Entertainment
‘Invincible’s Action-Packed Penultimate Chapter Raises the Stakes for an Exhilarating Season 4 Finale
Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Invincible Season 4 Episode 7.
It’s time for war! That’s what Thaedus has been declaring numerous times in the last few episodes of Invincible. Last week’s episode saw Mark (Steven Yeun) spend two months recovering after his near-death encounter with Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). While nursing Mark back to health, Nolan (J.K. Simmons) and Oliver (Christian Convery) finally begin to bond, with the latter finally believing that his father has truly changed for the better.
Once reunited with Thaedus (Peter Cullen), Allen (Seth Rogen), Tech Jacket (Zoey Deutch), Telia (Tatiana Maslany), and Battle Beast (Michael Dorn) on Talescria, they are ambushed by Thragg (Lee Pace) and his Viltrumite army. While this battle led to Thragg retreating, it has left Talescria decimated, and Thaedus announces that they must travel to Viltrum. Episode 7, “Don’t Do Anything Rash,” is another shocking and action-packed chapter, as we finally get to see Mark go to Viltrum and learn a little more about its history in the process.
Thragg’s Origins are Revealed in ‘Invincible’ Season 4 Episode 7
The episode begins with a flashback during the reign of Emperor Argall (Frank Welker), with the character finally making his physical debut in the series. After they conquer and enslave an alien planet, their plans to deplete it of resources are thwarted once again when an alien plants an explosive on one of their devices. In a briefing led by Argall, a young Thaedus suggests that Viltrumites have always shown respect towards signs of strength and should let the planet go. Argall and Thragg scoff at the idea.
While meeting in private, Thragg expresses concern to Argall that while Thaedus was once ruthless, his softness could be a potential threat to Viltrum. Once the Argall is left alone, Thaedus sneaks into his chambers and prepares to assassinate him. While announcing Argall’s death to the public, Thragg steps into the role of Grand Regent and orders the Viltrumites to “cut the cancer out.” This leads the Viltrumites to begin killing each other. Thragg solemnly waits on the throne and re-emerges to see the wreckage, telling the survivors, “It is done,” leading a Viltrumite chant declaring, “All is ours.”
In the present, Thaedus tells Mark, Nolan, Oliver, Allen, Telia, Tech Jacket, Battle Beast, and Space Racer (Winston Duke) tha Thragg has retreated to Viltrum. However, while Thragg has already reached his destination, many of the remaining Viltrumites will not be there for several days. Allen speaks out, pondering the question if killing Thragg will only fuel the Viltrum Empire’s rage even further. Thaedus says that once Thragg is dead, the remaining Viltrumites will die off, one by one. They need to focus on killing Thragg.
Mark records one last video message to Eve, stating that everyone is extremely nervous about fighting Thragg, even Nolan, saying, “This feels different.” He opts not to send the message, proclaiming, “I love you, and I’m coming back.” In the meantime, Oliver, Allen, Tech Jacket, Telia, and Battle Beast attempt to eat, but can’t bring themselves to do so. Battle Beast says that they “must nourish before battle.” They then go around and state what they would like their final meals to be. In another room, Thaedus and Nolan talk, with the latter saying that while he agrees about killing Thragg, he has concerns about whether the end goal is to wipe out all Viltrumites, including Mark and Oliver. Telia announces that they’ve reached Viltrum’s center, and that it’s time to get ready. They formulate a plan to stick together when confronting Thragg; nobody can try to take him on alone. Nolan and Oliver share a hug alongside Mark, while Allen bids farewell to Telia, as they make the trek outside.
Oliver Gets Hurt in ‘Invincible’ Season 4 Episode 7
Mark is shocked when he sees a ring of corpses surrounding Viltrum, and he is told that this is deliberate; it’s a warning against weakness. What’s even more troubling is that Thragg is already waiting for them, floating within the ring of corpses; he knew about the coming attack. Thragg calls on Kregg (Clancy Brown), Anissa (Shantel VanShanten), Thula (Grey Griffin), and Lucan (Phil LaMarr) to attack the team. Tech Jacket uses a limited supply of syringes full of the Sinlak Beetle compound to fire at the Viltrumites, to make them weaker to physical injury, while Space Racer flies in and lets loose several Ragnars to attack. Space Racer’s helmet is shattered, and he begins to suffocate, only for Tech Jacket to fly in and rescue him.
Nolan confronts Thragg, who then punches down to Viltrum’s surface, telling him to “come home.” Nolan refuses to betray the Coalition, calling Viltrum a tomb and stating that “You’re not my family anymore.” Thragg attempts to find other ways to get Nolan to double-cross Thaedus, including bringing up the safety of Mark and Oliver. In the throne room, Thragg tells Nolan that fighting for Thaedus is fighting for his, Mark’s, and Oliver’s destruction. Nolan stresses that if Thragg agrees to stop the fighting, he will spare him, and he’s willing to go against Thaedus’ orders. Still in denial, Thragg rejects Nolan’s offer, telling him, “A death in any Viltrumite leaves a void in me,” before punching him back up into orbit.
Thragg flies back up into the battle, where Oliver, going against orders, attempts to take him on alone. This goes horribly wrong, with Thragg ripping off Oliver’s jaw and right arm. Mark sees this happen, causing his rage to ignite once more, threatening, “I killed Conquest, I’ll kill you too.” For a moment, everybody, both heroes and Viltrumites, pauses their fighting and stares at Mark. Mark attempts to punch Thragg, but Thragg is resistant to any damage that is thrown at him.
Upon seeing the gravely wounded Oliver, Nolan comes up with an idea, calling upon the team to follow his lead and for Space Racer to fire his Infinity Ray into Viltrumite’s surface. As they begin their descent, both Allen and Tech Jacket are taken out, leaving only Thaedus, Mark, Nolan, and Space Racer embarking on the dangerous trek. Mark, Nolan, and Thaedus attempt to reach the center of Viltrumite in order to pave a path for Space Racer’s blast to reach the core. Their plan is a success, and Viltrum is completely annihilated, leaving nothing but debris.
Thaedus Meets a Grim and Grisly Fate in ‘Invincible’ Season 4 Episode 7
As everyone stops and stares in shock at the remains of Viltrum, Thaedus says that this was the only way to show them the truth: “Viltrumites, your world has been destroyed. Surrender is your only option.” Thragg screams, “I choose death,” flies towards Thaedus, and rips off his head, announcing that Emperor Argall’s death has finally been avenged. Mark orders Allen to find Oliver, while Thragg grabs hold of Nolan and flies off with him.
Mark watches in terror as Thragg ruthlessly beats Nolan, punching a hole through his chest. Mark once again tries to attack, but Thragg grabs him by the head and begins to gouge his eyes out. The other Viltrumites arrive, telling Thragg to finish him off, but he stops short, saying, “We got too few already.” As Mark and Nolan’s bodies float through space, they are found by Telia and the crew. Episode 7 ends weeks later with Mark waking up to find that Allen has now become the interim leader of the Coalition of Planets. Allen leads Mark to a room where a recovering Nolan watches an unconscious Oliver floating in a stasis tank, informing Mark that his brother will be OK. As Allen briefs him about the status of Thragg, Mark realizes that he and the other Viltrumites are heading to Earth.
“Don’t Do Anything Rash” is another outstanding episode, featuring a full-circle moment for Nolan, an exciting battle against the Viltrumites, and an intriguing backstory for Thragg. It’s also one of the fastest-paced episodes of the entire season, almost to an overwhelming degree — but Invincible is no stranger to being intense. As Season 4’s penultimate episode, it successfully sets up dire stakes for what is sure to be an explosive finale.
- Release Date
-
March 26, 2021
- Network
-
Amazon Prime Video
- Franchise(s)
-
Invincible
Pros & Cons
- Nolan’s arc finally comes full circle.
- We finally get to actually see Emperor Argall.
- The episode moves at an extremely fast pace, wasting no time.
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Downton Abbey star Nathalie Baye is dead after a battle with dementia. She was 77.
Baye died in her home in Paris after receiving a Lewy body dementia diagnosis, the actress’ family confirmed to the Agence France-Presse on Saturday, April 18.
Downton Abbey caught the attention of millions of viewers throughout its six seasons — and fans are still binge-watching the drama well after its finale. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and […]
According to the Mayo Clinic, Lewy body dementia, also known as LBD, occurs when protein deposits called Lewy bodies develop in nerve cells in the brain and affect brain regions involved in thinking, memory and movement.
This story is developing.
The Summer House cast has been divided over Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s romance reveal, and costar Ciara Miller has a theory why.
“I think some people are clearly [taking sides],” Ciara, 30, told Glamour reporter Hunter Harris in an outtake from her Friday, April 17, magazine profile shared via Substack. “But, at the same time, I feel like we have also so many new dynamics in the group. I’m not expecting anyone to take sides.”
She continued, “Honestly, I’m not asking that of anyone. But I think they really know me, and they know how I move, and so I think that this is maybe more of a barometer of maybe why … I don’t know if I’m saying this right, but they’ve watched the whole story unfold in person. I think everyone feels a little bamboozled at this point in time.”
Ciara, West, 31, and Amanda, 34, were all among the Summer House season 10 housemates last year, which is currently airing on Bravo. At the time, West mulled reconciling with ex Ciara while Amanda faced marital issues with Kyle Cooke. Amanda and Kyle, 43, announced their separation in January, three months before she confirmed her connection with West.
Ciara Miller is still sorting through her feelings after longtime friend Amanda Batula started seeing her ex-boyfriend, and their Summer House costar, West Wilson, earlier this spring. “Ciara has told friends that if they really are in love, she will accept it,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly, noting that if West, 31, and Amanda, […]
“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” Amanda and West wrote in a joint statement on March 31. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”
West and Amanda’s big reveal shocked Ciara, who was spotted crying outside Hermès within minutes of the statement’s publication, and their costars. Most of the Bravo cast has since weighed in, picking sides about which friend was in the right. (Amanda and Ciara were once close friends, while West reportedly hooked up with Ciara earlier this year.)
“I’m not telling anyone to take sides, but if they’re taking a side, it’s probably because they’re also very confused and feel like they were led astray,” Ciara told Harris in her first public comments on the scandal. “I feel like there’s been a lot of lying on both sides between Amanda and West. They’ve both lied publicly to my face, to everyone else’s face, so it’s like, ‘Why?’”
Ciara is set to reunite with the pair during the cast’s season 10 reunion later in April.
“I think that there definitely needs to be specific questions answered,” she told the magazine about filming the tell-all. “And to be understood depends by who.”
While West and Amanda haven’t further addressed the drama, they were spotted kissing at the Yankees vs. Royals baseball game on Friday night.
Pope Leo XIV reportedly has been invited to attend the “Eternal City Tip-Off,” a college basketball doubleheader between Villanova and Notre Dame in Rome.
The schools announced the unique doubleheader on Friday, April 17, which is scheduled to take place later this fall on November 1.
“Inspired by the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope, student-athletes from two of the United States’ top Catholic universities will travel to Rome and Vatican City for a one-of-a-kind international experience to begin their college hoops season – including a planned audience with Pope Leo XIV set to take place ahead of the game,” read a statement from Notre Dame University.
Pope Leo — from Chicago — is an alumnus of Villanova and a noted sports fan. While it’s unclear whether he has accepted the invitation for an in-person appearance at the games, there is a planned papal audience with the Pope beforehand.
“This extraordinary experience reflects the very best of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission—uniting faith, learning and community in a global setting,” said Villanova University President Peter Donohue in a statement. “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.”
Pope Leo XIV plays with a member of the Harlem Globetrotters during his weekly General Audience at St. Peter’s Square on April 08, 2026 in Vatican City, Vatican. Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
“Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sport, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” echoed Robert Dowd, President of the University of Notre Dame, in a separate statement. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans.”
He continued, “We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history, having established Notre Dame Rome in 2014, which allows us to host hundreds of students and scholars from around the world each year. It’s exciting and most fitting to add athletic competitions to our many activities in Rome.”
The trip will also include a welcome reception overlooking Rome and an opportunity to attend Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The international game will mark the first game outside of the U.S. to start a men’s college basketball season.
“This is a special opportunity for our players and coaches to be part of a global event,” said Villanova head coach Kevin Willard in a statement. “To represent Villanova in Rome to open our 2026-27 season is such a great honor. We appreciate the enormous effort that’s gone into making it possible.”
Entertainment
Prime Video’s 6-Part Psychological Thriller Is So Good, You’ll Finish It in One Weekend
David Cronenberg is one of the most important names in horror history, as the description “Cronenbergian” is often applied to innovative works of bodily terror. Cronenberg has many films that have been accepted as classics, but few are more iconic than the 1988 masterpiece Dead Ringers, which starred Jeremy Irons as identical twins. While it’s hardly the first instance in which an actor played twins on screen, Dead Ringers was a bold and subversive look at the grotesque world of medical malpractice. There is never a point in rebooting a classic property without a fresh take, and thankfully, the Prime Video reimagining of Dead Ringers is a totally distinct entity.
Although gender-flipping leading characters has become common within contemporary reboots, Dead Ringers inverts the original material with a feminist slant, given that it’s a story in which the two main characters are gynecologists. That narrative has a different connotation within the new version, as Rachel Weisz plays twin sisters who have sought to control and subvert bodily autonomy through their research. Beverly and Elliot Mantle share a unified interest in revamping the birthing process, but have very different means of executing their goals. Cronenberg’s film was a breakthrough for its time, but the series has been updated to address the radically different landscape for medical research in the 2020s. Dead Ringers is an homage that doesn’t feel like a clone; ironically, the show’s best virtue is that it isn’t identical.
‘Dead Ringers’ Is a Fresh Take on a Horror Classic
The most important aspect of any new take on an established piece of material is using the possibilities of a different medium, and Dead Ringers is retooled to work as a series that can’t rely as heavily on shock value. Cronenberg’s film had to build up to its most visceral scares, but that momentum could never have been sustained over the course of six episodes. As a result, Dead Ringers is able to retain a consistent sense of unease by showing the casual danger of what the Mantles do, as any procedure they perform has the potential to go wrong. It’s because the depiction of medical care feels so authentic that it becomes more shocking when the twins begin to diverge from their accepted policies; it’s evident that they are not only driven by passion to help women find peace, but also out of a desire to see what the human body is capable of. This could have easily felt exploitative, but Weisz brilliantly shows how both Beverly and Elliot have found tranquility through their profession; to them, surgery is just a form of art.
The TV Adaptation of ‘Dead Ringers’ Is Even Bolder Than Cronenberg’s Original
This thrilling reimagining delves into its disturbing subject matter far deeper than its predecessor.
The most challenging conceit in Dead Ringers was that the show had to ensure that both characters were distinguishable from one another, which is much harder to do in practice than it is in theory. Keeping two versions of the same actor straight in a series is already difficult, and Weisz has to do many scenes in which she has chemistry with herself. Although there are a few overt physical distinctions when it comes to body language and hairstyle, the difference between the Mantle sisters is in their conduct; Elliot uses foul language, manages a drug addiction, and engages in more social activities, whereas Beverly is more refined and constantly refers to her twin with disparaging language. They’re two distinct characters, but Weisz also makes them feel linked in a manner that is thematically sound. Since Elliot and Beverly represent two different sides of the same coin, it would make sense that they could only unlock their true potential while working together.
‘Dead Ringers’ Has the Best Performance of Rachel Weisz’s Career
Weisz pulls off an impossible challenge of making her characters both intimidating and slightly empathetic, as the series deals with the ways in which institutions have been corrupted by private equity. It’s an unfortunate reality that many of the most advanced medical innovations have been funded through donors, and the Mantle sisters are forced to take capital from the private investor Rebecca Parke (Jennifer Ehle), who has her own agenda. The consequence of this is that the backers funding the Mantles’ research don’t put safeguards in place that account for their erratic, potentially volatile behavior. Cronenberg’s films have always had a political edge, but Dead Ringers had the ambition to address the changing economic context of the original film’s thesis.
Horror television often runs into a sustainability issue, as audiences may not want to stew in such uncomfortable emotional places for the same extended amount of time that they would in a film. Thankfully, Dead Ringers is filled with mystery and dark comedy, as there is an inherent playfulness in the notion of women dedicated to preserving life while often courting death. It’s the rare reboot that works for multiple audiences; it’s both suited to those who can appreciate the homages to Cronenberg and those who want to see something with fresh eyes. It can be hard to tell which horror shows are actually worth investing in, but Dead Ringers is more than just a gimmick. It’s frightful, innovative, and thought-provoking television, and may end up spawning the same cult appreciation that the original film did.
Dead Ringers
- Release Date
-
2023 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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Prime Video
- Directors
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Sean Durkin, Lauren Wolkstein, Karyn Kusama
Plot holes are kind of impossible to avoid in storytelling, and honestly, at times, the audience is willing to play along. If the story is good enough, a few logical leaps here and there don’t really matter. However, things get messy when writers push that limit a little too far. HBO, for all its prestige and reputation, is no exception. In fact, some of the network’s most iconic series are also the biggest offenders when it comes to obvious inconsistencies and unresolved arcs.
That doesn’t necessarily make them bad, though. If anything, it makes their success all the more fascinating. After all, it takes a truly great story to keep the viewers hooked even when the cracks in the plot are right there in plain sight. Here is a list of successful HBO shows that serve as perfect examples of that.
6
‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)
Westworld started as one of HBO’s most ambitious shows with a premise that instantly hooked the audience. The sci-fi series, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, is about a hyperrealistic Wild West theme park populated by android hosts, where wealthy guests can indulge in their darkest fantasies without consequence. The show was meant to be a philosophical exploration of free will, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human. Now, Westworld Season 1 perfectly set up this concept with a gripping and layered central mystery. However, as the show expands its world, it begins to lose the plot big time. The storytelling begins increasingly convoluted, and timelines start blurring into each other to the point where the rules of the show’s own universe start feeling inconsistent.
Characters are repeatedly killed and revived without clear stakes, major arcs are unresolved, and key plots like the fate of the Outliers never receive a satisfying payoff. The thing about Westworld is that it isn’t necessarily a bad show, but its tendency to constantly reinvent itself comes at the expense of the story and characters. Each season turns the status quo upside down and makes the audience feel that the show is more interested in escalating its complexity than in actually following through on already-established ideas.
5
‘Euphoria’ (2019–2026)
Image via HBO Max
Euphoria has been one of the most talked-about shows of the last decade. The controversial teen drama, created by Sam Levinson, stars Zendaya as Rue Bennett, a high-schooler battling addiction along with a group of her friends and classmates, all navigating their own struggles with identity and trauma. The series takes place in a hyper-stylized world that instantly became its signature and mirrored the chaos that its characters live in. The show has been widely praised for its performances, cinematography, and raw depiction of teenage life. However, for all its strength, the drama has also faced consistent criticism for gaps in its storytelling. Euphoria Season 2 in particular feels messy, inconsistent, and clearly prioritizes shock value over any semblance of character arcs.
Some of these issues include Nate’s (Jacob Elordi) sudden fixation on Cassie despite hating her throughout Euphoria Season 1. Entire character arcs are dropped, like Kat’s (Barbie Ferriera) being reduced to a side character or McKay (Algee Smith) being written out with no explanation. However, Rue’s storyline with Laurie (Martha Kelly) and the fact that she escapes that dangerous situation without any consequence is easily one of the biggest plot holes in the series. Some might argue that all of these loose ends will be solved by Season 3. That doesn’t take away from the fact that the show struggles with its own stakes. Euphoria thrives on how it makes the audience feel in the moment, but once they step back, the cracks in the narrative are impossible to ignore.
4
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Game of Thrones has practically defined prestige television for the better part of the last two decades. The series, based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, takes place in an expansive, fantastical world and centers on the intense power struggle between the seven kingdoms for the Iron Throne. There’s no denying that the show has already gone down in pop culture history for its meticulous storytelling and unmatched worldbuilding. However, as the series moved beyond its source material, logic took a backseat to the spectacle, and that proved to be a major mistake. The later seasons destroyed the legacy that the show had spent around eight years constructing.
Entire storylines felt rushed or abandoned, including Cersei’s (Lena Headey) pregnancy and the prophecy of “The Prince That Was Promised.” Even major narrative arcs like Jon Snow’s (Kit Harrington) true lineage and Daenerys’ (Emilia Clarke) descent into madness ultimately had little impact on the outcome of the story. By the end, it felt like the show was just leaning on convenience to wrap things up, and in doing so, it set up many ideas that were never fully explored. The notorious ending of Game of Thrones raised more questions than answers and is widely considered one of the worst series finales of all time. Despite a rushed finish, though, Game of Thrones is still an undeniable landmark in TV history, with two spinoffs already airing and several others in the works.
3
‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)
The Leftovers is a show that fully embraces ambiguity, but that is no excuse for all the plot holes it has left behind. The series, created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, begins with two percent of the world’s population suddenly vanishing without explanation. However, the show isn’t about where they went, but it focuses on the people left behind as they grapple with grief and faith in the wake of a phenomenon that just can’t be explained. The show’s deliberate refusal to provide easy answers gives it its emotional weight, but also tends to get frustrating at times. The Leftovers often sets up certain storylines only to abandon them in the middle. For example, Kevin Garvey’s (Justin Theroux) repeated resurrections are never grounded in any clear logic.
Not to mention the entire situation with the Guilty Remnant feels like one of the show’s most interesting elements until the viewer realizes that their larger purpose is never actually explored. Even broader world-building elements like the earthquakes or the surreal hotel world are introduced with weight but never really explained in relation to the overall narrative. Sure, some of this is intentional, but there is a fine line between leaving things to the audience’s interpretation and careless storytelling. Despite all that, though, there’s no denying that The Leftovers is one of HBO’s most emotionally complex stories.
2
‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)
True Detective Season 1 is peak TV, but unfortunately, it goes downhill from there. The HBO crime anthology begins with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as two detectives trying to solve a disturbing ritualistic murder case. Each subsequent season has introduced a new cast and case, with the most recent one being True Detective: Night Country starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. For all its ambition, though, the one thing the show has struggled with is consistency.
True Detective Season 2, in particular, is often criticized for being overly convoluted and weighed down by too many characters and subplots that ultimately go nowhere. It often feels like the show is focusing more on mood and character rather than telling a believable story. Its best moments have always come from the dynamic between its detectives and philosophical dialogue, but even then, the show’s glaring plot holes are hard to miss. Even at its messiest, though, True Detective is undeniably a great watch.
1
‘The Last of Us’ (2023–Present)
The Last of Us quickly established itself as one of HBO’s biggest hits and set the gold standard for video game adaptations. The post-apocalyptic drama follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), who is tasked with escorting Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic United States to a revolutionary group known as the Fireflies. Now, what raises the stakes is that this teenage girl may hold the key to curing a fungal infection that is slowly taking over humanity. The drama series is far from a typical zombie show, though, because it leans heavily into character-driven storytelling.
However, for a show that attempts to remain grounded in realism, there are plenty of moments where its internal logic starts to crack. Plenty of Joel’s decisions make little sense from a practical point of view. Even the broader stakes, such as the Fireflies’ plan to immediately operate on Ellie without exploring any other alternatives, feel rushed and oddly underdeveloped. A lot of moments in the show rely entirely on convenience or shock value. One can overlook these gaps thanks to the cast’s brilliant performances and the emotional payoff of it all, but they do make it harder to fully buy into the world at times.
The Last of Us
- Release Date
-
January 15, 2023
- Network
-
HBO
- Showrunner
-
Craig Mazin
- Directors
-
Craig Mazin, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb, Ali Abbasi, Mark Mylod, Stephen Williams, Jasmila Žbanić, Liza Johnson, Nina Lopez-Corrado
Some sci-fi movies are too strange, too sincere, or just too out-of-step with the moment they arrive in. Reminiscence was probably all three. Lisa Joy’s feature directorial debut had a very specific kind of dreamy, flooded-neon melancholy that never really clicked commercially, but it has started finding new attention on streaming. Earlier this year, coverage noted that the film was drawing fresh viewers on HBO Max, which makes sense for something this mood-driven and weirdly romantic.
The cast was never the problem. Reminiscence stars Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Wu, Cliff Curtis, Angela Sarafyan, Natalie Martinez, Brett Cullen, and Marina de Tavira. The story follows a private investigator who uses memory-exploration technology to help clients revisit their past, only to become obsessed with finding a vanished woman. It’s pure tech-noir pulp, just draped in a more mournful and romantic register than audiences maybe expected.
Is ‘Reminiscence’ Worth Watching?
Collider’s review of the movie stated that Reminiscence is an ambitious but ultimately disappointing attempt to fuse classic noir with futuristic sci-fi, undone by shallow thematic execution. Lisa Joy’s heavy-handed narration and underdeveloped class commentary talk down to the audience rather than trusting the visuals or story to do the work. Despite its intriguing premise and atmospheric setting, Reminiscence ends up feeling like stylish texture without substance, culminating in a forgettable and emotionally hollow conclusion.
“What’s more frustrating is that the class commentary is merely window dressing. It kind of positions Mae’s story as a consequence of class conflict, but it doesn’t have much to do with Nick. It’s simply the world he inhabits, and while he doesn’t need to be a class warrior or anything like that, his perceptions of the world exist separate from his personal journey to find Mae. He doesn’t see the world one way and have that perception changed through his relationship with Mae, so it’s just Joy embracing her own cleverness by showing a sci-fi world that emphasizes class conflict. However, she doesn’t do the work to connect that world to her protagonist’s story, so it all feels hollow. Reminiscence is texture without purpose.”
Reminiscence is streaming now.
- Release Date
-
August 20, 2021
- Runtime
-
116 minutes
- Director
-
Lisa Joy
Gayle King is throwing her support behind Savannah Guthrie and her Today show comeback as the investigation surrounding her mother Nancy’s disappearance continues.
Speaking to Us Weekly at the Breakthrough Prize event in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 18, King, 71, said she was happy to see Savannah back on air despite the difficult circumstances she’s facing.
“Listen, we’re just glad Savannah’s back, but of course, our hearts are still aching and still breaking,” King told Us. She added, “There are no words to describe what she’s going through.”
The CBS Mornings presenter also urged anyone with information about what happened to Nancy to come forward.
Gayle King struggled to hold back tears as she addressed the news surrounding Today host Savannah Guthrie, whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, has gone missing. “We’re starting things a little differently this morning because like you, we’re all waking up this morning with very heavy hearts [and] praying for our friend and our colleague, Savannah Guthrie,” […]
“I’m still hoping that somebody will do the right thing,” King continued. “Somebody, somebody out there knows something, and it’s shocking to me after seeing Savannah open up her heart, after looking at the video that we all saw, and after the million dollars reward that there has not been some resolution in this case.”
She added, “So I am just here wishing her well and cheering. I’m glad that she’s back.”
Savannah, 54, returned to Today on April 6 after two months away dealing with the disappearance of her mother Nancy, who was reported missing in Arizona on February 1.
“Good morning, welcome to Today on this Monday morning. We are so glad you started your week with us, and it is good to be home,” she told viewers during her first episode back.
Savannah and Nancy Guthrie. Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC)
Savannah took a step back from the show at the time, traveling from New York to Arizona amid the police investigation into her mother’s disappearance. During Savannah’s absence from Today, Hoda Kotb filled in for her.
Savannah and her siblings Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie have pleaded for the public’s help in finding their mother since she disappeared, offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery.
Savannah Guthrie will share more insight into the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, in a new interview more than 50 days after the 84-year-old went missing. During the Wednesday, March 25, episode of the Today show, host Craig Melvin introduced a clip from Savannah’s upcoming sit-down with Hoda Kotb, marking her first interview about […]
In one video released by Savannah, Annie and Camron via social media, they begged for Nancy’s safe return.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in a video shared on February 7, while flanked by and holding the hands of her siblings. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
On February 10, the FBI released photos and video footage of a masked individual at Nancy’s home. However, no suspects have been officially identified since her disappearance.
Entertainment
Rebecca Ferguson’s Forgotten 115-Minute Sci-Fi Sequel Is Quietly Climbing Global Streaming Charts
Men in Black: International is one of those franchise reboots people more or less decided on immediately, which meant it never got much room to become anything else. But streaming is often kinder to movies that arrive with baggage, and that seems to be happening here. Earlier this year, the film started drawing renewed attention on Starz in the U.S., while overseas streaming charts have also shown it popping up in places like France. That doesn’t make it a full-scale global juggernaut, but it does mean the movie is finding a broader second life than its original reputation might suggest.
Men in Black: International stars Chris Hemsworth as Agent H, Tessa Thompson as Agent M, Liam Neeson as High T, Emma Thompson as Agent O, Rebecca Ferguson as Riza Stavros, Kumail Nanjiani as Pawny, and Rafe Spall as Agent C. On paper, that’s a really appealing sci-fi comedy ensemble, especially with Hemsworth and Thompson reuniting after the Thor movies.
Is ‘Men in Black: International’ Worth Watching?
Collider’s review stated that Men in Black: International really came down to the sheer appeal of its two stars. The dynamic helps carry the movie through action scenes and story beats that might otherwise feel pretty flat. The review also pointed out that touches like the broader world-building, some fun support from Pawny, and the natural pull of the central duo gave the film a sense of missed opportunity. It may not fully come together, but there’s still enough there to make it an entertaining watch.
“As Agent H, Hemsworth is basically ramping up the most dick-ish of Thor Odinson’s personality quirks, but weaponizing well-timed smirks or winks—or, let’s be honest, an unbuttoned button—to make us still like him. Thompson has the harder role; Agent M is extremely competent and a bit of a fangirl for the Men in Black at the same time. Thompson combines those two qualities into pure, crackling energy. That’s the funny part, really. Thanks to the combination of Hemsworth + Thompson + the world-building, I’d watch the hell out of a sequel to this movie despite feeling cold about it overall.”
Men in Black: International is currently streaming.
- Release Date
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June 12, 2019
- Runtime
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115 minutes
- Director
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F. Gary Gray
Aaron Eckhart fans are currently gearing up for a turbulent flight, as The Dark Knight star’s next project opens in theaters on May 1. An action-packed survival thriller from Deep Blue Sea director Renny Harlin, Deep Water follows a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai that, while coasting over the middle of the Pacific, enters a terrifying storm that sends everyone on board into the cold ocean below. Just when things couldn’t get worse, along come the sharks. Alongside Eckhart, the movie also stars the likes of Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3), Angus Sampson (Insidious), Lucy Barrett (Charmed), Kelly Gale (Plane), Richard Crouchley (Evil Dead Rise), and more.
In anticipation of Eckhart’s latest release, fans have been flocking to one of his lesser-spotted recent projects. Thieves Highway, a 2025 neo-Western that made very little impact upon arrival, is perhaps one of the more underrated entries in Eckhart’s impressive catalog, thanks simply to it falling so far under most radars. Directed by Jesse V. Jackson, who also worked with Eckhart on the 2024 conspiracy thriller Chief of Station, Thieves Highway also featured performances from the likes of Devon Sawa, Brooke Langton, and Lochlyn Munroe.
At the time of writing, and seemingly against the odds, Thieves Highway has risen to the very top of the Hulu movie streaming charts in the U.S., outperforming the likes of Gaten Matarazzo‘s new comedy Pizza Movie, the original The Devil Wears Prada, and Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice. A synopsis for Thieves Highway reads:
“Lawman Frank Bennett uncovers a massive smuggling operation after a deadly confrontation. Cut off from cell service and without his truck, he’s forced to take on a dangerous gang led by a deranged ex-military commander.”
What Did Critics Say About ‘Thieves Highway’?
So under-seen that it doesn’t even have a rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, those who did catch Thieves Highway in 2025 responded with mixed reviews. Whilst some praised the movie’s gripping lead performance, saying, “Eckhart anchors the film with a world-weary, classic sense of morality,” others were not so impressed with the project as a whole, saying, “Johnson and Mills do some fun maneuvering with their characters and Eckhart is a sturdy enough lead. But the storytelling takes too many shortcuts and the overall lack of suspense keeps us one step ahead.”
Thieves Highway is streaming on Hulu. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates, and check out Eckhart’s next movie, Deep Water, in theaters on May 1.
- Release Date
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May 1, 2026
- Runtime
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106 minutes
- Director
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Renny Harlin
The Golden State Warriors’ future is looking murky after the team’s loss in the NBA play-in tournament, and head coach Steve Kerr seems to know it.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen next,” said Kerr to players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in a huddle on the sideline. “But I love you guys to death. Thank you.”
The heartfelt moment — picked up by a TV microphone — came in the waning seconds of a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday, April 17, ending the Warriors’ season.
The final buzzer marked the end of Kerr’s contract with the Warriors, and the 60-year-old said after the game that he’s going to take a few weeks to mull over his future.
Stephen Curry added another major milestone to his Hall of Fame career on Thursday, March 12, when he connected on his 4,000th career three-pointer in his Golden State Warriors’ 130-104 win over the Sacramento Kings. Curry, who turns 37 on Friday, is the first player in NBA history to reach the milestone. “It’s a clear […]
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said to reporters. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”
He continued, “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”
Head coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green hug during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Curry, 38, joined the Warriors in 2009. Green, 36, was drafted by the team in 2012. Kerr took over as head coach in 2014, and together the three helped build one of the most dominant dynasties in NBA history.
In the 12 seasons since Kerr joined Curry and Green in Golden State, the Warriors have won four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). They’ve reached the playoffs eight times and played in six NBA Finals.
“If [my time is done], then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise in front of our fans and to coach Steph Curry, [Draymond Green], the whole group,” Kerr said. “It may still go on. It may not. I don’t know at this point. But we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene.”
Both Curry and Green have expressed interest in continuing to play for the Warriors. While Curry still has one more season on his contract, Green has the option to opt out of his contract with his player option for next season.
Despite the option, Green reiterated after Friday’s game that he wants to remain in Golden State.
“Hopefully I’ve done enough to still be here,” Green said.
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