Matt Smith may have found his next project in the Whoniverse following the conclusion of House of the Dragon Season 3. The English actor is best known for portraying the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who, appearing in three seasons and five specials from 2010 to 2013 with a brief cameo in 2014. Since his last appearance, Smith has never returned to the long-running sci-fi series, unlike franchise favorites like David Tennant, who portrayed the Tenth Doctor in three series and nine specials before returning to the role in 2023 as the Fourteenth Doctor.

Now, Smith could be reuniting soon with two of his most beloved Doctor Who companions in an exciting new spin-off project. In a recent interview with Doctor Who Magazine, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill revealed that they hope to have Smith as a guest on their new rewatch podcast, The Pondcast. The podcast, which has not yet received a confirmed release date, sees Gillan and Darvill revisit their time on the show as Amy Pond and Rory Williams, the Eleventh Doctor’s companions.

“We must get Matt Smith!” Gillan said via Radio Times, to which Darvill responded, “We will get Matt, and we have spoken to Matt about it.” Gillan added that Smith “keeps saying he’s coming on,” but the trio still need to “lock it down.” If the appearance comes together, the episode could potentially be recorded in person at Darvill’s house, which would undoubtedly be “so fun!”

Matt Smith May Reunite With Another ‘Doctor Who’ Favorite

Smith may not be the only Doctor Who alum joining The Pondcast. During the same interview, Darvill revealed that he had also “spoken to Alex Kingston” about appearing on the podcast. Kingston portrayed River Song, the time-traveling daughter of Amy and Rory who became one of the Eleventh Doctor’s most important recurring characters. Her appearance on The Pondcast has not been confirmed either, but Kingston and Darvill are already set to reunite as River and Rory in The Death and Life of River Song: River and Rory, a four-part audio drama set to be released in January 2027.

For now, fans will have to wait for confirmation of whether Smith and Kingston will actually appear on The Pondcast. One guest, however, is already guaranteed: former showrunner Steven Moffat. Moffat served as Doctor Who‘s showrunner and lead writer throughout Smith’s tenure and remained in charge through Peter Capaldi‘s era as the Twelfth Doctor. He also wrote for Christopher Eccleston‘s Ninth Doctor, Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, and Ncuti Gatwa‘s Fifteenth Doctor.

Stay tuned to Collider for an official premiere date for the Doctor Who rewatch podcast, The Pondcast.

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2005 – 2021-00-00

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BBC

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Directors

Graeme Harper, Euros Lyn, Douglas Mackinnon, Jamie Magnus Stone, Charles Palmer, Rachel Talalay, Joe Ahearne, James Strong, Jamie Childs, Saul Metzstein, Toby Haynes, Wayne Che Yip, Nick Hurran, Richard Clark, James Hawes, Daniel Nettheim, Colin Teague, Keith Boak, Azhur Saleem, Adam Smith, Andrew Gunn, Nida Manzoor, Lawrence Gough, Paul Murphy

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There’s an inherent brilliance within the psychological thriller genre, as few others come close to the levels of in-depth symbolism and layered characters present in these shocking and philosophical tales of the human psyche. However, the best psychological thrillers require the precise touch and vision of a director, and these perfectly directed psychological thrillers continue to dazzle and enchant audiences today.

With perfect direction, a psychological thriller can grow from being a great and well-crafted experience into one of the defining thrillers of the era and an icon of the genre as a whole. Many of these psychological thrillers have become iconic in their own right thanks to the insightful directing that further elevated their stories and characters. These masterpieces wouldn’t be the same without the precision required to bring their stories to life.

‘Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion’ (1970)

Image via Euro International Films

A legendary Italian thriller that also serves as a direct satire and dark comedy centering on the corruption within higher offices, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion is all the more brilliant thanks to the direction of Elio Petri. The film follows a top police officer who recently killed his mistress, utilizing the opportunity to test whether the police would charge him despite his position of power. He soon begins manipulating the investigation by planting clues to his own crime while the other officers ignore them, both intentionally and unintentionally.

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion is a hilariously dark satire about the complete absence of rules when it comes to those in power. However, it is also a striking examination of a man so aware of the flaws of this system that he believes he is above it. Petri’s directing finds an exceptional balance between the comedy of these situations and the truly sinister nature of these crimes and the sadistic man behind them. The essential Italian film is often considered one of the best thrillers ever made.

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Image via New Line Cinema

Few directors have become as synonymous with perfection within the thriller genre as David Fincher, who has helped bring to life a wide array of masterfully concocted thrillers of all different varieties and styles. However, arguably his most acclaimed and recognizable work is Se7en, a psychological crime thriller that contrasts religious symbolism with a systemic failure that allows for such corruption to go unchecked. With great performances at its center and a sleek directing style, Se7en truly put Fincher on the map as a master of the thriller genre.

The film sees Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as a duo of homicide detectives hunting down a serial killer who has made each of his killings correlate with one of the seven deadly sins. As the bodies begin to pile up, the detectives fight to uncover the identity of the killer, get a sense of his disturbed mentality, and put a stop to his killings once and for all. It’s a truly visceral experience that all psychological thriller fans should seek out if they haven’t already.

‘Prisoners’ (2013)

Image via Warner Bros.

From acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve, Prisoners shows that an overwhelming amount of pain can easily cause someone to crack under the pressure and commit heinous actions in the name of vengeance disguised as investigating. It’s an extremely bleak thriller experience from beginning to end, not shying away from its destruction of the moral lines that come from a painful case of child abduction.

Villeneuve’s exceptional sense of pacing is the lynchpin that makes Prisoners that much more impactful, truly delving into the psychological depth of its characters and the overwhelming pain from all angles of this story. The likes of Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Paul Dano also play an important part in the film’s brilliance, with layered performances that elevate their characters and emphasize the greater painful themes at its center.

‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)

Image via Rex Entertainment

Thrillers as a genre aren’t particularly popular in the world of feature-length animation, as it is more often than not reserved for a style of comfortable family movie. However, standards and expectations are made to be broken, as Satoshi Kon‘s masterpiece Perfect Blue makes exceptional use of the medium of 2D animation to create one of the most haunting, well-aged thrillers of the ’90s.

The film follows rising pop idol Mima, who shockingly quits singing in order to pursue a career as an actress, unknowingly causing a rift in the dedicated fans who have followed her. One such fan seems to be taking things to an absolute extreme, killing off collaborators and people connected with Mima’s new career. These events give Mima a sort of crippling impostor syndrome, self-conscious about her changing life as reality and fantasy fuse together in a mass paranoia.

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Image via NEON

Often celebrated as one of the greatest cinematic achievements of the 21st century, it’s impossible to sing praises to Bong Joon Ho‘s Parasite that haven’t already been said hundreds of times before. Its social satire is simultaneously powerful and extremely relevant to the modern age, feeling timeless in its execution and playing into the pure facets of human nature and social hierarchies. The directing, however, is truly what sets the film over the edge into all-time status, as everything comes together into an iconic tour de force under Bong’s vision.

Parasite is the type of masterfully concocted film that only gets better with each additional rewatch, as the finer details and brilliant craft on display allow for even more to be appreciated on subsequent rewatches. Its central story and themes hold a similar weight of timelessness, feeling all the more important and pivotal to modern culture with each passing year as one of the most striking contemporary films ever made.

‘High and Low’ (1963)

Image via Toho

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Akira Kurosawa is often a strong contender for the greatest filmmaker of all time, with a massive swath of influence that reaches across the entire industry of cinema as a powerful leading force throughout his tenure. While the director didn’t delve into the thriller genre too often, his prominent addition to the genre, High and Low, continuously stands as one of the very best thrillers of the ’60s and an absolute icon of Japanese cinema.

The film centers on Kingo Gondō (Toshirō Mifune), a shoe executive faced with a daunting moral conundrum when a kidnapper mistakenly steals his chauffeur’s son, demanding a ransom anyway. This powerful reflection on morality and class struggle is masterful in every aspect of its filmmaking, with Kurosawa going all out to emphasize the impact of this story and all of the moving pieces of the crime itself and the capturing of this criminal.

‘Oldboy’ (2003)

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Yet another legendary icon of South Korean cinema, the psychological thrills and bleak storytelling in Park Chan-wook‘s Oldboy have made it an absolute classic and one of the most celebrated thrillers of the 21st century. It dabbles in themes of revenge, memory, and the subjectivity of the truth so effectively that it helped massively revolutionize international thrillers in the 21st century, still feeling shocking and powerful decades after its release.

The film follows a man who has been mysteriously imprisoned and tortured for 15 years, with his release setting him on a path of ruthless vengeance, searching for the truth of who his captors are and why he was imprisoned in the first place. However, this search for the truth proves to be much uglier than expected, as amidst the carnage and blood spilled, the biggest shock to the system comes from truths that are best left uncovered.

‘M’ (1931)

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An exceptionally important German thriller that paved the way for just about every major thriller masterpiece in film history, Fritz Lang‘s M may just be the single most important psychological thriller ever made in terms of its influence upon the genre as a whole. This icon that helped pave the way for psychological thrillers and film noirs alike only grows more celebrated and important with each passing year, as well as Lang’s masterful directing growing all the more impressive for the era in which it was released.

The film sees Peter Lorre as a ruthless serial killer who preys on children, finding himself at the center of a massive police manhunt where he is targeted even by other criminals in the underbelly of the city. With just about everyone on his tail and fighting for his capture, the killer is sent into a tense, anxiety-fueled attempt to escape justice by any means necessary. Just by watching M, it’s easy to pick up on the influence and importance it holds within the genre, as you see the core elements of many other amazing thrillers just by watching this core origin point.

‘Rear Window’ (1954)

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Often considered the master of suspense and the singular most important filmmaker within the thriller genre, Alfred Hitchcock has more masterpieces to his name than many filmmakers could even hope to achieve in their careers. However, among all of the legendary thrillers that Hitchcock’s powerful directing helped elevate, his most exceptional thriller, Rear Window, ironically only takes place in a single location. This perfect mystery thriller utilizes the prospects of cinema as an art form perfectly, with Hitchcock’s mastery of the art form taking clear shape in this tension-fueled work of art.

The film sees James Stewart as a wheelchair-bound photographer who begins spying on his neighbors from his apartment window and grows increasingly convinced that one of them has committed a murder. It’s an exceptionally layered film about the difficulties of paranoia, subliminal voyeurism in watching other people without their knowledge, and the subtle pain that isolation holds over someone.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

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While other psychological thrillers may be more influential to the genre as a whole, when it comes to the prospects of exceptionally iconic psychological thrillers with absolutely perfect directing from beginning to end, it’s hard to imagine an experience more well-crafted than Jonathan Demme‘s The Silence of the Lambs. This ’90s cultural phenomenon lives up to its massive reputation and more, with pitch-perfect pacing and legendary performances elevating what was already a compelling story.

Demme’s directing is the central strength that makes The Silence of the Lambs such an unmistakable masterpiece of the psychological thriller genre. His vision transformed the characters from celebrated literary figures into unmistakable icons of horror, to a point where just about everyone recognizes Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. If someone is looking for a psychological thriller that is absolutely perfect from beginning to end, thanks in large part to its direction, The Silence of the Lambs is the best choice out there, even if a bit of an obvious choice.

Jelly Roll has no regrets about poking fun at President Donald Trump as he temporarily takes over Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show.

“What a turn of events! Who would’ve guessed I’d get in more trouble with the president than Rosie O’Donnell?” Jelly Roll, 41, said on the Tuesday, August 25, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! “Some folks online were upset that I didn’t treat the president with reverence and dignity, but I want to remind y’all that I go by the name Jelly Roll. I don’t even treat myself with reverence and dignity.”

While kicking off a week-long guest-hosting gig on the ABC show, Jelly Roll (real name is Jason DeFord) used part of his monologue to crack jokes about Trump, 80. His humor caught the attention of Fox News and some conservative viewers.

“Frankly, I think most people were just surprised that I had any opinions at all. They see a guy that looks like me and assume the only opinion I have is whether I prefer my meth crystal or classic,” he said. “Now let’s be honest for a second: Any U.S. president should be able to handle a few jokes, right? They should also be able to handle gas prices, healthcare and the occasional international conflict, but beggars can’t be choosers.”

Related: Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Transformation Through the Years

Jelly Roll has been on a mission to lose weight. “Next year when y’all see me you won’t recognize me,” the country star (real name Jason DeFord) said in an October 2024 Instagram video, revealing he’s lost more than 100 pounds. “I’m going to get under a pile of weights in a way that I never […]

Jelly Roll continued, “If you wanted me to make jokes about Kamala Harris, you should have voted for her.”

Before ending his monologue, the Grammy winner had one more message to critics who threatened to stop listening to his music based on his comments.

“I just want to say with conviction: Go right ahead, because I’m gonna keep speaking my truth or my name isn’t Post Malone,” he said.

The jokes kept coming throughout the week, as the “Hands Up” singer continued to poke fun at the headlines surrounding the Trump administration.

“I can’t believe out of all the jokes I’ve told the past few nights, the one that really seemed to make people mad about what I said about the president was when I said he was overweight,” Jelly Roll said on the Wednesday, August 26, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! “I thought fat-on-fat crime was OK?! We can debate whether this president is mentally fit, but I think we can all agree he is certainly not physically fit. But I hope I can inspire The Donald, man. If I can lose all that weight, he can too.”

The country star has candidly discussed his weight for nearly a decade. In 2015, he weighed more than 500 pounds. Three years later, the artist had lost 275 pounds and counting.

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During Wednesday’s show, Jelly Roll showed no signs of ending his playful jokes at the commander in chief and his supporters.

“Contrary to what some of you all have been saying on the internet,” he said, “I have not joined the Hollywood illuminati, yet.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on ABC weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET. Stream episodes the next day on Hulu.

A Black man was found hanging from a tree in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, on Friday, August 21, but the police indicated that they are investigating the death as a suicide. The 38-year-old man, Demetrius Fleming, was reportedly found dead by medical personnel responding to an emergency call about an attempted suicide.

RELATED: UPDATE: Atatiana Jefferson’s Family Reportedly To Receive $11.25M Settlement Nearly 7 Years After She Was Killed By Police Officer

Police Say Black Man Found Hanging From Tree Investigated As Suicide

Fleming was reportedly found dead when first responders found him with a ligature around his neck, according to WRAL. Fleming was found dead at a residence on Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

Police Chief Lawrence Wiggins said the police responded to a 911 call about a suicide attempt.

Wiggins added that the 911 call call came from someone close to the father of nine, but the caller was not on the scene.

“We’re treating this as an open, equivocal death investigation,” said Wiggins. “The Roanoke Rapids Police Department is committed to finding the facts and reporting them. This investigation is in its infancy, and it is important to neither make nor perpetuate assumptions as facts. The evidence will provide the conclusion; anything else will create more confusion.”

The death comes days after another Black man was found in Raleigh under similar circumstances, and Wiggins indicated that “everything” is being considered.

“We are not working from any strict assumption,” Wiggins added. “Everything is on the table.”

Another Black Man Was Found Under Similar Circumstances In Raleigh Days Earlier

The Raleigh Police Department announced that another Black man was found dead under similar circumstances days earlier in downtown Raleigh.

Officers from the RPD responded to assist the paramedics at 318 S. McDowell St. after a man was found dead hanging from a tree near Nash Square on August 15.

“On August 15, 2026, at approximately 3:07 p.m., Raleigh Police officers and medical personnel responded to 318 S. McDowell St. in reference to a report of a subject hanging from a tree,” noted the press release. “Upon arrival, first responders removed the subject from the tree and initiated life-saving measures. The subject was pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries. There appears to be no foul play involved.”

“The incident is being investigated as a suicide,” the report continued. “The Office of the Medical Examiner has taken custody of the case and will conduct a full investigation.”

“We understand that this loss may be deeply painful for those who knew and cared about the individual. We ask everyone to please be mindful of the family and friends who are grieving and to avoid sharing unverified information or speculation while investigators continue their work,” it concluded.

Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said that the man’s mother said her son previously struggled with mental health. In addition, Boyce said that she was distressed by the online speculation about the 32-year-old’s manner of death, per WTVD.

“She is not happy about what has been shared online,” Boyce said.

Fleming Was A Father Of Nine

Fleming”s obituary revealed that he was a father of nine with a passion for music. He was also a father of nine.

“A proud graduate of Weldon High School in 2006, Demetrius pursued higher learning at Chowan University, where his incredible skills with the high school band left a lasting impression on all who heard him play. His passion for music and rhythm was not just a hobby but a way of life, and he shared this love with everyone he encountered, especially within his church community,” it reads.

“To them, he was not just a father but a hero, a constant source of strength and inspiration who always wore a smile despite any hardships he faced.”

Services will be held on Monday, September 7, and the family requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Fund in Fleming’s memory in lieu of flowers.

“Demetrius’s legacy of love and joy will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. His family shares this special message: ‘Forever in our hearts, we love you, Dad.’”

RELATED: Prayers Up! 29-Year-Old Woman Reportedly Found Hanging From Tree In Mississippi As Officials Speak Out

While music normally gets its time to shine in awards season through the Grammys, the various achievements made in music in the world of cinema has its own spot of appreciation through the Best Original Song awards from various awards bodies. The Academy Award for Best Original Song especially has stood as a massively varied and prominent award, won by a wide variety of different artists and styles since its inception at the 7th Academy Awards.

This highly celebrated stature has largely continued into the 2020s, with winners ranging from beloved fan favorites to some of the biggest cultural hits of the year. Not every winning song has been a massively memorable hit, but by and large the winners have spoken to the inherent strengths and memorability of cinema in the modern era. It paints a great sign for the sorts of exceptional musical achievements that will be celebrated in the remaining years of the decade.

6

“El Mal” from ‘Emilia Perez’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

To say that Emilia Perez was an incredibly divisive Oscar contender would be an understatement, as it arguably had some of the largest disconnects between industry love and mass hatred from moviegoers. It went from the most nominated film of the night to only winning two awards, though it isn’t exactly surprising that “El Mal” won Best Original Song, considering it was a relatively slow year for the category. Sung by Zoe Saldaña and spoken entirely in Spanish, it sees her character complaining about the hypocrisy of many international criminals contributing to the nonprofit organization run by the titular Emilia Perez.

It’s a song that works well enough in the context of the film, with some fun cinematography making it one of the few shining points in an otherwise dismal experience. Still, it isn’t exactly surprising that the song has been entirely forgotten about in the short time since its win, as it really doesn’t hold a candle to the other winners this decade. The song simply doesn’t really have much weight or impact outside of the context of the film, with its win almost feeling out of inevitability and due to a lack of other major options instead of the song’s quality (or lack thereof).

5

“Fight for You” from ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)

Image via Warner Bros.

One of the most classic methods for a film to earn a nomination for Best Original Song is to get a prominent rising artist to write a song that doesn’t actually play during the film itself, but instead plays during the credits and sticks in Academy members’ minds as the film ends. While this trend often results in a lot of nominations, the only time that one of these songs actually received a win was in the 2021 ceremony, where D’Mile & H.E.R‘s “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah won.

Even if not directly playing during the film itself, the song largely ties into the film’s themes of revolution and fighting for freedom against cultural oppressors. It also helps that H.E.R’s vocals are exceptional on the track, making it the undeniable fan-favorite among the limited song selection that was hindered by the pandemic. While the song may have been similarly forgotten over time, like “El Mal”, the actual song is of a prominent quality and is worth listening to on its own, which cannot be said about any of the songs from Emilia Perez.

4

“No Time to Die” from ‘No Time to Die’ (2021)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

The original songs made for the stylish opening credits of James Bond movies have been a frequent place to find success in the Best Original Song category, especially in the Daniel Craig era, where Skyfall and Spectre‘s songs both previously won the award. This is to say that it wasn’t exactly a surprise that “No Time to Die” from the titular final chapter of the Craig era would win the award, but the song itself may just be the best original song of the Craig era.

Billie Eilish‘s vocals perfectly fit the energy of the opening credits, with a sense of finality and sadness to this chapter as it keeps the energy both impactful yet respectfully somber. No Time to Die as a film couldn’t have opened in a better way, making this the first no-brainer exceptional Best Original Song winner of the decade. It ended the Craig era on such an exceptional final note that it leaves massive shoes to fill for whoever ends up doing the song for the eventual reboot under Denis Villeneuve.

3

“Golden” from ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)

Image via Netflix

If sheer popularity were the only criteria for success on this list, then “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters would be the undeniable #1 slot without question. Its overwhelming global dominance as one of the biggest pop songs of 2025 helped KPop Demon Hunters soar into modern classic status as one of the most celebrated animated films of the decade so far. While many of the songs in the film were massively successful and helped amplify the staying power of the film, Golden stands out among an entire catalog of catchy pop icons.

It’s reached a level of success for an original animated movie song that can only truly be paralleled to that of the Best Original Song winners from classic Disney movies, though this makes sense considering the entire film centers itself around the culture and power of KPop as a genre of music. The legacy and overwhelming success of this song directly complements the success of the film itself, if not even more so. The only thing holding it back is how the two songs above it were more effectively used in some of the most iconic and effective moments in their respective films, while Golden’s greatest strengths are arguably independent of the film itself.

2

“What Was I Made For?” from ‘Barbie’ (2023)

Image via Warner Bros.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell‘s second Oscar victory in a row as the only artists who have won the Best Original Song award multiple times this decade, “What Was I Made For?” stands as the emotional crux of Barbie that amplifies its exceptional emotional climax. This song prominently plays during the final act sequence of Barbie talking with her creator, Ruth Handler, and experiencing the beauty of humanity and motherhood in all of its hardships. It’s a beautiful moment that is made all the better thanks to the exceptional song that elevates it. It exemplifies everything that made the film such a universally beloved masterpiece, all in one hard-hitting song.

While “No Time to Die” was a great song within the context of a Bond film, “What Was I Made For?” is not just amazing in the context of Barbie, but is also a deeply personal and impactful Billie Eilish song that stands on its own as a highlight of her discography. It’s the type of song that will continue to be celebrated for years to come, both as a fundamental aspect of the film as well as its own standalone song of beauty and pain.

1

“Naatu Naatu” from ‘RRR’ (2022)

Image via Variance Films

A great musical sequence to complement a song can go a long way in terms of its impact and memorability on an audience, although calling the “Naatu Naatu” sequence in RRR simply a “great musical sequence” is massively understating just how legendary it feels at the moment. The song plays when the main characters are out-dancing the various elitist British attendees of a fancy party, using their stylish dance moves and exceptional choreography to a masterful level. It’s the undeniable standout moment of one of the best action movies of the decade and manages to get even the most jaded of moviegoers pumped and jamming along to its high energy.

While this type of wild, high-energy dance number is much more common in blockbuster films from India, it made such a shockwave and impact on global audiences that it helped catapult the film and this song into immediate fan-favorite territory. Even as the rest of the film got snubbed by the Academy, there was no way under any circumstances that people would allow this legendary song to be snubbed, with it being the sole nomination and victory for the film. The song even managed to beat out high-profile competition like Lady Gaga‘s “Hold My Hand” for Top Gun: Maverick and Rihanna‘s “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. “Naatu Naatu” is a song that, no matter what else wins the Best Original Song award this decade, will define the award as the absolute highlight victory of the modern age.

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RRR

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Release Date

March 24, 2022

Runtime

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185 Minutes

Director

S.S. Rajamouli

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Writers

S.S. Rajamouli, Vijayendra Prasad

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The best science fiction television shows have storylines that would be challenging for the average person to dream up. Apple TV’s Severance allows us to visualize a world where memory is manipulated, and a person’s work life is completely separate from their personal life. Prime Video’s The Man in the High Castle, which aired from 2015 to 2019, offers an even more intriguing parallel universe story. In this four-season sci-fi series, an alternate history is depicted where the US didn’t win World War II after all. In fact, the Nazis and the Empire of Japan rule the entire world after their victory. Both of these series transport viewers into another reality in a powerful way, but there’s one more Apple TV sci-fi series that is currently combining the best of both of these shows in a fast-paced, addictive way.

What Is ‘Dark Matter’ About?

Dark Matter, which premiered back in 2024, is based on the fascinating 2016 book of the same name by novelist Blake Crouch. Crouch created this sci-fi series for the screen, with incredible results. After a nine-episode first season, the series will be returning this week for another exciting 10 episodes. The story follows Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a seemingly normal physics professor with a loving wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly), and teenage son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley). But Jason’s mundane existence gets torn apart one night when he’s kidnapped by a mysterious masked man. When Jason wakes up, he finds himself in an alternate world where he never actually married Daniela or had a child, and it turns out he’s actually been kidnapped by a version of himself.

In this world, Jason 2 (we’ll call him) has invented a giant box that allows people to jump between parallel universes. Jason 2 has decided to bring the original Jason to his world, so that he can masquerade as the family man. It seems Jason 2 felt he was missing out on having a family, but he’s solved this problem by transporting himself to this world. Our Jason must go through a daunting quest to find his way back to his world (and to his beloved family), but things get super complicated when he realizes that the journey will not be a simple one.

‘Dark Matter’ Comes Together With a Twisty Premise and Exceptional Cast

Dark Matter is so much more complex than your average sci-fi series. Each episode offers plenty of twists and turns as we root for Jason to find his way back home. But when he discovers that some potential worlds have terrifying backdrops, the show becomes increasingly scary. Aside from the addictive nature of each episode, Dark Matter is a must-watch for many other reasons. The visual effects are both realistic and entirely effective in drawing us even further into each unique parallel universe. Despite its wild premise, the series still manages to stay grounded in a fight of good vs. evil, as Jason must battle to get back home. Jason 2 is a clever, insidious villain, but the thriller also manages to create other obstacles that feel just as threatening to the characters. The stakes are always incredibly high, which makes each episode feel even more thrilling to watch.

Because Dark Matter can sometimes feel a bit complicated in its storytelling, the series had to cast excellent actors to keep the story feeling accessible and compelling. Edgerton is the perfect protagonist because he is both authentic and relatable. No matter what steps Jason has to take to get back home, it’s impossible not to root for him. Connelly is captivating as Jason’s wife, who is the perfect soulmate to our hero. Alice Braga is also fantastic as Jason’s partner, Amanda Lucas, who ends up accompanying him on his journey. Her quiet intensity matches Edgerton’s in a meaningful and effective way, which makes them exceptional scene partners. Jimmi Simpson also deserves a shout-out as Ryan Holder, Jason’s best friend, who provides an interesting throughline in all of the worlds. Each actor has to play multiple versions of their characters that exist in all of these different universes, and each performer somehow manages to successfully portray a genuinely wild range of storylines.

Season 1 closes with some jaw-dropping twists and an intriguing set-up for future episodes, ensuring that Season 2 will be even more of a wild ride. If you’ve already binged The Man in the High Castle and are eagerly awaiting Season 3 of Severance, Dark Matter is the perfect show to add to your binge-watch list. Just be prepared to get fully sucked into this completely inventive and action-packed series.

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Dark Matter

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Release Date

May 7, 2024

Network

Apple TV+

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Directors

Jakob Verbruggen, Alik Sakharov, Roxann Dawson, Logan George

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Writers

Blake Crouch

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Dolly Parton’s younger sister Stella Parton is mourning the death of the country music icon while sharing new insight into the singer’s mindset during her final days.

“My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday. If anyone gets to heaven, I’m sure she made it right on time,” Stella, 77, said in a statement shared via Instagram on Thursday, August 27, breaking her silence on the singer’s death. “I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way.”

Us confirmed that Dolly died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.

“Every Tuesday about this time, before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, she and I, for many years, had our coffee together over the phone,” Stella recalled. “Being little farm girls, we continued to be early risers. As she liked to say, ‘Shoot Tedda, we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!’ We would catch up on gossip, as sisters do, and drink coffee and make plans, as it has always been our way.”

Related: Dolly Parton’s Nephew Addresses Her Death at Age 80 in Emotional Video

Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]

She continued, “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known. What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that their was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”

According to Stella, the 9 to 5 actress was “always thinking of others” during her illustrious and culture-defining career.

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“If you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources, as she continued to do to the very end,” Stella added in her Thursday statement. “I want to personally thank all of you for the outpouring of love and respect you are showing my sister. Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first, and it helps as we grieve the passing through our lives.”

While Stella noted that her Tuesday morning coffee ritual “will never be the same” in Dolly’s absence, she will always remember the Dollywood founder’s “love, respect and goodness.”

“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it. I would criticize and complain about it and she would laugh and say, ‘Shoot, Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses,’” Stella recalled. “She was right and she proved it every day. She left the world a better place by being in it, so let’s follow her example.”

Taina Williams is giving us another glimpse into life at home with Emmy and Essex, and this little family moment is packed with plenty of personality. From a sweet hair moment to a quick switch-up from Essex, the video circulating on social media has folks watching the interaction unfold.

RELATED: Yikes! Taina Williams Breaks Her Silence Amid G Herbo & Tatiana Chanell’s Responses To Cheating Rumors (VIDEO)

Essex Quickly Switches Up After Calling Emmy “Ugly”

In the clip obtained by LiveBitez, Taina brushes Emmy’s hair into a side ponytail as they stand together in the bathroom. Emmy still appears to be in her PJs, while Taina rocks a dark brown T-shirt, middle-part bob, and natural beat. At one point, the bathroom door moves slightly and Essex seemingly calls Emmy “ugly.” Emmy appears completely unfazed, but Taina is SHOOKETH and immediately looks in his direction, telling him to “get out.” Essex then quickly changes his tune, calling Emmy “beautiful” instead and repeating the compliment in another clip.

Emmy Makes It Clear She & Taina Run The House!

But Taina wasn’t done — she eventually tells Essex to go change his clothes, with Emmy repeating her mom’s words like she’s running the whole house. Meanwhile, the daughter reveals that she’s “obsessed with side ponytails,” prompting a smile from Taina as the mother-daughter duo continues their sweet little hair moment.

The Internet Chimes In

Fans ran to LiveBitez’s Instagram comment section and tore it up over the sibling moment. Some said this is just how siblings are, while others clocked how Essex quickly tried to clean things up after calling Emmy “ugly.” Meanwhile, folks pointed out that Emmy didn’t even flinch because she already knows she’s THAT girl.

One Instagram user @mekamekaaaaa said, “He said… BEAUTIFUL 😂😂 He knew he was finna get kicked out the party 😂”

This Instagram user @prettyandpolished added, “She was so unfazed! Like she knows she’s that girl 😂”

And, Instagram user @praznalways wrote, “All she did was carry those babies cuz that’s all Herbo right there.😂😂”

Instagram user @choc__beauty said, “Poor baby , I think he meant beautiful in the first place lol . He realized he said the wrong word almost instantly”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @_karmarose_ claimed, “Emmy unfazed like yea right 🙄 😂😂”

While Instagram user @navybrat78 commented, “It’s a sibling thing, get out their business 😂”

Lastly, Instagram user @sogray_ shared, “This is all siblings unfortunately 😂.. Emmy knows she’s beautiful 🥰”

RELATED: Main Character! Taina Williams’ Daughter Emmy Hilariously Stunts On Her After G Herbo’s Gift & The Internet Is Cracking Up (VIDEO)

Netflix has a massive collection of excellent shows across genres, but above all else, the streaming platform’s original series are most notable for being truly addictive. Netflix shows make the perfect binge-watches, from suspenseful drama series like Stranger Things and Dark, to hilarious but gut-wrenching dark comedies like BoJack Horseman and Dead to Me. The best Netflix shows are absolutely captivating, drawing viewers in early on with their unique premises and strong characters.

Netflix has a number of intense original series that will each take viewers on an emotional roller coaster ride, but it also has some of the most fun shows of recent years. The streaming platform boasts reality competition and dating shows that are the perfect escape, as well as light and fun comedies that will have viewers laughing from start to finish. These are the 8 most fun Netflix original series of all time, ranked.

8

‘Running Point’ (2025–Present)

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Running Point is a hilarious and silly sitcom that follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a member of the wealthy family that owns a fictional basketball team called the Los Angeles Waves. The team is a family business, and when Isla’s oldest brother, Cam (Justin Theroux), has to step down as the team’s president, he installs her in his place. Isla has never been taken seriously in the family business, so she feels a great deal of pressure to prove herself, particularly because nearly everyone around her believes that she is going to fail.

Running Point is the perfect blend of a workplace sitcom and a family comedy, putting the messy and chaotic Gordon family front and center. At the same time that Isla is adjusting to her new role, she and her siblings learn that they have a secret younger half-brother named Jackie (Fabrizio Guido). Running Point is such a fun and entertaining series, with hilarious dialogue and wonderfully flawed characters.

7

‘Alexa & Katie’ (2018–2020)

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Alexa & Katie is a coming of age sitcom that follows two best friends named Alexa Mendoza (Paris Berelc) and Katie Cooper (Isabel May). Alexa and Katie have been counting down the days until they could start high school for as long as they could remember, but now, their freshman year is going to be very different from what they had in mind. Alexa has leukemia, and all she wants is to keep her cancer a secret and have as normal of a high school experience as possible. Katie, meanwhile, is worried about Alexa, and she’s having a hard time pretending that everything is okay.

Despite its seemingly heavy premise, Alexa & Katie is not a show about Alexa’s cancer. Instead, it is primarily about what comes next once she starts to recover, as she struggles to live her life the way she wants to despite her illness. The reality of this includes Alexa’s arch-nemesis suddenly and suspiciously being weirdly kind to her, Alexa and Katie’s families getting up to schemes from their neighboring houses, and Alexa rebelling in order to get people to stop feeling bad for her. Alexa & Katie is a very fun and cozy series, and it makes for the perfect binge-watch.

6

‘A Man on the Inside’ (2024–Present)

Image via Netflix

A Man on the Inside is a detective comedy that follows Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a widower and retired college professor whose life has become increasingly isolated since the death of his wife. After his daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), expresses concern, Charles answers an ad in the paper by a private investigator named Julie Kovalenko (Lilah Richcreek Estrada). There has been a recent string of robberies at a local retirement community, and Julie needs someone to go undercover as a resident and investigate this mystery.

Charles is eager to take on this new role, but he knows nothing about being undercover, and the result is absolutely hilarious. As Charles tries to fly under the radar and figure out what’s going on, he unexpectedly starts to form real connections with the people he’s investigating. A Man on the Inside is a heartfelt series about starting over and healing, but it is also sharply funny and delightfully over-the-top.

5

‘Bridgerton’ (2020–Present)

Image via Netflix

Based on the series of romance novels of the same name by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton is a Regency-era romance series that follows a wealthy family called the Bridgertons. Each season of the show centers around the romance of a different Bridgerton sibling and their love interest: Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Bassett (Regé-Jean Page) in Season 1, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in Season 2, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) in Season 3, and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) in Season 4.

The upcoming fifth season of Bridgerton is set to be released in 2027, and it will tell the long-awaited love story of Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Bridgerton certainly has its fair share of more intense storylines, but it’s still one of Netflix’s most fun shows. It has swoonworthy romances, funny dialogue, and an excellent modern twist on the Regency aesthetic with its beautiful costumes and iconic classical-style covers of current hit songs.

4

‘Love Is Blind’ (2020–Present)

Now about six years since it first premiered, Love Is Blind is one of Netflix’s most iconic reality shows. The dating series questions whether love really is blind, by giving strangers the opportunity to fall in love before they ever meet for the first time. At the start of each season, the singles get to know each other in a speed-dating-style rotation, where they spend time talking to each other individually in isolated pods.

The couples have to get engaged before they’re allowed to meet, and then they all go on a vacation together. When they get home, they have to see if their normal lives are compatible, as the season builds up to the weddings of the couples who remain. At the end of each season, the couples have to decide at the altar if love really is blind. Love Is Blind is such a fun and messy dating show, with each season full of wildly entertaining and unexpected curveballs.

3

‘Emily in Paris’ (2020–Present)

Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), an American woman who unexpectedly gets the opportunity to fill in for her boss and take a marketing position working in Paris. Emily’s whole life is back in Chicago, and she doesn’t speak any French, but she takes this new change in stride. She instantly makes new friends, starts chronicling her experience of Paris on social media, and works to prove herself at her new job.

Emily in Paris is the perfect mental vacation, with its beautiful sights and entertaining characters. Emily’s life in Paris is a dream, but it is certainly not without its drama. Emily constantly finds herself getting caught in the middle of love triangles and messy conflicts, both within her personal and professional lives. Emily in Paris makes for an excellent binge-watch for viewers looking for something light and fun that will transport them to beautiful places and make them laugh.

2

‘Julie and the Phantoms’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

Julie and the Phantoms follows Julie Molina (Madison Reyes), a teenage girl who’s grieving the death of her mother a year earlier. Julie and her mother both shared a love of music, but since her death, Julie has been unable to sing or play at all. Now at risk of losing her spot in her school’s music program, a dejected Julie goes to clean out her mom’s old studio, when she accidentally awakens three ghosts. Luke (Charlie Gillespie), Reggie (Jeremy Shada), and Alex (Owen Patrick Joyner) were in a band together before their deaths 25 years earlier, and they also have unfinished business with music.

Initially, the ghosts try to help Julie reconnect with music so that she can regain her spot in the music program. In the process, they discover that they can be seen and heard when they play onstage with her. Thus, the four of them start a band, all the while pretending that the ghosts are just holograms. Julie and the Phantoms is a fun, emotional, and heartwarming series with amazing music, lovable characters, and creative ghost lore.

1

‘The Circle’ (2020–2024)

Image via Netflix

Netflix has countless reality shows that are fun, entertaining, and addictive. That said, The Circle stands out as the most enjoyable one to watch. The reality competition series takes a group of contestants and has them all stay in the same apartment building, but in different rooms. Throughout the duration of the competition, they never meet in person. Instead, they all join an online chat where they get to know each other and compete to be the most liked player.

Contestants can choose to play as themselves, or to catfish as someone else. They set up an online profile, talk to other players as whoever they have chosen to be, and compete in different mini-games. The Circle is an incredibly entertaining and silly series. It’s a lot of fun to watch the players try to scheme against one another, and it’s very entertaining to see how the players unknowingly form connections with those catfishing and working against them.

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The Circle

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January 1, 2020

Directors

Tom Lowry

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The Circle

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A Florida couple was arrested on Friday, August 7, after four siblings were found living in the cab of a semi-truck in Jacksonville. Keisha Epps and her truck-driver fiancé, Tamra Marshon Stewart, were arrested and accused of allegedly physically abusing the children, withholding medical care, and forcing them to live in the cab for seven years.

RELATED: Say, WHAT?! Florida Police Officer Accused Of Monitoring His Estranged Wife 717 Times With Flock Cameras

Florida Couple Held Four Children Hostage In Semi-Truck Cab For Seven Years

The Florida couple, 51-year-old Keisha Epps and 37-year-old Tamra Marshon Stewart, were arrested in Jacksonville earlier this month. Stewart was reportedly a truck driver with routes between Georgia and Florida, and the duo was arrested after four children were found to be living in his semi-truck cab.

A report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office noted that the four children had lived in the semi-truck cab since December 2019 and shared the same bed, per Action News Jackson. The JSO report also stated that the children were rarely allowed out of the truck.

“The children were ‘rarely allowed out of the cab of the truck, even if they needed to use the restroom…. fed poorly, did not attend school… did not receive medical care,’” Action News Jackson reports of the JSO’s report.

The Children Were Also Physically Abused

In addition to the four children being held captive in the semi-truck cab, the siblings were also physically abused. After one child witnessed Stewart sexually abuse another child and confronted him, both children were beaten.

“[One child] ‘witnessed some sexual abuse by suspect 1 (Tamra Stewart) and confronted him,’ [and Stewart] ‘beat them by punching their heads,’” the police report adds.

A medical exam conducted by the Clay County Child Protection Team in May 2026, after the children were rescued, found that one child had a sexually transmitted disease. She was also permanently scarred after being burned by hot noodles and denied medical care. The child was burned so severely that there was reportedly “a lot of blood,” per The Palm Beach Post.

Child Neglect Charges Filed And Sex Abuse Charges Expected

Stewart was not charged with sex abuse crimes, according to PEOPLE. However, an affidavit reportedly states the DA’s intention to charge him with capital sexual battery. Epps and Stewart were both charged with child neglect. Both received one charge for each child.

It’s not yet clear how the four children were rescued, but a medical exam by the Child Protection Team in Clay County diagnosed one child with an STI, which her sibling said happened in May. Nevertheless, the couple left the STI untreated.

RELATED: Florida Pastor Timothy Chaneyfield Arrested For Alleged Sexual Abuse And Exposing 14-Year-Old Boy To HIV