Sarah Michelle Gellar has broken her silence on why the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is no longer moving forward.

“We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him,” the actress, 48, claimed in an interview People published on Monday, March 16. “That’s very hard when you’re taking a property that is as beloved as Buffy, not just to the world, but to me and Chloé [Zhao].”

Gellar, who claimed one person was at fault for axing the potential series, continued, “So that tells you the uphill battle that we had been fighting since day one, when your executive is literally proud to tell you that he didn’t watch it.”

She added that, after years of saying she’d “never” reprise her role as the titular character, the inspiration to return as the beloved vampire slayer was thanks to the show’s dedicated fans.

“They were the only reason we were doing this show in the first place,” she reflected. “We were doing it because everybody loves it. So how do you do a show that’s beloved with someone that doesn’t love it?”

Last week, Gellar announced that Hulu was not moving forward with the reboot. The actress, who portrayed vampire slayer Buffy Summers on the WB drama for seven seasons from 1996 to 2003, was gearing up to introduce a new generation of vampire hunters alongside Zhao, 43, who was tapped to direct the pilot.

While Gellar was previously adamant about not going back to her Buffy roots, Zhao presented her with an idea that made her rethink her stance.

“In one meeting, she makes me say ‘yes’ to something I never saw on my radar,” Gellar reflected. “That was because of the deep love and commitment and passion she had for this character. It was like I was stepping back in time.”

The reboot, titled, Buffy: New Sunnydale, would star Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer. Faly Rakotohavana, Ava Jean, Sarah Bock, Daniel Di Tomasso, Jack Cutmore-Scott and Kingston Vernes made up the rest of the cast, with Gellar stepping back into Buffy’s stylish but affordable boots.

“I’d like to use this moment also to say that Ryan Kiera Armstrong is a superstar. I’m gutted that no one will see her as a slayer,” Gellar confessed to the outlet.

On Monday, Gellar revealed that she learned about the news of Buffy’s fate moments before her appearance at SXSW Film & TV Festival premiere of her new movie Ready or Not 2: Here I Come on Saturday, March 14.

Related: Chloe Zhao Breaks Silence on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Reboot Cancellation

Chloé Zhao spoke publicly for the first time about the cancellation of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot. During a red carpet interview with Variety at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, March 15, Zhao, 43, reflected on Hulu’s unfortunate decision after creating the reboot’s pilot and preparing to direct and executive produce Buffy the Vampire […]

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“I was just about to take the stage in front of all the fans,” Gellar recalled to the outlet. “Hulu had decided not to move forward with the Buffy revival. Let me tell you, nobody saw this coming.”

Gellar shared on Monday that she and Zhao — who learned the news ahead of her appearance at the Oscars for her award-winning film Hamnet — were disappointed with the network’s decision.

“We don’t want to let the fans down. That hurts. Saddened at how it was handled and when it was handled,” Gellar said. “But I just said to Chloé, and I was very specific, I said, ‘Sunday night, you put that crown on and you walk that red carpet and you take in all that love for what you worked for and forget the other stuff.’ It’s important to me that this doesn’t take away from what we achieved and what she’s achieved. And there’s always more to do.”

With some police procedurals, there isn’t a chance to really dig into the characters’ lives in a super deep way. The action moves fast, and in-depth character explorations go by the wayside. Last week on ABC’s The Rookie, Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) has a devastating experience when she kills a man in the line of duty. While this is tragic, I was excited to see how The Rookie would incorporate some of Lucy’s past trauma with this new event. We do get a little bit of development into this storyline, but unless it gets picked up later on in the season, The Rookie wraps up Lucy’s post-traumatic stress disorder-type symptoms in a way too neat bow in this week’s episode. On the bright side, we do get to see more of one of The Rookie’s best villains, which saves this hour.

‘The Rookie’ Allows Liam Glasser To Escape Justice

Although Liam Glasser (Seth Gabel) has been a fantastic villain for the series, our favorite characters are incredibly frustrated that their case against him is falling apart. Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) announces to the team that because of Nyla Harper’s (Mekia Cox) misconduct and Ryan Dearbourne’s (Patrick Stafford) testimony coming under question, the best they can do with Glasser is to offer him a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter for just one of his murders. Wesley assures everyone that they did their best, and Glasser could be off the streets for at least 10 years. The next thing they know, Harrison Novak (Noel Fisher), who buried bodies in the same place as Glasser, announces he wants to “unburden himself” by confessing to more crimes. Novak heads to the precinct and Glasser heads to the DA’s office. This side-by-side scene drove me crazy because it seems highly unrealistic that these dangerous killers would travel outside the prison for these types of meetings. Novak announces that he actually committed all of Glasser’s crimes too, but it’s clear to the cops that he’s been put up to this by Glasser or Glasser’s lawyer, Malcolm (Sean Patrick Thomas).

It seems like Glasser has convinced a lot of people to help get him out of jail, even perhaps ADA Vivian Eckert (Necar Zadegan), who will do anything to sabotage Wesley’s campaign for DA. A hearing takes place with Malcolm and Wesley, and Malcolm confirms that Glasser is rejecting the plea deal. By the episode’s end, Wesley learns that the DA is dropping all charges against Glasser since a win at trial seems impossible. It also seems like Wesley might lose the DA race as well. But to add insult to injury, Glasser, now a free man, drops by the precinct with donuts just to taunt Nyla. She firmly claims this whole thing isn’t over, but it’s horrifying that this creepy serial killer is now out in the world again. Although it’s a bummer for everyone, Glasser being free does set up some nice drama heading into the rest of the season.

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‘The Rookie’ Season 8, Episode 11 Rushes Through Lucy’s Traumatic Experience

Image via ABC

The episode opens with Lucy struggling to get out of bed. She is grappling with the fact that the man she killed was also a victim, since he was poisoned by toxic chemicals. Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) tries to insist that she take more time off, but she says she’s well enough to return to duty. Tim has encouraged the other officers to give Lucy space (which seems a bit too overprotective to me), and decides to ride along with her for the day. He appoints Smitty (Brent Huff) as temporary Watch Commander, which makes absolutely no sense. Smitty is the least qualified, and it’s clear the writers threw this in merely for a few comedic moments. Later, the victim’s sister shows up to confront Lucy. Lucy wants to release the body cam footage from that day, but there are legal restrictions. After Chenford argues about the right way to handle this, Lucy agrees to talk to the sister, saying, “In order to be a good cop, I need to be a good human first.” Lucy explains to the sister what happened, who states that she believes Lucy. This is a kind way to tie up the story, but it’s frustrating that The Rookie writers are using this conversation to end an experience that would normally cause ongoing symptoms for an officer.

The case that Lucy works on this week is a dead body that was found at a local motel. While they research who he was, Skip Tracer Randy (Flula Borg) shows up and has a connection to the victim. Randy had been hired to track the victim, who was a con man named Charles Deacon. While a bad guy flees, he knocks out Randy, causing him to lose his German accent and develop a Southern one (in something called Foreign Accent Syndrome). This bit results in the episode having a sillier tone, despite Lucy’s storyline calling for a more somber one. The case resolves when the crime is pinned on a Mafia-type family. Randy regains his accent eventually, and although I usually like this character, he sort of felt out of place in this particular episode.

Bailey Has Wiggled Her Way Into Another Perilous Situation in ‘The Rookie’

Image via ABC

John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) gets a call from Zuzu (the AI bot), warning him that Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) is being followed. Nolan is mad at Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) for getting Bailey mixed up in something while she’s away at the Pentagon. He assures Nolan that he’ll keep Bailey safe, but it’s clear that the mysterious woman from last week’s episode has decided to find out exactly who Bailey is. To get more information about what’s going on with this woman, Bailey sets a trap to smoke her out. We don’t get anything else in this week’s episode, but I’m already sort of annoyed that Bailey is involved. It still makes no sense that a firefighter is working at the Pentagon, and even less sense that Wade would be recruiting her for a dangerous mission.

There were definitely some interesting moments in this episode, but the hour would have felt more realistic with a little less humor and more of an emphasis on Lucy’s mental health. It’s always fun that The Rookie makes sure to include levity in its storytelling, but I would have preferred a little bit less lightheartedness in the aftermath of Lucy’s attack. My wish would be that this event continues to affect Lucy in future episodes, but I fear the series will plow ahead with other narratives instead.

New episodes of The Rookie air on Monday nights on ABC, with episodes available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.

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Release Date

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October 16, 2018

Showrunner

Alexi Hawley

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Directors

Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro

Writers

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Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff

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Pros & Cons

• Bringing back several familiar characters feels like a fun callback to previous episodes.
• The type of Chenford conflict portrayed feels fresh and relevant to their relationship.

• Some aspects of this episode felt unrealistic and over-the-top.
• Bailey’s storyline feels like awkward filler at this point.

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After swift online backlash, fans are learning why James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane were not honored during the 2026 Oscars In Memoriam.

A source tells Us Weekly that the Academy “receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues” to be featured during the emotional segment. To narrow down the many requests, an “executive committee” is formed with members that represent every branch of the Academy.

The insider explains that those committee members review the list and make “recommendations for the telecast based on limited available time.”

For those who do not get a spotlighted moment during the live awards show, their names do appear on the Oscars’ website. All of the submissions are included on the site, where they remain for the duration of the year.

Related: Fans React to 2026 Oscars In Memoriam Segment Snubs: Eric Dane and More

The annual In Memoriam segment at the 2026 Oscars took time to remember those in the film industry who died in the past year. And while actors from Robert Redford and Diane Keaton to Catherine O’Hara and Rick Reiner received recognition, fans were not happy with some notable omissions. Chief among them were Eric Dane […]

Us has reached out to the Academy for comment.

On Sunday, March 15, Van Der Beek and Dane were noticeably missing from the award show’s tribute to those who have died in the past year. Both actors are, however, featured on the website’s tribute page.

Fans expressed their disappointment online after noticing that both actors were excluded from the In Memoriam.

“I know every year, the Oscars leaves out a few people who passed away. But these 3 were so recent,” one user wrote via X. “I’m sad they left out James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, and Robert Carradine. RIP.”

Both Dane and Van Der Beek died weeks before the Academy Awards were held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Van Der Beek died in February after a battle with colorectal cancer. The Dawson’s Creek alum was 48.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote via Instagram at the time. “He met his final days with courage, faith and grace. 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.”

James is survived by Kimberly, 43 and their six children, Olivia, 15, Joshua, 14, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.

Nearly a week later, Dane died following his battle with ALS. The Grey’s Anatomy alum was 53.

Related: Which Celebrities Were Left Out of the 2026 Oscars In Memoriam Segment?

The 2026 Oscars had an emotional In Memoriam segment that noticeably missed several celebrities. During the awards show on Sunday, March 15, Rob Reiner, his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, Robert Redford and Diane Keaton were some film industry members who received lengthy tributes from their former costars. Catherine O’Hara was also mentioned in a heart-wrenching […]

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“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement to Us at the time. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”

The statement continued, “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

Dane is survived by Rebecca Gayheart, who withdrew her 2018 divorce filing in 2025 following the actor’s ALS diagnosis, and their daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14.

In Jessica Alba‘s universe, her timing is the only perfect one!

The talented actress attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party without company despite her ongoing sensational romance with her boyfriend, Danny Ramirez.

Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez were first linked romantically in May 2025, sharing a kiss in London, and their relationship became red-carpet and Instagram official towards the end of the year.

Jessica Alba And Her Younger Boo Color-Coordinated At The Oscars

While they did not arrive together for the event, the actress and her Ramirez still left hints that all was well in paradise by leaving the event together in matching black outfits. Alba arrived at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for the party in a dramatic sequin gown paired with Alexandre Birman Clarita Bell Slingback 100 Satin Black shoes.

The screen goddess’s elaborate gown also featured a plunging neckline and feathery details at the base. She paired the look with a middle-parted, wavy look, minimal accessories, and a softly made-up face as she walked closely beside her boyfriend.

Ramirez reportedly made a low-key entrance into the venue much later in an all-black ensemble to match her glamorous outfit. As shared by The Daily Mail, Alba’s relationship with Ramirez marks her first-ever public romance since filing for divorce from her husband of nearly two decades, Cash Warren, early last year. 

The ‘Honey’ Actress’s Boyfriend Flaunted Their Romance On Instagram Last Year

Last November, Ramirez took the bull by the horns and confirmed what everyone has been hush about by uploading pictures of their recent outing at the “Baby2Baby” event on his Instagram. He shared a cute selfie picture of the two of them, with Alba’s hand wrapped around his neck while flaunting her stunning serpentine silver neckpiece.

The new couple was all smiles as they posed with some other attendees at the ceremony. Ramirez’s hard launch was received with incredible enthusiasm from fans who commented on adorable things about the duo.

Alba herself moved like the number one fan of her new couple by leaving a love and heart sign emoji. Actresses Maude Apatow, Rachel Zegler, and a few other admirers of the couple did not mince words in affirming that they accept the new man in Alba’s life with their heart and soul.

Jessica Alba’s Ex-Husband Was Spotted In The Company Of A Younger Beauty

The actress’s estranged husband also made a statement with his relationship status late last year when he was spotted out and about with a new partner, Hana Sun Doerr, a 25-year-old model in Beverly Hills.

Warren and his rumored new flame held hands as they walked around a celebrity romantic hot spot in E Baldi. The Blast stated that the actress’s ex has put it on record that he was happy for her to find love with Ramirez, who seems like a really good guy.

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As for Alba and Warren, the couple drew the curtain on their divorce process on March 16, 2026, when a judge signed off on their settlement, which involved equal division of community property and a multimillion-dollar payout from Alba to Warren.

Alba And Her Ex Tried Therapy To Salvage Their Failed Union

Alan and Warren welcomed three children together while they were married, and when trust issues began to create a crack in the marriage, the couple turned to therapy.

The Blast shared that a source close to the couple claimed there was little therapy done to save the collapsing ship, and at the time of their split, they cited irreconcilable differences as the culprit. “There were trust issues in the past, which led to many arguments. The marriage ran its course. Their communication hadn’t been great,” a source had shared about the couple.

On the road to finalizing their divorce, the couple reportedly agreed not to pay spousal support. As for the payout from Alba to Warren, which totaled $3 million, the actress promised to make the payment in two non-taxable installments. The first would be a $1.5 million payment now, and the remaining half in 2027.

Jessica Alba’s Blast From The Past Broke Down The Nature Of Their Romance

The Honest Company co-founder was formerly involved with Kristen Bell’s current husband, Dax Shepard, who reflected on their past relationship during a March 7 episode of his podcast. 

Shepherd admitted that people acknowledging previous relationships with him now makes him proud, compared to two decades ago, when he went on several dates with Alba and did not want her to tell the world what they had going on back then.

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Then they reunited on a 2017 Netflix comedy project where Alba indeed blew the covers off their secret romance by telling him across the room, reminding him about the times they used to make out. Shepard claimed that the statement truly shocked him because he was so sure Alba would not let anyone into her personal business.

Will Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez keep this current arrangement in their public outings?

There’s a case to be made for Paul Feig‘s The Housemaid being the biggest box-office surprise of 2025. Released just before Christmas as an alternative to Avatar: Fire and Ash (which, notably, underperformed relative to expectations), the erotic psychological thriller proved to be a monumental sleeper hit, grossing just shy of $400 million against a $35 million budget.

Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar star in the picture based on Freida McFadden‘s book about a pretty young ex-con who takes a job as a live-in house cleaner for a yuppie New York family harboring wild, dark secrets. Now available on digital platforms as well as a Blu-ray packed with bonus features including two commentary tracks and deleted scenes, The Housemaid is fairly ridiculous, especially in its final act, but it’s propped up by its impossibly attractive leading cast and a ripper of a performance from Seyfried. Its runaway, attention-grabbing success makes one wonder if, perhaps, the steamy thriller subgenre might be making a comeback. The following erotic thrillers, aimed squarely at adult audiences, are likely to appeal to you if you’re among those who’ve made The Housemaid such an astonishing financial success.

‘Wild Things’ (1998)

Director John McNaughton has received critical praise and controversy in about equal measure throughout his career, originally and most famously regarding his 1986 chiller Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a groundbreaking picture about what kinds of minds and social connections could be behind murder. It’s a brilliant, disturbing look at a topic that’s usually dumbed down and glossy in fiction. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was in a much-publicized push-pull with the MPAA before eventually getting released in multiple cuts.

Wild Things is similarly infamous, one of the most sexually explicit proper Hollywood movies of its era. Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell and Denise Richards are all terrific in a darkly funny noir thriller about an uncomfortably hot Florida guidance counselor who’s accused of rape by two of his students, one who lives in a trailer park and one of whom is local yuppie royalty. Nothing is as it seems, and where The Housemaid hinges on one major plot twist, Wild Things is defined by too many to count. Bill Murray is hilarious here as a skeezy lawyer who’s never without his prop neck brace. This subject matter, especially involving high school students, is undeniably edgy even by today’s standards—on paper, it may seem outright tasteless—but Wild Things is a shrewd, character-focused balancing act that’s designed purely to surprise and entertain, succeeding handsomely.

‘Cruel Intentions’ (1999)

The classic French novel Dangerous Liaisons has served as the basis for many memorable adaptations (most recently, an international series on HBO Max mere months ago), but the most ubiquitous throughout pop culture at this point is likely this teen romance starring a who’s who of young Hollywood at the dawn of the new millennium. Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair headline a drama about horny, bored rich New York teens who plan seductions and conquests to entertain themselves.

Cruel Intentions is darkly comedic navel-gazing, but it works surprisingly well thanks to excellent performances all around, and an unusual, appealing mixture of cynicism and earnestness that can’t be bottled. This bona fide cult classic has received numerous direct-to-video sequels and a TV reboot. All of these failed miserably to capture the alchemy that’s made Cruel Intentions endure, so it’s best if the follow-ups stop. Just stop.

‘Color of Night’ (1994)

I’m about to recommend a terrible movie to you. The erotic thriller subgenre reached its absolute zenith in popularity and exposure in the early ’90s, and many of these movies were terrible. Psycho slasher Color of Night is terrible in a way that’s fascinating, a trainwreck that’s come to be embraced by audiences. Bruce Willis stars as a psychologist, traumatized following a client’s suicide, who starts attending a group therapy where bodies begin piling up.

Color of Night received a lot of controversy, and an NC-17 rating, due to extensive nude scenes between Willis and co-star Jane March. It’s a riotously inaccurate depiction of mental health struggles and treatment, and the big twist is so obvious it’s quite literally in front of your eyes the entire running time. Roger Ebert summed it up pretty perfectly in saying the film approaches badness from so many directions that one really must admire its imagination.” There’s never a dull moment. It’s like Agatha Christie by way of softcore, shot like an Italian giallo. It’s an experience.

‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)

Eyes Wide Shut and The Housemaid are alike in some ways, and couldn’t be more different in others. They’re both high-profile, uncommonly sex-driven studio films featuring A-list cast members. But where The Housemaid is content to be pulpy, frothy and ultimately rather mindless fun, Eyes Wide Shut is the magnum opus of a master, and designed to stay in your head forever.

With a production period of around 400 days, Eyes Wide Shut still holds the record for longest film shoot in history. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman star in Stanley Kubrick‘s final film, about a rich New York doctor struggling in marriage who goes down a rabbit hole of elitist depravity one Christmas season night. Eyes Wide shut is so slow-paced that many are likely to dismiss it as boring, but it’s an extraordinary, oddly terrifying slow-burn that’s more relevant than ever now that society at large has been made aware of just how abhorrent the sex practices of the hyper-rich can be in reality.

‘Dressed to Kill’ (1980)

An overt student of Hitchcock and a New Hollywood innovator in his own right, Brian De Palma is one of the undisputed masters of the erotic thriller genre. Though other films like Body Double and Femme Fatale are definitely worth checking out as well, the De Palma film that’s most in line with The Housemaid is 1980’s Dressed to Kill, a slasher mystery with wall-to-wall Hitchcock references, most notably Psycho with plenty of Vertigo accents.

Angie Dickinson stars as a bored and sexually frustrated housewife who vents about her displeasure to a psychotherapist played by Michael Caine. Nancy Allen co-stars as a call girl who’s the prime suspect in a murder she didn’t commit. Dressed to Kill is visually arresting in the way that the best Brian De Palma outfits are, with a beautiful Pino Donaggio score that evokes Bernard Herrmann. It’s politically incorrect or whatever by today’s standards, but in a fun way. This isn’t a De Palma masterpiece like Carrie, Scarface, or The Untouchables, but it’s a twisted pleasure that holds up nearly half a century later.

‘The Housemaid’ is now available on digital platforms, and hits Blu-ray March 17.

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The Housemaid

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Release Date

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December 19, 2025

Runtime

131 Minutes

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Director

Paul Feig

Writers

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Rebecca Sonnenshine, Freida McFadden

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In early March, Vladimir was released on Netflix, and since then, this eight-episode dark comedy-drama has become one of the streamer’s most talked-about word-of-mouth hits. This series features brilliant performances by Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall as it weaves together themes of campus satire, psychological drama, and unreliable narration into something both unsettling yet oddly amusing.

Vladimir was adapted by Julia May Jonas from her own novel. This series is less a traditional romance than it is an exploration of the many facets of obsession, the exercise and limitations of power, and the bizarre locations and scenarios where creativity can flourish. What begins as a scandal-ridden campus drama slowly morphs into a twisted character study about fantasy versus reality — and by the time the final episode arrives, the story reveals a darkly comic twist that reframes everything that came before.

‘Vladimir’ Turns Academic Scandal Into a Darkly Funny Obsession

Image via Netflix

At the center of Vladimir is an unnamed literature professor, played with biting wit by Weisz. She’s tenured, respected, and used to commanding a certain level of attention — until her life begins unraveling almost all at once. As the scandal unfolds across campus involving the protagonist’s husband (John Slattery) and multiple past students accusing him of inappropriate relations, the protagonist struggles to keep her professional and personal lives from becoming out of control. Then Vladimir (Woodall) arrives.

Woodall plays the charming young novelist newly hired by the English department, and his presence disrupts the protagonist’s carefully constructed world almost immediately. Their flirtation begins innocently enough — a conversation about literature, a shared drink — but it soon spirals into something far more complicated. Much of the series unfolds inside the protagonist’s head as she narrates directly to the audience, confessing fantasies about Vladimir while attempting to rationalize her husband’s behavior and her own growing obsession.

This type of setup allows the show to blend sharp satire and awkward humor, which allows the show to create a context that highlights the sometimes-challenging faculty issues, the often unclear moral boundaries that exist between faculty members and students, as well as the fact that many of the characters act in ways that have many moral implications. The actors and characters use their respective skill sets to gain greater authority by exploiting the fragile power dynamics within academia.

Rachel Weisz Delivers One of the Year’s Most Compelling Performances

Image via Netflix

Much of Vladimir works because of Weisz’s performance. She plays the protagonist as both sharply intelligent and quietly unraveling, a woman who believes she understands the world — only to discover that the rules have changed around her.

Generational conflict is an important theme in the series as well, with the older professors rationalizing things for the sake of younger students and the protagonist hearing how things were done in the past compared to the present day. Thus, as expectations within academia have changed, she experiences increasing tension with her previous beliefs.

At the same time, the story never pretends its characters are particularly heroic. In fact, Vladimir seems almost determined to show how self-interested everyone can be. Affairs, academic rivalries, professional jealousy, and quiet manipulations all collide in ways that leave nearly every character morally compromised. That’s part of the appeal, though. Rather than offering easy answers, the series revels in ambiguity — both in its characters and in the events unfolding.

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Yes, Chef! An All-You-Can-Eat Buffet About The Bear — The Collider TV Quiz

Pi Day was Saturday (3/14), but instead of testing your pie knowledge, we’re going to go a different culinary route. How much of a Bear Buff are you?

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The ‘Vladimir’ Finale’s Twist Reveals the Story Was Never What It Seemed

Image via Netflix

From the very first episode, Vladimir hints that something strange is coming. The opening scene shows Vladimir tied to a chair in a remote cabin, confused and barely conscious, before the story rewinds weeks to explain how everything led to that moment. By the time the finale circles back to the cabin, the truth is even more unsettling than viewers might expect.

The protagonist, Weisz’s character, drugs Vladimir and restrains him under the guise of a strange sexual misunderstanding, after convincing him that the two men in their orbit — Vladimir and John — have betrayed each other. Afterward, the relationships between characters fall apart, illustrating that most of what has taken place stems from the protagonist’s desire for power and to provide inspiration. Then the final darkly funny revelation occurs: all of this will eventually be part of the novel that she is trying very hard to write.

After finally fulfilling her fantasy with Vladimir — and the experience turns out to be much less than she had expected — the protagonist learns that the true reward was not in having a romantic experience but rather a creative one. The obsession that had almost caused her to destroy herself in her personal life was actually the catalyst that would bring her creativity back.

The series ends with another moment of unease. A fire breaks out at the cabin; rather than rushing to rescue the men who are trapped, she rushes to save her manuscript. Nobody actually knows whether they survive, leaving the audience to determine how much of the finale is truth and how much is just another part of the larger story. This was a bold way to end things and a perfect way to show what Vladimir was about all along: the ambiguity of the relationship between reality, fantasy, and the stories we tell ourselves.

By the time the credits roll, the show reveals itself as both a biting satire of academic culture and a sly commentary on writers who mine their own lives — and the lives of others — for inspiration. And in that sense, the most shocking twist of all might be how unapologetically the protagonist chooses herself over everything else.

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Release Date

March 5, 2026

Network

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Netflix

Writers

Julia May Jonas

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Hollywood’s A-listers always bring the heat to the Academy Awards.

While winning a gold statue is the main goal at the Oscars, stars are also set on slaying the red carpet. Although some have played it safe, other celebs show up to the Oscars in the sexiest, most skin-baring dresses, suits and gowns the fashion world has to offer.

For starters, Angelina Jolie commanded attention in her black strapless Atelier Versace gown at the 2012 show. The strapless getup was the talk of the night, and to add even more drama to the ensemble, she wore a bright red lip and stilettos.

Then in 2026, Zoe Saldaña gave fans a glimpse of her figure in a fitted black Saint Laurent dress finished with a see-through lace bodice.

Without further ado, look through the all-time sexiest Oscars red carpet fashion moments from years past:

When it comes to guys like Stephen King, film and TV adaptations are a dime a dozen. It might be hard to believe, but for every novel or short story that the king of horror has churned out, a ridiculous number of screen iterations have followed in their wake. This is for good reason, too. King basically prints money. There are the groundbreaking It adaptations (from the films to the latest Welcome to Derry series), several Carrie movies, a few Shining-related projects (some better than others), and the endlessly resurrected Pet Sematary franchise. Still, many corners haven’t quite gotten their due.

Some have gotten close with projects like The Stand or the Dark Tower series, only to end up with a few TV miniseries or atrocious big-screen adaptations. Those properties at least have the excuse of maybe being too big for their britches. You know what story doesn’t have any excuse? Salem’s Lot. Tobe Hooper‘s 1979 two-part TV movie is the best of the bunch. It’s perfectly charming for what it is, but it doesn’t quite tap into the chilling nature of King’s sophomore novel. Meanwhile, after years of development, King fans were stoked for the long-awaited Salem’s Lot adaptation in 2024. But the long-delayed adaptation for HBO Max didn’t exactly land the way many hoped. Director Gary Dauberman‘s take on King’s vampire classic received poor reviews and a rough 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, leaving fans once again wishing for a definitive screen version of the novel.

But weirdly enough, the closest that anyone has come to achieving that true Salem’s Lot level of scares would have to be 2021’s Chapelwaite. While it’s not exactly Salem’s Lot proper, it is based on a short story prequel titled “Jerusalem’s Lot,” included in the author’s short story collection, Night Shift. Chapelwaite might not sound like the Salem’s Lot screen fix that you’re looking for, but its Gothic, 19th-century setting, slow-burn dread, and fantastic Adrien Brody performance at the center make this one of the most underrated King adaptations to date.

‘Chapelwaite’ Is the Better, More Underrated ‘Salem’s Lot’ Prequel

It’s more than likely that you’re unfamiliar with the little-seen 2021 miniseries Chapelwaite. Don’t feel bad — many are. This show premiered in August 2021 on Epix and aired all 10 episodes leading up to Halloween, only to quietly and quickly fade into obscurity. It’s an unfortunate fate, considering the series clearly could have continued for more than its sole season.

But what is Chapelwaite actually about? It’s not Salem’s Lot proper, so what exactly is this series? Well, first off, it takes place over 100 years before its better-known counterpart. The series follows Charles Boone (Brody), who moves home after the death of his wife, and moves with his family to their small hometown in Maine. Unbeknownst to them, this is where vampires (and more — featuring worm babies?!) lurk. So yeah, it’s Salem’s Lot but with a 19th-century Gothic horror flair. There’s not much about Chapelwaite that feels wholly hallmark “King.” You don’t get that classic 20th-century Americana, kids on bikes, or the seedy side of our everyday life. This is like diving into a Dracula series; it just happens to take place in North America and, more specifically, the same world as Lot.

In short, Chapelwaite rocks. It’s full of fantastic performances, whether in the form of a criminally underrated Brody role or supporting figures like Emily Hampshire and Julian Richings. You can’t overlook its atmosphere either. This series is the spooky fix that old-school horror fans everywhere are looking for. Every frame is coated in fog, everybody and everything is covered in dirt and grime, and the sun is hardly anywhere to be found. And hey, for more bloodthirsty horror fans, there’s a hefty dose of gore to be found here and there. This old school Lot has something for everyone!

‘Chapelwaite’ Is Based on Stephen King’s Prequel Story “Jerusalem’s Lot”

For most, Chapelwaite will sound like a random addition to Stephen King’s world, but it’s pulled straight from the man himself. This series is based on a short story titled “Jerusalem’s Lot” from his 1978 collection, Night Shift. In it, King throws on his best Bram Stoker Halloween costume and takes on a full Dracula-esque framework. Like Chapelwaite, Jerusalem’s Lot tells the story of Charles Boone, but instead of telling it in a conventional narrative, the story is told through journal entries and letters.

It also shows a different side to King’s vampire universe. Like its 2021 television counterpart, Jerusalem’s Lot takes time to creep readers out almost exclusively with atmosphere. King is often noted by his critics as an author who aims for cheap scares and shocking gore. Real fans know this man is a much more multifaceted author than these haters give him credit for. He’s written some of the most famous dramas of his time, including Rita Hayworth, Shawshank Redemption, and The Body (you know, Stand By Me).

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Something’s hiding in that small town.

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There’s no doubt that he knows how to kill some suckers in some pretty gruesome ways, but King’s truest knack is for creating a killer vibe and writing incredibly memorable characters. Given that “Jerusalem’s Lot” is a short prequel to a pretty rich novel, Charles Boone doesn’t necessarily have to be the most memorable character in the world for the story to work. This thing is a treat for anyone and everyone looking for that old-school vampire horror vibe topped off with a little King flair.

Chapelwaite is now available to watch on MGM+ in the U.S.

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Release Date

2021 – 2021-00-00

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Showrunner

Jason Filardi

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