Princess Beatrice is reportedly considering a move to the US as she and Princess Eugenie navigate the fallout from their father, ex-Prince Andrew‘s, ongoing scandal linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

The situation has taken an emotional toll, prompting both sisters to step back from public life while focusing on their families.

With mounting pressure and scrutiny in the UK, a fresh start abroad is being considered as Princess Beatrice and Eugenie try to move forward.

Princess Beatrice Reportedly Weighs Relocation Amid Father’s Epstein-Linked Controversy

Princess Beatrice is reportedly considering relocating to the United States as she navigates ongoing fallout tied to her father, Prince Andrew, and his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

According to a Daily Mail report, Beatrice is said to be deeply affected by the situation and is trying to keep her personal life steady amid intense public scrutiny.

Sources claim the idea of moving abroad, once unthinkable, has become more realistic, especially with her sister, Princess Eugenie, having spent extended time living outside the UK.

A potential move could offer Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, a chance at a fresh start while also helping them refocus on their marriage. Edoardo’s work in property, which frequently takes him to the US, is said to make the transition more feasible.

Insiders suggest the couple feels increasingly exposed remaining in the UK, with ongoing investigations and the possibility of further legal developments keeping the spotlight firmly on the family.

Advertisement

The situation has reportedly placed strain on their marriage, particularly during difficult moments when Beatrice needed support, and her husband was abroad for work.

Princesses Beatrice And Eugenie Step Back From Royal Duties Amid Ongoing Prince Andrew Controversy

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Andrew continues to cast a long shadow.

He was reportedly arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to alleged dealings with Epstein, and could face serious legal consequences if convicted.

Insiders say the development was particularly difficult for Beatrice, coming at a time when she was already under strain and without her husband nearby.

Since the arrest, both sisters have largely stepped out of the public eye. Reports indicate they will not take part in the traditional carriage procession or appear in the royal box at Ascot this June.

Advertisement

The Princesses Might Stay Away From Public Engagements For A While Due To Their Father’s Scandal

Beatrice and Eugenie’s absence has been noted at recent events, including the Cheltenham races, where senior royals such as Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and Zara Tindall were in attendance.

Royal commentators suggest this reduced visibility may continue due to the amount of scrutiny plaguing the royal family because of their father.

According to author Phil Dampier and Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward, while Beatrice and Eugenie remain valued members of the royal family, the current situation has left them too closely associated with the controversy to participate in major public engagements for now.

Some experts are now suggesting that their absence could extend for much of the year.

Princesses Beatrice And Eugenie Lean On Family As They Cope With Emotional Fallout Of Ongoing Scandal

Behind the scenes, however, the sisters are said to be maintaining close relationships with both their father and their mother, Sarah Ferguson, choosing to spend time together privately while shielding their own families from the fallout.

Beatrice, who married Mozzi in 2020, is raising two young daughters while also embracing her role as a stepmother, while Eugenie, who wed Jack Brooksbank in 2018, is focused on her two young sons.

Advertisement

Sources say the fallout has been deeply emotional for both women, as they process the unfolding events while trying to shield their families. Insiders suggest “they’re also putting pieces of the puzzle together in real time, insiders claim, “and realizing they may have been used.”

The source continued: “That has to feel like a complete betrayal. They’re heartbroken — but a dad is still your dad, and a mom is still your mom. Love for a parent isn’t a light switch. It’s an incredibly painful and introspective moment for them.”

Princess Eugenie Reportedly ‘Frustrated’ As She Navigates Fallout From Prince Andrew Scandal

For Eugenie in particular, the situation has been especially difficult. According to sources, she feels unfairly caught up in the fallout, describing the experience as being “tarnished with a brush that’s not hers, that’s her father’s,” leaving her “very, very frustrated.”

While she and Beatrice are doing their best to stay positive, the situation has been described as “a s–t show, a never-ending s–t show.”

Reports suggest Eugenie has taken a step back from spending time with her father as she processes the ongoing scandal. However, insiders emphasize that this distance does not signal a complete breakdown in their relationship, describing the bond as strained but not entirely severed.

Advertisement

There’s something inherently entertaining when it comes to a thriller. With a large group of genres under the umbrella, audiences flock to films that keep them on the edge of their seats. Maybe it’s the story or the performances that keep you engaged, but a great thriller requires excellent direction.

Throughout, there have been extraordinary masterpieces, but among those, the films on this list are perfectly directed. From legendary visionaries to directors on the rise, they share an evocative power to make a lasting impact. With countless awards and inspiring new techniques in filmmaking, these directors helmed perfect films. For this list, we are keeping it to one film per director to share the wealth of praise! There are certainly many titles that could have found their place on this list, but these films are perfect.

1

‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Image via Columbia Pictures

There are certainly a plethora of titles that could be considered Martin Scorsese‘s greatest work. Though he’s been nominated for several Academy Awards for Best Director, winning only one, his most impactful work, which set him on the course of an influential director, came with Taxi Driver. Also jumpstarting his long-term collaboration with Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver tells the story of Travis Bickle, an isolated, mentally unstable Vietnam War vet. He works nights as a taxi driver, due to his insomnia, in a decaying, crime-ridden New York City. As he spirals due to loneliness and psychosis, Bickle turns to violence in an attempt to clean up the city. Centering on vigilante violence, Taxi Driver captures a man’s decline through a nightmarish dreamscape of isolation.

Scorsese’s film is not an easy one to watch. There are moments that are destined to make you uncomfortable. Yet, Scorsese prevents those moments from being grotesque. Instead, they serve to exemplify Bickle’s state of mind. Using pan-away shots, you start with an image of Bickle, then suddenly pull back to reveal he’s alone. It may be subtle, but it’s effective filmmaking. Then, by distorting reality through slow-motion and dream-like lighting, Scorsese forces the audience to see the world as Bickle envisions it. Taxi Driver is a deeply intimate character study that showcases how Scorsese doesn’t always need a grand ensemble to tell an effective narrative. Taxi Driver is an iconic film with an iconic character who established the ’70s in cinema. None of that could have been done without Scorsese.

2

‘Get Out (2017)

Director: Jordan Peele

Image via Universal Pictures

If you told anyone in the early 2000s that MAD TV star Jordan Peele would become a horror filmmaker who effectively changed the genre, they would likely laugh. And then, in 2017, Get Out debuted, and Peele established himself as a brilliant director audiences flocked toward to see what he would craft next. It all stems back to the brilliance that is Get Out. A sensational dissertation on how the horrors of our world are the things out in the open, Get Out became the modern psychological-horror standard. Peele’s tale follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a Black photographer, as he visits his white girlfriend Rose Armitage’s (Allison Williams) parents, Missy and Dean (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford), for the weekend. While there, he soon discovers, thanks to the weird behavior of the Black servants and awkward microaggressions, that the family lures Black people to their estate to transplant elderly white minds into their bodies, leaving victims in a paralyzing void known as the sunken place. Chris must get out before he’s next. A haunting, meticulously directed film, Peele’s social thriller relies on psychological discomfort rather than traditional horror tropes to create an effective masterpiece.

The horror of racism could have led to an overtly on-the-nose story that didn’t capture Peele’s mission. Instead, he holds a mirror up to society while amplifying the horror elements around it. Capturing the state of the world, Get Out had an essence of believability that made it scarily real. The anxiety of Black America is a profound theme, helped by putting the audience in Chris’s shoes. As the writer and director, Peele knew this film inside and out. He expertly fleshed out his universe by making it eerily real, so by the time the truth is revealed, there is a plausibility that psychological mind games might effectively be around us. In the end, the emotional payoff is satisfying and empowering, effectively wrapping up his directorial feature debut.

3

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Director: Safdie Brothers

Image via A24

There have been many sibling duos who became legendary directors. In the 21st century, it was Josh and Benny Safdie who joined the extraordinary list. All it took was their crime thriller, Uncut Gems. The high-stakes film follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic, gambling-addicted New York City jeweler. Upon acquiring a rare Ethiopian opal, he must juggle mounting debts, angry loan sharks, and his complicated family life in a relentless, high-anxiety pursuit of the ultimate winning bet. With a precisely chaotic movie, the Safdies create an engaging yet stressful atmosphere that evokes the action of Howard’s journey.

The Safdies orchestrate a realistic pandemonium to effectively create the high-stakes adventure. From frenetic handheld cameras to overlapping dialogue, the controlled chaos leads to exposing Howard’s manic anxiety and addiction. Viewers are trapped on Howard’s thrill ride, only leaving when the deed is done. Working with cinematographer Darius Khondji, sound mixer Skip Lievsay, and Daniel Lopatin‘s synth score, the overlapping elements become harmonious while being erratic, heightening the heist. As far as acting is concerned, they pulled out a career-best out of comedian Sandler, proving he deserves to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor. Uncut Gems sparkles and shines thanks to the extraordinary work of the Safdies.

4

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Director: Bong Joon-Ho

Image via NEON

For the longest time, foreign-language films seemed to be on the outskirts of mainstream cinema. Then, Bong Joon-Ho‘s Parasite arrived, and that separation ceased. A true masterpiece in direction, Parasite blends dark comedy with dark thriller elements to tell the story of the Kims, a poor family who infiltrate the wealthy household of the Parks by posing as unrelated, highly qualified servants. A scathing critique of modern capitalism through the lens of class conflict, inequality, and greed, Bong’s transition from witty scam comedy into suspenseful tragedy provided for an alluring film. Parasite‘s success as the first foreign-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture relies on Bong’s sheer brilliance.

Easily Bong’s magnum opus, Parasite takes a simple premise and turns it on its head. Like the sleek home the Parks take over, Bong meticulously builds Parasite from the ground up, using the architectural blueprint to construct a sleek film. His ability to cast a stark contrast of class through every production element — costumes, set, color — leads to a seamless composition of his vision. With so many genres and themes to balance, Bong maintains an effective tone that makes Parasite a shapeshifting thriller. The natural progression of the story falls into place without question. Through subtle changes in atmosphere, through sound and lighting, the Parks’ journey becomes even more thrilling. Parasite is unapologetic, as Bong does not allow outside influence to shape the narrative of classism in society. Parasite might be presented from a Korean perspective, but Bong’s ability to make it largely universal allowed the film to be the mainstream hit that it is.

5

‘No Country For Old Men’ (2007)

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen

Image via Miramax Films

Very few directors know how to make an atmosphere a thrill in and of itself quite like Joel and Ethan Coen. With a brilliant resume behind them, they made their mark in the 2000s with their neo-Western crime thriller No Country for Old Men. Using Cormac McCarthy‘s 2005 novel as inspiration, the story follows a trio of men: Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Vietnam War veteran and welder who stumbles upon a large sum of money in the desert; Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a hitman who is sent to recover the money; and Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a sheriff investigating the crime while battling a changing world he feels ill-equipped to handle. Set in the vast desert landscape of 1980 West Texas, the Coen brothers’ masterpiece is a story that isn’t about who ends up with the loot; it’s about the chase between the hunter and the hunted, a role each of the main characters adopts throughout the film.

A masterclass in visual storytelling, the Coens’ ability to build suspense through silence and ambient natural sounds heightens the tension, dropping viewers into a bleak, desolate landscape that mirrors the grim, philosophical approach to their story. No Country for Old Men showcases how capturing the precise atmosphere leads to a perfect movie. As far as characters go, the collaboration between the directors and their star brought out one of the 21st century’s most recognizable villains in Anton Chigurh. Lifted effortlessly from page to screen, just his gaze alone strikes immediate fear. No wonder Bardem earned an Oscar for his performance! As did the Coens. They have made cult classics and impressionable offbeat dark comedies, but nothing has ever been quite like their achievement with No Country for Old Men.

6

‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Image via Warner Bros.

Advertisement

It’s safe to say that Stanley Kubrick can do extraordinary work in literally any genre of cinema. For his final project, Kubrick took Arthur Schnitzler’s novella, Dream Story, and brought it to modern times in the erotic psychological thriller, Eyes Wide Shut. The ’90s classic follows Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise), who spirals into a night-long, surreal odyssey of sexual obsession and paranoia after his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), admits to nearly abandoning their family for a fantasy encounter. Blurring the line between the couple’s subconscious desires and their actual actions through a journey between reality and fantasy, Kubrick’s masterpiece is smartly crafted and profoundly executed.

What Kubrick does well is create a hauntingly surreal, slightly off dream. Hidden in plain sight, Kubrick creates a symbolic vocabulary through imagery, light, and color. The vibrancy and its transforming palette represent shifting emotional states, jealousy, and danger. As a brilliant psychological thriller that visually shows the emotional state, it is a masterful way to tell the story. Kubrick united top-tier performers to create such perfect chemistry, it bled off-screen as well! Eyes Wide Story is sexy and erotic, and it is thought-provoking and gripping. A film that was misunderstood at first, only to age like fine wine, Kubrick left the world, making his favorite film in his storied career. Eyes Wide Shut is truly like nothing he’s crafted before.

7

‘American Psycho’ (2000)

Director: Mary Harron

Image via Lionsgate

Advertisement

The premise of American Psycho sounds terrifying, but when director Mary Harron brought Bret Easton Ellis’ novel to life, the result was an exceptional black-comedy psychological thriller. The film follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a wealthy 1980s New York City investment banker who hides his alternate life as a sadistic serial killer. The plot, centered on themes of materialism and alienation, tracks his descent into madness as he murders colleagues, including Paul Allen (Jared Leto), and strangers, while his superficial social circle remains oblivious. With a central character that has attempted to be replicated, but can only be referenced, American Psycho was an underdog film that became a classic overnight. Hatton took a sensational story and blew it up for the big screen. Balancing horrific violence with satirical comedy, she took the superficial 1980s and narcissism to critique the absurdity of the yuppie lifestyle and male vanity.

At its core, American Psycho is a slasher film about the most enigmatic serial killer. Perhaps the most shocking part about the film is the reaction to Patrick Bateman. Harron worked with Bale to find the rich nuances within Patrick that, for whatever reason, resonated with audiences, with some even idolizing him. As she told Letterboxd, she always saw the film as “a gay man’s satire on masculinity.” She notes how the idiosyncrasies of the character, like the meticulous rituals and obsession with image, are “men are prizing their extreme competition and their ‘elevating their prowess’ kind of thing.” She says, “There’s something very, very gay about the way they’re fetishizing looks and the gym.” Harron’s ability to give Bateman the room to deliver a precise, iconic performance as a narcissistic, detached psychopath made the film perfect. At the end of the day, American Psycho is a fantastic, bloody film.

8

‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (1962)

Director: John Frankenheimer

Image via United Artists

Advertisement

If there’s ever been a film that forces you to question everyone you once trusted, look no further than The Manchurian Candidate. Based on Richard Condon’s novel, John Frankenheimer brought to life the perfect Cold War neo-noir political thriller. The iconic film tells the story of an American Korean War platoon brainwashed by Communists. Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is programmed as a sleeper assassin tasked with killing a U.S. presidential candidate to aid a Communist conspiracy managed by his mother (Angela Lansbury). Major Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) is on a mission to uncover the plot by any means. A darkly satirical film, The Manchurian Candidate, highlights themes of paranoia, mental manipulation, and political corruption through Frankenheimer’s sharply edited narrative.

To expose the paranoia at the film’s root, Frankenheimer deploys a disorienting, rapid-cutting editing style. Sensational examples include the brainwashing scenes, which transition seamlessly between a communist lecture hall and a New Jersey garden party, making the surreal feel real. Lionel Lindon’s cinematography is enhanced by black-and-white shooting and unique camera angles that heighten the thriller’s sense of paranoia. Perhaps one of the underappreciated achievements of Frankenheimer in this film is his hand-picked ensemble. He pulled out standout performances from every actor, exposing how going against type can deliver perfect shocks. Seeing how he led Lansbury to an Oscar nomination in her deliciously manipulative mother role underscores how crucial the relationship between actor and director is. The Manchurian Candidate is a deeply focused film that was truly ahead of its time due to Frankenheimer’s pristine vision.

9

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Director: David Fincher

Image via New Line Cinema

Advertisement

When a film forces you to question the contents of a box delivered at your feet, you know you’ve done something brilliant. Such was the case for David Fincher’s Se7en. The film follows disenchanted, nearly retired Detective Lieutenant William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his newly transferred partner David Mills (Brad Pitt) as they try to stop a serial killer from committing a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. A brutal and gruesome crime thriller, Se7en went beyond the typical police procedural to deliver something thought-provoking and intelligent through Fincher’s calculated control over tone, visual aesthetics, and the psychological manipulation of the audience through shock.

To capture the specific essence Fincher was searching for, he deliberately placed the film in an unnamed city, detached from time and space, creating a timeless, universal sense of dread. And nothing spells dread quite like persistent rain. Alongside cinematographer Darius Khondji, the duo used a “bleach bypass” chemical process on the film stock to deepen shadows and create a high-contrast, desaturated look. Further, the subtle use of color allows the eye to delve into the important details. For the story, the audience is well aware that the killer is playing with the seven deadly sins, and thus, we wait for each to be unleashed. It’s a slow burn built through tension during the investigation. By the time the climax culminates and John Doe (Kevin Spacey) drops his final twist, that slow-burning was more than worth it. Se7en is Fincher showing why perfectionism can lead to a sensation. Every single frame is curated, resulting in a stunning final product. A timeless classic, Se7en exemplifies Fincher at his finest.

10

‘Memento’ (2000)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Image via Newmarket Films

Advertisement

If there is one director who has defined the 21st century thus far, it’s Christopher Nolan. Kicking off the new millennium, Nolan uses a short story by his brother, Jonathan Nolan, as inspiration for the exceptional psychological neo-noir thriller Memento. The film tackles the intriguing story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man with anterograde amnesia, a condition that causes short-term memory loss and prevents him from forming new memories. Using an elaborate system of photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos, Leonard attempts to uncover the perpetrator, simply known as “John G,” who killed his wife (Jorja Fox) and caused him to sustain the condition. A sharply intricate film in which black-and-white tells one story moving forward, while color tells the story moving backward, Memento’s alternating timelines collide to create an immersive, cerebral puzzle.

The chronological and reverse chronological storytelling could have been a risky flop, but because Nolan’s painstaking focus and subjective perspective are executed to perfection. The audience is forced to question everything as the timelines converge, leading to a psychological breakdown because they no longer have a trustworthy narrator. Memento is a film to watch multiple times because Nolan’s usage of subtle clues is precisely placed. This is a film that demands attention, and the more closely you watch, the richer the film becomes. At the core of the film, memory, identity, and perception shape every technical choice that leads to Leonard’s psyche. Nolan’s work has been lauded over the past two decades for films like Inception, The Dark Knight, and Oppenheimer, but Memento proved his brilliance.

Saturday Today cohost Peter Alexander is leaving the show after nearly eight years.

“I’ve had the most incredible experience over 22 years with NBC News,” Alexander said during his final broadcast in March 2026, announcing his surprising departure. “I could not be more grateful for … the leaders and mentors here who have believed in me and given me more opportunities than I ever dreamed of.”

Alexander, who joined NBC News in 2004, began anchoring the weekend edition of Today in 2018.

“It’s hard to believe, but I have been part of the NBC family for longer than I’ve had my own family,” Alexander added upon his exit. “Studio 1A, being right here, with this team and with all the folks you don’t see on TV, this is literally my happy place.”

Keep scrolling to learn more about Alexander’s Today exit and next steps:

Why Is Peter Alexander Leaving ‘Today’ After 2 Decades?

Peter Alexander said that he ultimately decided to leave NBC News in order to spend more time with his wife, Alison Starling, and their two daughters.

“Because I live in Washington [D.C.], it’s also a trek,” he said in March 2026. “ I’ve been away from my home more than 80 nights in the last seven months, [and] more than 200 Friday nights away from my family in the last seven years.”

Alexander continued, “So, in this limited window before my daughters lose interest in hanging out with me [and] it’s already happened quick, I’m eager to carve out a better balance between my personal and professional lives. … I’m excited because I was taught, ‘Family first, the rest is details.’”

Alexander and Starling’s daughters, Ava and Emma, were 12 and 10 at the time.

Where Is Peter Alexander Going to Work After NBC News?

Peter Alexander has not announced his next endeavor, but did publicly reveal that he has no plans to step away from broadcast journalism anytime soon.

“[I want] to challenge myself with something new,” he said on Saturday Today in March 2026.

Multiple outlets, including CNN and The Los Angeles Times, have since reported that Alexander will join MS Now as an anchor and chief national reporter. (MS Now has not publicly revealed their next anchor.)

Peter Alexander’s History at NBC

Peter Alexander joined NBC in 2004, covering news for local affiliate stations. He joined the national broadcast in 2018, co-anchoring Saturday Today and serving as the network’s White House Correspondent. Alexander was named the Chief White House Correspondent in 2021.

Peter Alexander’s Wife Reacts to His NBC Exit

Peter Alexander and Alison Starling, a former TV journalist, have been married since 2012.

“You make us so proud,” Starling, who hosts her own “Living Well” podcast, wrote via Instagram in March 2026 after Alexander announced his departure from NBC.

Peter Alexander’s ‘Today’ Colleagues Address His Show Departure

After Peter Alexander announced his exit on Saturday Today in March 2026, cohost Laura Jarrett held back tears.

“Peter, we love you, we are going to miss you,” Jarrett told Alexander during the show. “We have laughed so hard we want to cry with you, we have learned from you and we are not the only ones. You are a brilliant journalist. You are a good and decent man, and you are an extraordinary father. You only get one shot to be Ava and Emma’s dad [and] 200 nights is a long time. They are lucky to have you as their father.”

Savannah Guthrie and Sheinelle Jones, for their parts, sent their own best wishes via Instagram.

“A great colleague, a better friend. We love you, Peter,” Guthrie replied via Instagram comment, while Jones added, “We love you! I second Savannah — you’re a rock star journalist … but you’re also such a good friend and a light in the workplace. I’ll certainly miss your Halloween showcases (Mrs Doubtfire & Jimmy Buffett are my favorites 🥰) … but I’ll be forever thankful that I got to spend part of my career with someone I’ve admired since college!!!”

Landman is easily one of the best shows streaming today, and not just because it’s co-created by Taylor Sheridan with Christian Wallace. The oil industry saga doesn’t just feature a gritty, realistic portrayal of the West Texas oil industry, but it’s also firmly rooted in commercial behind-the-scenes stressors and anchored by Billy Bob Thornton’s charismatic portrayal of landman Tommy Norris.

In addition to the neo-Western’s intriguing list of deeply complex, flawed characters, who each appeal to us in different ways, Landman hits us with a witty, fast-paced, high-stakes drama fueled by a volatile mix of big money and relentless impending danger. There are so many entertaining storylines to follow, it’s impossible to get bored with this show. While the first season gave just enough to grab viewer attention, it was Season 2 that really blew the show out of the water, proving its narrative is so good and full of unlimited potential, it could last forever.

What Is Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman’ About?

What you should know about Landman is that it’s a dusty neo-Western drama series based on the podcast Boomtown. The hit Paramount+ show highlights the chaos, dangers, and immense fortunes involved in the oil business. It doesn’t just focus on oil rig labor, either. Sheridan also gives us an elongated peek at the corporate battles playing out behind the scenes, as well as the effects on employees and their families, then he goes a step further and educates us on why the industry has been, is, and will continue to be crucial to our way of life.

Set within the oilfields of West Texas, the gritty modern-day neo-Western series follows Tommy Norris, an abrasive, no-nonsense M-Tex oil executive living the most stressful life on the planet, navigating a volatile industry that is busy reshaping the climate, along with economics and geopolitics. He negotiates risky land leases, acts as a corporate fixer, and manages the crises of the oil field — in addition to his broken and dysfunctional family.

Related

The 10 Greatest Western TV Shows of the Last 30 Years, Ranked According to IMDb

Saddle up for greatness.

Advertisement

In addition to Thornton, Ali Larter stars as Tommy’s wife Angela, 1923‘s Michelle Randolph as his daughter Ainsley, The Son’s Jacob Lofland as his son Cooper, and the inimitable Sam Elliott as his father, Thomas. Other important characters to know are Monty and Cami Miller (Jon Hamm and Demi Moore), M-Tex owners; Danny “Gallino” Morrell (Andy Garcia), head of a Cuban-American drug cartel who presents himself publicly as a legitimate financial investor; Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace), vicious in-house counsel for M-Tex Oil; Ariana Medina (Paulina Chavez), Cooper’s love interest and the late wife of his former colleague; Dale Bradley (James Jordan), head petroleum engineer; and Nathan (Colm Feore), M-Tex Oil attorney and administrator. Crews on the rigs, interpersonal dynamics, sharp-tongued humor, cowboys, money, forbidden romances, and exceptional performances are just a few reasons why the hit neo-Western is so good.

‘Landman’ Season 2 Proves That the Neo-Western Could Last Forever

Where Season 1 saw more oil-field chaos, cartel tension, and that major Jon Hamm twist, Season 2 dished out a hefty dose of family dysfunction, nursing home antics, commercial collisions, and increased unpredictability in Tommy’s life. Season 2 also made an effortless pivot to Demi Moore, taking us much deeper into who she is not just as a wife, but also as a woman and business owner.

Now in a more active role as a high-stakes CEO, she’s driven by grief and the desire for control. She makes super-risky financial deals, ignores easy solutions, and firmly rejects bankruptcy to pursue high-risk strategies — all behind the back of her company’s right-hand man. In pushing aside the company’s traditional leadership, she’s only fueling her conflict with Tommy, and a callous moment at the end of the season awakens the true landman and unleashes the kraken. It’s a shocking twist proving the story’s endless potential, on top of everything else that went down in Season 2.

In seeing Tommy start his own company with his son, father, and other M-Tex employees, Landman’s Season 2 finale reset the series for a tense, no-holds-barred Season 3. Expect a high-stakes competition between Tommy and Cami, a likely deepening judgment from the community towards the Norris reputation as fixers, more of those dynamic family portrayals we love to bash on, and because Tommy brought Gallino in on his company to be an equal partner, expect the dangerous potential for conflict if anything at all goes wrong. Challenges, rivalries, drama, chaos, and more in-depth personal storylines await, making the Landman world feel like it could last forever.

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for House of David Season 2After already dominating Prime Video’s watchlists this year, House of David Season 2 was globally released on March 27. As the binge-worthy series returns to mass audiences, there is plenty more drama and romance to enjoy this season. Based on the life of King David (Michael Iskander), one of history’s most beloved and influential leaders, the biblical biopic proves again why it is must-watch TV.

The writing in the House of David is spectacular, and Season 2 has some very rewarding full-circle moments that fans of Season 1 will enjoy. New, dynamic characters are introduced in this season as well, including Lyna Dubarry as a healer named Sara, and Joy Rieger as the independent and tenacious Dina. Whether you enjoy these full-circle moments in the overarching storyline or appreciate the capsule plots that begin and end in Season 2, House of David has plenty to offer everyone this season.

Doeg Is Punished

Image via Prime Video

Doeg the Edomite (Ashraf Barhom) is an unsavory character who has committed several cruelties throughout the series. From torturing and killing animals to torturing and killing people, it seems there is nothing he won’t do to serve King Saul (Ali Suliman) and his own selfish motives. Played expertly by Barhom, Doeg has become an adversary viewers love to hate.

Doeg’s treachery is dialed up even further in Season 2 as he informs the Philistines that David and his men are coming, sending them to certain peril, and slaughtering an entire camp of innocent priests at Nob. Though several characters express that they don’t trust Doeg, including Saul himself, no one seems to keep him in check. That is, until he goes directly up against Samuel (Stephen Lang). Samuel is a prominent prophet and has God’s power on his side, so contending with him is a fool’s errand. Doeg, ever eager to dismantle things that are whole and cause pain and suffering, thinks he has the upper hand, but he is the one left in agony. As Doeg suffers a similar mental torment to the one Saul wrestled with for much of Season 1, it is a fitting punishment for a vicious villain.

Samuel Emotionally Separates Himself From Saul

Image via Amazon/MGM Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection

Samuel and Saul have had a father-son or mentor-mentee relationship for most of Saul’s life. Samuel was the prophet who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel and had great joy watching him win many victories. However, as Saul became greedy, vain, and self-righteous, he drifted from obedience and humility. After God chooses another to sit on the throne and be king, Samuel risks his own life by anointing David.

Stephen Lang is perfect as Samuel. He captures the inner struggle of a mentor having to watch someone he cares about make horrible decisions and degrade into a much lessened version of themselves. An awesome moment comes in Episode 4, “Road to Attonement”, where Saul tries to threaten and influence Samuel at a public religious ceremony. Samuel stares Saul straight in the eyes and proclaims, “Saul, I do not fear you. I do not serve you. This altar is for priests, not kings.”

However, the final blow would come in Episode 8, “The Truth Revealed,” when Samuel blocks the path as Saul and his army try to pursue David to Nob. Samuel draws a line in the sand and will not allow Saul and his army to pass. As Saul and his men are struck with mental afflictions, Samuel and Saul exchange words and prophecies. Samuel looks on at Saul, seeing what is in his heart and mind, and says, “Darkness has prevailed. You have become what you have become, and I will no longer mourn for you.” This final separation between Samuel and Saul is a tragic but essential end for their relationship. Saul has become a completely different and corrupt person from the one Samuel knew and loved. Samuel letting go of any hope for Saul’s change of heart solidifies that events are running their course exactly as God told Samuel they would.

Queen Ahinoam Is Exiled

Image via Jonathan Prime/Amazon/MGM Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ayelet Zurer is an extremely talented actor who plays strong, confident women well (Marvel fans will recognize her from her role as Vanessa Fisk in the Daredevil TV series). Zurer is captivating as Queen Ahinoam, the smart, conniving, and manipulative figure who always tries to stay a step ahead of the shifting power that comes with ruling a kingdom. Ahinoam has made several bold moves throughout the series, like exiling her son Eshbaal (Sam Otto) when he disgraced the family and sending David on a suicide mission when she sees him as a threat to her husband’s rule.

The one area where Ahinoam seemed to feel fairly secure was the reliance and devotion of her husband, King Saul, to her. In Season 2, as marital discord begins to develop between them, Saul makes their servant Kazia (Inbar Saban) his concubine. Kazia is an ambitious opportunist and seizes the chance to work her way up the social ladder.

Tensions come to a tipping point when Saul lets Kazia attend a feast for Jonathan (Ethan Kai) and his new wife, Sara (Lyna Dubarry), as a guest. Kazia makes an audacious move and shows up to the event wearing a necklace that used to belong to the queen. After the embarrassing and brash incident, Ahinoam and Saul have a heated argument and finally get their suspicions, doubts, and anger toward one another out in the open. After being pushed too far, Saul, unhinged as always, literally grabs Ahinoam by the hair and throws her out onto the street.

This is undoubtedly one of the more shocking plot twists of Season 2 and is a defining moment for Ahinoam. As she has spent the better part of her life manipulating and positioning herself for power and control, she becomes the one who is ultimately undone by another scheming woman. As Eshbaal helps her off the ground and embraces her, he delivers a bitter and parting blow, whispering in her ear, “Now you know how it feels… to be betrayed by those who claim to love you.”

Mirab Proves She Is Her Mother’s Daughter

Image via Prime Video

Advertisement

Ahinoam is not only a clever and discerning queen, but an instructive and concerned mother as well. She shares a special bond with her daughter Mirab (Yali Topol Margalith), and a poignant scene comes in Season 2 when Ahinoam instructs Mirab on how to navigate her own path through political spheres. She instructs her daughter to be strong, tough, and have no time for tears.

When the queen is banished, Mirab feels the separation exceedingly. Her mother was her closest confidant, and having her gone leaves a vacuum. It is a heartbreaking moment. Ahinoam, outside the palace, looks at her daughter and reminds her to be strong, keep her chin up, and not to cry, all without saying any words, and Mirab takes this final piece of advice to heart.

At Mychal’s (Indy Lewis) and David’s wedding, Mirab gets her first chance to fill her mother’s shoes. Setting her personal feelings aside (after a failed attempt to manipulate David into marrying her instead), Mirab is present for her sister. Later, after witnessing Eshbaal murdering his wife Dina, she is forced to make a decision about whose side she is going to be on as the family descends into chaos. Again, Mirab is there for Mychal when the truth about David finally comes to light, and he flees after Saul tries to kill him. Mirab is every bit her mother’s daughter. With Ahinoam exiled, Mirab has become the one in the palace who is always plotting the next most advantageous course of action.

David Writes a Note to Mychal (After Their Wedding)

Image via Prime Video

In Season 1, Mychal teaches David how to read. It is a perfect bonding opportunity for them as they get to share their thoughts, favorite scriptures, and spend quality time together. It serves as a subtle status reminder as well, that David is a humble shepherd boy and Mychal is a princess. Though David develops strong feelings for Mychal, it seems impossible to hope that they could ever be married. A full-circle moment that symbolizes their relationship’s past and future happens in Season 2 when David writes a note to Mychal.

Sadly, the note has to be delivered to her by Jonathan because David is hiding for his life. This moment is simultaneously tragic and rewarding. It is a reminder of how they first came to fall in love with each other, but it also comes as their relationship has been launched into sudden turmoil. Mychal is understandably confused and hurt when she finds out that David is the person Samuel anointed to be the next king. Feeling betrayed, she chooses to stay behind in the palace and not go on the run with David. David writing a secret note to her is instantly a symbol of how far they’ve come and the long road they still have in front of them.

Eliab Pledges Allegiance to David

Image via Prime Video

Eliab (Davood Ghadami) is David’s eldest brother. The two have a strained relationship as they are only half-brothers, and Eliab never approved of David’s mother. Their relationship gets further complicated because not only is Eliab not chosen to be the next king as the first of his father’s house, but he must now serve and protect David, whose anointing puts their whole family in peril.

Throughout the series, Eliab has saved David’s life many times (even taking an arrow for him), but he has also been frustrated, fearful, and angry about David’s position. Eliab had doubts about whether David was fit to be king or even a commander of the army. In the very last episode of Season 2, Eliab gets some advice from their father Jesse (Louis Ferreira) and some time to reflect and ask for God’s direction. As the episode draws to a conclusion, a powerful scene happens when Eliab and Joab (Aury Alby) show up with a group of soldiers. Instead of capturing David, they pay homage to him and take a knee, showing their loyalty lies with him as the true king. It is a terrific full-circle moment for Eliab, who finally appears to be on board.

David Becomes the Commander He Was Meant To Be

Image via Prime Video

At the beginning of Season 2, David has seemingly proved himself as the best of Saul’s warriors. After all, he was the only person who dared to fight the giant Goliath (Martyn Ford) and was victorious at the end of Season 1. However, Goliath’s defeat was a supernatural victory for David, and he never would have achieved it without God’s help.

David is a simple shepherd boy and has never seen battle. A grateful Saul, wishing to honor David, appoints him as commander of his troops. This is a shock for everyone, including David. He does not even know how to fight or hold a sword. His first few attempts at leadership are disastrous, and Eliab does not make things any better by blatantly refusing to obey him on more than one occasion. As David feels the weight of being responsible for other men’s lives, he cries out to God in the Episode “Road to Atonement.” This moment is pivotal as his men get to see a humbled side of David, and that his heart is after God, not his own glory.

When David tells Saul he cannot marry Mirab because he loves Mychal and wants to marry her, Queen Ahinoam uses the opportunity to send David on a suicide mission. David is tasked with killing 100 Philistines and bringing back a bloody token of his success. When the Philistines are clued in to David’s attack, it turns into an ambush that they are not likely to survive. David, showing his improving skills in battle, instructs his men to pile explosive jars near the door and tells them to run to safety because it is he alone the Philistines are after. Despite all the odds stacked against them, David and his men are successful, and he kills not 100 but 200 Philistines. Saul is left speechless, and David finally gets to marry Mychal.

David has come on a long journey since Season 1. From an outcast in his own family and an overlooked shepherd, to the husband of a princess and a confident commander of soldiers. As Season 2 ends with David’s life in jeopardy and Saul out for his blood, his character arc will undoubtedly be thrilling to watch as the series goes on. Hopefully, House of David Season 3 will be confirmed soon, and viewers can look forward to many more full-circle moments in this riveting drama.

Advertisement

House of David

Advertisement

Release Date

February 27, 2025

Network

Advertisement

Prime Video, Wonder Project

Directors

Jeff T. Thomas, Jon Gunn, Jon Erwin, Lynsey Miller

Advertisement

Writers

Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn, Jonathan Walker, Bekah Hubbell, Nathan Andrew Jacobs, Laura Kenar, N.D. Wilson

Advertisement

• 
• 

  Alexander Uloom

  Advertisement

  King Achish

Advertisement

Advertisement