A New Jersey man has been sentenced to prison in connection with the death of a missing person after 106 bones were discovered across multiple properties in 2020.

Michael A. Zappley, of Westville, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Friday, September 18, over the killing of Miguel Martinez III, according to a Monday, September 21, news release from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

Zappley’s sentence comes after he pleaded guilty last month to aggravated manslaughter in connection with Martinez’s 2016 death.

Martinez was reported missing by his family members on June 15, 2016, according to prosecutors.

Related: Man Facing Nearly 500 Counts After Human Skeletal Remains Found In His Home

A man in Pennsylvania is facing nearly 500 criminal counts after hundreds of human skeletal remains were found inside his home. Jonathan Gerlach was arrested on Tuesday, January 6, at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse announced in a statement on Thursday, January 8. Rouse said that authorities executed […]

“For several months detectives investigated, continually checking hospitals, phone records, social media records, and interviewing individuals, but were unable to locate Martinez,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Eventually, investigators received a major lead from a witness who shared details in 2020 about Martinez’s death and the disposal of his body.

The tip led investigators to execute several search warrants at properties along Fox Run Road in Deptford, where dozens of human bones were found, according to prosecutors.

There were 106 bones recovered, prosecutors said. DNA testing revealed they all belonged to Martinez.

After Zappley was linked to Martinez’s death, he admitted to investigators that he got into a fight with Martinez at an auto body shop, A&J Auto Body, in Deptford, according to Patch.com. Zappley had been working at the business as a manager.

Related: California Man Charged With Murder of Teen Who Went Missing in 2019

A California man has been arrested for murder in connection with the 2019 disappearance of 17-year-old Victoria Marquina after he was originally an early suspect in the case. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office said that Joshua Martinez is currently being held without bail at the San Joaquin County Jail, according to Fox News. […]

“In a taped statement, Zappley admitted to an altercation with Martinez in which he grabbed the victim from behind, restricted Martinez’s airway until he could not breathe, and struck him on the head with a steel door,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Afterward, Zappley said he left Martinez’s body outside overnight before taking his remains to a wooded area near Fox Run Road, according to prosecutors. There, Zappley allegedly tried to burn Martinez’s body.

Following the discovery of Martinez’s bones, Zappley was indicted in 2020 on charges including murder, disturbing or desecrating human remains and tampering with physical evidence, according to Patch.com.

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As part of his sentence, he is required to serve 85% of the 12 years before he is eligible for parole, the prosecutor’s office said.

Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns thanked his office’s Major Crimes and Crime Scene Investigation Unit, New Jersey State Police and the Deptford Police Department for investigating Martinez’s death.

Deptford is located about a 10-mile drive southeast from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on September 21, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Presley Gerber‘s autopsy has been completed with his cause of death deferred pending additional testing that could take months, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber‘s son died at a rehab facility, and Santa Monica police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose with no indication of foul play.

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• Taylor Frankie Paul teased her exit from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in an Instagram post Monday, writing that it’s “a pleasure to remove myself” from the Hulu reality show. Her message follows costar Mikayla Matthews‘ announcement that she would not return if Taylor is involved in filming.

• Mayville State quarterback Matt Donovan had portions of his skull removed to relieve brain pressure after a helmet-to-helmet hit during Saturday’s game against Simpson University. He remains in a medically-induced coma at a Fargo ICU, and a GoFundMe launched by his sister, Ashley Klar, has raised over $66,000.

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Prime Video has unfairly canceled another series again, this time targeting a near-perfect adventure hit loved by Reacher fans for its pacing and intense action. Debuting this summer, the show earned critical acclaim and strong viewership, currently holding a Certified Fresh 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85% Popcornmeter score. It also became one of the most-watched shows worldwide soon after its debut and quickly rose to the top of the U.S. charts.

Created by Tessa Coates, Ride or Die follows best friends Debbie Claybourne (Octavia Spencer) and Judith Burton (Hannah Waddingham) who thought they knew everything about each other, except Judith turns out to be an international assassin. When a mysterious figure appears from Judith’s past and a hit goes terribly wrong, their lives are turned upside down, forcing them to go on the run together. Season 1, which ended on multiple cliffhangers, also stars Ed Skrein, Calam Lynch, Savannah Steyn, Jamie Parker, Jacky Ido, Sylvia Hoeks, and Bill Nighy.

After just one season, Prime Video has officially confirmed the cancellation of Ride or Die, according to Deadline. However, there’s a possibility it’s not entirely dead, as the lead studio, Paramount Television Studios, is currently trying to find other buyers for the series. The reasons for the cancellation remain unclear at this time. Although the show was produced within budget, it apparently didn’t attract the desired demographics. Amazon executives seem to believe a series centered on middle-aged women primarily targets an audience already using Amazon Prime for shopping, which would not significantly attract new subscribers.

‘Ride or Die’ Is One of Prime Video’s Most-Watched Shows

Ride or Die performed strongly domestically upon its release on July 15, 2026. The buddy spy comedy quietly rose to No. 1 in the daily rankings and reached 927K views in its first two days, landing on Luminate’s weekly U.S. charts. It continued its success by debuting at No. 8 on the Nielsen Weekly Top 10 overall streaming chart and at No. 3 among originals with 869M minutes watched.

In its second week, it climbed to No. 4 overall and No. 2 among streaming originals with 922M minutes. Additionally, during its first 14 days, Ride or Die became Prime Video’s most-watched new scripted series in the U.S. from July 30, 2025, to July 29, 2026. Globally, the series was the No. 1 most-watched Prime Video original for three weeks, and over two months later, it remains in Prime Video’s weekly Global Top 10.

Ride or Die streams on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more news.

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Peyton Reed, Lauren Wolkstein, DeMane Davis, Allison Liddi-Brown

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Tessa Coates

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Channing Tatum can’t help but laugh over rumors he is behind an Instagram burner account mocking his ex-fiancée Zoë Kravitz and her new fiancé Harry Styles.

“Yo I truly can’t believe y’all think this is what I’m doing with my free time,” Tatum, 46, wrote in an Instagram Story statement on Monday, September 21. “F***in hilarious.”

The Magic Mike star pondered, “Also, why would I follow a burner account if I didn’t want people to connect me to it? Wtf come on.”

In case anyone was still unclear about whether Tatum was responsible for poking fun at Kravitz, 37, and Styles, 32, online, he added, “But if I really need to say it, I only have one IG account @channingtatum.”

Related: Channing Tatum Shares Cryptic Posts Amid Ex Zoe Kravitz’s Engagement

Channing Tatum has been sharing cryptic messages amid reports that ex-fiancée Zoë Kravitz is engaged to Harry Styles. Tatum, 46, took to his Instagram Story on Monday, April 27, to post a poem written by John Roedel and wrote, “Read.” “My brain and heart divorced / a decade ago / about who was to blame […]

Tatum’s declaration of innocence comes days after rumors circulated online that the Josephine actor was behind the Instagram account called @bidness_nonya.

The account made headlines over the weekend after eagle-eyed fans noticed that the user was leaving comments about Kravitz and Styles.

Tatum’s alleged involvement in the controversy came after some fans realized that he was the only follower of the “Nonya Bidness” account.

While some users thought Tatum could be responsible for the profile — which allegedly commented “just here for the hate” on a recent photo of Kravitz and Styles — pop culture commentator Stephanie Tleiji claimed to have evidence that the Step Up star was not involved.

According to Tleiji, who runs the @stephwithdadeets account, the Nonya Bidness page was more likely a Tatum fan profile that recently changed its handle.

Tleiji cited a past upload from the burner account in which the owner referenced having a June birthday — Tatum was born in April — as proof it wasn’t run by the People’s Choice Awards winner.

Related: Model Inka Williams Gushes Over Channing Tatum Amid Rumored Romance

Australian model Inka Williams celebrated Channing Tatum’s recent birthday by sharing a gushing tribute to him. Per the Daily Mail, Williams, 25, took to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, April 27, to post a photo collage of the actor, 45, and some heartfelt words. “Happy life to the handsomest, kindest, funniest, stupidest most gorgeous human […]

The controversial account has also commented on a variety of pop culture topics, not just posts about Tatum’s ex, seemingly pointing to it being another person.

The runner of Nonya Bidness also allegedly responded to a comment from a follower asking whether the profile belonged to Tatum, writing, “I’m not him.”

Prior to Tatum’s statement, Nonya Bidness deactivated their account.

Tatum, for his part, began dating Kravitz in 2021. The pair got engaged in 2023 but called it quits one year later.

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Kravitz moved on with the former One Direction singer in summer 2025. News broke in April that she and Styles are engaged after eight months of dating.

Tatum, meanwhile, was romantically linked to model Inka Williams in March 2025 after being spotted at a pre-Oscars party together.

The actor was previously married to Jenna Dewan. The two split in 2018 after nine years of marriage. The exes share one daughter, Everly, 13.

This fall we’re bidding adieu to crewnecks, turtlenecks, hoodies and the usual lineup of bland basics. Chic mockneck sweatshirts are about to become our whole personality, and Amazon definitely has the goods. Far from being just another cozy layer, mockneck sweatshirts deliver real structure, polish and that signature cool-girl energy we love.

We tracked down 15 cool‑girl mockneck sweatshirts that will define our fall wardrobes, from sporty silhouettes, quiet‑luxury picks, expensive‑looking styles and more. The best part? They start at only $10.

15 Cool-Girl Mockneck Sweatshirts to Wear for Fall 2026

1. Our Favorite: We’ll be ready for those crisp fall days with this simple yet elevated mockneck sweatshirt. Whether you pair it with distressed denim and loafers or lean into leggings and sleek sneakers, it always reads cool-girl chic.

2. Pared-Down Pick: Talk about cozy-chic! Trendy Queen’s oversized mockneck sweatshirt lets you embrace soft-luxe comfort while still looking insanely put-together.

3. Stand Out: Looking for a statement piece? This colorblocked mockneck pullover has an undeniable athletic vibe, complete with pops of pink, white and blue.

4. Quiet Luxury Achieved: Khaki, navy, black, white and more. This oversized pick comes in numerous quiet-luxury hues, and reviewers say the cozy‑polished piece “looks a lot more expensive than it actually is.”

5. Amped Up Style: You don’t have to compromise cool-girl style just to stay cozy. A quarter-zip mockneck pullover is the kind of off-duty layer that takes leggings and denim to the next level.

Related: 17 Throw-On Amazon Dresses With ‘Rich Mom Running Errands’ Energy

There’s a very specific kind of rich mom style worth channeling this fall, and it’s inspired by the woman who somehow looks put together while grabbing coffee, getting groceries or knocking out errands. Her outfit looks expensive, but more importantly, it feels effortless — and a throw-on dress might be the easiest way to recreate […]

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6. Perfect Pairing: Poised and polished, this colorblocked sweatshirt looks like it was plucked from the Neiman Marcus racks. The only difficulty we’re having is choosing a favorite color combination.

7. Stylish Stripes: Forget solid hues — this striped style leans all the way into pattern play, giving your fall outfits extra personality without trying. Plus, it’s just $10!

8. Demure Dots: Embrace poised, playful style with this polka‑dot mockneck sweatshirt. Youthful without going over the top, it makes everyday outfits feel cooler and effortlessly chic.

9. Designer Lookalike: We love Reebok’s athletic take on the mockneck sweatshirt with this sporty design. Slip on the practical yet luxe piece after your workout or during your morning walk to embrace those cozy fall temps.

10. Mix and Match: The sleeves do all the work in this stylish gingham design. With a solid base and gorgeous printed sleeves, the mix of textures gives it that curated, slightly preppy edge.

11. One in a Million: Oversized options are abundant, but we’re rather partial to this slimming cropped mockneck sweatshirt. It lets you embrace the cool-girl silhouette without drowning in fabric.

12. Customized Fit: Go mockneck on your own terms with this butter yellow button-up style. The adjustable design lets you shape the neckline however you like — structured and sleek or relaxed and undone.

13. Pockets Galore: You’ll be warm and toasty this fall in this mockneck sweatshirt with pockets. Reviewers say the roomy piece has “that relaxed look without feeling sloppy.”

14. Go-To Brand: Show your love for logos in this Gap mockneck sweatshirt. Not many brands are as cool-girl-approved as Gap, and the piece’s classic, forever-trendy logo works well with the sporty yet elevated design.

15. Preppy Poise: If your style leans preppy, Shewin’s chic sweatshirt with contrast piping adds a crisp, cool, tailored touch. It’s the very definition of country-club chic.

Romance is in the air at NBC. Jamie Lee Curtis has teamed up with Gail Lerner for the upcoming sitcom, Newlyweds. The series is “a later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship,” NBC teased in a press release. The series will reunite the stars of Madam Secretary while being a later-in-life version of Dharma & Greg. Téa Leoni will star as Jeanie, a middle school teacher and single mother of two, who falls in love with James (Tim Daly), a philosophy professor.

The co-creators will executive produce the series, with Lerner serving as the showrunner. Her comedy credentials include writing and producing on Will & Grace, Black-ish, and Happy Endings. The series also stars Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Bill O’Neill, and Emma Meisel.

Leoni and Daly Met Filming ‘Madam Secretary’

Leoni and Daly can bring their off-screen chemistry on-screen, reuniting this time as a married couple. The pair met in 2014 while starring in the political drama, Madam Secretary. Created by Barbara Hall, the series followed the Secretary of State, Elizabeth McCord (Leoni), as she balances her work and career. Daly played her husband, Henry McCord. Like James, he was also a professor. Leoni and Daly finally married on July 12, 2025. “We spent six years pretending to be married on TV, and now we get to do it again, but we actually are married,” Daly explained during a panel at NBCUniversal’s Backlot Pass event.

She admitted that they had been “sniffing around” for a project to do together. “We had a lot of fun on Madam Secretary and, I don’t know, the world got darker and we wanted to get lighter,” Leoni explained of their move to comedy during the Backlot Pass event in August. She added, “We wanted to spend our days together.”

They’re following in the footsteps of other couples-turned-costars, like Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz whose chemistry became essential to I Love Lucy. Their real-life relationship added to the show’s dynamics, bringing their personal connection to the role and grounding their antics.

“Every time people said we had great chemistry, I was like, ‘Yeah, no s—!’ It was funny because our first season, we were supposedly trying to keep it quiet, be on the down low,” Daly said to LifeMinute in November 2025 of their time on Madam Secretary. “But the teamsters were picking us up at each other’s house all the time, and we were looking at each other with goo-goo eyes.”

‘Newlyweds’ Is a Later-in-Life Version of ‘Dharma & Greg’

Image via ABC

Newlyweds is treading a familiar path, harkening back to the ‘90s sitcom Dharma & Greg. The series, created by Chuck Lorre and Dottie Dartland Zicklin, had a similar premise. It followed its titular characters, a fun-loving yoga instructor (Jenna Elfman) who married a straight-laced lawyer (Thomas Gibson) on their first date. Dharma & Greg premiered in 1997 and ran for five seasons.

Throughout Dharma & Greg, the couple not only have to find common ground within their relationship but also within their greater friends, family, and work relationships. This is only amplified with the added commitments of age in Newlyweds. “They get married without really knowing each other,” Daly told TV Insider. “They’re of a certain age, so they have ways that they’re set in. She has two crazy kids. I’ve got a crazy ex-wife. And there’s James’ assistant who hovers over and insinuates himself into their relationship.”

While Jeanie and James fit predictable opposites-attract archetypes, down to the fun-loving blonde leading lady, they are presenting a later-in-life version that comes with the added baggage of kids and exes. TV Insider revealed Jeanie has two teen children, Poppy (Meisel) and Lolo (Diaz-Silverio). Curtis also stars as James’ ex-wife, Claudia.

Leoni and Daly Have a Background in Sitcoms

Despite meeting in a political drama, Leoni and Daly are no strangers to comedy. For three seasons, Leoni starred as a disgraced photojournalist-turned-paparazzo at a tabloid in the ‘90s sitcom The Naked Truth. She most recently appeared in Season 5 of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Daly actually got his big break in another NBC sitcom, playing Joe Hackett in Wings. The series followed the Hackett brothers, pilots who flew a commuter plane out of a small airport in Nantucket. He has continued to pop up in comedies, such as The Mindy Project and more recently, Leanne.

Leoni and Daly may be taking on well-established archetypes, but their real-life love story adds an extra layer in their return to comedy. Newlyweds is a part of NBC’s expanding comedy lineup, joining the likes of St. Denis Medical and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Jenkins. The series will air on Fridays at 8:30 pm EST, following Happy’s Place. Newlyweds premieres on October 23 on NBC and will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.

Melissa McCarthy stars in Netflix’s upcoming limited series “The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey,” which premieres in December. Recently, the actress, who will portray the mother of JonBenét Ramsey, Patsy Ramsey, shared her theory about the 1996 murder of the six-year-old. Plus, she also opened up about why “Bridesmaids 2” never materialized.

Melissa McCarthy Says ‘No One’ In The Ramsey Family Killed JonBenét

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Variety interviewed McCarthy in September 2026, with the actress discussing not only her career at length, but also her role in Netflix’s “The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey.” During the interview, she was asked whether, for the sake of her performance, she had decided what she believed happened to JonBenét.

“Yes. Just my personal feeling,” she began. McCarthy then said, “My heart says no one in the family could have done that. I don’t have the ability, or probably the right, to say that, but that’s what my gut says. Which I probably am not supposed to say.”

In explaining her reasoning, she added, “But shooting that, I had to pick. I had to have that for myself, if nothing else.” From there, the reporter, who had seen two episodes from the limited series, called McCarthy’s portrayal of Patsy “heartbreaking” and “physical,” noting how much, as an actress, she was required to cry in the show.

She said in response, “It’s tricky. Luckily, I loved who I was working with.” McCarthy continued, “Everybody in the cast, every single person, they’re fantastic. It just felt elevated. And I felt like everybody knew that we had to do right by the story and not just try to do something that’s going to get a lot of views.”

She added, “That set was so serious, and some of those days were so hard. We had a psychologist on set at all times.”

The ‘Heat’ Star Also Shared Why She Took On The Role Of Patsy Ramsey

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Elsewhere in the Variety interview, McCarthy was asked what led her to take on her role in “The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey.” She began by saying that, initially, she was against filming the series.

According to her, “I said, ‘Oh, no. I have no interest in that.’ I didn’t think it was any of my business to do, I guess? But I spent a lot of years not working, and somebody took the time to ask me — I should take the time to look into it.”  

From there, the 56-year-old said she was “really floored” by “the lack of humanity that had been shown to that family.”

The “Bridesmaids” star continued, “In 1996, I was 26, and I have a very vivid memory of standing in a grocery store and looking at a tabloid and thinking, ‘How could you dress a little girl like that?’ Because that’s what we were being told.”

McCarthy also shared that she hopes not to “dredge it up” for the family when the show premieres in December, stating that she hopes “people realize, ‘Oh, God. I was part of that — I did that,’ it gives us a little of our humanity back.”

It’s worth noting that while Patsy passed away in 2006 from stage 4 ovarian cancer, JonBenét’s father is still alive, as is her brother, Burke Ramsey.

‘The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey’ Premieres On December 10 On Netflix

Netflix announced that it had acquired “The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey” on July 1, 2026, from 101 Studios after the deal fell through with Paramount+. Regarding the cast, Clive Owen also stars as JonBenét’s father, John Bennett Ramsey. Emily Mitchell will play the slain six-year-old pageant star.

The upcoming limited series also features Garrett Hedlund, Alison Pill, Shea Whigham, and Owen Teague. The show will consist of eight episodes, focusing on how the murder and subsequent investigation and public scrutiny impacted the Ramsey family.

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Melissa Also Opened Up About ‘Bridesmaids’ Never Getting A Sequel

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“Bridesmaids” was released in theaters in May 2011 and became an instant hit. Because of its success, there have been talks of a sequel, with multiple cast members publicly saying they’d be interested in a continuation.

When asked in her Variety interview why a sequel never moved forward, she responded, “That I don’t know.” Later, she said the industry has changed since the first movie. According to her, “I don’t know. I think it’s gotten so corporate. I miss the people that work off their gut.”

The ‘Heat’ Actress Has Multiple Projects In The Works

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McCarthy is in the midst of a Hollywood comeback, with multiple film projects in various stages of development. Per Deadline, she will star in the upcoming comedy/musical “Margie Claus.” The movie follows her as she saves Christmas after her husband, Santa Claus, goes missing. It will be released on November 12, 2027.

She will also appear in the upcoming dark comedy crime thriller “Turpentine,” which wrapped production in June 2026.

Harlan Coben has a knack for bringing the dead back to “life” in his mystery novels. The New Jersey-born-and-raised writer got his start in novel writing while working in the travel industry, publishing his first book, Play Dead, in 1990. Since then, Coben has released more than 30 novels, ranging from standalone thrillers to character-driven series.

There are a few elements that make a Coben thriller instantly recognizable. He often puts ordinary people in sleepy small towns, a setting inspired by his own upbringing, and then throws them into mysteries that force them to question everything they thought they knew. His characters aren’t always as reliable as they first appear, either, making even the most familiar surroundings feel suspicious. From a traumatized special operations pilot to a man forced to confront the secrets of the woods where he grew up, here are the Harlan Coben books that are 10/10, no notes.

‘Tell No One’ (2001)

Image via Bantam

Some people go missing for days, weeks, or months. But for David Beck in Tell No One, he’s spent eight years carrying the grief from the kidnapping and murder of his wife, Elizabeth, and Lake Charmaine. Just as he’s trying to move on, on the anniversary of her death, two bodies are discovered near the lake.

This might be all coincidental, but on the same day, David receives an email containing a secret phrase only he and Elizabeth knew. The message leads him to a webcam showing a woman who looks exactly like Elizabeth. Before David can make sense of what he’s seeing, the police begin treating him as a suspect.

‘The Boy from the Woods’ (2020)

Image via Hachette Book Group

The first book of the Wilde series, The Boy from the Woods takes its title literally. 34 years after a nameless boy is found wandering alone in the woods, Wilde has become an outsider who knows the forest better than anyone. When Westville teenager Naomi Pine disappears, television lawyer Hester Crimstein asks Wilde to help find her.

But what begins as a missing-person case quickly descends into something far more dangerous, linking Naomi to vicious school bullies, a wealthy media family, and controversial Senator Rusty Eggers. When another teenager is kidnapped and a ransom demand exposes a shocking connection to the senator, Wilde and Hester discover blackmail, political corruption, and a decades-old murder.

‘Fool Me Once’ (2016)

Image via Dutton

The most dangerous person might be the person closest to you. Fool Me Once introduces former special operations pilot Maya Burkett, who is reeling from the murder of her husband, Joe. While checking a nanny camera at home, Maya can’t believe the sight: it’s footage of Joe playing with their young daughter, Lily.

Desperate to find answers, Maya begins investigating the video, but the nanny steals the memory card, and the detective handling Joe’s case raises more questions than answers. Just like the television adaptation, Fool Me Once is just as controversially suspenseful. What may have started as an act of retribution against the killer eventually spirals into some of Coben’s most controversial twists.

‘The Woods’ (2007)

Image via Dutton

The Woods takes it back to twenty years ago, when four teenagers were murdered at Camp PLUS. However, the bodies of two victims, including Paul Copeland’s younger sister Camille, were never found. Now an Essex County prosecutor, Paul is forced to confront the case when a murdered man is identified as one of the teens presumed dead.

As Paul searches for answers, his former girlfriend, Lucy, receives an anonymous journal describing their relationship and the horrifying events they witnessed in the woods that night. With the past suddenly resurfacing, Paul begins questioning what really happened to Camille. His investigation threatens to expose secrets buried for two decades, forcing Paul to reconsider everything he thought he knew.

‘Run Away’ (2019)

Image via Dutton

Simon Greene has spent months searching for his missing daughter, Paige, who has become addicted to drugs and fallen under the control of an abusive boyfriend. When Simon finally finds her busking in Central Park, their reunion ends in a violent confrontation with her boyfriend, Aaron, captured on video and turned into a viral scandal.

In the aftermath of the unwanted incident, Paige disappears again, prompting the chase for Simon’s daughter in Run Away. Determined to find his daughter before the police do, his investigation leads to a decades-old secret involving arguably one of Cohen’s darkest and most twisted villains in his works.

‘The Stranger’ (2015)

Image via Dutton

Adam Price seems to have everything in The Stranger: a loving wife, two sons, a successful career, and a comfortable life in suburban New Jersey. Then a mysterious stranger approaches him with a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne. Adam confronts her, but before she can explain why she lied, Corinne disappears, leaving behind only a cryptic message.

Desperate to find her, Adam begins digging into her secret and discovers that he is not the only person the stranger has targeted. As more people’s hidden lives are exposed and a brutal murder draws the police into the mystery, Adam realizes the stranger’s revelations are part of something much larger.

‘Six Years’ (2013)

Image via Dutton

Six years ago, Jake Fisher watched the woman he loved, Natalie, marry another man and promised never to contact her again. He kept his word—until he saw an obituary for Natalie’s supposed husband, Todd Sanderson. Jake travels to Todd’s funeral, only to discover that his widow is a woman named Delia who has been married to Todd for nearly two decades.

Desperate for answers in Six Years, Jake searches for Natalie, but every trace of her has mysteriously vanished. Even her sister denies knowing him, while the Vermont chapel where Jake witnessed their wedding has no record of the ceremony. When Jake’s investigation puts him in danger, he quickly learns some disappearances happen for a reason.

‘Caught’ (2010)

Image via Dutton

Seventeen-year-old Haley McWaid seems to have the perfect life in Caught: she is a high school senior, lacrosse captain, and beloved daughter with college ahead of her. Then she vanishes without a trace. Three months later, reporter Wendy Tynes is investigating another scandal, but this time, it might have something to do with Haley’s disappearance.

Wendy’s brutal exposé leads her to Dan Mercer, a youth social worker accused of having sexually inappropriate online conversations with a 13-year-old girl. But after the evidence against Dan is thrown out, he insists he was framed. Before Wendy can even question him, her investigation comes to a shocking halt, turning what was supposed to be a routine work assignment into a personal pursuit of justice.

‘Don’t Let Go’ (2017)

Image via Penguin

Nobody can separate a pair of twins, especially in Don’t Let Go. Fifteen years ago, Detective Nap Dumas lost his twin brother, Leo, who was found dead beside the railroad tracks with his girlfriend. That same night, Nap’s girlfriend, Maura Wells, disappeared without explanation. Nap has spent years refusing to believe Leo’s death was an accident or accepting that Maura is gone.

Then fingerprints belonging to Maura turn up at the scene of a former classmate’s murder, proving she is alive. What’s even more surprising is Nap discovering a group of former classmates tied by a deadly secret. As more of them are targeted, Nap realizes the murders are connected to the tragedy that destroyed his life fifteen years earlier.

‘I Will Find You’ (2023)

Image via Grand Central Publishing

No one is truly dead in I Will Find You. Five years after David Burroughs was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his young son, Matthew, he is still adamant that he is innocent. He then gets the shock of his life when he receives a photo of a child, which appears to be Matthew—who should be dead.

Convinced his son may still be alive, David escapes prison with help from two fellow inmates and sets out to find him. But with a nationwide manhunt closing in, David must evade the authorities while uncovering who took Matthew, why his son was believed to be dead, and which people in his life may be hiding the truth.

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I Will Find You

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Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

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Netflix

Showrunner

Robert Hull

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Directors

Adam Davidson, Brad Anderson, Maggie Kiley, Maja Vrvilo

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Within the larger rom-com renaissance that’s happening right now, Prime Video’s The Love Hypothesis is a pretty unique case. For starters, it’s adapted from the New York Times bestselling romance novel by Ali Hazelwood, which actually started out as a piece of Reylo (Rey/Kylo Ren) Star Wars alternate universe fanfic. There’s even a bit of irony wrapped up in the fact that Tom Bateman — who is married to Star Wars’ Rey herself, Daisy Ridley — plays the character who was originally inspired by Adam Driver‘s Sith Lord.

If you know what came before Prime Video’s adaptation, you’ll be able to spot all the ways screenwriter Sarah Rothschild and director Claire Scanlon lovingly wink at its origins — chief among them that Bateman is almost exclusively clad in head-to-toe black. But even if you have no idea how The Love Hypothesis began, you’ll still be able to enjoy it for what it’s evolved into: a thoroughly delightful rom-com led by a charming Lili Reinhart and a deceptively complex Bateman. While the film’s third act does stumble in tying up every possible loose end, it doesn’t detract from the joy of watching two people fumble their way through a fake-dating plot and all the very real feelings it stirs up in the process.

What Is ‘The Love Hypothesis’ About?

PhD student Olive Smith (Reinhart) has finally achieved her long-held dream of getting into Stanford. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, those personal stakes have only made her more driven to research new means of detecting the disease — now, she just needs to secure the necessary funding. Amidst the chaos of trying to fit in at a new school, Olive quickly strikes up a meaningful friendship with fellow student Ahn (Fallout‘s Rachel Marsh), while also initially nursing a crush on another peer, Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay). Yet when she notices that Ahn is waffling over whether to take her friendship with Jeremy to the next level, Olive realizes she’ll need to convince her BFF that she doesn’t have any romantic feelings for him anymore. Enter: a boyfriend whom she invents right on the spot. But one thing leads to another after a late night working in the lab, and Olive spontaneously decides to lock lips with the professor everyone on campus refers to as “Dr. Evil.”

Dr. Adam Carlsen (Bateman) has achieved a reputation at Stanford for being harsh and overly critical towards students. He’s definitely surprised by Olive’s overture at first, but the next day of classes brings a fresh perspective — and with it, Adam’s consent to play Olive’s boyfriend for as long as it takes for Ahn and Jeremy to couple up themselves. He isn’t coming to this decision from a purely altruistic place, though; he needs to convince the heads of Stanford’s science department that he’s here to stay, and if he’s perceived to be putting down roots by way of a serious romantic commitment, they’ll entrust him with a lab grant of his own. Bargain struck, Olive and Adam are essentially thrown into the deep end of fake dating — especially since Ahn had already spotted them kissing the night before — and not just on campus, either. While forced to go to greater and greater lengths to convince everyone around them that they’re the real deal, the pair gradually begin to forget that their relationship has an expiration date. But what happens once their experiment ultimately wraps up?

‘The Love Hypothesis’s Many Strengths Make Up for Its Biggest Weakness

Honestly, when it comes to what The Love Hypothesis has working in its favor, the film makes that clear right from the very first scene. As someone who read Hazelwood’s novel, I was initially lightly skeptical about whether Reinhart was the right actor to play Olive. But even the slightest misgiving disappeared as soon as she started bouncing off her fellow lead. Her character is sweet, whip-smart, and maybe a little idealistic, but what makes Reinhart’s performance most endearing is her comedic timing, which includes an awareness of when to go big and when to let her scene partner shine with their own punchline.

Contrasted with that is Bateman, who initially feels almost too stiff in his portrayal of an admittedly rigid Adam, but who slowly peels back the character’s layers as he and Olive become closer. In hindsight, it’s a brilliant approach that lets the viewer glimpse more and more of his complexities and makes it easier to understand why Olive would end up falling for this guy for real. Together, Reinhart and Bateman’s chemistry — not just on a believably romantic level, but also as a comedy duo — only gets better as the film progresses, infusing Olive and Adam’s onscreen connection with vulnerability as well as a very welcome infusion of humor.

The Love Hypothesis also stands out simply because it doesn’t forget about its supporting characters. So many rom-coms introduce a supportive best friend or a hilarious inner circle, only to abandon them in favor of the sparkly new love interest, but Prime Video’s adaptation avoids that pitfall. Ahn is admittedly the catalyst that kicks off the story’s fake-dating conceit in the first place, but the script arguably keeps her at the center of Olive’s world, where she anchors several of the movie’s most impactful turns. Marsh is a terrific counterpart to Reinhart in their scenes together, but she’s also hilarious on her own, especially as Ahn starts to harbor her own suspicions about the legitimacy of Olive and Adam’s romance.

And Jaboukie Young-White, as Malcolm, Olive’s roommate, rises above the genre’s all-too-common stereotypes, with room to deliver a performance that runs the gamut between humor and deeper emotion. While the situation with Adam gradually becomes more complicated, the film gives just as much space to the tough conversations between Olive and her two closest friends, emphasizing the importance of all her relationships, whether they’re romantic or not. It would’ve been great to see more from Duvernay’s Jeremy, especially since his potential crush on Ahn doubles as a cute secondary plotline, but the overall runtime seems to have resulted in some trimming.

The Love Hypothesis has so many strengths that its biggest weakness stands out a little more clearly. Those who have read the book know that nothing good can come of Olive crossing paths with the schmoozy Harvard professor Dr. Tom Benton (Daredevil: Born Again‘s Arty Froushan), a longtime friend and colleague of Adam’s, but the film ultimately struggles with the third act’s “black moment.” In romance novels, the best authors are the ones who can successfully convince the reader that a happily ever after may not actually be possible at the book’s lowest point. Yet the movie itself spends so much time introducing the leads, their fake-dating scheme, and the evolving emotional stakes that the third act has to shoulder the weight of resolving every single conflict. That’s not to say the story doesn’t reach a satisfying conclusion, or that the film doesn’t follow the iconic narrative beats that you remember — but the way it ends might feel more abrupt for viewers in light of the journey they’ve just been on.

Ultimately, The Love Hypothesis is a successful experiment led by Reinhart and Bateman, and another mostly solid addition to the rom-com genre — as well as the romance-novel-to-screen-adaptation pipeline. Now that even more of Hazelwood’s novels have been tapped for adaptation, not just on Prime Video but elsewhere, the remaining question is whether anything in the works will come close to reaching the high bar that’s already been set with this starting point.

The Love Hypothesis premieres September 23 on Prime Video.

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Release Date

September 23, 2026

Director

Claire Scanlon

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Writers

Sarah Rothschild

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Producers

Elizabeth Cantillon

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  Lili Reinhart

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  Olive Smith

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  Tom Bateman

  Dr. Adam Carlsen

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Pros & Cons

• Lili Reinhart is a charming and hilarious lead as Olive Smith.
• Tom Bateman gives a deceptively complex performance, peeling back the layers of Adam Carlsen as the story goes on.
• The story never forgets about Olive’s closest friendships, with Rachel Marsh and Jaboukie Young-White as strong supporting standouts.

• The film’s third act struggles to tie up every narrative thread in a satisfying way, leaving the ending feeling a bit rushed.

Britney Spears’ anger toward her father did not begin with her recent and controversial social media remark about his health. The pop star has spent years describing the nearly 14-year conservatorship as a period when other people controlled her body, money, career, and personal decisions.

Although many of her accusations involved Jamie Spears, others were directed at doctors, managers, and additional members of the conservatorship team. Jamie has repeatedly maintained that he acted in his daughter’s best interests and denied responsibility for medical and reproductive decisions made after he stopped serving as her personal conservator.

Britney Spears Said Her Father Controlled Her Body And Money

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Britney revisited the conservatorship in her 2023 memoir, “The Woman in Me,” describing herself as a “shadow” of the woman she had once been. “Thirteen years went by with me feeling like a shadow of myself,” she wrote.

The singer said thinking about her father and his associates controlling her “body” and “money” made her feel sick. Her account gained renewed attention after The Blast reported that relatives were allegedly “appalled” by a since-deleted Instagram post in which she referenced Jamie’s leg amputation. The post drew widespread criticism as cruel, but Britney reportedly believes she has a right to remain angry because of what she says she endured under the conservatorship.

The arrangement began in February 2008 following a period of intense public scrutiny and personal turmoil. Jamie initially held authority over both his daughter’s estate and personal affairs. However, the legal roles later changed. Jamie stopped serving as conservator of Britney’s person in 2019, when Jodi Montgomery assumed that position. He remained involved with the estate until he was suspended in September 2021.

The Singer Claimed Jamie Viewed Her As A Source Of Money

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One of Britney’s most unsettling memoir allegations involved a remark she claimed her father made after gaining control. As The Blast previously reported, Britney alleged that Jamie told her, “I’m Britney Spears now.”

She also questioned how she could be considered unable to manage her own life while still recording music, appearing on television, touring internationally, and performing a demanding Las Vegas residency.

Britney claimed the contradiction eventually convinced her that her value to those controlling the arrangement was primarily financial. “I began to think that he saw me as put on the earth for no other reason than to help their cash flow,” she wrote.

Court records showed that Britney’s estate was valued at approximately $56 million in 2019. The conservatorship also generated substantial professional and legal expenses, which were paid from her estate.

Britney Said Her Father Criticized Her Weight And Restricted Her Food

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Britney also accused Jamie of repeatedly criticizing her appearance. “If I thought getting criticized about my body in the press was bad, it hurt even more from my own father,” she wrote in her memoir.

The singer claimed Jamie regularly told her she looked “fat” and pressured her to change her body. She further alleged that her food was heavily restricted for two years, leaving her eating almost nothing beyond chicken and canned vegetables.

Britney said she would ask household staff for foods she wanted, including a hamburger or ice cream, but was denied them because they had received strict instructions. The alleged restrictions were especially painful because Britney was continuing to rehearse, perform, and financially support the operation surrounding her career.

Her complaints went beyond food. As The Blast previously reported, Britney claimed she was instructed to grow out her hair, get back into shape, follow a fixed bedtime, and take prescribed medication. She said the arrangement eventually made her feel more like a product than a person.

She Alleged She Was Forced To Work Despite Wanting A Break

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Britney delivered some of her most serious accusations during her public court testimony in June 2021. The singer claimed that after years of performing in Las Vegas, she told her management team that she wanted a break. She alleged that her objections were characterized as a refusal to cooperate and that she was pressured to continue working. “I worked since I was 17-years-old and this conservatorship is abusive,” Britney told the court.

Britney had released multiple albums, completed international tours, judged “The X Factor” and maintained a successful Las Vegas residency while legally lacking control over major parts of her life.

Her former court-appointed attorney acknowledged that the conservatorship’s second phase covered her return to work as a “world-class entertainer.” By 2020, however, Britney had expressed a desire to stop performing and formally opposed Jamie’s continued control over her estate.

Britney Spears Claimed She Was Forced To Take Lithium

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Britney also told the court that her medication was changed to lithium after a disagreement over her work. She described lithium as much stronger than the medication she had previously taken and said it left her feeling intoxicated, frightened and unable to advocate for herself. The singer did not place responsibility solely on Jamie when describing the medication change. Her allegations also involved a doctor, management and other people overseeing her treatment.

Britney later shared purported text messages in which she told her mother that she felt sick from medication and feared for her safety. Lynne Spears subsequently claimed that her intervention helped end the lithium treatment.

The Pop Star Said She Was Prevented From Removing Her IUD

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Britney’s testimony also raised alarming questions about her reproductive freedom. “I want to be able to get married and have a baby,” she told the court.

Britney claimed she had an IUD that prevented pregnancy and alleged that the conservatorship would not allow her to have it removed. However, Jamie disputed the suggestion that he was responsible for that restriction. His attorneys emphasized that he had not served as conservator of Britney’s person since 2019 and said he had no involvement in her medical treatment or reproductive decisions at the time of her testimony.

“Mr. Spears is simply not involved in any decisions related to Ms. Spears’ personal care or medical or reproductive issues,” his legal team stated in documents obtained by The Blast.

Britney Spears Said The Conservatorship Destroyed Her Creativity

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Beyond the individual restrictions, Britney said the conservatorship fundamentally changed her identity. She described feeling infantilized and compared herself to a “robot” who was expected to behave provocatively onstage while remaining obedient in her private life.

Britney claimed the arrangement gradually robbed her of the creativity and independence that had fueled her career. She also explained that she initially cooperated because she believed following the rules would preserve her relationship with her sons.

After years of legal conflict, the court suspended Jamie as conservator of her estate in September 2021. Judge Brenda Penny terminated the conservatorship on November 12, 2021.