Although it might seem impossible, some movies are the closest thing to perfection that a cinematic effort can get. To most people, this impression is subjective, including the directors who make them. These creators are also avid movie fans, and most of their work is an homage to something they grew up loving and admiring. Over the last five years, there have been movies that have moved the boundaries of what’s been seen so far and have even given some big stars their well-deserved comebacks.

The beauty of film lies in the fact that movies are all in different genres and make people of different ages and sensibilities happy. The flawless movies on this list were released in the last five years and come in various genres and lengths, but serve the same purpose: they show why cinema is so great, so relatable, and so eternally inspiring to people all over the world.

15

‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)

Image via Toho

It might be surprising that a kaiju movie is on the list, since the Godzilla franchise in the U.S. has turned into a bit of an IP and doesn’t always get the highest quality adaptations and features. However, the first Japanese Godzilla movie since Shin Godzilla of 2016, Godzilla Minus One, was one of the most talked-about movies in 2023. Praised for brilliant and captivating performances, clever and grounded writing, and fantastic visual effects that surpassed most movies that year, Godzilla Minus One really is a perfect movie in every way. It was, as critics said, the first Godzilla movie where you cheer for the people and not the monster.

Godzilla Minus One shows the protagonist, a kamikaze pilot, Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), landing on the island of Odo for repairs on his plane. While there, he and the mechanics are attacked by a giant deep-sea monster resembling a dinosaur, which the locals dubbed Godzilla. Shikishima soon advances to Tokyo and settles there with a woman and child he finds homeless. As Godzilla advances toward Tokyo, Shikishima joins the experts fighting against the monster to stop it from destroying the entire city. It’s an amazing movie, no doubt about it, and a great testament to Japan’s enduring dedication to making Godzilla the scariest kaiju ever conceived.

14

‘No Other Choice’ (2025)

Image via NEON

No Other Choice is the most recent Park Chan-wook feature film, starring Lee Byung-hun. Park and Lee have reunited after 25 years to make another future classic, backed up by Neon and widely praised by filmmakers and critics from all over the world. No Other Choice was based on the novel The Ax by Donald Westlake, and was inspired by the novel’s first adaptation, Costa-Gavras‘ French feature, The Axe; in fact, as the end credits roll on No Other Choice, a dedication “to Costa-Gavras” is shown on the screen. Just before the American premiere of the film, Park issued an invitation to all Fortune 500 CEOs to come and watch this film, as it was “dedicated to them.” Notably, No Other Choice was heavily snubbed with zero Oscar nominations.

No Other Choice follows a longtime employee of a paper company, Yoo Man-su (Lee), and he lives a comfortable life with his wife and two kids. One day, Man-su is fired along with several other middle-aged employees, with the higher-ups saying, “There was no other choice.” Man-su struggles to find work within his expertise, but when an opening comes up, he realizes that the only way to get the job is if he eliminates the competition. No Other Choice is a dark comedy/satire/thriller, and it’s a beautiful, uniquely South Korean feature. The impressive performances and the amount of humor infused into the characters’ desperation make it one of those movies that will make you cry and laugh. Lee stands out as this is one of his funniest roles to date, and Park considers No Other Choice a “lifetime project.”

13

‘Conclave’ (2024)

Image via Focus Features

Conclave garnered a lot of attention in 2025, as people were rewatching it amid the death of Pope Francis. However, even when it first came out, the adoration for it was, just like the movie, quietly powerful. People were cheering for Ralph Fiennes to finally get his long-deserved golden statue at the 2025 Oscars, but alas, just like the Cardinals coveting the title of the Pope, Fiennes was robbed of the victory. Conclave is a thrilling movie without an ounce of action, and one of the best movies of the past five years. It can very easily be considered perfect from start to finish; yes, even the ending is.

Conclave follows the Cardinals in the Vatican, who seal themselves off from the world in the process of selecting the new Pope after the death of the most recent one. The protagonist is Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes), a man who tries to maintain fairness and nobility in the selection, though he’s often sabotaged in his attempts by other, more power-hungry Cardinals. It’s like Gossip Girl meets the Vatican, in truly the best way possible. Conclave is also incredibly visually beautiful, with stunning photography and camerawork.

12

‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ (2022)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Though Martin McDonagh had no effect on the stunning landscapes of Ireland, his choice of location can be deemed perfect by itself; the beautiful Aran Islands in Galway County made the ideal backdrop for a story about friendship. The Banshees of Inisherin is a black comedy-drama about two lifelong friends, Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), set in a fictional village called Inisherin. After reaching a breaking point, Colm decides to end his friendship with Padraic, who can’t come to terms with that. As Padraic insistently pursues Colm for an explanation, the latter retreats further, resorting to strict measures.

Farrell does such a wonderful job as Padraic that, in moments, viewers’ hearts could genuinely break for him. On the other hand, Gleeson’s stubborn and stoic portrayal of Colm may sometimes feel heartless through understated but powerful acting. The story explores the loneliness of life on a poor and barely populated island, but more than that, it shows how anger, honesty, and pride can be double-edged swords, even among lifelong friends. The soundtrack by Carter Burwell, McDonagh’s punchy script, and the genuinely fabulous performances from the entire cast make The Banshees of Inisherin one of the perfect movies of the last five years.

11

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

Image via Paramount Pictures

With so many sequels, prequels, and spin-offs overtaking Hollywood over the past five to ten years, the fact that a legacy sequel like Top Gun: Maverick was going to be one of the best movies of that year hadn’t occurred to anyone. Except, well, maybe director Joseph Kosinski, leading man Tom Cruise, and the studio heads who approved it. Maverick isn’t only great, but it can be very well argued that it’s one of 2022’s movies that is perfect from start to finish. Real airborne stunts and performances, brilliant action choreographies and directing, and some cheesy, but lovable characters really made Maverick the action masterpiece that Cruise and the crew can be proud of.

Top Gun: Maverick follows the previous movie’s protagonist, Maverick (Cruise), aka Pete Mitchell, as he returns to the Top Gun training school as a teacher. There, he sees the son of his deceased flying partner Goose Bradshaw, Rooster Bradshaw (Miles Teller). Rooster dislikes Maverick, but the two bond over their time at the Top Gun academy. Their relationship, however, is secondary to the exciting main plot, which is training Top Gun pilots to drop bombs on an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant before any enemy countries get their hands on it. With some great ensemble moments and intense flying scenes, Maverick turns into an incredibly fun and exciting movie that will keep you glued to the screen.

10

‘Aftersun’ (2022)

Image via A24

The loss of someone close can feel like the ground’s been swept away from one’s feet. Aftersun takes viewers through a father-daughter story while slowly, with some hints but just enough not to notice, pulling the ground away from them. Charlotte Wells‘ tribute to her father is so beautifully depicted that the only way to describe the movie’s impact is through the famous line, “Life imitates art.” This coming-of-age drama follows 11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Corio) on a holiday in Turkey with her dad, Calum (Paul Mescal). Sophie records most of the vacation with her camera and uses the footage as a grownup to rewatch and reminisce.

Sophie’s dad, Calum, tries his best to be open with her but exhibits signs of mental anguish that she (unsuccessfully) attempts to fix. In Aftersun, Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio’s dynamics and chemistry are natural; Mescal hasn’t been in a lot since his debut in Normal People, but Aftersun will surely be one of his best-remembered movies. Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut is one of the best movies of the decade and a beautiful way to capture a relationship that will, to her, remain eternal.

9

‘Past Lives’ (2023)

Image via A24

The concept called inyeon is an idea that a current relationship between two lovers is impacted by the relationships they had in over a thousand past lives. This is the driving force behind Celine Song’s devastatingly emotional debut, Past Lives, starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. They portray Nora and Hae-sung, two childhood friends from Korea who become separated after Nora’s family moves to the US. They find each other online after twelve years and rekindle the relationship, but life and fate separate them once again for another twelve years.

In the present time, Nora is married to Arthur (John Magaro), and their relationship seems to be stable and well. When Hae-sung reaches out to Nora again, they agree for him to visit her in the US. Arthur notices a shift in Nora’s behavior while she’s forced to navigate her feelings for him and Hae-sung. The pressure of what could have been is a haunting idea for many, often wondering “what if” about someone, trying to understand if what they have now could or should be different. In a heartbreaking final scene, Past Lives concludes a beautiful but sad story about the multitudes of love.

8

‘Anora’ (2024)

Custom Image by Federico Napoli

The character posters for Anora featured all the characters announcing the movie in a different genre. For example, the poster with Mikey Madison says Anora is a “Cinderella story,” while Karren Karagulian‘s poster says it’s a drama, and Yuri Borisov‘s says it’s a tragedy. It’s a brilliant detail in an already pretty elaborate and layered drama that still depicts a very classic story. Anora won Best Picture, Sean Baker won Best Director, and Madison won Best Actress for Anora at the 2025 Oscars, and though the sweep was surprising, it was very well-deserved. Just the final five minutes of the movie are a film in themselves, showing a completely different yet anticipated side of our fierce and feisty protagonist, Anora.

Anora follows the eponymous Anora, a stripper in an NYC club who prefers to go by Ani. Ani has Russian heritage, and when a young heir to a business mogul, Ivan (Mark Eydelstein), requests a girl who speaks Russian, his and Ani’s paths cross, and the two start spending time together. Ani falls for Ivan, but when he hears his parents might be coming to the US, he vanishes, and Ani’s left to look for him with his goons. It’s a thriller, a drama, a comedy, a tragedy in many ways, and a modern fairytale depending on who you ask; the layers of Anora are worth examining in several rewatches.

7

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Image via A24

The ultimate winner of the 2023 Oscars, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a rare offbeat movie that won over mass audiences and most movie critics. It’s not a story that’s easy to retell since it tackles many important topics, from self-discovery and mental illness to disrupting tradition and finding a place to belong. Still, EEAO caused a shift, giving prestigious awards to Asian actors for leading roles, a welcome addition to the wonderful world of film and TV.

EEAO follows Evelyn Quan Wong (Michelle Yeoh), a laundromat owner whose relationships with her husband, father, and daughter are all strained in some way. When she starts becoming different versions of herself from parallel universes, she realizes it’s on her to save existence itself. There’s a genre for everyone in EEAO; Ke Huy Quan is exceptional in the stunning action portions of the sci-fi movie, though Michelle Yeoh doesn’t fall behind. Stephanie Hsu also brings a relatable character as Evelyn’s daughter, an immigrant child with set traditions and rules in place where parental love should be. A masterclass in genre-bending, Everything Everywhere All at Once is still as relevant as it was years ago.

6

‘Flow’ (2024)

Image via Baltic Content Media

Flow is a powerhouse film, most notably because of how it was made, and then because of its unique concept. This animated feature by a Latvian director and animator, Gints Zilbalodis, won the Best Animated Feature Oscar and was nominated for Best International Feature Film. Fun facts about this movie include it being entirely made in the free, open-source 3D software called Blender, not having a storyboard concept, and no deleted scenes; the animals that are introduced throughout the film were Zilbalodis’ practice of rendering and observing the animals from different perspectives, which shaped Flow into a moving story about cooperation and found family.

Flow follows a small black cat in a post-apocalyptic world where water rises occasionally and floods the entire area. The cat fights for survival by hunting and running away from other animals, before it reluctantly joins forces with a Labrador dog, a capybara, a lemur, and a secretarybird. They float around on a boat and learn how to live and work together, forming a tight-knit group of animals. Flow has no words spoken throughout its 85-minute runtime, though the sound designer’s cat did “borrow” its meows to the cat in the film; there’s also a beautifully composed original soundtrack. Flow is a visual feast and an adventure for all ages, a truly beautiful feat of animated film.

The legendary Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday (Feb. 17). He was 84. Jackson was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time presidential candidate who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King’s assassination.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Wiz Khalifa Mourns The Loss Of His Father Laurence Thomaz In Heartfelt Post (PHOTO)

What To Know About Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Death

One of his six children, Santita Jackson, confirmed that her father died at home in Chicago, surrounded by family.

“Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said in a statement posted online. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family.”

He is survived by his wife, 81-year-old Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, and their other four children, Yusef DuBois, Jacqueline Lavinia Jr., Jonathan Luther and Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Rev. Jackson also had a sixth child, Ashley Jackson, whom he fathered with one of his employees at Rainbow/PUSH, Karen L. Stanford. Given his own history as a child born out of wedlock, he reportedly supported Ashley emotionally and financially.

The family has not revealed an official cause of death. However, Rev. Jesse Jackson experienced profound health challenges in his final years, including a rare neurological disorder that affected his ability to move and speak. Still, the reverend continued protesting against racial injustice into the era of Black Lives Matter.

In his final months, Rev. Jackson was receiving 24-hour care. Additionally, he had lost his ability to speak. He communicated with family and visitors by holding their hands and squeezing, per the Associated Press.

Jesse Jackson’s Health Took Several Hits Until The End

In 2017, Rev. Jesse Jackson disclosed that he had sought treatment for Parkinson’s. However, he continued to make public appearances even as the disease made it more difficult for listeners to understand him. Earlier this year doctors confirmed a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, a life-threatening neurological disorder. He was admitted to a hospital in November 2025.

During the coronavirus pandemic, he and his wife survived being hospitalized with COVID-19. Jackson was vaccinated early, urging Black people in particular to get protected, given their higher risks for bad outcomes.

“It’s America’s unfinished business — we’re free, but not equal,” Jackson told the AP. “There’s a reality check that has been brought by the coronavirus, that exposes the weakness and the opportunity.”

The Icon Who Fought For Black Pride

As a young organizer in Chicago, Rev. Jesse Jackson was called to meet with Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis shortly before King was killed and he publicly positioned himself thereafter as King’s successor.

Jackson led a lifetime of crusades in the United States and abroad. He advocated for the poor and underrepresented on issues from voting rights and job opportunities to education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders. Through his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a more open and equitable society. And when he declared, “I am Somebody,” in a poem he often repeated, he sought to reach people of all colors

“I may be poor, but I am Somebody; I may be young; but I am Somebody; I may be on welfare, but I am Somebody,” Jackson intoned.

He took the message literally and personally, having risen from the segregated South to become America’s best-known civil rights activist since Dr. King.

“Even if we win,” he told marchers in Minneapolis before the officer whose knee kept George Floyd from breathing was convicted of murder, “it’s relief, not victory. They’re still killing our people. Stop the violence, save the children. Keep hope alive.”

Jackson’s voice, infused with the stirring cadences and powerful insistence of the Black church, demanded attention. On the campaign trail and elsewhere, he used rhyming and slogans to deliver his messages. Some of his other known ones? such as: “Hope not dope” and “If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it then I can achieve it.”

Still, Rev. Jesse Jackson had his share of critics, both within and outside of the Black community. Some considered him a grandstander, too eager to seek out the spotlight. Looking back on his life and legacy, Jackson told The Associated Press in 2011 that he felt blessed to be able to continue the service of other leaders before him and to lay a foundation for those to come.

“A part of our life’s work was to tear down walls and build bridges, and in a half century of work, we’ve basically torn down walls,” Jackson said. “Sometimes when you tear down walls, you’re scarred by falling debris, but your mission is to open up holes so others behind you can run through.”

Celebs React To Rev. Jackson’s Passing (LIVE UPDATES)

Fellow civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton said his mentor “was not simply a civil rights leader; he was a movement unto himself.”

“He taught me that protest must have purpose, that faith must have feet, and that justice is not seasonal, it is daily work,” Sharpton wrote in a statement.

Sharpton added that Jackson taught “trying is as important as triumph. That you do not wait for the dream to come true; you work to make it real.”

RELATED: Prayers Up! Footage Of Ray J Performing With Chest Patch & Apparent Blood Running From His Eyes Has Fans Concerned

Associated Press writers Sophia Tareen, Amy Forliti, and Aaron Morrison, along with former writer Karen Hawkins, contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

Anderson Cooper Wants To Spend More Time With His Children

CBS News’ Response To Anderson Cooper’s Exit

The Journalist Reportedly Didn’t Align With New Management

Anderson Cooper Is Staying With CNN

Anderson Cooper’s Two Sons

Anderson Cooper’s time with 60 Minutes is coming to an end after nearly 20 years.

Cooper, 58, announced on Monday, February 16, that he would not be renewing his contract with the long-running CBS series.

“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career. I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business,” he told Variety in a statement. “For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me.”

According to Variety, Cooper, who joined 60 Minutes in 2007, had been in negotiations with CBS about a potential renewal in recent weeks but ultimately chose to focus on his work with CNN as anchor on Anderson Cooper 360°, as well as the network’s annual New Year’s Eve special, which he cohosts with Bravo’s Andy Cohen. 

Related: Which TV Shows Are Canceled in 2026-2027

2026 has been brutal when it comes to our favorite shows getting canceled. Netflix cut ties with Boots two months after the show premiered. Based on Greg Cope White‘s memoir, the scripted series followed Cameron (Miles Heizer) as he joined the U.S. Marine Corps alongside his best friend Ray (Liam Oh) during the 1990s, the […]

Cooper is the father of two sons — Wyatt, 4, and Sebastian, 3 — whom he shares with ex Benjamin Maisani. The journalist announced during a May 2020 CNN Town Hall broadcast that he had secretly welcomed his first child via surrogate, later asking Maisani, whom he dated from 2009 to 2018, to coparent. 

“I don’t really have a family, so my friends have become my family,” he explained during a May 2020 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. “This is somebody I was involved with for 10 years. He’s a great guy. I think it’s good to have two parents if you can.”

He continued, “When I was a little kid, it was just my mom and my brother. My mom, she was not the most parental person, and I wish some adult after my dad died had stepped in and just been like, ‘You know what, I’ll take you to a ball game,’ or, ‘Let’s go out to lunch every now and then, and let’s just talk.’ No one ever did that.” 

The exes expanded their brood in February 2022 with Benjamin. Cooper previously opened up to People about how he and Maisani, who is a nightclub owner, balance careers and parenthood. 

“I work nights, and so he’s there at night,” Anderson explained to the outlet, noting that it was a very “natural” process. “And we both wake up right before they wake up, get them their milk and spend the first couple of hours of the day just us with them. And Benjamin speaks French to them. I have no idea what they’re saying. I think they’re plotting against me.”

There are few franchises that have shaped popular culture as much as Star Trek. Born from the mind of Gene Roddenberry, it takes place in the 23rd century, where humanity has united with other space-fairing races to create the United Federation of Planets. Captain James Tiberius Kirk (William Shatner) captains the USS Enterprise, whose mission is to traverse the galaxy, explore new planets, and boldly go where no man has gone before.

The show was groundbreaking when it first aired, and is fondly remembered for its innovative science-fiction themes, diverse characters, and for how silly it could be at times. It’s also full of memorable dialogue that has only gotten better with time.

1

“In a different reality, I could have called you a friend.”

Season 1, Episode 14 “Balance of Terror”

Image via Paramount

After playing a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a cloaked Romulan ship, the Enterprise finally manages to cripple its opponent. Kirk hails the Romulan Commander (Mark Lenard) and offers to bring any survivors aboard the Enterprise, but he refuses, saying that is not the Romulan way. He then delivers this quote to Kirk before setting the ship to self-destruct.

The beauty of this quote is in how simply it conveys the vast complexities of existence and human relationships. There are many times in life when we are forced to stand against someone we would otherwise get along with, and you cannot help but wonder how things would look if one or two of those circumstances were changed. In this case, the Romulan Commander is bound by the duty of his post and an adherence to the chain of command to attack the Federation regardless of his personal feelings, but comes to respect Kirk as a worthy opponent.

2

“Compassion: that’s the one thing no machine ever had. Maybe it’s the one thing that keeps men ahead of them.”

Season 2, Episode 24 “The Ultimate Computer”

Image via NBC

A simple test of a new ship’s AI turns into a deadly fight for survival as it goes rogue and attacks other Starfleet vessels. Kirk is eventually able to regain control over his ship by telling the AI that it has acted contrary to its purpose, and fortunately for him, Commodore Robert Wesley (Barry Russo) realizes that the threat has been neutralized and doesn’t destroy the Enterprise. When Spock (Leonard Nimoy) questions how Kirk knew this would be the outcome, he says it’s because Wesley has always been a compassionate man, and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley) replies with the above quote.

With the rise of AI in recent years, this quote feels more relevant than ever. Not all AI use is bad: as Spock points out in the episode, computers can run most functions more efficiently than a human can, and AI has a place in sorting data and other menial tasks. However, AI cannot replace a human when it comes to making emotional decisions that require empathy and creativity, as can often be seen when people try to use AI to write stories or generate art.

3

“We can admit that we’re killers, but we’re not going to kill today. That’s all it takes, knowing that we’re not going to kill today.”

Season 1, Episode 23 “A Taste of Armageddon”

Image via Paramount

A diplomatic mission to the planet Eminiar VII has the Enterprise stumble upon a war conducted with computer simulations that selects people to be executed in theoretical attacks. However, Kirk and Spock manage to destroy the Eminian computer, and urge their leader, Anar 7 (David Opatoshu), to open peace negotiations with their opponents, the planet Vendikar. Anar claims this to be impossible due to their savage nature, but Kirk rebukes his claim.

Humanity has a very long and bloody history of destructive conflicts that have shaped our history, and have created weapons so powerful that they risk irreversibly damaging the planet if used. However, we have also evolved to a point where we, as a society, realize this danger, and know when to show restraint rather than force. This quote can also be applied to our everyday lives by reminding us that just because we have flashes of negative emotions, we need not give into them.

4

“Risk is our business. That’s what this starship is all about. That’s why we’re aboard her!”

Season 2, Episode 20 “Return to Tomorrow”

Image via Paramount

The Enterprise encounters an ancient being named Sargon (James Doohan), one of three survivors of a telepathic alien race. Their minds are preserved inside ancient technology, and they offer to share their knowledge in exchange for being allowed to temporarily possess Kirk, Spock, and Lt. Cmdr. Ann Mulhall (Diana Muldaur), so they can build permanent android bodies. During a meeting with Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott (James Doohan), McCoy voices his reservations due to the risks involved, but Kirk convinces him with a powerful speech.

This speech stands as one of the best in the original series because it perfectly encapsulates Enterprise’s mission and the conviction of all who serve aboard her. No great advancement has ever been made without a risk of failure, be it landing astronauts on the moon or even something as mundane as trying to get a better job. Yet if one was to never take risks because of the possibility of such failure, they would be living their whole life in stagnation.

5

“In this galaxy, there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Don’t destroy the one named Kirk.”

Season 1, Episode 14 “Balance of Terror”

Image via Paramount

While waiting for the Romulan ship to decloak, Kirk retreats to his quarters and is later joined by Bones. Kirk confides in his friend that he is beginning to doubt himself, as one mistake could cost them their lives. While struggling at first to think of what to say, Bones eventually restores the captain’s spirits with the above speech.

Bones’ speech is one of the most philosophical in the series, and helps to narrow the incomprehensible vastness of space down to the human level. Simply put, we are each unique, shaped by our individual experiences, choices, and the people we meet. It’s a reminder that, in our darkest moments, those unique qualities are what will help us overcome them as they have in the past.

6

“That’s how you do it, Lieutenant. By remembering who and what you are. A bit of flesh and blood afloat in a universe without end. And the only thing that is truly yours is the rest of humanity. That’s where our duty lies.”

Season 2, Episode 2 “Who Mourns for Adonais?”

Image via Paramount

The Enterprise finds itself at the mercy of the Greek God, Apollo (Michael Forest), who demands that they stay on his planet and worship him to maintain his existence. He also takes a fancy to the ship’s Greek-mythology expert, Lieutenant Carolyn Palamas (Leslie Parrish), and she comes to reciprocate those feelings. Fortunately, Kirk is able to convince her to reject Apollo and save them from slavery with a humanitarian speech.

This speech is a reminder that, at the end of the day, the most important thing in the world is human connections. We are social creatures at heart, and when our brief time in this vast universe is done, the ways we interact with others will be how we are remembered. That’s why it’s important to stand by our fellow men and help them in times of need.

7

“To be human is to be complex. You can’t avoid a little ugliness, from within, and from without.”

Season 3, Episode 19 “Requiem for Methuselah”

Image via Paramount

While searching for a rare mineral to cure an outbreak on the Enterprise, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy encounter Flint (James Daly), a cultured man living with his ward, Rayna (Louise Sorel). As Kirk shows Rayna how to play pool, he and Flint debate about humanity’s savage nature, with Flint saying that the fact that the Enterprise is armed is proof of humanity’s cruelty. Kirk counters by saying their weapons are meant to be used in defense before talking about the “beast of instinct” within every human, and ending with this quote.

As humans, we always want to try and be our best selves and prefer not to mention the more negative aspects of life. However, these aspects are unavoidable, and while we don’t have to like them and should work to improve what we can, it’s foolish to try and deny their existence. Indeed, Flint experiences this firsthand as the episode proceeds, as even a man as well cultured as he cannot help but succumb to a base emotion like jealousy.

8

“Death, destruction, disease, horror… that’s what war is all about, Anan. That’s what makes it a thing to be avoided. But you’ve made it neat and painless — so neat and painless, you’ve had no reason to stop it, and you’ve had it for five hundred years.”

Season 1, Episode 23 “A Taste of Armageddon”

Image via Paramount

Upon arriving at Eminiar VII, the Enterprise is considered a casualty in the most recent simulated attack, and Anan 7 (David Opatoshu) demands that the crew comply with the law and accept their execution. When negotiations fail, Kirk tells Scotty to enact “General Oder 24,” destroying all habitable zones on the planet unless they stand down. Kirk then delivers this speech before working with Spock to destroy their war computer.

In today’s age of mass media and constant access to the internet, it’s easy to become desensitized to violence and the idea of mass destruction. This is why it’s more important than ever to emphasize how horrible war is, and why it should be avoided. There is no humane way to wage war, and when you try to boil it down to statistics on a page, morality becomes eroded.

9

“After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting.”

Season 2, Episode 1 “Amok Time”

Image via Paramount

Believing he has killed Kirk in a ritual duel over the hand of his betrothed, T’Pring (Arlene Martel), Spock renounces his claim on her, but asks why she selected Kirk to be her champion. T’Pring explains that she engineered the duel in such a way that, whoever won, she would be free to choose her intended lover, Stonn (Lawrence Montaigne), since Kirk would not want her, and Spock would release her. Spock compliments her logic, then delivers this quote to Stonn before re-boarding the Enterprise.

Spock’s words touch on the paradoxical reality that, oftentimes, the pursuit of a goal is more satisfying than actually achieving it. We as humans have a tendency to idolize something so much that it can dampen our enjoyment of reality, or sometimes obtaining the goal comes with unforeseen consequences in a sort of “be careful what you wish for” moment. It’s also a warning to Stonn that, one day, T’Pring may tire of him much like she did of Spock, starting the cycle anew.

10

“There’s no such thing as the unknown. Only things temporarily hidden, temporarily not understood.”

Season 1, Episode 10 “The Corbomite Maneuver”

Image via Paramount

After destroying a mysterious cube emitting harmful radiation, the Enterprise is approached by an impossibly large warship from The First Federation. Its captain, Balok (Ted Cassidy, Walker Edmiston, and Clint Howard), declares that the Enterprise has destroyed one of their border markers, and after destroying their recorder marker, gives them 10 minutes before the ship will be destroyed. When Kirk learns that the entire crew heard Balok’s message, he delivers a calm, reassuring speech before trying to find a solution.

Fear of the unknown is one of the most primal human fears, as it clashes with our dependency on routine, and makes us fear that danger could be just a moment away. However, Kirk’s words remind us that the unknown is also a chance to learn and explore. It transforms the problem into a puzzle that can be solved, and represents humanity’s optimism and defiance even in the face of uncertainty.

Advertisement

Star Trek: The Original Series

Advertisement

Release Date

1966 – 1969-00-00

Advertisement

Showrunner

Gene Roddenberry

Advertisement

Directors

Marc Daniels, Joseph Pevney, Ralph Senensky, Vincent McEveety, Herb Wallerstein, Jud Taylor, Marvin J. Chomsky, David Alexander, Gerd Oswald, Herschel Daugherty, James Goldstone, Robert Butler, Anton Leader, Gene Nelson, Harvey Hart, Herbert Kenwith, James Komack, John Erman, John Newland, Joseph Sargent, Lawrence Dobkin, Leo Penn, Michael O’Herlihy, Murray Golden

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Before this golden girl with her snow goggles was owning the slopes, she was just snowboarding at 4 years old with Olympic gold on her mind …

At the 2018 Olympics, she made history as the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal in the women’s snowboard halfpipe.

That’s Hot 🔥
Live The ‘Simple Life’
With Paris Hilton Products

Published
February 17, 2026
12:05 AM PST

Trying to create a psychological thriller with a huge mystery and then basing it on a popular true-crime story is a questionable choice at best. But in Apple TV’s The Crowded Room, it actually works, despite what the majority of critics say. Unfortunately, it received a 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, mainly criticized for its shallow and anticlimactic reveal, and while this is somewhat true, The Crowded Room‘s premise makes way for Tom Holland‘s most versatile performance on screen, which is particularly exciting after his Marvel grind. It doesn’t work as a mystery, but thrives as a character-driven show, one you’ll want to binge for their precarious fate.

Danny Sullivan (Holland) is an awkward, bullied teen with two best friends who convince him to deal drugs, a high school crush who plays with his heart, a step-father who severely mistreats him and a mother who doesn’t protect him. One day, after a particularly awful bullying incident, he finds refuge with new neighbor Yitzak (Lior Raz) and party girl Ariana (Sasha Lane) and decides to call it home. When he and Ariana decide to take vengeance on a childhood abuser, Danny is arrested and interviewed by Doctor Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfried). As the series progresses, Rya tries to dig for the truth about where Danny’s friends are, why he would commit these crimes, and if there are more heinous crimes yet to uncover.

Apple TV’s ‘The Crowded Room’ Is Driven by Its Multi-Faceted Characters

The biggest mistake the show commits is revealing its source material too openly, as it is based on a non-fiction book about a figure that even the most casual true-crime fans will recognize. Luckily for The Crowded Room, its appeal lies in the character-driven story, one that will make you invested in their growth and outcomes, nary of whether you’ve guessed the “grand reveal.” There is a wealth of multi-faceted, flawed, and fascinating characters to explore, including Danny’s two new roommates who straddle the line between being his saviors and pushing his boundaries relentlessly. Jason Isaacs also enters the show as Jack Lamb, a mysterious, charming figure who offers to introduce Danny to his biological dad.

Around the halfway point of the limited series, the framing narrative of Danny talking to Doctor Rya shifts and the show explores her personal life and motivations. She is an overworked mother in the middle of a grueling divorce process, simply trying to make ends meet while also pursuing her academic ambitions. Upon discovering that her thesis is about Danny, on one hand, the mystery around his situation increases, but also fleshes out Rya’s stakes and determination. At first, Seyfried’s performance is restricted to her expressive eyes from across the table to Holland, but in the second half, she wavers between distress and tenacity, which is a compelling mix. As we invest in her, we in turn care more about the case’s outcome for her research, and thus the psychological tension demands our attention until the very end.

Tom Holland Delivers a Gritty, Devastating Performance in ‘The Crowded Room’

At the center of all these vibrant characters is Danny, almost forlorn and pitiful by comparison, but who grows in nuance as the series delves into his mental health. Holland is nothing like the happy-go-lucky superhero he is famous for in the MCU, and is more akin to the angsty teenager in The Devil All the Time. But Danny is imbued with an ache to be loved and cared for, finding it in perhaps all the wrong places, while also discovering troubling things about himself and his past. It’s a harrowing performance that doesn’t really get any substantial reprieve, so much so that Holland claimed he would need to take a year off acting after production.

Related

I Don’t Think We Truly Realize How Much Is at Stake for Tom Holland’s ‘Spider-Man 4’

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ might get in the way of the eerie ending to ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’

Holland showed off his range in this role, but it is his performance next to Emmy Rossum as Danny’s mother, Candy, that really shines in The Crowded Room. Their turbulent relationship captures many of the misconceptions around mental health and the misunderstandings that can arise when you don’t have a stable support system. As Danny struggles to navigate his mental landscape, he also confronts how his mother failed to protect him, while Candy deals with her own demons and fears. The finale, in particular, has a moving moment between the two, one that will tug at the heartstrings of any parent as the question of forgiveness is dissected. Apart from Danny’s relationship with himself, this mother-son dynamic is one of the most evocative in the series, providing enough substance to mull over throughout the show.

The Crowded Room may have failed in the eyes of critics, but it has a wealth of character studies that make for a satisfying and thoughtful watch. Holland is at the forefront of them all, and if you’ve only watched him in the MCU, then this miniseries will change the way you see the actor as he showcases his versatility. With only ten episodes, the slow-burning thriller makes for a chilling binge — even if you immediately recognize the real case it is based on.