Brad Bird is one of the most renowned and prolific filmmakers, specifically in the animated space. Since the massive success of his directorial debut in 1999 with The Iron Giant, he’s been nominated for four Oscars (winning two for Best Animated Feature for The Incredibles and Ratatouille) and has emerged as the mastermind behind some of the most beloved, acclaimed movies ever made.

His frequent collaborator, composer Michael Giacchino, is just as revered and impactful, earning two Academy Award nominations of his own (winning one for Up) and nine Grammy nods, taking home three trophies from the Recording Academy for Up and Ratatouille. His resume includes everything from animated films like Inside Out and Zootopia 2 to superhero movies like The Batman and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man series.

The two are once again teaming up, this time for a Netflix film called Ray Gunn. Directed and co-written by Bird along with Matthew Robbins (a frequent collaborator with Guillermo del Toro), with a score by Giacchino, the film follows the titular private detective (Sam Rockwell) in a futuristic world inhabited by humans and aliens alike. Things get especially complicated when he gets caught up in a case involving the alluring but enigmatic singer Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson).

Collider got the chance to visit Netflix Animation Studios and get a sneak peek of the highly anticipated project, including a sizzle reel and the first 30 minutes of the film. From drawing lessons with Storyboard Artist Clarisse Chua to a trip to the recording booth with Animation Director Jason Ryan, we were treated to a truly immersive experience, as well as insightful conversations with Bird, Giacchino, VFX Supervisor Adel Abada, and Art Director Wendell Luebbe. Here’s everything we learned.

Brad Bird Has Wanted to Make ‘Ray Gunn’ for Over 30 Years

Ray Gunn has been a long time in the making, with Bird having written the original script in the ‘90s. Turner Broadcasting System’s merger with Time Warner in 1996, however, kept the project from coming to fruition, though he never forgot about it — or gave up on bringing it to the screen. Giacchino recalls Bird first telling him about the idea way back in 2003 when the two were working on The Incredibles.

During that project, the duo quickly developed an efficient and fulfilling working relationship, which has only gotten stronger with time. Giacchino says this is due to their shared language rooted in a love of cinema that spans all genres and puts characters and their emotional journeys first. That, and fun. “This is meant to be a good time at the movies,” Bird says. “Anything in addition to that is a bonus.”

Michael Giacchino Knew ‘Ray Gunn’ Was Special From the Start

Image via Netflix

Though he uses a wide array of instruments in the final product, Giacchino reveals that he always starts with the piano to find a fitting melody. The sound of Ray Gunn came relatively easily, as he started getting ideas “almost immediately” upon hearing the concept, taking inspiration from films like The Maltese Falcon. Still, he says that it’s not until the orchestra comes in that you get the full depth of “emotions and humanity” a score can provide.

Giacchino works hard to ensure that, when it comes to the music of Ray Gunn, you’ll never have heard anything quite like it. There’s something special, he says, about working on a Brad Bird movie that makes him want to get particularly specific and innovative. “When I’m writing for his movies, I only want it to fit this movie. I don’t want you to be able to take this score and throw it on anything else. I don’t want it to work for anything else.” Bird then jumps in to help — and tease — with an analogy that’s evidence of their long, close friendship. “‘Giacchino’ means ‘little jacket,’” he informs us. “So it better be tailored right.”

‘Ray Gunn’s Target Audience Feels Groundbreaking

Image via Netflix

Animation usually falls into two categories: sweet, G-rated stories and raunchy, over-the-top R-rated films. Ray Gunn, however, does something different by landing somewhere in the middle. Bird says he set out to “broaden what an animated movie could be,” striving to create something that’s “not just for six-year-olds.” Though rated PG for violence, action, language, some suggestive material, and thematic elements, the footage we were treated to seems to skirt the line of being PG-13. This makes it a great choice for both adults and older kids who aren’t often catered to with animation, hopefully showing them that the medium is truly for everyone.

The craftsmanship and care that went into creating Ray Gunn is immediately obvious when watching the footage and again when hearing Abada and Luebbe speak about how they captured it. In an age dominated by busy special effects and rushed CGI, it’s refreshing to hear them talk about their approach, highlighting the “elegance of simplicity” to give the film a mature, sophisticated feel. From using 21mm and 28mm lenses to showcase the grand scope of the world the filmmakers built to techniques to give certain scenes a handheld feel, the level of artistry is undoubtedly impressive, putting Ray Gunn in a league of its own.

‘Ray Gunn’ Has a Wide Range of Visual Influences

Image via Netflix

Besides being deeply rooted in noir (more on that later), there are a plethora of visual and tonal influences. The combination of gritty crime and glamorous theatricality feels vaguely reminiscent of Chicago to me, while Abada and Luebbe cited both Mad Men and Columbo among their influences on the TV side of things.

With the film taking place in 1939, the New York World’s Fair was also a major influence for the team when crafting the film’s fictional city of Metropia, but with a twist. Instead of focusing solely on the brochure-ready utopian vibes, they wanted to dig into the darker, seedier underbelly simmering beneath the shiny Art Deco surface.

The buildings in Metropia are defined by retrofuturism (which might bring to mind another one of Giacchino’s recent projects, Fantastic Four: First Steps). Abada and Luebbe combined Hugh Ferriss’ famous architectural style, characterized by square, tall buildings, with the curves of Streamline Moderne to create unique rounded skyscrapers that also took inspiration from glassblowing.

‘Ray Gunn’ Is a Love Letter to Noir

Image via Netflix

Ray Gunn pays homage to the noir genre, whose staples include morally grey characters — usually a cynical detective and seductive femme fatale — and a gloomy environment. Venus Nova is described as “Lauren Bacall meets Veronica Lake,” two women who defined 1940s noir through films like This Gun for Hire, The Glass Key, The Big Sleep, and Key Largo. The 1974 film Chinatown, which is considered one of the greatest neo-noir films — and one of the greatest films, period — also heavily influenced Ray Gunn.

The film also acts as a tribute to the aesthetic elements of noir films, playing with lights and shadows. Whether it’s moonlight creeping into an office through the blinds or being introduced to someone by their dramatic silhouette alone, there’s a highly stylized and specific feel to the visuals of the genre. Ray Gunn integrates this in a way that feels particularly fresh due to its animated nature.

‘Ray Gunn’ Is Grounded In Realism

Image via Netflix

Ray Gunn may be animated, but make no mistake: it’s still firmly grounded in reality. The artists took a great deal of care to make sure each and every hair on the characters’ heads felt realistic. From making their locks look appropriately wet when it’s raining outside to having them look tousled after, well, a tussle, the animators did numerous experiments to see how each element “behaved” to make sure everything looked as authentic as possible. This is quite a feat when you consider this also applies to each piece of clothing the characters wear, with Ray racking up 10 costume changes and Venus having a whopping 23 throughout the film.

But this is still a sci-fi movie, after all, so those looking for some cool creatures need not fear, as there are aliens aplenty. The artists approached many of its creature designs by mixing elements of more classic monsters with machinery to complement the technological bend of the environment in which they’re living. I have a feeling that Eye-Ra (Tom Waits), with his singular droopy eye, oversized coat, and green skin, will be an instant favorite for many.

After three decades, Ray Gunn finally premieres on Netflix on December 18th. From everything I’ve seen so far, I have a good feeling it will have been worth the wait.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

December 18, 2026

Runtime

119 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Brad Bird

Advertisement

Writers

Matthew Robbins, Brad Bird

Producers

Advertisement

Alex Schwartz, Brad Bird, Connie Nartonis Thompson, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, Hannah Minghella, John Lasseter, Karen Rupert Toliver, Lisa Beroud

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The cast of Dancing With the Stars brought their best moves to the ballroom for night three of season 35 — but for one couple, it still wasn’t enough.

The third episode of the season aired on Tuesday, September 22, with both the male and female celebrity contestants dancing to popular social media songs as part of Viral Hits Night.

Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy kicked off the night with a performance of Katseye’s “Animal,” which received praise from judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough. Tonioli told Dewan that she was a “fast and furious sexy beast” and that she “did not miss a beat.”

Later on in the night, Ezra Frech was praised for his cha-cha with pro Daniella Karagach. Inaba told the Paralympian that he demands “us to watch and you demand excellence for yourself,” while Hough said he was “blown away” by the performance. They were given a score of 21, tying for first place with Dewan and Chmerkovskiy.

Olympian Amber Glenn and pro partner Pasha Pashkov made the top score a three-way tie when they also earned a 21 points. Tonioli declared it was the “best tango of the night,” and Inaba said that the performance was “phenomenal,” leaving her with “shivers” and “full body chills.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

However, the judges weren’t quite as complimentary to all of the contestants. Tonioli told Giada De Laurentiis that her salsa with pro partner Alan Bersten had “no spice,” with Inaba admitting she found the number to be “shaky.” They were given a score of 12 — matching Guillermo Rodriguez and pro partner Witney Carson as the lowest score of the night — and were ultimately sent home.

“I tried my best and it wasn’t best enough. But I tried my best,” De Laurentiis following her elimination.

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll down for a complete breakdown of each couple’s scores from the third episode of season 35:

As Taylor Swift fans eagerly await her new single, the more critical among them are claiming “Patient Zero” artwork has been heavily photo edited.

Fans across X and Instagram took to the social media platforms on Tuesday, September 22, to share thoughts on the upcoming single’s new portrait of Swift, 36. “People online are zooming in on her armpit, claiming something about the area looks seriously off and questioning whether the photo was heavily edited or retouched,” summarized one Instagram user before writing over the cover art, “Someone fire whoever is in charge of Taylor’s Photoshop?!?”

Us has reached out to a representative for Swift for comment.

Instagram users further discussed the photo, which shows the pop star leaning against a concrete wall as her torso appears to arch away from it. “Once you notice one armpit edit you see them all,” commented one fan, while another noted, “I’m a huge Swiftie and I see it. This one just didn’t look right.”

Interestingly, one Swiftie argued that a potential photo edit may have been intentional. “It could be an artistic choice. She’s been worried about public opinion in the past, maybe the song is about erasing every imperfection till you no longer look like you, then finding yourself again after that?” the fan posed.

Others simply couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Can someone explain because either I’ve missed something or I just don’t understand what to look for,” wrote one fan, while another commented, “Her armpits can do that, chill.”

The photo was unveiled via Instagram by Swift on Tuesday as she announced the arrival of a fresh era. “I’ve been impatiently waiting to tell you that my brand new single ‘Patient Zero’ will be out on September 25 (!!!!!!!!!!!!) and it’s available to pre-order now on my website for 24 hours,” Swift wrote.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Taylor Swift Explains Her Racy ‘Life of a Showgirl’ Album Artwork

Taylor Swift had Us mesmerized with her sexiest album cover yet. Swift, 35, announced her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, while chatting with her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce, on a Wednesday, August 13, episode of their “New Heights” podcast. In the episode, she opened up about her album artwork, […]

Advertisement

Her official website simultaneously showed three CD variations of the release which spanned acoustic and piano versions of the new single. With the variations came two additional previously unseen snaps of Swift posing demurely.

In the piano version cover art, she notably switched out her wedding ring for an emerald-cut diamond ring on a silver band. (Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot on July 3 in a star-studded Madison Square Garden wedding.)

In addition to heavy scrutiny of Swift’s alleged photo editing and ring styling, the photos have also led fans to start speculating about what the track will reveal about Swift’s songwriting psyche. “A sister album to The Life of a Showgirl and it’s the death of a showgirl,” one fan wrote via X in light of the announcement. Another fan agreed that it could be a “dark and scary halloween rock album” and “the opposite of The Life of a Showgirl,” in which Swift wore ultra colorful attire.

Pop heavyweights Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and Celine Dion have been drawn into a heated online debate over their chances of entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They are among the top 50 best-selling music artists of all time who are eligible for the honor but have yet to be inducted, leaving fans with more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has specific criteria artists must meet before it can consider them.

Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, And Britney Spears’ Rock Hall Absence Fuels Debate

3

Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Britney Spears are at the center of an online debate about music greats who remain outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite being eligible for consideration.

Despite their accomplishments and standing in the music industry, the trio has yet to be inducted. They rank among the top 50 best-selling artists of all time and are still awaiting the honor.

What has seemingly left fans dumbfounded is that some have already received recognition from other prominent institutions.

For instance, Carey has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, while Dion’s honors include induction into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame and recognition on Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Fans Clash Over Whether The Pop Trio Deserve Induction

3

Music lovers took to social media to share why the trio remains outside the Hall despite being eligible for consideration.

“As much as I love Britney, I don’t think she really deserves it,” a Reddit user wrote. “Obviously she was phenomenally successful, but she’s not much of an artist on the technical level (and I think she would happily admit that). Mariah will get it eventually. I think Barbra and Celine are too close to call could go either way.”

“Mariah, maybe. Celine and Britney have always felt like manufactured pop products. Neither generally wrote their own songs. At least Celine always had those vocals,” another user opined.

Others debated whether rock musicians should take priority over artists from other genres, including pop.

“There are plenty of rock acts that should be inducted before the pop acts,” one user noted.

Mariah Carey Brushes Off Third Consecutive Rock Hall Snub

3

Carey, who received three consecutive nominations in 2024, 2025, and 2026, was passed over again this year.

The omission came despite an enviable résumé that includes 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, six No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, and five Grammy Awards.

However, she revealed in an April interview with TMZ that it didn’t bother her. Asked whether she was angry about being passed over, she told the interviewer, “No.”

The singer then shared a message for fans who had been defending her, saying, “I love my fans, always.”

When the interviewer noted that she had already won “a lot of awards,” she replied, “Who cares? Like, give it to somebody else, fantastic.”

Rock Hall Sets November Ceremony As Mariah Carey Misses Out

This year’s induction ceremony will be held on November 14 in Los Angeles and air on ABC and Disney+ in December, per Billboard.

Artists set to be inducted in the performer category include Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan, and the late Luther Vandross.

Nominees who missed out alongside Carey include The Black Crowes, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, and Jeff Buckley.

How Artists Make It Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

The induction process begins when a nominating committee of current inductees, artists, historians, journalists, and other music industry figures comes together to create the year’s ballot of eligible nominees.

To qualify, artists must “have had their first commercial release at least 25 years prior to the year of Induction.” They must also demonstrate musical excellence, impact, and influence.

An international voting body of inductees, historians, and music industry members then casts its votes. The aggregate results of the online fan vote count as one ballot.

The final list of inductees is announced across several categories, with the honorees then celebrated at the induction ceremony.

The biggest stars are usually expected to have a victory speech ready. Ella Langley, however, sounded more like someone trying to wake herself up from an unbelievable dream. 

Just hours after making Billboard history and surpassing one of music’s most enduring records, the country singer wasn’t talking about legacy or dominance. 

She was talking about confusion, gratitude, and the strange feeling that somebody might suddenly appear and tell her none of it actually happened.

Ella Langley’s Historic Moment Comes With An Unexpected Reality Check

For months, “Choosin’ Texas” has been impossible to ignore. The song steadily grew from a country hit into a cultural force, turning Ella Langley into one of the most dominant artists in music.

Now, the track has officially spent 23 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a new all-time record and surpassing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” 

According to the Daily Mail, the achievement places Langley alone at the top of a list that also includes blockbuster chart runs from Lil Nas X, Shaboozey, Morgan Wallen, Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Boyz II Men.

What makes the accomplishment even more remarkable is that it arrived only months after another milestone. 

Earlier this year, “Choosin’ Texas” surpassed Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together” for the most weeks at No. 1 by a female country artist.

Yet while the industry was busy measuring records, Langley appeared more focused on processing the moment itself.

Langley Admits The Entire Situation Feels Too Big To Believe

The reaction fans might have expected never came. Instead of delivering a polished celebration, Ella Langley posted an Instagram video that felt almost stunned by the news.

“I’m genuinely trying to find the words to help explain what’s going on in my brain today,” she said from beside her pool.

The 27-year-old thanked listeners for embracing the song but repeatedly returned to one central idea: disbelief.

Advertisement

“Thank you so much. Thank you for loving this song. For listening to it. I don’t even know what to say at this point. I’m running out of hyperboles to describe how I feel, so I will just let my dog in the background show you his excitement,” Langley explained.

Then came the admission that may have explained why fans connected so strongly with her rise. 

She said, “It doesn’t feel like a real thing. It feels fake and somebody is going to come and say, ‘Haha, we’re kidding the whole time.’”

Ella Langley Says ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Changed More Than Just Her Career

3

Long before the record fell, Langley was already grappling with the pressure that came with the song’s explosive success. 

Last year, she stepped away from touring commitments and retreated to Alabama, eventually settling into a secluded waterfront home near her parents as she tried to escape the constant spotlight surrounding her rise.

Advertisement

That experience seemed to shape how she viewed the song’s success. Rather than focusing on trophies or statistics, Langley emphasized the ripple effect the record had had on the people around her.

In her words, “It’s changing my life. It’s changing the lives of the writers of this song. It’s changing the lives of my family and it is truly growing in atmosphere for something I’m going to be able to do for the rest of my life.”

And with history now officially on her side, Langley seemed ready to stop overthinking and enjoy the moment. 

“I’m going to go out and celebrate tonight and I’m really excited to just experience a moment like this in my life,” the star revealed.

Advertisement

More From The Blast

Langley’s Fans Say The Record Couldn’t Have Happened To A More Authentic Artist

3

While Ella Langley was still trying to wrap her head around her history-making achievement, fans in her comment section seemed far more certain about what the moment represented.

The singer’s Instagram video quickly filled with messages from supporters who said the record felt earned after watching her rise over the past year.

One fan wrote, “Never been so proud of a girl I’ve never even met, but I can just tell you deserve it!”

Another fan admitted they had been tracking “Choosin’ Texas” as it chased the record. “Congrats Ella! We’ve been waiting to see if the song would do it and it didn’t disappoint,” the supporter shared.

A recurring theme in the comments was Langley’s authenticity, which many fans credited with her growing success. “Love you Ella! You deserve all the accolades and most importantly thank God it’s to someone with some damn authenticity,” one admirer wrote.

Advertisement

Even amid the celebrations, some followers hoped the singer would stay grounded as her career reaches new heights.

“You are amazing lady please don’t let fame ruin your life keep your feet firmly on the ground we all love you Ella Langley,” another fan commented.

Ella Langley’s Breakout Year Reaches A New Stage With Nine CMA Nominations

3

The headlines surrounding “Choosin’ Texas” have largely focused on records, milestones, and history-making chart runs. However, inside Nashville, another measure of success carries just as much weight.

Earlier this month, The Associated Press reported that the Alabama native emerged as the leading nominee for the 2026 CMA Awards with nine nominations, putting her ahead of every other artist on this year’s ballot. 

The nominations span virtually every major category, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for “Dandelion,” and Single of the Year, where she earned nods for both “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her.”

Advertisement

The recognition extended beyond Langley herself. Her mentor, Miranda Lambert, who co-produced “Dandelion” and helped write “Choosin’ Texas,” also picked up multiple nominations.

Prince William is facing criticism after Tom Cruise offered Kate Middleton a helping hand during the world premiere of his new movie, “Digger.” The Hollywood star held the Princess of Wales’ hand and carefully guided her down a flight of stairs inside London’s ODEON Luxe Leicester Square. William was nearby, but some social media users questioned why Kate’s husband was not the one assisting her. The moment drew even more attention because it wasn’t the first time Cruise had extended his hand to the princess at one of his premieres.

Tom Cruise Holds Kate Middleton’s Hand At ‘Digger’ Premiere

William and Kate, both 44, joined Cruise, 64, and several other stars at the September 22 premiere of “Digger,” the actor’s new dark comedy directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The Prince and Princess of Wales walked the red carpet before meeting cast and creative team members. However, one of the night’s most widely discussed moments occurred as the group made its way down the theater’s stairs.

Cruise reached out to Kate, who accepted his hand as he guided her down the steps. The Sun described the actor as a “gentleman” for offering his assistance. Footage of the interaction quickly circulated online, where attention soon shifted from Cruise’s manners to William’s apparent lack of involvement.

Prince William Branded ‘Not A Gentleman’

3

A Reddit post sharing the footage accused William of failing to help his wife. The discussion attracted several sharply worded reactions about the future king’s behavior.

“William is not a gentleman,” one commenter declared. Another viewer argued that it took “a special kind of skill to make Tom Cruise appear the better man,” while someone else said the actor made up for his lack of height with “manners.”

Advertisement

One user also told William to “step up” and questioned why Cruise appeared more attentive to Kate on the stairs than her own husband. The reactions represented individual interpretations of a brief public interaction. There is no indication that Kate was upset with William or needed assistance to descend the steps.

Fans Compare Tom Cruise And Prince William

3

Several commenters believed the contrast between the two men made William look particularly bad.

“Tom at least recognizes the importance of appearances and looking chivalrous,” one person wrote, noting that Cruise has remained relevant partly because he understands the importance of maintaining his public image. Another commenter claimed that William was “so bad” he made Cruise “look like a saint,” while a third alleged that William did not even look toward Kate as the actor escorted her down the stairs. Others expanded the discussion beyond the premiere and accused the Prince of Wales of habitually walking ahead of his wife during public appearances.

Not Everyone Thought Kate Middleton Needed Help

3

The criticism was not unanimous. One Reddit user pointed out that Kate is “a full grown woman” who can navigate stairs without assistance. The commenter suggested Cruise may have been behaving “over the top” because he enjoyed the opportunity to be seen helping a member of the royal family. The princess also appeared comfortable throughout the exchange and willingly accepted Cruise’s hand. Nothing about the interaction suggested tension among the three.

William, Kate and Cruise posed together and appeared in good spirits during the event. People described the evening as a glamorous reunion between the royal couple and the Hollywood star.

Tom Cruise Previously Helped Kate Middleton In 2022

It’s not the first time Tom Cruise was more attentive and gentlemanly to Kate Middleton than William 🤷🏻‍♀️
Willy is literally looking right at their hands….. I have to ask – are WanK swingers 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jBHjKr7tiw

— Veritas (Eimíle) (@theroyaleditor) September 23, 2026

Advertisement

The latest interaction recalled a nearly identical moment at the London premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick” in May 2022. Cruise offered Kate his hand as she walked up a set of stairs while wearing a fitted black-and-white Roland Mouret gown. The gesture earned the actor praise at the time, although it also generated debate about whether touching a royal breached protocol.

The Blast previously reported that Cruise escorted the then-Duchess of Cambridge up the stairs while William adjusted his jacket and tie. Four years later, Cruise’s decision to help Kate again has renewed that conversation, only this time, much of the attention has fallen on William. The premiere still seemed like a friendly reunion. William and Cruise share an interest in aviation, while the prince serves as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. “Digger,” which stars Cruise as an oil tycoon whose actions unleash an environmental catastrophe, is scheduled to arrive in theaters in October. For some viewers, however, the movie was not the biggest talking point of the night. It was seeing Cruise once again extend his hand to Kate while her husband stood nearby.

Tom Cruise is just like Us — a Swiftie, that is.

When asked at the London premiere of his new film Digger if he’d ever say yes to starring in a Taylor Swift music video, the actor, 64, showered praise on the pop star, 36.

“It would be amazing to work with her on anything,” Cruise told BuzzFeed U.K. on Tuesday, September 22. “I make movies, you know, let’s go make a movie. I think she’s such a talent in anything she does. She’s absolutely brilliant. She’s a brilliant writer. Brilliant.”

The Cocktail star, who hit the Leicester Square premiere with Prince William and wife Kate Middleton among a string of celebrities, added that he believes Swift would prove to be an exceptional director should she pursue a cinematic career.

“Her ability, you know, we were talking about … if she ever decided to direct, she could be a director of feature films. I know she does her videos and she does a beautiful job,” he said during the interview, adding that she, her family and her husband, Travis Kelce, were all “very magical.”

Cruise and Swift’s friendship was on full display during the Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14. Spotted enjoying the game alongside the pop star in her private suite, Cruise later revealed that she had taught the actor more than a thing or two about what they were watching.

“She was schooling me on football. She was bringing the football [knowledge],” Cruise told Jimmy Fallon on the Thursday, September 17, episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, before complementing his famous friend again.

“First of all, she’s a genius,” Cruise continued. “I’ve been following her since she was a kid. Everybody there, all their friends … they’re a beautiful couple and magical in their own right.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Cruise was in attendance at Kelce, also 36, and Swift’s July 3 wedding at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, which was officiated by fellow film star Adam Sandler.

Earlier this month, Kelce used the same term — “magical” — to describe his nuptials during the September 2 episode of his “New Heights” podcast. “We wanted to do it somewhere where we could have a very intimate and genuine setting without a lot of distractions. We needed it to be a private feel. And MSG went above and beyond to give us that. I can’t thank everybody enough that showed up but also that helped put the show on, and it was a very magical, magical night,” he shared at the time.

He also noted that he wished the evening could’ve “lasted even longer” than it did. “It felt like it just happened in the blink of an eye,” Kelce fondly reflected.

Calling a mystery movie brilliant is always a little risky, because the whole thing can fall apart the second the reveal feels cheap, the clues stop making sense, or the final answer turns out to be less interesting than the questions. A great mystery has to keep the audience curious without cheating them. It has to make every detail feel like it belongs to a larger design.

That kind of control is hard to pull off, especially in modern movies where audiences have seen every obvious twist coming from a mile away. The films on this list avoid that problem. They understand mystery as more than a puzzle. Let’s count down the six movies that actually pull it off in my opinion.

6

‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)

Image via Amazon Studios/ CJ Entertainment

The Handmaiden takes the old con-artist setup and turns it into something far richer, stranger, and more intoxicating. The plot kicks off when Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) arrives at Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee)’s isolated estate pretending to be a naive maid, but she is really there to help Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) manipulate Hideko out of her fortune. At first, the manor feels like a beautiful trap, all private rooms, heavy fabrics, locked desires, and conversations where everyone seems to be measuring everyone else.

However, this trap is an illusion. The film pulls the floor out from under its own story. The intimacy becomes real. Every touch carries danger. The bath scene, with the thimble scraping against Hideko’s sharp tooth, says more than a whole confession could. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the movie hits rewind and flips the whole perspective. Suddenly, you’re piecing it all together from a totally different angle, watching a dirty hustle turn into a deeply satisfying jailbreak.

5

‘Decision to Leave’ (2022)

Image via CJ Entertainment

Usually crime stories start with a dead body and end in handcuffs. On the other hand, Decision to Leave begins like a murder investigation and slowly turns into a wound that neither person knows how to close. The film follows Detective Hae-jun (Park Hae-il), an insomniac investigator defined by his red eyes, his constant use of eye drops, and a professional calm that looks increasingly fragile. Then the exact wrong case lands on his desk. An experienced climber falls from a mountain peak. But, his widow, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), doesn’t shed a single tear.

That calmness pulls Hae-jun in. The interrogation room becomes intimate. The late-night surveillance outside Seo-rae’s apartment feels less like police work and more like a man teaching himself how to want the wrong thing. It nails that weird modern feeling of being deeply connected to someone through a translation app or a recorded whisper, wrapping both of them in a private bubble. As a result, desire eventually overrules the badge. He destroys evidence just to keep her in his orbit, willingly protecting the woman he was supposed to put away. Sometimes, the real mystery is why we look the other way.

4

‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Shutter Island is the kind of mystery that instantly makes the setting feel guilty. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrives seasick and war-haunted at an offshore asylum with Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), searching for a missing patient who has somehow vanished from a locked institution. The rain-lashed grounds, suspicious psychiatric staff, barred rooms, and leaking corridors of Ward C all seem designed to keep the viewer uncomfortable before the case even deepens.

Once that initial discomfort sets in, the movie itself starts losing its grip on reality. Continuity errors, strange edits, patient interviews, missing files, migraine flashes, and notes about “The Law of 4” keep nudging Teddy and the audience toward paranoia. The storm outside is nothing compared to the one inside Teddy’s mind. Hallucinations of fire, ash, and his wife’s yellow dress keep halting the investigation. The missing-patient case is just bait. The real mystery is the lengths a shattered identity will go to avoid looking at its own tragedy.

3

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Long before it became a pop-culture blueprint for toxic suburban warfare, David Fincher’s Gone Girl turns a failing marriage into a crime scene and then lets the whole country contaminate it. The story starts with Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) returning home on his fifth wedding anniversary to an open door, a shattered living room table, and Amy Elliott Dunne (Rosamund Pike) gone. Consequently, when Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) walks in, the mess feels completely staged. Soon after, diary entries, resentment, and awful timing start building Nick into the perfect monster.

The trap is set with ice-cold, vicious humor. Nothing escapes notice. Even Nick’s sideways half-smile beside the missing poster becomes its own piece of evidence once the cameras catch it. Luminol reveals cleaned blood in the kitchen. Cable news turns grief into performance. Every jaw clench, rehearsed smile, and passive-aggressive memory becomes part of the trial before the trial. Finally, Amy takes ownership of the story, and the film becomes a masterclass in weaponized image-making. The mystery is brilliant, but the satire is even sharper.

2

‘Prisoners’ (2013)

Image via Warner Bros.

Prisoners hits hard because it turns a normal Thanksgiving into panic almost immediately. It starts with Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), who is with family and neighbors when two young girls vanish from the street, and the whole movie tightens from there. Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes the case, but when Alex Jones (Paul Dano) is released for lack of evidence, Keller decides to take the matter in his own hands.

The film moves with a nasty, rain-soaked urgency. Every new lead feels like a breakthrough. Every dead end makes Keller more dangerous. Meanwhile, Loki’s twitchy focus keeps the collapsing investigation alive. Keller keeps spiraling into total darkness, yet the movie never lets the search lose momentum. Then that distant whistle echoes from the pit, and the entire movie just locks its grip on your chest.

1

‘Knives Out’ (2019)

Image via Lionsgate

Knives Out locks down the top of the list because it makes the old mansion murder mystery feel alive again without treating the genre like a museum piece. The film begins with Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), who is found with his throat cut after his 85th birthday party, and the family instantly turns grief into theater. Everyone talks about love, loyalty, and legacy. Meanwhile, they are all quietly measuring their distance to the inheritance. The house helps sell that pleasure too, with its staircases, hidden corners, strange antiques, and that absurd wheel of knives looming behind Harlan like the whole room is waiting to accuse someone.

The film is special because Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas) is stuck at the center of the mess. She is scared. She is decent. And she is carrying a secret so dangerous that every casual question from Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) feels like a steel trap snapping shut. Her vomiting reflex turns lying into physical suspense, which is such a perfect murder-mystery device. Marta outlasts a family that completely underestimated her kindness. That balcony shot with the mug? Ridiculously satisfying. It is clever, funny, mean when it needs to be, and built to be watched on repeat.

Advertisement

Knives Out

Release Date

Advertisement

November 27, 2019

Runtime

131 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Rian Johnson

Writers

Advertisement

Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Emma Roberts gave Us another reason to trade basic ballet flats for something with a little more personality this fall. Her T-strap Mary Jane style has the same easy, walkable appeal, but with a throwback silhouette that makes even everyday denim feel intentional. Add a rich burgundy finish, and the vintage-inspired style feels especially fitting for fall 2026.

With out to dinner with husband Cody John and a friend, Roberts stepped out in burgundy T-strap Mary Jane flats, which she paired with dark-wash jeans, a blue and white tee and a beige scarf tossed around her neck. The combination had French girl charm and a little old Hollywood appeal. She inspired Us to find a similar pair on Amazon to channel her look for the season.

Get the Dream Pairs T-Strap Mary Jane Flats for $31 (was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Dream Pairs T-Strap Mary Jane Flats capture the classy feel of Roberts’ shoes with a semi-square toe, slim T-strap and silver buckle hardware. A soft-touch faux leather upper gives them a polished finish, while a plush insole and padded heel are designed to keep you comfortable for hours. And unlike heels, these shoes are easy enough to wear for everything from dinner dates to a full day of walking.

Related: Get Katie Holmes’ Sporty NYC Rich Mom Matching Set Look for $25

Advertisement

Katie Holmes has basically mastered the art of looking like an NYC rich mom, and her latest outfit might be one of the easiest to copy yet. Instead of jeans or leggings, the actress reached for a relaxed matching set that somehow made loungewear feel appropriate for a coffee run, lunch date and everything in […]

Shoppers are equally into their mix of pretty and practical style. One reviewer called them “cute and feminine,” adding that they’re an “easy way to dress up an outfit without having to wear heels.” That makes them an especially easy swap when ballet flats feel too basic but heels sound like a pain.

Another shopper described them as “comfortable and versatile,” noting that they “make great seasonal transition shoes.”

Along with the deep burgundy shade that channels Roberts’ pair, the flats come in brown suede, classic black and several other finishes that work beyond autumn. They’re also available in sizes 6 through 11, making it easy to find the most ideal fit for you.

These $31 T-strap Mary Janes are easy way to give jeans, trousers and fall dresses a retro twist without completely changing your wardrobe. Wear them now with cropped denim and a trench, then add tights and a midi skirt once temperatures drop. If anything, Roberts’ shoe style confirms that the throwback silhouette is the prettiest way to give your everyday flats a fall 2026 update.

Get the Dream Pairs T-Strap Mary Jane Flats for $31 (was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Dream Pairs here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale –> 

Related: Jessica Alba’s Luxe Loafer Style Is the Rich-Lady Shoe of Fall 2026

Advertisement

If sneakers have been dominating your fall wardrobe, Jessica Alba might convince you to give them a day off. The actress just stepped out in chunky black loafers that made even the simplest basics look expensive. With their platform sole and classic shape, they have the rich-lady energy we want from fall shoes. On September […]

Video games are getting better and better every year, with many considering the 2020s to be the pinnacle of the medium in the new millennium, especially as technology, design, and graphics get better. With masterful games like Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 earning universal praise, it is hard to argue. However, just because the 2020s have some incredible games doesn’t mean the older years don’t have anything good.

2026 has a lot of good video games, but when it comes to the best year of gaming, 2007 reigns supreme. That is why this list will feature the greatest video games that prove why 2007 was the best year for video games. Based on aspects like gameplay, design, originality, influence, staying power, narrative, visuals, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, it is miraculous that so many masterpieces came out in the same year.

‘Crysis’

Image via Crytek

Graphics are the main aspect of video games that have gotten better, but 2007 still had surprisingly good visuals, as evidenced by games like Crysis. When suspicious North Korean activity is spotted on a remote island, a group of special operatives equipped in nanotech suits goes to investigate it, only to find an awakening race of aliens that are hiding beneath the island.

Crysis was a revolutionary game in 2007, mainly earning a legacy for being one of the most technically advanced video games at the time. The sandbox gameplay and nanotech suit offered fun combat options, but the real star of the game is by far the graphics. Crysis set an impossibly high benchmark for visual fidelity that spawned a timeless meme of “but can it run Crysis?”

‘Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga’

Image via LucasArts

Star Wars is one of the biggest franchises of all time, and they are no stranger to video games; in 2007, fans got to play the entire thing with Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga. This game lets players experience the original and sequel trilogies from a more immersive perspective, allowing them to play as hundreds of familiar characters in levels that reflect the story of the movies.

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a video game that is a blast from start to finish because of its charm, nostalgic vibe, and well-designed puzzles. The level design, puzzles, gameplay, and authentic experience highlight a love letter to the films that makes it fun to play. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is the definitive Star Wars video game that perfected the cooperative action-platformer genre.

‘God of War II’

Image via Sony Computer Entertainment

The God of War franchise is one of the most acclaimed out there, and while the 2018 version is arguably better, God of War II was the first game that captivated viewers. After Kratos is betrayed and killed by Zeus, the Titan Gaia revives him, giving him the chance to travel through time and fight through the underworld to rewrite his fate and kill the King of the Gods.

While the franchise entered new territory in the 2010s, and for the better, there is something so cathartic and freeing about God of War II, which delivers an unbridled sense of anger, exhilaration, and action. The scale knows no bounds, resulting in a larger-than-life experience that players crash through with unstoppable rage, proving why it is a perfect action game that is one of the many standouts in 2007.

‘Rock Band’

Image via IGDB

2007 was such a great year for video games because not only were many games high quality, but there was a lot of variety, including puzzle, action, and FPS games. The year also boasted a perfect music game with Rock Band. Gamers can play solo or with a group of four to start their music career from dive bars and gain fame to make it to the top and play in sold-out stadiums.

If fans want a break from the action, then Rock Band was the perfect game for them, turning the living room into a studio of unfiltered music and passion. The 2000s were a time of amazing music, and the era was perfectly represented in this game with a fantastic list of songs to perform. More than that, though, this fun video game introduced many non-gamers to the medium.

‘Portal’

Image via Valve

Valve is best known for Steam and their platform of games, but they used to be prominent in making video games as well, such as Portal. When a character named Chell wakes up in a scientific testing facility, she is forced to be a subject of experimentation with a portal gun. However, when thrown out, she must now try to escape the facility before being caught by GLaDOS.

While Portal 2 enhances everything about this first game, Portal was still a pioneering effort. The gravity gun is one of the best gimmicks in the medium, allowing for so many engaging puzzles and emergent possibilities that have unlimited agency for the player. Portal is charming and witty on top of its gameplay, highlighting its importance in 2007.

‘Mass Effect’

Image via BioWare

2007 saw the introduction of the first games in many amazing franchises, including Mass Effect. Players control Commander Shepard, who is tasked with retrieving a rogue agent, but on their mission, they uncover a much larger threat. The Reapers are an ancient biomechanical race that lives by eating galaxies, threatening the fate of the Milky Way if Shepard doesn’t do anything.

The first three entries in Mass Effect form one of the best video game trilogies of all time, but the first game introduced gamers to the galaxy. It boasts some of the best worldbuilding in video game history, creating an immersive setting through lore, character interactions, and a complex political history. Mass Effect is a narrative masterclass with outstanding dialogue that was the best of 2007.

‘Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’

Image via Activision

Advertisement

One of the best FPS franchises is Call of Duty, and while a lot of the games are similar, one that stands out is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Players control either a British SAS squad or the US Marines, and must set out on a dangerous mission where they need to stop a Middle Eastern dictator from setting off a global nuclear war.

2007 had some of the greatest FPS titles of all time, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is just the start. It is the pinnacle of the FPS genre in terms of action, having a tightly paced campaign and snappy gunplay. But this remarkable game is more than just a cinematic shooter, because its influence can still be felt in the genre today. Indeed, the franchise never got better than this seminal title.

‘Halo 3’

Image via Microsoft Game Studios

Advertisement

The Xbox 360 was the go-to console for FPS games, and like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Halo 3 was a definitive entry on the console. The franchise is Microsoft’s crowning gem, and it peaked with its third entry. The fight against the Covenant seems to never end, but Master Chief hopes this time will finally be the end of this war.

The first handful of Halo games were all magnificent, but Halo 3 perfected the series with its polished gameplay and engaging story. This third entry into the long-running series defined split-screen multiplayer, just as a decade of co-op gaming was at its height. Fans have fond memories of this game that perfected the multiplayer servers and format, showing why it was a must-play game in 2007.

‘BioShock’

2007 was one of the best years for gaming of all time, meaning the choice for Game of the Year was the hardest up to that point, but it came down to two games, and one of them is BioShock. When the protagonist crash-lands in the ocean, they find refuge in a lone lighthouse. However, when descending further into it, they discover a failed Utopia plagued with political strife and terrifying genetically spliced monstrosities.

This year was one of the best for gaming of all time, with so many influential, important, popular, and enjoyable titles gracing fans. However, while they were feasting, BioShock was the pièce de resistance for many. Its political critique of Randian objectivism was captivating, and it was made even better because of the atmospheric backdrop that boosted the narrative. Today, BioShock remains a foundational piece of modern sci-fi and the clear choice for the 2007 Game of the Year.

‘Super Mario Galaxy’

Image via Nintendo

As mentioned, the Game of the Year award was split between BioShock and one other game, which is now revealed to be Super Mario Galaxy. After Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach and takes her out to space, Mario must team up with Rosalina to venture around the cosmos and hop between the planets in order to find and rescue her from the evil King Koopa.

There are so many incredible Mario video games, but it is hard to beat Super Mario Galaxy, which is the final cherry on top of the 2007 cake. It may be a different vibe than a lot of the FPS titles or action-packed games, but it is a platforming masterclass that perfected the genre. The imaginative spherical gravity changed the gameplay to add a fun gimmick to the already flawless puzzles, proving why 2007 is the undefeated king of video games.