watch Pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage is available to stream on Pluto TV.

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Release Date

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April 23, 2017

Runtime

96 minutes

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Director

Brendan Muldowney

Writers

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Jamie Hannigan

Producers

Conor Barry, Aram Tertzakian, Nick Spicer, John Keville

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Taylor Chan, an 18-year-old boy, is reportedly in hot water alongside apparent scammer Daejon Love, who allegedly swindled at least 26 women out of $1.3 million. Between fake investment accounts and multiple identities, Love allegedly used dating apps to develop romantic ties with women. Then, he allegedly convinced them to invest or lend him money.

The victims were reportedly spread across California and Oregon. And now, The Shade Room’s Justin Carter is diving in for ‘TSR Investigates,’ sharing all that allegedly went down.

18-Year-Old Allegedly Helped Daejon Love Fake Millions In Investment Gains

Daejon Love allegedly told women he was from Switzerland and that he was born into one of the world’s richest families. Additionally, he alleged that he had signed with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. However, due to an alleged finger injury, he wasn’t able to get on the field.

Using his plot, Love reportedly developed romantic relationships with women. Furthermore, he alleged he wanted to settle down and build wealth with them. Per Carter, he allegedly did so by persuading victims to send them cash or to take out personal loans.

But that wasn’t all. Daejon Love allegedly used 18-year-old Taylor Chan to run his schemes. Per Carter, Chan allegedly portrayed himself as Love’s financial advisor and used falsified investment gains to also persuade victims to invest their money.

More On The Fake Millions & Investment Gains

According to Carter, one victim sent $2,000 in cash to the pair. And when they allegedly learned she had $10,000 in savings, they threatened to physically harm her until she gave it to them.

Scroll above to watch as Carter recalls how another woman sent the pair at least $18,000. Additionally, attorney Chelsea Lewis shares her thoughts on the case and how it may proceed in prosecution. Furthermore, Lewis details more of Daejon Love’s alleged personas while breaking down his apparent scheme.

RELATED: Sidney Starr’s Family Speaks Out After Her Court Appearance | TSR Investigates

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on September 3, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Alix Earle detailed her falling out with Alex Cooper in season 1 of her Netflix reality series, Earle Meets World, alleging she felt “betrayed” after Cooper “took advantage” of her admiration. Earle also claimed she learned her “Hot Mess” podcast had been dropped by the Unwell Network through the media.

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• Love After Lockup star Amber Eggers died at the age of 41 on September 3 after being hospitalized on September 1 with liver failure, her loved ones announced. Her mother, Monica Eggers, confirmed the cause of death as acute liver failure following a spring 2025 battle with pneumonia, sepsis and multiple organ failure.

• A judge declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case on September 4 after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied the defense team’s emergency appeal amid a deadlocked jury. Another hearing has been scheduled for September 29, and the future of the case against Clancy — accused in the 2023 deaths of her three children — remains unclear.

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance